Alejandro Calixto
Director, NYS Integrated Pest Management
As director of Cornell University’s New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Alejandro Calixto leads a team of entomologists, educators and extension specialists in pioneering ecologically resilient pest management practices that lead to safer farms, homes, schools and communities. Prior to joining NYSIPM, Calixto dedicated more than two decades to developing strategies for reducing the impact of pests in both the public and private sectors. As a research scientist at Texas A&M University, he worked to develop pest prediction systems, while focusing on invasive species and the management of urban and agricultural pests. At Dow AgroSciences/Corteva Agriscience, Calixto worked to create crop protection tools for the management of insect pests and plant pathogens in support of IPM and Resistance Management programs. He has contributed to integrated pest management projects around the world, including Brazil, Columbia, Mexico and New Zealand and is leading efforts to make IPM more accessible to marginalized and non-English-speaking communities.
Research Focus
I am interested in the ecology and management of exotic species. My research relies on using basic ecological principals for developing management strategies in both urban and agricultural environments to target exotic ants. Ant assemblages in both urban and agricultural environments are shaped mainly via competition. I am particularly interested in how competition (resource discovery and dominance) plays an important role in developing targeted tactics for the management of exotic ants. I relied on manipulative field and laboratory experiments (including molecular techniques) to investigate the mechanisms and the resulting effects of these species interactions under different management practices, particularly those involving formulated toxic baits.
Outreach and Extension Focus
My extension and outreach efforts focus on developing decision-support systems for selected pests in production agriculture. These efforts rely on web based Information Technology to process large amounts of information (simulations, statistical and mathematical models) to deliver knowledge for use by producers. The decision support systems are useful to producers as they are able to decide if and when to take management actions for selected pests. The systems provide a decision window that recommends treating for that pest only when needed, thus reducing the risks on the environment and humans, as well the costs associated for managing these pests.
Teaching Focus
I don’t have any teaching commitments with but I am involved in an annual Field Ecology Course offered to undergraduate students in Colombia by Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Fundacion Mancondo, where I am the instructor for the Applied Entomology module.
Areas of Expertise
- Integrated Pest Management
- Invasive Species
- Applied Entomology
- Invasive Ants Ecology and Management
- Adaptive Management
- Community Ecology
- Urban Entomology
- Predictive Agriculture
- Crop Protection
Professional Organizations
- Entomological Society of America
- Ecological Society of America
- Sociedad Colombiana de Entomologia
Education
- Ph.D. Entomology. Texas A&M University, 2005-2008
- M.Sc. Entomology. Texas A&M University, 2002-2004
- B.Sc. Biology. Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, 1991-1997
Awards & Honors
- 2016: Innovators Award. Dow AgroSciences®
- 2011: Pecan ipmPIPE Team. Texas AgriLife Extension Superior Service Award.
- 2007: John Henry Comstock Graduate Student Award–Entomological Society of America.
- 2007: Exceptional Service Award as Student Liason to the Committee on International Affairs.
- 2007: Exceptional Service Award on the Committee on Student Affairs 2006-2007.
- 2006: Knox and Mary Parr Scholarship, Texas Cooperative Extension. Texas A&M University.
- 2005: Outstanding Student Research Award. Association of Former Students and Office of Graduate Studies, Texas A&M University.
Journal Articles
- Puckett, R., A. Calixto, J. Reed, D. McDonald, B. Drees and R. Gold. 2013. Effectiveness comparison of multiple sticky trap configurations for sampling Pseudacteon spp. phorid flies (Diptera: Phorida). Env. Entomol. 42: 763-769.Gao, X, A.
- Birt, B. Ree, N. Lee, A. Calixto , R. Lacewell and M. Harris. 2013. Producer Adoption and Economic Impact in Texas of the Belt-Wide Pecan ipmPIPE Program. Southwest. Entomol. 38:1-17.
- Calixto, A. A. Dean, A. Knutson, B. Ree and M.K. Harris and B. Ree. 2013. Spiders in pecans in Central Texas. Southwestern Naturalist. 58: 179-191.
- Birt, A., A. Calixto, M. Tchakerian, A. Dean, R. Coulson and M. Harris. 2012. Harnessing Information Technology (IT) for Use in Production Agriculture. J. Integrated Pest Management. 3: 1-8.
- Calixto, A., B. Drees and I. Pena. Rapid assessment survey of the ant fauna of Green Island, Cameron County, Texas. Southwest. Entomol. 37: 141-145.
- Drees, B., A. Calixto and P. Nester. 2012. Integrated Pest Management Concepts for Imported Fire Ants. Insect Science. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2012.01552.x
- Calixto, A., A. Birt, N. Lee, A. Dean, B. Ree and M. K. Harris. 2011. Pecan ipmPIPE: Harnessing the Internet for Stakeholders in Production Agriculture. J. Integrated Pest Management. 2: 1-6.
- Quezada, J., S. Sánchez Peña, E. M. Delgado, H. Díaz, and A. A. Calixto. 2011. Preliminary assessment of the impact of the recently introduced Solenopsis invicta Buren on resident ant assemblages in Matamoros, Mexico. Southwest. Entomol. 36: 61-76.
- Gilbert, L. E., C. L. Barr, A. Calixto, J L. Cook, B. M. Drees, E. G. LeBrun, R. J. W. Patrock, R. Plowes, S. D. Porter and R. T. Puckett. 2008. Introducing phorid fly parasitoids of red imported fire ant workers from South America to Texas: Outcomes vary by region and by Pseudacteon species released. 2008. Southwest. Entomol. 33: 15-29.
- Calixto, A., M. K. Harris, A. Knutson and C. L. Barr. 2007. Responses of Native Ants to Solenopsis invicta Buren Reduction with a Broadcast Bait. Env. Entomol. 36: 1112-1123.
- Calixto, A., A. Dean and M. K. Harris. 2007. Sampling ants with pitfall traps: propylene glycol vs water as kill/preservative agent. Southwest. Entomol. 32: 87-91.
- Calixto, A., M. K. Harris and C. L. Barr. 2007. Resurgence and Persistence of Dorymyrmex flavus Mc Cook Following Reduction of Solenopsis invicta Buren with a Broadcast Bait. Env. Entomol. 36: 549-554.
- Puckett, R. T., A. Calixto, C. L. Barr and M. K. Harris. 2007. Passive Traps for Monitoring Pseudacteon Parasitoids of Solenopsis Fire Ants. Env. Entomol. 36: 584-588.
- Calixto, A. and H. W. Levi. 2006. Notes on the natural history of Aspidolasius branicki (Araneae, Araneidae) at Tinigua National Park, Colombia with a revision of the genus. Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society. 13: 314-320.
- Calixto, A., A. Dean, A. Knutson and M. K. Harris. 2006. Density Changes of Two Earwigs, Labidura riparia (Pallas) and Euborellia annulipes (Lucas) Following Fire Ant Reduction in Mumford, Texas. Southwest. Entomol. 31: 97-101.
- Barr, C. and A. Calixto. 2005. Electrical stimulation of Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to enhanced phorid fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis (Diptera: Phoridae), detection. Southwest. Entomol. 3: 165-168.
- Harris, M. K., A. Knutson, A. Calixto, Allen Dean, B. Ree and L. Brooks. 2003. Impact of Red Imported Fire Ant on foliar herbivores and natural enemies. Southwest. Entomol. Suppl. 27: 123-134.
Book Chapters
- Lituma, C., S. Farrel, A. Calixto and J. Cannon. 2009. Restoring Small and Isolated Populations: The San Joaquin Kangaroo Rat Habitat at Lemoore Naval Air Station. In Restoring Wildlife: Ecological Concepts and Practical Applications. Pp. 273-286. M. L. Morrison (Ed).
