User:Vivek Kumar

I am a PhD student in Entomology & Nematology department at University Florida. I am working on dissertation research project entitled “Characterization of genetic diversity, biology and biological control of the chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood in south Florida. Chilli thrips is a newly introduced pest in the United States having more than 120 reported hosts among 40 different families of plants. It has tremendous potential to spread at least 6 viral diseases to its host plants and thus, it is a threat to our fruit, ornamental and vegetable industries. Given that chilli thrips has been predicted to spread all over the United States causing an annual damage of >$3.0 billion, it is important to develop a management program for this pest. In this regard my research, aimed at developing practices to manage population of this pest using both chemical and biological control agents will be a boon for researchers and commercial growers of Florida and Greater Caribbean.

As an entomologist, I was never restricted towards working on a particular pest/subject, but broadened my knowledge by helping fellow researchers and graduate students. Till now, I have worked on various projects related to integrated pest management of black cutworm, leaf-miners, mealy bugs and different species of thrips including melon thrips, chilli thrips and common blossom thrips. Currently, I am also working on biological control of fire ants using decapitating phorid flies. I have authored or co-authored 8 refereed publications, 5 conference proceeding articles, 2 Featured Creature articles and 4 other refereed manuscripts are in preparation.