Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Lefko

Stephen A. Lefko has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9215863
    Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a protected plant having a protection mechanism. A population of immature insects (i.e., larvae or nymphs) belonging to an insect species having a plurality of instars is first exposed to the protected plant such that the protected plant is at least contacted thereby. The insect exposure extends for a selected time period corresponding to a sublethal exposure of the insect population to the protected plant. The exposure of the insect population to the protected plant is then halted following the selected time period and insects collected. A physical characteristic of at least some collected insects is measured. The measured physical characteristics are then statistically analyzed so as to determine an efficacy of the protection mechanism of the protected plant with respect to the insect population. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rachel R. Binning, Fu-Chih Cheng, Bo Hong, Stephen A. Lefko, Timothy M. Nowatzki, Bruce H. Stanley, Stephen D. Thompson, Deanne L. Wright
  • Patent number: 8324448
    Abstract: Laboratory-selected colonies of western corn rootworm exhibiting tolerance to maize containing event DAS-59122-7 are described. Further, methods for various uses of these resistance western corn rootworm colonies are also described, including development of negative cross-resistance strategies and improved resistance management strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel Binning, Stephen Lefko, Timothy Nowatzki, Stephen Thompson
  • Publication number: 20110236319
    Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a protected plant having a protection mechanism. A population of immature insects (i.e., larvae or nymphs) belonging to an insect species having a plurality of instars is first exposed to the protected plant such that the protected plant is at least contacted thereby. The insect exposure extends for a selected time period corresponding to a sublethal exposure of the insect population to the protected plant. The exposure of the insect population to the protected plant is then halted following the selected time period and insects collected. A physical characteristic of at least some collected insects is measured. The measured physical characteristics are then statistically analyzed so as to determine an efficacy of the protection mechanism of the protected plant with respect to the insect population. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Rachel R. Binning, Fu-Chih Cheng, Bo Hong, Stephen A. Lefko, Timothy M. Nowatzki, Bruce H. Stanley, Stephen D. Thompson, Deanne L. Wright
  • Patent number: 7939707
    Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a protected plant having a protection mechanism. A population of immature insects (i.e., larvae or nymphs) belonging to an insect species having a plurality of instars is first exposed to the protected plant such that the protected plant is at least contacted thereby. The insect exposure extends for a selected time period corresponding to a sublethal exposure of the insect population to the protected plant. The exposure of the insect population to the protected plant is then halted following the selected time period and insects collected. A physical characteristic of at least some collected insects is measured and the immature insects are then sorted into instars. The measured physical characteristics are then statistically analyzed across the instars so as to determine an efficacy of the protection mechanism of the protected plant with respect to the insect population. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Stephen A. Lefko, Rachel R. Binning, Timothy M. Nowatzki, Deanne L. Wright, Bruce H. Stanley, Stephen D. Thompson, Fu-Chih Cheng
  • Publication number: 20100210460
    Abstract: Insect refuge strategies are described for the management of insect resistance development. The present invention relates generally to the control of pests that cause damage to crop plants, and in particular to corn plants, by their feeding activities directed to root damage, and more particularly to the control of such plant pests by ensuring, through the seed production process, that sufficient refuge seeds are present in a given set of seeds to reduce the rate of development of resistant pests, thereby eliminating the problems that may arise with regard to refuge compliance. In addition, the treatment of such seed with a chemical or peptide-associated pesticide prior to planting the seed is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Coaldrake, John L. Flexner, Laura S. Higgins, Stephen A. Lefko, Timothy M. Nowatzki
  • Publication number: 20090094705
    Abstract: Laboratory-selected colonies of western corn rootworm exhibiting tolerance to maize containing event DAS-59122-7 are described. Further, methods for various uses of these resistance western corn rootworm colonies are also described, including development of negative cross-resistance strategies and improved resistance management strategies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: RACHEL BINNING, STEPHEN LEFKO, TIMOTHY NOWATZKI, STEPHEN THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20090094706
    Abstract: Laboratory-selected colonies of western corn rootworm exhibiting tolerance to maize containing event DAS-59122-7 are described. Further, methods for various uses of these resistance western corn rootworm colonies are also described, including development of negative cross-resistance strategies and improved resistance management strategies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicants: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., E. I. DUPONT DENEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: RACHEL BINNING, JOHN L. FLEXNER, STEPHEN LEFKO, TIMOTHY NOWATZKI, DAVID ONSTAD, STEPHEN THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20060104904
    Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a protected plant having a protection mechanism. A population of immature insects (i.e., larvae or nymphs) belonging to an insect species having a plurality of instars is first exposed to the protected plant such that the protected plant is at least contacted thereby. The insect exposure extends for a selected time period corresponding to a sublethal exposure of the insect population to the protected plant. The exposure of the insect population to the protected plant is then halted following the selected time period and insects collected. A physical characteristic of at least some collected insects is measured and the immature insects are then sorted into instars. The measured physical characteristics are then statistically analyzed across the instars so as to determine an efficacy of the protection mechanism of the protected plant with respect to the insect population. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Stephen Lefko, Rachel Binning, Timothy Nowatzki, Deanne Wright, Bruce Stanley, Stephen Thompson, Fu-Chih Cheng