| Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris |
|
Education:
Ph.D. Entomology, Washington State University, 2015
B.S. Biology, Washburn University, 2010
Research Interests
Dr. Schmidt-Jeffris’s lab focuses on biological control of arthropod pests of tree fruit, including apples, pears, and cherries. This includes determining pesticide non-target effects on natural enemies, augmenting natural enemy populations through releases, conservation biological control through landscape manipulation, and improving knowledge of the diversity and basic biology of orchard parasitoids and predators. Her goal is to decrease reliance on pesticides for arthropod control by increasing biological control efficacy through improved understanding of the biology of natural enemies and pests and manipulating agricultural practices to improve grower outcomes.
We are currently working on:
- Trechnites insidiosus, a parasitoid of pear psylla: understanding its basic biology, species distribution, phenology, host range, pesticide sensitivity, and improving monitoring methods
- Amblydromella caudiglans, a predatory mite: seasonal diet through gut content analysis and pesticide sensitivity
- Augmenting and conserving earwigs as predators in apples and pears
- Impacts of herbicides and orchard floor management on natural enemies
- Improving recommendations for augmentation of commercially available natural enemies in orchards, including natural enemy choice, release rates and timing, and testing drone applications
Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9pCtNrAAAAAJ&hl=en)
Leadership
- Presidential line, Entomological Society of America, Plant-Insect Ecosystems Section (2019-2023)
- Program Co-chair, Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America (2019-2021)
- Subject Editor, Environmental Entomology (2019-present)
- Secretary, Entomological Society of America, Plant-Insect Ecosystems Section (2016-2019)
- Subject Editor, Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology (2017-present)
- Program Chair, Southeastern Branch Entomological Society of America (2018-2019)
- Early Career Professionals Committee, Entomological Society of America (2015-2017)
- Co-chair representing the United States, International Congress of Entomology Student Affairs Committee, (2014-2016)
- Student Affairs Committee (2013-2015), Chair (2014-2015), Entomological Society of America
Recent Awards
- Samual J. Heyman Service to America Emerging Leader, Nominee for USDA-ARS, 2022/2023
- Early Career Professional Extension Award, Entomological Society of America, 2018
- International Organization for Biological Control Global Travel Fund recipient, 2017
- John Henry Comstock Award, Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch, 2016
- Richard and Constance Albrecht Scholarship, WSU Graduate School, 2015
- Mike and Kathy Hambelton Fellowship Scholarship Award, WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, 2015
- Student Activity Award, Entomological Society of America, 2014
- Robert and Mary Lou Harwood Student of the Year Award, WSU Entomology Department, 2014
- Student Leadership Award, Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America, awarded for leadership in the Branch, 2014
Laboratory Personnel:
Erica Moretti, Biological Science Technician
Daniel Hausler, Agricultural Science Research Technician
