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Blossey, Bernd
Cornell Faculty Member
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Positions
- Associate Professor, Natural Resources (NTRES/DNR), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
Research Areas
- adult and extension education
- aquatic science
- biocomplexity
- biodiversity
- biological control
- conservation biology
- ecology
- ecosystem biology
- entomology
- environmental sciences
- evolution
- forest management
- insects
- integrated pest management
- land use
- landscape ecology
- nanotechnology
- natural resources
- pest management
- plant biology
- weed science
- Affiliations
- Extension
- Research
- Publications
- Teaching
- Service
- Background
- Other
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Affiliations
member of
- David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future (ACSF) Faculty Fellow
Extension
has primary specialization area
Research
research overview
- My research addresses 3 key areas: (1) How do plant invasions and their management affect native ecosystems? (2) How can we achieve improvements in the success of biological weed control? and (3)What determines the increased competitive ability of invasive plants?
research activities
principal investigator on
- ASSESSMENT OF DEER IMPACTS ON SENTINEL OAKS IN CAYUGA HEIGHTS awarded by VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS 2011 - 2012
- DEVELOPMENT OF BIOCONTROL RESOURCES AND PROJECTS FOR FOREST PESTS IN THE UNITED STATES awarded by FOREST SERVICE, USDA 2011 - 2014
- DEVELOPMENT OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INVASIVE PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS GENOTYPES awarded by NYS DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION 2007 - 2011
- IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF MULTIPLE THREATS TO RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES awarded by STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 2008 - 2013
- IDENTIFY, DEVELOP AND RELEASE INSECT BIOCONTROL AGENTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS awarded by ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS 2010 - 2013
- NEW YORK STATE INVASIVE SPECIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE awarded by NYS DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 2008 - 2012
keywords
- biological control
- herbivory
- invasions
- monitoring
- plant-insect interactions
submitted impact statement
Publications
individual publications
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academic article
- Lost in the weeds: Ligustrum sinense reduces native plant growth and survival. Biological Invasions. 14:139-150. 2012
- Quantity counts: amount of litter determines tadpole performance in experimental microcosms. Journal of Herpetology. 46:85-90. 2012
- Traits, not origin, explain impacts of plants on larval amphibians. Ecological Appplications. Ecological Applications. 22:218-228. 2012
- Conservation frontiers: plants conservation on military lands and beyond. Endangered Species Bulletin. 36:12-15. 2011
- Edited book: the good, the bad and the ugly. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. 92:247-250. 2011
- Matrix Habitat and Plant Damage Influence Colonization of Purple Loosestrife Patches by Specialist Leaf-Beetles. Environmental Entomology. 40:1074-1080. 2011
- Classical biological control for the protection of natural ecosystems. Biological Control. 54. 2010
- Does detritus quality predict the effect of native and non-native plants on the performance of larval amphibians?. Freshwater Biology. 55:1604-1704. 2010
- The effects of flooding, plant traits, and predation on purple loosestrife leaf-beetles. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 135:85-95. 2010
- A framework for ecosystem services valuation. Conservation Biology. 23:494-496. 2009
- Biology and host specificity of Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis (Curculionidae; Coleoptera), a root-crown mining weevil proposed as biological control agent against Alliaria petiolata in North America. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 19:117-138. 2009
- Declines in Woodland Salamander Abundance Associated with Non-Native Earthworm and Plant Invasions. Conservation Biology. 23:975-981. 2009
- Difference in preference and performance of the water lily leaf beetle, Galerucella nymhaeae populations on native and invasive aquatic plants. Ecological Entomology. 38:1653-1660. 2009
- Earthworm invasion as the driving force behind plant invasion and community change in northeastern North American forests. Conservation Biology. 23:966-974. 2009
- Importance of plant traits and herbivory for invasiveness of Phragmites australis (Poaceae). American Journal of Botany. 95:1557-1568. 2008
- Pre-release assessment of two stem-boring weevils proposed as biological control agents for Alliaria petiolata. Biological Control. 45:360-367. 2008
- An evaluation of mechanisms preventing the growth and survival of two native species in invasive Bohemian knotweed (Fallopia x bohemica, Polygonaceae). American Journal of Botany. 94:776-783. 2007
- Impact of the belowground herbivore and potential biological control agent, Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis, on Alliaria petiolata performance. Biological Control. 42:355-364. 2007
- Interaction of specialist root and shoot herbivores of Alliaria petiolata and their impact on plant performance and reproduction. Ecological Entomology. 32:357-365. 2007
- Presence and abundance of native and introduced Phragmites australis (Poaceae) in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Rhodora. 109:96-100. 2007
- A comparison of biology and host plant utilization of Archanara geminpuncta, A. dissoluta, A. neurica and Arenostola phragmitidis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), potential biological control agents of Phragmites australis (Arundineae: Poaceae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 99:683-696. 2006
- Avoiding conflicts between insect and weed biological control: selection of non-target species to assess host specificity of cabbage seedpod weevil parasitoids. Journal of Applied Entomology. 130:129-141. 2006
- Demographic models inform selection of biocontrol agents for garlic mustard. Ecological Applications. 16:2399-2410. 2006
- Galerucella birmanica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a promising potential biological control agent of water chestnut, Trapa natans. Biological Control. 36:80-90. 2006
- Impact of Archanara geminipuncta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on above-ground biomass production of Phragmites australis. Biological Control. 38:413-421. 2006
