Dr Andy Evans

My research interests revolve around integrated pest management (IPM) in arable and horticultural crops. Development of pest management approaches for the control of insect, slug and nematode pests of crops encompasses a wide range of techniques and novel methods, and research I have been, and am currently involved in, utilises semiochemicals, visual attraction, trap cropping, biofumigation, biological control (including biopesticides), and induction of crop natural defences.

My research into the physiological responses of pests and their predators to semiochemicals (e.g. pheromones,  host-plant attractants, repellents) and visual stimuli (e.g. colour) using techniques such as electroantennography, electroretinography, coupled with behavioural studies, aims to develop novel pest management strategies that can be incorporated with existing methods of crop protection.

Nematode pests of arable crops (particularly potatoes) are also of interest, and research is ongoing into developing damage thresholds and  IPM programmes for their control.

I am also involved in evaluating the impact of climate on the distribution of pests and disease, with modelling of the potential changes in distribution due to climate change.

• Prevention and control of important endemic and new diseases of plants (Scottish Government RESAS, WP6.4)
• Advanced detection of insects and other pests in salads (Defra and commercially funded)
• Aphids and virus transmission in seed potato crops (Potato Council)
• Strategies for quantifying and controlling free living nematode populations and consequent damage by tobacco rattle virus to improve potato yield and quality (TSB, Potato Council and commercially funded)
• Risk posed by free living nematode species to the high health status of Scottish seed potatoes (Scottish Government RESAS)

PhD Students

• William Deasy - Novel approaches for the management of cabbage root fly (HDC)
• Kevin McCormack - Enhancing the monitoring and trapping of protected crop pests by incorporating LED technology into existing traps (HDC)
• Craig Rogers - Enhancing management of wheat bulb fly via the use of lure and kill and assessment of egg numbers (HGCA)

Consultancy

• Provide specialist support to field-based agricultural/horticultural advisers on all aspects of invertebrate pest management
• Assess samples submitted to SAC Crop Clinic by SAC consultants and others
• Diagnose pest problems on material submitted by advisers/trade/growers and on visits to agricultural/horticultural crops
• Crop monitoring under AA314 Crop Health (Scottish Government RESAS)

Teaching

• MSc Environmental Protection and Management (module co-ordinator Land Use & Environmental Interactions)
• HND Year 1 –  Plant protection (Horticulture)
• HND Year 1 - Pests, diseases, weeds and disorders of garden plants
• HND Year 2 - Plant Protection: Integrated Approaches
• HND Year 2 - Specialised Field Crops (Crop Protection)
• BSc  Year 3 – New perspectives in plant protection
• BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection (Agriculture)
• BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection (Amenity)
• Supervise SRUC and University of Edinburgh honours degree projects
• Supervise MSc project students

Other commitments

• Contribute and co-edit SRUC Crop Protection Report (20 issues a year)
• Write SRUC Technical Reports
• Contribute to SAC Consultancy Knowledge Transfer activities
• Member of the AAB Entomology Group (2000 to 2009)
• Member of the AAB Cropping and the Environment Group (2009-)
• External examiner for PhD theses
• Knowledge transfer activities for SRUC

Honours

• BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences – Plymouth Polytechnic (1980-1983)
• PhD Insect Behaviour (Insect-Plant Interactions) – University of Hertfordshire (1988-1991)

Books

What makes an alien invasive? Risk and policy responses. AAB Aspects of Applied Biology 104 (Editor)

• Fox, N.J., White, P.C.L.,  McClean, C.J., Marion, G., Evans, K.A., Hutchings, M.R. (2011). Predicting Impacts of Climate Change on Fasciola hepatica Risk.  PLoS One
• Walters, D. & Evans, A. (2008). Coats for plants: keeping pathogens and pests at bay. Biologist, 55, 154-159
• Thornham, D.G., Blackwell, A., Evans, K.A., Wakefield, M. & Walters, K.F.A. (2008). Locomotory behaviour of the seven-spotted ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata, in response to five commonly used insecticides. Annals of Applied Biology, 152, 349-359
• Thornham, D.G., Wakefield, M.E., Blackwell, A., Evans, K.A. & Walters, K.F.A (2007). Sexual dimorphism in the distribution and biometrics of the palpal sensilla of Coccinella septempunctata, and a description of new sensillum. Acta Entomologica Sinica, 50 (7), 667-674
• Barker, J.E., Holaschke, M., Fulton, A., Evans, K.A. & Powell, G (2007). Effects of kaolin particle film on Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) behaviour and performance. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 97, 455-460
• Thornham, D., Stamp, C., Walters, K., Mathers, J., Wakefield, M., Blackwell, A. & Evans, K.A. (2007). Feeding responses of adult seven-spotted ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), to insecticide contaminated prey in laboratory arenas. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 17, 983-994
• Kasprowicz, L., Barker, H., Malloch, G., Foster, S., Anstead, J., Pickup, J., King, L., Evans, A., Fenton, B. (2006). Tracking MACE resistant clones of the Peach-Potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in Scotland. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2006, 261-266
• Evans, K.A., Stanley, K. & Blackwell, A. (2006). Tobacco rattle virus prevalence in Scottish potato land in 2005. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2006, 285-288
• Barker, J., Fulton, A., Evans, K.A. & Powell, G. (2006). The effects of kaolin particle film on Plutella xylostella behaviour and development. Pest Management Science, 62, 498-504
• Evans, K.A., Stanley, K. & Blackwell, A. (2005). Tobacco rattle virus detection in Scottish trichodorid populations during 2004/2005. Aspects of Applied Biology 76, Protection and Production of Sugar Beet and Potatoes, pp. 117-120
• Evans, K.A., Stanley, K. & Blackwell, A. (2005). Are Soil Migratory Nematode Populations Increasing? Implications for Nematode Management in Crops. The BCPC International Congress - Crop Science & Technology 2005, 873-878
• Blackwell, A., Evans, K.A., Strang, R.H.C. & Cole, M. (2004). Toward development of neem-based repellents against the Scottish Highland biting midge Culicoides impunctatus. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 18, 449 - 452