John Tooker, Ph.D.

Recent media coverage - Read some of the news coverage our work has received!

Current graduate students:

Kirsten Pearsons, PhD student

• B.S., Environmental Toxicology - University of California, Davis
• USDA NE-SARE Graduate Fellowship recipient

Elizabeth Rowen, PhD student

• M.S., Entomology - Purdue University
• USDA NE-SARE Graduate Fellowship recipient

Current postdoctoral researchers:

Current undergraduate students:

Lab manager / problem solver:

Former graduate students:

Eric Bohenblust, PhD student, Graduated 2014
(Current position: US EPA) 

• EPA STAR Graduate Fellowship
• John Henry Comstock Award from Entomological Society of America
• Asa Fitch Award from Entomological Society of America

Ian Grettenberger, PhD student, Graduated 2015
(Current position: Assistant Professor, Univ. California, Davis)  

• USDA NIFA Graduate Fellowship recipient
• USDA NE-SARE Graduate Fellowship recipient
• Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research recipient

Anjel Helms, PhD student, Graduated 2015 (Ecology Program; co-advised with Mark Mescher) (Current position: Assistant Professor of Entomology, Texas A&M) 

• NSF Graduate Fellowship recipient
• PSU Alumni Association Dissertation Award

Former postdoctoral researchers:

Dr. Kevin Rice (PhD, Ohio State) - Ecology of brown marmorated stink bug (Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Missouri, Division of Plant Sciences)
Dr. Anjel Helms (PhD, Penn State) - Ecology of plant-insect interactions in Solidago
(Current position: Assistant Professor of Entomology, Texas A&M) 
Dr. Marion Le Gall (PhD, Texas A&M) - Ecological control of slugs in no-till crop fields (Current position: Postdoc with Arianne Cease, Arizona State University)

Departmental focus areas:

Chemical Ecology
Ecological Applications

Research:

Insect-plant interactions in agricultural systems, chemical ecology, induced host-plant defenses, natural-enemy ecology, tritrophic interactions, gall-inducing insects

Word clouds built from batches of recent abstracts:

(These clouds give a sense of our research areas/themes/systems. The size of the word is proportional to the frequency of its use in the abstracts; from wordle.com):

2017:

 

Publications:

Helms, A. M., S. Ray, N. Matulis, Nina, M. Kuzemchak, W. Grisales, J. F. Tooker, and J. Ali. 2019. Chemical cues from belowground natural enemies enhance plant defences and influence herbivore behaviour and performance. Functional Ecology, in press.

Douglas, M. R., J. Chang, K. Begum, S. Subramanian, J. F. Tooker, S. Nurul Alam, S. Ramasamy. 2019. Evaluation of biorational insecticides and DNA barcoding as tools to improve insect pest management in lablab bean (Lablab purpureus) in Bangladesh. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, in press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2018.10.007

Zemenick, A. T., R. R. Kula, L. Russo, and J. F .Tooker. 2019. A network approach reveals parasitoid wasps to be generalized nectar foragers. Arthropod-Plant Interactions, in press; available online: doi.org/10.1007/s11829-018-9642-9

Harth, J. E., M. E. Ferrari, A. M. Helms, J. F. Tooker, A. G. Stephenson. 2018. Viral infection limits establishment and severity of a powdery mildew in wild populations of Cucurbita pepo. Frontiers in Plant Science 9: 792.

Walter, J., A. Ives, J. F. Tooker, D, M. Johnson. 2018. Life history and habitat explain variation among insect pest populations subject to global change. Ecosphere 9: e02274.

Vaudo, A. D., L. M. Farrell, H. M. Patch, C. M. Grozinger, and J. F. Tooker. 2018. Consistent pollen nutritional intake drives bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) colony growth and reproduction across different habitats. Ecology and Evolution 8: 5765-5776.

Abbot, P., J. F. Tooker, and S. Lawson. 2018. Chemical ecology and sociality in aphids: opportunities and directions. Journal of Chemical Ecology 44: 770-784.

