Forest Entomology at the University of Kentucky

Dr. Lynne K. Rieske-Kinney Laboratory

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At the Southern Forest Insect Work Conference, Lexington, KY June 2022

Congratulations to Flavia Pampolini! Winner of the 2022 Roger F. Anderson Award recognizing excellence in research and outstanding contributions to forest entomology by a graduate student from the Southern Forest Insect Work Conference (June 2022).

Congratulations also to Mary Wallace and Morgan Knutsen! First place award recipients for oral presentations at the Southern Forest Insect Work Conference (June 2022)!

2022 Southern Forest Insect Work Conference awardees, June 2022

Current lab projects

• Gene silencing in forest pests. We’re evaluating various aspects of utilizing RNA interference to induce gene silencing for forest pest suppression, focusing on wood boring beetles and bark beetles. The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis (EAB), is an exotic, aggressive, tree-killing beetle that has caused the loss of millions of ash trees in urban and wildland forests of the US. The endemic southern and mountain pine beetles, Dendroctonus frontalis (SPB) and D. ponderosae (MPB), and the six-spined engraver, Ips calligraphus, undergo population outbreaks that can lead to landscape-scale tree mortality and catastrophic losses. Finally, exotic invaders such as the redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyloborus glabratus, vector potentially lethal pathogens that cause extensive tree mortality.

We’ve shown that RNA interference (RNAi) can cause rapid and extensive mortality in these beetles; we are now:

Evaluating optimal gene selection
Demonstrating specificity with mortality assays, gene expression and in silico analyses in model insects and in pest associates.
Evaluating potential delivery methods, investigating the potential for single-tree and forest-wide approaches.

EAB is an invader of unprecedented scope and magnitude, affecting urban and wildland forests and continuing to expand its invaded range in North America. Bark and ambrosia beetles are expanding their geographic range in response to our changing climate, causing extensive forest mortality and disrupting the ecosystem services that contribute to global sustainability. My lab is contributing workable solutions to these forest health crises.

Interested? email me at Lrieske@uky.edu.

Forest Entomology lab, April 2022

Current Lab Associates

Bethany Kyre, PhD candidate, May 2022 (projected) [Arrived Aug 2017]. bethkyre@uky.edu. Gene silencing in Dendroctonus bark beetles.

Beth’s awards:

Research Activity Award, University of Kentucky (UK), College of Agriculture, Food & Environment, January 2021.
Conference Award, UK Graduate Student Congress, November 2020.
President’s Prize, Second Place, Oral presentation, Entomological Society of America, November 2019.
Barnhart Fund for Excellence, UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment, April 2019, April 2020.
First Place, Oral presentation, PhD division, Ohio Valley Entomological Association, October 2018, 2019.
Roger F. Anderson Award for Graduate Student Excellence, Southern Forest Insect Work Conference, Savanna, GA, July 2019.
First Place, Oral presentation, PhD division, Southern Forest Insect Work Conference, Savanna, GA, July 2019.
People’s Choice, 3MT Competition, UK CAFE, April 2019.
Publication Acceptance Scholarship, UK Dept of Entomology, March 2019, May 2020, July 2022.
Publication Submission Scholarship, UK Dept of Entomology, August 2018.

Beth’s Publications:

Kyre BR, JR Dupuis, G Zúñiga, LK Rieske. In review. Intraspecific genetic variation in Dendroctonus alters efficacy of molecular approaches to population suppression. Submitted
Kyre BR, LK Rieske. 2022. Using RNAi to silence heat shock protein has congeneric effects in North America’s Dendroctonus bark beetles. Forest Ecology and Management 520, 120367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120367
Kyre BR, BJ Bentz, LK Rieske. 2020. Susceptibility of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) to gene silencing through RNAi provides potential as a novel management tool. Forest Ecology and Management 473, 118322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118322
Kyre BR, TB Rodrigues, LK Rieske. 2019. RNA interference and validation of reference genes for gene expression analyses using RT-qPCR in southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis. Scientific Reports 9, 5640. DOI:10.1038/s41598-019-42072-6. Link.

Roger F. Anderson Award winners, 2022 (l.) and 2019 (r.), Southern Forest Insect Work Conference

Flávia Pampolini, PhD candidate, December 2022 (projected) [Arrived Jan 2018]. flavia.pampolini@g.uky.edu. Gene silencing using RNAi in emerald ash borer: The path to deployment.

Flávia’s awards:

Roger F. Anderson Award for Graduate Student Excellence, Southern Forest Insect Work Conference, Lexington, KY, June 2022.
Professional Development Award, UK Graduate Student Congress, Dec 2021
President’s Prize, Second Place, Oral presentation, Entomological Society of America, November 2021.
Richards Graduate Student Research Activity Award (UK CAFE). October 2019, November 2020.
Publication Acceptance Scholarship, UK Dept of Entomology, May 2020, December 2020.
Publication Submission Scholarship, UK Dept of Entomology, November 2019.
Graduate Student Travel Award. October 2018.

