Invasion Biology & Biological Control Lab

Areas of Expertise

Invasion biology; Biological control and integrated management of invasive plants and insects; Insect ecology; Tritrophic interactions; Risk assessment of invasive species

Research interests

I have a broad research interest in invasion ecology and conservation biology. My research focuses on the ecology and management of invasive species in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats.  Specifically I am interested in why exotic plants are invasive in their introduced range, what their impacts on the invaded ecosystem are, and how to suppress their populations below damage levels. Currently I am working with my students and staff in the following aspects:
--Interactions of invasive plants and herbivores
--Biological control of invasive plants and its impact on ecosystem
--Risk assessment of invasive species

Recent Publications

A. Peer Reviewed Research Publications in International Journals (* as of supervisor for the study of the paper)

Mao, R., Lu, X., Ding* J. 2010. The effects of a nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and its interaction with above-ground herbivory on an invasive wetland plant, alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides). Plant Species Biology (accepted)

Guo, W，Li, X., Guo, X., Ding*, J. 2010. Effects of Rhinoncomimus latipes populations on the growth and reproduction of Persicaria perfoliata, an invasive plant in North America. Biocontrol Science and Technology (accepted)

Guo, W., Zhang, J., Li, X., Ding*, J. 2010. Increased reproductive capacity and physical defense but decreased tannin content in an invasive plant. Insect Science (accepted)

Ren, M., Li, X., Guo, X., Ding*, J. 2010. Genetic variation and spread pattern of invasive Conyza sumatrensis around China's Three Gorges Dam. Acta Oecologia (accepted)

Wang. Y., Huang, W., Siemann, E.,  Zou, J., Wheeler, S.G., Carrillo, J., Ding* J. 2010. Lower resistance and higher tolerance of host plants: biological control agents reach high densities but exert weak control. Ecological Applications (accepted) 

Huang, W., Siemann, E., Wheeler, S.G., Zou, J., Carrillo, J., Ding* J. 2010. Resource allocation to defense and growth are driven by different responses to generalist and specialist herbivory in an invasive plant. Journal of Ecology 98: 1157–1167

Sun, Y., Ding* J., Frye, M.J. 2010 Effects of resource availability on tolerance of herbivory in the invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides and the native Alternanthera sessilis. Weed Research (accepted) 

Wang, Y, Wu, K, Ding*, J. 2010. Host specificity of Euops chinesis, a potential biological control agent of Fallopia japonica, an invasive plant in Europe and North America. BioControl55：551-559

Wang Y., Wilson, J, Ding*, J. 2010. Potential impact and non-target effects of Gallerucida bifasciata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a candidate biological control agent for Fallopia japonica. Biological Control 53：319–324

Lu. X., Dai, H., Ding*, J. 2010. Con-specific neighbours may enhance compensation capacity in an invasive plant. Plant Biology 12: 445-452

Lu. X., Ding*, J. 2010. Flooding compromises compensatory capacity of an invasive plant: implications for biological control. Biological Invasions 12: 179-189

Dai, H. Wang Y., Ding* J. 2010. Effects of plant trichomes on herbivores and predators on soybeans. Insect Science 17: 1–8

Zhang, J, Wheeler. S.G., Purcell. M., Ding, J. 2010. Biology, distribution, and field host plants of Macroplea japana in China: an unsuitable candidate for biological control of Hydrilla verticillata. Florida Entomologist 93：116-119 

Ding, J., Blossey B. 2009. Differences in preference and performance of the water lily leaf beetle, Galerucella nymphaeae populations on native and introduced aquatic plants. Environmental Entomology 38: 1653-1660

Wang, Y., Ding*, J., Wheeler, G., Purcell, M. Zhang, G. 2009. Heterapoderopsis bicallosicollis (Coleoptera: Attelabidae), a potential biological control agent for Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera). Environmental Entomology 38(4):1135-1144

Sun, Y, Ding* J., Ren, M. 2009. Effects of simulated herbivory and resource availability on the invasive plant, Alternanthera philoxeroides in different habitats. Biological Control 48: 287–293

Ding, J., Mack, R.N., Lu, L., Ren, M., Huang, H. 2008 China’s booming economy is sparking and accelerating biological invasions. BioScience58: 317-324

Wang, Y., Ding*, J., Zhang, G. 2008. Gallerucida bifasciata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a potential biological control agent for Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica). Biocontrol Science and Technology 18: 59-74

Ding, J., Wang. Y., Jin, X. 2007 Monitoring population growth of Galerucella birmanica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Brasenia schreberi: potential risk in biological control of Trapa natans (Lythraceae) Biological Control 43: 71–77

Ding, J. Blossey, B. Du, Y. Zheng, F. 2006. Galerucella birmanica, a potential biocontrol agent for water chestnut, Trapa natans. Biological Control 36: 80–90

Ding, J., Y. Wu, H. Zheng, Fu, W., R. Reardon, & Liu, M. 2006 Assessing potential biological control of tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima in North America. Biocontrol Science and Technology 16(5/6): 547-566

Ding, J. Blossey, B. Du, Y. Zheng, F. 2006. Galerucella birmanica (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae), a promising potential biocontrol agent of water chestnut, Trapa natans. Biological Control 36: 80–90

Ding, J., Blossey, B. 2005. Invertebrate predation on the water lily beetle, Galerucella nymphaeae(Coleptera:Chrysomelidae), and its implications for potential biological control of water chestnut, Trapa natans. Biological Control 35:17-26

Ding, J., Blossey, B. 2005. Impact of the native water-lily leaf beetle, Galerucella nymphaeae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Attacking Introduced Water Chestnut, Trapa natans in the Northeastern United States. Environmental Entomology 34(3): 683-689

Ding, J., W. Fu, Y. Wu, R. Reardon, & G. Zhang. 2004. Exploratory survey in China for potential insect biocontrol agents of mile-a-minute weed, Polygonum perfoliatum L., in Eastern USA. Biological Control 30 (2): 487-495

Colpetzer, K., J. Hough-Goldstein. J. Ding & Fu, W. 2004. Host specificity of the Asian weevil, Rhinoncomimus latipes Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a potential biological control agent of mile-a-minute weed, Polygonum perfoliatum L. (Polygonales: Polygonaceae). Biological Control 30 (2): 511-522