Tooker, J. F., M. R. Douglas, C. Krupke. 2017. Neonicotinoid seed treatments: limitations and compatibility with Integrated Pest Management. Agricultural & Environmental Letters 2(1), DOI: 10.2134/ael2017.08.0026.

Russo, L, A. Miller, J. F. Tooker, O. Bjornstad, and K. Shea. Quantitative evolutionary patterns in mutualistic networks: Vicariance, phylogenetic tracking, or coevolution? Methods in Ecology and Evolution, in press. DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.12914

Castano-Duque, L., K. Loades, J. F. Tooker, K. Brown, W. P. Williams, and D. S. Luthe. A maize inbred exhibits resistance against western corn rootwoorm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. Journal of Chemical Ecology, in press.

Pearsons, K., I. and J. F. Tooker. 2017. In-field habitat management to optimize pest control of novel soil communities in agroecosystems, Insects 8(3):82. DOI: 10.3390/insects8030082.

Helms, A. M., C. M. De Moraes, A. Tröger, H. T. Alborn, W. Francke, J. F. Tooker, M. C. Mescher. 2017. Identification of an insect-produced olfactory cue that primes plant defenses. Nature Communications 8: 337. DOI:10.1038/s41467-017-00335-8

Le Gall, M., and J. F. Tooker. Developing ecologically based pest management programs for terrestrial molluscs. Journal of Pest Science 90: 825–838.

Pearsons, K., I. Mikó, J. F. Tooker. 2017. The cyanide gland of the greenhouse millipede, Oxidus gracilis (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae). Research Ideas and Outcomes 3: e12249.  DOI: 10.3897/rio.3.e12249.

Yip, E., C. M. De Moraes, M. C. Mescher, J. F. Tooker. 2017. The volatile emission of a specialist herbivore alters patterns of plant defence, growth and flower production in a field population of goldenrod (Solidago altissima). Functional Ecology 31: 1062–1070. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12826

Koch, R., B. Potter, P. Glogoza, E. Hodgson, C. Krupke, J. Tooker, C. DiFonzo, A. Michel, K. Tilmon, T. Prochaska, J. Knodel, R. Wright, T. Hunt, B. Jensen, A. Varenhorst, B. McCornack, K. Estes, J. Spencer. 2016. Biology and economics of recommendations for insecticide-based management of soybean aphid. Plant Health Progress 17: 265-269.

Douglas, M. R., and J. F. Tooker. 2016. Meta-analysis reveals that neonicotinoid seed treatments and pyrethroids have similar negative effects on abundance of arthropod natural enemies. PeerJ 4:e2776.

Vaudo, A. D., D. Stabler, H. M. Patch, J. F. Tooker, C. M. Grozinger, and G. A. Wright. 2016. Bumble bees regulate their intake of the essential protein and lipid pollen macronutrients. Journal of Experimental Biology 219: 3962-3970.

Grettenberger, I. M., and J. F. Tooker. 2016. Variety mixtures of wheat influence aphid populations and attract an aphid predator. Arthropod-Plant Interactions, in press. Available online: DOI: 10.1007/s11829-016-9477-1.

Rice, K. B., R. Troyer, K. M. Watrous, J. F. Tooker, and S. J. Fleischer. 2016. Landscape factors influencing stink bug damage in agricultural systems following the introduction of the brown marmorated stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, in press. Available online: doi: 10.1093/jee/tow252.

Vaudo, A. D., H. M. Patch, D. A. Mortensen, J. F. Tooker, C. M. Grozinger. 2016. Macronutrient ratios in pollen shape bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) foraging strategies and floral preferences. Proceedings of National Academy of Science USA, 113:E4035-42. Available online: doi: 10.1073/pnas.1606101113.

