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UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research & Education Center

UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research & Education Center

Dr. Lance S. Osborne

Professor of Entomology

Lance Osborne is an entomology professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida. A leading expert in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Osborne specializes in biological control methods for pests of ornamental plants, including thrips, whiteflies, mealybugs and mites.

At the University of Florida’s Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), Osborne’s work includes managing invasive pest species and developing systems for rearing natural enemies, such as banker plant systems. His research also investigates the quality of biological control agents and focuses on evaluating pesticides for their efficacy, phytotoxicity and impact on beneficial organisms.

Osborne is dedicated to advancing practical and effective pest management solutions that benefit both professional practices and the community. His work is driven by a commitment to connect homeowners and landscapers with pest management solutions.

Employment Experience

  • 1981-1986 Assistant Professor of Entomology, University of Florida, Agricultural Research and Education Center in Apopka
  • 1986-1998 Associate Professor of Entomology, University of Florida, Agricultural Research and Education Center in Apopka
  • 1998-2008 Professor of Entomology, University of Florida, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka
  • 2008-May 1, 2013 Professor of Entomology, Associate Center Director, University of Florida, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka
  • May 1, 2013 - January 18, 2015 Professor of Entomology, Interim Center Director, University of Florida, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka
  • January 18, 2015 - present Professor of Entomology, Associate Center Director, University of Florida, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka

Headshot of Lance Osborne.

Contact

Phone: 407-410-6963
Fax: 407-814-6186
Email: lsosborn@ufl.edu

  • Education
    • Ph.D. University of California (Davis) 1980 Entomology
    • B.Sc. University of California (Davis) 1974 Entomology
  • Book Chapters
    • Hoelmer, K.A., L.S. Osborne, F.D. Bennett and R.K. Yokomi. 1993. Biological control of sweetpotato whitefly in Florida. Chapter 6 (pgs. 101-113). In: D. Rosen, F.D. Bennett and J.L. Capinera, [eds.] Pest Management in the Subtropics: Biological Control - A Florida Perspective. Intercept, Andover, England, U.K.
    • Osborne L.S., F.L. Petitt, Z. Landa and K.A. Hoelmer. 1994. Biological control of pests attacking crops grown in protected cultivation: the Florida experience. Chapter 17 (pgs. 327-342). In: D. Rosen, F.D. Bennett and J.L. Capinera, [eds.] Pest Management in the Subtropics: Biological Control - A Florida Perspective. Intercept, Andover, England, U.K.
    • Osborne, L.S., K. Bolckmans, Z. Landa, and J.E. Peña. 2004. Kinds of Natural Enemies, Chapter 6 (95-127). In K. M. Heinz, R. G. Van Driesche, and M. P. Parrella [eds.], Biocontrol in Protected Culture. Ball Publishing, Batavia, IL.U.K.
    • Osborne, L.S., N.C. Leppla, and R.S. Osborne. 2004. Biological Control in Foliage Plants, Chapter 23 (385-394). In K. M. Heinz, R. G. Van Driesche, and M. P. Parrella [eds.], Biocontrol in Protected Culture. Ball Publishing, Batavia, IL.U.K.
    • Tanigoshi, L., N. Martin, L.S. Osborne, and J.E. Peña. 2004. Biological Control of Spider Mites on Ornamental Crops, Chapter 10. (185-199). In K. M. Heinz, R. G. Van Driesche, and M. P. Parrella [eds.], Biocontrol in Protected Culture. Ball Publishing, Batavia, IL.
    • Kumar, V., G. Kakkar, C. L. McKenzie, D. R. Seal and L. Osborne. 2013. An overview of chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Biology, Distribution and Management. Pp. 53-77. In: S. Solenski and M. Larramendy (eds.), Weed and Pest Control – Conventional and New Challenges. Intech. Rijeka, Croatia. 205 pp. (Book Chapter).
  • Publications
  • Extension Publications

Position Description

  • 50% Research
  • 2% Teaching
  • 18% Administration
  • 30% Extension

Patents and Copyrights

All of the following patents are based on two technologies that were patented in the first two patents listed below. The significance of the first technology is that it provides a biological means by which whiteflies, mites, and other destructive pests can be managed. This will help prevent development of pesticide resistance and the potential hazards that results from the over-utilization of traditional pesticides. I cooperated with Thermo Trilogy Corporation to obtain registration of PFR-977 (Paecilomyces fumosoroseus Strain APOPKA 97) in the United States and Florida.

In conjunction with this effort, I worked with this company to licence the technology to a third parties that will market this biological control agent in the United States, Europe and Asia. This required answering inquiries from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and various sub-contractors in Europe and Japan concerning many technical issues. This fungus was the first material to go through the new European Community Pesticide Registration Process, and it received approval for use in all member countries in September 1997.

1. Osbome. L.S. 1990. Biological control of whiteflies and other pests with a fungal pathogen. U.S. Patent #4,942,030
2. Biological control of whiteflies and other pests with a fungal pathogen:

  • 1995: Belgium Patent No. BEO459975
  • 1995: France Patent No. FRO459975
  • 1995: Germany Patent No. GE6892516.2
  • 1995: Great Britain Patent No. GBO459975
  • 1995: Italy Patent No. ITO459975
  • 1995: Netherlands Patent No. NLO459975
  • 1996: Japan Patent No. 2079249