Background

I study insects and other invertebrates and have a particular interest in how invertebrates find their food and the impact this has, either good or bad, on us. I have particular interests in insect identification, ecology and behaviour and my research includes managing habitats to improve pollinator diversity and how to manage slug and snail pests

Research

Research Interests

Insects and other invertebrates have been described as the little things that rule the world (E.O. Wilson). We need to understand the ecology and behaviour of these animals in order to manage them more effectively whether they are friends (beneficial) or foes (pests).

My work on pests concerns a range of species affecting either crops e.g. slugs and aphids, or livestock and man e.g. mites and mosquitoes. With a better understanding of the factors that affect activity and food seeking it is possible to find more effective ways of managing these pests using biological controls, chemicals etc. For beneficial species such as pollinators and natural enemies of pest species a similar understanding leads to ways to promote their populations and understand their roles. My research group investigates these interactions using a range of ecological and behavioural experimental approaches.

Other Expertise

I work as an assessor for a number of external organisations, usually assessing proposals or publications associated with pest management

Postgraduate Supervision

Ali Kareem: Population genetics of glasshouse whitefly

Sienaa Al-Zurfi: Control of stored products pest with entomopathogenic fungi

Amy Campbell: Behavioural response of slugs to molluscicide pellets

Samantha de Silva: Physiological response of slugs to molluscicide pellets

Industrial Relevance

Much of the work we do on pest management has relevance to the agrochemical and biological control industry through to farmers and growers. We have a close collaboration with a contract research organisation, i2LResearch, and together we form a Centre for Mollusc Expertise.

Teaching

My teaching focusses on the behaviour and ecology of insects and other invertebrates

Publications

• Shirley MDF, Rushton SP, Young AG, Port GR. Simulating the long-term dynamics of slug populations: A process-based modelling approach for pest control. Journal of Applied Ecology 2001, 38(2), 401-411.
• Singh SR, Walters KFA, Port GR, Northing P. Consumption rates and predatory activity of adult and fourth instar larvae of the seven spot ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata (L.), following contact with dimethoate residue and contaminated prey in laboratory arenas. Biological Control 2004, 30(2), 127-133.
• Schuder I, Port G, Bennison J. The behavioural response of slugs and snails to novel molluscicides, irritants and repellents. Pest Management Science 2004, 60(12), 1171-1177.
• Ferry N, Mulligan EA, Stewart CN, Tabashnik BE, Port GR, Gatehouse AMR. Prey-mediated effects of transgenic canola on a beneficial, non-target, carabid beetle. Transgenic Research 2006, 15(4), 501-514.
• Jondrup PM, Barnes JD, Port GR. The effect of ozone fumigation and different Brassica rapa lines on the feeding behaviour of Pieris brassicae larvae. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 2002, 104(1), 143-151.
• Mair J, Port GR. The influence of mucus production by the slug, Deroceras reticulatum, on predation by Pterostichus madidus and Nebria brevicollis (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Biocontrol Science and Technology 2002, 12(3), 325-335.
• Singh SR, Walters KFA, Port GR. Behaviour of the adult seven spot ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), in response to dimethoate residue on bean plants in the laboratory. Bulletin of Entomological Research 2001, 91(3), 221-226.
• Barlow SE, Close AJ, Port GR. The acceptability of meadow plants to the slug Deroceras reticulatum and implications for grassland restoration. Annals of Botany 2013, 112(4), 721-730.
• Brougham KM, Roberts SR, Davison AW, Port GR. The impact of aluminium smelter shut-down on the concentration of fluoride in vegetation and soils. Environmental Pollution 2013, 178, 89-96.
• Wynde FJH, Port GR. The Use of Olfactory and Visual Cues in Host Choice by the Capsid Bugs Lygus rugulipennis Poppius and Liocoris tripustulatus Fabricius. PLoS One 2012, 7(12), e46448.
• George DR, Collier R, Whitfield C, Port G. Could movement of neonates from non-host plants affect the potential of polyculture to reduce crop colonisation by pest insects?. Crop Protection 2011, 30(8), 1103-1105.
• Lagisz M, Port G, Wolff K. Living in a jar: genetic variation and differentiation among laboratory strains of the red flour beetle. Journal of Applied Entomology 2011, 135(9), 682-692.
• Port GR, Shirley MDF, Collier RH, Bohan DA, Symondson WOC, Glen DM. An IPM strategy for slugs in vegetable and salad crops. In: The BCPC international congress : crop science & technology 2003. 2003, British Crop Protection Council.
• Mulligan EA, Ferry N, Port G, Gatehouse AMR, Walters K. Impacts of transgenic crop technology upon the field slug Deroceras reticulatum (Muller). In: Slugs and Snails: Agricultural, Veterinary and Environmental Perspectives. 2003, Canterbury, UK: British Crop Protection Council.
• Mair J, Shirley MDF, Rushton SP, Port GR. Spatial dynamics of predation by carabid beetles on slugs. Journal of Animal Ecology 2001, 70(5), 875-876.
• Young AG, Port GR, Mair J. Slugs and Snails. Northern Gardener 2000, 52, 23-24.
• Shirley MDF, Port GR, Young AG. Weather in relation to long and short term modelling of slug damage. In: Crop Protection in Northern Britain. 1999, Dundee.
• Evans DM, Gilbert JDJ, Port GR. Everything is connected: network thinking in entomology. Ecological Entomology 2017, 42(S1), 1-3.