Research interests

Tritrophic interactions: host-plant effects on the resistance of Diabrotica pests to natural enemies

Root pests represent a major threat to agriculture and, amongst these, the genus Diabrotica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is especially important. These beetles and their larvae are able to benefit from the chemical defenses of the plants they feed on and use them for their own defense against their natural enemies. My work focuses on the sequestration of plant defense compounds by the larvae of Diabrotica spp. and the potential protection against entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) and other natural enemies. A good understanding of these complex defense mechanisms may provide new insights into the ecological interactions between plants, herbivores and their natural enemies, with possible implications for the development of sustainable pest control strategies.

Teaching Activities

• Integrated Pest Management, Master in Biology - specialization Sustainable Agriculture
• TP Ecologie Chimique, Bachelor in Biology 

Publications

Bruno, P., Machado, R.A.​, Glauser, G., Kohler, A., Campos-Herrera, R., Bernal, J., Toepfer, S., Erb, M., Robert, C.A.M., Arce, C.C.​ and Turlings, T.C.​, 2020. Entomopathogenic nematodes from Mexico that can overcome the resistance mechanisms of the western corn rootworm. Scientific Reports.

Machado, R.A., Bruno, P., Arce, C.C., Liechti, N., Köhler, A., Bernal, J., Bruggmann, R. and Turlings, T.C., 2019. Photorhabdus khanii subsp. guanajuatensis subsp. nov., isolated from Heterorhabditis atacamensis, and Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. mexicana subsp. nov., isolated from Heterorhabditis mexicana entomopathogenic nematodes. International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology.

La Forgia, D., Bruno, P., Campos-Herrera, R., Turlings, T. C. J., & Verheggen, F. The lure of hidden death: development of an attract-and-kill strategy against 3 wireworms combining semiochemicals and entomopathogenic nematodes, 2021. Turkish Journal of Zoology. doi:10.3906/zoo-2106-38