Insect Feeding Behavior Analysis Using Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) on Resistant and Tolerant Crop Cultivars
Supervisor Name
RANA Samara
Supervisor Email
r.samara@ptuk.edu.ps
University
Palestine Technical University
Research field
Agricultural Science
Bio
Rana Samara is a distinguished Professor of Entomology at Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie (PTUK). She is known for her exceptional contributions to biological control, crop protection, and agricultural sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Entomology and Biological Control from the University of Hohenheim, Germany, an M.Sc. in Entomology, and a B.Sc. in Plant Protection from the University of Jordan. Prof. Samara's career spans over 20 years of teaching and research, during which she has significantly enhanced academic curricula and supervised numerous graduate and undergraduate students. Prof. Samara's administrative roles have served as Dean of Scientific Research, Director of the Kadoorie Agricultural Research Center, and University President Assistant for International Academic Affairs at PTUK. Her leadership extends to serving on prestigious advisory boards, including the Palestinian-German Science Bridge (PGSB) and Horizon 2020 programs. She has also led various committees on graduate research, scientific publications, and institutional development. Prof. Samara's research expertise includes environmental risk assessments, pest management strategies, and innovative approaches to biological pest control. Her prolific academic output includes over 50 peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences. Her work on plant-pest interactions, essential oils, and virus transmission in crops has contributed to advancing knowledge in agricultural resilience and food security. In addition to her academic roles, Prof. Samara has served as a consultant and trainer for major international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), where she led initiatives such as emergency preparedness for combating Fall Armyworm and training of trainers (ToT) programs that empowered hundreds of young professionals in the agricultural sector. Prof. Samara is recognized with numerous awards, including the Palestinian American Research Center (PARC) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). She continues to impact her field through interdisciplinary collaboration and research excellence. She fosters partnerships that bridge academic institutions, government agencies, and industry stakeholders, contributing to sustainable agricultural development and scientific innovation.
Description
Understanding insect feeding behavior is essential for developing resistant crop cultivars and reducing reliance on chemical insecticides. This project aims to investigate the feeding behavior of piercing–sucking insect pests on resistant, tolerant, and susceptible crop cultivars using the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) technique. EPG technology enables real-time monitoring of stylet penetration activities, allowing detailed characterization of probing behavior, salivation, phloem ingestion, and xylem feeding patterns. By comparing EPG waveform parameters across cultivars, this study will identify behavioral markers associated with plant resistance and tolerance mechanisms. We hypothesize that resistant cultivars will exhibit prolonged non-probing periods, reduced phloem ingestion duration, and increased pathway phase interruptions compared to susceptible cultivars. The findings will provide mechanistic insights into host plant resistance and contribute to breeding strategies and integrated pest management (IPM) programs aimed at sustainable crop protection.
