Dr. Messelink is a Special Professor in Biological Pest Control in Greenhouse Production Systems and Senior Research Entomologist at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. He has an extensive background in conducting research using predators and parasitic wasps to manage common pests in greenhouse production.

We discuss one of his recent publications looking at using a generalist predator to manage two key pests (whiteflies and thrips) on gerberas.

Leman et al. (2020). The omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus, a good candidate for the control of both greenhouse whitefly and poinsettia thrips on gerbera plants. Insect Science, 27: 510 - 518.

Dr. Helms investigates questions regarding chemical cues between predators, herbivores, and their plants, and how their interact both below and above-ground. In this interview, we learn more about a specific study that looked at how chemical cues from a below-ground predator could potentially 'prime' plant defenses against above-ground herbivores.

For the full study, check out:

Helms, A. M., S. Ray, N. L. Matulis, M. C. Kuzemchak, W. Grisales, J. F. Tooker, and J. G. Ali. 2019. Chemical cues linked to risk: Cues from below-ground natural enemies enhance plant defences and influence herbivore behaviour and performance. Funct. Ecol. 33: 798–808.

Dr. Juliana Rangel is an Associate Professor at Texas A&M University. Her research lab focuses their work on honey bee health, studying subjects such as bee viruses, pesticide residues in bee wax, and honey bee nutrition.

For the full research article:

Payne, A. N., T. F. Shepherd, and J. Rangel. 2020. The detection of honey bee (Apis mellifera)-associated viruses in ants. Sci. Rep. 10: 1–8.