We study plants and insects in urban landscapes.

Most people live in or around cities and rely on turfgrasses and ornamental plants to beautify their landscapes, filter air and water, reduce temperatures, provide recreational space, and support wildlife. Unfortunately, conditions common to urban landscapes often reduce these services, which makes strategic design and effective management critical. The overriding objectives of my lab are to develop short and long-term strategies that reduce insect pests and promote beneficial organisms in turf and ornamental systems.

We use ecological principles to develop insect pest management strategies with the objective of building well-rounded IPM programs. My lab’s research interests include plant-insect interactions, biological control, and developing sustainable plant and pest management practices. We approach these by investigating immediate pest control strategies, longer-term ecological tactics, and determining how these will change under future habitats and environmental conditions.

We do our best to translate the results of our research into application and digestible forms through various outlets of my Extension program in an effort to support and advance the turf and ornamental industries in Florida and the Southeastern U.S.