David Gray - Forest Entomology/Natural Disturbances
Name: David Gray
Field of Expertise: Forest Entomology/Natural Disturbances
Education: Ph.D. in Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic & State University
Works at: Natural Resources Canada’s Atlantic Forestry Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick
What he studies
Dr. Gray studies how temperature affects the phenology (i.e., seasonal progression of the life-cycle) of insects and how annual temperature patterns can be used to estimate the probability of introduction and spread of alien insects to novel areas. His work has involved a combination of detailed physiological experiments in the laboratory and computer modelling.
What is the importance of his research?
Each year enormous efforts are expended to examine ships arriving from Asia because of the danger of them carrying unwanted insect pests, particularly the gypsy moth. Dr. Gray’s model of gypsy moth phenology uses temperature records at the port of origin, and shipping schedules to estimate the probability that a given ship is carrying gypsy moths that could become established at the Canadian destination.
Interesting fact
Phenology models are common in forestry and agriculture, but very few can give accurate simulations over large, climatically diverse landscapes such as Canada. Dr. Gray’s model is geographically robust, thanks primarily to accurately capturing how temperature of a location affects when insects emerge from overwintering conditions.
Current research projects
In addition to ongoing phenology work, Dr. Gray is also working on an examination of the environmental factors (climate and forest habitat) that affect the duration and severity of spruce budworm outbreaks.
Key publications
Hansen, E. M., B. J. Bentz, J. A. Powell, D. R. Gray, and J. C. Vandygriff. (2011). Prepupal diapause and instar iv developmental rates of the spruce beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), Journal of Insect Physiology, 57, 1347–1357.
Gray, D. R. (2010). Hitchhikers on trade routes: a phenology model estimates the probabilities of gypsy moth introduction and establishment, Ecological Applications, 20, 2300–2309.
Gray, D. R. (2004). The gypsy moth life stage model: landscape-wide estimates of gypsy moth establishment using a multi-generational phenology model, Ecological Modelling, 176, 155–171.
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