Kim Hoelmer

Kim Hoelmer

Research Entomologist and Research Leader
USDA-ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit
Newark, DE 19713
kim.hoelmer@ars.usda.gov

Bio

Kim Hoelmer has been with the USDA since 1988 (in Newark, DE, since 2004) working on basic research, development, and implementation of classical, augmentative, and conservation biocontrol projects against a variety of pest insects.

His research has focused on behavioral, ecological, and environmental factors that influence the effectiveness of predators and parasitoids, and the development of better and more predictable methods for introducing and establishing effective new natural enemies.

Another focus has been foreign exploration in the native range of invasive pests with an aim of discovering new candidate biocontrol agents for importation and evaluation.

Hoelmer's past projects include work on sweet potato whitefly, soybean aphid, wheat stem sawfly, and olive fruit fly.

His current projects at the Newark lab, in addition to brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), include spotted wing drosophila, spotted lanternfly, and roseau cane scale.

Education

University of California, Berkeley: BS (1974), MS (1979), PhD (1986)

BMSB Specialization

Biological control (classical, conservation, augmentation)

Read More

USDA-ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit (BIIRU) website

Kim Hoelmer's USDA-ARS project page