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Christopher M Ranger

Research Entomologist

Contact Information

Horticultural Insects Research Lab
Application Technology Research Unit
USDA-Agricultural Research Service
1680 Madison Ave
Wooster, OH 44691
Phone: (330) 464−0311
Fax: (330) 263-3696

Education

Ph.D. in Entomology (2004) University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
M.S. in Entomology (1999) The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
B.S. in Entomology (1997) The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.

Professional and Academic Appointments

1/2007−Present
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department of Entomology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center
The Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH

8/2006−Present
Research Entomologist
USDA-ARS, Horticultural Insects Laboratory, Application Technology Research Unit
1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH

6/2004−8/2006
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension
125A Lake Oswego Rd., Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, Chatsworth, NJ

Advisory Activities

Subject Editor for the Plant-Insect Interactions section of Environmental Entomology (2018−2022)
Associate Editor for the Plant-Insect Interactions of Environmental Entomology (2009−2013; 2014−2018)
Editorial Board of Agricultural and Forest Entomology (2016−present)

Research

The core of my research program uses principles of chemical ecology, plant-insect interactions, insect behavior, electrophysiology, and natural products chemistry to develop novel strategies for managing horticultural insect pests. Research efforts seek to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in insect biology and behavior, especially for ambrosia beetles attacking trees in ornamental nurseries and tree fruit orchards. I am especially interested in the impact of abiotic stressors and extreme environmental events on predisposing trees to attack by ambrosia beetles, along with factors contributing to their invasion success. Research is also conducted on the isolation and identification of botanically-based repellents, deterrents, and toxins. Pesticide residue analysis using plant tissues is also routinely conducted. Instruments associated with my laboratory include gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-electroanntenography, ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Book Chapters

Backus, E. A., M. Serrano and C. M. Ranger. 2005. Mechanisms of hopperburn: an overview of insect taxonomy, behavior, and physiology. Annual Review of Entomology. 50: 125-151.

