VanLaerhoven Lab
ECOLOGY, FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY, INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT & MORE!
About
We are housed in the Integrative Biology Department at the University of Windsor. Our lab answers ecological & evolutionary questions using insects as our study systems in a multitude of terrestrial environments. The hot topics in our lab are species co-existence, predator-prey and plant-insect interactions, oviposition decisions and consequences for offspring, often in the context of varied abiotic (temperature, humidity) or biotic conditions (species interactions, resources for food or oviposition). Typically, our study species are important for biological control, waste management and forensic entomology which allows us to investigate particular questions that are vital within these applications.
Curious about any of these subjects and interested on pursuing a graduate degree, feel free to email us. There are always open opportunities in the lab.
Meet the Team
Sherah VanLaerhoven, PhD
Principal Investigator
vanlaerh@uwindsor.ca
Dermestid Beetles
Consumers of Carrion
We are the VanLaerhoven lab pets, currently we are among two populations of roughly 10,000 Dermestid beetles. We love to feed on deer, fish, liver and other critters while leaving behind priceless bones. Come check us out!
Nabis americoferus
Consumer of Problem-some Pests
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Nabidae. Known for being a common generalist predator within North America. Sourced within the southwestern regions Ontario. Currently reared at the Agriculture and Agrifoods Canada Research Station. With it's long proboscis it can consume a variety of prey including aphids, whitefly, thrips, leaf miners and many more. Making them an ideal study species for a potential biological control.
Blow Flies
Consumers of Carrion
Blow flies are a primary consumer of carrion resources. They are utilized in various projects throughout our lab. Currently we rear three species of Calliphoidae including : Phormia regina, Lucilia sericata, and Calliphora vicina.
News
Opportunities
MSc opportunity to work on insect predators at the VanLaerhoven Lab and Harrow Research Centre.
Read MorePublications
- Patricia Okpara, Sherah VanLaerhoven (2023) Density, Temperature, and Comingled Species Affect Fitness within Carrion Communities: Coexistence in Phormia regina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Insects 14 (2) http://10.3390/insects14020139
- R. Labbe, L. Des Marteaux, J. Mlynarek, S. VanLaerhoven, P. Desloges-Baril, C. Demers, A. Laflair, D.C. Fernandez (2022) Native Canadian Hemipteran Predators of Greenhouse Pests. Greenhouse Canada, October Issue. https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=1281&i=761288&p=12&ver=html5
- D Catalina Fernández, Sherah L VanLaerhoven, Esteban Rodríguez-Leyva, Y Miles Zhang, Roselyne Labbé (2022) Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of the Pepper Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Using the COI Barcoding Region, Journal of Insect Science, Volume 22 (1) https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/ieac012
- Vincenzo A. Pacheco, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2022) Flame impingement affects survival and development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on securely wrapped remains, Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal, 55:2, 100-113, DOI: 10.1080/00085030.2022.2027600
- Theresa Tran, Sherah VanLaerhoven (2021) The Influence of Relative Humidity on the Frequency of Clutches of 3 Forensically Important Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Biology and Life Sciences Forum (in press) http://doi.org/10.3390/IECE-10380
- D. Catalina Fernández, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, Roselyne Labbé (2021). Host utilization by the pepper weevil ( Anthonomus eugenii ): suitability, preference and offspring performance. Pest Management Science (in press) http://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6514
- Krystal R. Hans, Sherah VanLaerhoven (2021). Impact of comingled heterospecific assemblages on developmentally-based estimates of the post-mortem interval – a study with Lucilia sericata Meigen, Phormia regina Meigen and Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Insects 12(4) http://doi.org/10.3390/insects12040280
- Henry Murillo Pacheco, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven & M. Ángeles Marcos García (2021) Host suitability of Trichoplusia ni and Chrysodeixis chalcites (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for native and nonnative parasitoids expanding their host range. The Canadian Entomologist. 153 (2): 137-149. https://doi.org/10.4039/tce.2020.60
- D. Catalina Fernández, Sherah VanLaerhoven, Cara McCreary, & Roselyne Labbé (2020). An overview of the pepper weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) as a pest of greenhouse peppers. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 11(1)
https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmaa029 - Henry Murillo Pacheco, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven & M. Ángeles Marcos García (2020) Functional response and switching behaviour of Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) to the native host Trichoplusia ni and the non-native host Chrysodeixis chalcites mediating host range expansion. Biocontrol Science and Technology 30(5): 462-479
