NCERA_old224: IPM Strategies for Arthropod Pests and Diseases in Nurseries and Landscapes

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[03/01/2018] [01/20/2019] [02/15/2020] [02/16/2021]

Date of Annual Report: 03/01/2018

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 12/10/2017 - 12/13/2017
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2017 - 12/31/2017

Participants

Adams, Gerard (Plant Pathologist, Nebraska, UNL)
Addesso, Karla (Entomologist, Tennessee, UT)
Ali, Ahmed (AD) (Florida Entomologist/Pathologist, Davey Tree)
Bonello, Pierluigi (Enrico) (Plant Pathologist, Ohio, OSU)
Byrne, Jan (Plant Pathologist, Michigan, MSU)
Caldwell, Doug (Entomologist, Florida, UFExtension)
Chastagner, Gary (Plant pathologist, Washington, WSU)
Chong, Juang-Horng1 (JC) (Entomologist, South Carolina, Clemson)
Cranshaw, Whitney (Entomologist, Colorado, CSU)
Held, David (Entomologist, Alabama, Auburn)
Khachatryan, Hayk (Agriculture Economist, Florida, UF)
Krischik, Vera (Entomologist, Minnesota, UM)
Kunkel, Brian (Entomologist, Delaware, UD)
Miller, Fredric (Entomologist, Illinois, Morten Arboretum)
Payne, Thomas (administrative advisor, entomologist, Missouri)
Rodriguez-Salamanca, Lina (Plant Pathologist, Iowa, ISU)
Sadof, Clifford (Entomologost, Indiana, Purdue)
Smitley, David (Entomologist, Michigan, MSU)
Williamson, Chris (Entomologist, Wisconsin, UW)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

224 meeting minutes2017.pdf

Accomplishments

Short-term and long-term outcomes:  Research by Dave Smitley, Cliff Sadof, Chris Williamson, Fred Miller and Dan Herms strongly supported the development and adoption of the highly successful and most widely used treatment by arborists, landscapers and city foresters for saving ash trees following emerald ash borer invasion: trunk injection with emamectin benzoate.  The same researchers also tested and supported development of the only effective product readily available to homeowners at garden centers: basal soil drenches with imidacloprid or clothianidin.  In addition, Cliff Sadof built the most heavily used decision-making tool for city foresters when calculation costs of treating ash trees versus tree removal.  Research by Gary Chastagner in Washington state has been critical for providing state agencies in the northwest and USDA enough infornation to write guidelines for nurseries to allow production of clean nursey stock in areas where sudden oak death has been detected.  Milestones: The recent publication of our 'national elm trial' results hit a key benchmark for or joint committee projects.  This publication provides arborists, landscapers, city foresters and others the best available data on the survival and vigor of twenty cultivars of elms previously bred to be resistant to Dutch elm disease.

Publications

Impact Statements

Work by Gary Chastagner and cooperators in Washington state has provided critical knowledge about the spread and development of sudden oak death, so that USDA APHIS has been able to develop protocal to allow nurseries in Oregon and Washington where the pathogen has been detected, to continue selling nursery stock to other states. This allowed these nurseries to continue to be profitable, saving millions of dollars in sales.

Date of Annual Report: 01/20/2019

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 12/03/2018 - 12/05/2018
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2018 - 12/31/2018

Participants

Aiken, Joe - ArborJet
Beckerman, Janna – Purdue University
Chastagner, Gary – Washington State University
Chong, Juang Horng – Clemson University
Kunkel, Brian – University of Delaware
Miller, Fredric – Joliet Junior College and Morton Arboretum
Sadof, Cliff – Purdue University
Sakalidis, Monique – Michigan State University
Smitley, David – Michigan State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

2018 meeting minutes.pdf

Accomplishments

Short-term outcomes: Members of this working group were highly productive and impactful in 2018. The following are the outcomes or benefits of selected projects: <ul> <li>Based on studies by research team at Washington State University, recommendations on disease management and storage conditions have potentially reduced 40 to 60% in postharvest losses caused by Botrytis gray mold on stored peony flowers.</li> <li>Studies on the prevalence of foliar diseases on noble firs at various elevations have increased the production of healthy, high quality noble fir boughs.</li> <li>Beech leaf disease was first detected in 2012 in northeastern Ohio. The disease is now affecting forest areas in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York State, and Ontario, Canada. The etiology of this disease is poorly know, and the team at Ohio State University has reviewed and produced a publication summarizing the current state of knowledge and management of this disease.</li> <li>Emerald ash borer continues to be an important invasive pest species. Multiple working group members are working on this pest. Studies have demonstrated that management of emerald ash borer, when initiated early in the season and through “halo effect”, can improve tree health and reduce future management costs. Natural enemies of emerald ash borer can also contribute to overall decline in the pest abundance and damage. Studies on host resistance also suggested that drought stress can predispose otherwise resistant tree species to attack, and provided a framework for understanding future invasion biology of other pests.</li> <li>Survey of elm bark beetle diversity across the country will not only provide information on the diversity and distribution of existing elm bark beetle species, it will also determine the current diversity of the invasive banded elm bark beetles.</li> <li>Nearly all of the Japanese beetle grubs infected with microsporidian Ovavesicula popilliae die between October and May in Michigan. When the results of this experiment are combined with previous research on the proportion of adults that are infected at an active site, and the reduction in eggs produced by infected females, we can estimate that the total annual population reduction due to popilliae is 25% (egg reduction in infected females) + 30% (infected larvae that die) = 55%. The results demonstrated that the microsporidian is a potential biological control agent of Japanese beetle, an invasive species.</li> </ul>   Outputs: This working group has contributed to the understanding and management of new and emerging pests, improvement and refinement pesticide technologies and biological control to key pests, and publication of scientific and extension products in 2018. Much of the achievements and outputs were outlined in the annual meeting minutes and in the publication list. The following are some significant examples of this working group’s outputs. <ul> <li>Works conducted at Washington State University has gathered evidence that not all Botrytis species found on poenies in Alaska are pathogenic. Efficacy data have been gathered to demonstrate the effectiveness of new “reduced-risk” and biopesticides in controlling foliar diseases on bulb crops, and that 5-second dip of peony flower buds in fludioxonil provide effective control of Botrytis This team also conclusively demonstrated that 1°C is the optimal temperature for storage (for disease prevention and maximizing shelve life) of poenies.</li> <li>Display trials of noble fir wreaths demonstrated that elevation, harvest time, and time in cold storage did not affect wreath quality, and that consumers preferred wreaths with a darker blue-green color than lighter green.</li> <li>Beech leaf disease is lethal to American beech trees but currently poorly diagnosed. A publication has been produced on the review of this disease and to be published in the journal Forest Pathology in 2019.</li> <li>Studies at Ohio State University demonstrated that drought stress increases survival and development of emerald ash borer larvae on coevolved Manchurian ash and implicates phloem-based traits in resistance.</li> <li>Research team at Purdue University is finding some evidence for a halo protective effect caused by the treatment of nearby ash trees that slow the predicted overall rate of mortality. Three-year efficacy continues to be demonstrated 6 years after a treatment. The study demonstrated that treatment of even just a few trees can have benefits to nearby untreated trees.</li> <li>Laboratory feeding studies and field bolt studies in IL, utilizing Asian and European ash taxa indicate the Asian ashes, mandschurica, F. mandschurica var. japonica, F. chinensis var. rhynchophylla, F. chinensis, and F. anomala, and the European ash F. angustifolia consistently appear to be less susceptible to adult leaf feeding and colonization by EAB larvae. Additional laboratory and field studies indicate a number of Asiatic elm species and complex hybrids (i.e. ‘Danada Charm’ and ‘Triumph’) are not suitable for feeding by adult EABs.</li> <li>A survey of elm bark beetle diversity has been conducted in several member states in 2018. Preliminary data suggested that at some locations the Scolytusspecies infesting elm has shifted from the old invasive ( multistriatus) to the new invasive (S. schevyrewii) and by the time it gets into the Rocky Mountain region the newer species appears to have extirpated the original.</li> <li>In a study on evaluating the effectiveness of microsporidian as a biological control agent of Japanese beetle in Michigan, the survival of healthy grubs at a location without popilliae was 78.0% compared with a survival rate of 48.6% for grubs at a location where O. popilliae is active. Another useful outcome of this experiment is that we were able to infect healthy grubs by putting them into soil from a site where O. popilliae is active.</li> </ul>     Activities: This working group has conducted collaborative and independent research and extension activities to achieve objectives outlined in the original proposal and to produce outcomes and outputs outlined in this report. For example, <ul> <li>Research team lead by Gary Chastagner of Washington State has conducted experiments to assess the pathogenicity of new Botrytis species found on peonies in Alaska, established seven field trials to examine the effectiveness of new “reduced-risk” and biopesticides in controlling foliar diseases on bulb crops, studied the effectiveness of fungicide dip in controlling Botrytis on poeny flowers, and determined the optimal storage temperature for poenies.</li> <li>Another project at Washington State University evaluated the relationships between foliar diseases and noble fir bough production by determining the prevalence of foliar diseases on noble firs at various elevations, and at varying storage conditions and harvest time. Consumer preference was also surveyed.</li> <li>Research team at the Ohio State University, led by Enrico Bonello, continues to work on diagnosing and understanding the etiology beech leaf disease.</li> <li>Efforts to understand the relationships between environmental stress and host plant resistance, with emerald ash borer as a model organism, continues.</li> <li>A study on the “halo effect” of managing emerald ash borer (led by Cliff Sadof) is entering its sixth year. The study included treatment of 1200 trees are various locations in Indiana, and the infestation and mortality of treated and untreated ash trees was assessed.</li> <li>An ongoing assessment of Asian and European ash taxa for susceptibility to emerald ash borer is led by Fredric Miller and ongoing at the Morton Arboretum in IL. Samples of ash trees were taken regularly to assess survival of beetle larvae and parasitism.</li> <li>A survey of elm bark beetles diversity is currently ongoing, and led by Whitney Cranshaw. Surveys are conducted in several NCERA-224 member states: CO, IL, MI, MN, SC and TN. Sampling for 2018 has been completed, and samples are been identified and analyzed.</li> <li>Japanese beetle grubs were collected from two locations in Michigan (led by Dave Smitley), one location with known popilliae (microsporidian) infestation and the other does not. The grubs were them assigned to treatment where grubs from each location were paired with grubs from the other location or the same location. The infection level of the white grubs was then determined by dissection.</li> </ul>     Milestones: In 2019, members of this working group will <ul> <li>Continue to conduct independent research projects to understand and manage new and emerging pests, to improve and refine pesticide technologies and biological control to key pests, and to support registration of additional pest management products.</li> <li>Continue to publish scientific and extension products, either independently or collaboratively.</li> <li>Make additional efforts to improve diagnosis of beech leaf disease, blue spruce decline, and other important diseases.</li> <li>Continue surveys for various bark and ambrosia beetles and wood boring insects. Survey for elm bark beetles will continue in 2019, and expand the survey area to include additional states that are not in the 2018 survey.</li> <li>Further develop and refine collaborative project proposals presented during the 2018 annual meeting.</li> </ul>

