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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryDelusory Parasitosis Working Group



Delusory Parasitosis Working Group

Author: Jonathan Larson

Planning Unit: Entomology

Major Program: Integrated Pest Management

Outcome: Initial Outcome

In 2023 I was invited to join a group funded by the Southern IPM Center that focuses on helping Extension agents across the southeastern United States deal with delusory parasitosis, also known as invisible itches or delusions of infestation. Headed by Karen Vail, University of Tennessee, I was selected to be the team lead for a fact sheet that will teach agents and those who suffer with this condition how to deal with the situation. It’s hard to establish an economic impact of this project, but the hope is that this team will be able to improve Extension’s response to one of our most difficult entomological issues. Clients that suffer from delusory parasitosis are in anguish and they often become repeat visitors to county offices where they bring biohazardous samples to agents for “testing”. The team is making factsheets, educational PowerPoints, and checklists explaining alternative diagnoses to try and help clients and ease the burden delusory cases can cause Extension professionals.






Stories by Jonathan Larson


2024-2025 Kentucky Keepers Invasive Species Monitoring with Citizen Science

about 14 days ago by Jonathan Larson

In partnership with the Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist, a citizen science effort focused ... Read More


Stories by Entomology


2024-2025 Kentucky Keepers Invasive Species Monitoring with Citizen Science

about 14 days ago by Jonathan Larson

In partnership with the Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist, a citizen science effort focused ... Read More


Crop Pest Management Webinars Series by UK-REC Specilaists Gain Loyal Audience

about 16 days ago by Raul Villanueva

This webinar series focuses on the management of insects, diseases, and weeds in field crops. Extens... Read More