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Research Areas

Integrated Pest Management, Biological Control, Semiochemicals/Trap Development
Insect focus groups: Japanese Beetle, Imported Fire Ants, and Wood-Boring Beetles

Popular Extension Publications

Fire Ant Control in Nurseries
Calibrating a Fire Ant Bait Spreader   
Fire Ant Control for the Nursery Industry
Baiting Nurseries with a Herd GT-77
Changing a Herd Spreader Blocking Plate
Camphor Shot Borer - A New Nursery and Landscape Pest in Tennessee
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid - A new invasive insect in Tennessee
Spotted Wing Drosophila - A new insect in Tennessee

Most Significant Publications 

      Oliver, J.B., C.M. Ranger, M.E. Reding, N.N. Youssef, and J.J. Moyseenko. 2017. Insecticides and their combinations
      evaluated as regulatory immersion treatments for thirdinstar Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in field-grown
      and containerized nursery plants. Journal of Entomological Science. Accepted 1 May 2017. In Press.

      Addesso, K.M., J.B. Oliver, P.A O'Neal, and N. Youssef. 2017. Efficacy of nootka oil as a biopesticide for management of
      imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 2017: 1-9.  DOI: 10.1093/jee/tox114.

      Werle, C.T., K.A. Addesso, B.J. Sampson, J.B. Oliver, and J.J. Adamczyk. 2016. Integrating kaolin clay for ambrosia
      beetle management in ornamental crops of Eastern redbud. HortScience. 52(1): 94-98.  DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI11351-
      16.

      Klingeman, W.E., N.N. Youssef, J.B. Oliver, and J.P. Basham. 2017. The longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
      of Tennessee: Distribution of known species, seasonal adult activity, and new state records. Florida Entomologist.
    
      Reding, M.E., C.M. Ranger, J.B. Oliver, P.B. Schultz, N.N. Youssef, and A.M. Bray. 2017. Ethanol-injection induces
      attacks by ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) on a variety of tree species. Agricultural and Forest
      Entomology. 19: 34-41. DOI: 10.1111/afe.12178. 

      Basham, J.P., J.B. Oliver, and C.E. Herzog. 2016. Delayed emergence of Trachykele blondeli blondeli (Coleoptera:
      Buprestidae). Florida Entomol. 99(3): 578-579. (Submitted March 2016. Accepted 8 Apr. 2016. Published Sept. 2016). 

      Ranger, C.M., M.E. Reding, P.B. Schultz, J.B. Oliver, S.D. Frank, K.M. Addesso, J.H. Chong, B. Sampson, C. Werle, S. Gill,
      and C. Krause. 2015. Biology, ecology, and management of nonnative ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae:
      Scolytinae) in ornamental plant nurseries. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 7(1): 9; 1-23. DOI:
      10.1093/jipm/PMW005. 

      Addesso, K.M., J.B. Oliver, and P.A. O'Neal. 2015. Survey for spotted-wing drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in the
      five-county nursery production region of middle Tennessee. Florida Entomologist 98(4): 1050-1055.

      Oliver, J., M. Reding, C. Ranger, M. Klein, N. Youssef, J. Moyseenko, and S. Dennis. 2015. Insecticides evaluated as
      regulatory immersion treatments to eliminate third-instar Japanese beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), from small-
      diameter field-grown nursery plants. Journal of Entomological Science. 51(1): 9-28.

      Reding, M.E., C.M. Ranger, B.J. Sampson, C.T. Werle, J.B. Oliver, and P.B. Schultz. 2015. Movement of Xylosandrus
      germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in ornamental nurseries and surrounding habitats. Journal of Economic
      Entomology 108 (4): 1947-1953. 

      Hansen, J.A., J.K. Moulton, W.E. Klingeman, J.B. Oliver, M.T. Windham, R.N. Trigiano, and M.E. Reding. 2015. Molecular
      systematics of the Chrysobothris femorata species group (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Annals of the Entomological Society
      of America 108(5): 950-963.

       Klingeman, W.E., J.A. Hansen, J.P. Basham, J.B. Oliver, N.N. Youssef, W. Swink, C.A. Nalepa, D.C. Fare, and J.K.
       Moulton. 2015. Seasonal flight activity and distribution of metallic woodboring beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
       collected in North Carolina and Tennessee. Florida Entomologist. 98 (2): 579-587.

       Werle, C.T., A.M. Bray, J.B. Oliver, E.K. Blythe, and B.J. Sampson. 2014. Ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae:
       Scolytinae) captures using colored traps in southeast Tennessee and south Mississippi. J. Entomol. Science. 49(4): 373-
       382.

       Oliver, J.B., P.J. Landolt, N.N. Youssef, J.P. Basham, K.M. Vail, and K.M. Addesso. 2014. Trapping social wasps
       (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in nurseries with acetic acid and isobutanol. Journal of Entomological Science. 49(4): 352-
       368.

Oliver, J.B., C.M. Ranger, M.E. Reding, J.J. Moyseenko, N.N. Youssef, and A.M. Bray. 2013. Pre-harvest quarantine treatments of chlorantraniliprole, clothianidin, and imidacloprid-based insecticides for control of Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and other scarab larvae in the root zone of field-grown nursery trees. Journal of Economic Entomology. 106(3): 1190-1199.

Oliver, J.B., D.C. Fare, N. Youssef, S.S. Scholl, M.E. Reding, C.M. Ranger, J.J. Moyseenko, and M.A. Halcomb. 2010. Evaluation of a single application of neonicotinoid and multi-application contact insecticides for flatheaded borer management in field grown red maple cultivars. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 28(3): 135-149.  Online PDF

Oliver, J.B., R.K. Vander Meer, S.A. Ochieng, N.N. Youssef, E. Pantaleoni, F.A. Mrema, K.M. Vail, P.J. Parkman, S.M. Valles, W.G. Haun, and S. Powell. 2009. Survey of imported fire ant populations in Tennessee. Journal of Entomological Science. 44(2): 1-9.  Online PDF

Oliver, J.B., M.E. Reding, N.N. Youssef, M.G. Klein, B. Bishop, and P. Lewis. 2009. Surface-applied insecticide treatments for elimination of larval Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from field-grown nursery plants. Pest Management Science. 65(4): 381-390.

Oliver, J.B., D.C. Fare, N. Youssef, M.A. Halcomb, M.E. Reding, and C.M. Ranger. 2009. Evaluation of systemic insecticides for potato leafhopper control in field-grown red maple. Journal of Environmental Horticulture.  27: 17-23.  Online PDF

Oliver, J.B., M.E. Reding, S.O. Dennis, J.J. Moyseenko, N.N. Youssef, M.G. Klein, A.A. Callcott, S.S. James, L.R. McAnally, and B.L. Bishop. 2008. Drench treatments for management of larval Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in field-grown balled and burlapped nursery plants. Journal of Economic Entomology.  101 (4): 1158-1166.  Online PDF

Oliver, J.B., M.E. Reding, M.G. Klein, N.N. Youssef, C.M. Mannion, B. Bishop, S.S. James, and A. Callcott. 2007. Chlorpyrifos immersion to eliminate third instars of Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in balled and burlapped trees and subsequent treatment effects on red maple. Journal of Economic Entomology. 100 (2): 307-314.  Online PDF

Oliver, J.B., M.E. Reding, J.J. Moyseenko, M.G. Klein, C.M. Mannion, B. Bishop. 2006. Survival of adult Tiphia vernalis (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae) after insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide exposure in laboratory bioassays. Journal of Economic Entomology. 99 (2): 288-294.  Online PDF

Oliver, J.B., C. Mannion, M. Klein, and J. Moyseenko. 2005. Effect of insecticides on Tiphia vernalis (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae) oviposition and survival of progeny to cocoon stage when parasitizing Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) larvae. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98 (3): 694-703.  Online PDF

Oliver, J.B. and C.M. Mannion. 2001. Ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) species attacking chestnut and captured in ethanol-baited traps in Middle Tennessee. Environmental Entomology. 30 (5): 909-918.  Online PDF

Oliver, J.B. and M.J. Gaylor. 2001. Technique for the collection of adult parasitoids and detection of parasitoids in fourth-instar bandedwinged whitely (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Entomological Science. Note. 36: 97-100.

