W1185: Biological Control in Pest Management Systems of Plants

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[08/30/2002] [09/01/2002] [07/24/2005] [08/08/2005] [08/09/2005] [02/20/2006] [01/16/2006]

Date of Annual Report: 08/30/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/19/2000 - 10/20/2000
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2000 - 12/01/2000

Participants

Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Arizona, Tucson, Department of
Entomology: M. S. Hunter;
California Department of Food & Agriculture: C. Pickett, M. J. Pitcairn, J. Ball, K. Godfrey, B. Roltsch, S. Schoening, D. Joley, B. Villegas, D. Woods;
California Experiment Station, University of California,
Berkeley: K. M. Daane, D.L. Dahlsten, N.J. Mills, S.C. Welter,
Davis, L.E. Ehler, J.A. Rosenheim,
Riverside: T.S. Bellows, R.D. Goeden, J.M. Heraty D. Gonzalez, R.F. Luck;
Guam Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Guam, Mangilao: R. H. Miller;
Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences: M. W. Johnson, R. Messing;
Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Idaho, Moscow, Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences: J.P. Mcaffrey, J.B. Johnson;
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Department of Entomology: J. R. Nechols;
Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Montana State University:
Western Agricultural Research Center, Corvallis: J. M. Story,
Department of Entomology, Bozeman: R. M. Nowierski;
New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station, New Mexico State University, Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science, Las Cruces: J. J. Ellington, D. C. Thompson;
New York: Cornell University, Agricultural Experiment Station: M. J. Tauber, C. A. Tauber;
Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis: P. B. McEvoy;
Oregon State Department of Agriculture: E. M. Coombs;
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service,
Albany, California: J. K. Balciunas,
Hilo, Hawaii: E. Harris, P. Follett, and R. Vargas,
Montpellier, France: P. C. Quimby, D. Hoelmer, and T. Widmer,
Phoenix, Arizona: S.E. Naranjo, J.R. Hagler, C.G. Jackson, and C. Rodriguez,
Sidney, Montana: L. Smith,
Yakima, Washington: T. R. Unruh, L. Lacey;
United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Phoenix:
E. Andress, J. R. Gould;
Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan,
Department of Biology: E.W. Evans;
Washington Agricultural Experiment Station, Washington State University, Pullman, Department of Entomology: G. L. Piper;
Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Department of Renewable Resources-Entomology: D. J. Kazmer;
Administrative Advisor: University of California at Riverside: Deans Office: College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: P. Roberts

Brief Summary of Minutes

Juli Gould, current president, opened the meeting by introducing Phil Roberts, the administrative advisor. Phil pointed out the strengths of the group: its size and mix of academic and extension practitioners. He emphasized the importance of cooperative working relationships, integrating the various workers within the member states. He stated that people could become formal members, now being a good time to join since the program is going through a revision. Anyone collaborating could attend the meeting, however. The project has the option of petitioning to renew the project, or let it terminate. It terminates September 2002.

Juli introduced Rich Green, director of International Programs for USDA-ARS. He oversees stations in Montpellier, France, Brisbane, Australia, Buenos Aries, and Beijing, China. He stated that Floyd Horn worked hard to obtain a 10% increase in funding for overseas programs. Concerns about invasive organisms helped provide support for this increase. Rich sees W-185 as a means of increasing partnerships between overseas programs and projects in the United States. He thanked Mike Pitcairn (CDFA) for organizing a tribute to R. Sobhian, as he soon retires from service with the European Biological Control Laboratory in France.

M. Johnson reported that members of the ESCOP Biological control Working Group met with representatives of several agencies and organizations in Washington, DC, in March 2000 relative to issues in biological control. Areas in which the Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers (ANBP) would like for BCWG (and Regional BC Committees) to work to obtain were discussed.

Mike Oraze (USDA-NBCI) spoke on current organizational changes within USDA-APHIS in relation to NBCI. Schwabe is currently acting director of the center for Plant Health Science & Technology. NBCI resides in this division, which has five directors. Mike discussed the grants program for systematics supporting postdoctoral researchers. He mentioned that results from non-target projects will be available at their web site. There will soon be a new Plant Protection Act. This will separate Biocontrol agents from plant pests. APHIS will no longer have authority over entomophagous organisms. The new law will soon be published and available for public comment.

Dave Thompson of New Mexico State University was voted in as a new member.

Russ Messing initiated a discussion on the use of electronic mail for distributing annual reports. Having reports available as both hard copies and electronic versions was discussed. Mike Oraze volunteered to explore the use of CSREES web site for posting these reports. John Obrycki is now acting in place of Steve Yaninek at CSREES.

The floor was opened for discussion on new projects:

Joe Balciunus discussed Cape Ivy. Jack DeLoach opened a lengthy discussion on Tamarisk, current accomplishments on new introductions.

Peter McEvoy opened a discussion on Spartina. TAG has approved the importation of a leafhopper to the Pacific Northwest for control of this coastal weed pest. The project could be a topic for next years meeting.

DeLoach discussed the impressive impact of an eriophyid mite for bind-weed control.

Gary Piper mentioned that skeletonweed is under good control in Washington, but not in southwest Oregon or California.

September 17th, 2001 is the date for the international IPBC meeting in Hawaii.

Discussion on Critical Review:

Phil Roberts: renewal is used for completing old objectives and build on previous accomplishments. Submission date is 1/15/02. Website has revised guidelines. A draft proposal should be completed by the end of next year. In short, the renewal should include the following: 1) summary of accomplishments, 2) degree of accomplishments, 3) incomplete work. It is important to describe impacts with respect to objectives. Matrices are important for showing interactions.

Discussion on Objectives for the next 5 years:

It was suggested that only top pests be covered in the critical review. Others can be placed in an appendix.

After much discussion, the following objectives were changed to the read as follows:

Objective 4: Determine environmental safety of exotic candidates prior to release.

Objective 2: Foreign exploration and ecological studies in known range of pest.

Objective 14: Evaluate the environmental impact by the biological control agent.

Objective 15: Evaluate the economic impact of target pests and their biological control.

Objective 7: Characterize and identify pest and natural enemy communities and their interactions.

Volunteers were identified to represent different taxa, with C. Pickett to coordinate insects and M. Pitcairn to coordinate weeds.

Volunteers for the new proposal were identified.

Juli Gould will gather information on target pests using her mailer and send the list out to members for ratification. Juli can make recommendations based on cross relations of matrices.

A Panel Discussion was held on practicing good biological control

Marshall Johnson suggested that we invite 15 young, new potential members from across the country into this organization.

Presentations were made on new technologies for biological control

A Panel Discussion was held to commemorate Rouhollah Sobhian.

Accomplishments

Due to space limitations, accomplishments from only the first 3 Objectives are included. A full report of all 15 Objectives is available from the Administrative Advisor. GOAL A: Import and Establish Effective Natural Enemies Objective 1. Survey indigenous natural enemies Arthropod pests. Comprehensive surveys of aphids and associated natural enemies, emphasizing hymenopteran parasitoids, have been scaled back to monthly examinations of parasitoid release sites. Personnel from Northern Marianas College on Saipan and from the Department of Natural Land Resources continue to survey aphids and aphid parasitoids from Saipan, Tinian and Rota. (U. of Guam, Miller). A survey of the parasitoids of native leaf miners of southern California was completed. Hosts were represented by 16 species in 8 different families with Agromyzidae and Gracillariidae being the most common. Leaf miner parasitoids are abundant with 25 species in 10 families currently documented and Eulophidae by far the most abundant. The parasitoid community overall is similar in diversity to that of the citrus leaf miner elsewhere in the world (U. of California-Riverside, Heraty). Eggs of the two-spotted leafhopper, Sophonia rufofascia, were found to be parasitized by Chaetomymar sp. nr bagicha Narayanan, Subba Rao, & Kaur; Schizophragma bicolor (Dozier); and Polynema sp. Haliday (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in Hawaii. Baseline parasitism rates of Aphis gossypii by Lysiphlebus testaceipes were determined in vegetable crops in Hawaii (U. of Hawaii, Johnson). Weeds Field survey of indigenous arthropods and diseases on yellow star thistle continued in 1999. In 2000, specimens were sorted by taxa and sent to experts for identification. A survey of indigenous arthropods and diseases on Scotch broom in Californias central Sierra Nevada foothills was initiated in 2000 (Cal. Dept. Food & Agriculture, Pitcairn). Native and exotic Cirsium thistles were surveyed in N. California and S. Oregon for the past three years. Several species of seed head infesting insects emerged from the thistles. These include the weevil Rhinocyllus, tephritid flies Orellia and Paracantha, and the sunflower moth Homeosoma. The project leader has been providing guidance and advice to students at Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo (supervised by Dr. Dave Hendricks) in their surveys of insects feeding on the pest vine Cape ivy in California (USDA-ARS Albany, Balciunas). Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius, has been surveyed in Oregon to determine which species of natural enemies may be present. Several pathogens have been found that are killing many plants, young and old, and determinations of species and impact are being made. (Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, Coombs). Objective 2. Undertake foreign exploration Arthropod pests. Peristenus stygicus has been collected by EBCL and sent through ARS, Newark, DE, and released in California against mired plant bugs by CDFA. The wheat stem sawfly has been collected in China and Uzbekistan; diapausing specimens are in the EBCL quarantine-awaiting emergence of potential candidate agentsichneumonids, braconids, and nematodes. Fifty-five species of parasitoids have been collected from tortricid pests in 3 different fruit producing areas of France; some of the parasitoid species are new to science and are awaiting identification. Hymenopterous parasitoids of the pink hibiscus mealy bug were collected in Asia for potential biological control in California. Over 50 samples were collected from Asia, the Middle East, and Australia for genetic characterization and development of a phylogenetic tree of species in North America and elsewhere. Egg-infecting disease and parasitoids or clover weevils were collected in France by a New Zealand cooperator for identification and biological characterization. More than 1000 living gypsy moth parasitoids (6 spp. in 3 families) were shipped to the ARS quarantine in Newark, DE for research and use as biological control agents. Field studies verified the potential of the parasitic fly, Blepharipa schineri, as a very promising agent in periods of low host density. (USDA-ARS, European Biological Laboratory, Chen/Herard/Hoelmer/Kirk) Foreign exploration and importation of Lygus nymphal parasites in Europe was initiated in 1998. Parasites have been collected in France, Italy, and Spain. Foreign exploration is being conducted in collaboration with the USDA-ARS (Newark, Delaware; EBCL, France) and CABI Bioscience (Delemont, Switzerland). (California Dept. of Food and Agriculture) Parasitoids of the tortricid leaf roller complex attacking apple and associated deciduous trees and shrubs were examined at sites in France to identify species that may be suited for neoclassical introductions against Pandemis limitata and Choristoneura roscaceana in the apple production regions of Central Washington and for classical introductions against a growing exotic leaf roller complex in Western Washington which includes Archips fuscocupreanus, Archips podana, Pandemis heparana and several minor tortricids (USDA-ARS Yakima, Unruh). Three strains of Aphidius transcaspicus were collected from mealy aphids from Spain in May 2000. Parasitoids of the codling moth were collected from the Xinjiang Province of China and leaf roller parasitoids were collected from Kazakhstan in June 2000 (U. of California-Berkeley, Mills). Several parasitoids were reared from collections of arabica coffee in Kenya infested with tephritid fruit flies: Diachasmimorpha fullawayi (Silvestri), Fopius ceratitivorus Wharton, F. caudatus Szipligeti, F. silvestrii Wharton, Psyttalia cosyrae Wilkinson, and Psyttalia cf. concolor Szipligeti, Bracon celer Szipligeti (Braconidae) and Tetrastichus giffardianus Silvestri, T. giffardii Silvestri (Eulophidae), Coptera sp. (Diapriidae) (U. of Hawaii, Johnson). Hymenopterous parasites of Rhopalosiphum padi and Schizaphis graminum have been collected and imported to California from Morocco, Syria and Iran. These have been evaluated in laboratory and field cage trials in California and in Egypt. Aphidius matricarae, a population of matricarae from Abu Kamal (Euphrates River Valley in Syria) has provided best results against R. padi and S. graminium in California and Egypt trials. (University of California Riverside, Gonzalez) Weeds. Field tests in the Republic of Georgia with North American biotypes have trapped several fungal pathogens and a leaf miner (probably Agromyzidae) of skeleton weed. Identification is in progress. A non-aestivating type of Diorhabda elongata with potential for biological control of saltcedar has been found in Tunisia; it was active all summer long in 2000. (USDA-ARS, European Biological Control Laboratory, Sobhian/Kirk/Coutinot/Alexsidze/ Widmer) The project leader spent 4 weeks in South Africa visiting Cape ivy collection sites, reviewing the findings of the cooperating scientists, and will help with initial testing of the previously identified potential Cape ivy biocontrol agents (USDA-ARS Albany, Balciunas). IIBC (UK) and Land Care Research, (NZ), are conducting cooperative foreign exploration surveys for natural enemies of scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius, to identify and test possible biocontrol candidates. (Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, Coombs). Objective 3. Determine systematics and biogeography of pest and natural enemies Arthropod pests Samples and the pathogens/insect fauna associated with giant reed were collected from many sites in southern France and Nepal. Plant specimens will be used for genetic characterization so a phylogenetic tree can be constructed for comparison of biotypes from the United States and elsewhere. In cooperation with CIRAD (France), 70 populations of diamondback moth were collected from crucifers in 19 countries. Parasitism ranged from 0% (Australia) to 100% (Ethiopia). The target specimens have been conserved in liquid nitrogen for genetic biotyping and matching with parasitoids. (USDA-ARS, European Biological Control Laboratory, Quimby/Kirk/Widmer/Carruthers) Synopses of the comparative biology and systematics of the New World Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae were prepared, and larval descriptions for species of Ceraeochrysa in the U.S.A. and Mexico were completed. The larvae, adults and biology of a new species of Chrysopa were described, and a key to the Chrysopa north of Mexico was published (NY-AES, Cornell U., Tauber). The phylogenetic relationships of Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) were studied using molecular information from the 28S-D2 region and morphological characteristics. A total of 67 strains and 24 species encompassing 10 species groups were surveyed and a robust hypothesis produced. The gene regions also proved to be useful in sorting morphologically indistinct species, E. formosa and E. luteola. The molecular studies coincided with completion of a project on the discrimination of species in the Encarsia strenua group, and publication of an online catalog of species. The citrus peel miner, Marmara gulosa new species (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), was determined through morphological, biological (crossing) and genetic studies to be the same species on willow, citrus, oleander and cotton, with willow determined as the original native host. Cirrospilus coachellae Gates (Eulophidae) is the dominant parasitoid in citrus, and it also has the potential to attack and possibly control the citrus leaf miner (U. of California-Riverside, Heraty). Work by Fred Ryan, USDA-ARS, on the genetic variation in Russian thistle continued in 2000. Studies now show three genetic entities each with different chromosome numbers: Type A has 36 chromosomes, Type B has 18 chromosomes, and Type C has 54 chromosomes. In addition, examination of the related species, Salsola paulsenii, has revealed two genetic entities: a spinose form and a lax form with each having different chromosome numbers. A cooperative project with the USDA-ARS Foreign Disease Introduction Laboratory, The USDA-ARS European Biological Control Laboratory, and USDA-ARS Exotic and Rangeland Weeds Research and Management Program, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture was initiated in 2000 to examine the variability of yellow star thistle worldwide. Seeds of yellow star thistle were obtained in several countries in Europe and Asia and sent to the Foreign Disease Introduction Laboratory where the genetic and other molecular analyses are being performed. (California Dept. of Food & Agriculture) WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR: In 2000, research addressed all fifteen objectives. Research will continue on all goals and objectives for a variety of target arthropod and weed pests throughout the Western United States and affiliated areas. Exploration for new biological control agents will continue, as will release, redistribution, and evaluation of establishment and efficacy. Improvements in conservation and augmentation methods and technologies will continue; these will provide better opportunities for incorporating biological control into integrated pest management programs. Increased emphasis will be placed on evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of biological control. Strong collaboration and communication among researchers in the regional project will continue to lead to significant advances in biological pest control technology. This will result in more environmentally and economically sound solutions to regional pest problems.

Publications

Due to space limitations, only the first 44 of 132 publications are listed. Albuquerque, G. S., C. A. Tauber & M. J. Tauber. 2001. Chrysoperla externa and Ceraeochrysa spp.: potential use in biological control in the New World tropics and subtropics. In: P. McEwen, T. New and A. E. Whittington (eds.), Lacewings in the Crop Environment, Cambridge University Press (in press). Amsellem, Z., N. Zidak, P.C. Quimby, Jr., and J. Gressel. Long-term dry preservation of viable mycelia of two mycoherbicidal organisms. Crop Protection. 1999. V. 18. p. 643-649. Babcock, C.S. & J.M. Heraty. 2000. Molecular markers for the discrimination of Encarsia formosa and Encarsia luteola (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Ann. Entomology. Soc. Am. 93: 738-744. Baker, J.L., K. Johnson, D.J. Kazmer, R. Richard, D.T. Taylor, N. Webber, and K. Zimmerman. 1999. Economic Impacts of Russian Knapweed in the Big Horn and Wind River Basins of Wyoming. In Christie, S. and M. Wille (eds). Proceedings of the Third Annual Conference of the Russian Knapweed Biological Control Consortium. U.S. Dept. of the Interior-Bureau of Land Management, Worland, WY. Balciunas, J. K. 2001. A proposed Code of Best Practices for classical biological control of weeds. In: Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, July 5-9, 1999, Bozeman, MT. (in press) Ball, J., C. H. Picket & R. H. Messing. 2000. Introduction of an olive fruit fly parasitoid into Southern California. In: Biological Control Program Annual Summary for 1999. D. M. Woods, ed. CDFA Plant Health and Prevention Services, Sacramento, CA. Chang, Y. F., M. J. Tauber, C. A. Tauber & J. P. Nyrop. 2000. Interpopulation variation in Chrysoperla carnea reproduction: implications for mass rearing and storage. Entomology. Exp. Appl. 95: 293-302. Coombs, E.M., G.L. Piper, and L. Wilson. 2000. Biological control. In: Pacific Northwest Weed Control Handbook. pp. 3-5. R.D. William, D. Ball, T.L. Miller, R. Parker, J. P. Yenish, T.W. Miller, C. Eberlein, G.A. Lee, and D.W. Morishita (eds.), Extension Services, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Coutinot, D., S. Katti, M. Saunders, K. Hoelmer, and M. Martinez. Introducing European parasitoids of tortricid grape berry moths into North America: evaluating the potential for a program in the U.S. IOBC / WPRS Bulletin. 1999, v. 22 (2). p. 10. Coutinot, D., and K. Hoelmer. Parasitoids of Lygus spp. In North America. Assoc. Nat. Prot. Plantes, Proceedings. 5th International Conference: Pests in Agriculture. Montpellier, France. 1999. P. 641-648. Craemer C., R. Sobhian, A. McClay, and A. James. A new species of Cecidophyes (Acari: Eriophyidae) from Galium aparine (Rubinaceae) with notes on its biology and potential as a biological control agent for Galium spurium. International Journal of Acarology. 1999. V. 25, (4). p. 225-263. Daane, K. M., N. J. Mills & M. J. Tauber. 2001. Inundative controls. In: D. Pimentel (ed.), Encyclopedia of Pest Management, CRC Press (in press). Dahlsten, D.L., R.L. Zuparko, A.E. Hajek, D.L. Rowney, and S.H. Dreistadt. 1999. Long term sampling of Eucallipterus tillae (Homoptera: Drepanosiphidae) and associated natural enemies in a Northern California site. Environmental Entomology, 18(5): 845-850. Dahlsten, D.L., D.L. Rowney, A.B. Lawson, W.E. Chaney, K.L. Robb, L.R. Costello, and J.N. Kabashima. 2000. The red gum lerp psyllid, a new pest of Eucalyptus species in California. Proceedings 48th Annual Meeting of the California Forest Pest Council (Nov. 18-19, 1999, Sacramento, Calif.), S.M. Jones, D.M. Adams and J.E Rios, Editors. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, pp. 45-50. Dahlsten, D.L., D.L. Rowney and W.A. Copper. 2000. Landscapes: Integrating biological control of the Eugenia psyllid into the day-to-day management of the landscape in Disneyland. Pp. 59-64. IN. Proceedings California Conference on Biological Control II. M.S. Hoddle, editor. (July 11-12, 2000, Riverside, Calif.). 205 pp. Delvare, G. and A. Kirk. Potential of parasitic hymenoptera for the biological control of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Yponomeutidae): A review from past experience and recent exploration. Proceedings. Pests in Agriculture: International Conference. 2000. In press. Diaz-Aranda, L. M., V. P. Monserrat & C. A. Tauber. 2001. Recognition of early stages of Chrysopidae. In: P. McEwen, T. New and A. E. Whittington (eds.), Lacewings in the Crop Environment, Cambridge University Press (in press). Duan, J. J. & Messing, R. H. 1999. Effects of origin and experience on patterns of host acceptance by the opiine parasitoid Diachasmimorpha tryoni. Ecological Entomology 24: 284-291. Duan, J. J. & R. H. Messing. 1999. Development of approaches to evaluating non-target impacts of introduced fruit fly parasitoids in Hawaii. in: Nontarget Effects of Biological Control. P. Follett & J. Duan, Eds. Kluwer Academic Pub., Norwell, MA. Duan, J. J., R. H. Messing & R. Dukas. 2000. Host selection of Diachasmimorpha tryoni (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): comparative response to fruit-infesting and gall-forming tephritid flies. Environmental Entomology 29: 838. Ehler, L. E. 2000. Farmscape ecology of stink bugs in Northern California. Entomological Society of America, Lanham, MD.59 pp. Evans, E.W. 2000a. Egg production in response to combined alternative foods by the predator Coccinella transversalis. Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 94: 141-147 Evans, E.W. 2000b. Morphology of invasion: body size patterns associated with establishment of Coccinella septemptunctata in western North America. European Journal of Entomology, in press. Feng, M. G., T. J. Poprawski, R. M. Nowierski, and Z. Zeng. 1999. Infectivity of Pandora neoaphidis (Zygomycetes: Entomphthorales) to Acyrthosiphon pisum (Homoptera: Aphidiae) in response to varying temperature and photoperiod regimes. J. Appl. Entomology. 123: 29-35. Follett, P. .A., J. J. Duan, R. H. Messing & V. P. Jones. 2000. Parasitoid drift after biological control introductions: re-examining Pandoras box. American Entomologist 46: 82-94. Gardner, K.T. and D.C. Thompson. 2000. Development and phonology of the specialist grasshopper, Hesperotettix viridis (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Environ. Entomology. (in press). Gates, M. 1999. A new species of Cirrospilus Westwood (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Proc. Entomology. Soc. Wash. 102: 58-61. Glenn, D. M., Puterka, G., Drake, S., Unruh, T., Knight, A., Bahere, P., Pradeo, E. and Baugher, T. 2000. Effect of particle film of apple yield and productivity. J. Amer. Hort. Soc. (In press) Goudegnon, A.E., A. Kirk. And D. Bordat. Statut de Plutella xylostella (L.) et de Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov) au Benin. Proceedings. ANPP VTH International Conference on Pests in Agriculture. 2000. In press. Guillen, M. 1999. Bionomics of the citrus peel miner. M.Sc. thesis, University of California, Riverside. Hagler, J.R. 2000. Biological Control. P. 207-241. In Jack Rechcigl (ed.), Environmentally Sound Approaches to Pest Management. Ann Arbor Press. Hagler, J.R. and C.G. Jackson. 2001. Methods for marking insects: Current techniques and future prospects. Annu. Rev. Entomology. (in press). Hasan S., R. Sobhian, and L. Knutson. Preliminary studies on Ramularia crupinae sp. nov. as a potential biological control agent for common crupina (Crupina vulgaris) in the USA. Annals of Applied Biology. 1999. V. 135. p. 489-494. Heinz, K. M. J. R. Brazzle, M. P. Parrella, and C. H. Pickett. 1999. Field evaluations of augmentative releases of Delphastus catalinae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) for suppression of Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring (Homoptera; Aleyrodidae) infesting cotton. Biological Control 16: 241-251. Herard, F., K. Chen, and A. Cameron. Gypsy moth parasitism in the native range during outbreak termination and the subsequent latency phase. Proceedings. U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species. 2000. P. 81. Heraty, J.M. 2000. Citrus Peel miner and Citrus Leaf miner [fact sheet produced for the Center for Exotic Pest Management and distributed by Citrus Research Board] Heraty, J.M. & J.B. Woolley. 1999. World Catalog of Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Formatted catalog available online at http://cache.ucr.edu/~heraty/Encarsia.cat.pdf. Heraty, J. M. & A.P. Polaszek. 2000. Morphometric analysis and descriptions of selected species in the Encarsia strenua species group (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). J. Hymen. Res. 9: 142-169. Hoddle, M.S., Aponte, O., Kerguelen, V. & Heraty, J. 1999. Biological control of Oligonychus perseae (Acari: Tetranycchidae) on avocado: I. Evaluating release timings, recovery and efficacy of six commercially available phytoseiids. International Journal of Acarology 25: 211-219 Hoddle, M.S., Robinson, L., Jones, J. and Virzi, J. 1999. Developmental and reproductive biology of a predatory Franklinothrips n. sp. (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae). Biological Control 18: 27-38. Hoelmer, K. Foreign exploration for sawfly natural enemies. Proceedings. XXI International Congress of Entomology, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. 2000. P. 203. Hoelmer, K., A. Kirk, and G. S. Simmons. An overview of natural enemy explorations and evaluations for Bemisia in the U.S. Assoc. Nat. Prot. Plantes, Proceedings 5th International Conference: Pests in Agriculture. Montpellier, France. 1999. P. 689-696. Hoelmer, K., J. Goolsby, A. Kirk, W. Roltsch and C. Pickett. Reviewing a multi-agency biological control program for Bemisia argentifolii in the southwest United States: foreign exploration, mass culture, and evaluations. Proceedings. XXI International Congress of Entomology, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. 2000. P. 999.

