Working towards a better understanding of
INsect & Microbial Ecology
Sociality and mutualisms in Insects
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
Microbial symbionts and fungiculture
Ambrosia beetles grow their own food fungi. But how do they control what symbionts live in their fungal gardens?
Bark Beetles
Symbionts of parasitic species
Some bark beetles inhabit living trees without killing them. What bacteria and fungi help them to overwhelm tree defences?
Ambrosia Beetles
Social immunity
Ambrosia beetles live in social societies. How do they cooperatively fight pathogens within their nests?
Ambrosia Beetles
Biology of fungal symbionts
Ambrosia beetles live in close associations with fungi. Do these fungi reproduce sexually or asexually, and how are their spores transmitted between nests?
Coffee Berry Borer
Social behaviour and Biocontrol
The coffee berry borer is the major pest of coffee worldwide. What is the life cycle of this poorly understood species and how does it behave?
Ambrosia Beetles
Introduction of non-native species
Due to international wood trading, ambrosia beetles are easily transported to areas outside their original range. How do they affect native beetles in their new habitats?
Galling Aphids
Effects on host plant symbionts
Galling aphids change the defense chemistry of their host trees. How does this affect the fungi that live within the tree's leaves?
Cassida beetles
Trophic interactions with leaf symbionts
Do beetles feeding on thistle leaves prefer plants which are infected by fungi?
What we do
Background
Social behaviour of insects
Ambrosia beetles live in social societies and cooperatively farm their own food. Even the larvae help.
More info coming soon!
Insect-Fungus Mutualisms
Different fungi and bacteria inhabit the nests of ambrosia beetles - a complex community of different symbionts.
More info coming soon!
Ambrosia Beetles
These beetles are fascinating animals for two reasons: First, they live in social societies, and second, they actively farm fungi for food.
Bark Beetles
Bark beetles occur in every region of the world. They play a key role in many forest ecosystems.
Galling Aphids
These aphids not only suck at their host plant. They also force it to build a home for them!
Tortoise Beetles
With their specialized feet these beetles strongly adhere their flat body to leaves. Larvae use their feces to build a shield.
Coffee Berry Borer
This beetle is so tiny that it can spend most of its life within a single coffee bean. It is the most devastating pest of coffee worldwide.