Exploring the ecological consequences of pesticide resistance evolution

In this project, we will study potential ecological aspects following evolution of pesticide resistance in herbivorous insect. For example, we will study if development of pesticide resistance could affect insects’ ability to utilize novel host plant species through so called cross resistance, and if gut microbiota could have a role in such cross resistance. We will also investigate if pesticide resistance evolution could affect ability to withstand parasitoids as well as how resistance may vary between populations inhabiting different landscape types. Our study species is the green-veined white, Pieris napi.