New Website!!

The ALE lab has a brand new website! gardinerlab.cfaes.ohio-state.edu

Since this website has a handy "News" feature we probably will not be posting any more blog posts here.

Also, don't forget to check out our Facebook which is where we post ALE Lab news as well!

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog!

Paper published - Lady beetle egg predation

Chelsea and Mary recently published a paper in the open access journal: PLOS ONE. This paper investigated the intraguild predation (IGP) hypothesis for native lady beetle decline. Previous studies have suggested that native lady beetles are declining due to predation on their eggs and larvae by exotic lady beetles. Through egg predation experiments we found that significantly more native lady beetle eggs were consumed by predators than exotic lady beetle eggs. However, using video surveillance, we discovered exotic lady beetles to be an uncommon predator, providing evidence against the IGP hypothesis for native lady beetle decline. Additionally, the guild of predators observed feeding on native and exotic lady beetle egg masses was diverse and interesting, which could lead to many more questions!

Check out the paper here: PLOS ONE - Biodiversity Loss following the Introduction of Exotic Competitors: Does Intraguild Predation Explain the Decline of Native Lady Beetles?

The ALE lab had some fun this week!

The Entomology department had its Christmas party last night and the ALE lab represented and had a great time. We missed Chelsea, she was off learning about Hops. As Scott would say, learning is for losers!

From left to right: Scott, Cali, Andrea, Mary and Nicole

Chelsea was at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO this week representing the ALE Lab. She learned about Hops, moderated a biological control session, and caught up with Ben (ALE lab alumni) who is enjoying his career as a Michigan Extension Agent!

Registration is open for the February 13th 2014 Hops Production Workshop

Bumble bee research featured by the Columbus Dispatch

Scott and Mike's research has been featured by the Columbus Dispatch! Check out the link below:

LINK: Researchers use radio tags to unlock bumblebee's secrets

Ohio Hops project on facebook!

Keep updated with the Ohio Hops Project: "Like" us on facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/OhioHops

ALE update

With ESA behind us the ALE Lab is getting back into the groove. We have are very busy around here!

• Nicole is working hard on the Cleveland project, getting the plantings arranged, making maps, and organizing educational materials.

• Chelsea is planning a hops workshop for February, and might be visiting the local brewery every now then for "research"

• Scott is preparing for his departmental seminar, an important step for his transition from the Master's program to the Doctorate program (good luck Scott!)

• Andrea is identifying 100's (or 1000's??) of flies...and probably drinking large quantities of Mountain Dew.

• Mary of course is busy advising/helping us with everything above as well various other projects!

Members of the ALE lab enjoying some beverages at ESA.
Nicole isn't pictured, but she'll be there next year!

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING!