Extension Specialist: Lisa Ames

Lisa Ames, M.S., is the University of Georgia’s Homeowner Insect and Weed Diagnostician and extension specialist based in the Department of Entomology on the Griffin campus.

In 2002, Lisa began her tenure at UGA supporting Georgia’s county extension agents, ANR agents, and pest management professionals by identifying and providing basic information on biology and management for the 300-500 insect and weed sample submissions she receives annually via text, email, phone, and physical samples by mail. Her reputation as the “go-to” person for insect ID and subsequent problem-solving by county agents and industry personnel was earned honestly based on her consistent thoroughness in her diagnoses and recommendations. She has reviewed and diagnosed approximately 6,000 – 9,000 samples since 2002.

Lisa’s keen eye as a taxonomist has resulted in the detection and verification (several for the first time) of numerous invasive/exotic insect species in Georgia. These include an exotic beetle from wood crates in Whitfield county, the Giant whitefly in Lowndes and Thomas counties, the Amaryllis weevil (undescribed at the time) in Lowndes county, the Pink Hibiscus mealybug in Forsyth county, and the brown marmorated stink bug in Rockdale county. In fact, Lisa along with county agents in northeast Georgia were the first to detect the invasive kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria, in Georgia in October 2009.

Thanks, Lisa, for the crucial entomological work accomplished for the good of not only Georgia but the nation as well.