Individual Listing

Entomology
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521

Perring, Thomas M

Professor of Entomology

College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Entomology


Biography

Research Specialization - Our group is conducting basic and applied research in three areas. The primary focus in the laboratory is the epidemiology of arthropod-borne plant pathogens. In this research area, our objectives are to describe ecological parameters that are important in seasonal disease cycles, and to utilize this information to reduce crop loss. Research has identified arthropod species that vector particular pathogens, and the efficiency with which transmission occurs. We have described plants that serve as alternate hosts for vectors and pathogens, and relationships between disease epidemics and overall yield of crop plants have been elucidated. Current efforts center on the spread of Pierce's disease (PD) bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, by the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) Homalodisca coagulata. Area-wide surveys of PD and wide-scale trapping of GWSS throughout large grape-growing regions in southern California, provide the data for geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial statistical analyses. These studies have identified citrus as a primary host for GWSS, and we have discovered a trend in PD incidence that can be related to the proximity to citrus. This is interesting, since citrus is not a host for the PD strain of X. fastidiosa. We also have used our data combined with GIS analysis, to identify citrus groves for vector reduction treatments, based on specific GWSS thresholds and proximity of citrus to GWSS traps. Future research will develop a sampling plan for PD in vineyards. Second, the lab is studying various aspects of the biology, ecology and control of agriculturally important mites. Current projects are underway with mite pests of date palms and ornamental queen palms. Work includes basic biology of the pest species, identification of natural enemies, the role that natural enemies play in regulating pest density, acaricidal efficacy on predatory and phytophagous mites, and relationships between pest mites and their host plants. Third, we are developing IPM strategies for several polyphagous herbivores on crops in California. We are studying cultural and chemical controls for the carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae, a severe pest of dates. Also for this pest, we are investigating the use of female moth mimics for potential male-disruption in addition to date volatiles as potential female attractants. A second herbivore under investigation is the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporarorum, which is a serious problem for vegetable and strawberry growers in coastal California. Our studies have described factors that very large densities of this insect. We determined that overlapping crop cycles provide a year-round supply of available host material utilized by GHWF, and that fields close to existing whitefly source fields became infested with immigrating whiteflies at a higher rate than fields not near an infested field. This "nearest-neighbor" phenomenon can be used by producers on a local scale to prevent seasonal whitefly buildup in their fields.

Degrees

BS Wildlife Ecology 1978

Oklahoma State University

MS Entomology 1980

Texas Tech University

PhD Entomology 1983

University of Nebraska

Awards

2002 - Entomological Society of America Excellence in Teaching Award
1992 - 1993 - President, UCR Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta
1992 - Guest Lecturer, UCR Chapter of Sigma Xi


Research Area

Arthropod Vectors of Plant Pathogens. Biology, Ecology, and Control of Agriculturally-Important Mites. Integrated Pest Management.

Publications

Nay, J.E. and T.M. Perring. 2008. Influence of Host Plant Stages on Carob Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Development and Fitness. Environmental Entomol. 37: 568-574.

Symmes, E.J., G.P. Walker, and T.M. Perring. 2008. Stylet penetration behaviors of Myzus persicae related to transmission of zucchini yellow mosaic virus. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 129: 258-267.

Krell, R.K., E.A. Boyd, J.E. Nay, Y.L. Park and T.M. Perring. 2007. Mechanical and insect transmission of Xylella fastidiosa to Vitis vinifera. Am. J. Enology and Viticulture. 58: 211-216.

Nay, J.E., Y.L. Park, and T.M. Perring. 2007. Effect of bunch sanitation on spatial distributions of abscised fruit and phycitine moths (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in California date gardens. J. Econ. Entomol. 100: 1773-1780.

Symmes, E.J. and T.M. Perring. 2007. Intraspecific variation in zucchini yellow mosaic virus transmission by Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and the impact of aphid host plant. J. Econ. Entomol. 100: 1764-1772.

Krell, R.K., T.M. Perring, C.A. Farrar, Y.L. Park and C. Gispert. 2006. Intraplant Sampling of Grapevines for Pierce's Disease Diagnosis. Plant Disease. 90: 351-357.

Park, Y.L., T.M. Perring, C.A. Farrar and C. Gispert. 2006. Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Two Sympatric Homalodisca spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae): Implications for Areawide Pest Management. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 113: 168-174.

Park, Y.L., T.M. Perring, R. Yacoub, D.W. Bartels, and D. Elms. 2006. Spatial and temporal dynamics of overwintering Homalodisca coagulata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 99: 1936-1942.

Park, Y.L., T.M. Perring, R.K. Krell, C.A. Farrar, and C. Gispert. 2006. Spatial Distribution of Pierce’s Disease in the Coachella Valley: Implications for Sampling. Am. J. Enol. and Viticulture. 57: 220-225.

