Contact Information

USDA-ARS 
Pollinator Health in Southern Crop Ecosystem Research Unit
141 Experiment Station Road
P.O. Box 346 Stoneville, MS 38776
Ph: (662) 686-5275
Fax: (662) 686-5421

Work Experience

• 2020 to present, USDSA-ARS, Pollinator Health in Southern Crop Ecosystem Research Unit, Research Entomologist
• 2012 to 2020, USDA-ARS, Southern Insect Management Research Unit, Research Entomologist
• 2011 to 2012, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Research Associate
• 2006 to 2012, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Graduate Research Assistant
• Spring 2005, Boston Museum of Science, Boston, MA, Live Animal Center Intern
• Summer 2005, Upward Bound, Rhode Island College, Providence, RI, Adjunct Instructor
• 2002 to 2004, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA, Graduate Teaching Assistant
• Fall 2000, Naval Security Group Activity - Northwest, Chesapeake, VA, Environmental Intern

Organizations and Honors

• Member, Entomological Society of America
• Member, American Arachnological Association
• Member, The Coleopterist's Society
• Treasurer, The Entomology Club at LSU (2007-2011)
• Member, The Entomology Club at LSU (2006-2012)

Scholarships and Awards

• LSU Graduate School Student Travel Award, $140 (2010)
• LSU Graduate School Student Travel Award, $250, (2009)
• Entomological Society of America: Linnaean Games, 2nd place, Southeastern Branch (2009)
• Entomological Society of America: Photo Salon, 3rd place, Traditional Macro (2009)
• Clarion University Biology Department Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year (2004)
• Clarion University Foundation Award- Graduate Student Research Grant, $1,300 (2003)University of Rhode Island Centennial Scholar (1998-2002)
• Robert A. Rainville Student Leadership Award Finalist, nominated individually for work with the URI 101 mentoring program and as a team awards for the University Aquatics Program (2002)
• Golden Key National Honor Society Member (2001-present)
• University of Rhode Island Centennial Scholar (1998-2002)

• Projects

  Ecological Assessment and Mitigation Strategies to Reduce the Risks of Bees to Stressors in Southern Crop Ecosystems In-House Appropriated (D)   Accession Number:436957

  Strategies to Reduce Risk of Bees to Various Stressors in the Mid-South Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:437250

  Evaluation of Native Bees as Pollinators of Small Fruits on Small Farms Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:438751

  Impacts of Bees on Yield Enhancement of Commonly Cultivated Field Crops Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:439166

  Assessing Crop Ecophysiology for Sustainable Agricultural Production in the Southern High Plains Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:440126

  Multi-Environment Quantification of Extra-floral Nectar Production in Modern and Obsolete Cotton Cultivars Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:440131

  Multi-Environment Quantification of Extra-floral Nectar Production in Modern and Obsolete Cotton Cultivars Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:440131

  Nectar Content and Quantity in Floral and Extrafloral Nectaries in Cotton Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:440354

  Wireless Monitoring System for Online Insect Tracking Data Analysis Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:440620

  A Novel AI-Driven Smart System for Insecticide-Free Fire Ant Control Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:442361

  A Low Cost Acoustic Sensor for Bee Identification Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:443990

  The Effect of the Weather on the Honey Bee Health Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:445059

• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • Home-and-away comparisons of life history traits indicate enemy release and founder effects of the solitary bee, Megachile sculpturalis -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Fornhoff, F., Lanner, J., Orr, M.C., Xie, T., Guo, S., Guariento, E., Tuerlings, T., Smagghe, G., Parys, K.A., Cetkovic, A., Dubaic, J.B., Geslin, B., Scharnhorst, V., Pachinger, B., Klein, A., Meimberg, H. 2024. Home-and-away comparisons of life history traits indicate enemy release and founder effects of the solitary bee, Megachile sculpturalis. Basic and Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2024.02.008.
    
  • A globally-synthesized and flagged bee occurrence dataset and cleaning workflow -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Dorey, J.B., Chesshire, P., Bolanos, A.N., Orielly, R., Bossert, S., Collins, S., Lichtenberg, E.M., Tucker, E., Smith-Pardo, A., Falcon-Brindis, A., Guevara, D.A., Ribeiro, B., E De Pedro, D., Fischer, E.E., Pickering, J., Hung, J., Parys, K.A., Mccabe, L.M., Rogan, M., Minckley, R., Je Velzco, S., Griswold, T.L., Zarillo, T., Jetz, W., Vanesa Sica, Y., Orr, M.C., Melissa Guzman, L., Ascher, J., Hughes, A., Cobb, N. 2023. A globally-synthesized and flagged bee occurrence dataset and cleaning workflow. Scientific Data - Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02626-w.
    
