Shelby Fleischer, Ph.D.

Department Focus Area

Ecological Applications

Research Interests

Insect ecology and management in agroecosystems

Extension

Integrated pest management in vegetables.

Research Activities & Interests

I am interested in the structure, dynamics, and management of insect populations. Resulting sampling plans have been adopted in alfalfa, hardwood forests, and leafy greens in the Caribbean; regional monitoring programs have been developed for diversified vegetable farms. Students have mapped insect density in alfalfa, potatoes, tomatoes, vineyards, and within protected structures. Research also develops management options based on an understanding of biological and ecological processes. Priority is placed on economically feasible technologies that improve farm-worker and environmental safety. Current work is looking at biological controls, transgenic crops, and regional monitoring networks.

Extension Activities & Interests

My Extension assignment is in vegetable pest management. The Extension education program works with county-based staff at sites accessible to clientele. Yearly, I contribute to the Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations guide for Pennsylvania, and to a regional multi-state web-GIS presentation of pests of sweet corn.

Relevant Publications

McGrady, C. M., J. P. Strange, M. M. López-Uribe, and S. J. Fleischer.  2021.  Wild bumble bee colony abundance, scaled by field size, predicts pollination services.  Ecosphere 12 (9) e03735 (pdf) 

Lingbeek, B., D. Roberts, T. Elkner, M. Gates, and S. J. Fleischer.  2021.  Phenology, development, and parasitism of Allium Leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae), a recent invasive species in the US.  Environmental Entomology 50(4): 878-887. (pdf)

Brian A. Nault, Lindsy E. Iglesias, Riley S. Harding, Ethan A. Grundberg, Teresa Rusinek, Tim E. Elkner, Brandon J. Lingbeek, and Shelby J. Fleischer. 2020. Managing Allium Leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae): An Emerging Pest of Allium Crops in North America. Journal of Economic Entomology, 113(5), 2300–2309 doi: 10.1093/jee/toaa128 (pdf)

G. P. Dively, T. P. Kuhar, S. Taylor, H. B. Doughty, K. Holmstrom, D. Gilrein, B. A. Nault, J. Ingerson-Mahar, J. Whalen, D. Reisig, Daniel L. Frank, S. J. Fleischer, David Owens, C. Welty, F. P. F. Reay-Jones, P. Porter, J. L. Smith, J. Saguez, S. Murray, A. Wallingford, H. Byker, B. Jensen, E. Burkness, W. D. Hutchison and K. A. Hamby. 2020. Sweet Corn Sentinel Monitoring for Lepidopteran Field-Evolved Resistance to Bt Toxins. Journal of Economic Entomology, doi: 10.1093/jee/toaa264 (pdf)

Reiley, J.R. et al (31 co-authors). 2020. Crop production in the USA is frequently limited by a lack of pollinators. Proc. Proc. R. Soc. B 20200922. (pdf)

Kirkpatrick, D. M., K. B. Rice, A. Ibrahim, S. J. Fleischer, J. F. Tooker, A. Tabb, H. Medeiros, W. R. Morrison, and T. C. Leskey. 2020. The influence of marking methods on mobility, survivorship and field recovery of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) adults and nymphs. Environ. Entomol. doi: 10.1093/ee/nvaa095 (pdf)

Omaththage P. Perera, Howard W. Fescemyer, Shelby J. Fleischer and Craig A. Abel. Temporal Variation in Genetic Composition of Migratory Helicoverpa Zea in Peripheral Populations. Insects 2020, 11, 463; doi:10.3390/insects11080463 (pdf)

Coates BS, Kozak GM, Seok Kim K, et al. Influence of host plant, geography and pheromone strain on genomic differentiation in sympatric populations of Ostrinia nubilalis. Mol Ecol. 2019;28:4439–4452. (pdf)

Westbrook, J., S. Fleischer, S. Jairam, R. Meagher, and R. Nagoshi. 2019. Multigenerational migration of fall armyworm, a pest insect. Ecosphere 10(11):e02919. 10.1002/ecs2.2919 (pdf)

Erin D. Treanore, Anthony D. Vaudo, Christina M. Grozinger, Shelby J. Fleischer. Examining the nutritional value and effects of different floral resources in pumpkin agroecosystems on Bombus impatiens worker physiology. Apidologie (2019). (pdf)

