NE2332: Biological control of Arthropod Pests and Weeds

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Active

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Annual Reports

Annual Reports:

[07/29/2024] [03/13/2026] [07/28/2026]

Date of Annual Report: 07/29/2024

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/10/2024 - 03/10/2024
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2023 - 03/10/2024

Participants

Members who attended: Lisa Tewksbury (University of Rhode Island); Liv Andrews (Scott Salem student, Virginia Tech); Amara Dunn (Cornell); Hannah Broadley (USDA APHIS); Elizabeth Rowen (West Virginia University);Olga Kostromytska (University of Massachusetts)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Location: Morgantown WV, in conjunction with Entomological Society of America Eastern Branch Meeting

Date: March 10, 2024

Discussion points

Need a new head of the project – Lisa Tewksbury

Location of the next meeting – we will use a poll, ESA Eastern Branch is still a good option

Work on a larger working group that includes federal partners in USDA ARS and APHIS

More document sharing, suggest using google drive

Want to foster more collaboration

Presentations at the conference (presenting author in bold)

Does manure handling affect biological control in organic field crops? Mellisa Musekwa, Ember Morrissey, James Kotcon, Eugenia Pena-Yewtukhiw, Rakesh Chandran and Elizabeth Rowen, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

Conservation biocontrol in urban vs. rural settings – Lessons learned, questions raised Amara Dunn¹and Elizabeth Lamb², ¹Cornell University, Geneva, NY, ²Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Release and monitoring of Hypena opulentafor biological control of invasive swallow-worts Lisa Tewksbury and Alexandra Johnson, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI

Research and operational activities for hemlock woolly adelgid biological control program at Virginia Tech Olivia Andrews¹, Carrie Preston², Aryanna James¹, Carrie Jubb², Ashleigh Hillen²and Scott Salom¹, ¹Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, ²Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

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Presentations below are on the topic of Multi-State project, but not explicitly funded by project

Exploring the influence of cover-crop termination in annual cropping systems on predator communities and predation Jared Adam¹, John Wallace²and John Tooker², ¹The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, ²Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Into the Unknown: Unravelling the biology of an undescribed parasitoid and an under-researched moth family to develop a classical biocontrol program for box tree moth Angela Hoover¹, Maddie Ryan², M. Lukas Seehausen³, Marc Kenis⁴, Hannah Broadley⁵, Juli Gould⁵and Christine Dodge⁶, ¹US Geological Survey, Tucson, AZ, ²USDA-APHIS-PPQ-S&T Forests Pests Laboratory, Buzzards Bay, MA, ³CABI, Delémont, JURA, Switzerland, ⁴CABI, Delémont, Switzerland, ⁵USDA APHIS PPQ, Buzzards Bay, MA, ⁶USDA-APHIS-PPQ-S&T, Buzzards Bay, MA

Biocontrol aspects of mile-a-minute and Japanese knotweed in Northeastern USA Roghaiyeh Karimzadehand Yong-Lak Park, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

Chrysochus asclepiadeus maintains promising future as swallow-wort biocontrol agent in North America: An international update David Harris¹, René Sforza²and Ghislaine Cortat³, ¹SUNY ESF, Syracuse, NY, ²USDA ARS EBCL, SAINT GELY-DU-FESC, CEDEX, France, ³CABI, Delémont, JURA, Switzerland

