Dr. Robert Puckett

Research Interests

• Urban Entomology
• Invasive Species Ecology
• Social Insect Behavior
• Biological Control
• Bed Bug Biology/Behavior/Control
• Aquatic Entomology
• GIS

Publications – Peer Reviewed

Lei, J., Y. Tan, F. List, R. T. Puckett, A. M. Tarone, E. L. Vargo and K. Zhu-Salzman. 2022. Cloning and Functional Characterization of a Double-Stranded RNA-Degrading Nuclease in the Tawny Crazy Ant (Nylanderia fulva). Frontiers in Physiology 13; doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.833652. PDF

Vatanparast, M., R. T. Puckett, D.-S. Choi and Y. Park. 2021. Comparison of gene expression in the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) under different temperature conditions. Scientific Reports 11(1): 16476. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95779-w. PDF

Eyer, P.-A., B. McDowell, L. N. L. Johnson, L. A. Calcaterra, M. B. Fernandez, D. Shoemaker, R. T. Puckett and E. L. Vargo. 2018. Supercolonial structure of invasive populations of the tawny crazy ant Nylanderia fulva in the US. BMC Evolutionary Biology 18:209; doi: 10.1186/s12862-018-1336-5. PDF

Tinder, A. C., R. T. Puckett, N. D. Turner, J. A. Cammack and J. K. Tomberlin. 2017. Bioconversion of sorghum and cowpea by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens (L.)) larvae for alternative protein production. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 3(2): 121-130; doi: 10.3920/JIFF2016.0048. PDF

Reynolds, W. C., D. S. Reynolds, R. T. Puckett, T. Wade and M. T. Elmore. 2016. Monitoring Destructive Scarab Beetles in Texas Turfgrasses. Southwestern Entomologist 41(4): 921-932; doi: 10.3958/059.041.0423. PDF

Keefer, T. C., R. T. Puckett, K. S. Brown and R. E. Gold. 2015. Field Trials With 0.5% Novaluron Insecticide Applied as a Bait to Control Subterranean Termites (Reticulitermes sp. and Coptotermes formosanus [Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae]) on Structures. Journal of Economic Entomology 108(5): 2407-2413; doi: 10.1093/jee/tov200. PDF

Reed, J. J., R. T. Puckett and R. E. Gold. 2015. Induced Effects on Red Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Forager Size Ratios by Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera: Phoridae): Implications on Bait Size Selection. Environmental Entomology 44(5): 1407-1416; doi: 10.1093/ee/nvv118. PDF

Puckett, R. T., E. M. Espinoza and R.E. Gold. 2014. Alate-Trap Based Assessment of Formosan Subterranean Termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) Swarming Phenology Associated with a Barrier Island Ecosystem. Environmental Entomology 43(4): 868-876; doi: 10.1603/EN13223. PDF

Puckett, R. T., A. A. Calixto, J. J. Reed, D. L. McDonald, B. ‘Bart’ Drees and R. E. Gold. 2013. Effectiveness comparison of multiple sticky-trap configurations for Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera:Phoridae) Sampling. Environmental Entomology 42(4): 763-769; doi: 10.1603/EN13150. PDF

Puckett, R. T., D. L. McDonald and R. E. Gold. 2012. Comparison of Multiple Steam Treatment Durations for Control of Bed Bugs (Cimex Lectularius). Pest Management Science 69(9): 1061-1065; doi: 10.1002/ps.3467. PDF

Puckett, R. T., T. C. Keefer and R. E. Gold. 2012. Performance of Altriset™ (Chlorantraniliprole) Termiticide Against Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki in Laboratory Feeding Cessation and Collateral Transfer Trials, and Field Applications. Sociobiology 59: 531-548; doi: 10.13102/sociobiology.v59i2.880. PDF

