Terminplanung kommende Semester und Vortragsarchiv BayCEER Kolloquium
Many herbivorous insects sequester plant toxins to defend against predators. Our research focuses on cardiac glycosides, potent toxins found in plants. We study the physiological mechanisms underlying insect resistance and sequestration and have found that both traits are interconnected. Specifically, sequestering cardiac glycosides requires different resistance traits than consuming a toxin-rich diet, which means that predators favoring sequestration can spur the evolutionary arms race between insects and plants. Moreover, we have found that the sequestration of plant toxins can drive associations with individual plant species, even in dietary generalists. Therefore, sequestration is an important mechanism shaping ecological interactions across trophic levels. In addition to plant toxins, insects are exposed to a diversity of chemical pesticides, including potent insecticides, in real-world scenarios. To understand the potential role of insecticides as a driver of insect decline, we study the effects of commonly used insecticides on wild insects. Our goal is to understand how plant toxins function across trophic levels, how anthropogenic contaminants affect wild living insects, and ultimately, how both frameworks are intertwined.
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invited by Dr. Johannes Stöckl, Evolutionary Animal Ecology
BayCEER-Kolloquium: |
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Do. 25.04.2024 Perspectives and challenges in the restoration and conservation of two isolated habitats: gypsum and cliffs |
BayCEER Short Courses: |
Mi. 24.04.2024 Mobile Film Making Workshop (for PhDs/PostDosc/Profs of BayCEER) |
Fr. 26.04.2024 Mobile Film Making Workshop (for students of BayCEER) |
Ökologisch-Botanischer Garten: |
So. 21.04.2024 Führung | Den ÖBG kennenlernen: Allgemeine Gartenführung |
Fr. 26.04.2024 Aktion | Kräuterreich & regional: Backkunst im ÖBG (zus. mit HWK) |