Anthony Abbate

EDUCATION

• Doctor of Philosophy (Entomology) – Auburn University 2018-2021
• Master of Science (Entomology) – University of Florida 2015-2017
• Bachelor of Arts (Biology) – High Point University 2008-2012
• North Carolina Teaching License- High Point University 2012

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Research Entomologist Current
• Research Assistant 2014
• High School Science Teacher 2013-2014

CURRENT RESEARCH

The wildflower biochar project: 2022-2027

• Biochar, primarily a  product of pyrolysis of plant material, has been utilized as a soil amendment for agricultural crops as well as some ornamentals.
• We are investigating how biochar amended soils influence wildflower growth, health, and bloom intensity and how these factors influence the attractiveness of the wildflower plantings to pollinators.

Evaluating the best management practices for wildflower establishment: 2022-2025

• When farmers plant wildflower plots primarily for supporting beneficial insects such as pollinators, each often implements different management strategies such as a fall mowing, fall light disking, burning etc.
• This project funded by the USDA is investigating the best management practices for wildflower establishment in the southeastern United States so that we can make scientifically backed recommendations for wildflower meadow establishment and maintenance.
• This project is being led by master’s students Zachary Beneduci and Madelyn Thompson.

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

10. Olatinwo, R., Bataineh, M., Standley, J.M., Abbate, A.P., Williams, G.R., Lau, P.W. 2025. Chloroplast markers for detecting Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) DNA in environmental samples. Forests. [PDF]

9. Gaffke, A.M., Li, D., Manrique, V., Abbate, A.P., Wheeler, G.S., Diaz, R. 2025. Tallow tree biological control and beekeeping: Assessing the misconceptions and possible resolutions to protect native ecosystems. Biological Control. [PDF]

8. Abbate, A.P., Campbell, J.W., Grodsky, S.M., Williams, G.R. 2023. Assessing the Attractiveness of native wildflower species to bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) in the southeastern United States. Ecological Solutions and Evidence. [PDF]

7. Campbell, J.W., Abbate, A.P., West, N.M., Straub, L., Williams, G.R. 2023. Comparing three collection methods for pollinating insects within electric transmission rights-of-ways. Journal of Insect Conservation. [PDF]

6. Abbate, A.P., Campbell, J.W., Williams, G.R. 2023. Artificial pollination of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis) (Ericales: Actinidiaceae) results in greater fruit set compared to flowers pollinated by managed bees (Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Bombus impatiens Cresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae)). Journal of Economic Entomology. [PDF]

5. Campbell, J.W., Tsalickis, A., Cuminate, A., Abbate, A. 2021. Does allochthonus leaf litter structure terrestrial cave invertebrate assemblages? Journal of Natural History. [PDF]

4.  Abbate, A.P., J.W. Campbell, E. Vinson, G. Williams. 2021. The pollination and fruit quality of two kiwifruit cultivars (Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis – ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ and ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’) (Ericales: Artinidiaceae) grown in the southeastern United States. [PDF]

3. Abbate, A.P., Campbell, J.W., Kimmel, C.B., Kern, W.H. 2019. Urban development decreases bee abundance and diversity within coastal dune systems. Global Ecology and Conservation. 20: e00711. [PDF]

2. Abbate, A.P., Campbell, J.W., Bremer, J., Kern, W.H. 2018. The introduction and establishment of Campsomeris dorsata (Hymenoptera: Scoliidae) in Florida. Florida Entomologist. 101: 543-545. [PDF]

1. Abbate, A.P., Campbell, J.W. 2013. Parasitic Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana): A Possible Ant-Pollinated Plant. Southeastern Naturalist. 12(3):661-665. [PDF]