Right on the pulse of science: current research from the Natural History Museum Stuttgart as well as from (international) partner institutions is presented at our research colloquium. The colloquium serves the scientific exchange between researchers and all those interested in research. The lectures in English take place regularly every fortnight on Tuesdays at 4 pm at Museum am Löwentor and are transmitted via Zoom. We look forward to active participation on site or online!
Research colloquium
What's next
Kollage verschiedener Pflanzen und parasitoider Wespen
Picture: A. Gumovsky
29.04.
Parasitoids, Pests, Biocontrol & Ecosystem Services: Practical Insights
Dr. Alex Gumovsky, Natural History Museum Stuttgart
Ecosystem services provide essential benefits to humans, derived from healthy ecosystems, and have become a key focus in biodiversity and sustainability policies. One prominent method of biological pest control involves the use of parasitoid insects (Hymenoptera), which can be harnessed both through the release of mass-reared agents (augmentative biocontrol) and the preservation of natural resources (conservation biocontrol, which is based on ecosystem services). All biocontrol approaches require thorough evaluation of their effectiveness. This includes assessing their impact on pest populations, as well as economic outcome. In this presentation, I will share my experience in applying and evaluating biocontrol efficacy and the broader impact of ecosystem services through parasitoids. The studies I'll discuss include the release and effectiveness of Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) against the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) and the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) on organic maize, as well as the role of parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in controlling the Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) on organic soybean. In general, calculating biocontrol efficacy and the economic value of ecosystem services may provide a socio-political context for biodiversity studies.
As usual, we will also broadcast via zoom for those who can not join in person: https://zoom.us/j/94510498226
All topics
- 08.04.
Evolution of Triassic terrestrial tetrapod communities and their environments in the Central European Basin
Dr. Eudald Mujal, Natural History Museum Stuttgart - 29.04.
Parasitoids, Pests, Biocontrol & Ecosystem Services: Practical Insights
Dr. Alex Gumovsky, Natural History Museum Stuttgart - 06.05.
Diving into the Triassic world of Krasiejów (SW Poland) – how palaeohistology can help to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment and climatic condition
Dr. Elzbieta Teschner, University Opole, Polen - 27.05.
Life and Death: Recent insights into the palaeobiology of thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs and their living counterparts
Dr. Michela Johnson, Natural History Museum Stuttgart - 03.06.
Titel wird noch bekannt gegeben
PD Dr. Hendrik Müller, University of Halle - 24.06.
From species delimitation to hypothesis testing: A revision of the European black and white russulas
Dr. Ruben De Lange, Natural History Museum Stuttgart - 08.07.
Diversification for biodiversity-friendly agriculture
Prof. Dr. Ingo Grass, University of Hohenheim - 15.07.
Promoting biodiversity in maize cultivation: Options to combine production and nature conservation
Prof. Dr. Maria Müller-Lindenlauf, HfWU Nürtingen