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William A. Overholt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Entomology
Department of Entomology and Nematology
| Expertise: | Biological Control of Invasive Plants |
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| Contact Information: |
Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory 2199 South Rock Road Fort Pierce, Florida 34945-3138 (772) 468-3922 ext. 143 billover@ufl.edu |
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| Appointment: | 70% Research, 30% Extension | |
| Education: | Ph.D., 1989, Entomology, Texas A&M University B.S., 1977, Agriculture, Ohio State University | |
| Details: |
Bill Overholt joined the IRREC faculty in 2002. He has extensive international experience including 2 years in Peace Corps working with the Senegalese Plant Protection Service, 4 years in Mauritania with USAID, and 12 years at the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya. Bill Overholt is involved with the following organizations: the Entomological Society of America, the Florida Entomological Society, the International Organization of Biological Control, the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals, and the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. The focus of Dr. Overholt's program is biological control of invasive plants. His current work includes foreign exploration for natural enemies of hydrilla and air potato, release and evaluation of a biological control agent of tropical soda apple, examination of the genetic diversity of Brazilian Peppertree, remote sensing to delineate the distribution of Brazilian Peppertree in Florida and impact of an exotic insect on West Indian Marsh Grass in Florida. |
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| Selected Publications: |
Overholt, W. A., S. M. L. Ewe, R. Diaz, E. C. Morgan and O. E. Moeri. 2004. Feeding effects of Ischnodemus variegatus (Hemiptera: Blissidae) on photosynthesis and growth of Hymenachne amplexicaulis (Poaceae). Florida Entomologist 87: 312-316. Morgan, E. C. and W. A. Overholt. 2005. Potential allelopathic effects of Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi Anacardiaceae) aqueous extract on germination and growth of selected Florida native plants. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society. 132: 11-15. Morgan, E. C. and W. A. Overholt.2005. New Records of Exotic Invasive Species in St Lucie County, Florida. Castanea Williams, D. A., W. A. Overholt, J. P. Cuda and C. R. Hughes. 2005. Chloroplast and microsatellite DNA diversities reveal the introduction history of Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius) in Florida. Molecular Ecology 14: 3643-3650. Jiang, N., G. Zhou, W. A. Overholt, E. Muchugu and F. Schulthess. 2006. The temporal synchrony in the stemborer and parasitoid system of coastal Kenya with climate effects. Annals of the Entomological Society of France 42: 381-387. Mohamed, S. A., W. A. Overholt, R. A. Wharton, S. A. Lux. 2006. Effect of temperature on developmental time and longevity of Psyttalia cosyrae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Biocontrol Science and Technology 16: 717-726. Omwega, C. O., E. Muchugu, W. A. Overholt and F. Schulthess. 2006. Release and establishment of Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) an exotic parasitoid of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in east and southern Africa. Annuals of the Entomological Society of France 42: 511-517. Gitau, C. W., A. J. Ngi-Song, S. A. Otieno and W. A. Overholt. 2007. Host preference of Xanthopimpla stemmator Thunberg (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and its reproductive performance on selected African lepidopteran stem borers. Biocontrol Science and Technology (in press). - revised ms sent to Pickett on Jan 11 07 Williams, D. A., E. Muchugu2 W.A. Overholt and JP Cuda. 2007. Colonization patterns of the invasive Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius, in Florida. Heredity (in press). Mohamed, S. A., W. A. Overholt, S. A. Lux, R. A. Wharton and E. M. Eltoum. 2007. Acceptability and suitability of six fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) for Kenyan strains of Psyttalia concolor Szepligeti (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Biocontrol Science and Technology (in press). |
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