Professor Tariq Butt

Personal Chair, Biosciences

+44 (0) 1792 295374

t.butt@swansea.ac.uk

Academic Office - 142
First Floor
Wallace Building
Singleton Campus

Health Technology And Solutions

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8789-9543

ResearcherID

About

Professor Butt leads the Biocontrol and Natural Products (BANP) group at Swansea University which develops biopesticides from natural products for the control of invertebrate pests that impact on food security, tree health, and human and animal health. He is also co-lead of the Natural Products BioHub and co-director of the Interdisciplinary Research Institute for Health Technology Solutions.

Prof Butt has developed biopesticides (semiochemicals, microbial biocontrol agents) for pest control. His “know how” is used by industry in product development or registration. Some of his IP has been licensed to industry. He also develops innovative pest control strategies which enhance overall pest control. He is also active in “prospecting” for lead compounds from natural sources to develop as therapeutics, nutraceuticals or agrichemicals. Some of the compounds have been patented.

Prof Butt has managed numerous projects funded by different sponsors, including RCUK, Defra, Royal Society, Welsh Government, British Council, EU, and industry. His research benefits many sectors (e.g. agriculture, horticulture, forestry, human and animal health). He conducts both fundamental and applied research. His fundamental research has demonstrated the importance of both immune and stress management genes in protecting insects against fungal pathogens. He is, however, best known for his work on entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). He has helped industry in the development of these natural, widespread fungi for the control of arthropod pests of socioeconomic importance. The work is timely, as EPF offer an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides many (>80%) of which have been withdrawn or restricted in use.

Prof Butt has published over 174 refereed papers in high-ranking journals, 14 book chapters and edited 2 books. He is often invited to give talks at international scientific meetings and has helped organise several scientific conferences. He engages with numerous industries. His networking events have led to new collaborations, consolidation of supply chains and development of new products. He produced high scoring REF Impact case studies for REF2014 and REF2021.

Prof Butt works closely with government agencies on matters related to the risk assessment and registration of biopesticides. He is a member the UK Governments expert committee on pesticides.

Career Highlights

Research

Prof Butt leads the Biocontrol and Natural Products (BANP) Group (see https://www.swansea.ac.uk/bioscience/research-and-impact/banp/). He is active in a number of cross disciplinary research activities including:

Development of Biopesticides

EPF for control of crop pests
EPF for control of vectors of human and animal diseases
Semiochemicals (attractants, repellents) for pest monitoring and control
Strategies enhancing biopesticide efficacy in IPM programmes

Development of EPF as Biostimulants

Stimulating plant growth, helping reduce input of chemical fertilizers
Increasing plant resilience to biotic (e.g. pathogens) and abiotic (e.g. heavy metals, salinity) stress
Elucidating underlying mechanisms in multitrophic interactions

Risk Assessment of EPF

Determining fate of inoculum in the environment
Identifying and monitoring EPF metabolites
Determine impact of EPF on non-target invertebrates
Determining compatibility of EPF with beneficial invertebrates (bees, entomopathogenic nematodes, insect predators)

Evaluating bioactive compounds from natural sources.

Developed thrips attractant based on plant compounds. A product has been commercialised and sold worldwide.
Identified and patented plant compounds with Rentokil Ltd which are highly effective in repelling mosquitoes and ticks.
Identified and patented fungal derived compounds as novo fumigants (killing insects, nematodes, molluscs). Two patents filed by Certis Belchim.