  • Biology, Ecology, and Management of Redbanded Stink Bug, Piezodorus guildinii-(Review Article)
    
    
  • The nutritional landscape in agroecosystems: A review on how resources and management practices can shape pollinator health in agricultural environments -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Lau, P.W., Esquivel, I.L., Parys, K.A., Hung, J., Chakrabarti, P. 2023. The nutritional landscape in agroecosystems: A review on how resources and management practices can shape pollinator health in agricultural environments. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saad023.
    
  • A Chromosome scale assembly of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), genome -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Perera, O.P., Saha, S., Glover, J.P., Parys, K.A., Allen, K.C., Snejana, G., Kurtz, R., Reddy, G.V., Johnston, S.J., Daly, M., Swale, T. 2023. A Chromosome scale assembly of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), genome. BMC Research Notes. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-023-06408-w.
    
  • Susceptibility of different life stages of kudzu bug Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) to two different strains of Beauveria bassiana -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Glover, J.P., Portilla, M., Allen, K.C., George, J., Parys, K.A., Reddy, G.V. 2022. Susceptibility of different life stages of kudzu bug Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) to two different strains of Beauveria bassiana. Pathogens. 11:1-10. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11091028.
    
  • Tracking the effects of climate change on the distribution of Plecia nearctica (Diptera, Bibionidae) in the USA using MaxEnt and GIS -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Abou-Shaara, H.F., Amiri, E., Parys, K.A. 2022. Tracking the effects of climate change on the distribution of Plecia nearctica (Diptera, Bibionidae) in the USA using MaxEnt and GIS. Diversity. 14(8):690 (11pgs). https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080690.
    
  • First report of a gynandromorph of Florilegus condignus (Cresson, 1878) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), with notes on phenology and abundance -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Davis, K.A., James, S., Davis, J.B., Tyler, H.L., Griswold, T.L. 2022. First report of a gynandromorph of Florilegus condignus (Cresson, 1878) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), with notes on phenology and abundance. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.89.75857.
    
  • Crop and semi-natural habitat configuration affects diversity and abundance of native bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) in a large-field cotton agroecosystem -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Esquivel, I., Parys, K.A., Wright, K.W., Eubanks, M.D., Oswald, J.D., Coulson, R.N., Brewer, M.S. 2021. Crop and semi-natural habitat configuration affects diversity and abundance of native bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) in a large-field cotton agroecosystem. Insects. 12(7):601. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070601.
    
  • Landscape effects on native bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) captured in pheromone traps for heliothine crop pests (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Elkins, B.H., Little, N., Allen, K.C., Crow, W., Cook, D., Wright, K.W., Zhu, Y., Griswold, T.L. 2021. Landscape effects on native bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) captured in pheromone traps for heliothine crop pests (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Environmental Entomology. 50(4): 860-867. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvab040.
    
  • Pollination by non-Apis bees and potential benefits in self-pollinating crops -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Esquivel, I., Parys, K.A., Brewer, M.S. 2021. Pollination by non-Apis bees and potential benefits in self-pollinating crops. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 114(2):257-266. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saaa059.
    
  • Effects of a meridic diet supplemented with cotton leaf tissue on bollworm fitness -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Mullen, R.M., Elkins, B.H., Parys, K.A., Allen, K.C. 2020. Effects of a meridic diet supplemented with cotton leaf tissue on bollworm fitness. Southwestern Entomologist. 45(3):1-9. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.045.0302.
    
  • Native pollinators (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in cotton grown in the Gulf South, United States -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Esquivel, I., Wright, K.W., Griswold, T.L., Brewer, M. 2020. Native pollinators (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in cotton grown in the Gulf South, United States. Agronomy. 10(5):698. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10050698.
    
  • Effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana against Piezodorus guildinii (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a key pest of soybeans in the Neotropics -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Portilla, M. 2020. Effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana against Piezodorus guildinii (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a key pest of soybeans in the Neotropics. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 30:5 451-461. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2020.1731426.
    
