Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory
Project Number: 6032-22000-013-126-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Nov 3, 2023
End Date: May 30, 2024
Objective:
This project aims to investigate the potential for inundative releases of M. scutellarisin south Florida:
1) Establish mass-rearing facilities for M. scutellaris.
2) Attempt frequent repetitive inundative releases of M. scutellaris at selected sites in south Florida.
3) Import M. scutellaris populations from South Africa and conduct inundative releases at separate sites to determine if establishment and control is dependent on the source population of the insects.
Approach:
Time Task
September 2023 – December 2023 Set up mass rearing facilities, optimize rearing protocols, select release sites (FWC).
Prepare report for first quarter. Possible travel to South Africa to transport M. scutellaris to USA.
January 2024 – March 2024 Maintain mass rearing facilities, pre-release surveys of sites, begin weekly releases. South African M. scutellaris population in quarantine for one generation.
April 2024 – June 2024 Maintain cultures and releases. Collect data monthly at release sites. Prepare mid-year report.
July 2024 – September 2024 Maintain cultures and releases. Collect data monthly at release sites.
October 2024 – December 2024 Maintain cultures and releases. Maintain data collection, and review data collected up to this point. Prepare end of year report.
January 2025 – March 2025 Maintain cultures and releases. Analyze and review data collected. Make decisions based on data, expand cultures if necessary or prioritize one population.
April 2025 – June 2025 Maintain cultures and releases. Explore options to begin releases at new sites. Investigate inundative releases integrated with herbicidal control. Prepare mid-year report.
July 2025 – September 2025 Investigate funding options for expansion or adjust strategies if necessary.
