Johnson, Andrew
Andrew Johnson is focused on improving the global capacity to deal with invasive bark and ambrosia beetles (Scolytinae). He coordinate forest health projects and resolve taxonomic issues so that names of beetles are are meaningful and useful. He is resolving the higher classification, as well as collaborating with international researchers to resolve taxonomic issues among potential pest species. He also use phylogenetics and genomics to understand evolutionary questions about the bark beetles.
Andrew is the principal identifier for the UF Forest Entomology Lab’s identification service. This work involves identification of bark and ambrosia beetles for stakeholders in Florida, UF extension agents, State monitoring schemes, and identification of potential emerging threats around the world. From this work, he discovered several local species new to science, and three new introduced species in the US.
Andrew is also the manager and curator of the world’s largest cryo-preserved collection of Scolytinae, with over 20,000 vials containing 150,000 beetles represented from nearly every continent. In order to make this collection more easily available to other researchers and extension agents, he is currently spearheading a data management project which will comprehensively catalogue the collection, and assists in projects understanding the symbiosis of ambrosia beetles and fungi. Lastly, Andrew develops best practices for research involving bark and ambrosia beetles, promoting the correct use of taxonomy and vouchers as part of the Bark Beetle Mycobiome Research Coordination Network.
FOREST RESOURCES & CONSERVATION
325 Newins-Ziegler Hall, PO Box 110410
Gainesville, FL 32611-0410
ajj@ufl.edu
(352) 392.1732