Research Project: Managing Invasive Weeds and Insect Pests Using Biologically-Based Methods

Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research

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

Attraction of sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and two generalist predators to green leaf volatile compounds - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gaffke, A.M., Miller, N.W., Sharma, A., Allan, S.A. 2024. Attraction of sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and two generalist predators to green leaf volatile compounds. Insects. 15(10). Article number 750. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15100750.

Beetle herding: optimizing the biological control of the invasive air potato vine using attractive semiochemical lures - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Griesheimer, J.L., Martini, X., Minteer, C., Hight, S., Gaffke, A.M. 2024. Beetle herding: optimizing the biological control of the invasive air potato vine using attractive semiochemical lures. Chemoecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-024-00405-6.

Use of non-native, invasive tree logs for commercial mushroom production - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bowers, K.E., Hight, S.D., Miller, N.W., Gaffke, A.M., Taylor, J.E. 2024. Use of non-native, invasive tree logs for commercial mushroom production. Invasive Plant Science and Management. https://doi.org/10.1017/inp.2024.12.

Insecticidal and repellent activities of four essential oils against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fouad, H.A., Gomes Da Camara, C.A., Martins De Moraes, M., Tavares, W.D., Legaspi, J.C., Zanuncio, J.C. 2023. Insecticidal and repellent activities of four essential oils against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Dose Response. 21(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/15593258231210263.

What is more important to host-seeking entomopathogenic nematodes, innate or learned preference? - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gaffke, A.M., Romero, M.I., Alborn, H.T. 2023. What is more important to host-seeking entomopathogenic nematodes, innate or learned preference?. Agriculture Journal. 13(9):1802. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091802.

Assessing the status of “push-pull” technology in worldwide agriculture and forestry - (Review Article)
Legaspi, J.C., Kanga, L.H., Haseeb, M., Simmons, A.M. 2023. Assessing the status of “push-pull” technology in worldwide agriculture and forestry. Subtropical Agriculture and Environments. 74:1-12.

Evaluating real-time monitoring traps and standard surveys of cucumber moth and their parasites in vegetable crops - (Abstract Only)

Survey of phorid flies Pseudacteon sp. to anage red imported fire ants [Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)] in Northwest Florida - (Abstract Only)

Attraction of the air potato leaf beetle, Lilioceris Cheni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to leaf volatiles of the air potato, Dioscorea bulbifera - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Griesheimer, J.L., Gaffke, A.M., Minteer, C., Mass, J.L., Hight, S., Martini, X. 2023. Attraction of the air potato leaf beetle, Lilioceris cheni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to leaf volatiles of the air potato, Dioscorea bulbifera. Journal of Chemical Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-023-01436-z.

Monitoring and management strategies for cucumber moth, Diaphania indica Saunders (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) - (Abstract Only)

Highlights of the Center for Biological Control activities - (Abstract Only)

Chinese tallow biological control and pollinators - (Abstract Only)

Dual strategy: “push-pull” technology and companion planting in high tunnels - (Popular Publication)
Legaspi, J.C. 2023. Dual strategy: “push-pull” technology and companion planting in high tunnels. FAMU-CESTA-CBC Newsletter. 16:1-2.

Estimating the cost of production of two pentatomids and one braconid for the biocontrol of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize fields in Florida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Perier, J.D., Haseeb, M., Solis, D., Kanga, L.H., Legaspi, J.C. 2023. Estimating the cost of production of two pentatomids and one braconid for the biocontrol of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize fields in Florida. Insects. 14(2):169. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020169.

Chinese tallow biological control and pollinators - (Abstract Only)

“Push-pull" technology and companion planting - (Abstract Only)

Population dynamics and parasitism of the kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria by egg parasitoids, Paratelenomus saccharalis and Ooencyrtus nezarae in southeastern USA - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Diedrick, W., Kanga, L.H., Haseeb, M., Srivastava, M., Legaspi, J.C. 2022. Population dynamics and parasitism of the kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria, by egg parasitoids, Paratelenomus saccharalis in southeastern USA. Agriculture Journal. 13(1):13. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13010013.

