Insect Survey Staff
Research
Research relating to Rothamsted Insect Survey is included below from 1964 to the present day. This is not a definitive list; instead it is a list of the most important papers that have either used Insect Survey data in their analyses or is led by an acting or former head of the RIS. Roy Taylor was the founding scientist of the RIS in 1964 and his research began a long history of study in insect migration, ecology and population dynamics that continues to the present day. Readers are advised to consult Harrington, R. (2014) The Rothamsted Insect Survey strikes gold. Antenna 38, 158-166 for a brief history of research within the group.
Existing and former heads of the RIS
- Roy Taylor: 1964-1984. Founding scientists and exceptionally numerate; key interest in population dynamics of moths and aphids.
- Mark Tatchell: 1984-1993 - Aphidologist; key interest in economic thresholds
- Ian Woiwod: 1984-2008 - moths); key interest in climate change and moths
- Richard Harrington: 1993-2015 - Aphidologist and amateur lepidopterist; key interest in aphids and climate change
- James Bell: 2015 - Quantitative entomologist; key interest in population dynamics of moths and aphids.
Dr James Bell
Head of the Rothamsted Insect Survey
James is a quantitative ecologist with specialist knowledge of time series analyses. He leads National Capability projects on diverse subjects such as aphid forecasting, climate change, spatial ecology and virus vectors and works closely with levy boards, industry and academic partners. His publications are here .
james.bell@rothamsted.ac.uk
@Rothamsted_RIS
Direct Dial: 01582 938313
Dr Ramiro Morales-Hojas
Molecular Evolution and Ecology
Ramiro is an evolutionary biologist with an interest in molecular evolution and sytematics in insects. He applies genetic and genomic approaches to understanding evolution of organisms and the influence of ecological factors on their genetic diversity. He also is interested in the genetic basis of vector competence and its evolution in various pest insects.
ramiro.morales-hojas@rothamsted.ac.uk
Direct dial: 01582 938829
Lynda Alderson
Aphidologist
Lynda is part of the team of expert aphidologists. Additionally, she has responsibility for the group web page and works closely with Paul Verrier on the RIS database.
lynda.alderson@rothamsted.ac.uk
Direct dial: 01582 938465
Chris Shortall FRES
Ecologist
Chris is an entomologist with considerable expertise. He manages the light-trap network and leads projects associated with moths and the non-aphid fraction of the suction-trap samples. Currently, he is doing a part time PhD on pollen beetles with the University of Reading. Chris writes the RIS Light Trap blog and contributes to the Twitter @Rothamsted_RIS feed. His publications are here.
chris.shortall@rothamsted.ac.uk
Direct dial: 01582 938466
Tracey Kruger
Aphidologist
Tracey has expertise in the identification of aphids as well as dealing with some of the management of the light-trap network. She is first point of contact for RIS events. Tracey works part-time.
tracey.kruger@rothamsted.ac.uk
Direct dial: 01582 938465
Mike Hall
Aphidologist and trap servicing
Mike is part of the team of expert aphidologists but importantly is also responsible for trap maintenance across the networks. Mike is often out of the office servicing traps.
mike.hall@rothamsted.ac.uk
Direct dial: 01582 938465
Alex Greenslade
Entomologist
Alex is an entomologist with a wide range of experience but has an in-depth knowledge of beetles. He is currently identifying psyllids and aphids, as well as conducting viral and insecticide resistance bioassays for the RIS.
alex.greenslade@rothamsted.ac.uk
Direct dial: 01582 938465
Mark Taylor
Visiting Worker
Mark retired in September 2017. He was responsible for the identification of aphids from the suction-traps and lead the team of entomologists in this endeavour. He maintained an annotated checklist of aphids present in the UK of which there are over 600 species.
mark-s.taylor@rothamsted.ac.uk
Direct dial: 01582 938463
Richard Harrington
Visiting Worker
Richard has been with the Insect Survey since 1979 and retired in May 2015 as Head. He maintains an interest in the impacts of environmental change and aphids. His publications are annotated here
richard.harrington@rothamsted.ac.uk
01582 763133 ext. 2755
Paul Verrier
Lawes Agricultural Trust Fellow
Paul has held many roles at Rothamsted including Head of IT. He retired a few years ago but kindly comes in regularly to develop our new database, which is based on one he developed for the EU EXAMINE project which brought together suction-trap data throughout Europe.
paul.verrier@rothamsted.ac.uk
01582 763133 ext. 2466
Sue Parker
Visiting Worker
Sue retired from the Insect Survey in 2012 after 39 years of service. She continues to come in regularly as a volunteer and provides invaluable help with a range of tasks, especially preparation of reports and presentations.
sue.parker@rothamsted.ac.uk
01582 763133 ext. 2464/2465