Photo: Guido Sabatinelli

Photo: Nitsan Cohen

Photo: Alon Ornai

We study insect behavioral ecology within the framework of pollination and host-parasitoid interactions. 
Research on pollination ecology concerns pollinator learning and decision-making; social organization of pollinators; and agricultural pollination. Recent and ongoing projects include: 

• The evolution of flag-like extra-floral displays

• Learning of complex tasks in bees

• Flower-color polymorphism

• Characterization of forage plants for honeybees

• Management of planted forests for pollinators

 
 Recent and ongoing work on parasitoid ecology deals with the ecology of polyembryonic parasitoid development; the role of learning in parasitoid behavior; and the use of parasitoids for biological control. Projects include:

• Interactive parent-offspring control over brood size

• Parental epigenetic effects on offspring phenotype 

• Host-handling by parasitoids

• Augmentative biocontrol of the potato tuber moth
• Conservation biocontrol using companion plants
• Biodiversity monitoring in agroecosystems