Impact Statements

Work carried out in 2000 as part of the Western Regional Research Project, W-185, provided valuable theoretical and applied knowledge to help incorporate biological control into integrated pest management systems in agricultural, urban, and natural settings throughout the western United States and affiliated areas.
New predators, parasitoids and pathogens were discovered, both in indigenous and foreign ecosystems, and their biology, classification, and potential usefulness in pest management were documented. New natural enemy strains and species were imported into the United States and incorporated into the guilds attacking some of the most severe insect and seed pests of American agriculture.
Previously established natural enemies were distributed throughout the western region through cooperation among project leaders and others. Improved methods of mass-rearing, augmenting, and conserving natural enemies were devised. Experimental research assessed the efficacy and impact of released and indigenous natural enemies on major arthropod pests and on weeds.
Research led to a deeper understanding of the roles and interactions of a wide array of beneficial and pest organisms in a variety of ecosystems. Unraveling complex ecological relationships is central to understanding pest management systems and implementing biological control as a component part of those systems.
Finally, research continues to address both the economic feasibility and environmental impact of biological control. Economic and environmental data will continue to be essential to produce realistic biologically based pest management programs that incorporate both target and nontarget organisms.

Date of Annual Report: 09/01/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/10/2001 - 10/12/2001
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2001 - 12/01/2001

Participants

Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Arizona, Tuscon, Dept. of Entomology: M. Hunter, T. Dennehy, B. Tabashnik, L. Caqas, and P. Ellsworth;
California Agric. Commissioners & Sealers Association;
California Dept. Food & Agriculture, Sacramento, C. Pickett, M. Pitcairn, J. Ball, K. Godfrey, B. Roltsch, D. Joley, B. Villegas, D. Woods;
California Agricultural Experiment Station, University of California,
Berkeley: K. M. Daane, D. L. Dahlsten, N. J. Mills,
Davis: L. E. Ehler, J. A. Rosenheim,
Riverside: T. S. Bellows, R. D. Goeden, D. Gonzalez, R. F. Luck, and M. Hoddle;
California Polytechnical University, San Luis Obispo: David Headrick;
Guam Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Guam, Mangilao: R. Miller;
Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Entomology: M. W. Johnson, V. P. Jones, R. H. Messing;
Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Idaho, Moscow, Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences, J. P. McCaffrey, J. B. Johnson
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station;
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Entomology: J. R. Nechols;
Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Montana State University, Bozeman, R. M. Nowierski, J. Story (Western Agricultural Research Center, Corvallis);
New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, Entomology and Plant Pathology: J. J. Ellington, Kevin T. Gardner, David C. Thompson;
New York: Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca, Entomology: C. A. Tauber, M. J. Tauber;
Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Entomology, M. T. P. B. McEvoy, S. Rao.;
Oregon State Department of Agriculture: E. M. Coombs, D. L. Isaacson;
Texas A&M University: R. Wharton;
Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan, Biology: E. W. Evans;
Washington Agricultural Experiment Station, Washington State University, Pullman, Entomology: G. L. Piper;
Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Division of Plant Sciences, Entomology Section: D. J. Kazmer;
United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Bozeman, Montana: R. Hansen,
Mission, Texas,
Phoenix, AZ: E. Andress, G. Simmons;
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service,
Albany, California: J. Balciunas,
Fresno, California: F. Ryan,
Fredrick, Maryland,
Hilo, Hawaii: E. Harris, P. Follett, R. Vargas,
Phoenix, Arizona: T. J. Henneberry, S. E. Naranjo, C. G. Jackson, J. R. Hagler,
Montpellier, France: R. Sobhian, K. Chen, K. Hoelmer, A. Kirk
Reno, Nevada,
Yakima, Washington: T. R. Unruh, L. Lacey,
European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL), Montferrier-sur-Lez, France,
European BIologial Control Laboratory, Thessaloniki, Greece;
United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research and Extension Service, Washington, D. C.: R. Nowierski

Brief Summary of Minutes

Thursday morning, October 11, 2001: The meeting was held at the Stanford Sierra Camp Conference Center near South Lake Tahoe, Califonia. Charlie Pickett (California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacremento) is the current chair. He opened the meeting by introducing our new administrative advisor, Dr. Don Cooksey, who is replacing Dr. Phil Roberts. Don opened somewhat apologetically, saying he has been on the job only 10 days and that his supporting staff position in the Deans office is vacant. Don has been with the University of California-Riverside for about 20 years where he is a Professor and Bacteriologist in the Department of Plant Pathology. He also serves as Chair of that Department. Dons primary research interest is biological control of plant pathogens and he has broader experience in biological control in other pest systems.

Charlie then initiated discussion of electing a new member-at-large. This discussion was finalized Friday morning with the election of Ted Evans (Utah State University). Ted will serve as member-at-large for 2002, secretary for 2003, and chair for 2004. Kent Daane (University of California-Berkeley) is the current member-at-large and will serve as secretary in 2002 and chair in 2003. Dave Kazmer (University of Wyoming) is the current secretary and will serve as chair for 2002.

Dave Kazmer then led a discussion on the location of the 2002 meeting. The members voted for a venue in or near the foothills outside of Denver, Colorado. The meeting location has since been finalized as the Millennium Hotel in Boulder, CO. Meeting dates will be October 1-3, 2002.

Ray Carruthers (USDA-ARS-Albany, CA) provided an update on USDA-ARS activities on behalf of Kevin Hackett (National Program Leader, Biological Control) and Del Delfosse (National Program Leader, Weed Management). Ray provided highlights from current projects on pests of interest in the western U.S. and noted the addition of some new target pests to ARS activities. ARS will be expanding its biological program with the planned addition of 20-25 new research positions in the next 2-3 years. These positions will mostly focus on biological control of both weed and arthropod pests and may include a position in mite systematics. Ray commented on reports of policy changes and difficulties in importing new agents, as well as handling of dead insects and other museum specimens, following the tragedies of September 11, 2001. Several participants reported on changes they encountered in international travel and shipment. Shippers and airlines have varying policies on international movement of biological specimens and it was advised that international shipment options be fully investigated before embarking on such adventures.

Charlie Pickett then led a discussion on the fate of NBCI and USDA-APHIS biological control programs in general. Neither Mike Oraze nor Erich Rudyj of NBCI were present. The fate of NBCI was uncertain at this time due to a proposed restructuring of many APHIS programs involving biological control. This includes a proposed closure of the biological control laboratory in Bozeman, Montana and transfer of the staff at Bozeman to either East Lansing, Michigan or Phoenix, Arizona. Charlie reported that projects currently funded by NBCI will continue to be funded and that canvassing activities will continue. NBCI was thanked for providing $2000 to this meeting for travel support of invited speakers.

Bob Nowierski was then introduced as the new National Program Leader for the Biologically-based Pest Management Program in USDA-CSREES. Bob, currently a Professor in the Department of Entomology at Montana State University, will assume his new duties on January 15, 2002. After briefly discussing the proposed (and pre-9/11/2001) budget for biological control activities in CSREES, Bob preceded to discuss the hot topics he wishes to address in his new position. These include strengthening the role of the Biological Control Coordinating Committee (BCCC), regulatory oversight of entomophages, USFWS obstacles to the introduction of new agents, developing criteria for Biological Assessments (newly required) for biological control programs, and more funding for evaluation, implementation and education relating to biological control.

Charlie next led a discussion on the target pest list for the W-185 project. The group decided on the following target pest groups: sessile homoptera, non-sessile homoptera (including mealybugs, whiteflies and aphids), true bugs, Lepidoptera, knapweeds, thistles, spurges, pruple loosestrife, tephritids, saltcedar, giant reed, cereal leaf beetle, toadflax, other weeds, and other arthropods. Gorse, which had been listed separately, was moved to the other weeds group.

Don Cooksey and Ron Pardini (Associate Director, University of Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station) followed with an overview of the process for renewing the W-185 project for the next five years (2002-2007). The deadline for submitting the new proposal is January 15 or May 15. It was suggested that the group meet the January 15 deadline so that any significant concerns could be addressed in a revised proposal that would be resubmitted for the May 15 deadline. The guidelines for Western Region project proposals have been revised and can be found at http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/WAAESD/. The new guidelines address many of the desired elements of proposals well but some key elements are missing. These include evidence or likelihood of co-publishing and co-grant-writing among project participants, special workshops and meetings resulting from project activities, and impact statements demonstrating the products and benefits of project activities. The structure of the committees responsible for reviewing proposals has been broadened to ensure representation from the extension, research and stakeholder sectors. Most phases of project administration, including proposal submission, addition and renewal of project participants, and annual report submission will now be done online.

The business meeting concluded at 11:15 A.M. Thursday morning. The agenda of scientific portion of the meetings was as follows.

Thursday Morning

How Leaky Are Biological Control Projects? Brad Hawkins, University of California-Irvine.

Thursday Afternoon

Panel Discussion I: Role of Molecular Genetics in Biological Control. Organized by Richard Stouthamer, University of California-Riverside.

Introduction. Richard Stouthamer.

Phylogeographical relationships and population studies to elucidate origins of variation and potential for upsurgence of the Bemisia tabaci complex. Judy Brown, University of Arizona.

Morphological, molecular and taxonomic perspectives on Encarsia attacking whiteflies. John Heraty, University of California-Riverside.

Genetic variation and origins of Salsola tragus (Russian thistle) in California determined by RAPD and ISSR analysis. Fred Ryan, USDA-ARS-Fresno.

Molecular identification of Trichogramma species. Richard Stouthamer.

Friday Morning

Panel Discussion II: Augementative Biological Control and the Insectary Industry. Organized by Marshall Johnson (University of Hawaii) and Karen Klonsky (University of California-Davis).

Beyond the greenhouse: Potential for inundative biological control of the greenhouse whitefly with Encarsia formosa in the field. Sujaya Rao, Oregon State University.

Practical aspects of commercial releases of beneficial insects. Kent Daane, University of California-Berkeley.

Farmers management styles and the adoption of augmentation practices in winegrape and almond production in California. Karen Klonsky.

Industry perspective. Dan Cahn, Novartis BCM North America, Oxnard, California.

Marshall Johnson.

Accomplishments

GOAL A: Import and Establish Effective Natural Enemies Objective 1. Survey indigenous natural enemies Surveys have been conducted for natural enemies of several new invasive arthropod and weed pests. Surveys were conducted either in the native home of the pest or in the country of invasion. Listed are those pests for which surveys were conducted over the last year: citrus peelminer in California; the planthopper Kallitaxila granulata in the Hawaii islands; and Cape ivy at two sites near Monterey. Objective 2. Undertake foreign exploration Foreign exploration and importation of natural enemies for several new and old arthropod and weed pests in California and other western states is underway by several agencies. Listed are the pests for which exploration was conducted over the last year: Lygus spp in Europe; pink hibiscus mealybug in Australia; olive fruit fly in Africa; glassy-winged sharpshooter in North and South America; the tortricid leafroller complex in France and Central Asia; Sophonia leafhoppers in China; Arundo; and Tamarix, Russian thistle, Cape ivy, yellow starthistle Formosan Subterrannean Termite, and Greenhouse Whitefly in various parts of the world. Objective 3. Determine systematics and biogeography of pest and natural enemies The phylogenetic relationships of Encarsia were studied using molecular information from the 28S-D2 region and morphological characteristics. The citrus peelminer was determined through morphological, biological (crossing) and genetic studies. The generic relationships of opiine braconid parasites of tephritid fruit flies were revised. One new species was described from Kenya (Fopius ceratitivorous), and the synonymy of Psyttalia concolor and P. humilis was confirmed. We compiled maps of the distribution of Cape ivy in South Africa and California. Seeds of yellow starthistle were collected for DNA. An illustrated taxonomic key of apionid weevils associated with YST is ready for publication.Work on the genetic variation in Russian thistle continued in 2001. Objective 4. Quarantine exotics and conduct pre-release studies Natural enemies of several new pests are being studied under quarantine for host testing or other biological information needed to obtain permits for field released. These parasitoids include a eulophid parasitoid of the citrus peelminer; two species of medfly parasitoids (F. caudatus and F. ceratitivorous) from Africa ; a third medfly parasite (Diachasmimorpha kraussii) from Australia; host-specificity tests on a root moth and initiated studies on two cynipid gall wasps and an unidentified gall midge for biocontrol of sulfur cinquefoil, Potentilla recta; host-specificity tests for a seed weevil; a stem weevil; and a root fly. Three natural enemies of saltcedar are being investigated in quarantine: the leaf-feeding beetle (Diorhabda elongata) from Xinjiang Province, PR of China and Crete, Greece, a gall midge (Psectrosema spp.) and a seed weevil (Corimalia spp.) and D. elongate. Insect quarantine facility designed primarily for research in the Biological Control of Weeds and Insects Programs at New Mexico State University, was inspected by APHIS during the summer of 2001 and should be officially certified and open for experimentation in October 2001. The laboratory consists of a main 3200 ft2 quarantine laboratory and an 800 ft2 quarantine greenhouse and headhouse (New Mexico State Univ., Thompson & Gardner). Objective 5. Release, establish and redistribute natural enemies Several arthropod and weed natural enemies were imported into quarantine for biological and rearing studies or released this last year. They include: Aphelinus near paramali and Aphelinus gossypii, Aphidius colemani, and Neozygites fresenii against the cotton aphid; Peristenus stygicus and P. digoneutis against Lygus hesperus, Gonatocerus triguttatus against the glassy-winged sharpshooter; Cirrospilus coachellae, for control of citrus peelminer; Parafreutreta regalis, a gall forming fly, and Acrolepia species, a leaf mining and stem boring moth, both collected for release against Cape ivey; Acrolepia, Parafreutreta, Diota rostrata, and Galerucine leaf beetles, Aceria salsolae for release against Russian thistle from northern Greece and from central Turkey; releases of A. zoegana, C. achates, Centaurea maculosa; the root moth Agapeta zoegana, the root weevil Cyphocleonus achates, and the root moth Pelochrista medullana. Field collections/redistribution of the seed head weevils, Larinus minutus, and L. obtusus were made. Rearing and/or redistribution efforts were continued for the stem-boring weevil, Mecinus janthinus against Dalmatian and yellow toadflax. Collection and redistribution efforts were continued for the flea beetles against leafy spurge; L. curtus , Eustenopus villosus B. fausti Bangasternus fausti, and Larinus minutus Urophora quadrifasciata, U. affinis, B. fausti, and L. minutus. Hylobius transversovittatus weevils were released on purple loosestrife. Objective 6. Evaluate efficacy and study ecological/physiological basis for interactions A wide range of studies have been conducted to better understand the potential efficacy of imported natural enemies as well as indigenous ones. These studies include: host suitability, a mass production and augmentative release programs (citricola and black scale); role of bacterial symbionts, impact of Mastrus ridibundus and nematodes have both been tested against codling moth, predation rates on pear psylla using PCR primers, preferred floral odors in olfactometer studies, analysis of distribution patterns of weed biocontrol agents, overwintering mortality, impact, host race studies with molecular genetic approaches and behavioral ecology studies, habitat associations, evaluation studies on plant species richness, abundance, and plant community, life table study documenting the survivorship of target weed pests. GOAL B: Conserve Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control of Target Pests Objective 7. Identify potential predator/prey and parasite/host associations A wide range of studies was conducted to determine the role of natural enemies using new techniques. Studies include: immunological techniques to study prey choice of predators exposed to the various whitefly life stages; quantifying the factors governing the year-round population dynamics of Bemisia tabaci within a complex agricultural system using life table studies; using cotton treated with methyl jasmonate can directly and systemically induce the emission of volatiles that may serve as odor cues in the host-search behavior of natural enemies; sentinel host plants to determine role of native parasites. Objective 8. Identify and assess factors potentially disruptive to biological control Studies showed that natural enemy conservation may be enhanced by using higher action thresholds for managing Bemisia tabaci; non-target effects of transgenic Bt cotton in central Arizona suggests that Bt cotton has no consistent measurable effect on natural enemy abundance or function compared with conventional non-Bt cotton; host-reservoir plants in or near orchards increase native natural enemies; role of biorational products to control orchard pests, and impact on native natural enemies. Objective 9. Implement and evaluate habitat modification, horticultural practices and pest suppression tactics to conserve natural enemy activity Ground covers were tested to determine if populations of beneficial insects in pecans could be increased for control of pecan nut casebearer and the aphid complex. Preliminary results indicate that the beneficial complex can be increased by choosing the appropriate ground cover. GOAL C: Augment Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control Objective 10. Assess biological characteristics of natural enemies A number of commercially reared natural enemies have been studied to improve their diets and select for optimal strains for mass rearing. These include: Chrysoperla and Trichogramma spp . Efficacy and field tests were conducted on Trichogramma platneri and T. pretiosum. Objective 11. Conduct experimental releases to assess feasibility Releases of G. legneri were conducted to measure parasitism of pecan nut casebearer. Sentinel bollworm and pink bollworm eggs were placed in pecan trees in Dallas, Texas to recover native Trichogramma. Several individuals were recovered and colonies were started at the Biological Control Insectary at NMSU. A study evaluating the effects of host moth pheromone and karimones on Trichogramma parasitism was evaluated in pecans. Objective 12. Develop procedures for rearing, storing, quality control and release of natural enemies Studies were conducted on storage of Trichogramma and its hosts Sitatroga. Mini-insectaries to maintain a constant population of Trichogramma throughout the summer in the field were tested. Flea beetles were released at densities of 160 / m2 resulted in greater than 98% reductions in biomass of leafy spurge within 2 years. Reductions are slower and more variable in riparian sites, however, beetles have established high densities within the two years. Objective 13. Implement augmentation programs and evaluate efficacy of natural enemies Transplants that have been inoculated with whiteflies and their parasitoids, then placed into fields along with conventional transplants provided equal or better control than when equal number of parasitoids are released by hand. Work continues on applying immunological techniques to field studies of dispersal for Bemisia and Lygus parasitoids and predators. We continue to evaluate the efficacy of Metaphycus species near flavus as a biological control agent against citricola scale, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum in citrus and black scale and use of Aphytis melinus augmentatively in citrus groves for red scale control. We are in the second year of a demonstration project using Aphthona flea beetles against leafy spurge. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR: In 2001, research addressed all fifteen objectives. Research will continue on all goals and objectives for a variety of target arthropod and weed pests throughout the Western United States and affiliated areas. Exploration for new biological control agents will continue, as will release, redistribution, and evaluation of establishment and efficacy. Improvements in conservation and augmentation methods and technologies will continue; these will provide better opportunities for incorporating biological control into integrated pest management programs. Increased emphasis will be placed on evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of biological control. Strong collaboration and communication among researchers in the regional project will continue to lead to significant advances in biological pest control technology. This will result in more environmentally and economically sound solutions to regional pest problems.

