Jordan Cuff 🕷️🧬🕸️
@jordancuff.bsky.social
Molecular ecological entomologist 🧬🕸️🪲 @ForagingEcology.bsky.social PI 🌾🕷️ Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow 🌼🐝 Editor of Agricultural and Forest Entomology 🌾🪲🌲Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society 🐛🐞 he/him
These articles together highlight the rapid advances underway for insect biomonitoring, but also the many technical and conceptual challenges ahead.
Check out the full special issue here:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14619563...
Check out the full special issue here:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14619563...
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
These articles together highlight the rapid advances underway for insect biomonitoring, but also the many technical and conceptual challenges ahead.
Check out the full special issue here:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14619563...
Check out the full special issue here:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14619563...
@kyleamiller.bsky.social et al. demonstrate the performance of a novel assay for rapidly detecting parasitoids of the oak processionary moth, a serious forest pest in the UK. Rapid assessments of biocontrol rates can inform wider management strategies for the pest.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
@kyleamiller.bsky.social et al. demonstrate the performance of a novel assay for rapidly detecting parasitoids of the oak processionary moth, a serious forest pest in the UK. Rapid assessments of biocontrol rates can inform wider management strategies for the pest.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
Andrés Matrínez et al. showcase an autonomous monitoring station that records and identifies social wasp movement, with great potential for advancing research on the otherwise difficult-to-observe behaviour, foraging and ecology of social insects.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Andrés Matrínez et al. showcase an autonomous monitoring station that records and identifies social wasp movement, with great potential for advancing research on the otherwise difficult-to-observe behaviour, foraging and ecology of social insects.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
Santiago Masagué et al. demonstrate the importance of considering multiple sensory perspectives when designing monitoring methods. By altering the visual cues associated with pheromone lures for an invasive forest wasp, capture frequency was increased.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Santiago Masagué et al. demonstrate the importance of considering multiple sensory perspectives when designing monitoring methods. By altering the visual cues associated with pheromone lures for an invasive forest wasp, capture frequency was increased.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
James Bell and Graham Shephard use ultra high-speed photography to demonstrate the peculiar and mesmerising flight mechanics of aphids, which help us to understand their role in agriculture and how we might enhance their detection and control. (The videos are a must-watch!)
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
James Bell and Graham Shephard use ultra high-speed photography to demonstrate the peculiar and mesmerising flight mechanics of aphids, which help us to understand their role in agriculture and how we might enhance their detection and control. (The videos are a must-watch!)
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
Ayman Asiri et al. review the potential for semiochemical analysis for the detection of insect diseases, focusing on the context of pollinators. They discuss recent advances that allow in-field surveillance, potential applications and future prospects.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Ayman Asiri et al. review the potential for semiochemical analysis for the detection of insect diseases, focusing on the context of pollinators. They discuss recent advances that allow in-field surveillance, potential applications and future prospects.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
Gaëtan Seimandi-Corda et al. review the increasing adoption of camera trapping for detecting insect predator-prey interactions. They discuss the equipment used, other parameters and considerations, guidance for new adopters and future advances likely to come soon.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Gaëtan Seimandi-Corda et al. review the increasing adoption of camera trapping for detecting insect predator-prey interactions. They discuss the equipment used, other parameters and considerations, guidance for new adopters and future advances likely to come soon.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
@bensjhawthorne.bsky.social et al. review the integration of DNA metabarcoding with traditional insect monitoring methods in agriculture. Molecular analysis presents many distinct benefits, but also some challenges that require careful consideration and expertise.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
@bensjhawthorne.bsky.social et al. review the integration of DNA metabarcoding with traditional insect monitoring methods in agriculture. Molecular analysis presents many distinct benefits, but also some challenges that require careful consideration and expertise.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
@mukilansuresh.bsky.social et al. discuss the potential for computer vision and deep learning for identification of trapped insects, and the integration of DNA metabarcoding for cross-validation, facilitating construction of ecological networks.
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
@mukilansuresh.bsky.social et al. discuss the potential for computer vision and deep learning for identification of trapped insects, and the integration of DNA metabarcoding for cross-validation, facilitating construction of ecological networks.