Michael J. Skvarla, Shelby Fleischer. 2018. First Report of the Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stål, 1860 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in Pennsylvania. The Coleopterists Bulletin 72(4), (1 December 2018). (pdf)

D.C. Roberts, S.J. Fleischer, J.M. Sakamoto and J.L. Rasgon. 2018. Potential biological control of Erwinia tracheiphila by internal alimentary canal interactions in Acalymma vittatum with Pseudomonas fluorescens. Journal of Applied Microbiology ISSN 1364-5072 (pdf)

Lawrence E. Barringer, Shelby J. Fleischer, Dana Roberts, Sven-Erik Spichiger, and Timothy Elkner3. 2018. The First North American Record of the Allium Leafminer. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. doi: 10.1093/jipm/pmx034 (pdf)

Anne L. Nielsen, Shi Chen and Shelby J. Fleischer, 2017, Corrigendum: Coupling Developmental Physiology, Photoperiod, and Temperature to Model Phenology and Dynamics of an Invasive Heteropteran, Halyomorpha halys, Frontiers in Physiology, doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00568 (pdf)

Rodney N. Nagoshi, Shelby Fleischer, Robert L. Meagher, Mirian Hay-Roe, Ayub Khan, M. Gabriela Murúa, Pierre Silvie, Clorinda Vergara, John Westbrook. 2017. Fall armyworm migration across the Lesser Antilles and the potential for genetic exchanges between North and South American populations. PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0171743 (pdf)

Kevin B. Rice, Rachael R. Troyer, Kristal M. Watrous, John F. Tooker, and Shelby J. Fleischer. 2016. Landscape Factors Influencing Stink Bug Injury in Mid-Atlantic Tomato Fields. Journal of Economic Entomology, 2016, 1–7 doi: 10.1093/jee/tow252 (pdf)

Mathew Seymour, Omaththage P. Perera, Howard W. Fescemyer, Ryan E. Jackson, Shelby J. Fleischer & Craig A. Abel. 2016. Peripheral genetic structure of Helicoverpa zea indicates asymmetrical panmixia, Ecology and Evolution, doi: 10.1002/ece3.2106 (pdf)

Anne L. Nielsen, Shi Chen and Shelby J. Fleischer. 2016 Coupling Developmental Physiology, Photoperiod, and Temperature to Model Phenology and Dynamics of an Invasive Heteropteran, Halyomorpha halys. Frontiers in Physiology, May 2016, Volume 7, Article 165. (pdf)

Kevin B. Rice, Shelby J. Fleischer, Consuelo M. De Moraes, Mark C. Mescher, John F. Tooker, Moshe Gish. 2015. Handheld Lasers Allow Efficient Detection of Fluorescent Marked Organisms in the Field. PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0129175 (pdf)

D. C. SOERGEL, N. OSTIGUY, S. J. FLEISCHER, R. R. TROYER, E. G. RAJOTTE, AND G. KRAWCZYK. Sunflower as a Potential Trap Crop of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Pepper Fields. 2015. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY Vol. 44, no. 6 (pdf)

J. K. Westbrook, R. N. Nagoshi, R. L. Meagher, S. J. Fleischer & S. Jairam. 2015. Modeling seasonal migration of fall armyworm moths. International Journal of Biometeorology ISSN 0020-7128 Volume 60 Number 2 (pdf)

Kevin B. Rice, Shelby J. Fleischer, Consuelo M. De Moraes, Mark C. Mescher, John F. Tooker, Moshe Gish. 2015. Handheld Lasers Allow Efficient Detection of Fluorescent Marked Organisms in the Field. PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0129175 (pdf)

Erika Saalau Rojas, Jean C Batzer, Gwyn A Beattie, Shelby J Fleischer, Lori R Shapiro, Mark A Williams, Ricardo Bessin, Benny D Bruton, T Jude Boucher, Laura C H Jesse, Mark L Gleason. 2015. Bacterial Wilt of Cucurbits: Resurrecting a Classic Pathosystem. Plant Disease / Vol. 99 No. 5 (pdf)

Shi Chen, Shelby J. Fleischer, Michael C. Saunders, Matthew B. Thomas. 2015. The Influence of Diurnal Temperature Variation on Degree-Day Accumulation and Insect Life History. PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0120772 (pdf)

