World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Tom Wenseleers

Tom Wenseleers

D-Index & Metrics

Ecology and Evolution

D-Index
56
Citations
14807
World Ranking
2801
National Ranking
33

Overview

Tom Wenseleers is affiliated with KU Leuven in Belgium and focuses their research primarily within the fields of Agricultural and Biological Sciences and Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Their work spans multiple subfields including Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Genetics, Insect Science, Plant Science, and Infectious Diseases.

Their research covers a range of topics, which include:

  • Plant and animal studies
  • Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
  • Insect and Pesticide Research
  • Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
  • Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
  • Plant Parasitism and Resistance

Wenseleers has contributed to several recent papers, notable among them are:

  • "Estimated transmissibility and impact of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 in England," 2021, published in Science
  • "Estimated transmissibility and impact of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 in England," 2020, published in bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • "Predicting and improving complex beer flavor through machine learning," 2024, published in Nature Communications
  • "Population Bottlenecks Strongly Affect the Evolutionary Dynamics of Antibiotic Persistence," 2021, published in Molecular Biology and Evolution
  • "Do microbes have a memory? History-dependent behavior in the adaptation to variable environments," 2022, published in Frontiers in Microbiology

Frequent co-authors collaborating with Wenseleers include:

  • Cíntia Akemi Oi
  • Felix Wäckers
  • Helena Mendes Ferreira
  • Ricardo Caliari Oliveira
  • Rafael Carvalho da Silva

Regarding publication venues, Wenseleers has multiple contributions in:

  • Scientific Reports
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • Evolution Letters
  • Research Square (Research Square)
  • Biology Letters

Best Publications

  • CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN INSECT SOCIETIES

    Francis L.W. Ratnieks;Kevin R. Foster;Tom Wenseleers

  • Inclusive fitness theory and eusociality

    Patrick Abbot;Jun Abe;John Alcock;Samuel Alizon

  • Kin selection is the key to altruism

    Kevin R. Foster;Tom Wenseleers;Francis L.W. Ratnieks

  • Bacterial persistence promotes the evolution of antibiotic resistance by increasing survival and mutation rates

    Etthel Martha Windels;Etthel Martha Windels;Joran Elie Michiels;Joran Elie Michiels;Maarten Fauvart;Tom Wenseleers

  • A general model for the evolution of mutualisms

    Kevin R. Foster;Tom Wenseleers

  • Conserved class of queen pheromones stops social insect workers from reproducing.

    Annette Van Oystaeyen;Ricardo Caliari Oliveira;Luke Holman;Jelle S. van Zweden

  • Comprehensive Bee Pathogen Screening in Belgium Reveals Crithidia mellificae as a New Contributory Factor to Winter Mortality

    Jorgen Ravoet;Jafar Maharramov;Ivan Meeus;Lina De Smet

  • Frequency of antibiotic application drives rapid evolutionary adaptation of Escherichia coli persistence

    Bram Van den Bergh;Joran E. Michiels;Tom Wenseleers;Etthel M. Windels

  • Enforced altruism in insect societies

    Tom Wenseleers;Francis L. W. Ratnieks

  • Comparative Analysis of Worker Reproduction and Policing in Eusocial Hymenoptera Supports Relatedness Theory

    Tom Wenseleers;Francis L. W. Ratnieks

  • Widespread occurrence of honey bee pathogens in solitary bees

    Jorgen Ravoet;Lina De Smet;Ivan Meeus;Guy Smagghe

  • Altruism in insect societies and beyond: voluntary or enforced?

    Francis L. W. Ratnieks;Tom Wenseleers

  • Worker reproduction and policing in insect societies: an ESS analysis.

    Tom Wenseleers;Heikki Helanterä;Adam G. Hart;Francis L.W. Ratnieks

  • The fungal aroma gene ATF1 promotes dispersal of yeast cells through insect vectors.

    Joaquin F. Christiaens;Luis M. Franco;Tanne L. Cools;Luc De Meester

  • Widespread occurrence of the micro-organism Wolbachia in ants

    T. Wenseleers;F. Ito;S. Van Borm;R. Huybrechts

  • Tragedy of the commons in Melipona bees.

    Tom Wenseleers;Francis L W Ratnieks

  • Covert deformed wing virus infections have long-term deleterious effects on honeybee foraging and survival

    Kristof Benaets;Anneleen Van Geystelen;Dries Cardoen;Lina De Smet

  • When Resistance Is Useless: Policing and the Evolution of Reproductive Acquiescence in Insect Societies.

    Tom Wenseleers;Adam G. Hart;Francis L. W. Ratnieks

  • The origin and evolution of social insect queen pheromones: Novel hypotheses and outstanding problems

    Cintia A Oi;Jelle S. van Zweden;Ricardo C Oliveira;Annette Van Oystaeyen

  • Caste fate conflict in swarm-founding social hymenoptera: an inclusive fitness analysis.

    Tom Wenseleers;Francis L.W. Ratnieks;Johan Billen

  • Policing insect societies

    Francis L. W. Ratnieks;Tom Wenseleers

  • Differential proteomics in dequeened honeybee colonies reveals lower viral load in hemolymph of fertile worker bees.

    Dries Cardoen;Ulrich R. Ernst;Matthias Van Vaerenbergh;Bart Boerjan

Frequent Co-Authors

Johan Billen
Johan Billen KU Leuven
Francis L. W. Ratnieks
Francis L. W. Ratnieks University of Sussex
Jan Michiels
Jan Michiels KU Leuven
Patrizia d'Ettorre
Patrizia d'Ettorre Paris 13 University
Vera Lúcia Imperatriz-Fonseca
Vera Lúcia Imperatriz-Fonseca Universidade de São Paulo
Jocelyn G. Millar
Jocelyn G. Millar University of California, Riverside
Kevin R. Foster
Kevin R. Foster University of Oxford
Felix L. Wäckers
Felix L. Wäckers Lancaster University

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

If you’re considering a career related to Ecology and Evolution, there are a range of online degrees and flexible study options available. Many students pursue specialized graduate programs, and bsn to msn programs can be a relevant path for those interested in environmental health or public health aspects of ecology.

For those seeking reputable and flexible education, attending one of the non profit online schools ensures high standards and often more affordable tuition. If you have a military background or require special support, consider an online college for military which provides benefits and resources tailored to service members and veterans.

Interdisciplinary study is increasingly valuable: fields like conservation, community outreach, and mental health offer new opportunities for ecologists. Exploring the best online msw programs can equip you for advocacy roles that intersect social work and environmental change.

Best Scientists Citing Tom Wenseleers

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles