Annual/Termination Reports:

[08/13/2012] [08/23/2013] [06/30/2014] [09/29/2015] [08/25/2016]

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Brief Summary of Minutes

Please see attached "Copy of Minutes" file for our meeting minutes.

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Please see attached "Copy of Minutes" file for NCERA220's full 2013 annual report.

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

See attached "Copy of Minutes" file for NCERA220's 2013 annual report.

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

See attached copy of minutes file for NCERA220's annual report.

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

See attached file for NCERA220 2016 annual meeting minutes.

Accomplishments

<p><strong>Unique Project Related Findings. </strong></p><br /> <ul><br /> <li>In Nebraska, the parasitoid <em>Trichogramma ostriniae </em>attacked western bean cutworm eggs and successfully developed on this host. The ladybeetle <em>Coleomegilla maculata, </em>which is commonly found in corn fields during western bean cutworm oviposition, readily consumed cutworm eggs and early instar larvae.</li><br /> <li>Paper wasps (the native <em>Polistes metricus</em>) in Iowa eliminated caterpillar pests and improved broccoli plant growth in hoop houses where wasps were experimentally added.</li><br /> <li>Kentucky researchers observed that cowpea aphids are defended against some (but not all) ladybeetle predator species, and that this defense is an inherited trait, unaffected by the host plant the aphids are feeding on. The underlying expectation that herbivores derive their defenses from host plant chemicals is strong, and this finding was completely unexpected.</li><br /> <li>Michigan demonstrated that prairie polycultures support more biological control services than switchgrass monocultures &ndash;this is significant for the growing bioenergy industries in the upper Midwest.</li><br /> <li>Michigan researchers showed a 3-year correlation between establishment of a classical biological control program for emerald ash borer and increased ash stand densities and tree diameters, and demonstrated that biological control services are reduced 46% in simplified landscapes (monocultures) compared to complex landscapes.</li><br /> <li>Kansas compared dietary suitability of sugarcane aphid, <em>Melanaphis sacchari</em>, to that of greenbug and eggs of Ephestia kuehniella for development and reproduction of the predators <em>Chrysoperla carnea, Coleomegilla maculata, Hippodamia convergens</em>, and <em>Orius insidiosus</em>. Sugarcane aphid was suitable prey for all predators, with little difference from <em> graminum</em> in overall dietary suitability.</li><br /> <li>Kansas tested toxicity of three aphicides to three important natural enemies (Chrysoperla carnea, Hippodamia convergens, and Orius insidiosus) of sugarcane aphid using various routes of exposure. Flonicamid was least harmful, followed by sulfoxaflor. Flupyradifurone, though generally more toxic than sulfoxaflor, was still judged to be far less toxic than older pyrethroids and organophosphates and thus more amenable to use in IPM of sugarcane aphid. Orius was most susceptible of the tested organisms to the aphicides, presumably due to its closer taxonomic relationship with aphids.</li><br /> </ul><br /> <p><strong>Accomplishment Summaries.</strong></p><br /> <p>Sampling was conducted at three sites in Nebraska to examine impact of biodiversity within agricultural fields (cover crops) and adjacent to fields (wildflower strips and perennial pivot corners) on beneficial arthropods and biological control. These data provided valuable information on the influence of conservation practices on Nebraska beneficial arthropods. Surveys of commercial, continuous cornfields resulted in the collection and identification of 235 carabid beetle species? and over 100 isolates of entomopathogenic fungi to build a living library of potential biocontrol agents of the western corn rootworm. Molecular gut-content analysis revealed that carabid beetles were not significant predators of corn rootworm in our system. Field and laboratory studies revealed that the parasitoid <em>Trichogramma ostriniae</em> will readily parasitize western bean cutworm eggs, successfully develop in this host, and produce up to 5 wasps per single cutworm egg. Field surveys indicated that ladybeetles and other predators are abundant in cornfields when eggs and young larvae of western bean cutworm are present. Insecticide spray trials in the field revealed that populations of these natural enemies can be conserved if less-toxic, selective products are used for pest management. Feeding trials in the lab showed that the pink spotted ladybeetle is a better predator of western bean cutworm eggs and larvae than the convergent ladybeetle (both native species).</p><br /> <p>Paper wasps (the native <em>Polistes metricus</em>) in Iowa were found to effectively reduce caterpillar pest densities and improve broccoli plant growth in hoop houses.</p><br /> <p>Farmer groups were contacted and funding was secured from USDA for the 2016 release of parasitic wasps that target soybean aphid.</p><br /> <p>In a North Dakota survey of arthropods associated with managed and wild grapevines, <em>D. suzukii</em> (spotted wing <em>Drosophila</em>, SWD) adults were found at 16 of 23 sites (13 managed vineyards, 3 grapevines in unmanaged riparian areas). Sites where adult SWD were found were located across the state of ND in 10 different counties.</p><br /> <p>In greenhouse experiments, densities of non-target spider mites were higher on plants treated with neonicotinoid insecticides, and in some cases interactions with an opportunistic predator (i.e., western flower thrips) were altered. These results contribute to the discussion about best management practices for these types of insecticides.</p><br /> <p>Michigan biological control researchers continued research into the ecological factors underlying biological control has provided valuable insights into how the spatial scale and arrangement of different habitats translate into biological control services. Ongoing classical biological control efforts have provided real impacts on the emerald ash borer &ndash;a critical invasive pest of urban and rural forests and are posed to provide valuable control of invasive insects such as the chestnut gall wasp and brown marmorated stink bug.</p><br /> <p>Kentucky researchers have looked at factors that influence ants in soybean, which can be important predators on pest insects. In cucurbits, researchers have found that naturally occurring parasitism of the cucumber beetle is higher in organic than conventionally managed farms. The multicolored Asian ladybeetle is an important predator in many systems, but Kentucky researchers have shown that some strains of the cowpea aphid, a pest of legumes, are protected against this predator. Other ladybeetle species, however, are unaffected by the defense.</p><br /> <p>Gardiner et al. (2009) developed a predictive model for biocontrol services from coccinellids (ladybeetles) against soybean aphid, which is predicted based on the amount of non-cropped habitat existing within a 1.5 km radius surrounding a field site. Using this model, Kansas automated the process of prioritizing soybean fields that need scouting for those myFields users having soybean fields registered in an account. Consequently, this module within myFields.info is customizable; as new indices are developed, web-based software can incorporate these into the Biocontrol Services model for any crop type (corn, soybean, wheat, canola, etc.).&nbsp;</p>