Perring, T.M. and E.J. Symmes. 2006. Courtship Behavior of Bemisia argentifolii (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Whitefly Mate Recognition. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 99: 598-606.

Nay, J. E., and T. M. Perring. 2006. Effect of fruit moisture content on mortality, development, and fitness of the carob moth (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae). Environ. Entomol. 35: 237-244.

Nay, J.E. and T. M. Perring. 2005. Impact of Ant Predation and Heat on Carob Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Mortality in California Date Gardens. J. Econ. Entomol. 98: 725-731.

Ansaloni, T, and T.M. Perring. 2004. Biology of Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae) on Queen Palm Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecaceae). Int.. J. Acarol. 30: 63-70.

Basky, Z., T. M. Perring, and I. Tobias. 2001. Spread of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Potyvirus in Squash in Hungary. J. Appl. Entomol. 125: 271-275.

Gruenhagen, N. M. and T. M. Perring. 2001. Plant Influences on Silverleaf Whitefly Oviposition and Development and the Potential for Enemy-Free Space. Entom. Exp. et. Appl. 99: 387-391.

Gruenhagen, N. M. and T. M. Perring. 2001. Impact of Leaf Trichomes on Parasitoid Behavior and Parasitism of the Silverleaf Whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Southwest Entomol. 26: 279-290.

Brown, J. K., T. M. Perring, A. D. Cooper, I. D. Bedford, and P. G. Markham. 2000. Genetic Analysis of Bemisia (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) Populations by Isoelectric Focusing Electrophoresis. Biochemical Genetics 38: 13-25.

van de Ven W.T.G, C. S.LeVesque, T. M. Perring, and L. L. Walling. 2000. Local and Systemic Changes in Squash Gene Expression in Response to Silverleaf Whitefly Feeding. Plant Cell 12: 1409-1424.

Gispert, C., T. M. Perring, and R. Creamer. 1998. Purification and Characterization of Peach Mosaic Virus. Plant Dis. 82: 905-908.

Gispert, C., G. N. Oldfield, T. M. Perring, and R. Creamer. 1998. Biology of the Transmission of Peach Mosaic Virus By Eriophyes insidiosus Keifer and Wilson (Acari: Eriophyidae). Plant Dis. 82: 1371-1374.

Gispert, C. and T. M. Perring. 1997. Rearing Eriophyes insidiosus Keifer and Wilson (Acari: Eriophyoidea), a Fastidious Bud Mite. Internat. J. Acarol. 23: 227-231.

Perring, T. M., C. A. Farrar, M. J. Blua, H. L. Wang, and D. Gonsalves. 1995. Cross Protection of Cantaloupe with a Mild Strain of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus: Effectiveness and Application. Crop Protection. 14: 601-606.

Bellows, T. S., Jr., T. M. Perring, R. J. Gill, and D. H. Headrick. 1994. Description of a Species of Bemisia (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 87: 195-206.

Blua, M. J., T. M. Perring, and M. A. Madore. 1994. Plant Virus-Induced Changes in Aphid Population Development and Temporal Fluctuations in Plant Nutrients. J. Chem. Ecol. 20: 691-707.

Perring, T. M., A. D. Cooper, R. J. Rodriguez, C. A. Farrar, and T. S. Bellows, Jr. 1993. Identification of a Whitefly Species by Genomic and Behavioral Studies. Science 259: 74-77.

Fereres, A., M. J. Blua, and T. M. Perring. 1992. Retention and Trans¬mission Characteristics of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus by Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae). J. Econ. Entomol. 85: 759-765.

Castle, S. J., T. M. Perring, C. A. Farrar, and A. N. Kishaba. 1992. Field and Laboratory Transmission of Watermelon Mosaic Virus 2 and Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus by Various Aphid Species. Phytopathology 82: 235-240.

Blua, M. J. and T. M. Perring. 1992. Effects of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus on Colonization and Feeding Behavior of Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) alatae. Environ. Entomol. 21: 578-585.

Blua, M. J. and T. M. Perring. 1992. Alatae Production and Population Increase of Aphid Vectors on Virus-Infected Host Plants. Oecologia 92: 65-70.

Polston, J. E., P. Bubrick, and T. M. Perring. 1991. Detection of Plant Virus Coat Proteins on Whole Leaf Blots. Analytical Bio¬chem. 196: 267-270.

Perring, T. M. and L. J. Lackey. 1989. Temperature and Humidity Effects on Mortality and Pre-Adult Development of Two Phytoseiulus persimilis Strains (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Int. J. Acarol. 15: 47-52.

Royalty, R. N. and T. M. Perring. 1989. Reduction in Photosynthesis of Tomato Leaflets Caused by Tomato Russet Mite (Acari: Eriophyidae). Environ. Entomol. 18: 256-260.