Research Interests
Forest Entomology, Insect Ecology, Plant-Insect Interactions, Chemical Ecology
We study processes that affect the population dynamics of forest insects. We place particular emphasis on aspects of host plants that affect:
- Tree Defenses and Insect Counter-adaptations
- Behavior and Population Dynamics of Natural Enemies
- Symbiotic Relationships that Mediate Ecological Interactions
Our goals are to integrate mechanisms operating across multiple levels of scale, link pattern and process to develop comprehensive understanding, and apply this understanding to protect the diverse values of natural resources. We engage in collaborative multidisciplinary research on the basic biologies of forest insects that pose challenges to natural and managed forest ecosystems. Some of these issues include:
- Eruptive Population Dynamics, and Their Challenges to Sustainable Forest Resources
- Invasive Species
- Environmental Stresses Associated with Climate and Intensive Management
- Environmentally Judicious Forest Protection
Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Associates
- Aaron Adams (Postdoctoral Assoc.)
- Celia Boone (Res. Asst.)
- Nichole Broderick (Res. Asst.)
- David Coyle (Res. Asst.)
- Jesse Pfammetter (Teaching. Asst.)
- Erinn Powell (Teaching Asst.)