About

Flor Edith Acevedo is an Assistant Professor of Entomology/Arthropod Ecology at the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center, Penn State Behrend Campus. Her research centers on elucidating basic mechanisms that shape interactions among insects, plants, and their associated symbionts, with the ultimate goal of enhancing host plant resistance to insect pests. Her work includes identifying chemical cues and signals used by insects for host recognition, characterizing constitutive and herbivore-induced plant defenses, and understanding the role of associated symbionts in insect-plant interactions. Her lab integrates both basic and applied research to develop useful tools for insect pest management strategies. Her expertise encompasses molecular and chemical ecology of insect-plant interactions, insect biology and ecology, sensory biology, and biological control. Dr. Acevedo holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from The Pennsylvania State University and a B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Caldas, Colombia. Her research has contributed to understanding plant defense responses, insect behavior, and symbiont roles in pest interactions, with numerous publications in the field.

Research topics

• Biology
• Botany
• Ecology
• Genetics
• Agronomy

Selected publications

• Silicon for the control of insect herbivores in agronomic crops

  Advances in botanical research · 2026-01-01

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Assessing the potential economic impacts of spotted lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) infestations on grape production in New York State

  Journal of Integrated Pest Management · 2025-01-01 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Lycorma delicatula, known as the spotted lanternfly, an insect native to Asia, feeds on a broad range of plant species in the United States, including tree of heaven, black walnut, silver and red maple, and grapes. As of early 2024, grape growers in New York State have not reported spotted lanternfly-related issues. In contrast, growers in Pennsylvania experienced significant losses during the early years of infestation, with some vineyards replanting due to vine death caused by spotted lanternfly. Over time, Pennsylvania growers developed management strategies, but the threat remains significant. We hypothesize that New York grape growers, informed by the economic impacts faced by Pennsylvania growers, will adopt a risk-averse approach and will be better prepared to combat spotted lanternfly. This manuscript examines spotted lanternfly biology, life stages, and host plants while estimating potential economic impacts to inform growers, stakeholders, and policymakers about the potential economic losses in New York grape production. If left uncontrolled or if growers are uninformed and unprepared, economic losses in the Lake Erie and Finger Lakes regions could escalate significantly, reaching up to $1.5, $4, and $8.8 million in the first, second, and third years of infestation, respectively. These figures underscore the critical importance of proactive management and preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of spotted lanternfly infestations on agricultural economies. We also discuss the implication of these findings in management and regulatory efforts. Future research should focus on establishing the appropriate economic thresholds and conducting cost–benefit analyses of various pest control measures in grape production in New York.

  PublisherDOI

• Pest and host associations that transcend time: Assessing the impact of climate change on grape berry moth (Paralobesia viteana) and its hosts Vitis riparia and Vitis labrusca in North America

  2025-09-19

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The grape berry moth (GBM) Paralobesia viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an important pest of grapes in Eastern North America. The insect is native to this region and co-evolved with wild grapevine hosts long before the beginning of viticulture. The geographic distribution of this pest is influenced by the distribution of its hosts and by unknown environmental factors. In agriculture, Species Distribution Models (SDMs) can help predict the effects of environmental variables and changing climate on the geographic suitability of pests and their hosts, guiding preparation for potential pest expansions. This study predicted the potential geographic distribution of GBM and two of its host plants, Vitis labrusca and Vitis riparia, across the United States (U.S.) and Canada in the current time and under two climate change scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) and periods (2021-2040 and 2041-2060) using the Random Forest algorithm. The results show that habitat suitability for the three species was primarily determined by temperature and precipitation. The temperature annual range and the precipitation of the driest month were the variables with the greatest influence on GBM distribution, whereas the mean temperature of the warmest quarter contributed the most to V. labrusca and V. riparia SDMs. Shared suitable areas for GBM and its two hosts in current time predictions were 9.7% and 1.76% in the U.S. and Canada territories, respectively. In future climatic scenarios, these shared suitable areas are predicted to increase by 3.3–4.5% in the Northeast and Midwest U.S. and by 7.8–13% in Eastern Canada. These findings suggest an increase in pest pressure in the U.S. and Canada in future climatic conditions, providing the basis for proactive pest monitoring, breeding for drought and cold grapevine tolerance, and adaptive vineyard management to mitigate the risks associated with climate change.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Biological control under climate change: Distribution patterns of the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus and two of its parasitoids in the Americas

