Printable Version

Joseph S. Elkinton

Professor of Entomology
Department of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences
Agricultural Engineering Building 310
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Tel. (413) 545-4816
elkinton@ent.umass.edu

Education

Ph.D. University of California at Berkeley, 1979

Specialties

• Dynamics of Insect Outbreaks
• Forest Entomology
• Gypsy Moth Population Dynamics
• Insect Conservation
• Insect/Pathogen Interactions
• Insect Population Ecology
• Invasive Species
• Lepidopteran Biology

For information about Professor Elkinton's activities and research group,
please visit his website at:

http://elkintonlab.wordpress.com/

Selected Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

Elkinton, J. S.and G. Boettner, 2012. Benefits and harm caused by the introduced generalist tachinid, Compsilura concinnata, in North America. BioControl. 57: 277-288.

Elkinton, J.S., D. Lance, G. Boettner, and N. Leva. 2011. Evaluation of pheromone-baited traps for winter moth ,and Bruce spanworm (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). J. Econ Entomol. 104:494-500.

Gwiazdowski, R. A. , S. Gillespie, R. Weddle and J. Elkinton. 2011. Laboratory rearing of common and endangered species of North American tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae). Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 104 534-542.

Burand J.P, W. Kim, A.Welch and J. S. Elkinton . 2011. Identification of a nucleopolyhedrovirus in winter moth populations from Massachusetts. J. Invertebr Pathol. 108: 217-219.

Mausel, D. L., R.G. Van Driesche and J.S. Elkinton 2011. Comparative cold tolerance and climate matching of coastal and inland Laricobius nigrinus (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) for biological control of hemlock woolly adelgid. Biological Control 58:96-102

Fitzpatrick, M. C., E. L. Preisser, A. H. Porter, J. S. Elkinton, L. A. Waller, B. P. Carlin & A. M. Ellison. 2010. Ecological boundary detection using Bayesian areal wombling. Ecology: 2010 3448-3455.

Elkinton, J. S., Boettner, G. H,, Sremac, M., Gwiazowski, R., Hunkins, R., Callahan, J., Schuefele, S. B., Donahue, C., Porter, A. H., Khrimian,A., Whited, B. M., Campbell, N. K. 2010. Survey for winter moth, (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in northeastern North America with pheromone-baited traps and hybridization with the native Bruce spanworm. Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 103:135-145

Khrimian, A.,J., D. R. Lance, V. C. Mastro and J. S. Elkinton. 2010. Improved Synthesis of (3E,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-Nonadecatetraene, Attraction inhibitor of Bruce spanworm, Operophtera bruceata, to pheromone traps for monitoring winter moth, Operophtera brumata. J. Agric. Food Chem. 58: 1828-1833. 

Elkinton, J. S., E. Preisser, G. Boettner, D. Parry. 2008. Factors influencing larval survival of the invasive browntail moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) in relict North American populations. Environ Entomol. . 37: 1429-1437.

Preisser, E. L. J. S. Elkinton. 2008. Exploitative competition between invasive herbivores benefits a native host plant. Ecology. 89: 2671-2677.

Preisser, E. L. J. S. Elkinton and K. Abell. 2008 Evolution of increased cold tolerance during range expansion of the elongate hemlock scale Fiorinia externa Ferris (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Ecological. Entomol. 33: 709-715.

Paradis, A., J. Elkinton, K. Hayhoe, and J. Buonaccorsi. 2008. Role of winter temperature and climate change on the survival and future range expansion of the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) in eastern North America. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 13: 541-554.

Preisser, E.L., Lodge, A.G., Orwig, D.A., and J.S. Elkinton. 2008. Range expansion and population dynamics of co-occurring invasive herbivores. Biological Invasions 10: 201-213.

Butin, E., E. Preisser, and J.S. Elkinton. 2007. Factors affecting settlement rate of the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, on eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis. J. Agric. and Forest Entomol. 9(3): 215-219.

Elkinton, J., D. Parry, and G. Boettner, 2006. Implicating an introduced generalist parasitoid in the invasive browntail moth's enigmatic decline. Ecology 87:2664-2672.

D’Amico, V. J. S. Elkinton and G Dwyer. 2005. Pathogen clumping: an explanation for non-linear transmission of an insect virus. Ecological Entomology. 30: 383-390.

Elkinton, J. S., A. M. Liebhold and R.M. Muzika 2004. Effects of alternate prey on predation by small mammals on gypsy moth pupae. Population Ecology 46: 171-178.

Thomas, S. A. and J. S. Elkinton. 2004. Pathogenicity and virulence. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 85: 146-151.

Liebhold, A. M. and J. S. Elkinton. 2003. Oak mast seeding as a direct cause of gypsy moth outbreaks? A response to Selas. Population Ecology 45: 160-161.

Butin E. A., J. S. Elkinton. N. Havill, and M. Montgomery. 2003. Comparison of numerical response and predation effects of two coccinellid species on hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae). J. Econ. Ent. 96: 763-767.

Buonaccorsi, J. P., J. S. Elkinton, W. Koenig, R. Duncan. D. Kelly, and V. Sork. 2003. Measuring masting behavior: relationships among population variance, individual variation and synchrony. J. Theoretical Biol. 224: 107-114.

Koenig, W., R. Duncan. , D. Kelly, V. Sork, R. P. Duncan, J. S. Elkinton, M.S. Peltonen and R. D. Westfall. 2003. Components of masting behavior: how plants can have their cake, and eat it, in predator satiation. Oikos 102: 581-591.

Benson, J., A. Pasquale, R. G. Van Driesche, and J. Elkinton. 2003. Assessment of risk posed by introduced braconid wasps to Pieris virginiensis, a native woodland butterfly in New England. Biol. Contr. 26: 83-93.

Benson, J., A. Pasquale, R. G. Van Driesche, and J. Elkinton. 2003. Introduced braconid parasitoids and range reduction of a native butterfly in New England. Biol. Contr. 28: 197-213.

Cooper, V. S., M. H. Reiskind, J. A. Miller, K. Shelton, B. A. Walther, E. J. Temeles, J. S. Elkinton and P. W. Ewald 2002. Timing of transmission and the evolution of virulence of an insect virus. Proc. Royal Soc B, London 269: 1161-1165.

Buonaccorsi, J. P. and J. S. Elkinton 2002. Regression analysis in a spatial-temporal context: least squares, generalized least squares and the use of the bootstrap. Journal of Agricultural, Biological and Ecological Statistics, 7: 4-20.

Buonaccorsi, J. P., J. S. Elkinton, S. Evans, and A. M. Liebhold. 2001. Spatial synchrony: issues in measurement and analysis. Ecology 82: 1668-1679.

Liebhold, A. M., J. S. Elkinton, D. Williams, and R. M. Muzika Dynamics of North American gypsy moth populations viewed from multiple trophic levels and spatial scales. 2001. Researches in Population Ecology (in press).

Liebhold, A. M., J. S. Elkinton, D. Williams, and R. M. Muzika 2000. What causes outbreaks of gypsy moth in North America? Population Ecology 42: 257-266.

Boettner, G. H., J. S. Elkinton and C. A. Boettner. 2000. Impact of an introduced biological control on three species of native Saturniids. Conservation Biology 14: 1798-1806.

Dwyer, G., J. Dushoff and J. S. Elkinton. 2000. Pathogen-driven outbreaks in forest defoliators revisited: building models from experimental data. The American Naturalist. 156: 105-120.

Erelli, M. C. and J. S. Elkinton. 2000. Factors influencing dispersal in neonate gypsy moths (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). Environ. Entomol. 29: 509-515.

Erelli, M. C. and J. S. Elkinton. 2000. The influence of maternal effects on gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) population dynamics: a field experiment. Environ. Entomol. 29:476-488.

Hunter, A. F. and J. S. Elkinton. 2000. Effects of synchrony with host plant on population dynamics of a spring-feeding Lepidopteran. Ecology 81: 1248-1261.

D’Amico, V., J. S. Elkinton, J. D. Podgwaite, J. Slavicek, M. L. McManus, and J. P. Burand. 1999. A field release of genetically engineered gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) nuclear polyhedrosis virus (LdNPV). J. Inv. Pathol. 73: 260-268.

Hajek, A. E., C. H. Olsen, and J. S. Elkinton. 1999. Dynamics of airborne conidia of the gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales). Biological Control 16: 111-117.

Hunter, A. F. and J. S. Elkinton.1999. Interactions between phenology and density effects on mortality from natural enemies. Journal of Animal Ecology 68: 1093-1100.

Malakar, R., J. S. Elkinton, S. D. Carroll and V. D’Amico. 1999. Interactions between two gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) pathogens: nucleopolyhedrosis virus and Entomophaga maimaiga (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales): field studies and a simulation model. Biological Control. 16: 189-198.

Malakar, R., J. S. Elkinton, A. E. Hajek and J. P. Burand. 1999. Within-host interactions of Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) nucleopolyhedrosis virus (LdNPV) and Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu et Soper (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales). J. Invert. Pathol. 73: 91-100.

Zlotina, M., V. C. Mastro, D. E. Leonard. and J. S. Elkinton. 1999. Survival and development of Lymantria mathura (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) on North American, Asian and European tree species. J. Econ. Entomol. 91: 1162-1166.

Zlotina, M.A., V.C. Mastro, J.S. Elkinton and D.E. Leonard. 1999. Dispersal tendencies of neonate larvae of rosy gypsy moth, Lymantria mathura Moore, and Asian form of the gypsy moth, L. dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). Environ. Entomol. 28: 240-245.