Additional Refereed Publications

Ranger, C., A. Gorzlancyk, K. Addesso, J.B. Oliver, M. Reding, P. Schultz, and D. Held. 2014. Conophthorin enhances the electroantennogram and field behavioral response of Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to ethanol. Agricultural and Forest Entomology. Accepted for Publication Jan. 17, 2014.  In Press.

Reding, M.E., C.M. Ranger, J.B. Oliver, and P.B. Schultz. 2013. Monitoring attack and flight activity of Xylosandrus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae): the influence temperature on activity. Journal of Economic Entomology. 106(4): 1780-1787.  Online PDF

Ranger, C.M., P.C. Tobin, M.E. Reding, A.M. Bray, J.B. Oliver, P.B. Schultz, S.D. Frank, and A.B. Persad. 2013. Interruption of the semiochemical-based attraction of ambrosia beetles to ethanol-baited traps and ethanol-injected traps trees by verbenone. Environmental Entomology. 42(3): 539-547.  

Ranger, C.M., M.E. Reding, J.B. Oliver, J.J. Moyseenko, N. Youssef, and C.R. Krause. 2013. Acute toxicity of plant essential oils to scarab larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and their analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Journal of Economic Entomology. 106(1): 159-167.   

Reding, M.E., J.B. Oliver, P.B. Schultz, C.M. Ranger, and N.N. Youssef. 2013. Ethanol injection of ornamental trees facilitates testing insecticide efficacy against ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 106(1): 289-298.  Online PDF

Ranger, C.M., M.E. Reding, P.B. Schultz, and J.B. Oliver. 2013. Influence of flood-stress on ambrosia beetle host-selection and implications for their management in a changing climate. Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 15: 56-64.  Online PDF

Hansen, J.A., J.P. Basham, J.B. Oliver, N.N. Youssef, W.E. Klingeman, J.K. Moulton, and D.C. Fare. 2012. New state and host plant records for metallic woodboring beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Tennessee, U.S.A. Coleopterist Bulletin. 66(4): 337-343.

Ranger, C.M., M.E. Reding, P.B. Schultz, and J.B. Oliver. 2012. Ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) responses to volatile emissions associated with ethanol-injected Magnolia virginiana. Environmental Entomology. 41(3): 636-647.

Werle, C.T., B.J. Sampson, and J.B. Oliver. 2012. Diversity, abundance and seasonality of ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in southern Mississippi. Midsouth Entomologist. 5: 1-5.  Online PDF

Hansen, J.A., W.E. Klingeman, J.K. Moulton, J.B. Oliver, M.T. Windham, A. Zhang, and R.N. Trigiano. 2012. Molecular identification of Synanthedonini members (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) using cytochrome oxidase I. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 105(4): 520-528.  Online PDF

Reding, M.E., P.B. Schultz, C.M. Ranger, and J.B. Oliver. 2011. Optimizing ethanol-baited traps for monitoring damaging ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in ornamental nurseries. Journal of Economic Entomology. 104 (6): 2017-2024.  Online PDF

Ranger, C.M., M.E. Reding, J.B. Oliver, P.B. Schultz, J.J. Moyseenko, and N. Youssef. 2011. Comparative efficacy of plant-derived essential oils for managing ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and their corresponding mass spectral characterization. Journal of Economic Entomology. 104 (5): 1665-1674.

Ranger, C.M., M.E. Reding, K.J. Gandhi, J.B. Oliver, P.B. Schultz, L. Canas, and D.A. Herms. 2011. Species dependent influence of (-)-alpha-pinene on attraction of ambrosia beetles to ethanol-baited traps. Journal of Economic Entomology. 104 (2): 574-579.

Reding, M., J.B. Oliver, P. Schultz, and C. Ranger. 2010. Monitoring ambrosia beetles in ornamental nurseries in Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia: Influence of trap height. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 28 (2): 85-90.  Online PDF

Youssef, N.N., J.B. Oliver, M.E. Reding, C.M. Ranger, J.J. Moyseenko, and M.G. Klein. 2009. Field evaluation of plant-derived essential oils as potential repellents of adult Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 102(4): 1551-1558.  Online PDF

Ranger, C.M., M.E. Reding, J.B. Oliver, J.J. Moyseenko, and N.N. Youssef. 2009. Toxicity of botanical formulations to nursery-infesting white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 102: 304-308.