Publications

Alyokhin, A. V., R. H. Messing, and J. J. Duan. 2001. Utilization of the exotic weed Pluchea odorata (Asteraceae) and related plants by the introduced biological control agent Acinia picturata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii. Biocontrol Science and Technology 11: 711-718. Balciunas, J. and B. Villegas. 2001. Chaetorellia succinea - Is this unintentionally released natural enemy of yellow starthistle safe? Proceedings of the First International Knapweed Symposium of the Twenty-First Century. p. 94-95. Balciunas, J. K. and B. Villegas. 2001. Unintentionally released Chaetorellia succinea (Diptera: Tephritidae): is this natural enemy of yellow starthistle a threat to safflower growers? Environmental Entomology 30(5):953-963. Balciunas, J. and B. Villegas. (In Press). The Unintentionally-released yellow starthistle seed-head fly, Chaetorellia succinea (Diptera: Tephritidae): Is this natural enemy of yellow starthistle a threat to safflower growers? Environmental Entomology. 30(4): xxx-xxx. Bernal, J. S., R. F. Luck, J. G. Morse, and M. S. Drury. 2001. Seasonal and scale size relationships between citricola scale (Homoptera: Coccidae) and its parasitoid complex (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) on San Joaquin Valley citrus. Biological Control 20: 210-221. Collier, T. R. and M.S. Hunter. 2001. Interference competition between whitefly parasitoids, Eretmocerus eremicus, and Encarsia transvena. Oecologia 129: 147-154. Dudley, T., C. J. DeLoach, J. E. Lovich, and R. I. Carruthers. 2000. Saltcedar invasion of western riparian areas: impacts and now prospects. Pp. 345-381, in R. E. McCabe and S. E. Loos, eds. Control. Trans. 65th N. Amer. Wildlife and Nat. Res. Conf. Chicago, pp. 345-381. Ellington, J., T. Carrillo and C. Sutherland. 2001. Biological control option in New Mexico Pecans. XXIV Congreso Nacional de Control Biologico Memoirs. Pp. 219-225. Evans, E.W. 2001. Expanding predator-prey theory for insects (Book review of A.F.G. Dixon, Insect predator-prey dynamics: ladybird beetles and biological control). Ecology 82: 905-906. Evans, E.W. 2000. Morphology of invasion: body size patterns associated with establishment of Coccinella septemptunctata in western North America. European Journal of Entomology 97: 469-474. Evans, E.W. 2000. Egg production in response to combined alternative foods by the predator Coccinella transversalis. Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 94: 141-147 Jacob, H.S. and E.W. Evans. 2000. Influence of carbohydrate foods and mating on longevity of the parasitoid Bathyplectes curculionis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Environmental Entomology 29: 1088-1095 Jacob, H.S. and E.W. Evans. 2000. Influence of experience on the response of Bathyplectes curculionis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a non-aphidophagous parasitoid, to aphid odor. Biological Control 19: 237-244 Kalaskar, A. and E.W. Evans. 2001. Larval responses of aphidophagous lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to weevil larvae versus aphids as prey. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 94: 76-81 Glenn, D. M, G. Puterka, S. Drake, T. Unruh, A. Knight, P. Bahere, E. Prado, and T. Baugher. 2001. Effect of particle film of apple yield and productivity. J. Amer. Hort. Soc. 126:175-1815. Guillen, M., D. Davis, and J. M. Heraty. 2001. A new species of Marmara (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) infesting citrus in the southwestern United States. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 103: 636 Hagler, J.R. and C.G. Jackson. 2001. Methods for marking insects: Current techniques and future prospects. Annu.. Rev. Entomol. 46: 511-543. Honda, J. Y. and R. F. Luck. 2001. A Laboratory Evaluation of Trichogramma platneri as an Augmentative Biological Control Agent for Two Avocado Pests: Amorbia cuneana and Sabulodes aegrotata. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 100: 1-13. Jacob, H.S. and E.W. Evans. 2001. The influence of food deprivation on foraging decisions of the parasitoid Bathyplectes curculionis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 94: 605-611 Knight, A. L., T. R. Unruh, B. A. Christianson, G. J. Puterka and D. M. Glenn. 2001. Impacts of seasonal Kaolin particle films on apple pest management. Canadian Entomol., 133:413-428. Unruh, T. R. and L. A. Lacey. 2001. Control of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with Stienernema carpocapsae: Effects of supplemental wetting and pupation site on infection rate. Biological Control.20: 48-56. 2001. Larking, T. S., R. I. Carruthers and B. C. Legaspi. 2000. A computational method for simulating insect pathogenesis. Trans. SCS. 17: 25-33. Luck, R. F. J. A. M. Jenssen, J.D. Pinto and E. R. Oatman. 2000. Precise sex allocation and sex ratio shifts by the parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum. Behaviour Ecology and Sociobiology 49: 311-321. Messing, R. H. & M. F. Purcell. 2001. Regulatory constraints to the practice of biological control in Hawaii. in: Balancing Nature: Assessing the Impact of Importing Non-Native Biological Control Agents. J. Lockwood, F. Howarth, M. Purcell, eds. Thomas Say Publications, Entom. Soc. Am., Lanham, MD. Naranjo, S. E. and J. R. Hagler. 2001. Towards the quantification of predation with predator gut immunoassays: A new approach integrating functional response behavior. Biol. Control. 20: 175-189. Nowierski, R. M., B. C. FitzGerald, G. J. McDermott, and J. M. Story. 2000. Overwintering mortality of Urophora affinis and U. quadrifasciata (Diptera: Tephritidae): Effects of larval competition versus exposure to subzero temperatures. Environ. Entomol. 29: 403?412. Nowierski, R. M., B. C. FitzGerald, and Z. Zeng. 2001. Supercooling capacity of Urophora affinis and U. quadrifasciata (Diptera: Tephritidae) on spotted knapweed: Comparisons among plants, sites, time of season, and gall densities. J. Thermal Biol. 26: 143-153. Petersen, M. K. and M. S. Hunter. 2001. Variation in the outcome of competition between two aphid species on pecan: Plants matter more than predators. Oikos 92: 107-118. Ramirez, J., J. Ellington, M. Remmenga and T. Carrillo. 2001. Relacion entre capturas de gusano rosario Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), e infestacion en cuadros y bellotas en el valle de Mesilla, New Mexico. Memoirs XXXVI Congreso Nacional de Entomologia Memoirs Pp. 111-112. Rieder, J.P., E.W. Evans, and S.L. Durham. 2001. Distribution of insect attacks in the biological control of weed: infestation of Centaurea virgata flowerheads by a gall fly. Biological Control 20: 254-260. Rodriguez-Saona, C., S. J. Crafts-Brandner, P. W. Pari, and T. J. Henneberry. 2001. Exogenous methyl jasmonate induces volatile emissions in cotton plants. J. Chem. Ecol. 27: 679-695. Sforza, R., J. Story, R. Hufbauer, J. Kashefi and P. C. Quimby. 2001. New Foreign Explorations for Classical Biocontrol of Spotted Knapweed. In L. Smith (ed.), Proceedings of the First International Knapweed Symposium of the Twenty-First Century, March 15-16, 2001, Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho. Thompson, D.C. and K.T. Gardner. 2001. The Future of Biological Control of Weeds on Rangelands: An Entomologists Viewpoint. (In press). In: Rangeland weed and brush management the next millennium. Texas A&M University Press, College Station. van der Werf, W., E.W. Evans, and J. Powell. 2000. Measuring and modeling dispersal of Coccinella septempunctata in alfalfa fields. European Journal of Entomology 97: 487-493 Vargas, R. I., S. L. Peck, G. T. McQuate, C. G. Jackson, J. D. Stark and J. W. Armstrong. 2001. Potential for areawide management of Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) with a parasitoid and novel bait spray. J. Econ. Entomol. 94: 817-825. Wraight, S. P., R. I. Carruthers, S. T. Jaronski, C. A. Bradley, C. J. Garza, and S. Galaini-Wraight. 2000. Evaluations of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus for microbial control of the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentigolii. Biological Control. 17: 203-217.

Impact Statements

Work carried out in 2001 as part of the Western Regional Research Project, W-185, provide valuable theoretical and applied knowledge to help incorporate biological control into integrated pest management systems in agricultural, urban and natural settings throughout the western United States and affiliated areas.
New predators, parasitoids and pathogens were discovered, both in indigenous and foreign ecosystems, and their biology, classification, and potential usefulness in pest management were documented. New natural enemy strains and species were imported into the United States, and incorporated into the guilds attacking some of the most severe insect and seed pests of American agriculture.
Previously established natural enemies were distributed throughout the western region through cooperation among project leaders and others. Improved methods of mass-rearing, augmenting, and conserving natural enemies were devised. Experimental research assessed the efficacy and impact of released and indigenous natural enemies on major arthropod pests and on weeds.
Research led to a deeper understanding of the roles and interactions of a wide array of beneficial and pest organisms in a variety of ecosystems. Unraveling complex ecological relationships is central to understanding pest management systems and implementing biological control as a component part of those systems.
Finally, research continues to address both the economic feasibility and environmental impact of biological control. Economic and environmental data will continue to be essential to produce realistic biologically-based pest management programs that incorporate both target and nontarget organisms.

Date of Annual Report: 07/24/2005

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/01/2003 - 10/03/2003
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2003 - 12/01/2003

Participants

Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Arizona, Tucson, Department of Entomology: Martha S. Hunter (mhunter@ag.arizona.edu);
California Department of Food & Agriculture: Charles Pickett (cpickett@cdfa.ca.gov), Michael J. Pitcairn (mpitcairn@cdfa.ca.gov), J. Ball, Kris Godfrey (kgodfrey@cdfa.ca.gov), William Roltsch (wroltsch@cdfa.ca.gov), S. Schoening, Don Joley (djoley@cdfa.ca.gov), Baldo Villegas (bvillegas@cdfa.ca.gov), Dale Woods (dwoods@cdfa.ca.gov), Pat Akers (pakers@cdfa.gov).;
California Agricultural Experiment Station, University of California, Berkeley: Kent M. Daane (daane@uckac.edu), Miquel Altieri (agroeco3@nature.berkeley.edu), Nicholas J. Mills (nmills@nature.berkeley.edu), Steve C. Welter (swelter@nature.berkeley.edu), UC-Davis, Lester E. Ehler (leehler@ucdavis.edu), Jay A. Rosenheim (jarosenheim@ucdavis.edu), Karen Klonsky (klonsky@primal.ucdavis.edu), Riverside: Tom S. Bellows (tombellows@ucr.edu), John M. Heraty (john.heraty@ucr.edu), Dan Gonzalez, Robert F. Luck (Robert.luck@ucr.edu);
Colorado Experiment Station, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Dept. of Bioagricultural Sciences & Pest Management: Ruth Hufbauer (hufbauer@lamar.colostate.edu);
Guam Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Guam, Mangilao: Ross H. Miller (rmiller@uog.edu);
Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences: Mark Wright (markwrig@hawaii.edu), Russell Messing (messing@hawaii.edu);
Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Idaho, Moscow, Dept. of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences: J.P. McCaffrey, J.B. Johnson Mark Schwarzlaender (markschw@uidaho.edu);
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Department of Entomology: James R. Nechols (jnechols@oznet.ksu.edu);
Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Montana State University: Western Agricultural Research Center: James M. Story (jstory@montana.edu), Department of Entomology, Bozeman: Jeffrey Littlefield (jeffreyl@montana.edu);
New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station, New Mexico State University, Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science, Las Cruces: Joseph J. Ellington (jelling@nmsu.edu), David C. Thompson (dathomps@nmsu.edu);
New York: Cornell University, Agricultural Experiment Station: Maurice J. Tauber (mjt4@cornell.edu), Catherine A. Tauber (cat6@cornell.edu);
Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis: Peter B. McEvoy (mcevoyp@science.oregonstate.edu).;
Oregon State Department of Agriculture: Eric M. Coombs ;
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, California: Raymond Carruthers (ric@pw.usda.gov), Joseph K. Balciunas (joebalci@pw.usda.gov), Hilo, Hawaii: Ernest Harris, Peter Follett, and Roger Vargas, Montpellier, France: P. C. Quimby (cquimby@ars-ebcl.org), Kim Hoelmer (khoelmer@ars-ebcl.org), and Tim Widmer (twidmer@ars-ebcl.org), Phoenix, Arizona: Steve E. Naranjo (snaranjo@wcrl.ars.usda.gov), James R. Hagler, C.G. Jackson, and C. Rodriguez, Sidney, Montana: Tom Shanower (tshanowe@sidney.ars.usda.gov), Wapato, Washington: Tom R. Unruh (unruh@yarl.ars.usda.gov), Lerry Lacey (lacey@yarl.ars.usda.gov);
United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Phoenix: Earl Andress (eandress@quix.net), Gregory Simmons (Gregory.s.simmons@aphis.usda.gov), J. R. Gould ;
Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan, Department of Biology: Edward W. Evans (ewevans@biology.usu.edu);
Washington Agricultural Experiment Station, Washington State University, Pullman, Department of Entomology: Gary L. Piper (glpiper@wsu.edu);
Administrative Advisor: University of California at Riverside, Deans Office: College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: Donald Cooksey (Donald.cooksey@ucr.edu)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Publications