Publications

Research Highlights

Scheepmaker, J., Busschers, M., Sundh, I., Eilenberg, J., & Butt, T. (2019). Sense and nonsense of the secondary metabolites data requirements in the EU for beneficial microbial control agents. Biological Control, 136, 104005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.104005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50794
Alkhaibari, A., Lord, A., Maffeis, T., Bull, J., Olivares, F., Samuels, R., & Butt, T. (2018). Highly specific host-pathogen interactions influence Metarhizium brunneum blastospore virulence against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Virulence, 9(1), 1449-1467.
https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2018.1509665, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43523
Paula, A., Silva, L., Ribeiro, A., Butt, T., Silva, C., & Samuels, R. (2018). Improving the delivery and efficiency of fungus-impregnated cloths for control of adult Aedes aegypti using a synthetic attractive lure. Parasites & Vectors, 11(1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2871-z, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40029
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2871-z
Aydın, T., Branco, M., Güven, Ö., Gonçalves, H., Lima, A., Karaca, İ., & Butt, T. (2018). Significant mortality of eggs and young larvae of two pine processionary moth species due to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 1-15.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2018.1447084, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa38967
Asan, C., Hazir, S., Cimen, H., Ulug, D., Taylor, J., Butt, T., & Karagoz, M. (2017). An innovative strategy for control of the chestnut weevil Curculio elephas (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) using Metarhizium brunneum. Crop Protection, 102, 147-153.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2017.08.021, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35134

