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 Southern Insect Management Research: Stoneville, MS
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ARS Home Southeast Area Stoneville, Mississippi Southern Insect Management Research People







Justin  George    Research Entomologist /ARSUserFiles/55739/JG.jpg
 Contact Information USDA-ARS  Southern Insect Management Research Unit141 Experiment Station RoadP.O. Box 346Stoneville, MS 38776  Ph: (662) 686-5278Fax: (662) 686-5421
 Work Experience January 2021 to present: Research Entomologist, Southern Insect Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS.
August 2017 to Dec 2020: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL.
August 2013 to August 2017: Entomologist, US Horticultural Research Lab, Ft Pierce, FL.
August 2012 to July 2013: Postdoctoral Researcher, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA.
August 2008 to August 2012: Ph.D. Entomology, Graduate Research Assistant, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA.
May 2005 to August 2007: M.S Entomology, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. Participation in Scientific Meetings Entomological Society of America (2005 to present): Attended 9 meetings and made 9 presentations.
Entomological Society of America-South Eastern branch (2013 to present): Attended 5 meetings and made 5 presentations.
Florida Entomological Society (2013 to 2020): Attended 4 meetings and made 5 presentations.
Attended 3 conferences of International Research Conference of Huanglongbing and made 4 presentations.  Professional Affiliations, Honors and Awards Entomological Society of America
Florida Entomological Society
Pi Chi Omega, Sigma Xi honor Society, Gamma Sigma Delta
Topic editor, Insects Journal, 2019-present
Co-chair, ESA-SEB Student awards committee (2020-2021)
Annual Achievement Award for Research, Florida Entomological Society, 2019.
Henry and Sylvia Richardson Grant (Early Career Professional Award), Entomological Society of America, 2017.
Harold K Schilling Dean’s Graduate Scholarship, Graduate School, Pennsylvania State University, 2012.
Pi Chi Omega Scholarship, National Pest Management Association, 2010.
Katherine Mabis McKenna Graduate Fellowship, Pennsylvania State University, 2008.
Provost Fellowship, Graduate school, North Carolina State University, 2007. Research Interests and Technical Responsibilities *Research interests:* Integrated pest management, insect chemical ecology (EAG, GC-EAD, Single-sensillum recordings), semiochemical based insect traps, visual cues, insect neurophysiology, host-vector-pathogen interactions, hemipteran feeding behaviors and pathogen transmission (Electrical Penetration Graph), cultural management practices, plant resistance mechanisms, mosquito olfaction and flight behaviors, fungal entomopathogens, biocontrol using parasitoids and predators, tri-trophic interactions.  Dr. George is currently doing research on the biology, behavior, chemical ecology, plant-insect interactions, and biological control of various insect pests in cotton, corn and soybean in order to develop integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Current research focuses on developing semiochemical based trapping methods for sustainable management of plant bugs and other lepidopteran pests in cotton, soybean and corn. Pheromone/attractants that are identified using chemical (SPME, GC, GC-MS), behavioral (Y-tube olfactometer assays) and electrophysiological (EAG, GC-EAD) techniques will be used to develop semiochemical-based trapping methods for efficient monitoring and management of plant bugs and other lepidopteran pests. Understanding the feeding behaviors of tarnished plant bugs (TPB) and other pentatomids in row crops and on other wild hosts using Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) recordings will contribute to the development of trap cropping and other cultural management strategies. .  Peer Reviewed Publications George J, Lapointe SL, Markle LT, Patt JM, Allan SA, Setamou M, Rivera MJ, Qureshi JA, Stelinski LL. 2020. A Multimodal Attract-and-Kill Device for the Asian Citrus Psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Insects 11(12): 870. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11120870
Ammar E-D, George J, Sturgeon K, Stelinski LL, Shatters BG. 2020. Asian citrus psyllid adults inoculate huanglongbing bacterium more efficiently than nymphs when this bacterium is acquired by early instar nymphs. Sci. Rep. 10, 18244. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75249-5
Allan SA, George J, Stelinski LL, Lapointe SL. 2020. Attributes of yellow traps affecting attraction of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) Insects 11(7): 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11070452
George J, Paris T, Allen SA, Stelinski LL and Lapointe SL. 2020. UV reflective properties of magnesium oxide increases the attraction and probing behavior of Asian citrus psyllids. Sci. Rep. 10: 1890; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58593-4
George J, Kanissery R, Ammar E-D, Cabral I, Markle LT, Patt JM, Stelinski LL. 2020. Feeding behavior of Asian citrus psyllid [Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)] nymphs and adults on common weeds occurring in cultivated citrus described using electrical penetration graph recordings. Insects. 11, 48. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11010048
