Faculty | Biology
Ricardo Ramirez

Agro-Ecology; Integrated Pest Management
Professor - Biology Department
Associate Professor
Contact Information
Office Location:
BNR 235F
DialPhone: 435-797-8088
SendEmail: ricardo.ramirez@usu.edu
Educational Background
PhD, Entomology, Washington State University, 2008 Dissertation
Entomopathogen efficiency against Colorado potato beetle in diverse management systems
MS, Agricultural Biology, (Entomology), New Mexico State University, 2004 Thesis
The influence of low humidity, Pseudacteon flies, and competition by Solenopsis xyloni on Solenopsis invicta
Awards
USU Research and Graduate Studies Funding Agency Visit Program, 2014
USU Research and Graduate StudiesPresidents Prize- MS student 1st place poster presentation, 2014
Entomological Society of AmericaSACNAS Leadership Institute , 2014
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in ScienceUSU New Extension Specialist Award, 2014
USU Extension Specialists AssociationPresidents Prize- PhD student 1st place poster presentation, 2013
Entomological Society of AmericaCommunication Award: Western Region Fact Sheet, 2013
National Association of County Agricultural AgentsUSU New Extension Specialist - Honorable Mention Award, 2013
USU Extension Specialists AssociationSecond Place Ten-minute paper, 2007
Washington State University Wiley ExpositionFirst Place Ten-minute paper , 2007
Pacific branch of the Entomological Society of AmericaInsect Pathology Ladybird Award, 2007
Midwest Institute for Biological ControlOutstanding Graduate Student Award, 2006
Washington State University EntomologyExcellence Scholar, 2006
Washington State UniversitySecond Place Ten-minute poster, 2005
Washington State University Wiley ExpositionSecond Place Ten-minute paper, 2005
Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of AmericaThird Place poster, 2003
Southwestern Branch of the Entomological Society of AmericaPublications - Abstracts
- Pieper, M., Creech, J.E, Hines, S.L, Cardon, G., Ramirez, R., (2016). Silage Corn Hybrid Response to Row Spacing and Plant Density in the Intermountain West. American Society of Agronomy *
- Pieper, M., Creech, J.E, Hines, S.L, Cardon, G., Ramirez, R., (2016). Silage corn hybrid response to row spacing and plant density. Western Society of Crop Science *
- Beddes, T., Ramirez, R., (2013). Calcined clay improves germination of arid plant species. Proceedings of the National Association of County Agriculture Agents
Publications - Books & Book Chapters
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Fact Sheets
- Spears, L., Cannon, C., Alston, D.G, Davis, R., Stanley-Stahr, C., Ramirez, R., (2017). Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii). Utah State University Extension and Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory
- Patterson, R., Ramirez, R., (2017). Beneficial Insects: Minute Pirate Bug.
- Ramirez, R., (2016). Billbug monitoring using pitfall traps. USU Extension-YouTube *
- Patterson, R., Ramirez, R., (2016). Aphid Natural Enemies and Biological Control. Utah State University Extension
- Ruckert, A., Ramirez, R., Israelsen, C.E, (2015). Spider mites in corn.
- Spears, L., Davis, R., Ramirez, R., (2015). Invasive insect look-alikes: mistaken insect identity. Utah State University Extension and Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory
- Spears, L., Davis, R., Ramirez, R., (2014). Emerald Ash Borer [Agrilus planipennis (Fairmaire)]. Utah State University Extension and Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory
- Spears, L., Ramirez, R., (2014). Emrald Ash Borer. USU Pests Fact Sheet
- Kopp, K., Davis, R., Ramirez, R., (2013). Chinch Bugs.
