Pear psyllid - a prominent pest, costs the UK pear industry ~£5 million annually. Anthocoris nemoralis is an key natural enemy of pear psyllid, however, there are concerns that rising summer temperatures impact predation rates. This project will monitor functional responses of Anthocoris nemoralis (i.e. no. of prey consumed) under varying future climate scenarios.
Department: Sustainable Land Management
Supervised by: Deepa Senapathi
A functional response is the number of prey consumed by a predator over a certain period, depending on prey density. Multiple factors can impact functional responses including mobility of prey, habitat type, prey species, and environmental conditions including temperature. Changing climate and increasing temperatures could therefore impact functional responses. Anthocoris nemoralis is the main predator of pear psyllid in the UK and there is concern of how it will react to rising summer temperatures. Although, functional response curves have been created for several species of anthocorids, none to date focus on A. nemoralis under different temperature regimes. This project aims to look at the functional response of a key natural enemy under future climate scenarios, addressing the following hypotheses: 1. The functional response of A. nemoralis will alter under different temperature scenarios, 2. The functional response will vary depending on developmental stage of prey (psyllid nymphs or eggs), 3. The functional response may vary depending on sex or developmental stage of anthocorid (nymph or adult). The project will employ a wide array of techniques including beat tray sampling, light microscopy for species identification, functional response assays in the lab and basic statistical analysis, all of which the student will be trained in. Furthermore, this project may contribute towards a scientific publication.
The student will be predominantly focusing on lab work and some fieldwork at NIAB EMR in Kent. They will prepare functional response assays involving Anthocoris nemoralis and pear psyllid nymphs/eggs, analyse samples using light microscopy and collect and monitor pear sucker and natural enemies within orchards. The student will also have a chance to analyse functional response data using statistical software, create functional response curves depending on different temperature regimes and climate scenarios.
The student should have a background in agriculture, ecology, biology, or another relevant discipline. Experience using light microscopes and an interest in agricultural ecosystems would be useful, but training will be given in these areas. The student should be able to systematically collect data, keep meticulous records and work independently after training.
The student will gain experience of fieldwork including beat tray sampling, and species identification of pear psyllids and natural enemies. Lab work skills involving functional response assays and light microscopy will be gained as will some basic statistical skills in data analysis and data presentation.
NIAB EMR: A horticultural and agricultural research institute at East Malling, Kent
9-5 Mon-Fri but flexible depending on student needs
Monday 11 July 2022 - Sunday 21 August 2022
This project is open to applications until 5pm on Friday 22nd April. Students should submit their CV and Cover Letter directly to the Project Supervisor (click on supervisor name at the top of the page for email). Successful candidates will be invited for an interview.