Forest Zoology Research Unit (URZF)

The URZF, based in Orléans, develops fundamental and applied research on the mechanisms governing insect populations undergoing expansion as a result of human activity and environmental change. Its research objectives are to characterise the genetic, physiological and behavioural responses of invasive or expanding forest insect populations to climate change, to analyse the mechanisms governing the success of biological insect invasions, to measure the ecological and economic risks and, to a lesser extent, to derive monitoring and management tools. The research is based on a multidisciplinary approach involving researchers specializing in entomology, ecology, genetics, physiology and applied mathematics.

Facilities and main equipment:

• The quarantine laboratory ≪ Insects ≫ (containment level NS1 or NS2) to study the biological characteristics of potentially invasive exotic insects, was commissioned in 2010, and re-homologated in 2019.
• The "Urtilab" coontainmentlaboratory, dedicated and adapted to the study of stinging insects, is currently under construction (CPER funding) and it will be operationalin 2024.
• Molecular biology laboratory (for sequencing and genotyping) with access to sequencers on the INRAE Ardon site.
• Climatic chambers with a wide range of temperatures for different insect modalities
• X-ray generators for the detection of insect seed pests and X-rays of pupae
• 4 ha nursery on the Ardon site (2000 forest trees, mainly conifers)