- Impact of Galerucella birmanica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on growth and seed production of Trapa natans. Biological Control. 37:338-345. 2006
- Invasive plant and experimental venue affect tadpole performance. Biological Invasions. 8:327-338. 2006
- Biology of Platycephala planifrons (Diptera: Chloropidae) and its potential effectiveness as biological control agent for invasive Phragmites australis in North America. Biological Control. 34:302-311. 2005
- Can secondary compounds of an invasive plant affect larval amphibians. Functional Ecology. 19:970-975. 2005
- Developing biological control of garlic mustard - an update. Ecological Restoration. 23:205. 2005
- Disruption of weed biological control by an opportunistic mirid predator. Ecological Applications. 15:861-870. 2005
- Green frogs show reduced foraging success in habitats invaded by Japanese knotweed. Biodiversity and Conservation. 14:2901-2911. 2005
- Impact of the native water lily leaf beetle Galerucella nymphaeae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) attacking introduced water chestnut, Trapa natans, in the northeastern United States. Environmental Entomology. 34:683-689. 2005
- Influence of natural and simulated leaf beetle herbivory on biomass allocation and plant architecture of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.). Environmental Entomology. 34:906-914. 2005
- Interactions of root and leaf herbivores on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Oecologia. 142:554-563. 2005
- Introduced invertebrates are important prey for a generalist predator. Diversity and Distributions. 11:83-90. 2005
- Invertebrate predation on the water lily beetle, Galerucella nymphaeae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and its implications for potential biological control of water chestnut, Trapa natans. Biological Control. 35:17-26. 2005
- Influence of the invasive herb garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) on ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages. Environmental Entomology. 33:564-576. 2004
- Root and leaf herbivory on Lythrum salicaria: implications for plant performance and communities. Ecological Applications. 14:1574-1589. 2004
- A framework for evaluating potential ecological effects of implementing biological control of Phragmites australis. Estuaries. 26:607-617. 2003
- Belowground herbivory by insects: influence on plants and aboveground herbivores. Annual Review of Entomology. 48:521-547. 2003
- More on Phragmites - native and introduced races. Canadian Botanical Association Bulletin. 36:4-7. 2003
- Rhizedra lutosa, a natural enemy of Phragmites australis in North America. Estuaries. 26:602-606. 2003
- Potential for biological control of Phragmites australis in North America. Biological Control. 23:191-212. 2002
- Developing biological control of Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara and Grande (garlic mustard). Natural Areas Journal. 21:357-367. 2001
- Impact and management of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in North America. Biodiversity and Conservation. 10:1787-1807. 2001
- Nontarget feeding of leaf-beetles introduced to control purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.). Natural Areas Journal. 21:368-377. 2001
- A plan for developing biological control of Phragmites australis in North America. Wetland Journal. 12:23-28. 2000
- First Virginia records of four introduced European insect herbivores of Phragmites australis. Banisteria. 16:29-35. 2000
- Mass rearing the weevil Hylobius transversovittatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), biological control agent of Lythrum salicaria, on semiartificial diet. Journal of Economic Entomology. 93:1644-1656. 2000
- Before, during, and after: the need for long-term monitoring in invasive plant species management. Biological Invasions. 1:301-311. 1999
- Benign environments do not explain the increased vigour of non-indigenous plants: a cross-continental transplant experiment. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 9:567-577. 1999
- Mass rearing methods for Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), biological control agents of Lythrum salicaria (Lythraceae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 92:325-334. 1999
- The influence of below ground herbivory and plant competition on growth and biomass allocation of purple loosestrife. Oecologia. 113:82-93. 1998
- Performance of Galerucella calmariensis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on different North American populations of purple loosestrife. Environmental Entomology. 26:439-445. 1997
- A comparison of various approaches for evaluating potential biological control agents using insects on Lythrum salicaria. Biological Control. 5:113-122. 1995
- Coexistence of two leaf-beetles in the same fundamental niche. Distribution, adult phenology and oviposition. Oikos: A Journal of Ecology. 74:225-234. 1995
- Establishment of insect biological control agents from Europe against Lythrum salicaria in North America. Environmental Entomology. 24:967-977. 1995
- Evolution of increased competitive ability in invasive nonindigenous plants: a hypothesis. Journal of Ecology. 83:887-889. 1995
- Host specificity of three potential biological weed control agents attacking flowers and seeds of Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife). Biological Control. 5:47-53. 1995
- Host specificity and environmental impact of the weevil Hylobius transversovittatus, a biological control agent of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Weed Science. 42:128-133. 1994
- Host specificity and environmental impact of two leaf beetles (Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla) for biological control of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Weed Science. 42:134-140. 1994
- Biological control of purple loosestrife. BioScience. 43:680-686. 1993
- Genetics, taxonomy, and ecology of certain species of Galerucella (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 86:397-410. 1993
- Herbivory below ground and biological weed control: life history of a root boring-weevil on purple loosestrife. Oecologia. 94:380-387. 1993
- Entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabdtitis spp. and Steinernema anomali) as potential antagonists of the biological weed control agent Hylobius transversovittatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 58:453-454. 1991
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article