Due to space limitations, this is only a partial publication list. See the W-1185 website for the full 2003 publication list. Adda, C., Borgemeister, C., Biliwa, A., Meikle, W.G., Markham, R.H., Poehling, H.-M. 2002. Integrated pest management in post-harvest maize: a case study from the Republic of Togo (West Africa). Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 93(1-3). p. 305-321. Antony, B., M.A. Palanaswami, and T. J. Henneberry. 2003. Encarsia transvena (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) development and Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) host stage preference. Environmental Entomology 32: 584-591. Blua, M. J., Redak, R. A., Morgan, D. J. W., Costa, H. S. (2001) Seasonal flight activity of two Homalodisca species (Homoptera : Cicadellidae) that spread Xylella fastidiosa in southern California. Journal of Economic Entomology, 94(6):1506-1510. Bon, M.C., Ramualde, K. Hoelmer, K, Coutinot, D. 2003. Species-specificity and sensitivity of a PCR-based assay for Peristenus stygicus, a parasitoid of Lygus spp. Proceedings of the First International Symposium on the Biological Control of Arthropods. U.S.D.A. Forest Service Publication 2003-05. p. 444-448. Carruthers, R. I. 2003. Invasive species research in the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service. Pest Management Sciences 59:827-834. Carruthers, R. I. (2003). Biological Control of Invasive Species, A personal perspective. Conservation Biology (in press). Cao, Wan-Hong, Ralph E. Charlton, James R. Nechols and Michael J. Horak. 2003. Sex pheromone of the noctuid moth, Tyta luctuosa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a candidate biological control agent of field bindweed. Environ. Entomol. 32: 17-22. Cocquempot, C., Hérard, F., Reynaud, P. 2003. Les longicornes asiatiques Anoplophora glabripennis et Anoplophora chinensis, une menace sérieuse pour l'arboriculture fruitière, les plantes d'ornement et les forêts françaises. Phytoma. v. 561. p. 24-28. Cocquempot, C., Hérard, F. 2003. Les Anoplophora, un danger pour la pépinière et les espaces verts. PHM-revue horticole. v. 449. p. 28-33 Coleson, J.L. 2003. Antibiosis and antixenosis to Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) in cultivars of taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.). MS Thesis, University of Guam. Mangilao, Gaum. Collier, T. R. and M.S. Hunter. 2001. Interference competition between whitefly parasitoids, Eretmocerus eremicus, and Encarsia transvena. Oecologia 129: 147-154 Collier, T. R., M. S. Hunter and S. E. Kelly 2002. Egg size, intrinsic competition and lethal interference in the endoparasitoids, Encarsia pergandiella and Encarsia formosa. In press, Biological Control. Coutinot, D. 2002. Research institutes : living organisms and environmental protection. Legislation and regulations, agencies and research institutes consulted, quarantines visited, subjects discussed and propositions. Mémoire de DESS Expertise des Problématiques Environnementales. DESS (=M.Sc.) thesis, University of Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France. 50 pp. & annexes (in French). DeLoach, C. J., P. A. Lewis, J. C. Herr, R. I. Carruthers, J. L. Tracy and J Johnson. 2003. Host specificity of the leaf beetle, Diorhabda elongata deserticola from Asia, a biological control agent for saltcedars in the Western United States. Biological Control 27: 117-147. Fargues, J., Bon, M.C., Manguin, S., Couteaudier, Y. 2002. Genetic variability among Paecilomyces fumosoroseus isolates from various geographical and host insect origins based on the rDNA-ITS regions. Mycological Research. v. 106 (9). p.1066-1074. Godfrey, K. E. K. M. Daane, W. J. Bentley, R. J. Gill, and R. Malakar-Kuenen. Mealybugs in California Vineyards. 2002. University of California ANR Publication 21612, 16 pp. Godfrey, K., J. Ball, D. Gonzalez, and E. Reeves. 2003. Biology of the vine mealybug in vineyards in the Coachella valley, California. Southwest. Ento. In press. Hagler, J.R. 2002. Foraging behavior, host stage selection and gut content analysis of field collected Drapetis nr. divergens: A predatory fly of Bemisia argentifolii. Southwestern Entomologist. 27: 241-249. Hagler, J.R., H. Costa, and K. Daane. 2002. Progress on the development of a monoclonal antibody specific to glassy-winged sharpshooter egg protein: A tool for predator gut analysis and early detection of pest infestation. Symp. Proceedings, Pierces Disease Research Symposium. P. 79-80. Hagler, J.R., C.G. Jackson, T.J. Henneberry, and J.R. Gould. 2002. Parasitoid mark-release-recapture techniques. II. Development and application of a protein marking technique for Eretmocerus spp., parasitoids of Bemisia argentifolii. Biocontrol Science & Technology. 12: 661-675. Hagler, J.R., C.G. Jackson, R. Isaacs, and S.A. Machtley. 200_. Foraging behavior and prey selection by a guild of predators on various stages of Bemisia tabaci. J. Insect Science (in press). Hagler, J.R., S. Machtley, and J. Leggett. 2002. Parasitoid mark-release-recapture techniques. I. Development of a battery-operated suction trap for collecting minute insects. Biocontrol Science & Technology. 12: 653-659. Hinz, H.L., and D. Schroeder. 2003. Impact of competition from wheat and below-ground herbivory on growth and reproduction of scentless chamomile, Tripleurospermum perforatum (Mérat) Laínz. Journal of Applied Entomology, 127, 72-79. Hoddle, M. S., S. V. Triapitsyn, and D. J. W. Morgan. 2003. Distribution and plant association records for Homalodisca coagulata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Florida. Florida Entomologist 86: 89-91. Hoelmer, K. A. and C. H. Pickett. 2003. Geographic origin and taxonomic history of Delphastus spp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in commercial culture. Biocontrol Science and Technology 13: 529-535. Hoelmer, K. A., Goolsby, J. A. 2003. Innovative methods for the release, establishment and monitoring of Bemisia parasitoids and predators. Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods. U.S.D.A. Forest Service Publication 2003-05. P. 58-65. Hoelmer, K. A., C. H. Pickett. Geographic origin and taxonomic history of Delphastus spp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in commercial culture. 2003. Biocontrol Science and Technology. v. 13(5). p. 529-535. Holst, N., and W.G. Meikle. 2003. Teretrius nigrescens against larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus in African maize stores: biological control at work? Journal of Applied Ecology 40(2): 307-319. Hunter, M.S., Collier, T. R, and S. E. Kelly. 2002. Does an autoparasitoid disrupt host suppression provided by a primary parasitoid? In press. Ecology. Hurlbert, S. and W.G. Meikle. 2003. Pseudoreplication, fungi, and locusts. Journal of Economic Entomology 96(3): 533-535. Leppla, N. C., K. A. Bloem, and R. F. Luck. (eds.) 2002 Quality Control for Mass-Reared Arthropods. Proceedings of the Eighth and Ninth Workshops of the IOBC Working Group on Quality Control of Mass-Reared Arthropods 171 pp. Lewis, P. A., C. J. DeLoach, J. C. Herr, T. L. Dudley and R. I. Carruthers. 2003. Assessment of risk to native Frankenia shrubs from an Asian leaf beetle, Diorhabda elongata deserticola, introduced for biological control of saltcedars in the western United States. Biological Control 27: 148-166. Luck, R. F. and L. D. Forster. 2002. Quality of augmentative biological control: A historical perspective and lessons learned from evaluating Trichogramma. Pp. . In J. C. van Lenteren (ed). Quality Control and Production of Biological Control Agents. CABI Publishing Wallingford, Oxon. UK. McClay, A. S., Sobhian, R., and Zhang, W. 2002. Galium spurium L., False Cleavers (Rubinaceae). In Biological control programs in Canada, 1981-2000 CABI publishing, CAB international, Wallingford, Oxon OX 10 8DE. Pp 358-361. Meikle, W.G., S. Jaronski, G. Mercadier and P.C. Quimby. 2003. A distributed delay routine-based simulation model of Beauveria bassiana conidial stability in response to environmental stressors. BioControl 48: 561-578. Meikle, W.G., Markham, R.H., Nansen, C., Holst, N., Degbey, P., Azoma, K., Korie, S. Pest management in traditional maize stores in West Africa: a farmer's perspective. 2002. Journal of Economic Entomology. v. 95(5). p.1079-1088. Meikle, W.G., D. Rees and R.H. Markham. 2003. Biological control of the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). Integrated Pest Management Reviews (in press). Mercadier, G., Saethre, M.G., Vega, F.E. 2002. First report of the fungal entomopathogen Paecilomyces in Norway. Norwegian Journal of Entomology. v. 49. pp. 71-73. Milbrath, Lindsey R. and James R. Nechols. Indirect effect of early-season infestations of Trichosirocalus horridus on Rhinocyllus conicus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Biological Control. In Press. Miller R. H. 2003. Probit analysis of pesticide toxicity to aphids on Guam. In R.H. Miller (ed.). Proceedings 10th Inter-Congress of the Pacific Science Association. June 1-6, 2001, Tamuning, Guam. Micronesica Supplement 7: 113-123. Miller, R. H., O. Idechiil, R.G. Foottit and K.S. Pike. 2003. Uroleucon formosanum (Takahashi) (Homoptera: Aphididae) Found on Youngia japonica (L.) DC on Guam and Rota in the Mariana Islands. Proc. Hawaiian Entomological Society 36: 125-127. Nansen, C. and W.G. Meikle. 2003. The biology of the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). Integrated Pest Management Reviews (in press). Nansen, C., W.G. Meikle, B. Tigar, S. Harding and A. Tchabi. Non-agricultural hosts of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in West African forests. Annals of the Entomological Society of America (in press, 2004). Naranjo, S. E. Sampling arthropods. In Encyclopedia of Entomology, J. L. Capinera (ed.) (in press) Naranjo, S. E., P. C. Ellsworth and J. R. Hagler. Conservation of natural enemies in cotton: Role of insect growth regulators for management of Bemisia tabaci. Biological Control (in press) Naranjo, S. E. J. R. Hagler and P. C. Ellsworth. 2003. Improved conservation of natural enemies with selective management systems for Bemisia tabaci in cotton. Biocontrol Science & Technology 13: 571-587. Naranjo, S. E. and P. C. Ellsworth. 2002. Arthropod communities and transgenic cotton in the western USA: Implications for biological control. In First International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods, 13-18 January 2002, Honolulu, Hawaii, R. Van Driesche (ed.). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Morgantown, West Virginia. Nechols, James R. 2003. Fortuitous biological control. In: R. Van Driesche (ed.). Proc. First International Meeting of Biological Control of Arthropod Pests. January 2002, Honolulu, HI. U.S. Forest Service, Morgantown, WV. Nelson, D.R., T.P. Freeman, J.S. Buckner, K.A. Hoelmer, C.G. Jackson, J.R. Hagler. 2003. Characterizing the cuticular surface wax pores and the waxy particles of the dustywing, Semidalis flinti (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae). J. Comp. Biochem. & Physiol. 136: 343-356. Nelson, D. R., Freeman, T. P., Buckner, J. S., Hoelmer, K. A., Jackson, C. G., Hagler, J. R. 2003. Characterization of the cuticular surface wax pores and the waxy particles of the dustywing, Semidalis flinti (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B. v. 136. p. 343-356. Opit, G. P., J. R. Nechols, and D. C. Margolies. 2003. Biological control of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), using Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseidae) on ivy geranium: assessment of predator release ratios. Biological Control. In press. Opit, George P., David C. Margolies and James R. Nechols. 2003. Within-plant distribution of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), on ivy geranium: development of a presence-absence sampling plan. J. Econ. Entomol. 96: 482-488. Opit, George P. 2003. Development of Biological Control of Twospotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on Greenhouse Ivy Geranium, Pelargonium peltatum (L.) LHer Ex Air., Using the Predatory Mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseidae). Dissertation, Kansas State University, Manhattan. Paine, T. D., K. M. Jetter, K. M. Klonsky, L. G. Bezark, and T. S. Bellows. 2003. Ash whitefly and biological control in the urban environment, pp. 203-213 In Exotic Pests and Diseases, Biology and Economics for biosecurity, D. A. Sumner, Editor. Iowa State Press, A Blackwell Publishing Company. Petersen, M. K. and M. S. Hunter. 2001. Variation in the outcome of competition between two aphid species on pecan: Plants matter more than predators. Oikos 92: 107-118 Phillips, C. B., Cane, R. P., Mee, J., Chapman, H. M., Hoelmer, K. A., Coutinot, D. 2002. Intraspecific variation in the ability of Microctonus aethiopoides (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) to parasitize Sitona lepidus (Coleoptera : Curculionidae). New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. v. 45. p. 295-303. Pickett, C. H. and R. Wall. 2003. Long term evaluation of the ash whitefly parasitoid, Encarsia inaron (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Pan Pacific Entomologist, In Press. Quimby, P.C., DeLoach, C.J., Wineriter, S.A., Goolsby, J.A., Sobhian, R., Boyette, C.D., and Abbas, H.K. 2003. Biological control of weeds: research by the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service: selected case studies. Pest Management Science 59:671-680.

Impact Statements

We are making advances in understanding how to conserve and measure the activity of native natural enemies of several major pests of cotton using life table and immunological techniques.
Evaluation of the lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides and transgenic plants on key natural enemies through both field and laboratory studies will aid the development of pest management strategies that minimize disruption of biological control.
We continue to make advances in using immunological techniques to studying key issues in biological control. We continue to advance methods for using predator gut content immunoassays to qualify the impact of indigenous predators. The protein marking immunoassay provides a useful alternative to conventional marking techniques for mark-release-recapture studies.
We documented significant impact of a fortuitous biological control agent (Endaphid maculans) against several important pest aphids in Hawaii.
We determined host range and minimal environmental risk of a newly introduced parasitoid (Fopius ceratitivorous) of medfly, and will be applying for full release permits in the coming months.
We re-released D. kraussii and achieved at least temporary establishment in a field population of B. latifrons.
We supplied P. concolor to California where it appears to be established on olive fly, and additional parasitoids from (D. kraussii, F. arisanus) that have been shown to successfully attack olive fly in the lab.
Reduced the cost of mass producing Metaphycus sp nr flavus 10-fold over that used by the Fillmore protective district insectary (the protective district was disbanded July 2003).
Cape ivy (Delairea odorata): At least two insects have very good potential to be specific, effective biological control agents, which would reduce the impact of this invasive vine that is reducing biodiversity in coastal California.
Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis): Ceratapion larvae infest a high proportion of YST plants in central Turkey and cause substantial damage to the root. If they prove to be highly host-specific they could complement the established seedhead feeding insects and reduce densities of the weed, which infests about 20,000 acres in the western U.S.
Improvement of the synchrony of Chaetorellia succinea with yellow starthistle flower bud development is expected to increase natural enemiy survival and expand the rate of attack that this insect can exert on yellow starthistle populations in California and adjacent states.
Russian thistle (Salsola tragus): Aceria salsolae is the only eriophyid mite that has been reported from Salsola tragus and is expected to be highly host-specific.
Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.): The saltcedar leaf beetle has been shown to be both safe and efficacious to saltcedar. Beetles have now established within several locations in multiple states and are causing extensive defoliation to invasive saltcedars. Repeated defoliations will be necessary to cause saltcedar mortality and in some areas we expect to see dying plants in the spring of 2004.
Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa): Diffuse knapweed populations have drastically decreased in the presence of high densities of root feeding and seedhead feeding insects.
International Code of Best Practices for Biological Control of Weeds: As this code is more widely adopted, the safety and acceptance of this sub-discipline of biological control will be greatly enhanced.
On greenhouse floricultural crops, we anticipate that improved sampling procedures, combined with predator-prey release data, will increase the convenience, reliability, and profitability of using augmentative biological control for the twospotted mite, Tetranychus urticae.
For musk thistle, we expect that our data, which demonstrate a negative effect of T. horridus on R. conicus, will influence growers and other biological control practitioners to cease redistribution of T. horridus.
The major host-aphid-natural enemy associations for the Mariana Islands, and the Republic of Palau have been described. We have generated further evidence that L. testaceipes populations have expanded during the past year on Rota despite a reduced agricultural area.
About 25 quarantine personnel on Guam, the CNMI, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia were trained in aphid and aphid natural enemy collection and identification techniques as part of a Plant Protection and Quarantine Workshop held on Guam in April 2003.
Joint survey and training activities with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community continue, which strengthens efforts to minimize the spread of noxious invasive species in Micronesia.
Impacts from USDA/ARS, European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL), Campus International de Baillarguet, 34980 Montferrier sur Lez, France:
Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis): The discovery of new insects and fungal pathogens will provide new potential organisms that are specific and effective biological control agents reducing the impact of this invasive weed.
Giant reed (Arundo donax): A Mediterranean network of scientists has been established that will expediate the search for new biological control agents.
Common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum): New agents on this weed have been discovered that have not been reported before that have the potential to be specific and effective biological control agents.
Whitetop (Cardaria draba): Genetic characterization of Ceutorhynchus assimilis will help to distinguish different populations that are host specific to whitetop.
Russian thistle (Salsola tragus): Newly discovered agents and host range studies provide new agents that have the potential to reduce the impact of this invasive weed.
Saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima & parviflora): The root weevil, Liocleonus clathratus, could have a significant impact on the spread of saltcedar in conjunction with other effective agents.
Rush skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea): Discovered new agents and host range studies provide new candidates that have the potential to reduce the impact of this invasive weed.
Olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae): The discovery of new agents provide candidates for efficacy and host range studies that have the potential to reduce the impact of this invasive fruit fly. Shipments of Psyttalia lounsburyi to U.S. cooperators will allow host-range and efficacy testing to proceed in California.
Wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus): Preliminary evidence of geographical patterns in the genetic variation of North American populations will yield insights into the history of Cephus introduction into North America. Discovery of new Asian natural enemies of sawfly will allow their evaluation against C. cinctus.
Lygus bugs (Lygus species): Shipments of field-collected nymphal parasitoids sent to U.S. cooperators have allowed these projects to proceed to field release and establishment in CA and NY.
Asian longhorned beetles (Anoplophora species): Studies of new associations between European natural enemies of longhorned beetles and newly-introduced Anoplophora species may have predictive value for the North American situation.
Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella): Natural enemies collected in Europe for evaluation in Taiwan may eventually prove to be good candidates for introduction into North America.
Apple leafrollers (various species): Studies of European communities of leafroller moths and their parasitoids will provide valuable information and possible candidate natural enemies for use in North American apple ecosystems.
Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus): Identification of candidate pathogens is the first step in a program to find an effective pathogen of Formosan termites that would permit termite control without recourse to long-lasting pesticides often used against termites.
Formulation of entomopathogens: Reliable prediction of the behavior of spore viability in different storage and field conditions is important in the economics of biopesticides; we hope our models may be of interest to industry and stimulate interest in biopesticides.

Date of Annual Report: 08/08/2005

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/04/2004 - 10/06/2004
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2004 - 12/01/2004

Participants

See Summary of Minutes for list of participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: (full individual reports can be found on the W-1185 website [http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/biocon/W-1185,%20Western%20Regional%20Biological%20Control.htm] or can be obtained via the W-1185 Administrative Advisor, Dr. Donald Cooksey [Donald.cooksey@ucr.edu]). Goal A: Import and Establish Effective Natural Enemies Objective 1. Survey indigenous natural enemies. Surveys for natural enemies of arthropod and weed pests were conducted either in the native home of the pest or within the country of invasion. Pests for which surveys were conducted over that last year include: native leafminers in California; Liriomyza spp., Bactrocera spp., and A. destructor in American Samoa; Tamarix spp. in China, Israel, Greece and Central Asia; Centaurea solstitialis in Greece, Russia, Europe; lacewings (generalist predators) in the western U.S.; Japanese knotweed in Oregon; and aphids in Guam and Micronesia. Objective 2. Conduct foreign exploration and ecological studies in native range of pest. Several agencies in the western states conducted foreign exploration and importation of natural enemies for both new and established arthropod and weed pests this past year. The following list includes pests for which exploratory research was conducted: Dyers woad in Europe; perennial pepperweed in China; Acroptilon repens in Iran; lacewings (generalist predators) in Brazil; Thamnargus caucasicus in southern Russia; rush skeletonweed in Greece and Bulgaria; and olive fly in Africa. (see full reports for more information) Objective 3. Determine systematics and biogeography of pests and natural enemies. The systematics of Aphytis and Ablerus (Aphelinidae) and Paracentrobia (Trichogrammatidae) were revised. Ablerus are primary or secondary parasitoids of armored scale. A morphology based revision is underway for the New World species using molecular and morphological relationships of Aphytis. Systematics and comparative biological work continues for the Chrysopidae of the (a) USA and (b) New World. Priority is given to genera that have potential value to biological control and management strategies (e.g., Chrysoperla, Ceraeochrysa, Chrysopodes, Leucochrysa). Emphasis in 2004 was on the very large and taxonomically difficult genus Leucochrysa; this genus occurs throughout the New World. The work described, illustrated and developed keys for adults of the seven species that occur in the USA. Numerous names were synonymized; the trash-carrying larvae of four species were described; and all previously published and unpublished data on the biological characteristics of each species were provided. Objective 4. Determine environmental safety of exotic candidates prior to release. The extensive no-choice and multiple-choice host-range testing carried out in 2004 with Jaapiella ivannikovi (against Acroptilon repens) revealed that this gall midge is a highly specific, promising biological control agent with a significant impact on the target weeds reproductive output. Effective screening methods have been developed for the seed feeder Ceutorhynchus turbatus and the flea beetle Psylliodes wrasei. The host range of Gymnetron hispidum appears to be restricted to a few species in the genus Linaria in choice conditions, but it may be necessary to assess the impact of gall induction on some native North American Nuttallanthus and Sairocarpus spp. even when no complete larval development occurred. Progress has been made on another potential biological control agent, G. collinum. Host specificity testing has been initiated for the eriophyid mite, Aceria drabae, which induces compact, leafy galls that stunts Cardaria/Lepidium draba or prevents flowering. Two mite shipments for testing were received from the USDA-ARS-EBCL in Greece. Approximately 53 plant species (including 9 Lepidium species) plus numerous varieties of economic Brassica have been tested to date. The mite appears to be highly host specific, only infesting its natural host Lepidium draba. Host range testing of several olive fly parasitoids continued at UC-Berkeley, as well as testing parasitoids against the blue-green sharpshooter and the red-headed sharpshooter. CAB International conducted host-specificity studies on two insect species for biocontrol of houndstongue, Cynoglossum officinale. These insects include a seed weevil, Mogulones borraginis, and a root fly, Cheilosia pasquorum. Objective 5. Release, establish and redistribute natural enemies. Citrus peelminer was reared on grapefruit and then zucchini as a host for the parasite C. coachellae. Parasites were shipped to the San Joaquin Valley for release against local populations of Marmara that have been found to support only a few solitary leafminer parasitoids. More than a thousand parasitoids have been shipped, but to date, no populations of C. coachellae are known to have successfully established. Workshops were conducted in Idaho, Washington and Nebraska during which more than 40,000 insect biocontrol agents for purple loosestrife, spotted and diffuse knapweed, and Dalmatian toadflax were distributed to participants along with educational materials and laminated biological control agent identification card sets. Diorhabda elongate was released on infestations of T. ramossisima in California and Nevada by USDA and in four other western states by cooperators in Colorado, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Multiple releases of Mecinus janthinus were made against dalmation toadflax at strategic locations in OR in conjunction with USDA-APHIS. Several older sites are showing some promise in reducing target weed density. Adults of the chevroned waterhyacinth weevil, Neochetina bruchi, were released in May 2004, at a water canal choked with water hyacinth east of Stockton, San Joaquin County. The weevils were from two sources: 3,500 were collected, from a field site southeast of Stockton, the remaining weevils were from greenhouse colonies maintained in Sacramento. The release was for a field study by USDA-ARS to examine the relationship between plant nitrogen content and weevil attack on the plant. In 2004, the third parasite, Allotropa sp. nr. mecrida was released for M. hirsutus throughout the infested area in Imperial County and the Mexicali Valley in northern Mexico. Rearing efforts were continued on three biocontrol agents introduced against spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa: the root moth Agapeta zoegana, the root weevil Cyphocleonus achates, and the root moth Pelochrista medullana. Numerous releases of A. zoegana and C. achates were made throughout Montana. Climatic matching and pre-release performance evaluation were successful predictors of parasitoid establishment in a retrospective analysis of classical biological control program against Bemisia tabaci biotype B in the USA. The European seed eating weevil, Gymnetron tetrum, was collected from established stands of Verbascum thapsus and 750 adults were redistributed in Douglas County in central WA. An average infestation of this weevil results in about 50% of the weed's seed crop being consumed by the larvae. Objective 6. Evaluate natural enemy efficacy and study ecological/physiological basis for interactions. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the potential efficacy of natural enemies against invasive and indigenous pest species. Current work includes: monitoring of the abundance and impact of six biological control agents released for yellow starthistle control in Idaho. Studies focused on competitive interactions between Chaetorellia succinea and C. australis and the two weevils Eustenpopus villosus and Larinus curtus. Both larval and adult feeding studies were conducted for the saltcedar leafbeetle on one to two year old Tamarix plants. Studies showed beetle feeding and oviposition selectivity is not affected by host plant species or plant chemistry (nitrogen and salt content). Predation by ants, esp. Formica spp. reduces beetle populations. Post release studies showing the long-term efficacy of the crown root weevil Phrydiuchus tau against Salvia aethiopis are being conducted in conjunction with OR State Univ., USDA-ARS, and USDI-BLM. Sites with perennial vegetation, with the exception of salt desert scrub, are showing control of several orders of magnitude. A field study on the long-term impact of all established biological control agents on yellow starthistle populations continued at three sites in 2004. Plant populations have continued to decline and, in 2004, seedling and mature plant densities were low at all three sites. Studies on the impact of C. achates were continued. A study to assess the effect of the herbicides, 2,4-D and Transline on knapweed root insects was continued. Goal B: Conserve Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control of Target Pests. Objective 7. Characterize and identify pest and natural enemy communities and their interactions. Many approaches are being utilized to determine the role of natural enemies within the host community. Current studies include: quantifying natural enemy populations and other sources of mortality impacting pest populations; examining feeding behavior of natural enemies among different crop varieties; using monoclonal antibodies to screen predators for the presence of pest species in their guts; conducting host discrimination studies; investigating parasitoid guilds; determining actual field parasitization rates; evaluating various pest management tactics that permit the preservation of the natural enemy complexes associated with established pest complexes; and knowledge of the selectivity of currently available pesticides and how their impact affects host availability. Results include: Life table studies of Bemisia tabaci that showed that predation was the key factor and accounted for the highest levels of irreplaceable mortality; rates of predation were correlated with densities of Geocoris spp., Orius tristicolor, Chrysoperla carnea and Lygus hesperus. Glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) (Homalodisca coagulata)-specific ELISA and PCR assays have been developed. Key predators of GWSS will be identified by analyzing their gut contents for the presence of GWSS remains using these assays Objective 8. Identify and assess factors potentially disruptive to biological control. Pesticides, transgenic crops, and ant activity are just a few of the factors being evaluated with respect to disruption of biological control. Specific studies include: examining the seasonal occurrence and activity of native natural enemies to assess factors that could hinder their value against the brown citrus aphid that is expected to invade the region within a few years; studies of the influence of facultative symbionts of pea aphids on resistance to Aphidius ervi, which reveal an unrecognized aspect of host-parasitoid interactions; symbionts that play a defensive role in hosts may disrupt effective biological control. Acetamiprid, one of several new neonicotinoid insecticides, was demonstrated to have broad toxicity to Bemisia tabaci and a number of generalist predators in cotton. Although highly efficacious for pest control, results suggest that acetamiprid would be a poor substitute for the currently used IGRs in an integrated control program Objective 9. Implement and evaluate habitat modification, horticultural practices, and pest suppression tactics to conserve natural enemy activity. No new progress reported. Goal C: Augment Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control Efficacy. Objective 10. Assess biological characteristics of natural enemies. Research included: Comparative investigations at three different spatial scales revealed that Trichogramma deion exhibited the most efficient host searching and had the highest parasitization rates of P. interpunctella than did T. ostriniae or T. pretiosum. Researchers at the NY-CUAES, Mexico and Brazil, are evaluating the potential of two chrysopid genera for mass-rearing and release in the U.S.A. and Latin America. Attempts to cure adult C. comanche (Banks) and C. carnea (Stephens) of yeast using Hagens protocol, as well as several other fungicides and heat treatment, were unsuccessful, thus calling into question the earlier conclusions about the role of yeast in nutrient supplementation. In addition, Hagen had suggestedin 1970 that lacewings eclose without their yeast symbionts and must obtain them from the environment. Data now suggest a possible route of vertical yeast transmission. Objective 11. Conduct experimental releases to assess feasibility. Studies have been reported under many of the other objectives. Objective 12. Develop procedures for rearing, storing, quality control and release of natural enemies. A simplified (presence-absence) sampling plan was developed for the twospotted mite, Tetranychus urticae, on greenhouse impatiens to help growers and scouts conveniently estimate pest populations. Objective 13. Implement augmentation programs and evaluate efficacy of natural enemies. No new progress to report. Goal D: Evaluate Environmental and Economic Impacts of Biological Control. Objective 14. Evaluate the environmental impacts of biological control agents. A research project monitoring non-target attack of the houndstongue root weevil at release sites in Alberta and British Columbia has been completed. This project also investigated the experimental host range of the weevil with regard to U.S. FWS listed rare Boraginacea species. The weevil was found to attack confamilials to various degrees at release sites. The houndstongue root weevil is also capable to complete development of at least three of the five Threatened and/or endangered listed Boraginaceae. As a consequence of this study it is unlikely that the weevil will or should be permitted for release in the U.S. Objective 15. Evaluate the economic impacts of target pests and their biological control. No new progress to report. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR: In 2004, research addressed all fifteen objectives. Research will continue on all goals and objectives for a variety of target arthropod and weed pests throughout the Western United States and affiliated areas. Exploration for new biological control agents will continue, as will release, redistribution, and evaluation of establishment and efficacy. Improvements in conservation and augmentation methods and technologies will continue; these will provide better opportunities for incorporating biological control into integrated pest management programs. Increased emphasis will be placed on evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of biological control. Strong collaboration and communication among researchers in the regional project will continue to lead to significant advances in biological pest control technology. This will result in more environmentally and economically sound solutions to regional pest problems.

