2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The goal of this project is to discover, develop, and foster commercialization of new, natural insect management products for control of insects of medicinal, veterinary, and urban concern. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) (1) Collect biological material from terrestrial, aquatic, and marine sources for which there are reasons to suspect the presence of arthropod-active compounds. (2) Conduct bioassay-directed isolation of insect-active compounds against mosquitoes, fire ants, termites, and other insects of medicinal, urban, or veterinary concern. (3) Scale up the production of compounds of interest in order to conduct development research. (4) Conduct development research, such as insect target range and toxicological studies. 3.Progress Report The University of Mississippi’s Thad Cochran National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) is working with the ARS scientists based here (Natural Product Utilization Research Unit of ARS, NPURU) with the ultimate objectives of discovery, development, and commercialization of new, safer and more effective insect management products derived from natural sources. Considerable progress has been made in the following areas:. 1)A strategic relationship was established with the Center for Water and Wetlands Resources at the University of Mississippi Field Station, which allowed us to identify laboratory space that could be devoted to the project. An experienced entomologist has insect rearing and insect behavioral study facilities that will be adapted and shared for this work. In addition, adjacent laboratories are being equipped for chemistry capacity to support the entomological work.. 2)A fire ant pyramid habitat has been constructed for observation of ants in soil as well as on surface and foraging away from nest. This is in the 3-D shape of a pyramid, and connected at the top into a common tray with foraging tubes of clear tubing out to foraging arenas. This allows observation of insect behavior in a more realistic environment, observation of underground excavation and movements of queen, brood, etc., and ability to track marked workers.. 3)An high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system and gas chromatography system have been installed, and gas chromatography (GC) assays implemented for analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons in fire ants. These are recognition cues in intra- and inter-colony behavior, and this study analyzed the influence of ambient temperature on the composition of the cuticular hydrocarbons.. 4)Partnerships for natural product sourcing have been renewed and augmented. NCNPR has connections with international organizations that will facilitate collections of plants, marine organisms, and microbes that can be evaluated in the screens established. Already established are agreements with the Missouri Botanical Garden, NY Botanical Garden, the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica/Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of Panama, the National Cancer Institute, and the Ocean Biotechnology Center and Repository (which is a NOAA-funded program based at the University of Mississippi).. 5)A doctoral-level insect toxicologist and additional natural product chemistry capacity, with support staff are being added for the program. This scientist will have experience or knowledge of the application and development of bioassays for testing lethal, sublethal, and behavioral effects of chemicals on arthropods. The chemistry positions are also being filled.. 6)Literature searches have been conducted to identify plants with reported insecticidal activity. From plants used in China for such purposes, more than 28 genera have been identified. Analogous searches of flora of other countries and the U.S. are in process. Monitoring of this project continues through frequent telephone and email communications.