All Research

Journal Articles

Wood, M., Bull, J., Kanagachandran, K., & Butt, T. (2024). Development and laboratory validation of a plant-derived repellent blend, effective against Aedes aegypti [Diptera: Culicidae], Anopheles gambiae [Diptera: Culicidae] and Culex quinquefasciatus [Diptera: Culicidae]. PLOS ONE, 19(3), e0299144
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299144, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66086
Gomes, S., Carolino, A., Teodoro, T., Silva, G., Bitencourt, R., Silva, C., Alkhaibari, A., Butt, T., & Samuels, R. (2023). The Potential of Metarhizium anisopliae Blastospores to Control Aedes aegypti Larvae in the Field. Journal of Fungi, 9(7), 759
https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9070759, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64132
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jof9070759
Dearden, A., Wood, M., Frend, H., Butt, T., Allen, W., & DEARDEN, A. (2023). Visual modelling can optimise the appearance and capture efficiency of sticky traps used to manage insect pests. Journal of Pest Science, 96(2)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-023-01604-w, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62758
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10340-023-01604-w
Yavasoglu, S., Wood, M., Alkhaibari, A., Touray, M., & Butt, T. (2023). Potential of 3-octanone as a lure and kill agent for control of the Brown garden snail. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 198, 107920
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2023.107920, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63119
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2023.107920
Wood, M., Kortsinoglou, A., Bull, J., Eastwood, D., Kouvelis, V., Bourdon, P., Loveridge, J., Mathias, S., Meyrick, A., Midthassel, A., Myrta, A., & Butt, T. (2023). Evaluation of Metarhizium brunneum- and Metarhizium-Derived VOCs as Dual-Active Biostimulants and Pest Repellents in a Wireworm-Infested Potato Field. Journal of Fungi, 9(6), 599
https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9060599, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65140
Alkhaibari, A., Wood, M., Yavasoglu, S., Bull, J., & Butt, T. (2023). Optimizing the Application Timing and Dosage ofMetarhizium brunneum(Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) as a Biological Control Agent ofAedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae. Journal of Medical Entomology, 60(2), 339-345.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjac186, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63000
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjac186
Wood, M., Kortsinoglou, A., Khoja, S., Kouvelis, V., Myrta, A., Midthassel, A., Loveridge, J., & Butt, T. (2022). Metarhizium brunneum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) and Its Derived Volatile Organic Compounds as Biostimulants of Commercially Valuable Angiosperms and Gymnosperms. Journal of Fungi, 8(10), 1052
https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8101052, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61805
Wood, M., Alkhaibari, A., & Butt, T. (2022). Stress-Mediated Responses of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae When Exposed to Metarhizium brunneum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) and Toxorhynchites brevipalpis (Diptera: Culicidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 59(5), 1732-1740.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjac110, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61420
Bourdon, P., Zottele, M., Baxter, I., Myrta, A., Midthassel, A., Wechselberger, K., Khoja, S., Bull, J., Hermann, S., & Butt, T. (2022). Fumigation of three major soil pests (Agriotes lineatus, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Phyllopertha horticola) with 3-octanone and 1-octen-3-ol enantiomers. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 32(7), 863-876.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2022.2057436, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60157
Hummadi, E., Cetin, Y., Demirbek, M., Kardar, N., Khan, S., Coates, C., Eastwood, D., Dudley, E., Maffeis, T., Loveridge, J., & Butt, T. (2022). Antimicrobial Volatiles of the Insect Pathogen Metarhizium brunneum. Journal of Fungi, 8(4), 326
https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8040326, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59679
Paula, A., Silva, L., Ribeiro, A., Silva, G., Silva, C., Butt, T., & Samuels, R. (2021). Metarhizium anisopliae blastospores are highly virulent to adult Aedes aegypti, an important arbovirus vector. Parasites & Vectors, 14(1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-05055-z, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58655
Saud, Z., Hitchings, M., & Butt, T. (2021). Nanopore sequencing and de novo assembly of a misidentified Camelpox vaccine reveals putative epigenetic modifications and alternate protein signal peptides. Scientific Reports, 11(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97158-x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58104
Grizanova, E., Coates, C., Butt, T., & Dubovskiy, I. (2021). RNAi-mediated suppression of insect metalloprotease inhibitor (IMPI) enhances Galleria mellonella susceptibility to fungal infection. Developmental & Comparative Immunology, 122, 104126
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2021.104126, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56776
Emery, H., Butt, T., & Coates, C. (2021). Nutraceutical intervention protects against bacterial and chemical-induced gastrotoxicity in a non-mammalian model, Galleria mellonella. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 154, 112354
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2021.112354, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57097