Extension Publications
- Drees, B. and A. Calixto. Survey-Based Management of Red Imported Fire Ants. 2014. Texas AgriLife Extension. ENTO-007. 03/2014.
- Calixto, A. and M. K. Harris. Pecan ipmPIPE users guide. 2010. Texas A&M University, 12 pg.
- Faust, R., R. Vander Meer, R., D. Williams, R. Brenner, R. Pereira, M. Aubuchon, D. Oi, S. porter, D. Shoemaker, S. Valles, A. Callcott, P. Koehler, D. Street, J.T. Vogh, J. Reed, R. Wright, W. Smith, P. M. Horton, T. Davis, B. Drees, C. Barr, A. Calixto, R. Puckett, C. Lard. 2010. Final Report – USDA-ARS Areawide Fire Ant Project. (A. Calixto Editor).
- B. M. Drees, P. Shackelford, A. Calixto and Nester. Pasture Renovation by Dragging Ant Mounds and Broadcast Baiting to Eliminate Red Imported Fire Ants. 2010. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2010, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp. 31-39.
- M. Keck, B. M. Drees, A. Calixto and N. Cervantes. Fort Sam Houston Final Report. 2010. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2010, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp. 44-50.
- B. M. Drees, D. McDonald, A. Calixto, P. Nester, C. Bowen, T. Rasberry and R. Gold. Evaluation of Advance Carpenter Ant Bait for Suppression of Rasberry Crazy Ant. Pp. 90-95. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2010, Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
- B. M. Drees, D. McDonald, P. Nester, C. Bowen, A. Calixto and R. Gold. Evaluation of Prescription Treatment® Advance® Granular Carpenter Ant Bait (0.011% abamectin B1) Applied in a Grid-Based Pattern Using Ant Perimeter Bait Stations for Suppression of Rasberry Crazy Ants in East Columbia, TX. 2010. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2010, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp. 96-106.
- P. Nester, A. Camerino, B. M. Drees and A. Calixto. Evaluation of ARINIX® Permethrin Impregnated Nylon Plastic Strips in Preventing Fire Ant Invasion in RainBird Par + ES Irrigation Boxes at Bear Creek Golf World, Houston, Texas. 2009. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2009, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp. 42-55.
- B. M. Drees, B. Summerlin, A. Calixto and R. Puckett. Field Assessment of Removal of Granular Ant Bait Formulations by Red Imported Fire Ants. 2009. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2009, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp. 71-76.
- A. Calixto, B. M. Drees, M. Morrow, D. Roach and J. Johnson. Impact of Red Imported Fire Ant on Insect Abundance as a Food Source for Broods of the Critically Endangered Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken: Final Report 2006-2009. 2009. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2009, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp. 77-92.
- B. M. Drees, A. Calixto, M. Keck and N. Cervantes. Progress Report: Evaluation of Red Imported Fire Ant Treatment Programs to Preserve Federally Endangered Species of Concern and Endemic Cave Adapted Arthropod Species at Camp Bullis, Bexar County, Texas. 2009. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2009, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp. 107-114.
- B. M. Drees, R. E. Gold, A. Calixto, D. McDonald, P. Nester and C. Bowen. Current Status of the Invasive Rasberry Crazy Ant, Paratrechina (=Nylanderia) sp. nr. Pubens, in Texas. 2009. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2009, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp. 129-134.
- Puckett, R., A. Calixto and B. Drees. 2008. Fire Ant IPM in Caldwell ISD School Complex Caldwell, TX. 2007. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2007, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp 8-13.
- Puckett, R., A. Calixto and B. Drees. 2008. Fire Ant IPM in Copperas Hollow Country Club Caldwell, TX. 2007. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2007, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp 23-30.
- Drees, B., A. Calixto, C. Botero, M. Morrow, D. Roach and J. Johnson. 2008. Preliminary Assessment of the Impacts of Red Imported Fire Ants on Communities of Insects that Serves as Major Food Source for Broods of the Endangered Attwater’s Prairie Chicken. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2007, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp 152-159.
