Dr. Alexandra Revynthi
Assistant Professor - Entomology & Nematology Department
Dr. Revynthi is an Assistant Professor at Tropical Research and Education Center, in Homestead. She holds a PhD in acarology from University of Amsterdam with specialization in behavioral ecology of predatory mites. Dr. Revynthi has a keen interest in arthropod behavior, population dynamics, chemical ecology, biological control and IPM in ornamental crops. Current research and extension efforts focus on developing an IPM program to control the Hibiscus bud weevil (Anthonomus testaceosquamosus), a new invasive species affecting the hibiscus industry in south Florida. Moreover, Dr. Revynthi explores the potential of a predatory mite as a biocontrol agent of the Ficus whitefly (Singhiella simplex). Additionally, she studies acarine pests of agricultural importance and aim to develop IPM programs to control them. Acarine pests of interest include new invasive species such as the Lychee erinose mite (Aceria litchii) and the Hemp russet mite (Aculops cannabicola), as well as established pests such as the Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and the flat mite Brevipalpus yothersi.
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Education
- B.Sc. in Plant Sciences, equivalent to M.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering and Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
- Ph.D. in Acarology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Publications
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Awards and Honors
- 2024 Friend of the Industry Award, issued by FNGLA
- Recipient of the 2023 UF/IFAS Archer Early Career Scientist Seed Grant for project titled "Acaricide resistance on ornamentals: characterization and management".
- Award for the best presentation in the student competition of the Acarological Society of America at the 65th ESA Annual Meeting, 5-8th November, 2017, Denver, USA. Title of paper: “Cannibalistic behavior differs between genders in Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)" Two peer-review manuscripts published in Experimental and Applied Acarology (2018, 74: 239-247; 2020, 82: 185-198)
- Award for the best presentation in the IOBC Working Group "Integrated Control of Plant-Feeding Mites", 4-7th September, 2017, Chania, Greece. Title of paper: “Artificial selection for aerial dispersal tendency in Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)” Manuscript in preparation for submission.
- Second prize in the student competition at the 15th Panhellenic Entomological Congress, Kavala, Greece.Title of the paper: “Chemical alarm communication in Western Flower Thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Insecta: Thripidae).” Book chapter in Context-dependent chemical communication by Paulien J. de Bruin. ISBN: 9789491407185. University of Amsterdam. pp. 95-111.