Location: Invasive Species and Pollinator Health
Project Number: 2030-22300-032-025-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Nov 1, 2020
End Date: Jul 31, 2025
Objective:
The primary objectives of this project are to collect non-target Lepidoptera for host specificity testing of parasitoids for Tuta absoluta, and to help in data analyses and the presentation of research results.
Approach:
A final comprehensive list of potential non-target species will be created with careful consideration given to other selection criteria of special interest: taxonomically and ecologically related species; economic pest status; geographic distribution, phenology, and seasonal abundance; endemic/rare species status; ease of laboratory rearing. Reasonable access to non-targets from California and other out-of-state sources will ultimately determine the final non-target testing group. Accordingly, the Biological Control Program at CDFA will obtain state insect collecting and rearing permits (Form 66-0226) for non-target species. A representative selection of North American non-target Lepidoptera (and other relevant orders) will be collected throughout California using traps and sweep nets, focusing on species occurring on tomato and potato. Final results from host-specificity testing and complementary studies will be compiled, analyzed and prepared in the form of an environmental risk assessment report submitted to USDA-APHIS and CDFA. Results will also be disseminated by USDA and CDFA cooperators to agricultural stakeholders through peer-reviewed publications, trade magazine articles, USDA/CDFA webpages, and presentations at national conferences.
