Dan Olmstead

Digital Outreach and Development Coordinator, Cornell Integrated Pest Management

About
Publications

Olmstead leads the design and implementation of digital decision support systems that integrate computer and information science with applied pest and crop management. His work spans multiple platforms—including the Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) that deliver real-time, data-driven tools to agricultural stakeholders. He directs projects involving database architecture, API development, and user-centered interfaces, with a growing emphasis on machine learning, AI and open data to enhance transparency, usability and scalability.

Education

M.S. Entomology, 2015, Cornell University
B.S. Environmental Science, 1999, Nazareth University

Professional Experience

2023-present: Senior Extension Associate (Digital Outreach and Development Coordinator), Cornell IPM.
2017-2023: Extension Associate (NEWA Coordinator), Cornell IPM.
2005-2016: Research Support Specialist I, Cornell CALS Department of Entomology.
2004-2005: Technical Consultant, Agricultural Consulting Services, Rochester, NY.
2002-2004: Research Support Aide, Waste Management Institute, Cornell University.
2000-2002: Extension Educator, CCE of Niagara County, Cornell University, Lockport, NY.
1999-2000: Field Crop Technician, Cornell Cooperative Extension NWNY Dairy, Livestock, Field Crops Team.

Honors and Awards

2016: Asa Fitch Memorial Graduate Student Award | Entomological Society of America Eastern Branch, 2016
2009: NACAA Regional Finalist Award for Cornell Waste Management Institute composting factsheet series co-authored in 2004-2005.
2004: First place - technical poster presentation competition, 13th Annual Spatial/Digital Mapping Conference in Rochester, NY.

Professional Society Memberships

2013 – present: Entomological Society of America
1999 – present: Rochester Academy of Science, Rochester, NY

Publications

Cho, C.Y.L., S. Crowther, A. Stratton, D. Olmstead, and K. Poveda. 2025. Validation of degree day threshold for Delia platura first emergence in New York State. Crop Protection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2024.107011
Olaya-Arenas, P., C.Y.L. Cho, D. Olmstead, A. DiPaola, S. Crowther, J. Degni, J. Miller, A. Gabriel, M. Stanyard, M. Zuefle, J. Letham and K. Poveda. 2024. Degree-day models for predicting adult Delia platura (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) spring flight and first emergence in New York State. Journal of Economic Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae148.
Strickland, D.A., K.M. Ayer, D.L. Olmstead and K.D. Cox. 2023. Refining Management of Apple Powdery Mildew in New York State with Weather-based Fungicide Application Timing Programs. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-22-1825-RE.
Papp, D., L. Gao, R. Thapa, D. Olmstead and A. Khan. 2020. Field apple scab susceptibility of a diverse Malus germplasm collection identifies potential sources of resistance for apple breeding. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience. 1(16). http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s43170-020-00017-4.
Pethybridge, S.J., S. Sharma, Z. Hansen, J.R. Kikkert, D.L. Olmstead, and H.E. Hanson. 2020. Optimizing Cercospora Leaf Spot Control in Table Beet Using Action Thresholds and Disease Forecasting. Plant Disease. https://10.1094/PDIS-02-20-0246-RE.
Olmstead, D.L., B. A. Nault and A. M. Shelton. 2016. Biology, Ecology, and Evolving Management of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) in sweet corn in the United States. J. Econ. Entomol. 109: 1667-1676. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/tow125.
Olmstead, D.L. and A. M. Shelton. 2016. Effects of timing and insecticide on management of Helicoverpa zea in sweet corn. Florida Ent. 99: 161-165. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.099.0201.
Gautam, S., D. Olmstead, T. Jun-ce, H. Collins and A. M. Shelton. 2014. Tri-trophic studies using Cry1Ac-resistant Plutella xylostella demonstrate no adverse effects of Cry1Ac on the entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. J. Econ. Entomol. 107: 115-120. https://doi.org/10.1603/ec13310.
Shelton, A. M., D. L. Olmstead, E. C. Burkness, W. D. Hutchison, G. Dively, C. Welty and A. N. Spraks. 2013. Multi-state trials of Bt sweet corn varieties for control of the corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 106 (5): 2151-2159. https://doi.org/10.1603/EC13146.
Olmstead, D.L. and A.M. Shelton. 2012. Evaluation of insecticide chemistries against the leek moth (Lepidoptera: Acrolepiidae), a new pest in North America. Florida Entomologist 95(4): 1127-1131. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.095.0443.
Peck, D.C., D. Olmstead and M.J. Petersen. 2010. Pest status of invasive crane flies in New York turfgrass is a harbinger of repercussions for regional plant protection. Journal of Integrated Pest Management 1: E1-E3. https://doi.org/10.1603/IPM10007.
Peck, D.C. and D. Olmstead. 2010. Neonicotinoid insecticides disrupt predation on the eggs of turf-infesting scarab beetles. Bulletin of Entomological Research. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485310000040.
Peck, D.C. and D. Olmstead. 2009. Invasive Tipula (Diptera: Tipulidae) in turfgrass of the Northeast United States: geographic distribution and local incidence three years after detection. Journal of Economic Entomology 102(2): 652-658. https://doi.org/10.1603/029.102.0225.
Olmstead, D. and D.C. Peck. 2009. Acelepryn and Merit for the preventive control of Japanese beetle larvae in turfgrass, 2008. Arthropod Management Tests 34: G44. https://doi.org/10.4182/amt.2009.G44.
Olmstead, D. and D.C. Peck. 2009. Bacillus thuringiensis at different watering rates for the early curative control of Japanese beetle larvae in turfgrass, 2008. Arthropod Management Tests 34: G46. https://doi.org/10.4182/amt.2009.G46.
Peck, D.C, D.L. Olmstead and A. Morales. 2008. Application timing and efficacy of alternatives for the insecticidal control of Tipula paludosa Meigen (Diptera: Tipulidae), a new invasive pest of turf in the northeastern United States. Pest Management Science 64(10): 989-1000. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.1592.

Contact Information

IPM House
607 W North Street
Geneva, NY 14456

(315) 787-2207

dlo6 [at] cornell.edu

Portfolio

Dan in the news

News

August 24, 2026

NY pesticide ban: Growers and Cornell work to protect crops, pollinators

Preliminary Cornell research on managing the dreaded seedcorn maggot is giving hope to growers across the state ahead of New York’s 2029 ban on neonicotinoid pesticides in field crops: Side-by-side farm trials of neonic-treated vs. untreated...

Cornell AgriTech
Cornell Integrated Pest Management
Agriculture

two people standing next to a weather station

News

September 3, 2024

Collaboration provides increased crop protection for New York farmers

NYSIPM’s Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA), Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) at Cornell University and NYSM, operated by the University at Albany, recently combined efforts to bring real-time, localized weather data...

Dan Olmstead

Contact Information

Portfolio

Dan in the news