Sow, Ahmadou

Company: Institut Sénégalais de Recherche Agronomique

Position: Researcher

Expert Summary

Dr. Ahmadou Sow is a postdoctoral researcher with nine years of experience in agroecology, insect ecology, and climate–pest interactions. His work integrates field experimentation, molecular biology, ecological modelling, and landscape analysis to better understand pest dynamics and develop sustainable, climate-smart agricultural solutions. He has conducted research across Senegal, France, and international research institutions such as INRAE, CIRAD, CERAAS, and ZALF.

Recognized for his rigorous scientific approach, strong analytical skills (R, GIS), and high-quality scholarly writing, he has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications on pest regulation, biodiversity, and agroecosystem functioning. His research supports improved crop protection, eco-friendly farming practices, and resilient food systems in West Africa and beyond.

Publications

Sow A, Coulibaly M, Mbow M, Loison R, Maïga D, Brévault T (2025) Integrating Landscape Complexity and Agroecological Maize Crop Management to Mitigate Fall Armyworm Incidence in West Africa. Under review in Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. https://doi.org/10.2139/SSRN.5347187

Sow A, Winkelmann J, Aebi A, Brévault T (2025) Local species-specific effect of trees and shrubs on the incidence of the millet head miner, Heliocheilus albipunctella (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). Agric For Entomol. https://doi.org/10.1111/AFE.70008

Maïga DS, Sow A, Coulibaly M, et al (2025) Drivers of cotton yield response to topping in farmers’ fields in Mali. Crop Prot 192:107160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2025.107160

Sow A, Soti V, Thiaw I, Brévault T (2022) Non-crop habitats concurrently drive crop colonization by the millet head miner and regulation by natural enemies. Basic Appl Ecol 64:45–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BAAE.2022.07.001

Streito J-C, Sow A, Genson G, et al (2021) First Record, Elements for Recognition and Barcoding of the Predatory Bug, Orius maxidentex (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), in Senegal. African entomology 29:324–33. https://doi.org/104001/0030290324

Sow A, Haran J, Benoit L, et al (2020) DNA Metabarcoding as a Tool for Disentangling Food Webs in Agroecosystems. Insects 2020, Vol 11, Page 294 11:294. https://doi.org/10.3390/INSECTS11050294

Sow A, Seye D, Faye E, et al (2020) Birds and bats contribute to natural regulation of the millet head miner in tree-crop agroforestry systems. Crop Prot 132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2020.105127

Soti V, Thiaw I, Debaly ZM, et al (2019) Effect of landscape diversity and crop management on the control of the millet head miner, Heliocheilus albipunctella (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by natural enemies. Biol Control 129:115–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOCONTROL.2018.10.006

Sow A, Brévault T, Benoit L, et al (2019) Deciphering host-parasitoid interactions and parasitism rates of crop pests using DNA metabarcoding. Sci Rep 9:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-40243-z

Sow A, Brévault T, Delvare G, et al (2018) DNA sequencing to help identify crop pests and their natural enemies in agro-ecosystems: The case of the millet head miner Heliocheilus albipunctella (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in sub-Saharan Africa. Biol Control. 121:199–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2018.03.007

Education

PhD in Animal Biology (Insect Ecology – Molecular Biology)
UCAD & CIRAD, Senegal — 2019
Master’s Degree in Animal Biology (Entomology)
UCAD & CIRAD, Senegal — 2013

Bachelor of Science in Biology
UCAD, Senegal — 2012

Experience

Fixed-term contract
ISRA – CERAAS, Senegal
Mai 2025 – present

Conduct research on environmental and climatic factors influencing insect pest impact and dispersal.
Identify key ecological drivers to reduce pest damage and support effective crop management strategies.
Developing tools to aid in selecting pest-tolerant varieties for cereals and associated crops.

Postdoctoral Fellow
INRAE – University of Montpellier, France
Feb 2024 – Feb 2025

Conduct research on environmental and climatic factors influencing insect pest dispersal, particularly Bactrocera dorsalis.
Identify key ecological drivers to reduce pest damage and support effective crop management strategies.

Postdoctoral Fellow
CERAAS (Senegal) & ZALF (Germany)
Mar 2022 – Jun 2023

Analyze the influence of landscape and cropping systems on natural pest regulation.
Assess climate impacts on crop yield losses and pest population dynamics.
Provide actionable insights for climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Postdoctoral Fellow
CIRAD – Montpellier, France
Sep 2020 – Dec 2021

Developed climate-smart and sustainable pest management strategies for Spodoptera frugiperda.
Designed agroecological solutions promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Contributed to innovative approaches for sustainable food production.