Brian W. Bahder

Brian W. Bahder is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida (UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center), specializing in Insect Vector Ecology within the Department of Entomology and Nematology. His research integrates entomology and plant pathology to address both basic and applied questions about insect vectors of pathogens in tropical plants, particularly focusing on phytoplasma diseases of palms such as Lethal Yellowing (LY) and Lethal Bronzing (LB). He also leads extension programs to train the public on disease symptom recognition, sampling protocols, and management strategies.

• Research: Insect vector ecology, phytoplasma transmission dynamics, palm disease diagnostics, and citizen science platforms like iNaturalist.
• Extension: Public training for LBD recognition, sampling, and antibiotic-injection protocols.
• Key Tools: Yellow sticky traps, Berlese funnels for nymph sampling, molecular diagnostics, and oxytetracycline-HCl (OTC) injections.

Article Trends: His publications emphasize palm disease management (LY, LB), vector ecology of Haplaxius crudus, and citizen science applications for documenting hemipteran biodiversity. Keywords span Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Agricultural Science, with subfields like Phytoplasma transmission, Hemiptera, and Antibiotic treatments.