Hummadi, E., Dearden, A., Generalovic, T., Clunie, B., Harrott, A., Cetin, Y., Demirbek, M., Khoja, S., Eastwood, D., Dudley, E., Hazir, S., Touray, M., Ulug, D., Gulsen, S., Cimen, H., & Butt, T. (2021). Volatile organic compounds of Metarhizium brunneum influence the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes in insect control. Biological Control, 155, 104527
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104527, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55947
Saud, Z., Kortsinoglou, A., Kouvelis, V., & Butt, T. (2021). Telomere length de novo assembly of all 7 chromosomes and mitogenome sequencing of the model entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum, by means of a novel assembly pipeline. BMC Genomics, 22(1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-021-07390-y, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57538
Güven, Ö., Aydin, T., Karaca, I., & Butt, T. (2021). Biopesticides offer an environmentally friendly solution for control of pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams) larvae and pupae in urban areas. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 31(1), 35-52.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2020.1826905, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57540
Khoja, S., Eltayef, K., Baxter, I., Myrta, A., Bull, J., & Butt, T. (2020). Volatiles of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum, attract and kill plant parasitic nematodes. Biological Control, 152, 104472
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104472, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55599
Saud, Z. & Butt, T. (2020). Another case of mistaken identity? Vaccinia virus in another live Camelpox vaccine. Biologicals, 65, 39-41.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biologicals.2020.04.002, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54095
Prado, R., Macedo-Salles, P., Duprat, R., Baptista, A., Feder, D., Lima, J., Butt, T., Ratcliffe, N., & Mello, C. (2020). Action of Metarhizium brunneum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) Against Organophosphate- and Pyrethroid-Resistant Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and the Synergistic Effects of Phenylthiourea. Journal of Medical Entomology
https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjz161, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53881
Khoja, S., Eltayef, K., Baxter, I., Bull, J., Loveridge, E., Butt, T., & Loveridge, J. (2019). Fungal volatile organic compounds show promise as potent molluscicides. Pest Management Science, 75(12), 3392-3404.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5578, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51365
Grizanova, E., Coates, C., Dubovskiy, I., & Butt, T. (2019). Metarhizium brunneum infection dynamics differ at the cuticle interface of susceptible and tolerant morphs of Galleria mellonella. Virulence, 10(1), 999-1012.
https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2019.1693230, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52437
Scheepmaker, J., Busschers, M., Sundh, I., Eilenberg, J., & Butt, T. (2019). Sense and nonsense of the secondary metabolites data requirements in the EU for beneficial microbial control agents. Biological Control, 136, 104005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.104005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50794
Alkhaibari, A., Lord, A., Maffeis, T., Bull, J., Olivares, F., Samuels, R., & Butt, T. (2018). Highly specific host-pathogen interactions influence Metarhizium brunneum blastospore virulence against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Virulence, 9(1), 1449-1467.
https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2018.1509665, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43523
Aydın, T., Branco, M., Güven, Ö., Gonçalves, H., Lima, A., Karaca, İ., & Butt, T. (2018). Significant mortality of eggs and young larvae of two pine processionary moth species due to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 1-15.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2018.1447084, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa38967
Alkhaibari, A., Maffeis, T., Bull, J., & Butt, T. (2018). Combined use of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum , and the mosquito predator, Toxorhynchites brevipalpis, for control of mosquito larvae: Is this a risky biocontrol strategy?. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2018.02.003, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa38405
Paula, A., Silva, L., Ribeiro, A., Butt, T., Silva, C., & Samuels, R. (2018). Improving the delivery and efficiency of fungus-impregnated cloths for control of adult Aedes aegypti using a synthetic attractive lure. Parasites & Vectors, 11(1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2871-z, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40029
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2871-z
Asan, C., Hazir, S., Cimen, H., Ulug, D., Taylor, J., Butt, T., & Karagoz, M. (2017). An innovative strategy for control of the chestnut weevil Curculio elephas (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) using Metarhizium brunneum. Crop Protection, 102, 147-153.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2017.08.021, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35134
Silva, L., Paula, A., Ribeiro, A., Butt, T., Silva, C., Samuels, R., & Butt, T. (2017). A new method of deploying entomopathogenic fungi to control adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Journal of Applied Entomology
https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12402, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33679
Sönmez, E., Demir, İ., Bull, J., Butt, T., & Demirbağ, Z. (2017). Pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa, Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae) larvae are highly susceptible to the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium brunneum and Beauveria bassiana. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 27, 1168-1179.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2017.1387643, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35693
Dogan, Y., Hazir, S., Yildiz, A., Butt, T., & Cakmak, I. (2017). Evaluation of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and the effect of Metarhizium brunneum on the predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Biological Control, 111, 6-12.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2017.05.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33680
Alkhaibari, A., Carolino, A., Bull, J., Samuels, R., & Butt, T. (2017). Differential pathogenicity of Metarhizium blastospores and conidia against larvae of three mosquito species. Journal of Medical Entomology, 54(3), 696-704.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjw223, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa31334
Kryukov, V., Yaroslavtseva, O., Whitten, M., Tyurin, M., Ficken, K., Greig, C., Melo, N., Glupov, V., Dubovskiy, I., Butt, T., & Walker (neeWhitten), M. (2017). Fungal infection dynamics in response to temperature in the lepidopteran insect Galleria mellonella. Insect Science
https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.12426, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa31997
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1744-7917.12426/full
Richards, E., Dani, M., Lu, Y., Butt, T., Weaver, R., & Butt, T. (2017). Effect of stress on heat shock protein levels, immune response and survival to fungal infection of Mamestra brassicae larvae. Journal of Insect Physiology, 96, 53-63.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.10.013, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa30893
Alkhaibari, A., Carolino, A., Yavasoglu, S., Maffeis, T., Mattoso, T., Bull, J., Butt, T., & Samuels, R. (2016). Metarhizium brunneum Blastospore Pathogenesis in Aedes aegypti Larvae: Attack on Several Fronts Accelerates Mortality. PLOS Pathogens, 12(7), e1005715
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1005715, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29193
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1005715
Garrido-Jurado, I., Alkhaibari, A., Williams, S., Oatley-Radcliffe, D., Quesada-Moraga, E., Butt, T., Butt, T., & Oatley-Radcliffe, D. (2016). Toxicity testing of Metarhizium conidia and toxins against aquatic invertebrates. Journal of Pest Science, 89(2), 557-564.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-015-0700-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa26785
Dubovskiy, I., Grizanova, E., Whitten, M., Mukherjee, K., Greig, C., Alikina, T., Kabilov, M., Vilcinskas, A., Glupov, V., Butt, T., & Walker (neeWhitten), M. (2016). Immuno-physiological adaptations confer wax moth Galleria mellonella resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis. Virulence, 7(8), 860-870.
https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2016.1164367, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa26752
Greenfield, B., Peace, A., Evans, H., Dudley, E., Ansari, M., & Butt, T. (2015). Identification ofMetarhiziumstrains highly efficacious againstAedes,AnophelesandCulexlarvae. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 25(5), 487-502.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2014.989813, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20081
Abdullah, Z. & Butt, T. (2015). Preferences of the peripheral olfactory system of Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis towards stereoisomers of common plant volatiles. Chemoecology, 25(1), 47-51.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-014-0173-2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20076
Carolino, A., Paula, A., Silva, C., Butt, T., & Samuels, R. (2014). Monitoring persistence of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae under simulated field conditions with the aim of controlling adult Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasites & Vectors, 7(1), 198
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-7-198, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20077
Abdullah, Z., Ficken, K., Greenfield, B., & Butt, T. (2014). Innate Responses to Putative Ancestral Hosts: Is the Attraction of Western Flower Thrips to Pine Pollen a Result of Relict Olfactory Receptors?. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 40(6), 534-540.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-014-0450-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20075
Wilson, R., Richards, R., Hartnell, A., King, A., Piasecka, J., Gaihre, Y., & Butt, T. (2014). A New Approach to Quantify Semiochemical Effects on Insects Based on Energy Landscapes. PLoS ONE, 9(8), e106276
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0106276, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa18313
Greenfield, B., Lord, A., Dudley, E., Butt, T., Dudley, E., Butt, T., & Lord, A. (2014). Conidia of the insect pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae, fail to adhere to mosquito larval cuticle. Royal Society Open Science, 1(2), 140193-140193.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.140193, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa18817
Wilson, R., Grundy, E., Massy, R., Soltis, J., Tysse, B., Holton, M., Cai, Y., Parrott, A., Downey, L., Qasem, L., Butt, T., & Parrott, A. (2014). Wild state secrets: ultra-sensitive measurement of micro-movement can reveal internal processes in animals. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 12(10), 582-587.
https://doi.org/10.1890/140068, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19803
Leulier, F., Dubovskiy, I., Whitten, M., Yaroslavtseva, O., Greig, C., Kryukov, V., Grizanova, E., Mukherjee, K., Vilcinskas, A., Glupov, V., & Butt, T. (2013). Can Insects Develop Resistance to Insect Pathogenic Fungi?. PLoS ONE, 8(4), e60248