Publications

The following is a partial list of the publications produced by working group members in 2018:   Books Hansen, E.M., K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). 2018. Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. APS Press. Saint Paul, MN.   Book Chapters Chastagner, G.A., J.M. van Tuyl, M. Verbeek, B. Miller, and B.B. Westerdahl. 2017. Diseases of Lily. In: Plant Disease Management. Handbook of Florist's Crops Diseases. R.J. McGovern and W.H. Elmer (eds). Springer Int. Garfinkel, A., and G.A. Chastagner. 2018. Diseases of Peony. In: Plant Disease Management. Handbook of Florist's Crops Diseases. R.J. McGovern and W.H. Elmer (eds). Springer Int. Hanks, G., and G.A. Chastagner. 2018. Diseases of Daffodil. In: Plant Disease Management. Handbook of Florist's Crops Diseases. R.J. McGovern and W.H. Elmer (eds). Springer Int.   Refereed Journal Articles Beckerman, J. and Perras, P. 2018. Comparison of fungicides for control of Botrytis blight of geranium, 2016. Plant Disease Management Reports OT013. Beckerman, J. 2018. Comparison of preventative versus curative application of fungicides for control of Botrytis blight of geranium, 2017. Plant Disease Management Reports 12:     OT016. Beckerman, J. 2018. Evaluation of fungicides for management of black root rot of vinca, 2017. Plant Disease Management Reports 12:OT015. Beckerman, J. 2018. Comparison of curative applications of fungicides for control of powdery mildew of zinnia, 2017. Plant Disease Management Reports 12:OT014. Beckerman, J. 2018. Evaluation of fungicides for management of black root rot of pansy, 2016. Plant Disease Management Reports 12:OT017. Beckerman, J. 2018. Efficacy of Empress Intrinsic and BAS703 to control black root rot on pansies, 2014. Plant Disease Management Reports 12:OT018. Beckerman, J. 2018. Evaluation of fungicides for management of black root rot of pansy, 2015. Plant Disease Management Reports 12:OT019 Conrad A, McPherson BA, Lopez-Nicora H, D’Amico KM, Wood DL, Bonello P. 2019. Artificial inoculation and natural infection reveal long term disease progression and phenotypic patterns in the coast live oak/sudden oak death pathosystem. Forest Ecology and Management 433: 618-624. Elliott, M., J. Yuzon, M. Malar, S. Tripathy, M. Bui, G.A. Chastagner, K. Coats, D.M. Rizzo, M. Garbelotto and T. Kasuga. 2018. Characterization of phenotypic variation and genome aberrations observed among Phytophthora ramorum isolates from diverse hosts. BMC Genomics (2018) 19:320 <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-018-4709-7">https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-018-4709-7</a>. Fayyaz A, Bonello P, Tufail MR, Amrao L, Habib A, Talib Sahi ST. 2018. First report of citrus withertip (tip dieback), a disease complex caused by Colletotrichum siamense and Lasiodiplodia iraniensis on Citrus reticulata cv. Kinnow in Punjab, Pakistan. Plant Disease DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-04-18-0576-PDN. Griffin, JJ., W. R. Jacobi, G. McPherson, C.S. Sadof, J.R. McKenna, M.L. Gleason, N.W. Gauthler, D. A. Potter, D.R. Smitley, G. C. Adams, A.B. Grould, C. R. Cash, J.A. Walla, M.C. Starrett, G. Chastagner, J.L. Sibley, V.A. Krischik, and A.F. Newby. 2017. Ten-year performance of the United States National Elm Trial. Arbor. and Urban Forestry 43:107-120 López-Goldar X, Villari C, Bonello P, Borg-Karlson AK, Sampedro, L, Zas R. 2018. Inducibility of plant secondary metabolites predicts genetic variation in resistance against a key insect herbivore in maritime pine. Frontiers in Plant Science - Functional Plant Ecology – DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01651. Mason CJ, Keefover-Ring K, Villari C, Klutsch J, Cook S, Bonello P, Erbilgin N, Raffa KF, Townsend PA. 2018. Anatomical defenses against bark beetles relate to degree of historical exposure between species and are allocated independently of chemical defenses within trees. Plant, Cell, and Environment – DOI: 10.1111/pce.13449. McKeever, K.M. and G. Chastagner. 2018. Interactions between root rotting Phytophthora, Abies Christmas trees, and environment. Plant Disease Posted online on 25 Sep 2018, First Look. <a href="https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1094/PDIS-01-18-0174-RE">https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1094/PDIS-01-18-0174-RE</a> Munck IA, Bonello P. 2018. Modern approaches for early detection of forest pathogens are sorely needed in the United States. Forest Pathology – DOI: 10.1111/efp.12445. Pepori AL, Michelozzi M, Santini A, Cencetti G, Bonello P, Gonthier P, Sebastiani F, Luchi N (2018). Comparative transcriptional and metabolic responses of Pinus pinea to a native and a non-native Heterobasidion species. Tree Physiology – DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpy086. Quesada, C. R. , A. R Witte, C. S. Sadof. 2018. Factors influencing insecticide efficacy against armored and soft scales. HortTechnology 28:267-275. Rigsby CM, Villari C, Peterson DL, Herms DA, Bonello P, Cipollini D. 2018. Girdling increases survival and growth of emerald ash borer larvae on Manchurian ash. Agricultural and Forest Entomology – DOI: 10.1111/afe.12292. Showalter DN, Raffa KF, Sniezko RA, Herms DA, Liebhold AM, Smith JA, Bonello P (2018). Strategic development of tree resistance against forest pathogen and insect invasions in defense-free space. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution – Conservation 6 – DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00124. Showalter DN, Villari C, Herms DA, Bonello P (2018). Drought stress increased survival and development of emerald ash borer larvae on coevolved Manchurian ash and implicates phloem-based traits in resistance. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 20: 170-179. Smitley, D., Hotchkiss, E. and K. Buckley. 2018. Natural epizootics of Ovavesicula popilliae lag behind outbreaks of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, in Michigan by at least 10 years. Biological Control. (submitted 1-15-18). Villari C, Dowkiw A, Enderle R, Ghasemkhani M, Kirisits T, Kjaer E, Marčiulynienė D, McKinney L, Metzler B, Muñoz F, Rostgaard Nielsen L, Pliūra A, Stener L-G, Suchockas V, Rodriguez-Saona L, Bonello P, Cleary M (2018). Advanced spectroscopy-based phenotyping offers a potential solution to the ash dieback epidemic. Nature Scientific Reports 8:17448 – DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-35770-0.     Poster Presentations Coats, K., A. Garfinkel and G. Chastagner. 2018. Novel sequencing reveals diagnostic assay of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 mating type idiomorphs in Botrytis paeoniae. APS Pacific Division Meeting. Portland, OR. (Poster presentation). DeWald, L.E., M. Elliott, R. Sneizko, and G.A. Chastagner. 2018. Geographic and local genetic variation in Pacific madrone leaf blight. Sixth International Workshop on the Genetics of Tree-Parasite Interactions: Tree Resistance to Insects and Diseases: Putting Promise into Practice. Ohio. (Poster presentation). DeWald, L.E., M. Elliott, R. Sneizko, G.A. Chastagner and J.R. Russell. 2018. Genetic variation in Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii): Early results of a multiple site common garden study. SAF Convention, Portland, OR. (Poster presentation) Elliott, E., and G. Chastagner. 2018. Steaming as a method of eradicating Phytophthora ramorum in soil. APS Pacific Division Meeting. Portland, OR. (Poster presentation). Garfinkel, A. and G. Chastagner. 2018. Multiple new pathogens revealed in a survey of peony diseases in the United States. APS Pacific Division Meeting. Portland, OR. (Poster presentation).   Popular Articles Chastagner, G. 2018. Improving postharvest needle retention on cut Christmas trees. Lookout 51(2): 7-9. Chastagner, G. 2018. Washington’s Collaborative fir germplasm evaluation (CoFirGE) project test plot. Christmas Tree Lookout: 51(2): 30- 33. Chastagner, G., and B. Cregg. 2018. Christmas Tree Promotion Board supports Christmas tree research programs. Christmas Tree Lookout: 51(1). Garfinkel, A., and G. Chastagner. 2018. A survey of peony diseases in the Central and Eastern United States. Cut Flower Quarterly 30(3): 24-27.   Other Creative Works Callan, B. and G. Chastagner. 2018. Atropellis canker. P. 89-90. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Callan, B., and V. Talgø; revised by E. Hansen, G. Chastagner, and V. Talgø. 2018. Other canker diseases. P. 93-99. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G. 2018. Procerum Root Disease. P. 26-27. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G. 2018. Thyronectria canker on Abies spp. Christmas trees. P. 76-77. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G. 2018. Cyclaneusma needle cast. P. 119-120. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G. 2018. Interior needle blight on Abies spp. Christmas trees. P. 130. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G., and E. Hansen. 2018. Herpotrichia needle browning. P. 127-128. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G. and J. LeBoldus. 2018. Web blight. P. 128-130. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G. and V. Talgø. 2018. Grovisella canker. P. 91-93. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G. and V. Talgø. 2018. Botrytis blight. P. 126-127. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G. and V. Talgø. 2018. Current season needle necrosis. P. 130-132. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G., and V. Talgø. 2018. Rhizosphaera needle cast in Christmas trees. P. 134-135. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G., and V. Talgø. 2018. Stigmina needle cast on Christmas trees. P. 135-136. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G. and V. Talgø. 2018. Diseases of conifers grown as Christmas trees. P. 158-162. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Chastagner, G., J. O’Donnell, and B. Cregg. 2018. Fall needle drop (Interior needle yellowing). P. 147-148. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Dwinell, L.D. and E.G. Kuhlman; revised by T.R. Gordon, G. Reynolds, J.A. Smith and G. Chastagner. 2018. Pitch canker. P. 83-85. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Garbelotto, M., P. Gonthier, and G. Chastagner. 2018. Heterobasidion root and butt rot. P. 33-35. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Hansen, E.M., K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner. 2018. Diseases of conifers. P. 1-4 In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Hansen, E., V. Talgø, and G. Chastagner. 2018. Needle and broom rusts. P. 102-107. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Hellgren, M., J. Stenlid, and G. Chastagner. 2018. Scleroderris canker. P. 87-89. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Hunt, R.; revised by R. Hunt, A. Shoettle, and G. Chastagner. 2018. White pine blister rust. P. 57-60. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. McKeever, K. and G. Chastagner. 2018. Phytophthora Root Rot, Stem Canker, and Shoot Blight in Christmas Trees. P. 20-22. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Mota, M., C. Vicente, M. Espada, P. Vieira, and Chastagner, G. 2018. P. 29-32. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Omdal, D. C.G. Shaw, III, and G. Chastagner. 2018. Armillaria root disease. P. 35-38. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Peterson, R.S., and G. Chastagner. 2018. Gymnosporangium stem rusts. P. 71-73. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Powers, H., and G. Kuhlman. Revised by K. Lewis, and G. Chastagner. 2018. Fusiform Rust. P. 61-62. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Stone, J. and G. Chastagner. 2018. Other foliage diseases of Abies spp. p. 132-133. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Talgø, V. and G. Chastagner. 2018. Neonectria canker on Abies Christmas trees. P. 75-76. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Talgø, V. and G. Chastagner. 2018. Delphinella shoot blight on Christmas trees. P. 90-91. In: Compendium of Conifer Diseases. Revised Second Edition. E.M. Hansen, K.J. Lewis, and G.A. Chastagner (eds). APS Press. Saint Paul, MN. Garfinkel, A and G. Chastagner. 2018. Peony (Paeonia spp.)-Anthracnose. In: Plant Disease Management Handbook. C.M. Ocamb and J.W. Pscheidt (eds.). Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331 <a href="https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/peony-paeonia-spp-anthracnose">https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/peony-paeonia-spp-anthracnose</a> Media Story - Research identifies new fungi causing ugly disease in peonies. WSU Insider, December 21, 2017. <a href="https://news.wsu.edu/2017/12/21/peonies/">https://news.wsu.edu/2017/12/21/peonies/</a> Media Story - New Botrytis species for Alaska. HortAlaska, October 28, 2017 <a href="https://alaskapeony.wordpress.com/2017/10/28/new-botrytis-species-for-alaska/">https://alaskapeony.wordpress.com/2017/10/28/new-botrytis-species-for-alaska/</a> Media Story - Peonies from heaven. Washington State Magazine. Fall 2018. <a href="https://magazine.wsu.edu/2018/08/06/peonies-from-heaven/">https://magazine.wsu.edu/2018/08/06/peonies-from-heaven/</a>   Scientific and Outreach Oral Presentations. Bonello P. 2018. A conceptual framework and practical solutions to forest invasions by PIPs. Continental dialogue on non-native forest insects & diseases 14th meeting, Irvine, CA. Nov. 6-7. Invited speaker. Bonello P. 2018. A conceptual framework and practical solutions to forest invasions by PIPs. Halvor Solheim Forest Pathology Symposium, As, Norway. Nov. 2. Bonello P. 2018. Defense responses of Austrian pine to two opportunistic pathogens of contrasting aggressiveness under combined drought and temperature stress. OSU-USP-RU Tripartite Collaborative Meeting, Columbus, OH. Oct. 25. Bonello P. 2018. Defense responses of Austrian pine to two opportunistic pathogens of contrasting aggressiveness under combined drought and temperature stress. International Union of Forest Research Organizations International Workshop - Tree resistance to insects & diseases: putting promise into practice. Mount Sterling, OH. Aug. 8. Bonello P. 2018. A conceptual framework for solutions to black swan events in forest health. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz Queiroz, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. May 21. Invited speaker. Bonello P, Conrad A, Slot J, Visser EA, Naidoo S. 2018. Defense responses of Austrian pine to two opportunistic pathogens of contrasting aggressiveness under combined drought and temperature stress. The 6th International Workshop on the Genetics of Tree-Parasite Interactions – Tree Resistance to Insects and Diseases: Putting Promise into Practice. Mt. Sterling, OH. Aug. 5-10. Bonello P, Liu D, Nahar N, Rodriguez-Saona L, Shearer S, Stewart C, Stewart L, Wang G.-L. 2018. Aerial plant disease surveillance by spectral signatures. Annual meeting of the Grand Challenges Program, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Berlin, Germany. Oct. 14-18. Chastagner, G. 2018. Overview of a Potpourri of Disease Control Trials on Peonies, Tulips, Daffodils, & Gladiolus. Wilbur-Ellis Professional Markets Technical Seminar. Puyallup, WA. Chastagner, G. 2018. Optimizing Disease Management on Christmas Trees. Wilbur-Ellis Professional Markets Technical Seminar. Puyallup, WA. Chastagner, G. 2018. Research update on ways to improve pre-and postharvest control of Botrytis. Annual Alaska Peony Grower Association Conference, Anchorage, AK. Chastagner, G. 2018. Overview of Phytophthora Root Rot and the CoFirGE Project. PCTGA Short Course, State College, PA Chastagner, G. 2018. Strategies to improve the postharvest quality of Christmas trees. PCTGA Short Course, State College, PA Chastagner, G., and M. Quintanilla. 2018. Soil Borne Disease and Nematode Management. MSU Ornamental Nursery and Christmas Tree Production Webinar Series. Chastagner, G. 2018. Overview of Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum) in WA. Washington Native Plant Society - South Sound Chapter Meeting, Olympia, WA. Chastagner, G., and M. Elliott. 2018. Overview of the Ornamental Program at WSU Puyallup. T & L Nursery Meeting, Redmond, WA Chastagner, G. 2018. WSU - WSDA Cooperative projects in plant pathology. Olympia, WA. Chastagner, G. 2018. Progress on WSDA NAC Funded WSU Puyallup Projects. Kent, WA Chastagner, G. 2018. Potential new tools to manage diseases on peonies, tulips, daffodils, iris, and lilies. Bulb and Cut Flower Field Day, Puyallup, WA. Chastagner, G. 2018. Steaming Green Waste. WSDA Skype meeting. Chastagner, G., and M. Elliott. 2018. WSU Puyallup Yard Waste Steaming Demo. Puyallup, WA Chastagner, G. 2018. Genetic Screening to Improve Postharvest Needle Retention of Cut Christmas Trees and Greenery. IHC2018. Istanbul, Turkey Chastagner, G., and A. Garfinkel. 2018. Multiple pathogens revealed in a survey of peony diseases in the United States. NCSU 2018 Kanuga Ornamental Workshop on Diseases and Insects. Hendersonville, NC. Chastagner, G., and C. Landgren. 2018. Rhizoctonia Web blight on Christmas trees in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. NCSU 2018 Kanuga Ornamental Workshop on Diseases and Insects. Hendersonville, NC. Conrad A, Villari C, Sniezko R, Rodriguez-Saona L, Bonello P. 2018. Development of a tool for rapid identification of resistant trees in species affected by alien invasive pathogens. The 6th International Workshop on the Genetics of Tree-Parasite Interactions – Tree Resistance to Insects and Diseases: Putting Promise into Practice. Mt. Sterling, OH. Aug. 5-10. Conrad AO, Sniezko R, Rodriguez-Saona L, Bonello P. 2018. Application of chemical fingerprinting as a tool to screen trees for resistance against invasive and non-native. 29th USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species. Annapolis, MD. January 9-12. Conrad A, Sniezko R, Rodriguez-Saona L, Bonello P. 2018. Developing a phenotyping tool for disease resistance using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. International Congress of Plant Pathology, Boston, MA, July 29-August 3. Ewing C, Bonello P. 2018. Identifying the causal agent of the emerging beech leaf disease epidemic. OARDC Annual Conference. Wooster, OH, April 27. Ewing C, Bonello P. 2018. What is causing the emerging beech leaf disease? 29th USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species. Annapolis, MD. January 9-12. Rigsby, CM, Body M, Showalter DN, Muhamed A, Casagrande RA, Bonello P, Schultz JC, Appel HM, Keefover-Ring K, and Preisser EL. 2018. The identification of resistance markers and chemical characterization of eastern hemlocks persisting in hemlock woolly adelgid-decimated forests. 29th USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species. Annapolis, MD. January 9-12. Smitley, D. 2017. Regional publications on best management practices for street trees and pollinators. Protecting Pollinators in Urban Landscapes Conference, Traverse City, MI, Oct. 10, 2017. Smitley, D. 2017. Long-term biological control of Japanese beetle with Ovavesicula popilliae. Invited speaker in Japanese beetle symposium, ESA National Mtg., Denver, CO, Dec. 7, 2017. Smitley, D. 2017. Marketing ecosystem services provided by food plants for pollinators. Professional Plant Propagators National Conference, Grand Rapids, MI October 13, 2017.

