This is a proposal by Dr. Elizabeth Bernays and her graduate student, Mr. Raymond V. Barbehenn, of University of California, Berkeley. Overall, this is a very well-conceived and well- executed grant proposal. It addresses questions about herbivore utilization of C3 and C4 grasses that have benn inadequately addressed in previous work, and proposes to test hypotheses about the use of these grasses by herbivorous insects. The perspective of assessing three levels of this relationship (nutritional ecology, macronutrient use, and mechanisms of digestion) is a good one. The methodologies of various of the planned experiments are adequately described. The work has implications for advances in pest control and in agriculture, especially with cereal systems. Dr. Bernays is increasingly applauded for her fine work in this area of ecologyy and the facilities at Berkeley are ideal for pursuing this research. The Program recommends funding.