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2020.1734185 - Sherah L VanLaerhoven (2020) Ecological Theory of Community Assembly and its Application in Forensic Entomology. IN Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Insects in Legal Investigations, 3rd Edition, J. Byrd, J. Tomberlin (Eds) CRC Press. Print ISBN: 9780815350200, Digital ISBN: 9781351163767 https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351163767
- Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, Richard W. Merritt (2019) 50 years later, insect evidence overturns Canada's most notorious case - Regina v. Steven Truscott. Forensic Science International 301: 326-330 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.04.032
- Krystal R Hans, R. LeBouthillier, & Sherah L. VanLaerhoven. (2018) Effect of Temperature on Oviposition Behavior and Egg Load of Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Journal of Medical Entomology 56(2): 441–47. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjy173
- Henry Murillo Pacheco, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven & M. Ángeles Marcos García & David W. Hunt. (2018) Food Web Associations and Effect of Trophic Resources and Environmental Factors on Parasitoids Expanding Their Host Range into Non‐native Hosts. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 166(4): 277–88. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12674
- V.A. Pacheco, K.R. Hans & S.L. VanLaerhoven (2017) The Relationship Between Surface Area and Volume of Common Blow Fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Oviposition Sites and Carrion Body Mass. Journal of Medical Entomology 54(5): 1278–84. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjx108
- Meghan A. Vankosky, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2017) Does Host Plant Quality Affect the Oviposition Decisions of an Omnivore? Insect Science 24(3): 491–502. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.12317
- Leslie A. Holmes, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, & Jeffery K. Tomberlin. (2017) Photophase Duration Affects Immature Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Development. Environmental Entomology 46(6): 1439–47. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvx165
- Lida Nguyen-Dang, Meghan Vankosky, & Sherah VanLaerhoven (2016) The Effects of Alternative Host Plant Species and Plant Quality on Dicyphus hesperus Populations. Biological Control 100: 94–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2016.05.016
- L.A. Holmes, S.L. VanLaerhoven, & J. Tomberlin. (2016) Lower temperature threshold of Black Soldier Fly (Diptera:Stratiomyidae) development. Insects as Food and Feed 2: 255-262 https://doi.org/10.3920/JIFF2016.0008
- Gail S. Anderson, Sherah L VanLaerhoven (2016) Forensic Entomology. IN The Lawyer's Handbook to the Forensic Sciences. C. Pakosh (Ed) Irwin Law Inc. ISBN: Print (Paperback): 9781552214121. ISBN: Digital (PDF): 9781552214138. WINNER: 2017 Walter Owen Book Prize
- Meghan A. Vankosky, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven. (2015) Plant and Prey Quality Interact to Influence the Foraging Behaviour of an Omnivorous Insect, Dicyphus hesperus. Animal Behaviour 108: 109-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.07.019
- Trinh T.X. Nguyen, Jeffery K. Tomberlin, & Sherah VanLaerhoven. (2015) Ability of Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larvae to Recycle Food Waste. Environmental Entomology 44(2): 406–10. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvv002
- J.Y. Rosati, V.A. Pacheco, M.A. Vankosky, & S.L. VanLaerhoven (2015) Estimating the Number of Eggs in Blow Fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Egg Masses Using Photographic Analysis. Journal of Medical Entomology 52(4): 658–62 https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjv053
- Bekka S. Brodie, Warren H.L. Wong, Sherah VanLaerhoven, & Gerhard Gries (2015) Is Aggregated Oviposition by the Blow Flies Lucilia sericata and Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Really Pheromone‐mediated? Insect Science 22(5): 651–60. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.12160
- Michelle R. Sanford, Jeffery K. Tomberlin, & Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2015) Behavioral Ecology and Forensic Entomology IN Forensic Entomology: International Dimensions and Frontiers. Tomberlin J, Benbow E (Eds) CRC Press. Print ISBN: 9780367575885, Digital ISBN: 9780429101557 https://doi.org/10.1201/b18156
- Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2015) Modelling Species Interactions within Carrion Food webs. IN Carrion Ecology, Evolution and Their Applications, Benbow, E, Tomberlin J, Tarone A. (Eds) CRC Press. Print ISBN: 9781138893849, Digital ISBN: 9780429102240 https://doi.org/10.1201/b18819
- Jeffery K. Tomberlin, Michelle R. Sanford, Meghan L. Pimsler, & Sherah L. VanLaerhoven. (2015). Vertebrate Carrion Ecosystem as a Model for Conducting Behavior Research IN Carrion Ecology, Evolution and Their Applications, Benbow, E, Tomberlin J, Tarone A. (Eds) CRC Press. Print ISBN: 9781138893849, Digital ISBN: 9780429102240 https://doi.org/10.1201/b18819
