Research interests

• Ethology and ecology of megachilid bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Megachilinae)
• Snail shells as niche for other taxa
• Studies of alpine communities, primarily arthropods
• Illustrated documentation of middle and southern European animals with emphasis on arthropods

 

 

 

 

Scientific projects

For more than 30 years my studies have been focusing on the ecology and breeding biology of middle European megachilid bees, mainly of the genera Osmia, Anthidium and Megachile. I have also been interested in the
„Entomology“ of snail shells: The exploitation of empty snail-shells by other animal taxa. Predators are responsible for establishing the niche "empty snail-shell". We went as far as doing surveys on cichlids in Lake Tanganjika (Africa) and got involved with the exploitation of empty aquatic snail shells by fish. A further focus of my work over past decades has been the illustrated documentation of middle and southern European animal species, primarily arthropods. My archives, at present, contain more than 50.000 photographs of approximately 2500 animal and 1800 plant species and have resulted in the publication of a series of identification guides and natural history books on European arthropods which are widely available in bookstores.