Eleanor Spence

• BSc (Hons) Zoology
• Competitive interactions between biological control agents.

Animal pests of plants can be managed with commercial biological control agents, but there may be positive or negative interactions with naturally occurring natural enemies. We will investigate these interactions in a model system(s) using established procedures to identify the mechanisms underlying the interaction. We will investigate encounter rate, acceptance rate and/or the proportion of lethal attacks made by natural biological control agents on pests treated or untreated with commercial biological controls. We will also establish how any effects are mediated, by interference with the natural enemy’s senses (odour, contact) or the palatability of the infected prey.

Project Supervisor: Dr Gordon Port, School of Biology

Funding Source: Newcastle University