James Brown

Education

• 2024 PhD Entomology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
  Advisor: Dr. Oscar Liburd
  • Dissertation: An Ecological Evaluation of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in
    Conventional, Organic, and Natural Systems with Implications for IPM decision-making
• 2019 MS Entomology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
  Advisor: Dr. Dan Hahn
  • Thesis: The Association between lipid stores and diapause genotype among European corn borers, Ostrinia nubilalis (LEPIDOPTERA: CRAMBIDAE)
• 2010 BS Biological Sciences, University of Maryland – College Park, College Park, MD.

Biography

My entomology career began at the USDA-CMAVE Agricultural Research Service in Gainesville, Florida. As a technician, I worked in a lab studying corn pests and the biocontrol insects that love them – and it has been entomology ever since. I went on to complete my PhD at the University of Florida with Dr. Oscar Liburd, investigating ways to improve Drosophila suzukii (SWD) management in small fruits using chemical ecology and classical biological control. Before joining UW-Madison, I was a postdoc at UC-Berkeley, where I worked to solve grower issues in California’s grape and berry by focusing on optimizing insecticide application and biological control.

Research Interests

As an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Fruit Crop Entomology, my job is to provide growers with biologically relevant pest management strategies that build ecological and economic resilience. My program serves Wisconsin’s $1 billion cranberry industry, as well as apples, grapes, and other berry producers. My research program is a partnership with fruit crop growers and sits at the intersection of insect ecology, behavior, physiology, and chemical ecology, with a focus on validating emerging agricultural technologies.

Mentorship

Mentoring has been central to my success as a scientist, and (I believe) it is one of the most significant impacts I can make as an academic. My philosophy centers on skill-building, hands-on field and laboratory experimentation, and direct engagement with other academic and industry partners. The goal is for trainees to develop confidence in themselves and exit the program equipped to make a positive impact on their profession.

Publications

Online Profiles

• Google Scholar

Selected Publications

• Brown, J.T., Lopez, M., and Daane, K.M., 2025. Efficacy of PREV-AM and Assail for vine mealybug
  management on grapevine trunks, 2024. Arthropod Management Tests, 50(1).
• Brown, J.T., Tanner, J., Lopez, M., and Daane, K.M., 2025. Evaluating the application interval of inseason
  drip and foliar insecticides for vine mealybug management in grapes, 2024. Arthropod
  Management Tests, 50(1).
• Brown, J.T., Lopez, M., and Daane, K., 2025. Comparison of drip and foliar-applied insecticides for
  mealybug management in grapes, 2024. Arthropod Management Tests, 50(1).
• Flores, C.J., Henry, E.E., Brown, J.T., and Daane, K.M., 2025. Novel insecticide for green stink bug
  management in pomegranates, 2024. Arthropod Management Tests, 50(1).
• Meagher, R.L., Brown, J.T., Miller, N., Fleischer, S.J., Bowers, K., Hight, S.D., Legaspi, J.C., Brown, R.C.,
  Nagoshi, R.N., and Wright, D.L., 2023. Comparison of carabid densities in different cover crop
  species in north Florida. Florida Entomologist, 106(4), pp.220-229.
• Meagher, R.L., Nagoshi, R.N., Fleischer, S.J., Westbrook, J.K., Wright, D.L., Morris, J.B., Brown, J.T., and
  Rowley, A.J., 2022. Areawide management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera:
  Noctuidae), using selected cover crop plants. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience 3. 1-10.
• Meagher Jr, R.L., Watrous, K.M., Fleischer, S.J., Nagoshi, R.N., Brown, J.T. and Westbrook, J.K., 2021.
  Comparison of bee composition in sunnhemp and other cover crops. Florida Entomologist 103(4).
  419-424.
• Meagher Jr, R.L., Watrous, K.M., Fleischer, S.J., Nagoshi, R.N., Brown, J.T., Bowers, K., Miller, N., Hight,
  S.D., Legaspi, J.C., and Westbrook, J.K., 2019. Documenting potential Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea
  L.) (Fabaceae) pollinators in Florida. Environmental Entomology 48(2). 343-350.
• Meagher, R.L., Nagoshi, R.N., Brown, J.T., Fleischer, S.J., Westbrook, J.K., and Chase, C.A., 2017.
  Flowering of the cover crop sunn hemp, Crotalaria juncea L. HortScience 52(7). 986-990.
• Rabinowitz, R., Rowley, A.L., Brown, J.T., Meagher, R.L., and Bala, R., 2015. Feeding deterrence and
  inhibitory effects of bee balm (Monarda didyma) leaves on fall armyworm. In Proceedings of the
  Florida State Horticultural Society 128. 162-165.