April Skipper

April Skipper

April Skipper is a full time Research Professional and master's student at the University of Georgia (UGA). Originally from Athens, Ga, she is currently studying Entomology under Dr. Mark Abney in Tifton and is enrolled in the Master of Plant Protection and Pest Management (MPPPM) program. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Avian Biology from UGA in 2011.

While finishing her bachelor’s degree, she worked in Dr. Wayne Parrott’s plant genetics lab at UGA where she assisted with research on switchgrass and soybean. After graduation, she worked full time as a Research Professional in Dr. Parrott’s lab for two years. Skipper moved from Athens to Florida and then to South Georgia, where she accepted a position working with Dr. Abney in peanut entomology at UGA Tifton. While working here, she realized that she could obtain a master’s degree while continuing to work full time. When Dr. Abney introduced her to the MPPPM program, it was an opportunity that she knew she could not turn down.

In her project, Skipper works with the southern corn rootworm and the banded cucumber beetle in peanut. The immature stages of these pests feed on peanut pods and cause injury that can lower yield as well as quality of the harvested crop. Banded cucumber beetle is not native to Georgia, and the biology of the pest is only poorly understood in the southeastern United States. Nevertheless, in some areas of South Georgia, banded cucumber beetle is extremely abundant. Skipper has a laboratory colony of these beetles that she is studying closely to find efficient methods to manage them in peanut. She is also conducting large-scale, landscape level field research in southwest Georgia to better understand the insect’s biology.

Through this project, Skipper has been able to enhance her research and communication skills and her knowledge of agriculture and entomology. Working firsthand with growers, Extension specialists, and other colleagues has allowed her to think outside of the box. The two pests Skipper is studying have not been the focus of extensive research in peanut in the past, and there is much to learn. Rootworm larvae live in the soil and are difficult to study because most of their life cycle changes occur underground. Skipper explained that she enjoys a challenge, so this research has been exciting for her.

After completing her master's degree, she plans to move back home to Athens, Georgia. Skipper plans to pursue a position in research, with a focus on plant genetics or entomology. She is interested in working for industry, Extension, or continuing to work in a UGA research lab.

by Caraline Coombs, student assistant, UGA Peanut Team Media