Emerging Insects in a Changing Climate

The impact of invasive insect pests on agricultural crop losses will be worsened by global climate change as the pests shift their geographical range. Predicting where and when pests will be present is therefore crucial to detect and deter invasions by informing farmers and policy makers to improve surveillance and accurately target mitigation strategies. This project propose to develop a novel theoretical and technological framework that integrates insect eco-physiology and applied mathematical modelling to predict the introduction, establishment, and dispersal of invasive pests. Ultimately, such information can reduce the economic consequences of lost food production and reduce the need for pesticides for a more sustainable agricultural industry. Bridging the gap between basic and applied research, this proposal displays great synergy with the strategic focus areas of research in sustainable food production and climate change mitigation at the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience.