Unlock the Secrets of Wasp Courtship

08.12.2025, Studentische Hilfskräfte, Praktikantenstellen, Studienarbeiten

Solve a 50-Year Mystery! Why do jewel wasp females say “yes” only when males nod? Join us to uncover the hidden pheromone behind wasp courtship using cutting-edge chemical detection and behavioral assays. No chemistry experience needed—just curiosity and precision! Flexible start, thesis/internship options.

Ever wondered how tiny parasitoid wasps communicate love? In the Nasonia jewel wasp, males perform a unique courtship dance—but without their mouthparts, females refuse to mate. For decades, scientists have suspected a hidden male pheromone is the key to female receptivity. Now, with cutting-edge techniques like SPME on-fiber derivatization, we’re closer than ever to solving this 50-year-old mystery.

Your mission:
Help us detect and identify this elusive chemical signal and test its effect on female behavior. You’ll work at the exciting interface of evolutionary chemical ecology, behavioral biology, and analytical chemistry.

What you’ll do:
Collect and analyze volatile compounds from courting wasps
Conduct behavioral assays to test candidate pheromones
Learn advanced chemical detection methods and data analysis

Who we’re looking for:
Curious, reliable, and precise students
Experience with insects or behavioral experiments is a plus
No chemistry background required—we’ll teach you!
Basic R skills for data analysis are helpful

Flexible start date, adaptable project length (thesis, internship, or research practical).
Contact:
Plant Insect Interactions, Evolutionary chemical ecology, TUM, Jan Buellesbach (jan.buellesbach@tum.de)

Kontakt: jan.buellesbach@tum.de