Annual/Termination Reports:

[03/05/2018] [06/25/2020] [12/14/2020] [11/19/2021] [04/28/2022]

Report Information

Participants

Norman Leppla, Lance Osborne, Carey Minteer, James Cuda, University of Florida; Jason Schmidt, University of Georgia; Gerome Grant, University of Tennessee; Martha Mutschler-Chu, Cornell University. Juang-Horng Chong, Clemson University

Brief Summary of Minutes

1. Regards from Saeid Mostaghimi, Administrative Advisor, Virginia Tech.
2. Minutes of 2017 meeting: Rodrigo offered to read the full minutes from the 2017 meeting. Carey made a motion that the reading of the minutes should be approved and submitted without reading, Jim seconded the motion. The motion passed.
3. Introductions: All attendees provided a short introduction about their involvement with the S1058 group.
4. Promote S1058: There was consensus that we need to bring more colleagues involved in biological control to the Annual Meeting. We need a clear guidance about how to join the group. Jim Cuda will send us a quick explanation about how to join the S1058 group. Norm Leppla suggested reaching faculty working on biological control of every state in our region. We need to include more students in our group meeting. Martha Mutschler-Chu suggested using ZoomMeeting as a platform to invite colleagues to give presentations. Norman Leppla suggested inviting colleagues in USDA, State Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Forestry. Norman Leppla and Lance Armstrong volunteered to write a short blurb to advertise the group.
5. Integration of other approaches: Martha Mutschler-Chu encouraged the group to integrate biological control with different approaches. Martha suggested thinking on systems and how to promote ‘Management Packages for Pests’, rather than individual pests. Martha suggested including plant resistance as part of the evaluation of biological control agents.
6. S1058 Governance: Jason Schmidt suggested the consideration of having a Vice President of group. Norm Leppla mentioned that we do have a Governance and Jason suggested this should be updated.
7. S1058 Meeting: Jason requested feedback about how to handle the meeting. Jim commented about having a 2h meeting and then the symposium. To increase participation and promote the group, Jason suggested having a mixer after our symposium. Members agreed and suggested several private companies that could be contacted for fundraising. Lance Osborne and JC will contact these companies.
8. S1058 Opportunities: Jim Cuda commented on multi-country opportunities as a way to promote our group. Jim mentioned his NSF grant application with South Africa as an example for weed biological control. Martha mentioned opportunities to integrate host plant resistance of tomato. Lance commented with Jason about opportunities with whiteflies and expand this work in Georgia. Jim and Rodrigo mentioned the opportunities to collaborate on the hydrilla midge and determine its distribution in Louisiana. Jason had an interest in the distribution of biological control agents in Georgia. Carey Minteer mentioned the air potato biological control program in Florida, and how this program has expanded to other states in the region.
9. S1058 Economic Impact: Participants commented on the need to quantify the economic impacts of the projects. We know biological control is reducing pest numbers but we need to do a much better job at putting dollars in these cost savings. Carey mentioned her collaboration with economists to quantify classical biological control programs in Florida. There was a consensus to bring an economist in the conversation to evaluate the impacts of our programs. Rodrigo suggested the work on the economic impact of the water hyacinth biological control program developed by the US Army Corp of Engineers.
10. S1058 Societal Impacts: Members commented on the issues with the public when working with biological control. Carey suggested bringing social scientists to our meetings. Lance offered to check with Dr. Hayak from University of Florida as a potential speaker. Lance suggested about doing a short video to promote the benefits of biological control to wider audiences.
11. S1058 Name: Jason suggested changing the name of the group to: “Biological of Weeds and Arthropods in the Southeast”. Everyone in attendance agreed.
12. Project Rewrite: Jason, Carey and Rodrigo coordinated and finished the rewrite. The rewrite is out for external review. The deadline is March 9th to get back the revisions.
13. Meeting adjourned: No other business was discussed. James Cuda moved to adjourn the meeting at 15:30. Seconded by Carey Minteer. Motion passed.

 

Symposium: Biocontrol in the Southeast--From Weeds to Arthropod Pests.

Tuesday, Monday 5th, 2018. Cypress ABC, Doubletree Hilton at SeaWorld.

Moderator and Organizers: Jason Schmidt, Univ. of Georgia, Tifton, GA; Rodrigo Diaz, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA; Emma Weeks, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL and Carey Minteer, Univ. of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL.

Schedule:

10:30 Welcoming Remarks

10:35 AM 47 Diversity of biological control challenges and systems in the southeast. Jason Schmidt (jschmid2@uga.edu), Univ. of Georgia, Tifton, GA

10:53 AM 48 Air potato patrol, Outreaching for data. Christopher Kerr (christopher.kerr@ freshfromflorida.com)1 and William Lester2 , 1 Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Gainesville, FL, 2 Univ. of Florida IFAS Extension, Brooksville, FL.

