Working towards a better understanding of

FOREST ENTOMOLOGY & PROTECTION

Evolutionary ecology of insects – from gene to ecosystem

Our research group in the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Freiburg is working towards a better understanding of the ecology and evolution of forest insects to maintain the ecological and economical services of our forests. More specifically, we try to get a holistic insight of how other micro- and macroorganisms, such as microbial symbionts or natural enemies, influence the interactions between herbivorous insects and their plant hosts. To this end, we apply methods from evolutionary biology, ecology, entomology, microbiology, and a wide range of state-of-the-art techniques from histology, molecular and chemical ecology.

We are internationally known for our almost unique ability to rear bark and ambrosia beetles in artificial media in the laboratory. Combined with our own experimental forest, greenhouses and flying cages this enables us to study these insects at different scales from gene to ecological context.

RESEARCH GROUPS

Insect Behaviour & Symbiosis

Bark beetles have specific, but across species highly diverse, mutualistic interactions with fungi. How do they influence beetle fitness and population dynamics?

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Forest Protection

Forest Protection works at the interface of ecology, entomology, economy and society. It is thus central to the management of forests and accordingly links many disciplines.

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Host-Microbiome Interactions

Bark beetles are embedded in interactions with diverse microbes. How do they functionally affect the ecology and evolution of the beetles and beetle-fungus mutualisms?

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Biodiversity in Wittental

A unique place for research and practical teaching modules, as well as student experimental space for biodiversity enhancement measures and acquisition of taxonomic knowledge.

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Who we are

GROUP LEADERS

Peter BIEDERMANN

Peter is a naturalist and trained biologist who aims to apply evolutionary and ecological concepts to forest insects. He is very passionate about nature and tries to convey that to students and public.

Tim BURZLAFF

As a trained forester with a sound knowledge and interest in many other fields of science, Tim tries to combine various disciplines. He enjoys teaching students and letting them have their own experience during theses or projects.

Vienna KOWALLIK

Vienna is biologist studying the hidden world of microorganisms. She tries to understand ecological and evolutionary dynamics between microbes and their abiotic and biotic environment.

Ambrosia Beetles

MICROBIAL SYMBIONTS AND FUNGICULTURE

Ambrosia beetles grow their own food fungi. But how do they control what symbionts live in their fungal gardens?

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Bark Beetles

SYMBIONTS OF PARASITIC SPECIES

Some bark beetles inhabit living trees without killing them. What bacteria and fungi help them to overwhelm tree defences?

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Ambrosia Beetles

SOCIAL IMMUNITY

Ambrosia beetles live in social societies. How do they cooperatively fight pathogens within their nests?

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Ambrosia Beetles

BIOLOGY OF FUNGAL SYMBIONTS

Ambrosia beetles live in close associations with fungi. Do these fungi reproduce sexually or asexually, and how are their spores transmitted between nests?

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Coffee Berry Borer

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND BIOCONTROL

The coffee berry borer is the major pest of coffee worldwide. What is the life cycle of this poorly understood species and how does it behave?

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Ambrosia Beetles

INTRODUCTION OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES

Due to international wood trading, ambrosia beetles are easily transported to areas outside their original range. How do they affect native beetles in their new habitats?

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Galling Aphids

EFFECTS ON HOST PLANT SYMBIONTS

Galling aphids change the defense chemistry of their host trees. How does this affect the fungi that live within the tree's leaves?

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Cassida beetles

TROPHIC INTERACTIONS WITH LEAF SYMBIONTS

Do beetles feeding on thistle leaves prefer plants which are infected by fungi?

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What we do

BACKGROUND

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF INSECTS

Ambrosia beetles live in social societies and cooperatively farm their own food. Even the larvae help.

INSECT-FUNGUS MUTUALISMS

Different fungi and bacteria inhabit the nests of ambrosia beetles - a complex community of different symbionts.

EVOLUTION OF AGRICULTURE

Insects started farming fungi 30-100 million years before human agriculture evolved. What can we learn from insect farmers?

BARK BEETLE DYNAMICS

During a breakout, bark beetles can kill the majority of trees in a forest. But their population dynamics are still poorly understood.

AMBROSIA BEETLES

These beetles are fascinating animals for two reasons:  First, they live in social societies, and second, they actively farm fungi for food.

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BARK BEETLES

Bark beetles occur in every region of the world. They play a key role in many forest ecosystems.

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GALLING APHIDS

These aphids not only suck at their host plant. They also force it to build a home for them!

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TORTOISE BEETLES

With their specialized feet these beetles strongly adhere their flat body to leaves. Larvae use their feces to build a shield.

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COFFEE BERRY BORER

This beetle is so tiny that it can spend most of its life within a single coffee bean. It is the most devastating pest of coffee worldwide.

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