Understanding plant-insect interactions
using molecular, chemical, and community ecology
The overarching goal of my research program is to mechanistically link aboveground-belowground ecological communities through plants and their associated insect herbivores, natural enemies, and microbes. Ultimately, my findings generate improved understanding of plant responses to herbivory, identifying sustainable solutions for protecting plants in natural and agricultural ecosystems.
My research addresses the following questions:
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1. Does anti-herbivore defense differ between aboveground and belowground plant systems and what are the consequences for ecological communities?
Historically, research on anti-herbivore defense has focused on aboveground leaf-feeding insects, but there is mounting interest in root responses to belowground herbivory. However, there is not yet consensus on whether plants deploy similar or distinctive defenses against herbivores aboveground versus belowground. To address this knowledge gap, my research evaluates plant defense against insect herbivory within and across aboveground/belowground plant systems and effects on surrounding ecological communities.
2. What early warning cues do plants interpret from their environments to prepare for impending insect herbivory?
Plants detect and perceive diverse stimuli in their environments, including chemical cues emitted by neighboring plants. Chemical cues from neighbors often change following environmental stressors like insect herbivory. Detecting such chemical cues allows neighbors to ‘eavesdrop’, often resulting in enhanced defense. However, many outstanding questions remain regarding plant detection of chemical cues from neighbors. My research characterizes chemical cues related to the threat of insect herbivory and plant responses following exposure to such cues.
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3. How do plant-associated microbes modulate plant-insect interactions?
Belowground plant roots associate with soil-dwelling microbial communities. Such plant-associated microbes can increase plant nutrient acquisition and defense, which alter plant interactions with insect herbivores. When plant-associated microbes boost plant defense against herbivory, this is a ‘bottom-up’ effect of microbes. In contrast, herbivory can modify interactions between plants and their associated microbes known as a ‘top-down’ effect of herbivory on plant-associated microbes. However, research on both ‘bottom-up’ and ‘top-down’ effects of plant-associated microbes is scarce. My research elucidates the role of plant-associated microbial communities in plant-insect interactions, focusing on ‘bottom-up’ and ‘top-down’ effects.