Research_Focus
Members of our laboratory investigate interactions between terrestrial plants and their insect herbivores in order to understand how those interactions structure the broader ecological communities in which they are embedded. Generally speaking, we undertake manipulative field experiments, often in combination with laboratory chemical analyses, to determine how insects respond to or alter plant biochemistry, and then examine subsequent changes in plant and/or insect growth, fitness, phenology, species interactions, or biological diversity. In addition, we apply hypotheses regarding community structure to the investigation of other aspects of insect biology, including field experiments in forensic entomology, predator-prey interactions, and endangered species conservation.Current_Research
Click on the Research tab above for a list of our current projects or contact us for more detailed information about our two main research agendas:Insects & Plant Phenology Insects & Nitrogen-fixing plants
