Position: PhD Student

Project:  Evolution of dietary and life history traits across aculeate Hymenoptera

Research Interests:  I am interested in the ecology and evolution of dietary and life history traits in both solitary and social aculeate wasps, and the factors influencing the evolution of certain behaviours. Currently I am focusing on the Crabronidae, a species-rich family of over 10,000 species showing significant variation in their prey types and life histories, including provisioning strategies, nest construction behaviours, and habitat choice. Methods I use in my research include network analysis, phylogenetic comparative analyses, and experimental fieldwork.

Background: 

2023 – Present: PhD Candidate, University College London, London NERC DTP Cohort 10

2019 – 2023: MSci Zoology, University of Sussex 

Contact:

E-mail: idris.adams.23@ucl.ac.uk

Bluesky: @idrisadams.bsky.social

Publications:

Visick, O.D., Adams, I., Marzano, F.S., Ratnieks, F.L.W. (2025) Effect of bark harvest intensity on the formation of cavities and other microhabitats in cork oaks (Quercus suber). European Journal of Forest Research.

Visick, O.D., Adams, I., Ney, P., Marzano, F.S., Ratnieks, F.L.W. (2024) Do nest sites limit wild honey bee colonies? Decoding swarm waggle dances to assess nest site availability. Ecological Entomology, 49 (6), pp. 869-880.