Using high tunnels to enhance organic vegetable production in Florida: an overview - (Popular Publication)
Tian, S., Zhao, X., Vincent, I.R., Gong, T., Ray, Z.T., Bolques, A., Legaspi, J.C., Coolong, T.W., Diaz-Perez, J.C. 2023. Using high tunnels to enhance organic vegetable production in Florida: an overview. Popular Publication. 2023:5. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-HS1466-2023.

Life history of Euthyrhynchus floridanus (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Legaspi, J.C. 2022. Life history of Euthyrhynchus floridanus (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Subtropical Agriculture and Environments. 73:41-46.

Companion planting and "push-pull" strategies to control insect pests - (Abstract Only)

Biological control of selected invasive insect pests - (Abstract Only)

Monitoring and management strategies for cucumber moth, Diaphania indica Saunders (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) - (Abstract Only)

Genomic and ecological evidence shed light on the recent demographic history of two related invasive insects - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Poveda-Martinez, D., Salinas, N.A., Aguirre, M.B., Sanchez-Restrepo, A.F., Hight, S.D., Diaz-Soltero, H., Logarzo, G., Hasson, E. 2022. Genomic and ecological evidence shed light on the recent demographic history of two related invasive insects. Scientific Reports. 12:19629. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21548-y.

Intraguild interactions of three biological control agents of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda in Florida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Jermaine, P.D., Haseeb, M., Kanga, L.H., Meagher Jr, R.L., Legaspi, J.C. 2022. Intraguild interactions of three biological control agents of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) in Florida. Insects. 13(9):815. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13090815.

Deadly scents: Exposure to plant volatiles increases mortality of entomopathogenic nematodes during infection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gaffke, A.M., Shapiro-Ilan, D., Alborn, H.T. 2022. Deadly scents: Exposure to plant volatiles increases mortality of entomopathogenic nematodes during infection. Frontiers in Physiology. 13:978359. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.978359.

Eco-based pest management of whiteflies in high tunnels - (Abstract Only)

First report on voracity and feeding preference of predatory beetle, Thalassa montezumae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on croton scale, Phalacrococcus howertoni (Hemiptera: Coccidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Francis, N., Kanga, L.H., Mannion, C., Haseeb, M., Ananga, A., Legaspi, J.C. 2022. First report on voracity and feeding preference of predatory beetle, Thalassa montezumae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on croton scale, Phalacrococcus howertoni (Hemiptera: Coccidae). Agriculture Journal. 12(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12070990.

First report on voracity and feeding preference of predatory beetle, Thalassa montezumae (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae)on croton scale, Phalacrococcus howertoni (Hemiptera: Coccidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Francis, N., Kanga, L.H., Mannion, C., Haseeb, M., Ananga, A., Legaspi, J.C. 2022. First report on voracity and feeding preference of predatory beetle, Thalassa montezumae (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae) on croton scale, Phalacrococcus howertoni (Hemiptera: Coccidae). Journal of Agriculture. 12(7):990. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12070990.

Eco-based pest management of insect pests of vegetables in high tunnels - (Abstract Only)

Push-pull strategies and biological control for high tunnel vegetable production - (Abstract Only)

Pepper Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) oviposition and feeding behaviors in wild, ornamental and consumable peppers in Florida - (Abstract Only)

Eco-based pest management of specialty crops in high tunnels - (Abstract Only)

Tamarix biocontrol in North America - (Book / Chapter)
Gaffke, A.M., Dudley, T.L., Bean, D.W., Drus, G.M., Johnson, M.J., Knutson, A.E., Weaver, D.K., Sing, S.E., Orr, B.K., Thompson, D.C. 2022. Tamarix biocontrol in North America. Book Chapter. 329-355.

Biological control of invasive Linaria spp. in the Western United States - (Book / Chapter)
Sing, S.E., Tosevski, I., Ward, S.M., Weaver, D.K., Gaffke, A.M. 2022. Biological control of invasive Linaria spp. in the Western United States. Book Chapter. 294-311.

