Laboratory of Entomology
At the Laboratory of Entomology, led by chairholder Bregje Wertheim, we work on the physiology of insect-plant interactions and the ecology of parasite-host and predator-prey interactions. Since the last decade we also study arthropod vectors of human and animal diseases.
Our research
The Laboratory of Entomology studies fundamental aspects of insect biology, ecology, and evolution with the aim to understand how insects function in their ecological setting and how they evolve. The Laboratory of Entomology has a strong expertise in linking fundamental to applied entomological research, from the molecular to the ecological and ecosystem levels. The team at the Laboratory of Entomology is driven by curiosity and aims to make significant contributions to important societal issues such as food security, biodiversity loss and a healthy living environment. This is achieved by research on the interface of molecular, physiological, developmental and evolutionary biology, with special attention to the ecological, behavioural and molecular interactions between insects and their environment.
The Yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, has just finished a blood meal on a human skin
Education
Education by Entomology
The laboratory of Entomology is involved in teaching to BSc, MSc, and PhD students. The BSc and MSc teaching relates mainly to the programmes of Biology and Plant Sciences, but also involves students in Animal Sciences, Biological Production Sciences, Molecular Sciences, Organic Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
Publications & Projects
The Entomology group is nationally and internationally recognised and visible in different insect science domains, such as insect-plant interactions, insects as food and feed, and vector-borne disease ecology and control. We exploit citizen science to involve the general public, and actively invest in sharing our knowledge via public lecture series, books, television and social media. Of course, we also publish in well-respected scientific media.
Highlighted projects
- Biological control of invasive stink bugs in the Dutch greenhouses
- Sweet or sour - how the nectar microbiome shapes the pollinator community in brassicaceous plants
- Leveraging nature's potential for sustainable crop protection: A novel approach for uncovering protective functions of plant secondary metabolites based on insect receptors
Highlighted publications
- Behaviour of two fly species reared for livestock feed: optimising production and insect welfare
- Mosquito vector competence for dengue is modulated by insect-specific viruses
- Soil amendment with insect frass and exuviae affects rhizosphere bacterial community, shoot growth and carbon/nitrogen ratio of a brassicaceous plant
Chairholder
Bregje Wertheim is chair of the Entomology group. She aims to expand research and education on the functioning of insects in ecosystems, both to develop new knowledge on insect biology, and to counter the decline in their biodiversity.
People of Entomology
Meet the people of Entomology.
News (5)
Our lab exists 100 years in 2026!
This joyous milestone certainly deserves celebration, and we will mark it with a week‑long program of activities! We are organizing a series of events in April and May 2026 that will be open to everyone! In addition, we will hold a reunion specifically intended for current and former employees of the Laboratory of Entomology. Find more information on our special event website: