Progress 11/01/99 to 09/30/04
Outputs
During this 10 year project we have published 47 papers. We have identified sex pheromones of several species of parasitic insects that are important biological control agents. We have also isolated and identified a number of chemicals that are involved in host location and in host recognition by some of these parasitic insects. Host location chemicals found in or on the host insect can have origins in the plants eaten by the host and production of some of these chemicals is induced in the plant by host feeding. In other cases these attractant chemicals come directly from the host and are not plant derived. This research has led to a better understanding of how parasitoids find and attack certain pest insects. Such information could lead to the manipulation of some biological control organisms. The results also suggest that in some co-evolved tritrophic relationships that the three components depend on each other and both the parasitoid and host plant benefit from the
interaction. We have also developed a better understanding of the chemistry of several plant systems, particularly the sesquiterpenes that may be useful in plant or insect manipulation. In related studies, novel neuropeptides were found that affect insect maturation and health and this has led to several new projects looking at the potential of these compounds to control insects. We have also conducted a number of studies concerned with the pollination biology of solitary bees, particularly the bee genus Centris. We determined that lipids and pollen were the major resources collected and stored as food source for young of the ground nesting Centris species. This agrees with the published data that this group of bees are considered oil collecting bees that are important pollinators of flowers that produce oil rewards instead of nectar. However, we have recently (in preparation) determined that the liquid contents of the twig nesting Centris that also collect oil, use nectar as the
liquid part of the nest provisions along with pollen and that no oil could be detected in nest contents. The oil is instead used in collecting materials used in nest construction. We have also been involved in research to unravel the biology of fire ant, the genus Solenopsis. We discovered that the antennae of female fire ants have glands that appear to be important to the survival of the queen fire ant. We have also helped in the isolation of fire ant antennal binding proteins and more recently have evidence of a possible sex pheromone in the fire ant. We have discovered that following a mating flight, wing casting and wing muscle degeneration which we studied some years ago are separate processes that are initiated by different processes. We have focused on muscle degeneration and have evidence that a factor associated with the seminal fluid appears to be involved. We are isolating this factor now. We also have collaborated with Dr Coates in using differential expression to isolate
genes that are possibly involved in differential wing development in a parasitoid and in wing degeneration in the fire ant.
Impacts
We isolated, identified and characterized the function of a number of biologically important compounds involved in mate and host, location and recognition. We have also isolated and characterized several genes that are important to the biology of selective hymenoptera (beneficial parasitic insects and pest fire ants). We isolated genes involved in wing development and breakdown in both a beneficial parasitic insect and a pest fire ant. In the case of the later this process is important to early colony development. While some of these compounds may have potential in insect management, their real importance is in providing an increase in our understanding of insect development.
Publications
- Cahan, Sara Helms and S. B. Vinson. 2003. Reproductive division of labor between hybrid and nonhybrid offspring in a fire ant hybrid zone. Evolution 57: 1562-1570.
- Helms, K. R. and S. B. Vinson. 2003. Apparent facilitation of an invasive mealybug by an invasive ant. Insect Socio. 50: 403-404.
- Conti, E., G Salerno, F. Bin, and S. B. Vinson. 2004. The role of host- semiochemicals in parasitoid specificity: a case study with Trissolcus brochymenae and Trissolcus semoni on petatomid bugs. Biol. Cont. 29: 435-444.
- Consoli, F. L. and S. B. Vinson 2004. Host requlation and the embryonic development of the endoparasitoid Toxoneuron nigriceps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. Part B 137: 463-473.
- Consoli, F. L., H. -S. Tian, S. B. Vinson and C. J. Coates. 2004. Differential gene expression during wing morph differentiation of the ectoparasitoid Melittobia digitata. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. Part A 138: 229-239.
- Consoli, F. L. and S. B. Vinson. 2004. Wing morph development and reproduction of the ectoparasitoid Melittobia digitata: nutritional and hormonal effects. Entomol. Experimentalis Applicata 112: 47-55.