Impact Statements

Research conducted by this working group may lead to management programs that can significantly reduce management cost for key and invasive pests. For example, successful introduction and management of the microsporidian O. popilliae can reduce annual losses estimated by the state of Oregon to be $34 million.

Date of Annual Report: 02/15/2020

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 12/08/2019 - 12/10/2019
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2019 - 12/15/2019

Participants

Participants Attachment:

Attendees NCERA-224 2019.docx

Brief Summary of Minutes

Voted on next destination for meeting: San Juan to be held in cooperation with Puerto Rico Extension.

Minutes Attachment:

Brief minutes for 2019 NCERA.docx

Accomplishments

Washington Cut Flowers: Botrytis diseases are among the most damaging diseases on ornamental bulb and cut flower crops. To improve the management of these diseases, Washington State University has demonstrated that a preharvest application of isolfentamid (Astun) to flower buds were as effective as a 5-second postharvest dip of peony flower buds in fungicides in providing provided effective control of Botrytis development during the display of peony flowers.   Sudden Oak Death: As a result of shipping Phytophthora ramorum infected plants from a 450 acre nursery in Washington to a number of states throughout the U.S., Washington State University provided technical support to WSDA and APHIS regulators to delineate the extent of the infestation at the nursery, determined that all of the isolates obtained at the nursery were the NA2 lineage, and collaborated with WSDA and APHIS to carryout mitigation efforts (removal and destruction of plants and soil steaming) at the nursery.   CoFirGE Project: In 2010 the Collaborative Fir Germplasm Evaluation (CoFirGE) Project was organized as a collaboration of university research and extension faculty and Christmas tree grower associations in five production regions of the United States (CT, MI, NC, PA and the Pacific Northwest) and Denmark. The goal of this project is to identify regionally adapted sources of Turkish and Trojan firs that produce superior Christmas trees across production regions in the United States and Denmark. Washington State University has confirmed previous assessments showing that the top performing species and sources of trees in the Nisqually, WA CoFirGE plot include a mix of traditional PNW-grown species, such as grand and noble, as well as less commonly grown species such as Turkish and Trojan firs. A number of Turkish and Trojan fir families continue to exhibit Christmas tree characteristics.    Twig weevil biology: Scientist at Washington State University initiated a project to understand why the Douglas-fir twig weevil (Cylindrocopturus furnissi) has become a more prominent pest of Pacific Northwest-grown Christmas trees, including in true fir tree species previously unknown to be suitable for the insect’s feeding and development. Surveys have been conducted and specimens have been collected from over 20 sites in Oregon and Washington for use in population/phylogenetics. DNA sequencing of individuals varying by host association and by geographic origin is ongoing. Four long-term monitoring plots in Oregon and Washington have been established to determine the number of degree-days required for adult emergence. Choice feeding trials have also been conducted to determine the preferences of the beetles.   Nebraska tate disease status: 2019 was the year that a shipment of infested Rhododendron plants from a nursery in Oklahoma introduced Phytophthora ramorum the causal agent of Sudden Oak Death into Nebraska. Of approximately 40 infested Rhododendrons that reached retail dealers about 30 were retrieved by the Nebraska State Department of Agriculture, and destroyed. It is believed that approximately 10 plants had been sold to the public and planted into the urban and suburban landscapes. All information on this incidence was censured so the forest pathologists and nursery and landscape pathologists were not informed until the nation was alerted, some 6-months after the incident.  This fall season commercial nurseries with Rhododendron from the major California nursery were found severely diseased with branch dieback and root rot caused by Phytophthora species. Phytophthora-positive ELISA tests, DNA sequencing of barcoding genes, and selective isolation from Rhododendron were accomplished by graduate students during lab exercises in a diagnosis course.  A potentially destructive root and butt rot pathogen of hardwood trees, Pseudoinonotus dryadeus, has extended its reported range and entered Nebraska. It was first spotted on two separate oak trees in the Lincoln suburban housing district having boulevards lined with 100+ year old Quercus palustris, Pin Oak.  Oak wilt, Ceratocystis (Bretziella) fagacearum, has not been confirmed as present in Nebraska during the last few decades. Dutch elm disease is currently causing mortality in urban elms in Lincoln, NE. 2019 was an uncommonly wet growing season and this increased incidence of anthracnose and other foliage diseases. For a second report year in the decade, Callery pear suffered extensive defoliation from severe Cedar apple rusts. While Gymnosporangium clavipes the causal agent of Cedar quince rust is present, the defoliation was caused by the Cedar hawthorn rust. Gymnosporangium libocedri cause of Pacific Coast pear rust, and Gymnosporangium sebinae cause of European pear (trellis) rust have not been found. Research: The research project involving the etiology of bud blight of spruce caused by Gemmamyces piceae, a pathogen considered as native to mountains in north western China. In Czech Republic, an extensive epidemic with mortality and severe damage has been reported in 2016 as occurring throughout much of Central Europe on Colorado blue spruce, Picea pungens. In 2017, widespread bud blight occurred on four species of Sitka, White, Lund, black and Colorado blue spruce, throughout north western, interior, and south eastern Alaska including national forests, parks, and urban landscapes. We began whole genome sequencing of G. piceae from Czech Republic in 1917 and have this year expanded whole genome sequencing (WGS) to include Alaska Gemmamyces sp. WGS has been initiated in order to identify and select genetic markers (SNPs & SSRs) for a population genetics study. The study should reveal native, native invasive, and exotic invasive origins and predicted transportation pathways of introduction of the pathogen. 24 SSR markers have designed and utilized in identifying polymorphic alleles in a collection of strains. Differences recognized between European and American populations are shaping our concepts of the Gemmamyces species. Five genes are being sequenced in order to properly identify and classify the fungi causing Aspen running canker, Western hemlock branch dieback and mortality, and Gemmamyces bud blights. Sequences of ITS- rDNA, LSU-rDNA, beta-tubulin, RPB2 (DNA directed RNA polymerase II subunit), and Elongation factor 1-alpha are being completed and used in phylogenetic analyses to clarify species in the relevant genera based on new (2016) phylogenetic studies from the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute (formerly CBS). Formal morphological characterization of the pathogens is also being completed for publications.   Ohio <ul> <li>Conifer trees, including Norway spruce, are threatened by fungi of the Heterobasidion annosum species complex, which severely affect timber quality and cause economic losses to forest owners. The timely detection of infected trees is complicated, as the pathogen resides within the heartwood and sapwood of infected trees. The presence of the disease and the extent of the wood decay often becomes evident only after tree felling. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is a potential method for non-destructive sample analysis that may be useful for identifying infected trees in this pathosystem. We performed FT-IR analysis of 18 phloem, 18 xylem, and 18 needle samples from asymptomatic and symptomatic Norway spruce trees. FT-IR spectra from 1066 – 912 cm-1 could be used to distinguish phloem, xylem, and needle tissue extracts. FT-IR spectra collected from xylem and needle extracts could also be used to discriminate between asymptomatic and symptomatic trees using spectral bands from 1657 – 994 cm-1 and 1104 – 994 cm-1, respectively. A partial least squares regression model predicted the concentration of condensed tannins, a defense-related compound, in phloem of asymptomatic and symptomatic trees. This work is the first to show that FT-IR spectroscopy can be used for the identification of Norway spruce trees naturally infected with Heterobasidion </li> <li>Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) is a valuable component of the urban landscape in the Midwestern USA. In this area, it is impacted by the fungal pathogen Diplodia sapinea, which causes a tip blight and canker on infected trees. While the disease can be managed through the application of fungicides and/or by preventing environmental conditions that are favorable for the pathogen, these practices only temporarily alleviate the problem. A more sustainable solution is to use resistant trees. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis can distinguish between trees that vary in susceptibility to sapinea. Trees were phenotyped for resistance to D. sapinea by artificially inoculating shoots and measuring ensuing lesions, seven days following inoculation. Then, three different chemometric approaches, including a type of machine learning called support vector machine (SVM), were used to evaluate whether or not trees that varied in susceptibility could be distinguished.  Trees that varied in susceptibility could be discriminated based on FT-IR spectra collected prior to pathogen infection using the three chemometric approaches: soft independent modeling of class analogy, partial least squares regression, and SVM.  While further validation of the predictive models is needed, the results suggest that the approach may be useful as a tool for screening and breeding Austrian pine for resistance to D. sapinea. Furthermore, this approach may have wide applicability in other tree/plant pathosystems of concern and economic value to the nursery and ornamental industries.</li> <li>Beech leaf disease (BLD) is a currently undiagnosed and seemingly lethal disease that is affecting American beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) in forests in the northeastern United States. The initial disease symptom is a dark interveinal banding pattern on the foliage, and the progressive symptoms are dark, crinkled leaves that dramatically reduce the canopy cover. Eventually, no new leaves are produced leading to tree mortality. The objective of this study was to discover the causal agent of BLD using a comparative metabarcoding approach to profile the microbial communities present in symptomatic and asymptomatic American beech leaves. This research will assist forest managers in protecting the American beech tree, a foundational tree species in the eastern United States’ beech-maple forest ecosystem and lead to further research focusing on screening for BLD resistance in the forest. In our study, we used molecular techniques based on gene regions of total beech leaf DNA and RNA to screen the leaves’ microbiomes for the main plant pathogen types (i.e. fungi, bacteria, phytoplasmas, viruses, and nematodes). Our results suggest that a nematode previously only detected in Japan, Litylenchus crenatae, is present on both asymptomatic and symptomatic leaves while two species of fungi and three species of bacteria are only present on symptomatic material. Based on the exotic nature of crenatae, this suggests that there may be an association between the microbes and the alien nematode which contributes to the manifestation of symptoms of BLD.