Applied Biological Control Research

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Ivan Milosavljević, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Phone: (951) 827-4360
ivanm@ucr.edu

Dr. Milosavljević joined the Hoddle laboratory as a Postdoctoral Researcher in August 2016. He has dedicated his research efforts towards biological control and invasive species management with an emphasis on pests of crops and ornamental trees. He has been involved in a variety of research projects sponsored by various granting agencies, private institutions, and commodity boards. An example of these finished and on-going projects include: establishing integrated control program for invasive South American palm weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum), assessing impacts of two biocontrol agents, Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis and Tamarixia radiata, on Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorinia citri) populations in southern California, and breaking critical North American bean thrips (Caliothrips fasciatus) related trade barriers for California citrus exports.

Dr. Milosavljević considers himself an applied entomologist. His research integrates theoretical approaches (simulation, analytical, and statistical models) with empirical techniques (observational work, manipulative field experiments) to understand the factors that shape insect communities and predator-prey interactions in agroecosystems. These studies have important applied implications for the biocontrol of invasive pests where the goal is to manipulate natural enemies to reduce herbivory and enhance crop productivity. His research interests are broad, currently focusing on the following areas: biological control of invasive species, effects of predator diversity on pest control, integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture, effects of environmental variability and agricultural intensification on insect biodiversity and community structure.   

Curriculum vitae

Degrees

• Ph.D. Entomology, Department of Entomology, Washington State University (2015)
• M.Sc. Phytomedicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Serbia (2013)
• B.Sc. Phtytomedicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Serbia (2011)

Current Projects

	Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri) Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is an efficient vector of the bacterial citrus disease huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease, which is one of the most destructive insect-borne diseases of citrus worldwide.
	South American Palm Weevil The South American palm weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), has a known distribution that includes Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Like other species of Rhynchophorus, such as the red palm weevil, R. ferrugineus, and the palm weevil R. vulneratus
	North American Bean Thrips

Book Chapters

• Milosavljević I, Hoddle MS (2019) Advances in classical biological control in IPM. In M Kogan and L Higley (Eds.) Integrated management of insect pests: Current and Future Developments in IPM. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK. (in press). doi:10.19103/AS.2019.0047.13

Publications

• McCalla KA, Keçeci M, Milosavljević I, Ratkowsky DA, Hoddle MS (2019) The influence of temperature variation on life history parameters and thermal performance curves of Tamarixia radiata, a parasitoid of the Asian citrus psyllid. Journal of Economic Entomology (in press) doi:10.1093/jee/toz067
  
• Milosavljević I, McCalla KA, Ratkowsky DA, Hoddle MS (2019) Effects of constant and fluctuating temperatures on development development rates and longevity of Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 112: 1062-1072
  
• Milosavljević I, Esser AD, Murphy KM, Crowder DW (2019) Effects of imidacloprid seed treatments on crop yields and economic returns of cereal crops. Crop Protection 119: 166-171
  
• Milosavljević I, El-Shafie HAF, Faleiro JR, Hoddle CD, Lewis M, Hoddle MS (2018) Palmageddon: the wasting of ornamental palms by invasive palm weevils, Rhynchophorus spp.Journal of Pest Science 92: 143-156  
• Milosavljević I, Amrich R, Strode V, Hoddle MS (2018) Modeling the phenology of Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in urban southern California: Effects of environment, habitat, and natural enemies.Environmental Entomology 47: 233-243
• Milosavljević I, Schall KA, Hoddle CD, Morgan DJW, Hoddle MS (2017) Biocontrol program targets Asian citrus psyllid in California's urban areas. California Agriculture 71: 169-177.
• Milosavljević, I., Esser, A.D., Crowder, D.W. (2017). Seasonal population dynamics of wireworms in wheat crops in the Pacific Northwestern United States. Journal of Pest Science. 90: 77-86 
• Milosavljević, I., Esser, A.D., Crowder, D.W. (2016). The identity of belowground herbivores, not herbivore diversity, mediates impacts on plant productivity. Scientific Reports. 6: 39629
• Milosavljević, I., Esser, A.D., Crowder, D.W. (2016) Effects of environmental and agronomic factors on soil-dwelling pest communities in cereal crops. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 225: 192-198. 
• Esser, A.D., Milosavljević, I., Crowder, D.W. (2015). Effects of neonicotinoids and crop rotation for managing wireworms in wheat crops. Journal of Economic Entomology. 108: 1786-1794.

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