August 23, 2011
Entomologists and colleagues publish research in international science journal
Yoonsenong Park, associate professor of entomology; Tom Phillips, professor of entomology; and colleagues, including two former K-State graduate students, were part of a recently published research team. The team published an original research paper, "Anatomical localization and stereoisomeric composition of Tribolium castaneum aggregation pheromones" in Naturwissenschaften, an international journal of science.
James Campbell and Richard Beeman, USDA-ARS scientists at the Center for Grain and Animal Health Research and adjunt professors of entomology at K-State, were co-authors.
Tribolium castaneum, known as the red flour beetle, is one of the most serious pests of stored grain products worldwide and the work published in this article described the source and steroisomeric composition of the naturally-produced pheromone of this important pest species. The results are significant both from the aspect of pheromone chemistry and for practical implications in pest management using improved pheromone-based tools. It is further noteworthy that Tribololium castaneum is a genetic model organism for which K-State is a world leader in research. The article can be accessed online.