Holland

Rob
van Tol

entomology Family agriculture Pests y Diseases Banana

Biography

Entomologist working at Wageningen University & Research (the Netherlands) studying plant-insect interactions. The three main topics of my work are visual ecology, chemical ecology and biological control. The visual ecology is focusing on understanding the fundamentals on insect vision for the development of more effective trapping systems for pest insects. We are exploring both behaviour to visual stimuli (with LED light) and physiological aspects of the eyes of Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis and the European tarnished plant bug, Lygus rugulipennis. Next to improved monitoring we are investigating the possibilities of mass-trapping and attractive devices for lure & kill. By combining optimized visual and olfactory attractants in a device we expect to develop new/better tools for control of pests in greenhouses and field crops. The chemical ecology is focusing on application and slow-release systems of kairomones and pheromones. For Lygus we have recently identified new kairomones by combining techniques of gaschromatography coupled with electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) and gaschromatography coupled with mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) and bioassays (e.g. olfactometers). The biological control of my work is currently focusing on the belowground interaction of plant-roots, soil pests and entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Understanding how these EPF interact in the rhizosphere and/or as symbionts of the plant and how this affects the defence against pest insects are goals of our research.

Fellow researchers

United States

Charles Staver

Ecology and Agricultural Economy Climate smart agriculture Family agriculture Pests y Diseases Productive systems Rural Extension Territorial development
Spain

Sara Sánchez Moreno

phytopathology Family agriculture Pests y Diseases
Ecuador

Rosa Elena Corozo

Crop protection Family agriculture Pests y Diseases
Ecuador

Myriam Arias Zambrano

entomology Family agriculture Pests y Diseases
Dominican Republic

Domingo Rengifo

Agriculture Agroindustry Bio-inputs Capacity building Climate smart agriculture Family agriculture Genetic improvement Pests y Diseases Postharvest Poverty Productive systems Rural Extension Territorial development
Peru

Juan Carlos Rojas Llanque

Sustainable agriculture and organic bananas Family agriculture Pests y Diseases
Holland

Luud Clercx

rural development Family agriculture Pests y Diseases
Costa Rica

Miguel Angel Dita Rodriguez

phytopathology Agriculture Agroindustry Capacity building Family agriculture Genetic improvement Pests y Diseases Postharvest Poverty Productive systems Rural Extension
Ecuador

Ricardo Delgado

phytopathology Agriculture Capacity building Evaluation of Results and Impact Family agriculture Pests y Diseases Rural Extension
Sponsors
BID
IICA
With the support of
Fondo Coreano de Alianza para el Conocimiento en Tecnología e Innovación (KPK)