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Kevin Rice
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Dr. Kevin B. Rice 
Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement and Protection 
Postdoctoral Researcher     
Kevin.Rice@ars.usda.gov
Phone: (304) 725-3451 ext. 355 
Fax: (304) 728-7232
Room 310

 

 

2217 WILTSHIRE ROAD 
APPALACHIAN FRUIT RS 
KEARNEYSVILLE, WV 254302771

 

Education and Degrees

2008-2013 Ph.D. Entomology The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH “Cascading Ecological Impacts of Emerald Ash Borer: Tritrophic Interactions Among Prickly Ash, Giant Swallowtail Butterfly Larvae and Larval Predators” Advisor: Dr. Daniel A. Herms.

2004-2007 M.S. Entomology Auburn University, Auburn, AL  “CThesis: “Mutualisms, Commensalisms and Predation: The Direct and Indirect Effects of Fire Ants on Arthropods and Plants” Advisor: Dr. Micky D. Eubanks.

2001-2004 B.S. Biology. University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.

Experience

2015-Present

Post-Doctoral Research. USDA-ARS-Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV Investigated foraging behavior of and developed attract-and-and-kill management for the invasive spotted wing drosophila. Advisor: Dr. Tracy Leskey

2013-2015

Post-Doctoral Research. The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA. Examined invasive stink bug movement among natural and agricultural systems and identified mechanisms driving movement. Created novel mark-recapture technique for monitoring animal movement. Analyzed landscape factors associated with invasive insect damage in agricultural systems.  Advisors: Dr. John Tooker and Dr. Shelby Fleischer

2007-2008 Agricultural Extension Agent. University of Arizona, Pinal County, AZ. Monitored pest populations in field crops, advised stakeholders of management options.Designed and conducted efficacy trials on crop pesticides and herbicides. Set up and analyzed field crop variety trials
2007 Biological Science Technician (Temporary Position) USDA-ARS Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, AZ. Monitored pest and predator dispersal in field crops. Performed pesticide trials on insect pests.

 

Laboratory Publications

Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kevin_Rice7

Current Projects

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Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is an invasive fruit fly that attacks ripe raspberries, blackberries and blueberries resulting in severe economic damage. I investigate the foraging and visual ecology of spotted wing drosophila to develop management tactics such as attract-and-kill

 

Attract-and-kill
Using laboratory, semi-field, and field experiments, we accessed SWD behavioral preference for color shape and size and determined they have a strong preference for red and black colors, while shape and size were not important visual stimuli.  Attracticidal spheres are visually attractive fruit mimics developed to control fruit flies in apple orchards. Attracticidal spheres are composed of a plastic bottom and a wax capped top.  The wax contains a feeding stimulant (sucrose) and a toxicant.  Laboratory lethality trials indicated several conventional and organic approved insecticides rapidly kill SWD when they feed on attracticidal spheres. When attracticidal spheres were deployed in raspberry plots (1 sphere per plant), they provided equivalent SWD control as full block weekly insecticide applications.  When attracticidal spheres were combined with weekly insecticide applications, SWD infestations were further reduced, perhaps because attracticidal spheres continue to kill SWD between chemical applications. To access SWD movement within plant and among plants, we used mark-release recapture experiments, and caged foraging arenas.  SWD have a strong preference to land and lay eggs in fruit positioned lower in the canopy, suggesting attracticidal spheres may provide greater management if deployed lower in the canopy.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

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