Publications

<p><strong>Published Written Works.</strong></p><br /> <p>Prischmann-Voldseth, D.A., E.E. Burns, S.S. Swenson and G.G. Gramig. 2016. Life history and phenology of an endophagous stem-mining herbivore (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, <em>Hadroplontus litura</em>) of a clonal weed. Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 109:12-21.</p><br /> <p>White, J.A., N. K. Richards, A. Laugraud, A. Saeed, M. M. Curry, and M. R. McNeill. 2015. Endosymbiotic candidates for parasitoid defense in exotic and native New Zealand weevils. Microb. Ecol. 70:274-286.</p><br /> <p>Abell KJ, Bauer LS, Duan JJ, Van Driesche RG. 2014. Long-term monitoring of the introduced emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) egg parasitoid, Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), in Michigan, USA and evaluation of a newly developed monitoring technique. Biological Control 79:36-42.</p><br /> <p>Bauer LS, Duan JJ, Gould JG, Van Driesche RG. 2015. Progress in the classical biological control of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in North America. Canadian Entomologist 147: 300&ndash;317</p><br /> <p>Botch, P.S. &amp; D. Brown. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB): Information for Michigan residents on a new home invader. Michigan State University Extension. 4pp.</p><br /> <p>Duan JJ, Abell KJ, Bauer LS, Gould JR, Van Driesche RG. 2014. A life table analysis of the population dynamics of the invasive emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in North Central United States. Agriculture &amp; Forest Entomology 16:406-416.</p><br /> <p>Duan JJ, Bauer LS, Abell KA, Ulyshen MD, Van Driesche RG. 2015. Population dynamics of an invasive forest insect and its associated natural enemies in the aftermath of invasion: implications for classical biological control of the invasive pest. Journal of Applied Ecology 52: 1246&ndash;1254.</p><br /> <p>Jennings D, Duan JJ, Bauer LS, Schmude J, Wetherington M, Shrewsbury P. 2015. Temporal dynamics of woodpecker predation on emerald ash borer in the northeastern United States. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 18: 174&ndash;181.</p><br /> <p>Rusch, Adrien, Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer, Mary Gardiner, Violetta Hawro, John Holland, Riccardo Bommarco. 2016. Agricultural landscape complexity enhances natural pest control: a quantitative synthesis. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment 221:198-204.16</p><br /> <p>Schuh, Marissa, K. 2016. Influence of switchgrass ecotype, cultivar and planted stand diversity on herbivores, natural enemies, and biological control in bioenergy cropping systems. MS Thesis submitted to Department of Entomology Michigan State University</p><br /> <p>Triapitsyn S, Petrice TR, Gates MW, Bauer LS. 2015. Two new species of Oobius Trjapitzin (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) egg parasitoids of Agrilus spp. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) from the U.S.A., including a key and taxonomic notes on other congeneric Nearctic taxa. ZooKeys 498: 29&ndash;50.</p><br /> <p>Wang XY, LM Cao, ZQ Yang, JJ Duan, JR Gould, LS Bauer. 2015. Natural enemies of emerald ash borer in northeast China, with notes on two species of parasitic coleopteran. The Canadian Entomologist 148: 329-342.</p><br /> <p>Colares, F., J.P. Michaud &amp; J.B. Torres (2016) Relative toxicity of two aphicides to Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): Implications for management of sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari. J. Econ. Entomol. (submitted).</p><br /> <p>Barbosa, P.R.R., J.P. Michaud, C.L. Bain &amp; J.B. Torres. Relative toxicity of three aphicides to the aphid predators Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). Ecotoxicology (submitted).</p><br /> <p>Colares, F., J.P. Michaud &amp; J.B. Torres. (2015) Indigenous aphid predators show high levels of preadaptation to a novel prey, Melanaphis sacchari. J. Econ. Entomol. 108: 2546-2555.</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p><strong>Scientific and Outreach Oral Presentations. &nbsp;</strong></p><br /> <p>Peterson JA &amp; KA Mollet. 2015. Conservation practices on Nebraska farms and their impact on arthropod-mediated ecosystem services. In: &ldquo;Member Symposium: Vegetation Management for Beneficial Insect Conservation in Agroecosystems<strong>.