James grew up in the small town of Dayton, Tennessee—the home of the Scopes trial which concerned the legality of teaching human evolution in the classroom. The modern mindset in this town in not much different than that in the 1920’s and this greatly influenced James’s career path. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga in 1995 with a B.S. double major in Physics and Chemistry, with a minor in Mathematics graduating with the distinction of magna cum laude.
He then attended the University of Georgia from 1996 – 2002 receiving a Ph.D. in Entomology from the Department of Entomology advised by Drs. Ken Ross and Joe McHugh. His dissertation research concerned a phylogenetic analysis of fire ants of the Solenopsis saevissima species-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). During this time, he began collaborations concerning velvet ant (Mutillidae) systematics with Dr. Donald Manley at Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, South Carolina, a field station on the Clemson University system.
In 2002, James moved to Logan, Utah and began collaboration with Drs. Frank Parker (retired) and Terry Griswold at the USDA Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory. He secured a position as an instructor of Introductory Biology in 2004, and this position became tenure track in 2005. This same year, James began collaborations with Dr. Carol von Dohlen at USU, and with Dr. Marius Wasbauer concerning the systematics of spider wasps (Pompilidae). Since this time, he has begun collaborations with other researchers, Drs. Akira Shimizu, Anthony Harris, Christian Schmid-Egger, Frank Kurczewski, and others, concerning the systematics of Pompilidae.
Due to the efforts of Dr. Emily Sadler-Pitts, the lab began to switch from Sanger sequencing to Phylogenomics (UCEs) in 2015, and this has greatly advanced our knowledge of pompilid systematics, biogeography, and behavior. In addition to the systematics of Hymenoptera, he has several other research programs in his lab, including the pollination ecology of rare or endanger plants, the biogeography of plants and animals during the Pleistocene glacial and interglacial cycles, and the history of science, specifically the history of evolutionary and geological thought. James currently teaches multiple courses at USU, including Genetics, Biogeography, Invertebrate Zoology, and the History of Evolutionary Thought. To date, he has published over 130 papers.
Pitts, J., Tanner, D., Effects of male size on searching behaviors in the sun dance of Bembix americana spinolae (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae). Western North American Naturalist, 73, 254-257.
Pitts, J., Clark, C., Tanner, D., Pollination biology of Astragalus phoenix (Fabaceae) with notes on the natural history of its pollinator, Anthophora porterae (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Western North American Naturalist
Sadler, E., Pitts, J., Wilson, J.S, (2017). Faunal Study of the Nocturnal Aculeate Wasps (Hymenoptera) of the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of Joshua Tree National Park. . Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Pitts, J., Edwards, G., Kurczewski, F., Hosts, nesting behavior, and ecology of some North American Spider Wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), II. Northeastern Naturalist
Pitts, J., Rodriguez, J., Waichert, C., Castro-Huertas, V., Fernandez, F., More new records of spider wasps (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae) from Colombia. Zookeys
Pitts, J., Vieira, C., Waichert, C., Williams, K., Evaluation of Malaise and yellow pan trap effectiveness to assess velvet ant (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) diversity in a Neotropical Savanna. . Environmental Entomology
Pitts, J., Branstetter, M., Danforth, B., Faircloth, B., Ward, P., Buffington, M.B, Gates, M., Kula, R., Brady, S., Phylogenomic Analysis of Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps: Improved Taxon Sampling Enhances Understanding of Hymenopteran Evolution. Current Biology
Pitts, J., Orr, M., Parker, F., Griswold, T., (2016). A new bee species that excavates sandstone nests. . Current Biology , 26
Pitts, J., Shimizu, A., Wahis, R., Harris, A., (2016). An extraordinary new genus and species of spider wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from Southeast Asia. . Journal of Natural History, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2016.1155781
Pitts, J., Portman, Z., Griswold, T., (2016). Association of the female of Perdita (Xeromacrotera) cephalotes (Cresson), and a replacement name for Perdita bohartorum Parker (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae). Zootaxa, 4097:567-574
Rodriguez, J., Waichert, C., von Dohlen, C.D, Poinar, G., Pitts, J., (2016). Eocene and not Cretaceous origin of spider wasps (Pompilidae): fossil evidence from amber. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 61, 89-96. doi: 10.4202/app.00073.2014
Rodriguez, J., Pitts, J., von Dohlen, C.D, (2016). Molecular phylogeny of Pompilinae (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): Evidence for rapid diversification and host shifts in spider wasps. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 94, 55–64. doi: doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2015.08.014
Wilson, J.S, Jahner, J.P, Sheehan, E.S, Williams, K.A, Pitts, J., (2015). North American velvet ants form the world’s largest known Müllerian mimicry complexes. . Current Biology, 25, R704-R706.