- Tain, Haisheng; S. B. Vinson and C. J. Coates. 2004. Differential expression between alate and dealate queens in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. Insect Biochem. Molecular. Biol. 34:937-949.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
We have continued our research on semiochemicals with 2 groups of hymenoptera. Working with parasitoids of the genus Melittobia, we have identified and synthesized several very different sex pheromones from related species. This finding is in contrast to finding similar compounds in related insects. We have characterized the host recognition behavior of several parasitoids including Melittobia (see Cooperband reference), Trissolcus (see Conti reference), and Muscidifurax (Jones in Prep). We have also examined the biochemical interactions between parasitoids and their host. We characterized changes in JH synthesis, metabolism and titers in Heliothis parasitized by Toxoneron (see Li reference). We have continued to characterize changes in the proteins in the hemolymph of Heliothis parasitized by Toxoneron. Some of these changes are due to compounds induced by the ovipositing parasitoid, other changes are due to compounds produced and released into host hemolymph by
teratocytes, and yet others are initiated by the developing larvae. We are isolating and identifying these various proteins. Working with fire ants we have characterized changes in the hemolymph due to the disease, Thelohania, and we have been examining ways in which this disease is being horizontally transmitted.
Impacts
We are continuing to isolate, identify and characterize the function of compounds associated with parasitism and to isolate and characterize relevant genes (in collaboration with several other local researchers) that control the biology of the host. We have isolated genes involved in wing development and breakdown, and in reproduction. We are now isolating compounds that influence the expression of these genes. These compounds may have great potential in insect management, but may have relevance to insect development in other important ways.
Publications
- Bashir, Mir, S. Bradleigh Vinson and Jorge A. Piedrahita. 2003. Artificial maturation of female alates for the purpose of the production of only male Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Southwestern Entomologist. 28:19-26.
- Chen, Y. P., L. Y. Lu, L. C. Skow and S. B. Vinson. 2003. Relatedness among co-existing queens within polygyne colonies of a Texas population of the fire ant, Solenopsis invica. Southwestern Entomologist. 28:27-36.
- Cooperband, M. F.; R. W. Mathews and S. B. Vinson 2003. Factors affecting the reproductive biloiogy of Melittobia digitata and failure to meet the sex ratio predictions of Hamilton's local mate competition theory. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 109:1-12.
- Li, S.; P. Falabella, I kuriachan, S. B. Vinson, D. W. Borst, C. Malva and F. Pennacchio. 2003. Juvenile hormone synthesis, metabolism, and resulting haemolymph titre in Heliothis virescens larvae parasitized by Toxoneuron nigriceps. J. Insect Physiol. 49:1021-1030.
- Tomov, Beverly Wachtel, J. S. Bernal and S. B. Vinson. 2003. Impacts of transgenic sugarcane expressing GNA lectin on parasitism of Mexican rice borer by Paqrallorhogas pyralophagus (Marsh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Environmental Entomol. 32:866-872.
- Conti, E. ; G. Salerno, F. Bin, H. J. Williams and S. B. Vinson. 2003. Chemical cues from Murgantia histrionica eliciting host location and recognition in the egg parasitoid Trissolcus brochymenae. J. Chem. Ecol. 29:115-130.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
We have identified sex pheromones for several parasitoids, one of which was just published. It turns out that two of the species have very different pheromones. We are now examining other related species. We have isolated and characterized several biochemical compounds from teratocytes, cells from the parasite found in their host, that may play a vital role in the developmental biology of parasitic Hymenoptera. We discovered that nutrition controls the morph expression of one parasitic species and we have isolated several genes involved through differential gene expression in collaboration with Dr. Coates. Also with Dr. Coats we have conducted differential expression of female fire ants before and just after dealation and muscle breakdown. This research has revealed several genes that may be involved in both systems. We have also developed a bioassay for a fire ant sex pheromone, which is being purified. We have identified the basic biochemical components of the
hemolymph of the fire ant and used this information in developing an organ culture that has been used to isolate the fire ant vitellogenin and digestive enzymes. We are also still working on the antennal secretion of the fire ant and have discovered several other secretions associated to larvae that may play a role in reproduction. We are developing bioassays for these reproductive controls to aid in the purification and identity of these factors.
Impacts
We have isolated several chemicals that are involved in the control of the biology of both parasitic insects and ants, specifically the fire ant. These have and are being used to isolate the relevant genes (in collaboration with several other local researchers). For example, isolation of the vitellogenin led to the isolation of both the vitellogenin genes and receptor gene. We have also isolated several genes that are involved with wing development and wing muscle breakdown. These may have great potential in insect control, but may have relevance to insect development in other ways.
Publications
- Roberto, R.; N. Isidoro, F. Bin and S. B. Vinson 2002. Host recognition in the pupal parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae: a morpho-functional approach. Entomol. Exptl. et Appl.105: 119-128.
- Meyer, E. D., S. Ellison, S. B. Vinson and E. Meyer. 2002. Digestive enzyme identification and efforts of feeding serine proteinase inhibitors to Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Southwesteren Entomologist Suppl. 24: 81-88.
