Insect Ecology and Adaptation - team (PI Carita Lindstedt-Kareksela) studies diverse topics of insect ecology and evolution. Our model systems include both economically important forest insects (e.g. pine sawflies and bark beetles) as well as threatened forest insect species. Our research interests range from basic behavioural ecology and evolution research to more applied questions; towards a better understanding of forest insects as a part of a network of biological interactions and informing the sustainable management of forest resources.
We use a combination of behavioural, genetic, demography, life-history and functional ecological techniques both in the field and in the laboratory. We work on several topics listed below.
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Pine sawfly-lab focuses on lifehistory costs of cooperative antipredator defences and how ecological and social conditions shape the evolution of antipredator strategies and animal communication. As a main modelspecies we use socially behaving pine sawflies. Our work will provide information on ecological and evolutionary processes that shape the first steps of evolutionary transitions toward more complex sociality: group living and cooperation within a group. Our study species are also known as an economically important forest pest insects. Expected results will be used to predict how variation in the social behaviour and its consequences on individual fitness can contribute for the population dynamics of forest pest insects under changing environmental conditions. You can find more information from our research here.
PI Carita Lindstedt-Kareksela
carita.lindstedt-kareksela(at)helsinki.fi
Postdoctoral Researchers:
Katja Koskenpato
Sophie Vanmeyel
PhD-researchers:
Raphael Ritter
Magnus Jonsson
Master students:
Liina-Lyydia Jämsä
Venla Korhonen
Emma Siltala
External Funding: Academy of Finland (Academy Fellowship project of C. Lindstedt 2020 - 2025), Finnish Cultural Foundation (PhD Research grant, Magnus Jonsson), Emil Aaltonen Foundation (Postdoctoral Research Grant, Katja Koskenpato 2024 -).
On-going collaboration:
Pine sawfly genomics:
Saskia Wutke (University of Eastern Finland)
Catherine Linnen -lab (University of Kentucky)
Cooperation in antipredator defence:
Heikki Helanterä (University of Oulu)
Nathan Bailey (University of StAndrews)
Hanna Kokko (University of Zürich)
Invasiveness, life-history evolution and social behaviour:
Philip Downing (University of Oulu)
Marko Mutanen (University of Oulu)
Warning signal evolution:
Johanna Mappes -group (University of Helsinki)
Sheena Cotter (University of Lincoln)
James Gilbert (University of Hull)
Rebecca Kilner (University of Cambridge)
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Minna Blomqvist, PhD Researcher
Minna’s PhD project has specialized on the disturbances caused by forest pest insects, population control and dynamics. More specifically, the project has focused on the modelling of the disturbances caused by the Diprion pini and Ips typographus with help of soil, tree and stand characteristics. In addition, studying of the impact of natural enemies on D. pini and defoliation-induced growth losses of trees have been a part of the project. The inventory of damage spots caused by I. typographus by developing a method of classification of the tree-wise symptoms has been also in a key role in the project.
Funding : Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation (project leader Päivi Lyytikäinen-Saarenmaa), Niemi foundation, Societas Pro Fauna et Flora Fennica, Finnish Cultural foundation, Societas Entomologica Fennica, Societas Entomologica Helsingforsiensis, Jouko Tuovola Foundation, Academy of Finland (Centre of Excellence in Laser Scanning Research, project leader Markus Holopainen)
Supervisors Päivi Lyytikäinen-Saarenmaa (2013-2021), Carita Lindstedt-Kareksela (2022->)
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Chedly Kastally, Academy of Finland Postdoctoral researcher, Forest Genomics -group
In many organisms, populations go through successive cycles of growth, when new resources become available, and decline, once these have been locally depleted. These phases have important implications for the evolution of species. In my work, I investigate the effects of population dynamics on genetic variation and their interplay with the adaptation of insects to seasonal variations and diapause in northern Europe. I focus on the important pest species, the European Spruce Bark Beetle, Ips typographus. The results will contribute to better understanding and predicting population dynamics of the important pest and the possible adaptive constrains that may limit pest invasions in northern Europe.
Funding: Academy of Finland (Postdoctoral fellow)
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Maiju Kosunen, University lecturer, Postdoctoral Researcher, Soils and climate change -group
The postdoctoral project of Maiju Kosunen concentrates on the effects of disturbances on soil carbon sequestration in northern and central European forests. Impacts of storms, European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) outbreaks and following forestry operations on soil fungal and bacterial biomass and necromass carbon are especially on the focus of the project. The project is carried out with the Soils and climate change group of the University of Helsinki. Collaborators are BOKU University, Austria, WSL Institute, Switzerland, University of Eastern Finland and Tornator forest company.