11:11 AM 49 Orseolia javanica (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a candidate biological control agent for the invasive cogongrass Imperata cylindrica. James Cuda (jcuda@ufl.edu), Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

11:29 AM 50 Phragmites die-offs in Louisiana: Role of exotic scale and opportunities for biological control. Rodrigo Diaz (rdiaz@agcenter.lsu.edu), Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA.

11:47 AM 51 Update on the progress of the Brazilian peppertree biological control program in Florida. Patricia Prade (patriciaprade@gmail.com)1 , Carey Minteer2 and James Cuda1 , 1 Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2 Univ. of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL.

12:05 PM 52 Mass rearing of the hydrilla tip mining midge Cricotopus lebetis: challenges and solutions. Emma Weeks1 , Rachel Watson (rwatson25@ ufl.edu)1 , Courtney Stachowiak1 , Andriana Mitchell1 , Eutychus M. Kariuki2 , Nicole Miller1 , Alissa Marie Berro1 and James Cuda1 , 1 Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2 Florida A&M Univ., Tallahassee, FL.

12:23 Break
1:23 PM 53 Foraging depth of Cricotopus lebetis Sublette larvae. Eutychus M. Kariuki (eutychus1.kariuki@famu. edu)1 , James Cuda2 , Stephen Hight3 , Raymond L. Hix1 , Jennifer Gillett-Kaufman2 and Lyn Gettys4 , 1 Florida A&M Univ., Tallahassee, FL, 2 Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 3 USDA - ARS, Tallahassee, FL, 4 Univ. of Florida, Davie, FL.

1:41 PM 54 Impact of roadside mowing on spotted knapweed and its biological control agent, Larinus minutus. Beth Ferguson (mef005@email.uark.edu) and Robert N. Wiedenmann, Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.

1:59 PM 55 Environmental drivers of natural enemy diversity and pest suppression. Carmen K. Blubaugh (carmen.blubaugh@wsu. edu) and William E Snyder, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA.

2:17 PM 56 Potential for acylsugar-mediated control of important insect vectors/viruses in tomato. Martha Mutschler-Chu (mam13@cornell.edu)1 , John Smeda1 , Diane E. Ullman2 , Sulley Beh Mahmoud2 and George G. Kennedy3 , 1 Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY, 2 Univ. of California - Davis, Davis, CA, 3 North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC.

2:35 PM 57 Predator-in-first for commercial bell pepper field production. Cindy McKenzie (cindy.mckenzie@ars.usda. gov)1 , Vivek Kumar2 and Lance Osborne2 , 1 USDA - ARS, Fort Pierce, FL, 2 Univ. of Florida, Apopka, FL.

2:53 PM 58 Comparing predation potential of Delphastus beetles against B and Q whitefly. Vivek Kumar (vivekiari@ufl.edu)1 , Cindy McKenzie2 and Lance Osborne1 , 1 Univ. of Florida, Apopka, FL, 2 USDA - ARS, Fort Pierce, FL.

3:11 PM 59 Trap crops for attracting the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and its natural enemies. Alexander Gannon (agannon@ufl.edu) and Norman Leppla, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

3:29 PM 60 Augmentative biological control of whiteflies in tomato with predaceous plant bugs. Philip A. Stansly (pstansly@ufl.edu), Univ. of Florida, Immokalee, FL. (WITHDRAWN)

3:47 PM 61 Untangling the effects of predator releases and transient natural enemies on pest populations in strawberry high tunnels in Mississippi. Eric Riddick (eric.riddick@ars.usda.gov), USDA - ARS, Stoneville, MS.

4:05 PM 62 Landscape and host plant effects on two important omnivorous arthropod taxa in field crops. Dawn Olson (dawn.olson@ars.usda.gov)1 , Adam Zeilinger2 , Kristina Prescott3 , Alisa Coffin1 , John Ruberson4 and David A. Andow3 , 1 USDA - ARS, Tifton, GA, 2 Univ. of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 3 Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 4 Kansas State Univ., Manhattan, KS

 

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Rodrigo Diaz from LSU;
Jose Carlos Verle Rodrigues from University of Puerto Rico,
Martha A. Mutschler-Chu from Cornell University,
James Cuda from University of Florida,
Michael Grodowitz from USDA-ARS,
Jemore Grant from University of Tennessee,
Kristopher Giles from Oklahoma State University,
C Chong from Clemson,
Norm Leppla and Oscar Liburd from University of Florida,
Carmen Blubaugh from Clemson,
Jason Schmidt from UGA.

Brief Summary of Minutes

 

1. Welcome remarks from Oscar Liburd, President of ESA-SEB.


2. Call to Order: Jason explained the purpose of S1073 group.


3. Introductions: Everyone in attendance introduced themselves.


4. Minutes of 2018 meeting: Jason offered to read the full minutes from the 2018 meeting. Rodrigo made a motion that the reading of the minutes should be approved and submitted without reading Martha seconded the motion. The motion passed.


5. Membership: Jason encouraged everyone to bring more participants to the group. Jason mentioned that the report to the Hatch project might be different for each university.