Collaborative Accomplishments Toward Project Objectives

Objectives 1. Conserve existing natural enemies and enhance ecosystem function <ul> <li>At Virginia Tech: Dr. Salom has been working to use a natural bioherbicide to remove Ailanthus stands. <ul> <li>Goal is to demonstrate an operational approach to removing Spotted lanternfly (SLF) habitat (Ailanthus stands) using a treatment that is environmentally sustainable, followed by restoration of the treated sites with desired native plant species. The resulting outcomes are two-fold:</li> <li>Aim 1. Assess plant re-colonization at sites where ailanthus has been removed at least 5 years previously.</li> <li>Aim 2. Incorporate active restoration into sites where the Verticillium bioherbicide is being used on ailanthus trees.</li> <li>At Cornell and NYSIPM: Efforts by Dr. Dunn and Dr. Lamb 2023 have primarily focused on extending information to both farmers and the general public, both about conserving insect natural enemies in gardens and fields. They are continuing insect monitoring at a rural site in 2024.</li> <li>At West Virginia University: Dr. Rowen and her students have completed the first year of data collection on the effects of different types of manures on ground-dwelling natural enemies and the biological control services they provide as weed seed and insect predators. Preliminary results suggest there are only small differences between manure types on the predator community in the first year.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ol start="2"> <li>Augmentation programs involving repeated rearing and release</li> </ol> <ol style="font-weight: 400;"> <ul> <li>At Virginia Tech: Dr. Salom is releasing natural enemies for hemlock woolly adelgid</li> </ul> </ol> <ul> <li>Aim 1. Rear beetles for release to land managers throughout the eastern U.S. and provide some founding beetles to other rearing labs. Laricobius osakensis (L.o.) is the target beetle reared but by-catch from incoming foliage resulted in nigrinus (L. n.) and L. rubidus (L. r.) being reared out.  </li> <li>Aim 2. Rear out flies from western HWA-infested hemlock branch collections and distribute throughout the eastern US. . A total of 5,242 Leucotaraxis flies were collected from cages in 2023. The greatest daily maximum numbers of flies collected occurred in late April through May with as many as 244 flies collected in one day.</li> <li>Aim 5. Measure functional (feeding) and numerical (reproductive) responses of each fly species to prey density, to quantify what their predation capacity is.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>At Cornell and NYSIPM: Efforts by Dr. Dunn and Dr. Lamb 2023 have focused on releasing biocontrol agents augmentatively in greenhouses.</li> <li>At the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Tewksbury has continued to rear Galerucella to release into additional locations where this classical biocontrol agent has not been successful, or the landowners are interested in augmenting the population of this biocontrol agent.</li> <li>The University of Rhode Island is collaborating with the RI Department of Environmental Management to release predators on hemlock woolly adelgid in Rhode Island. They received Laricobius nigrinus from Cornell University in March 2024 and Leucotaraxis argenticollis from North Dakota State University, both collaborations facilitated by Dave Mausel at the US Forest Service.</li> </ul> <ol style="font-weight: 400;"> <li>Introduction of new natural enemies against invasive plants</li> </ol> <ul> <li>At the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Tewksbury completed a release program for Hypena opulenta, a classical biocontrol agent for invasive swallow-worts, (Vincetoxicum spp.), which began in 2017. Her lab will continue monitoring for H. opulenta in the several lab.  This was a collaborative effort with the University of Connecticut, Ag Canada, Michigan State University, SUNY ESF, and may cooperators.</li> </ul>   <ol style="font-weight: 400;"> <li>Introduction of new natural enemies against invasive insects</li> </ol> <ul> <li>The University of Rhode Island began a program for rearing and releasing Ganaspis brasiliensis, a classical biocontrol agent for spotted wing drosophila in May 2024.</li> </ul>

Publications

Dietschler, Nicholas Joseph, Tonya D. Bittner, Carrie S. Jubb, Scott M. Salom, and Mark Whitmore. 2024. Observation of key phenological stages of hemlock woolly adelgid: Using citizen science as a tool to inform research and management.  Short Communication, J. Econ. Entomol. (toae056). Preston, Carrie, Dietschler, Nicholas, Whitmore, Mark Salom, Scott. 2023. Phenology of Leucotaraxis argenticollis, a specialist predator of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid, in the eastern US.  Environ. Entomol.  nvad103, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvad103">https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvad103</a> Broadley HJ, Sipolski SJ, Pitt DB, Hoelmer KA, Wang X-y, Cao L-m, Tewksbury LA, Hagerty TJ, Bartlett CR, Russell AD, Wu Y, Davis SC, Kaser JM, Elkinton JS and Gould JR (2023) Assessing the host range of Anastatus orientalis, an egg parasitoid of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) using Eastern U.S. non-target species. Front. Insect Sci. 3:1154697. doi: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1154697 Dunn-Silver, AR and Lamb, EM, Growing perennial wildflowers from seed. Biocontrol Bytes blog post. 19 March 2024. <a href="https://blogs.cornell.edu/biocontrolbytes/2024/03/19/growing-perennial-wildflowers-from-seed/">blogs.cornell.edu/biocontrolbytes/2024/03/19/growing-perennial-wildflowers-from-seed/</a> Ongoing updates to updated <a href="https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/eco-resilience/biocontrol">biocontrol pages host by NYSIPM</a>. Nine articles <a href="https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/eco-resilience/biocontrol/biocontrol-agents">about biocontrol agents</a> including both classical and augmentative biocontrol agents have been published since October 2023. URI Biocontrol lab Instagram (over 900 followers) and Facebook (over 300 followers) accounts, providing information about biocontrol and invasive species.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 03/13/2026

