The focus of my laboratory is the regulation of insect diapause, temperature tolerance and reproduction. Our interest in diapause ranges from its environmental and hormonal regulation to molecular studies examining diapause-specific gene expression. Our results indicate that a unique set of genes is expressed during diapause, and such genes offer interesting potential as regulators of the diapause response. Current models used in our diapause and cold hardiness experiments include flesh flies (Sarcophaga species), mosquitoes (Culex pipiens), and members of Heliothis/Helicoverpa complex. Experiments with temperature tolerance examine insects' responses to both high and low temperatures. Of special interest are the physiological adjustments that prevent cold shock and heat shock injury. Over the last few years, we have also been investigating the physiological and molecular adaptations enabling a midge to survive the harsh environmental stresses encountered in Antarctica. We have also maintained a long-term interest in regulation of reproduction in the tsetse fly, vector of African sleeping sickness.