6. Proposed Mission/Impact Statement of the Group: Jason highlighted the importance of developing an Impact Statement (IS). The IS can include examples of successful programs at the local and multistate levels. Jim Cuda mentioned some examples of templates. Kristopher Giles could provide with examples too. We need to contact our administrator for advice and recommendations. Carmen Blubaugh prepared the following statement during the business meeting: “The S1073 groups meets periodically to catalyze and synergize regional efforts to develop and implement successful biological control program in the Southeastern United States. Our network spans natural systems to agriculture, and we aim to bridge gaps between diverse disciplines to promote stable and resilient communities of natural enemies that limit damage inflicted by weed and arthropod pests.”


7. Logo of the S1073 group: Jason suggested having a group logo will help with communications and promotion of the group. Jose Verle volunteered a person from University of Puerto Rico. Any ideas for this logo should be sent to Jason Schmidt. Ideas included ‘interactions’. Once we have the Mission Statement finalized, this can be used to develop the logo.


8. Annual Reports: Participants were motivated to see Jim Cuda’s report. We need to check NIMSS page and determine the categories. Check space provided and structure, then this will be easy to assemble and upload.


9. General Discussion: Norm Leppla suggested why our group is important, especially the interaction among members. The new SSARE project funded of Jason and Martha was mentioned as an example of a successful synergy among members. Martha mentioned the importance of inviting people from other disciplines to join the group. Jim Cuda encouraged to read a publication about ‘what happened to IPM’. The conversation continued about how to incorporate other management strategies including host plant resistance in an IPM program. Jerome suggested to highlight the impact of each member.


10. Next meeting location: There was a suggestion to expand the time of the business meeting, ask for 2 h at least. The current arrangement of 2 h business meeting and 4h symposium seems to work. Jason asked for volunteers to prepare talks for the next meeting. Jim Cuda will give the first talk on the basics of biological control.


11. Officer nominations and elections: Martha proposed that the officers will remain the same for the next year. Nomination passed. Jason Schmidt and Rodrigo Diaz will remain as chair and secretary of the group respectively.  


12. Reports and participation: We need to reach out to other states to get reports. Jason needs help with contacts in Texas. Norm Leppla suggested doing a Virtual Meeting to increase participation. In addition, we need to invite a representative of the Federal Government, we need to contact our Administrator, Robert Nowierski. We need to work to bring our Administrator to our meetings.


13. Ideas for next Symposium: We need an Ag Economist to give a talk on how to do an economic impact of a biological control program. Rodrigo will invite Dr. Jerrod Penn from LSU. Invite Robert Nowierski. There as a panel discussion about ‘what is biological control’, several ideas were proposed as talks for the symposium.


14. Meeting adjourned: No other business was discussed. Jose Verle moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:45. Seconded by James Cuda. Motion passed.

Accomplishments

<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Symposium</span></strong></p><br /> <p>Tuesday, March 05, 2019. Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel - Schooner Suite</p><br /> <p>1) Introductory Remarks-Jason Schmidt/Rodrigo Diaz</p><br /> <p>2) Biological control of weeds updates from Florida. Eutychus M. Kariuki and Carey Minteer, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL</p><br /> <p>3) Biological control of Brazilian peppertree in Florida. Patricia Prade1, Carey Minteer1 and James Cuda2, 1University of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL, 2University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.</p><br /> <p>4) Biological control of air potato in Louisiana: Will augmentation be needed for success? Veronica Manrique1 and Rodrigo Diaz2, 1University of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL, 2Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.</p><br /> <p>5) The impact of the plant fungal pathogen, SPFG, on Cyrtobagous salviniae (Calder &amp; Sands) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a biological control agent of Salvinia molesta. Michael Grodowitz1, Brad Elliott1 and Rodrigo Diaz2, 1USDA - ARS, Stoneville, MS, 2Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA</p><br /> <p>6) Improving biological control of giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) under climate extremes. Rodrigo Diaz and Lori Moshman, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA</p><br /> <p>7) Biocontrol food webs in GA commodities: A molecular approach. Jason Schmidt1, Carson Bowers1, Ashfaq Sial2, Michael Toews1 and Dawn Olson3, 1University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, 2University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 3USDA - ARS, Tifton, GA</p><br /> <p>8) Potential utilization of Stethorus punctillum to control Tetranychus cinnabarinus on strawberry in greenhouses and high tunnels. Eric Riddick, USDA - ARS, Stoneville, MS.</p><br /> <p>9) Managing Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) using predators and parasitoids in commercial citrus production systems. Jawwad Qureshi, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL</p><br /> <p>10 ) Leveraging entomopathogenic nematode movement for improved biological control. Camila Oliveira-Hofman1, Shaohui Wu2, Fatma Kaplan3, Edwin Lewis4, Paul Schliekelman5 and David Shapiro-Ilan1, 1USDA - ARS, Byron, GA, 2University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, 3Pheronym, Inc., Gainesville, FL, 4University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 5University of Georgia, Athens, GA.</p><br /> <p>11) Greenhouse evaluation of the compatibility of cyflumetofen with Amblysieus swirskii and Phytosieulus persimilis. Juang-Horng Chong, Clemson University, Clemson, SC</p><br /> <p>12) Risks and benefits of weed diversity for conservation biological control of crop pests</p><br /> <p>Carmen Blubaugh and Melina Madden, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.</p><br /> <p>13) Ephestia kuehniella larval diets affect the quality of host eggs and Trichogramma brassicae. Yasaman Moghaddasi1, Norman Leppla1, Paul Shirk2 and Alexander Gannon1, 1University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2USDA - ARS, Gainesville, FL.</p><br /> <p>14) Do Acylsugars affect impact biocontrol insects as well as plant pests? Martha A. Mutschler and John Smeda, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.</p><br /> <p>15) Concluding Remarks</p>

