Helena Puche, Ph. D.

Helena Puche, Ph.D.
Adjunct Assitant Professor
UIC Biological Sciences
845 West Taylor Street, SES 3464
Chicago, IL 60607

Office: (630) 935-8081
Fax: (312) 413-2435
Email: hpuche@uic.edu

Research Theme

My line of investigation addresses questions in ecology of long distance seed dispersal, a trait to predict the direction of evolution in plants. My studies can provide new insights into ecological dispersal mechanisms in plants, and how this process leads a species to endangerment, or, alternatively, allow another species to become an aggressive invasive. I am particularly interested on how long distance dispersal affects key ecological and evolutionary processes, such as reproductive fitness, survival, and propagule establishment. As practical applications, my current research aims at understanding the characteristics of dispersal for a federally listed endangered plant, which can lead to scientifically informed recommendations for conservation, and provide guidance in population management techniques, such as translocation, pollination management, and habitat connectivity. The long-term objective of my research is to determine how fast biological populations are able to move away from their place of origin, and how far they can move, survive, and reproduce.

Representative Publications

Smith , K. M., W. B. Karesh, P. Majluf, R. Paredes, C. Zavalaga, , A. Hoogesteijn, M. Stetter, W. E. Braselton, H. Puche, and R. A. Cook. 2008. Health Evaluation of Free-Ranging Humboldt Penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) in Peru. Avian Diseases 52:130-135.
Epsky, N. D., D. Amalin, H. Puche, C. M. Mannion. 2006. Temporal and spatial characterization of infestation of Paratachardina lobata lobata (Hemiptera: Kerridae), a new invasive pest in Florida. Florida Entomologist. 89 (3):367-374.
Kendra, P. E., W. S. Montogomery, D. M. Mateo, H. Puche, N. D. Epsky and R. R. Heath. 2005. Effect of Age on EAG response and attraction of female Anastrepha suspense (Diptera: Tephritidae) to ammonia and carbon dioxide. Environ. Entomol. 34:584-590.
Puche, H., T. J. Weissling, R. Schnell, N. D. Epsky, and R. R. Heath. 2005. Estimating dispersal rate of the silky cane weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Applied Entomology (JEN) 129:293-299.
Puche, H., D. Midgarden, P. Kendra, R. Heath, N. Epsky et al. 2005. Elevation and plant host preference by sterile and fertile Mediterranean fruit flies in the Santa Maria region in Guatemala. FL. Entomol. 88:83-90.
Su, N.-Y., B. M. Stith, H. Puche, and P. Bardunias. 2004. Characterization of tunneling geometry of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) by computer simulation. Sociobiology 44:471-483.
Midgarden, D. G., O. Ovalle , N. D. Epsky, H. Puche, P. E. Kendra, P. Rendon , and R. R. Heath. 2004. Capture of Mediterranean fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in dry traps baited with a food-based attractant to Jackson traps baited with trimedlure during male sterile male release in Guatemala. J. Econ. Entomol. 97: 2137-2143.
Puche, H. and N.-Y Su. 2003. Estimating Population Density of Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) using the Effective Sampling Area of In-ground Monitoring Stations. Bull. Entomol. Res. 94:47-53.
Su, N.-Y. and H. Puche. 2003. Tunneling activity of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in sand with moisture gradients J. Econ. Entomol. 96: 88-93.
Puche, H. and N.-Y Su. 2001. Tunneling formation by Reticulitermes flavipes and C. formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in response to wood in sand. J. Econ. Entomol. 94:1398-1404.
Puche, H. and N.-Y. Su. 2001. Application of fractal analysis for tunnel systems of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) under laboratory conditions. Environ. Entomol. 30:545-549.

Helena
Cirsium pitcheri - Indiana Dunes

Helena
Cirsium arvense - Fullersburg W.

bee
Cirsium pitcheri - Pollinators

pappus
Cirsium pitcheri - Pappus

Marking Thrips

Termites and Fractals