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Stephen Wraight
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Stephen P. Wraight
Research Ecologist, USDA-ARS,
Biological Integrated Pest Management Unit
steve.wraight@ars.usda.gov

Adjunct Professor, Department of Entomology, Cornell University

(607) 255-2458 (voice)
(607) 255-1132 (FAX)

 

 

 

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Education
Ph.D., State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1984
B.S. SUNY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1974

Background and Research Interests

Research ecologist with extensive experience in entomology, insect pathology, microbial biological control, and design and analysis of field experiments.  Career research has included basic and applied studies of bacterial, nematode and fungal pathogens of medically and agriculturally important arthropods.  Has worked nationally and internationally since 1982 as an applied mycopathologist pursuing research and development of entomophthoralean and hyphomycete fungi for control of coleopteran, hemipteran, thysanopteran, lepidopteran, and dipteran pests of agricultural crops.  The principal objective of current research is the discovery, characterization, and development of fungal pathogens for control of insect and other arthropod pests of greenhouse ornamentals and vegetable field crops.  This work includes development of technologies and strategies for effective formulation and application of fungal biopesticides and incorporation of fungi into multi-component, bio-based integrated pest management systems.  Interactions between fungal pathogens, insect pests and their host plants, other microbial and macrobial biocontrol agents, and biorational chemical control agents and effects of environmental conditions on infectivity and virulence of fungal pathogens are also primary research interests.  Research in progress is aimed at developing the common hyphomycete pathogens Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae for microbial biocontrol of thrips, aphids, whiteflies, fungus gnats, shore flies, and Colorado potato beetles.  Our ultimate objective is production of commercially viable mycopesticides and integration of these products into pest control systems as sustainable, environmentally safe alternatives to broad-spectrum chemical insecticides.

 

Publications past 5 years

Wraight, S.P., Hajek, A.E. 2008. Manipulation of arthropod pathogens for integrated pest management. In: Integrated Pest Management (Radcliffe, E.B., Hutchison, W.D., Cancelado, R., Eds.).  Cambridge University Press.  In press

Lacey, L.A., Wraight, S.P., Kirk, A.A.  2008.  Entomopathogenic fungi for control of Bemisia tabaci biotype B: Foreign exploration, research and implementation.  In: Classical Biological Control of Bemisia tabaci in the United States: A Review of Interagency Research and Implementation (Gould, J., Hoelmer, K., Goolsby, J., Eds.).  Vol. 4, Progress in Biological Control (Hokkanen, H.M.T., Series Ed.).  Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. pp. 33-69.

Castrillo, L.A., Ugine, T.A., Filotas, M.J., Sanderson, J.P., Vandenberg, J.D., Wraight, S.P. 2008.  Molecular characterization and comparative virulence of Beauveria bassiana isolates (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) associated with the greenhouse shore fly, Scatella tenuicosta (Diptera: Ephydridae).  Biological Control  45, 154-162.

Faria, M.R. de, Wraight, S.P.  2007.  Mycoinsecticides and Mycoacaricides: A comprehensive list with worldwide coverage and international classification of formulation types.  Biological Control  43, 237-256.

Ugine, T.A., Sanderson, J.P., Wraight, S.P.  2007.  Developmental times and life tables for shore flies, Scatella tenuicosta (Diptera: Ephydridae), at three temperatures. Environmental Entomology  36, 989-997.

Ugine, T.A., Wraight, S.P., Sanderson, J.P.  2007.  A tritrophic effect of host plant on susceptibility of western flower thrips to the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana.  Journal of Invertebrate Pathology  96, 162-172.

Vandenberg, J.D., Shelton, A.M., Wraight, S.P.  2007.  Application and evaluation of entomopathogens in crucifers and cucurbits.  In: Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology, Second Edition (Lacey, L.A., Kaya, H.K., Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. pp. 361-374.

Wraight, S.P., Sporleder, M., Poprawski, T.J., Lacey, L.A.  2007.  Application and evaluation of entomopathogens in potato.  In: Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology, Second Edition (Lacey, L.A., Kaya, H.K., Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.  pp. 329-359.

Wraight, S.P., Inglis, G.D., Goettel, M.S.  2007.  Overview of pathogen groups: Fungi.  In: Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology, Second Edition (Lacey, L.A., Kaya, H.K., Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.  pp. 223-248.

Campbell, J.F., Wraight, S.P.  2007.  Experimental design: Statistical considerations and analysis.  In: Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology, Second Edition (Lacey, L.A., Kaya, H.K., Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.  pp. 37-69.

