Xiaoning Zhang

I am a researcher at the Forest Entomology Unit at the Department of Ecology. I am currently visiting the team of Professor Erik Poelman at Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University (Netherlands) under my FORAS Mobility grant.

I have broad interests in multitrophic plant-insect interactions in plant-associating food webs and biological pest control. I am particularly interested in the role of omnivorous insects in shaping these interactions directly and indirectly via plant-mediated effects and the consequences on herbivore suppression, insect community and plant fitness.

During my PhD (at the University of Amsterdam), I studied how plant responses induced by the omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus influence the performance of herbivores, other natural enemies as well as plants in a greenhouse crop systems (e.g., sweet pepper). I found that omnivores can induce plant defences that decrease the performance of herbivore pests and attract other natural enemies of herbivore pests. The present of omnivores on plants also alters the plant performance by changing plant phenology and plant fitness (in term of seeds production). I was fascinated by the big impact that omnivores can make on food webs through a little bit of plant feeding, which has been largely overlooked by ecologists. This realization motivated me to further investigate the ecological functions of omnivorous insects, which continues to be a central theme in my research.

Since then, I have developed a unique research niche, on the ecological role of omnivorous insects in multitrophic plant-insect interactions within plant-associated arthropod food webs in annual (e.g., Brassicaceae spp.) and perennial (Salix spp.) systems. I examine these complex interactions at individual, population, and community levels with lab, greenhouse, and field studies, combined with interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., plant chemical analysis).

I am currently visiting Prof. Erik Poelman's team  at Wageningen University (the Netherlands) under my Mobility grant (FORMAS). During my time at the Lab of Entomology, I expand my expertise in insect community ecology and hyperparasitoid ecology. I examine how different functional predator groups (including omnivores) shape multitrophic interactions involving aphids, parasitoids and hyperparasitoids. I explore how these population dynamics are influenced by habitat complexity in mixed-cropping systems (e.g., Sinapis vs faba, cabbage vs oat). I explore how releases of natural enemies (including omnivores and other generalist natural enemies) in open field crops shape the pest and natural enemy community composition and abundance, and how these impacts differ under different level of plant diversification (e.g., in monoculture and mix-copping systems). 

Since my PhD, I have actively contributed to several BSc and MSc-level courses in ecology, pest management, and sustainable agriculture at the University of Amsterdam, Wageningen University & Research, and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (e.g., Behavioural Ecology, Plant-Insect Interactions, Ecophysiology, Ecological Aspects of Biointeractions, Ecology and Management of Forest Pest and Pathogens). My roles have included practical supervision and student project mentoring.

At SLU, I collabrate with: Prof. Christer Björkmanand Dr. Adriana Puentes at the Forest Entomology Unit.

Internationally I collaborate:

with Prof. Erik Poelman at the Laboratory of Entomology (Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands) on multitrophic interactions, insect community and hyperparasitoid ecology.

with Dr. Mitchel Bourne at University of Zurich and Dr. Maximilien Adam at CIRAD (France) on hyperparasitoid behaviour.

with Dr. Karen Kloth at Laboratory of Entomology on aphids behaviour with EPG.

with Dr. Benedicte Albrectsen (Umeå University, Sweden) and Prof. Caroline Müller (Bielefeld University, Germany) on plant chemical analysis.

One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is supervising students and witnessing their growth and development under my guidance. I have supervised the research projects of 5 BSc and 27 MSc students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds. 

If you are a master or bachelor student, interested in my research, you are welcome to contact me to discuss your interests and the possibility to perform a research project with me. 

2025-2027        Project grant from the Oscar and Lili Lamm Memorial Foundation. Project title: Plant defence induced by omnivore predators: detrimental or beneficial to other natural enemies?

2022-2026        Mobility Grant for early-career researchers from (FORMAS). Project title: Double function of omnivorous predators in biological control: as predators and as plant vaccinators.

2022    Stipend Award for Early Career Researchers from the King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 50th Anniversary Fund for Science, Technology and the Environment.

Insekter med dubbla roller : ökad förståelse kan leda till bättre växtskydd   Factsheet 

Bringing Fundamental Insights of Induced Resistance to Agricultural Management of Herbivore Pests.

Global change calls for novel plant protection: reviewing the potential of omnivorous plant-inhabiting arthropods as predators and plant defence inducers.

Induction of plant defenses: the added value of zoophytophagous predators.

The omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus induces production of plant volatiles that attract a specialist predator.

Plant feeding by an omnivorous predator affects plant phenology and omnivore performance.

Herbivores avoid host plants previously exposed to their omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus.

Phytophagy of omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus affects performance of herbivores through induced plant defences.