PhD defence by Nika Jachowicz-Miranda

Conservation biological control of aphids in sugar beet

Landscape homogeneity, extensive monocultures, and pesticide use disrupt natural pest control, posing risks to crop yields. Conservation biological control, such as planting diverse, perennial flower strips, has shown potential in supporting natural enemies within annual crops, as explored in this thesis with sugar beet as a model crop. This was accomplished through a literature review and large-scale field trials, enhanced by innovative approaches like gut content PCR and the validation of insect sensors

Through literature review and field trials, this study found that highly diverse flower strips increase natural enemy densities, though impacts on pest populations were less consistent. Common predators were documented to feed on both aphid species. LiDAR insect sensors demonstrated potential for monitoring pest and natural enemy populations, supporting integrated pest management strategies.

This work was conducted as an Industrial PhD collaboration between University of Copenhagen and Nordic Beet Research and funded by Innovationsfonden Danmark.

Supervisors

Lene Sigsgaard, Associate Professor

Joakim Herrström, Managing Director, Nordic Beet Research, Sweden

Assessment committe

Chair: Associate Professor Per Moestrup Jensen, University of Copenhagen

Biologist Henrik Skovgaard, Aarhus University, Science & Technology, Department of Agroecology

Professor James R. Bell, Keele University, School of Life Sciences, Department of Entomology, Ireland

There will be a small reception at SOBI after the PhD defense