Francese, J.A., J.B. Oliver, I. Fraser, D.R. Lance, N. Youssef, A.J. Sawyer, and V.C. Mastro. 2008. Influence of trap placement and design on capture of the emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Journal of Economic Entomology.  101 (6): 1831-1837.  Online PDF

Mmbaga, M.T. and J.B. Oliver. 2007. Effect of biopesticides on foliar diseases and Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) in roses (Rosa spp.), oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) and crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. 33: 210-219.  Online PDF

Valles, S.M., C.A. Strong, D.H. Oi, S.D. Porter, R.M. Pereira, R.K. Vander Meer, Y. Hashimoto, L.M. Hooper-Bùi, H. Sánchez-Arroyo, T. Davis, V. Karpakakunjaram, K.M. Vail, L.C. “Fudd” Graham, J.A. Briano, L.A. Calcaterra, L.E. Gilbert, R. Ward, K. Ward, J.B. Oliver, G. Taniguchi, and D.C. Thompson. 2007. Phenology, distribution, and host specificity of Solenopsis invicta virus. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 96: 18-27.  Online PDF

Vogt, J.T. and J.B. Oliver. 2006. Distribution and size of imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) mounds in recently invaded ball-and-burlap nurseries in Tennessee. Journal of Entomological Science. 41: 385-393.

Francese, J.A., V.C. Mastro, J.B. Oliver, D.R. Lance, S.G. Lavallee, and N. Youssef. 2005. Evaluation of colors for trapping Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae).  Journal of Entomological Science. Note. 40: 93-95.

Mannion, C.M., W. McLane, M.G. Klein, J. Moyseenko, J.B. Oliver, and D. Cowan. 2001. Management of early-instar Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in field-grown nursery crops. Journal of Economic Entomology. 94 (5): 1151-1161.  Online PDF

Steinkraus, D.C., J.B. Oliver, R.A. Humber, and M.J. Gaylor. 1998. Mycosis of bandedwinged whitefly (Trialeurodes abutilonea) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) caused by Orthomyces aleyrodis gen. & sp. nov. (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 72: 1-8.  (Selected as feature cover article).

Research / Extension Accomplishments

Grant Funding (2001 - 2014):  $1.3 million (PI);  $923,346 (Co-PI / Collaborator)

First trap detection of Cnestus mutilatus in Warren Co., TN (spring 2010).

Research supported the approval of Discus N/G, Flagship 25WG and 0.22G, Lada 2F Insecticide, Mallet 2F T&O Insecticide, and Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 2F T&O Insecticide in the Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (JBHP) as in-field nursery treatments.  Lada, Mallet, and Quali-Pro also added as sod treatments.  The generic 2F formulations have greatly reduced grower costs.

Research supported a label change for OnyxPro Insecticide to immerse balled and burlapped root balls to meet      Japanese beetle or imported fire ant certification requirements.  The treatment was subsequently approved for the JBHP and Federal Imported Fire ant Quarantine.  The fire ant certification was increased from 1 month to 6 months with this change.

Research led to an 8 times reduction in chlorpyrifos immersion rate for quarantine treatment of balled and burlapped nursery stock, reducing grower chemical cost and environmental contamination.

Cooperative research with USDA-APHIS led to the development of the purple-colored survey trap being used in the national emerald ash borer (EAB) survey program.  The trap has led to multiple new state and county detections of EAB throughout the U.S.

Research in cooperation with partners at the University of Tennessee has added 58 new Buprestidae species records to the state of Tennessee.  In addition, 18 new buprestid host plant records have been added from our plant rearing studies.  During 2006, a new non-indigenous buprestid (Agrilus subrobustus Saunders) was detected for the first time in the U.S. by the TSU Entomology Program during a collecting trip in Georgia.