Refereed Journal Articles

  1. Ranger, C.M., Biedermann, P.H.W., Phuntumart, V., Beligala, G.U., Ghosh, S., Palmquist, D.E., Mueller, R., Barnett, J., Schultz, P.B., Reding, M.E., Benz, J.P. 2018. Symbiont selection via alcohol benefits fungus-farming by ambrosia beetles. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi/10.1073/pnas.1716852115
  2. Miller, D. R., Crowe, C. M., Ginzel, M. D., Ranger, C. M., Schultz, P. B. 2017. Comparison of baited bottle and multiple-funnel traps for ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Eastern USA. Journal of Entomological Science. In press.
  3. Anderson, A.L., Ranger, C.M., Frank, S.D. 2017. Interaction of insecticide and media moisture on ambrosia beetle attacks in ornamental nurseries. Environmental Entomology. 46:1390-1396.
  4. Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M. 2017. Residue age and attack pressure influence efficacy of insecticide treatments against ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 111:269-276.
  5. Klingeman, W.E., Bray, A.M., Oliver, J.B., Ranger, C.M., Palmquist, D.E. 2017. Trap style, bait, and height deployments in black walnut tree canopies help inform monitoring strategies for bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Environmental Entomology. 46:1120-1129.
  6. Oliver, J.B., Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Youssef, N.N., Moyseenko, J.J. 2017. Single and combination insecticides evaluated as regulatory immersion treatments to eliminate third-instar Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from small diameter field-grown and containerized nursery plants. Journal of Entomological Science. 52: 274-287.
  7. Mayers, C.G., Harrington, T., Ranger, C.M. 2017. First report of a sexual state in an ambrosia fungus: Ambrosiella cleistominuta sp. nov. associated with the ambrosia beetle Anisandrus maiche. Botany. 95: 503-512.
  8. Zhu, H., Rosetta, R., Reding, M.E., Zondag, R., Ranger, C.M., Canas, L., Fulcher, A., Krause, C.R., Derksen, R.C., Ozkan, E. 2017. Validation of laser-guided variable-rate sprayer for managing insects in ornamental nurseries. Transactions of the ASABE. 60: 337-345.
  9. Ranger, C.M., Horst, L., Barnett, J., Reding, M.E., Anderson, B.A., Krause, C.R. 2017. Comparative morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla on Xylosandrus germanus and Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 110: 172-188.
  10. Ranger, C.M., Schultz, P.B., Reding, M.E., Frank, S.D., Palmquist, D.E. 2016. Flood stress as a technique to assess preventive insecticide and fungicide treatments for protecting trees against ambrosia beetles. Insects. 7: 1-11. doi:10.3390.
  11. Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M., Oliver, J. Schultz, P., Youssef, N., Bray, A. 2016. Ethanol-injection induces attacks by ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) on a variety of tree species. Agricultural and Forest Entomology. doi:10.1111/afe.12178.
  12. Frank, S.D., Ranger, C.M. 2016. Developing a media moisture threshold for nurseries to reduce tree stress and ambrosia beetle attacks. Environmental Entomology. 45: 1040-1048.
  13. Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Schultz, P.B., Oliver, J.B., Frank, S.D., Addesso, K.M., Chong, J.H., Sampson, B. Werle, C., Gill, S., Krause, C. 2016. Biology, ecology, and management of Xylosandrus spp. ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in ornamental tree nurseries. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 7: 1-23.
  14. Oliver, J.B., Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M., Klein, M.G., Youssef, N.N., Moyseenko, J.J., Dennis, S.O. 2016. Insecticides evaluated as regulatory immersion treatments to eliminate third-instar Japanese beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from small-diameter field-grown nursery plants. Journal of Entomological Science. 51: 9-28.
  15. Ranger, C.M., Schultz, P. B., Frank, S.D., Chong, J.H., Reding, M.E. 2015. Non-native ambrosia beetles as opportunistic exploiters of living but weakened trees. Plos One. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131496.
  16. Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M., Sampson, B.J., Werle, C.T., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B. 2015. Movement of Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) ornamental nurseries and surrounding habitats. Journal of Economic Entomology. DOI: 10.1093/jee/tov174.
  17. Derksen, R.C., Cañas, L.A, Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E. 2015. The effect of application technique on the temporal and spatial distribution of neonicotinoid insecticides in greenhouse Zinnia and impact on aphid populations. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 31: 211-216. DOI 10.13031/aea.31.10609.
  18. Zhu H., Thistle H.W., Ranger C.M., Zhou H., Strom B.L. 2015. Measurement of semiochemical release rates with a dedicated environmental control system. Biosystems Engineering. 129: 277-287.
  19. Ranger, C.M., Tobin, P.C., Reding, M.E. 2015. Ubiquitous volatile compound facilitates efficient host location by a non-native ambrosia beetle. Biological Invasions. 17: 675-686.
