| Ao.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Elisabeth H. Koschier |
 Gebiet: Angewandte Entomologie, Pflanzenschädlinge, biotechnische PflanzenschutzmethodenResearch topics: The research group addresses current pest problems in agricultural and horticultural practice, studying the biology and ecology of agricultural arthropod pests. Thematic focus is the chemical ecology and the behaviour of relevant pests on their host plants. Objects of the current research are two cosmopolitan Thysanopteran (thrips) species with extraordinary potential for damage: Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci are both economically relevant pests on many horticultural and agricultural crops and therefore especially interesting candidates for case studies with practical relevance. With studies of specific thrips behaviours on morphologically and biochemical dissimilar crop plants we contribute to a better understanding of insect-plant-interactions. Our special interest in this context is the function of secondary plant compounds as signals mediating interactions between arthropods and plants. We research fundamental as well as applied aspects of using natural compounds as attractants, repellents or deterrents to manipulate the host selection and acceptance behaviour of pests. Current projects research the possible enhancement of the deterrent effectiveness of plant compounds against F. occidentalis and T. tabaci by blending them and the potential for habituation (desensitization) to these blends and their pure constituents. Based on the basic knowledge gained in our research we point out the perspectives on behavioural control measures in innovative environmentally friendly plant protection concepts: our aim is the future use of bioactive plant compounds in sustainable pest control strategies for agricultural as well as horticultural crops. |
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Ao.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Elisabeth H. Koschier (Deputy head of Institute) |
eMail 01/47654-95303 |
Courses Research |