Dr Alex Dittrich, PhD
- Programme Leader, Zoology
- Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies

- Email: alex.dittrich@cumbria.ac.uk
- Tel: 01228 634726
- Location: Carlisle - Fusehill Street
Biography
I am an ecologist and zoologist with a diverse background in science and education. I am passionate about the animal sciences, ecology and conservation - particularly the often-undersold invertebrates - and I take pride in sharing this passion with others.
I was previously a lectuer at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, where I completed a PhD in insect ecology.
Follow me on: Twitter @alexdittrich | LinkedIn | Research Gate
Qualifications and memberships
PhD Insect Ecology (2017)
BSc (Hons) Zoology (2010)
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (2017)
I am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a fellow of the Linnean Society of London and a member of the Royal Entomological Society of London
Academic and research interests
I have a broad interest in animal ecology, in particular insect community ecology and host plant interactions. I am currently researching these broad themes in urban and agricultural systems. I also have interests in insect taxonomy and multivariate statistical modelling.
I welcome enquires from potential research partners and prospective research students.
Publications
Recent and Select Publications
Kiddie, J., Bodymore, A. and Dittrich, A. (2017). Environmental Enrichment in Kennelled Pit Bull Terriers (Canis lupus familiaris). Animals, 7: 27.
Labonte D, Clemente CJ, Dittrich A, Kuo CY, Crosby AJ, Irschick DJ, Federle W. (2016) Extreme positive allometry of animal adhesive pads and the size limits of adhesion-based climbing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 9:201519459
For press on this article see: BBC & University of Cambridge
Helden A.J. & Dittrich A.D.K. (2016) Hemiptera community and species responses to grassland sward islets. Entomologica Austriaca 23: 19-28
Recent conferences
Labonte, D., Clemente, C., Dittrich A.D.K & Federle, W. (2016) Allometry of adhesive pad area in climbing animals from mites to geckos. Society of Experimental Biology, Annual Symposium. [Oral presentation] Prague, Czech Republic
Dittrich, A.D.K & Helden, A.J. (2015) The ecology and conservation of Ribautodelphax imitans a rare insect in a distinct grassland habitat [Oral Presentation]. European Hemiptera Congress. Styria, Austria