  PLoS ONE · 2025-06-11 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Climate change affects the distribution of insects, such as pests and parasitoids. Species Distribution Models (SDMs) have been developed to determine distribution patterns and risk areas for pests and biological control agents under different climate change scenarios. The South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an important pest of cultivated fruits throughout the Americas that can be controlled by natural enemies, such as the native parasitoid Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the introduced parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). However, the control efficacy and parasitism performance of these organisms could be affected by changing environmental conditions. SDMs were conducted using Random Forest to predict suitable areas for the establishment of A. fraterculus, D. areolatus, and D. longicaudata under different climate scenarios or Representative Concentration Pathways (SSPs) (SSP 2-4.5 and 5-8.8) in two different periods (2021-2040 and 2041-2060). Our results predicted an increase in suitable areas for A. fraterculus in the Americas, especially in some South American countries such as Colombia and Brazil. Moreover, the projected distribution of these species is intricately linked to the regional climatic patterns. Temperate and tropical areas were more suitable for the establishment of A. fraterculus; D. areolatus was better suited to temperate climates; while tropical climates were more suitable for D. longicaudata. Suitable areas for the establishment of both parasitoid species were predicted to increase in future climate scenarios, with D. longicaudata having a greater geographical expansion than D. areolatus. These parasitoids could be used as biocontrol agents in almost all areas suitable for the establishment of A. fraterculus.

  PublisherDOI

• Spotted lanternflies love grapevines, and that’s bad for Pennsylvania’s wine industry

  2025-07-11

  preprint1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Exploring natural allies: Survey and identification of larval parasitoids of the American grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in northwestern Pennsylvania

  PLoS ONE · 2025-05-19 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The American grape berry moth (GBM), Paralobesia viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an economically important pest of grapes. The larvae of this insect burrow inside the fruit upon hatching, consuming, and contaminating grapes and clusters. Current GBM management relies on pesticide applications, which do not offer complete protection due to the cryptic behavior of the larvae and asynchrony in egg-laying, highlighting the need to develop new management strategies. In this study, we identified GBM larval parasitoids in commercial vineyards and quantified their parasitism rates. Parasitoid samplings were conducted biweekly in six conventionally managed 'Concord' vineyards in Erie County, Pennsylvania, during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. GBM-infested samples were monitored daily to track the emergence of both parasitoids and GBM, enabling the calculation of parasitism rates. We identified eight parasitoid species: Enytus obliteratus (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Campoplex tortricidis (Cushman) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Scambus spp. Hartig (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Glypta cf. depressa Dasch, Glypta cf. ohioensis Dasch, and Glypta cf. ignota Dasch (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae); Bracon variabilis (Provancher) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and Goniozus fratellus Evans (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) preying on GBM larvae. From these, B. variabilis, E. obliteratus, and G. fratellus were the most abundant. We also designed a graphic taxonomic key to facilitate the identification of these species. The parasitoid abundance differed over the growing season but was greatest in early August, reaching parasitism rates of up to 39% and 52.1% in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Our results demonstrate that GBM has several larval parasitoids that help reduce its populations in commercial vineyards. This research represents a first step toward our understanding of the GBM native natural enemies present in the Lake Erie Region and their potential use in pest management programs.

  PublisherDOI

• Pest and Host Associations That Transcend Time: Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Grape Berry Moth ( <i>Paralobesia viteana</i> ) and Its Hosts <i>Vitis riparia</i> and <i>Vitis labrusca</i> in North America

  Ecology and Evolution · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  ABSTRACT The grape berry moth (GBM) Paralobesia viteana (Clemens, 1860) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an important pest of grapes in Eastern North America. The insect is native to this region and co‐evolved with wild grapevine hosts long before the beginning of viticulture. The geographic distribution of this pest is influenced by the distribution of its hosts and by unknown environmental factors. In agriculture, species distribution models (SDMs) can help predict the effects of environmental variables and changing climate on the geographic suitability of pests and their hosts, guiding preparation for potential pest expansions. This study predicted the potential geographic distribution of GBM and two of its host plants, Vitis labrusca and Vitis riparia , across the United States (U.S.) and Canada in the current time and under two climate change scenarios (SSP2–4.5 and SSP5–8.5) and periods (2021–2040 and 2041–2060) using the Random Forest algorithm. The results show that habitat suitability for the three species was primarily determined by temperature and precipitation. The temperature annual range and the precipitation of the driest month were the variables with the greatest influence on GBM distribution, whereas the mean temperature of the warmest quarter contributed the most to V. labrusca and V. riparia SDMs . Shared suitable areas for GBM and its two hosts in current time predictions were 9.7% and 1.76% in the U.S. and Canada territories, respectively. In future climatic scenarios, these shared suitable areas are predicted to increase by 3.3%–4.5% in the Northeast and Midwest U.S. and by 7.8%–13% in Eastern Canada. These findings predict an increase in pest pressure in the U.S. and Canada in future climatic conditions, providing the basis for proactive pest monitoring, breeding for drought and cold grapevine tolerance, and adaptive vineyard management to mitigate the risks associated with climate change.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• LdEP01, the first characterized Lycorma delicatula salivary effector protein modulates plant defenses

