Robin M. Giblin-Davis

Education

• B.S., University of California, Davis (Entomology), 1977
• Accreditation, University of California, Davis (Art), 1977
• Ph.D., University of California, Davis (Entomology), 1982

Employment

• Associate Center Director (2000-2003) Ft. Lauderdale REC. University of Florida
• Professor (1995-present) University of Florida
• Associate Professor (1990-1995) University of Florida
• Assistant Professor (1985-1990) University of Florida
• Postdoctoral Associate (1982-1985) University of California, Riverside
• Research Assistant (1978-1982) University of California, Davis

Research Responsibilities

Perform basic and applied research concerning cultural, biological, and chemical management of nematode populations in warm-season turfgrasses, and woody and foliage ornamentals. The main emphasis is on nematode parasites of turfgrasses and nematode parasites and weevils of ornamentals with minor emphasis on entomophilic nematodes. Also studies biological control of invasive weeds with nematodes and nematode taxonomy and systematics.

Teaching Responsibilities

Teaches General Principles of Nematology (NEM 3002C) and Graduate Survey of Nematology (NEM 5002C) and serves as Graduate Faculty member.

Accomplishments

• Elucidated the population dynamics of the sting nematode, Belonolaimus longicaudatus on a highly susceptible St. Augustinegrass (FX-313) and evaluated turfgrass resistance to this nematode in St. Augustinegrass and Bermudagrass germplasm. Discovered differential host suitability and susceptibility in St. Augustinegrasses that may be due to differences in root architecture. Discovered and continues to work with a new species of Pasteuria attacking B. longicaudatus.
• Discovered and described an association between several new species of nematodes (Schistonchus and Parasitodiplogaster) which are associated with Ficus spp. and fig wasps in Florida and the Tropics.
• Elucidated and field-tested the male-produced aggregation pheromones and attractive host-plant volatiles for the palmetto weevil, Rhynchophorus cruentatus, the rotten sugarcane weevil, Metamasius hemipterus sericeus, and the South American palm weevil, Dynamis borassi (all potential vectors for the red ring nematode of palms). Also helped identify aggregation pheromones for the New Guinea sugarcane weevil, Rhabdoscelus obscurus.
• Continues to elucidate the biology and coevolutionary relationships of Fergusobia/Fergusonina gall complex for use as a biological control agent against shoot and inflorescence buds of Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida.
• Continues to develop a morphological and molecular database of nematodes of Florida and the Caribbean.

Career Publications

• Books: 1 (coauthor)
• Refereed papers: 84
• Chapters in books: 8
• Miscellaneous publications: 65