Campbell C., L. Russo, A. Marins, O. DeSouza, K. Schönrogge, D. Mortensen, J. F. Tooker, R. Albert, and K. Shea. 2016. Top-down network analysis characterizes hidden termite–termite interactions. Ecology and Evolution, in press. doi:10.1002/ece3.2313.

Walls, J. T, P. Caciagli, J. F. Tooker, J. M. Russo, E. G. Rajotte, C. Rosa. 2016. Modeling the decision process for barley yellow dwarf management. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 127: 775–786.

Grettenberger, I. M. and J. F. Tooker. 2016. Inter-varietal interactions among plants in genotypically diverse mixtures tend to decrease herbivore performance. Oecologia 182: 189-202 (available online: doi:10.1007/s00442-016-3651-0).

Bohnenblust, E. W., A. D. Vaudo, J. F. Egan, D. A. Mortensen, and J. F. Tooker. 2016. Effects of the herbicide dicamba on non-target plants and pollinator visitation. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 35(1):144–151. DOI: 10.1002/etc.3169

Rice, K. B., S. J. Fleischer, C. M. De Moraes, M. C. Mescher, J. F. Tooker, and M. Gish. 2015. Handheld lasers allow efficient detection of fluorescent marked organisms in the field. PLoS ONE 10(6): e0129175. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0129175.

Ray, S., I. Gaffor, F. Acevedo, A. M. Helms, W.-P. Chuang,  J.F. Tooker, G. W. Felton, D. S. Luthe. 2015. Maize plants recognize herbivore-associated cues from caterpillar frass. Journal of Chemical Ecology 41: 781–792.

Vaudo, A. D., J. F. Tooker, C. M. Grozinger, and H. M. Patch. 2015. Bee nutrition and floral resource restoration. Current Opinion in Insect Science 10: 133–141. DOI:dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2015.05.008

Grettenberger, I. M., and J. F. Tooker. 2015. Moving beyond resistance management toward an expanded role for seed mixtures in agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 208: 29–36. DOI:10.1016/j.agee.2015.04.019

Douglas, M. R., and J. F. Tooker. 2015. Large-Scale Deployment of Seed Treatments Has Driven Rapid Increase in Use of Neonicotinoid Insecticides and Preemptive Pest Management in U.S. Field Crops. Environ. Sci. Technol. 49(8): 5088–5097, DOI: 10.1021/es506141g (Link)

Douglas, M. R., J. R. Rohr, and J. F. Tooker. 2015. Neonicotinoid insecticide travels through a soil food chain, disrupting biological control of non-target pests and decreasing soybean yield. Journal of Applied Ecology 52: 250–260. (Editor’s Choice article and image from the article featured on the cover, DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12372; and read our Research Brief on the topic, and a related post in the blog of the Journal of Applied Ecology.)

Glenna, L., Tooker, J. F., Welsh, R., Ervin, D. Intellectual property, scientific independence, and the efficacy and environmental impacts of genetically engineered crops. Rural Sociology 80 (2): 147–172. 
**Selected The 2015 Paper of the Year in Rural Sociology**

Tooker, J. F., and A. M. Helms. 2014. Phytohormone dynamics associated with gall insects, and their potential role in the evolution of the gall-inducing habit. Journal of Chemical Ecology 40:742-753.

Helms, A. M., C. M. De Moraes, M. C. Mescher, and J. F. Tooker. 2014. The volatile emission of Eurosta solidaginis primes herbivore-induced volatile production in Solidago altissima and does not directly deter insect feeding. BMC Plant Biology 14:173

Vaudo, A. D., H. M. Patch, D. A. Mortensen, C. M. Grozinger, and J. F. Tooker. 2014. Bumble bees exhibit daily behavioral patterns in pollen foraging.  Arthropod-Plant Interactions 8: 273-283.

