A5088756611- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Berberine and alkaloids research
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Malaria Research and Control
- Bee Products Chemical Analysis
- Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Annonaceae
- Groundwater flow and contamination studies
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Groundwater and Isotope Geochemistry
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology
Keele University
2014-2023
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
2021
Cornell University
2003-2005
Wageningen University & Research
2000-2003
Distinguishing nest-mates from non-nest-mates underlies key animal behaviours, such as territoriality, altruism and the evolution of sociality. Despite its importance, there is very little empirical support for a mechanism in nature. Here we provide data that nest-mate recognition an ant based on colony-specific Z9-alkene signature, proving surface chemicals are indeed used was suggested 100 years ago. We investigated cuticular hydrocarbon profiles 10 Formica exsecta colonies composed almost...
Summary 1. Prey species often possess defences (e.g. toxins) coupled with warning signals (i.e. aposematism). There is growing evidence that the expression of aposematic varies within and correlates strength chemical defences. This has led to speculation such may be ‘honest’, signal reliability ensured by costliness producing or maintaining traits. 2. We reared larval seven‐spot ladybirds ( Coccinella septempunctata ) on a Low High aphid diet measured effects (elytral carotenoid...
A comparison of the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles thirteen sympatric species Formica ants from Finland, along with a subset five British Isles, was conducted. This permitted evolution these within single genus and stability over large geographical evolutionary distances. The study indicated that species-specific remained remarkably stable between Finland Isles were not influenced by ecological factors such as soil or vegetation types. allowed candidate hydrocarbons groups to be identified...
It is unclear why some species become successful invaders whilst others fail, and whether invasive success depends on pre-adaptations already present in the native range or characters evolving de-novo after introduction. Ants are among worst pests, with Lasius neglectus its rapid spread through Europe Asia as most recent example of a pest ant that may global problem. Here, we first integrated study behavior, morphology, population genetics, chemical recognition parasite load L. non-invasive...
Abstract Background The invasive garden ant, Lasius neglectus , is the most recently detected pest ant and first known able to become established thrive in temperate regions of Eurasia. In this study, we aim reconstruct invasion history Europe analysing 14 populations with three complementary approaches: genetic microsatellite analysis, chemical analysis cuticular hydrocarbon profiles behavioural observations aggression behaviour. We evaluate relative informative power methodological...
Abstract A high throughput method for species identification and classification through chemometric processing of direct analysis in real time (DART) mass spectrometry-derived fingerprint signatures has been developed. The entails introduction samples to the open air space between DART ion source spectrometer inlet, with entire observed spectral subjected unsupervised hierarchical clustering processing. range both polar non-polar chemotypes are instantaneously detected. result is level based...
Parasites and pathogens are possibly key evolutionary forces driving recognition systems. However, empirical evidence remains sparse. The ubiquitous pioneering ant Formica fusca is exploited by numerous socially parasitic species. We compared the chemical cue diversity, egg nest mate abilities in two Finnish UK populations where parasite pressure high or absent, respectively. had excellent discrimination abilities, which were lost populations. loss of behaviour correlates with a compounds (C...
Pre-clinical and retrospective studies of patients using statins to reduce plasma cholesterol have suggested that may be useful treat cancer. However, prospective clinical trials yet demonstrate significant efficacy. We previously shown this is in part because a hydrophobic statin with long half-life necessary. Pitavastatin, the only profile, has not undergone evaluation oncology. The target pitavastatin, hydroxymethylglutarate coenzyme-A reductase (HMGCR), was found over-expressed all...
Previous studies on Diptera have shown the potential for use of cuticular hydrocarbons' analysis in determination larval age and hence postmortem interval (PMI) an associated cadaver. In this work, hydrocarbon compounds, extracted daily until pupation from cuticle blowfly Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae), been analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results show distinguishing features within profile over period larvae life cycle, with significant chemical...
Research in social insects has shown that hydrocarbons on their cuticle are species-specific. This also been proven for Diptera and is a promising tool identifying important fly taxa Forensic Entomology. Sometimes the empty puparia, which metamorphosis to adult taken place, can be most useful entomological evidence at crime scene. However, so far, they used with little profit criminal investigations due difficulties of reliably discriminate among different species. We analysed CHC chemical...
Abstract Deception is widespread throughout the animal kingdom and various deceptive strategies are exemplified by social parasites. These species of ants, bees wasps that have evolved to invade, survive reproduce within a host colony another species. This achieved principally chemical deception tricks workers into treating invading parasite as their own kin. Achieving levels acceptance typically hostile colonies requires an amazing level insects complex species- colony-specific recognition...
Recognition is a fundamental process on which all subsequent behaviors are based at every organizational level, from the gene up to super-organism. At whole organism visual recognition best understood. However, chemical communication far more widespread than communication, but despite its importance much less Ants provide an excellent model system for ecology studies as it well established that compounds known cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) used cues in ants. Therefore, stable...
Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) represents the natural pathway by which mosses meet their demands for bioavailable/reactive (Nr) in peatlands. However, following intensification of fertilizer and fossil fuel use, atmospheric Nr deposition has increased exposing peatlands to loading often above ecological threshold. As BNF is energy intensive, therefore, it unclear whether shuts down when availability no longer a rarity. We studied response under gradient extending over decades three U.K.,...