Basic Information:
Specialization: invasive insects, urban insects, population genetics, evolutionary biology, pest management
E-mail: shupingt@ntu.edu.tw
Phone: +886-2-3366-5575
Laboratory: Laboratory of Invasive and Urban Insect Genetics (Room 709, MK Innovation Building)
Laboratory website: https://www.shupingtseng.com
Education:
Ph.D., Agricultural Science, Kyoto University, Japan (Oct. 2016–Mar. 2020)
M.S., Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan (Sep. 2009–Jan. 2012)
B.S., Life Science, Tzu Chi University, Taiwan (Sep. 2005–Jun. 2009)
Professional Appointments:
Aug. 2022–present Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
Aug. 2020–Jun. 2022 Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, USA
Research interests:
Invasion biology and the genetics and ecology of urban insects
Evolutionary biology, population genetics, and molecular evolution
Insect-associated microbes and nutritional ecology
Social insects and behavioral ecology
Application of molecular genetic tools to pest management
2025 Outstanding Paper Award for Female Researcher, Taiwan Corning and the Society of Taiwan Women in Science and Technology
2025 Best Paper Award, Myrmecological News (for Chen et al. 2024)
2023–present Ministry of Education Yushan Young Scholar, Taiwan
2025–2026 Council Member, Taiwan Entomological Society
2023–2024 Director of Academic and International Affairs, Taiwan Entomological Society
Links:
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0953-5031
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shu-Ping-Tseng
Publications:
35. Kuo C-Y, Tseng S. P., (2026) Resolving the paradox of local warning signal diversity: a framework for hypothesis testing. Functional Ecology. (Accepted.)
34. Hsu, P. W., Sosa-Calvo, J., Tseng, S. P., Yamane, S., Hsu, F. C., Wetterer, J. K., Schultz, T. R., Lin, C. C., Dobata, S.*, Yang, C. C. S.* (2025) Admixture between lineages of the tramp ant Technomyrmex albipes revealed by mitochondrial and ultra-conserved element sequencing. NeoBiota, vol. 101, 135-159.
33. Chu, H. Y., Fang, Y. T., Lin, T. H., Chen, J. T. C., Tseng, S. P. * (2025) Insights into social organization and population genetics of introduced Odontomachus troglodytes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Taiwan. Myrmecological News, vol. 35: 265-279.
32. Chen, J. T. C., Nelson, L., Rugman-Jones, P., Tseng, S. P., Sutherland, A. M., Choe, D. H., Haverty, M., Lee, C. Y.* (2025) Description of a new species of subterranean termite in the genus Reticulitermes (Blattodea: Heterotermitidae) from southern California. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, vol. 118, 315-330.
31. Liu, F. L. C., Tseng, S. P., Lin, C. C., Yang, C. C. S. (2025) Advancing invasive ant management: innovative and targeted strategies. Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research, vol. 74, 113-128.
30. Chen, J. T. C., Hsu, F. C., Tseng, S. P.* (2025) Isolation and characterization of novel microsatellite markers for the invasive ant pest Dolichoderus thoracicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Insect Science, vol. 25, 1-7.
29. Lau, A., Tseng, S.-P., Karraker, N. E., Dudgeon, D. (2025) Genetic diversity and interpopulation variability of the Hong Kong newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) in an urbanized and deforested landscape. Ecology and Evolution, vol. 15, e70849.
28. Hsu, F. C., Chen, J. T. C., Yamada, A., Hsiao, Y., Ho, C. K., Lin, C. C., Oguri, E., and Tseng, S. P. (2025) Hidden invaders: Intraspecific cryptic invasion and hybridization of Dolichoderus thoracicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Taiwan. Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 118, 320-328.
27. Le, B., Campbell, K., Park, H, Tseng, S. P., Pandey, R., Simmons, G. S., Henderson, R., Gispert, C., Rust, M. K., Lee, C. Y., Karimzadeh, R., Park, Y. L., and Choe, D. H. (2024) Field evaluations of biodegradable boric acid hydrogel baits for the control of Argentine ants: Promising results in vineyards and citrus orchards. California Agriculture, vol. 78, 1-9.
