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René F.H. Sforza

/rfhs

Research Entomologist

rsforza@ars-ebcl.org

Research Projects and Topics

Topics

  1. Classical biocontrol of weeds and insect pests using arthropods and pathogens as specific agents;
  2. Foreign exploration for the discovery of biological control agents;
  3. Host specificity testing and evaluating ecological interactions;
  4. Phylogeography of invasive targets.

Projects

  1. Current projects on weeds and their potential biocontrol candidates when known:
    • Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima, Simaroubaceae) and the eriophyid mite Aculus taihanganensis, b. Stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens, Inulaceae),
    • Swallow worts (Vincetoxicum rossicum and V. nigrum - Asclepiadaceae) and the Chrysomelid beetle Chrysochus asclepiadeus, 
    • Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii, Brassicaceae),
    • Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae - Poaceae), African wiregrass (Ventenata dubia Poaceae),
    • French broom (Genista monspessulana - Fabaceae) and the psyllid Arytinnis hakani and the weevil Lepidapion argentatum. 
  2.  Current project on an insect pest:
    • Bagrada bug (Bagrada hilaris - Pentatomidae) and the scelionid wasp, Gryon aetherium.

Publications

René Sfoza's publications

Teaching experience

Pluri-annual courses in Biological control and insect diversity at Supagro, Montpellier, and the University of Montpellier 

Reviewer for:

Acarologia; Agronomy; Annals of Applied Biology; BioControl; Biocontrol, Science & Technology; Biological Control; Entomologia Generalis; Journal of Chemical Ecology; Insects; Microbiology; Scientific reports; South African Journal of Phytopathology; World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology.

Degrees

2017: Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches, University of Montpellier, France. Une approche pluri-disciplinaire de la protection des cultures et des écosystèmes par le biocontrôle classique.

1998: Ph.D. Thesis in Entomology and Plant pathology, University of Paris VI, France entitled "Epidemiology of the Bois noir disease of grapevine: search for insect vectors and biology of Hyalesthes obsoletus Sign. (Hemiptera: Cixiidae); spread and management"

1993: Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies of Invertebrate Ecophysiology (equiv. to a M. Sc. Degree), University of Paris VI, France.

Work Experience

2000 - present: Research Entomologist at USDA-ARS-European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL), Montpellier, France.

1999: Postdoc position at INRA - Lab. Vigne et Vin (Colmar) & Lab. Phytoparasitologie (Dijon) "Grapevine leafroll epidemiology: Search for natural scale insect vectors (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and strategies in biological control, RT-PCR detection of closteroviruses in plants and insects."

1994-98: Ph.D. Thesis at INRA's Phytoplasma Laboratory in Dijon, France. Contract with the Rhone valley's viticultural organisations.