Funding: Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, The Finnish Society of Forest Science, Niemi Foundation
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Mikko Pelto-Arvo, PhD-researcher
Mikko Pelto-Arvo is a PhD. student at the university of Helsinki, studying in the doctoral programme of sustainable use of renewable resources (AGFOREE). His PhD-project and current research subjectsare the European spruce bark beetle Ips typographus L. and its natural enemy complex in relation to forest health. As a wider interest, he is fascinated by disturbance dynamic agents in forest ecosystem, both biotic factors like insect pests and fungal pathogens, as well as abiotic phenomena like storms, frost, and drought. Basis of his work is a taxonomic knowledge in entomology and statistical skills. Contact info: mikko.pelto-arvo(at)helsinki.fi.
Supervisors: Päivi Lyytikäinen-Saarenmaa (UEF), Teemu Hölttä (UH), Risto Kasanen (UH)
Funding: The PhD-project is currently funded by Finnish Cultural foundation
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Elina Peuhu, PhD-researcher
Elina Peuhu’s PhD project focuses on urban hollow trees and their saproxylic beetles. Hollow trees are a hot spot for biodiversity and many endangered species are specialized living in the habitat. Ancient trees are often found in urban and semiurban areas, which highlight the importance of biodiversity values in cities too. The three studies in this project concern the distribution and abundance of the trees, microclimate inside the trees and a methodological survey of which trap type could be efficiently used to catch saproxylic beetle species in hollow urban trees. The main focus is to increase knowledge of the importance of hollow trees and urban biodiversity as well as to find more easily the most important trees for biodiversity and thus help conservation of the special habitat and it´s diverse fauna.
Funding: Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, Niemi Foundation, Maiju ja Yrjö Rikalan puutarhasäätiö, Societas pro Fauna et Flora Fennica, Otto A. Malm Foundation, E. J. Sariola Foundation, Oscar Öflund Foundation, Helsinki University Funds, The Finnish Foundation for Nature Conservation, City of Helsinki.
Supervisor: Jyrki Muona (LUOMUS)
In collaboration with Juha Siitonen (Luke)
We use a combination of behavioural, genetic, demography, life-history and functional ecological techniques both in the field and in the laboratory. We work on several topics listed below.
***
Pine sawfly-lab focuses on lifehistory costs of cooperative antipredator defences and how ecological and social conditions shape the evolution of antipredator strategies and animal communication. As a main modelspecies we use socially behaving pine sawflies. Our work will provide information on ecological and evolutionary processes that shape the first steps of evolutionary transitions toward more complex sociality: group living and cooperation within a group. Our study species are also known as an economically important forest pest insects. Expected results will be used to predict how variation in the social behaviour and its consequences on individual fitness can contribute for the population dynamics of forest pest insects under changing environmental conditions. You can find more information from our research here.
PI Carita Lindstedt-Kareksela
carita.lindstedt-kareksela(at)helsinki.fi
Postdoctoral Researchers:
Katja Koskenpato
Sophie Vanmeyel
PhD-researchers:
Raphael Ritter
Magnus Jonsson
Master students:
Liina-Lyydia Jämsä
Venla Korhonen
Emma Siltala
External Funding: Academy of Finland (Academy Fellowship project of C. Lindstedt 2020 - 2025), Finnish Cultural Foundation (PhD Research grant, Magnus Jonsson), Emil Aaltonen Foundation (Postdoctoral Research Grant, Katja Koskenpato 2024 -).
On-going collaboration:
Pine sawfly genomics:
Saskia Wutke (University of Eastern Finland)
Catherine Linnen -lab (University of Kentucky)
Cooperation in antipredator defence:
Heikki Helanterä (University of Oulu)
Nathan Bailey (University of StAndrews)
Hanna Kokko (University of Zürich)
Invasiveness, life-history evolution and social behaviour:
Philip Downing (University of Oulu)
Marko Mutanen (University of Oulu)
Warning signal evolution:
Johanna Mappes -group (University of Helsinki)
Sheena Cotter (University of Lincoln)
James Gilbert (University of Hull)
Rebecca Kilner (University of Cambridge)
***
Minna Blomqvist, PhD Researcher
Minna’s PhD project has specialized on the disturbances caused by forest pest insects, population control and dynamics. More specifically, the project has focused on the modelling of the disturbances caused by the Diprion pini and Ips typographus with help of soil, tree and stand characteristics. In addition, studying of the impact of natural enemies on D. pini and defoliation-induced growth losses of trees have been a part of the project. The inventory of damage spots caused by I. typographus by developing a method of classification of the tree-wise symptoms has been also in a key role in the project.
