My main research interest is on biological control of glasshouse pests. I have previously focused mainly on the cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, its biology, interactions with natural enemies, biological and integrated control, as well as on the biology of the parasitoid Encarsia formosa on B. tabaci. Presently, I am working on a Danish inter-institutional program on biological pest control in a joint project with Dr. Henrik F. Brødsgaard.

We are developing a biological pest control program for potted glasshouse crops using Gerbera and Chrysanthemum as model crops. Our present investigations focus on interference and interaction aspects among the complex of polyphagous beneficials and entomopathogenic organisms necessary to control the complex of target and non-target pest species on ornamental crops. The major pest-beneficial-systems included in our program are: Frankliniella occidentalis – Thrips tabaci / Orius insidiosus – Orius majusculus – Metarhizium anisopliae; Tetranychus urticae – Tetranychus cinnebarinus / Phytoseiulus persimilis – Feltiella acarisuga; Myzus persicae – Myzus nicotianae – Aphis gossypii / Aphidius colemani – Aphidoletes aphidimyza; Sciaridae / Steinernema spp. – Hypoaspis miles; Bemisia tabaci – Trialeurodes vaporariorum / Encarsia formosa; Liriomyza huidobrensis / Dacnusa siberica – Diglyphus isaea; Tarsonemidae / Amblyseius cucumeris – Amblyseius barkeri. The biology and population development of different beneficials, their mutual interactions, as well as their control efficacy in ornamentals both in two-species-systems (one pest, one beneficial) and in multi-species-systems (several pests, several beneficials) are investigated, and the biological mechanisms behind possible interactions sought clarified. The experiments are conducted in both laboratory and climatic controllable glasshouse compartments.
Since 1999 I have been convenor of the IOBC/WPRS Working Group "Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Temperate Climate" - see http://web.agrsci.dk/plb/iobc/iobc_home.htm for further information.

Links to other relevant WWW sites:

• THRIPSnet
• PLANTnet
• Entomology Index
• Biology Control Guide