  Molecular Biology Reports · 2025-12-11

  articleOpen access

  The spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is a polyphagous invasive species in the United States known for causing significant damage to grapevines. This phloem-feeding insect secretes saliva containing effector proteins at the time of feeding, allowing for the ingestion of the phloem’s nutrients. The mechanisms that SLF uses to modulate plant defenses and feed efficiently remain unknown and understudied. Methods and Results: We identified LdEP01, an SLF predicted secreted effector protein with a FK506 binding protein (FKBP)-type domain and two EF-hand Ca2+ binding domains. LdEP01 is highly expressed in the salivary glands compared to the SLF’s full body. LdEP01 modulates plant defenses by suppressing cytosolic calcium accumulation and suppressing hypersensitive response (HR). Functional analysis confirmed that LdEP01 binds to calcium but does not undergo conformational change when bound to calcium. Conclusions: These findings suggest that LdEP01 plays a crucial role in modulating plant defenses, allowing SLF to feed efficiently on plants.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The spotted lanternfly’s ability to reproduce is significantly reduced when fed exclusively on grapevines

  Environmental Entomology · 2025-05-07 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) poses a significant threat to the US grape and wine industry. Spotted lanternfly feeding affects crop yield and fruit quality while increasing production costs through the increased use of insecticides for its management. This insect has a broad host range with tree of heaven and grapevines being preferred hosts. Although spotted lanternfly can develop when feeding solely on grapevines, the extent to which different grape cultivars support its survival and reproduction is less clear. We investigated the effect of grapevines and tree of heaven diets on spotted lanternfly survival, development, and reproduction. We fed nymphs and adults on either single or mixed diets of tree of heaven and 4 grapevine cultivars: 'Cabernet Franc' (Vitis vinifera), 'Chardonnay' (V. vinifera), 'Concord' (V. labrusca), and 'Sugargate' (Muscadinia rotundifolia). We found that single Sugargate diets supported spotted lanternfly development only to the fourth-instar stage. The development time was consistent across diet treatments, but reproduction varied significantly. Spotted lanternfly fed exclusively on grapevines had limited reproductive capability, with only 2 out of 5 females in the Chardonnay treatment laying a single egg mass each, averaging 13 eggs. While spotted lanternflies fed on mixed diets or single tree of heaven laid an average of 2.53 egg masses and 89.7 eggs per female. In conclusion, some single grapevine diets support development to adulthood but reproduction is limited without tree of heaven. This suggests that reducing tree of heaven near vineyards could help growers manage spotted lanternfly populations and minimize crop damage.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Diversity of bacterial symbionts associated with the tropical plant bug Monalonion velezangeli (Hemiptera: Miridae) revealed by high-throughput 16S-rRNA sequencing

  Peer Community Journal · 2024-01-29 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Insects and microbes have developed complex symbiotic relationships that evolutionarily and ecologically play beneficial roles for both, the symbiont and the host. In most Hemiptera insects, bacterial symbionts offer mainly nutritional, defensive, and reproductive roles in addition to promoting the adaptive radiation of several hemipteran phytophagous lineages. The tropical plant bug Monalonion velezangeli (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a polyphagous herbivore considered an important insect pest for several economically relevant tropical crops, but information about the composition of its bacterial microbiota was missing. In this study, we describe the diversity and structure of the bacterial microbiota in the nymph and adult life stages of M . velezangeli using Illumina high-throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicons (meta-barcoding). We found that both insect life stages share a similar microbiota in terms of bacterial diversity and community structure. The intracellular symbiont Wolbachia dominated the overall microbiome composition (~92%) in these life stages. Members of the core microbiota include Wolbachia, Romboutsia , Ignavibacterium , Clostridium , Allobaculum , Paracoccus , Methylobacterium , Faecalibacterium , Collinsella , Rothia , Sphingomonas and 4 other undetermined bacterial genera. Based on PCR screening and DNA sequencing of the wsp gene, Wolbachia infection was confirmed in almost 80% of samples, and represented by two different isolates or strains within the supergroup B. This data offers opportunities for studying the contribution of symbiotic bacteria in the biological performance of this insect pest, and provides a base to explore other insect control methods.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Pablo Benavides

  Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café

  129 shared

• Lucio Navarro-Escalante

  Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café

  121 shared

• Gary W. Felton

  Pennsylvania State University

  14 shared

• Michelle Peiffer

  8 shared

• Dawn S. Luthe

  Pennsylvania State University

  7 shared

• Swayamjit Ray

  Cornell University

  7 shared

• Luis Miguel Constantino

  4 shared

• Kelli Hoover

  4 shared

Labs

• Grozinger LabPI

Education

• Ph.D., Entomology

  Pennsylvania State University

  2013

• M.S., Entomology

  University of Florida

  2007

• B.S., Entomology

  University of Florida

  2005