Personal profile
Short presentation
My research work focuses on monitoring and improving the health of insects.
Current Research
I currently work mainly with insects mass-produced for food and feed. Main species include the house cricket (Acheta domesticus), the common mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens).
- Development of bioassays to assess the development of traditional livestock viruses in insects for feed.
- Screening, isolation and production of potential beneficial bacteria for insect health.
- Identification and diagnosis of potential pathogens in mass produced insects. Development of bioassays to study the susceptibility of insects to protozoan, bacterial and fungal pathogenic threats.
Past research
Understanding the factors involved in disease transmission, health and well-being (development and productivity) in Honey Bees and wild bees.
Teaching
I am involved in teaching for various insect taxonomy, animal science and sustainable development courses both in Denmark and abroad.
Education/Academic qualification
Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare, MSc, University of Edinburgh
1 Sept 2004 → 1 Sept 2005
Award Date: 1 Sept 2005
Biological Sciences, BSc (Hons), Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Edinburgh
1 Oct 2000 → 4 Jun 2004
Award Date: 4 Jun 2004
Keywords
- Faculty of Science
- Social evolution
- behavioural sciences
- Former LIFE faculty
- Insect pathology
- Ecology
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
-
Probiotic properties of an indigenous Pediococcus pentosaceus strain on Tenebrio molitor larval growth and survival
Lecocq, A., Natsopoulou, M. E., Berggreen, I., Eilenberg, J., Heckmann, L.-H. L., Nielsen, H. V., Stensvold, C. R. & Jensen, A. B., 2021, In: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed. 7, 6, p. 975-986 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile28 Citations (Scopus)122 Downloads (Pure) -
Hermetia illucens adults are susceptible to infection by the fungus Beauveria bassiana in laboratory experiments
Lecocq, A., Joosten, L., Schmitt, E., Eilenberg, J. & Jensen, A. B., 2021, In: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed. 7, 1, p. 63-68 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile27 Citations (Scopus)243 Downloads (Pure) -
Study of Probiotic-Enriched Diet Effects on Yellow Mealworm Larvae Production at Laboratory and Pilot Scales
Dahal, S., Feyissa, A. H., Queiroz, L. S., Lecocq, A., Amlund, H., Kastberg, K., Lesmes, U. & Casanova, F., 2026, In: Applied Sciences-basel. 16, 4, 20 p., 1800.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure) -
Review: Insect diseases in mass production systems: Risks, prevention, diagnostics and management
Lecocq, A. & Jensen, A. B., 2025, In: Animal. 19, Suppl. 3, 5 p., 101559.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)4 Downloads (Pure) -
BioMoon: a concept for a mission to advance space life sciences and astrobiology on the Moon
Cockell, C. S., Green, D. A., Caplin, N., Grenouilleau, J., McDonald, F. E., Calvaruso, M., Billi, D., Cullen, D. C., Davey, M. P., De Micco, V., Elsaesser, A., Etheridge, T., Gläßer, C., Hellweg, C. E., Ilea, C. S., Lecocq, A., Leys, N., Martin-Torres, J., Nazarious, M. & Pacelli, C. & 9 others, , 2024, In: Discover Space. 128, 23 p., 5.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review › peer-review
Open AccessFile8 Citations (Scopus)26 Downloads (Pure) -
Diseases of black soldier flies Hermetia illucens L. a future challenge for production?
Jensen, A. B. & Lecocq, A., 2024, In: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed. 10, 10, p. 1719-1723Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile12 Citations (Scopus)22 Downloads (Pure) -
Exposure to entomopathogenic fungus and high larval density induce a strong immune response and life-history costs in black soldier fly, a commercially important insect
Opare, L. O., Jensen, A. B., Lecocq, A., Holm, S. & Esperk, T., 2024, In: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 172, 8, p. 710-719Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
6 Citations (Scopus) -
Minor impact of probiotic bacteria and egg white on Tenebrio molitor growth, microbial composition, and pathogen infection
Savio, C., Herren, P., Rejasse, A., Rios, A., Bourelle, W., Bruun-Jensen, A., Lecocq, A., van Loon, J. J. A. & Nielsen-LeRoux, C., 2024, In: Frontiers in Insect Science. 4, 14 p., 1334526.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Citations (Scopus)65 Downloads (Pure)