What I enjoy the most about being an academic, is to interact with interested and motivated students. This year I feel so lucky to have not one, but two Master by Research students (Electra Poluha and Jamie Smith) who will be working on the effect of climate change on fertility limits in butterflies. The study species we have chosen is the large white butterfly, Pieris brassicae. This multivoltine species - with two or more generations per year in the UK - is warm-loving and yet declining in abundance in Lincolnshire (see this great website by Pete Smith for up-to-date information on all butterfly species found in the county). Luke Crosby had lots of fun this summer chasing female butterflies with Electra. He then looked after the clutches, young larvae and followed them all the way to pupation and into the new generation of adults! Luke then bred the adults and the second generation are now pupating ready for the experiments that Electra, Jamie, my collaborator Paul Eady and I, will be having lots of fun planning. I must thank Luke for all the work he has put in over the summer - none of this would be have been possible without him!
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AuthorGraziella Iossa Archives
August 2023
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