About us

Led by Thierry Hance, the laboratory of "Ecology of interactions and biological control" focuses on biodiversity and how species interact with each other and with their environment. We study the evolution of trophic systems through relationships between plants, herbivorous insects, symbiotic bacteria and natural enemies. Our research projects combine fundamental ecology (physiology, behavioral and social) and applied ecology (biological control mainly against pests in agriculture) and are part of both fundamental and industrial approaches. The results are used to understand co-evolutionary processes and develop new crop protection systems.

With 20 members (lab technicians, phD students, Researchers), our team is supported by funding from F.R.S-FNRS, la DGTRE (Région Wallone), la DGA (Région Wallonne), la politique scientifique fédérale, la Coopération Technique Belge, L’UCL.

Organized congresses: CIFE 2010, Vectoland, Entomophagistes 2014, PROVERBIO 2020

Representative publications

Pons, I., Renoz, F., Noël, C., & Hance, T. (2019). New Insights into the Nature of Symbiotic Associations in Aphids: Infection Process, Biological Effects and Transmission Mode of Cultivable Serratia symbiotica Bacteria. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., AEM-02445.

Pirotte, J. A. L., Lorenzi, A., Foray, V., & Hance, T. (2018). Impact of differences in nutritional quality of wingless and winged aphids on parasitoid fitness. Journal of Experimental Biology, 221(20), jeb185645.

Kohandani, F., Le Goff, G. J., & Hance, T. (2017). Does insect mother know under what conditions it will make their offspring live?. Insect science, 24(1), 141-149.

Lacour, G., Vernichon, F., Cadilhac, N., Boyer, S., Lagneau, C., & Hance, T. (2014). When mothers anticipate: Effects of the prediapause stage on embryo development time and of maternal photoperiod on eggs of a temperate and a tropical strains of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Journal of insect physiology, 71, 87-96.

Attia, S., Grissa, K. L., Lognay, G., Bitume, E., Hance, T., & Mailleux, A. C. (2013). A review of the major biological approaches to control the worldwide pest Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) with special reference to natural pesticides. Journal of Pest Science, 86(3), 361-386.

Hance, T., Van Baaren, J., Vernon, P., & Boivin, G. (2007). Impact of extreme temperatures on parasitoids in a climate change perspective. Annu. Rev. Entomol., 52, 107-126.