Faculté des sciences · Institut de biologie · Laboratory of Functional Ecology · Iván Juliá Brunat

Institut de biologie

Laboratory of Functional Ecology

Iván-Juliá-Brunat
Postdoc

ivan.julia@unine.ch
D224

Website
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5771-7455

PhD in biodiversity, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 2024
MSc in terrestrial ecology and biodiversity management, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 2019

Research 
My research has focused on exploring the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biological control agents against insect pests in agriculture. During my PhD thesis, I specifically investigated control strategies using EPNs against the truffle beetle Leiodes cinnamomeus, the most significant pest in black truffle plantations, responsible for up to 60–70% of economic losses in some plantations.

My thesis expanded my interest in further exploring the tritrophic interactions among plant/fungal hosts, insect pests, and EPNs. There are multiple scientific and practical reasons that make this line of research particularly promising:

  • The host-seeking behaviour of EPNs is strongly mediated by chemical cues in the soil (CO₂, insect-derived volatiles, plant-induced compounds). Understanding how plants or fungi interact with nematodes when attacked by insect pests has important value for integrated pest management, and can reveal novel ecological interactions with implications for sustainable production.
  • The learning capacity of EPNs when exposed to key volatiles may influence their behaviour under field conditions and ultimately affect their efficacy. Understanding this process could be important for improving future field applications.

Main thematics

  • Biological pest control
  • Entomopathogenic nematodes
  • Tritrophic interactions (Plant/fungus host – Insect pest – Natural enemies)
  • Chemical ecology
  • Applied entomology
  • Ecosystem functions

 Ongoing projects
2025-2027

Advancing towards integrated management of the truffle beetle in Teruel project, in collaboration with the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the Agri-Food Research and Technology Centre of Aragon, the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, the University of Alicante, and the Teruel Truffle Growers Association – Field assays in black truffle plantations using entomopathogenic nematodes against the different stages of the truffle beetle Leiodes cinnamomeus.

Teaching

  • 140 hours of laboratory practices in zoology to BSc students at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, 2020-2024.
  • Student supervision (MSc).

Collaborations

  • Transfer contract between the Teruel Truffle Growers Association (ATRUTER) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (4,901€) (10/2020-04/2021). Isolation and identification of entomopathogenic nematodes in truffle plantations in Teruel.
  • Member of the local organizing committee for the “Celebrating 100 Years of the 1st EPN Discovery“ international congress held in Logroño, Spain (10-12/04/2024).

Prizes and awards

3rd Award for the best Oral Communication at the XII National Congress of Applied Entomology. Málaga, Spain (03-07/10/2022).

 Grants

Research scholarship during the 4th year of the Bachelor’s degree (Spanish Ministry of Education). To encourage undergraduate students to begin collaborating with research departments (01/10/2017-31/07/2018) (2000€).

Publications

Julià, I., de Herrera, M. S., Morton, A., & Garcia-del-Pino, F. (2025). Efficacy of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora against diapausing larvae of the truffle beetle, Leiodes cinnamomeus. Journal of Applied Entomology, 149: 1105-1108 https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13441

Julià, I. (2024). Biological control of the truffle beetle Leiodes cinnamomeus Panzer (Coleoptera: Leiodidae), using entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae). [Doctoral dissertation, Autonomous University of Barcelona]. UAB Digital Repository. https://ddd.uab.cat/record/300969

Julià, I., Hiltpold, I., Morton, A., & Garcia-del-Pino, F. (2024). Attraction of entomopathogenic nematodes to black truffle and its volatile organic compounds: A new approach for truffle beetle biocontrol. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 108077.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2024.108077

Julià, I., de Herrera, M. S., Morton, A., Garriga, A., Tapia, D., Navarro-Rocha, J., & Garcia-del-Pino, F. (2024). Compatibility of entomopathogenic nematodes and essential oils: A new step for integrated pest management of the truffle beetle. Biological Control, 105462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105462

Julià, I., Morton, A., & Garcia-del-Pino, F. (2023). Natural occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema and Heterorhabditis) and Pristionchus nematodes in black truffle soils from Spain. Journal of Helminthology, 97, e76. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X23000615

Julià, I., Morton, A., & Garcia-del-Pino, F. (2023). The development of the truffle beetle Leiodes cinnamomeus at low temperature, a determining factor for the susceptibility of adults and larvae to entomopathogenic nematodes. Biological Control, 180, 105197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2023.105197

Julià, I., Morton, A., Roca, M., & Garcia-del-Pino, F. (2020). Evaluation of three entomopathogenic nematode species against nymphs and adults of the sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata. BioControl, 65, 623-633. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-020-10045-8.org/10.5169/seals-1055124