Education & Training
Ph.D. in Entomology (1998). Department of Entomology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, SWEDEN.
M.Sc. in Systematic Zoology (1985). Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, CHINA
College Diploma (1981). Hunan Forestry College, Changsha, China
Conference Presentations
Liu, Z. 2012. Early evolution and host use in the order of Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera). The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.
Liu. Z. 2011. Early evolution and host use in the gallwasp family (Cynipidae, Hymenoptera). Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.
Liu, Z. 2011. Early evolution and host use in the order of Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera). Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
Liu. Z. and J. Crawford. 2011. Family structure and population genetics of the American Beaver, decoding an ancient myth using microsatellite markers. College of Conservation Biology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing.
Liu, Z.2011. Early evolution of and ongoing host-mediated sympatric speciation of gallwasps (Cynipoidea: Hymenoptera). Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha.
Ginder, D. and Liu Z. 2010. Gall making insects as plant taxonomists. EIU Botany Club.
Liu. Z. and J. Crawford. 2010. Who is the dad? – Decoding family structure and population genetics of the American Beaver using microsatellite markers. College of Life Sciences, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha.
Liu. Z. 2010. Early evolution and diversification of host use of Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera). College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding.
Liu. Z. 2009. Phylogenetics and Testable Hypotheses: a case study of Ibaliid Wasps. Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.
Liu. Z. 2009. Mini workshop: Plant galls and gall makers. College of Life Sciences, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha.
Liu, Z. 2008. Host plant preference and Sympatric speciation in gall making species. Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, China.
Liu, Z. 2008. Diversity of gall making insects and their interaction with host plants, with special emphasis on Cynipidae wasps. Cincinnati Museum Center Advanced Naturalist Workshops series 4, Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve, Ohio.
Liu, Z. 2008. Collecting and identifying galls and their makers. Cincinnati Museum Center Advanced Naturalist Workshops series 4, Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve, Ohio.
Liu. Z & G. Tucker. 2008. Culture & science behind plant use in China – an introduction to the Ethnobotany in China Program. Eastern Illinois University Botany Club.
Beatty*, W. S., Z. Liu, and T. A. Nelson. 2008. A genetic assessment of the red squirrel in Illinois: natives, immigrants, or exotics? Illinois State Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Peoria, Illinois, Oral Presentation.
Beatty*, W.S., Z. Liu, and T.A. Nelson, 2007, A Genetic Assessment of the Red Squirrel in Illinois: Natives, Immigrants or Exotics? The 68th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.
Beatty, W. S.*, Z. Liu, T. A. Nelsen. 2007. Poster. Intraspecific phylogeography and population genetics of the red squirrel in Illinois. 99th Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Science, Springfield, Illinois.
Crawford*, J.C., Z. Liu, T. A. Nelson, C. K. Nielsen, and C. K. Bloomquist. 2007. Genetic Analysis of Mating and Kinship in Beavers. International Beaver Ecology and Management Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
Crawford*, J.C., Z. Liu, T. A. Nelson, C. K. Nielsen, and C. K. Bloomquist. 2007. Genetic Variation in Beavers (Castor canadensis). Illinois Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Moline, IL.
Crawford*, J. C., Z. Liu, and T. A. Nelson. 2006. A Comparison of Two Molecular Methods for Sex Determination in Beaver (Castor canadensis). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Omaha, NE.
Crawford*, J. C., Z. Liu, and T. A. Nelson. 2006. A Comparison of Two Molecular Methods for Sex Determination in Beaver (Castor canadensis). Illinois Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Rend Lake, IL.
Crawford*, J. C., Z. Liu, and T. A. Nelson. 2006. Poster. A Comparison of Two Molecular Methods for Sex Determination in Beaver (Castor canadensis). Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, St. Louis, MO.
Liu, Z. 2007. Deep history of Cynipoidea and evolution of cynipid gall wasp host associations (Cynipoidea, Hymenoptera). Institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences of China, Beijing (The same contents were also presented in Shandong Agricultural University, Nanjing Agricultural University, and Central South University of Forestry and Technology).
Liu, Z. 2006. Phylogeny and Geological History of the Cynipoid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea). Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN (poster).
Liu, Z. 2006. The cynipoid genus Paramblynotus: Revision, Phylogeny, and Historical biogeography (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Liopteridae). Annual Meeting of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Bloomington, IL (poster)
Liu, Z. 2006. The origins and evolution of Herbivory within the parasitic cynipoid wasps. Invited keynote speech, The 3rd Annual Department of Biological Sciences Student Research Symposium, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL.