</li> </ul>   Indiana State Diagnostic Records-Ornamentals Report to date 2019: Number of diagnoses to date <table width="456"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="168"> Anthracnose </td> <td width="48"> 90 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Downy mildew </td> <td width="48"> 19 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Undetermined injury </td> <td width="48"> 80 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Bacterial leaf spot </td> <td width="48"> 16 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Leaf spot </td> <td width="48"> 61 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Cercospora leaf spot </td> <td width="48"> 16 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Dieback; Canker; Twig blight </td> <td width="48"> 40 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Rose downy mildew </td> <td width="48"> 16 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Spot anthracnose </td> <td width="48"> 29 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Phomopsis dieback; Tip blight; Canker </td> <td width="48"> 16 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Boxwood Volutella blight; Canker </td> <td width="48"> 28 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Diplodia leaf streak </td> <td width="48"> 15 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Crown and root rot </td> <td width="48"> 27 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Stigmina needle blight </td> <td width="48"> 15 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Rhizosphaera needle cast </td> <td width="48"> 26 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Black root rot </td> <td width="48"> 15 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Bacterial Identification </td> <td width="48"> 23 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Spider mites </td> <td width="48"> 14 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Powdery mildew </td> <td width="48"> 23 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Septoria leaf spot </td> <td width="48"> 14 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Volutella leaf blight; Dieback </td> <td width="48"> 23 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Insect damage </td> <td width="48"> 14 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Botrytis blight </td> <td width="48"> 20 </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Twospotted spider mite </td> <td width="48"> 12 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td width="48"> </td> <td width="36"> </td> <td width="156"> Spruce spider mite </td> <td width="48"> 11 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     Joint Research Extension Activity. <table width="637"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="109"> App </td> <td width="91"> IOS </td> <td width="97"> Android </td> <td width="86"> Total </td> <td width="125"> Unit Price </td> <td width="129"> Release </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="109"> Tree </td> <td width="91"> 5,942 </td> <td width="97"> 1,744 </td> <td width="86"> 7,685 </td> <td width="125"> $1.99 </td> <td width="129"> 2012, 14 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="109"> Turf </td> <td width="91"> 1,322 </td> <td width="97">   533 </td> <td width="86"> 1,855 </td> <td width="125"> $1.99 </td> <td width="129"> 2017 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="109"> Annual </td> <td width="91"> 1,901 </td> <td width="97"> 265 </td> <td width="86"> 2,166 </td> <td width="125"> $0.99 </td> <td width="129"> 2013,14 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="109"> Perennial </td> <td width="91"> 3,029 </td> <td width="97"> 483 </td> <td width="86"> 3,512 </td> <td width="125"> $0.99 </td> <td width="129"> 2013,14 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="109"> Tomato </td> <td width="91"> 1,129 </td> <td width="97"> 415 </td> <td width="86"> 1,544 </td> <td width="125"> $0.99 </td> <td width="129"> 2014 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="109"> Shrub </td> <td width="91"> 0 </td> <td width="97"> 0 </td> <td width="86"> 0 </td> <td width="125"> $1.99 </td> <td width="129"> Jan 2020 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="109"> Total </td> <td width="91"> 13,323 </td> <td width="97"> 3,429 </td> <td width="86"> 16,762 </td> <td width="125"> $26,135 </td> <td width="129"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Continued work to update the Tree Doctor App and create the Purdue Shrub Doctor App. Janna is the rate limiting step. Data for the project to date includes:       <table> <tbody> <tr> <td width="699"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> Months when USed </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td width="700"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> Annual App Opening Frequency (25-33% of ActuaL) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>       Delaware Delaware has cooperated with University of Maryland Cooperative extension (Stanton Gill) with research targeting difficult pests in nursery and greenhouse systems.  Some pests have included root feeding mealybugs or aphids, whiteflies, or mealybugs.  These projects have examined efficacy of biological control or non-neonicotinoid insecticides as alternatives to neonicotinoids for those in the green industry looking for such options.  During 2019, the Plant Diagnostic Clinic processed approximately 560 non-survey routine clinic samples. Ornamentals, landscape annuals and perennials along with trees, shrubs, and turf made up 55% of total samples. There were no regulatory USDA CAPS survey samples, but nursery surveys for Delaware Department of Agriculture resulted in a few samples of boxwood. No boxwood blight was detected in retail or nursery sites, but other boxwood diseases and environmental stress are problematic. Fusarium wilt was detected in chrysanthemum nursery and retail sites.     New reports included Pseudocercospora sp. on crape myrtle, Cryptocline sp. on birch, Cyperus strigosus (false nutsedge) on potted lily turf in a nursery, Phacidium (tar spot) on American holly, and Taxodiomyia (gall midge) on bald cypress. Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was detected in multiple sites across the state of Delaware.  Delaware cooperative extension worked closely with the Delaware’s Department of Agriculture in outreach and education efforts regarding spotted lanternfly and emerald ash borers – two recent invasive pests found in Delaware.           Florida South Florida plant nursery industry is diverse and grown year-round. Some pests affecting Miami-Dade County on 2019 in south Florida During dry season (November to April) of 2018-2019, mites were affecting crops such Crotons and Hibiscus. State specialists will be keeping an eye on this pest. No specific species identified yet. On December of 2019, 8 years after Giant African Land Snail (GALS) eradication program started, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported over 168,500 snails being collected in 32 core areas of Miami-Dade County, and in one area of Broward County.   Clemson Objective 1: New and emerging pests: Investigate detection methods, biology, and management of new and emerging pests   Crape myrtle bark scale was detected in South Carolina for the first time in 2019. Currently infestation is restricted to areas around Columbia, SC. Infestation was detected by a homeowner, who alerted Clemson University Extension Services, and the scale species was subsequently confirmed by USDA-APHIS.   A research project to develop degree-day model for redheaded flea beetle and strawberry rootworm in eastern Georgia and western South Carolina, with funding leveraged from the Center of Applied Nursery Research, has been completed in 2019. Degree-day units, with based temperature of 50°F and start date of January 1, were 478 DDG for the first detection of redheaded flea beetle adult, 572 DDG for peak activity, 874 DDG for 50 percentage of the population, 3291 DDG for 90% of the population, and 5656 DDG for the last detection of the beetles. Degree-day model could not be developed for strawberry rootworm because this species overwinter as adults, which become active whenever temperature was high enough to allow movement and feeding.   A collaborative multi-state research team formed under this working group continues to document the diversity and seasonal activity of elm bark beetles throughout the country. In South Carolina, only Scolytus multistriatus occurs in the costal plains (trapping site at Florence, SC), whereas both S. multistriatus (94%) and S. quadrispinosus (6%) occur in the Upstate (trapping site at Clemson, SC). No banded elm bark beetle was detected in 2018 and 2019.   Objective 2: Pesticide technology development: Evaluate effectiveness of reduced–risk pesticides, biopesticides, new and novel chemistries, and application technologies for control of key disease and arthropod pests of landscapes, nurseries, and Christmas trees   Research team at Clemson University had conducted 20 trials in 2018-2019 to evaluate the efficacy of novel and reduced-risk insecticides and miticides (afidopyropen, alpha-cypermethrin, BCS-507, chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, cyclaniliprole, flonicamid, fluopyram, flupyradifurone, indoxacarb, ISM-555) and biopesticides (Beauveria bassiana) against ambrosia beetle, sweetpotato whitefly, western flower thrips, potato aphid, melon aphid, green peach aphid, longtailed mealybug, citrus mealybug, Rhodesgrass mealybug, European pepper moth, redheaded flea beetle, twospotted spider mite, bermudagrass mite, billbug, southern chinch bug and mole cricket.   Objective 3: Pesticide alternatives: develop management strategies for key pests based on classical biological control, host plant resistance and cultural control   A MS student project has been initiated to investigate the compatibility between chordotonal organ TRPV channel modulator insecticides (IRAC Group 9) and the minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus. The project will investigate the mortality and sublethal effects (fecundity and predation efficacy) of Orius when the predators are exposed to insecticides or their residue directly (through immersion and forced hydration bioassays) and indirectly (through residual toxicity bioassays). Results and implications of this project will become available in 2020.   Objective 4: Technology transfer: Develop and deliver science-based educational materials focused on management of key pests through outlets such as mass media, publications and fact sheets, eXtension.org and social media   Team at Clemson University had provided 31 extension presentations and 2 webinars to audience in SC and throughout the country. In addition, 34 e-newsletters “PestTalks” (with about 22,000 subscriptions) and other extension bulletins had been published. The team conducted 17 site visits and provided 199 species identification and management recommendations.

