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

  Strategies to Reduce Risk of Bees to Various Stressors in the Mississippi Delta Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:437283

  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

  Understanding and Mitigating Important Stressors of Bees and other Insect Pollinators in the Mid- South United States Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:443982

  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

  Sampling Invertebrate Pollinator Assemblages in Mississippi Delta Operation Pollinator Sites Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement (T)   Accession Number:436674

• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • 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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