Peter de Jong's research
My research involves molecular and evolutionary ecology of the interactions between phytophagous insects, their host plants and their natural enemies.
Research
As a model, I study the interaction between the flea beetle, Phyllotreta nemorum, its cruciferous host plants (especially Barbarea vulgaris) and a natural enemy (the parasitoid Aneuclis brevicauda). I aim to understand the evolution of the interactions between these organisms by studying the genetic basis of adaptations and the factors that influence the distribution of these adaptations.
P. nemorum is polymorphic for the presence of resistance genes, which enable the beetles to use B. vulgaris as a host plant. B. vulgaris is unsuitable as host plant for P. nemorum individuals in which the resistance genes are not expressed. The distribution of the resistance genes can be influenced by selection and migration, where ecological factors, such as host plant phenology, abundance of host plant species, and parasitism may play a role.
In my work I try to find the relationship between the geographical- and host plant associated distribution of resistance and population structure, indicated by neutral markers. I also study the selective forces acting on resistance, such as trade-offs associated with the presence of resistance genes, host plant dependent parasitism of P. nemorum, temporal variation in defence of B. vulgaris, availability of the various host plant species, and the interactions between these factors. Eventually the results of this work will contribute to a better understanding of the processes influencing biodiversity.
Applied aspect
Apart from the importance of knowledge about processes connected to biodiversity for management of ecosystems, the genetic basis of the resistance of P. nemorum for defence of B. vulgaris resembles the genetic basis of insecticide resistance in insects. Therefore, the research on this model will certainly yield valuable insights in processes influencing the spread of resistance against insecticides. Moreover, P. nemorum (as well as closely related species) itself is a pest, and it is important to understand its host plant use to be able to develop environmentally benign control methods.
Publications
-
Genetic differentiation between resistance phenotypes in the phytophagous flea beetle, Phyllotreta nemorum
Journal of Insect Science (2009), Volume: 9 - ISSN 1536-2442 -
External and internal elimination of supernumerary larvae in the whitefly parasitoid Eretmocerus mundus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)
Biological Control (2008), Volume: 46, Issue: 3 - ISSN 1049-9644 - p. 287-292. -
Insecten in het veranderende klimaat
In: Natuur als Bondgenoot - Leiden: Stichting BWM - ISBN: 9789073196490 - p. 65-67. -
De wapenwedloop tussen plant en insect
In: Natuur als Bondgenoot - Leiden: Stichting BWM - ISBN: 9789073196490 - p. 31-36. -
Natural flightless morphs of the ladybird beetle Adalia bipunctata improve biological control of aphids on single plants
Biological Control (2008), Volume: 47, Issue: 3 - ISSN 1049-9644 - p. 340-346. -
Ecogenomic approach to the role of herbivore-induced plant volatiles in community ecology
Journal of Ecology (2007), Volume: 95, Issue: 1 - ISSN 0022-0477 - p. 17-26. -
Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci from the flea beetle Phyllotreta nemorum L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Molecular Ecology Notes (2007), Volume: 7, Issue: 1 - ISSN 1471-8278 - p. 60-62. -
Pleiotropic effects associated with an allele enabling the flea beetle Phyllotreta nemorum to use Barbarea vulgaris as a host plant
Evolutionary Ecology (2007), Volume: 21, Issue: 1 - ISSN 0269-7653 - p. 13-26. -
Comparison of the incidence of sibling cannibalism between male-killing Spiroplasma infected and uninfected clutches of a predatory ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
European Journal of Entomology (2006), Volume: 103 - ISSN 1210-5759 - p. 323-326. -
Population structure of the malaria vector Anopheles funestus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Madagascar and Comoros
Acta Tropica (2006), Volume: 97, Issue: 3 - ISSN 0001-706X - p. 292-300.