Journal o f Chemical Ecology, VoL 7, No. 5, 1981
Conference Summary
REGULATION
OF INSECT
DEVELOPMENT
AND BEHAVIOR
An International Conference on Regulation of Insect Development and Behavior was held in Karpacz, Poland, June 23-28, 1980. The conference was a unique attempt to bring together entomologists, physiologists, biochemists, and chemists to discuss and present in an integrated manner the state of the science governing life and behavioral processes in insects. While previous topical conferences specialized primarily in research on juvenile hormones (JH), this conference dealt with many aspects of chemical communication, both within the insect (hormones) and between insects (pheromones). Biochemical papers were presented describing the discovery of JH "0" in eggs of Manduca sexta and regulation of hormone levels of biosynthetic enzymes in the corpus allatum, and the role of other factors such as esterase inactivation, binding and carrier proteins. New prototypes of JH antagonists working primarily on biosynthetic mechanisms underscored the renewed interest in this means of insect control. Also revealed were new kinds of feedback mechanisms regulating output of the endocrine glands, including the regulation of JH output by ovarian ecdysone in Nauphoeta. In the hormonal regulation of insect development, the conferees heard how the degradation of JH by the individual tissues as well as by the hemolymph is important for their reprograming response to ecdysteroids at metamorphosis. This reprograming was shown to occur in a tissue-, and even intracellular-, specific pattern. The hormonal regulation of insect reproduction by the same two hormones, ecdysone and JH, was shown to be much more diverse among the insect groups. For instance, yolk protein synthesis occurs not only in fat body (controlled by ecdysone in Diptera and by JH in locusts and cockroaches), but also in the ovaries of some species such as Drosophila (controlled by JH) and Cecropia (no known hormonal control). On the molecular level, the most exciting findings reported were the isolation by several laboratories of cytosolic receptors for JH. Beginning studies on the action of both ecdysone and JH on the regulation of transcription of specific genes and on posttranscriptional processes were presented. The role of peptide neurohormones in insect development and behavior was significantly extended. Discussed were their control of insect ecdysis, pupariation behavior, egg development, and carbohydrate and lipid metab907 00984)331 / 81/ 09004)907503.00 9 1981 Plenum Publishing Corporation
908
CONFERENCE SUMMARY
olism. The importance of aminergic neurotransmitters such as 5HT controlling the release of PTTH, and octopamine modulating various aspects of insect behavior in regulation and control of insect function were disclosed. Pheromones also modulate insect behavior, and aspects of both the control of their production by environmental factors and this influence on the recipient's behavior were presented. At the receptor level, selectivity of specific components of a pheromone mixture by the individual cells was shown, as well as the role of binding proteins and degradative enzymes in pheromone action. The importance of the stereochemical features of insect sex pheromones has become increasingly apparent, and the challenge to the synthetic chemist to devise stereoselective syntheses was elegantly demonstrated in several papers. Coevolution of plants and insects was discussed with emphasis on plant natural products serving as antifeedants and on their ability to disrupt insect development. Many other new findings were presented ranging from the role of insect intestinal fungi in the reduction of JHs in the gut of insects to announcement of new juvenoids as potentially practical insect control agents in plant protection. It was evident from the scope of scientific information presented at the conference that interdisciplinary research is an essential requisite for continued advances in our understanding of how insects function. This knowledge is essential in our continuing quest to discover selective, biodegradable insecticidal or insectostatic chemicals. This conference was dedicated to the memory of the pioneer Polish endocrinologist, Stefan Kope6. Fittingly, it was held in Kope6's land, where it was organized and sponsored by the Technical University of Wroclaw under the auspices of the Research Programme "Environment Protection." Generous financial support was provided by the Technical University through the efforts of its vice president, Professor Alfred Dziendziel, and Professor Andrzej Zab~a. The conference owes its success to the dedication of the Polish organizing committee whose efforts brought together participants from over 20 countries. Their contributions to the scientific content and the warm fellowship characterized this memorable conference in the Silesian mountains of Poland. The conference proceedings will be published by the Publishing Office of the Technical University of Wroclaw.
