Department of Entomology

Research Interests:

Insect chemical ecology: Focusing on the identification of chemicals mediating insect-insect (especially pheromone) and insect-plant interactions. This work involves chemical isolation and identification techniques, as well as characterizing the relevant behavioral responses of insects.

Insect reproductive physiology: The major emphasis is on insect pheromone biochemistry, including the biosynthesis of insect pheromones, and their neural and endocrine regulation. Other areas of research include the metabolism of lipids and the onset and regulation of refractory behavior, and oviposition.

Other interests: The use of semiochemicals (behavior-influencing chemicals) for the control of pest insects, and the differentiation of closely-related species and biotypes through chemical (e.g., pheromonal, behavioral (including host selection), and other (e.g., morphological, genetic) differences.

Teaching Interests:

Insect Physiology (ENT 761). A 4 credit graduate level course. The course investigates various areas of insect physiology pertaining to the life of insects, with an emphasis on function rather than structure. The following areas are covered:  Embryogenesis, Digestion, Nutrition, Integument, hormones and development, intermediary metabolism, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, muscles, sensory systems, circulatory systems, respiration, pheromones, reproduction.

Recent Publications:

Morris, B.D., Foster, S.P., and Harris, M.O. (2000). Identification of 1-octacosanol and 6-methoxy-2-benzoxizolinone from wheat as ovipositional stimulants for the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor. J. Chem. Ecol., 26: 859-873.

Foster, S.P. (2000). The periodicity of sex pheromone biosynthesis, release and degradation in the lightbrown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker). Arch. Insect Biochem Physiol.43: 125-136.

Foster, S.P.  and Thomas, W.P. (2000).  Identification of the sex pheromone of the raspberry budmoth, Heterocrossa rubophaga Dugdale. J. Chem Ecol. 26: 2549-2555.

Foster, S.P. (2001). Fatty acyl pheromone-analogue-containing lipids and their roles in sex pheromone biosynthesis in the lightbrown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker). J. Insect Physiol. 47: 433-443.

Foster, S.P., Noll, M., Grugel , S., And Charlet L.D. (2003). A Reinvestigation of the role of sunflower chemicals in host selection by female banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes (Walsingham). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 76: 387-396.

Foster, S.P., B.D. Morris, L.D. Charlet, T. Gross, S. Grugel (2003). Identification of the sex pheromone of Cochylis arthuri (Lepidoptera: Cochylidae). Canadian Entomologist, 135: 713-719

Foster, S.P. (2004) Fatty acid and Sex Pheromone Changes and the role of glandular lipids in the Z-Strain of the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner). Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 56: 73-83.

Foster, S.P. (2004). The effects of topical application of various fatty acids on pheromone and glandular lipid biosynthesis in the moth Heliothis virescens. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 34: 467-475.

Morris, B. D., Foster, S. P., Grugel, S,  and Charlet, L.D. (2005). Isolation of the diterpenoids, ent-kauran-16α-ol and ent-atisan-16α-ol, from sunflowers, as oviposition stimulants for the banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 31: 89-102.

Morris, B. D., Smyth, R.R., Foster, S. P., Hoffmann, M.P., Roelofs, W.L., Franke, S., and Francke, W. (2005). Vittatalactone, a β‑Lactone from the Striped Cucumber Beetle, Acalymma vittatum. Journal of Natural Products, 68: 26-30.

El-Sayed, A.M., Gibb, A.R., Suckling, D.M.,  Bunn, B., Comesky, D., Moss, K.A.,  Manning, L.A., Foster, S.P., Morris, B.D., Ando, T.,  Mori, K.,  and Fielder, S. (2005). Identification of the sex pheromone of the Australian painted apple moth, Teia anartoides: a diverse pheromone blend with a thermally labile component. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 31: 621-646.

Foster, S.P. (2005) Lipid analysis of the sex pheromone gland of the moth Heliothis virescens. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 59: 80-90.

Foster, S.P. (2005). The incorporation of topically applied fatty acids into lipids in the sex pheromone gland of the moth Heliothis virescens. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 35: 1021-1031.

Graduate Students:

Artem Abdukakharov, M.S., Natural Resource Management (co-advisor).
Hanan Eltahlawy, Ph.D.,  Entomology.
 

Entomology Home
	Department of Entomology, 202 Hultz Hall   North Dakota State University, Fargo ND  Dr. David Rider, Interim Chair  Phone: 701-231-7582	updated 28 February, 2008