Project properties
Title <b>Dual Function Of Omnivorous Predators In Biological Control <b>: Vaccinators And Predators (NEW)
Group Entomology, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 24-39
Supervisor(s) Nina Zhang, Erik Poelman
Examiner(s) Erik Poelman, Marcel Dicke
Contact info nina.zhang@wur.nl
Begin date 2024/04/01
End date 2025/12/31
Description In the past decades, omnivorous predators have been increasingly used for biological pest control. As omnivores, they feed both on plants and herbivore pests. The advantage of omnivorous predators is that they can establish and maintain their population by feeding on plants when prey density is low. This plant feeding can induce plant defences that negatively affect the performance of herbivores and alter behaviour of other natural enemies. Thus, the omnivores can serve dual functions in biocontrol, as predators and plant defence vaccinators. To make use of this dual function, further research on the role of omnivores in plant-insect interaction at both individual and community levels in the lab and open field are needed.
In this project, you will study: 1) how plant feeding by omnivores alter performance of herbivores or/and natural enemies via plant-mediated effects; 2) how plant feeding by omnivores shape insect community in the field and the consequences on plant fitness.
You can formulate your own research questions to test or take part of the ongoing experiments in this project. Depending on the questions you are most interested in, you can perform behavioural experiments in the lab/greenhouse or monitor insects and measure plant traits in open field.
Used skills Insect community ecology, insect behaviour, behavioural ecology, trophic interactions
Requirements For doing a BSc-thesis at Entomology, there are no requirements for specific courses.
For doing a MSc-thesis or Research Practice at Entomology, the following requirements apply: ENT-30806 + a second ENT-course (preferably ENT-30306 or ENT-50806 or ENT-53806). As an alternative for the second ENT-course, PHP-30806 or BHE-30306 can be selected.
For doing an Internship, the following requirements apply: ENT-30806.
Note:
1) these requirements do not apply for MBI students;
2) MBI students should check the requirements for doing an ENT MSc-thesis, Research Practice or Internship in the study programme of their specialisation.