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 04/15/2025 - 04/15/2025
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2024 - 09/30/2025

Participants

Scott Salom (Virginia Tech); Liv Andrews (Scott Salom student, Virginia Tech); Harrison Miles (Scott Salom student, Virginia Tech.); Lisa Tewksbury (University of Rhode Island); Olga Kostromytska (University of Massachusetts); Jeremiah Foley (CT Agricultural Experiment Station); Dylan Parry (SUNY esf); David Harris (Dylan Parry student, SUNY esf); Max Ragozzino (Oregon Dept. of Agriculture)

Participants and visitors who attended (via zoom): Hannah Broadley (USDA APHIS); Christine Dodge (USDA APHIS); Samantha Wilden (Cornell); Elizabeth Long (Purdue); George Hamilton (Rutgers); Tory Hendry (Cornell)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Basic Information

Project No. and Title: NE2332: Biological Control of Arthropod Pests and Weeds

Period Covered: 10/01/2023 to 9/30/2024

Date of Report: 02/25/2026

Annual Meeting Date: 04/15/2025

Participants

Participants and visitors who attended (in person): Scott Salom (Virginia Tech); Liv Andrews (Scott Salom student, Virginia Tech); Harrison Miles (Scott Salom student, Virginia Tech.); Lisa Tewksbury (University of Rhode Island); Olga Kostromytska (University of Massachusetts); Jeremiah Foley (CT Agricultural Experiment Station); Dylan Parry (SUNY esf); David Harris (Dylan Parry student, SUNY esf); Max Ragozzino (Oregon Dept. of Agriculture)

Participants and visitors who attended (via zoom): Hannah Broadley (USDA APHIS); Christine Dodge (USDA APHIS); Samantha Wilden (Cornell); Elizabeth Long (Purdue); George Hamilton (Rutgers); Tory Hendry (Cornell)

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Location: Annapolis, MD, in conjunction with the 2^nd National Forum on Biological Control

Date: April 15, 2025

Discussion points

Need a new head of the project – Lisa Tewksbury (did not find one so Lisa Tewksbury is still acting head), Lisa has drafted a schedule of future chairs for each coming year, by participating institution

Location of the next meeting – we will use a poll, ESA Eastern Branch is still a good option – it will be held in Saratoga Springs in 2026

Work on a larger working group that includes federal partners in USDA ARS and APHIS

Group is interested in encouraging more collaboration

Oral presentations and posters given at the 2^nd National Forum on Biological Control in Annapolis, MD (April 14-17, 2025) by NE2332 participants or other frequent visitors to our meetings and symposia (presenting author in bold) - no separate symposium held by NE2332.

Leveraging Augmentation Biological Control for Aquatic Weed Management Rodrigo Diaz¹, Ivan Grijalva¹ , Alex Gaffke² , Flaminia Mariani^{1 1}Louisiana State University, ²USDA-ARS CMAVE.

Biological Control of Emerald Ash Borer: A Sustainable Solution to Ash Recovery and Regeneration Jian J. Duan¹ , Toby Petrice² , and Therese Poland² ¹University of Delaware, ²USDA-Forest Service NRS.

