David Olabiyi, Ph.D.

About David Olabiyi

I am an applied entomologist with a background in integrated pest management and plant sciences. I completed a Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Florida in 2023 and I am currently a post-doctoral researcher at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center where I conduct research on insect pest management of Florida citrus. I have strong analytical and problem-solving skills. I have over five years of experience as a lead investigator and collaborator in teams of individuals with diverse backgrounds on a wide range of research projects, through which I have honed my leadership, project management, and teamwork skills.

My research at UF/IFAS CREC involves investigating graphene-based dispensers of attractants in attract-and-kill devices against the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, that vectors Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus, the putative pathogen that causes the Huanglongbing or citrus greening diseases in citrus. I also work on describing the behavioral response of the hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead), to citrus volatiles, which has allowed me the opportunity to develop my competence in chemical ecology, insect-transmitted pathogens of citrus, biological control of citrus pests, and the development and/or improvement of insect sampling techniques.

Prior to completing my doctoral research studying the biology, ecology, and management of hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead), a recent invasive pest of citrus in Florida, I completed a Masters in Integrated Pest Management investigating the effect of light intensity, water quality (pH and salinity), application techniques, and length of time from preparation on the survival and efficacy of two entomopathogenic nematode species: Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorohabditis bacteriophora.

I am a sustainable agriculture enthusiast. I am interested in positions that will allow me the opportunity to conduct research in plant-insect interactions, biological control, and chemical ecology with the goal of developing sustainable and applicable pest management solutions for growers.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Olabiyi, D.O., L.L. Stelinski, and L.M. Diepenbrock. 2023. Laboratory evaluation of the life history of the hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecocus viridis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), on selected citrus and potential non-citrus hosts in Florida. Journal of Economic Entomology. http://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad055
Olabiyi D.O., E.E. Middleton, M.Z. Ahmed, L.S. Osborne, C.L. McKenzie, and Diepenbrock, L.M. 2023. Hibiscus Mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)- Biology, Host Plants, Current Management Practices, and a Field Guide for North America. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 14(1): 3, 1-9. http://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmac029
Olabiyi, D. O., Shrestha, B., Zaka, S. M., Neupane, S. 2022. Insect Pests of Citrus Production. In Hussain, S., Khalid, M.F., Ali, M. A., Ahmed, N., Hasanuzzaman, M., Ahmad, S. (Eds.). Citrus Production: Technological Advancements and Adaptation to Changing Climate (1st ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003119852
Olabiyi, D.O., Avery, P.B., Duren, E.B., Hahn, P.G., Stelinski, L.L., Diepenbrock, L.M. 2022. Suitability of formulated entomopathogenic fungi against hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), deployed within mesh covers intended to protect citrus from huanglongbing. Journal of Economic Entomology. 115(1): 212-223. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toab243
Diepenbrock, L.M., Olabiyi, D.O., Avery, P.B., 2021. Laboratory Screening of Selected Entomopathogenic Fungi, Bioinsecticide, and Insect Growth Regulator Against Hibiscus Mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead). Arthropod Management Tests. 46(1): 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1093/amt/tsaa121

Honors and Awards

Ph.D. Poster Presentation Award at the 2023 Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting in Jupiter, FL.
Research Mini-Grant Awarded at the 2022 Florida Entomological Society to study the behavioral response of hibiscus mealybug to mechanically induced citrus volatile emissions.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, sponsored by the UK Department for International Development (UK/DFID) and Harper Adams University, United Kingdom, to study a Masters degree in Integrated Pest Management at Harper Adam University.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse