Student zoology project data presented at international meeting.

At the end of August, John Sloggett, a biology lecturer at the MSP, presented a poster describing research done by MSP students at the 13th Aphidophaga (biology of aphid-eating insects) meeting in Freising, Germany. The poster described aspects of the mating biology of the invasive harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis.  “The students looked at mating behavior related to age. Unlike humans, some male animals become more highly sexed as they get old” said Dr. Sloggett.

A group of first year students looked at the age of ladybirds mating in the field. They found that male ladybirds’ interest declined with age. “This is important in the dynamics of diseases that are transmitted during mating” said Dr. Sloggett.    

The project was carried out as one of the four 4-week research projects that students do in groups as a part of their studies at the MSP. This was the first project that these students had done. “I really enjoyed the opportunity to work outside in this project” said student Leonardo Veglia, “and it was very interesting to study one animal in such depth”.

john-slogett-msp

John Sloggett at the conference with the poster of the students’ work.

Also read

  • As of September 1st, the Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence has officially become a collaboration between 18 Dutch knowledge institutions, including Maastricht University. 

  • This summer, the first students finished their master’s programme in Imaging Engineering. They appreciate the opportunity to be involved in this world-wide unique programme that combines science and technology in imaging. Their secret to success is chocolate.

  • "We are the pioneers in a brand-new field of engineering sciences, not just in Maastricht but globally as well", says Francesco Ferrari about the group of thirteen students, himself included, who in July received the first bachelor's degree in Circular Engineering.