Background
Our research focuses on how insects adapt to their environments through behaviour, colour, reproduction, and ecological interactions. We are especially interested in the evolutionary trade-offs that shape survival in Southeast Asian forests, one of the world’s most biodiverse and threatened regions.
We approach these questions through an integrative lens:
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Fieldwork in forests, urban landscapes, and fragmented habitats
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Comparative studies across species and ecosystems
Colour & Survival
How do colour patterns evolve, and what roles do they play in predator avoidance, mate choice, and communication? From the deimatic displays of stick insects to flash patterns of fireflies, we explore the evolutionary significance of these visual signals.
Stick insect, Marmessoidea rosea
Image: Eunice Tan
behaviours in Complex environments
Behaviour is often the first line of response animals use to cope with their environment. We investigate how insects adjust their foraging, mating, and defensive strategies in response to ecological pressures such as predation risk and habitat change.
Leaf beetle, Paropsisterna variicollis larvae of different instars
Image: Eunice Tan
Changing
Landscapes
Human activity is reshaping tropical landscapes at an unprecedented pace. We investigate how fragmentation, urbanisation, and climate change alter insect communities and their ecological functions
Tropical rainforest understory
Image: Eunice Tan