Christopher M. Ranger

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Adjunct Assistant Professor, OSU CFAES Entomology

christopher.ranger@ars.usda.gov

330-464-0311

Office:

Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS, Horticultural Insects Research Lab

1680 Madison Ave., Wooster OH, 44691

Professional Information

Degrees & Credentials:

Ph.D. 2004. University of Missouri-Columbia

M.S. 1999. The Pennsylvania State University

B.S. 1997. The Ohio State University

Interests & Expertise:

Chemical ecology

Plant-insect interactions

Plant defenses against insects

IPM strategies for nursery and greenhouse ornamental crops

Biography:

The core of my research program uses principles of chemical ecology and plant-insect interactions to exploit biological weaknesses and develop novel strategies for managing horticultural insect pests, particularly ambrosia beetles. I am especially interested in the mechanisms by which abiotic and biotic stressors predispose ornamental nursery trees to attack by ambrosia beetles. Additional projects focus on characterizing and developing botanically-based alternatives to conventional insecticides for key horticultural insect pests.

Professional Appointments:

Research Entomologist. 2006-Present. USDA-ARS. Horticultural Insects Research Lab. Application Technology Research Unit. Wooster, Ohio.

Postdoctoral Research Associate. 2004-2006. Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey.

Works

Selected Publications:

Addesso, K., Baysal-Gurel, F., Oliver, J., Ranger C. M., O’Neal, P. 2018. Interaction of a fungicide preventative treatment and root rot pathogen on ambrosia beetle attacks during a simulated flood event. Insects 9, 83.
Ranger, C. M., Biedermann, P. H. W., Phuntumart, V., Beligala, G. U., Ghosh, S., Palmquist, D. E., Mueller, R., Barnett, J., Schultz, P. B., Reding, M. E., Benz, J. P. 2018. Symbiont selection via alcohol benefits fungus farming by ambrosia beetles. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 115: 4447-4452.
Miller, D. R., Crowe, C. M., Ginzel, M. D., Ranger, C. M., Schultz, P. B. 2018. Comparison of baited bottle and multiple-funnel traps for ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Eastern USA. Journal of Entomological Science 53: 347-360.
Frank, S. D, Ranger, C. M., Anderson, A.L. 2017. Interaction of insecticide and media moisture on ambrosia beetle attacks in ornamental nurseries. Environmental Entomology 46: 1390-1396.
Reding, M. E., Ranger, C. M. 2017. Residue age and tree attractiveness influence efficacy of insecticide treatments against ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 111: 269-276.
Klingeman, W. E., Bray, A. M., Oliver, J. B., Ranger, C. M., Palmquist, D. E. 2017. Trap deployments in black walnut tree canopies help inform monitoring strategies for bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Environmental Entomology 46: 1120-1129.
Oliver, J. B., Ranger, C. M., Reding, M. E., Youssef, N. N., and Moyseenko, J. J. 2017. Single and combination insecticides evaluated as regulatory immersion treatments to eliminate third-instar Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from small diameter field-grown and containerized nursery plants. Journal of Entomological Science 52: 274-287.
Mayers, C. G., Harrington, T., Ranger, C. M. 2017. First report of a sexual state in an ambrosia fungus: Ambrosiella cleistominuta sp. nov. associated with the ambrosia beetle Anisandrus maiche. Botany 95: 503-512.
Zhu, H., Rosetta, R., Reding, M. E., Zondag, R., Ranger, C. M., Canas, L., Fulcher, A., Krause, C. R., Derksen, R. C., Ozkan, E. 2017. Validation of laser-guided variable-rate sprayer for managing insects in ornamental nurseries. Transactions of the ASABE 60: 337-345.
Ranger, C. M., Horst, L., Barnett, J., Reding, M. E., Anderson, B. A., Krause, C. R. 2017. Comparative morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla on Xylosandrus germanus and Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 110: 172-188.
Ranger, C. M., Schultz, P. B., Reding, M. E., Frank, S. D., Palmquist, D.E. 2016. Flood stress as a technique to assess preventive insecticide and fungicide treatments for protecting trees against ambrosia beetles. Insects 7: 1-11.
Reding, M. E., Ranger, C. M., Oliver, J. Schultz, P., Youssef, N., Bray, A. 2016. Ethanol-injection induces attacks by ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) on a variety of tree species. Agricultural and Forest Entomology doi:10.1111/afe.12178.
Frank, S. D., Ranger, C. M. 2016. Developing a media moisture threshold for nurseries to reduce tree stress and ambrosia beetle attacks. Environmental Entomology 45: 1040-1048.
Ranger, C. M., Reding,M. E., Schultz, P. B., Oliver, J. B., Frank, S. D., Addesso, K. M., Chong, J. H., Sampson, B. Werle, C., Gill, S., Krause, C. 2016. Biology, ecology, and management of Xylosandrus spp. ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in ornamental tree nurseries. Journal of Integrated Pest Management 7: 1-23.