Publications

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Rodrigo Diaz from LSU; Martha A. Mutschler-Chu from Cornell University; Jerome Grant from University of Tennessee; Kristopher Giles from Oklahoma State University; JC Chong from Clemson; Norm Leppla, Lance Osborne, Tolulope Morawo, Jim Cuda, Sriyanka Lahiri and Oscar Liburd from University of Florida; and Jason Schmidt and Angelita Acebes, William Snyder from UGA; Steve Frank from NC State University; Juan Chong from South Carolina.

Brief Summary of Minutes

S1073 Annual Meeting and Symposium– Virtual Meeting

The business meeting was on Tuesday September 29, 2020. The organizers of the symposium were the chair of the group Dr. Jason Schmidt from University of Georgia and the secretary of group Dr. Rodrigo Diaz from LSU. The talks were given by members of the group.

Business Meeting

Attendance: Rodrigo Diaz from LSU; Martha A. Mutschler-Chu from Cornell University; Jerome Grant from University of Tennessee; Kristopher Giles from Oklahoma State University; JC Chong from Clemson; Norm Leppla, Lance Osborne, Tolulope Morawo, Jim Cuda, Sriyanka Lahiri and Oscar Liburd from University of Florida; and Jason Schmidt and Angelita Acebes, William Snyder from UGA; Steve Frank from NC State University; Juan Chong from South Carolina.

1. Jason gave an update on the joint meeting that was planned for Puerto Rico.


2. New participants should consult with their offices of Sponsored Programs or Associate Deans.


3. Jason mentioned we should encourage new faculty members to join our multistate group. Postdoctoral associates will benefit specially from our group.


4. Jason asked members to nominate and vote my email for the chair and secretary of the group.


5. The annual report is due on November 1^st, 2020.


6. We need to add the Impact Statement to our Program.


7. Minutes of 2019 meeting: Rodrigo offered to read the full minutes from the 2019 meeting. Jason made a motion to read the minutes. Jim Cuda seconded the motion. The motion passed. Rodrigo read the minutes.


8. Membership to the S1073 group: Jerome Grant questioned what requirements exist to remain in the group considering the lack of participation, for example Pollinators. Can we remove people if project reports are not submitted? Jim Cuda mentioned the chair of S1073 should request reports to all participants. Steven Frank and JC suggested we should invite more people to join our group.


9. Introductions: Each participant shared a quick introduction.

 

State Updates included presentations by participants

1. JChong presented on TRPV channels modulators of Orius insidiosus.


2. James Cuda presented on updates from Florida.


3. Rodrigo Diaz provided updates from Louisiana.


4. Steven Frank spoke about urban pest program.


5. Kristopher Giles gave an update from Oklahoma.


6. Jerome Grant gave update from Tennessee.


7. Jason Schmidt gave updates from Georgia.

Presentation from Saied Mostaghimi

Saied mentioned the benefits of joining this multistate program. Mentioned the importance of graduate students involvement and multidisciplinary research. Saied emphasized that we need to mention the impact of our products. We need to be more diligent with reports, and focus on the goals and objectives of the project.

Saied mentioned the Excellence Awards. We need to apply for this, early in 2021. The award is around $10,000 to $15,000 and is given to the group.

Presentation by Robert Nowierski

Robert gave updates on the government shutdown and contingency resolution. Robert mentioned that there are several RFA available on biological control, including CPPM, section A112 and A113.

Meeting adjourned: No other business was discussed. James Cuda moved to adjourn the meeting at 2:45 pm. Seconded by Jason Schmidt. Motion passed.

Voting for officer positions was conducted via email voting.

Chair of group will be 2020-2021: Carey Minter – University of Florida - c.minteerkillian@ufl.edu

Secretary of group will be 2020-2021: Kris Giles – Oklahoma State University - kris.giles@okstate.edu

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Participants

Adam Dale, Jillian Rutkowski, Jillian Skairus, Janna Josafat, Ike Irvin, Gabrielle Cintron, Oscar E. Liburd, Lorena Lopez, Lance Osborne, Erich Schoeller, Daniel Carrillo, Liliana Maria Cano, Sriyanka Lahiri, Carey Minteer; Cindy McKenzie (USDA, ARS); Dan Gilrein,(Cornell); Nancy Rechcigl, (Syngenta); Katelyn Venner (BASF); Sheryl Wells (Bayer CropScience); Matthew Weaver (Intelligro); Mark Brotherton (SePRO); Purnama Hidayat, Izza Putri, Redani Dinata, Dedi Huteapea (Bogor Agricultural University); Jesusa C. Legapsi, R. Meagher (USDA, ARS-CMAVE); M. Haseeb, L. Kanga, A. Bolques, C. Okoroji, W. Diedrick, J. Perier (FAMU); P. Wu, R. Zhang (Univ. of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China); W. Tavares, A. de Castro, J. C. Zanuncio (Universidade Federal de Vicosa, Brazil); D. Amalin (De La Salle Univ., Philippines); X. Zhao, N. Dufault, Z. Gao, A. Hodges, K. Sattano, M. Swisher (Univ. of FL); J. Diaz -Perez, T. Coolong (Univ. of GA)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes from Meeting: S1073: September 7, 2021.
Chair: Carey Minteer Secretary: Kristopher Giles

Participants meet online from 10-11:30am (Zoom) as an annual requirement of the multi-state working group and addressed each item on the agenda.

Brief notes for each item are summarized below.

*Participants discussed the success of the 2021 S1073 symposium affiliated with the online ESA SEB meeting. Online participation exceeded 90 viewers at different stages of the symposium. The symposium Potential for Multistate Collaborations in Biological Control: Moving Forward Together was developed in an effort to stimulate ideas for future projects among participants. Participants agreed that future symposiums affiliated with the SEB, but also available online for other regions, remains an excellent opportunity to highlight project accomplishments.

*New participants were introduced, as well as non-formal participants.

*State reports were provided prior to the meeting and several participants discussed projects that could be highlighted for the group. The chair referred to the combined state reports (Attached) for any questions and encouraged follow up interactions.

*Administrative Advisor Dr. Saied Mostaghimi discussed the need for the group to develop impact statements, similar to other working groups, in an effort to highlight accomplishments. Example impact statements were discussed, and the incoming chair and newly elected secretary will establish a committee during 2022 to develop a document to highlight project impacts. Dr. Mostaghimi also suggested that the group develop priorities associated with potential future funding opportunities, particularly those associated with the potential infrastructure bill. Participants discussed several topics, and collectively identified the topic of climate change and biological control. This topic will be the focus of the S1073 2022 symposium. The symposium will be designed to highlight research on the topic and stimulate collaboration among participants.

*Participants agreed to return to meeting in person in 2022, but also provide online access to interested colleagues from outside the region. The official S1073 meeting and symposium will be held concurrently with the ESA-SEB meeting in San Juan Puerto Rico (March 26-30). State reports will be due in February 2022.

*Steve Frank was nominated as upcoming secretary, and unanimously elected among voting participants.

*No new business was discussed and the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Adam Dale, Carey Minteer, James Cuda, Lance Osborne, Muhammad Ahmed, Norm Leppla, Pasco Avery, Phil Hahn, Sryanka Lahiri

Brief Summary of Minutes

S1073: Biological Control of Arthropod Pests and Weeds
Meeting on March 28, 2022 from 5-6 pm AST (4-5 pm EST)

MEETING AGENDA

I. Welcome and call to order

II. 2022 Symposium notice:
Climate Change and Biological Control: S1073 Project Highlights
Session Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Session Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM AST
Location: Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, Bahia 2

III. New member introductions

IV. State reports- highlights and discussion

V. Words from our Administrative Advisor: Dr. Saied Mostaghimi

VI. Impact Statements
a) Form committee 2-3 ppl

VII. Spring meetings and reports for the group going forward
a) Meeting 2023 SEB Meeting (March 12-15, Little Rock, AR)
b) State reports (accomplishments 2022, plans for 2023)- due late February 2023

VIII. Nominations: New secretary 2023

IX. Other business
Upcoming project re-write

X. Adjournment

 

MEETING MINUTES:

Welcome and call to order.

New member introductions: None

State reports: State reports were collected by email by Kris Giles and Steve Frank. The complied reports were sent via email to all members prior to the meeting for review and discussion. Members were encouraged during the meeting to send any updates asap. The final version is due in 30 days and will be prepared by Steven Frank, NCSU, the incoming president.

Admin Perspective: Notes from our administrator, Dr. Saied Mostaghimi, were provided to Kris Giles by email and relayed to participants during the meeting. Key points include:
1. New project is required. Steve Frank and the committee to conduct a rewrite.
2. Impact statement needs to be written. Perhaps also by committee.
3. Consider interdisciplinary proposals.
4. Final report to be submitted in 30 days.
Kris Giles requests ideas for potential projects, especially interdisciplinary projects in response to Dr. Mostaghimi’s suggestions:
JC Chong (Clemson) suggested proposals related to invasive species since there is no unifying commodity among group members. Group members work on biological control broadly in many different crop and landscape systems. Norm Lepla encouraged members to make reports as detailed as possible to help people find areas for collaboration.

