Postdoctoral Research
As a vegetable entomologist in Yuma Agricultural Center, my current project is to develop a mordern research program on the biology and management of insects associate with leafy vegetables, such as whiteflies, thrips, caterpillars, and stink bugs. Lately my research has been focusing on the host preference, dispersal, seasonal population dynamics, and insecticidal efficacy trials of a newly invasive stink bug (Bagrada hilaris). By utilizing modern technologies, I seek to gain a fundamental understanding of insect ecology & insect-plant interactions, and apply this knowledge to the development of innovative pest management strategies in vegetable cropping systems. The goal of my research is to minimize pest damage and reduce pesticide use without sacrificing crop quality and productivity.
Doctoral Research
My doctoral research focused on the ecology and behavior of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in costal plain agroecosystem. Specifically, I studied the intercrop dispersal of stink bugs in Georgia cotton-peanut-soybean farmscapes by using immunomarking based mass mark & capture techniques. I also evaluated the intraplant movement and feeding preference of two important stink bug species, Southern Green Stink Bug (Nezara viridula) and Brown Stink Bug (Euschistus servus), on individual cotton plants with various sizes of cotton ball using digital-videography based technology. The overall goal of my doctoral research is to provide a ecologically based strategy for stink bug management programs.
Master Research
My master’s research focused on the seasonal phenology, abundance, and development time of billbugs (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Florida golf courses. I studied the basic biology & population dynamics of billbugs at four golf courses (two in north-central Florida and two in south Florida) using large linear pitfall traps. In addition, I evaluated genotype resistance on four cultivars of bermudagrass and seventeen cultivars of zoysiagrass to hunting billbug (Sphenophorus venatus) as well as the endophytic perennial ryegrass resistant to S. venatus. The goal of my master's research was to promote non-pesticidal tactics for golf course pest management.
As a vegetable entomologist in Yuma Agricultural Center, my current project is to develop a mordern research program on the biology and management of insects associate with leafy vegetables, such as whiteflies, thrips, caterpillars, and stink bugs. Lately my research has been focusing on the host preference, dispersal, seasonal population dynamics, and insecticidal efficacy trials of a newly invasive stink bug (Bagrada hilaris). By utilizing modern technologies, I seek to gain a fundamental understanding of insect ecology & insect-plant interactions, and apply this knowledge to the development of innovative pest management strategies in vegetable cropping systems. The goal of my research is to minimize pest damage and reduce pesticide use without sacrificing crop quality and productivity.
Doctoral Research
My doctoral research focused on the ecology and behavior of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in costal plain agroecosystem. Specifically, I studied the intercrop dispersal of stink bugs in Georgia cotton-peanut-soybean farmscapes by using immunomarking based mass mark & capture techniques. I also evaluated the intraplant movement and feeding preference of two important stink bug species, Southern Green Stink Bug (Nezara viridula) and Brown Stink Bug (Euschistus servus), on individual cotton plants with various sizes of cotton ball using digital-videography based technology. The overall goal of my doctoral research is to provide a ecologically based strategy for stink bug management programs.
Master Research
My master’s research focused on the seasonal phenology, abundance, and development time of billbugs (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Florida golf courses. I studied the basic biology & population dynamics of billbugs at four golf courses (two in north-central Florida and two in south Florida) using large linear pitfall traps. In addition, I evaluated genotype resistance on four cultivars of bermudagrass and seventeen cultivars of zoysiagrass to hunting billbug (Sphenophorus venatus) as well as the endophytic perennial ryegrass resistant to S. venatus. The goal of my master's research was to promote non-pesticidal tactics for golf course pest management.