Puckett, R. T., M. K. Harris and R. E. Gold. 2012. Habitat Associations of Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren) and Introduced Populations of Pseudacteon spp. Phorid Flies. Sociobiology 59(4): 1521-1534; doi: 10.13102/sociobiology.v59i4.585. PDF

Keefer, T. C, R. T. Puckett and R. E. Gold. 2012. Performance of Termidor® HE High-Efficiency Termiticide Co-pack with Termidor® HE Technology Against Eastern Subterranean Termites Reticulitermes flavipes and Formosan Subterranean Termite Coptotermes formosanus in Laboratory Trials and Field Applications. Sociobiology 59(4): 1547-1562; doi: 10.13102/sociobiology.v59i4.587. PDF

Neff, R., R. T. Puckett and R. E. Gold. 2011. Particle Size and Bait Preference of the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera:Formicidae). Sociobiology 58: 1-15. PDF

Keefer, T. C, R. T. Puckett and R. E. Gold. 2011. Effect of Imidacloprid granules on subterranean termite populations (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology 57(1): 35-50. PDF

Swain, C. R., R. T. Puckett and R. E. Gold. 2011. Laboratory evaluation of feeding preferences by Formosan Termites, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinoteritidae) on cultivars of Pecan Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) K. Koch in Texas. Sociobiology 57(1): 191-200. PDF

Puckett, R. T. and M. K. Harris. 2010. Phorid Flies, Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera: Phoridae) Affect Forager Size Ratios of Red Imported Fire Ants Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Texas. Environmental Entomology 39(5): 1593-1600; doi: 10.1603/EN09189. PDF

Keefer, T. C., R. T. Puckett and R. E. Gold. 2010. Effect of Premise 75 WSP as perimeter treatments on structures infested with Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidea). Sociobiology 56(3): 795-807. PDF

Gilbert, L. E., C. L. Barr, A. Calixto, J. L. Cook, B. ‘Bart’ 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. Southwestern Entomologist 33(1): 15-29; doi: 10.3958/0147-1724-33.1.15. PDF

Puckett, R. T., A. Calixto, M. K. Harris and C. L. Barr. 2007. Sticky Traps for Monitoring Pseudacteon Parasitoids of Solenopsis Fire Ants. Environmental Entomology 36: 584-588; doi: 10.1093/ee/36.3.584. PDF

Puckett, R. T. and J. L. Cook. 2004. Physiological tolerance ranges of larval Caenis latipennis (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) in response to fluctuations in dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, and Temperature. Texas Journal of Science 56(2): 123-130. PDF

Publications – Extension Reports

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.T. Puckett, C. Lard. 2010. Final Report – USDA-ARS Areawide Fire Ant Project. http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=8943

Puckett, R.T., A. Calixto and B. Drees. 2008. Caldwell ISD School Complex Caldwell, TX. Pp 8-13. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report

Puckett, R.T., A. Calixto and B. Drees. 2008. Copperas Hollow Country Club Caldwell, TX. Pp 23-30. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report

Texas AgriLife Extension Service. https://insects.tamu.edu/fireant/research/projects/pdf/urbanipmhandbook2007edited.pdf

Drees, B., A. Calixto, M. Keck, W. Brown, K. Schofield, R.T. Puckett, B. Summerlin and V. Vassiliou. 2008. Evaluation of Red Imported Fire Ant Mound Treatments: Arinx®, Gardstar®, QRD-400 and a Home Remedy of Citrus Oil Plus Dishwashing Liquid. Pp 116-120. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2007, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. https://insects.tamu.edu/fireant/research/projects/pdf/urbanipmhandbook2007edited.pdf

Drees, B., A. Calixto, and R.T. Puckett. 2008. Final Report on the USDA-ARS Areawide Red Imported Fire Ant Management Project in Texas June 14, 2001 -May 31, 2006. Pp 127-137. In Urban IPM Program Summary Report 2007, TexasAgriLife Extension Service. https://insects.tamu.edu/fireant/research/projects/pdf/urbanipmhandbook2007edited.pdf