Ann M. Ray

San Gabriel Mts., CA, USA

Hanks Lab
Department of Entomology

320 Morrill Hall

505 S. Goodwin Ave.

Urbana, IL 61801

phone: 217-333-7783

fax: 217-244-3499

annray(at)life.uiuc.edu

         B.A. Biology, Bellarmine University, Louisville KY
         M.S. Entomology, University of Illinois
         Ph.D. candidate Entomology, University of Illinois

[Research] [About Me] [Publications] [CV] [Department of Entomology] [Links]

RESEARCH
I study the evolution of pheromone communication in the longhorned beetle subfamily Cerambycinae, integrating chemical ecology, natural history, morphology, and systematics.

For my MS thesis, I surveyed 64 species in the subfamily Cerambycinae for the presence of gland pores associated with volatile pheromone production in male beetles. Gland pores were present in males, absent in females of 48 species. Gland pores were absent in both sexes of the remaining 16 species. I found variation in the presence or absence of gland pores among closely related species, suggesting that long-range pheromone production is an evolutionary labile trait (see publications Ray et al. 2006).

My PhD research builds on my previous work to understand evolution of the pheromone gland pore trait (and presumably volatile pheromone production) in the Cerambycidae. I have recently extended my morphological study to include 123 species from seven cerambycid subfamilies. I have conducted most of my field research in California and southern Arizona to take advantage of the diverse and well-characterized cerambycid faunas of those areas. In collaboration with Dr. Jocelyn Millar at the University of California Riverside, I have identified volatile, male-produced pheromones in two species of cerambycids: Rosalia funebris (the oh-so charismatic "banded alder borer") and Anelaphus inflaticollis (less charismatic, but still interesting!). I have also participated in pheromone field bioassays for several other cerambycid species in California (see publications). I am also constructing a molecular phylogeny for the tribes of the subfamily Cerambycinae, providing an evolutionary framework for understanding taxonomic distribution of pheromones/ pheromone gland pores.

Megacheuma brevipenne Psalignathus modestus (photo Ian Swift) Deliathus quadritaeniator (photo Ian Swift)
ABOUT ME
Outside of my lab and field research, I have been a volunteer "Bug-Op" with the Bugscope project since 2004. Bugscope is an educational outreach program that provides students of all ages web-based access to a scanning electron microscope. Check it out!! I also enjoy a variety of hobbies including cooking/baking, hiking, camping, gardening, drawing, running, and knitting.

Sonora, Mexico: July 2006
photos by Dr. Barney Streit
(P.S. I swear I don't always wear this hat!)

PUBLICATIONS

Ginzel, M. D., J. A. Moreira, A. M. Ray, J. G. Millar, & L. M. Hanks. 2006. (Z)-9-nonacosene - major component of the contact sex pheromone of the beetle Megacyllene caryae. J. Chem. Ecol. 32: 435-451 (and online supplement)
Ray, A. M., E. S. Lacey, & L. M. Hanks. 2006. Predicted taxonomic patterns in pheromone production by longhorned beetles. Naturwissenschaften 93: 543-550
Nearns, E. H., & A. M. Ray. 2006. A new species of Curius Newman (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Venezuela with notes on sexual dimorphism within the genus. Zootaxa 1256: 49-57
Lacey, E. S., J. A. Moreira, J. G. Millar, A. M. Ray, & L. M. Hanks. 2007. Male-produced aggregation pheromone of the cerambycid beetle Neoclytus mucronatus mucronatus. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 122: 171–179
Lacey, E. S., A. M. Ray, & L. M. Hanks. 2007. Calling behavior of the cerambycid beetle Neoclytus acuminatus acuminatus (F.). J. Insect Behavior 20: 117-128.
Hanks, L. M., J. G. Millar, J. A. Moreira, J. D. Barbour, E. S. Lacey, J. S. McElfresh, F. R. Reuter, & A. M. Ray. 2007. Using generic pheromone lures to expedite identification of aggregation pheromones for the cerambycid beetles Xylotrechus nauticus, Phymatodes lecontei, and Neoclytus modestus modestus. J. Chem. Ecol. 33: 889-907
Swift, I. P., & A. M. Ray. A review of the genus Tragidion Audinet-Serville, 1834 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Trachyderini). Zootaxa 1892: 1-25
Ray, A. M., C. Conway, U. Thakkar, C. Wallace, & S. J. Robinson. What does that hair do? Remote-access scanning electron microscopy and the Bugscope project. Instant Symposium feature. American Entomologist. 54: 232-234
Ray, A. M., J. G. Millar, J. S. McElfresh, I. P. Swift, J. D. Barbour, & L. M. Hanks. Male-produced aggregation phermone of the cerambycid beetle Rosalia funebris. J. Chem. Ecol. 35: 96-103.
Ray, A. M., M. D. Ginzel, & L. M. Hanks. Male Megacyllene robiniae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) use multiple tactics when aggressively competing for mates. Environ. Entomol. (in press)
Ray, A. M., I. P. Swift, J. A. Moreira, J. G. Millar, & L. M. Hanks. An aggregation pheromone produced by males of the desert cerambycid beetle Anelaphus inflaticollis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Environ. Entomol. (in review)
Rodstein, J., J. S. McElfresh, J. D. Barbour, A. M. Ray, L. M. Hanks, & J.G. Millar. 2009. Identification and synthesis of a female-produced sex pheromone for the cerambycid beetle Prionus californicus. J. Chem. Ecol. (in review)

LINKS
All things bycidological: www.cerambycids.com
Catalog of the Cerambycidae of the New World
California Beetle Project, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Instituto Nacional de Bioversidad Costa Rica