Jennifer Apple

Associate Professor of Biology
Integrated Science Center 258
585-245-5442
applej@geneseo.edu

Dr. Jennifer Apple has been a member of the Geneseo faculty since 2007.

In the Apple lab, we are pursuing two main lines of research: 

  1. the behavior, ecology, and genetics of a non-native ant-mimicking spider, and
  2. the ecology and diversity of cavity-nesting bees and wasps on campus. 

See more details under My research below. 

Portrait of Jennifer Apple

Office Hours Fall 2025 (in ISC 258)

Monday: 4:00 - 5:00 pm 

Tuesday:  8:30 - 9:20 am

Thursday:  12:30 - 1:30 pm

 

More About Me

I am an ecologist who focuses primarily on species interactions involving insects, spiders, and/or plants using both field-based approaches and molecular methods. Learn more about me below:

My research

Ant-mimicking spiders

Since about 2017, I have been studying an ant-mimicking spider (which I would often see when I was observing ant colonies in the Arboretum, see below). This spider, Myrmarachne formicaria, is in the jumping spider family, but resembles ants in both its morphology and behavior. To pull off the charade, it raises its first set of legs like a pair of antennae, so it appears to be a 6-legged insect instead of an 8-legged spider. This species is native to Eurasia and was introduced to North America relatively recently; so far it is regularly found in Ontario, western New York, eastern Ohio, and northwest Pennsylvania. Here is a poster highlighting recent research on this spider from my lab. Student projects in my lab involve both the behavior of this spider in intraspecific and interspecific interactions, as well as efforts to characterize genetic variation in this species in its invaded range.

Recent student research posters on ant-mimicking spider behavior: , , , ,

Recent student research posters on ant-mimicking spider genetics:

, , ,

 

Male Myrmarachne formicaria  Female Myrmarachne formicaria.

Ant-mimicking spider, Myrmarachne formicaria:  male (left), female (right)

 

Native bees

Another area of research in my lab involves characterizing the diversity of native bees on campus as well as their use of artificial cavity nests. Several of my students have conducted systematic surveys of native bees on campus in different habitats and found >40 different species. Recently, we have focused on cavity-nesting bees and their use of artificial nest sites (sometimes known as "bee hotels"). Bees and other insects like wasps will use existing cavities to raise their brood; however there is controversy over whether bee hotels actually do help native bees. We have found that many of these tubes get occupied by early-emerging

Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • Ph.D. in Biology, University of Utah, May 2001

  • B.S. in Biology, University of Puget Sound, 1994

Research Interests

  • Arthropod ecology

  • Ecology of plant-insect interactions

  • Molecular ecology

Publications

  • Apple, J.L., S.L. Lewandowski,* and J.L. Levine*. 2014. Nest relocation in the slavemaking ants Formica subintegra and F. pergandei: a response to host nest availability that increases raiding success. Insectes Sociaux 61:347-356. (* undergraduate co-authors)

  • Apple, J.L., T. Grace, A. Joern, P. St. Amand, and S.A. Wisely. 2010. Comparative genome scan detects host-related divergent selection in the grasshopper Hesperotettix viridis. Molecular Ecology 19:4012-4028.

  • Bishop, J.G., N. O?Hara, J.H. Titus, J.L. Apple, R.A. Gill, and L. Wynn. 2010. N-P co-limitation of primary production and response of arthropods to N and P in early primary succession on Mount St. Helens volcano. PLoS ONE 5:e13958.

  • Apple, J.L., M. Wink, S.E. Wills, and J.G. Bishop. 2009. Successional change in phosphorus stoichiometry explains the inverse relationship between herbivory and lupin density on Mount St. Helens. PLoS ONE 4:e7087.

  • Adamski, D.A., J.L. Apple, and J.G. Bishop. 2009. A new Filatima Busck (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) associated with lupine and early herbivore colonization on Mount St. Helens. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 111:293-304.

  • Grace, T., A. Joern, J.L. Apple, S.J. Brown, and S.M. Wisely. 2009. Highly polymorphic microsatellites in the North American snakeweed grasshopper Hesperotettix viridis. Journal of Orthoptera Research 18:19-21.

  • Apple, J.L., and D.A. Adamski. 2006. The biology of Chionodes hibiscella (Busck) with a description of the immature stages. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 108:575-582.

  • Gill, R.A., J.A. Boie, J.G. Bishop, L. Larsen, J.L. Apple, and R.D. Evans. 2006. Linking community and ecosystem development on Mount St. Helens. Oecologia 148:312-324.

  • Fagan, W.F., M.A. Lewis, M.G. Neubert, C. Aumann, J.L. Apple, and J.G. Bishop. 2005. When can herbivores slow or reverse the spread of an invading plant? A test case from Mount St. Helens. American Naturalist 166:669-685.

  • Apple, J.L., and D.H. Feener, Jr. 2001. Ant visitation of extrafloral nectaries of Passiflora: the effects of nectary attributes and ant behavior on patterns in facultative ant-plant mutualisms. Oecologia 127: 409-416.

Classes

  • BIOL 203: Principles of Ecology

    A study of the interrelationship of organisms and their environment, with an emphasis on how ecological principles govern local and global patterns and processes. Throughout the course, students will apply ecological concepts to understand the interdependence of human activities and the environment, in the context of global change and conservation.

  • BIOL 345: Biology of Insects - Lec

    A survey of the diversity, classification, morphology, physiology, behavior, ecology, and evolution of insects, and their relevance to human activities.

  • BIOL 345: Biology of Insects - Lab

    A survey of the diversity, classification, morphology, physiology, behavior, ecology, and evolution of insects, and their relevance to human activities.