معرفی
Dr. Norman C. Leppla is a Professor specializing in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Biological Control at the University of Florida's Department of Entomology and Nematology within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. His work focuses on developing sustainable pest management strategies that reduce reliance on chemical pesticides while protecting Florida's agricultural productivity and fragile ecosystems.
Dr. Leppla's research interests center on biological control of invasive species, with particular expertise in mole cricket management. His work integrates field research, extension education, and practical application of IPM principles across agricultural, community, and environmental settings. He has made significant contributions to understanding the ecology and management of pest species like mole crickets and lubber grasshoppers, developing biological control strategies using natural enemies such as parasitic wasps, flies, and nematodes.
His publications reveal a strong focus on practical IPM implementation, with recent work examining the state of biological control infrastructure, quality control in insect rearing, and host-parasitoid relationships. Dr. Leppla has demonstrated consistent research productivity across multiple decades, with publications spanning from foundational work on mole cricket biology to contemporary analyses of IPM program effectiveness and biological control industry trends.
As the driving force behind the IPM Florida website, Dr. Leppla has created a comprehensive resource that coordinates UF/IFAS IPM research and Extension activities. The website serves as a central hub for IPM education and training, making alternative pest management technologies more accessible to County Extension faculty, agricultural producers, and the public. His extension work has directly impacted Florida's agricultural community by providing practical solutions for pest problems while addressing environmental concerns related to pesticide use.
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