Example of Psocids

Research

I study systematics and phylogeny of insects, primarily of the order Psocoptera (psocids or bark lice), using morphology, behavior, life-history traits, and any other available data.

Of special interest to me and my former students has been the onset and evolutionary role of parthenogenesis in psocids. The parthenogenesis study has taken an interesting turn recently with the discovery that bacteria of the genus Wolbachia can produce parthenogenesis in females of ordinarily sexual species of insects, including some psocids.

I am collaborating with colleagues at other institutions on these studies. I am currently completing a systematic study of the species of the Psocopteran genus Psoquilla.