D’Amico, V., J. S. Elkinton, G. Dwyer, R. B. Willis, and M.E. Montgomery. 1998. Foliage damage does not affect within-season transmission of an insect virus. Ecology 79: 1104-1110.

Dwyer, G. J. S. Elkinton and A. E. Hajek. 1998. Spatial scale and the spread of a fungal pathogen of gypsy moth. The American Naturalist. 152: 485-494.

Hoddle M. S., R. G. van Driesche, J. S. Elkinton, and J. P. Sanderson. 1998. Discovery and utilization of Bemesia argentifolii patches by Eretmocerus eremicus and Encarsia formosa ( Beltsville strain) in greenhouses. Entomologia exper. et applicata. 87: 15-28.

Myers, J. H., G. Boettner, and J. Elkinton. 1998. Maternal effects in gypsy moth: only sex ratio varies with population density. Ecology 79: 305-314.

Zlotina, M., V. C. Mastro, D. E. Leonard. and J. S. Elkinton. 1998. Survival and development of Lymantria mathura (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) on North American, Asian and European tree species. J. Econ. Entomol. 9: 1162-1166..

Dwyer, G., J. S. Elkinton and J. Buonaccorsi. 1997. Host heterogeneity in susceptibility and disease dynamics: tests of a mathematical model. American Naturalist 150: 685-707.

Hajek, A. E., J. S. Elkinton, R. Humber. 1997. Entomopathogenic hyphomycetes associated with gypsy moth larvae. Mycologia 89: 825-829.

Lopez, R., D. N. Ferro. and J. S. Elkinton. 1997. Temperature dependent development rate of Myiopharus doryphorae (Diptera: Tachinidae) within its host, the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Environ. Entomol. 26: 655-660.

D'Amico V. and J. S. Elkinton. 1996. Rainfall effects on the transmission of gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Environ Entomol. 24: 1144-1149.

D'Amico V. and J. S. Elkinton and G. Dwyer and J. P. Burand. 1996. Virus transmission in gypsy moths is not a simple mass action process. Ecology 77: 201-206.

Elkinton, J.S., W.H. Healy, J.P. Buonaccorsi, G.H. Boettner, A. Hazzard. H Smith and A. M. Liebhold. 1996. Interactions between gypsy moths, white-footed mice and acorns. Ecology 77: 2332-2342.

Hajek, A. E, J. S. Elkinton and J.J. Witcosky. 1996. Introduction and spread of the fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga (Zygomycetes: Entomphtorales) along the leading edge of gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) spread. Environ. Entomol. 25: 1235-1247.

Hajek, A .E., R. A. Humber, J. S. Elkinton. 1995. Mysterious origin of Entomophaga maimaiga in North America. Am. Entomol. 41: 31-42.

Elkinton, J. S., G. Dwyer and A. Sharov. 1995. Modelling the epizootiology of gypsy moth nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 13: 91-102.

Dwyer, G.A. and J.S. Elkinton. 1995. Host dispersal and the spatial spread of insect pathogens. Ecology 76: 1262-1275.

Liebhold, A.M., J.S. Elkinton, G. Zhou, M.E. Hohn, R.E. Rossi, G.H. Boettner, C.W. Boettner, C. Burnham and M.L. McManus. 1995. Regional correlation of gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) defoliation with counts of egg masses, pupae, and male moths. Environ. Entomol. 24: 193-203.

Ferguson, C.S., J.S. Elkinton, J.R. Gould and W.E. Wallner. 1994. Population regulation of gypsy moth by parasitoids: does spatial density dependence lead to temporal density dependence? Environ. Entomol. 23: 1155-1164.

Myers, J.H., J.M.N. Smith and J.S. Elkinton. 1994. Biological control and refuge theory. Science 265: 811.

Van Driesche, R.G., Elkinton, J.S. and T.S. Bellows Jr. 1994. Potential use of life tables to evaluate the impact of parasitism on population growth of the apple blotch leafminer (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). Thomas Say Publ. Entomol. Soc. Amer. p. 31-52.

Book Chapters

Elkinton, J. S. 2008 The role of population ecology and population models in biologcal control p. 97-114 In Control of Pests and Weeds by Natural Enemies by R van Driesche, M. Hoddle T.Center Blackwell Publishing; Malden, MA 473pp.

Elkinton, J. S and J. Burand. 2007 Assessing impact of naturally occurring pathogens in forest ecosystems. In Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology (H. Kaya and L. Lacey eds ) Kluwer Academic Publishers, Amsterdam 2nd edition.

Books

Insect Population Ecology: an African Perspective. 1994. ICIPE Science Press, Nairobi, Kenya. 144 pp.