Publications

Impact Statements

Washington: 1. Impact Nugget: A concise statement of advancements, accomplishments and impacts. Washington State University has identified a number of previously unreported diseases on peonies in the U.S., optimize the effectiveness of steaming treatments to eliminate Phytophthoras in soil, identified potential new high quality Christmas tree species. 2. Impact Statements. Postharvest disease management studies at Washington State University have quantified the effectiveness of 5-second postharvest flower bud dips in fungicides in reducing the development of Botrytis gray mold during storage and display of cut flowers. This disease can cause the complete destruction of stored flower. Based on the trial results, a registrant (Syngenta) applied for a special local needs registration for the use of Medallion as a postharvest flower bud dip on peonies in AK, OR, and WA. The management of plant diseases is based on accurate disease diagnosis. A new ‘Grower’s Guide to the Most Common Diseases of Peony in the United States’ was developed. This guide will increase diagnostician’s and grower’s ability to accurately identify diseases, which will improve disease management programs. Nebraska: 1. Impact Nugget: The causal agents of two new and devastating tree diseases were identified through inoculation trials involving more than 700 trees and 20 fungal species. The causal agent of Western Hemlock branch dieback and mortality is a new fungal species of Pezicula. The causal agent of the lethal Aspen running canker is a new fungal species of Delphinella. 1. Impact Statements. Forest surveys by air and ground truthing have been completed in 2019 for assessing the impact and extent of the Aspen running canker disease and the western hemlock branch dieback and mortality. New technology in plant disease diagnosis including capture of microbiome DNA of diseased and healthy tissues in the field and using metabarcoding of the microbiomes in diagnosis of unknown causal agents of disease, have been transferred to US Forest Service practice. Permanent plots on Aspen running canker were established along the Yukon river using boats and drones to characterize the forest stands. The plots will become part of the long-term forest health monitoring collaboration with the Bonanza Creek Long Term Ecological Research program. Predictive models of radial growth of native trees in response to climate parameters have been developed using multiple regression and response function mathematics for native trees across Nebraska’s east-to-west moisture gradient. Indiana (Purdue): Purdue Landscape Report Last year, the green industry working group launched a new blog called the Purdue Landscape Report. This report comes out twice each month with reports written by our team of plant pathologists, entomologists and horticulturalists. It was designed to be optimized for finding with search engines and for sharing via social media. With 3500 subscribers we had > 155,000 page visits, 205,000 unique views with a residency time of 12.5 minutes. Our design for sharing was highly successful with > 43% of all visits the result of referrals, (37% from facebook alone). South Carolina (Clemson): Impact Nugget 2019 saw research team at Clemson University reporting on the first detection of crape myrtle bark scale in South Carolina, as well as developing monitoring (e.g., degree-day model) and management tools (e.g., more effective use of insecticides) against various arthropod pests in the greenhouses, nurseries and landscapes to reduce pest management cost and crop losses of growers and landscape care professionals. Impact statement Myriad of arthropod pests attack ornamental plants and turfgrass grown in nurseries and landscapes, among which, flea beetles, scarab beetles, scale insects, whiteflies, thrips, aphids and spider mites are the most commonly encountered and damaging. Degree-day model od redheaded flea beetle developed under this project allows growers to better time the application of insecticides, thus reducing costs and risks to workers and the environment. Additional novel products, active ingredients and biopesticides evaluated by this program provided a greater range of options for managing important arthropod pests and formed the basis for developing an IPM program that truly integrates reduced-risk insecticides, biopesticides and biological control. The information generated by this project is provided to the stakeholders via publications (both peer-reviewed and layman), presentations and training programs. Ohio 1. Impact Nugget • Ohio State University has shown that IR spectroscopy can be used to phenotype trees for resistance to fungal pathogens. • Ohio State University is playing a key role in finding the causal agent of beech leaf disease. 2. Impact Statements. Objective 1, New and emerging pests (including invasive species and climate change-induced range expansion): Investigate detection methods, biology, and management of new and emerging pests. • Ohio State University has continued work aimed at diagnosing beech leaf disease, a new disease of unknown etiology that, after being detected first in 2012 in NE Ohio, is now affecting forest areas in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York State, and Ontario, Canada. Objective 2, Pesticide technology development: Evaluate effectiveness of reduced-risk pesticides, biopesticides, new and novel chemistries, and application technologies for control of key disease and arthropod pests of landscapes, nurseries, and Christmas trees. Objective 3, Pesticide alternatives: Develop management strategies for key pests based on classical biological control (i.e., predators and parasitoids), host plant resistance, and cultural control. • Ohio State University’s work on phenotyping trees for resistance in a non-destructive manner will open up unprecedented approaches to tree selection and breeding. Objective 4, Technology transfer: Develop and deliver science-based educational materials focused on management of key pests through outlets such as mass media, publications and fact sheets, eXtension.org and social media. • Ohio State University delivered several talks on the beech leaf disease problem and our approach to diagnosing it. • Ohio State University is collaborating with private tree breeders and government agencies in the United Kingdom, as well as an NGO in Switzerland, to bring the phenotyping techniques they have developed to fruition to screen for resistant trees in a variety of pathosystems, including ash dieback and Dothistroma needlecast of Scots pine. Delaware: Impact Nugget: The Diagnostic clinic at the University of Delaware is a valuable contributing member to the National Plant Diagnostic Network and a valuable resource to agronomists and green industry professionals in SE Pennsylvania and the Delmarva peninsula. This year’s research projects found possible management options for root mealybugs using Beauveria bassianna or the entompathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae. Diamide insecticides may provide some control of redheaded flea beetles if applied before adult feeding begins or if adults are observed after initial feeding for possible delayed death. Spotted lanternfly populations quarantine areas are increasing in New Castle county. Impact statement University of Delaware and University of Maryland have cooperated on research projects focused on root feeding mealybugs or aphids that attack plants grown in nurseries for green roof systems. Green roof systems are roofs that have incorporated plant material onto their roof to reduce energy costs. Management options for plants grown in these locations are extremely limited. Root feeding insects are often a very difficult group of insect pests to control with insecticides. One of our trials focused on the use of entomopathogenic nematodes, growing location and entomopathogenic fungi to control this pest. Non-neonicotinoid insecticides were also examined as a possible management tool. We found the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassianna can significantly reduce root mealybug populations on Sedum grown in plug trays in a hoop house. We also found some non-neonicotinoid insecticides that significantly reduced populations. We conducted a workshop where we shared this information.