Waichert, C., Rodriguez, J., Wasbauer, M., von Dohlen, C., Pitts, J., (2015). Molecular phylogeny and systematics of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): redefining subfamily boundaries and the origin of the family. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 175, 271-287.
Pitts, J., Sadler-Pitts, E.A, (2015). Description of a new species and species-group of Sphaeropthalma Blake (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) with an updated classification of the genus. . Zootaxa, 3947, 282-288.
Waichert, C., Pitts, J., von Dohlen, C.D, (2015). Resurrection, revision and molecular phylogenetics of Eragenia Banks with implications for Ageniellini systematics (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Systematic Entomology, 40:2, 291–321. doi: DOI: 10.1111/syen.12101
Rodriguez, J., Pitts, J., von Dohlen, C.D, (2015). Historical biogeography of the widespread spider wasp tribe Aporini (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Journal of Biogeography, 42:3, 495-506. doi: DOI: 10.1111/jbi.12430
Rodriguez, J., Pitts, J., von Dohlen, C.D, Wilson, J.S, (2014). Müllerian mimicry as a result of codiversification between velvet ants and spider wasps. Evolution
Pitts, J., von Dohlen, C.D, Rodriguez, J., (2014). Historical biogeography of the recently diverged widespread spider wasp tribe Aporini (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). . Journal of Biogeography, doi: DOI: 10.1111/jbi.12430
*Castro-Huertas, V., J.P. Pitts, *J. Rodriguez, *C. Waichert, F. Fernández. (2014). New Records of spider wasps (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae) from Colombia. ZooKeys 443: 35-44.. ZooKeys, 449, 35-44.
*Orr, M.C., *J. Koch, T. Griswold and J. Pitts. (2014). Taxonomic utility of niche models in validationg species concepts: A case study on Anthophora (Heliophila) (Hymneoptera: Apidae). Zootaxa 3846: 411-429.. Zootaxa, 3846, 411-429.
*Waichert, C., *J. Rodriguez, and J. Pitts. (2014). New additions to the Honduran fauna of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) with the description of two species. Zootaxa 3873: 590-600.. Zootaxa , 3873, 590-600.
Rodriguez, J., von Dohlen, C.D, Pitts, J., (2014). Assessing Species Boundaries and Sex-Associations in the Genus Drepanaporus (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), With Comparison of the Utility of Cytochrome C Oxidase I and a Nuclear Molecular Marker. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 107, 709-720.
Kurczewski, F.E., J.P. Pitts, N.B. Elliott. (2014). Annotated list of spider wasps from The Bahamas, with description of a new species of Tachypompilus (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Caribbean Naturalist 5: 1-28. . Caribbean Naturalist, 5, 1-28.
Rodriguez, J., Pitts, J., von Dohlen, C.D, Wilson, J.S, (2014). Müllerian mimicry as a result of codivergence between velvet ants and spider wasps. PLoS One, doi: DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112942
Wilson, J.S, Gunnell, C.F, Wahl, D.B, Pitts, J., (2013). Testing the species limits of the tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae) endemic to California’s Southern Coast Ranges, USA. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 6, 365-371.
Rodriguez, J., Waichert, C., von Dohlen, C.D, Pitts, J., Review of fossil spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) with the description of new fossil genera and species. Journal of Paleontology
Pitts, J., Williams, K., (2013). Caribbean and Mexican additions to the Dasymutilla bioculata species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Annals of the Entomological Society of America , 106, 429-436.
Pitts, J., Tanner, D., (2013). Effects of male size on searching behaviors in the sun dance of Bembix americana spinolae (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae). . Western North American Naturalist, 73, 254-257.
Pitts, J., Auko, T., Silvestre, R., (2013). Nest camouflage in the spider wasp Priochilus captivum (Fabricius, 1804) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), with notes on the biology. . Tropical Zoology , 26, 140-144.