  20. Ranger, C.M., Gorzlancyk, A.G., Held, D.W., Addesso, K., Oliver, J.B., Reding, M.E., Schultz, P.B. 2014. Conophthorin enhances the electroantennogram and field behavioral response of Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to ethanol. Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 16: 327-334.
  21. Gorzlancyk, A., Held, D.H., Ranger, C.M., Barwary, Z. 2014. Capture of Cnestus mutilatus (Blandford), Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky), and other Scolytinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in response to green light emitting diodes, ethanol, and conophthorin. Florida Entomologist. 97: 301-303.
  22. Gorzlancyk, A., Held, D.H., Kim, D.J., Ranger, C.M. 2013. Capture of Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) and other Scolytinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in response to visual and volatile attractants. Florida Entomologist. 96:1097-1101.
  23. Oliver, J.B., Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Moyseenko, J.J., Youssef, N.N., Bray, A.M. 2013. Preharvest quarantine treatments of chlorantraniliprole, clothianidin, and other imidacloprid-based insecticides for larval Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) control in field-grown nursery trees. Journal of Economic Entomology. 106:1190-1199.
  24. Reding, M.E., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B., Ranger, C.M., Youssef, N.N. 2013. Ethanol injection of ornamental trees facilitates testing insecticide efficacy against ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 106:289-298.
  25. Persad, A., Siefer, J., Kirby, S., Montan, R., Rocha, O.J., Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M. 2013. Effect of emerald ash borer on structure and material properties of ash trees. Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. 39:11-16.
  26. Ranger, C.M., Tobin, P.C., Reding, M.E., Bray, A.M., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B., Frank, S.D., Persad, A.B. 2013. Interruption of the semiochemical-based attraction of ambrosia beetles to ethanol-baited traps and ethanol-injected trap trees by verbenone. Environmental Entomology. 42:539-547.
  27. Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Oliver, J.B., Moyseenko, J.J., Youssef, N., Krause, C.R. 2013. Acute toxicity of plant essential oils to scarab larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and their analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Journal of Economic Entomology. 106:159-167.
  28. Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Schultz, P.B., Oliver, J.B. 2013. Influence of flood-stress on ambrosia beetle host-selection and implications for their management in a changing climate. Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 15:56-64.
  29. Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B. 2013. Monitoring attack and flight activity of Xylosandrus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae); the influence of temperature on activity. Journal of Economic Entomology. 106:1780-1787.
  30. Derksen, R.C., Canas, L.A., Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Ozkan, H.E. 2012. Implications for pesticide delivery and insecticide selection using chemical analysis of plant tissue and efficacy. International Advances in Pesticide Application – Aspects of Applied Biology. 114:279-286.
  31. Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Schultz, P.B., Oliver, J.B. 2012. Ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) responses to volatile emissions associated with ethanol–injected Magnolia virginiana L. Environmental Entomology. 41:636-647.
  32. Reding, M.E., Schultz, P.B., Ranger, C.M., Oliver, J.B. 2011. Optimizing ethanol-baited traps for monitoring damaging ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in ornamental nurseries. Journal of Economic Entomology. 104:2017-2024.
  33. Castrillo, L., Griggs, M.H., Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Vandenberg, J.D. 2011. Virulence of commercial strains of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) against adult Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and impact on brood. Biological Control. 58:121-126.
  34. Reding, M., Ranger, C.M. 2011. Systemic insecticides reduce feeding, survival and fecundity of adult black vine weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on a variety of ornamental nursery crops. Journal of Economic Entomology. 104:405-413.
  35. Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B., Moyseenko, J.J., Youssef, N. 2011. Comparative efficacy of plant-derived essential oils for managing ambrosia beetles and their corresponding mass spectral characterization. Journal of Economic Entomology. 104:1665-1674.
  36. Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Gandhi, K.J.K., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B., Cañas, L., Herms, D.A. 2011. Species dependent influence of (-)-α-pinene on attraction of ambrosia beetles to ethanol-baited traps in nursery agroecosystems. Journal of Economic Entomology. 104:574-579.
  37. Ranger, C.M., Winter, R.E.K., Singh, A.P., Reding, M.E., Frantz, J.M., Locke, J.C., Krause, C. 2011. Rare excitatory amino acid from flowers of zonal geranium responsible for paralyzing the Japanese beetle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 108:1217-1221.
