Pest Management
Our faculty in the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department are committed to improving pest management practices. The subtropical climate of Florida is favorable for arthropod survival and reproduction, which results in a considerable number of pest problems. Also, numerous exotic pest species are accidentally introduced and successfully established each year, resulting in an ever-increasing number of pests.
Compounding the problem is the nature of Florida’s economy. It is based primarily on tourism and horticultural crops, neither of which is tolerant of insects and their damage. In addition, Florida’s diverse climate and cropping systems create a challenging environment for pest management research and its application.
The University of Florida employs many entomologists and nematologists to conduct research and educate students and the public on the subject of pest management. In addition to our Gainesville experts, many of our authorities in pest management work at UF/IFAS Research and Education Centers throughout the state, in close proximity to pest problems relating to specific crops. Our reach is widespread, and we support active research on pest management around the world.
The faculty members listed below have a strong research focus in this area. Click on the names below to learn more about their research programs.
- Brian Bahder Insect Vector Ecology, Associate Professor
- Julien Beuzelin Entomology, Associate Professor
- Daniel Carillo Management of Tropical and Invasive Pests, Associate Professor
- Adam Dale Turfgrass and Ornamental Entomology, Associate Chair for Extension,
Associate Professor - Isaac Esquivel Forage Crop Entomology, Assistant Professor
- Amanda Hodges Invasive Species Management, Extension Scientist, DPM Director
- Yoosook Lee Molecular Ecology, Population Genomics, Bioinformatics, Assistant Professor
- Oscar Liburd Fruit and Vegetable Integrated Pest Management, Professor
- Xavier Martini Biology and Evolution, Associate Professor
- Silvana V. Paula-Moraes Crop Pest Management, Associate Professor
- Jawwad Qureshi Integrated Pest Management, Biology and Ecology of Insect Vectors of Plant Pathogens, Associate Professor
- Alexandra Revynthi Integrated Pest Management, Ornamental Entomology and Acarology, Assistant Professor
- Michael Rogers Integrated Pest Management, Citrus Insects, Center Director and Professor
- Dakshina Seal Integrated Pest Management, Insect Pests of Vegetable Crops, Research Scientist
- Hugh Smith Integrated Pest Management of Vegetable Crops, Associate Professor