Publications

Due to space limitations, this is only a partial publication list. See the W-1185 website for the full 2004 publication list. Balciunas, J. 2004. Are mono-specific agents necessarily safe? The need for pre-release assessment of probable impact of candidate biocontrol agents, with some examples. pp. 252-257 in: Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on the Biological Control of Weeds. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia. Balciunas, J. 2004. Cape ivy, Delairea odorata (previously, Senecio mikanioides). pg. 441 in: E. Coombs, J. Clark, G. Piper, and A. Cofrancesco (eds.) Biological Control of Weeds in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. Coombs, E.M. 2004. Factors that affect successful establishment of biological control agents. Pages 85-94 in E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. Coombs, E.M., G.P. Markin, P.P. Pratt and B. Rice. 2004. Gorse. Pages 178-183 in E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. Coombs, E.M., P.B. McEvoy and G.P. Markin. 2004. Tansy ragwort. Pages 335-344 in E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. Coombs, E. M. and G. L. Piper. 2004. Bull thistle, Cirsium vulgare, pp. 345-346. In E. M. Coombs, J. K. Clark, G. L. Piper, and A. F. Cofrancesco, Jr. (eds.), Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State Univ. Press, Corvallis. Coombs, E. M., G. L. Piper, and C. Roche. 2004. Meadow knapweed, Centaurea pratensis, pp. 200-201. In E. M. Coombs, J. K. Clark, G. L. Piper, and A. F. Cofrancesco, Jr. (eds.), Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State Univ. Press, Corvallis. Coombs, E. M., J. K. Clark, G. L. Piper, and A. F. Cofrancesco, Jr. 2004. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State Univ. Press, Corvallis. 467 p. Coulson, J.R., E.M. Coombs and B. Villegas. 2004. Documentation. Pages 47-49 in E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. Cristofaro, M. M. Yu. Dolgovskaya, A. Konstantinov, F. Lecce, S.Ya. Reznik, L. Smith, C. Tronci, and M. G. Volkovitsh. 2004. Psylliodes chalcomerus Illiger (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae), a flea beetle candidate for biological control of yellow starthistle Centaurea solstitialis. In: Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds (eds Cullen, J.M., Briese, D.T., Kriticos, D.J., Lonsdale, W.M., Morin, L. and Scott, J.K.) pp. 75-80. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia. deLillo, E., R. Baldari, M. Christofaro, J. Kashefi, J. Littlefield, R. Sobhian, and C. Tronci. 2003. Eriophyid mites for the biological control of knapweed: morphological and biological observations. In: Cullen, J.M., D.T. Briese, D.J. Kriticos, W.M. Lonsdale, L. Morin and J.K. Scott (eds.). XI International Symposium on the Biological Control of Weeds. Canberra, Australia. May 2003. p. 88. Ehler, L. E. 2004. An evaluation of some natural enemies of Spodoptera exigua on sugarbeet in northern California. BioControl 49: 121-135. Godfrey, K. and M. McGuire. 2004. Overwintering of Aphelinus near paramali (Hymenoptera: Aphilinidae), an introduced parasite of the cotton aphid in the San Joaquin Valley, California. Florida Entomologist 87(1): 88-91. Goolsby, J., P. J. De Barro, A. A. Kirk, R. Sutherst, L. Canas, M. Ciomperlik, P. Ellsworth, J. Gould, D. Hartley, K. A. Hoelmer, S. J. Naranjo, M. Rose. W. Roltsch, R. Ruiz, C. Pickett, and D. Vacek. 2004. Post-release evaluation of the biological control of Bemisia tabaci biotype B in the USA and the development of predictive tools to guide introductions for other countries. Biological Control. In Press. Grafton-Cardwell, E., K. Godfrey, J. Pena, C. McCoy, and R. Luck. 2004. Diaprepes Root Weevil. University of California ANR Publication No. 8131. Grobbelaar, E., J. K. Balciunas, O. Neser, and S. Neser. 2003. South African insects for biological control of Delairea odorata. pp. 16-28 in: Proceedings, CalEPPC Symposiums, 2000, 2001, 2002. M. Kelly (ed.), Concord, CA. Guillén, M., J.M. Heraty and R.F. Luck. 2003. Seasonal variation and infestation incidence by Marmara gulosa Guillén and Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on grapefruit in the Coachella Valley of California (USA). Journal of Economic Entomology 96: 577-583. Guillén, M. and J. M. Heraty. Instar differences in Marmara gulosa Guillén and Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). Accepted by Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 21 mss pp. Accepted July 9, 2004. Gutierrez, A. P., M. J. Pitcairn, and N. Carruthers. 2004. Development of a supply-demand model to evaluate the biological control of yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis, in California. In: J. M. Cullen (sr. ed.), Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, pp. 539-544. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia. Heraty, J. M. and M. E. Gates. 2003. Biodiversity of Chalcidoidea of the El Edén Ecological Reserve, Mexico. In: Proceedings of the 21st Symposium in Plant Biology, Lowland Maya Area: Three Millenia at the Human-Wildland Interface. (A. Gómez-Pompa, M. F. Allen, S. L. Fedick, and J. J. Jiménez-Osornio, eds.). Haworth Press. pp. 277-292. Heraty, J. M. 2003. Molecular Systematics, Chalcidoidea and Biological Control. In: Genetics and Evolution in Biological Control (L. Ehler, R. Sforza, and T. Mateille, eds.). CAB International. pp. 39-71. Hinz, H.L., and M. Schwarzlaender. 2004. Comparing invasive plants from their native and exotic range: what can we learn for biological control? Weed Technology (in press). Hoelmer, K. A. and C. H. Pickett. 2003. Geographic origin and taxonomic history of Delphastus spp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in commercial culture. Biocontrol Science and Technology 13: 529-535. Joley, D.B., D. M. Maddox, S.E. Schoenig, and B.E. Mackey. 2003. Parameters affecting germinability and seed bank dynamics in dimorphic achenes of Centaurea solstitialis in California. Canadian Journal of Botany 81: 993-1007. Littlefield, J. L. 2003. Spatial distribution and seasonal life history of Aceria malherbae Nuz. (Acrai: Eriophyidae) on Convolvulus arvensis L. in Montana, USA. In: Cullen, J.M., D.T. Briese, D.J. Kriticos, W.M. Lonsdale, L. Morin and J.K. Scott (eds.). XI International Symposium on the Biological Control of Weeds. Canberra, Australia. May 2003. p 607. Miller, R. H., O. Idechiil, R.G. Foottit and K.S. Pike. 2003. Uroleucon formosanum (Takahashi) (Homoptera: Aphididae) found on Youngia japonica (L.) DC on Guam and Rota in the Mariana Islands. Proc. Hawaiian Entomological Society, 36: 125-127. Müller-Schärer, H., Schaffner, U., Steinger, T. 2004. Evolution in invasive plants: implications for biological control. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 19:417-422. Paine, T. D., K. M. Jetter, K. M. Klonsky, L. G. Bezark, and T. S. Bellows. 2003. Ash whitefly and biological control in the urban environment, pp. 203-213 In Exotic Pests and Diseases, Biology and Economics for Biosecurity, D. A. Sumner, Editor. Iowa State Press, A Blackwell Publishing Company. Pickett, C. H. and R. Wall. 2003. Biological control of ash whitefly Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidaea) by Encarsia inaron (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in northern California: 1990-2000. Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 79(2): 156-158. Piper, G.L., and E.M. Coombs. 2004. Thistles. Pages 345-378 in E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. Piper, G.L., E.M. Coombs, G.P. Markin and D. Joley. 2004. Rush skeletonweed. Pages 293-303 in E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. Piper, G. L. 2004. Biotic suppression of invasive weeds in Washington state: A half-century of progress, pp. 584-588. In J. M. Cullen, D. T. Briese, D. J. Kriticos, W. M. Lonsdale, L. Morin, and J. K. Scott (eds.), Proc. XI Int. Symp. Biol. Contr. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia. Piper, G. L. 2004. Integration of biological control with other methods, pp. 114-121. In E. M. Coombs, J. K. Clark, G. L. Piper, and A. F. Cofrancesco, Jr. (eds.), Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State Univ. Press, Corvallis. Pitcairn, M., G.L. Piper, E.M. Coombs, D. Woods, and W. Bruckart. (2004). Yellow starthistle. Pages 421-435 in E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. Pitcairn, M., G. L. Piper, and E. M. Coombs. 2004. Bangasternus orientalis, pp. 423-425. In E. M. Coombs, J. K. Clark, G. L. Piper, and A. F. Cofrancesco, Jr. (eds.), Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State Univ. Press, Corvallis. Pitcairn, M., G. L. Piper, and E. M. Coombs. 2004. Chaetorellia australis, pp. 425-427. In E. M. Coombs, J. K. Clark, G. L. Piper, and A. F. Cofrancesco, Jr. (eds.), Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State Univ. Press, Corvallis. Pitcairn, M., G. L. Piper, and E. M. Coombs. 2004. Eustenopus villosus, pp. 427-429. In E. M. Coombs, J. K. Clark, G. L. Piper, and A. F. Cofrancesco, Jr. (eds.), Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State Univ. Press, Corvallis. Pitcairn, M., G. L. Piper, and E. M. Coombs. 2004. Larinus curtus, pp. 429-430. In E. M. Coombs, J. K. Clark, G. L. Piper, and A. F. Cofrancesco, Jr. (eds.), Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State Univ. Press, Corvallis. Pratt, P.D., E.M. Coombs and B.A. Croft. 2003. Predation by phytoseiid mites on Tetranychus lintearius (Acari: Tetranychidae), an established weed biological control agent of gorse (Ulex europaeus). Biological Control 26:40-47. Puliafico, K.P., J.L. Littlefield, G. Markin, and U. Schaffner. 2003. The use of molecular taxonomy in the exploration for cold hardy stains of the tansy ragwort flea beetle Longitarsus jacobaeae (Waterhouse) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). In: Cullen, J.M., D.T. Briese, D.J. Kriticos, W.M. Lonsdale, L. Morin and J.K. Scott (eds.). XI International Symposium on the Biological Control of Weeds. Canberra, Australia. May 2003. p. 227. Roltsch, W.J. and D.E. Meyerdirk. 2004. Western grapeleaf skeletonizer, Harrisina brillians Barnes and McDunnough (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae). pp. 39-42 in J. L. Capinera (ed.), Encyclopedia of Entomology. Kluwer Law International 2400 pp. Roltsch, W.J. and B. Villegas. 2004. Pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). pp 113-115. In Ed. J. L. Capinera, 2004. Encyclopedia of Entomology. Kluwer Law International 2400 pp. Schooler, S.S., E.M. Coombs, P.B. McEvoy. 2003. Nontarget effects on crape myrtle by Galerucella pusilla and G. calmariensis (Chrysomelidae), used for biocontrol of purple loosestrife. Weed Science 51: 449-455. Schooler, S.S., P.B. McEvoy, and E.M. Coombs. 2004. The Ecology of Biological Control. Pages 15-26 in E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. Smith, L., J. Balciunas, and M. Pitcairn. 2003. Biological control of yellow starthistle. pg. 41 in: Proceedings, CalEPPC Symposiums, 2000, 2001, 2002. M. Kelly (ed.), Concord, CA. Smith, L. 2004. Avoiding and exploiting trophic cascading: its role in the selection of weed biological control agents. In: Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds (eds Cullen, J.M., Briese, D.T., Kriticos, D.J., Lonsdale, W.M., Morin, L. and Scott, J.K.) pp. 175-179. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia. Sobhian, R., F. J. Ryan, A. Khamraev, M. J. Pitcairn, and D. E. Bell. 2003. DNA phenotyping to find a natural enemy in Uzbekistan for California biotypes of Salsola tragus L. Biological Control 28: 222-228. Story, J., G.L. Piper, E.M. Coombs. 2004. Knapweeds. Pages 196-232 in E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, . G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. Story, J. M., G. L. Piper, and E. M. Coombs. 2004. Knapweeds, p. 196. In E. M. Coombs, J. K. Clark, G. L. Piper, and A. F. Cofrancesco, Jr. (eds.), Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State Univ. Press, Corvallis. Turanli, F., Schaffner, U., 2004. Oviposition specificity of the specialist Tinthia myrmosaeformis under different levels of behavioural restrictions. Biological Control 30:274-280. Uygur, S. L. Smith, F. N. Uygur, M. Cristofaro, and J. Balciunas. 2004. Population densities of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) in Turkey. Weed Science 52(5): 746-753. Woods, D. M. (ed.) 2004. Biological Control Program Annual Summary, 2003. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, California. 60pp.

Impact Statements

1. Effective natural enemies of Citrus Peelminer are being reared and released in the San Joaquin Valley.
2. Armored scale parasites (Aphelinidae) have been characterized using morphological and molecular means, and new populations potentially of use for release as new biological control agents have been discovered.
3. Relocation and rearing of biological control agents during 2004 have resulted in an enhanced distribution of beneficial insects to control noxious weeds in Idaho.
4. New collaborations on biological control implementation have been established with USDI BLM, USDI BIA and USDA FS. There is strong public and agency support in the state for continued biological weed control implementation programs and development of new biological control agents.
5. Parasitoids of Ceutorhynchus obstrictus associated with canola may also attack Ceutorhynchus spp. imported for control of Lepidium and other noxious mustard weeds.
6. The predator Rodolia limbata, introduced in 1999, continues to suppress the breadfruit pest Icerya seychellarum to less than 1% of its previous population density on Ofu and Olosega Islands, resulting in dramatic improvement in tree health.
7. The root crown weevil Ceratapion basicorne appears to be sufficiently host specific to be safe for release against yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis.
8. The eriophyid mite Aceria salsolae appears to be sufficiently host specific to be safe for release against Salsola tragus.
9. The research on Leucochrysa reviews the genus in the United States for the first time. It provides descriptions of both adults and larvae and keys to all the species in the USA, and it is designed for entomologists to use in identifying specimens. The group has potential value in the biological control of pests in the forests, parks and gardens of the southeastern states.
10. Studies of the newly discovered Cardinium bacterial endosymbionts of Encarsia parasitoids reveal a major and, until now, hidden influence on reproduction of important natural enemies: this knowledge will allow greater efficiency in rearing and release of many parasitoid species.
11. The absence of evidence that yeast symbionts of Chrysoperla supplement lacewing nutrition, or are exclusively horizontally transmitted raises new questions about the role of yeasts in lacewings.
12. In conjunction with numerous cooperators and contributors a reference book on the biological control of invasive plants in the United States was completed and published (see below). Also, a national biocontrol of weeds database has been completed in conjunction with USDA-ARS and will be posted on the internet.
13. The rust disease Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis is the first pathogen approved for release as a classical biological control agent in the United States. It is also the first biological control agent to be released against yellow starthistle in over 10 years and is the first of the second crop of agents being examined for release against this weed.
By attacking the plant foliage, this agent has a mode of action different from, and hopefully complementary to the attack by the established seed head insects. Estimating the impact of biological control insects on squarrose knapweed will allow assessment of the potential of these insects to control this weed biologically. Widespread distribution of the weevils may alleviate the necessity of extensive chemical use for control.
14. Long-term field studies have documented that use of Bt transgenic cotton may slightly alter the abundance of generalist predators in cotton, but the ecological function of the natural enemy community is unchanged. In contrast, the use of broad-spectrum insecticides had large effects on the abundance of many more taxa.
15. Advances continue for using predator gut content ELISA and PCR assays to qualify the impact of indigenous predators. New molecular methods are being developed that will enable us to quantify the predation rates of an entire arthropod assemblage. The protein marking immunoassay provides a useful alternative to conventional marking techniques for mark-release-recapture and mark-capture studies.
16. The case of releasing Encarsia aurantii to control obscure scale, illustrates how a single-species introduction strategy, which was derived from pre-introductory investigations in the native home of the target pest, was tested in the field, and ultimately lead to successful biological control.
17. Surveys leading to the identification of the various strains/species comprising the Aphis gossypii complex, along with the identification of associated natural enemies, will allow correct matching of natural enemies to the host pest in various regions of the Pacific.

