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Biography

Dr. Ferster has been an entomologist since she was 7 years old and later earned a BS and a PhD in Biology from Boston University. She worked for a nonprofit conservation organization studying a rare butterfly and taught classes at Gettysburg College and Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) before joining the biology faculty at Harrisburg University.

Her most recent research focuses on how plant diversity and habitat complexity can support insect diversity, using butterflies as a model because they are charismatic and easy to identify in the field.

Students with interests in native plants, wildlife gardening, and insect diversity should reach out; the butterfly lab welcomes new collaborators that share our interests.

Publications

Ferster, B., and K. Vulinec. 2010. Population size and conservation of the last eastern remnants of the regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia (Drury)) [Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae]; implications for temperate grassland restoration. Journal of Insect Conservation. 14(1):31–42. DOI 10.1007/s10841-009-9222-5

Ferster, B., B. Ray Leppo, M. T. Swartz, K. Vulinec, F. Habegger, and A. Mehring. 2008. Lepidoptera of Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center, Annville, Pennsylvania. Northeastern Naturalist. 15(1):141–148.

Latham, R. E., D. Zercher, P. McElhenny, P. Mooreside, and B. Ferster. 2007. Habitat restoration and management for the eastern regal fritillary, Speyeria idalia idalia Drury (Nymphalidae) at a military installation in Pennsylvania. Ecological Restoration. 25(2):103–111.

Ferster, B., M. Pie, and J.F.A. Traniello. 2005. A morphometric comparison of head shape in North American Pogonomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ethology, Ecology, and Evolution. 17(4): 14 pp.

Ferster, B. 2005. Regal fritillaries: News from the eastern front. American Butterflies. 13(3):4–12.

Ferster, B., R.H. Scheffrahn, E. Thoms, and P.N. Scherer. 2001. Effect of active ingredient, formulation, deposit condition, and exposure time on transfer of toxicants between drywood termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 94(1):215–222.

Ferster, B., M.A. Deyrup, and R. Scheffrahn. 2000. Field Guide to the Pest Ants of Florida. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Publication. FTL 00-1. May 2000. http://www.ftld.ufl.edu/Pest%20Ants%20of%20FL.htm

Clouse, R.M., B. Ferster, and M.A. Deyrup. 1997. Observations of insects associated with an infestation of sand pine (Pinus clausa) by the aphid Cinara pinivora. Florida Scientist. 60(2):89–93.

Ferster, B. and J.F.A. Traniello. 1995. Polymorphism and foraging behavior in Pogonomyrmex badius (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Worker size, foraging distance, and load size associations. Environmental Entomology. 24(3):673–678.

Ferster, B. and Z. Prusak. 1994. A preliminary checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Everglades National Park. Florida Entomologist. 77(4):508–512.