George J*, Shareef S, Lapointe SL. 2019. Biology, chemical ecology and sexual dimorphism of the weevil Myllocerus undecimputulatus undatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Fla. Entomol. 102: 3. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0305
George J*, Shi Q, Stelinski LL, Stover E and Lapointe SL. 2019. Formic acid induced release of citrus volatiles influence the host selection, oviposition and feeding behavior of Diaphorina citri. Front. Ecol. Evol. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2019.00078
Shi Q, George J, Stelinski LL, Stover E and Lapointe SL. 2019. Hexaacetyl-chitohexaose, a chitin derived oligosaccharide transiently activates citrus defenses and alter the feeding behavior of Asian citrus psyllid. Hort. Res. 6: 76, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-019-0158
George J, Ammar E-D, Hall DG, Lapointe SL. 2018. Prolonged phloem feeding activities by Diaphorina citri nymphs may explain their greater acquisition of citrus greening pathogen. Sci. rep. 8:10352, https://doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-28442-6
George J and Lapointe SL. 2018. Host plant resistance associated with Poncirus trifoliata influences the oviposition, larval development and adult emergence of Asian citrus psyllids, Diaphorina citri. Pest Manag. Sci., https://doi: 10.1002/ps.5113
George J, Ammar E-D, Hall DG, Lapointe SL. 2017. Sclerenchymatous ring as a barrier to phloem feeding by Asian citrus psyllid: Evidence from electrical penetration graph and visualization of stylet pathways. PLoS One 12(3), https://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0173520
Martini X, Hughes MA, Killiny N, George J, Lapointe SL, Smith JA, Stelinski LL. 2017. The Fungus Raffaelea lauricola modifies behavior of its symbiont and vector, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus Glabratus), by altering host plant volatile production.  J. Chem. Ecol. 43(5): 519-531. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-017-0843-y
Lapointe SL, George J and Hall DG. 2016. A phagostimulant blend for the Asian citrus psyllid. J. Chem. Ecol. 42(9): 941-951. https://doi 10.1007/s10886-016-0745-4
Willett DS, George* J, Willett NS, Stelinski LL, Lapointe SL. 2016. Machine learning for characterization of insect vector feeding. PLoS Comp. Biol. 12(11): e1005158. https://doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005158 (*Co-first author).
George J, Robbins PS, Alessandro RT, Stelinski LL, Lapointe SL. 2016. Formic and acetic acids in degradation products of plant volatiles elicit olfactory and behavioral responses from an insect vector. Chem. Senses 41(4). https://doi:10.1093/chemse/bjw005
Hall, DG, George J, Lapointe SL. 2015. Further investigations on colonization ofPoncirus trifoliata by the Asian citrus psyllid Crop Prot. 72:112-118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2015.03.010
George J, Morse W, Lapointe SL. 2015. Morphological and sexually dimorphic characteristics of Srilankan weevil, Myllocerus undecimpustulatus undatus Marshall (Coleoptera:  Curculionidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 1–8; https://doi: 10.1093/aesa.
George J, Blanford S, Thomas MB and Baker TC. 2014. Malaria mosquitoes host-locate and feed upon caterpillars. PLoS One 9(11): e108894. https://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0108894
Cator LJ, George* J, Baker TC and Thomas MB. 2013. Manipulation without the parasite: altered feeding behavior of mosquitoes is not dependent on infection with malaria parasites. Proc. Royal Soc. B. 20130711. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.0711
(*Co-first author).George J, Jenkins NK, Blanford S, Thomas MB and Baker TC. 2013. Malaria mosquitoes attracted by fatal fungus. PLoS One 8(5) e62632. https://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0062632
George J, Blanford S, Domingue MJ, Thomas MB, Read AF and Baker TC. 2011. Reduction in host-finding behavior in fungus-infected mosquitoes is correlated with reduction in olfactory receptor neuron responsiveness. Malaria J 10:219. http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/1/219
George J and Potter DA. 2008. Potential of Azadirachtin for managing Black Cutworms and Japanese beetle Grubs in Turf. Acta Hort. 783, ISHS. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.783.51
George J, Redmond CT, Royalty NR and Potter DA. 2007. Residual effects of Imidacloprid on Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) oviposition, egg hatch, and larval viability in turfgrass. J. Econ. Entomol. 100(2): 431-439. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/100.2.431
 ProjectsInsect Control and Resistance Management in Corn, Cotton, Sorghum, Soybean, and Sweet Potato, and Alternative Approaches to Tarnished Plant Bug Control in the Southern United StatesIn-House Appropriated (D)Accession Number:438523Ecologically Sustainable Approaches to Insect Resistance Management in Bt CottonIn-House Appropriated (D)Accession Number:438533Optimizing Pheromones and Semiochemicals for Monitoring and Management of Lygus lineolarisReimbursable Cooperative Agreement (R)Accession Number:445895Understanding Stink Bug-soybean Looper Interactions in Soybean in Arkansas and MississippiNon-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)Accession Number:445121
