Sofia Isabel Martins Branco
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, Caparica, PT · Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research (CENSE), Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, Caparica, PT
Research Interests
Chemical Ecology, Integrated Pest Management Population Dynamics, Bioecology, Ethology, Sample preparation and Analysis (e.g. Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry).
Biography
Sofia Branco main research area is Chemical Ecology, studying behavioural responses of insects and their parasitoids to semiochemicals and volatile organic compounds released by the host plants and conspecifics, in order to develop innovative biotechnical approaches for the control of insect pests. Her PhD project achieved the full decoding of the chemical ecology of the eucalyptus weevil (Gonipterus platensis), which causes economic damage to eucalyptus plantations worldwide and of its main agent of control, the egg parasitoid, Anaphes nitens. At present, her research targets three species considered crucial pests of portuguese forests: 1) the Western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, 2) the flathead cork oak borer Coreobus undatus, and 3) the Eucalyptus tortoise beetle, Trachymela sloanei. She also worked at Instituto Superior de Agronomia (UL), in the EU Horizon 2020 funded project “HOMED- Holistic Management of Emerging Forest Pests and Diseases”.
Education
BSc graduation in Biology- Branch of Terrestrial Environmental Biology, Master degree in Medical Parasitology PhD in Environment and Sustainability.
Recent Scopus Publications
- Predation on Live and Artificial Insect Prey Shows Different Global Latitudinal Patterns
- Eradication programs against non-native pests and pathogens of woody plants in Europe: which factors influence their success or failure?
- Unveiling Chemical Cues of Insect-Tree and Insect-Insect Interactions for the Eucalyptus Weevil and Its Egg Parasitoid by Multidimensional Gas Chromatographic Methods
- Preventing invasions of Asian longhorn beetle and citrus longhorn beetle: are we on the right track?
- Olfactory responses of Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) to host and habitat cues
Research Outputs
Patent: Composição para atrair insetos do género Gonipterus e método de uso. PT115530A
Links
- ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2867-4950
- Scopus https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55544521600