Julieta Brambila

Laboratory Technician IV
Hemiptera
Phone: 352-372-3505 x 448
Fax: 352-334-0737
s-Mail: PO Box 147100,Gainesville, FL 32614-7100
e-Mail:brambij@doacs.state.fl.us
University of Florida

I am working on my dissertation on the taxonomy of the genus Botocudo (Hemiptera: Lygaeoidea)

I am interested in the taxonomy and biology of the genera Botocudo, Cligenes, Valeris, and others in the tribe Antillocorini of Lygaeoidea: Rhyparochromidae, especially Cligenes, which occurrs in Florida.

I am interested in the ecology of Holcocranum saturejae, an artheneid lygaeoid which was accidentally introduced into the United States; it feeds on Typha spp. (Cattails).

I try to document the spread in Floria of the above-mentioned cattail seed feeder as well as of Spartocera batatas, a coreid hemipteran that feeds on Ipomoea spp. This species is also exotic and was introduced into south Florida a few years ago.

While I am in DPI I am interested more broadly in any new introduction of lygaeoids in the state and in learning all I can of Lygaeoidea for Florida. I have been given the responsibility at FSCA by Dr. Halbert to identify all lygaeids (=now called lygaeoids) submitted for identification via the mail system. Dr. Richard M. Baranowski or Dr. James A. Slater at present verifiy most of my identifications.

Other interests include collecting parasitoids of spiders and of spider eggs. One of my major interests is the Ichneumonidae family of parasitoid wasps, with special interest in the biology and taxonomy of the Cryptini (=Mesostenini tribe, =Phygadeuontini tribe) of Gelinae and can identify cryptines of Florida.

My interests also include botany and most especially I am interested in learning how exotic insects affect or interact with native plants and how insects and spiders are introduced into Florida with the introduction of exotic plants.