26. Chen, J. T. C., Chung, F. Y., Fang, Y. T., Hsu, F. C., Lin, C. C., and Tseng, S. P. (2024) Trophic-egg transfer in the black cocoa ant Dolichoderus thoracicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and other dolichoderine ants in Taiwan. Myrmecological News, vol. 34, 105-117.
25. Tseng, S. P., Lee, S. H., Choe, D. H., and Lee, C. Y. (2024) Overexpression of cytochrome P450 gene CYP6K1 is associated with pyrethroid resistance in German cockroaches (Blattodea: Ectobiidae) from California. Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 117, 1071–1076.
24. Tseng, S. P., Nelson, L. J., Hubble, C. W., Sutherland, A. M., Haverty, M. I., and Lee, C. Y. (2023) Phylogenetic analyses of Reticulitermes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) from California and other western states: multiple genes confirm undescribed species identified by cuticular hydrocarbons. Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 116, 2135-2145.
23. Peng, M. H., Liu, K. L., Tsai, C. Y., Shiodera, S., Haraguchi, T. F., Itoh, M., Tseng, S. P., Yang, C. C. S., Singham, G. V., Tay, J. W., and Neoh, K. B. (2023) Urbanization influences the trophic position, morphology, and colony structure of invasive African big-headed ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Taiwan. Myrmecological News, vol. 33, 197-209
22. Lum, J. Y., Chiu, M. C., Tseng, S. P., Yang, C. C. S., and Lee, C. Y. (2023) Anthropogenic influence on the distribution of the longlegged ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 116, 520-528.
21. Rust, M. K., Lee, C. Y., Park, H. E., Campbell, K., Choe, D. H., Sorensen, M., Sutherland, A., Hubble, C., Nobua-Behrmann, B., Kabashima, J., Tseng, S. P., and Post, L. (2023). The potential of fluralaner as a bait toxicant to control pest yellowjackets in California. Insects, vol. 14, 1-14.
20. Tseng, S. P., Darras, H., Hsu, P. W., Yoshimura, T., Lee, C. Y., Wetterer, J. K., Keller, L., and Yang, C. C. S. (2023) Genetic analysis reveals the putative native range and widespread double-clonal reproduction in the invasive longhorn crazy ant. Molecular Ecology, vol. 32, 1020–1033.
19. Liu, K. L., Tseng, S. P., Tatsuta, H., Tsuji, K., Tay, J. W., Singham, G. V., Yang, C. C. S., and Neoh, K. B. (2022) Population genetic structure and invasion history of the globally-introduced big-headed ant in Taiwan. Ecology and Evolution, vol. 12, e9660
18. Hsu, P. W., Lee, C. C., Hsu, F. C., Tseng, S. P., Shih, C. H., Yang, C. C. S., and Lin, C. C. (2022). Invasion of the little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Taiwan. BioInvasions Records, vol. 11, 864‒875.
17. Tseng, S. P., Taravati, S., Choe, D. H., Rust, M., and Lee, C. Y. (2022). Genetic evidence for multiple invasions of Coptotermes formosanus (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in California. Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 115, 1251-1256.
16. Hsu, F. C., Tseng, S. P., Hsu, P. W., Lu, C. W., Yang, C. C. S., and Lin, C. C. (2022) Introduction of a non-native lineage is linked to the recent black cocoa ant Dolichoderus thoracicus (Smith, 1860) outbreaks in Taiwan. Taiwania, vol. 67, 271‒279.
15. Tseng, S. P., Boone, J., Boone, L., King, N., Taravati, S., Choe, D. H., and Lee, C. Y. (2021). Genetic analysis of Formosan subterranean termite (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) populations in California. Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 114, 1264-1269.
