Dr. Inga Mewis
Research
My interest in the field of chemical ecology are those compounds which act as information chemicals between plants and herbivores as well as which mediate interactions in the tritrophic context. Hereby, my research is focused on the phytophage/host-plant interaction of insect pests in horticulture. I have conducted my PhD at the "Technische Universität München" (TUM) and the "Freie Universität Berlin" (FUB) in Germany. Topic of the dissertation was: "Examinations of the chemical ecology of the cabbage webworm: Hellula undalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)". Since H. undalis is a tropical pest most of the field research was done at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Philippines. I examined the volatile and non-volatile secondary plant compounds in crucifers which mediate host-plant finding and acceptance of this pest.
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Currently, I am working on a research project located at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) in State College, USA. The project is supported by the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) and the Max Kade-Foundation (NY) within the scope of an scientific exchange program. The project takes place at the Pesticide Research Laboratory, Department of Entomology at PSU, with the support of Prof. Jack Schulz. Subject of the project is the comparative analysis of the phytophage/host-plant interaction of phloem-feeding and chewing insects and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.). As phoem-feeding insects we are using the aphids Myzus persicae Sulzer, a generalist and Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), a specialist. Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) was choosen as chewing insect. Main focuss of the research is the specific biochemical (secondary metabolites such as glucosinolates) and molecular biological response of A. thaliana upon insect attack. Furthermore, the effect of induced plant changes on insect performance is investigated. Also the importance of the impact of signaling pathway phytohormones: jasmonis acid, salicylic acid and ethylene, within the specific plant response upon insect attack is object of the study. Since a couple of years I am collaborating with Prof. Christian Ulrichs, who is currently working at the “Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin” in Germany, faculty of horticulture. |
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Contact address
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Pennsylvania State University Department of Entomology Pesticide Research Laboratory University Park, PA 16802 USA Fon/Fax: +1-814-8631071
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e-mail: inga@entomology.de
or imewis@web.de