- Justin G. Fiene, Gregory A. Sword, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven & Aaron M. Tarone (2014) The role of spatial aggregation in forensic entomology. Journal of Medical Entomology 51: 1-9 https://doi.org/10.1603/me13050
- B. Brodie, R. Gries, A. Martins, S. VanLaerhoven, & G. Gries (2014) Bimodal cue complex signifies suitable oviposition sites to gravid females of the common green bottle fly. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 153: 114-127. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12238
- A. Tarone, J. Tomberlin, J. Johnston, J. Wallace, M. Benbow, R. Mohr, E. Mondor, & S. VanLaerhoven (2014) Reply: A correspondence from a maturing discipline. Journal of Medical Entomology 51: 490-492. https://doi.org/10.1603/ME14043
- Longyu Zheng, Tawni L. Crippen, Leslie A. Holmes, Baneshwar Singh, Meaghan L. Pimsler, M. Eric Benbow, Aaron M. Tarone, Scot Dowd, Ziniu Yu, Sherah L. Vanlaerhoven, Thomas K. Wood, & Jeffery K. Tomberlin (2013) Bacteria
Mediate Oviposition by the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens (L.), (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Scientific Reports 3:2563. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep02563
Trinh T.X. Nguyen, Jeffery K. Tomberlin, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2013) Influence of Resources on Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larval Development. Journal of Medical Entomology 50: 898-906. http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/ME12260
Henry Murillo, David W.A. Hunt, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2013) First records of Chrysodeixis chalcites (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Plusiinae) for east-central Canada. The Canadian Entomologist 145: 338-342. http://doi.org/10.4039/tce.2012.106
Leslie A. Holmes, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, Jeffery K. Tomberlin (2013) Substrate Effects on Pupation and Adult Emergence of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Environmental Entomology 42: 370-374. https://doi.org/10.1603/EN12255
Henry Murillo, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, David W.A. Hunt. (2013) Host suitability and fitness-related parameters of Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) as a parasitoid of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Biological Control 64: 10-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2012.09.020
Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, Gail S. Anderson (2013) Forensic Entomology IN Forensic Science in Canada - A Report of Multidisciplinary Discussion. Pollanen, Michael, S; Bowes, Matthew, J; VanLaerhoven, Sherah, L; Wallace, Joanne (Eds). Centre of Forensic Science and Medicine, University of Toronto. https://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/forensic-science-in-canada.pdf
David R. Gillespie, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, Robert R. McGregor, Shannon Chan, & Bernard D. Roitberg (2012) Plant Feeding in an Omnivorous Mirid, Dicyphus hesperus: Why Plant Context Matters. Psyche 2012: 495805. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/495805
Leslie A. Holmes, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, & Jeffery K. Tomberlin (2012) Relative Humidity Effects on the Life History of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Environmental Entomology 41: 971-978. https://doi.org/10.1603/EN12054
Henry Murillo, David W.A. Hunt, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2012) Fecundity and life table parameters of Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), an endoparasitoid of the Cabbage Looper Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), under laboratory conditions. Biocontrol Science and Technology 22: 125-134. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2011.643224
Henry Murillo, David W.A. Hunt, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2012) Larval Parasitoids of the Cabbage Looper, Tricoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Field Tomato Crops in Southwestern Ontario. Journal of the Entomological Society of Ontario 143: 115-119. https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/eso/article/view/3762
Jeffery K. Tomberlin, Rachel Mohr, M.E. Benbow, A.M. Tarone, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2011) A roadmap for bridging basic and applied research in forensic entomology. Annual Review of Entomology 56: 401-421. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-051710-103143
Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2009). Ecological theory and its application in Forensic Entomology IN Forensic Entomology: the utility of arthropods in legal investigations, 2nd Edition. Byrd, Jason, H; Castner, James, L (Eds) CRC Press. Print ISBN 9780849392153, Digital ISBN 9780367805692 https://doi.org/10.1201/NOE0849392153
Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, Gail S. Anderson (2009). Science and Careers of CSI IN The C.S.I. Effect: Television, Crime, and Critical Theory. Byers, M; Johnson, V. (Eds) Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc. ISBN-13: 978-0739124710, ISBN-10: 0739124714.