Date of Annual Report: 02/16/2021

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 12/15/2020 - 12/15/2020
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2020 - 12/15/2020

Participants

Bonello, Pierluigi (Enrico, bonello.2@osu.edu) - The Ohio State University; Kunkel, Brian (bakunkel@udel.edu) - University of Delaware; Campoverde, Vanessa (evcampoverde@ufl.edu) - University of Florida/IFAS Extension in Miami-Dade County; Chong, J.H. (juanghc@clemson.edu) - Clemson; Pollok, Jill (jillp@udel.edu) - University of Delaware; Beckerman, Janna (jbeckerm@purdue.edu) - Purdue University; Sadof, Clifford (csadof@purdue.edu) - Purdue University; Adams, Gerald (gadams3@unl.edu) – University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Krischik, Vera (krisc001@maroon.tc.umn.edu) – University of Minnesota; Smitly, David (smitley@msu.edu) – Michigan State University; Frank, Steve (sdfrank@ncsu.edu) – North Carolina State University; Chastagner, Gary (chastag@wsu.edu) – Washington State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

The previous year provided unprecedented challenges to green industry professionals and university personnel throughout the country. Many of the challenges were addressed as best as possible through new practices such as social distance priorities, few (if any) in-person interactions, and increased importance of using technology in delivering outputs to stakeholders. A primary use of technology this year was remote learning through Zoom or similar software for workshops, meetings, or other events. Our meeting was supposed to occur between 10 – 15 December 2020; however, due to scheduling, technical difficulties, and other issues we were unable to find a time that synced well for everyone. Some members that had planned to attend the in-person meeting sent state reports they had prepared and are shared in the rest of this report.

Accomplishments

Short-term outcomes:  Members of the group were productive during 2020 despite challenges presented by the pandemic.  Most of the short-term outcomes reflect the adoption and use of social media or conferencing software packages. <ul> <li>Social media was used by most universities to inform stakeholders of upcoming pest issues of concern. Twitter, blogs, Instagram, and podcasts were used to disseminate knowledge about new invasive pests, upcoming workshops, and management strategies for economically important pests.  For example, the University of Florida used Twitter to send out “Pest-Alerts” to stake-holders.  These alerts increased stakeholder learning and reduced costs for managing some pests.</li> <li>Zoom or similar software was heavily used to conduct workshops or collaborative meetings. For example, Purdue University provided bi-weekly outreach programs and the University of Delaware conducted identification workshops with stakeholders.</li> </ul> Output:  The group was able to maintain dynamic research programs despite pandemic challenges throughout the year.  The group contributed to understanding of the biology and management of insect and disease pests which is reflected in the publication record included with this report.  Objective 1:  New & Emerging Pests <ul> <li>Research led by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found the cause of Aspen running canker – a fungus called Neodothiora populina.</li> <li>Research results have been shared with stakeholders in each state via trade journals, webinars, workshops and weekly to bi-weekly newsletters (depending on state). For example, Purdue University was awarded 2020 Outstanding Educational Materials Award by The American Society for Horticultural Science – Extension Division for their bi-weekly blog and newsletter.</li> <li>A collaborative multi-state research team formed under this working group continues to document the diversity and seasonal activity of elm bark beetles in South Carolina. Only Scolytus multistriatus and quadrispinosus occur in the coastal plain and piedmont regions of South Carolina. No banded elm bark beetle, which is the target of this surveying effort, was detected in 2018 through 2020.</li> <li>A paper has been published on the most diagnosed scale insect species in the United States. The paper was developed based on a survey of all diagnosis records deposited at the National Plant Diagnosis Network database, and listed the top armored scale, soft scale, mealybug, and other scale insect species most diagnosed by diagnosticians. This resource will help guide the development of resources to assists nursery growers, landscape care professionals, arborists, diagnosticians, extension agents, and other in identifying, understanding, and managing scale insects on ornamental plants.</li> <li>Early detection of plant diseases, prior to symptom development, can allow for targeted and more proactive disease management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with machine learning for early detection of rice sheath blight (ShB), caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. We collected NIR spectra from leaves of ShB-susceptible rice (Oryza sativa ) cultivar, Lemont, growing in a growth chamber one day following inoculation with R. solani, and prior to the development of any disease symptoms. Support vector machine (SVM) and random forest, two machine learning algorithms, were used to build and evaluate the accuracy of supervised classification-based disease predictive models. Sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis was used to confirm the results. The most accurate model was SVM-based and had an overall testing accuracy of 86.1% (N = 72) when mock-inoculated and inoculated plants were compared; whereas, when control, mock-inoculated, and inoculated plants were compared the most accurate SVM model had an overall testing accuracy of 73.3% (N = 105). These results suggest that machine learning models could be developed into tools to diagnose infected but asymptomatic plants based on spectral profiles at early stages of disease development. While testing and validation in field trials are still needed, this technique holds promise for application in the field for disease diagnosis and management.</li> <li>Maintenance and restoration of forest ecosystems will be key to achieving necessary carbon sequestration goals, protecting biodiversity, and supporting healthy economies and societies. Forest ecosystems are increasingly threatened by non-native forest insects and pathogens. A portion of these pests can overcome prevention and containment efforts and become established in naïve ecosystems. Once established these pests pose a long-term large-scale threat to forest ecosystems, which current policy and response frameworks are poorly equipped to address. We propose the creation of a federal Center for Forest Pest Control and Prevention to implement end-to-end responses to forest pest invasions using an ecologically informed framework that fully integrates host tree resistance development and deployment.</li> <li>European ash is a significant tree commercially, ecologically, and culturally. It is currently threatened by two invasive species, the fungus that causes ash dieback and the emerald ash borer (EAB) beetle. We showed that saplings of European ash are much less susceptible to EAB than black ash, which has suffered severe damage in North America, but have similar resistance to Manchurian ash, which coexists with EAB in East Asia. Selecting ash with stronger resistance to dieback is unlikely to decrease its resistance to EAB. As we do not know what the combined effect of ash dieback and EAB will be on European ash, biosecurity measures are needed to exclude EAB from Western Europe.</li> <li>Plant interactions with herbivores and pathogens are among the most widespread ecological relationships and show many congruent properties. Despite these similarities, general models describing how plant defenses function in ecosystems, and the prioritization of responses to emerging challenges such as climate change, invasive species, and habitat alteration, often differ markedly between entomologists and plant pathologists. We posit that some fundamental distinctions between how insects and pathogens interact with plants underlie these differences. We propose a conceptual framework to help incorporate these distinctions into robust models and research priorities. The most salient distinctions include features of host-searching behavior, evasion of plant defenses, plant tolerance to utilization, and sources of insect and microbial population regulation. Collectively, these features lead to relatively more diffuse and environmentally mediated plant–insect interactions, and more intimate and genetically driven plant–pathogen interactions. Specific features of insect vs pathogen life histories can also yield different patterns of spatiotemporal dynamics. These differences can become increasingly pronounced when scaling from controlled laboratory to open ecological systems. Integrating these differences alongside similarities can foster improved models and research approaches to plant defense, trophic interactions, coevolutionary dynamics, food security and resource management, and provide guidance as traditional departments increase collaborations, or merge into larger units.</li> </ul>   Objective II:  Pesticide technology development:  Evaluate effectiveness of reduced-risk pesticides, biopesticides, new and novel chemistries, and application of technologies for control of key disease and arthropod pests of landscapes, nurseries, and Christmas tree farms.   <ul> <li>The University of Delaware and Maryland collaborated on research projects focused on management of root aphids and root mealybugs using biological control, reduced-risk insecticides and biopesticides.</li> <li>Research trials led by Clemson evaluated reduced-risk insecticides, miticides, novel chemistries and biopesticides against sweet potato whitefly, western flower thrips, citrus mealybug, magnolia scale, redheaded flea beetle, rose rosette mites and two spotted spider mites which was then shared with green industry professionals via workshops and publications.</li> </ul> Activities:   <ul> <li>University laboratories (diagnostic clinics associated with National Plant Diagnostic Clinics) continue to provide diagnosis of various insect and disease samples.</li> <li>A MS student at Clemson has a project investigating the compatibility between chordotonal organ TRPV channel modulator insecticides (IRAC Group 9) and the minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus has been completed and thesis preparation is currently underway. This research team is also investigating the effectiveness of pre-planting cutting dip of different Beauveria bassiana products against sweetpotato whiteflies on poinsettias, and the compatibility of these products with fungicides used during cutting propagation and rooting.</li> <li>A collaborative project between the Mosquito Control Association and University of Delaware is investigating the impacts of barrier sprays on non-target arthropods.</li> </ul> Milestones:   <ul> <li>Members of the group continue to develop novel ways to detect diseases and disease resistance in trees which opens new avenues to plant breeding and disease management.</li> <li>Members continue to investigate the biology of new invasive pests, evaluate new management tools or products, and educate green industry professionals.</li> <li>Members continue to build collaborative networks addressing important pests between industry professionals, growers and research laboratories at universities.</li> <li>Members continue to publish research results in trade or peer-reviewed journals and share information with stakeholders via workshops, conference networking software, and social media.</li> </ul>

