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Title: SHOULD ENTOMOPHAGA MAIMAIGA BE CONSIDERED AS AN OPERATIONAL TECHNIQUE?

Author
item HAJEK, A - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
item Webb, Ralph

Submitted to: United States Department of Agricultural Interagency Gypsy Moth Research Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/16/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Life stages (conidia vs resting spores) of the gypsy moth fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga are discussed. Results of releases of the resting spore made for establishment of the pathogen into new areas are reviewed, with emphasis on releases made in Virginia. Between 1990 and 1994, this fungus was released at over 140 sites in the northeast and mid-Atlantic areas with the majority of releases yielding successful establishment. E. maimaiga was also released with a second objective: to augment fungal populations and thereby manipulate disease epizootics. This project was done on the eastern shore of MD by releasing resting spores at the base of individual trees, simulating plantings in urban/suburban homesites. Infection levels were higher in fungal release plots compared with controls early in the season, but by the end of the season fungal levels were equivalent in the plots due to an area-wide epizootic associated with the earlier onset of the fungus. The lowest levels of defoliation were observed in release plots and severe defoliation was only found in controls.