Chemical Ecology - Current Projects

Disentangling the relationship between complex damage patterns and defence responses – We are building kinetic models to understand the dynamics of chemical plant defence responses in real time. We aim to use this knowledge to predict phenotypic outcomes based on plant life histories.

Two Brachypodium distachyon genotypes (one heavily damaged by herbivores, the other not)

Plant-independent herbivore behavioural patterns – We are interested in exploring how different factors shape the ways that plants and herbivores interact, including understanding the interplay between plant phenotypes, herbivore behaviour, and environmental context dependencies.

Spodoptera exigua feeding on maize

Silicon as a robust anti-herbivore defence – Some plants, such as grasses, have evolved the ability to hyperaccumulate silicon. In these plants, silicon is known to have strong negative effects on herbivores. We are interested in uncovering the mechanisms driving silicon-mediated resistance to herbivory, as well as how silicon accumulation integrates with wider plant defence machinery.

Top: Helicoverpa armigera mandibles after feeding on B. distachyon with (right) or without (left) silica deposits. Bottom: B. distachyon with (right) or without (left) silica deposits.