People
Scott Brown, Alison
| Job Title | Plant/Insect Interactions Specialist |
|---|---|
| Department | Jodrell |
| Section | Sustainable Uses |
| Science Teams |
Large-Scale Syntheses |
| Joined Kew | 1993 |
| Foreign Language(s) |
Qualifications & Appointments
BSc (Hons), Horticulture, Univ. Reading, 1992
PhD, Birkbeck College, Univ. London, 2002.
Role
Plant characteristics and environmental factors influencing detection, selection and infestation of hosts by thrips among diverse glasshouse collections.
Investigating interactions of economically important thrips species on a wide range of plant species categorized as ‘hosts’ and ‘non-hosts’ from among the glasshouse collections at Kew. Morphological and chemical characteristics of plants from both groups have been studied in order to identify common factors responsible for susceptibility and resistance to thrips. Varying levels of success of foraging by thrips predators released into the glasshouses have been observed on a selection of the thrips hosts. Observations suggest that morphology may have a role in deterring thrips from leaf surfaces of non-host species, yet in some cases create an environment unsuitable for the introduced control predators foraging for thrips on hosts. Analytical techniques have been used to isolate and identify plant compounds from ‘non-hosts’ from the families Acanthaceae and Lamiaceae and bioassays used to determine which of these compounds are active against the thrips. This study has resulted in several novel plant compounds being identified. The overall aim of the research is to increase the understanding of host selection by thrips, which threaten the glasshouse collections at Kew and to identify factors which may increase the efficiency of biological control agents released into large, plant-diverse glasshouses. Additional research interests include effects of foliar feed formulations on behaviour of thrips and their natural enemies. Support provided for crop protection projects undertaken by Kew Horticulture Diploma students and for monitoring programmes set up in public display glasshouses for early detection of thrips infestations.
Projects
Chemosystematics and Biological Activity of Lamiaceae
Selected Publications 2001-2005
Scott Brown, A.S. Simmonds, M.S.J. & Blaney, W.M. (2002). Relationship between nutritional composition of plant species and infestation levels of thrips. Journal of Chemical Ecology 28(12): 2399-2409.
Scott Brown, A.S., Simmonds, M.S.J. & Blaney, W.M. (2003). Influence of a short exposure to teflubenzuron residues on the predation of thrips by Iphiseius degenerans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Orius laevigatus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). Pest Management Science 59: 1255-1259.
Selected Publications pre-2001
Scott Brown, A.S. Simmonds, M.J.S. & Blaney, W.M. (1996). IPM of thrips: A survey of two invasive species of thrips in an ornamental glasshouse in the UK. Welsh Pest Management Forum proceedings.
Scott Brown, A.S. Simmonds, M.S.J. & Blaney, W.M. (1999). Influence of species of host plants on the predation of thrips by Neoseiulus cucumeris, Iphiseius degenerans and Orius laevigatus. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 92: 283-288.