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Nathan Schiff
Nathan Schiff 

Employee Information
Name: Nathan Schiff 
Title: Research Entomologist
Unit: Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research (4155)
Phone: 662-686-3175
Fax: 662-686-3195 - Location Fax
E-Mail: nschiff@fs.fed.us
nschiff@asrr.arsusda.gov

Location Information
Mailing
Address:		 USDA-Forest Service
Southern Hardwoods Laboratory
P.O. Box 227
Stoneville, MS 38776-0227
Shipping
Address:		 432 Stoneville Rd.
Stoneville MS 38776
Location
Phone:		 662-686-3154

Research Information

Education:
B.S., Biology, UCLA, 1979; M.S., Entomology, University of Arizona, 1983; Ph.D., Entomology, University of Illinois (UIUC), 1988

Current Research:
I use a variety of molecular and classical techniques to study the biology of insects with the ultimate goals of controlling undesirable species, understanding the roles insects play in forest ecosystems, describing biodiversity and protecting endangered species.I am currently involved with the following projects:

Population genetics of cottonwood leaf beetles (CLB's): CLB's are widely distributed across the United States, on several different hosts, providing ample opportunity for differentiationThis study is designed to measure genetic variation between populations which will improve our ability to develop control and monitoring methods.
Classical biological control of kudzu: Kudzu is a noxious introduced weed covering 7 million acres of the southeastern United States.The goal is to introduce beneficial species of insects from Kudzu's homeland, China, to reduce kudzu infestations.
Woodwasp/wood decay symbiosis: This study examines the interactions between woodwasps and wood decay fungi and the roles they play in forest health.This study includes development of molecular methods to identify somatic growth of wood decay fungi.
Insect biodiversity: This study has multiple goals: to study biodiversity of several tree feeding taxa (Cerambycids, Buprestids, phytophagous Hymenoptera etc.) in bottomland hardwoods, identify significant pest species for control and life history studies, catalog rare species to determine if they should be protected and to develop methods for forest biodiversity studies.
Pondberry restoration.Pondberry is a federally listed endangered species in the United States.This study looks at factors, including insect herbivores, that limit its distribution and spread with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of populations so that this species my be delisted.

Collaborative Research:
Wood-boring Hymenotera as vectors of wood decay fungi; phenology of wood-boring Coleoptera; cockroach populations in Mississippi.

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Nathan Schiff

View a list of other employees in the Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research (4155) Unit.