Renewed Hope to Control Invasive Swallow-wort in North America with Chrysochus asclepiadeus. David C. Harris¹, René F.H. Sforza², Ghislaine Cortat^3, and Dylan Parry¹

¹SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry, ²USDA-ARS EBC, ³ CABI Switzerland.

Understanding the Eradication and Restoration Potential of Sites Following the

Removal of Ailanthus altissima Using Biocontrol Harrison Miles, Jacob Barney, Scott Salom, Brian Strahm, and Carrie Fearer, Virginia Tech.

Extirpation of a Legacy Biocontrol Parasitoid Assemblage Following Arrival of an

Adventive Exotic Pathogen. Dylan Parry¹, Ann E. Hajek² , Patrick C. Tobin³, and Nathan W. Siegert⁴

¹SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry, ²Cornell University, ³University of Washington,

⁴ USDA-Forest Service SPTF

Collaborative Accomplishments Toward Project Objectives

Accomplishments <ol> <li>Conserve existing natural enemies and enhance ecosystem function</li> </ol> At Cornell and NYSIPM: Efforts by Dr. Dunn and Dr. Lamb             Our efforts during the report timeframe (3/10/24 – 4/15/25) have primarily focused on extending information to farmers and the general public, both about conserving insect natural enemies (biocontrol agents) in gardens and fields, and on releasing biocontrol agents augmentatively in greenhouses. See lists of accomplishments by relevant objective below. We completed our fifth year of insect monitoring at a research site in 2024 and are analyzing data for publication. Ongoing updates to the Cornell IPM (formerly NYSIPM) <a href="https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/eco-resilience/biocontrol">biocontrol webpages</a> continue to support the use of augmentative and classical biocontrol as articles about specific <a href="https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/eco-resilience/biocontrol/biocontrol-agents">biocontrol agents</a> are added.   Activities & Short-term Outcomes Gave 16 presentations reaching 403 people from elementary and high school students to adult gardeners and Christmas tree growers about conserving natural enemies and enhancing ecosystem function through habitat creation. This included a series of four presentations (three in English and one offered in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish) given as part of larger workshops that included the distribution of seeds for flowers that support insect natural enemies of pests. See details of presentations below.   In August 2024, the Cornell IPM Program partnered with local organizations to host a tabling display on three Saturdays at a farmer’s market/tourist stop in Geneva, NY. Over the three Saturdays, 338 people stopped by the table and received information about how to create habitat for insect biocontrol agents and pollinators, how to recognize these beneficial insects, and seeds for native perennial wildflowers that could provide that habitat. At these events, 70 people signed up to receive occasional email reminders about when and how to plant their seeds. They received four follow-up emails over the next year and were invited to share their experiences with the seeds they took home in an anonymous survey. Four people responded and estimated that they had planted 225 square feet with the seeds they brought home.   Ongoing monitoring of insects attracted to wildflower plots on the edges of a research field of Christmas trees compared to plots of mowed grass (through September 2024). Data analysis is ongoing.   Outputs Dunn-Silver, A.R. 2025. <a href="https://blogs.cornell.edu/biocontrolbytes/2025/01/22/stratifying-perennial-wildflower-seeds/">Stratifying perennial wildflower seeds</a>. Biocontrol Bytes blog. Cornell University, 22 January 2025. Accessed 1 October 2025. Dunn-Silver, A.R. 2024. <a href="https://blogs.cornell.edu/biocontrolbytes/2024/09/25/fall-is-for-planting-perennial-wildflower-seeds/">Fall is for planting perennial wildflower seeds</a>. Biocontrol Bytes blog. Cornell University, 25 September 2024. Accessed 18 February 2025.     Presentations               Dunn-Silver, A.R. (2024) Putting your garden to bed dos and don'ts. Professional                                 Development for Master Gardener Volunteers of CCE Schoharie & Otsego.                                    18 people in attendance. 5 October 2024.               Dunn-Silver, A.R. (2024) Good bugs in the garden. Honeoye Community Garden                             Summer Program. 15 people in attendance. 26 August 2024.                                     Dunn-Silver, A.R. (2024) Beneficial insects and Christmas trees. 2024 Christmas                              Tree IPM Field Day hosted by NYSIPM. 25 people in attendance. 15 August 2024.             