Joined: Sep 26, 2017 Last Active: Oct 8, 2024 iNaturalist
Curator of Coccoidea and research scientist at the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA, FDACS-DPI)
Current research focusing on taxonomy of mealybugs (particularly grass-infesting genera), adventive Coccoidea and their predators, natural history and defensive mechanisms, etc. Past and present research on ecology of New Zealand harvestmen (Opiliones, Neopilionidae), spider-hunting mud dauber wasps (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae), and jumping spiders (Araneae, Salticidae).
Publications:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Erin-Powell-2
https://scholar.google.co.nz/citations?user=x-rdi2wAAAAJ&hl=en
I mainly focus on identifying NZ Neopilionidae and world Coccoidea on iNaturalist.
*Note that most scales, mealybugs, and whiteflies need to be slide-mounted for species-level ID, I am conservative with identification of pictures and recommend mounting specimens that require certainty.
ScaleNet is a great resource for scale host records, distributions, and literature: https://scalenet.info/