Mariel Guala

Research focus:

My work at FuEDEI is an adventure, I´m involved in very diverse projects related to cacti, aquatic plants, shrubs and herbs. I carry out an essential part of my work in the field where I collect insects and plants, make observations and conduct experiments assisting researchers and PhD students.

Field work adds the attraction of meeting people from very different backgrounds and visiting incredible places. In the laboratory, my work comprises breeding of insects and the cultivation of host plants; I also carry out experiments related to plant-herbivore and plant-herbivore-parasitoid interaction to evaluate the efficiency and safety of candidate insects to be used in biological control.

One of the aspects of my work that I value is divulging the impact of invasive species and how biological control is an alternative tool for managing these species.

Application of biological control from a participative approach, involving various actors in society, seems to me the best way to carry out the management of an invasive species, and it is currently one of my main interests.

Current research projects:

• Cactoblastis cactorum (Cactus Moth)
• Hypogeococcus sp. (Cactus mealybug)
• Pontederia crassipes (Water hyacinth)
• Cabomba caroliniana (Water Fanwort)
• Jatropha gossypiifolia (Bellyache Bush)
• Solanum elaeagnifolium (Silverleaf nightshade)
• Salvinia spp. (Giant salvinia)