Stephen Robertson, PhD Student

I am an insect ecologist with a fascination for the obscure and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. It always surprises me just how many avenues of research are relatively unexplored. My goal as a researcher is to add to our understanding of insect systems by exploring important, impactful, and previously neglected interactions. I hope to continue research through a career in academics, allowing me to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for insects to the next generations of entomologists. (Check out my CV)

I am exploring the role of nocturnal insect pollinators (essentially moths) in fruit agriculture. The void of research on this topic really stuck out while exploring ideas for a dissertation. So much about moths suggests that they are incredibly valuable as pollinators, yet there is little available information on what contribution they make to the production of crops that require or simply benefit from insect pollination. My goal is to quantify the role of moths in fruit production and increase awareness of this important insect-plant interaction. There have been some incredibly surprising and fascinating results so far, and as the research continues, I am confident that it will only reveal more profound details about nocturnal pollinators.