14. Wikantyoso, B., Tseng, S. P., Himmi, S. K., Yusuf, S., and Yoshimura, T. (2021). Morphometric analysis of Coptotermes spp. soldier caste (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in Indonesia and evidence of Coptotermes gestroi extreme head-capsule shapes. Insects, vol. 12, 1-24.
13. Lee, C. C., Lin, C. Y., Tseng, S. P., Matsuura, K., and Yang, C. C. S. (2020). Ongoing coevolution of Wolbachia and a widespread invasive ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes. Microorganisms, vol. 8, 1-17.
12. Tseng, S. P., Hsu, P. W., Lee, C. C., Wetterer, J. K, Sylvain, H., Wu, L. H., Lee, C. Y., Yoshimura, T., and Yang, C. C. S. (2020). Evidence for common horizontal transmission of Wolbachia among ants and ant crickets: kleptoparasitism added to the list. Microorganisms, vol. 8, 1-11.
11. Hsu, P. W., Hugel, S., Wetterer, J. K., Tseng, S. P., Ooi, C. S. M., Lee, C. Y., and Yang, C. C. S. (2020). Ant crickets (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) associated with the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): evidence for cryptic species and potential co-introduction with hosts. Myrmecological News, vol. 30, 103-129.
10. Lee, Y., Lin, J. ‐W., Tseng, S. P., Chen, T. S., and Lin, S. M. (2019). Human disturbance as a possible cause of genetic introgression from exotic into native Mauremys turtles. Animal Conservation, vol. 22, 556-567.
9. Tseng, S. P., Wetterer, J. K., Suarez, A.V., Lee, C. Y., Yoshimura, T., Shoemaker, D., and Yang, C. C. S. (2019). Genetic diversity and Wolbachia infection patterns in a globally distributed invasive ant. Frontiers in Genetics, vol. 10, 838.
8. Tseng, S. P., Darras, H., Lee, C. Y., Yoshimura, T., Keller, L., and Yang, C. C. S. (2019). Isolation and characterization of novel microsatellite markers for a globally distributed invasive ant Paratrechina longicornis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). European Journal of Entomology, vol. 116, 253-257.
7. Guswenrivo, I., Tseng, S. P., Yang, C. C. S., and Yoshimura, T. (2018). Development of multiplex nested PCR for simultaneous detection of ectoparasitic fungi Laboulbeniopsis termitarius and Antennopsis gallica on Reticulitermes speratus (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 111, 1330–1336.
6. Tseng, S. P., and Yang, C. C. S. (2017). Comment on Seri Masran and Ab Majid 2017. Journal of Medical Entomology, vol. 54, 1107-1108.
5. Tseng, S. P., Lin, Y. Y., Yang, Y. C., Wang, Y., and Lin, W. L. (2017). Injury feigning in the Savanna Nightjar: a test of the vulnerability and brood value hypotheses. Journal of Ornithology, vol. 158, 507-516.
4. Lee, C. C., Nakao, H., Tseng, S. P., Hsu, H. W., Lin, G. L., Tay, J. W., Billen, J., Ito, F., Lee, C.Y., Lin, C. C., and Yang, C. C. S. (2017). Worker reproduction of the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes. Frontiers in Zoology, vol. 14, 1-12.
3. Tseng, S. P., Wang, C. J., Li, S. H., Lue, K. Y., and Lin, S. M. (2015). Within island speciation with an exceptional case of distinct separation between two sibling lizard species divided by a narrow stream. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, vol. 90, 64–175.
2. Tseng, S. P., Li, S. H., Hsieh, C. H., Wang, H. Y., and Lin, S. M. (2014). Influence of gene flow on divergence dating implications for the speciation history of Takydromus grass lizards. Molecular Ecology, vol. 23, 4770–4784.
1. Tseng, S. P., Wang, H. Y., and Lin, S. M. (2012). Isolation and characterization of sixteen nuclear intron markers for a larcertid genus Takydromus. (on Permanent genetic resources added to molecular ecology resources database 1 April 2012 – 31 May 2012. Molecular Ecology Resources, vol. 12, 972-974.)