J. Gwen Shlichta

Advisor: Dr. Pedro Barbosa

Previous Education:
B.S.  Entomology - Washington State University

Research Interests:
I am interested in local adaptation/host-associated differentiation of riparian forest caterpillars and their parasitoids. My research focuses on a suite of moth larvae on several host tree species at multiple sites. My question aims at whether local adaptation/host-associated differentiation cascades to adjacent trophic levels-from caterpillars to the wasps that parasitize them.

Location of Research:
Patuxent Research Refuge (Anne Arundel/Prince Georges County)
Little Bennett Regional Park (Montgomery County)
Plummer’s Island (Montgomery County)
National Arboretum (DC)

Publications:
Kingsolver JG, Massie KR, Shlichta JG, et al. 2007. Relating environmental variation to selection on reaction norms: An experimental test. The American Naturalist. 169(2): 163-174.

Kingsolver JG, Shlichta JG, Ragland GJ, et al. 2006. Thermal reaction norms for caterpillar growth depend on diet. Evolutionary Ecology Research 8(4): 703-715.

Kingsolver JG, Ragland GJ, Shlichta JG. 2004. Quantitative genetics of continuous reaction norms: Thermal sensitivity of caterpillar growth rates. Evolution 58(7): 1521-1529.

Awards:
2004-2005 Teaching Achievement Award, Department of Entomology

Links:
Research Website - http://iheartmyproposal.blogspot.com/