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My PhD project

I joined FABI in October 2018 under the supervision of Dr. Gerda Fourie, Prof. Jeremy Allison, Prof. Brett Hurley and Prof. Bernard Slippers. My research is focused on the biology, ecology and management of relatively unknown Bathycoelia distincta (two-spotted stink bug; Pentatomidae) associated with macadamia orchards in South Africa. My project is part of the macadamia protection research program in collaboration with the Southern African Macadamia Grower's Association (SAMAC) (link).

The first objective of my research is to gain information regarding the genetic population of B. distincta in South Africa and to better understand its diversity. In terms of pest management, my research also focuses on studying the insecticide toxicity, and the chemical ecology of this species. This research is crucial for understanding this species, and for future pest management strategies for the Macadamia industry.

My Background

Education

Master in Environmental toxicology at the University of Angers (France)

My master was focused on the toxicological impact of xenoboitics.

During my first year, I did an internship at LPG-BIAF institute (link) (Angers, France) under the supervision of Prof. Geslin Emmanuelle. I studied the ecotoxicological quality of marine waters, and I presented my results with a poster in an international congress in Nantes (France).

I realised my second internship at the INRA of Avignon, in the Bees & Environment unit (link), under the supervision of Dr. Belzunces Luc. My study was focused on the physiological alterations by a mixture of pesticides on the honey bees. I conducted a chronic toxicity tests, a different analyses on the detoxification system coupled to histological observations.

University Research Diploma at the National Polytechnique Institute of Toulouse (France)

I realised a University Research Diploma after my master at the National Polytechnique Institute of Toulouse, in EcoLab (link). For 6 months, I studied the ecotoxicity impact of micropollutants present in wastewaters. I conducted this study using an ecotoxicological approach (toxicology and genotoxicology assay) in two aquatic organisms: Chironomus riparius and Xenopus laevis.

Technical University Diploma of Environmental Biology at the University of Caen (France)

It’s with this diploma that I discovered the entomology world in integrate the Entomology and Mediterranean forests Unit in Avignon (link) (INRA, France) for my first internship with the Dr. Lavoir Anne-Violette and the Dr. Martin J.C. I tested the naturally repulsive plant against the Gypsy moth. My results that permit to publish my first research article and to present in an international congress with an oral communication.

Professional experience

After my master’s degree, I worked in the Entomology and Mediterranean forests Unit (link) like engineer. My mission consisted in the development of control methods against lepidopteran forest pests in the south of France. For that, I managed and monitored the different experiments in forests in the objective to propose different sustainable solutions for the environment.

Scientific congress

Posters

• E. Pal et al. (2019). How do you preserve the macadamia nuts in South Africa from stink bugs? French-South African Science and Innovation Days, Pretoria, December 2019.
• E. Pal et al. (2016). Benthic foraminifera: A tool for assess ecological quality of marine waters. Meeting OCEANEXT, Nantes, France, June 2016.

Oral communication

Pal E, Allison J, Hurley B, Slippers B, Fourie G (2022). Understanding Bathycoelia distincta (Pentatomidae) traits for developping efficient management tools. SAMAC industry day, White river, South Africa, 11th October.

Pal E, Allison J, Hurley B, Slippers B, Fourie G (2022). Biology and management of Bathycoelia distincta (Pentatomidae) associated with macadamia orchards in South Africa. SAMAC research networking day, Johannesbourg, South Africa, 29th June.

Pal E, Allison J, Hurley B, Slippers B, Fourie G (2021). Characterization of the alarm pheromone of Bathycoelia distincta (Pentatomidae), a major pest of macadamia.36th Annual meeting of the International Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE), Stellenbosh, South Africa, 5 - 10 September.

Pal E, Allison J, Hurley B, Slippers B, Fourie G (2021). Genetic diversity of the two-spotted stink bug Bathycoelia distincta (Pentatomidae) associated to macadamia orchards in South Africa. 22nd Biennial Entomological Society of Southern Africa (ESSA), Limpopo, South Africa, 28 June – 1 July.

Pal E et al., Testing the anti-feedant or repulsive potential of some hardwood trees against Gypsy moth attacks. 7th meeting of OIBC-WPRS on the integrated protection of oak trees, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France, October 2013.

Teaching

• Co-Supervisor - honors project "Screening for entomopathogenic fungi against Bathycoelia distincta" 2021
• Demonstrator - module "Applied entomology" (module ZEN 365 - Department of Zoology and Entomology - University of Pretoria)

Membership

• ESSA (Entomological Society of Southern Africa) click here
• ESA (Entomological Society of America) click here
• ISCE (International Society of Chemical Ecology) click here

Awards

• FABI award for the FABIan/student of the year (2022)
• Best oral presentation - International Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE) conference (2021)
• FABI student award for Mentorship (2021)
• Runner-up of "The Conversation Africa student essay competition" (2020)
• FABI student award for the Best website (2019)