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Julie N. Byrd

Advisor: Dr. David Hawthorne

Previous Education:
B.S. Biology Duke University

Research Interests:
I am interested in plant-insect interactions, how they lead to specialization, and speciation in both plants and insects. I am studying a native holly leafminer, Phytomyza glabricola, which has formed host races on two native species of holly, Ilex glabra and I. coriacea. I am testing for hybridization of the two host species, and using this system to test the hybrid bridge hypothesis. I am also examining the parasitoid assemblages on the two hosts to test whether the original host shift was caused by enemy-free space.

Location of Research:
Francis Marion National Park, South Carolina
Croatan National Forest, North Carolina
University of Maryland, College Park

Awards:
2007 NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant
2007-2008 Center for Teaching Excellence Distinguished TA Award
2006-2007 Department of Entomology - Steinhauer Teaching Award
2005 Jane Prichard Award for Excellence in Teaching