Hello 

Hi! My name is Tiziana Oppedisano and I recently joined the Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center as Assistant Professor of Entomology/Insect Ecology. 

I completed my studies in biology and entomology in Italy. My doctoral research focused on the biology and ecology of the insect vectors of apple proliferation, a disease of economic importance in apple-growing areas across Europe.  

In 2019, I moved to the USA to start a position as a postdoc researcher at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Oregon State University). My main postdoctoral projects focused on studying the role of leafhoppers as vectors of phytoplasma and virus diseases in field crops and industrial hemp of the Columbia Basin, with the aim to improve local Integrated Pest Management programs. I contributed to many other projects, including studies on variety trials aim to identify varietal resistance to certain pests, and application of agronomic practices to decrease pests populations. 

I am an active member of the Entomological Society of America, and I also enjoy being involved in local outreach events. 

Please reach out for any arthropod pest concern, I will be happy to help! 

Education 

Ph.D. Sustainable Plant Production and Protection (Entomology), Fondazione Edmund Mach/ University of Molise, Italy 

M.S. Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Milan, Italy 

B.S. Biology, University of Milan, Italy 

Research Interests 

My research focuses on integrated management of agricultural arthropod pests, and it is mainly based on growers and other stakeholders needs. 

I am interested in exploring and improving our understanding of pest biology and ecology in crop systems and applying that information to develop practical, cost-effective, and environmentally sensitive pest management tactics.  

The primary focus of my research program at WTARC is on insect pests of small-grain, pulse, and oilseed crops in the Golden Triangle. Target pests include the wheat stem sawfly and wireworms in wheat, pea leaf weevils in pulses, and flea beetles in canola.  

Publications 

Oppedisano T.,Rondon S.I. (2023) Beet leafhopper in potatoes: biology, ecology, and management. In: Potato insects. Ed. Simplot Publishing LLC (in press). 

Oppedisano T., Shrestha G., Anderson S., Thompson D.I., Rondon S.I. (2022). Forecasting pest phenology of four major hemipteran pests to enhance integrated pest management programs in potatoes in the Columbia Basin. Journal of Economic Entomology, 115(2): 430-437. 

Rondon S.I., Feldman M., Thompson A., Oppedisano T., Shrestha G. (2021). Identifying resistance to the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) in Potato Germplasm: Review Update. Frontiers of Agronomy 3:11. 

Oppedisano T.,Shrestha G., Rondon S.I. (2021). Hemipterans, other than aphids and psyllids, affecting potatoes worldwide.  In: Insect Pests of Potato, Global Perspectives on Biology and Management (2nd edition). Ed. Academic Press, Elsevier.  

Weil T., Ometto L., Esteve-Codina A., Gomez-Garrido J., Oppedisano T., Lotti C., Alioto T., Vrhovsek U., Hogenhout S., Anfora G. (2020). Linking omics and ecology to dissect interactions between the apple proliferation phytoplasma and its psyllid vector Cacopsylla melanoneura.  Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 127:103474.  

Oppedisano T., Angeli G., Baldessari M., et al. (2020). Apple Proliferation: Insect vectors. In: Apple Proliferation: A Joint Review. Ed. Fondazione E. Mach/Centro di Sperimentazione Laimburg. 

Oppedisano T., Polajnar J., Kostanjšek R., De Cristofaro A., Ioriatti C., Virant Doberlet M., Mazzoni V. (2019). Substrate-borne vibrational communication in the vector of apple proliferation disease Cacopsylla picta (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 113: 596-603. 

Tait G., Cabianca A., Grassi A., Pfab F., Oppedisano T., Puppato S., Mazzoni V., Anfora G., Walton V. (2019). Drosophila suzukii daily dispersal between distinctly different habitats. Entomologia Generalis, 2020: 25-37. 

Oppedisano T., Panassiti B., Pedrazzoli F., Mittelberger C., Bianchedi P.L., Angeli G., De Cristofaro A., Janik K., Anfora G., Ioriatti C. (2019). Importance of psyllids’ life stage in acquisition and transmission mechanisms of apple proliferation phytoplasma. Journal of Pest Science 93:49-61. 

Mittelberger C., Obkircher L., Oettl S., Oppedisano T., Pedrazzoli F., Panassiti B., Kerschbamer C., Anfora G., Janik K. (2017). The insect vector Cacopsylla picta vertically transmits the bacterium `Candidatus Phytoplasma mali´ to its progeny. Plant Pathology 66: 1015-1021. 

Scali S., Sacchi R., Azzusi M., Daverio S., Oppedisano T., Mangiacotti M. (2012). Homeward bound: factors affecting the homing ability in a polymorphic lizard. Journal of Zoology 289: 196-203.