Rosemary G. Gillespie

Professor; Schlinger Chair in Systematic Entomology

Dept of Environmental Science, Policy & Management

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(510) 717-3445

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Research Bio

Rosemary Gillespie is the William M. and Esther G. Schlinger Chair in Systematic Entomology and a professor of Environmental Science, Policy & Management. Her research focuses on insects and spiders that comprise much of life's diversity and are critical for functioning ecosystems. Her focus is on the elucidation and conservation of this biodiversity in order to maintain the life-support system provided by nature's variety, and the living resources necessary for ecologically sustainable development.

Research Expertise and Interest

systematics, insect biology, evolution and conservation biology, spiders, oceanic islands

In the News

Mottled Molokai Spider hanging off a branch

How brightly colored spiders evolved on Hawaii again and again … and again

In Hawaiian Ariamnes stick spiders, adaptive radiation has resulted in 14 species now living across Hawaii.

Climate video series: Surviving the onslaught of invasive species

No place on the planet is truly isolated anymore, which means invasive species travel as easy as humans, hitchhiking on boats and planes with potentially devastating effects on the ecosystems they land in.

Display of multiple gold, yellow and dark butterflies and moths

Help wanted: Public needed to uncover clues in natural history collections

Like bugs? Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at natural history museums? Interested in helping scientists understand our changing environment? These are just some of the reasons why people should join a project led by UC Berkeley’s Essig Museum of Entomology.

2 Drosophila cyrtoloma fruit flies fighting

Scientists look to Hawaii’s bugs for clues to origins of biodiversity

The Hawaiian Islands are a unique and ongoing series of evolutionary and ecological experiments. As each volcano rises above the waves, it is colonized by life from neighboring volcanoes and develops its own flora and fauna.

a bee with pic through torso and notes about it's collection and species

Hindcasting helps scientists improve forecasts for life on Earth

Scientists at UC Berkeley have launched a unique program, the Berkeley Initiative in Global Change Biology, to use hindcasting – “predicting” what happened during past episodes of climate change – to improve the reliability and accuracy of computer models that forecast how plants and animals will adapt to a changing planet.

Long distances can’t keep this pair apart

UC Berkeley researchers have found evidence that leafflower trees and leafflower moths, two species that are mutually dependent upon each other, managed to colonize South Pacific islands separately, and then reconnect again. The findings contradict a long-standing belief in island biology that highly specialized organisms cannot establish themselves on remote islands.

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent terms

2026 Spring

Supervised Independent Study and Research [ESPM 199]
Individual Research [ESPM 299]
Honors Research [ESPM H196]
Supervised Research: Biological Sciences [UGIS 192C]

2025 Fall

Spider Biology [ESPM 132]
Senior Thesis [ESPM 195]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [ESPM 199]
Individual Research [ESPM 299]
Natural History Museums and Biodiversity Science [ESPM C105]
Biogeography [ESPM C125]
Honors Research [ESPM H196]
Biogeography [GEOG C148]
Natural History Museums and Biodiversity Science [INTEGBI C105]
Biogeography [INTEGBI C166]
Supervised Research: Biological Sciences [UGIS 192C]

2025 Summer

Supervised Independent Study and Research [ESPM 199]

2025 Spring

Supervised Independent Study and Research [ESPM 199]
Special Topics in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management [ESPM 290]
Individual Research [ESPM 299]
Honors Research [ESPM H196]
Research Seminar [INTEGBI 290]
Supervised Research: Biological Sciences [UGIS 192C]