Date of Annual Report: 08/09/2005

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/01/2002 - 10/03/2002
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2002 - 12/01/2002

Participants

Participants Attachment:

Attachment

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: (full individual reports for 2002 can be found on the W-1185 website or can be obtained via the W-1185 Administrative Advisor, Dr. Donald Cooksey (Donald.cooksey@ucr.edu). Goal A: Import and Establish Effective Natural Enemies Objective 1. Survey indigenous natural enemies. Surveys for natural enemies of arthropod and weed pests were conducted either in the native home of the pest or within the country of invasion. Pests for which surveys were conducted over that last year include: Delairea odorata in California; A. colemani and D. rapae on Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan; Aphis gossypii in the Federated States of Micronesia; whiteflies on Guam; and Spodoptera litura, Liriomyza spp., and Plutella xylostella in American Samoa. Objective 2. Conduct foreign exploration and ecological studies in native range of pest. Several agencies in the western states conducted foreign exploration and importation of natural enemies for both new and established arthropod and weed pests this past year. The following list includes pests for which exploratory research was conducted: Eucayptolyma maideni in Australia; Bemisia tabaci in India; Objective 3. Determine systematics and biogeography of pests and natural enemies. Efforts were directed at determining morphological characters that may be used to identify the three genetic types of Salsola tragus in the western United States. Specimens of the three types of S. tragus and two forms of S. paulsenii were grown and plant samples were obtained at several times during the growing season. In 2002, the plant samples were examined by a plant taxonomist and the objective is to develop a morphological key that will provide identification of these types. The previously unknown larvae and biology of the genus Chrysopodes were described, and a publication for identifying the U.S.A. species was developed. Objective 4. Determine environmental safety of exotic candidates prior to release. CAB International (CABI) conducted host-specificity studies on two cynipid gall wasps (Xestophanes spp.) and an unidentified gall midge (Cecidomyidae) for biocontrol of sulfur cinquefoil, Potentilla recta. CABI also continued host-specificity tests on three insect species for biocontrol of houndstongue, Cynoglossum officinale. These insects include a seed weevil, M. borraginis; a stem weevil, M. trisignatus; and a root fly, Cheilosia pasquorum. Screening has been completed on the root weevil, Mogulones cruciger and a root beetle, Longitarsus quadriguttatus. Objective 5. Release, establish and redistribute natural enemies. Rearing efforts were continued on three biocontrol agents introduced against spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa: the root moth Agapeta zoegana, the root weevil Cyphocleonus achates, and the root moth Pelochrista medullana. Numerous releases of A. zoegana and C. achates were made throughout Montana. In Oregon, a total of 22,818 insects were released at 67 sites from 1997 through 2002 for the control of purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, a weed of wetlands, and about 76% of releases are found to be persistent and detectable in follow-up studies to date. Adult Eustenopus villosus weevils were released for knapweeds at field sites in 16 counties throughout California. Both meadow and black knapweeds occur in northern California and are considered invasive weeds. Post-release surveys in 2002 showed that L. minutus was recovered in good numbers from black knapweed and in good numbers from meadow knapweed. Also, the knapweed gall fly, Urophora quadrifasciata was found well established on both black and meadow knapweeds in northern California. An established population of the eriophyid gall mite, Aceria malherbae, was recovered from field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) at a release site on the Kansas State University campus for the sixth consecutive summer. One species of parasitoid of Pink Hibiscus Mealybug is being produced in CA and supplied for release in infested areas near the US/Mexico border and in Florida. Two imported Gonatocerus spp. egg parasitoids of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca coagulata, Say are mass-reared and released in GWSS infested regions in CA. Colonies of L. testaceipes collected on Guam continue to be reared in an insectary on the UOG campus and released on A. gossypii and T. citricida at agricultural sites in northern and southern Guam. Objective 6. Evaluate natural enemy efficacy and study ecological/physiological basis for interactions. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the potential efficacy of natural enemies against invasive and indigenous pest species. Current work includes: Studies on the impact of C. achates and a study to assess the effect of the herbicides, 2,4-D and Transline on knapweed root insects. Oregon scientists combined large-scale field experiments and mathematical models to show that weed biocontrol can be made more effective by targeting and disrupting key transitions in weed life cycles and by exploiting the combinatorial ecology of biocontrol through coordinated manipulation of disturbance, plant competition, and natural enemy regimes. Another Oregon monitoring study found purple loosestrife populations declined to <11% of pre-control levels following release of leaf beetles Galerucella pusilla and G. calmariensis. Studies to determine the impact of biological control agents released at a California spotted knapweed infestation continued in 2002. Six knapweed insects were previously released at this site: U. quadrifasciata, U. affinis, L. minutus, Terellia virens, Agapeta zoegana, and C. achates. Most of the seed head insects now show good attack rates at this site except for T. virens whose attack rate remains less than 3%. The weevil, L. minutus has the highest attack rate (>60%) followed by U. affinis and U. quadrifasciata, respectively. Surveys of whiteflies and their parasitoids on urban landscape plants in the Imperial Valley of CA are complete. Exotic parasitoids continue to be recovered two years after releases were terminated. Field-cage evaluations in CA citrus of imported species of glassy-winged sharpshooter egg parasitoids were conducted to measure rates of parasitism, establishment probability & competitive interactions with native species. Monitoring of eugenia psyllid and previously established Tamarixia sp. parasitoid populations continued in Berkeley, CA, and a study was initiated to test different pruning methods to encourage parasitoid activity. High rates of hyperparasitism by Encarsia transvena and short development times on Eretmocerus mundus suggest incompatibility in developing biological control programs in India Goal B: Conserve Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control of Target Pests. Objective 7. Characterize and identify pest and natural enemy communities and their interactions. Many approaches are being utilized to determine the role of natural enemies within the host community. Current studies include: quantifying natural enemy populations and other sources of mortality impacting pest populations; examining feeding behavior of natural enemies among different crop varieties; using monoclonal antibodies to screen predators for the presence of pest species in their guts; conducting host discrimination studies; investigating parasitoid guilds; determining actual field parasitization rates; evaluating various pest management tactics that permit the preservation of the natural enemy complexes associated with established pest complexes; and knowledge of the selectivity of currently available pesticides and how their impact affects host availability. Results include: larval and adult chrysopids and hemerobiids associated with pests in fruit and nut orchards, field and row crops, as well as nurseries were identified. Objective 8. Identify and assess factors potentially disruptive to biological control. Pesticides and transgenic crops are just a few of the factors being evaluated with respect to disruption of biological control. Specific studies include: an Oregon study that found that biocontrol of purple loosestrife is largely unaffected by other weed control treatments (mowing, tilling, herbicide, and burning) applied on local scales for the control of reed canary grass. An extensive 4-year field study found that two insect growth regulators (buprofezin and pyriproxyfen) are relatively selective for control of Bemisia tabaci and are highly compatible with conservation biological control in cotton. A 3 year study has failed to demonstrate any consistent negative effects of transgenic Bt cotton on natural enemy abundance, diversity or function in Arizona. Several reduced risk insecticides with potential against scab moth have been identified, and improved application equipment has been obtained. Objective 9. Implement and evaluate habitat modification, horticultural practices, and pest suppression tactics to conserve natural enemy activity. A ten-year field study at NY-CUAES showed that the Colorado potato beetle is not likely to evolve resistance to crop rotation quickly and that this tactic, if well-practiced, should remain a valuable tactic for pest suppression. Goal C: Augment Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control Efficacy. Objective 10. Assess biological characteristics of natural enemies. Researchers at the NY-CUAES (in collaboration with colleagues in Brazil) evaluated and summarized the biological control potential of two chrysopid genera (Chrysoperla and Ceraeochrysa) that are being mass-reared for release in the U.S.A. and Latin America. The reproductive biology of Gryon obesum Masner (Scelionidae) was investigated in the laboratory using eggs of Euschistus conspersus Uhler (Pentatomidae) as hosts. Mean female longevity was 47.3 days when males and hosts were present, compared to 61.7 days for females that were deprived of males and host eggs. Because G. obesum has a shorter generation time and a greater lifetime fecundity than E. conspersus, it has great potential in augmentative biological control of this pest in crops such as processing tomato in northern California. Objective 11. Conduct experimental releases to assess feasibility. Studies have been reported under many of the other objectives. Objective 12. Develop procedures for rearing, storing, quality control and release of natural enemies. Mass-rearing techniques were developed for egg parasitoids of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca coagulata, Say. Objective 13. Implement augmentation programs and evaluate efficacy of natural enemies. For the twospotted mite (Tetranychus urticae) on ivy geraniums, releases of its predator, Phytoseiulus persimilis, were determined first by developing a reliable, efficient, presence-absence sampling program for twospotted mite. Subsequently, predator-to-prey release ratios were developed which specified minimum numbers of predators to provide adequate pest suppression to produce commercially acceptable ornamental plants. The range of ratios that were most effective fell between 1:4 and 1:20. Goal D: Evaluate Environmental and Economic Impacts of Biological Control. Objective 14. Evaluate the environmental impacts of biological control agents. In Oregon, a regional survey and a local field-experiment suggests that nontarget effects of the cinnabar moth Tyria jacobaeae on native plants in the genera Senecio and Packera are infrequent and of limited consequence. An estimated 9 of 20 native plant species in these genera were exposed to the cinnabar moth, 3 of 9 exposed species were damaged, and damage levels within and between attacked sites were low. Most species in these genera are likely unused because of geographic isolation from the moth, habitat selection by the moth, or asynchrony between the moth and non-target-plant phonologies. Whiteflies and their parasitoids were sampled in California from four crop types during 2001-2002. Parasites are identified using traditional and molecular taxonomic techniques. Crops, land use, and insecticide use surrounding the sampled fields were factored into a multivariate analysis. Differences in distribution of surrounding crop and insecticide use factors are being correlated to whitefly, indigenous parasitoid, and exotic parasitoid populations. A survey was begun to compare insect populations among riparian vegetation types along the lower Colorado River. This information will be used to estimate potential impact of Saltcedar biocontrol on non-target insect populations. A study was begun to examine potential non-target impacts resulting from vertebrate predation on Saltcedar natural enemies. Objective 15. Evaluate the economic impacts of target pests and their biological control. In Oregon biological control of ragwort Senecio jacobaea has returned economic benefits valued as $5 million per yr (benefit: cost ratio of 13:1) and environmental benefits including recovery of a threatened native wildflower, the hairy-stemmed checker mallow Sidalcia hirtipes. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR: In 2002, research addressed all fifteen objectives. Research will continue on all goals and objectives for a variety of target arthropod and weed pests throughout the Western United States and affiliated areas. Exploration for new biological control agents will continue, as will release, redistribution, and evaluation of establishment and efficacy. Improvements in conservation and augmentation methods and technologies will continue; these will provide better opportunities for incorporating biological control into integrated pest management programs. Increased emphasis will be placed on evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of biological control. Strong collaboration and communication among researchers in the regional project will continue to lead to significant advances in biological pest control technology. This will result in more environmentally and economically sound solutions to regional pest problems.

Publications

Due to space limitations, this is only a partial publication list. See the W-1185 website for the full 2002 publication list. Antony, B., M.S. Palaniswami, and T.J. Henneberry. 2001. Hyperparasitism by an autoparasitoid, Encarsia transvena (Timberlake) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and its implications for the biological control of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, In D. Muraleedharan, K. Nair, N. Mohandas, P. Tandon, M. Palaniswami & M. Jacob [eds.], Entomon (special issue): 80-85. Balciunas, J., Villegas, B. 2001. The unintentionally-released yellow starthistle seed-head fly, Chaetorellia succinea (Diptera: Tephritidae): is this natural enemy of yellow starthistle a threat to safflower growers? Environmental Entomology. 30(5): 953-963. Balciunas, J. K, M. J. Grodowitz, A. F. Cofrancesco, and J. F. Shearer. (in press). Hydrilla. pp. 95-118 In R. van Driesche (ed.), Biological Control of Weeds in the Eastern United States. U.S. Forest Service, New York, NY. Balciunas, J. K., C. N. Mehelis, and M. Chau. 2002. Joe Balciunas Research Report (Jan. 2001 through March 2002). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA. 56 pp. Boyd, E. A. 2002. Life history and impact assessment of Nanophyes marmoratus Goeze on Lythrum salicaria L. in Washington State. M. S. thesis, Washington State Univ., Pullman. 56 p. Coombs, E. and G. Piper. 2002. Biological control of weeds--A tool for forest management. West. Forester 47 (3): 8-10. Coombs, E. and G. Piper. 2002. Biological control of weeds--A tool for forest management. Northwest Woodlands 18 (3): 16-17. Coombs, E. M., G. L. Piper, and L. M. Wilson. 2002. Biological control, pp. 4-7. In: R. D. William, D. Ball, T. L. Miller, R. Parker, J. P. Yenish, T. W. Miller, D. W. Morishita, & P. J. S. Hutchinson (eds.), Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook. Wash. State Univ. Coop. Ext. Serv., Pullman. Coulson, J. R., DeLoach, C. J., Carruthers, C., Hackett, K.J. 2000. Accomplishments and current status of ARS Research on Classical Biological Control of Arthropods and Weeds, pp. 145-157. In Coulson, J.R., editor. 110 Years of Biological Control Research and Development in the US Department of Agriculture. USDA-ARS. DeLoach, C. J., R. I. Carruthers, J. E. Lovich, T. L. Dudley, and S. Smith. (2001). Biological control of saltcedar: progress in research and ecological evaluation. Avian Biology (in press). Dreistadt, S.H. and D.L. Dahlsten. 2001. Psyllids, Univ. Calif. Agric. Nat. Res. Publ. 7403, 4pp. Dudley, T. L., C. J. DeLoach, P. A. Lewis and R. I. Carruthers. 2001. Cage tests and field studies indicate leaf-eating beetle may control saltcedar. Ecological Restoration 19:260-261. Ehler, L. E. 2002. An evaluation of some natural enemies of Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in northern California. BioControl 47: 309-325. Ehler, L. E., L. B. Maller, and Y. Hirose. 2002. Reproductive biology of Gryon obesum Masner (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). J. Hym. Res. 11: 1-4. Godfrey, K., D. Steinkraus, and M. McGuire. 2001. Fungal pathogens of the cotton and green peach aphids in the San Joaquin Valley. Southwestern Entomol. 26: 297 - 303. Godfrey, K., K. Daane, W. Bentley, R. Gill, and R. Malakar-Kuenen. 2002. Mealybugs in California Vineyards. UC-ANR Pub. No. 21612. Grobbelaar, E., J. K. Balciunas, O. Neser, and S. Neser. (in press). South African insects for biological control of Delairea odorata. pp. xx-xx In M. Kelly (ed.) Proceedings, 2000 CalEPPC Symposium, Volume 6, 6-8 October 2000, Concord, CA. Hagler, JR and E Miller. 2002. An alternative to conventional insect marking procedures: detection of a protein mark on pink bollworm by ELISA. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 103: 1-9. Hagler, JR, S Machtley, and J Leggett. 2002. Parasitoid mark-release-recapture techniques. I. Development of a battery-operated suction trap for collecting minute insects. Biocontrol Sci. Technol. (In press). Hagler, JR, CG Jackson, TJ Henneberry, and JR Gould. 2002. Parasitoid mark-release-recapture techniques. II. Development and application of a protein marking technique for Eretmocerus spp., parasitoids of Bemisia argentifolii. Biocontrol Sci. Technol. (In press). Hagler, JR. 2002. Foraging behavior, host stage selection and gut content analysis of field collected Drapetis nr. divergens: A predatory fly of Bemisia argentifolii. Southwest. Entomol. (In press). Hagler, JR, H Costa, and K Daane. 2002. A monoclonal antibody specific to glassy-winged sharpshooter egg protein: A tool for predator gut analysis and early detection of pest infestation. Symp. Proceedings, Pierces Disease Research Symposium. P. 37-39. Larking, T. S., Carruthers, R. I., Legaspi, B. C. 2000. A computational method for simulating insect pathogenesis. Transactions of the Society for Computer Simulation. 17: 25-33. McGuire, M.R., K. E. Godfrey, and D. C. Steinkraus. 2001. Entomopathogenic fungi for control of aphids and lygus in California. Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf. 2: 960-961. Messenger, M. T., L. L. Buschman and J. R. Nechols. 2001. Survey and evaluation of native and released predators of the Banks grass mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) in corn and surrounding vegetation. J. Kansas Ent. Soc. 73: 112-122. Miller, R.H., K.S. Pike and P. Stary. 2002. Aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) on Guam. Micronesica 34(2): 87-103 Naranjo, S. E., P. C. Ellsworth, C. C. Chu & T. J. Henneberry. 2002. Conservation of predatory arthropods in cotton: Role of action thresholds for Bemisia tabaci. J. Econ. Entomol. 95: 682-692. Naranjo, S. E. 2001. Conservation and evaluation of natural enemies in IPM systems for Bemisia tabaci. Crop Prot. 20(Special Issue): 835-852. Naranjo, S. E., G. D. Butler, Jr. & T. J. Henneberry. 2002. A bibliography of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders). U.S. Dept. Agric., Agric. Res. Service, Bibliographies and Literature of Agriculture No. 136. Naranjo, S. E. 2002. Arthropod communities and transgenic cotton in the Western US. pp. 33-38. In M. Hoddle, (ed.), Proceedings 3rd California Conference on Biological Control, 15-16 August 2002, Davis, CA. Naranjo, S. E., G. D. Butler, Jr. & T. J. Henneberry. 2002. Complete bibliography of Bemisia tabaci and Bemisia argentifolii. pp. 227-415. In Silverleaf whitefly: National research, action and technology transfer plan, 1997-2001; Fourth annual review of the second 5-year plan and final report for 1992-2002. USDA-ARS, June 2002. Naranjo, S. E. and P. C. Ellsworth. 2002. Arthropod communities and transgenic cotton in the western USA: Implications for biological control. In First International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods, 13-18 January 2002, Honolulu, Hawaii, R. Van Driesche (ed.). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Morgantown, West Virginia. Naranjo, S. E. and P. C. Ellsworth. 2002. Looking for functional non-target differences between transgenic and conventional cottons: Implications for biological control. pp. 158-163. In Cotton, A College of Agriculture Report, Univ. Arizona, Tucson, Series P-130. Orr, M.R., S.H. Seike, W.W. Benson and D.L. Dahlsten. 2001. Host specificity of Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae) parasitoids that attack Linepithema in South America. Environmental Entomology 30(4):742-747. Pickett, C. H., J. Brown, G. Simmons, J. Goolsby, and B. Abel.Releases of exotic parasitoids for permanent establishment in central California, In: Silverleaf Whitefly: National Research, Action, and Technology Transfer Plan: Fourth Annual Review of the Second 5-Year Plan and Final Report for 1992-2002. 1992-2002. USDA-ARS publ. 438 pp. Piper, G. L. 2002. Hopping on a bad weed--Insect biocontrol of Dalmatian toadflax in Washington. Agrichem. Environ. News 196: 8-11. Online at: http://aenews.wsu.edu. Pitcairn, M. J., J. A. Young, C. D. Clements, and J. K. Balciunas. 2002. Purple starthistle (Centaurea calcitrapa) seed germination. Weed Technology. 16: 452-456. Roltsch, W.J. Establishment of introduced parasitoids of the silverleaf whitefly in Imperial Valley, Ca. . In: Silverleaf Whitefly: National Research, Action, and Technology Transfer Plan, 1992-2002: Third Annual Review of the Second 5-Year Plan. USDA-ARS publ. 200 pp. Story, J. M., Smith, L., Good, W. R. 2001. Relationship Among Growth Attributes of Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) in Western Montana. Weed Technology 15: 750-761. Tauber, M. J. and C. A. Tauber. 2002. Prolonged dormancy in Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): a ten-year field study with implications for crop rotation. Environ. Entomol 31: 499-504. Tauber, C. A., M. J. Tauber and G. S. Albuquerque. 2003. Neuroptera. In: V. H. Resh and R. Carde (eds.) Encyclopedia of Insects, Academic Press. Whaley, D. K. 2002. Colonization, dispersal, and impact of Larinus minutus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Centaurea diffusa Lam. and C. maculosa Lam. (Asteraceae) populations in eastern Washington. M. S. thesis, Washington State Univ., Pullman. 138 p. Whaley, D. K. and G. L. Piper. 2002. Defusing diffuse knapweed--Biological control of an explosive weed. Agrichem. Environ. News 194: 1-8. Online at: http://aenews.wsu.edu. Woods, D. M. (ed.) 2002. Biological Control Program Annual Summary, 2001. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, California. 77pp. Wraight, S. P., R. I. Carruthers, S. Jaronski, C. A. Bradley, C. J. Garza and S. Galaini-Wraight (2000). Efficacy of foliar spray applications of Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus against the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii infesting vegetable crops in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Biological Control (in press).

Impact Statements

1. Research on nontarget effects of the cinnabar moth on native plants in the genera Senecio and Packera is helping to characterize the frequency and severity of off-target effects in biological control.
2. Research using ragwort biological control as a model system is improving both theory and practice of biological weed control through better targeting of weed vulnerabilities and integrated management of disturbance, plant competition, and natural enemy regimes.
3. Research on biocontrol of purple loosestrife in Oregon is mitigating adverse effects on urban wetlands caused by invasive species. Urban wetlands provide important ecological and societal services which are imperiled by direct loss and modification of wetland structure and function caused by urban development, invasion of alien species, and regulatory practices that permit wetland loss.
4. The implementation of practical, cost-effective, augmentative biological control programs for twospotted spider mites on greenhouse ornamental crops requires well-timed releases of adequate, but not excessive, numbers of predators. The development of an efficient, easy-to-use, pest sampling protocol for twospotted mites makes it more convenient to use predator-prey ratios as a basis for scheduling predator releases. Potentially, this modification can save growers money.
5. The widespread utilization of biocontrol agents by weed management practitioners has lowered herbicide inputs, reduced land maintenance costs, increased forage plant productivity, enhanced indigenous plant survival, and diminished environmental degradation on thousands of acres of rangeland and wildland in Washington State.
6. Recoveries at eight locations in southern California after release of Gonatocerus triguttatus, an egg parasitoid of the glassy-winged sharpshooter imported from Texas indicates that this species may become permanently established.
7. Efficient and stable rearing systems have been developed for the glassy-winged sharpshooter and its egg parasitoids.
8. The impact of the biological control program and monitoring for the red gum lerp psyllid is now being observed in many coastal areas of California. Populations of the psyllid show considerable decline during the peak summer season, while parasitoids have become numerous. Tree health in these areas appears to be improved compared to the 2001 season. In the central valley area of California, the impact of the parasitoid on psyllid populations is much less evident.
9. The Eugenia psyllid biological control program has shown significant control of psyllid damage in warm areas of California, with pesticide use substantially reduced; but in cooler northern coastal areas the psyllid remains a problem.
10. About 20 quarantine personnel on Guam, the CNMI, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia have been trained in aphid and aphid natural enemy collection and identification techniques.
11. Research has used immunological methods to identify the key predators of Bemisia tabaci and Pectinophora gossypiella and life tables to quantify rates of mortality by natural enemies on B. tabaci. These are essential elements towards understanding and predicting the effects of biological control in the cotton system.
12. The lethal and sublethal effects of various insecticides used in cotton have been evaluated and their compatibility with biological control in integrated management systems had been determined.
13. Non-target studies have failed to demonstrate any consistent detrimental effect of transgenic cotton on the abundance, diversity or function of the natural enemy community. Studies further show that use of transgenic cotton reduces the use of broad-spectrum insecticides, fostering conservation biological control developing management systems.
14. Research has been developed and extensively tested for the use of proteins for insect marking. These methods are being widely adopted by other researchers and should improve the efficacy of studies aimed at determining predator foraging behavior and insect pest and natural enemy dispersal.

