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UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

Dr. Lauren Diepenbrock's Laboratory

Welcome to the Diepenbrock lab! Our group primarily focuses on Insect Ecology and Integrated Pest Management in citrus production systems with the goal of providing targeted management tools to citrus growers regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Current Research Topics

  • Asian Citrus Psyllid management
  • Non-target impacts of Asian Citrus Psyllid management
  • Habitat enhancement for beneficial insects

Extension Programming

  • Florida Citrus Production Guide
  • Citrus insect management workshop
  • Educational materials (currently under development!)
  • Research Projects

    Asian Citrus Psyllid Management

    Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is an invasive species that has been in Florida since the late 1990s. No only is the insect itself a pest to citrus trees, it is also a vector for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the bacteria linked to citrus greening (Huanglongbing/HLB). This disease is a threat to the worldwide production of citrus. In Florida, much research has gone into both short and long term management options for both the pest insect and the pathogen. Despite these efforts, the pest still remains a major management challenge and there is still a lot of research to be done both in terms of the ecology of the pest-pathogen complex and ready to use management tools.

    Our lab is currently involved in several projects pertaining directly to ACP and HLB:

    • Determining parameters for establishing healthy new plantings (comparison of new tools including exclusion bags, reflective mulch, and kaolin clay with current standards)-- with collaborators Dr. Megan Dewdney, Dr. Evan Johnson, Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni, and Dr. Christopher Vincent
    • Behavioral repellents (new product evaluation, parameter determination)-- with collaborators Dr. Lukasz Stelinski, Dr. Monique Rivera, and Dr. Mamoudou Setamou
    • Cover crop for soil and tree health improvement (ACP management is an add-on to their main goals)-- Lead PI: Dr. Sarah Strauss
    • Refining the use of reflective mulch to deter psyllids and alleviate trees from pathogen pressure-- Lead PI: Dr. Jawwad Qureshi
    • Exclusion bagging for production of ACP/HLB free grapefruit-- Lead PI: Dr. Arnold Schumann 

    Non-target Impacts of ACP Management

    Citrus greening has an enormous economic impact on citrus production. As such, efforts to reduce the population of vectors (ACP) and/or minimize their movement and the corresponding spread of the pathogen are important for managing the disease. To slow the initial spread of disease, area-wide management in the form of coordinated insecticide-based management was performed throughout much of the state of Florida (CHMA program). Unfortunately, there were challenges to the full implementation of this program and it has since dissolved. But groves still require active management, and at present, insecticides are the primary tool for vector management. Exposure to these materials can also have impacts on organisms other than the intended target(s). 

    Projects looking at non-target impacts of ACP management

    • Documenting non-ACP pest arthropod populations under relaxed new management paradigms- Several pests inclusing citrus leafminer (CLM), many scales, and whiteflies associated with citrus have largely been under control by a combination of generalist predators and specialist parasitoids. During intense ACP management, these pests were also kept at a minimum likely from exposure to broad-spectrum insecticide applications. Recently, there has been a shift in many overall grove management programs to focus on plant health and reduce insecticide reliance. With this shift, we anticipate seeing populations of several pests like scales and whitefly become more apparent and potentially problematic. What we don't know is if the predators, including parasitoids, are still present and sufficiently abundant to control these pests. 

    Habitat enhancement for beneficial insects

    Beneficial insects, particularly predators/parasitoids, have a long history of being integral parts of pest management in citrus. The intense management meeded to reduce ACP impacts has reduced the visible abundance of these organisms which used to be easily spotted in Florida citrus groves. Researchers across the state are interested in developing management options that enable beneficial arthropods (insects, mites, and spiders) to re-establish and thrive once again.

    Projects for promotion of beneficial insects

    • Influence of vegetation diversity/complexity in windbreaks on pest management-- Lead PI: Dr. Xavier Martini
    • Cover crop for soil and tree health improvement (ACP management is an add-on to their main goals)-- Lead PI: Dr. Sarah Strauss
    • Non-crop habitat for beneficial arthropods (project under development)

    Invasive arthropods and their management

    Citrus is a global crop, it is grown in over 100 countries and imported/exported throughout the world. As such, movement of pests and diseases is a major concern. Like all traded items, movement of citrus fruit into and out of countries is heavily regulated to minimize the potential for pests to move on these shipments. Sometimes, however, pests and diseases still manage to be moved into new areas where they can become problematic. Approximately two decades ago, this was the case for the arrival of Asian citrus psyllid, the primary vector of CLas (see above). In 2019, Florida growers have been challenged by the finding of a mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis, which is known to be problematic in citrus production in other parts of the world. Our lab is working with our state regulatory authority, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services- Division of Plant Industry, and industry partners to help our growers detect and manage this pest.

