Project Number: 6618-22320-001-15
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jan 01, 2011
End Date: Dec 31, 2015

Objective:
Identify volatile compounds that play a role in the chemical ecology of the Mexican bromeliad weevil and its parasitoid fly biological control agent.

Approach:
Cooperator has identified, imported and released a promising biological control agent for the Mexican bromeliad weevil, a serious invasive pest of native bromeliads in Florida. ARS will provide access to equipment and consult and instruct on methods to identify volatile compounds that may play an important role in the chemical ecology of these two insects and contribute to effective biological control. COOPERATOR will conduct the research at ARS facilities involving collection of volatiles from host plants and insects, detection of antennally active compounds by gas chromatograph-coupled electroantennography and identification by GC-Mass Spectrometry.