Supervisory Project Scientist
Dr. Milosavljević joined the Hoddle laboratory in 2016 as a postdoctoral researcher. Dr. Milosavljević has had a heavy focus on: 1) researching the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorinacitri), and its primary wasp biological control agents Diaphorencyrtusaligarhensis and Tamarixia radiata; 2) developing detection and control programs for invasive palm weevils (Rhynchophorus palmarum); and 3) mitigating export risks associated with the quarantine thrips (Caliothrips fasciatus). His previous work examined the incidence, risk factors and strategies for management of elaterid soil pests in cereal crops.
Dr. Milosavljević was promoted to Supervisory Project Scientist in 2020 and awarded a California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) grant to investigate whether insectary plants (used to augment populations of natural enemies) and biodegradable hydrogel bead baits (for control of Argentine ants, Linepithema humile) can enhance natural enemy abundance and increase biological control of citrus pests. Invasive ants eat honeydew excreted by sap sucking pests (aphids, scale, mealybugs, pysllids, etc) and protect these pests from being attacked by their natural enemies. Low-toxicity, soil applied biodegradable alginate hydrogel beads for ant control were developed by Hoddle Lab. This research will provide IPM-based tools for sustainable management of ants and sap sucking insects in citrus. Dr. Milosavljević is collaborating with Dr. Irvin on this project.