EBTS Sponsors RHS Research
EBTS UK is helping to sponsor a summer student who will be working with the RHS Wisley entomolgy team collecting and reviewing field surveys. This will support Dr Stephanie Bird & Dr Matthew Cromey\’s work on blight, clipping styles and any links with box tree moth from infestation levels to egg laying.
Objectives
This student project will work towards the following objectives:
- Profiling Buxus volatile organic compounds released after pruning
- Determining factors influencing C. perspectalis oviposition (box moth egg laying)
- Monitoring and recording levels of C. perspectalis infestation on the box blight trial – exploring any relationships with the experimental treatments (pruning architecture, pruning severity, pruning timing and cultivar)
- To gain information which will facilitate the development of an integrated pest and disease management plan for box grown in UK gardens
Colleeen Sellwood
I am a second-year biology student on an MBiol course at Newcastle University, primarily interested in plant biology, entomology and ecology. I have a passion for practical conservation work, and have taken part in fieldwork and in Kielder National Park, the Peak District and around the Tyne and Wear area. In summer 2018 I completed a field course studying the flora and fauna in the Soutpansberg mountains of South Africa. I have volunteered with the Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Living Woods North East. In my spare time I enjoy hiking and rock climbing, as both provide an opportunity to spend time in nature.
Expected project outputs:
- Updated advice and recommendations for the prevention/management of box tree moth infestations
- Preliminary work for 2020 research projects, contributions towards ongoing box blight research project
- Project report and article for EBTS
We look forward to reading the report Colleen will be producing when she completes her summer placement in September and any updates during her work. EBTS hopes that the work the RHS is doing will help provide the basis for effective treatments & guidance for blight and the box tree moth and will be seeking other opportunities to help fund research into this very important subject.
