RAYMOND, Miss. -- Mississippi State University Extension Service plant pathologist Rebecca Melanson was recently recognized for her work to further the development and implementation of integrated pest management in the cucurbit industry.

The Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group, or EVCWG, received the 2024 Friends of IPM Pulling Together Award. Melanson and Bill Wintermantel, a scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, co-chair the group that was established in 2022.

The EVCWG works to improve communication and knowledge about cucurbit virus spread and develop strategies to help people in the industry successfully identify and manage viruses and mitigate emerging virus threats.

The 24-member, multi-disciplinary group is made up of participants from six states in the Southern region and collaborators from across the U.S. and the world.

The award is given by the Southern IPM Center to groups that focus on the management of high-priority pests.

“The increase in stakeholder awareness and knowledge of cucurbit viruses is important for the cucurbit industry in the United States and demonstrates the impact of the EVCWG,” said Melanson, who is also an associate professor in the MSU Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology. “This success would not be possible without the contributions made by each group member who is passionate about improving virus disease management in the cucurbit industry.

“The Pulling Together award acknowledges the value of the EVCWG’s efforts and, along with support from the industry, fuels the desire to continue and expand activities in support of its mission,” she said. 

The EVCWG reached over 4,000 producers and industry members in just 18 months through outreach activities, including presentations and the development of a website and printed materials, such as postcards and fact sheets. The group has also facilitated communication and cooperation among industry members to improve stakeholder knowledge of cucurbit virus threats and their management.

Members of the group are involved in research, production, Extension, education and regulation. The group also includes international members who have expertise in identification and mitigation of diseases that have not yet been found or become established in the U.S.

The award review panel praised the group’s diversity of discipline and geography and how those factors have impacted the group’s mission and reach.

“The EVCWG has done extensive outreach to educate stakeholders about emerging cucurbit viruses and their vectors,” said Lauren Quevillon, Friends of IPM program coordinator. “This outreach has been multi-faceted, from presentations to fact sheets, websites and personal communication. The review panel was impressed by how many stakeholders EVCWG has been able to reach in just 18 months and looks forward to seeing the impact increase over the coming years.”

The Southern IPM Center is one of four centers located in each region of the U.S. and is dedicated to the development and adoption of integrated pest management, a science-based approach to responsible pest management. The southern region includes 13 states and two U.S. territories.

The center established the Friends of IPM Awards in 2008 to recognize people who make extraordinary contributions to the research, teaching or implementation of integrated pest management in the Southeast. For more information about the center, visit https://southernipm.org. To learn more about the Friends of IPM awards program, visit https://southernipm.org/projects/friends-of-ipm.

For more information about the EVCWG, visit https://ecucurbitviruses.org.