Grace Anderson Shultz Lab Alumnus, 2017 M.S. - ENTM
My work focused on the unique mating system of Leiobunum harvestmen (aka: daddy longlegs). Species' behavioral and morphological traits range from "female choice", in which males give large nuptial gifts to gain the female's affection, to "intrasexual conflict", in which males physically subdue females before copulation. This range of traits may be linked to physiological and ecological factors such as accessory gland size, season length, and lifetime resource availability. Currently, I'm using various mazes and animal tracking software to see if the females of one species (L. aldrichi) emit a mating pheromone that attracts conspecific males.
I also worked as the Assistant Director of Bug Camp: Insects, Science & Society, the department's summer camp for kids ages 7-12.