Selected Publications

• Books:
  • Howard, F. W., D. Moore, R. M. Giblin-Davis, and R. Abad. Insects on palms. CABI Publishing. New York, NY. (2001): 400 Pp.
• Books, contributor of chapter(s):
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M. Interactions of nematodes with insects. In: Nematode Interactions. [W. Khan, ed.]. Chapman & Hall, London. (1993):302-344.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M. Pasteuria sp. for biological control of the sting nematode, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, in turfgrass. In: American Chemical Society Symposium Series No. 743: Fate and Management of Turfgrass Chemicals. Oxford Press (2000): 408-426.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., K. A. Davies, G. S. Taylor, and W. K. Thomas. Entomophilic nematode models for studying biodiversity and cospeciation. In: Nematology, Advances and Perspectives. [Z. X. Chen, S. Y. Chen, and D. W. Dickson, eds.]. Tsinghua University Press/CABI Publishing. (2003): (In Press).
• Refereed papers:
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., P. Busey, and B. J. Center. Dynamics of Belonolaimus longicaudatus parasitism on a susceptible St. Augustinegrass host. Journal of Nematology, 24:(1992):432-437.
  • Busey, P., R. M. Giblin-Davis, B. J. Center. Resistance in Stenotaphrum to the sting nematode. Crop Science, 33:(1993):1066-1070.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., T. J. Weissling*, A. C. Oehlschlager, and L. M. Gonzalez. Field response of Rhynchophorus cruentatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to its aggregation pheromone and fermenting plant volatiles. Florida Entomologist, 77:(1994):164-177.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., B. J. Center, H. Nadel, J. H. Frank, and W. Ramirez B. Nematodes associated with fig wasps, Pegoscapus spp. (Agaonidae), and syconia of native Floridian figs (Ficus spp.). Journal of Nematology, 27:(1995):1-14.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., P. Busey, and B. J. Center. Dynamics of Hoplolaimus galeatus parasitism on different St. Augustinegrass genotypes. Journal of Nematology, 27:(1995):1-6.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., J. E. Peņa, A. C. Oehlschlager, and A. L. Perez. Optimization of semiochemical-based trapping of Metamasius hemipterus sericeus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Chemical Ecology, 22:(1996):1389-1410.
  • Giblin-Davis R. M., A. C. Oehlschlager, A. L. Perez, G. Gries, R. Gries, T. J. Weissling, C. M. Chinchilla, J. E. Peņa, R. H. Hallett, H. D. Pierce, Jr., and L. M. Gonzalez. Chemical and behavioral ecology of palm weevils. Florida Entomologist, 79:(1996):153-167.
  • Baldwin, J. G., R. M. Giblin-Davis, C. D. Eddleman, D. S. Williams, J. T. Vida, and W. K. Thomas. Buccal capsule of Aduncospiculum halicti (Nemata: Diplogasterina): an ultrastructural and molecular study with implications for phylogeny. Canadian Journal of Zoology, (1997):407-423.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., R. Gries, G. Gries, E. Peņa-Rojas, I. Pinzon, J. E. Peņa, A. L. Perez, H. D. Pierce, Jr., and A. C. Oehlschlager. Aggregation pheromone of the palm weevil, Dynamis borassi (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Chemical Ecology, 23:(1997):2287-2297.
  • Vanderbilt, C. F., R. M. Giblin-Davis, and T. J. Weissling. Mating behavior and sexual response to aggregation pheromone of palmetto weevil Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Florida Entomologist, 81: (1998):351-360.
  • Center, B. J., R. M. Giblin-Davis, E. A. Herre, and G. C. Chung-Schickler. Histological comparisons of parasitism by Schistonchus spp. (Nemata: Aphelenchoididae) in Neotropical Ficus spp. Journal of Nematology, 31: (1999):393-406.
  • Hunsberger, A., R. M. Giblin-Davis, and T. J. Weissling. Symptoms and within-tree population dynamics of Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infestation in Canary Island date palms. Florida Entomologist, 83: (2000):290-303.
  • Bekal, S., J. Borneman, M. S. Springer, R. M. Giblin-Davis, and J. O. Becker. Phenotypic and molecular analysis of a Pasteuria strain parasitic to the sting nematode. Journal of Nematology, (2001):33:110-115.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., R. Gries, B. Crespi, L. N. Robertson, A. H. Hara, G. Gries, C. W. O'Brien, and H. D. Pierce, Jr. Aggregation pheromones of two geographical isolates of the New Guinea sugarcane weevil, Rhabdoscelus obscurus. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 26:(2000):2763-2780.
  • DeCrappeo, N., and R. M. Giblin-Davis. Schistonchus aurea n. sp. and S. laevigata n. sp. (Aphelenchoididae); associates of native Floridian Ficus spp. and their Pegoscapus pollinators (Agaonidae). Journal of Nematology, 33: (2001): 91-103.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., D. S. Williams, W. P. Wergin, D. W. Dickson, T. E. Hewlett, S. Bekal, and J. O. Becker. Ultrastructure and development of Pasteuria sp. (S-1 strain), an obligate endoparasite of Belonolaimus longicaudatus (Nemata: Tylenchida). Journal of Nematology. 33: (2001):227-238.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., J. Makinson, B. J. Center, K. A. Davies, M. Purcell, G. S. Taylor, S. Scheffer, J. Goolsby, and T. D. Center. Fergusobia/Fergusonina-induced shoot bud gall development on Melaleuca quinquenervia. Journal of Nematology. 33:(2001):239-247.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., D. S. Williams, S. Bekal, D. W. Dickson, J. O. Becker, and J. F. Preston. 'Candidatus Pasteuria usgae' sp. nov., an obligate endoparasite of the phytoparasitic nematode, Belonolaimus longicaudatus. International Journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology. 53: (2003):197-200.
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M., K. A. Davies, K. Morris, and W. K. Thomas. Evolution of parasitism in insect-transmitted plant nematodes. Journal of Nematology. 34: (2003):35:(In Press).
  • Preston, J. F., D. W. Dickson, J. E. Maruniak, G. Nong, J. A. Brito, L. M. Schmidt, and R. M. Giblin-Davis. Pasteuria spp.: Systematics-phylogeny of these unusual bacterial parasites of phytopathogenic nematodes. Journal of Nematology, 35:(2003): (In Press).
  • Giblin-Davis, R. M. Nematodes as mutualists: where and how did these associations evolve? Nematology. 5: (2003): (In Press).