Publications

Adams, G. and L. Winton.  2020.  Aspen running canker.  <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r10/forest-grasslandhealth/?cid=FSEPRD536250&width=full#AlaskaForestHealth">https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r10/forest-grasslandhealth/?cid=FSEPRD536250&width=full#AlaskaForestHealth</a> Bonello P, Campbell FT, Cipollini D, Conrad AO, Farinas C, Gandhi KJ, Hain FP, Parry D, Showalter DN, Villari C and Wallin KF.  2020.  Invasive tree pests devastate ecosystems – A proposed new response framework.  Frontiers in Forests and Global Change - Pests, Pathogens, and Invasions – DOI: 10.3389/ffgc.2020.00002. Chong, J. H. 2020. These guys suck! pp. 6-7. In 2020 Grower Talks Insecticide, Miticide & Fungicide Guide. <a href="https://www.growertalks.com/pdf/2020_IMF_Guide.pdf">https://www.growertalks.com/pdf/2020_IMF_Guide.pdf</a> Chong, J. H. 2020. Soft scale crawlers, Bt and herbicide crop safety summaries. PestTalks 8 May 2020. Chong, J. H. 2020. Mites and bittercress; Grotto fungicide; adelgid-resistant hemlock. PestTalks 21 April 2020. Chong, J. H. 2020. What the … ?; Oxalis efficacy; Neonicotinoid reviews; Women rule over bugs. PestTalks 24 February 2020. Chong, J., H. 2020. Scale insect management. Eastern North Carolina Nursery IPM Workshop, Wilson, NC. Chong, J. H. 2020. Untangling the relationship among pollinators, flowering plants, and systemic insecticides. AFE Webinar. Conrad AO, Li W, Lee D-Y, Wang G-L, Rodriguez-Saona L, Bonello P (2020).  Machine learning-based presymptomatic detection of rice sheath blight using spectral profiles.  Plant Phenomics – DOI:10.34133/2020/8954085. Conrad AO, Villari C, Sherwood P, Bonello P (2020).  Phenotyping Austrian pine for resistance using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.  Arboriculture and Urban Forestry 46: 276–286. Chong, J. H. 2019. Nematodes vs flea beetles; Boxwood health workshop and hemp pesticides. 26 December 2019. Chong, J. H. 2019. Hungry, hungry caterpillars. GrowerTalks November 2019. https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=24398 Chong, J. H. 2019. What the … ?; Efficacy against scales and mealybugs, and Orkestra Intrinsic. PestTalks 8 November 2019. Gill, S., and B.A. Kunkel.  Management of Two Major Below Ground Feeding Plant Pests - Root Mealybug, Rhizoecus sp. and Root Aphid, Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis (Sasaki) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae and Aphididae) in nurseries (J Environmental Hort, in prep) Klingeman, W. E., J. H. Chong, C. Harmon, L. Ames, A. V. LeBude, and P. Chandran. 2020. Scale insect records from ornamental plants help to prioritize plant health resource development. Plant Health Progress 21: 278-287. Klingeman, W. E., J. H. Chong, C. Harmon, L. Ames, A. LeBude, P. Chandran. 2019. The most commonly diagnosed scale insects on ornamental plants in the United States. International Symposium on the Studies of Scale Insects (ISSIS). Raffa KF, Bonello P, Orrock JL (2020).  Why do entomologists and plant pathologists approach trophic relationships so differently?  Identifying biological distinctions to foster synthesis.  New Phytologist 225: 609-620. DOI: 10.1111/nph.16181. Showalter DN, Saville RJ, Orton ES, Buggs RJA, Bonello P, Brown JKM.  2020.  Resistance of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) saplings to larval feeding by the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Plants, People, Planet 2:41-46. DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.10077.   (Notable/relevant) Scientific and Outreach Oral Presentations: Chong, J. H. 2019. Comparison of chordotonal organ modulators for their efficacies against aphids on greenhouse ornamentals. Member Symposium: New Discoveries and Practical Approaches to Greenhouse Insect Management. Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Chong, J. H. 2019. Insect pest identification and management. UpState IPM Workshop, Spartanburg, SC. Chong, J. H. 2019. Challenges and progress in thrips management. ProFlora, Bogota, Colombia. Gill, S., and B.A. Kunkel.  2020.  Control of Root Mealybug and Root Aphid in Ornamental Plants in Greenhouse and High Tunnels.  Greenhouse Arthropod Management: Encompassing Past Experiences and Challenging Future Expectations (On Demand).  Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Kunkel, B.A. 2020.  Redheaded flea beetle: the native invasive.  North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Webinar Series Kunkel, B.A.  2020.  Wow!  These Suck! Options for Managing Scales.  Pen-Del Chapter International Society of Arboriculture Meeting, Lancaster, PA.

Impact Statements

• In 2019, the research team at Clemson University reported on the first detection of crape myrtle bark scale in South Carolina, as well as developed monitoring (e.g., degree-day model) and management tools (e.g., more effective use of insecticides) against various arthropod pests in the greenhouses, nurseries and landscapes which reduced pest management cost and crop losses of growers and landscape care professionals.