Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research
2016 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Improve the feasibility of using multi-tactic pest control strategies, especially through the improvement of biologically based control methods, for invasive weeds of the southern United States (e.g. tropical soda apple, air potato and Chinese tallow).
Sub-objective 1.A. Develop pre-release techniques that can be used to evaluate the impact of future biological control agents.
Sub-objective 1.B. Determine the role of North American native natural enemies attacking biological control agents on the agents’ population establishment and impact to the targeted weed.
Sub-objective 1.C. Determine release factors that increase successful establishment of weed biological control agents.
Objective 2: Develop biologically based pest control strategies (e.g., augmentative biological control, mating disruption, and push-pull companion plants) for insect pests of the southern United States (e.g., whiteflies, corn silk flies, and the Argentine cactus moth).
Sub-objective 2.A. Identify companion plants, commercial products and chemical compounds that i) repel whiteflies and determine their efficacy in limiting pest dispersal into crops (“push” factors), as well as ii) plants and products capable of attracting whiteflies into trap crops to facilitate control (“pull” factors).
Sub-objective 2.B. Evaluate companion or refuge plants that attract or maintain important whitefly predators.
Sub-objective 2.C. Develop an integrated cropping system combining “push-pull” crops or plant products with natural enemy refuges for sustainable biologically-based control of the whitefly.
Sub-objective 2.D. Identify parasitoids with potential as biological control agents for corn silk flies.
Sub-objective 2.E. Determine the Argentine field host range of the potential Argentine cactus moth biological control agent, Apanteles opuntiarum.
Sub-objective 2.F. Determine the effectiveness of a mating disruption technology as a sustainable management option for the cactus moth in commercial cactus production areas.
Sub-objective 2.G. Collect, identify, and distinguish between the complex of Harrisia cactus mealybugs (HCM), their plant hosts, and host specific parasitoids found in Argentina, Puerto Rico, other Caribbean Islands, and Florida.
Approach
Invasive insect pests and weeds are among the most serious problems facing agricultural and natural ecosystems throughout the United States. This project plan describes research to improve implementation of biologically based tactics for non-pesticide management of insect pests and weeds. The goals will be achieved through acquiring a better understanding of the pest species biology along with the interactions between host plants and natural enemies to support the development of optimized approaches, technologies and strategies for control of a variety of targets. One area of research will address improvement of techniques to enhance release success and increased efficiency of establishment and impact of biological control insect species against invasive weed species, specifically targeting the air potato and Chinese tallow. A second area of research focuses on the development of an integrated vegetable cropping system for control of whiteflies using a “push/pull” pest management approach. A vegetable crop system will be assessed using ‘push’ components consisting of naturally repellent plants or plant compounds, in conjunction with ‘pull’ components that consist of trap crops and refuge plants that naturally harbor whitefly predators. The potential use of parasitoids for reduction of the impact of corn silk flies on sweet corn will also be examined. A third area of emphasis is on the protection of U.S. native cacti from the invasive Argentine cactus moth and the Harissia cactus mealybug complex. Control of the Argentine cactus moth will be assessed through the use of a mating disrupting pheromone along with a potential exotic parasitoid. Control of the Harissia cactus mealybug complex will be based on developing an understanding of the species complex composition, alternative host plant reservoirs and potential parasitoids. The outcomes of this research project will improve the sustainability of agricultural production, reduce reliance on pesticides and reduce the environmental degradation caused by invasive pest insect and weed species.
Progress Report
Significant progress was made where we, in collaboration with scientists in Argentina and at the Florida Department of Agriculture, evaluated an Argentine parasitoid as a biological control agent against the invasive cactus moth. Field studies throughout Argentina identified the parasitoid as highly host specific. Parasitoid rearing protocols were improved in Argentina and a parasitoid colony and rearing technology were transferred to a Florida quarantine facility where the host range of the parasitoid on native North American cactus-feeding moths is being conducted.
We also collaborated in the release and establishment of leaf-feeding beetles to control invasive air potato in Florida. Staff and collaborators recently completed a statewide survey of the distribution and impact of the beetles in Florida’s 67 counties. Adult beetles were found at 75% of locations searched, and damage from beetle attack was found at 86% of locations. The outlook is very promising for a successful biological control program against the air potato throughout the state. Beetles have become established, increased in numbers, dispersed, and substantially impacted the weed at many locations.
We evaluated the commercial methyl salicylate product, “preda-lure”, and the use of refuge plants sweet alyssum intercropped with kale and broccoli, in attracting beneficial natural enemies against these pests. Preliminary studies indicated that the most abundant insect predator collected from malaise traps stationed in the test areas was a common hoverfly. Sweet alyssum was found to serve as a refuge plant for hoverflies and can be used as a cultural strategy in the sustainable management of whiteflies and aphids in vegetable crops.
Accomplishments
1. Biological control of the invasive Argentine cactus moth. The invasive Argentine cactus moth continues to invade the southeastern U.S., destroy native prickly pear cactus plants, and threaten the unique cactus diversity and industry in the western U.S. and Mexico. ARS researchers in Tallahassee, Florida, are collaborating with scientists in Argentina and the Florida Department of Agriculture to evaluate an Argentine parasitoid as a biological control agent against this invasive moth. Field studies throughout Argentina identified the parasitoid as highly host specific. Parasitoid rearing protocols were improved in Argentina and a parasitoid colony and rearing technology were transferred to a Florida quarantine facility where the host range of the parasitoid on native North American cactus-feeding moths is being conducted. If a narrow host range is confirmed in quarantine, then the parasitoid offers a sustainable control tool for the Argentine cactus moth in the U.S., with little or no risk to non-target species.
