Georg Petschenka

Prof. Dr. Georg Petschenka is a Professor and Head of the Department of Applied Entomology at the University of Hohenheim's Institute of Phytomedicine. His research focuses on plant-insect interactions, particularly toxin sequestration in herbivorous insects, ecotoxicology of agricultural chemicals, and chemical ecology. He leads courses on insect biology, pest management, and ecological field practices. Notable contributions include studies on monarch butterfly cardenolide dynamics, neonicotinoid impacts on grassland insects, and RNA interference in pest control.

Research interests emphasize how insects adapt to toxic plant compounds, coevolutionary arms races between plants and herbivores, and applications in sustainable agriculture. Recent work highlights the ecological risks of neonicotinoids, innovative pest control methods using RNAi, and the role of artificial stress in crop resilience.

Teaching includes modules on applied entomology, plant protection, and field observation techniques. He actively organizes international symposia on insect-plant relationships and collaborates on projects assessing pesticide efficacy and environmental impacts.