PhD student at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge; studying biomechanics and evolution of insect-plant interactionshttps://bsky.app/profile/ritabrata1907.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/ritabrata1907.bsky.social/post/3m3kt2lpnrs2wLast day to submit abstracts for the Cambridge University Entomological Society symposium is tomorrow! Please send your abstracts to entosoc@cambridgesu.co.uk!! @royentsoc.bsky.social @frankendodo.bsky.social @britentsoc.bsky.social @camzoology.bsky.social @zoologymuseum.bsky.social [contains quote post or other embedded content]19 Oct 2025 17:25 +0000at://did:plc:7jbcqf6balllx4jiddntqfkc/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3kt2lpnrs2whttps://bsky.app/profile/ritabrata1907.bsky.social/post/3lzo6minirk2hThe Cambridge University Entomological Society is hosting a symposium on ”The good, the bad, and the monstrous: insects in mythology, literature and media”, at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, on 20th November 2025. Huge thanks to @royentsoc.bsky.social for supporting us!25 Sep 2025 14:40 +0000at://did:plc:7jbcqf6balllx4jiddntqfkc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzo6minirk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/ritabrata1907.bsky.social/post/3lxpizthhfs2wHad an amazing time at @behaviour2025.bsky.social in Kolkata! Got to see soo much diverse and cool research in the fields behavioural and integrative ecology and meet so many brilliant researchers. Thanks to all the organisers! Lastly, thanks to @biologists.bsky.social for funding my travel!31 Aug 2025 16:28 +0000at://did:plc:7jbcqf6balllx4jiddntqfkc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxpizthhfs2whttps://bsky.app/profile/ritabrata1907.bsky.social/post/3lssxfirqvc24Happy to share the Naked Scientists' article on my recent paper. Huge thanks to Chris Smith for interviewing me! Also, massive thanks to @camzoology.bsky.social, @biology.ox.ac.uk and @britentsoc.bsky.social for supporting this work! The link: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/bribing-caterpillar-sparks-evolutionary-arms-race30 Jun 2025 10:17 +0000at://did:plc:7jbcqf6balllx4jiddntqfkc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lssxfirqvc24https://bsky.app/profile/ritabrata1907.bsky.social/post/3lr65r24bt227Happy to share the first paper from my PhD! We report the discovery of a new insect-plant interaction from Borneo, where one ant-plant has evolved sharp hooked trichomes to pierce and kill lycaenid caterpillars. However, one specialist can survive and has a counter-defence! https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2025.000509 Jun 2025 10:20 +0000at://did:plc:7jbcqf6balllx4jiddntqfkc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lr65r24bt227https://bsky.app/profile/ritabrata1907.bsky.social/post/3lljbdofwb22xHappy to share my first major PhD work, where we show that Heliconiini caterpillars have developed more puncture resistant cuticle as a counter-adaptation against sharp Passiflora trichomes. However, we also show that the trichomes affect post ingestion, suggesting that the arms-race continues! [contains quote post or other embedded content]29 Mar 2025 11:52 +0000at://did:plc:7jbcqf6balllx4jiddntqfkc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lljbdofwb22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/ritabrata1907.bsky.social/post/3ll2mwz2spc2tHad an amazing time presenting at the @britentsoc.bsky.social Annual Member's Day yesterday at the @morethanadodo.bsky.social . Very inspiring talks, amazing people and lots of interesting conversations. Huge thanks to @pselaphacus.bsky.social and the @britentsoc.bsky.social for the opportunity!23 Mar 2025 16:10 +0000at://did:plc:7jbcqf6balllx4jiddntqfkc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ll2mwz2spc2t