 Publications(Clicking on the reprint iconReprint Icon  will take you to the publication reprint.)Assessing the Efficacy of Sodium Alginate and Polyacrylamide as Spray Adjuvants Combined with Bifenthrin and Imidacloprid against Lygus lineolaris and Piezodorus guildinii-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Du, Y., Scheibener, S.A., George, J., Kannan, N., Portilla, M. 2024. Assessing the Efficacy of Sodium Alginate and Polyacrylamide as Spray Adjuvants Combined with Bifenthrin and Imidacloprid against Lygus lineolaris and Piezodorus guildinii. Agriculture. 14(4)/535. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14040535.Sustainable Sweetpotato Production in the United States: Current Status, Challenges, and Opportunities-(Review Article) George, J., Reddy, G.V., Wadl, P.A., Rutter, W.B., Culbreath, J.R., Lau, P.W., Rashid, T., Allan, M.C., Johanningsmeier, S.D., Nelson, A.M., Wang, M.L., Gubba, A., Ling, K., Meng, Y., Collins, D.J., Ponniah, S.K., Gowda, P.H. 2024. Sustainable Sweetpotato Production in the United States: Current Status, Challenges, and Opportunities. Agronomy Journal. 16,2/630-660. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21539.Feeding behavior and hormoligosis associated with imidacloprid resistance in Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Chen, X., George, J., Diepenbrock, L., Gossett, H., Liu, G., Quereshi, J., Stelinski, L. 2023. Feeding behavior and hormoligosis associated with imidacloprid resistance in Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. Insect Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.13293.Early season monitoring of tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, in wild hosts using pheromone traps-(Peer Reviewed Journal) George, J., Glover, J.P., Reddy, G.V., Johnson, C.P., Hall, D.R. 2023. Early season monitoring of tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, in wild hosts using pheromone traps. Insects. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/10/805.Biology, Ecology, and Management of Redbanded Stink Bug, Piezodorus guildinii-(Review Article)Entomopathogenicity of ascmycete fungus Cordyceps militaris on the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Glover, J.P., Nufer, M., Perera, O.P., Portilla, M., George, J. 2023. Entomopathogenicity of ascmycete fungus Cordyceps militaris on the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The Journal of Fungi. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/jof9060614.Combining visual cues and pheromone blends for monitoring and management of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae)-(Peer Reviewed Journal) George, J., Reddy, G.V., Little, N., Arnold, S.E., Hall, D.R. 2023. Combining visual cues and pheromone blends for monitoring and management of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae). Pest Management Science. 79:2163-2171. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7395.Role of kairomones in biological control of pests: Commercial potential-(Book / Chapter) Okosun, O.O., George, J., Reddy, G.V. 2023. Role of kairomones in biological control of pests: Commercial potential. In: Koul, O., editor. Development and commercialization of biopesticides: Costs and benefits. London, UK: Academic Press. p. 57-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95290-3.00019-4Survival and feeding behavior of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) adults on common cover crops in citrus-(Peer Reviewed Journal) George, J., Kanissery, R., Bashyal, M., Tamayo, B., Stelinski, L.L. 2022. Survival and feeding behavior of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) adults on common cover crops in citrus. Agriculture. 12:2175. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12122175.Susceptibility of different life stages of kudzu bug Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) to two different strains of Beauveria bassiana-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Glover, J.P., Portilla, M., Allen, K.C., George, J., Parys, K.A., Reddy, G.V. 2022. Susceptibility of different life stages of kudzu bug Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) to two different strains of Beauveria bassiana. Pathogens. 11:1-10. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11091028.Biology, ecology, and pest management of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) in southern row crops-(Peer Reviewed Journal) George, J., Glover, J.P., Gore, J., Crow, W., Reddy, G.V. 2021. Biology, ecology, and pest management of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) in southern row crops. Insects. 12(807):1-30. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12090807.Latest developments in insect sex pheromone research and its application in agricultural pest management-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Rizvi, S., George, J., Reddy, G.V., Zeng, X., Guerrero, A. 2021. Latest developments in insect sex pheromone research and its application in agricultural pest management. Insects. 12(6):484. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060484.Phytoene desaturase-silenced citrus as a trap crop with multiple cues to attract Diaphorina citri, the vector of Huanglongbing-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Killiny, N., Nehela, Y., George, J., Rashidi, M., Stelinski, L.L., Lapointe, S.L. 2021. Phytoene desaturase-silenced citrus as a trap crop with multiple cues to attract Diaphorina citri, the vector of Huanglongbing. Plant Science. 308:110930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2021.110930.Attributes of sticky traps affecting attraction of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Allan, S.A., George, J., Stelinski, L., Lapointe, S.L. 2020. Attributes of yellow sticky traps affecting attraction of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Insects. 