- Pena, N., Ramirez, R., (2013). Avispas 'Chaqueta amarilla', avispones y avespas de papel. USU Pests Fact Sheet *
- Pena, N., Ramirez, R., (2013). La Arana Hobo. USU Pests Fact Sheet *
- Pena, N., Ramirez, R., (2013). Spotted Wing Drosophila. USU Pests Fact Sheet *
- Pena, N., Ramirez, R., (2013). Squash Bug. USU Pests Fact Sheet *
- Davis, R., Ramirez, R., (2012). Spiders. USU Pests Fact Sheet
- Patterson, R., Ramirez, R., (2012). Beneficial Mites: Predatory Mites. USU Pests Fact Sheet
- Pena, N., Ramirez, R., (2011). Chinches de Cama (Bed bugs): Para profesionales en el control de pestes. USU Pests Fact Sheet *
- Pena, N., Ramirez, R., (2011). Termitas Subterraneas. USU Pests Fact Sheet *
- Ramirez, R., Patterson, R., Young, F., Pena, N., (2011). Hemiptera Beneficiosos: Damsel Bugs. USU Pests Fact Sheet *
- Ramirez, R., Patterson, R., (2011). Beneficial True Bugs: Big-eyed Bugs. USU Pests Fact Sheet
- Ramirez, R., Patterson, R., (2011). Beneficial True Bugs: Damsel Bugs. USU Pests Fact Sheet
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Curriculum
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Journal Articles
- Spears, L., Christman, M., Koch, J., Looney, C., Ramirez, R., A review of bee captures in pest monitoring traps and future directions for research and collaboration. Journal of Integrated Pest Management
- Scott, J., Nischwitz, C., Ramirez, R., Gordillo, L.G, (2017). Managing the spread of alfalfa stem nematode:the relationship between crop rotation periods and pest re-emergence. Natural Resource Modeling
- Spears, L., Looney, C., Ikerd, H., Koch, J., Griswold, T., Strange, J., Ramirez, R., (2016). Pheromone lure and trap color affects bycatch in agricultural landscapes of Utah. Environmental Entomology, 45, 1009-1016.
- Ramirez, R., Eubanks, M.D, (2016). Herbivore density mediates the indirect effect of herbivores on plants via induced defenses and apparent competition. Ecosphere
- Spears, L., Ramirez, R., (2015). Learning to love leftovers: Using bycatch to gain entomological knowledge. American Entomologist, 61:3, 168-173. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmv046
- Davis, R., Ramirez, R., Anderson, L., Bernhardt, S., (2015). Distribution and habitat of Ixodes pacificus and Dermacentor andersoni and prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Utah. Journal of Medical Entomology
- Van Dyke, A., McGraw, B., Ramirez, R., (2015). First report of the invasive crane fly, Tipula oleracea, damaging turf in Utah. Applied Turfgrass Science, doi: doi:10.2134/cftm2015.0124
- Ramirez, R., Spears, L., (2014). Stem nematode counteracts plant resistance of aphids in alfalfa, Medicago sativa.. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 40, 1099-1109.
- Kulmatiski, A., Anderson-Smith, A., Beard, K.H, Doucette-Riis, S., Mazzacavallo, M., Nolan, N.E, Ramirez, R., Stevens, J.R, (2014). Most soil trophic guilds increase plant growth: a meta-analytical review. Oikos, 123:2, 1409-1419. doi: 10.1111/oik.01767
- Ramirez, R., Spears, L., (2014). Stem nematode counteracts plant resistance of aphids in alfalfa, Medicago sativa. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 40:10, 1099-1109. doi: 10.1007/s10886-014-0504-3
- Beddes, T., Richard, A., Ramirez, R., (2013). Calcined clay improves germination of arid plant species. Journal of Environmental Horticulure, 31:2, 89-93.
- Dupuy, M., Ramirez, R., (2016). Biology and management of billbugs (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in turfgrass. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 7:1, 1-10. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmw004
Academic Journal
Professional Journal
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Literary Journal
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - MultiMedia
- Beard, F., Hall, K., Ramirez, R., (2016). Insecticide Application Strategies to Manage Pesticide Resistance. Pesticide Safety Education Program: Improvement and Modernization Initiative
- Burrows, S., Ritner, C., Christman, M., Spears, L., Smith-Pardo, A., Price, S., Ramirez, R., Griswold, T., Redford, A., (2021). Exotic Bee ID.
