Dr. Martini, Xavier

Associate Professor

Entomology

My appointment is 70% Research and 30% Extension. Through the study of the ecology and behavior of the insect vectors of major plant pathogens in Florida, the focus of my program is to develop effective and bio-rational integrated pest management strategies to control the diseases they carry. Eventually, my research will lead to improvements in grower profitability, reduced environmental risks and improved sustainability of crop production.

PROGRAMS

Research Focus:
Insect Pest Vectors
Chemical Ecology
Insect Behavior
Intergrated Pest Management

Extension Focus:
Horticulture insect pests
Citrus insect pests

• Research

  Dr Martini’s research focuses on different insect pest vectors of plant pathogens. The common ground of my program involves applied chemical ecology (i.e. plant-insect communication), and development of environmentally sound methods to control these pests. My research focuses on four main projects.

  

  1. Asian citrus psyllid. Since my arrival to the University of Florida, I have been interested in the ecology and behavior of the Asian citrus psyllid, the vector of the pathogen that causes citrus greening.  Citrus greening has destroyed the citrus industry in south and central Florida, infecting 80% of the citrus cultivated. Until recently, D. citri was not found north of Gainesville; However, We have recently discovered that the Asian citrus psyllid is established in North Florida, mostly in urban habitats and is able to survive winter temperatures below 32° F (article in preparation). This is concerning as my research demonstrated that D. citri can disperse several kilometers during both spring and summer, using wind currents as a carrier. However, we have observed that windbreaks contribute to reduce psyllid migrations within citrus groves and protect citrus grove against citrus leafminers. Manipulaitng habitat by planting windbreaks offers an important non-chemical management tool.
  2. The Redbay ambrosia beetle (RAB) is the vector of the fungus responsible for laurel wilt disease that has been destructive to trees in the family Lauraceae in Southeastern forests of United States. We studied the chemical ecology of the beetles and demonstrated that glabratus is repelled by volatiles associated to salicylic acid pathway systemic response. The identified repellents have been used in field situations to decrease infestations of X. glabratus against redbay and avocado. Recently, these repellents have been integrated in two push-pull systems that are particularly efficient in reducing the number of ambrosia beetles attacking redbay and avocado, respectively (one article submitted, one in preparation). 
  3. Vegetable entomology. North Florida vegetable production is hampered by a complex of generalist insects. Among them, thrips and whiteflies cause the highest losses by transmitting multiple plant viruses. Therefore, I have initiated a program to study the ecology and behavior of thrips and whitefly and their associated natural enemies. Among them, the minute pirate bug (MPB) have shown very high capabilities in controlling thrips populations. We first developed a new rearing method for MPB (article in preparation). We now are studying how MPB uses thrips cues (such as thrips odors, and thrips ‘footprints’) to locate preys. We found that MPB are using thrips walking trails to find their prey (article in preparation). We developed a new trap method to sample thrips and whiteflies in vegetables. We established the phenology and the distribution of thrips affecting onion in north Florida.  Regarding whiteflies, we are examining their host preference and how chemical cues interact with visual cues. We demonstrated that whiteflies are attracted to geminivrius-infected plants due to the yellowing of the host leaves and changes in volatile emissions. Based on this knowledge, we are developing a push-pull system to control whiteflies in cucurbits using kaolin, visual attractants and repellents.
  4. Rose rosette disease. The Rose Rosette Virus (RRV) is transmitted by the eriophyid mite, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus. Florida is an important producer of roses, and arrival of the disease in our state could be detrimental for the horticultural industry.  A new PhD student, funded with a USDA-NIFA grant, has initiated a program on the chemical ecology of the disease and biological control of the mite. Notably, he is studying changes in headspace volatiles released after viral infection, and he is investigating the use of salicylic acid pathway stimulant and predatory mites to control the eriophyid mites. We are currently conducting a survey of the predatory mites present in ornamental rose that have potential as biological control agents against P. fructiphilus
• Extension

  Dr Martini's Extension program uses the findings from my research program to educate growers on insect pest management for different commodities grow in north Florida. The goal of my program is to ensure positive impact on pest management efficiency, technology adoption, and enhancement of grower knowledge. I also look for feedback from growers, to identify what research area will be meaningful for them to investigate. Considering the diversity of crops grown in north Florida, my goal is to work in collaboration with growers from different commodities. I am part of a number of different focus teams within the NFREC: the rose production team, the tomato production team, and the citrus team. In addition, I am also the scientific advisor for the Cold Hardy Citrus Association. This involvement helps me to identify and address key pest management issues facing growers in north Florida. I work closely with Extension faculty from Franklin, Bay, Jefferson, Gulf and Suwannee Counties in developing my Extension program. Information on my programs is disseminated to county faculty, growers and citizen using online publications, talks at Extension meetings, posters and when needed, one-on-one interactions. Since I started my new position at the NFREC in September 2016, I developed my Extension appointment in two main areas: citrus entomology and vegetable entomology.

  To review publications please use the Extension link provided under the Publications dropdown located on the right side of my page.

• Education
  • Ph.D. Ecology, University of Toulouse, France 2010
  • M.S. Entomolgy, University of Tours, France 2005
  • B.S. Populations and Ecosystems Biology, University of Toulouse, France 2002
• Publications

  Research

  Extension

• Professional Service and Awards
  • Associate Editor for the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.
  • 2016: Royal Entomological Society Award for the best paper published in Agricultural and Forest Entomology
  • 2015: Inaugural recipient of the Postdoc of the Month Award awarded by the Journal of Postdoctoral Research
• Lab Group (Current & Alumni)

  Current Members:

  Name	Education
  Derrick Conover, Lab Manager	Derrick earned his B.S. in Entomology from the University of Florida in 2014. He continued his education receiving a M.S in Environmental Science and Management from Sacred Heart University, studying Histerid beetle ecology in intertidal zones. Currently Derrick has been studying the development of a push pull system to manage the Redbay ambrosia Beetle, the primary vector of laurel wilt in Bay trees.
  Nicholas Johnston, PhD Student	Graduated from Bryan College magna cum laude in 2015 with a B.S. in biology. In 2016, Nicholas entered University of Florida’s Graduate School and earned an M.S. in entomology and nematology. He continues to pursue a doctoral degree at UF with his research focusing primarily on the behavior and management of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, as well as the ecological and agricultural interactions relating to tomato yellow leaf curl virus
  Austin Fife, PhD Student	Austin has a B.S. in Biology/ Zoology from Brigham Young University (Idaho) and a MSc in Entomology from the University of Idaho. His research focuses on biological control using predatory mites to manage an invasive rose mite Phyllocoptes fructiphilus. P. fructiphilus is the vector of Rose Rosette Virus, a devastating disease of roses.
  Iris Strzyzewski, PhD Student	Iris received her bachelor’s in chemistry from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, in 2013. She received her master’s of science in entomology at the University of Florida in 2015, working on characterizing flower thrips injury in Florida strawberry. She started her PhD. in 2018, with the Martini lab,working on developing an ‘attract and reward’ strategy in bell pepper for the minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus Say.
  Rowda Altamimi, MS Student	Rowda is  from the United Arab Emirates. She has a  B.Sc. in biology and is am currently pursuing a M.Sc. in Entomology. Her thesis focuses on the topic of ants in citrus. Different aspects such as the interactions between ants and various citrus pests, role of predatory ants and alternative non-insecticidal control methods will be explored.
  Kathi Malfa, Lab Technician
  Maclane Suber, OPS

  
  Alumni (Former Bio Scientist/Post Doc/Students/):

  Name	Education
  Edward Tracyzk,  MS Student	Graduated in 2019