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Mary Harris

Dr. Mary Harris

Position
  • Emeritus Adjunct Assistant Professor

Education

  • B.A., Biology, University of California
  • M.S., Wildlife Biology, University of Montana
  • M.S., Integrated Pest Management, University of California
  • Ph.D., Entomology, University of Georgia

More Information

My research program addresses issues of pollinator biodiversity and habitat quality as well as environmental hazards to pollinators in an agricultural setting. Currently members of my lab are actively studying pollinator habitat provision in the intensively farmed landscape of Iowa through investigations of native bee species use of tallgrass prairie strips within row crops using the STRIPs practice myself and colleagues developed in watersheds at the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge near Prairie City. Working with the NRCS and IDALS we are currently identifying and assisting landowners in adopting the STRIPs practice. Find more information at: http://www.nrem.iastate.edu/research/STRIPs/.  With funding provided by FSA we are beginning studies of current CRP contour strips in Iowa to determine the efficacy of existing plant communities in providing habitat for native bees. Through Pollinator Partnership we have completed the first year of a project investigating exposure of honey bees foraging on resources potentially contaminated with neonicotinoid dust generated at the time of planting treated corn seed. 

Areas of Expertise: Entomology, Wildlife Biology, Pollination Biology