A5065648802- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Research on scale insects
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Plant and animal studies
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Date Palm Research Studies
- Mollusks and Parasites Studies
- Allelopathy and phytotoxic interactions
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
- Agricultural pest management studies
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Weed Control and Herbicide Applications
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
United States Department of Agriculture
2015-2024
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
2015-2024
Plant (United States)
2023-2024
University of Florida
2006-2013
Plant Health Care (United States)
2012-2013
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
2012-2013
U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory
2008-2011
Invasive Plant Research Laboratory
2008
Virginia Cooperative Extension
2006
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
2001-2004
Acoustic devices provide nondestructive, remote, automated detection, and monitoring of hidden insect infestations for pest managers, regulators, researchers. In recent decades, acoustic various kinds have been marketed field use, instrumented sample containers in sound-insulated chambers developed commodity inspection. The efficacy detecting cryptic insects, estimating population density, mapping distributions depends on many factors, including the sensor type frequency range, substrate...
The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), ranks among the most important pests of various species. pest originates from South and Southeast Asia, but has expanded its range dramatically since 1980s. We used ecological niche modeling (ENM) approaches to explore likely geographic potential. Two techniques, Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Prediction (GARP) a maximum entropy approach (MaxEnt), were used. However, MaxEnt provided more significant...
Abstract Lepidopteran larvae oral secretions and regurgitant (R), which contain a plethora of potential elicitors, are known to dramatically change plant's wound response. We demonstrate, with detailed microarray secondary metabolite analysis, that the two most abundant fatty acid‐amino acid conjugates (FACs) in R specialist herbivore Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) can account for all measured direct (trypsin proteinase inhibitor: TPI) indirect ( cis ‐α‐bergamotene) defences,...
Important life history parameters of the mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), were characterized on hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) cuttings at six constant temperatures between 15 and 35 degrees C. The development M. was fastest 27 C, where mealybugs completed in approximately 29 d. lower (T(min)) upper (T(max)) developmental thresholds optimal temperature (T(opt)) for female estimated as 14.5, 35, respectively. thermal (K), which is number temperature-day or degree-day units...
Field surveys revealed that in south Florida the recently established Mikania micrantha Kunth (Asterales: Asteraceae: Eupatorieae) had a lower diversity of monophagous insect herbivores compared to native spp. or Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King & H. Rob. Eupatorieae). In addition, served as host for pests agricultural and ornamental crops Florida.
Giant African snail (Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822)), an important invasive snail, was recently found in South Florida, USA. An extensive eradication effort initiated consisting of pesticide applications, debris removal and hand collections. We studied the reproduction capacity population dynamics snails collected from 22 populations for two years to help evaluate likely success program. A total 23,890 snails, ranging 25-131 mm, were measured, dissected number eggs each counted. Gravid...
Important life history parameters of the mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), were characterized on hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) cuttings at six constant temperatures between 15 and 35°C. The development M. was fastest 27°C, where mealybugs completed in ≈29 d. lower (Tmin) upper (Tmax) developmental thresholds optimal temperature (Topt) for female estimated as 14.5, 35, 29°C, respectively. thermal (K), which is number temperature-day or degree-day units required development,...
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus , an important palm pest, was accidentally introduced into the Caribbean. A monitoring programme established to determine population level and distribution of infestations on Aruba Curacao through use commercially available pheromone traps. Due small size islands limited palms, eradication may be feasible using a combination trapping, timely disposal infested palms curative prophylactic chemical treatments. These studies pest in Caribbean were used help design USDA...
Miridae (Hemiptera) of the tribe Dicyphini are important zoophytophagous predators use to control pest arthropods in vegetable crops. However, risk that their herbivory may cause economic damage could hinder application as useful biocontrol agents and limit likelihood they would meet regulatory requirements for importation. We conducted field cage studies assess predation capacity tomato plant three mirid species established south USA, a known agent (Nesidiocoris tenuis), two native...
The red palm mite (Raoiella indica Hirst Tenuipalpidae), a pest of coconuts and ornamental palms in Asia Africa, was reported the Caribbean 2004. By 2008, it spread to at least twelve islands, two counties Florida Venezuela. Red causes yellowing leaf necrosis with severe reduction stomatal conductance. Growers are reporting > 70% coconut yield. Genetic studies collected from multiple regions Asia, Africa revealed several distinct haplotypes. All samples have same haplotype, which matches...
This study was conducted to determine the density, incidence of parasitism, and generalist predator assemblage Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), on orange jasmine plants [Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack] in residential landscape Miami-Dade County, Florida. Flush shoots (10 cm) were collected from ten hedges each four communities (Doral, Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay, Homestead). We did not detect any consistent pattern fluctuation psyllid density over time...
From 2003 to 2008, 176,643 Gratiana boliviana, Spaeth (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) were released in Florida as part of a biological control program targeting tropical soda apple (TSA) Solarium viarum Dunal (Solanaceae). The spatial distribution releases was clustered with more beetles south/central than further north. A survey conducted the fall 2008 found G. bolviana present at >70% randomly selected locations between 26° and 29° latitude, but no sites presence beetle damage associated...