2023 Meeting:
The 2023 meeting will most likely be held at the ESA SE Branch in Little Rock, Arkansas based on participant feedback. This will conserve travel resources and time by not planning a separate meeting. We will plan a symposium around unifying themes among members and their research. Participants encouraged general themes for the symposium topic to encourage new members and to encourage people to think outside the box and conceptualize their work in new ways and in line with new trends. Topics suggested include: Climate change, urbanization, and Invasive species.

Elections: Adam Dale (UF) was nominated and elected unanimously as secretary.

Other business: Money from an old SE biocontrol working group was discovered in a desk drawer and needs to be spent. $3200. Jerome Grant brought this topic to our attention and asked for suggestions on how to use it.

Accomplishments

<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>ACCOMPLISHMENTS</strong></span></p><br /> <p><strong>To discover, assess, and release new biological control agents</strong><br />Earleaf acacia. Acacia auriculiformis, is a fast-growing, evergreen tree from Australia that was purposefully introduced into the United States as an ornamental plant at the turn of the 20th century. It is now listed as a Category I plant on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's 2019 List of Invasive Species. Currently, 89 arthropod species that feed on earleaf acacia in its native range have been found. Several of those arthropods have the potential to be host specific and damaging to the weed. Two of those species, Calomela intemerata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Trichilogaster sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), has been introduced into containment labs in Florida for study. So far, C. intemerata has been tested on over 40 species of native plants and remains host specific to A. auriculiformis. Trichilogaster sp. nov. colonies have been established in containment labs in Florida. Host range testing will begin as soon as colonies are large enough to facilitate testing.</p><br /> <p><strong>To characterize and evaluate the impact of native and introduced biocontrol agents</strong></p><br /> <p><em>Strawberries</em>. Commercially available biological control agents such as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and fungi (EPFs), as well as predatory mites were evaluated for chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis management in organic strawberries in a field study. Specifically, EPNs Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, EPF Beauveria bassiana and Isaria fumosoroseus Apopka strain 97, and predatory mites, Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus cucumeris were compared to spinosad insecticide. Results indicated that EPNs and EPFs are needed to apply twice at least within a 7-day interval to achieve both adult and larval suppression comparable to efficacy of spinosad. Predatory mites were effective in suppressing larval chilli thrips only. Results were presented at field days with strawberry growers and a second year of the field study is being planned. A manuscript is under preparation currently to be submitted as a peer reviewed research article. Air potato. Biocontrol herbivores often fail to kill their host plants and their effectiveness can vary from site-to-site. This creates difficulties for managing invasive plant infestations using classical biological control. We conducted field surveys of 12 air potato populations across Florida and measured cover of air potato, abundance of air potato beetle, and herbivory damage to the plants. We found that herbivory levels decrease at the highly invaded sites by air potato compared to the sites with lower air potato infestation.</p><br /> <p><em>Brazilian peppertree</em>. The stem thrips, Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), and the yellow Brazilian peppertree leaf galler, Calophya latiforceps (Hemiptera: Calophyidae), are currently under study at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory for use as biological control agents for the invasive Brazilian peppertree. Release permits for C. latiforceps and P. ichini were issued in June 2019. Since release permits were issued for P. ichini, UF, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and federal collaborators (USDA-ARS) have released over 2,500,000 P. ichini at sites throughout Florida. Recently C. latiforceps were collected in Brazil and colonies are being established inside containment labs in Florida. Releases of C. latiforceps will begin after colonies have been cleared of potential parasitoids and pathogens.</p><br /> <p><strong>To develop integrated pest management programs that have a biological control component</strong></p><br /> <p><em>Strawberries</em>. Chemical control and biological control techniques were compared in a greenhouse study using potted strawberry plants for chilli thrips management. The findings of this study indicate that biological control agent, Amblyseius swirskii is as effective as spinetoram for 21 days after treatment in suppression of larval chilli thrips but not effective in adult thrips suppression. The findings of this study were published in Florida Entomologist.