2005 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Natural attractants (pheromones and host-related volatiles) will be chemically and behaviorally characterized and evaluated for practical potential in insect management. The project focuses on agriculturally important insect species for which such information is lacking or incomplete. Most of the target species belong to the large, important beetle family, Chrysomelidae, and include both pests and beneficial species: Diorhabda elongata is an introduced biocontrol agent for the invasive weedy tree, saltcedar. Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla are introduced biocontrol agents for the invasive wetlands weed, purple loosestrife. Flea beetles of the genera, Phyllotreta, Altica, and Epitrix are pests of crucifers and other crops, while Aphthona flea beetles are valued biocontrol agents of the weed, leafy spurge. Pheromones within the Chrysomelidae are chemically diverse but are so far very incompletely known. New synthetic methods will also be developed for pheromones of Carpophilus sap beetles, which are worldwide pests of fruits and grains. Research methodology will include: collection of airborne volatile chemicals from the insects and their hosts; chemical analysis of these; evaluation of the ability of the insect antennae to sense the compounds (using “electroantennograms”); chemical synthesis of active compounds; and characterization of their behavioral activity under field conditions. The research will lead to new practical tools for monitoring the seasonal timing, dispersal characteristics, and other population parameters for both beneficial and harmful species and for manipulating these species in ways advantageous to agriculture. Finally, the research will continue to add to the basic knowledge of beetle chemical ecology. The new information will be of value to land managers, farmers, and other scientists. 2.List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. The project milestones are organized as laboratory work (mostly done in-house by project staff) and field work (often done in collaboration with other scientists). They are further subdivided with respect to insect species/groups. The project plan has considerable inherent flexibility. The activities for any one year depend to a great extent on the progress from the previous year, the availability of particular insect species during a given year, satisfactory coordination with field collaborators, reassessment of project priorities, and other factors. In the following list, the targeted completion years must be considered as tentative and will be reevaluated each year. The laboratory milestones are: 1)For Diorhabda elongata: - Completion of characterization and synthesis of pheromone components and host- derived attractants (2005). - Development of laboratory behavioral bioassay (2006). 2) For Galerucella spp.: - Completion of characterization of G. calmariensis pheromone (2005). - Synthesis of pheromone components (originally expected in 2008). - Characterization and synthesis of G. pusilla pheromone (2007). 3) For flea beetles: Completion of characterization and synthesis of pheromone components. There are a number of flea beetle species under consideration, and the milestone criteria will apply separately to each. As noted in the project plan, work on the flea beetles will be conducted as time allows early in the project but will take higher priority later on. The species include: - Phyllotreta pusilla (2006). - Phyllotreta striolata (2006). - Phyllotreta conjuncta (2006). - Epitrix fuscula (2006). - Altica litigata (2007). 4) Completion of new synthetic method for nitidulid beetle pheromones (2006). The field milestones are: 1) Diorhabda elongata: - Complete development of practical attractant and trapping system for monitoring/manipulating beetles in field (2006). - Technology transfer to land managers, other field scientists (long term). 2) Galerucella calmariensis: - Demonstrate attractiveness of live beetles in field (2005). - Demonstrate attractiveness of synthetic pheromone (originally expected in 2008). - Optimize attractant blend (by adjusting dose, adding host compounds, or other compounds, etc.) (originally expected in 2009). - Demonstrate attractiveness of synthetic pheromone for G. pusilla (2008). 3) Flea beetles: (demonstration of attractiveness of live beetles and synthetic pheromone and optimization of attractant blend) - Aphthona spp. (2006). - Phyllotreta pusilla (2007/2008). - Phyllotreta striolata (2007/2008). - Phyllotreta conjuncta (2007/2008). - Epitrix fuscula (2006). - Altica litigata (2009). 4a.What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Chemical identification was completed for the male-produced aggregation pheromone of Galerucella calmariensis (a beetle species that is a biological control agent of purple loosestrife), the compound was synthesized, and its attractiveness was verified under field conditions. This accomplishment contributes significantly to the basic understanding of the chemistry and biology of chrysomelid beetle pheromones. A small (17-microgram) sample of the compound was accumulated during a 2-year period at NCAUR from beetles obtained from the Illinois Natural History Survey (in collaboration with Robert Wiedenmann and Susan Post). A key analytical step was nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy using a specially configured, highly sensitive instrument (at Pfizer Global Manufacturing, Kalamazoo, MI, in collaboration with Stephen Grode). The compound, a novel dimethylfuran lactone, was subsequently synthesized at NCAUR and successfully field tested in Northeastern Illinois by personnel from NCAUR and the Illinois Natural History Survey. The pheromone has promise to become a practical tool for monitoring/manipulating populations of this important biocontrol agent. 4b.List other significant accomplishments, if any. The major component of the male-produced aggregation pheromone of the eggplant flea beetle, Epitrix fuscula, was chemically identified as a novel nine-carbon aldehyde with three double bonds, synthesized, and successfully field tested for attractiveness. This accomplishment adds to the understanding of the pheromone chemistry and biology of flea beetles, which include serious crop pests as well as important biological control agents. The compound was collected after being emitted from feeding male beetles and was analyzed and synthesized at NCAUR. Field tests at a local organic farm showed good attraction to the synthetic compound. The pheromone has potential as a pest management tool. 4c.List any significant activities that support special target populations. None. 4d.Progress report. Good progress has been made on an improved (5-step instead of the original 7-step) synthesis of nitidulid beetle (Carpophilus spp.) pheromones. While the pheromones are already commercially available (from Great Lakes IPM, Vestaburg, MI) and are in use in the U.S. and Australia, the new synthesis has the potential to lower the cost of production and improve commercial viability. 5.Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. Research on pheromones and other semiochemicals is supported under National Program 304. Specifically, this project is relevant to Component II (biology of pests and natural enemies), Component IV (pest exclusion and quarantine), Component V (pest control technologies), Component VI (integrated pest management), and Component IX (basic biology of biocontrol agents). The current project officially began in May 2005, but it is in fact a continuation of the previous project. This work proceeded while the present project was being written and reviewed under OSQR; thus, the summary here includes all of FY 2005. A major part of the project deals with the pheromones of beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. This is a large and economically important family but is still rather poorly known with respect to pheromone chemistry and biology. The family contains serious crop pests, but it also contains important biological control agents for invasive weeds. In both cases, synthetic pheromones could become valuable tools for monitoring or manipulating the insects in a way that is advantageous to agriculture. Furthermore, the project is generating new basic information about the chemistry and biological function of the pheromones in this beetle family. During this project period, the male-produced aggregation pheromone of Galerucella calmariensis has been structurally identified, synthesized, and shown to be attractive in the field, and the further progress has been made on the pheromone and host-derived attractants for Diorhaba elongata. These beetle species are effective biological control agents for purple loosestrife and saltcedar, respectively, and the research is developing a scientific underpinning for future practical tools for the biocontrol program. Significant progress has also been made on a pest species, the eggplant flea beetle Epitrix fuscula. This species has had a devastating impact to organic farmers in the Peoria area, and the pheromone has potential in non-insecticidal pest management. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? During the reporting period, the major transfers of information have been to other scientists by way of publications and meeting reports. We continue to provide synthetic attractants for Diorhabda elongata to land managers and scientists in Western states who are working on saltcedar biocontrol. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). “Tracking and Attacker of Saltcedar,” by Jan Suszkiw, in Agricultural Research magazine, April 2005.