Expertise:

Dr. Ridge is a systematist with expertise in phylogenetics, evolution, morphology, behavior and the ecology of insects.  Her primary research is with the internal morphology and phylogeny of Heteroptera.  She is also an accomplished natural science illustrator specializing in pen and ink illustration.  Dr. Ridge overseas the daily activities of the insect inquiry office, which receives thousands of inquiries each year.

Education:

• PhD. The University of Connecticut (Ecology and Evolution) 2008
• M.S. Southern Connecticut State University (Biology Department) 1998
• B.A. Hons. Trinity College of Music (Piano performance and teaching) 1980

Station career:

• Assistant Agricultural Scientist 2        4/25/2008
• Assistant Agricultural Scientist 1        2/02/2007
• Agricultural Research Technician 1      8/10/2001
• Agricultural Research Assistant 3        5/22/1998

Service activities and responsibilities:

The Department of Entomology insect inquiry office serves to diagnose and assist citizens of Connecticut with insect problems.  Stake holders include, health departments, hospitals, others in the medical professions, housing authorities, the real estate industry, pest control operators, nurseries, arborists, landscapers, homeowners, schools, colleges and universities, orchards, christmas tree growers, and numerous other commercial and private entities.  Her office also acts as a first responder in monitoring for exotic insects with identification and response.  Exotic insects have been intercepted by the office, with many new state, sometimes national records being written.  Outreach by her office includes the authorship of numerous fact sheets, written articles, workshops, lectures, and speeches presented at national, regional, and local conferences and meetings. Dr. Ridge has taken a leadership role in educating, organizing, and empowering housing interests, health departments, and pest control operators in the management of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius in the State of Connecticut, with conferences, speeches, formation of a bed bug advisory committee, and an informational website located on the CAES website.      

Research:

• Research on biology, behavior, and distribution of the Western conifer seed bug Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann
• Research on Cimex lectularius L., susceptibility to fungal treatment
• Research on Cimex lectularius L., interactions with other arthropods  
• Surveying Scolydidae species in Connecticut

Publications: Selected publictions available from author, Gale.Ridge@ct.gov

• Adult Heteropteran Thoracic Endoskeleton (Insecta: Hemiptera) A Family-Level Study. PhD. dissertation
• Illustrator for the Identification Guide to the Mosquitoes of Connecticut.  Theodore G.  Andreadis et. al.  Bulletin 966. 2005
• Fly management handbook; Bulletin 1013. May 2008: contributing illustrator and writer

Fact Sheets: Selected publictions available from author, Gale.Ridge@ct.gov or on our fact sheet page.

• A home owner’s guide to the human bed bug Cimex lectularis L., C. hemipterus Fabr. (Cimicidae; Heteroptera)  Translated into Mandarin and Spanish
• Carpenter Ants (Camponotus sp.)
• Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa spp.)
• Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche))
• Cluster Flies (Pollenia rudis (Fabricius))
• European Earwig (Forficula auricularia Linnaeus)
• The Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica Newman (Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera))
• Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann)
• Moth Flies (Psychodidae)
• Pepper Maggot (Zonosemata electa (Say))
• Yellowjackets (Vespula sp. Thompson)