Theory and empirical work shows that populations on the front wave of range expansions can have some fascinating dynamics that influence the speed of the expansion, and the fitness of the individuals at the expansion front.  Most empirical research on these phenomena, including our own using Tribolium (Szucs et al. 2017 PNAS, Weiss-Lehman et al. 2017 Nat. Comms and 2019 Proc. Roy Soc), has focused on model systems. Now, with USDA NIFA support, PhD student Eliza Clark is studying how these processes play out in nature. We are using a biological control system – Diorhabda beetles were introduced for the biological control of Tamarisk about 20 years ago, and are rapidly spreading from north to south in North America.  We are working closely with Ellyn Bitume (who lead the writing of the grant proposal), Dan Bean at the Colorado Insectary in Palisade (who is the king of all things Diorhabda, and an amazing applied evolutionary ecologist and entomologist), and Paul Hohenloe and Amanda Stalkhe at University of Idaho (genomic expertise extraordinaire).