Date of Annual Report: 02/20/2006

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/04/2005 - 10/06/2005
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2005 - 12/01/2005

Participants

Technical Committee Member and Visitors Present: Cloudcroft, New Mexico, 4-6 October 2005;

Balciunas, Joe Exotic & Invasive Weeds Research Unit, USDA-ARS/WRRC;

Bancroft, Jay USDA-ARS, Shafter, CA;

Bean, Dan Colorado Dept. of Agriculture, Palisade, CO;

Bloem, Ken USDA-APHIS, CPHST, Raleigh, NC;

Carrillo, Tracey New Mexico State Univ., Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science Dept.;

Collier, Tim University of Wyoming, Dept. Renewable Resources;

Cooksey, Donald University of California, Riverside, Plant Pathology Dept.;

Daane, Kent University of California, Berkeley, Division of Insect Biology;

Delfosse, Ernest USDA-ARS, Natl. Weed Program Leader;

DeLoach, Jack USDA-ARS, Temple, TX;

Drake, Jeff USDA-APHIS, Fort Collins, CO;

Dudley, Tom Marine Science Inst., UC-Santa Barbara, CA;

Ellington, Joe New Mexico State Univ., Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science Dept.;

Flanders, Robert USDA-APHIS PPQ-Pest Permit Evaluations;
Fournier, Valerie USDA-ARS, WCRL, Phoenix, AZ;
Gardner, Kevin New Mexico State Univ., Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science Dept.;
Godfrey, Kris CDFA, Sacramento, CA;
Goolsby, John USDA-ARS, Weslaco, TX;
Hagler, James USDA-ARS, WCRL, Phoenix, AZ;
Hansen, Richard National Weed Management Laboratory;
Hinz, Hariet CABI Bioscience, Delemont, SWITZERLAND;
Hunter, Molly Dept. of Entomology, 410 Forbes, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721;
Jashenko, Roman Institute of Zoology, Almaty, Kazakhstan;
Johnson, Marshall University of California, Riverside, Entomology Dept.;
Kirk, Alan USDA-ARS-EBCL, Montferrier Sur Lez, FRANCE;
LeBeck, Lynn University of California, Berkeley, Center for Biological Control;
Littlefield, Jeff Montana State University, Entomology Dept.;
McEvoy, Peter Oregon State University, Botany and Plant Pathology;
Messing, Russell University of Hawaii, Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences;
Miller, Ross University of Guam, College of Natural and Applied Sciences;
Nadel, Hannah University of California, Riverside, Dept. of Entomology;
Naranjo, Steve USDA-ARS, Western Cotton Research Laboratory;
Nechols, Jim Kansas State University, Entomology Dept.;
Norton, Andrew Colorado State University, BSPM Dept.;
Nowierski, Bob USDA-CSREES, Washington, DC;
Pickett, Charles California Dept. of Food & Agriculture-Biological Control Program;
Pitcairn, Mike California Dept. of Food & Agriculture-Biological Control Program;
Prasad, Renee Washington State University;
Simmons, Greg USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHCT;
Thompson, David New Mexico State University, Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science Dept.;
Woods, Dale California Dept. of Food & Agriculture-Biological Control Program;

Chair, David Thompson; Secretary: Martha Hunter; Member-at-Large: Ross Miller

Brief Summary of Minutes

Wednesday, October 5, 2005
10:30 - 11:10 AM Streamlining APHIS permits: Are e-Permits the answer. Bob Flanders, Branch Chief, Biological and Technical Services Pest Permit Evaluations, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.

11:10 - 11:30 AM Automated bulk insect sorting using digital technologies. Jeff Drake, NASA/APHIS Stationed at New Mexico State University

11:30 - 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 - 1:45 PM Measuring and modeling the spatial spread of biocontrol organisms. Peter McEvoy, Oregon State University.

1:45 - 2:00 PM The impact nitrogen fertilizer may have on biological control in cotton. Tracey Carrillo, New Mexico State University.

2:00 - 3:30 PM Limiting negative interactions between weed and insect biological control Organized by Joe Balciunas, ARS - WRRC

· Joe Balciunas, USDA, ARS-WRRC

· Russell Messing, University of Hawaii

· Hannah Nadel, University of California, Riverside

· Hariet Hinz, CABI

3:30 - 5:00 PM The use of predators in biological control and IPM Organized by Steve Naranjo and James Hagler, ARS/Arizona

3:45 - 5:15 PM The use of predators in biological control and IPM Organized by Steve Naranjo and James Hagler, USDA, ARS/Arizona

· Valerie Fournier, James Hagler, Kent Daane & Jesse de Leon. USDA-ARS, Phoenix & Weslaco/University of California, Berkeley. Identifying key predators of the glassy-winged sharpshooter using monoclonal antibody and DNA markers: Results from the field.

· Renee Prasad & William Snyder. Washington State University. Conservation of generalist predators: Enhancement and efficacy.

· Steve Naranjo. USDA-ARS, Phoenix. Contribution of generalist predators to biological control of whitefly in a multi-crop system.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2005

7:30 - 8:30 AM Breakfast

8:30 - 8:45 AM The continuing invasion of Guam: Asian cycad scale, Aulacapsis yasumatsui, devastates the indigenous cycad, Cycas micronesica. Ross Miller, University of Guam.

8:45 - 10:00 AM A Tribute to Alan Kirk Organized by Mike Pitcairn

· Ernest "Del" Delfosse, USDA-ARS. Alan Kirk Retrospective.

· Mike Pitcairn, CDFA, CA. Yellowstarthistle update.

· Charlie Pickett, CDFA, CA. Olive fly update.

· John Goolsby, USDA-ARS, Weslaco, TX. Whitefly update.

10:00 - 10:30 Break

10:30 - 12:00 Saltcedar Biological Control Lessons from a Large Regional Project

· Jack DeLoach, USDA-ARS, Temple, TX

· Tom Dudley, University of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA

· Dan Bean, Colorado Dept. of Agriculture, Palisade, CO

· Richard Hansen, USDA-APHIS, Ft. Collins, CO

· Roman Jashenko, Institute of Zoology, Almaty, Kazakhstan

12:00 Noon Meeting Adjourned

Accomplishments

Publications

Publications Attachment:

Attachment

Impact Statements

The introduction of parasitoids for control of the pink hibiscus mealybug has resulted in a >98% decline of this pest and minimized its chances for movement and establishment in new locations in California.
Foreign exploration for olive fly parasites has resulted in several promising candidates for release in California. Host testing has been completed on one species, Psyttalia lounsburyi, and a permit for its release have been submitted to USDA-APHIS. Decision is pending.
The establishment of Peristenus stygicus and P. digoneutis on lygus populations in the coastal area of central California is a first step toward developing effective biological control of this serious pest of strawberries.
Several new species of parasitic Hymenoptera (Aphelinidae) have now been established on the silverleaf whitefly in urban and agricultural areas of San Joaquin Valley in central California. The majority of parasites emerging from field samples were composed largely or entirely of exotic taxa, showing that these beneficial species are having a region wide impact on the natural enemy complex of the silverleaf whitefly.
The parasitoid, Psyllaephagus bliteus, imported for control of red gum lerp psyllid, appears to be established at all release sites. High levels of parasitism were recorded at a number of sites and tree recovery was apparent at many locations.
The rust disease Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis is the first pathogen approved for release as a classical biological control agent in the United States. It is also the first biological control agent to be released against yellow starthistle in over 10 years.
Understanding the limitation of Neochetina bruchi to control water hyacinth in California will indicate what kind of control agent may be necessary to control this noxious water weed in the future.
We are making advances in understanding how to conserve and measure the activity of native natural enemies of several major pests of cotton using life table and molecular techniques.
Evaluation of the lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides and transgenic plants on key natural enemies through both field and laboratory studies will aid the development of pest management strategies that minimize disruption of biological control.
We continue to advance methods for using predator gut content ELISA and PCR assays to qualify the impact of indigenous predators. New molecular methods are being developed that will enable us to quantify the predation rates of an entire arthropod assemblage. The protein marking immunoassay provides a useful alternative to conventional marking techniques for mark-release-recapture and mark-capture studies.
On greenhouse floricultural crops, we anticipate that improved pest sampling procedures and techniques for releasing predators will increase the convenience, reliability, and profitability of using augmentative biological control for both the twospotted mite, Tetranychus urticae, and the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis.
Selection of effective parasitoid species, and development of release protocols, for augmentative biological control of Indianmeal moth should increase the reliability and economic feasibility of using biological control in stored product environments.
Comparative studies on the invasion of hoary cress and genetic analysis of the hoary cress population structure in North America have provided insight in the role of differing invasion mechanisms such as the Enemy Release Hypothesis (ERH) or Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability Hypothesis (EICA) for this noxious weed. We will continue to use hoary cress as a model system to understand plant invasions.
About 20 quarantine personnel on Guam, the CNMI, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia were trained in aphid and aphid natural enemy collection and identification techniques as part of an annual PPQ workshop hosted by the University of Guam and sponsored by the Secretariat of the Pacific Commission.
A workshop on invasive insect crop pests was held in Kolonia, Pohnpei in April 2005. Presenters included faculty from the University of Guam and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. Participants were drawn from the local land grant community College, the College of Micronesia and from government and state agencies located on Pohnpei
Surveys leading to the identification of the various strains/species comprising the Aphis gossypii complex, along with the identification of associated natural enemies, will allow correct matching of natural enemies to the host pest in various regions of the Pacific.
Work on the morphological and molecular systematics of Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae will have an immediate impact on surveys and biological control efforts aimed at aphids, whiteflies and armored scales across the southern U.S.
Effective natural enemies of Citrus leafmining moths are being identified for other researchers and these identifications are helpful in evaluating potential biological control agents.
Aphid parasites in the genus Aphelinus form a sibling species complex. Molecular characterizations and their correlation with reproductive isolation and host choice in different european and asian populations will aid in targetting new biological control agents.
Armored scale parasites (Aphelinidae) have been characterized using morphological and molecular means, and new populations potentially of use for release as new biological control agents have been discovered.
Revisionary studies of trichogrammatids attacking GWS will have a big impact in the search for natural enemies.
Studies of Cardinium bacterial endosymbionts of Encarsia parasitoids reveal an important influence on natural enemy biology and quality. The finding that an introduced biological control agent, Encarsia inaron harbors two endosymbionts (Cardinium and Wolbachia) raises the question of whether screening natural enemies for symbionts before release might be beneficial in cases where symbionts have a detrimental reproductive phenotype or reduce natural enemy fitness.
Studies of the influence of facultative symbionts of pea aphids on resistance to Aphidius ervi indicate that at least in pea aphids, symbionts play a major role in determining whether a natural enemy can successfully attack and develop on that host.
Yeast symbionts of parasitoid wasps have been reported sporadically and appear to be relatively common, yet the role of these symbionts is completely unknown. If, as expected, the yeast symbionts are mutualists, it would be worthwhile to make sure these symbionts are preserved in rearing and importation programs.

Date of Annual Report: 01/16/2006

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/10/2006 - 10/12/2006
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2005 - 09/01/2006

Participants

Technical Committee Member and Visitors Present: Tucson, Arizona, 10-12, October 2006;

Adachi, Tetsuya Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ;
Asplen, Mark Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ;
Balciunas, Joe Exotic & Invasive Weeds Research Unit, USDA-ARS/WRRC;
Bean, Dan Colorado Dept. of Agriculture, Palisade, CO;
Bloem, Ken USDA-APHIS, CPHST, Raleigh, NC;
Byrne, David Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ;
Collier, Tim University of Wyoming, Dept. Renewable Resources;
Coombs, Eric Oregon Dept. of Agriculture;
Cristofaro, Massimo Biotech. & Biocontrol Agency, Rome, Italy;
Daane, Kent University of California, Berkeley, Division of Insect Biology;
Delfosse, Ernest USDA-ARS, Natl. Weed Program Leader;
Dudley, Tom Marine Science Inst., UC-Santa Barbara, CA;
Ellington, Joe New Mexico State Univ., Entomol., Plant Path. and Weed Science Dept.;
Evans, Ted Dept. of Biology, Utah State University;
Flanders, Robert USDA-APHIS PPQ-Pest Permit Evaluations;
Gardner, Kevin New Mexico State Univ., Entomol., Plant Path. and Weed Science Dept.;
Gibson, Cara Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ;
Goolsby, John USDA-ARS, Weslaco, TX;
Hansen, Richard National Weed Management Laboratory;
Hardin, Jesse Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ;
Haufbauer, Ruth Colorado State University, BSPM Dept;
Heimpel, George Dept. of Entomology, University of Minnesota;
Hunter, Molly Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ;
Johnson, Marshall University of California, Riverside, Entomology Dept.;
Jones, Walker USDA-ARS-EBCL, France;
Kazmer, David USDA-ARS, NPARL, Montana;
Kelly, Suzanne Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ;
LeBeck, Lynn University of California, Berkeley, Center for Biological Control;
Littlefield, Jeff Montana State University, Entomology Dept.;
Luck, Robert University of California, Riverside, Entomology Dept.;
McEvoy, Peter Oregon State University, Botany and Plant Pathology;
Messing, Russell University of Hawaii, Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences;
Milan, Joseph Dept. Plant, Soil & Entomol. Sci., University of Idaho;
Miller, Ross University of Guam, College of Natural and Applied Sciences;
Norton, Andrew Colorado State University, BSPM Dept.;
Nowierski, Bob USDA-CSREES, Washington, DC;
Piper, Gary Dept. of Entomology, Washington State University;
Pitcairn, Mike California Dept. of Food & Agriculture-Biological Control Program;
Ramirez, Ricardo Dept. of Entomology, Washington State University;
Rauth, Steve Dept. Bioagr. Sci & Pest Management, Colorado State Univ.;
Schwarzlaender, M. Dept. Plant, Soil & Entomol. Sci., University of Idaho;
Sforza, Rene USDA-ARS-EBCL, France;
Shanower, Tom USDA-ARS-NPARL, Montana;
Smith, Lincoln USDA-ARS-WRRC, Albany, California;
Snyder, William Dept. of Entomology, Washington State University;
Sprayberry, J. Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ;
Stouthamer, Richard Dept. of Entomology, University of California, Riverside;
Tauber, Catherine Dept. of Entomology, Cornell University;
Tauber, Maurice Dept. of Entomology, Cornell University;
Thompson, David New Mexico State Univ., Entomol., Plant Path. and Weed Science Dept.;
Wang, Xin-Geng University of California, Riverside, Entomology Dept;
White, Jennifer Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ;
Chair: Martha Hunter;
Secretary: Ross Miller;
Member-At-Large: Michael Pitcairn;