- Lewis, D. K., J. Q. Campbell, S. M. Sowa, Mei-Er Chen, S. B. Vinson and L. L. Keeley. 2002. The biochemical characteristics of vitellogenin in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera:Formicidae). Southwesteren Entomologist Suppl. 24: 71-79.
- Consoli, F. L., H. J. Williams, S. B. Vinson, R. Matthews and M. F. Cooperband. 2002. Trans Bergamotenes male pheromone of the ectoparasitoid Melittobia digatata. J. Chem. Ecol. 24: 1675-1689.
- Consoli, F. L. and Vinson, S. B. 2002. Larval development and feeding behavior of the wing dimorphics of Melittobia digitata Dahms (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). J. Hymenoptera Res. 11: 188-196.
- Consoli, F. L. and Vinson, S. B. 2002. Hemolymph of reproductives of Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) amino acids, proteins and sugars. Comparative Biochem. Physiol. B132: 711-719.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
We have focused our efforts in determining the role that parasitoid produced products have in regulating the development of their host. We have isolated several proteins that are produced by and released into the host by teratocytes produced from Toxoneuron nigriceps that is a parasitoid of Heliothis virescens that is the tobacco budworm, and Trissolcus basalis that is a parasitoid of Nazara viridula that is the green stink bug, that effect host development. These proteins have been characterized and are being evaluated to determine their host effects. We have also identified a sex pheromone from a eulophid parasitoid and we are competing the identification of another very different sex pheromone. we have identified active molecules and are now synthesizing suspected compounds for bioassay. We are also developing bioassays to evaluate sex pheromones isolated from the fire ant. In connection with this activity we collaborating with a Dr Renthal from San Antonio in
isolating odor binding proteins that we want to use to help in the isolation of fire ant sex pheromones. We are finishing our structure activity relationships of venom component from Monomorium minnium that has repellent activity against the fire ant. We have also initiated collaborative studies to examine the venom of several eulophids that inhibit the growth of their host and play a role in the nutrition of the parasitoid.
Impacts
The isolation of parasitoid produced products that are released by the parasitoid into their host that regulates the growth and development of their host insects, could led to new compounds that have pest control potential. Some of these compounds also appear to be important to the growth and development of the biological control agent by increasing the availability of nutrients at the expense of the host. Isolating and identifying these agents could led to new approaches to biological control.
Publications
- Consoli, FL; CT Wuellner, SB Vinson and LE Gilbert. 2001.Immature development of Pseudacteon tricuspis, an endoparasitoid of the Red Imported Fire Ant. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 94:97-109.
- Lewis, DK; JQ Campbell, SM Sowa, ME Chen, SB Vinson and LL Keeley. 2001. Characterization of vitellogenin in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. J.Insect Physiol.47:543-551.
- Consoli, FL; E Conti, LJ Dangott and SB Vinson. 2001. In vitro culture of the teratocytes of Trissolcus basalis and their requirements for host-derived components. Biological Control 22:176-184.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
We have continued to attempt to identify the sex pheromone from male Melittobia wasps. Although hampered by the small size of the insect, we have collected enough material for spectral studies and have tentative identification of two components. We have identified the carbohydrates in the honeydew of the Rhodes grass mealybug, an introduced grass pest in Texas. We have found that this bug is an important nutritional resource for the fire ant. We have also examined the carbohydrate nest contents of several solitary oil-collecting bee species. Unlike the ground nesting bees which use oil as the major provision, the twig nesting species use nectar. There are a number of floral nectar sources these bees use and pollinate. We have found that these floral resources are also used by honey bees but not on the same trees. There appears to be a mechanism by which resources are partitioned. We have isolated and identified host-derived compounds that are essential for the
development of teratocytes of Trissolcus basalis, an egg parasitoid of the green stinkbug. These compounds may also have nutritional value for the development of the parasite. We discovered glands in the antennae of the fire ant and determined that the glands secrete a proteinaceous material. Although we do not yet know the function of the gland, we have found that removal of the gland from both queens and workers results in their removal and death. Cloned terpene cyclases were used to study product specificity and enzyme active site characteristics. Further structure activity studies of insect neuropeptide analogs were performed using NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling.
Impacts
Melittobia may become an important tool for use in teaching principles of biological control. Fire ants and stink bugs are pests and information gained may aid in their control. Studies of native pollinators are important as little is known of their biology and behavior and parasites and diseases are threatening the introduced honey bee. Studies of terpene cyclases may allow allelochemical composition of plants to be changed substantially, and insect neuropeptide analogs have potential as specific environmentally friendly insecticides.
