The big picture: using wildflower strips for pest control
Protecting Crops and the Environment
Alex is working as part of the Smart Crop Protection team studying the behavioural and chemical ecology of insect pest species such as the cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala), pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus) and various species of aphid. As part of his research, Alex is investigating plant volatile signalling systems to determine the effectiveness of trap crops and sentinel crops for defence against insect pests with Dr Sam Cook. Alex will also help deliver devices for detecting insect pests with Dr James Bell in collaboration with the Rothamsted Insect Survey.