- Schofield, K., L. Golden, B. Drees and A. Calixto. 2008. Release and Establishment of a Fire Ant Parasitic Fly, Pseudacteon curvatus and Pseudacteon tricuspis (Diptera: Phoridae) in Denton County and the Release of Pseudacteon curvatus in Red River County in 2007. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2007, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Pp 170-179.
- Schofield, K., Cooper, B. Drees and A. Calixto, 2007. Establishment of a Fire Ant Parasitic Fly, Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae) in Denton County and the Release of Pseudacteon tricuspis (Diptera: Phoridae) in Pilot Point, TX in 2006. 2007. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2005, Texas Cooperative Extension. Pp 26-36.
- Schofield, K., Cooper, B. Drees and A. Calixto, 2006. Release and Establishment of a Fire Ant Parastic Fly, Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae) in Denton County, 2005. 2006. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2005, Texas Cooperative Extension. Pp 44-50.
- Knutson, A., B. Ree, B. Whitney and A. Calixto. 2003. Evaluation of Extinguish for Fire Ant Control in Pecans in Comanche County, Texas. 1999-2002. Result Demonstration Handbook, Red Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Program, Texas Cooperative Extension. In Red Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Program Result Demonstration Handbook 1999-2003. Pg. 37-39.
- Barr, C. and A. Calixto. 2003. Effectiveness of Amdro® Yard Treatment Applied as Individual Mound Treatments, Broadcast and in Combination. Result Demonstration Handbook, Red Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Program, Texas Cooperative Extension. In Red Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Program Result Demonstration Handbook 1999-2003. Pg. 81-83.
- Barr, C. and A. Calixto. 2003. IGR Bait Individual Fire Ant Mound Treatments for Small-Area Fire Ant Control. Result Demonstration Handbook, Red Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Program, Texas Cooperative Extension. In Red Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Program Result Demonstration Handbook 1999-2003. Pg. 87-88.
Teaching Publications
- Lopez, T., E. Mosquera, A, Pereira, L. Rodriguez and A. Calixto. 2013. Estimación preliminar de la abundancia de insectos en un gradiente de transformación entre un pastizal y un bosque fragmentado en Lagos de Menegua, Puerto López – Meta. 27-34 pp. En Memorias Tercer Curso Internacional en Ecologia y Conservacion de la Biodiversidad Neotropical. Fundacion Maconde, Bogota, Colombia. 174pp.
- Montoya, M, N. Morales, N. Bernal, J. Cristancho, C. Umana and A. Calixto. 2013. Effecto de el Uso de el Sendero “El Humedal” sobre la Diversidad del Suelo en el Santuario de Fauna y Flora Otun-Quimbaya. 137-149. En Memorias Tercer Curso Internacional en Ecologia y Conservacion de la Biodiversidad Neotropical. Fundacion Maconde, Bogota, Colombia. 189pp.
Non-Refereed Publications
- Spafford, H. (Chair), R. Venette, D. Fonseca, A. Rivers and A Calixto. 2018. The Not So-Hidden Dangers of Invasive Species. (ESA Position Statement on Invasive Species. Approved April 21, 2016 valid through April 21, 2020). Annals of the Entomological Society of America.111: 79–80.
- Calixto, A. and A. H. McKay. 2017. Diaphorina citri (Hemíptera: Psyllidae) y el futuro de la industria citrícola en Estados Unidos. In Memorias y Resúmenes 44º Congreso – Sociedad Colombiana de Entomología (ISBN: 2389-7694). Pp. 54-63.
Contact Information
IPM House
607 West North St,
Geneva, NY 14456
aac273 [at] cornell.edu
Alejandro in the news
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Attended by more than a dozen state and local elected officials and New York Farm Bureau members, Calixto 's presentation featured an overview of the 13 research projects being conducted by NYSIPM and Cornell University faculty and staff to...
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