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
My co-authors and I propose the need for year-round monitoring of biocontrol interactions to enhance our understanding of predator-pest dynamics, but this will demand various methodological innovations and considerations, for which we provide guidance.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
My co-authors and I propose the need for year-round monitoring of biocontrol interactions to enhance our understanding of predator-pest dynamics, but this will demand various methodological innovations and considerations, for which we provide guidance.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
@danielleybourne.bsky.social et al. discuss the significant advances that artificial intelligence brings to insect biomonitoring, particularly in providing decision support systems to help farmers identify pests and virus vectors, but also the challenges to overcome.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
@danielleybourne.bsky.social et al. discuss the significant advances that artificial intelligence brings to insect biomonitoring, particularly in providing decision support systems to help farmers identify pests and virus vectors, but also the challenges to overcome.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
In an editorial, we summarise the articles within the special issue and provide a synthesis on the overarching themes and concepts, which include the various emerging technologies underpinning significant advances, alongside some conceptual changes in how and when we monitor.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
In an editorial, we summarise the articles within the special issue and provide a synthesis on the overarching themes and concepts, which include the various emerging technologies underpinning significant advances, alongside some conceptual changes in how and when we monitor.
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
doi.org/10.1111/afe....
Our Agricultural and Forest Entomology special issue on advances in insect biomonitoring was published today!
🌾🪲🔍🪰🌲
Explore new and upcoming advances in our ability to detect, identify and characterise insects in production systems!
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14619563...
🌾🪲🔍🪰🌲
Explore new and upcoming advances in our ability to detect, identify and characterise insects in production systems!
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14619563...
January 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Our Agricultural and Forest Entomology special issue on advances in insect biomonitoring was published today!
🌾🪲🔍🪰🌲
Explore new and upcoming advances in our ability to detect, identify and characterise insects in production systems!
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14619563...
🌾🪲🔍🪰🌲
Explore new and upcoming advances in our ability to detect, identify and characterise insects in production systems!
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14619563...
These findings show that nutrients are likely driving trophic interactions in these spiders, elicited through adaptive prey choice. This is a really exciting insight into the nutritional dynamics of invertebrate predators in the field, only possible by integrating these methods!
November 11, 2024 at 8:43 AM
These findings show that nutrients are likely driving trophic interactions in these spiders, elicited through adaptive prey choice. This is a really exciting insight into the nutritional dynamics of invertebrate predators in the field, only possible by integrating these methods!
Sexes and life stages exhibited nutritionally distinct preferences, with male spiders preferring carbohydrate-rich prey that females didn’t. Adult spiders similarly preferred more carbohydrate-rich prey than juveniles, which preferred more protein-rich prey.
November 11, 2024 at 8:43 AM
Sexes and life stages exhibited nutritionally distinct preferences, with male spiders preferring carbohydrate-rich prey that females didn’t. Adult spiders similarly preferred more carbohydrate-rich prey than juveniles, which preferred more protein-rich prey.
Each of the spider groups also exhibited preferences for prey with different nutrient contents. The money spiders each had a strong preference for different carbohydrate-rich taxa – this implies that they are differentiating their sources of carbohydrate to reduce competition!
November 11, 2024 at 8:43 AM
Each of the spider groups also exhibited preferences for prey with different nutrient contents. The money spiders each had a strong preference for different carbohydrate-rich taxa – this implies that they are differentiating their sources of carbohydrate to reduce competition!
We compared these nutritional profiles to those we would expect if spiders fed randomly. Individual spiders foraged for different nutrients in greater proportions than expected, which could represent snapshots of the process of individuals redressing nutritional deficits! 🕷️💻
November 11, 2024 at 8:43 AM
We compared these nutritional profiles to those we would expect if spiders fed randomly. Individual spiders foraged for different nutrients in greater proportions than expected, which could represent snapshots of the process of individuals redressing nutritional deficits! 🕷️💻
By comparing the mean nutrient contents of the prey in each spider’s diet, we found differences in the diets of spiders across genera, sexes and life stages, showing that spiders in each of these groups are likely occupying different nutritional niches. 🕷️🍫🥩🧈
November 11, 2024 at 8:43 AM
By comparing the mean nutrient contents of the prey in each spider’s diet, we found differences in the diets of spiders across genera, sexes and life stages, showing that spiders in each of these groups are likely occupying different nutritional niches. 🕷️🍫🥩🧈
We used dietary metabarcoding, prey choice null network models and micro-scale macronutrient assays to investigate whether nutrients drive trophic interactions and prey choice in the field, using spiders as a model group. 🕷️🧬💻🍽️
November 11, 2024 at 8:43 AM
We used dietary metabarcoding, prey choice null network models and micro-scale macronutrient assays to investigate whether nutrients drive trophic interactions and prey choice in the field, using spiders as a model group. 🕷️🧬💻🍽️
📜🎉 New paper in @oikosjournal.bsky.social 🎉📜
Prey nutrient content is associated with the trophic interactions of spiders and their prey selection under field conditions
doi.org/10.1111/oik....