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: (full individual reports can be found on the W-1185 website or can be obtained via the W-1185 Administrative Advisor, Dr. Donald Cooksey (Donald.cooksey@ucr.edu). Goal A: Import and Establish Effective Natural Enemies Objective 1. Survey indigenous natural enemies. Surveys for natural enemies of arthropod and weed pests were conducted either in the native home of the pest or within the country of invasion. Pests for which surveys were conducted over that last year include: soft scales occurring on citrus in central and southern California; Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica in Oregon; prerelease surveys for garlic mustard in Oregon; citrus leafminer in California; erythrina gall wasp, Quadrastichus erythrinae, in American Samoa; the Seychelles scale on Ta'u Island; and olive fly in California. Chrysopids were surveyed in the Rocky Mountains and southeastern U.S. Redistribution of natural enemies aided control programs. Extensive redistribution of the foliage feeding/stem boring weevil Mecinus janthinus impacted populations of Dalmatian toadflax throughout eastern Washington. The seed head attacking insects Larinus minutus, L. obtusus, Urophora affinis and U. quadrifasciata were collected and redistributed to multiple sites in eastern Washington to populations of diffuse and spotted knapweeds. Larvae of Russian thistle - feeding moth, C. klimeschiella, were collected for movement into 3 Washington counties. Canada thistle remains the number one weed of concern in the state of Washington. Populations of the seed eating Larinus planus increased substantially on this invasive weed. A total of 9,620 adults were obtained and shipped to 8 counties to initiate or augment weevil populations in these locations. The yellow starthistle - seed eating beetle E. villosus is one of the most effective agents on the weed, the other being a seed eating fly C. succinea. Approximately 25,200 adult beetles were harvested and provided to landowners in five heavily infested counties. Several new pupal parasites of the introduced citrus leafminer and the native citrus peelminer have resulted in over 75% parasitism in southern California. Objective 2. Conduct foreign exploration and ecological studies in native range of pest. Several institutions in the western US conducted foreign exploration and importation of natural enemies for both new and established arthropod and weed pests this past year. Cooperative projects with Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, yielded valuable information on seasonal occurrence, life histories and behavior of diverse groups of lacewings. Emphasis was on the life history of a trash-carrying species (Chrysopodes lineafrons) that is widespread in Latin American cropping systems. The results indicate that C. lineafrons rivals other trash-carrying species as a potential candidate for continuous mass-rearing and use in biological control projects (especially in orchards where ants may be present). Parasitoids were found attacking olive fly with wild olive trees in the Yunnan Province in southeast China,. The braconid, Diachasmimorpha nr. longicaudata, emerged from some flies collected at this location. This was the first record for olive fruit fly in China. Foreign exploration for egg parasitoids of Avocado lace bug (Pseudacysta perseae) started in 2006 in the Caribbean islands, Veracruz, Mexico, and in the Yucatan Peninsula. The Aphelinus varipes group includes a complex of morphologically indistinct species that are reproductively isolated and which also have different host aphid preferences. These species can only be identified by differences at the molecular level, and by minute and variable morphological differences. This project is sampling populations of 3 described species from India. Erythrina species were surveyed in Kenya, South Africa, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Nigeria to locate parasitoids of the Erythrina gall wasp, Quadrastichus erythrinae. A large number of galling insects and parasitoids were discovered. Parasitoid species imported into the UC-Berkeley quarantine included: Psyttalia lounsburyi (South Africa and Kenya), Utetes africanus (South Africa), Psyttalia sp. nr humilis (South African), and Bracon celer (South Africa). Foreign exploration for parasitoids of red gum and spotted gum psyllid was made in Australia. Four parasitoid species of spotted gum psyllid were brought into quarantine for further evaluation. The hoary cress consortium continued funding foreign exploration of the following four candidate species at CABI Bioscience: Ceutorhynchus cardariae, C. merkli, and C. turbatus and Psylliodes wrasei. Foreign exploration for natural enemies of Dyers woad and perennial pepperweed also continued. The mass rearing for root-boring moth Bradyrrhoa gilveolella (against skeletonweed) has been expanded at the U. of Idaho and the Nez Perce Tribe Bio-Control Center. Restricted release permits for Idaho and Washington were obtained and first releases were made. Currently, insects are being reared on more than 1,000 plants of 40 western U.S. rush skeletonweed genotypes. Through cooperators in China, Kazakhstan, Israel, other Central Asian countries and the ARS EBCL, new natural enemies, including root borers, defoliating beetles and caterpillars, gall producing Diptera and seed feeding weevils are being investigated. New populations of the Tamarix leafbeetles Diorhabda elongata have been collected from Greece which may be better adapted for lower latitudes and warmer temperatures. Exploration for natural enemies is being conducted by collaborators in Kazakhstan, Tunisia, and central Turkey. Prospective new agents include a leaf-feeding jumping weevil (A. biimpressus), and two stem-feeding weevils (Baris przewalskyi and Salsolia morgei). Objective 3. Determine systematics and biogeography of pests and natural enemies. Systematics and comparative biology work continues on the Chrysopidae of the U.S and New World. Priority goes to genera with potential importance to biological control (e.g., Chrysopa, Chrysoperla, Ceraeochrysa, Chrysopodes, Leucochrysa). A gall mite, tentatively identified as Aceria genistae, was discovered in Oregon and Washington as an adventive natural enemy of Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius. Acarologists will determine the species prior to host specificity tests. Work continues on the systematics of Ablerus (Aphelinidae), Cales (Calesinae) and Paracentrobia (Trichogrammatidae. Ittys have been revised for the Nearctic region with studies underway on the genus Paracentrobia. Ablerus are primary or secondary parasitoids of armored scale, and a morphology based revision is underway for the New World species. Primers have been developed to sequence over 600 base pairs of the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene for Erythrina gall wasps from Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya, American Samoa and Tanzania. The populations from HI and American Samoa are identical and monomorphic so far for this gene region, indicating they are the same species and likely from the same point of origin. Further work is necessary to pinpoint origin of this species in Africa. Statewide surveys to determine status of invasive aphids was conducted throughout the Hawaiian Islands. At least 9 new aphid species not previously known to occur in the state were discovered: Ericaphis fimbriata, Hyadaphis coriandri, Hyperomyzus carduellinus, Metopolophium dirhodum, Myzus hemerocallis, Sitobion fragariae, Sitobion phyllanthi, Toxoptera odinae, and Aphis coreopsidis. Molecular analysis to separate populations of vine mealybug from many of the worlds Mediterranean regions has begun, in order to determine where vine mealybug in California originated. Work is separating the Psyllaephagus species collected on spotted gum psyllid, and they are suspected to be Psyllaephagus parvus, P. hirtus, P. fautus (a hyperparasitoid), P. clarus (facultatively hyperparasitic) and four undescribed species of Psyllaephagus. Objective 4. Determine environmental safety of exotic candidates prior to release. Considerable effort went into testing natural enemies for host specificity prior to applying for environmental release. Host specificity studies on several species of Ceutorhynchus against garlic mustard, are nearing completion. Screening tests of potential biocontrol agents for use against invasive hawkweed species in North America are currently being conducted at CABI Bioscience, Switzerland, and at the Montana State University. Host specificity testing of the gall wasp Aulacidea subterminalis was completed at MSU. Aulacidea subterminalis has been tested on 36 plant species of which 29 are species native to North America. Galls were only induced on 4 exotic species. A proposed host specificity test plant list for potential biological control agents for hoarycress, perennial pepperweed and dyers woad has been drafted and submitted to TAG for review. Quarantine host range testing with two parasitoids of the Erythrina gall wasp (an unidentified Eulophid from Kenya; and an unidentified Eurytomid from Tanzania) so far indicate no host acceptance of a non-target gall fly on pamakani, nor the lantana gall fly on lantana in Hawaii. Six of the known ecotypes of Diorhabda elongata (biocontrol agents for Tamarix spp) are being maintained in quarantine. Host range testing and hybridization experiments between the different populations have been continued in 2006. The Albany, CA quarantine has completed host specificity testing for P. regalis a gall forming fly, and Digitivalva delairea, a leaf mining and stem boring moth, both against cape ivy (Delairea odorata); for Gymnancyla canella against Salsola tragus; for the flea beetle Psylliodes nr. sp. chalcomera from Russia; and a petition requesting permission to release was submitted to USDA-APHIS for the root crown weevil C. basicorne. Diorhabda elongata, from Xinjiang Province, PR of China was approved for release against saltcedar. Colonies from Crete, Greece, and Turpan, China, which should be phenologically better adapted, are being evaluated. The biology of a gall midge (Psectrosema spp.) and a seed weevil (Corimalia spp.) is being studied in quarantine. Extensive no-choice and multiple-choice tests occurred with the gall-forming weevil C. cardariae, against yellow starthistle, confirming its narrow host range and potential. Tests conducted with the stem-miner C. merkli were again unsatisfactory, and work will be postponed. Screening methods for the seed feeder C. turbatus were refined and results so far indicate a very restricted host range of this species. Molecular work with Rhinusa hispida has confirmed the complex relationship of most toadflax insects with their host plants in Europe and the need to carry out complete host range tests with R. hispida from L. vulgaris and L. genistifolia. Extensive no-choice and multiple-choice tests in 2006 with the gall-forming weevil Rhinusa hispida from L. vulgaris, confirmed its narrow host range and potential as a biological control agent. Objective 5. Release, establish and redistribute natural enemies. Many releases and redistributions were carried out pests this year. For a complete list see the W-1185 website. Approximately 3,000 Pseudacteon tricuspis adults were released near red imported fire ant nests at two locations in Riverside Co., CA. The braconid wasp, Peristenus stygicus, has overwintered for the first time in California on the central coast using Lygus hesperus infesting strawberries as a host. They have been recovered from the same region for two consecutive years post-release from wild vegetation bordering conventional strawberries. Additional releases of the leaf beetle Diorhabda elongata from the Lovelock, NV site were made at several new sites in conjunction with USDA-APHIS. Heavy ant predation is compounding establishment and spread in Oregon. Multiple releases of Mecinus janthinus were made at strategic locations in OR against Linaria dalmatica in conjunction with USDA-APHIS. Several older sites are showing remarkable reductions of target weed density. The seed head weevil Larinus obtusus has been widely distributed in OR against Centaurea pratense. Studies in conjunction with OSU have shown significant impacts on seed reduction at several sites. The field bindweed gall mite Aceria malherbae was discovered established in OR. Local redistribution was made to build up a local nursery site for redistribution projects in 2007. Releases of the rust disease, Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis, continued throughout California. The rust was released at 99 locations in 38 counties using spores propagated in the greenhouse in Sacramento during 2005. Each release occurred in a plot 1 meter by 1 meter using a suspension of spores and water. Follow-up surveys approximately one month following treatment showed evidence of infection at almost all the sites. Releases of natural enemies were made at two purple loosestrife infestations in CA. Galerucella leaf beetles were released near in Butte County and approximately 3,000 Galerucella leaf beetles were released near Sanger. Releases of the water hyacinth weevil, Neochetina bruchi were made at Freedom Reservoir in Santa Cruz County. Approximately 400 water hyacinth weevils were collected from Whiskey San Joaquin County and transported to Watsonville for released at Freedom Reservoir which was completely covered water hyacinth. Detailed studies in Arizona have documented the establishment of the aphelinids Encarsia sophia and Eretmocerus nr. emiratus against Bemisia tabaci and impact is being monitored through continued life table studies. Phenology and life history of tansy ragwort flea beetle, Longitarsus jacobaeae for use in Montana were studied and a Swiss population was released by MSU and the US Forest Service. Three release techniques utilizing eggs, newly hatched larvae and adults were used to establish the beetle. Since 2002, 85 individual releases were made in Flathead and Lincoln Counties. Although beetle populations have been low, populations at two sites significantly increased this past year. Objective 6. Evaluate natural enemy efficacy and study ecological/physiological basis for interactions. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the potential efficacy of natural enemies against invasive and indigenous pest species. Several toadflax species, subspecies, or hybrids occur in areas of the western United States. In northeastern WA, two forms of Dalmatian toadflax are evident. Regardless of the plants taxonomic status, the weevil Mecinus janthinus attacks both forms but its impacts on both have not been compared. A field and outdoor plot study was initiated to quantify impacts the weevil may have on both forms. Cardinium hertigii, a newly described symbiont, causes multiple effects on reproduction in Encarsia parasitoids of armored scale and whiteflies. In Bemisia tabaci, Cardinium also causes cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), in which the symbiont in infected males effectively sabotages the reproduction of uninfected females. Focus has been on Encarsia inaron, the classical biological control agent for ash whitefly, now established in California, Arizona and the Southeastern United States. The biological control potential of 7 Diorhabda elongata ecotypes is being tested against saltcedar. The Fukang ecotype is being released and defoliating large acreages of saltcedar at research sites in the northern half of the western US. Studies will determine if the ecotypes will exhibit assortive mating (actively searching for compatible ecotypes) in large cage trials in an attempt to more accurately simulate field conditions. At UC-Berkeley, studies of C. peregrinus biology are being conducted to determine its potential effect on mealybug densities. Studies of fruit fly parasitoid biology, a red gum psyllid parasitoid (Psyllaephagus bliteus), and biology of parasitoids reared from obliquebanded leafroller and navel orangeworm continue. Lab. and field studies to characterize and model post-diapause development of Chaetorellia succinea have been conducted by USDA-ARS in CA. In cooperation with CDFA, they established field sites in 3 CA counties growing two varieties of Centaurea americana. This species, under both choice and no-choice conditions, proved susceptible to attack by C. succinea in laboratory tests. Barley, wheat, and oats in Utah were sampled to determine rates of parasitism of the cereal leaf beetle by the parasitoid Tetrastichus julius. Intensity of predation by the introduced lady beetle C. septempunctata and native lady beetles on cereal leaf beetle eggs and larvae in these crops was evaluated through field experiment. Goal B: Conserve Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control of Target Pests. Objective 7. Characterize and identify pest and natural enemy communities and their interactions. Many approaches are being utilized to determine the role of natural enemies within the host community. Current studies include: quantifying natural enemy populations via life tables and other sources of mortality impacting pest populations; examining feeding behavior of natural enemies among different crop varieties; using immunological techniques to screen predators for the presence of pest species in their guts; determining actual field parasitization rates; and evaluating various pest management tactics that permit the preservation of the natural enemy complexes associated with established pest complexes. Life table studies of B. tabaci on six host plants demonstrated that predation and dislodgement were consistently the largest sources of mortality and were generally key factors depending on host plant and season and that spring cantaloupe production acts as a biological release leading to pest outbreak on summer crops. Studies continue on applying immunological techniques to field studies of dispersal. Three protein-specific ELISAs have been optimized and researchers are currently using the three proteins (milk, chicken egg whites, and soy milk) to mark insects directly in the field using a standard broadcast spray rig. Predators of GWSS have been identified by analyzing their gut contents for the presence of GWSS remains using these assays. Citrus leafminer, P. citrella, were monitored at two sites in California. Similar results were found as in other years: leafminer populations peak in the fall and early winter, and then decline in the spring, surprisingly when the preferred stage of leaf flush reaches a maximum. Three primary parasites have been identified, C. utahenis, Cirrospilus coachellae, and a new species of Cirrospilus. Parasitoid activity coincides with declining leafminer populations and may cause the low spring and summer populations. Laboratory studies were completed to determine and compare reproductive behavior of indigenous and introduced lady beetles when provided with diets of larval cereal leaf beetles and aphids in varying quantities. Objective 8. Identify and assess factors potentially disruptive to biological control. Pesticides, transgenic crops, ant activity, facultative symbionts and intraguild predation are just a few of the factors being evaluated with respect to disruption of biological control. Field studies were continued to study the selectivity of new insecticides for whitefly control. Results suggest that spiromesifen has a dose-dependent effect against generalist predators and that low rates of this compound may be useful in integrated control programs for Bemisia tabaci. Follow-up laboratory studies are being conducted with select representative generalist predators to determine the effect of direct and indirect exposure to Bt cotton toxins using plants and sublethally-intoxicated prey. Preliminary results suggest that predator biology may be affected indirectly through prey quality but not directly or indirectly through Bt toxins. Miller conducted a survey of invasive ants on the islands of Guam, Saipan, Rota in the Mariana Islands. This activity was part of a project surveying Wasmannia auropunctata and Solenopsis invicta on Guam and other Mariana Islands. Analysis of morphometric data continued on a Aphis gossypii project. Morphometric and DNA data was also generated for the banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa, and suggested that this aphid may consist of two separate species, with the species commonly found on banana being the principle vector of banana bunch top virus. Facultative symbionts in pea aphids confer resistance to parasitism by Aphidius ervi (Target pest A. pisum). Symbiont-conferred resistance could be part of the explanation for variable performance of A. ervi in the field. The direct contact toxicity of GF-120 to three major parasitoids of tephritids in Hawaii: Fopius arisanus, D. tryoni, and Pysttalia fletcheri, as well as one aphid parasitoid, Aphidius transcaspicus, was tested. All four parasitoid species were susceptible to GF-120. Assassin bugs in the genus Zelus were observed on saltcedar test plots near Artesia, New Mexico where D. elongata had been released. Predation of adult beetles by the assassin bug, Z. renardii, and Z. tetracanthus was commonly observed in the field. A study will determine the influence of these bugs on saltcedar leaf beetles. Assassin bugs will consume adult and larval leaf beetles at rates high enough to influence the establishment of these species. UC-Berkeley is screening insecticides for their impact on mealybug natural enemies. In vineyards, they have studied sugar bait ant controls as a method to safely reduce ant populations in order to increase biological controls. They have also continued studies of spiders to determine their role in biocontrol programs, including the potential disruptive impact of an invasive spider (C. mildei) on spider guild structure and pest leafhoppers densities. Objective 9. Implement and evaluate habitat modification, horticultural practices, and pest suppression tactics to conserve natural enemy activity. Studies were initiated to examine movement of Lygus bugs and associated natural enemies and their population dynamics from lesquerella (a new desert oil-seed crop) to adjacent cotton and guayule (a new desert latex-source crop). Preliminary results indicated that Lygus and several species of predators readily moved from senescing lesquerella into cotton but not guayule. While biological control promises long-term suppression of Seychelles scale, more short-term measures are needed to protect breadfruit trees until introductions can be made. Four products deemed relatively safe for natural enemies were evaluated against Seychelles scale in a field trial on Ta'u Island. Unfortunately none provided satisfactory control, so any short-term control efforts will have to rely on repeated applications of broad-spectrum insecticides. UC-Riverside and UC-Berkeley are collaborating to develop and test mealybug pheromones for mating disruption, as a method to work in conjunction with parasitoid releases. In CA pistachios, studies continue on the impact of orchard mummies (old nuts) on the populations of navel orangeworm. Goal C: Augment Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control Efficacy. Objective 10. Assess biological characteristics of natural enemies. Surveys determined the distribution of Trichogramma spp. present in corn fields on Oahu and Kauai. On Oahu, T. achaeae was found to inflict approx. 60% parasitism on H. zea without augmentation. On Kauai, T. achaeae and T. papillionis were both present, with the latter apparently dominant in terms of proportion of H. zea eggs parasitized. Researchers at the NY-CUAES (collaborating with Mexico and Brazil) continue to evaluate two chrysopid genera for mass-rearing and release in the U.S.A. and Latin America. Emphasis in Mexico is on Ceraeochrsya species against homopteran pests of citrus; in Brazil it focuses on Chrysopodes species against homopteran pests of fruit and vegetable crops. In both cases, the larvae carry debris on their dorsa. In California, detailed behavioral evaluation of Metaphycus species parasitizing several soft scale species in the lab and field has concluded. They are facultatively gregarious and allocate offspring sex non-randomly, i.e., they lay one male and one to several females, the clutch size depending on parasitoid species and the scale size attacked. This trait enables the maximum production of females for field release. Objective 11. Conduct experimental releases to assess feasibility. Studies have been reported under many of the other objectives. Two examples of release studies involve pistachio and Russian knapweed natural enemies. In pistachios, the augmentative release of Bracon nr. sp. cushmani (Hym.: Braconidae) for the control of obliquebanded learoller, did not provide improved control. Open-field impact studies carried out from 2003 - 2005 with the two biological control candidates of Russian knapweed, Aulacidea acroptilonica and Jaapiella ivannikovi, indicate that both species significantly reduce seed output (80-95%) and above-ground biomass (c. 25%) of A. repens. Established clones have a very high survival rate both in the native and the invaded range, so the expected impact of the biological control candidates is primarily the prevention of further spread and a reduction in competitive ability of established Russian knapweed patches. Objective 12. Develop procedures for rearing, storing, quality control and release of natural enemies. An effective mass-rearing procedure for T. achaeae and T. papillionis was developed and tested using irradiated Ephestia euhniella eggs as factitious hosts for the wasps. Cold storage of T. achaeae was possible for up to 14 days (in the pre-pupal stage). Last year, Idaho researchers received the cold-adapted Swiss strain of the ragwort flea beetle L. jacobaea from Montana for release at higher elevation infestations of tansy ragwort. Since then, they mass reared and released the flea beetle and monitored its establishment at field sites. Mass-rearing for root-boring moth B. gilveolella (against Chondrilla juncea) has been expanded at the University of Idaho and the Nez Perce Tribe Bio-Control Center in Lapwai, ID. Restricted release permits for Idaho and Washington were obtained in 2006 and first releases were made. Six of the known ecotypes of Diorhabda elongata are being maintained in the New Mexico State Quarantine. Populations from the following locations are in culture: Crete, Greece; Possidi, Greece; Sfax, Tunisia; Turpan, China; Fukang, China, and Karshi, Uzebekistan. Objective 13. Implement augmentation programs and evaluate efficacy of natural enemies. Preliminary work on the potential of Trichogramma spp. present in Hawai'i as augmentative biocontrol agents for Helicoverpa zea in seed corn is being conducted. Releases of T. achaeae on Oahu at densities of 40,000 per acre provided close to 100% parasitism of H. zea eggs by 12 days after release. On Kauai, releases of T. papillionis (15,000 females per release) resulted in 90-95% parasitism of H. zea eggs. Innundative strategies continue to be used successfully against small patches of leafy spurge. Aphthona lacertosa and A. nigriscutis were spread evenly over patches of leafy spurge at densities of 160 beetles/m2. As in previous years, over 95% control of above-ground biomass was seen in the year after release especially on upland sites. Goal D: Evaluate Environmental and Economic Impacts of Biological Control. Objective 14. Evaluate the environmental impacts of biological control agents. The population impacts of accidentally and purposefully introduced parasitoid wasps on a Hawaiian endemic moth, Udea stellatifolia, are being measured. Accidentally introduced species are responsible for the bulk of parasitism measured in the field, although one purposefully introduced species occurs in relatively pristine areas. The data are still being analyzed to determine which species act as key mortality factors in the population dynamics of the moth. A research project monitoring non-target attack of the houndstongue root weevil at six release sites in Alberta and British Columbia has been completed. A survey of native and exotic Cardueae plants in California and Oregon for three years looked for nontarget attacks by C. succinea, an accidentally introduced biocontrol agent of yellow starthistle. The fly infested safflower in two out of 47 fields studied, attacking 1% to 8% of the seedheads. The fly did not attack 24 species of Cardueae plants, but did attack C. melitensis and C. sulphurea, both closely related to yellow starthistle. Field monitoring of vegetation at all proposed release sites is completed, and will provide a baseline for assessing recovery of riparian ecosystems following anticipated reduction of Tamarix spp. owing to biological control. At one site with unusual water chemistry germination and survival of native woody species (Populus fremontii, Salix laevigata, S. exigua, Baccharis salicifolia) was tested under different watering and substrate conditions to assess the potential for natural recovery following target reduction. Results suggest that manual restoration may be necessary to promote native riparian species at this site. Interest in the Code of Best Practices (for biocontrol of weeds) appears to be increasing. A survey of weed management specialists in Oregon confirmed that the majority favor adopting the guidelines of the Code. Long-term censusing of the assemblage of lady beetle species exploiting alfalfa fields of Utah was continued to evaluate effects of the introduction and establishment of the exotic lady beetle, C. septempunctata, on native coccinellids. Objective 15. Evaluate the economic impacts of target pests and their biological control. Little new progress to report. Some data included in the full reports. See the website. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR: In 2007, research will continue on all goals and objectives for a variety of target arthropod and weed pests throughout the Western United States and affiliated areas. Exploration for new biological control agents will continue, as will release, redistribution, and evaluation of establishment and efficacy. Improvements in conservation and augmentation methods and technologies will continue; these will provide better opportunities for incorporating biological control into integrated pest management programs. Increased emphasis will be placed on evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of biological control. Strong collaboration and communication among researchers in the regional project will continue to lead to significant advances in biological pest control technology. This will result in more environmentally and economically sound solutions to regional pest problems.

Publications

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Impact Statements

The introduction of parasitoids for control of the pink hibiscus mealybug has resulted in a greater than 98% decline of this pest and minimized its chances for movement and establishment in new locations in California.
Foreign exploration for olive fly parasites has resulted in one new parasite, Psyttalia lounsburyi, approved for field release, and several additional candidates for release in California are being evaluated.
The establishment of Peristenus stygicus on Lygus hesperus populations in the coastal area of central California is a first step toward developing effective biological control of this serious pest of strawberries.
For several insect pests in California, emphasis continued on educating growers and the public on what to expect from newly emerging pests and the possibilities of using biological control to manage them. Pests included Gills mealybug (Ferrisia gilli), citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella), Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), and the citrus root weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus).
The rust disease Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis is the first pathogen approved for release as a classical biological control agent in the United States. It is also the first biological control agent to be released against yellow starthistle in over 10 years and is the first of the second crop of agents being examined for release against this weed. Releases in the several climatic regions of California will indicate where this beneficial disease will likely have its greatest impact.
Release and establishment of beneficial insects on purple loosestrife, Mediterranean sage, and water hyacinth are the first steps toward the development of a biological control program against these noxious weeds.
Methods advanced for using predator gut content ELISA and PCR assays to qualify the impact of indigenous predators. New molecular methods are being developed that will enable quantification of predation rates of an entire arthropod assemblage.
About 20 quarantine personnel throughout the South Pacific were trained in aphid and aphid natural enemy collection and identification techniques as part of an annual PPQ workshop hosted by the University of Guam, the Secretariat of the Pacific Commission, and USDA-APHIS.
Surveys leading to the identification of strains/species comprising the Aphis gossypii and Pentalonia nigronervosa complex, along with identification of associated natural enemies, will allow correct matching of natural enemies to the host pest in various regions of the Pacific.
Asian cycad scale appears to be under control in many of the cycad growing areas of Guam, although tree mortality has been high.
Armored scale parasites (Aphelinidae) have been characterized using morphological and molecular means, and new populations potentially of use for release as new biological control agents have been discovered.
Work on morphological and molecular systematics of Aphelinidae and cataloging of species of Encarsia will have an immediate impact on surveys and biocontrol efforts aimed at aphids, whiteflies and armored scales across the southern U.S.
Studies of the population dynamics of facultative symbionts of pea aphids suggest that, in the absence of parasitism, the symbiont that confers resistance to the parasitoid Aphidius ervi, Hamiltonella, may decline in frequency.
The introduction of Rodolia beetles between islands should provide effective and safe control of Seychelles scale throughout American Samoa. Screening the beetles in the laboratory before transfer will reduce risk of introducing pathogens or parasitoids with the beetles, and consultations with stakeholders will ensure that decisions are made in an open way.
Results of non-target host range testing should provide convincing evidence that it is possible to release exotic biological control agents in the state of Hawaii without significant risk of environmental harm
Augmentative releases of Trichogramma spp. for H. zea control in seed corn in Hawaii, will increase farm worker safety, reduce environmental pollution and reduce seed losses to the pest insect.
Relocation and rearing of biological control agents have resulted in an enhanced distribution of beneficial insects to control noxious weeds in Idaho.
Comparative studies on the invasion of hoary cress and genetic analysis of the hoary cress population structure in North America have provided insight in the role of differing invasion mechanisms such as the Enemy Release Hypothesis (ERH) or Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability Hypothesis (EICA) for this noxious weed.
Surveys of parasitoids of the cabbage seedpod weevil associated with canola suggest considerable opportunity for conservation, which will ultimately reduce pesticide requirements.
Parasitoids of Ceutorhynchus obstrictus associated with canola may also attack Ceutorhynchus spp. imported for control of Lepidium and other noxious mustard weeds.