Xiaoning Zhang

Postdoc Researcher, S, Forest entomology unit

E-mail

Presentation

I am a postdoc 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.

Research

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 suppresion, 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 greenhous 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, focusing 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, advanced statistics).

I am currently visiting Prof. Erik Poelman's team at Wageningen University (the Netherlands) under my Mobility grant (FORMAS). Beyond my own project, this collaboration aslo allowed me to 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.

Research groups

Forest Entomology Unit

Teaching

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.

Collaboration

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. 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.

Supervision

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 16 MSc students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, and 4 additional master's theses and 1 research practice have been scheduled in 2025.

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.

Grants founded

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?

2021-2025 Mobility Grant for early-career researchers from (FORMAS). Project title: Double function of omnivorous predators in biological control: as predators and as plant vaccinators.