Research
Anthropogenic landscapes have long been considered ‘dead zone’ habitats that limit the diversity and dispersal of plants and animals. However, studies have shown that many of these human dominated landscapes preserve key ecological services. My work aims to understand plant-insect interactions and their movements in rapidly changing landscapes, and consequential effects on plant reproduction. Specifically, I use experimental and observational data to investigate the effects of floral diversity on beneficial arthropods, and its repercussions on nearby plant fitness and reproductive success. I aim to take a comprehensive approach to my research by integrating a diversity of techniques including field and molecular tools, and experimental approaches.
Pollinator Health & Diversity in Agroecosystems
Pollinators play an essential role in the functioning of ecosystems, as many flowering plants rely on animals for reproduction, and cropping systems are no exception. Pollination services are provided by a suite of native and managed pollinators. During my Master's and subsequent work as a technician and PhD student, I was involved in projects that explored native bee health and pollination services within cucurbit (Brochu et al [in prep]), blueberry & edamame (Evans et al. 2023) agroecosystems in the mid-Atlantic.
Honeybee Pathogenic Landscapes & Sustainable Practices
Honeybee health has been declining in recent decades, with losses primarily attributed to the ectoparasite Varroa destructor. Through two projects, we aimed to better understand honeybee health and explore sustainable management practices. Through a statewide community science project, we explored the pathogen landscape in managed and feral honeybees and the interplay of viral loads and immune gene expression.
Pollinators play an essential role in the functioning of ecosystems, as many flowering plants rely on animals for reproduction, and cropping systems are no exception. Pollination services are provided by a suite of native and managed pollinators. During my Master's and subsequent work as a technician and PhD student, I was involved in projects that explored native bee health and pollination services within cucurbit (Brochu et al [in prep]), blueberry & edamame (Evans et al. 2023) agroecosystems in the mid-Atlantic.
Honeybee Pathogenic Landscapes & Sustainable Practices
Honeybee health has been declining in recent decades, with losses primarily attributed to the ectoparasite Varroa destructor. Through two projects, we aimed to better understand honeybee health and explore sustainable management practices. Through a statewide community science project, we explored the pathogen landscape in managed and feral honeybees and the interplay of viral loads and immune gene expression.
In a subsequent project, we investigated the role of oxalic acid (OA) and swarming (a natural process by which colonies reproduce) on varroa and their associated viruses. Our results revealed the role of management and feralization in altering host immune responses (Hinshaw et al 2021) and the importance of brood-breaks in suppressing varroa populations and their associated viruses (Evans et al. 2021). We suggest that performing colony divisions (managerial equivalent to swarming) as a beekeeping management tool provides a straightforward and sustainable alternative to traditional chemical controls.
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Extension Publications
- Evans KC (2020) An easy method to split a colony. Bee Culture September, 40-42 (pdf)
- Evans KC (2020) Colony Division: An easy method to split a colony. Penn State Extension Learn Now Video, https://bit.ly/37KH6YB
- Evans KC (2019) Installing Package Bees, Penn State Extension Learn Now Video, https://bit.ly/3kCFeER
- Evans KC, Ostiguy N and López-Uribe MM (2017). Efficacy of different methods of oxalic acid application. American Bee Journal 157:505-507 (pdf)