Agricultural and Life Sciences (IFAS)
Pelz-Stelinski Lab
Led by Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski · Entomology and Nematology
What we study
Studies insects that carry plant pathogens, including the microbes inside them and their molecular genetics, to develop ways to manage these vectors.
What working here is like
- Wet lab
- Other insects
- Papers
- 5
Recent papers, explained
- Insecticide resistance in Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)
2026 · Journal of Integrated Pest Management
Shows insecticide resistance in the Asian citrus psyllid has increased due to widespread use.
- Targeting gut surface proteins in Diaphorina citri by RNA interference reduces uptake of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus
2026 · Pest Management Science
Uses RNA interference to study gut proteins in the Asian citrus psyllid that help transmit citrus greening.
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- Long-term natal host experience shapes vector competence in Diaphorina citri
2026 · Entomologia Generalis
- A peptide that binds the Asian citrus psyllid gut reduces transmission of the citrus greening pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus
2026 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Finds a peptide that blocks the citrus greening pathogen in the Asian citrus psyllid gut.
- Evaluation of tree‐injected oxytetracycline and antisense oligonucleotides targeting Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in citrus
2024 · Pest Management Science
Tests tree-injected antibiotics and gene-silencing tools to treat citrus greening disease.
Plain-language summaries are AI-written and reviewed by us; check the paper for details.
How to reach out
Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski hasn't set up this page yet. You can also look them up in the UF directory (search “Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski”).