Flávia’s publications:

Tull AR, H Gladfelter, F Pampolini, LK Rieske, CD Nelson, S Merkle. 2022. Development of a new genetic transformation system for white and green ash using embryogenic cultures. Forests DOI: 10.3390/f13050671. Link
Pampolini F, LK Rieske. 2020. Emerald ash borer specific gene silencing has no effect on non-target organisms. Special Issue: New Applications of Insecticidal RNAi, Frontiers in Agronomy 2:608827. doi: 10.3389/fagro.2020.608827. Link.
Pampolini, F, TB Rodrigues, RS Leelesh, T Kawashima, LK Rieske. 2020. Confocal microscopy provides visual evidence and confirms the feasibility of dsRNA delivery to emerald ash borer through plant tissues. Journal of Pest Science DOI: 10.1007/s10340-020-01230-w. Link.

EAB

EAB is causing widespread loss of ash. LaRue Co., March 2021

Mary Wallace, PhD, May 2023 (projected) [Arrived Aug 2019]. mary.wallace@uky.edu. Exploring the potential for managing Scolytinae using RNAi.

Mary’s awards:

First Place, Oral presentation, Southern Forest Insect Work Conference, June 2022.
Publication Acceptance Scholarship, UK Dept of Entomology, December 2021.
President’s Prize, First Place, Oral presentation, Entomological Society of America, November 2021.
Publication Submission Scholarship, UK Dept of Entomology, June 2021.
First Place, Oral presentation, PhD division, North American Forest Insect Work Conference, May 2021.
Mentor Recognition Award (GR-10), UK Graduate Student Congress, May 2021.
2019-2020 Cralle Foundation/Joan Cralle Day Fellowship, University of Kentucky Graduate School. $15000. July 2019.

Mary’s publications:

Wallace, MC, LK Rieske. Ingestion of species-specific dsRNA causes gene knockdown and mortality in the forest pest, Ips calligraphus. Target journal: Pest Management Science; Target submission August 2022.
Hollowell, HM, MC Wallace, and LK Rieske. In review. The trigger for RNA interference to silence essential genes in southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, demonstrates no effect on pine-associated nontarget insects. Agricultural and Forest Entomology; submitted July 2022.
Wallace, MC, LK Rieske. 2021. Validation of reference genes for quantitative PCR in the forest pest, Ips calligraphus. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02890-z. Link.

Ips

Evaluating Ips for gene silencing requires a ready source of beetles, November 2019

Zachary Bragg, PhD Dec 2023 (projected) [Arrived Aug 2019]. zachary.bragg@uky.edu. Uptake and movement of double stranded RNA developed for insect suppression through plant tissues.

Zach’s awards:

Publication Acceptance Scholarship, UK Dept of Entomology, January 2022.
President’s Prize, First Place, Oral presentation, Entomological Society of America, November 2021.
Publication Submission Scholarship, UK Dept of Entomology, June 2021.
Second Place, Oral presentation, MS division, North American Forest Insect Work Conference, May 2021.
President’s Prize, First Place, Oral presentation, Entomological Society of America, November 2020.
Second Place, Oral presentation, MS division, Ohio Valley Entomological Association, October 2019.

Zach’s publications:

Bragg ZA, LK Rieske. In review. Spatial distribution and retention in loblolly pine seedlings of exogenous dsRNAs applied through roots. Target journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences; submitted July 2022.
Bragg ZA, LK Rieske. 2022. Feasibility of systemically applied dsRNAs for pest-specific RNAi-induced gene silencing in white oak. Frontiers in Plant Science. 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.830226. Link.

Evaluating in planta uptake of dsRNAs that induce gene silencing, 2020

Morgan Knutsen, MS, August 2023 (projected) [Arrived Aug 2021] Morgan.knutsen@uky.edu. Investigating the feasibility of RNAi-mediated gene silencing in the redbay ambrosia beetle.

Morgan’s award:

First place, Oral presentation, Southern Forest Insect Work Conference, June 2022

Field collecting laurel wilt disease infected sassafras assures a ready supply of redbay ambrosia beetles for RNAi research. May, 2022

Patrick Simon, MS (non-thesis) [Arrived Aug 2021] patrick.simons@uky.edu. Practicum topic to be determined [currently Forest Health Specialist, Maryland Forest Service].

Some Former Lab Associates

2021

Hannah Hollowell, MS, Aug 2021. Evaluating the specificity of southern pine beetle gene silencing. [currently Forest Health Specialist, Tennessee Division of Forestry].

Hannah’s awards:

First Place, Oral presentation, MS division, North American Forest Insect Work Conference, May 2021.
President’s Prize, First Place, Oral presentation, Entomological Society of America, November 2020.

Hannah’s publication:

Hollowell HM, MC Wallace, and LK Rieske. In review. Southern pine beetle-specific RNA interference exhibits no effect on model nontarget insects. Target journal: Agricultural and Forest Entomology; submitted July 2022.
Hollowell HM, LK Rieske. 2022. Southern pine beetle-specific RNA interference exhibits no effect on model nontarget insects. Journal of Pest Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-021-01473-1

Tree removal permits evaluation of infestation levels and assessment of the efficacy of parasitoid releases

2020

Sarah Pellecchia, MS, May 2020. sarah.pellecchia@uky.edu. Developmental asynchrony affects efficacy of EAB classical biological control agents.