2. Release and establishment of leaf-feeding beetle to control invasive air potato in Florida. Thousands of adult air potato leaf-feeding beetles have been released over the last four years to control the Asian air potato vine by ARS, researchers in Tallahassee, Florida, in collaboration with scientists from ARS – Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the University of Florida, and Florida Department of Agriculture. The beetles were studied and determined to be safe to non-target North American plants. A statewide survey of the distribution and impact of the beetles in Florida’s 67 counties was completed. Adult beetles were found at 75% of locations searched, and damage from beetle attack was found at 86% of locations. Beetles have become established, increased in numbers, dispersed, and substantially impacted the weed at many locations. The outlook is very promising for a successful biological control program against the air potato throughout Florida.
3. Cultural and sustainable management of insect pests of vegetables. Major insect pests in vegetable crops include the sweetpotato whitefly and aphids. ARS, researchers in Tallahassee, Florida, evaluated the commercial methyl salicylate product, “preda-lure”, and the use of refuge plants sweet alyssum intercropped with kale and broccoli as a means of attracting beneficial natural enemies against these pests. Preliminary studies indicated that the most abundant predator collected were hoverflies with one species more prevalent. Sweet alyssum can serve as refuge plants for hoverflies as a cultural strategy in the sustainable management of whiteflies and aphids in vegetable crops.
1. A Specific Cooperative Agreement, "Improved Biologically-Based Tactics to Manage Invasive Insect Pests and Weeds," was initiated with the Center for Biological Control at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.
2. Two scientists served as courtesy professors at Florida A&M University and provided research training opportunities to one graduate student from the Florida A&M University.
3. The scientists and staff at the Tallahassee work site served as a co-sponsor of the “Grape Harvest Festival” with the Center for Viticulture and Small Fruits at Florida A&M University. The festival is an event for the general public specifically including limited-resource minority farmers to highlight research conducted by Florida A&M University and in conjunction with scientists.
4. A scientist served as a member of graduate committees for one Ph.D. student at Florida A&M University.
5. An ARS scientist collaborated with local small farmers and Red Hills Small Farm Alliance, Tallahassee, Florida, through seminar presentations and information presented on growing edible mushrooms on non-native tree logs.
6. Two scientists contributed to the 4th Annual Science Saturday Festival, Tallahassee, Florida. This activity reached over 3,000 people during this one day event. Many attendees were exposed to and participated in displays of ARS and Florida A&M University research projects (biological control of the Asian air potato with the leaf-feeding beetle, feeding damage to prickly pear cactus from attack by the cactus moth).
7. A scientist served as a member of graduate committees for 3 M.S. students (one male and two female minority students) at Florida A&M University; appointed member of the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences - Florida A&M University graduate committee, member of the search committee for 2 faculty positions at the Center for Biological Control at College of Agriculture and Food Sciences - Florida A&M University, member of the scholarship committee of the Capelouto Foundation that provides grants to Florida A&M University Entomology students during the annual William Peters Entomology Workshop organized by Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.
8. A scientist mentored and provided experiential research training to one volunteer female undergraduate student from College of Agriculture and Food Sciences - Florida A&M University.
9. A scientist was a cooperator on capacity building and Evans Allen grants awarded to Florida A&M University and Alabama A&M University, respectively.
10. The scientists and staff at the Tallahassee work site co-organized field days with the Florida A&M University Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Team and the Grape Harvest Festival with the Florida A&M University - Center for Viticulture and Small Fruits Research; co-organized the annual advisory committee meeting of the Center for Biological Control (CBC) at Florida A&M University.
11. A scientist was a collaborator with Lincoln University at Missouri with research projects on trap cropping as part of an IPM strategy in vegetables.
12. A scientist collaborated with College of Agriculture and Food Sciences - Florida A&M University faculty/staff and Florida A&M University Development Research School (K-12), Tallahassee, Florida, in developing outreach activities to encourage interest of students in pursuing careers in agricultural sciences.
13. A scientist was a collaborator with Florida A&M University as part of an on-going specific cooperative agreement on biologically-based technologies to control invasive pests and weeds.
14. A scientist was a collaborator with Florida Organic Growers, Inc., Gainesville, Florida, and Red Hills Small Farm Alliance, Tallahassee, Florida, through seminar presentations and information provided on integrated pest management practices in vegetable crops.
15. A scientist was a coordinator along with USDA liaison officer at Florida A&M University regarding entomology and ARS careers presented to secondary and undergraduate students as part of a “Pathways to Professions in Agriculture and Food Science Conference” at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.
Review Publications
Overholt, W.A., Rayamajhi, M.B., Rohrig, E., Hight, S.D., Dray Jr, F.A., Lake, E.C., Smith, M., Hibbard, K., Bhattarai, G., Bowers, K.E., Poffenberger, R., Clark, M., Curry, B., Stange, B., Calise, E., Wasylik, T.K., Martinez, C.M., Leidi, J.G. 2016. Release and distribution of Lilioceris cheni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent of air potato (Dioscorea bulbilfera: Dioscoreaceae), in Florida. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 26:1087-1099.
Lambert, K., Marshall, K., Legaspi, J.C. 2016. Mechanisms of insecticide resistance in field populations of varroa mite (Acari: Mesostigmata: Varroidae)in Florida. Florida Entomologist. 99(2):324-326.
