Dr. Tom Weissling

Dr. Tom Weissling
Associate Professor
Academic Programs, Insect Ecology, Pollinator Health, Conservation

Faculty Profile

About

Dr. Tom Weissling is chair of the Entomology Graduate Committee, coordinates the online Master's Degree in Entomology, and conducts research on milkweed insect community diversity. 

Education

  • B.S. in Entomology, Colorado State University, 1984
  • M.S. in Entomology, Colorado State University, 1986
  • Ph.D. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1990

Professional Responsibilities and Activities

  • Coordination of the online MS degree program.
  • Provide instruction for a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, and graduate student advising.
  • Develop educational and research opportunities for undergraduate students.
  • Develop recruitment and marketing strategies to meet academic enrollment targets.
  • Document insect diversity on milkweed plants in Nebraska.

Publications

Refereed Publications:

  • Capinera, J.L.T.J. Weissling & E.E. Schweizer. 1985. Compatibility of intercropping with mechanized agriculture: effects of strip intercropping of pinto beans and sweet corn on insect abundance in Colorado. J. Econ. Entomol. 78: 354-357.
  • Meinke, L.J., Z B Mayo & T.J. Weissling. 1989. A pheromone delivery system: western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) pheromone encapsulation in a starch borate matrix. J. Econ. Entomol. 82: 1830-1835.
  • Weissling, T.J., L.J. Meinke, D. Trimnell & K.L. Golden. 1989. Behavioral responses of Diabrotica adults to plant-derived semiochemicals encapsulated in a starch borate matrix. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 53: 219-228.
  • Weissling, T.J. & L.J. Meinke. 1991. Potential of starch encapsulated semiochemicals-insecticide formulations for adult corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) control. J. Econ. Entomol. 84: 601-609.
  • Weissling, T.J. & L.J. Meinke. 1991. Semiochemical-insecticide bait placement and vertical distribution of corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adults: implications for management. Environ. Entomol. 20: 945-952.
  • Weissling, T.J., L.J. Meinke & K.A. Lytle. 1991. Effect of starch-based corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) baits on selected non-target insect species: influence of semiochemical composition. J. Econ. Entomol. 84: 1235-1241.
  • Weissling, T.J., F.B. Peairs & S.D. Pilcher. 1992. Comparison of chemigated and aerially-applied chlorpyrifos and fenvalerate for control of European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae. J. Econ. Entomol. 85: 539-543.
  • Weissling, T.J., R.M. Giblin Davis, R.H. Scheffrahn & N. Marban M. 1992. Trap for capturing and retaining Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults using Sabal palmetto as bait. Florida Entomol. 75: 212-221.
  • Weissling, T.J. & R.M. Giblin Davis. 1993. Water loss dynamics and humidity preference of Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults. Environ. Entomol. 22: 93-98.
  • Weissling, T.J., R.M. Giblin-Davis & R. H. Scheffrahn. 1993. Laboratory and field evidence for a male produced aggregation pheromone in Rhynchophorus cruentatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Chem. Ecol. 19: 1195-1203.
  • Oehlschlager, A.C., A. Perez, L.M. Gonzalez, H. Pierce, B. Morgan, P. Wimalaratne, K. Slessor, G.S. King, G. Gries, R. Gries, N.D.P. Hallet, D.P. Angerilli, J.H. Borden, C.M. Chinchilla, R.G. Mexzon, A. Rauf, B. Prior, S. Laup, M.K. Rashed, M.S. Gassoouma, M. Kouda, M. Zebeyou, N. Nanou, R. Giblin-Davis & T.J. Weissling. 1993. Pheromone-baiting trapping of oil palm weevils and rhinoceros beetles – significant pests of palms. In Proceedings of International Development Research Center Conference on Natural Products, Quebec, Canada. 18 p.
  • Weissling, T.J., R.M. Giblin-Davis, G. Gries, R. Gries, A.L. Perez, H.D. Pierce & A.C. Oehlschlager. 1994. Aggregation pheromone of palmetto weevil Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Chem. Ecol. 20: 505-515.
  • Weissling, T.J. & A.L. Knight. 1994. Passive trap for monitoring codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) flight activity. J. Econ. Entomol. 87: 103-107.
  • Giblin-Davis, R.M., T. J. Weissling, A.C. Oehlschlager & L.M. Gonzalez. 1994. Field responses of Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to its aggregation pheromone and fermenting plant volatiles. Florida Entomol. 77: 164-177.
  • Knight, A.L., M. Weiss & T. Weissling. 1994. Diurnal patterns of adult activity of four orchard pests (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) measured by timing trap and actograph. J. Agric. Entomol. 11: 125-136.
  • Weissling, T.J., R.M. Giblin-Davis, B.J. Center & T. Hiyakawa. 1994. Flight behavior and seasonal trapping of Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 87: 641-647.