Sarah’s awards:

First Place, Oral presentation, MS division, Southern Forest Insect Work Conference, Savanna, GA, July 2019.

2019

Dr. Ramya, SL, Postdoctoral Scholar (PhD Univ of Mysore, Karnataka, India, 2014). ramya_sl@uky.edu. “Developing delivery applications for RNAi technology in emerald ash borer.” [Currently Visiting Lecturer, University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom]

Ramya’s Publications:

Leelesh, RS, LK Rieske. 2020. Bacterially expressed dsRNA can silence genes and cause mortality in a highly invasive, tree-killing pest, the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennisi. Insects, 11(7), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11070440

Pampolini, FB, TB Rodrigues, RS Leelesh, T Kawashima, LK Rieske. 2020. Confocal microscopy provides visual evidence and confirms the feasibility of dsRNA delivery to emerald ash borer through plant tissues. Journal of Pest Science DOI: 10.1007/s10340-020-01230-w.

At the Southern Forest Insect Work Conference in Savanna, GA July 2019

2018

Dr. Thais Rodrigues, Postdoctoral Scholar (PhD Federal Univ of Lavras, Brazil, 2014), 2016-2018. thaisbarros.bio@gmail.com. “RNAi: an emerging technology for broad scale management of tree killing pests, focusing on emerald ash borer.” [Currently Research Scientist, Molecular Entomology, private industry]

Thais’ publications:

Pampolini, FB, TB Rodrigues, RS Leelesh, T Kawashima, LK Rieske. 2020. Confocal microscopy provides visual evidence and confirms the feasibility of dsRNA delivery to emerald ash borer through plant tissues. Journal of Pest Science DOI: 10.1007/s10340-020-01230-w.
Kyre BR, TB Rodrigues, LK Rieske. 2019. RNA interference and validation of reference genes for gene expression analyses using RT-qPCR in southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis. Scientific Reports 9, 5640. DOI:10.1038/s41598-019-42072-6. Link.
Rodrigues TB, JJ Duan, SR Palli, LK Rieske. 2018. Identification of highly effective target genes for RNAi-mediated control of emerald ash borer, A. planipennis. Scientific Reports 8, 5020. DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-23216-6. Link.
Rodrigues TB, LK Rieske, JJ Duan, K Mogilicherla, SR Palli. 2017. Development of RNAi method for screening candidate genes to control emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis. Scientific Reports 7, 7379. DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-07605-x. Link.

David Olson, MS, May 2018. olsondgm@gmail.com. Emerald ash borer host expansion: Trading an optimal host for enemy free space? [Currently Forest Health Specialist, Nebraska Forest Service]

Dave’s awards:

First Place, Oral presentation, Southern Forest Insect Work Conf., July 2017.
First Place, Oral presentation, MS division, Ohio Valley Entomological Association, October 2017.
Publication Submission Scholarship, UK Dept of Entomology, March 2018.

Dave's Publications:

Olson DG, LK Rieske. 2018. Host range expansion may provide enemy free space for the highly invasive emerald ash borer. Biological Invasions 20, 1-11. DOI:10.1007/s10530-018-1853-6. Link.
Olson DG, LH Townsend, E Roemmele, LK Rieske. 2020. Another look at systemic neonicotinoid applications for emerald ash borer suppression. Arboriculture and Urban Forestry, September issue.

At the Southern Forest Insect Work Conference in San Antonio, July 2018

2017

Dr. Ignazio Graziosi, Postdoctoral Scholar (PhD UK, 2015), 2017. i.graziosi@hotmail.it “Developing integrated approaches to mitigate the emerald ash borer invasion.” [Currently Regulatory Entomologist, EFSA]

Ignazio’s publications:

Graziosi I, LK Rieske. 2018. The EAB discovery trail: A novel approach to engage the public in emerald ash borer research. American Entomologist 64, 190-193. DOI:10.1093/ae/tmy038 Link.
Graziosi I, LK Rieske. 2017. The battle plan: Defining a strategy to manage the emerald ash borer in Kentucky forests. Kentucky Woodlands Magazine. Link.
See also The emerald ash borer discovery trail
See also The emerald ash borer: An imminent threat to European forests

The Forest Entomology lab partners with the US Forest Service and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for an outreach and education event on managing the emerald ash borer

Dr. Sun Shouhui, Visiting Scholar, Shenyang University, China, 2017.

Publications with Shouhui:

Yu, D, F Li, LK Rieske, L-L Sun, S-H Sun. 2018. Transcriptome sequencing for identification of diapause-associated genes in fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea Drury. Gene 668, 229-236. DOI.org/10.1016/j.gene.2018.05.023. Link.

Matthew Savage, MS, 2017. Matthew.savage@uky.edu. Shifting arthropod communities associated with emerald ash borer induced ash mortality. [Currently Tree Care Specialist, private company, Long Island, New York]

Matthew’s awards: