X (Xianhui) Shi MSc

X (Xianhui) Shi MSc

PhD student

Research:

Hyperparasitoids are insects that parasitize the larvae or pupae of primary parasitoids They are ubiquitous and can be found in virtually all trophic chains in the insect world in a wide range of environments. They have a major impact on the population dynamics of the primary parasitoid. Hyperparasitoids can be divided into idiobionts which kill the host during oviposition and koinobionts which allow the host to continue feeding and growing . They are perfect models to investigate the optimal use of limited resources such as carbon and nitrogen stored in a parasitoid host which is generally slightly bigger than the hyperparasitoids. Wingless solitary generalist Gelis agilis is an intriguing hyperparasitoid that is asexual with all females and mimics the garden ant Lasius niger to release ant alarm pheromone when panicked. Gelis agilis parasitize cocoons of host parasitoid Cotesia glomerata which developed from parasitized host Pieris rapae larvae. As a model hyperparasitoid closely related to other insects, Gelis agilis and other geline parasitoids are worth exploiting as the bionomics is still beyond totally clear.
The aim of my research is to figure out how the reproduction of hyperparasitoid. To explore how the maternal effect and cannibalism can influence offspring since they are vital components for insects. Combined with the field study to check the food chain in different environments, this research will contribute to the understanding of the bionomics of hyperparasitoid.

Publications:

Shi, X., Wang, C., Simon, J. E., Reichert, W., & Wu, Q. (2021). Repellency of novel catnip oils against the bed bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Journal of medical entomology, 58(2), 528-534.

Shi, X., Ma, T., Zhang, S., Sun, Z., Chen, X., Wang, C., ... & Wen, X. (2018). Calling and mating behavior of Diaphania angustalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Journal of economic entomology, 111(5), 2250-2254.

Ma, T., Shi, X., Shen, J., Wang, C., Zhang, S., Lu, X., ... & Wen, X. (2018). Field evaluation of commercial attractants and trap placement for monitoring pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Guangdong, China. Journal of economic entomology, 111(1), 239-246.

Ma, T., Lin, N., Shi, X., Zhou, L., Zhou, Q., Wang, C., ... & Wen, X. (2018). Female Diaphania glauculalis (Guenée) calling behavior diel rhythm and temporal change in pheromone production. Journal of Entomological Science, 53(4), 407-421.