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0060248, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14510
Zaragoza, O., Melo, N., Abdrahman, A., Greig, C., Mukherjee, K., Thornton, C., Ratcliffe, N., Vilcinskas, A., & Butt, T. (2013). Myriocin Significantly Increases the Mortality of a Non-Mammalian Model Host during Candida Pathogenesis. PLoS ONE, 8(11), e78905
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078905, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa18308
Folch-Mallol, J., Butt, T., Greenfield, B., Greig, C., Maffeis, T., Taylor, J., Piasecka, J., Dudley, E., Abdulla, A., Dubovskiy, I., Garrido-Jurado, I., Quesada-Moraga, E., Penny, M., Eastwood, D., & Eastwood, D. (2013). Metarhizium anisopliae Pathogenesis of Mosquito Larvae: A Verdict of Accidental Death. PLoS ONE, 8(12), e81686
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0081686, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa30740
Dubovskiy, I., Whitten, M., Kryukov, V., Yaroslavtseva, O., Grizanova, E., Greig, C., Mukherjee, K., Vilcinskas, A., Mitkovets, P., Glupov, V., Butt, T., Walker (neeWhitten), M., Butt, T., & Greig, C. (2013). More than a colour change: insect melanism, disease resistance and fecundity. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280(1763), 20130584-20130584.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.0584, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14615
Dubovskiy, I., Whitten, M., Yaroslavtseva, O., Greig, C., Kryukov, V., Grizanova, E., Mukherjee, K., Vilcinskas, A., Glupov, V., Butt, T., & Walker (neeWhitten), M. (2013). Can Insects Develop Resistance to Insect Pathogenic Fungi?. PLoS ONE, 8(4)
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0060248, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14608
Ansari, M. & Butt, T. (2012). Influence of the application methods and doses on the susceptibility of black vine weevil larvae Otiorhynchus sulcatus to Metarhizium anisopliae in field-grown strawberries. BioControl
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-012-9491-x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa13449
Ansari, M. & Butt, T. (2012). Susceptibility of different developmental stages of large pine weevil Hylobius abietis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to entomopathogenic fungi and effect of fungal infection to adult weevils by formulation and application methods. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 111(1), 33-40.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2012.05.006, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa13450
Ansari, M. & Butt, T. (2012). Evaluation of entomopathogenic fungi and a nematode against the soil-dwelling stages of the crane fly Tipula paludosa. Pest Management Science, 68(10), 1337-1344.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.3338, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa13451
Kouvelis, V., Wang, C., Skrobek, A., Pappas, K., Typas, M., & Butt, T. (2011). Assessing the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of secondary metabolites produced by several fungal biological control agents with the Ames assay and the VITOTOX® test. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 722(1), 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrgentox.2011.01.004, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa908
Ansari, M., Butt, T., & Butt, T. (2011). Effect of potting media on the efficacy and dispersal of entomopathogenic nematodes for the control of black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Biological Control, 110
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2011.05.016, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8411
Ansari, M., Butt, T., & Butt, T. (2011). Effects of successive subculturing on stability, virulence, conidial yield, germination and shelf-life of entomopathogenic fungi.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.04994.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8412
Ansari, M., Pope, E., Carpenter, S., Scholte, E., Butt, T., & Pope, E. (2011). Entomopathogenic Fungus as a Biological Control for an Important Vector of Livestock Disease: The Culicoides Biting Midge. PLoS ONE, 6(1), e16108
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016108, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa907
Shah, F., Greig, C., Hutwimmer, S., Strasser, H., Dyson, P., Carlile, B., & Butt, T. (2010). Evaluation of the effects of the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on microbial populations of disparate plant growing media. Fungal Ecology, 3(3), 185-194.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funeco.2009.08.004, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa910
Ansari, M., Carpenter, S., Butt, T., & Butt, T. (2010). Susceptibility of Culicoides biting midge larvae to the insect-pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae: Prospects for bluetongue vector control. Acta Tropica, 113(1), 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2009.08.022, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7378
Ansari, M., Shah, F., Butt, T., & Butt, T. (2010). The entomopathogenic nematodeSteinernema krausseiandMetarhizium anisopliaework synergistically in controlling overwintering larvae of the black vine weevil,Otiorhynchussulcatus,in strawberry growbags. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 20(1), 99-105.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583150903420031, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7379
Scheepmaker, J., Butt, T., & Butt, T. (2010). Natural and released inoculum levels of entomopathogenic fungal biocontrol agents in soil in relation to risk assessment and in accordance with EU regulations. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 20(5), 503-552.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583150903545035, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7382