J.J. MENN F. SEHNAL
Conference Summary
REGULATION
OF INSECT
DEVELOPMENT
AND BEHAVIOR
An International Conference on Regulation of Insect Development and Behavior was held in Karpacz, Poland, June 23-28, 1980. The conference was a unique attempt to bring together entomologists, physiologists, biochemists, and chemists to discuss and present in an integrated manner the state of the science governing life and behavioral processes in insects. While previous topical conferences specialized primarily in research on juvenile hormones (JH), this conference dealt with many aspects of chemical communication, both within the insect (hormones) and between insects (pheromones). Biochemical papers were presented describing the discovery of JH "0" in eggs of Manduca sexta and regulation of hormone levels of biosynthetic enzymes in the corpus allatum, and the role of other factors such as esterase inactivation, binding and carrier proteins. New prototypes of JH antagonists working primarily on biosynthetic mechanisms underscored the renewed interest in this means of insect control. Also revealed were new kinds of feedback mechanisms regulating output of the endocrine glands, including the regulation of JH output by ovarian ecdysone in Nauphoeta. In the hormonal regulation of insect development, the conferees heard how the degradation of JH by the individual tissues as well as by the hemolymph is important for their reprograming response to ecdysteroids at metamorphosis. This reprograming was shown to occur in a tissue-, and even intracellular-, specific pattern. The hormonal regulation of insect reproduction by the same two hormones, ecdysone and JH, was shown to be much more diverse among the insect groups. For instance, yolk protein synthesis occurs not only in fat body (controlled by ecdysone in Diptera and by JH in locusts and cockroaches), but also in the ovaries of some species such as Drosophila (controlled by JH) and Cecropia (no known hormonal control). On the molecular level, the most exciting findings reported were the isolation by several laboratories of cytosolic receptors for JH. Beginning studies on the action of both ecdysone and JH on the regulation of transcription of specific genes and on posttranscriptional processes were presented. The role of peptide neurohormones in insect development and behavior was significantly extended. Discussed were their control of insect ecdysis, pupariation behavior, egg development, and carbohydrate and lipid metab907 00984)331 / 81/ 09004)907503.00 9 1981 Plenum Publishing Corporation
908
CONFERENCE SUMMARY
olism. The importance of aminergic neurotransmitters such as 5HT controlling the release of PTTH, and octopamine modulating various aspects of insect behavior in regulation and control of insect function were disclosed. Pheromones also modulate insect behavior, and aspects of both the control of their production by environmental factors and this influence on the recipient's behavior were presented. At the receptor level, selectivity of specific components of a pheromone mixture by the individual cells was shown, as well as the role of binding proteins and degradative enzymes in pheromone action. The importance of the stereochemical features of insect sex pheromones has become increasingly apparent, and the challenge to the synthetic chemist to devise stereoselective syntheses was elegantly demonstrated in several papers. Coevolution of plants and insects was discussed with emphasis on plant natural products serving as antifeedants and on their ability to disrupt insect development. Many other new findings were presented ranging from the role of insect intestinal fungi in the reduction of JHs in the gut of insects to announcement of new juvenoids as potentially practical insect control agents in plant protection. It was evident from the scope of scientific information presented at the conference that interdisciplinary research is an essential requisite for continued advances in our understanding of how insects function. This knowledge is essential in our continuing quest to discover selective, biodegradable insecticidal or insectostatic chemicals. This conference was dedicated to the memory of the pioneer Polish endocrinologist, Stefan Kope6. Fittingly, it was held in Kope6's land, where it was organized and sponsored by the Technical University of Wroclaw under the auspices of the Research Programme "Environment Protection." Generous financial support was provided by the Technical University through the efforts of its vice president, Professor Alfred Dziendziel, and Professor Andrzej Zab~a. The conference owes its success to the dedication of the Polish organizing committee whose efforts brought together participants from over 20 countries. Their contributions to the scientific content and the warm fellowship characterized this memorable conference in the Silesian mountains of Poland. The conference proceedings will be published by the Publishing Office of the Technical University of Wroclaw.
J.J. MENN F. SEHNAL