  • Weissling, T.J. & R.M. Giblin-Davis. 1994. Fecundity and fertility of Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Florida Entomol. 77: 373-376.
  • Weissling, T.J. & R.M. Giblin-Davis. 1995. Oligidic diets for culture of the palmetto weevil, Rhynchophorus cruentatus. Florida Entomol. 78: 225-234.
  • Weissling, T.J. & A.L. Knight. 1995. Vertical distribution of codling moth adults in pheromone-treated and untreated plots. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 77: 271-275.
  • Horton, D.R., T.M. Lewis & T.J. Weissling. 1995. Reduction in feeding by diapausing and postdiapause pear psylla (Homoptera: Psyllidae) caused by extract from buffalogourd (Cucurbitaceae). J. Entomol. Soc. Bri. Col. 92: 9-15.
  • Weissling, T.J. & A.L. Knight. 1996. Oviposition and calling behavior of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in the presence of codlemone. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 89: 142-147.
  • McDonough, L.M., P.S. Chapman, T.J. Weissling & C.L. Smithhisler. 1996. Efficacy of non-pheromone communication disruptants of codling moth (Cydia pomonella (L.): effect of chemical composition, and of distance between calling females and dispensers. J. Chem. Ecol. 22: 415-423.
  • Giblin-Davis, R.M., A.C. Oehschlager, A. Perex, G. Gries, R. Gries, T.J. Weissling, C.M. Chinchilla, J.E. Pena, R.H. Hallett & H.D. Pierce, Jr. 1996. Chemical and behavioral ecology of palm weevils. Florida Entomologist. 79: 154-167.
  • Weissling, T.J., T.M. Lewis, L.M. McDonough & D.R. Horton. 1997. Reduction in pear psylla (Homoptera: Psyllidae) oviposition and feeding by foliar application of various materials. Can. Entomol. 129: 637-643.
  • Su, N.-Y, R.H. Scheffrahn & T.J. Weissling. 1997. A new introduction of a subterranean termite, Coptotermes havilandi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Miami, Florida. Florida Entomol. 80: 408-411.
  • Vanderbilt, C.F., R.M. Giblin-Davis & T.J. Weissling. 1998. Mating behavior and sexual response to aggregation pheromone of Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Florida Entomol. 81: 351-360.
  • Weissling, T.J. & E.M. Thoms. 1999. Use of an acoustic emission detector for locating formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) feeding activity when installing and inspecting aboveground termite bait stations containing hexaflumuron. Florida Entomol. 82: 60-71.
  • Howard, F.W.. A. Hamon, M. McLaughlin, & T. Weissling. 1999. Aulacaspis yasumatsui (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Diaspididae), a scale insect pest of cycads recently introduced into Florida. Florida Entomol. 82: 14-27.
  • Weissling, T.J. & T. K. Broschat. 1999. Integrated management of palm pests. Proceedings Florida State Horticultural Society 112: 247-250.
  • Howard, F.W. & T.J. Weissling. 1999. Questions and answers about the cycad aulacaspis scale insect. Proceedings Florida State Horticultural Society 112: 243- 245.
  • Hunsberger, A.G.B., R.M. Giblin-Davis & T.J. Weissling. 2000. Symptoms and population dynamics of Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Canary Island date palms. Florida Entomol. 83: 290-303.
  • F. W. Howard, T.J. Weissling & Lois B. O'Brien. 2001. The larval habitat of Cedusa inflata (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Derbidae) and its relationship with adult distribution on palms. Florida Entomol. 84: 119-122.
  • Broschat, T.K. & T.J. Weissling. 2001. Susceptibility of Lantana cultivars to Orthezia insignis. HortTechnology, 11: 460-462.
  • Weissling, T., R. Giblin-Davis, B. Center, R. Heath & J. Peña. 2003. Oviposition by Metamasius hemipterous sericius (Coleopera: Curculionidae). Florida Entomol. 86: 174-178.V
  • Puche, H., T. J. Weissling, R. Schnell, N. D. Epsky, & R. R. Heath. 2005. Estimating dispersal rate of the silky cane weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Applied Entomology 129 (6): 293-299.
  • Heath, Robert R., P. E. A. Teal, N. D. Epsky, B. D. Dueben, S. D. Hight, S. Bloem, J. E. Carpenter, T. J. Weissling, P.E. Kendra, J. Cibrian-Tovar, & K. A. Bloem. 2006. Pheromone-Based Attractant for Males of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Environ. Entomol. 35(6): 1469-1476.
  • Epsky, N.D., T.J. Weissling, A. Walker, A.W. Meerow, & R.R. Heath. 2008. Life History and Damage of a new Baradinae Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Amaryllis. Florida Entomol. 91(2): 214-219.
  • Wagner, P.M., A. Gandura, M. Mamo, T. Weissling, A. Wingeyer, and J.D. Bradshaw. 2020. Abundance and Diversity of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) as Affected by Grazing Management in the Nebraska Sandhills Ecosystem. Environmental Entomology. Nov. DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvaa130. 