Butt, T., Hadj, N., Skrobek, A., Ravensberg, W., Wang, C., Lange, C., Vey, A., Shah, U., & Dudley, E. (2009). Mass spectrometry as a tool for the selective profiling of destruxins; their first identification inLecanicillium longisporum. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 23(10), 1426-1434.
https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.4018, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa909
Ansari, M., Evans, M., Butt, T., & Butt, T. (2009). Identification of pathogenic strains of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi for wireworm control. Crop Protection, 28(3), 269-272.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2008.11.003, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7381
Shah, F., Ansari, M., Watkins, J., Phelps, Z., Cross, J., Butt, T., & Butt, T. (2009). Influence of commercial fungicides on the germination, growth and virulence of four species of entomopathogenic fungi. Biocontrol Science and Technology
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583150903100807, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7383
Ansari, M., Brownbridge, M., Shah, F., Butt, T., & Butt, T. (2008). Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against soil-dwelling life stages of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, in plant-growing media. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 127(2), 80-87.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.2008.00674.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7380
Skrobek, A., Shah, F., & Butt, T. (2008). Destruxin production by the entomogenous fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in insects and factors influencing their degradation. BioControl
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-007-9077-1, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7384
Ansari, M., Shah, F., Butt, T., & Butt, T. (2008). Combined use of entomopathogenic nematodes andMetarhizium anisopliaeas a new approach for black vine weevil,Otiorhynchus sulcatus, control. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.2008.00783.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7385
Medlock J, M., Pietzsch M, E., Rice N V, P., Jones, L., Kerrod, E., Avenell, D., Los, S., Ratcliffe, N., Leach, S., & Butt, T. (2008). Investigation of ecological and environmental determinants for the presence of questing Ixodes ricinus (Acari : Ixodidae) on Gower, South Wales. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY, 45(2), 314-325.
https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585 (2008), SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8000
Ansari M, A., Shah F, A., & Butt, T. (2008). First report of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) from UK.. Nematology, 10(2), 289-291.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8001
Shah F, A., Gaffney, M., Prasad, M., & Butt, T. (2008). Neem seed cake enhances the efficacy of the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae for the control of black vine weevil, Otiorhynuchs sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).. Biological Control, 44(1), 111-115.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocorttrol.2007.09.009, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8002
Gottar, M., Gobert, V., Matskevich, A., Reichhart, J., Wang, C., Butt, T., Belvin, M., Hoffmann, J., & Ferrandon, D. (2006). Dual Detection of Fungal Infections in Drosophila via Recognition of Glucans and Sensing of Virulence Factors. Cell, 127(7), 1425-1437.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2006.10.046, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1491
Wang, C., Typas, M., & Butt, T. (2005). Phylogenetic and Exon?Intron Structure Analysis of Fungal Subtilisins: Support for a Mixed Model of Intron Evolution. Journal of Molecular Evolution, 60(2), 238-246.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-004-0147-z, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1489
Wang, C. & Butt, T. (2005). Colony sectorization of Metarhizium anisopliae is a sign of ageing. Microbiology, 151(10), 3223-3236.
https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.28148-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1490
Wang, C., Shah, F., Patel, N., Zengzhi, L., & Butt, T. (2003). Molecular investigation on strain genetic relatedness and population structure of Beauveria bassiana. Environmental Microbiology, 5(10), 908-915.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1462-2920.2003.00485.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1488
Veronico, P., Sasanelli, N., Troccoli, A., Myrta, A., Midthassel, A., & Butt, T. (n.d.) Evaluation of Fungal Volatile Organic Compounds for Control the Plant Parasitic Nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Plants, 12(10), 1935
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101935, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63602
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12101935
Bourdon, P., Zottele, M., Zafar, Z., Baxter, I., Midthassel, A., Myrta, A., Wechselberger, K., Strasser, H., & Butt, T. (n.d.) Behavioral response of three subterranean pests (Agriotes lineatus, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Phyllopertha horticola) to the fungal volatile organic compounds 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone. Arthropod-Plant Interactions, 17
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-023-09959-8, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63899
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11829-023-09959-8
Dubovskiy, I. & Butt, T. (n.d.) Entomopathogenic Fungi in Biological Plant Protection: The Machinery of Multicomponent System Interactions. Journal of Fungi, 9(8), 825
https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9080825, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64420
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jof9080825

