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5. Ricky Lara

Ricky Lara

Senior Environmental Scientist - Specialist

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Biosketch

I am research entomologist by training. I specialize in the development of classical biological control programs targeting invasive arthropod species that pose a threat to specialty crop production in agricultural systems. Part of my research responsibilities include conducting foreign exploration for co-evolved natural enemies of invasive target pests and studying the host-specificity of candidate natural enemies in quarantine lab space to determine their environmental safety in future release areas. Some of my pest control projects have involved working with ambrosia beetles, stink bugs, and spider mites. My work is driven by a desire to better understand the ecological relationships in the natural world and a commitment to share these findings with the general public, research scientists, and farming communities through a variety of publications, extension/outreach events, and conference presentations.

Curriculum Vitae

• Education

  Ph.D., Entomology, UC Riverside	2014
  B.A., Environmental Science, UC Berkeley	2008

• Professional Employment

  Senior Environmental Scientist, California Department of Food and Agriculture	2020
  Assistant Project Scientist, Department of Entomology, UC Riverside	2019
  Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Entomology, UC Riverside	2014-2018

• Publications (2018 – Present)
  • Forthman, M., R. Lara, A.W. Meeds, & D.A. Rider. (2022). First record of Pellaea stictica (Dallas, 1851) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in California, U.S.A. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 98(1):65–69
  • Liang, Y.P., J.R. Lara, and H.W. Tsai. 2020. Current status and prospects of the avocado industry in Taiwan. The Avocado Quarterly by the California Avocado Society Spring:17-23.
  • Lara, J.R., D. Husein, C. Dodge, S. Rios, R. Stouthamer. 2019. Situation update on the polyphagous shot hole borer in California. CAPCA Adviser 22:46-52.
  • Lara, J.R., C.H. Pickett, M.S. Hoddle. 2019. A fortuitous arrival: Key natural enemy of BMSB found in California. CAPCA Adviser 22:54-59.
  • Lara, J.R., C.H. Pickett, M.T. Kamiyama, S. Figueroa, M. Romo, C. Cabanas, V. Bazurto, V. Strode, K. Briseno, M. Lewis, J. Oliva, G. Hernandez, and M.S. Hoddle. 2019. Physiological host range of Trissolcus japonicus in relation to Halyomorpha halys and other pentatomids from California. BioControl 64:513-528.
  • Lara, J.R., M. Kamiyama, G. Hernandez, and M. Hoddle. 2018. Laboratory assessment of feeding injury and preference of brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), for Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa ‘Hayward’ (Zespri® Green) and Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis 'Zesy002' (Zespri® SunGold). NZ Entomol. DOI: 10.1080/00779962.2018.1438758.
  • Lara, J.R., C. Pickett, B. Grafton-Cardwell, P. Gordon, J. Reger, S. Figueroa, M. Romo, J. Oliva, and M. S. Hoddle. 2018. Stinky in high Numbers: What’s new with brown marmorated stink bug in California? CAPCA Adviser 21:44-48.
  • Lara, J.R., M. Hoddle, C. Pickett, M. Romo, J. Oliva, A. Rios, C. Cabañas, and K. Briseño. 2018. UCR Center for Invasive Species Research: http://cisr.ucr.edu/pdf/ucanr-bmsb-publication-spanish-26-jan-2018.pdf
• Professional Presentations
  • Lara J.R., Pickett C., Hoddle M. The quest to find Trissolcus japonicus in California. BMSB Stakeholder Advisory Panel Meeting. Hyatt Place UC Davis, Davis, California. February 20, 2020.
  • Lara, J.R., C. Pickett, and M.S. Hoddle. Who’s got the funk? Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in California. California Association of Pest Control Advisers Meeting. Fresno, CA. Sept. 13, 2018.
  • Lara, J.R., C. Pickett, and M.S. Hoddle. What’s the big stink? Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in California. California Association of Pest Control Advisers Meeting. San Diego, CA. Sept. 12, 2018.
  • Lara, J.R., C. Pickett, and M.S. Hoddle. A new pest threat for California? Biology and management of brown marmorated stink bug. California Association of Pest Control Advisers Meeting. Simi Valley, CA. Aug. 16, 2018.
  • Lara, J.R., C. Pickett and M.S. Hoddle. Prospects and challenges: safety testing with samurai wasp for classical biological control of brown marmorated stink bug in Califorina. 102nd Pacific Branch ESA Annual Meeting. Reno, NV. June 13, 2018.
  • Lara, J.R., C. Pickett and M.S. Hoddle. Biological control of brown marmorated stink bug in California. 102nd Pacific Branch ESA Annual Meeting. Reno, NV. June 12, 2018.
  • Lara, J.R., C. Pickett and M.S. Hoddle. Update on BMSB in CA. E.&J. Gallo Winery Insecticide and Fertilizer Update Meeting. Fresno, CA. May 4, 2018.
• Organized Symposia
  • Legrand, A., S. Rondon, S. Reyna, and J.R. Lara. Powerful voices: overcoming challenges in entomology - 8th Latin American/ Hispanic Symposium. ESA 68th Annual Virtual Meeting. November 2020 (accepted).
  • Lara, J.R., S. Rondon, I.E. Badillo, A. Legrand, and L. Bernaola. Entomology Advocacy as a Conduit for Biodiversity Conservation in the Americas: 7th Latin American/Hispanic Symposium. ESA 67th Annual Meeting. St. Louis, MO. November 19, 2019.
  • Badillo, I.E., A. Legrand, J.R. Lara, S. Rondon, and Luis Cañas. The Crossroad Between Applied and Basic Research in the Study of Endemic and Invasive Insect Species: 6th Latin American/Hispanic Symposium. ESA 66th Annual Meeting. Vancouver, BC, Canada. November 14, 2018.