Publications
- Cooperband, M. F. and Vinson, S. B. 2000. Host-acceptance requirements of Melittobia digitata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a parasitoid of mud dauber wasps. Biological Control 17: 23-28.
- Isidoro, N., Romani, R., Velasquez, D., Renthal, R., Bin, F., and Vinson, S. B. 2000. Antennal glands in queen and worker of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren: first report in female social Aculeata (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Insectes soc. 47: 236-240.
- Huang, Q., Williams, H. J., Roessner, C. A., and Scott, A. I. 2000. Sesquiterpenes produced by truncated taxadiene synthase. Tetrahedron Lett. 41: 9701-9704.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
We have demonstrated the presence of both plant and host chemicals that influence the behavior of Hymenoptera. Some of these compounds have been isolated and identified. Plant studies have dealt with parasitoid attractants and resources used by pollinators. Research with insect-insect interactions have dealt with kairomones (host recognition and oviposition stimulants), defensive secretions (venoms) and pheromones of parasitoids, ants and bees. Studies of insect neuropeptide analog structure activity relationships have resulted in synthesis of new active compounds for testing as biorational pest control agents.
Impacts
Our studies are designed to utilize insect pheromones, kairomones, neuropeptides, and plant derived natural products to protect plants by aiding beneficial and controlling harmful insects.
Publications
- Barratt, B.I.P; Evans, A.A.; Stoltz, D.B., Vinson, S.B.; Easingwood, R. (1999): Virus-like particles in the ovaries of Microctonus aethiopoides Loan (Hymenoptera: Bracoidae), a prarsitiod of adult weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Invertebr. Pathol. 73, 182.
- NgiSong, A.J.; Overholt, W.A.; Smith Jr., J.W.; Vinson, S.B (1999): Suitability of new and old association hosts for the development of select microgastrine parasitioids of gramineouus stemborers. Entomol. exp. appl. 90, 257.
- Rao, A.; Vinson, S.B.; Gilstrap, F.E.; Michels, G.J. (1999): Response of an aphid parasitiod, Aphelinus asychis to its host, host-plant complex, and to malathion. Entomol. exp. appl. 91, 449.
- Vinson, S.B. (1999): Parasitoid manipulation as a plant defense strategy. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 92, 812.
- Moyna, G.; Williams, H.J.; Nachman, R.J.; Scott, A.I. (1999): Conformation in Solution and dynamics of a structurally constrained linear insect kinin pentapeptide analogue. Biopolymers 49, 403.
- Nachman, R.J.; Moyna, G.; Williams, H.J.; Zabrocki, J.; Zadina, J.E.; Coast, G.M.; Vanden Broeck, J. (1999): Comparison of active conformations of the insectatachykinin/tachykinin and insect kinin/Tyr-W-MIF-1 neuropeptide family pairs. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 388.
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
Studies of plant derived natural products and their effects on the health and behavior of associated herbivorous insects and parasitoids have continued. Conformational analysis of insect neuropeptides and their analogs using NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling has led to development of new analogs with increased activity and resistance to proteolytic degradation. New computational methods have been tested which allow more efficient use of NMR data in determining active conformations.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- H. J. Williams, G. Moyna, S. B. Vinson, A. Ian. Scott, A. A. Bell, and R. D. Stipanovic. 1998. Beta-Caryophyllene Derivatives from the Wild Cottons Gossypium armourianum Kearn., Gossypium harknessii Brandg., and Gossypium turneri Fryx., Nat. Prod. Lett., 11, 25.
- G. Moyna, R. Zauhar, H. J. Williams, R. J. Nachman, and A. I. Scott. 1998. Comparison of Ring Current Methods for use in Molecular Modeling Refinement of NMR Derived Three Dimensional Structures, J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 38, 702.
- A. A. Ahmed, B. A. A. Balboul, A. I. Scott, H. J. Williams, KB. Miao, and T. J. Mabry. 1998. Eudesmane derivatives from Iva frutescens, Phytochem., 47, 411.
- R. J. Nachman, G. Moyna, H. J. Williams, S. S. Tobe, and A. I. Scott. 1998. Synthesis, Biological Activity, and Conformational Studies of Insect Allatostatin Neuropeptide Analogues Incorporating Turn-Promoting Moities, Bioorg. & Med. Chem., 6, 1379.
