Renee Borges works largely in the area of the sensory ecology of plant–animal interactions. Using diverse systems ranging from figs and fig wasps through ant-plants, ants, nematodes, crab spiders, ant-mimicking spiders, nocturnal bees and giant squirrels she has shown how vision and/or chemoreception interact with physiology to impact on the ecology and evolution of multitrophic interactions. She has extended her research to several newer areas: a) sensory biology of oviposition in galler and parasitoid fig wasps including the ecology of sensilla, b) diel rhythms of volatile emissions in floral and vegetative tissues for attracting bodyguards, pollinators, and fruit dispersers, or for repelling herbivores, c) fungus-farming by termites including protection of fungus cultivars from parasites, d) passive drift in air currents versus active chemo- and anemotaxis in fig wasps, e) sensory ecology of flower scent and colour patterns in plant communities, f) biocementation and bioengineering principles in mound building in fungus-farming termites