B.O. Ma, B.H. Davis, David R. Gillespie, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2009) Incorporating behaviour into simple models of dispersal using the biological control agent Dicyphus hesperus. Ecological Modelling 220: 3271-3279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2009.08.022
Jonathan A. Bennett, David R. Gillespie, & Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2009) Investigating the diet of the omnivorous mirid Dicyphus hesperus using stable isotopes. Bulletin of Entomological Research 99(4): 347-358. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485308006378
Jonathan A. Bennett, David R. Gillespie, J. Leslie Shipp, & Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2009) Foraging strategies and patch distributions: intraguild interactions between Dicyphus hesperus and Encarsia formosa. Ecological Entomology 34(1): 58-65. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.2008.01043.x
Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, Carolann Hughes (2008) Testing different search methods for recovering scattered and scavenged remains. Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences Journal 41(4): 209-213. https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2008.10757178
Sherah L. VanLaerhoven, Frederick M. Stephen (2008) Incidence of honeydew in southern pine-hardwood forests: implications for adult parasitoids of the Southern Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Biocontrol, Science and Technology 18: 957-965. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583150802401074
Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2008) Blind Validation of Postmortem Interval Estimates using Developmental Rates of Blow Flies. Forensic Sciences International 180: 76-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.07.002
D.R. Gillespie, R.R. McGregor, J.A. Sanchez, S.L. Vanlaerhoven, D.M.J. Quiring, B.D. Roitberg, R.G. Foottit, M.D. Schwartz, & J.L. Shipp. (2007) An endemic omnivorous predator for control of greenhouse pests IN Biological Control: A Global Perspective. Vincent, C., Goettel, M, Lazarovits, G (Eds) CABI Publishing UK. ISBN 9781845932657. http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/9781845932657.0000
Jennifer Y. Rosati, Sherah L. VanLaerhoven (2007) New record of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) in Canada: Current distribution and the possibility of future range expansion. The Canadian Entomologist 139: 670-677. https://doi.org/10.4039/n06-061
SL VanLaerhoven, DR Gillespie, & BD Roitberg BD (2006) Patch retention time in an omnivore, Dicyphus hesperus is dependent on both host plant and prey type. Journal of Insect Behaviour 19: 613-621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-006-9047-y
A. Laycock, E. Camm, S.L. VanLaerhoven & D.R. Gillespie (2006) Cannibalism in a zoophytophagous omnivore is mediated by prey availability and plant substrate. Journal of Insect Behavior 19: 219-229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-006-9020-9
N.R. Hobischak, S.L. Vanlaerhoven, & G.S. Anderson (2006) Successional patterns of diversity in insect fauna on carrion in sun and shade in Boreal Forest Region of Canada, near Edmonton, Alberta. The Canadian Entomologist 138: 376-383. https://doi.org/10.4039/n04-086
B.D. Roitberg, D.R. Gillespie, D.M.J. Quiring, C. Alma, W. Jenner, J. Perry, J. Peterson, M. Salomon, & S. VanLaerhoven (2005) The cost of being an omnivore: mandible wear from plant feeding in a true bug. Naturwissenschaften 92: 431-434. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-005-0013-x
S.L. VanLaerhoven, F.M. Stephen, & L.E. Browne (2005) Adult parasitoids of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman, feed on artificial diet on pine boles, pine canopy foliage and understory hardwood foliage. Biocontrol Science and Technology 15: 243- 254. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583150400016878
S.L. VanLaerhoven, F.M. Stephen (2003) Host Species Influences Body Size and Egg Load of the Bark Beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) Parasitoid, Roptrocerus xylophagorum Ratzeburg (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), The Canadian Entomologist 135:737-740. https://doi.org/10.4039/n03-011
S.L. VanLaerhoven, D.R. Gillespie, & B.D. Roitberg (2003) Diel activity pattern and predation rate of the generalist predator, Dicyphus hesperus. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 107: 149-154. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1570-7458.2003.00050.x
S.L. VanLaerhoven, F.M. Stephen (2003) Rain Influences Trap Catch of Adult Parasitoids of the Southern Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann. Journal of Entomological Science 38,:143-146. https://doi.org/10.18474/0749-8004-38.1.143
S.L. VanLaerhoven, F.M. Stephen (2002) Baseline Egg Load of the Southern Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, Parasitoid Complex. The Canadian Entomologist 134: 551-560. https://doi.org/10.4039/Ent134551-4
S.L. VanLaerhoven, F.M. Stephen (2002) Height Distribution of Adult Parasitoids of the Southern Pine Beetle Complex. Environmental Entomology 31: 982-987. https://doi.org/10.1603/0046-225X-31.6.982
S.L. VanLaerhoven, G.S. Anderson (2001) Implications of using development rates of blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) eggs to determine postmortem interval. Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia. 98: 189-194. https://journal.entsocbc.ca/index.php/journal/article/download/563/572
S.L. VanLaerhoven, D.R. Gillespie, & R. McGregor (2000) Leaf damage and prey type determine search effort in Orius tristicolor. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 97: 167-174. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1570-7458.2000.00727.x
S.L. VanLaerhoven, G.S. Anderson (1999) Insect succession on buried carrion in two biogeoclimatic zones of British Columbia. Journal of Forensic Sciences 44: 32-43. https://doi.org/10.1520/JFS14409J
G.S. Anderson, S.L VanLaerhoven (1996) Initial studies on insect succession on carrion in Southwestern British Columbia. Journal of Forensic Sciences 41: 617-625. https://doi.org/10.1520/JFS13964J
Contact us
- 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology Room 23