  38. Derksen, R.C., Ranger, C.M., Zhu, H., Krause, C. 2010. Greenhouse evaluation of air-assist delivery parameters for mature poinsettias. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 26:947-953.
  39. Oliver, J.B., Fare, D.C., Youssef, N., Scholl, S., Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M., Moyseenko, J.J., Halcomb, M.A. 2010. Evaluation of a single application of neonicotinoid and multi-application contact insecticides for flatheaded borer management in field grown Acer rubrum L. cultivars. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 28:135-149.
  40. Derksen, R.C., Ranger, C.M., Cañas, L.A., Locke, J.C., Zhu, H., Krause, C.R. 2010. Evaluation of handgun and broadcast systems for spray deposition in greenhouse poinsettia canopies. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. 53:5-12.
  41. Reding, M.E., Oliver, J., Schultz, P., Ranger, C.M. 2010. Monitoring flight activity of ambrosia beetles in ornamental nurseries with ethanol-baited traps: influence of trap height on captures. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 28:85-90.
  42. Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Persad, A.B., Herms, D.A. 2010. Ability of stress-related volatiles to attract and induce attacks by Xylosandrus germanus and other ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae). Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 12:177-185.
  43. Youssef, N.N., Oliver, J.B., Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Moyseenko, J.J. Klein, M.G., Pappas, R.S. 2009. Field evaluation of essential oils for reducing attraction by the Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 102:1551-1558.
  44. Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Oliver, J.B., Moyseenko, J.J.,Youssef, N.N. 2009. Toxicity of botanical formulations to nursery-infesting white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 102:304-308.
  45. Ranger, C.M., Singh, A.P., Frantz, J.M., Cañas, L., Locke, J.C., Reding, M. E., Vorsa, N. 2009. Influence of silicon on resistance of Zinnia elegans to the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Environmental Entomology. 38:129-136.
  46. Oliver, J.B., Fare, D.C., Youssef, N., Halcomb, M.A., Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M. 2009. Evaluation of systemic insecticides for potato leafhopper control in field-grown red maple. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 27:17-23.
  47. Derksen, R.C., Frantz, J., Ranger, C.M., Locke, J.C., Zhu, H., Krause, C. 2007. Comparing greenhouse handgun delivery to poinsettias by spray volume and quality. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. 51:27-33.
  48. Ranger, C.M., Singh, A., Johnson-Cicalese, J., Polavarapu, S., Vorsa, N. 2007. Intraspecific variation in aphid resistance and constitutive phenolics exhibited by the wild blueberry Vaccinium darrowi. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 33:711-729.
  49. Ranger, C.M., Johnson-Cicalese, J., Polavarapu, S., Vorsa, N. 2006. Evaluation of Vaccinium spp. for blueberry aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) performance and phenolic content. Journal of Economic Entomology. 99:1474-1482.
  50. Casteel, C.L., Ranger, C.M., Backus, E.A., Ellersieck, M., Johnson, D.W. 2006. Influence of plant ontogeny and abiotic factors on resistance of glandular-haired alfalfa to the potato leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 99:537-543.
  51. Ranger, C.M., Winter, R.E.K., Rottinghaus, G.E., Backus, E.A., Ellersieck M., Johnson, D.W. 2005. Discrimination by the potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) of host volatiles from resistant and susceptible alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. Environmental Entomology. 34:271-280
  52. Ranger, C.M., Winter, R.E.K., Rottinghaus, G.E., Backus, E.A., Johnson, D.W. Mass spectral characterization of fatty acid amides from alfalfa trichomes and their deterrency against the potato leafhopper. Phytochemistry. 66:529-541. 2005.
  53. Ranger, C.M., Winter, R.E.K., Rottinghaus, G.E., Backus, E.A., Ellersieck M., Johnson, D.W. 2004. Bioactivity of lipophilic metabolites from glandular trichomes of Medicago sativa against the potato leafhopper. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 30:1969-1983.
  54. Ranger, C.M., Backus, E.A., Winter, R.E.K., Rottinghaus, G.E., Ellersieck, M., Johnson, D.W. 2004. Glandular trichome extracts from Medicago sativa deter settling by the potato leafhopper Empoasca fabae. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 30:921-937.
  55. Ranger, C.M., Hower, A.A. 2002. Glandular trichomes on perennial alfalfa affect host-selection behavior of Empoasca fabae. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 105:71-81.
  56. Ranger, C.M., Hower, A.A. 2001. Role of the glandular trichomes in resistance of perennial alfalfa to the potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 94:951-957.
  57. Ranger, C.M., Hower, A.A. 2001.Glandular morphology from a perennial alfalfa clone with reference to potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) resistance. Crop Science. 41:1427-1434.