Other Research Outputs

Ratcliffe, N., Mello, C., Garcia, E., Butt, T., & Azambuja, P. (2011). Insect natural products and processes: New treatments for human disease
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.05.007, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8413

Supervision

investigation and phytochemical studied on Solanum incanum in the highland of Taif city, Saudi Arabia (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Joel Loveridge
Developing a push-pull bio-pesticidal strategy to control establishment pests in oilseed rape based on attractant and repellent semiochemicals (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Joel Loveridge
Characterisation and manipulation of urban light environments for fly control. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr William Allen
Optimising the impact of semiochemicals and visual cues for improved monitoring and control of the Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis. (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Joel Loveridge
Development of novel integrated pest management strategies against wireworms (Agriotes spp.) in French corn. (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Mr Robert Wilson

Other supervisor: Prof Rory Wilson
Novel Strategies for the Control of Wireworm in Potato Crops (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof James Bull

Taught Modules

BIO319 Biological Control of Invertebrate Pests

This module presents an overview of the socio-economic impact of major invertebrate pests and the challenges of developing environmentally friendly methods of control which reduce or eliminate dependency on convetional synthetic chemical pesticides. The module is appropriate to a wide range of students. It looks at (in particular) life cycles of major invertebrate pests (of crops plus vectors of human and animal diseases), microbial and microbial biological control agents and strategies to integrate these agents into complex pest management programmes. The module also considers factors which drive the development of biological control agents as well as the problems in developing these agents including the risks they pose. It also involves instruction on preparing a report and in solving analytical questions (as problem solving is claimed to be a strength of Bioscience graduates). Material is presented in lectures and as required reading in the set text.

More about Tariq's Research

Insect immunity

Elucidation of insect immune responses to EPF

Gottar, M., Gobert, V., Matskevich, A. Reichhart, J-M.,Wang, C-S, Butt, T.M., Belvin, M., Hoffmann, J.A*. & Ferrandon, D. 2006 Dual detection of fungal infections in Drosophila via recognition of glucans and sensing of virulence factors. Cell 127: 1425-1437. *Received Nobel Prize for “discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity”
Butt, T. M., Coates, C. J., Dubovskiy, I. M., & Ratcliffe, N. A. (2016). Entomopathogenic Fungi: New Insights into Host‐Pathogen Interactions. In B. Lovett & R. J. St Leger (Eds.), Genetics and Molecular Biology of Entomopathogenic Fungi (pp. 307–364).

Use of waxmoth larvae to evaluate therapeutics
Prospecting for immune modulating compounds from EPF (Cyclosporin and Fingolimod are two immune modulating drugs based on EPF derived compounds)

Publications

Prof Butt has published over 174 peer reviewed articles in international journals. He has published 14 book chapters and co-edited two books.

Butt T.M., Jackson, C. W. & Magan, N. (eds) 2001. Fungi as biocontrol agents: Progress, Problems and Potential. CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, U.K.
Vurro, M., Gressel, J., Butt, T., Harman, G.,. Nuss, D., Sands, D. & St. Leger, R. (eds) 2001.Enhancing Biocontrol Agents and Handling Risks. Volume 339 NATO Science Series: Life and Behavioural Sciences. ISBN: 1 58603 216 X

Supervision

Professor Butt has supervised over 35 PhD and MSc students from different parts of the world.

Professor Tariq Butt

Telephone number

Email address

Research Institutes

Research Links

About

Career Highlights

Research Highlights

All Research

investigation and phytochemical studied on Solanum incanum in the highland of Taif city, Saudi Arabia (current)

Developing a push-pull bio-pesticidal strategy to control establishment pests in oilseed rape based on attractant and repellent semiochemicals (current)

Characterisation and manipulation of urban light environments for fly control. (current)

Optimising the impact of semiochemicals and visual cues for improved monitoring and control of the Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis. (awarded 2023)

Development of novel integrated pest management strategies against wireworms (Agriotes spp.) in French corn. (awarded 2023)

Novel Strategies for the Control of Wireworm in Potato Crops (awarded 2023)

BIO319 Biological Control of Invertebrate Pests