Ashley Lohr of Purcellville, Va., a sophomore majoring in wildlife sciences, received a 2012-13 ACC Creativity and Innovation Fellowship. She was one of seven students chosen from 45 applicants for this scholarship program, which recognizes undergraduates pursuing an independent research project or creative work under faculty mentorship.

Lohr completed her research project, “Evaluating the maximum lethal temperature of the brown marmorated stink bug,” under the guidance of Associate Professor Thomas Kuhar of the Department of Entomology. “Ashley has done a great job leading this research project,” Kuhar said.

“The brown marmorated stink bug is a major agricultural and household pest, and an invasive species,” Lohr said. “I focused on nymphs, which means the insects were in the post-hatching stage. I placed them in an incubator at various temperature ranges to simulate the hottest part of the day in their natural environment. I am now incorporating adult bugs as well as egg masses into my research.”

“Knowledge of the lethal temperatures of this invasive stink bug may help in predicting the geographic range of this pest as it spreads across North America,” Kuhar added.

The fellowship included a $2,000 award, which Lohr will use to finance an independent study trip to Belize, where she will be volunteering with an ongoing jaguar study.

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