Dr Joe Roberts

BSc (Hons) PgC MSc PhD FHEA FRES

Reader in Integrated Pest Management

Dr Joe Roberts FHEA FRES is an applied entomologist with a PhD in invertebrate chemical ecology from Harper Adams University (UK) whose expertise sits at the intersection of biology, analytical chemistry and agriculture. He studies plant-insect interactions from a chemical perspective to develop novel pest management tools that reduce societal reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides in global agricultural production systems.

Dr Roberts is a Trustee of the Royal Entomological Society and an active committee member of the Association of Applied Biology Integrated Pest Management specialist interest group. He is also the current chair of the Royal Entomological Society's Educationa and Training Committee.

Professional Memberships

Dr Joe Roberts currently holds the following professional memberships:

Royal Entomological Society - Fellow (FRES)
Association of Applied Biologists - Member
Advance HE - Fellow (FHEA)

Researcher Profile

Dr Joe Roberts is an experienced researcher passionate about improving our understanding of plant-insect interactions and developing sustainable crop protection solutions. With a diverse portfolio that spans from studying insect behaviour to utilising artificial intelligence for crop pest monitoring, Dr Roberts is dedicated to reducing synthetic insecticides and promoting integrated pest management practices on farms.

At the forefront of innovative research, Dr Roberts has implemented advanced metrics to quantify insecticide use and ensure compatibility with sustainable agriculture practices. His work aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Dr Roberts is committed to advancing our knowledge of plant-insect interactions and finding innovative ways to protect our crops while preserving the environment.

Academic Department: Agriculture and Environment

Research: Entomology Group

Research: Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems

Tel: 01952 815534

X/Twitter: @Dr_Joe_Roberts

Office: Jean Jackson Entomology Building

Research profile: ORCID

Publications

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Other publications

Roberts JM, Kundun J, Pope TW (2019) Feeding status influences adult vine weevil (coleoptera: curculionidae) behaviour to conspecific volatiles bioRxiv

Research projects

“Shellshock” - Developing methods of using chitin to reduce potato cyst nematode populations - Second Supervisor
Are physically acting bioinsecticides practically and economically compatible with UK arable cropping systems? - Director of Studies
Attacking the clones: understanding resistance of aphid pests to biological control - Second Supervisor
'Catch me if you can' – improving monitoring and control of black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) in soft fruit and ornamental crops - Second Supervisor
Development of a safe RNA based biopesticide to control cabbage stem flea beetle - Researcher
Enhancing Biological Pest Control: Learning Mechanisms and Olfactory Conditioning in Parasitoid Wasps - Second Supervisor
Improved in-crop monitoring and use of trap cropping as a novel approaches to the integrated pest management of aphid BYDV vectors in winter cereals - Second Supervisor
Improving aphid and BYDV monitoring - Director of Studies
Optimisation of partial biofumigation for the management of potato cyst nematodes - Second Supervisor
Reducing the impact of cabbage stem flea beetle on oilseed rape in the UK - Researcher
The aphid factor: how aphid genetic diversity and the endosymbionts that they carry impacts barley yellow dwarf virus epidemiology - Second Supervisor
To me, to you - developing a push-pull system for sustainable management of aphid pests in seed and ware potato crops - Second Supervisor

Modules

You can contact Dr Joe Roberts if you would like to discuss any of the following course modules:

Biological Recording and Surveying (C7)
Data Visualisation and Analytics (C7083)
Freshwater Invertebrates - Ecology, Conservation and Identification (C7)
Insect Physiology and Behaviour (C7053)