William Jacob Pitt is joining the Northfield lab as a post-doc. Jacob obtained his PhD in Entomology within the Department of Agricultural Biology at Colorado State University. His research primarily focused on understanding the effects of plant species on aphid transmission of potato virus Y (PVY), one of the most important pathogens of potato. Specifically, he studied the influence of crop diversity on PVY prevalence and aphid communities in the San Luis Valley, CO. He also collaborated with the USDA-ARS in Wapato to perform gut content analysis with aphids for the first time and was able to identify potential PVY reservoirs that aphids fed on. Further, he studied the ability of the cannabis aphid to transmit PVY and found that this previously undocumented vector species is actually an efficient vector. His research provided information that will enable the development of improved management strategies for PVY.
Jacob’s work in the Northfield lab will explore aspects of X-disease phytoplasma transmission by leafhopper vectors. He will be using the electrical penetration graph technique to determine specific leafhopper feeding behaviors during transmission of the phytoplasma.
