Verdier Maxime

I am a researcher in ecology, entomology, and microbiology, with a particular interest in plant pathogens transmitted by insect vectors and the mechanisms of communication among insects. My work has focused on viral manipulation, specifically through the study of behavioral changes induced in aphid vectors by phytoviruses, to understand strategies that enhance viral transmission. I have investigated vector transmission behaviors and identified viral factors that modulate these behaviors.

Currently, my research focuses on insect-insect interactions, particularly kin recognition and mate choice. To address these questions, I combine behavioral experiments under controlled laboratory conditions with transcriptomic analyses to identify the molecular bases and genes involved in these behaviors. My biological models include the parasitoid wasp Venturia canescens and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.