Dr. Liora Shaltiel-Harpaz
Principal Investigator
I am an agro-ecologist and my main research interests is are tritrophic-level interactions, especially the effects of plant traits on habitat selection and foraging behavior of pests, their insect predators and parasitoids. I study the effect of plant traits manipulation through cultural control on pests fitness and crop damage. For example using resistant cultivars or optimizing fertilization in order to reduce pest population. I am also interested in area wide IPM trying to reduce the damage caused by agricultural pests by manipulating the habitat in a way that reduces their movement among different hosts and encourages their natural enemies. The results of my researches led to the reduction in chemical applications in cotton, peanuts, pears, herbs and vegetable crops.
Yuval Cohen
Lab Manager
Yuval is involved in most of the studies carried out in the lab. In his MSc thesis, he used DNA metabarcoding to study the diet of insect eating bats and asses their contribution to pest suppression
Doron Ochayon
Technicain
Doron is involved in many studies in the lab and is currently leading the project focused on using Black solider flies (Hermetia illucens) for agricultural waste treatment and as a protein source for animal feed
Alumni
Dr. Amber Hill
Post-Doctoral Fellow (co-advised with Dr. Lior Blank)
Amber is working on developing a system for locating hot spots of Mediterranean flies (Ceratitis capitata) in apple orchards for more accurate pest control
Gadi Asherovich
M.Sc student (co-advised Dr. Idan Perelman)
Gadi studies the interrelationships between arthropods and black truffles in a double-crop system of pecan trees and black truffles (Tuber aestivum) and also categorizes the mycobiome in this system
Amit Semiatizky
M.Sc student (co-advised with Dr. Dana Ment)
Amit is characterizing entomo-pathogenic fungal species that accompany populations of scale insects (Coccoidea) in avocado orchards, while characterizing their density and the influence of variables such as season and interface on their distribution
Yahyaa Mosaab
M.Sc student (co-advised with Dr. Mwafaq Ibdah)
Yahyaa is carrying out sensitivity analysis of different carrot strains to the Carrot psylla (Bactericera trigonica) to improve IPM in carrot production