Research in our laboratory focuses on the plant-animal interactions from the perspective of conservation biology and ecological genomics. One of our three major areas of interest is bee pollination in fragmented landscapes (Fig. 1 and 2). The project's goals are to develop predictors of bee diversity in fragmented landscapes and test methods to enhance this economically important group of insects. These studies focus on ecological factors controlling diversity of solitary bees in fragmented prairie landscape. We are particularly interested in local vs. landscape scales effects (Fig. 3) on diversity, what habitat types bees frequent, and if habitat can be rehabilitated for solitary bees.

Our second area of active research involves dispersal of insects in fragmented landscapes. Our empirical studies of beetles that feed on a single plant species (monophagy) (Fig. 4) have shown that interactions between beetle and host plant characteristics shape dispersal patterns and population structure. The dispersal patterns in these studies have been mathematically modeled to test hypotheses about "foray sampling" by beetles, use of small clusters of host plants as "way stations", and variation about dispersal behavior within populations. Presently we are using the mathematical model to predict dispersal to new locations and we will test the predictions experimentally in the field. We are also examining morphometric differences in males and females that may influence flight ability and dispersal distances.

Lastly, we have begun studies examining the ecological genetics of gall formation (Fig. 5). Insects produce galls on plants such as goldenrods (Solidago spp.) (Fig. 6) and control plant development by directly altering patterns of gene expression. Our studies with Dr. J. Miller of the Carver Center for Comparative Genomics are the first to use genomic approaches to analyze the array of genes affected in the host plant by a galling insect. We are interested in what genes are affected, how the time course of gene activation proceeds, if different galling insects on the same host plant affect the same plant genes, and if the same galling insect on two different host species affects the same genes. The use of this approach will allow us to address basic evolutionary and developmental questions about this intriguing plant-animal interaction.

Keywords: evolution, ecology, pollination, dispersal, genomics