Hatting, J.L., Wraight, S.P.  2007.  Optimizing bioassay precision with special reference to the Aphididae and Aleyrodidae.  In: Use of Fungi in Biological Pest Management (Ekesi, S., Maniania, N.K., Eds.). Research Signpost, Kerala, India.  pp. 197-237.

Wraight, S.P., Ramos, M.R.  2007.  Integrated use of Beauveria bassiana and Bacillus thuringiensis serovar. tenebrionis for microbial biocontrol of Colorado potato beetle.  Journal of Anhui Agricultural University 34, 174-184.

Johnson, J.B., Poprawski, T.J., Wraight, S.P.  2007.  Entomopathogens for control of cereal pests.  In: Handbook of Small Grain Insects (Buntin, G.D., Pike, K.S., Weiss, M.J., Webster, J.A., Eds.). Entomological Society of America, Landham, MD. pp. 93-94.

Ugine, T.A., Wraight, S.P., Sanderson, J.P.  2007.  Effects of manipulating spray-application parameters on efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, infesting greenhouse impatiens crops. Biocontrol Science and Technology 17, 193-219.

Ugine, T.A., Sanderson, J.P., Wraight, S.P. 2006.  Within-plant and temporal distribution of nymphal and adult western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on flowers and foliage of greenhouse impatiens, Impatiens wallerana, and implications for pest population monitoring.  Environmental Entomology 35, 507-515.

Ugine, T.A., Wraight, S.P., Sanderson, J.P.  2006.  Influences of impatiens pollen and exposure to Beauveria bassiana on bionomics of western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis.  Biological Control 37, 186-195.

Ugine, T.A., Wraight, S.P., Sanderson, J.P. 2005.  Differential susceptibility of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) to Beauveria bassiana as a function of host plant species.  IOBC/WPRS Bulletin 28, 271-274.

Sensenbach, E.J, Wraight, S.P., and Sanderson, J.P. 2005.  Biology and predatory feeding behavior of the hunter fly Coenosia attenuata. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin 28, 229-232.

Sanderson, J., Nyrop, J., Shipp, L., Ugine, T., Wraight, S., Wang, K.  2005.  Binomial count sampling for western flower thrips in greenhouses.  IOBC/WPRS Bulletin 28, 225-228.

Filotas, M., Castrillo, L., Vandenberg, J. Sanderson, J., Wraight, S. 2005.  Novel isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana for biological control of the shore fly Scatella tenuicosta.  IOBC/WPRS Bulletin 28, 95-98.

Ugine, T.A., Wraight, S.P., Sanderson, J.P.  2005.  Acquisition of lethal doses of Beauveria bassiana conidia by western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, exposed to foliar spray residues of formulated and unformulated conidia. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 90: 10-23.

Ugine, T.A., Wraight, S.P., Brownbridge, M., Sanderson, J.P.  2005.  Development of a novel bioassay for estimation of median lethal concentrations (LC50) and doses (LD50) of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis.  Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 89: 210-218.

Wraight, S.P., Ramos, M.R.  2005.  Synergistic interaction between Beauveria bassiana- and Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis-based biopesticides applied against field populations of Colorado potato beetle larvae.  Journal of Invertebrate Pathology.  90, 139-150.

Sensenbach, E., Sanderson, J., Wraight, S.  2004.  Hunter flies: Good guys in the greenhouse.  Grower Talks Magazine 68(4), 85-86.

Hatting, J.L., Wraight, S.P., Miller, R.M.  2004.  Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana (Hyphomycetes) for control of Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphidae) on resistant wheat under field conditions. Biocontrol Science and Technology 14, 459-473.

Hoebeke, E.R., Sensenbach, E.J., Sanderson, J.P., Wraight, S.P.  2003.  First report of Coenosia attenuata Stein (Diptera: Muscidae), an Old World 'hunter fly' in North America.  Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 105, 769-775.

Wraight, S.P., Galaini-Wraight, S., Carruthers, R.I., Roberts, D.W.  2003.  Zoophthora radicans (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) conidia production from naturally-infected Empoasca kraemeri and dry-formulated mycelium under laboratory and field conditions.  Biological Control 28, 60-77.

Wraight, S.P.  2003.  Synergism between insect pathogens and entomophagous insects and its potential to enhance biological control efficacy.  In:  Advances in Biopesticide Research, Vol. 3, Predators and Parasitoids (Koul, O., Dhaliwal, G.S., Eds.). Taylor & Francis, NY. pp. 139-161.

Castrillo, L.A., Vandenberg, J.D., Wraight, S.P.  2003.  Strain-specific detection of introduced Beauveria bassiana in agricultural fields by use of sequence-characterized amplified region markers.  Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 82, 75-83.