11(7):452. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11070452.Hexaacetyl-chitohexaose, a chitin-derived oligosaccharides, transiently activiates citrus defenses and alters the feeding behavior of asian citrus psyllid-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Shi, Q., George, J., Krystel, J.A., Zhang, S., Lapointe, S.L., Stelinski, L.L., Stover, E.W. 2019. Hexaacetyl-chitohexaose, a chitin-derived oligosaccharides, transiently activiates citrus defenses and alters the feeding behavior of asian citrus psyllid. Horticulture Research. 6(76):1-10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-019-0158-y.Host plant resistance associated with Poncirus trifoliata influence oviposition, development and adult emergence of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)-(Peer Reviewed Journal) George, J., Lapointe, S.L. 2018. Host plant resistance associated with Poncirus trifoliata influence oviposition, development and adult emergence of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Pest Management Science. 75:279-285. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5113.Phagostimulants for the Asian citrus psyllid also elicit volatile release from citrus leaves-(Abstract Only)The fungus Raffaelea lauricola modifies behavior of its symbiont and vector, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus), by altering host plant volatile production-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Martini, X., Hughes, M.A., Killiny, N., George, J., Lapointe, S.L., Smith, J.A., Stelinski, L.L. 2017. The fungus Raffaelea lauricola modifies behavior of its symbiont and vector, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus), by altering host plant volatile production. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 43:519-531Sclerenchymatous ring as a barrier to phloem feeding by Asian citrus psyllid: Evidence from electrical penetration graph and visualization of stylet pathways-(Peer Reviewed Journal) George, J., Ammar, E-D., Hall, D.G., Lapointe, S.L. 2017. Sclerenchymatous ring as a barrier to phloem feeding by Asian citrus psyllid: Evidence from electrical penetration graph and visualization of stylet pathways. PLoS One. doi:10.1371/PO.2017-0173520Correlation of electronic monitoring and stylet pathways elucidate the role of sclerenchymatous ring as a barrier to phloem feeding on citrus leaves by Asian citrus psyllid-(Abstract Only) George, J., Ammar, E., Hall, D.G., Lapointe, S.L. 2017. Correlation of electronic monitoring and stylet pathways elucidate the role of sclerenchymatous ring as a barrier to phloem feeding on citrus leaves by Asian citrus psyllid[abstract]. International Research Conference on Huanglongbing. Abstracts of Presentations. Available: Journal of Citrus Pathology. p.14.An attract-and-kill strategy for Asian citrus psyllid-(Abstract Only) George, J., Lapointe, S.L. 2017. An attract-and-kill strategy for Asian citrus psyllid. International Research Conference on Huanglongbing. International Research Conference on Huanglongbing V. Available: Journal of Citrus Pathology. p. 14-15.Machine learning for characterization of insect vector feeding-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Willett, D.S., George, J., Willett, N.S., Stelinski, L.L., Lapointe, S.L. 2016. Machine learning for characterization of insect vector feeding. PLoS Computational Biology. 12(11):e1005158Machine learning for characterization of insect vector feeding-(Peer Reviewed Journal)A phagostimulant blend for the Asian citrus psyllid-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Lapointe, S.L., Hall, D.G., George, J. 2016. A phagostimulant blend for the Asian citrus psyllid. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 42(9):941-951Formic and acetic acids in degradation products of plant volatiles elicit olfactory and behavorial responses from an insect vector-(Peer Reviewed Journal) George, J., Robbins, P.S., Alessandro, R.T., Stelinski, L.L., Lapointe, S.L. 2016. Formic and acetic acids in degradation products of plant volatiles elicit olfactory and behavorial responses from an insect vector. Chemical Senses. 41(4):325-338.Degradation products of citrus volatile organic compounds (VOCs) acting as phagostimulants that increase probing behavior of Asian citrus psyllid-(Abstract Only) George, J., Lapointe, S.L. 2016. Degradation products of citrus volatile organic compounds (VOCs) acting as phagostimulants that increase probing behavior of Asian citrus psyllid[abstract]. Annual meeting of the Southeastern Branch of Entomological Society of America. Paper No. 125.Further investigations on colonization of Poncirus trifoliata by the Asian citrus psyllid-(Peer Reviewed Journal) Hall, D.G., George, J., Lapointe, S.L. 2015. Further investigations on colonization of Poncirus trifoliata by the Asian citrus psyllid. Crop Protection. 72:112-118.Morphology and sexual dimorphism of the weevil Myllocerus undecimpustulatus undatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)-(Peer Reviewed Journal) George, J., Morse, W.C., Lapointe, S.L. 2015. Morphology and sexual dimorphism of the weevil Myllocerus undecimpustulatus undatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 108(3):325-332.Antennal and behavioral response of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) to degradation products of citrus volatiles-(Abstract Only)
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