Bob Oneil

Professor, Biological Control, Predator-Prey Dynamics, Predator Biology
 
Office Phone: 494-7207
Office Number: SMTH 127B
Lab Number: SMTH B76
Office Phone: 494-1422
Email Address: rjoneil@purdue.edu


Education

BSEntomology, 1977 University of Massachusetts, Amherst
MSEntomology, 1980 Texas A & M University, College Station
PhDEntomology, (Minor in Agric. Engin.)1984, University of Florida, Gainesville


Research Interests

Program SummaryThe research focus of Dr. O'Neil's laboratory is to identify the factors that determine the ability of natural enemies to subsist in agricultural systems and control pests. Using comparative studies in different crop-pest systems, Dr. O'Neil has described the key adaptations of natural enemies at the individual, population, and physiologic level. Dr. O'Neil's research has questioned several central concepts in the field of biological control. As a result, he has been invited to present his research findings in professional meetings and educational institutions worldwide. Besides his work in Indiana crops, his research insights have been used as the basis to study predation in crops as diverse as cassava in Africa, cotton in Arizona and corn in Maryland. His identification of the principal adaptations of natural enemies to crops and the methods he uses to study predation have been incorporated into a number of textbooks, graduate courses and research programs in biological control.


Extension/Outreach Activities

Although Dr. O'Neil has no formal Extension appointment, he has cooperated extensively with Purdue and midwestern Extension specialists. These collaborations have taken the form of joint research-Extension projects, presentations to growers' groups, Extension specialists, and home owners, and the development of workshops and extension publications to publicize the use of biological control and pest management.


Courses Taught

ENTM 692Insect Ecology
ENTM 555 Theory and Practice of Biological Control
ENTM 556Laboratory in Biological Control


Selected Publications

Refereed:
Toko, M. , R .J. O'Neil and J. S. Yaninek. 1994. Effects of various dietary regimes on the life history characteristics of Typhlodromalus limonicus (Graman & McGregor) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) an exotic predator of the Cassava Green mite Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) (Acarina: Tetranychidae). Exp. & Appl. Acar. 18: 221-231.
Nagarajan, K., R. J. O'Neil, C. R. Edwards, and J. Lowenberg-Deboer. 1994. Indiana soybean system model (ISSM): II. Mexican Bean beetle model development and validation. Agric. Systems 45: 291-313.
Legaspi, J. C., and R. J. O'Neil. 1994. Developmental response of nymphs of Podisus maculiventris reared under low prey inputs of prey. Environ. Entomol. 23: 374-380.
Legaspi, J. C., and R. J. O'Neil. 1994. Fat body reserves of lipids for predators fed low inputs of prey. Environ. Entomol 23: 1254-1259.
O'Neil, R. J., Nagarajan, K., Wiedenmann, R. N. and J. C. Legaspi. 1996. A simulation model of Podisus maculiventris (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis (Mulsant) (Heteroptera: Coccinellidae) population dynamics in soybeans, Glycine max (L.). Biological Control. 6: 330-339.
Wiedenmann, R. N., J. C. Legaspi, and R. J. O'Neil. 1996. Impact of prey density and facultative plant feeding on the life history of the predator, Podisus maculiventris (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Pages 94-118, In O. Alomar & R. Wiedenmann (eds.) Proc. Thomas Say Public. 202pp.
Frana, J. E. , and R. J. O'Neil. 1994. Parasitism in the cat-tail caterpillar, Simyra henrici (Grote). J. Kans. Ent. Soc. 66: 399-404.
Toko, M. , Yaninek, J. S. and R . J. O'Neil. 1996. Response of the Cassava Green mite Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) (Acarina: Tetranychidae) to cropping systems, cultivars and pest management interventions. Environ. Entomol. 25: 237-249.
Valicente, F. H. , and R. J. O'Neil. 1995. Effects of host plants and prey on selected life history characteristics of Podisus maculiventris. Biological Control 5: 449-461.
O'Neil, R. J. 1997. The search strategy and functional response of Podisus maculiventris in potatoes. Environ. Entomol. 26: 1183-1190. (Forum Article).
O'Neil, R. J., K. L. Giles, J. J. Obrycki, D. L. Mahr, J. C. Legaspi. 1998. Evaluation of the quality of four commercially-available natural enemies. Biological Control. 11: 1-8.
Canas, L. and R. J. O'Neil. 1998. Applications of sugar solutions to maize, and the impact of natural enemies on fall armyworm. Inter. J. Pest Manage. 44: 59-64.
Canas, L. and R. J. O'Neil. 1998. Applications of sugar solutions to maize, and the impact of natural enemies on fall armyworm. Inter. J. Pest Manage. 44: 59-64.
Canas, L. C., R. J. O'Neil and T. Gibb. 2001. Population dynamics of Leptinotarsa undecemlineata on Solanum lanceolatum in Honduras. Biological Control (in press).
Legaspi, J. C. , R. J. O'Neil and B. A. C. Legaspi. 1996. Trade-offs in body weight, egg loads and fat reserves of field-collected Podisus maculiventris. Environ. Entomol. 25: 155-164
Toko, M. , O’Neil, R. J. and J. S. Yaninek. 1996. Reproduction and survival of Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) (Acarina: Tetranychidae) on cassava grown on various regimes of soil fertility. Exper. Appl. Acar. 20: 405-419.
Bentley, J. W., and R. J. O'Neil. 1997. On the ethics of biological control of insect pests Agric. Human Values 14: 283-299.
Acosta, N., and R. J. O'Neil. 1999. Life history characteristics of three populations of Edovum puttleri, an egg parasitoid of the Colorado potato beetle. Biological Control 16: 81-87.
Garcia, J. F. and R. J. O'Neil. 2000. Effect of Coleus Size and Variegation on Attack Rates, Searching Strategy, and Selected Life History Characteristics of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Biological Control 18: 225-234.
Sujii, E. R., Garcia, M. A,, Fontes, M. G., & R. J. O'Neil. 2001. Natural enemies as mortality factors in populations of the spittlebug, Deois flavopicta (Homoptera: Cercopidae). Environ. Entomol.
Book chapters/Proceedings:
O'Neil, R. J. and L. Canas. 2000. Attracting ants (p. 98). Contribution to the book, "Natural crop protection practices in the Tropics". G. Stoll (ed.). Verlag Pub., Wiekersheim, Germany.
Extension Publications:
O'Neil, R. J. 1995. Farmer innovation and biological control. Midwest Biological Control Newsletter. 2: 1-2.
O'Neil, R. J. 1995. Farmer innovation and biological control. Pest Management & Crop Production Newsletter. 6: 10.
O'Neil, R. J. 1995. Experimenting with biological control. Pest Management & Crop Production Newsletter. 12: 8.
O'Neil, R. J. 1995. Know your friends: Spined Soldier bug. Midwest Biological Control Newsletter.
2 (8): 3.
O'Neil, R. J. 1996. Classical biological control of a midwestern insect pest: In search of Colorado potato beetle natural enemies. Midwest Biological Control Newsletter. 3: 1-2,7.
O'Neil, R. J. 1996. Classical biological control of midwestern insect pests. Pest Management & Crop Production Newsletter. 12: 8.
O'Neil, R. J. 1997. You get what you pay for: quality control of natural enemies. Midwest Biological Control Newsletter 4 (1): 1-2,6-7.
Smieser, B and R. J. O'Neil. 1997. Garden Good Guys: natural enemies in the home garden. Midwest Biological Control Newsletter 4 (4): 1-2,7.