Dr. Stephen P. Foster
Professor
Department of Entomology
North Dakota State University
262 Hultz Hall
NDSU Dept. 7650
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Phone: (701) 231-6444
Fax: (701) 231-8557
E-mail: stephen.foster@ndsu.edu
Education:
B.Sc. 1977, Chemistry. University of Waikato (New Zealand)
M.Sc. 1979, Chemistry. University of Waikato
Ph.D. 1983, Chemistry. University of Waikato
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: Insect pheromone biochemistry, including the biosynthesis of insect pheromones, and their neural and endocrine regulation, influence of nutrients on reproductive behavior, and the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates.
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:
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-16a-ol and ent-atisan-16a-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 bLactone 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.
Eltahlawy, H., Buckner, J.S. and Foster, S.P. (2007). Evidence for two-step regulation of pheromone biosynthesis by the pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide in the moth Heliothis virescens. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 64: 120-130.
Eltahlawy, H., and Foster, S.P. (2007). Regulation of pheromone biosynthesis by PBAN in the “Z strain” of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 65: 29-38.
Newbrey, J. L., W. L. Reed, S. P. Foster, and G. L. Zander (2008). Laying sequence variation in yolk carotenoid concentrations in yellow-headed blackbird eggs. The Auk, 125: 124-30.
Morris B, Charlet L & Foster S (2009) Isolation of Three Diterpenoid Acids from Sunflowers, as Oviposition Stimulants for the Banded Sunflower Moth, Cochylis hospes. Journal of Chemical Ecology 35: 50-57.
Andersson M, Haftmann J, Stuart J, Cambron S, Harris M, Foster S, Franke S, Francke W & Hillbur Y (2009) Identification of Sex Pheromone Components of the Hessian Fly, Mayetiola destructor. Journal of Chemical Ecology 35: 81-95.
Foster, S. P. (2009). Sugar feeding via trehalose haemolymph concentration affects sex pheromone production in mated Heliothis virescens moths. Journal of Experimental Biology 212, 2789-2794.
Mphosi, M.S. & Foster, S.P. (2009). Female preference and larval performance of sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum, on sunflower pre-breeding lines. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. In press.
Project Personnel:
RESEARCH SPECIALIST
Karin Anderson
