Tracking the Biological Control Potential of Generalist Predators in Complex Food Webs.

LAKE ALFRED, FLA (Sept. 2006) – Dr. James D. Harwood, Research Associate and Instructor at the University of Kentucky, is the final of the three candidates applying for the Citrus Research and Education Center’s Entomology faculty position. Harwood will be presenting his seminar entitled “Tracking the Biological Control Potential of Generalist Predators in Complex Food Webs.” The seminar will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006 at the University of Florida/IFAS, Citrus Research Center, Ben Hill Griffin Hall, located at 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, Fla. in Room 2, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Dr. Harwood received his B.S. in biology, graduating with honors (first class) in 1997 and continued through to his Ph.D. in Insect Ecology in 2001 from Cardiff University, United Kingdom. Harwood’s research program has consistently integrated behavioral, molecular, and immunological approaches to studying ecological interactions between natural enemies and their prey in the field. In addition to quantifying the role of a key group of predators in agroecosystems, spiders, Harwood has used these approaches to examine the role of prey biodiversity in biological control, the disruption of pest predation by alternative prey.

In the past 5 years, Harwood has published 1 book chapter, 25 journal papers, and 2 book reviews. He was also invited to present 8 seminars both nationally and internationally, in 2001 co organized the Royal Entomological Society Molecular Ecology Special Interest Group Meeting in Cardiff, U.K., and, in 2005, he was invited to lecture at the 2nd International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods in Davos, Switzerland.