I am interested in the complex interactions that govern collective behaviour, ecology, and self-organisation within social insects. My research centres upon the intersection between fundamental investigations of colony functioning, and applied work in ecology and epidemiology. I utilise ants, honey bees, bumble bees, and termites as models to assess network dynamics, with a focus on the role of interindividual heterogeneity.
Currently, I am involved in projects pertaining to honey bee epidemiology and genetics, the dynamics of parasite-pathogen interactions within insect colonies, the effect of mosquito control compounds upon bumble bees, and the detection and behavioural classification of invasive hornets using artificial intelligence.
The central aim of my research is to leverage an understanding of the rules underpinning complex systems; both to solve real-world challenges, and enhance mechanistic knowledge at a variety of scales. I value social insect models, as they provide tractable and fascinating tools with which to investigate applied and fundamental questions in biology.
2022-2023 IDSAI: AI Usage in Invasive Species Detection and Impact Assessment
2022-2023 BDI: The Role of Treatment Adherence in Honey Bee Health
2021-2022 AMCARF: Evaluating the Impacts of Mosquito Control on Bumble Bees
2018-2022 USDA NIFA: A Longitudinal Study of the Principle Factors Leading to Colony Losses in Migratory Beekeeping
2018-2019 LSU AgCenter: Quorum-Sensing by Encounter Rate in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Swarms
Research grants
2022Bee Diseases Insurance The role of treatment adherence in honey bee health.
2022Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) This project aims to develop and evaluate an AI-assisted automated detection system for the invasive hornet Vespa velutina.
2021American Mosquito Control Association Evaluating the Impacts of Mosquito Control on Bumble Bees
2018Louisiana State University Quorum-Sensing by Encounter Rate in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Swarms
O'Shea-Wheller TA, Rinkevich FD, Danka RG, Simone-Finstrom M, Tokarz PG, Healy KB (2022). A derived honey bee stock confers resistance to Varroa destructor and associated viral transmission. Sci Rep, 12(1).
Abstract: A derived honey bee stock confers resistance to Varroa destructor and associated viral transmission.
The ectoparasite Varroa destructor is the greatest threat to managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies globally. Despite significant efforts, novel treatments to control the mite and its vectored pathogens have shown limited efficacy, as the host remains naïve. A prospective solution lies in the development of Varroa-resistant honey bee stocks, but a paucity of rigorous selection data restricts widespread adoption. Here, we characterise the parasite and viral dynamics of a Varroa-resistant honey bee stock, designated 'Pol-line', using a large-scale longitudinal study. Results demonstrate markedly reduced Varroa levels in this stock, diminished titres of three major viruses (DWV-A, DWV-B, and CBPV), and a two-fold increase in survival. Levels of a fourth virus that is not associated with Varroa-BQCV-do not differ between stocks, supporting a disruption of the transmission pathway. Further, we show that when decoupled from the influence of Varroa levels, viral titres do not constitute strong independent predictors of colony mortality risk. These findings highlight the need for a reassessment of Varroa etiology, and suggest that derived stocks represent a tractable solution to the Varroa pandemic.
Laycock I, Cotterell KC, O'Shea-Wheller TA, Cresswell JE (2014). Effects of the neonicotinoid pesticide thiamethoxam at field-realistic levels on microcolonies of Bombus terrestris worker bumble bees. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 100(1), 153-158.
Abstract: Effects of the neonicotinoid pesticide thiamethoxam at field-realistic levels on microcolonies of Bombus terrestris worker bumble bees
O'Shea-Wheller TA, Rinkevich FD, Danka RG, Simone-Finstrom M, Tokarz PG, Healy KB (2022). A derived honey bee stock confers resistance to Varroa destructor and associated viral transmission. Sci Rep, 12(1).
Abstract: A derived honey bee stock confers resistance to Varroa destructor and associated viral transmission.
The ectoparasite Varroa destructor is the greatest threat to managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies globally. Despite significant efforts, novel treatments to control the mite and its vectored pathogens have shown limited efficacy, as the host remains naïve. A prospective solution lies in the development of Varroa-resistant honey bee stocks, but a paucity of rigorous selection data restricts widespread adoption. Here, we characterise the parasite and viral dynamics of a Varroa-resistant honey bee stock, designated 'Pol-line', using a large-scale longitudinal study. Results demonstrate markedly reduced Varroa levels in this stock, diminished titres of three major viruses (DWV-A, DWV-B, and CBPV), and a two-fold increase in survival. Levels of a fourth virus that is not associated with Varroa-BQCV-do not differ between stocks, supporting a disruption of the transmission pathway. Further, we show that when decoupled from the influence of Varroa levels, viral titres do not constitute strong independent predictors of colony mortality risk. These findings highlight the need for a reassessment of Varroa etiology, and suggest that derived stocks represent a tractable solution to the Varroa pandemic.
Laycock I, Cotterell KC, O'Shea-Wheller TA, Cresswell JE (2014). Effects of the neonicotinoid pesticide thiamethoxam at field-realistic levels on microcolonies of Bombus terrestris worker bumble bees. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 100(1), 153-158.
Abstract: Effects of the neonicotinoid pesticide thiamethoxam at field-realistic levels on microcolonies of Bombus terrestris worker bumble bees
I teach courses relating to collective behaviour, ecology and evolution, and pollinator biology. Additionally, I mentor students in project selection and orchestration.