Evolution of cuticular hydrocarbons during host adaptation

How do insects evolve their chemical signals?

04.03.2026, Diplomarbeiten, Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten

Explore how insects’ pheromonal surface chemicals—used for waterproofing, communication, and mate choice—shift during adaptation to new environments. Working with experimental evolution lines of seed beetles, you’ll test how host plants alter chemical profiles and, potentially, pheromonal communication. Gain hands‑on experience with chemical analysis, evolution experiments, and multivariate data to study rapid trait evolution.

Scientific background:
How do organisms rapidly adjust to new environments—and how does this reshape their communication, mating behavior, and even the formation of new species? In this project, you’ll explore these questions through the lens of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), the chemical compounds insects use for waterproofing, communication, kin recognition and mate choice.
Working with Callosobruchus maculatus seed beetles, tiny but powerful models for evolutionary change, you will track how these surface pheromonal chemicals shift when beetles adapt to different host seeds. Using replicated experimental evolution lines, you’ll test whether ecological challenges drive predictable changes in CHC chemistry and whether these shifts influence how beetles recognize and mate with each other.
If you’re excited about evolutionary genetics, chemical ecology, or the mechanisms of adaptation, this project offers a rare opportunity to track evolutionary change through chemical profile shifts.

You’ll get hands-on experience with:
- Experimental evolution and maintaining selection lines
- Gas-chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry
- Multivariate statistical analysis of complex phenotypes
- Applying evolutionary theory to empirical biological data

This project tackles big evolutionary questions:
- How fast can complex traits evolve?
- Can ecological adaptation reshape chemical communication?
- Can simple host shifts trigger the early stages of reproductive isolation?

Time frame:
This project can be started year-round, start date flexible, project time can be adjusted according to the type of thesis, internship, “Forschungspraktikum” etc.

Requirements:
Self-sufficient, reliable and precise work ethic in the lab. Experience with analytical chemistry software is not required as this will be taught in the project, but some experience with data analysis through statistical programs such as R would be beneficial.

Kontakt: jan.buellesbach@tum.de

More Information

https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/pii/team/dr-jan-buellesbach/