Publications
Duan, Y. B., Liu, L., Zhu, D. H., Zeng, Y., & Liu, Z. (2024). Description of a new species of Andricus Hartig, 1840 (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) from China. Zootaxa, 5474(2), 160-172. doi: 10.5281/ZENODO.12567426. (corresponding author)
Su CY, Zhu DH, Abe Y, Ide T, Liu Z. The complete mitochondrial genome and gene rearrangements in a gall wasp species, Dryocosmus liui (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Cynipidae). PeerJ. 2023 Oct 3;11:e15865. doi: 10.7717/peerj.15865. PMID: 37810770; PMCID: PMC10557937.
Pang Y, Su C-Y, Zhu J-Q, Yang X-H, Zhong J-L, Zhu D-H, Liu Z (2022) A new species of Andricus Hartig, 1840 (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) from China, with references to DNA taxonomy and Wolbachia infection. ZooKeys 1134: 52-73. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1134.89267 (corresponding author)
Pang, Y., Liu. Z., Su, C-Y., and Zhu, D-H. 2020. A New Species of Periclistus Foerster, 1869 from Oriental China and Review of the Tribe Diastrophini (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Cynipidae). Zookeys 964: 109–126 (2020) doi: 10.3897/zookeys.964.47441 (Co first author, corresponding author)
Yang, X-H., Liu. Z., Pang, Y. Su, C-Y., Zhu, D. 2020 Three New Species of Synergine Wasps from Same Galls on from Lithocarpus glaber (Thunb.) in Hunan, China (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae). Insect Systematics and Evolution, 49(4): 409–442. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/1876312X-00002304. (co 1st author)
Pujade-Villar, J., Wang, Y.P., Liu, Z., Shen, J., He, J.H. & Ferrer-Suay, M., 2019. Discovery of Xestophanopsis, new genus from China and taxonomic revision of two species misplaced in Ceroptres Hartig, 1840 (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Diastrophini). Entomologica Fennica, 30: 126–137. https://doi.org/10.33338/ef.84149.
Yang, X-H., Liu. Z., Pang, Y. Su, C-Y., Zhu, D. 2019 Three New Species of Synergine Wasps from Same Galls on from Lithocarpus glaber (Thunb.) in Hunan, China (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae). Insect Systematics and Evolution, 1-33. 10.1163/1876312X-00002304. (co 1st author)
Huang, T-F, Liu, Z., Gong, X-Y, Wu, T., Liu, H., Deng, J-X., Zhang, Y-X, Peng, Q-Z., Zhang, L-B., & Liu, Z-X. 2019 Vampire in the darkness: a new genus & species of land leech exclusively attacking cave-dwelling bats from China (Hirudinia: Arhyinchobdellida: Haemadipsidae). Zootaxa 4560 (2): 257–272. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4560.2.2 (co 1st author)
Chai, M., Liu, Z, Niu, Y., Y. Dong Y-Y, Wang, 2018. Discovery of two new species of the genus Heteribalia Sakagami (Hymenoptera, Ibaliidae) from China. Entomotaxonomia 40(3): 217–230, DOI: 10.11680/entomotax.2018024.
Dong, Y-Y, Liu. Z. Wang, Y-P, and Chen, X-X. 2018. A taxonomic review of Paramblynotus Cameron, 1908 in China, with descriptions of five new species (Hymenoptera: Liopteridae). Zootaxa 4486 (4): 510–534. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4486.4.6 (co 1st author).
Prathapan1, K. D. , Pethiyagoda, R., Bawa, K.S., Raven, P. H., Rajan, P. D., and 172 co-signatories from 35 countries including Liu, Z. 2018. When the cure kills—CBD limits biodiversity research. Science 360 (6396): 1405-1406. DOI: 10.1126/science.aat9844
Shi JP, Liu Z, Li BP 2016 Two new species and a key to nine species of the genus Mongolotettix Rehn, 1928 from China (Acrididae, Acridoidea, Orthoptera). Zootaxa 4117 (3): 421–428. DOI: http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4117.3.9.
Pujade-Villar, J., Y. Wang, Z. Liu, R. Guo. 2016. Descriptions of two new species of Neuroterus Hartig from China (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae). Entomologica Fennica 27: 23-32.
Tan, K. Y. Qu, Zh. Wang, Z. Liu, and MS Engel. (2016) Haplotype diversity and genetic similarity among populations of the Eastern Honey Bee from Himalaya-Southwest China and Nepal (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Apidologie 47(2): 197–205. doi:10.1007/s13592-015-0390-x.