- Biology and Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. . 2004
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booksection
- Enemy release hypothesis 2011
- Common reed 2002
- Eurasian watermilfoil 2002
- Garlic mustard 2002
- Purple loosestrife 2002
- Biological control of an invasive wetland plant: monitoring the impact of beetles introduced to control purple loosestrife 2001
- Lythrum salicaria, purple loosestrife 1996
- Host specificity screening of insect biological weed control agents as part of an environmental risk assessment 1995
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chapter
- Biological control of weeds using arthropods. Non-chemical weed management: principles, concepts and technology. 77-92. 2007
- Post-release evaluation of non-target effects of biological control agents. Environmental impact of invertebrates for biological control of arthropods, methods and risk assessment. 166-186. 2006
- Monitoring in weed biological control programs. Biological Control of invasive plants in the Unites States. 95-105. 2004
- Purple loosestrife. Biological Control of invasive plants in the Unites States. 281-292. 2004
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conference paper
- Developing a biological control program for invasive knotweeds (Fallopia spp.). Meeting the Challenge: Invasive Plants in Pacific Northwest Ecosystems. 23-25. 2007
- Ecosystem impacts of Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard). Symposium on the biology, ecology, and management of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). 1-3. 2005
- Monitoring garlic mustard as part of a biocontrol program. Symposium on the biology, ecology, and management of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). 19-23. 2005
- Morphological differences between native North American Phragmites australis genotypes and introduced invasive European genotypes. Phragmites australis: A sheep in wolf's clothing? New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium, 6-9 January 2002, Vineland, New Jersey, USA. 47-56. 2003
- Design and importance of post-release monitoring. Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, 4-10 July 1999, Bozeman, MT. 693-706. 2000
- Biological control of purple loosestrife in North America. Proceedings of the Exotic Pests of Eastern Forests Conference. USDA Forest Service and TN Exotic Pest Plant Council, 8-10 April 1997, Nashville, TN. 79-84. 1997
- A biological weed control programme using insects against purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, in North America. Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. University of Cape Town, 19-26 January 1996, Stellenbosch, South Africa. 351-355. 1996
- The search for patterns or what determines the increased competitive ability of invasive non-indigenous plants?. Proceedings of the California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium, October 4-6 1996, San Diego, CA.. 39-45. 1996
- What determines the increased competitive ability of invasive non-indigenous plants. Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. University of Cape Town, 19-26 January 1996, Stellenbosch, South Africa. 3-9. 1996
- Impact of Galerucella pusilla and G. calmariensis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on field populations of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Proceedings of the VIII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. DSIR/CSIRO, Melbourne, 2-7 February 1992, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. 27-31. 1995
- Insect biological weed control: an important and underutilized management tool for maintaining native plant communities threatened by exotic plant introductions. Transactions of the Fifty-ninth North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. 400-404. 1994
-
report
- Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) management plan for the Lower Hudson River Valley 2004
- Invasive plants in New York State: options and recommendations for legislation and policy 2003
- Guidelines for propagation and field release of Hylobius transversovittatus, a control agent of purple loosestrife. 8. 1995
- Guidelines for propagation of Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla, two control agents of purple loosestrife. 8. 1995
- Introduction and field release of Nanophyes marmoratus and N. brevis, two additional control agents for purple loosestrife. 23. 1993
- Approval for introduction and release of Hylobius transversovittatus, Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla into the United States. 79. 1991
featured in archived article
Teaching
teaching overview
- Biological invasions
- Conservation Biology
teaching activities
- NTRES-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- NTRES-8900: Master's Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- NTRES-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- NTRES-4991: Honors Research in Natural Resources - Fall 2012
- NTRES-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- NTRES-8900: Master's Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- NTRES-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- NTRES-7330: Socio-Cultural and Ecological Role of Diversity - Spring 2012
- NTRES-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- NTRES-8900: Master's Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- NTRES-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- NTRES-4991: Honors Research in Natural Resources - Fall 2011
- NTRES-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2011
- NTRES-8900: Master's Thesis Research - Fall 2011
- NTRES-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2011
Service
outreach overview
- In my extension program I am guided by three main objectives: (1) Provide accessible information about the status of biological control and plant invasions; (2) improve access to the technology; and (3) develop protocols and procedures to allow citizen participation in research.
service to the profession
- THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY Member 2011 -
- Botanical Society of America Member 2004 -
- Finger Lakes Native Plant Society Member 2001 -
- British Ecological Society Member 1996 -
- American Association for the Advancement of Science Member 1995 -
- Ecological Society of America Member 1993 -
- Entomological Society of America Member 1992 -
reviewer or editor for
Background
education and training
- Ph.D. in Zoology/Biology, Christian Albrechts University 1991
- M.S. in Biology, Christian Albrechts University 1989
Other
research keyword
- biological control
- herbivory
- invasions
- monitoring
- plant-insect interactions