I'm super excited to see this out! Read about our exciting results in the thread below: 🧵👇
Prey nutrient content is associated with the trophic interactions of spiders and their prey selection under field conditions
doi.org/10.1111/oik....
I'm super excited to see this out! Read about our exciting results in the thread below: 🧵👇
November 11, 2024 at 8:43 AM
📜🎉 New paper in @oikosjournal.bsky.social 🎉📜
Prey nutrient content is associated with the trophic interactions of spiders and their prey selection under field conditions
doi.org/10.1111/oik....
I'm super excited to see this out! Read about our exciting results in the thread below: 🧵👇
Prey nutrient content is associated with the trophic interactions of spiders and their prey selection under field conditions
doi.org/10.1111/oik....
I'm super excited to see this out! Read about our exciting results in the thread below: 🧵👇
Great papers are made better by unfortunate typos. I'll never not double-check how I spell 'node' now 😳
October 23, 2023 at 7:30 AM
Great papers are made better by unfortunate typos. I'll never not double-check how I spell 'node' now 😳
I just found out that paper titles peaked in the year 2000 🦀💪
October 22, 2023 at 4:16 PM
I just found out that paper titles peaked in the year 2000 🦀💪
New toys! 🎉🧬😍
Our Nanopore MinION Mk1c sequencer has got a new best friend - a beautiful Bento Lab! A dream combo for portable molecular research! Hoping to do some cool international research trips with these and, sometime down the line, hopefully some teaching! 🧑🔬🧬🧑🏫
Our Nanopore MinION Mk1c sequencer has got a new best friend - a beautiful Bento Lab! A dream combo for portable molecular research! Hoping to do some cool international research trips with these and, sometime down the line, hopefully some teaching! 🧑🔬🧬🧑🏫
October 20, 2023 at 10:13 AM
New toys! 🎉🧬😍
Our Nanopore MinION Mk1c sequencer has got a new best friend - a beautiful Bento Lab! A dream combo for portable molecular research! Hoping to do some cool international research trips with these and, sometime down the line, hopefully some teaching! 🧑🔬🧬🧑🏫
Our Nanopore MinION Mk1c sequencer has got a new best friend - a beautiful Bento Lab! A dream combo for portable molecular research! Hoping to do some cool international research trips with these and, sometime down the line, hopefully some teaching! 🧑🔬🧬🧑🏫
Super pleased to be joining the party on here!
It's been a busy couple of months getting my research group, the Foraging Ecology Research Group, started at Newcastle University. Loads of exciting things to come and I'm looking forward to sharing it all on here! 🕷️🍽️🧬🕸️🪲
foragingecology.com
It's been a busy couple of months getting my research group, the Foraging Ecology Research Group, started at Newcastle University. Loads of exciting things to come and I'm looking forward to sharing it all on here! 🕷️🍽️🧬🕸️🪲
foragingecology.com
October 19, 2023 at 4:25 PM
Super pleased to be joining the party on here!
It's been a busy couple of months getting my research group, the Foraging Ecology Research Group, started at Newcastle University. Loads of exciting things to come and I'm looking forward to sharing it all on here! 🕷️🍽️🧬🕸️🪲
foragingecology.com
It's been a busy couple of months getting my research group, the Foraging Ecology Research Group, started at Newcastle University. Loads of exciting things to come and I'm looking forward to sharing it all on here! 🕷️🍽️🧬🕸️🪲
foragingecology.com