The primary goal of my research program is to protect the turfgrass and ornamental (T&O) industries and the public from invasive pest species through integrated pest Picture
management (IPM) strategies that offer sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical controls. My research encompasses: 1) developing diagnostic and taxonomic frameworks for invasive and native species, 2) surveying natural enemies shared by invasive and native species, 3) identifying methods to deliver and conserve these natural enemies, 4) evaluating insecticide efficacy against invasive species and their compatibility with natural enemies, 5) investigating the genetic makeup and endosymbionts that contribute to the invasion success of invasive species, and exploring the potential for manipulating these factors to manage invasive species