Scientists & Staff

Monitoring emerald ash borer parasitoids.

Toby Petrice

Research Entomologist

Ecology and Management of Invasive Species and Forest Ecosystems

3101 Discovery Dr., Ste. F
Suite F

Lansing, MI, 48910

Phone: 517-884-8058

Contact Toby Petrice

Current Research

My research is focused on the use of biological control for management of invasive forest insect pests. I am interested in understanding and improving the efficacy of different biological control agents by studying their biology and ecology, genetic diversity, and overall fitness. This work is accomplished using a combination of approaches including simulation models, laboratory assays, and field collected data.

Research Interests

Some of my research interests include:

Evaluating the establishment and impacts of biological control agents being released for managing emerald ash borer.
Developing phenological models for predicting herbivore and parasitoid life history based on current and changing climatic conditions.
Integrating biological control and systemic insecticides for area-wide emerald ash borer management.
Determining the impact of elongate hemlock scale on eastern hemlock and presence and abundance of its natural enemies.

Why This Research is Important

Invasive insects are one of the most significant threats to forest ecosystems. Our first line of defense is prevention and eradication of these pests, but despite efforts, new invasive species often become established. Once established, invasive pests are challenging to manage at a landscape level. Biological control is an effective, self-sustaining approach for managing many invasive species and when implemented properly it is very safe with no or negligible nontarget impacts. Conducting sound research that focuses on improving biological control success and efficacy is very important for the long-term management of many invasive forest insect pests.

Education

Michigan State University, PhD Entomology/Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior (Dual major) Effects of temperature and photoperiod on host-parasitoid synchrony and evaluation of sampling methods for Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), an introduced egg parasitoid of emerald ash borer., 2020
West Virginia University, M.S. Entomology Hymenopteran parasitoids of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), and native macrolepidoptera in Virginia and West Virginia: A baseline study., 1998

Featured Publications & Products

Petrice, Toby R.; Bauer, Leah S.; Miller, Deborah L.; Stanovick, John S.; Poland, Therese M.; Ravlin, F. William. 2021. Monitoring field establishment of the emerald ash borer biocontrol agent Oobius agrili Zhang and Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): Sampling methods, sample size, and phenology. Biological Control
Petrice, Toby ; Bauer, Leah ; Miller, Deborah ; Poland, Therese ; Ravlin, F William. 2020. A Phenology Model for Simulating Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) Seasonal Voltinism and Synchrony With Emerald Ash Borer Oviposition. Environmental Entomology
Duan, Jian ; Bauer, Leah ; Van Driesche, Roy ; Schmude, Jonathan ; Petrice, Toby ; Chandler, Jennifer ; Elkinton, Joe. 2020. Effects of Extreme Low Winter Temperatures on the Overwintering Survival of the Introduced Larval Parasitoids Spathius galinae and Tetrastichus planipennisi: Implications for Biological Control of Emerald Ash Borer in North America. Journal of Economic Entomology
Petrice, Toby R.; Miller, Deborah L.; Bauer, Leah S.; Poland, Therese M.; Ravlin, Forrest W. 2019. Photoperiodic modulation of diapause induction and termination in Oobius agrili Zhang and Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), an egg parasitoid of the invasive emerald ash borer. Biological Control
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2019. Historical Population Increases and Related Inciting Factors of Agrilus anxius, Agrilus bilineatus, and Agrilus granulatus liragus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in the Lake States (Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin). The Great Lakes Entomologist. 52: 21-33.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2009. Bark- and wood-borer colonization of logs and lumber after heat treatment to ISPM 15 specifications: the role of residual bark. Journal of Economic Entomology. 102(3): 1075-1084.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Wiedenhoeft, Alex C. 2010. Incidence of bark- and wood-boring insects in firewood: a survey at Michigan's Mackinac Bridge. Journal of Economic Entomology. 103(5): 1682-1692.
Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Robert A. 2014. Biology of the European oak borer in Michigan, United States of America, with comparisons to the native twolined chestnut borer. The Canadian Entomologist. 146(01): 36-51.

