 INSECT-PLANT INTERACTIONS One of primary research interests lies in insect-plant interactions. More specifically, I am interested in host-plant location and selection behavior of phytophagous insects (especially aquatic species). I am interested in the role that vision plays in host-plant detection and selection by phytophagous insects, as this area has been historically ignored (perhaps incorrectly) under the assumption that vision is not an important searching mechanism. My primary research system for this area has been the aquatic milfoil weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei Dietz (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a specialist on aquatic plants in the genus Myriophyllum, and a biological control agent for the invasive aquatic plant, Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.). BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF AQUATIC PLANTS Through my work with E. lecontei and beyond, I have become very interested in biological control of invasive aquatic and wetland plants. I have used both field data and meta-analytic techniques to quantify the efficacy of a variety of biological control agents for control of many aquatic and wetland plants. My research has allowed me to make numerous suggestions for improved data collection in aquatic biological control systems. OTHER RESEARCH TOPICS PURSUED
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