Oliver, J. B., Reding, M. E., Ranger, C. M., Klein, M. G., Youssef, N. N., Moyseenko, J. J., Dennis, S. O. 2016. Insecticides evaluated as regulatory immersion treatments to eliminate third-instar Japanese beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from small-diameter field-grown nursery plants. Journal of Entomological Science 51: 9-28.
Ranger, C.M., Schultz, P. B., Frank, S.D., Chong, J.H., Reding, M.E. 2015. Non-native ambrosia beetles as opportunistic exploiters of living but weakened trees. PLoS ONE 10: e0131496.
Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M., Sampson, B.J., Werle, C.T., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B. 2015. Movement of Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) ornamental nurseries and surrounding habitats. Journal of Economic Entomology 108: 1947-1953.
Derksen, R.C., Cañas, L.A, Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E. 2015. The effect of application technique on the temporal and spatial distribution of neonicotinoid insecticides in greenhouse Zinnia and impact on aphid populations. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 31: 211-216.
Zhu H., Thistle H.W., Ranger C.M., Zhou H., Strom B.L. 2015. Measurement of semiochemical release rates with a dedicated environmental control system. Biosystems Engineering 129: 277-287.
Ranger, C.M., Tobin, P.C., Reding, M.E. 2015. Ubiquitous volatile compound facilitates efficient host location by a non-native ambrosia beetle. Biological Invasions 17: 675-686.
Ranger, C.M., Gorzlancyk, A.G., Held, D.W., Addesso, K., Oliver, J.B., Reding, M.E., Schultz, P.B. 2014. Conophthorin enhances the electroantennogram and field behavioral response of Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to ethanol. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 16: 327-334.
Gorzlancyk, A., Held, D.H., Ranger, C.M., Barwary, Z. 2014. Capture of Cnestus mutilatus (Blandford), Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky), and other Scolytinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in response to green light emitting diodes, ethanol, and conophthorin. Florida Entomologist 97: 301-303.
Gorzlancyk, A., Held, D.H., Kim, D.J., Ranger, C.M. 2013. Capture of Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) and other Scolytinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in response to visual and volatile attractants. Florida Entomologist 96: 1097-1101.
Oliver, J.B., Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Moyseenko, J.J., Youssef, N.N., Bray, A.M. 2013. Preharvest quarantine treatments of chlorantraniliprole, clothianidin, and other imidacloprid-based insecticides for larval Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) control in field-grown nursery trees. Journal of Economic Entomology 106: 1190-1199.
Reding, M.E., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B., Ranger, C.M., Youssef, N.N. 2013. Ethanol injection of ornamental trees facilitates testing insecticide efficacy against ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Journal of Economic Entomology 106: 289-298.
Persad, A., Siefer, J., Kirby, S., Montan, R., Rocha, O.J., Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M. 2013. Effect of emerald ash borer on structure and material properties of ash trees. Arboriculture and Urban Forestry 39: 11-16.
Ranger, C.M., Tobin, P.C., Reding, M.E., Bray, A.M., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B., Frank, S.D., Persad, A.B. 2013. Interruption of the semiochemical-based attraction of ambrosia beetles to ethanol-baited traps and ethanol-injected trap trees by verbenone. Environmental Entomology 42: 539-547.
Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Oliver, J.B., Moyseenko, J.J., Youssef, N., Krause, C.R. 2013. Acute toxicity of plant essential oils to scarab larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and their analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Journal of Economic Entomology 106: 159-167.
Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Schultz, P.B., Oliver, J.B. 2013. Influence of flood-stress on ambrosia beetle host-selection and implications for their management in a changing climate. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 15: 56-64.
Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B. 2013. Monitoring attack and flight activity of Xylosandrus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae); the influence of temperature on activity. Journal of Economic Entomology 106: 1780-1787.
Zhu, H., Ozkan, E., Derksen, R.D., Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M., Canas, L., Krause, C.R., Locke, J.C., Ernst, S.C., Zondag, R.H., Fulcher, A., Rosetta, R., Hong, J., Chen, Y., Gu, J., Liu, H., Shen, Y., Rios, A.A. 2012. Development of smart spray systems to enhance delivery of pesticides in field nursery production. Phytopathology 102: 144-145.