Pitts, J., Tanner, D., Clark, S., (2013). Pollination biology of Astragalus phoenix (Fabaceae) with notes on the natural history of its pollinator, Anthophora porterae (Hymenoptera: Apidae). . Western North American Naturalist , 73, 373-381.
Pitts, J., Waichert, C., (2013). Two new species of Abernessia Arlé (Pompilidae, Ctenocerinae). Zookeys, 353, 71-79. doi: DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.353.6223
Wilson, J.S, von Dohlen, C.D, Forister, M., Pitts, J., (2013). Family-level divergences in the stinging wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) with correlations to Angiosperm diversification. Evolutionary Biology, 40, 101-107. doi: DOI: 10.1007/s11692-012-9189-0
Pitts, J., Waichert, C.M, (2012). Addition to the distributional record of Ageniella (Neotumagenia) amazonica Fernández, 1998 (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) and establishment of a neotype. Psyche, 3. doi: 10.1155/2012/307103
Wilson, J.S, Clark, S., Williams, K., Pitts, J., (2012). Historical biogeography of the arid-adapted velvet ant Sphaeropthalma arota (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) reveals cryptic species.. Journal of Biogeography, 39, 336-352.
Wilson, J.S, Pitts, J., (2012). Identifying Nearctic cold-desert refugia through the phylogeographic analysis of Sphaeropthalma difficilis (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Diversity and Distributions, 18, 1139-1152.
Wilson, J.S, Pitts, J., (2012). Identifying Pleistocene refugia in North American cold deserts using phylogeographic analyses and ecological niche modelling. Diversity and Distributions, 18, 1139-1152.
Pitts, J., Boehme, N., Tanner, D.A, Williams, K.A, (2012). Nocturnal Velvet Ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nye County, Nevada. Zootaxa, 3587, 1-45.
Pitts, J., 1. Barthélémy, C., (2012). Observations on the nesting behavior of two pepsine spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) in Hong Kong, China: Macromerella honesta (Smith) and an Auplopus species. . Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 28, 13-35.
Waichert, C., Rodriguez, J., von Dohlen, C.D, Pitts, J., (2012). Pompilidae of the Dominican Republic: Pepsinae and Pompilinae. Zootaxa, 3353, 1-47.
Wilson, J.S, Williams, K., Forister, M., von Dohlen, C.D, Pitts, J., (2012). Repeated evolution in overlapping mimicry rings among North American velvet ants. Nature Communications, 3, 1272.
Pitts, J., von Dohlen, C.D, Williams, K.A, Manley, D.G, Deyrup, M., (2012). Systematic Review of the Dasymutilla monticola species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Zootaxa, 3554, 1-29.
Pitts, J., Rodriguez, J., Restrepo-Giraldo, C., (2012). Temporal activity patterns of the spider wasp Pepsis montezuma Smith (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) in a disturbed lower montane rainforest (Manizales, Colombia). Psyche, 2012, 1-4. doi: 10.1155/2012/516419
Pitts, J., Waichert, C., Rodriguez, J., von Dohlen, C., (2012). Spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) of the Dominican Republic. Zootaxa, 3353, 1-47.
Pitts, J., Tanner, D.A, Gonzlalez, J., Matthews, R.W, Vinson, B., (2011). Evolution of the courtship display of Melittobia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). UAES no. 8206. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 60, 219-227.
Pitts, J., Williams, K.A, Brothers, D.J, (2011). New species of Tobantilla Casal, 1965 and a new genus and species, Golgotilla chichikovi gen. et sp. nov., from Argentina (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Zootaxa , 3064, 41-68.
Pitts, J., Wilson, J.S, Clark, S., (2011). Phylogeography and cryptic species for the Sphaeropthalma arota species-complex (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). UAES no. 8226. Journal of Biogeography, doi: DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2011.02580.x.
Wilson, J.S, Pitts, J., (2011). Pleistocene connection between the Nearctic Mediterranean and desert regions in the Sphaeropthalma unicolor species-complex (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Insect Conservation and Diversity, 4, 222-234.
Pitts, J., Wilson, J., (2011). Pleistocene Connection between the Nearctic Mediterranean and desert regions in the Sphaeropthalma unicolor species-complex (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). UAES no. 8174. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 4, 222-234.
