Gary L. Leibee, Ph.D.
Entomologist

Research is conducted on strategies to control insects associated with the production of vegetables, landscape ornamentals, and cut foliage. Program specialization has been in the areas of integration of insecticides into integrated pest management (IPM) systems, insecticide resistance management, and evaluating the efficacy of insecticides and their compatibility with beneficial insects. Emphasis has been placed on reduced-risk insecticides, including new chemistries and naturally occurring botanical and bacterial toxins.

Biological control research involves beneficial species of parasitic wasps and nematodes that attack insect pests. Commodity areas of specialization include cabbage, collards, magnolia, leatherleaf fern, and tree "fern" (ornamental asparagus). Emphasis has been placed on the management of the following pests: diamondback moth, cabbage looper, silverleaf whitefly, leafmining flies, aphids, magnolia root borer, scale insects, and the Florida fern caterpillar.