Tom Saunders

My PhD project in a nut shell

Tom — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 23:12:39 +0000

I started my PhD in October 2017 at the University of Auckland. My supervisor is Associate Professor Greg Holwell. Greg is interested in evolution—particularly sexual selection—and uses arthropods to work on some of the biggest questions in this area. My co-supervisor is Dr Gonzalo Avila, leader of the biocontrol team at Plant & Food...

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Tom — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 19:30:47 +0000

Scientific name: Halyomorpha halys (Stål 1855) Common name: Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Native range: China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan Current invaded range: Canada, USA, Chile, at least 11 EU countries Public Enemy #1 The Ministry for Primary Industries has recently classified BMSB as one of the top pests of most concern to New Zealand....

Samurai Wasp vs Sneaky Stink Bug: A PhD in the Making

Tom — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 20:45:58 +0000

Insects fascinate me, and I want my science to have real impact. That’s why I’m teaming up with Dr Gonzalo Avila from Plant & Food Research, and Dr Greg Holwell from The University of Auckland. I started a PhD project last month to improve the way that classical biological control agents are tested before release....

What Are Parasitoid Wasps?

Tom — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 19:50:56 +0000

Most Wasps Are Misunderstood… ‘Wasps’ are truly a diverse group of insects – with over 100,000 species known out of an estimated total of 350,000, they make up a considerable chunk of biodiversity. It’s true that some wasps wreak havoc against native biodiversity and cause serious allergic reactions when they turn their sights on people....