Dunn-Silver, A.R. (2024) Recognizing good bugs in the garden. Blueprint Geneva                             Summer Youth Program. 9 people in attendance. 15 August 2024.               Dunn-Silver, A.R. (2024) Beneficial Insects – Recognizing and Feeding. 2024                              NYSIPM Annual Conference on Fruit IPM for the Home Garden and                                               Landscape hosted by NYSIPM. 45 people in attendance. 27 June 2024.               Dunn-Silver, A.R. (2024) If you plant it, they will come. Sustainable Landscapes                              Lunch & Learn: Summer Ecological Gardening Practices hosted by Cornell                                                Cooperative Extension. 60 people in attendance. 26 June 2024.               Dunn-Silver, A.R. (2024) Introduction to Integrated Pest Management. Gemini                              Environmental Science Class, Marcus Whitman Central School District. 10                                                people in attendance. 20 May 2024.               Dunn-Silver, A.R. (2024) Recognizing Insect Natural Enemies of Pests. Home                              Gardening Webinar Lecture Series, CCE Westchester. 32 people in attendance.             8 May 2024.               Dunn-Silver, A.R. (2024) Identification: An essential step in IPM. Geneva High                              School Environmental Botany class. 13 people in attendance. 18 April                                        2024.             At Virginia Tech: Efforts by Dr. Scott Salom             Salom Project:   Use of a natural bioherbicide to remove Ailanthus stands       Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven) is a non-native invasive tree that colonizes                disturbed sites and outcompetes native vegetation.  It is extremely difficult to       manage with traditional methods and herbicides.  With the recent introduction of               the spotted lanternfly (SLF) into Virginia, there is greater urgency to manage this          tree which is a critical host to SLF.  Verticillium nonalfalfae, a naturally occurring   fungus specific to Ailanthus, is a biological herbicide that rapidly (within            months) causes wilt and kills the tree, spreading clonally and affecting most of         the trees in a stand.   Sites where Ailanthus is removed are at risk of being       recolonized by different non-native plants.  We will remove Ailanthus using this               environmentally safe treatment and apply science-based restoration approaches                to these sites.  This work has important implications wherever Ailanthus grows             across the landscape, particularly on private and state-owned lands and where     SLF can spread.             Objective 1. Assess plant re-colonization at sites where ailanthus has been          removed at least 5 years previously.                The standing plant community and seedbank was quantified at several sites across VA 5 years after inoculation with V. nonalfalfae (Vna) to understand which species are present or being naturally recruited. A. altissima remained dominant in untreated areas but was nearly eradicated from the treatment plots. Other nonnative species made up a large portion of the plant community and seedbank across all study areas, with no differences in their respective cover and count  between treatments. While variability in plant community composition is high and  site-specific context is important for establishing effective management strategies,  planting native species and mitigating other invasives will be crucial to ensuring native species successfully establish in bioherbicide-treated areas. <ol start="2"> <li>Augmentation programs involving repeated rearing and release</li> </ol> At Cornell and NYSIPM: Efforts by Dr. Dunn and Dr. Lamb Activities                Ongoing updates to updated <a href="https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/eco-resilience/biocontrol">biocontrol pages host by Cornell IPM</a>. A total of 45 articles <a href="https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/eco-resilience/biocontrol/biocontrol-agents">about biocontrol agents</a> including both classical and augmentative  biocontrol agents were published by March 2025. The following blog post was written to promote the articles to the approximately 370 subscribers at the time. In September 2024, a reddit post on r/whatsthisbug drove almost 10,000 people to the <a href="https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/fact-sheets/hover-fly-biocontrol-fact-sheet">Hover Fly Biocontrol Fact Sheet</a> on September 8 when someone responding to a reddit question included the link to the page in their answer. This demonstrates the utility of these articles as a resource for identifying and learning about biological control.                 