T. W. Leslie, D. J. Biddinger, J. R. Rohr, A. G. Hulting, D. A. Mortensen, And S. J. Fleischer. 2014. Examining Shifts in Carabidae Assemblages Across a Forest–Agriculture Ecotone. Environ. Entomol. 43(1): 18Ð28 (2014); DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EN13099 (pdf)

Amanda C. Bachmann, Brian A. Nault and Shelby J. Fleischer. 2014. Alate Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Species Composition and Richness in Northeastern USA Snap Beans and an Update To Historical Lists. Florida Entomologist, 97(3):979-994. (pdf)

Shelby J. Fleischer, William D. Hutchison, and Steven E. Naranjo. 2014. Sustainable Management of Insect-Resistant Crops. Chapter 10 (pages 115-127) (pdf)

Eric W Bohnenblust, James A Breining, John A Shaffer, Shelby J Fleischer, Gregory W Roth and John F Tooker. 2013. Current European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, injury levels in the northeastern United States and the value of Bt field corn. (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI 10.1002/ps.3712 (pdf)

Shi Chen, Justine I. Blanford, Shelby J. Fleischer, Michael Hutchinson, Michael C. Saunders, and Matthew B. Thomas. 2013. Estimating West Nile Virus Transmission Period in Pennsylvania Using an Optimized Degree-Day Model. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases Volume 13, Number X, DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1094 (pdf)

Sean T. Halloran, Kerry E. Mauck, Shelby F. Fleisher & James H. Tumlinson. 2013. Volatiles from Intact and Lygus-Damaged Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. are Highly Attractive to Ovipositing Lygus and its Parasitoid Peristenus relictus Ruthe. J Chem Ecol (2013) 39:1115–1128 DOI 10.1007/s10886-013-0331-y (pdf)

Eric Bohnenblust, Jim Breining, Shelby Fleischer, Gregory Roth, And John Tooker. 2013. Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Northeastern Field Corn: Infestation Levels and the Value of Transgenic Hybrids. Journal Of Economic Entomology, 106(3): 1250Ð1259 (2013); DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EC12277 (pdf)

Neelendra K. Joshi, David J. Biddinger, Shelby Fleischer, Steven Passoa. 2013. First Report of the Adventive Species Sitochroa palealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Pennsylvania and its Attraction to the Sex Pheromone of the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 46, Nos. 1-2: 99-103. (pdf)

N.H. Ellis, S.J. Fleischer, M.L. Evenden and Larry Hull. 2012. Developmental and Behavioral Effects and Retention on Incremental Rates of Rubidium Fed to Grapholita Molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricdae) in Dietary Medium (Link)

M. V. Herlihy, R. G. Van Driesche, M. R. Abney, J. Brodeur, A. B. Bryant, R. A. Casagrande, D. A. Delaney, T.E. Elkner, S. J. Fleischer, R. L. Groves, D. S. Gruner, J. P. Harmon, G. E. Heimpel, K. Hemady, T. P. Kuhar, C. M. Maund, A. M. Shelton, A. J. Seaman, M. Skinner, R. Weinzierl, K. V. Yeargan and Z. Szendrei. 2012. Distribution of Cotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Its Displacement of Cotesia glomerata in Eastern North America. Florida Entomologist, 95(2):461-467. (pdf)

Shi Chen, Shelby J. Fleischer, Patrick C. Tobin, Michael C. Saunders. 2011. Projecting Insect Voltinism Under High and Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Conditions. Environmental Entomology 40(3): 505-515. (pdf)

W. D. Hutchison, E. C. Burkness, P. D. Mitchell, R. D. Moon, T. W. Leslie, S. J. Fleischer, M. Abrahamson, K. L. Hamilton, K. L. Steffey, M. E. Gray, R. L. Hellmich, L. V. Kaster, T. E. Hunt, R. J. Wright, K. Pecinovsky, T. L. Rabaey, B. R. Flood, E. S. Raun. 2010. Areawide suppression of European corn borer with Bt maize reaps savings to non-Bt growers. Science: 330: 222-225. (pdf)

Leslie, T. W., D. J. Biddinger, J. Rohr, S. J. Fleischer. 2010. Conventional and seed-based insect management strategies similarly influence non target coleopteran communities in maize. Environmental Entomology 39: 2045-2055. (pdf)

