Research Project: Improved Biologically-Based Tactics to Manage Invasive Insect Pests and Weeds

Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Assessing the current status of “push-pull” technology in worldwide agriculture and forestry - (Book / Chapter)

A Bioclimate-based maximum entropy model for Comperiella calauanica Barrion, Almarinez & Amalin (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in the Philippines - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Almarinez, B.M., Fadri, M.A., Lasina, R., Tavera, M.A., Carvajal, T.M., Watanabe, K., Legaspi, J.C., Amalin, D.M. 2021. A Bioclimate-based maximum entropy model for Comperiella calauanica Barrion, Almarinez & Amalin (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in the Philippines. Insects. 12(1), Article 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12010026.

Natural enemies of the Harrisia cactus mealybug and other Hypogeococcus species (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae) in Puerto Rico:Identification and taxonomic notes on primary and secondary parasitoids - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Triapitsyn, S.V., Hight, S.D., Logarzo, G.A., Aguirre, M.B., Verle Rodrigues, J., Trjapitzin, V.A., Rivera Ocasio, Z., Rivera-Vazques, M., West Ortiz, M.J., Rodriguez Reyes, Y. 2020. Natural enemies of the Harrisia cactus mealybug and other Hypogeococcus species (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae) in Puerto Rico:Identification and taxonomic notes on primary and secondary parasitoids. Neotropical Entomology. 49:369-391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-019-00754-w.

Preliminary assessment of the parasitic relation of Comperiella calauanica Barrion, Almarinez, and Amalin on Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne in Hidden Valley Springs Resort, Calauan, Laguna, Philippines - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Go, M.V., Almarinez, B.J., Barrion, A.T., Carandang Vi, J.S., Amalin, D.M., Legaspi, J.C. 2020. Assessment of the parasitic relation of Comperiella calauanica Barrion, Almarinez, and Amalin on Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne in Hidden Valley Springs Resort, Calauan, Laguna, Philippines. Manila Journal of Science. 13:89-97.

"Attract and reward" for syrphid flies using methyl salicylate and sweet alyssum - (Abstract Only)

Trapping and monitoring Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and its natural enemies in north Florida - (Abstract Only)

Biological control:A major component of the pest management program for the invasive coconut scale insect, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne,in the Philippines - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Almarinez, B.M., Barrion, A.T., Navasero, M.V., Navasero, M.M., Cayabyab, B.F., Carandang Iv, J.R., Legaspi, J.C., Watanabe, K., Amalin, D.M. 2020. Biological control:A major component of the pest management program for the invasive coconut scale insect, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne,in the Philippines. Insects. 11(11):745. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110745.

Low-oxygen hormetic conditioning improves field performance of sterile insects by inducing beneficial plasticity - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lopez-Martinez, G., Carpenter, J.E., Hight, S.D., Hahn, D.A. 2020. Low-oxygen hormetic conditioning improves field performance of sterile insects by inducing beneficial plasticity. Evolutionary Applications. 14:566-576. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13141.

Species complex diversification by host plant use in an herbivorous insect: The source of Puerto Rican cactus mealybug pest and implications for biological control - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Poveda-Martinez, D., Aguirre, M.B., Hight, S.D., Triapitsyn, S.V., Diaz-Soltero, H., Vitorino, M.D., Hasson, E. 2020. Species complex diversification by host plant use in an herbivorous insect: The source of Puerto Rican cactus mealybug pest and implications for biological control. Ecology and Evolution. 00:1-18. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6702.

Ecological indices of phytophagous Hemiptera and their natural enemies on Acacia auriculiformis (Fabales: Fabaceae) plants with or without dehydrated sewage sludge application in a degraded area - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dourado, L.R., Leite, G.D., Soares, M.A., Teixeira, G.L., Silva, F.W., Sampaio, R.A., Zanuncio, J.C., Legaspi, J.C. 2020. Ecological indices of phytophagous Hemiptera and their natural enemies on Acacia auriculiformis (Fabales: Fabaceae) plants with or without dehydrated sewage sludge application in a degraded area. PLoS One. 15(8):e0237261. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237261.