- Burrows, S., Christman, M., Spears, L., Smith-Pardo, A., Price, S., Ramirez, R., Griswold, T., Redford, A., (2018). Exotic Bee ID.
Audio
Powerpoint
Video
Web
Other Media
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Technical Reports
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Translations & Transcripts
Publications - Other
- Ramirez, R., Dupuy, M., (2016). Cutting Edge: Improving a predictive model for billbug management. Golf Course Management (GCM) Magazine *
- Ramirez, R., (2016). Managing with and against alfalfa stem nematode. Hay and Forage Grower *
- Ramirez, R., (2015). Monitoring carefully to control west's pests. Turf Magazine *
- Ramirez, R., (2021). Managing for drought and summer insect outbreaks in turf. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2019). "Sick" approaches to pest management. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Christman, M., Spears, L., Ramirez, R., (2021). Where the wild bees are: identifying land-use and climate variables impacting bumble bees in Utah. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2019). The season of pest busts and booms. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2019). Incorporating insect fear in integrated pest management. Northeastern IPM Center, IPM Insights *
- Ramirez, R., (2019). Guarding against pests using host plant resistance. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2019). Incorporating insect fear in integrated pest management. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Christman, M., Spears, L., Ramirez, R., (2018). A new tool for identifying exotic bees. Utah Pests Newsletter
- Ramirez, R., (2018). Turf billbug management- timing it right. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2018). Spider mites like it hot with neonics. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2018). Disturbing the peace of beneficials. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2017). Predicting billbug management in Intermountain West turf. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2017). New Russian nesting dolls affecting grain on the horizon. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2016). Genes, drought, and pest management. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2016). Lygus, a disrupter of alfalfa seed production. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2016). Thrips and aphids in alfalfa, one is a major concern. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2016). An alfalfa weevil from the underground. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2015). Neonicotinoids: from innovation to bad word. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2015). Aphids aplenty in alfalfa. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Ramirez, R., (2015). Spring billbug monitoring in turf. USU Turf Advisory *
- Ramirez, R., (2015). New and increasing pests in turf and alfalfa. Utah Pests Newsletter *
- Kopp, K., Ramirez, R., Messmer, T.A, (2013). Turfgrass IPM Advisory-Spring 2013.
- Kopp, K., Ramirez, R., Spears, L., (2012). Turfgrass IPM Advisory-Summer 2012.
- Kopp, K., Ramirez, R., (2012). Turfgrass IPM Advisory-Spring 2012.
Bulletins
Magazine/Trade Publication
Newsletter
Newspaper
* Has not been peer reviewed
Extension
Extension Turfgrass Education, 2001 - 2035
Civil Rights, 2011 - 2015
Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS), 2010 - 2015
IPM Field Crop, 2010 - 2015
IPM Urban, 2010 - 2015
UPPDL, 2010 - 2015
Master Gardener, 2011 - 2014
CAPS Coordinator, 2009 - 2013
Graduate Students Mentored
Mercy Odemba, January 2021
Rose Sepesy, Biology, December 2019
Alan Anderson, Biology, July 2018
Morgan Christman, Biology, June 2017
Desiree Wickwar, Biology, July 2018 - August 2021
Andi Kopit, Biology, August 2014 - May 2021
Gunbharpur Gill, Biology, June 2016 - June 2020
Kaitlin Rim, Biology, July 2017 - May 2020
Madeleine Dupuy, Biology, August 2013 - May 2018
Houston Judd, Biology, August 2014 - August 2017
Steven Price, Biology, May 2014 - August 2017
Alice Ruckert, Biology, August 2012 - May 2017
Erica Stephens, Biology, August 2011 - May 2015