</p><br /> <p><em>Urban landscapes</em>. Ongoing research is investigating the role of turfgrass genetic diversity as an IPM tactic for conserving natural enemies and reducing pest pressure. Thus far, evidence indicates that mixing intra-specific turfgrass cultivars reduces non-turfgrass weed invasion, severity of disease spread, and fall armyworm herbivory and fitness. Current experiments are expanding this work to investigate if cultivar blends increase the abundance or diversity of ground-dwelling predatory arthropods, and if that helps regulate insect pest populations.</p><br /> <p><strong>To develop augmentation and conservation biological control tactics, especially to improve the quality of agricultural habitats for pollinators</strong></p><br /> <p><em>Strawberries.</em> A field experiment in conventional strawberry planted next to strips of five banker plants (cowpea, buckwheat, sunn hemp, sweet alyssum, and ornamental pepper) is underway to assess the diversity of predatory insects and augmentatively released predatory mites, Amblyseius swirskii for thrips management. Also, field studies were conducted to assess the efficacy of drone-released versus hand-released predatory mites for chilli thrips and two-spotted spite mite management in organic strawberries. Results showed that irrespective of release method, A.<br />swirskii was more mobile and able to colonize plants that only received Phytoseiulus persimilis. This study has been discontinued currently due to a lack of funds.</p><br /> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Short-term Outcomes</span>: 5-6 strawberry growers have started releasing predatory mites and EPFs for chilli thrips management in strawberries in Florida as communicated to me in person.</p><br /> <p><em>Air potato</em>. We explored the different strategies to exploit plant defense mechanisms to improve the biocontrol efficacy of the air potato beetle (Lilioceris cheni) as a biocontrol agent of the invasive plant air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), using exogenous applications of Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA) and water as control. We used a greenhouse experiment with plants randomly subjected to four treatments: MeJA, SA, water with no herbivory and water with herbivory damage and then reared air potato beetles on treated plants. We found that MeJA treated plants suffered significantly greater damage than the SA treated plants. However, our control plants showed huge variation and were not statistically different than MeJA treated plants. It is plausible that the specialist beetle is exploiting plant defenses as a counter mechanism.</p><br /> <p><em>Sweet potato</em>. Grower recommendations were developed for managing wireworms in Florida sweet potato. Sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas L., production in Florida and cultural practices, primarily soil tillage and crop rotation, can suppress populations of these root pests but adequate management currently requires the use of insecticides. Due to a tenuous dependence on chlorpyrifos, research was conducted on managing wireworms with alternative methods, including biological control with commercially-available nematodes.</p><br /> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Short-term Outcomes</span>: Small-scale farmers in North Florida adopted crop rotation and soil tillage guidelines to significantly reduce the number of wireworms in a field prior to planting sweet potatoes. Sweet potato crops grown after corn or sorghum typically have higher populations of wireworms.</p><br /> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Outputs</span>: Alternative biological control methods for managing wireworms in sweet potatoes were evaluated and described in a management guide. The best sampling methods, e.g., intensity and frequency for defining the distribution and abundance of wireworms, were determined. General thresholds were established and IPM tactics were recommended for sweet potato in the region.</p><br /> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Activities</span>: Entomopathogenic nematodes were applied to reduce the number of harmful wireworms, resulting in increased plant vigor and health. The nematodes were easy to handle and applied in a liquid using standard pesticide spraying equipment. Success or failure of entomopathogenic nematodes depended primarily on their host specificity and handling during transportation, storage, and application. -</p><br /> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Milestones</span>: Entomopathogenic nematodes were evaluated because chlorpyrifos may no longer be available for controlling wireworms.</p><br /> <p><em>Urban landscapes</em>. Turfgrass monoculture lawns provide relatively little value for predatory arthropods and insect pollinators compared to diverse flowering plants. There is growing interest in planting turfgrass alternatives to enhance floral resources in lawns. However, this is expensive, labor-intensive, and there are few commercially available plant species options. Fortunately, most lawns are already a mix of turf and forbs, which may be providing conservation value without the additional monetary and time inputs of replacing a lawn. Ongoing research is investigating the role of naturally occurring lawn plant diversity and cover in supporting insect pollinators and arthropod natural enemies. Preliminary evidence indicates that lawn forb diversity peaks in spring and fall, with relatively few floral resources widely available in mid-summer months. It is also clear that many lawn weeds need to be mown less frequently than conventional turfgrass if they are to flower and have real conservation value.</p>

