Invasive species: PhD student researches the Japanese beetle
Research |
What sparked your research interest, in general and for the specific topic?
I discovered my interest in agricultural economics during my Master's degree in Economic Development and Growth in Madrid. There I took exciting courses on agricultural development and rural structures. As I come from a rural area myself and have farmers in my family, I naturally have a personal connection to agricultural economics. Research on invasive species and especially on the Japanese beetle, on the other hand, was unknown to me before my PhD at TUM. I thus became particularly fascinated when I learned more about the effects of such biological invasions on biodiversity, ecosystems and agriculture.
What is the aim of the IPM Popillia project?
The goal of IPM-Popillia is to mitigate the challenges and dangers posed by the spread of the invasive Japanese beetle in Europe. The pest was introduced in Italy in 2014. It poses a major threat to the agricultural sector because it can spread easily through the movement of goods and people and can feed on more than 400 host plants. The EU has now classified the beetle as a so-called "priority plant pest" and its further spread must be curbed at all costs.
What long-term effects could the project have on European agriculture and environmental protection?
Improved monitoring strategies should prevent or slow down further spread in Europe. In addition, the project is researching alternative plant protection products such as biological agents, which are more environmentally friendly and should reduce the use of synthetic insecticides. The economic impact and pesticide preferences of farmers and society are being examined from both an economic and ecological perspective in order to better assess the potential risks of further spread. In the long term, we are therefore trying to minimize the use of chemical synthetic pesticides against the Japanese beetle and counteract its negative effects on the agricultural sector and the environment at an early stage.
You are currently working with INRAE in France. How does this collaboration contribute to your research?
My work is interdisciplinary and is also based on research results from other disciplines, for example entomology or ecology. This is how the collaboration with my French colleagues from INRAE, who are also part of the IPM Popillia consortium, came about. While I focus on the economic impact of the Japanese beetle infestation, my partners at INRAE are experts in ecological modeling. They analyze in which regions of Europe the beetle is most likely to spread, for example due to climatic conditions or transport links. This information is crucial for the development of monitoring strategies and complements my research perfectly.
What is your impression of your research stay in France so far? Are there any particular experiences that have left their mark on you?
I can only report positive things so far and am very grateful for the opportunity to do this exchange and get to know the work at another research institute. My colleagues welcomed me with open arms and I felt comfortable right from the start. Despite my limited knowledge of French, there is always a way to communicate. The exchange with experts from other disciplines enriches my research with new methods and techniques. In addition, the beautiful city of Rennes in Bretagne offers many opportunities to get to know French culture better in everyday life.
How does TUM support you during your research stay in France, especially in your collaboration with international institutes such as INRAE?
My chair and my graduate school support me both financially and organizationally. PhD students' experiences abroad are generally supported intensively by TUM, for example through internationalization funding. As a result, the organization of the exchange went smoothly. I am also very grateful to my chair and my supervisor Professor Sauer for the support and time they gave me to have this experience.
What next steps do you plan to take after your current research stay?
After my research stay, I will continue to work closely with INRAE on our joint study. However, it's great that we can already carry out the concept of the study, the data preparation and initial evaluations on site in a personal exchange, so hopefully most of the work will already be done before I return to my chair.