James C. E. Wahls Email and Phone Number

Develop and implement a research plan to determine the feasibility of mass-producing shore fly parasitoid, Hexacola neoscatellae. (Included writing a grant proposal for research.)Research and implement techniques for improving insect production and production efficiency.Assist with production of house fly parasitoids (Muscidifurax raptor and M. raptorellis) as needed.

Assisted in biological control research projects concerning invasive forest pests, such as Adelges tsugae and Agrilus planipennis, and the invasive tree, Ailanthus altissima. Work involved experiment preparation, data collection in field and laboratory settings, and data entry.Assisted in rearing/maintenance of insect colonies, specifically Laricobius nigrinus, a biological control agent of Adelges tsugae.

Studied host-parasitoid interactions of invasive drosophilids in Virginia small fruit crop systems. Study species included spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) and African fig fly (Zaprionus indianus), and native hymenopteran parasitoids.Designed and implemented sentinel traps for parasitoids of drosophilids. Discovered 2 parasitoid species attacking drosophilids in VA fruit cropping systems, and investigated their ability to attack invasive drosophilids, Drosophila suzukii and Zaprionus indianus. Determined that native parasitoids are not likely to be useful biocontrol agents for D. suzukii and Z. indianus. Reared and maintained colonies of drosophilids and parasitoids in laboratory for experimental use. Performed olfactometer bioassays to investigate parasitoid host-finding behavior. Parasitoids (Leptopilina boulardi) showed preference for larvae infesting certain types of fruit over others, which could have implications for biological control of D. suzukii if biocontrol agents show similar behavior.Presented research at scientific and extension conferences. Actively engaged in outreach activities.

Fish and animal care and maintenance, customer assistance, general store maintenance.

Animal care and enclosure maintenance (mainly birds of prey, but also some waterfowl, squirrels, and deer), assist in minor veterinary procedures, assist in public education (e.g. birds of prey shows).

Field work (White Mountains of New Hampshire and Green Mountains of Vermont): Survey for snails and salamanders in northern hardwood forests, collect leaflitter for arthropod collection via Berlese funnels. Activities included camping and extensive hiking.Laboratory work (Syracuse): sort snails by size, ID and sort arthropods by "functional group".

Assisted with 4-week rapid biodiversity assessment: activities included camping and extensive hiking, ID of herpetofauna, birds, lemurs, and small mammals.