Research interests

Insect population dynamics is my main interest. How do insect populations fluctuate over time and in space, and what are the roles of and interactions between food resources, enemies and weather disturbances in creating patterns of change? Many insect populations show longwave fluctuations with several years between population peaks. It is thus important with a long-term approach to insect population dynamics.

My main model system consists of a swallow-wort species (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria), its four insect phytophages (a lygaeid bug Lygaeus equestris, a tephritid fly Euphranta connexa, a noctuid moth Abrostola asclepiadis and a gall midge Contarinia vincetoxici) and their enemies. Populations of some of these species have been followed since the late 70´s. Another object of study is the sweet potato butterfly (Acraea acerata), an important pest of sweet potato in Ethiopia.

Weather conditions have a strong influence on the population dynamics of all these species, and questions pertaining to possible effects of new climatic regimes form an important ingredient of my studies. 

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Publication list

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