My research interests include chemical ecology, behavioral ecology and plant-insect interactions.
orcid.org/0000-0002-8448-5636
Chemical Mediation of Tri-Trophic Interactions
Although there are multiple hypotheses regarding the top-down and bottom-up controls of herbivore populations, the Tri-Trophic Interactions (TTI) Hypothesis is the first to make predictions regarding the simultaneous effects of specific factors from three trophic levels on herbivore performance and coexistence. My dissertation research tested several of the predictions of the TTI hypothesis to determine how plant quality (described as plant secondary metabolites for this project), herbivore diet breadth and natural enemies interactively determine herbivore performance. Using both laboratory and field experiments, I examined how plant secondary metabolites mediate herbivore performance on different host plants and how those compounds further mediate herbivore interactions with higher trophic levels. This project specifically focused on native Colorado wildflowers in the genus Penstemon (Plantaginaceae), which are chemically defended by bitter iridoid glycosides (IGs), and their associated specialist herbivore Euphydryas anicia (Nymphalidae).
Although there are multiple hypotheses regarding the top-down and bottom-up controls of herbivore populations, the Tri-Trophic Interactions (TTI) Hypothesis is the first to make predictions regarding the simultaneous effects of specific factors from three trophic levels on herbivore performance and coexistence. My dissertation research tested several of the predictions of the TTI hypothesis to determine how plant quality (described as plant secondary metabolites for this project), herbivore diet breadth and natural enemies interactively determine herbivore performance. Using both laboratory and field experiments, I examined how plant secondary metabolites mediate herbivore performance on different host plants and how those compounds further mediate herbivore interactions with higher trophic levels. This project specifically focused on native Colorado wildflowers in the genus Penstemon (Plantaginaceae), which are chemically defended by bitter iridoid glycosides (IGs), and their associated specialist herbivore Euphydryas anicia (Nymphalidae).
| Kelly et al 2016.pdf |
| Kelly and Bowers 2017.pdf |
| Kelly and Bowers 2018.pdf |
Moth Courtship Pheromones & Mate Choice
For my master's thesis, I studied the relative importance of direct and indirect benefits in precopulatory mate selection using the rattlebox moth, Utetheisa ornatrix (Erebidae). In collaboration with the Chemistry Department at Villanova University, this study examined whether the male pheromone signal changes based on his mating history. This allowed us to better assess whether a male's pheromone titer advertises his potential nuptial gift (spermatophore) or his genetic (indirect) benefits.
For my master's thesis, I studied the relative importance of direct and indirect benefits in precopulatory mate selection using the rattlebox moth, Utetheisa ornatrix (Erebidae). In collaboration with the Chemistry Department at Villanova University, this study examined whether the male pheromone signal changes based on his mating history. This allowed us to better assess whether a male's pheromone titer advertises his potential nuptial gift (spermatophore) or his genetic (indirect) benefits.
| Kelly et al 2012.pdf |