Ecological niche modeling to calculate ideal sites to introduce a natural enemy: The case of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to control Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Perez-De La O, N., Spinosa-Zaragoza, S., Lopez-Martinez, V., Hight, S.D., Varone, L. 2020. Ecological niche modeling to calculate ideal sites to introduce a natural enemy: The case of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to control Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America. Insects. 11(7):454. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11070454.

Selectivity of the insecticide deltamethrin to the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pereira, E.S., Soares, M.A., Caldeira, Z.V., Veloso, R.S., Da Silva, L., Da Silva, D.H., De Lima Santos, I.C., De Castro E Castro, B.M., Zanuncio, J.C., Legaspi, J.C. 2020. Selectivity of the insecticide deltamethrin to the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Scientific Reports. 10:12395. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69200-x.

An integrated multi-institutional project to promote high tunnel organic vegetable production in the Southeast - (Abstract Only)

Does fertilization with dehydrated sewage sludge affect Terminalia argentea (Combretaceae) and associated arthropods community in a degraded area? - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Carvalho, J.N., Silva, F.W., Leito, G.D., Azevedo, A.M., Teixeira, G.L., Soares, M.A., Zanuncio, J.C., Legaspi, J.C. 2020. Does fertilization with dehydrated sewage sludge affect Terminalia argentea (Combretaceae) and associated arthropods community in a degraded area? Scientific Reports. 10:11811. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68747-z.

"Attract and reward” for syrphid flies using methyl salicylate and sweet alyssum in kale in north Florida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Legaspi, J.C., Miller, N.W., Kanga, L.H., Haseeb, M., Zanuncio, J.C. 2020. "Attract and reward” for syrphid flies using methyl salicylate and sweet alyssum in kale in north Florida. Subtropical Agriculture and Environments. 71:49-52.

Effect of rearing Cactoblastis cactorum on an artificial diet on the behavior of Apanteles opuntiarum - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Varone, L., Gonalons, C.M., Faltlhauser, A.C., Guala, M.E., Wolaver, D., Srivastava, M., Hight, S.D. 2020. Effect of rearing Cactoblastis cactorum on an artificial diet on the behavior of Apanteles opuntiarum. Journal of Applied Entomology. 144:278-286. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12731.

Growth biometrics response of silage corn and forage sorghum to hybrid vigor under multiple irrigation treatments - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Massimi, M., Haseeb, M., Legaspi, J.C. 2020. Growth biometrics response of silage corn and forage sorghum to hybrid vigor under multiple irrigation treatments. International Journal of Agricultural Science. 5:14-24.

Implementation of access and benefit-sharing measures has consequences for classical biological control of weeds - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Silvestri, L., Sosa, A., Mckay, F., Vitorino, M.D., Hill, M., Zachariades, C., Hight, S.D., Weyl, P., Smith, D., Djeddour, D., Mason, P.G. 2019. Implementation of access and benefit-sharing measures has consequences for classical biological control of weeds. Biocontrol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-019-09988-4.

First record of Ooencyrtus nezarae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in Florida - (Research Notes)
Diedrick, W., Kanga, L.H., Haseeb, M., Legaspi, J.C., Srivastava, M. 2020. First record of Ooencyrtus nezarae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in Florida. Florida Entomologist. 103(2):293-295. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.103.0222.

In vitro consumption patterns of pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on two commercial pepper cultivars in Florida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wu, P., Haseeb, M., Zhang, R., Kanga, L.H., Legaspi, J.C. 2019. In vitro consumption patterns of pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on two commercial pepper cultivars in Florida. Applied Entomology and Zoology. 54:473-479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-019-00645-x.

Pesticide residues in conventionally and organically managed apiaries in south and north Florida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kanga, L., Siebert, S.C., Sheikh, M., Legaspi, J.C. 2019. Pesticide residues in conventionally and organically managed apiaries in south and north Florida. Current Investigations in Agriculture and Current Research (CIACR). 7(3):000262. https://doi.org/10.32474/CIACR.

