Javid Kashefi
Support Scientist
jkashefi@ars-ebcl.org
Javid Kashefi started his carrier at EBCL substation in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1992 with biological control of weeds (Scotch Thistle, Yellow Star Thistle, Diffuse Knapweed, Saltcedar, Giant Reed, etc). Later in his carrier he started to work on pest biological control such as Olive Fruit Fly, Olive Psyllid and Diamondback Moth.
In the last 6 years he has been actively working on biological control of Asian Longhorned Tick and Cattle Fever Tick. He moved to EBCL France in November 2019 and since then has continued his activities from France. A major part of his work consists of foreign exploration in Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Asia and he has developed collaboration with various research facilities in all these regions.
Current projects
Arthropods:
- Rhipicaphalus annulatus and Rhipicephalus microplus, Ixodidae (Cattle Fever Ticks):
Cattle fever ticks are invasive species native to Balkan region (R. annulatus) and eastern Asia (R. microplus). They are the most dangerous cattle ectoparasites in the United States and are capable of transmitting the protozoa, Babesia bovis and B. bigemina, causing cattle bovine babesiosis, also known as cattle fever. B. bovis destroys red blood cells, causing acute anemia, enlargement of spleen and liver and can cause up to 90% mortality in cattle who have never been exposed to Babesia (Naive cattle). Discovery of biological control agents helps to have a sustainable, environmentally sound and cost effective control of the vector.
- Haemaphysalis Longicronis, Ixodidae (Asian Longhorned Tick):
The Asian longhorned tick, was identified for the first time in North America on a sheep in New Jersey, USA, in 2017. Since then, this tick has been reported in 96 counties in 12 states and its range appears to be growing. Asian Longhorned Tick has a wide host range and has been reported on humans, domestic animals (dogs, cats, cattle, horses, goats, sheep), and various wildlife (white-tailed deer, opossums, coyotes, gray foxes, groundhogs, raccoons) in the United States. The longhorned tick is endemic in eastern Asia as well as Australia and New Zealand where it is known as bush tick or cattle tick and as a significant pest to livestock. Discovery of biological control agents helps to have a sustainable, environmentally sound and cost effective control of the vector.
- Plutella xylostella, Plutellidae (Diamondback Moth):
Plutella xylostella is a highly migratory, cosmopolitan specie and one of the most important pests of cruciferous crops worldwide. Globally, direct losses and control costs are estimated to be US$ 1 billion. In temperate regions, P. xylostella is unable to overwinter and therefore annual outbreaks are attributed to migration, but in tropical and subtropical regions there can be a large number of continuous generations per year. P. xylostella is considered to be one of the most difficult pests to control and for many years continuous insecticide applications have been the main tool with the result that today this species shows resistance to almost all insecticides, including recently introduced compounds with new modes of action. Discovery of biological control agents helps to have a sustainable, environmentally sound and cost effective control of the pest.
- Euphyllura olivina, Liviidae (Olive Psyllid):
Euphyllura olivine, the olive psyllid, is native to Mediterranean region and was discovered in 2007 in California. This insect is viewed as a potential pest of commercial olives that are produced in California’s Central Valley and along the coast. Discovery of biological control agents helps to have a sustainable, environmentally sound and cost effective control of the pest.
Weeds:
- Dittrichia graveolens, Asteraceae (Stinkwort):
Dittrichia graveolens (stinkwort) is a poisonous, strongly aromatic, annual plant growing 20 to 50 cm tall. It is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe which has rapidly spread outside its native range. It is considered a high risk weed in terms of invasion potential and impact for the United States. The resinous foliage is unpalatable to animals, so there are few natural checks on its growth. A single stinkwort plant can produce tens of thousands of seeds that can be dispersed long distances by wind or by clinging to animals or equipment. The rate of spread in California has been dramatic. Stinkwort was first recorded in California in 1984 and by 2012, it was present in 36 of California’s 58 counties. It has invaded other states in the U.S., and other regions of the world such as South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Discovery of biological control agents helps to have a sustainable, environmentally sound and cost effective control of the weed.
- Brassica tournefortii, Brassicaceae (Sahara mustard):
This mustard is native to the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. It became notorious during the twentieth century after it invaded the deserts of the United States and Mexico. Recently it has become an abundant weed of low deserts including the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts, plus the desert valleys such as the Coachella and Imperial Valleys of southern California. The weed can form thick stands of the plant can crowd out native flora. Well-adapted to desert life, it monopolizes any moisture in the soil before other plants can get it and forms seeds before other species do. It is particularly an issue in desert farms when the land is tilled. Discovery of biological control agents helps to have a sustainable, environmentally sound and cost effective control of the pest.
Publications
Languages: Fluent in English, German, Greek and Farsi. Some Bulgarian and French
Other scientific interests: Taxonomy of ticks
