Current research
My current research focuses on the identification of behaviour-modifying chemicals and the associated olfactory receptors (ORs) that encode host specificity in the codling moth Cydia pomonella. I use gas chromatography coupled to single sensillum recording (SSR), gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and antennal electrophysiology (GC-EAD), and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) methods to identify novel ligands of codling moth odorant receptors. As a postdoctoral fellow I am working with Marie Bengtsson and Peter Witzgall and the project is funded by Formas (2021-2025).
Previous research
During my PhD, I studied the biosynthesis and degradation of chlorophyll precursors using fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy.
Over time, my focus expanded to plant-herbivore-microbiome interactions and the volatile cues mediating them, and I began working at the Plant Protection Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. I studied olfactory and behavioural differences between seasonal morphs of Drosophila suzukii.
I have also been involved in several research projects focusing on other invasive and emerging pests, including the identification of sex pheromones of Duponchelia fovealis, the identification of repellents against the boxwood moth Cydalima perspectalis and repellents against the fungus gnat Lycoriella ingenua.
As a visiting researcher in the Department of Plant Protection Biology, I investigated the field control of Drosophila suzukii using specific yeast-based lures in an attract and kill system. I also worked with Teun Dekker on the mechanism of pest suppression in the Desmodium-maize push-pull intercropping system.
Together with Björn Bohman I coordinate and teach PhD course on Analytical methods in Chemical Ecology since 2022. I also tought practical classes in Kemi, ekologi och statistik and supervise student projects and thesis works at the course Chemical Ecology for Sustainable Insect Pest Control.
Since 2022: Postdoctoral researcher at the Chemical Ecology - Horticulture group of Department of Plant Protection Biology, SLU Alnarp.
2021-2022: research fellow at the Plant Protection Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
2020-2021: visiting researcher at the Chemical Ecology - Horticulture group Department of Plant Protection Biology, SLU Alnarp
2017-2021: assistant research fellow at the Plant Protection Institute of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest
2021: PhD in Environmental biology (summa cum laude) at the Plant Biology at the Eötvös Lorand University, Budapest
2014-2016: phytotechnologist Biopolus – Living Island, aeroponic plant factory , Budapest, Hungary
2014: Climate KIC- Pioneers into Practice at Botanical Gardens of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
2014: Biology MSc, plant biology specialisation, graduated with Honours, Eötvös Lorand University, Budapest
2012: Biology BSc, graduated with Honours, Eötvös Lorand University, Budapest
Kecskeméti, S., Erdei A. L., Simon J., Kiss B. & Molnár B. P. (2025). Oviposition behaviour of Walnut husk fly (Rhagoletis completa) on dead-end host, European quince (Cydonia oblonga). Scientific Reports, in press
Cattaneo, A. M., Kwadha, C. A., Pullmann-Lindsley, H., Erdei, A. L., Pitts, R. J., & Walker III, W. B. (2025). Functional characterization of a female-biased chemoreceptor of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) responding to aldehydes and other volatile compounds. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 51(2), 28.
Erdei, A. L., Sousa, M., Gonzalez, F., Bengtsson, M., & Witzgall, P. (2025). Host Plant Odour and Sex Pheromone are Integral to Mate Finding in Codling Moth. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 51(1), 13.
Erdei, A. L., David, A. B., Savvidou, E. C., Dzemedzionaite, V., Chakravarthy, A., Molnar, B. P., & Dekker, T. (2024). The push-pull intercrop Desmodium does not repel, but intercepts and kills pests. Elife
Szelényi M. O., Erdei A. L., Molnár B. P., Tholt G. (2024) Antennal olfactory sensitivity and its age-dependence in the hemimetabolous insect Metcalfa pruinosa. Journal of applied entomology
Moustafa, M. A., Fouad, E. A., Ibrahim, E., Erdei, A. L., Kárpáti, Z., & Fónagy, A. (2023). The Comparative Toxicity, Biochemical and Physiological Impacts of Chlorantraniliprole and Indoxacarb on Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Toxics, 11(3), 212.
Sousa, M., Mulaosmanovic, E., Erdei, A. L., Bengtsson, M., Witzgall, P., & Alsanius, B. W. (2023). Volatilomes reveal specific signatures for contamination of leafy vegetables with Escherichia coli O157: H7. Food Control, 146, 109513.
Erdei, A. L., Szelényi, M. O., Deutsch F., Rikk P., Molnár P. B. (2022) Lure design for Drosophila suzukii based on liquid culture of fruit epiphytic yeasts: Comparing the attractivity of fermentation volatiles for seasonal morphs. Journal of Applied Entomology.
Kecskeméti, S., Szelényi, M. O., Erdei, A. L., Geösel, A., Fail, J., & Molnár, B. P. (2020). Fungal volatiles as olfactory cues for female fungus gnat, Lycoriella ingenua in the avoidance of mycelia colonized compost. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 46(10), 917-926.
Mbaluto, C.M., Ayelo, P.M., Duffy, A.G., Erdei, A. L., Tallon A. K. Xia, S., Caballero-Vidal G., Spitaler, U., Szelényi, M. O. Duarte, G. A., Walker, W. B. & Becher, P. G. (2020) Insect chemical ecology: chemically mediated interactions and novel applications in agriculture. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 14, 671–684 (2020).
Szelényi, M. O., Erdei, A. L., Jósvai, J. K., Radványi, D., Sümegi, B., Vétek, G., & Kárpáti, Z. (2020). Essential oil headspace volatiles prevent invasive box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) oviposition—Insights from electrophysiology and behaviour. Insects, 11(8), 465.
Erdei, A. L., Kósa, A., & Böddi, B. (2019). Distinct UV-A or UV-B irradiation induces protochlorophyllide photoreduction and bleaching in dark-grown pea (Pisum sativum L.) epicotyls. Photosynthesis research, 140(1), 93-102.
Molnár, P. B., Bognár, C., Erdei, A. L., Fujii, T., Vági, P., Jósvai, J. K., & Kárpáti, Z. (2018). Identification of the Female-Produced Sex Pheromone of an Invasive Greenhouse Pest, the European Pepper Moth (Duponchelia fovealis). Journal of chemical ecology, 44(3), 257-267.
Erdei, A. L., Kósa, A., Kovács-Smirová, L., & Böddi, B. (2016). Wavelength-dependent photooxidation and photoreduction of protochlorophyllide and protochlorophyll in the innermost leaves of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). Photosynthesis research, 1-11.