Funding : Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation (project leader Päivi Lyytikäinen-Saarenmaa), Niemi foundation, Societas Pro Fauna et Flora Fennica, Finnish Cultural foundation, Societas Entomologica Fennica, Societas Entomologica Helsingforsiensis, Jouko Tuovola Foundation, Academy of Finland (Centre of Excellence in Laser Scanning Research, project leader Markus Holopainen)
Supervisors Päivi Lyytikäinen-Saarenmaa (2013-2021), Carita Lindstedt-Kareksela (2022->)
***
Chedly Kastally, Academy of Finland Postdoctoral researcher, Forest Genomics -group
In many organisms, populations go through successive cycles of growth, when new resources become available, and decline, once these have been locally depleted. These phases have important implications for the evolution of species. In my work, I investigate the effects of population dynamics on genetic variation and their interplay with the adaptation of insects to seasonal variations and diapause in northern Europe. I focus on the important pest species, the European Spruce Bark Beetle, Ips typographus. The results will contribute to better understanding and predicting population dynamics of the important pest and the possible adaptive constrains that may limit pest invasions in northern Europe.
Funding: Academy of Finland (Postdoctoral fellow)
***
Maiju Kosunen, University lecturer, Postdoctoral Researcher, Soils and climate change -group
The postdoctoral project of Maiju Kosunen concentrates on the effects of disturbances on soil carbon sequestration in northern and central European forests. Impacts of storms, European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) outbreaks and following forestry operations on soil fungal and bacterial biomass and necromass carbon are especially on the focus of the project. The project is carried out with the Soils and climate change group of the University of Helsinki. Collaborators are BOKU University, Austria, WSL Institute, Switzerland, University of Eastern Finland and Tornator forest company.
Funding: Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, The Finnish Society of Forest Science, Niemi Foundation
***
Mikko Pelto-Arvo, PhD-researcher
Mikko Pelto-Arvo is a PhD. student at the university of Helsinki, studying in the doctoral programme of sustainable use of renewable resources (AGFOREE). His PhD-project and current research subjectsare the European spruce bark beetle Ips typographus L. and its natural enemy complex in relation to forest health. As a wider interest, he is fascinated by disturbance dynamic agents in forest ecosystem, both biotic factors like insect pests and fungal pathogens, as well as abiotic phenomena like storms, frost, and drought. Basis of his work is a taxonomic knowledge in entomology and statistical skills. Contact info: mikko.pelto-arvo(at)helsinki.fi.
Supervisors: Päivi Lyytikäinen-Saarenmaa (UEF), Teemu Hölttä (UH), Risto Kasanen (UH)
Funding: The PhD-project is currently funded by Finnish Cultural foundation
***
Elina Peuhu, PhD-researcher
Elina Peuhu’s PhD project focuses on urban hollow trees and their saproxylic beetles. Hollow trees are a hot spot for biodiversity and many endangered species are specialized living in the habitat. Ancient trees are often found in urban and semiurban areas, which highlight the importance of biodiversity values in cities too. The three studies in this project concern the distribution and abundance of the trees, microclimate inside the trees and a methodological survey of which trap type could be efficiently used to catch saproxylic beetle species in hollow urban trees. The main focus is to increase knowledge of the importance of hollow trees and urban biodiversity as well as to find more easily the most important trees for biodiversity and thus help conservation of the special habitat and it´s diverse fauna.
Funding: Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, Niemi Foundation, Maiju ja Yrjö Rikalan puutarhasäätiö, Societas pro Fauna et Flora Fennica, Otto A. Malm Foundation, E. J. Sariola Foundation, Oscar Öflund Foundation, Helsinki University Funds, The Finnish Foundation for Nature Conservation, City of Helsinki.
Supervisor: Jyrki Muona (LUOMUS)
In collaboration with Juha Siitonen (Luke)