PhD Thesisstarted in May 2009
Host plant differentiation in Spodoptera frugiperda
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Biologisch-Pharmazeutische Fakultät
First Supervisor: Prof. D.G. Heckel
Co-Supervisor(s): Dr. A.T. Groot, Dr. G. Schöfl (HKI Jena) The polyphagous moth Spodoptera frugiperda (Noctuidae) is a pest species occurring in the US and South America. Despite its polyphagous nature, two host strains have been identified: 80% of the larvae collected from corn fields are so-called "corn strain" individuals, while 95% of the larvae collected from pasture and forage grasses belong to the "rice strain", based on several genetic markers. However, recent studies show a less strict host association, so the importance of the host differentiation for the divergence can be questioned.
Differences in the timing of reproductive activity as well as in composition of female sex pheromone might have resulted in behavioral isolation.
The aim of my PhD is to determine the relative importance and genetic basis of habitat isolation and timing differences between the two strains, focusing on the the allochronic differentiation as potentially more powerful isolation barrier.
Methods
- Volatile collection in lab and field using SuperQ and PoraQ volatile collection traps, analysis with GC-EAD, GC-MS
- Electrophysiology: GC-EAD, EAG
- Bioassays: Larval performance, larval preference (choice/ no choice), Oviposition choice (whole plants, plant parts), Attraction to synthetic plant odors in the field and in the wind tunnel, Observation of mating and oviposition behaviour
- Molecular methods: Population genetic analysis and QTL analysis using AFLP markers, strain diagnosis of S. frugiperda individuals using mitochondrial markers (CO1) and restriction enzymes, strain diagnosis via SNP identification in Sanger sequences of Tpi gene in S. frugiperda, RAD sequencing of s. frugiperda QTL backcrosses
Collaborators
Prof. Dr. Manfred Ayasse, University Ulm, Germany
Dr. Carlos Blanco, USDA-APHIS Riverdale, MD, USA
Dr. David Jenkins, USDA-TARS Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
María Laura Juárez, EEAOC Tucumán, RA, Argentina
Dr. Juan Lopez, USDA-ASR College Station, TX
Melanie Marr, MPICE Jena, Germany
Dr. Jeremy McNeil, University Western Ontario, Canada
Dr. Rob Meagher, USDA-ARS Gainesville, FL, USA
Dr. Andreas Reinecke, MPICE Jena, Germany
Dr. Silvia Schmidt, MPICE Jena, Germany
Dr. Gerhard Schöfl, HKI Jena, Germany
Dr. Sybille Unsicker, MPICE Jena, Germany
| | last updated on 2012-07-03 |
|
