Agricultural and Life Sciences (IFAS)
Dr. Hugh Smith's Laboratory
Led by Hugh Smith · Entomology and Nematology
What we study
The lab studies vegetable pests like whiteflies and diamondback moths, focusing on sustainable management through insecticide resistance, biological control, and biopesticides. They conduct field research and experiments on Florida's horticultural crops.
What working here is like
- Wet lab
- Fieldwork
- Other insects
- Plants
- Project
- 1
- Papers
- 5
Current projects
Whiteflies: biology, ecology, and management in Sustainable Management of Arthropod Pests of Tomato
Research on whitefly behavior and management strategies for tomato crops.
Summaries are written by AI in plain language from public symposium abstracts and may be imperfect.
Recent papers, explained
- Evaluating predation of Megalurothrips usitatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) by Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
2026 · Journal of Economic Entomology
Tests two predatory mites for controlling Megalurothrips usitatus in leaf disk bioassays.
- Megalurothrips usitatus and other Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Associated with Lablab purpureus (Fabales: Fabaceae) in South Florida
2026 · Journal of Insect Science
Finds Megalurothrips usitatus on lablab beans in Florida, impacting snap bean production.
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- Assessment of botanical, fungal, and bacterial insecticides for the control of Oebalus insularis Stål and Oebalus pugnax (F.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in rice
2026 · Crop Protection
- Effects of Prey and Pollen Diets on the Reproduction and Longevity of Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a Key Thrips Predator
2025 · Insects
Evaluates different diets for Orius insidiosus, a key thrips predator.
- Temporal Variation in Target Site Mutations Is Associated with Diamide Cross-Resistance in Diamondback Moth Populations (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) from Florida and Georgia, USA
2025 · Insects
Links target site mutations to diamide resistance in Diamondback moth populations.
Plain-language summaries are AI-written and reviewed by us; check the paper for details.
How to reach out
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