All Staff Members | Alex Dittrich | University of Cumbria

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.

I welcome enquiries from prospective research collaborators and potential students.

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 and a fellow of the Linnean 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

Dittrich, A. D. K. and Helden, A.J. (2020) Can monophagous specialists mediate host plant choices in generalist planthoppers (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)? Ecological Entomology, 45: 1509-1512

Hardy, C., Sayyed, I., Leslie, A.D. and Dittrich, A.D.K. (2020). Effectiveness of insecticides, physical barriers and size of planting stock against damage by the pine weevil (Hylobius abietis). Crop Protection, 137, p.105307.

Mayhew, M., Danzy-Cramer, J., Dittrich, A.D.K, Armstrong, R. and Fenton, L. (2020). A new hotspot for Temminck’s Red Colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii) in The Gambia: the feasibility of a community approach to conservation. Primate Conservation, 34.

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

Dittrich A.D.K. Helden A.J. (2016) The community ecology of Ribautodelphax imitans (Ribaut, 1953) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a rare UK planthopper in a distinct grassland habitat. Entomologica Austriaca 23: 87-96

Helden A.J. & Dittrich A.D.K. (2016) Hemiptera community and species responses to grassland sward islets. Entomologica Austriaca 23: 19-28

Dittrich, A.D.K. & Helden, A.J (2012) Experimental cattle dung sward islets: The effect of dung islets on the composition of Araneae & Hemiptera grassland communities Insect Conservation and Diversity 5(1): 46-56 (Special issue on grassland conservation – selected paper) DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-4598.2011.00133.x

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