Dr Joe Roberts
Supervisor Details
Contact Details
Research Interests
My research focuses on understanding and manipulating interactions between plants, insect pests and their natural enemies to develop sustainable approaches to integrated pest management (IPM). Drawing on insect behaviour, physiology and chemical ecology, I investigate how plant defences and chemical signals influence pest performance and biological control. Particular interests include plant defence priming, biopesticides and the integration of complementary control methods to reduce reliance on conventional insecticides in agricultural and horticultural production.
Alongside this experimental work, I develop approaches to pest monitoring and decision support, combining ecological knowledge with statistical modelling, machine learning and digital technologies to improve the timing and targeting of interventions. My interests also encompass evidence synthesis, the environmental impacts of pesticide use, and improving the design, analysis and reporting of insect bioassays. Across these areas, I aim to translate mechanistic understanding into reliable, practical pest management strategies that support crop production while reducing environmental harm.
Research Groups
MIBTP Project Details
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