Using silicon to improve biological control of the fall armyworm on corn - (Abstract Only)

Untangling the Hypogeococcus pungens species complex (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) for Argentina, Australia, and Puerto Rico based on host plant associations and genetic evidence - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Poveda-Martinez, D., Agyurrem, N.B., Logarzo, G.A., Calderon, L., De La Colina, A., Hight, S.D., Triapitsyn, S.V., Diaz-Soltero, H., Hasson, E. 2019. Untangling the Hypogeococcus pungens species complex (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) for Argentina, Australia, and Puerto Rico based on host plant associations and genetic evidence. PLoS One. 14(7):e0220366. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220366.

Analysis of biological traits of Anagyrus cachamai and Anagyrus lapachosus to assess their potential as biological control candidate agents against Harrisia cactus mealybug pest in Puerto Rico - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Aguirre, M.B., Logarzo, G.A., Triapitsyn, S.V., Diaz-Soltero, H., Hight, S.D., Bruzzone, O.A. 2019. Analysis of biological traits of Anagyrus cachamai and Anagyrus lapachosus to assess their potential as biological control candidate agents against Harrisia cactus mealybug pest in Puerto Rico. Biocontrol. 64:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-019-09956-y.

Influence of plant direction, layer and spacing on the infestation levels of Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in open jalapeño pepper fields in north Florida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wu, P., Haseeb, M., Diedrick, W., Ouyang, H., Zhang, R., Kanga, L.H., Legaspi, J.C. 2019. Influence of plant direction, layer and spacing on the infestation levels of Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in open jalapeño pepper fields in north Florida. Florida Entomologist. 102(3):501-508. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0319.

Causes of mortality at different stages of Cactoblastis cactorum in the native range - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Varone, L., Aguirre, M.B., Lobos, E., Ruiz, D., Hight, S.D., Palotini, F., Guala, M., Logarzo, G.A. 2019. Causes of mortality at different stages of Cactoblastis cactorum in the native range. Biocontrol. 64(3):249-261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-019-09938-0.

Larval pheromone disrupts pre-excavation aggregation of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) neonates precipitating colony collapse - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fitzgerald, T.D., Carpenter, J.E., Hight, S.D. 2019. Larval pheromone disrupts pre-excavation aggregation of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) neonates precipitating colony collapse. Florida Entomologist. 102(3):538-543. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0327.

Brassica nigra and Curcuma longa compounds affecting interactions between Spodoptera exigua and its natural enemies Costesig flavipes and Podisus maculiventris - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tavares, W., Legaspi, J.C., De Castro, A., Haseeb, M., Meagher Jr, R.L., Kanga, L.H., Zanuncio, J.C. 2019. Turmeric powder and its derivatives of Curcuma longa and black mustard oil of Brassica nigra affecting interactions among Spodoptera exigua and its natural Cotesia flavipes and Podisus maculiventris. Dose Response. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559325819827454.

Molecular detection method developed to track the koinobiont larval parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) imported from Argentina to control Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Srivastava, M., Srivastava, P., Karna, R., Jeyaprakash, A., Whilby, L., Rohrig, E., Howe, A.C., Hight, S.D., Varone, L. 2019. Molecular detection method developed to track the koinobiont larval parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) imported from Argentina to control Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Florida Entomologist. 102(2):329-335. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0207.

Foraging depth of Cricotopus lebetis Sublette larvae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kariuki, E.M., Cuda, J.P., Hight, S.D., Hix, R.L., Gettys, L.A., Gillett-Kaufman, J.L. 2019. Foraging depth of Cricotopus lebetis Sublette larvae. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management. 57:69-78.