Pitts, J., Kurczewski, F., (2011). Addition to the spider wasp fauna of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). . Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 84, 320-322.
Pitts, J., Waichert, C., (2011). Description of a new Abernessia with notes on the Neotropical Ctenocerinae (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). . Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 104, 1279-1284.
Pitts, J., von Dohlen, C.D, Williams, K., Pilgrim, E., Manley, D., (2011). . Multifaceted assessment of species validity in the D. bioculata species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Systematic Entomology, 36, 180-191.
Williams, K.A, Manley, D.G, Pilgrim, E.M, von Dohlen, C.D, Pitts, J., (2010). Multifaceted assessment of species validity in the Dasymutilla bioculata species group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Systematic Entomology , online early, doi: 0.1111/j.1365-3113.2010.00555.x
Rodriguez, J., von Dohlen, C.D, Pitts, J., (2010). The genus Psorthaspis (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) in Colombia. Caldasia, 32
Pitts, J., Wilson, J.S, von Dohlen, C.D, (2010). Evolution of the nocturnal Nearctic Sphaeropthalminae velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) driven by Neogene orogeny and Pleistocene glaciation.. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 56, 134-145.
Pitts, J., Tanner, D.A, Waldren, G.C, parker, F.D, (2010). Facultative size-dependant sex allocation in Sphaeropthalma pensylvanica Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) with new host records. . Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 83, 68-75.
Pitts, J., Tanner, D.A, Williams, K.A, Wilson, J.S, (2010). First observations of nocturnal velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) nectaring. Southwestern Naturalist , 53, 443-444.
Wilson, J.S, Pitts, J., (2010). Illuminating the lack of consensus among descriptions of earth history data in the North American deserts: A resource for biologists.. Progress in Physical Geopgraphy, 34, 419-441.
Wilson, J.S, Williams, K., Tanner, D., Pitts, J., (2010). Nectaring by nocturnal velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). The Southwestern Naturalist, 55, 443-444.
Pitts, J., Wilson, J.S, Williams, K., Boehme, N., (2010). Nocturnal velvet ant males (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Deep Canyon, California including four new species and a fifth new species from Owens Lake Valley, California. Zootaxa, 2553, 1-34.
Wilson, J.S, Williams, K., Gunnell, C., Pitts, J., (2010). Phylogeographic investigations of the widespread, arid-adapted antlion Brachynemurus sackeni Hagen (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae).. Psyche, 2010, 1-7.
Pitts, J., Wilson, J.S, (2010). Phylogeography of the nocturnal velvet ant genus Dilophotopsis (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae): enhancing our understanding of diversification in the Nearctic desert biota. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 101, 360-375.
Pitts, J., Wilson, J.S, (2010). Pleistocene climatic cycles driving diversification in the Odontophotopsis unicornis species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Annals of the Entomological Society of America , 103, 555-565.
Wilson, J.S, Pitts, J., (2010). Pleistocene diversification of the Odontophotopsis unicornis species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 103, 555-565.
Wilson, J.S, Williams, K.A, Pitts, J., (2010). Preliminary assessment of velvet ant (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) diversity in the deserts of Southern California. Western North American Naturalist, 70, 224-232.
Pitts, J., Williams, K.A, Brabant, C., (2010). True females of the Photomorphus subgenus Photomorphina Schuster (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). zootaxa, 2559, 58-68.
Pitts, J., Wilson, J.S, Williams, K.A, (2010). Preliminary assessment of velvet ant (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) diversity in the deserts of southern California. . Western North American Naturalist, 70, 224-232.
Pitts, J., von Dohlen, C.D, Rodriguez, J., (2010). The genus Psorthaspis (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) in Colombia. Caldasia , 32, 407-403.
Pitts, J., Wilson, J.S, (2009). Description of the female of Acrophotopsis (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) with synonymy of Sphaeropthalma dirce. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 18, 205-211.
Wilson, J.S, Pitts, J., von Dohlen, C.D, (2009). Lack of variation in nuclear genes among isolated populations of the sand dune restricted bee Colletes stepheni (Hymenoptera: Colletidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 82, 316-320.
Wilson, J.S, Pitts, J., (2009). Species boundaries of Sphaeropthalma unicolor (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae): Is color useful for differentiating species?. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 18, 212-226.
