Laimburg Research Centre announces a PhD scholarship for the PhD program "Mountain Environment and Agriculture” in collaboration with the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, under the supervision of Prof. Hannes Schuler and Dr. Sara Bortolini / Dr. Manfred Wolf, on the following topic:
Host-Parasitoid Interaction: Molecular Characterization and Fate of Non-Hatched Parasitic Wasps in Stinkbug Egg Masses
Description of the topic:
The research project is part of the long-term monitoring of the effects of the release of the parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus on the Asian Stinkbug (Halyomorpha halys) and native stink bug species in South Tyrol. The main objective was to evaluate the parasitisation efficacy of T. japonicus, evaluating both its impact on the target population and potential effects on non-target species through host-parasitoid interactions. The invasion of H. halys has caused severe damage to Italian crops since 2004, with its presence documented in South Tyrol since 2019. Traditional control methods (physical barriers, insecticides and pheromone traps) have proved insufficient, leading to the start of a national release programme of T. japonicus in 2020. Field monitoring of stink bug eggs revealed the presence of closed eggs, raising questions about the presence of parasitoids unable to complete their development inside them. Although, these parasitoids may still contribute to biological control, their identification is important for accurately assessing the effectiveness of the programme and specificity of the biological control agent. This project aims to explore molecular methods for the identification of parasitoid species within closed eggs. Furthermore, the analysis of interactions between hosts and parasitoids, both autochthonous and allochthonous, will contribute to the understanding of the ecological dynamics and impact of exotic insects introduction. In the long term, the results may be applied to agroecosystem management, supporting the monitoring of T. japonicus and other parasitoids, to optimise biological control strategies.
Contract duration: 36 months, full time, Start in autumn 2025
Applications must arrive by and not later than: 11.06.2025– 12 am under: https://www.unibz.it/en/faculties/agricultural-environmental-food-sciences/phd-mountain-environment-agriculture/
Additional information:
A major part of the work for this PhD scholarship will be carried out at Laimburg Research Centre in Vadena/Pfatten (Bz).
For further information about the PhD programs and the application procedure, please visit the correspondent website of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano: https://www.unibz.it/en/applicants/phd-programmes/
For questions regarding Laimburg Research Centre, please contact jennifer.berger@laimburg.it
PhD scholarship HOST-PARASITOID INTERACTION (525 KB)
Das Versuchszentrum Laimburg ist die führende Forschungsinstitution für die Landwirtschaft und Lebensmittelqualität in Südtirol. Wir betreiben vor allem angewandte Forschung mit dem Ziel, die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Nachhaltigkeit der Südtiroler Landwirtschaft zu steigern und die Qualität landwirtschaftlicher Produkte zu sichern.
