Anurag Agrawal

My research program addresses questions in the ecology and evolution of interactions between plants and animals. In particular, I focus on the generally antagonistic interactions between plants and insect herbivores and ultimately seek to understand the complexity of community-wide interactions. What ecological factors allow the coexistence of similar species? What evolutionary factors led to the diversification of species? In total, plants and insect herbivores comprise about one half of earth's macroscopic biodiversity and herbivory accounts for major losses in agriculture. Given that herbivory is the conduit through which most of plants' autotrophic energy is transmitted to the rest of the food web, the focus on plant-herbivore interactions is justifiably important. My approach to science in general involves 1) rigorous, manipulative field experiments to test for the importance of conceptually or theoretically developed interactions, 2) the search for novel interactions which may be pervasive in nature but have escaped our attention, and 3) a keen interest in teaching and mentoring students at all levels of education. My research is mostly conducted in New York field communities, although when appropriate I travel to other field sites (Costa Rica, Bahamas, Finland). During the colder months, my lab conducts more mechanistic experiments in glasshouses and growth chambers. We are currently focused on three major projects: 1) the community and evolutionary ecology of plant-herbivore relationships, 2) factors that make non-native plants successful invaders, and 3) novel opportunities for pest management of potatoes.

• Silverstein-Simeone Award 2018 International Society of Chemical Ecology
• Fellow of Ecological Society of America 2017 Ecological Society of America
• National Outdoor Book Award 2017 National Outdoor Book Award
• Silverstein-Simeone Award 2017 International Society of Chemical Ecology
• R.H. MacArthur Award 2016 Ecological Society of America
• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science 2012 AAAS
• Sigma Xi 1996
• Phi Beta Kappa (elected) 1994

Ecology and the Environment (BioEE 1610), Field Ecology (BioEE 3611)