Rice, K., C. Bergh, E. Bergmann, D. Biddinger, C. Dieckhoff, G. Dively, H. Fraser, T. Gariepy, G. Hamilton, T. Haye, A. Herbert, K. Hoelmer, C. Hooks, A. Jones, G. Krawczyk, T. Kuhar, H. Martinson, W. Mitchell, A. Nielsen, D. Pfeiffer, M. Raupp, C. Rodriguez-Saona, P. Shearer, P. Shrewsbury, D. Venugopal, J. Whalen, N. Wiman, T. Leskey, J. Tooker. 2014. Biology, ecology, and management of brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys). Journal of Integrated Pest Management 5:A1-A13.

McCarville. M. T., M. E. O’Neal, B. D. Potter, K. J. Tilmon, E. M. Cullen, B. P. McCornack, J. F. Tooker, and D. A. Prischmann-Voldseth. 2014. One gene versus two: a regional study on the efficacy of single gene versus pyramided resistance for soybean aphid management. Journal of Economic Entomology 107(4):1680-1687.

Toth, A. L., J. F. Tooker, S. Radhakrishnan, R. Minard, M. T. Henshaw, C. M. Grozinger. Shared genes related to aggression, rather than chemical communication, are associated with reproductive dominance in paper wasps (Polistes metricus). BMC Genomics 15:75  doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-75

Egan, J. F., E. W. Bohnenblust, S. Goslee, D. A. Mortensen, and J. F. Tooker. 2014. Herbicide drift affects plant and arthropod communities. Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment 185: 77–87.

Bohnenblust, E. W., J. A. Breining, J. A. Shaffer, S. J. Fleischer, G. W. Roth, and J. F. Tooker. 2014. Current European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, injury levels in the Northeastern US and the value of Bt field corn. Pest Management Science 70: 1711-1719. DOI: 10.1002/ps.3712.

Schipanski, M. E., M. Barbercheck, M. R. Douglas, D. M. Finney, K. Haider, J. P. Kaye, A. R. Kemanian, D. A. Mortensen, M. R. Ryan, J. F. Tooker, and C. White. 2014. A conceptual framework for evaluating ecosystem services provided by cover crops in agroecosystems. Agricultural Systems 125: 12-22.

Chung, S. H., C. Rosa, E. D. Scully, M. Peiffer, J. F. Tooker, K. Hoover, D. S. Luthe, and G. W. Felton. 2013. Herbivore exploits orally secreted bacteria to suppress plant defenses. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, USA 110: 15728-15733.

Bohnenblust, E. W., J Breining, G. W. Roth, and J. F. Tooker. 2013. Corn pith weevil, Geraeus penicillus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in transgenic, insect-resistant and conventional field corn hybrids. Journal of Applied Entomology 137: 668-672.

Bohnenblust, E. W., J Breining, S. J. Fleischer, G. W. Roth, and J. F. Tooker. 2013. Corn earworm in Northeastern field corn: pest threat and the value of transgenic hybrids. Journal of Economic Entomology 106 (3): 1250-1259.

Bohnenblust, E., Egan, J.F., Mortensen, D.M., Tooker, J. 2013. Direct and Indirect Effects of the Synthetic-Auxin Herbicide Dicamba on Two Lepidopteran Species. Environmental Entomology 42 (3): 586-594. 

Helms AM, De Moraes CM, Tooker JF, Mescher MC. 2013. Exposure of Solidago altissima plants to volatile emissions of an insect antagonist (Eurosta solidaginis) deters subsequent herbivory. Proceedings of National Academy of Science USA 110: 199-204. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1218606110

Shoffner AV, Tooker JF. 2013. The potential of genotypically diverse cultivar mixtures to moderate aphid populations in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Arthropod-Plant Interactions 7: 33-43.  (Shoffner was an undergraduate Honors student in the lab.)

Tooker JF, Frank SD. 2012. Genotypically diverse cultivar mixtures for insect pest management and increased crop yields. Journal of Applied Ecology 49:974-985. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02173.x.