Tooker, J. F., and Fleischer, S. J. 2010. First report of western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) in Pennsylvania. Online. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-2010-0616-01-RS. (pdf file)

Megan E. O'Rourke, Thomas W. Sappington, and Shelby J. Fleischer. Managing resistance to Bt crops in a genetically variable insect herbivore, Ostrinia nubilalis. Ecological Applications, 20(5), 2010, pp. 1228 –1236. (pdf file)

Nagoshi, R., S. Fleischer, and R. Meagher. 2009. Texas is the overwintering source of fall armyworm in central Pennsylvania: implications for migration into the northeastern United Stated. Environ. Entomol. 38: 1546-1554. (pdf file)

Nault, B. A., D. A. Shah, K. E. Straight, A. C. Bachmann, W. M. Sackett, H. R. Dillard, S. J. Fleischer, and F. E. Gildow. 2009. Temporal trends in aphid vector dispersal and Cucumber mosaic virus epidemics in snap beans. Environ. Entomol. 38: 1347-1359. (pdf file)

Leslie, T. W., D. J. Biddinger, C. A. Mullin and S. J. Fleischer. 2009. Carabidae population dynamics and temporal partitioning: response to coupled neonicotinoid-transgenic technologies in maize. Envivon. Entomol. 38: 935-943. (pdf file)

Chapman, A. V., T. P. Kuhar, P. B. Schultz, T. W. Leslie, S. J. Fleischer, G. Dively, and J. Whalen. 2009. Integrating chemical and biological control of European corn borer in bell pepper. J. Econ. Entomology 102: 287-295. (pdf file)

Gildow, F. E., D. A. Shah, W. M. Sackett, T. Butzler, B. A. Nault, and S. J. Fleischer. 2008. Transmission Efficiency of Cucumber mosaic virus by Aphids Associated with Virus Epidemics in Snap Bean. Phytopathology. 98: 1233-1241. (pdf file)

Hoheisel G. A., and S. J. Fleischer. 2007. Coccinellids, aphids, and pollen in diversified vegetable fields with transgenic and isoline cultivars. 12pp. Journal of Insect Science 7:61, available online:insectscience.org/7.61

Leslie, T.W., G.A. Hoheisel, D.J. Biddinger, J.R. Rohr, S.J. Flesicher. 2007. Transgenes Sustain Epigeal Insect Biodiversity in Diversified Vegetable Farm Systems. Environ. Entomol. 36(1): 234-244.

Ellers-Kirk, Christa and S. J. Fleischer. 2006. Development and Life Table of Acalymma vittatum (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a Vector of Erwinia tracheiphila in Cucurbits. Ent. Soc. of Am. 35(4): 875-880.

Mullin, C.A., M.C. Saunders, T.W. Leslie, D.J. Biddinger, and S.J. Fleischer. 2005. Toxic and Behavioral Effects to carabidae of Seed Treatments Used on Cry3Bb1- and Cry1Ab/c-Protected Corn. Ent. Soc. of Am. 34(6): 1626-1636.

Wallis, C.M., S.J. Fleischer, D. Luster, and F.E. Gildow. 2005. Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Species Composition and Potential Aphid Vectors of Plum Pox Virus in Pennsylvania Peach Orchards. Ent. Soc. of Am. 98(5): 1441-1450.

Fleischer, S. J., C. L. Harding, P. E. Blom, J. White, and J. Greham. 2005. Spodoptera frugiperda pheromone lures to avoid nontarget captures of Leucania phragmatidicola. J. Economic Entomology 98: 66-71.

Emmen, D., A, S. J. Fleischer, and A. A. Hower. 2004. Temporal and spatial dynamics of Empoasca fabae (Harris) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), in alfalfa. Environ. Entomol. 33: 890-899.

Kuhar, T. P., V. Barlow, M. P. Hoffmann, S. J. Fleischer, E. Groden, J. Gardner, R. Hazzard, M. G. Wright, S. A. Pitcher, J. Speese, and P. Westgate. 2004. Potential of Trichogramma ostriniae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) for biological control of European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in solanaceous crops. J. Econ. Entomol. 97: 1209-1216.

Blom, P. E., S. J. Fleischer, and C. L. Harding. 2004. Modeling colonization of overwintered Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Environ. Entomol. 33: 267-274.