Cao, Ch-Q., C. Tong, Sh-Zh Chen, Z. Liu, F-Q. Xu, Q. Liu, & X-Y. Liu. 2016. First description and bionomic notes for the final-instar larva and pupa of an Oriental dobsonfly species, Neoneuromus sikkimmensis (van der Weele, 1907) (Megaloptera: Corydalidae). Zootaxa 4179 (2): 288–294. http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4179.2.9
Zhu, D-H., Z. Liu, P-F. Lu. X. Yang, X-H Yang, C-Y Su, P. Liu. (2015) New Gall Wasp Species Attacking Chestnut Trees: Dryocosmus zhuili n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on Castanea henryi from Southeastern China. J. Insect Sci. 15(1): 156; DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iev118
Ronquist F, Nieves-Aldrey J-L, Buffington ML, Liu Z, Liljeblad J, Nylander JAA (2015) Phylogeny, Evolution and Classification of Gall Wasps: The Plot Thickens. PLoS ONE 10(5): e0123301. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0123301
Vilhelmsen L., S. M. Blank, Z. Liu, and D. R. Smith. (2014). Discovery of new species confirms Oriental origin of Orussus Latreille (Hymenoptera: russidae). Insect Systematics & Evolution, 45: 51–91
Yang XH, Zhu DH, Liu Z, Zhao L, Su CY. 2013. High levels of multiple infections, recombination and horizontal transmission of Wolbachia in the Andricus mukaigawae (Hymenoptera; Cynipidae) communities, PLoS ONE, 8 (11):| e78970
Vilhelmsen L., S. M. Blank, Z. Liu, and D. R. Smith. 2013 Discovery of new species confirms Oriental origin of Orussus Latreille (Hymenoptera: Orussidae). Insect Systematics & Evolution, 45: 51–91.
Wang, Y., R. Guo, Z. Liu, and X. Chen 2013. Taxonomic study of the genus Diplolepis Geoffrey (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Diplolepidini) in China, with description of three new species. Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica，38 ( 2) : 317 ï¼327.
Zhao, L.，D-H Zhu, Z. Liu, and X-H Yang. 2013. PCR detection and sequence analysis of the wsp gene of Wolbachia in four North American gall wasps. Journal of Applied Entomology, 50: 998-1005.
Zhu DH, Cui SS, Fan YS, Liu Z. 2013. Adaptive strategies of overwintering adults: Reproductive diapause and mating behavior in a grasshopper, Stenocatantops splendens (Orthoptera: Catantopidae). Insect Science 20, 235–244 (Insect Science, 20,DOI 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2011.01493.x, (On line, SCI)
Deng, T., D.-G. Zhang,Z. Liu, G. C. Tucker,H. Sun, J. Wen, and Z-L. Nie. 2013. Oxalis wulingensis (Oxalidaceae), an unusual new species from central China. Systematic Botany, 38(1): 1–8.
Engel, M. and Z. Liu. 2012. A new species of ibaliid wasp in Baltic amber (Hymenoptera, Ibaliidae). Journal of Entomological Society of Kansas, 85(2), 2012, pp. 164–168.
Liu. Z., X-H. Yang, and D-H Zhu. 2012 A New Species of Saphonecrus Dalla Torre et Kieffer, 1910 (Cynipidae, Hymenoptera) from Hunan, China. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 105(4): 555-561.
Yang, X-H, D-H Zhu, Z. Liu, and L. Zhao. 2012. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the wsp gene of Wolbachia in three geographic populations of an oak gall wasps, Andricus mairei (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), from Hunan in south China. Acta Entomologica Sinica, 55: 247-254.
Wang, Y-P, Z. Liu, X-X Chen. 2012. Study on eastern Palaearctic cynipid inquilines I – the genus Ceroptres Hartig, 1840 with descriptions of two new species (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipinae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 105(3): 377-385.
Wang, Y., Z. Liu, and X. Chen 2012 Taxonomic study of Cynipidae (Hymenoptera) from China with description of one new species. Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica，37 ( 4) : 785 ï¼794.
Cao, Ch-Q, Z. Liu, S-Z Chen, & Ch. Tong. 2012. The swimming behavior of the aquatic larva of Neoneuromus ignobilis (Megaloptera: Corydalidae: Corydalinae). Acta Entomologica Sinica, 55(1): 133-138. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Lu, P., D. Zhu, X. Yang, Z. Liu 2012. Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA COI gene suggests cryptic species in Dryocosmus kuriphilus associated with certain populations of Chinese chestmnuts (Castanea spp.). Chinese Journal of Applied Entomology，49(1): 161-167.
Li B, Liu Z, Zheng ZM. 2011. Phylogeny and classification of the Catantopidae at the tribal level (Orthoptera, Acridoidea). ZooKeys 148: 209-255. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.148.2081.
W. Beatty, Z. Liu, E. Latch, and T. Nelson. 2011. Genetic Assessment of the Red Squirrel in Illinois: Immigrants or Exotics? Journal of Wildlife Management, 75(5):1236–1242.
Jutras, B. L., Z. Liu, C. A. Brissette. 2010. Simultaneous Isolation of Ixodidae and Bacterial (Borrelia spp.) Genomic DNA. Current Protocols in Microbiology, 19:1E.2.1-1E.2.11., John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Zhao, L-Q, D-H Zhu,and Z. Liu. 2010. Geographical Variation in Diapause Intensity and Threshold Temperature in the Eggs of a Cricket, Teleogryllus emma (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Entomological News 121(3):236-242.