  • Early growth and development of Horseweed (Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.) -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Molin, W.T., Parys, K.A., Beck, C.L. 2020. Early growth and development of Horseweed (Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.). American Journal of Plant Sciences. 11:40-50.
    
  • Response of Bt and non-Bt cottons to high infestations of bollworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie) and tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens (F.)) under sprayed and unsprayed conditions -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Allen, K.C., Luttrell, R.G., Little, N., Parys, K.A., Perera, O.P. 2019. Response of Bt and non-Bt cottons to high infestations of bollworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie) and tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens (F.)) under sprayed and unsprayed conditions. Agronomy. 9(11):759. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9110759.
    
  • Risk and toxicity assessment of a potential natural insecticide, methyl benzoate, in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Zhu, Y., Wang, Y., Portilla, M., Parys, K.A., Li, W. 2019. Risk and toxicity assessment of a potential natural insecticide, methyl benzoate, in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Insects. 10:382. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10110382.
    
  • Evaluation of insecticide application intervals to optimize tarnished plant bug control-(Proceedings)
    Gore, J., Catchot, A., Cook, D., Musser, F., Steward, S., Brown, S., Lorenz, G., Studebaker, G., Bateman, N., Thrash, B., Parys, K.A., Little, N. 2019. Evaluation of insecticide application intervals to optimize tarnished plant bug control. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. 682-686.
    
  • Standardized insecticide trial for control of tarnished plant bugs across the mid-south, 2018-(Proceedings)
    Steckel, S., Williams, M., Stewart, S., Lorenz, G., Studebaker, G., Bateman, N., Thrash, B., Catchot, A., Gore, J., Cook, D., Brown, S., Parys, K.A., Little, N., Allen, K.C. 2019. Standardized insecticide trial for control of tarnished plant bugs across the mid-south, 2018. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. 303-306.
    
  • Differences between two populations of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), with variable measurements of laboratory susceptibilities to Bt toxins exposed to Non-Bt and Bt cottons in large field cages -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Elkins, B.H., Mullen, R.M., Perera, O.P., Parys, K.A., Allen, K.C., Boykin, D.L. 2019. Differences between two populations of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), with variable measurements of laboratory susceptibilities to Bt toxins exposed to Non-Bt and Bt cottons in large field cages. PLoS One. 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212567.
    
  • Comparative activity of commercial baculovirus formulations against heliothine pests of cotton-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Luttrell, R.G., Mullen, R.M., Allen, K.C., Parys, K.A. 2019. Comparative activity of commercial baculovirus formulations against heliothine pests of cotton. Southwestern Entomologist. 44(1):105-115.
    
  • Comparison of three bioassay methods to estimate levels of tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) susceptibility to acephate, imidacloprid, permethrin, sulfoxaflor, and thiamethoxam -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Portilla, M., Luttrell, R.G., Parys, K.A., Little, N., Allen, K.C. 2018. Comparison of three bioassay methods to estimate levels of tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) susceptibility to acephate, imidacloprid, permethrin, sulfoxaflor, and thiamethoxam. Journal of Economic Entomology. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy244.
    
  • New records and range extensions of several species of native bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) from Mississippi -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Griswold, T.L., Ikerd, H.W., Orr, M.C. 2018. New records and range extensions of several species of native bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) from Mississippi. Biodiversity Data Journal. 6:e25230. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.6.e25230.
    
  • Patterns of tarnished plant bug (Heteroptera: Miridae) resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in the lower Mississippi Delta for 2008-2015: Linkage to pyrethroid use and cotton insect management -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Luttrell, R.G., Snodgrass, G.L., Portilla, M. 2018. Patterns of tarnished plant bug (Heteroptera: Miridae) resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in the lower Mississippi Delta for 2008-2015: Linkage to pyrethroid use and cotton insect management. Journal of Insect Science. 18(2):29. https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iey015.
    
  • Longitudinal measurements of tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) susceptibility to insecticides in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi: Associations with insecticide use and insect control recommendations -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Luttrell, R.G., Snodgrass, G.L., Portilla, M., Copes, J. 2017. Longitudinal measurements of tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) susceptibility to insecticides in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi: Associations with insecticide use and insect control recommendations. Insects. 8(4),109. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects8040109.
    
