Our research group is working towards a better understanding of the evolutionary and ecological drivers that shape intra- and interspecific interactions in insects. More specifically, we study cooperation and sociality in insects as well as symbioses between insects and microbial organisms. A major focus of our research lies on unraveling the mechanisms that have repeatedly selected for sociality and fungus farming in bark and ambrosia beetles.
To this end, we apply methods from evolutionary ecology, entomology, microbiology, and a wide range of state-of-the-art techniques from molecular and chemical ecology.
Ambrosia beetles live in social societies and cooperatively farm their own food. Even the larvae help.
More info coming soon!
Different fungi and bacteria inhabit the nests of ambrosia beetles - a complex community of different symbionts.
More info coming soon!