Liu, Z. and M. Engel. (2010). Baltic amber Ibaliidae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea): A new genus with implications for the phylogeny and historical biogeography of the family. Systematic Entomology, 35 (1): 164-171.
Zhu, D., Y. Yang, and Z. Liu. (2009). Reversible change in embryonic diapause intensity by mild temperature in the Chinese rice grasshopper, Oxya chinensis. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 133:1-8.
Crawford*, J. C., Z. Liu, T. A. Nelson, C. K. Nielsen, and C. K. Bloomquist. (2009). Genetic population structure within and between beaver (Castor canadensis) populations in Illinois. Journal of Mammalogy, 90(2):373-379.
Crawford*, J. C., Z. Liu, T. A. Nelson, C. K. Nielsen, and C. K. Bloomquist. 2008. A Comparison of Field and Molecular Techniques for Sexing Beavers. Journal of Wildlife Management 72(8):1805–1807.
Crawford*, J.C., Z. Liu, T. A. Nelson, C. K. Nielsen, and C. K. Bloomquist. (2008) Characterization of Microsatellite Loci in the Beaver (Castor canadensis). Molecular Ecology Resources 3: 616 - 618.
Crawford*, J.C., Z. Liu, T. A. Nelson, C. K. Nielsen, and C. K. Bloomquist. (2008) Microsatellite analysis of mating and kinship in beavers (Castor canadensis). Journal of Mammalogy 89(3): 575–581.
Z. Liu, M. Engel, and D. Grimaldi (2007) Phylogeny and Geological History of the Cynipoid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea). Natural History Novitates,3583: 1-48.
Liu, Z., Nordlander, G., and Ronquist, F. (2007) Systematics, Phylogeny, and Historical biogeography ofParamblynotus Cameron, 1908 (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Liopteridae). Bulletins of the American Museum of Natural History, 466, 1-150.
Liu, Zhiwei, Fredrik Ronquist, Göran Nordlander (2007) The cynipoid genus Paramblynotus : revision, phylogeny, and historical biogeography (Hymenoptera, Liopteridae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, no. 304: 1-151. (pdf )
Liu, Zhiwei, Michael S. Engel, and David A. Grimaldi (2007) Phylogeny and geological history of the cynipoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea). American Museum novitates, no. 3583: 1-48. (pdf)
Z. Liu, and Ronquist, F. (2006) Ch.98 Cynipidae, (In) Fernández F. & M.J. Sharkey (eds) Introducción a los Hymenoptera de la Región Neotropical, Serie Entomología Colombiana, Sociedad Colombiana de Entomología, Bogotá D.C., Colombia, p839-849. (In Spanish)
Buffington, M., Z. Liu, and Ronquist, F. (2006) Ch.94 Cynipoidea, (In) Fernández F. & M.J. Sharkey (eds) Introducción a los Hymenoptera de la Región Neotropical, Serie Entomología Colombiana, Sociedad Colombiana de Entomología, Bogotá D.C., Colombia, p811-823. (In Spanish)
Ronquist, F. and Z. Liu (2006) Ch.95 Ibaliidae, (In) Fernández F. & M.J. Sharkey (eds) Introducción a los Hymenoptera de la Región Neotropical, Serie Entomología Colombiana, Sociedad Colombiana de Entomología, Bogotá D.C., Colombia, p825-826. (In Spanish)
Ronquist, F. and Z. Liu (2006) Ch.96 Liopteridae, (In) Fernández F. & M.J. Sharkey (eds) Introducción a los Hymenoptera de la Región Neotropical, Serie Entomología Colombiana, Sociedad Colombiana de Entomología, Bogotá D.C., Colombia, p827-828. (In Spanish)
Frequently Taught Courses
BIO1500 General Biology (U)
BIO3155G Introduction to Evolutionary Medicine (G)
BIO3170 Animal-plant interactions (U & G)
BIO3810 Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (U)
BIO4964 Entomology (U&G)
BIO5630 Advanced Evolutionary Medicine (G)
BIO4984 Evolutionary Biology (U & G)
BIO5225 Systematics (G & U)
BIO5366 Biogeography (G & U)
Research & Creative Interests
Dr. Liu's primary research interest is in the field of phylogenetic systematics, including revisionary work and discovery of new species, particularly of the cynipoid wasps (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea). In recent years, Dr. Liu has expanded his research interests to include related fields under the umbrella theme of evolution, including mating pattern and population structure of the American beaver, population genetics and conservation of red squirrels in Eastern Illinois, phenotypic plasticity and adaptation of grasshoppers, and diversity and evolution of Wolbachia associated with cynipid gall communities, and host plant mediated speciation in Cynipidae.