Kim J, Tooker JF, Luthe DS, De Moraes CM, Felton GW 2012. Insect eggs can enhance wound response in plants: a study system of tomato Solanum lycopersicum L. and Helicoverpa zea Boddie. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37420. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0037420

Tian, D., Tooker, J. F., Peiffer, M., Chung, S., and G. W. Felton. 2012. Role of trichomes in defense against herbivores: Comparison of herbivore response to woolly and hairless trichome mutants in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Planta 236: 1053-66.

Tian, D, M. Peiffer, E. Shoemaker, J. Tooker, E. Haubruge, E. Francis, D. S. Luthe, and G. W. Felton. 2012. Salivary glucose oxidase from caterpillars mediates the induction of rapid and delayed-induced defenses in the tomato plant  PLoS ONE 7(4): e36168. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036168.

Frost, C. J., Smyers E. C., Dean J. M., Mescher M. C, Carlson, J. E., De Moraes C. M., and J. F. Tooker. 2012. A petiole-galling insect herbivore decelerates leaf lamina litter decomposition rates. Functional Ecology 26: 628–636. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.01986.x

Cui, L.L., F. Francis, Y. Liu, S. Heuskin, G. Lognay, J. Dong, J. Chen, C. Bragard, J. F. Tooker, and Y. Liu. 2012. E-β-Farnesene syngergizes the influence of an insecticide to improve control of cabbage aphids in China. Crop Protection 35: 91–96.

Douglas, M. R. and J. F. Tooker. 2012. Slug (Mollusca: Agriolimacidae, Arionidae) ecology and management in no-till field crops, with an emphasis on the Mid-Atlantic region. Journal of Integrated Pest Management 3: C1-C9.

Graham, E E., J. F. Tooker, and L. M. Hanks. 2012. Floral host plants of adult beetles of central Illinois. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 105: 287-297.

Wang, G., L. L. Cui, J. Dong, F. Francis, Y. Liu, and J. F. Tooker. 2011. Combining intercropping with semiochemical releases: optimisation of alternative control of Sitobion avenae in wheat crops in China.  Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 140: 189-195.

Kluger, E. C., S. H. Berlocher, L. M. Hanks, and J. F. Tooker. 2011. Consequences of habitat fragmentation for the prairie-endemic weevil Haplorhynchites aeneus. Environmental Entomology 40: 1388-1396.

Tooker, J. F. and C. M. De Moraes. 2011. Feeding by Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor [Say]) larvae increases levels of fatty acids and indole-3-acetic acid, but not hormones involved in plant-defense signaling. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation 30: 158-165.

Tooker, J. F. and C. M. De Moraes. 2011. Feeding by a gall-inducing caterpillar species increases levels of indole-3-acetic and decreases abscisic acid in Solidago altissima stems. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 5: 115-124.

Onstad, D. W., P. D. Mitchell, T. M. Hurley, J. G. Lundgren, R. P. Porter, C. H. Krupke, J. L. Spencer, C. D. DiFonzo, T. S. Baute, R. L. Hellmich, L.  Buschman, W. D. Hutchison, J. F. Tooker. 2011. Seeds of change: Corn seed mixtures for resistance management and IPM. Journal of Economic Entomology 104: 343-352.

Tooker, J. F., and Fleischer, S. J. 2010. First report of western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) in Pennsylvania. Online. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-2010-0616-01-RS.

Tooker, J. F, Peiffer M., D. S. Luthe, and G. W. Felton. 2010. Trichomes as sensors: detecting activity on the leaf surface. Plant Signaling & Behavior 5:73-75. 

Peiffer M., J. F. Tooker, D. S. Luthe, and G. W. Felton. 2010. Plants on early alert: glandular trichomes as sensors for insect herbivores.  New Phytologist 184:644-656.

Tooker, J. F. and C. M. De Moraes. 2009. A gall-inducing caterpillar species increases essential fatty acid content of its host plant without concomitant increases in phytohormone levels. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 22(5): 551-559.

