Research

Thrust Areas

• Prey-Predator Interactions: Investigating how ladybird beetles interact with their prey and predators, and the impact of these interactions on population dynamics and ecological balance.

• Age and Ageing: Studying the lifespan, reproductive patterns, and senescence in ladybird beetles to unravel the mechanisms of ageing in these beneficial insects.

• Light & Rhythms: Exploring the influence of light cycles and environmental rhythms on the behavior, physiology, and life history of ladybird beetles.

• Mass Multiplication for Biological Control: Developing techniques for mass rearing of ladybird beetles for effective biological control of pest populations in agriculture.

• Molecular Studies: Investigating the molecular basis of developmental strategies, reproductive behaviors, and phylogenetic relationships within the Coccinellidae family.

• Reproductive Strategies: Examining mating behaviors, sexual selection, and reproductive tactics employed by ladybird beetles, including aspects of kin recognition and reproductive interference.

• Regeneration and Developmental Strategies: Exploring the regenerative capabilities and developmental pathways in ladybird beetles, with potential implications for biotechnology and regenerative medicine.

• Tritrophic Interactions: Understanding the interactions between ladybird beetles, their prey, and host plants, and the cascading effects on ecosystem dynamics.

• Cannibalism and Intraguild Predation: Investigating intra- and inter-specific interactions among ladybird beetles, including cannibalism and predation within guilds.

• Phylogeny and Evolutionary Studies: Mapping the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of ladybird beetle species to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary trajectories.