Publications & Products

Duan, Jian J.; Gould, Juli ; . Slager, Ben H.; Quinn, Nicole F.; Petrice, Toby R.; Poland, Therese M.; Bauer, Leah S.; Rutledge, Claire E.; Elkinton, Joseph S.; Van Driesche, Roy. 2022. Progress toward successful biological control of the invasive emerald ash borer in the United States. In: Van Driesche, R.G.; Winston, R.L.; Perring, T.M.; Lopez, V.M., editors. Contributions of classical biological control to the U.S. food security, forestry, and biodiversity. FHAAST-2019-05. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 232-250.
Haack, Robert ; Petrice, Toby R. 2022. Mortality of Bark- and Wood-boring Beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, and Curculionidae) in Naturally Infested Heat-treated Ash, Birch, Oak, and Pine Bolts. Journal of Economic Entomology
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2022. Where to set heat treatment requirements for domestic firewood and wood packaging materials used in international trade? Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society. Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society
Duan, Jian J.; Van Driesche, Roy G.; Schmude, Jonathan M.; Quinn, Nicole F.; Petrice, Toby R.; Rutledge, Claire E.; Poland, Therese M.; Bauer, Leah S.; Elkinton, Joseph S. 2021. Niche partitioning and coexistence of parasitoids of the same feeding guild introduced for biological control of an invasive forest pest. Biological Control
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2021. Public transport of firewood across the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, United States of America: origin, destination, woody taxa, and reasons for transporting firewood. The Canadian Entomologist. 153: 586-597.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2020. Agrilus bilineatus. EPPO Bulletin
Poland, Therese M.; Petrice, Toby R.; Ciaramitaro, Tina M. 2019. Trap design, colors, and lures for emerald ash borer detection. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. 2: 80. 11 p.
Petrice, Toby; Ravlin, F. William; Bauer, Leah S.; Poland, Therese M. 2016. Establishing Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), the introduced egg parasitoid of emerald ash borer, in Michigan ash stands. Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society. 61(3/4): 30.
Triapitsyn, Serguei V; Petrice, Toby R.; Berezovskiy, Vladimir V. 2016. Redescription of the female of Oobius depressus (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), newly found in Michigan, U.S.A.. The Great Lakes Entomologist. 49(3-4): 108-114.
Chamorro, M. Lourdes; Jendek, Eduard; Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby; Woodley, Norman E.; Konstantinov, Alexander S.; Volkovitsh, Mark G.; Yang, Xing-Ke; Grebennikov, Vasily V. 2015. Illustrated guide to the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire and related species (Coleoptera, Buprestidae). Sofia, Bulgaria: Pensoft Publishers. 197 p.
Petrice, Toby; Haack, Robert A. 2015. Comparison of different trap colors and types for capturing adult Agrilus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and other buprestids. The Great Lakes Entomologist
Triapitsyn, Serguei V.; Petrice, Toby R.; Gates, Michael W.; Bauer, Leah S. 2015. Two new species of Oobius Trjapitzin (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) egg parasitoids of Agrilus spp. (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) from the USA, including a key and taxonomic notes on other congeneric Nearctic taxa. ZooKeys. 498: 29-50.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby. 2014. A befuddling Bahamian borer. Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society
Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Robert A.; Poland, Therese M. 2013. Attraction of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and other buprestids to sticky traps of various colors and shapes. The Great Lakes Entomologist. 46: 13-30.
Haack, Robert A.; Grebennikov, Vasily V. ; Jendek, Eduard; Petrice, Toby R.; Zablotny, James E. 2011. The European oak borer, Agrilus sulcicollis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): new to North America. In: McManus, Katherine A; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. 2010. Proceedings. 21st U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on invasive species 2010; 2010 January 12-15; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-75. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 90.
Hansen, Jason A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Robert A. 2011. New state distribution and host records of North American Buprestidae (Coleoptera). Great Lakes Entomologist 44 (1-2): 74-77.
Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Robert A. 2011. Effects of cutting time, stump height, and herbicide application on ash (Fraxinus spp.) stump sprouting and colonization by emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Northern Journal of Applied Forestry. 28(2): 79-83.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Zablotny, James E. 2009. First report of the European oak borer, Agrilus sulcicollis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), in the United States. Great Lakes Entomologist. 42: 1-7.
Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Robert A.; Strazanac, John S.; Lelito, Jonathan P. 2009. Biology and larval morphology of Agrilus subcinctus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with comparisons to the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis. The Great Lakes Entomologist. 42(3&4): 173-184.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2008. How risky is bark that is associated with treated wood packing material?. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, 18th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2007; 2007 January 9-12; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-28. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 30-31.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Nzokou, Pascal. 2007. Do bark beetles and wood borers infest lumber following heat treatment? The role of bark. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, 17th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2006; Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-10. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 46.
Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Robert A. 2007. Can Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), emerge from logs two summers after infested trees are cut?. The Great Lakes Entomologist. 40(1&2): 92-95.
Haack, Robert A.; Bauer, Leah S.; Gao, Rui-Tong; McCarthy, Joseph J.; Miller, Deborah L.; Petrice, Toby R.; Poland, Therese M. 2006. Anoplophora glabripennis within-tree distribution, seasonal development, and host suitability in China and Chicago. The Great Lakes Entomologist. 39: 169-183.
Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Robert A. 2006. Effects of cutting date, outdoor storage conditions, and splitting on survival of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in firewood logs. Journal of Economic Entomology. 99(3): 790-796.
Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Robert A. 2006. Efficacy of three insecticides applied to bark to control Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). The Great Lakes Entomologist. 39(1/2): 27-33.
Poland, Therese M.; Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Miller, Deborah L.; Bauer, Leah S. 2006. Laboratory Evaluation of the Toxicity of Systemic Insecticides for Control of Anoplophora glabripennis and Plectrodera scalator (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 99(1): 85-93 (2006)
Poland, Therese M.; Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Miller, Deborah L.; Bauer, Leah S.; Gao, Ruitong. 2006. Field Evaluations of Systemic Insecticides for Control of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in China. J. Econ. Entomol. 99(2): 383-392 (2006)
Bauer, Leah S.; Liu, Houping; Haack, Robert A.; Gao, Ruitong; Zhao, Tonghai; Miller, Deborah L.; Petrice, Toby R. 2005. Update on emerald ash borer natural enemy surveys in Michigan and China. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Proceedings of the emerals ash borer research and development meeting; 2004 October 5-6; Romulus, MI. FHTET 2004-15. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 71-72.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2005. Evaluation of various insecticides applied to the bark to control emerald ash borer. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Proceedings of the emerals ash borer research and development meeting; 2004 October 5-6; Romulus, MI. FHTET 2004-15. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 35-36.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2005. Emerald ash borer infestation of ash stumps. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Proceedings of the emerals ash borer research and development meeting; 2004 October 5-6; Romulus, MI. FHTET 2004-15. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 37.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2005. Host range of emerald ash borer. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Proceedings of the emerals ash borer research and development meeting; 2004 October 5-6; Romulus, MI. FHTET 2004-15. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 27.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2005. Emerald ash borer survival in firewood. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Proceedings of the emerals ash borer research and development meeting; 2004 October 5-6; Romulus, MI. FHTET 2004-15. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 77-78.
Ye, Hui; Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2005. Tomicus piniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) reproduction and development in Scots, jack, red and eastern white pine under laboratory conditions. The Great Lakes Entomologist. 38. 13-22.
Bauer, Leah S.; Haack, Robert A.; Miller, Deborah L.; Liu, Houping; Petrice, Toby. 2004. Laboratory rearing of emerald ash borer. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Proceedings of the emerald ash borer research and technology development meeting; 2003 September 30 - October 1; Port Huron, MI. FHTET 2004-02. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 36-37.
Bauer, Leah S.; Haack, Robert A.; Miller, Deborah L.; Petrice, Toby R.; Liu, Houping. 2004. Emerald ash borer life cycle. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Proceedings of the emerald ash borer research and technology development meeting; 2003 September 30 - October 1; Port Huron, MI. FHTET 2004-02. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 8.
Bauer, Leah S.; Liu, Houping; Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Miller, Deborah L. 2004. Natural enemies of emerald ash borer in southeastern Michigan. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Proceedings of the emerald ash borer research and technology development meeting; 2003 September 30 - October 1; Port Huron, MI. FHTET 2004-02. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 33-34.
Haack, Robert A.; Lawrence, Robert K.; Petrice, Toby R.; Poland, Therese M. 2004. Disruptant effects of 4-allylanisole and verbenone on Tomicus piniperda (Coleoptera: Scolitidae) response to baited traps and logs. The Great Lakes Entomologist. 37(3&4): 131-141.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Miller, Deborah L.; Bauer, Leah S.; Schiff, Nathan M. 2004. Host range of emerald ash borer. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Proceedings of the emerald ash borer research and technology development meeting; 2003 September 30 - October 1; Port Huron, MI. FHTET 2004-02. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 38.
Petrice, T. R.; Strazanac, J. S.; Butler, L. 2004. A survey of hymenopteran parasitoids of forest macrolepidoptera in the Central Appalachians. Journal of Economic Entomology 97(2):451-459
Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Robert A.; Poland, Therese M. 2004. Evaluation of three trap types and five lures for monitoring Hylurgus ligniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) and other local scolytids in New York. The Great Lakes Entomologist 37(1&2):1-9
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2003. Emerald ash borer survival in firewood. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Emerald ash borer research and technology development meeting; 2003 September 30-October 1; Port Huron, MI. FHTET 2004-03. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 23.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2003. Emerald ash borer attraction to trap logs of different lengths and species. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Emerald ash borer research and technology development meeting; 2003 September 30 - October 1; Port Huron, MI. FHTET 2004-03. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 14.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2003. Emerald ash borer adult dispersal. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Emerald ash borer research and technology development meeting; 2003 September 30-October 1; Port Huron, MI. FHTET 2004-03. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 10.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2003. Evaluation of Perma Guard D-20 and imidacloprid to control emerald ash borer. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Emerald ash borer research and technology development meeting; 2003 September 30 - October 1; Port Huron, MI. FHTET 2004-03. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 26.
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Hoebeke, E. Richard; Poland, Therese M. 2003. Hylurgus ligniperda (Scolytidae): a new exotic bark beetle in New York State. In: Fosbroke, Sandra L.C.; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2002; 2002 January 15-18; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-300. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 34.
Liu, Houping; Bauer, Leah S.; Gao, Ruitong; Zhao, Tonghai; Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Robert A. 2003. Exploratory survey for the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), and its natural enemies in China.. In The Great Lakes Entomologist 36:191-204.
Liu, Houping; Petrice, Toby R.; Bauer, Leah S.; Haack, Robert A.; Gao, Ruitong; Zhao, Tonghai. 2003. Exploration for emerald ash borer in China. In: Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard, comps. Emerald ash borer research and technology development meeting; 2003 September 30 - October 1; Port Huron, MI. FHTET 2004-03. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 20.
Poland, Therese M.; Haack, Robert A.; Bauer, Leah S.; Petrice, Toby R.; Miller, Deborah L.; Liu, Houping. 2003. Overview of Asian longhorned beetle research by the USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station, in East Lansing, Michigan. In: Fosbroke, Sandra L. C.; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. 2002 January 15-18; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-300. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. p.75.
Poland, Therese M.; McCullough, Deborah G.; Petrice, Toby R.; Siegert, Nathan W. 2003. Status of beech bark disease establishment and research in Michigan. In: Fosbroke, Sandra L.C.; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2002; 2002 January 15-18; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-300. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 76.
Haack, Robert A.; Jendak, Eduard; Houping, Liu; Marchant, Keneth R.; Petrice, Toby R.; Poland, Therese M.; Ye, Hui. 2002. The emerald ash borer: a new exotic pest in North America. Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society. Vol. 47, no. 3 & 4 (2002).:p.1-5
Hui, Ye; Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2002. Tomicus piniperda (Coleaoptera: Scolytidae) Within and Between Tree Movement When Migrating to Overwintering Sites. The Great Lakes Entomologist 35(2):183-192
Poland, Therese M.; Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R. 2002. Tomicus piniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) Initial Flight and Shoot. Journal of Economic Entomology 95(6):1195-1204
Poland , Therese M.; McCullough, Deborah G.; Petrice, Toby R.; Siegert, Nathan W. 2001. Overview on the pest status and research plans on beech bark disease: A new exotic in Michigan. Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society. Vol. 46 no. 3.:p. 10. (2001)
Haack, Robert A.; Acciavatti, Robert E.; Petrice, Toby; Davdison, Robert. 2000. Changes in Carabid Community Structure in a Dry Sand Prairie After Removal of the Pine Overstory (POSTER). Michigan Entomological Society. Vol. 45 no. 2.:p. 15. (2000)
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Haack, Sheridan K.; Hyndman, David; Long, David; Pijanowski, Bryan. 2000. Aquatic insects as Bioindicators of land Use Change in the Grand Traverse Bay Area of Michigan. Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society. Vol. 45 no. 2.:p. 13-14. (2000)
Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Poland, Therese M. 2000. Tomicus piniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) Emergence in Relation to Burial Depth of Brood Logs. Journal of Economic Entomology. Vol. 93 no. 2.:p. 342-346. (2000)
Haack, Robert A.; Poland, Therese M.; Patrice, Toby; Gennrich , Matt. 2000. The Asian Longhorned Beetle: National and International Research Efforts. North Central Forest pest Workshop. p. 1-2. (2000)
Poland, Therese M; Haack, Robert A.; Petrice, Toby R.; Sadof, C. S.; Onstad, D. W. 2000. Dispersal of Tomicus Piniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) From Operational and Simulated Mill Yards. THe Canadian Entomolgist. Vol. 132 p. 853-866. (2000)

Last modified: Thursday, February 11, 2021