    • Biology and ecology of Nipaecoccus viridis
    • Determining breadth of potential predators of Nipaecoccus viridis
    • Field management of Nipaecoccus viridis
  • Publications

    2021

    Diepenbrock, L.M. 2021. Laboratory screening of conventional insecticides for the control of Nipaecoccus viridis, an invasive pest in Florida citrus. Arthropod management tests. DOI: 10.1093/amt/tsaa117

    Diepenbrock, L.M., Olabiyi, D.O., and P.B, Avery. 2021. Laboratory screening of selected entomopathenogenic fungi, bioinsecticide, and insect growth regulator against Hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis Newstead. Arthropod Management Tests.  DOI: 10.1093/amt/tsaa121

    2020

    Benge, M., Martini, X., Diepenbrock, L. M., & Smith, H. A. 2020. Determining the professional development needs of Florida integrated pest management Extension agents. Journal of Extension, 58(6), Article v58-6rb5. https://www.joe.org/joe/2020december/rb5.php

    Diepenbrock, L.M. and M.Z. Ahmed. 2020 First Report of Nipaecoccus viridis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) associated with citrus production in the United States. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 11(1):7; 1-4. DOI 10.1093/jipm/pmaa004

    Schöneberg, T., Aresnault-Benoit, A., Taylor, C.M., Butler, B.R., Dalton, D.T., Walton, V.M., Petran, A., Rogers, M.A., Diepenbrock, L.M., Burrack, H.J., Leach, H., Van Timmeren, S., Fanning, P.D., Isaacs, R., Gress, B.E., Bolda, M.P., Zalom, F.G., Roubos, C.R., Evans, R.K., Sial, A.A., Hamby, K.A. 2020. Pruning of small fruit crops can affect habitat suitability for Drosophila suzukii. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 294: 106860. DOI 10.1016/j.agree.2020.106860

    Stockton, F.G., Wallingford, A.K., Brind’amore, G., Diepenbrock, L., Burrack, H., Leach, H., Isaacs, R., Iglesias, L. E., Liburd, O., Drummond, F., Ballman, E., Geudot, C., Van Zoeren, J., and G.M. Loeb. 2020. Seasonal polyphenism of spotted wing drosophile is affected by variation in local abiotic conditions within its invaded range, likely influencing survival and regional population dynamics. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6491

    Olazcuaga, L., Loiseau, A., Parrinello, H., Paris, M., Fraimout, A., Guedot, C., Diepenbrock, L.M., Kenis, M., Zhang, J., Chen, X., Borowiec, N., Facon, B., Vogt, J., Price, D.K., Vogel, H., Prud’homme, B., Estoup, A., and M. Gautier. 2020 A whole-genome scan for association with invasion success in the fruit fly Drosophila suzukii using contrasts of allele frequencies corrected for population structure. Molecular Biology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa098

    2019

    Cloonan, K.R., Hernández-Cumplido, J., Viana de Sousa,  A.L., Romalho, D.G., Burrack, H.J., Della Rosa, L., Diepenbrock, L.M., Ballman, E., Drummond, F.A., Gut. L.J., Hesler, S., Isaacs, R., Leach, H., Loeb, G.M., Nielsen, A.L., Nitzsche, P., Park, R.R., Syed, Z., Van Timmeren, S., Wallingford, A.K., Walton, V.M., and C. Rodriguez-Saona. 2019. Laboratory and field evaluation of host-related foraging odor-cue combinations to attract Drosophila suzukii (Diptera:Drosophilidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 112(6): 2850-2860. Doi: 10.1093/jee/toz224

    Stockton, D.G., Wallingford, A., Rendon, D., Fanning, P., Green, C. K., Diepenbrock, L., Ballman, E., Walton, V.M.,  Isaacs, R., Leach, H., Sial, A. A., Drummond, F., Burrack, H., and Loeb, G.M. 2019. Interactions between biotic and abiotic factors affect survival in overwintering Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). Environmental Entomology. DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvy192

    2018

    Diepenbrock, L.M., Lundgren, J.G, Sit, T.L, and H.J. Burrack. 2018. Detecting specific resource use by Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a mobile, highly polyphagous fruit pest, using gut content analysis. Journal of Economic Entomology. DOI: 10.1093/jee/toy077

    Diepenbrock, L.M. and D. R. McPhie. 2018. Use of a novel host plant family, Basallaceae, by Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. DOI: 10.4289/0013-8797.120.2.255

    2017

    Van Timmeren, S., Diepenbrock, L.M., Bertone, M. A., Burrack, H. J. and R. Isaacs. 2017. A filter method for improved monitoring of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) larvae in fruit. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. DOI: 10.1093/jipm/pmx019

    Diepenbrock, L.M., Hardin, J.A., and H.J. Burrack. 2017. Season-longprograms for control of Drosophila suzukii in southeastern blackberry crops. Crop Protection. DOI: 10.1016/j.croppro.2017.03.022

    2016

    Diepenbrock, L.M. and H.J. Burrack. 2016. Variation of within-crop microhabitat use byDrosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in blackberry. Journal of Applied Entomology. DOI 10.1111/jen.12335