- S. B. Vinson, F. Bin, and L. E. M. Vet. 1998. Critical Issues in Host selection by Insect Parasitoids, Biol. Control, 11, 77.
- S. B. Vinson. 1998. The General Host Selection Behavior of Parasitooid Hymenoptera and a Comparison of Initial Strategies Utilized by Larvaphagous and Oophagous Species, Biol. Control, 11, 79.
- S. B. Vinson, F. Pennacchio, and B. Lanzrein. 1998. Interactions between Parasitiods and their Hosts: An Introduction and Perspective, J. Insect Physiol., 44, 701.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
We are continuing to analyse the resources being used by solitary bees and have found that Centris species nesting in wooden cavities use nectar instead of oil as a resource. We also have shown that oil resources are used by C. bicornata, but functions as a deterent to usurpation by other females. The nature of this deterent oil is under study. Studies regarding host finding and oviposition of parasitic hymenoptera has focused on the receptors involved. We have discovered some unique receptors that are involved in host recognition and are completing experiments to isolate a chemical that interacts with one of these. We have also demonstrated that pesticides can damage plants increasing their attractiveness to the 3rd trophic level.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Conti, Eric, W.A. Jones, F. Bin and S.B. Vinson 1997. Oviposition behavior of Anophes iole, an egg parasitoid of Iygus hesperus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae; Heleroptera; Miridae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Ann. 90:91-101.
- Pennaccchio, F.; R. Sordette, P. Falabella and S.B. Vinson 1997. Biochemical and Ultrastructural seterations in Prothoracic glands of Heliothis virescens (F) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) last instar larval parasitized by Cardiochiles nigriceps Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 27:439-450.
- Vinson, S.B.; W.J. Williams, G.W. Frankie and G. Skrum 1997. Floral lipid chemistry of Byrsonima crassifolia (Melpigheaceae) and a use of floral lipids by Centris bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Biotropica 29:76-83.
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
We have isolated and identified sex pheromones from two species of solitary beeswhich are important pollinators. We have characterized the flower oil from Byrsonima crassifolia which is used by some solitary bees for nesting. We have developed a GC system to examine nectar sugar ratios which appear to influence bee nectar collecting preferences. Parasitoid research has focused on in vitro rearing and isolation of behavioral chemicals important to this technique. We have completed an activity-structure analysis of host acceptance stimulants for Trissoculus basalis. We have developed bioassays and have active fractions for house-fly parasitoids and Cardiochiles nigriceps which attacks Heliothis. Isolation and characterization driven by bioassays is underway.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- PARRA, J. R. P., S. B. VINSON, S. M. GOMES, and F. L. CONSOLI. 1996. Flight response of Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in a wind tunnelto volatiles associated with infestations of Ephestia kuehnuella Zeller (Hymenopter VINSON, S.
- B., G. W. FRANKIE, and H. J. WILLIAMS. 1996. Chemical ecology of beesof the genus Centris (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Florida Entomol. 79: 109-129.
- WILLIAMS, H. J. I. SATTLER, G. MOYNA, I. A. SCOTT, A. A. BELL, and S. B. VINSON.1995. Diversity in cyclic sesquiterpene production by Gossypium hirsutum. Phytochem. 40: 1633-1636.
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
We have isolated and identified a series of hydrocarbons from Dufour's gland of the braconid parasitoid, Cardiochiles nigriceps, that act as sex identification pheromones. These compounds stimulate males to copulate. However, these compounds also act as marking pheromones used by females to distribute their progeny among unparasitized hosts. Whether the same hydrocarbons are involved in the behavioral changes of both sexes is under study. We have also identified a compound from Hampea that attracts the braconid, Bracon Thurberiphagae which attacks weevils that occur on Hampea. We have also developed a procedure to rear this species on Heliothis in the laboratory that may prove useful to rearing other parasitic species.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Vinson, S. B. 1994. Physiological interactions between egg parasitoids and their hosts. pp. 201-217. In: Trichogramma and other egg parasitoids. E. Wajnberg and S. A. Hassan (Eds.). CAB International, Wallingsford, Great Britain. 286 pp.
- Rojas, M. G., S. B. Vinson, and H. J. Williams. 1995. Supplemental feeding increases the utilization of a factitious host for rearing Bracon thurberiphagae Muesebeck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) a parasitoid of Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Cole
- Syvertsen, T. C., L. L. Jackson, G. J. Bloomquist, and S. B. Vinson. 1995. Alkadienes mediating courtship in the parasitoid Cardiochiles nigriceps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). J. Chem. Ecol. 21: 1971-1989.
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