Greg J. Hunt, Dept. of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1158

My primary interest is the behavioral genetics and genomics of the honey bee, and the role of genetic variation in division of labor. In collaboration with others, I have been involved in mapping genes as quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence several important behavioral traits of honey bees, such as foraging, stinging and learning. The primary focus has been mapping genes that influence honey bee defensive behavior and alarm pheromones. We are developing and testing models to explain how defensive behavior is organized at the colony level and what social feedback mechanisms influence individual defensive behavior of bees. We are also developing tools for genomics in bees, such as a BAC library and linkage maps of the genome.

Selected recent publications:

• Hunt, G. J. and R. E. Page, Jr., 1995 Major quantitative trait loci affecting honey bee foraging behavior. Genetics 141: 1537-1545.
• Hunt, G. J. and R. E. Page, Jr., 1995 A linkage map of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, based on RAPD markers. Genetics 139: 1371-1382
• Hunt, G. J., E. Guzmán-Novoa, M. K. Fondrk and R. E. Page Jr., 1998 Quantitative trait loci for honey bee stinging behavior and body size. Genetics 148:1203-1213.
• Hunt, G. J., A. M. Collins, R. Riviera, R. E. Page Jr. and E. Guzmán-Novoa, 1999 Quantitative trait loci for honey bee alarm pheromone production. J. Heredity 90: 585-589.

Homepage: http://www.entm.purdue.edu/entomology/research/bee/index.htm
Email: ghunt@purdue.edu

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