Degree in Biological Sciences and PhD in Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Conservation. FB is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology at the University of Turin. She teaches General Zoology for the Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences, and Evolution of Eusociality for the Master’s Degree in Animal and Human Behaviour Evolution.

FB’s research is primarily focused on the study of communication signals in multitrophic interactions involving insects and other arthropods, plants, or microorganisms. Another significant area of her research is the biology and conservation of hymenopterans, particularly ants.

FB coordinates the Sustainable Development and Cooperation PhD program and is an active member of several scientific societies. She participates in various scientific and organizational committees for both national and international conferences. She is a founding member of the Associazione Lepidotterologica Italiana and serves on the Inter-departmental Centre for Innovation in Agro-environmental Fields (AGROINNOVA). FB is also an Associate Editor for the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity.

Among the grants she has received, the most prestigious is the project, funded by the Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSP), “Good vibes: how do plants recognise and respond to pollinator vibroacoustic signals?” for which FB is the principal investigator.

Selected Publications:

Riva F., Barbero F.*, Balletto E., Bonelli S. 2023. Combining environmental niche models, multi-grain analyses, and species traits identifies pervasive effects of land use on butterfly biodiversity across Italy. Global Change Biology, 29 (7), 1715-1728. *corresponding author

Skowron Volponi M., Casacci L.P., Volponi P., Barbero F. 2021. Southeast Asian clearwing moths buzz like their model bees. Frontiers in Zoology, 18 (1), art. no. 35.

Barbero F., 2016. Cuticular Lipids as a Cross-Talk among Ants, Plants and Butterflies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 17: 1-19.

Patricelli D. & Barbero F., Occhipinti A., Bertea C.M, Bonelli S., Casacci L.P., Zebelo S.A., Crocoll C., Gershenzon J., Maffei M.E., Thomas J.A., Balletto E., 2015. Plant defenses against ants provide a pathway to social parasitism in butterflies. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 282: 20151111. Co-first author.

Barbero F., Thomas J.A., Bonelli S., Balletto E., Schönrogge K., 2009. Queen ants make distinctive sounds that are mimicked by a butterfly social parasite. Science. 323: 782-785.