Folks in my lab work on the ecology and evolution of plants and insects. Although we work on a variety of different topics, we share an enthusiasm for understanding how the traits of these organisms influence their individual interactions, and how those interactions in turn influence patterns at the scales of populations and communities. Among other topics, we study the evolution of plant defense and growth strategies, causes and consequences of herbivore movement, density dependence and population dynamics, and how plant and herbivore communities are influenced by each other. Our main focus is on understanding basic natural processes, but we also all share an interest in how our research relates to conservation and the management of natural and agricultural systems. Some of our work is in natural systems such as montane meadows in Colorado and forests and old-fields in north Florida, and some of our projects focus on agricultural crops (e.g. tomato, potato, kale and garlic). One major current effort is The Phenology Project (https://rmblphenologyproject.weebly.com/), in which we are using long-term data and current demographic studies to look at phenological responses of plants and insects to climate and fitness and productivity consequences of phenological shifts with climate change. Other current/recent projects include work on spatial neighborhood effects mediated by herbivores and pollinators in both natural and agricultural systems, looking at effects of timing and intensity of fire on plants and insects, and helping to lead a global network on variability in insect herbivory.