Pitts, J., Wilson, J.S, Williams, K., Boehme, N., (2009). Velvet Ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of the Algodones Sand Dunes of California, USA. Zootaxa, 00.0, 1-53.
Pitts, J., (2009). Addressing the Dasymutilla quadriguttata species-group and species-complex (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae): several distinct species or a single, morphologically variable species?. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 82, 231-249.
Pitts, J., (2009). Description of the female of Acrophotopsis (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) and synonymy of Sphaeropthalma dirce. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 18, 205-211.
Pitts, J., (2009). Eight new species of Lomachaeta Mickel and the synonymy of Smicromutilla Mickel (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 18, 227-243.
Pitts, J., (2009). Revision of Acanthophotopsis (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 18, 192-204.
Pitts, J., (2009). Revision of Mecanthidium (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 18, 183-191.
Pitts, J., (2009). Species boundaries of Sphaeropthalma unicolor (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae): Is color useful for differentiating species?. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 18, 212-226.
Pitts, J., (2009). Surprising lack of genetic variation among isolated populations of the sand dune restricted bee Colletes stepheni (Hymenoptera: Colletidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 82, 316-320.
Pitts, J., (2009). The velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of the Algodones sand dunes of California, USA.. Zootaxa, 2131, Jan-53.
Pitts, J., Williams, K., Pilgrim, E., Manley, D., (2009). Addressing the Dasymutilla quadriguttata species-group and species-complex (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae): several distinct species or a single, morphologically variable species?. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 82, 231-249.
Pitts, J., Williams, K., (2009). Eight new species of Lomachaeta Mickel and the synonymy of Smicromutilla Mickel (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 18, 227-243.
Pitts, J., Tanner, D., Boehme, N., (2009). Revision of Acanthophotopsis (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 18, 192-204.
Pitts, J., Tanner, D., Griswold, T., (2009). Revision of Mecanthidium (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 18, 183-191.
Wilson, J.S, Pitts, J., (2008). Revision of Velvet Ant Genus Dilophotopsis Schuster (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) by Using Molecular and Morphological Data, with Implications for Desert Biogeography.. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 101, 514-524.
Pitts, J., (2008). Phylogenetics of the stinging wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespoidae). Zoologica Scripta, 37, 539-560.
Pitts, J., (2008). Revision of the velvet ant genus Dilophotopsis (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) using molecular and morphological data with implications to desert biogeography. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 101, 514-524.
Pitts, J., (2008). Sex association and synonymy in Southwestern U.S. species of Dasymutilla (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 84, 58-69.
Pitts, J., (2008). Three species masquerading as one: updating the taxonomy of Pseudomethoca russeola and P. donaeanae (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae).. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 17, 127-133.
Pitts, J., Pilgrim, E., von Dohlen, C.D, (2008). Molecular phylogenetics of Vespoidea indicate paraphyly of the superfamily and novel relationships of its component families and subfamilies. . Zoologica Scripta, 37, 539-560.
Pitts, J., Pilgrim, E., Williams, K., (2008). Sex association and synonymy in Southwestern U.S. species of Dasymutilla (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 84, 58-69.
Pitts, J., Williams, K., (2008). Three species masquerading as one: updating the taxonomy of Pseudomethoca russeola and P. donaeanae (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 17, 127-133.
Wilson, J.S, Pitts, J., (2007). New host associations for new world spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 80, 223-229.
Pitts, J., Wilson, J.S, Parker, F.D, (2007). The Spider Wasps of Fiji (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Bishop Museum Occasional Papers, 91, 3-15.
Pitts, J., (2007). New host associations for New World spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 80, 223-229.
Pitts, J., (2007). Revision of Odontophotopsis Viereck (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), Part 1, with a description of a new genus Laminatilla. Zootaxa, 1619, Jan-43.
Pitts, J., (2007). Revision of the Neotropical velvet ants of the genus Dasymutilla (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Zootaxa, 1487, 1-128.
Pitts, J., (2007). Synonymy of Ephuta tentativa Schuster and E. pauxilla Bradley (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Journal of Entomological Science, 42, 341-344.
Pitts, J., (2007). A survey of fire ants and their parasitoid flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Pseudacteon) in central Chile and central western Argentina. Annals of the American Entomological Society, 100, 10-Jan.
