Biography

I am an entomologist with a specialization in biocontrol of insect pests by BC agents (i.e. entomopathogenic fungi and hymenopteran parasitoids, anthocorid predators), with current work all centred on the impact of these BCAs on key pests, mostly greenhouse and stored products insects. I am interested in the effects of biocontrol agents on invasive species (insects and plants) and natural communities in tri-trophic interactions. Topics of interest include parasitoid bioecology, in vivo assessment of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi virulence, evaluation of their co-application for invader suppression by experimental and lifetable methods, assessment of nontarget impacts of biological control agents and ecological restoration of invader-damaged ecosystems, communities or species.