Publications

<p><strong>PUBLICATIONS</strong> (2021-2022)</p><br /> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Research</strong></em></span>:<br />Khadka, A., Hodges, A. C., Leppla, N. C., and Tillman, P. G. 2001. Halyomorpha halys (St&aring;l) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) nymph survival and adult feeding preferences for crop plants in Florida. Florida Entomologist. 104:136-139.</p><br /> <p>Lahiri, S., and A. Yambisa. 2021. Efficacy of a biopesticide and predatory mite to manage chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in strawberry. Florida Entomologist. 104: 322-324.<br />Lake, E.C., David, A.S., Spencer, T.M., Wilhelm Jr, V.L., Barnett, T.W., Abdel-Kader, A.A., Cortes, A.C., Acuna1, A., Mattison, E.D., and C.R. Minteer. 2021. First drone releases of the biological control agent</p><br /> <p>Neomusotima conspurcatalis on Old World climbing fern. Biocontrol Science and Technology 31: 97-106. DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2020.1828280.</p><br /> <p>Leppla, N. C. 2021. Concepts and Methods of Quality Assurance for Mass-Reared Parasitoids and Predators, Chapter 9. In Juan Morales Ramos, David Shapiro and Guadalupe Rojas (Eds), Mass Production of Beneficial Organisms: Invertebrates and Entomopathogens, 2nd Edition.</p><br /> <p>Leppla, N. C., Morales-Ramos, J. A., Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., and Rojas, M. G. 2021. Introduction, Chapter 1. In Juan Morales Ramos, David Shapiro and Guadalupe Rojas (Eds), Mass Production of Beneficial Organisms: Invertebrates and Entomopathogens, 2nd Edition.</p><br /> <p>Goode, A.B.C., Tipping, P.W., Minteer, C.R., Pokorny, E.N., Knowles, B.K., Foley, J.R., and R. J. Valmonte. 2021. Megamelus scutellaris (Berg) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) biology and population dynamics in the highly variable landscape of southern Florida. Biological Control 160, 104679. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2021.104679.</p><br /> <p>Nighswander GP, Sinclair JS, Dale AG, Qiu J, Iannone III BV. 2021. Importance of plant diversity and structure for urban garden pest resistance. Landscape and Urban Planning. 215, 104211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104211</p><br /> <p>Pearson, DE, Clark TJ, Hahn PG. 2022. Evaluating unintended consequences of intentional species introductions and eradications for improved conservation management. Conservation Biology 36(1): e13734. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13734</p><br /> <p>Penca, C., Hodges, A. C., Leppla, N. C., &amp; Cottrel, T. E. 2021. Analysis of the spatial distribution and development of sequential sampling plans for heteropteran-associated fruit injury in Florida peaches. Journal of Economic Entomology. 114: 1823-1833.</p><br /> <p>Prade, P., Minteer, C.R., Gezan, S.A, Arguijo, V.C., Bowers, K., Cuda, J.P, and W.A. Overholt. 2021. Host specificity and non-target longevity of Calophya lutea and Calophya terebinthifolii, two potential biological control agents of Brazilian peppertree in Florida, USA. BioControl. DOI: 0.1007/s10526-020-10058-3</p><br /> <p>Prade, P., Cuda, J., and C.R. Minteer. In press. Investigating the potential for plant-mediated interactions between biological control agents for Brazilian peppertree. Biocontrol Science and Technology.<br />Rafter, M.A., Moore, K. and C.R. Minteer. 2021. No-choice risk assessment of Gratiana boliviana, a potential biological control agent of Solanum viarum in Australia. Biocontrol Science and Technology. DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2021.1944606.</p><br /> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Extension</strong></span></em>:<br />Hochmuth, R. C., D. Seal, N. C. Leppla, D. Fenneman, R. Broughton, and A. Baniya. 2021. Managing Wireworms in Florida Sweet Potatoes. UF/IFAS EDIS.</p><br /> <p>LeBeck, L. M. and N. C. Leppla. 2021. Guidelines for Purchasing and Using Commercial Natural Enemies and Biopesticides in North America. UF, IFAS EDIS.</p><br /> <p>Minteer, C. R., Kariuki, E.M. and J. P. Cuda. 2021. Biological control of weeds: Is it safe? UF/IFAS Electronic Data Information Source. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1342 (peer-reviewed)<br />Nestle RP, Cope GC, Benda ND, Dale AG. 2021. Creating wildflower habitats in golf course out-of-play areas. UF/IFAS EDIS. #ENY-2059. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/in1316</p>

Impact Statements

1. Vegetables and ornamental plants grown in fields, greenhouses and nurseries, as well as ornamental plants and grasses maintained in urban landscapes, are highly valuable to the economy and wellbeing of our citizens. But, these valuable plants are often attacked by a myriad of insect and mite pests. These endemic and invasive pests have traditionally been managed through the frequent applications of insecticides, which resulted in reduced efficacy, pesticide resistance, and human and environmental risks. By integrating biological control within the larger framework of vegetable and ornamental plant management, we will be able to reduce pesticide application and the associated environmental, pest management and socioeconomic consequences. Research and extension activities conducted under this project result directly in achieving pest management goals while alleviating the associated problems. The multi-state survey of natural enemies of thrips, whiteflies and spider mites will inform organic vegetable growers in the southern US on the diversity of natural enemies occurring in their fields, as well as the impacts of these natural enemies. Muhly grass is prized as an ornamental plant, as well as of cultural and economic significance as the raw materials for sweetgrass baskets. Understanding the natural enemy complex of the muhly grass mealybug will allow researchers to develop integrated management plan for the invasive mealybug species in order to protect the valuable muhly grass from this new pest. The study on the compatibility of Group 9 insecticides will allow growers to better develop an effective pest management plan that integrates chemical and biological control. Understanding the foraging behavior of predators and parasitoids on pest resistant crop varieties or their compatibility with pest quarantine treatments are also important in determining the potential of integrating biological control and host plant resistance. Through better understanding of the ecological relationship between pests and their natural enemies, and better utility of compatible insecticides and pest resistant varieties, we will be able to develop integrated pest management programs that reduce pest damage, improve economic returns, and alleviate negative consequences of pest management activities.

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