A host-parasitoid model for Aspidiotus rigidus (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and Comperiella calauanica (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Palen, D.I., Almarinez, B.J., Amalin, D.M., Legaspi, J.C., David, G. 2018. A host-parasitoid model for Aspidiotus rigidus (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and Comperiella calauanica (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Environmental Entomology. 48(1):134-140. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvy150.

Laboratory rearing and sex ratio of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a potential biocontrol agent of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Awad, J., Hodges, A., Hight, S.D., Srivastava, M., Howe, A., Rohig, E. 2019. Laboratory rearing and sex ratio of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a potential biocontrol agent of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Florida Entomologist. 102(1):216-221. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0135.

Abundance of natural enemies of Nezara viridula (Hemipteera:Pentatomidae)on three cultivars of sweeet alyssum - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Haseeb, M., Gordon, T., Kanga, L.H., Legaspi, J.C. 2018. Abundance of natural enemies of Nezara viridula (Hemipteera:Pentatomidae)on three cultivars of sweeet alyssum. Journal of Applied Entomology. 142:847-853. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12552.

Mechanisms of resistance to organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides in Asian citrus psyllid populations in Florida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Eason, J., Kanga, L.H., Haseeb, M., Qureshi, J., Legaspi, J.C. 2018. Mechanisms of resistance to organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides in Asian citrus psyllid populations in Florida. Current Investigations in Agriculture and Current Research(CIACR). 1(3):111.

Complex of primary and secondary parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae and Signiphoridae) of Hypogeoccoccus spp. mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the New World - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Triapitsyn, S.V., Aguirre, M.B., Logarzo, G.A., Hight, S.D., Ciomperlik, M.A., Rugman, J.P., Verle Rodrigues, J.C. 2018. Complex of primary and secondary parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae and Signiphoridae) of Hypogeoccoccus spp. mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the New World. Florida Entomologist. 101(3):411:434. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.101.0320.

Potential of three trap crops in managing Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on tomatoes in Florida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gordon, T.L., Haseeb, M., Kanga, L.H., Legaspi, J.C. 2017. Potential of three trap crops in managing Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on tomatoes in Florida. Journal of Economic Entomology. 110(6):2478-2482. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/tox267.

Assessment of the impact of the egg parasitoid, Paratelenoumus saccharalis (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) on populations of the kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) - (Abstract Only)

Analysis of predatory behaviors of the soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris towards the kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria and genetic profile of M. cribraria in the Southern US - (Abstract Only)

IPM of the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) using trap and refuge crops within tomato fields in North Florida - (Abstract Only)

Enhancement of silage sorghum and corn production using best management practices - (Abstract Only)

Assessment of the impact of the egg parasitoid, Paratelenoumus saccharalis (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) on populations of the kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) - (Abstract Only)

Podisus distinctus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) females are lighter feeding on Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae subjected to ventral nerve cord transection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tavares, W.S., Da Silva, I.M., Legaspi, J.C., Serrao, J.E., Zanuncio, J.C., Serrao, J.E. 2017. Podisus distinctus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) females are lighter feeding on Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae subjected to ventral nerve cord transection. Entomologica Americana. 123(1-4):35-41.

Integrated pest management of the southern green stinkbug, Nezara viridula on tomato crop using trap and refuge crops - (Abstract Only)

Companion and refuge plants to control insect pests - (Abstract Only)

Integrated pest management of the southern green stinkbug, Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on tomato in North Florida - (Abstract Only)

Analysis of functional and numerical responses of spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris when reared on kudzu bug, Megacopta cribaria (Hemiptera: Plataspididae) - (Abstract Only)

The spined soldier bug Podisus: an important commercial and natural predator - (Abstract Only)

Evaluating mustard and arugula volatiles and refuge plants for sustainable control of insect pests - (Abstract Only)

Evaluating plant and plant oil repellency against the sweetpotato whitefly - (Abstract Only)

“Push-pull” strategies against vegetable insect pests - (Popular Publication)
Legaspi, J.C. 2014. “Push-pull” strategies against vegetable insect pests. FAMU-CESTA-CBC Newsletter. 12:4.