Highlights of the Center for Biological Control activities - (Abstract Only)

Highlights of FAMU-USDA/ARS collaboration - (Abstract Only)

Dual strategy:“Push-pull” technology and companion planting - (Abstract Only)

Comparative assessment of the impact of the egg parasitoids Paratelenomus saccharalis and Ooencyrtus nezarae on kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria, populations in north Florida - (Abstract Only)

Monitoring insect pests with use of repellent and companion flowering plants in strawberry and leafy greens in high tunnel and screened structures - (Abstract Only)

Leafy lettuce production with a companion planting for invasive insect pest management in high tunnel setting - (Abstract Only)

Push-pull technology evaluation of selective vegetable crops in North Florida - (Abstract Only)

Eco-based pest management: “push-pull” technology and companion planting in organic vegetables - (Abstract Only)

Monitoring and management of Drosophila suzukii in blueberry planting in Florida - (Abstract Only)

"Push-pull strategy and beyond” - (Abstract Only)

Evaluating monitoring and management strategies for the brown marmorated stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) a newly invaded insect pest of specialty crops in Florida - (Abstract Only)

Comparative assessment of the impact of the egg parasitoids, Paratelenomus saccharalis and Ooencyrtus nezarae ,on kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria populations in north Florida - (Abstract Only)

Spatial and host related genomic variation in partially sympatric cactophagous moth species - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Poveda-Martinez, D., Varone, L., Corona, M., Hight, S., Logarzo, G., Hasson, E. 2021. Spatial and host related genomic variation in partially sympatric cactophagous moth species. Molecular Ecology. 31(1):356-371. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16232.

Dual strategy: “push-pull” technology and companion planting - (Other)

International research experience from east to west: my story - (Other)

Dual strategy: “push-pull” technology and companion planting to control insect pests - (Abstract Only)

Dual strategy eco-based pest management - (Abstract Only)

Monitoring and management strategies for Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) a newly invasive insect pest of specialty crops in Florida - (Abstract Only)

Assessment of trap designs for monitoring red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the field - (Abstract Only)

Influence of competition and intraguild predation between two candidate biocontrol parasitoids on their potential impact against Harrisia cactus mealybug, Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Aguirre, M.B., Bruzzone, O.A., Triapitsyn, S.V., Diaz-Soltero, H., Hight, S.D., Logarzo, G.A. 2021. Influence of competition and intraguild predation between two candidate biocontrol parasitoids on their potential impact against Harrisia cactus mealybug, Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Scientific Reports. 11:13377. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92565-6.

Dual strategy: “Push-pull” technology and companion planting - (Abstract Only)

Push-pull strategy and beyond - (Abstract Only)

First report of insecticide resistance to organophosphates and pyrethroids in the small hive beetle,(coleoptera: nitidulidae)and development of a resistance monitoring technique - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kanga, L.H., Marchal, W., Legaspi, J.C., Haseeb, M. 2021. First report of insecticide resistance to organophosphates and pyrethroids in the small hive beetle,(coleoptera: nitidulidae)and development of a resistance monitoring technique. Journal of Economic Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toab017.

Hyperparasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae and Signiphoridae) of Hypogeococcus spp. mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Argentina and Paraguay - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Triapitsyn, S.V., Aguirre, M.B., Logarzo, G.A., Hight, S.D. 2020. Hyperparasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae and Signiphoridae) of Hypogeococcus spp. mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Argentina and Paraguay. Acta Zoologica Lilloana. 64(2):76-93. https://doi.org/10.30550/j.azl/2020.64.2/5.

Organic agriculture research in protected structures - (Popular Publication)
Legaspi, J.C. 2019. Organic agriculture research in protected structures. FAMU-CESTA-CBC Newsletter. 15:1-2.

Cultural and sustainable management of insect pests of vegetables - (Popular Publication)
Legaspi, J.C. 2019. Cultural and sustainable management of insect pests of vegetables. FAMU-CESTA-CBC Newsletter. 14:1-10.

The citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in south Texas: incidence and parasitism - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Legaspi, J.C., French, V.J., Schauff, M.E., Wooley, J.B. 1999. The citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in south Texas: incidence and parasitism. Florida Entomologist. 82(2):305-316.