Ana Legrand

IPM Assistant Extension Professor

Education & Experience

• University of Maryland, PhD in Entomology, 1999.
• Cornell University, BS with high honors in Biology, 1991.

Research Interests

My research interests focus on tritrophic level interactions, insect behavior, and ecology of insect predators and parasitoids. My goal is to contribute to the science of biological control in particular through the study of how plant characteristics influence the behavior and efficacy of insect natural enemies. Work in my lab is examining the use of insectary plants for beneficial insect conservation, the plant feeding preferences of vegetable insect pests and the egg parasitoid species attacking the brown marmorated stink bug in Connecticut.

Current Projects:

• Using cut flower plants as insectary plants to enhance biological control of vegetable pests.
• Lab rearing protocols for the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Halyomorpha halys and BMSB egg parasitoids surveys.
• Survey of parasitoids attacking the cabbage caterpillar pest complex.
• Documenting attraction of insect pollinators by drought-resistant plants.

Courses

• SPSS 1125 – Insects, Food and Culture, Fall semester, odd-years
• SPSS 3840/SAPL 840 – Integrated Pest Management, Spring semester
• SPSS 3830 – Horticultural Entomology, Fall semester, even-years

Professional Associations

• Entomological Society of America
• University of Connecticut Association of Latino Faculty and Staff