I am broadly interested in the ecology and natural history of insects. My work to date falls within with two main themes; the use of functional traits to understand insect community ecology, and ant invasions, including the optimization of eradication program methods, and the consequences of ant invasion and any subsequent invasive species management. I am very much a field ecologist, and enjoy working within these themes by designing and executing field experiments to test theory in natural settings.

I completed a PhD at the University of Western Australia in 2017 investigating the mechanistic drivers of ant community reassembly during habitat restoration. I have worked as a postdoctoral fellow at JCU since mid-2017, primarily on a project providing science-backed support to the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s yellow crazy ant eradication efforts.

Research Disciplines

• Ecological applications (4102)
• Zoology (3109)
• Health services and systems (4203)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Expanding knowledge (2801)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Connors M, Yeeles P, Lach L and Rentz D (2023) Revision of the genus Calofulcinia Giglio-Tos (Mantodea: Nanomantidae: Fulciniinae) in Australia. Zootaxa, 5296. pp. 333-361
• Lach L, Case D, Yeeles P and Hoskin C (2022) Invasive ants reduce abundance of small rainforest skinks. Biodiversity and Conservation, 31. pp. 739-755
• Lenancker P, Feldhaar H, Holzinger A, Greenfield M, Strain A, Yeeles P, Hoffmann B, Tay W and Lach L (2021) Origin, behaviour, and genetics of reproductive workers in an invasive ant. Frontiers in Zoology, 18.
• Yeeles P, Strain A, Lenancker P and Lach L (2021) Low reduction of invasive ant colony productivity with an insect growth regulator. Pest Management Science, 77 (4). pp. 1626-1632
• Staunton K, Crawford J, Cornel D, Yeeles P, Desnoyer M, Livni J, Holeman J, Mulligan S, Snoad N and Ritchie S (2020) Environmental influences on Aedes aegypti catches in Biogents Sentinel traps during a Californian "rear and release" program: implications for designing surveillance programs. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14 (6).
• Staunton K, Yeeles P, Townsend M, Nowrouzi S, Paton C, Trewin B, Pagendam D, Bondarenco A, Devine G, Snoad N, Beebe N and Ritchie S (2019) Trap location and premises condition influences on Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) catches using Biogents Sentinel traps during a ‘rear and release’ program: implications for designing surveillance programs. Journal of Medical Entomology, 56 (4). pp. 1102-1111
• Yeeles P, Lach L, Hobbs R, van Wees M and Didham R (2017) Woody plant richness does not influence invertebrate community reassembly trajectories in a tree diversity experiment. Ecology, 98 (2). pp. 500-511
• Asfiya W, Yeeles P, Lach L, Majer J, Heterick B and Didham R (2016) Abiotic factors affecting the foraging activity and potential displacement of native ants by the invasive African big-headed ant Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius, 1793) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecological News, 22. pp. 43-54

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Investigating the effects of insecticide exposure, disease and heat stress on bee diversity, abundance and health (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

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