The Sumner Lab Insect Research Group · UCL
Idris Adams

Idris Adams

PhD Student, Diet & Life History Evolution in Aculeate Wasps

Sumner Lab · UCLCurrent group

Position
PhD Student
In the lab
2023–present
Studies
Wasps (primarily solitary aculeates)
Contact

idris.adams.23@ucl.ac.uk

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About

Research interests

I’m 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. I’m currently focusing on the Crabronidae, a species-rich family of over 10,000 species showing significant variation in prey types and life histories, including provisioning strategies, nest construction behaviours, and habitat choice. Methods I use include network analysis, phylogenetic comparative analyses, and experimental fieldwork. In addition to my PhD work, I’m a Student Representative for the Royal Entomological Society (RES), and Assistant Treasurer for the British Entomological & Natural History Society (BENHS).

Research

Career

  1. 2023–present: PhD Candidate, University College London, NERC DTP Cohort 10
  2. 2019–2023: MSci Zoology, University of Sussex

Project

Evolution of dietary and life history traits across aculeate Hymenoptera

Publications

  • Mitchell, R., Adams, I., Broad, G.R. (2026) The genome sequence of the solitary wasp, Lestiphorus bicinctus (Rossi, 1794) (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae). Wellcome Open Research, 11, 197. doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.26199.1
  • Mitchell, R., Adams, I., Broad, G.R. (2026) The genome sequence of the solitary wasp, Nysson trimaculatus (Rossi, 1790) (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae). Wellcome Open Research, 11, 257. doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.26493.1
  • Sumner, S. and Adams, I. (2025) The Wonderful World of Wasps. Frontiers for Young Minds, 13. doi: 10.3389/frym.2025.1632173
  • 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. doi: 10.1007/s10342-025-01770-9
  • 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. doi: 10.1111/een.13361

In the media

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