  • Krueger, A.J., K. Hanford, T.J. Weissling, A.M. Vélez, and T.D. Anderson. 2021. Pyrethroid Exposure Reduces Growth and Development of Monarch Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) Caterpillars. J. Insect Sci. 21(2).

Book Chapters:

  • Knight, A.L. & T.J. Weissling. 1999. Behavior-modifying chemicals in management of arthropod pests. pp. 521-545. In: J.R. Ruberson [ed.], Handbook of pest management. Marcel Dekker, New York.
  • Weissling, T.J., P.G. Koehler, N.-Y. Su & R.H. Scheffrahn. 1998. Baits to control subterranean termites: The Sentricon system. pp. 163-165. In P.G. Koehler, D.E. Short, & W.H. Kern, Jr. (eds.) Pests in and around the Florida home. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Publication SP 134.

Awards and Honors

  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2012 Dinsdale Family Faculty Award
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 2013 Junior Faculty Holling Family Award for Teaching Excellence
  • Entomology Educational Project Award, ESA, NCB. Inside the Hive. 2013. (With D. Golick, A. Johns, T. Heng-Moss, and M. Ellis)
  • University-wide Departmental Teaching Award from the University of Nebraska, 2015. (Member of the application writing team)
  • Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching. 2016 North Central Branch Recipient, Entomological Society of America.
  • Gamma Sigma Delta Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2018.
  • Member of Backyard Farmer team awarded the Omtvedt Innovation Award for Team, 2018.
  • Recipient UNL Parents Association “Certificate of Recognition for Contributions to Students," 2019.
  • Recipient UNL Parents Association “Certificate of Recognition for Contributions to Students," 2021.

Other

Teaching Summary

Courses taught UNL:

  • ENTO 115, Insect Biology, 3 cr. 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.
  • ENTO 200, Arthropod Behavior, 3 cr. 2015, 2017, 2019.
  • ENTO 315, Undergraduate Research Seminar, 1 cr. (Co-Instructor) 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018.
  • ENTO 485, Current issues in entomology, 3 cr. (Co-Instructor) 2011 - 2020.
  • ENTO 496, Independent Study, var. cr. 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.
  • ENTO 407/807, Urban and Industrial Entomology, 3 cr. 2011.
  • ENTO 403/803, Management of Horticultural Pest Insects, 3 cr. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
  • ENTO 805, Introductory Entomology. 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
  • ENTO 818, Insect Identification and Natural History, 4 cr. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
  • ENTO 819, Insect Behavior, 3 cr. 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021.
  • ENTO 888, M.S. Degree Project, 4 cr. (Co-Instructor) 2011 - present.
  • ENTO 896, Independent Study, var. cr. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015.
  • ENTO 896, Urban Entomology, 3 cr. 2020.

Location

UNL Department of Entomology
1700 East Campus Mall, ENTO 103
Lincoln, NE 68583-0816

Appointment

80% Teaching, 20% Research

Professional Society Memberships

  • Entomology Society of America (ESA)