The focus of my lab is plant virus-insect vector interactions. We are interested in understanding outcomes and mechanisms underlining the interactions between plants, pathogens, and insect vectors as a means of managing plant pests and diseases. The two key questions of my research program are: (1) how do plant pathogens affect biology and behavior of their insect vectors? and (2) what plant and/or insect factors (genes and proteins) mediate manipulation of insect vectors by plant pathogens?
I also oversee the CSU Wheat Entomology Program focused on the wheat stem sawfly.
I also oversee the CSU Wheat Entomology Program focused on the wheat stem sawfly.
Main Projects
Photo by Whitney Cranshaw
Hemp pests and diseases
As the production of hemp increases across the United States, so have the challenges in pest and disease identification and management. We have several projects in hemp:
We are interested in biology and pest management of key pests of hemp such as hemp russet mite and cannabis aphid.
We are investigating ecology and epidemiology of beet curly top virus (BCTV) and beet leafhopper in hemp.
Using hemp viral metagenomics, we are characterizing the diversity of viruses/viroids in hemp.
As the production of hemp increases across the United States, so have the challenges in pest and disease identification and management. We have several projects in hemp:
We are interested in biology and pest management of key pests of hemp such as hemp russet mite and cannabis aphid.
We are investigating ecology and epidemiology of beet curly top virus (BCTV) and beet leafhopper in hemp.
Using hemp viral metagenomics, we are characterizing the diversity of viruses/viroids in hemp.
Molecular interactions between beet curly top virus and leafhoppers
Curly top disease is serious yield limiting viral disease of surgar beets in the United States. It is vectored by beet leafhopper. We are studying the effects of the virus on vector biology and molecular mechanisms underlining these effects.
Curly top disease is serious yield limiting viral disease of surgar beets in the United States. It is vectored by beet leafhopper. We are studying the effects of the virus on vector biology and molecular mechanisms underlining these effects.
http://ephytia.inra.fr/
Impacts of landscape composition on aphid vectors and PVY prevalence
Potato virus Y (PVY) continues to threaten potato production all over the world. PVY has a broad host range and over 50 aphid species transmit the virus. The San Luis Valley in Colorado has a diverse landscape composition including alfalfa, barley, quinoa and other small grains, vegetables and hemp. We are investigating how landscape composition (crop types, spatial arrangement of crops) affects diversity and abundance of aphid vectors and PVY spread in the San Luis Valley.
Potato virus Y (PVY) continues to threaten potato production all over the world. PVY has a broad host range and over 50 aphid species transmit the virus. The San Luis Valley in Colorado has a diverse landscape composition including alfalfa, barley, quinoa and other small grains, vegetables and hemp. We are investigating how landscape composition (crop types, spatial arrangement of crops) affects diversity and abundance of aphid vectors and PVY spread in the San Luis Valley.