Pitts, J., (2007). Description of the female of Sphaeropthalma galapagensis Williams and notes on Morsyma and Caenotilla (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 83, 80-85.
Pitts, J., (2007). Molecular sex association of three species of nocturnal velvet ant (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 80, 77-86.
Pitts, J., (2007). The spider wasps of Fiji (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Occasional Papers of the Bishop Museum, 91, 15-Mar.
Pitts, J., (2007). New species of predominately temperate velvet ant genera Lomachaeta Mickel and Sphaeropthalma Blake from Central America and northern South America (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Transactions of the American Entomological Society, 133, 297-326.
Pitts, J., Calcaterra, L., Vander Meer, R., Livore, J., Tsutsui, N., (2007). A survey of fire ants and their parasitoid flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Pseudacteon) in central Chile and central western Argentina.. Annals of the American Entomological Society, 100, 512-521.
Pitts, J., (2007). Description of the female of Sphaeropthalma galapagensis Williams and notes on Morsyma and Caenotilla (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 83, 95-100.
Pitts, J., Boud, T., Pilgrim, E., (2007). Molecular sex association of three species of nocturnal velvet ant (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 80, 136-145.
Pitts, J., Williams, K., (2007). New species of predominately temperate velvet ant genera Lomachaeta Mickel and Sphaeropthalma Blake from Central America and northern South America (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Transactions of the American Entomological Society, 133, 297-326.
Pitts, J., (2007). Revision of Odontophotopsis Viereck (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), Part 1, with a description of a new genus Laminatilla. . Zootaxa, 1619, 1-43.
Pitts, J., Manley, D., (2007). Synonymy of Ephuta tentativa Schuster and E. pauxilla Bradley (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). . Journal of Entomological Science, 42, 341-344.
Pitts, J., Wasbauer, M.S, von Dohlen, C.D, (2006). Preliminary morphological analysis of relationships between the spider wasp subfamilies (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): Revisiting an old problem. Zoological Scripta, 35, 63-84.
Pitts, J., (2006). A molecular method for associating the dimorphic sexes of velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 79, 222-231.
Pitts, J., (2006). Preliminary morphological analysis of relationships between the spider wasp subfamilies (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): revisiting an old problem. Zoologica Scripta, 35, 63-84.
Pitts, J., (2006). Review of the Sphaeropthalma imperialis Speices-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), with descriptions of Females and Taxonomic Notes. Zootaxa, 1248, 20-Jan.
Pitts, J., Pilgrim, E., (2006). A molecular method for associating the dimorphic sexes of velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae).. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 79, 222-231.
Pitts, J., (2006). Review of the Sphaeropthalma imperialis species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), with descriptions of females and taxonomic notes. Zootaxa, 1248, 1-20.
Pitts, J., (2005). Cladistic Analysis of the fire ants of the Solenopsis saevissima species-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zoologica Scripta, 34, 493-505.
Pitts, J., (2005). Description of a new species in the Sphaeropthalma pensylvanica species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Zootaxa, 1050, 39-43.
Pitts, J., (2005). Description of the female, redescription of the male, and host associations of the Nearctic species Sphaeropthalma jacala Schuster (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Zootaxa, 1011, 10-Jan.
Pitts, J., (2004). A review of the Sphaeropthalma uro species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), with taxonomic changes. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 77, 223-234.
Pitts, J., (2004). First discovery of the family Tanaostigmatidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from China with a description of a new gall-making species utilizing kudzu leaves. Journal of Entomological Science, 39, 279-280.
Pitts, J., (2004). Review of Lomachaeta Mickel (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of North and Central America. Zootaxa, 474, 27-Jan.
Pitts, J., (2004). Two new black species of Dasymutilla (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) from Texas and California. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 77, 644-649.
Pitts, J., (2003). A host record for Dasymutilla stevensi Mickel from Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 79, 256-257.
Pitts, J., (2003). Description of the female and larval stage of Odontophotopsis succinea Viereck (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), with a new synonymy and notes on the species. Zootaxa, 137, 10-Jan.
Pitts, J., (2003). First host record of Dilophotopsis (Mutillidae: Sphaeropthalminae). Journal of Entomological Science, 38, 485-486.