    Diepenbrock, L.M., K.V. Tindall, K. Fothergill, J.E. Losey, R.R. Smyth, and D.L. Finke. 2016. The influence of exotic lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) establishment on in the species composition of the native lady beetle community in Missouri. Environmental Entomology. DOI 10.1093/ee/nvw065

    Diepenbrock, L.M., K.A. Swoboda-Bhattarai, and H.J. Burrack. 2016. Ovipositional preference,fidelity, and fitness of Drosophila suzukii in a co-occurring crop and non-crop host system. Journal of Pest Science. DOI 10.1007/s10340-016-0764-5

    Diepenbrock, L.M., D.O. Rosensteel, J.A. Hardin, A.A. Sial, and H.J. Burrack. 2016. Season-long programs for control of Drosophila suzukii in southeastern blueberries. Crop Protection. 81: 76-84.

    2015

    Diepenbrock, L.M., and H.J. Burrack. 2015. Efficacy of bait sprays for the control ofDrosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in blueberries. Arthropod Management Tests.40 (1).

    Diepenbrock, L.M., J. Hardin, and H.J. Burrack. 2015. Efficacy of insecticides against Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in blueberries. Arthropod Management Tests. 40 (1).

    2013

    Diepenbrock, L.M., and D.L. Finke. 2013. Refuge for native lady beetles (Coccinellidae) in grassland habitats. Insect Conservation and Diversity. 6(6): 671-679. DOI: 10.1111/icad.12027

    2012

    Worsham, H. and L. Diepenbrock. 2012. Evaluating Scientific Content: Misinformation About Insects in a Popular Children's Movie. American Biology Teacher. 75(5): 341-343.

    2011

    Hart, L.M., and W.R. Tschinkel. 2011. A seasonal natural history of Odontomachus runneus. Insectes Sociaux. 59(1): 45-54. DOI: 10.1007/s00040-011-0186-6

  • Extension

    Keeping extension agents, growers, grove managers, and technical representatives from the industry up to date on citrus arthropod management is one of our major roles in citrus production. The Diepenbrock lab extension program includes workshops, information sheets (EDIS documents), grove visits, and outreach programs.

    Current extension outputs include:

    Quick Pest Guides

    Insect informational pages

    Citrus pest management EDIS documents

    Children's Citrus Activity Pages

  • Openings

    Contact PI via e-mail for inquiries regarding graduate student and postdoc opportunities.

  • Current Lab Members

    Lauren Diepenbrock
    PI
    863.956.8801
    ldiepenbrock@ufl.edu

    Research interests: Insect ecology, invasive species, and pest management in agricultural systems.

    David Olabiyi

    David Olabiyi
    PhD student
    davidolabiyi@ufl.edu
    Website

    Research interests: Studying insect behavior, ecology, and biological control for sustainable pest management

    Emilie Demard

    Emilie Demard
    Postdoctoral Researcher
    edemard@ufl.edu

    Angela Chuang

     Angela Chuang
     Postdoctoral Researcher
     angelachuang.com
     angelachuang@ufl.edu

    Research interests: Angela is interested in factors that influence natural enemy diversity and abundance in agroecosystems. She is also generally interested in broad topics within invasion science, behavioral ecology, and arachnology.

    Lena Craft

    Lena Craft
    Biological Scientist/Lab Manager
    lenacraft@ufl.edu

    Ping Liu

    Guoping Liu
    Technical Staff
    guoping@ufl.edu

    Tracy Liesenfelt

    Tracy Liesenfelt
    Technical Staff 
    tliesenfelt@Knights.ucf.edu

    Diana Estrada

    Diana Estrada
    Technical Staff
    diana.estrada@ufl.edu 

     

     

  • Previous Lab Members

    Abigail Prohofsky

    Abigail Prohofsky
    Doctor of Plant Medicine Intern, Summer 2022

    Marek Harrison

    Marek Harrison
    Technical Staff
    marekh1218@gmail.com
    Website 

    Eric Middleton

    Eric Middleton
    Postdoctoral Researcher
    emiddleton@ufl.edu

    Research interests: Eric is interested in the intersection of entomology and sustainable agriculture, specifically how to incorporate beneficial insects with existing management practices to benefit food production.

    Current Position: Area IPM Advisor, University of California- Agriculture and Natural Resources (Webpage)

    Lourdes Perez Cordero

    Lourdes Perez Cordero
    MS student
    lperezcordero@ufl.edu

    Research interests: I’m interested in insect behavior and the relationship between insects and the environment, humans, and other organisms.

    Kristen Gaines

    Kristen Gaines
    MS student
    kristencgaines@ufl.edu

    Research interests: I’m interested in utilizing molecular techniques to identify natural enemies
    of the Lebbeck mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis. I am also investigating how the presence of ants
    affects the diversity of natural enemies present and potentially feeding on this pest in the field.

    Harry Anderson

    Harry Anderson
    Technical Staff 

    Peaches Mariner

    Peaches Mariner
    Technical Staff

    Gary Test

    Gary Test
    Technical Staff