 The entomology program museum, coded in the Spiders and Insect Collections of the World as TSRS, now houses over 20,000 metallic wood-boring beetles (Buprestidae), 15,000 long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae), and 10,000 bark and ambrosia beetles (Scolytinae) specimens from Tennessee and surrounding states.  Besides additional general insect holdings, other groups moderately well represented in our museum include moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), tiger beetles (Cicindelidae), stag beetles (Lucanidae), scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae), wasps (Vespidae), and scorpion flies (Mecoptera).

Cooperative project with USDA, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and the University of Tennessee led to the establishment of a new fire ant biological control agent in middle Tennessee, phorid decapitating flies (Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier).  Other species released by the TSU entomology program have included Pseudacteon obtusus and Pseudacteon tricuspis.  The program has also release Istocheta aldrichi, a tachinid fly parasitoid of Japanese beetle, at three locations in middle Tennessee (establishment presently unknown).

A statewide survey was completed and published in 2009 that described the distributions of black, hybrid, and red imported fire ant populations in Tennessee.  An additional outcome of the survey was the first detections of Solenopsis invicta virus (genotype SINV-1A) and polygyne (multiple queen) fire ant colonies in Tennessee.

Discovered a new genus and species of whitefly-infecting fungus (Orthomyces aleyrodis Steinkraus, Humber, & Oliver) during Ph.D. graduate studies.

My program performs annual youth insect presentations at events like Junior Master Gardner Day Care Camp, Warren County Ag Day for third graders, Cumberland County Fair Ag Day for High School, and various elementary schools.  An insect collection donated to the Warren County Bridgestone Environmental Education Classroom & Habitat (BEECH) center is potentially viewed by over 5,000 children that visit the facility annually.

Many annual nursery and extension stakeholder presentations at educational workshops.  

Chaired the 2012 local arrangements committee for the National Imported Fire Ant Conference held in Nashville, TN.  Co-organized two Pest and Disease Management Workshops held at the Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center.

Filmed by the BBC program ‘Natures Weirdest’ on 17 Aug. 2012 for an episode on imported fire ants.

Important Service Activities, Honors, or Awards

Outstanding Research Faculty Award, Tennessee State University, School of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, 9 April 2010.

Full Member Tennessee State University Graduate Faculty, 31 May 2011.

Tennessee State University, Certificate of Recognition for Excellence in University Service, Fire Ant Research Program, Blue & White All Star Academy Awards, 6 May 2006.

Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Tennessee Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. 15 Sept. 2013 to present.

Member, Tennessee Master Nursery Program (TMNP) Committee.  The TMNP graduated 45 growers during Jan. 2013, allowing them to qualify for a 50% cost share with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA).  Growers estimated the TMNP saved them $4,272 in information gained and practices changed.  The TMNP received a $47,000 block grant to support the program from TDA.  An online version of the TMNP was launched on the 20 Feb. 2014.

Member of Leadership, eXtension Imported Fire Ant Community of Practice (IFA-COP).

Research Representative (2004 to present). Regulatory Treatment Review Committee, U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (JBHP).  Also appointed by the President of the National Plant Board on 17 Dec. 2012 to be a member of the JBHP Revision Committee.

Core Team Member (2003 to present).  Tennessee Fire Ant Research & Education Team (FARET).

Member, Tennessee Thousand Cankers Disease and Emerald Ash Borer Technical Advisory Committee (2011 to present).

Member, Tennessee Department of Agriculture Plant Certification Advisory Committee (invited by Plant Certification Administrator Walker Haun to serve on 5 June 2013.

Member, Southeastern Branch Entomological Society of America Nominating Committee (21 Feb. 2014 to present).  My service to ESA also includes regular journal article reviews, as well as past service as a moderator and student poster judge.

Past President Tennessee Entomological Society (2003-2004).  Current service on Prediction and Evaluation and Publication and Editorial Committees.

Entomology Section Editor (2002-2004). Southern Nursery Association.

Honor Societies: Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta, Phi Kappa Phi, Xi Sigma Pi.

Education
     B.S. (Wildlife & Fisheries Science, Minor Zoology)  University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.
     M.S. (Entomology) University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.
     Ph.D. (Entomology) Auburn University, Auburn, AL.


Date joined staff:  March 24, 1997 

Complete CV available here