Pitts, J., (2003). Host records for Dasymutilla aureola and D. vestita (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) from northeastern California. Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 79, 245-246.
Pitts, J., (2003). Schusterphotopsis, a new genus of Sphaeropthalmini (Mutillidae: Sphaeropthalminae) from California, with notes on the closely related genera Acrophotopsis Schuster and Dilophotopsis Schuster clade. Zootaxa, 333, 7-Jan.
Pitts, J., (2002). Description of the females of Stethophotopsis Pitts and Photopsioides Schuster (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 104, 672-679.
Pitts, J., (2002). Key to the genera and subgenera of Mutillidae of America North of Mexico. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 11, 72-101.
Pitts, J., (2002). Revision of Acrophotopsis (Mutillidae: Sphaeropthalminae), with a new species from Baja California. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 11, 363-374.
Pitts, J., (2000). Description of the larval stage of Sphaeropthalma pensylanica (Mutillidae: Hymenoptera). Journal of Entomological Science, 35, 334-337.
Pitts, J., (2000). Review of Bordontilla Fritz and Martinez (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae). Entomological News, 111, 32-38.
Pitts, J., (1999). Stethophotopsis, a new genus of Sphaeropthalminae (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) from Arizona. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 9, 29-33.
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., (2015). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 6th Edition. Hayden-McNeil Publishing *
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., (2014). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 5th Edition. Hayden-McNeil Publishing *
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., (2013). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 4th Edition. Hayden-McNeil Publishing *
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., (2012). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 3rd Edition. Hayden-McNeil Publishing *
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., (2011). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition. Hayden-McNeil Publishing *
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., (2010). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 1st Edition. Hayden-McNeil Publishing *
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., (2009). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition. Fountainhead Press *
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., (2008). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 1st Edition. Fountainhead Press *
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., Haefner, J., Lindahl, A., Rieder, J., Pilgrim, E., Mueller, D., (2007). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 3rd Edition. Outernet Publishing, LLC *
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., Haefner, J., Lindahl, A., Rieder, J., Pilgrim, E., Mueller, D., (2006). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition. Outernet Publishing, LLC *
Pitts, J., Podgorski, G., Haefner, J., Lindahl, A., Rieder, J., Pilgrim, E., Mueller, D., (2005). Biology I & II Laboratory Manual, 1st Edition. Outernet Publishing, LLC *
* Has not been peer reviewed
Fernández, F., V. Castro-Huertas, J. Rodriguez, and J.P. Pitts. 2018. Avispas cazadoras de arañas de Colombia (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae)/Spider wasps (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae) of Colombia.
Faculty Researcher of the Year - College of Science, 2011
Faculty Researcher of the Year - Department of Biology, 2011
BIOL 4540, 6540 - Invertebrate Zoology, Fall 2021
BIOL 3060 - Principles of Genetics, Fall 2020
BIOL 5010, 6010 - Biogeography, Spring 2020
BIOL 6750 - Insect Behavior, Spring 2020
BIOL 6650, 4650 - Evolution: History of an Idea, Fall 2019
BIOL 4540, 6540 - Invertebrate Zoology, Spring 2019
BIOL 4650, 6650 - Evolution: History of an Idea, Fall 2018
BIOL 4540 - Invertebrate Zoology, Spring 2018
BIOL 5010, 6010 - Biogeography, Fall 2017
BIOL 4750, 6750 - Topics in Biology, Spring 2017
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BIOL 5530 - Insect Systematics and Evolution, Fall 2014
BIOL 4750,6750 - Topics in Biology (Topic), Fall 2013
CCA 1250 - Interdisciplinary Workshop, Spring 2013 2
BIOL 3500 - Plagues, Pests, and People, Spring 2013
CCA 1250 - Interdisciplinary Workshop, Fall 2012
CCA 1250 - Interdisciplinary Workshop, Fall 2011
BIOL 1300 - Of Maggots, Mites, and Men, Fall 2011
BIOL 1620 - BIOLOGY II (BLS), Spring 2011
BIOL 1620 - LABORATORY, Spring 2011
BIOL 1620 - LABORATORY (H), Spring 2011
BIOL 3500 - PLAGUES, PESTS & PEOPLE (DSC), Spring 2011
BIOL 4750 - ST: MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Spring 2011
