Lee Henry
PhD candidate

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The focus of my research thus far has been directed towards trait plasticity and adaptative divergence in generalist parasitoids. The system I work with consists of the parasitoid, Aphidius ervi and two hosts: the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum and the foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani. These hosts provide an example of the variability in size, defensive capabilities and quality for larval development that parasitoids may encounter in a natural setting. Developing in different host species causes differentiated adult parasitoid morphology and behaviour, which has been shown to influence life history choices.

Currently, I am investigating several plastic traits in female parasitoids that once fixed by the rearing host contribute to host species and host plant preference. Future research goals are to use a combination of computer modeling and experiments to determine if biased life history choices lead to divergence of host or habitat usage within parasitoid population.