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Department of Entomology
entomologija_skupinska

Our team has its research focus on fundamentals of insect biology. Specific interests are directed to communication processes at the behavioural and neuronal level, comparative and and evolutionary neurobiology, influences of diseases on the behaviour and physiology and to population genetics. The experimental animals include economically important species (honey bees, planthoppers, leafhoppers and stink bugs) model species (crickets) and species adapted for life in specific environments (cave crickets).

In the frame of communication studies we investigate the repertoire of vibrational signals of stink bugs, planthoppers and leafhoppers produced during mating, their transmission through plants, reception by the relevant sensory organs and information processing in the central nervous system, as well as cognitive abilities in healthy, pesticide treated or infested specimens. Comparative and model neurobiological studies, performed in crickets and cave crickets, are focused on the anatomy and function of sensory organs and neuronal networks involved in reception, transmission and processing of the vibratory and acoustic information at different synaptic levels. Insect-plant interactions are investigated in the context of biomechanical studies of green plants as the transmission medium for communication signals. Influences of diseases and pesticides are studied in forager bees at the behavioural level and the level of physiological mechanisms that underlie the respective behavioural changes. Mitochondrial sequence data and nuclear molecular markers are used in green stink bugs for the assessment of genetic variation within populations, population structure and differentiation, evolutionary relationships, gene flow and dispersal, patterns of introgression and hybridisation.

We use DNA-based methods to investigate trophic interactions between invertebrate predators (spiders) and insect prey (leafhoppers) in order to determine whether spiders exploit insect vibrational communication in order to locate and capture their prey. We use methods from animal physiology, specifically neurobiology, animal behaviour, genetics, molecular biology, pathology and immunology. The group is skilled in methods using laser systems, such as the highly sensitive laser vibrometery and the laser-ablation system that enables specific in vivo elimination of single cells in the studies preparations. Basic research is the key direction of the team activities. In addition, the group knowledge and experience is successfully applied on problems with bee keeping, the impact of pesticides on insect populations and testing of the resonant properties of differently modified wood or other biological material.


Head: Uni. Prof. Andrej Čokl, PhD

 

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Employees


Researchers

Uni. Prof., PhD Andrej BlejecScience Councillor05 923 27 89
Uni. Prof., PhD Andrej ČoklScience Councillor, Head of Scientific - Research unit OE II05 923 27 71
PhD Jasna KraljResearch Associate05 923 27 73
PhD Petra PavlovčičAssistant with PhD05 923 27 79
PhD Nataša StritihResearch Associate05 923 27 77
PhD Meta Virant DoberletScience Councillor05 923 27 72
PhD Maja ZorovićAssistant with PhD05 923 27 80
PhD Alenka ŽuničAssistant with PhD05 923 27 74

Young Researchers

Danilo BevkYoung Researcher05 923 27 83
MSc Maarten De GrootYoung Researcher on Doctoral Level05 923 27 82
Vera ZgonikYoung Researcher on Doctoral Level05 923 27 84

Technical Assistants

Entomolab 1 05 923 27 75
Entomolab 2 elektrofiz 05 923 27 76
Entomolab 3 komora 05 923 27 78
Jernej PolajnarAutonomous Specialised Staff Member05 923 27 88

Former employees

PhD Peter KozmusYoung Researcher I
PhD Janez PrešernAssistant with PhD
PhD Špela SchraderAssistant with PhD