&rdquo; </strong>Annual Meeting of the ESA, Minneapolis, MN.</p><br /> <p>Oliveira-Hofman<strong> C</strong>, KA Mollet, H-H Wei, AO Adesemoye, LJ Meinke &amp; JA Peterson. 2015. Evaluation of native entomopathogens from West Central Nebraska for use in integrated western corn rootworm management programs. In: &ldquo;Section Symposium: Synergy in Agricultural Pest Control: Use of Interdisciplinary Approaches to Feed a Growing Population<strong>.&rdquo; </strong>Annual Meeting of the ESA, Minneapolis, MN.</p><br /> <p>Peterson JA, MJ Eskelson &amp; CA Burr. 2015. Impact of cover cropping on the epigeal arthropod community in dryland Nebraska cornfields. NCB-ESA, Manhattan, KS.</p><br /> <p>Archibald WR, DB Jones, RJ Wright &amp; JA Peterson. 2015. Field performance of Cry1F and Vip3A Bt traits under varying western bean cutworm pressure: With focus on natural enemies. Annual Meeting of the ESA, Minneapolis, MN.</p><br /> <p>Oliveira-Hofman C, KA Mollet, H-H Wei, JA Peterson &amp; AO Adesemoye. 2015. Multi-marker characterization of fungi and bacteria for biological control of western corn rootworm, <em>Diabrotica virgifera virgifera</em>. 10^th International Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Workshop, Liege, Belgium.</p><br /> <p>Mollet KA &amp; JA Peterson. 2015. Effects of cover crops and pollinator habitat on beneficial arthropods in West Central Nebraska wheat. NCB-ESA 2015, Manhattan, KS.</p><br /> <p>Peterson JA. 2015. Current Management Recommendations for Western Bean Cutworm. Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association Fall Round Table, Minden, NE.</p><br /> <p>Adesemoye A, C Oliveira-Hofman &amp; JA Peterson. 2015. Understanding soil biodiversity for managing insect pests and plant pathogens. West Central Crops &amp; Water Field Day, Stumpf International Wheat Center, Grant, NE.</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;Jackson, K., J. McCord, and J.A. White. 2015. Fitness effects of differentially toxic prey on members of the coccinellid community. North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Manhattan, KS.</p><br /> <p>Jackson, K., J. McCord, and J.A. White. 2015. One beetle's prey is another beetle's poison: Differential fitness effects of toxic prey among coccinellid species. Entomological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN.</p><br /> <p>Lenhart, P.A., J. A. White. 2015. Poisoning the multicolored Asian lady beetle: ecological effects of a defensive aphid phenotype. Entomological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN.</p><br /> <p>Lenhart, P.A., J. A. White. 2015. Facultative endosymbionts in a pest aphid have variable effects on host plant breadth and natural enemy defense. North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Manhattan, KS.</p><br /> <p>McCord, J., J. J. Obrycki, and J. A. White. 2015. Comparative study of Eastern and Western North American populations of <em>Hippodamia convergens</em> (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) for endosymbionts. Entomological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN.</p><br /> <p>McCord, J., J. J. Obrycki, and J. A. White. 2015. Comparative study of Eastern and Western North American populations of <em>Hippodamia convergens</em> (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Manhattan, KS.</p><br /> <p>Styer, A., M. M. Curry, Eric G. Chapman, J.D. Harwood, J.A. White. 2015. Multiple symbiont infection is common and variable in spider populations. Entomological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN.</p><br /> <p>White, J. A., M. Gebiola, B. Cass, A. Kozuch, L. Harris, S. Kelly, M. Giorgini, J. Karimi, S. Perlman and M.S. Hunter. 2015. How basic research on bacterial endosymbionts can inform biological control. North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Manhattan, KS.</p>

Impact Statements

1. Research with reduced risk insecticides has indicated that this is one of the practices that can be adopted to conserve natural enemies in cornfields. In addition, on-farm practices such as cover crops and planting a diverse, perennial mixture at irrigation pivot corners was shown to support higher populations of beneficial insects.

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