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Northern Research Station
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You are here: NRS Home / Scientists & Staff / Andrew Liebhold
Scientists & Staff

[image:] Andrew Liebhold Andrew Liebhold

Title: Research Entomologist
Unit: Ecology and Management of Invasive Species and Forest Ecosystems
Address: Northern Research Station
180 Canfield St.
Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: 304-285-1512
E-mail: Contact Andrew Liebhold

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Education

  • Postdoctoral, University of Massachusetts (1984-88)
  • Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, Entomology (1984)
  • B.S., Allegheny College, Biology (1978)

Civic & Professional Affiliations

  • Leader IUFRO research group 7.03.00, Entomology
  • Adjunct Faculty, Dept. of Entomology, Pennsylvania State Univ.
  • Adjunct Faculty, Dept. Geology & Geography, West Virginia Univ.
  • Elected Member, Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). World Conservation Union (IUCN)
  • Research Associate, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Associate Editor, Canadian Entomologist
  • Associate Editor, Population Ecology
  • Editorial Board, Journal of Forest Research

Current Research

Population biology of biological invasions

Much of my research focuses on understanding ecological processes operating during the arrival, establishment, and spread phases of biological invasions. In particular, I am interested in understanding these processes as the basis for more effective strategies to exclude invaders, prevent establishment (eradication) and contain the spread of invading forest pests. This work includes studies on the gypsy moth, Sirex woodwasp, beech bark disease, Japanese oak wilt disease, emerald ash borer and hemlock woolly adelgid.

Forest insect population dynamics

I am interested in understanding the processes that are responsible for the spatial and temporal patterns of forest insect outbreaks. Many insect species exhibit periodic population oscillations that occur synchronously over large areas but we have only a partial understanding of the population processes (interactions with predators, parasitoids, host plants and disease) that cause these patterns. Analyses of historical data and mathematical models are applied to explore these relationships. This work focuses on the gypsy moth, but includes several other forest insect species as well.

Why is This Important

North America is currently experiencing an onslaught of invasions by damaging forest pest species. We need to develop more effective strategies for mitigating this problem. Unfortunately, there are often few options for preventing or minimizing the impacts of these invasions but the development of a clearer understanding of the invasion process is critical for the development of more effective management strategies.

Forest insect outbreaks have a multitude of ecological and economic impacts but currently we have a very limited ability to either predict or prevent such outbreaks. Knowledge of the underlying processes that generate outbreaks is critical for improving our ability to forecast and manage outbreaks in the future.

Featured Publications

Additional Online Publications

Other Publications by Andrew Liebhold *

  • Aukema, Juliann E.; McCullough,Deborah G.; Von Holle, Betsy; Liebhold, Andrew M.; Britton, Kerry; Frankel, Susan J. 2010. Historical accumulation of nonindigenous forest pests in the continental United States. BioScience 60(11): 886-897.
  • Robinet, C.; Lance, D.R.; Thorpe, K.W.; Tcheslavskaia, K.S.; Tobin, P.C.; Liebhold, A.M. 2008. Dispersion in time and space affect mating success and Allee effects in invading gypsy moth populations. Journal of Animal Ecology. 77: 966-973.

*Due to policy or copyright restrictions, we are unable to provide full-text versions of these publications. Please check with your local library or Contact Andrew Liebhold to inquire about reprints.

Last Modified: 02/15/2012