My research centers on the American cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon, and within this system, I focus on the biology and ecology of arthropods. My program follows three main lines of inquiry: 1) investigations of the biology and phenology of pest species; 2) reduced-risk IPM approaches; and 3) trophic structure of the cranberry system. Wisconsin represents a particularly fruitful place in which to study the cranberry, largely because this plant is a native and presents both wild and cultivated populations around the State. And, Wisconsin leads the nation in cranberry production, making us “cranberry central.”
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ENTOMOLOGY (2009), WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Dissertation: Biodiversity and fear ecology: the cascading effects of species richness and nontrophic interactions
M.S., ENTOMOLOGY (1997), UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
Thesis: Flowering perennial hedgerows in annual agroecosystems: effects on cabbage pests and associated entomophaga in Wisconsin
B.A., ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (1993), UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY
Senior thesis: The Flower-visiting Insect Species of Coyote Brush in Berkeley, CA
Minor: American Literature
PUBLICATIONS
I. Refereed publications:
Gable, J.T., D.W. Crowder, T.D. Northfield, S.A. Steffan, and W.E. Snyder. 2012. Niche engineering reveals complementary resource use. Ecology 93:1994-2000.
Fajardo, D., D. Senalik, H. Zhu, M. Ames, S.A. Steffan, R. Harbut, J. Polashock, N. Vorsa, E. Gillespie, K. Kron, J.E. Zalapa. 2012. Complete plastid genome sequence of Vaccinium macrocarpon: structure, gene content and rearrangements revealed by next generation sequencing. Tree Genetics and Genomes.
Fajardo D., J. Morales, H. Zhu , S. Steffan, R. Harbut, N. Bassil, K. Hummer, J. Polashock, N. Vorsa, and J. Zalapa. 2012. Discrimination of American cranberry cultivars and assessment of clonal heterogeneity using microsatellite markers. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter. DOI: 10.1007/s11105-012-0497-4.
Zalapa, J.E., H. Cuevas, H. Zhu, S.A. Steffan, D. Senalik, E. Zeldin, B. McCown, R. Harbut, and P. Simon. 2012. Using Next Generation Sequencing Approaches for the Isolation of Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Loci in the Plant Sciences. American Journal of Botany 99:193-208.
Jones, V.P., S.A. Steffan, N.G. Wiman, D.R. Horton, Q-.H. Zhang, and C.C. Baker. 2010. Evaluation of herbivore-induced plant volatiles for monitoring lacewings in apple orchards. Biological Control 56: 98-105.
Jones, V.P., S.A. Steffan, L.A. Hull, J.F. Brunner, and D.J. Biddinger. 2010. Effects of the Loss of Organophosphate Pesticides in the US: Opportunities and Needs to Improve IPM Programs. Outlooks on Pest Management 21:161-166.
Steffan, S.A., and W.E. Snyder. 2010. Predator diversity effects transmitted exclusively by behavioral interactions. Ecology 91:2242-2252.
Prischmann, D.A., S.A. Steffan, and C.M. Anelli. 2009. Insect myths: an interdisciplinary approach fostering active learning. American Entomologist 55:228-233.
Daane, K.M., G.Y. Yokota, R. Krugner, S.A. Steffan, P.G. da Silva, R.H. Beede, W.J. Bentley, and G.B. Weinberger. 2005. Large bugs damage pistachio nuts most severely during midseason. California Agriculture 59(2): 95-102.
Gullan, P.J., D.A. Downie, and S.A. Steffan. 2003. A new pest species of the mealybug genus Ferrisia Fullaway (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) from the United States. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Vol. 96(6):723-737.
Millar, J.G., R.E. Rice, S.A. Steffan, K.M. Daane, E. Cullen, and F.G. Zalom. 2001. Attraction of female digger wasps, Astata occidentalis Cresson, to the sex pheromone of the stink bug, Thyanta pallidovirens (Stal). Pan-Pacific Entomologist 77:244-48.
Steffan, S.A., K.M. Daane, and D.L. Mahr. 2001. 15N-enrichment of plant tissue to mark phytophagous insects, associated parasitoids, and flower-visiting entomophaga. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 98: 173-180.
Steffan, S.A., C. Garvey, and D. Sexson. 1998. The 1996 farm bill will enhance the long-term adoption of ecologically sound IPM: the con argument. American Entomologist 44: 161-162.
Steffan, S.A. 1997. Flower-visitors of Baccharis pilularis De Candolle subsp. consanguinea (De Candolle) C.B. Wolf (Asteraceae) in Berkeley, California. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 73: 52-54.
Wallin, K.F., R. Hofstetter, S. Steffan, and T. Rabey. 1996. Environmental issues associated with enhancing the impact of biological control agents. American Entomologist 42: 164-165.
Daane, K.M., L.E. Williams, G.Y. Yokota, and S.A. Steffan. 1995. Leafhopper prefers vines with greater amounts of irrigation. California Agriculture 3: 28-32.
II. Recent non-refereed publications:
Steffan, S., M. Singleton, J. Sojka, T. Dittl, and J. Zalapa. Flooding as “spring cleaning” for insect pests. Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association Summer Meeting, Hancock, WI. WSCGA Summer Meeting & Field Day Program, pp. 32-34.
Steffan, S., M. Singleton, A. Deutsch, E. Bosak, and J. Zalapa. The record-breaking 2012 spring: Why degree-days were critical in assessing insect and plant development. Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association Summer Meeting, Hancock, WI. WSCGA Summer Meeting & Field Day Program, pp. 29-31.
Harbut R., S. Steffan, P. McManus, J. Zalapa. Fruit ‘Scarring’ in Wisconsin Cranberry Beds. University of Wisconsin-Extension article (fruit.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/CranberryUpdate.pdf).
Steffan, S., J. Sojka, M. Singleton, E. Bosak, A. Deutsch, and J. Zalapa. 2012. The Record-Breaking 2012 Spring: Why Degree-Days Were Critical in Assessing Insect Development. Cranberry Crop Management Newsletter Vol. XXV, Issue 7: 1-2.
Steffan, S., M. Singleton, J. Sojka, and J. Zalapa. 2012. Removal of Arthropods in the Spring “Trash Floods.” Cranberry Crop Management Newsletter Vol. XXV, Issue 7: 3-4.
Alston, D.G., J.D. Barbour, and S.A. Steffan. 2007. California Prionus. In: E. Beers, J.F. Brunner, M.J. Willett, and G. Warner (eds.), OPM Online, Orchard Pest Management, WSU TFREC. link to publication
Steffan, S.A. and D.G. Alston. 2005. Biology and Control of Prionus Root Borer (Prionus californicus). Orchard IPM Series: Utah State University Extension Factsheet HG/Orchard/2005-01.
Steffan, S.A. and D.G. Alston. 2005. Biology and Control of Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci). Orchard IPM Series: Utah State University Extension Factsheet HG/Orchard/2005-02.
Alston, D.G., S.V. Thomson, S.A. Steffan, S. Ockey, and A. Roe. 2004. The Home Orchard Pest Management Guide. Utah State University Extension Publication HG 137. 28 pp.
Steffan, S. and M. Reding. 2004. Doubling Times and Half-Lives: Considerations for IPM Programs under Heavy Codling Moth Pressure. Proceedings of 78th Annual Western Orchard Pest and Disease Management Conference, Portland, Oregon.
