Research Program
1) Herbivore-Parasitoid Trophic Interactions
I study how interactions between herbivorous insects and their parasitoids influence population dynamics, community assembly, biological invasions, and the success of biological control programs. Much of my current work focuses on the invasive cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, and the native and introduced parasitoids that attack it. Through the Cactus Moth Program, I help coordinate long-term monitoring of cactus moth populations while evaluating the role of specialist parasitoids such as Apanteles opuntiarum in reducing damage to native prickly pear communities. My research combines field surveys, insect rearing, population monitoring, and experimental ecology to understand how natural enemies regulate invasive herbivores and how these interactions can be leveraged for conservation and management.
I also investigate trophic interactions associated with invasive African grasses, particularly Guinea grass and buffelgrass. Working within the broader Invasive Grass Program, I examine how parasitoids constrain the effectiveness of candidate biological control agents in their native range. By comparing herbivore performance with and without parasitoid pressure, I aim to predict the strength, stability, and long-term outcomes of biological control programs. More broadly, I am interested in how multitrophic interactions among plants, herbivores, parasitoids, and microbial associates shape invasion success and ecosystem change.
I also investigate trophic interactions associated with invasive African grasses, particularly Guinea grass and buffelgrass. Working within the broader Invasive Grass Program, I examine how parasitoids constrain the effectiveness of candidate biological control agents in their native range. By comparing herbivore performance with and without parasitoid pressure, I aim to predict the strength, stability, and long-term outcomes of biological control programs. More broadly, I am interested in how multitrophic interactions among plants, herbivores, parasitoids, and microbial associates shape invasion success and ecosystem change.
2) Plant-Herbivore Interactions
My research examines how interactions between plants and herbivorous insects shape ecological communities and influence the success or failure of biological invasions. I am particularly interested in how plant traits, evolutionary history, and ecological context affect herbivore host use, performance, and population dynamics. By integrating field experiments, comparative studies, and community ecology, I seek to understand why some plant species accumulate damaging herbivore communities while others escape attack.
A major focus of my work involves invasive tropical grasses, especially Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) and buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). Through the Invasive Grass Program, I investigate the ecology of specialist herbivores being evaluated as biological control agents and compare their interactions across native and introduced ranges. These studies provide insight into the mechanisms driving host specificity, invasion success, and the ecological consequences of plant invasions.
I am also interested in comparative trophic interactions across plant communities. By examining how herbivore communities assemble on native and invasive hosts, I seek to identify the ecological processes that regulate community structure and determine whether natural enemies can contribute to long-term suppression of invasive plants.
A major focus of my work involves invasive tropical grasses, especially Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) and buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). Through the Invasive Grass Program, I investigate the ecology of specialist herbivores being evaluated as biological control agents and compare their interactions across native and introduced ranges. These studies provide insight into the mechanisms driving host specificity, invasion success, and the ecological consequences of plant invasions.
I am also interested in comparative trophic interactions across plant communities. By examining how herbivore communities assemble on native and invasive hosts, I seek to identify the ecological processes that regulate community structure and determine whether natural enemies can contribute to long-term suppression of invasive plants.
3) Chemical Ecology
I use chemical ecology to better understand how plants, insects, and other organisms communicate and interact within ecological communities. Chemical compounds mediate many of the most important decisions organisms make, including host selection, feeding, oviposition, defense, and interactions with natural enemies. My research explores how variation in plant chemistry influences herbivore behavior, host specialization, and multitrophic species interactions.
Much of my current work focuses on grassland ecosystems and invasive grasses, where I investigate how plant secondary metabolites shape interactions between plants, herbivores, parasitoids, and microbial communities. I am particularly interested in identifying chemical traits associated with herbivore specialization and evaluating how variation in plant chemistry affects the performance and host selection of candidate biological control agents.
I also study the chemical ecology of prickly pear cacti and the insects that depend on them. This work examines how cactus chemistry varies among species, populations, and environmental conditions, and how that variation influences interactions with herbivores such as the cactus moth and its associated natural enemies. By linking chemical diversity to ecological and evolutionary processes, I aim to better understand the mechanisms that structure species interactions and shape ecological communities.
Much of my current work focuses on grassland ecosystems and invasive grasses, where I investigate how plant secondary metabolites shape interactions between plants, herbivores, parasitoids, and microbial communities. I am particularly interested in identifying chemical traits associated with herbivore specialization and evaluating how variation in plant chemistry affects the performance and host selection of candidate biological control agents.
I also study the chemical ecology of prickly pear cacti and the insects that depend on them. This work examines how cactus chemistry varies among species, populations, and environmental conditions, and how that variation influences interactions with herbivores such as the cactus moth and its associated natural enemies. By linking chemical diversity to ecological and evolutionary processes, I aim to better understand the mechanisms that structure species interactions and shape ecological communities.
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4) Grassland Ecology & Restoration
I study the ecological processes that govern grassland structure, function, and resilience, with an emphasis on invasive species, restoration ecology, and ecosystem management. Grasslands are increasingly affected by biological invasions, altered disturbance regimes, and environmental change, creating a need for management approaches that are both ecologically informed and operationally practical. My research seeks to identify the mechanisms that drive these changes and develop strategies to restore healthy and diverse grassland ecosystems.
A major focus of my work examines how invasive grasses alter plant communities and ecosystem processes. Through the Invasive Grass Program, and in collaboration with Dr Aaron Rhodes and Dr Liz Bowman, I investigate plant-soil feedbacks, allelopathic interactions, and other mechanisms interact with plant-soil feedback, and grazing, that allow invasive grasses to dominate native systems. Understanding these processes can improve restoration outcomes and help identify opportunities to increase ecosystem resistance to future invasions.
I am also interested in integrating empirical data to land management. By combining research on invasion ecology, habitat restoration, biological control, and vegetation management, I aim to develop science-based approaches that promote native biodiversity, improve habitat quality, and support long-term ecosystem resilience across working landscapes.
A major focus of my work examines how invasive grasses alter plant communities and ecosystem processes. Through the Invasive Grass Program, and in collaboration with Dr Aaron Rhodes and Dr Liz Bowman, I investigate plant-soil feedbacks, allelopathic interactions, and other mechanisms interact with plant-soil feedback, and grazing, that allow invasive grasses to dominate native systems. Understanding these processes can improve restoration outcomes and help identify opportunities to increase ecosystem resistance to future invasions.
I am also interested in integrating empirical data to land management. By combining research on invasion ecology, habitat restoration, biological control, and vegetation management, I aim to develop science-based approaches that promote native biodiversity, improve habitat quality, and support long-term ecosystem resilience across working landscapes.
Previous Work
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La Selva Biological Station Arboretum - August, 2018.