Steve Jacobs

Education:

B. S., Penn State University, 1976
M. S., Penn State University, 1986
Post-graduate credits - 48, 1986 - 1991

Department Focus Areas:

Urban Entomology
Public Health Entomology
Integrated Pest Management
Public Education

Research:

Insect sampling techniques; insect behaviors; arthropod surveys

Extension:

Development of educational materials (print, web-based, audio and video) for Pest Control Operators, County Cooperative Extension Agents and the General Public; Identification of insects and related arthropods of home, institution and industry, and recommendations for management of those pests; Lyme disease education.

Research Activities & Interests:

I am interested in the development and interpretation of arthropod survey data, and the comparison of this data to disease distribution, weather patterns, topographic characteristics, etc.  Most recently, I developed an economical method to evaluate the effectiveness of mass advertising campaigns, specifically the use of buses to deliver IPM information.

Extension Activities & Interests:

 My duties include arthropod identification and control recommendations for urban, household and public health arthropods.  I produce entomological fact sheets (Entomological Notes) relating to urban, household and public health arthropods.

I also provide presentations to extension audiences, pesticide applicators, and for resident education courses as a guest lecturer.

As a Chair of the Great Insect Fair, I facilitate the development of themes and new attractions, handle publicity arrangements and sponsorship.

I am currently the Department of Entomology Extension Coordinator, representing our unit at the College level and facilitating/leading quarterly Entomology Extension meetings.

Since 2007 I have been a member of the NEIPM Community IPM Working Group.

Research Publications:

Jacobs, S. B.  1986.  The importance of ground crickets Allonemobius spp. in conservation-tilled alfalfa.  (symposium abstract).  In Proceedings of an International Symposium on Establishment of Forage Crops by Conservation-tillage: Pest Management.  1:31.

Jacobs, S. B., L. A. Hull and E. G. Rajotte. 1988.  Apple, evaluation of fenoxycarb for TABM control, 1987.  Insecticide and Acaricide Tests. 13:21A. 

Jacobs, S. B., R. A. Byers and S. G. Anderson.  1992.  Habitat and Food Preferences of Allonemobius allardi and Potential Damage to Alfalfa in Conservation-Tillage Systems.  J. Econ. Entomol.  85(5):  1933-1939.

Snetsinger, R. J., S. B. Jacobs, K. C. Kim, and D. R. Tavris. 1993.  Extension of the Range of Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Pennsylvania.  J. of Med. Entomol. 30(4): 795-798.