Tooker, J. F. and C. M. De Moraes. 2008. Gall insects and indirect plant defenses: a case of active manipulation? Plant Signaling & Behavior 3:79-80.

Tooker, J. F., J. R. Rohr, W. G. Abrahamson, and C. M. De Moraes. 2008. Gall insects can evade and alter indirect plant defenses. New Phytologist 178: 657671.

Tooker, J. F. and C. M. De Moraes. 2007. Feeding by Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say)] larvae does not induce plant indirect defences. Ecological Entomology 32:153-161.

Tooker, J. F. and C. M. De Moraes. 2007. Jasmonate, salicylate, and benzoate in insect eggs. Journal of Chemical Ecology 33:331-343.

Tooker, J.F., and C.M. De Moraes. 2006. Jasmonate in lepidopteran larvae. Journal of Chemical Ecology 32: 2321-2326.

Tooker, J.F., and L.M. Hanks.2006. Tritrophic interactions influence reproduction of prairie perennials (Asteraceae: Silphium). Environmental Entomology 35: 537-545.

Tooker, J.F., M. Hauser, and L.M. Hanks. 2006. Floral host plants of syrphidae and tachinidae (Diptera) of central Illinois. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 99: 96-112.

Tooker, J.F. and C.M. De Moraes. 2005. Jasmonate in lepidopteran eggs and neonates. Journal of Chemical Ecology 31: 2753-2759.

Ellis, J.A., A.D. Walter, J.F. Tooker, M.D. Ginzel, P.F. Reagel, E.S. Lacey, A.B. Bennett, E.M. Grossman, and L.M. Hanks. 2005. Conservation biological control in urban landscapes: Manipulating parasitoids of bagworm (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) with flowering forbs. Biological Control 34: 99-107.

Tooker, J.F., A. L.Crumrin, and L.M. Hanks. 2005. Plant volatiles are behavioral cues for adult females of the gall wasp Antistrophus rufus. Chemoecology 15: 85-88.

Tooker, J. F., and L. M. Hanks. 2004. Endophytic insect communities of two prairie perennials (Asteraceae: Silphium spp.). Biodiversity and Conservation 13: 2551-2566.

Tooker, J. F., and L. M. Hanks. 2004. Impact of prescribed burning on endophytic insect communities of prairie perennials (Asteraceae: Silphium spp.). Biodiversity and Conservation 13: 1875-1888.

Tooker, J. F., A. R. Deans, and L. M. Hanks. 2004. Description of the Antistrophus rufus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) species complex, including two new species. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 13: 125-133.

Tooker, J. F., and L. M. Hanks. 2004. Trophic position of the endophytic beetle Mordellistena aethiops Smith (Coleoptera: Mordellidae). Environmental Entomology 33: 291-296.

Tooker, J. F., and L. M. Hanks. 2004. Stereochemistry of host plant monoterpenes as mate location cues for the gall wasp Antistrophus rufus. Journal of Chemical Ecology 30: 473-477."

Favret, C., J. F. Tooker, and L. M. Hanks. 2004 Iowana frisoni Hottes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) redescribed, with notes on its biology. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 106: 26-34.

Tooker, J. F., W. A. Koenig, and L. M. Hanks. 2002. Altered host plant volatiles are proxies for sex pheromones in the gall wasp Antistrophus rufus. Proceedings of National Academy of Science USA 99: 15486-15491.

Tooker, J. F., P. F. Reagel, and L. M. Hanks. 2002. Nectar sources of day-flying Lepidoptera of central Illinois. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 95: 84-96.

Tooker, J. F., and L. M. Hanks. 2000. Influence of plant community structure on natural enemies of pine needle scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in urban landscapes. Environmental Entomology 29: 1305-1311.

Tooker, J. F., and L. M. Hanks. 2000. Flowering plant hosts of adult hymenopteran parasitoids of central Illinois. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 93: 580-588.