Research at the Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine

Vector Biology

Insect Ecology, Behaviour and Control

A diverse range of projects are currently underway at CTVM into the ecology, behaviour and control of insects of economic importance. The group has experience of working both in the UK and overseas and carries out a number of consultancies regarding the development of non-chemical means of insect control.

Group members

	Dr Alison Blackwell
	Dr Kiri Stanley
	Dr Charles Marriott
	Veronica Mands
	Dan Thornham
	Caroline Matthew
	Andrew Morris

Skills/Techniques

	Insect electrophysiology
	Insect behavioural studies
	Molecular analysis of insect populations
	Field investigations
	Insect repellent studies
	Insecticide assays

Collaborators
The group works with a number of research institutes, including:

	The Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee
	The Central Science Laboratory, York
	The Scottish Agricultural College, Edinburgh
	Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Univeristy of Strathclyde, Glasogw
	Department of Plant Sciences, University of St. Andrews

Current project areas:

	Biting midge behaviour and ecology, specifically trap development (funded by Calor Gas Ltd.); studies of novel insect repellents, including bog myrtle (Myrica gale), (funded by the Scottish Hospital Endowment Research Trust (SHERT)) and the collaboration of science and art in the study of midge attacking behaviour ('Midge Bait'), recently funded by a Wellcome Trust 'sciart' award.
	Non chemical control of non-biting midges (Chironomidae), funded by the Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water Authority.
	Pesticide avoidance by Coccinella septempunctata, funded by the Central Science Laboratory, York.

In addition to the above project areas, A Blackwell is co-director of In-Phage Ltd. (with Dr S Welburn); a Edinburgh University spin-out company developing a novel approach to insect pest contol.

For all enquires, contact Dr Alison Blackwell

Blood-fed Culicoides nubeculosus Culicoides nubeculosus male