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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #161478
Title: CONSEQUENCES OF GRASS--ENDOPHYTE ASSOCIATIONS ON INSECTS

Author
item Clement, Stephen
item POPAY, A. - AG. RES., HAMILTON, NZ

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2004
Publication Date: 7/18/2004
Citation: Clement, S.L., Popay, A.J. 2004. Consequences of grass--endophyte associations on insects [abstract]. International Congress of Entomology.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fungal endophytes (Neotyphodium) in C3 grasses have been well studied for 20 years, with many studies focusing on their role in determining the outcome of grass-insect encounters. Research shows that both insect deterrence and toxicity can result from the production of specific alkaloids by grass-endophyte associations, while other research demonstrates that many grass-endophyte interactions have neutral effects on insects. In this symposium talk, we discuss the diverse effects of grass-endophyte associations on insect behavior and survival, and our ability to use these associations in agricultural settings. New field research in New Zealand suggests that Neotyphodium in meadow fescue deters feeding by root-feeding grass grub (Costelytra sp.). Earlier New Zealand research showed that a chemical (peramine) in endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass is a powerful feeding deterrent to adult Argentine stem weevil (Listronotis bonariensis). New USDA-ARS research in the U.S. illustrates the toxic and neutral effects of endophyte infection in grasses on insects by demonstrating the influence that wild barley species/genotype and endophyte strain can have on the expression of cereal aphid and Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor) resistance.