Landscape Ecology of Insects
In January, Amy Wray joined the Gratton lab to work on a multi-disciplinary study examining the agro-ecological consequences of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) on bats in Wisconsin. In partnership with the Peery Lab and the Wisconsin DNR, this project will include acoustic monitoring of bat activity, next-generation sequencing of bat guano collected by citizen scientists, …
Kiley and Jade are headed off to Virginia for the summer! In partnership with GLBRC, Pheasants Forever, and FDC Enterprises, they are examining how different types of pollinator strips planted along margins of switchgrass fields (e.g., high floral diversity (like the one pictured), low floral diversity, and no strips) influence pollinator communities and pollination services. …
Past studies from our research group show that the composition of the surrounding landscape can influence the abundance and diversity of predatory insects within a field, where complex landscapes (i.e., landscapes with a greater proportion of natural areas) generally support a greater abundance and diversity of predatory insects compared to simplified landscapes (i.e., landscapes surrounded …
Recently, the Gratton lab flew out to Portland, OR to attend the 37th Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. This was a wonderful opportunity to present our research to colleagues, catch up with former collaborators, and make new connections. Several of us presented research, including former Gratton lab members, Tim Meehan and Jamin Dreyer. …
Work by Jeremy Hemberger and Claudio was featured in a nice article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It was subsequently picked up by WPR. See the links below for the original articles! http://www.wpr.org/usda-hopes-expand-honey-bee-habitats-wisconsin http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/uw-madison-scientists-seek-alternatives-to-cranberry-pollination-b99306192z1-266945911.html