Agricultural Entomology
Fondazione Edmund Mach

Omar Rota Stabelli

Principal Investigator

Riccardo Piccinno

Master Student

Research interests:

We are interested in how evolution drives the biology of insects. Models are insects of agricultural relevance, and their interaction with plants and microorganisms. We tackle this issue using comparative genomics, phylogenetics, pop genetics, and molecular dating (clock), complementing results with physiological and behavioural approaches carried out by other members of the lab. Results are relevant for integrated pest management because they can lead respectively to trap amelioration and population control in the field.

Research organisms:

Drosophila suzukii, Wolbachia, all Drosophila with a sequenced genome, Drosophila parasitoids, Cydia pomonella, Halyomorpha halys, Cacopsylla, grape wine and apple plants, various metazoans.

Expertise:

Comparative genomics, phylogeny, phylogenomics, molecular dating; other members of the lab use GC-EAD, molecular biology and biotremology.