Derksen, R.C., Canas, L.A., Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Ozkan, H.E. 2012. Implications for pesticide delivery and insecticide selection using chemical analysis of plant tissue and efficacy. International Advances in Pesticide Application – Aspects of Applied Biology 114: 279-286.
Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Schultz, P.B., Oliver, J.B. 2012. Ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) responses to volatile emissions associated with ethanol–injected Magnolia virginiana L. Environmental Entomology 41: 636-647.
Reding, M.E., Schultz, P.B., Ranger, C.M., Oliver, J.B. 2011. Optimizing ethanol-baited traps for monitoring damaging ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in ornamental nurseries. Journal of Economic Entomology 104: 2017-2024.
Castrillo, L., Griggs, M.H., Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Vandenberg, J.D. 2011. Virulence of commercial strains of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) against adult Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and impact on brood. Biological Control 58: 121-126.
Reding, M., Ranger, C.M. 2011. Systemic insecticides reduce feeding, survival and fecundity of adult black vine weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on a variety of ornamental nursery crops. Journal of Economic Entomology 104: 405-413.
Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B., Moyseenko, J.J., Youssef, N. 2011. Comparative efficacy of plant-derived essential oils for managing ambrosia beetles and their corresponding mass spectral characterization. Journal of Economic Entomology 104: 1665-1674.
Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Gandhi, K.J.K., Oliver, J.B., Schultz, P.B., Cañas, L., Herms, D. A. 2011. Species dependent influence of (-)-α-pinene on attraction of ambrosia beetles to ethanol-baited traps in nursery agroecosystems. Journal of Economic Entomology 104: 574-579.
Ranger, C.M., Winter, R.E.K., Singh, A.P., Reding, M.E., Frantz, J.M., Locke, J.C., Krause, C. 2011. Rare excitatory amino acid from flowers of zonal geranium responsible for paralyzing the Japanese beetle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108: 1217-1221.
Derksen, R.C., Ranger, C.M., Zhu, H., Krause, C. 2010. Greenhouse evaluation of air-assist delivery parameters for mature poinsettias. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 26: 947-953.
Oliver, J.B., Fare, D.C., Youssef, N., Scholl, S., Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M., Moyseenko, J.J., Halcomb, M.A. 2010. Evaluation of a single application of neonicotinoid and multi-application contact insecticides for flatheaded borer management in field grown Acer rubrum L. cultivars. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 28: 135-149.
Derksen, R.C., Ranger, C.M., Cañas, L.A., Locke, J.C., Zhu, H., Krause, C.R. 2010. Evaluation of handgun and broadcast systems for spray deposition in greenhouse poinsettia canopies. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 53: 5-12.
Reding, M.E., Oliver, J., Schultz, P., Ranger, C.M. 2010. Monitoring flight activity of ambrosia beetles in ornamental nurseries with ethanol-baited traps: influence of trap height on captures. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 28: 85-90.
Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Persad, A.B., Herms, D.A. 2010. Ability of stress-related volatiles to attract and induce attacks by Xylosandrus germanus and other ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae). Agricultural and Forest Entomology 12: 177-185.
Youssef, N.N., Oliver, J.B., Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Moyseenko, J.J. Klein, M.G., Pappas, R.S. 2009. Field evaluation of essential oils for reducing attraction by the Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 102: 1551-1558.
Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Oliver, J.B., Moyseenko, J.J.,Youssef, N.N. 2009. Toxicity of botanical formulations to nursery-infesting white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 102: 304-308.
Ranger, C.M., Singh, A.P., Frantz, J.M., Cañas, L., Locke, J.C., Reding, M. E., Vorsa, N. 2009. Influence of silicon on resistance of Zinnia elegans to the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Environmental Entomology 38: 129-136.
Oliver, J.B., Fare, D.C., Youssef, N., Halcomb, M.A., Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M. 2009. Evaluation of systemic insecticides for potato leafhopper control in field-grown red maple. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 27: 17-23.
Derksen, R.C., Frantz, J., Ranger, C.M., Locke, J.C., Zhu, H., Krause, C. 2007. Comparing greenhouse handgun delivery to poinsettias by spray volume and quality. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 51: 27-33.

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