Dr. Lukasz Stelinski
Professor - Entomology and Nematology
Program Emphasis
My research focuses on development of integrated management strategies for insect pest control. Although citrus is the focal commodity for my current research program, I extensively collaborate with colleagues on research projects involving insect pests of temperate tree fruit, small fruit (both temperate and tropical), as well as in other agricultural commodities such as ornamental plants and vegetables. My research interests include both principles-level fundamental questions as well as practical applied questions geared toward providing solutions to major problems facing a diversity of agricultural commodities. My philosophy is to meld basic and applied research as a single pursuit. My approach is to conduct research on the behavior and ecology of insects and subsequently develop biorational management solutions. Current ongoing projects include: 1) development of behavior modifying chemicals, including attractants and repellents, for pest control with a focus on but not exclusive to citrus pests, 2) toxicological investigations of insect growth regulators, 3) quantitative measurement of pest movement patterns and dispersal behavior in relation to management practices, 4) identification of herbivore induced volatile emissions from plant roots that recruit entomopathogenic nematodes, 5) development and optimization of mating disruption technologies for moth pests, 6) enhancement of biological control by identification and development of recruitment pheromones and kairomones for natural enemies, 7) pesticide resistance management, 8) development of antifeedants to prevent plant pathogen transmission by insect vectors, 9) pheromone-mediated multitrophic parasitoid-prey interactions, 10) insect sensory physiology as it relates to pheromone and kairomone perception, and 11) optimization of pesticide spray technologies.
Specialization
Applied Chemical Ecology, Insect Behavior and Sensory Physiology, Plant-Insect Interactions, Integrated Pest Management, Insect Vector-Pathogen Interactions, Pest Management in Citrus