  • Effectiveness of microbial and chemical insecticides for supplemental control of bollworm on Bt and non-Bt cottons-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Luttrell, R.G., Allen, K.C., Perera, O.P., Parys, K.A. 2017. Effectiveness of microbial and chemical insecticides for supplemental control of bollworm on Bt and non-Bt cottons. Journal of Economic Entomology. 110(3):1039-1051. doi:10.1093/jee/tow323.
    
  • Field evaluation of potential pheromone lures for Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae) in the Mid-South-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Hall, D. 2017. Field evaluation of potential pheromone lures for Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae) in the Mid-South. Journal of Insect Science. 17(25):1-3. doi:10.1093/jisesa/iew109.
    
  • Analysis of tarnished plant bug movement using carbon and nitrogen isotopes-(Proceedings)
    
    
  • The giant resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis Smith: new distributional records for the mid- and gulf-south USA -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Tripodi, A.D., Sampson, B.J. 2015. The giant resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis Smith: new distributional records for the mid- and gulf-south USA. Biodiversity Data Journal. 3:e6733.
    
  • Baseline susceptibility of Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera:Miridae) to novaluron -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Snodgrass, G.L., Luttrell, R.G., Allen, K.C., Little, N. 2016. Baseline susceptibility of Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera:Miridae) to novaluron. Journal of Economic Entomology. 109(1):339-344;doi:10.1093/jee/tov318.
    
  • Adults of the Waterfern Weevil, Stenopelmus rufinasus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) feed on a Non-Host Plant Salvinia minima Baker, in Louisiana -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Tewari, S., Johnson, S. 2015. Adults of the Waterfern Weevil, Stenopelmus rufinasus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) feed on a Non-Host Plant Salvinia minima Baker, in Louisiana. The Coleopterists Bulletin. 69(2):316-318; DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1649/0010-065X-69.2.316.
    
  • Comparison of degree-day accumulation models for prediciting spring reproductive populations of Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)-(Abstract Only)
    Parys, K.A., Snodgrass, G.L. 2015. Comparison of degree-day accumulation models for prediciting spring reproductive populations of Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois). Midsouth Entomologist. 8(1):61.
    
  • Current scientific literature on tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) ecology in Mississippi, and critical information needs-(Review Article)
    Parys, K.A. 2014. Current scientific literature on tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) ecology in Mississippi, and critical information needs. Midsouth Entomologist. 7(2):64-69.
    
  • Host plants of the tranished plant bug, Lygus Lineolaris (Palisot De Beauvois)-(Abstract Only)
    Parys, K.A., Snodgrass, G.L. 2014. Host plants of the tranished plant bug, Lygus Lineolaris (Palisot De Beauvois). National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. p.765.
    
  • Invasive species compendium: Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell-(Other)
    Parys, K.A. 2013. Invasive species compendium: Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell. CABI Crop Protection Compendium. https://www.cabi.org/isc/?compid=5&dsid=48447&loadmodule=datasheet&page=481&site=144.
    
  • Checklist of insects associated with Salvinia minima (Baker) in Louisiana, USA-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Gimmel, M.L., Johnson, S.J. 2013. Checklist of insects associated with Salvinia minima (Baker) in Louisiana, USA. Check List. 9(6):1488-1495.
    
  • Description of the larvae of Nothotrichia shasta Harris and Armitage (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from California, USA-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Harris, S.C. 2013. Description of the larvae of Nothotrichia shasta Harris and Armitage (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from California, USA. Zootaxa. 3620(4):589-595. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3620.4.8
    
  • Biological control of common salvinia (Salvinia minima) in Louisiana using Cyrtobagous salviniae (Coleoptera: curculionidae)-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Johnson, S.J. 2013. Biological control of common salvinia (Salvinia minima) in Louisiana using Cyrtobagous salviniae (Coleoptera: curculionidae). Florida Entomologist. 96(1):10-18.
    
  • Evidence of establishment of Bagous hydrillae Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a biological control agent of Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitales: Hydirocharitaceae) in North America?-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Center, T.D., Parys, K., Grodowitz, M., Wheeler, G.S., Dray Jr, F.A., O'Brien, C.W., Johnson, S., Cofrancesco, A. 2013. Evidence of establishment of Bagous hydrillae Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a biological control agent of Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitales: Hydirocharitaceae) in North America?. Florida Entomologist. 96(1):180-186.
    

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