Hans Smid

Hans Smid is a researcher at Wageningen University & Research working in the Laboratory of Entomology. He holds a doctorate and serves as a research supervisor and collaborator on multiple projects focusing on insect behavior, particularly parasitoid wasps and their interactions with host plants and insects.

Dr. Smid's research focuses on several key areas in entomology and insect neuroscience:

• Parasitoid wasp behavior and biological control applications
• Olfactory learning and memory in insects
• Neural mechanisms underlying insect behavior
• Plant-insect interactions, particularly in agricultural contexts
• Neuroethology of small-brained insects
• Brain size evolution in parasitic wasps

His recent work shows a strong emphasis on understanding how insects like Pieris brassicae butterflies and Cotesia glomerata wasps use olfactory cues in their foraging and oviposition behaviors. This research has important implications for developing more sustainable agricultural practices through biological control methods, as evidenced by his 2024 publication on strawberry cultivation and parasitic wasp attraction.

Dr. Smid's research has generated significant attention, with his work being picked up by 4 news outlets, posted by 9 X users, and shared on Facebook pages, indicating broad interest in his findings. His publications have accumulated readers on Mendeley and citations in Scopus.

As a research supervisor, Dr. Smid has guided multiple PhD students including J. de Bruijn and J. Groothuis through their doctoral work. His collaborative approach is evident in the numerous multi-investigator projects he participates in, often working alongside colleagues like Marcel Dicke and Louise Vet. Current active projects include 'Apport, parasitic wasps as biodetectors' and 'Smart parasitoids: effective biological control.'

Dr. Smid maintains an active research profile with continuous output, including multiple publications in 2024. His work bridges basic research on insect behavior with practical agricultural applications, demonstrating the real-world impact of entomological research.