Clarke-Harris, D. and S. J. Fleischer. 2003. Sequential sampling and biorational chemistries for lepidopteran management in vegetable amaranth in the Caribbean. J. Econ. Entomol. 96: 798-204.

Blom, P. E., S. J. Fleischer, and Z. Smilowitz. 2002. Spatial and temporal dynamics of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in fields with perimeter and spatially targeted insecticides. Environ. Entomol. 31:149-159.

Harding, C. L., S. J. Fleischer, and P. E. Blom. 2002. Population dynamics of the Colorado potato beetle in an agroecosystem with tomatoes and potatoes with management implications to processing tomatoes. Environ. Entomol. 31: 1110-1118.

Blom, P. E. and S. J. Fleischer. 2001. Dynamics in the spatial structure of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Environ. Entomol. 30:350-364.

C. D. Ellers-Kirk, S. J. Fleischer, R. H. Snyder and J. P. Lynch. 2000. Potential of entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control of Acalymma vittatum (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in cucumbers grown in conventional and organic soil management systems. J. Econ. Entomol. 93: 605-612.

Garcia-Salazar, C. G, F. E. Gildow, S. J. Fleischer, D. Cox-Foster and F. L. Lukezic. 2000. ELISA versus immunolocalization to determine the association of Erwinia tracheiphila in Acalymma vittatum (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Environmental Entomology 29: 542-550.

Garcia-Salazar, C. G, F. E. Gildow, S. J. Fleischer, D. Cox-Foster, and F. L. Lukezic. 2000. The alimentary canal of Acalymma vittata (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Morphology and potential role in the survival of Erwinia tracheiphila. Canadian Entomologist 132: 1-13.

Ellsbury, M. M., S. A. Clay, S. J. Fleischer, L. D. Chandler, and S. M. Schneider. 2000. Use of GIS/GPS systems in IPM: Progress and reality. pp 419-438 In G. C. Kennedy and T. Sutton, eds. Emerging Technologies for Integrated Pest Management: Concepts, Research and Implementation. American Phytopathological Society Press, St. Paul, MN.

Fleischer, S. J., D. de Mackiewwicz, F. E. Gildow and F. L. Lukezic. 1999. Serological estimates of the seasonal dynamics of Erwinia tracheiphila in Acalymma vittata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Envrion. Entomol. 28: 470-476.

Tobin, P. C., S. J. Fleischer, and C. W. Pitts. 1999. Spatio-temporal dynamics of resident and immigrating populations of Carcinops pumilo (Erichson) (Coleoptera: Histeridae) in high-rise poultry houses. J. Medical Entomol. 36: 568-577.

Fleischer, S. J., P. E. Blom and R. Weisz. 1999. Sampling in Precision IPM: When the objective is a map. Phytopathology 89: 1112-1118.

Allen, J., D. D. Kopp, C. C. Brewster and S. J. Fleischer. 1999. 2011: An agricultural odyssey. American Entomologist 45: 96-104.

Fleischer, S. J., P. Blom, D. Emmen and A. Hower. 1998. Dynamics in the spatial continuity of insect density. Pp 133-141, In P. Robert, R. H. Rust, W. E. Larson 9eds). Proc., 4th International Conference on Precision Agriculture. St. Paul, MN. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.

de Mackiewicz, D., F. E. Gildow, M. Blua, S. J. Fleischer and F. L. Lukezic. 1998. Herbaceous weeds are not ecologically important reservoirs of Erwinia tracheiphila. Plant Disease. 82:521-529.

Coll, M., S. J. Fleischer and D. Rosen. 1997. Marking potato tubermoths, Phthorimaea operculella, with rubidium for dispersal studies. J. Econ. Entomol. 90:154-159.

Fleischer, S. J., R. Weisz, Z. Smilowitz and D. Midgarden. 1997. Spatial variation in insect populations and site-specific integrated pest management. pp. 101-130. In Pierce, F. J., E. J. Sadler (eds), The state of site-specific management for agriculture. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI.

Midgarden, D. M., S. J. Fleischer, R. Weisz and Z. Smilowitz. 1997. Impact of site-specific IPM on the development of esfenvalerate resistance in Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and on population densities of natural enemies. J. Econ. Entomol. 90: 855-867