Dunn-Silver, A.R. 2024. <a href="https://blogs.cornell.edu/biocontrolbytes/2024/10/10/now-available-at-the-nysipm-biocontrol-website-biocontrol-agent-profiles/">Now available at the NYSIPM biocontrol website: Biocontrol agent profiles</a>. Biocontrol Bytes blog. Cornell University, 10 October 2024. Accessed 18 February 2025.                  Presentations                Dunn-Silver, A.R. and Peterson, H. (2024) Increasing access to practical biocontrol information through digital resources. IPM Toolbox Webinars hosted by NEIPMC. 40  people in attendance. 2 October 2024. (This presentation promoted the new articles added to the biocontrol website.)                  Dunn-Silver, A.R. (2024) Talking beneficial Bugs with your Customers. 2024 IPM In-Depth hosted by NYSIPM. 35 people in attendance. 22 July 2024.        Introduction of new natural enemies against invasive plants  <ol> <li>Introduction of new natural enemies against invasive insects</li> </ol>       At Virginia Tech: Dr. Salom is releasing natural enemies for hemlock woolly adelgid The Entomology Insectary at Virginia Tech has been rearing and releasing Laricobius beetles (Family: Derodontidae), specialist predators of hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) on public lands in Virginia and all states north since 2003.  The beetles are well established throughout much of the range of HWA in the eastern U.S., except for being limited in the northern portion and newer expansion areas of HWA’s range.  The beetles have been shown to impact sistens ovisacs, but then drop to the soil to aestivate and, as a result, do not impact the progrediens generation enough to regulate HWA populations.  Leucotaraxis spp. silver flies are active in this later generation and have the potential to help regulate HWA populations in combination with the Laricobius beetles.  It is unknown if Leucotaraxis flies imported from western North America can establish in eastern hemlock stands.  Therefore, we propose to transition from Laricobius-only production, to a combination of Laricobius production at a reduced rate and increased processing and release of Leucotaraxis flies, from regular shipments of flies from western U.S.  We will continue to monitor and help assess Laricobius beetle recoveries. Objective 1: Rear Laricobius beetles for release to land managers throughout the eastern U.S. Laricobius beetle rearing and shipping summaries: 7,533 L. osakensis and 1,317 L. nigrinus adults were reared in 2023 in VT Insectary. Additional 2,851 L. nigrinus were reared from 2023 western collections. 5,413 L. osakensis beetles were shipped and released at 7 separate locations in the mid-Atlantic and New England states. 3,915 L. nigrinus beetles were shipped to 7 separate locations  in the mid-Atlantic and New England states. Objective 2: Rear out Leucotaraxis flies from  HWA-infested western hemlock branches and distribute them throughout the eastern US.   The BICF’s capacity to house western hemlock foliage and rear Leucotaraxis spp. has increased since 2023 with the addition of two more cages, totaling 14 cages for 2024 rearing. Seven separate shipments of western hemlock foliage were received in 2024.  A total of 30,470 Leucotaraxis spp. flies and were collected from cages.  ). It was observed that the predominant species collected this year was Le. piniperda. That is, we collected 21,492 identified Le. piniperda versus 666 Le. argenticollis. An additional 8,312 flies were collected but not distinguished between the two species and were stored and shipped as “mix.” A total of 20,085 flies were shipped to cooperators in NC, VA, PA, MD, TN, NH, and RI for release. We recorded 7,661 flies that died in holding containers and calculated approximately 25.7% mortality on average per holding container.    At the University of Rhode Island: Efforts by Lisa Tewksbury  Introduction of New Natural Enemies Against Invasive Insects Biological control of spotted lanternfly:  URI has been collaborating with the USDA FPML lab in Buzzards Bay, MA since 2020, providing native hoppers for no-choice and choice host specificity testing  URI has provided many insects for this testing for classical biocontrol of spotted lanternfly. The first organism tested was the egg parasitoid, Anastatus orientalis and due to broad host choice in this species, it is currently not being evaluated further.  In 2023 the lab began host specificity testing of a larval parasitoid, Dryinus sinicus.  This species has demonstrated narrow host  Biological control of Spotted wing drosophila Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is an invasive fruit fly from Southeast Asia that lays its eggs in ripening berry crops, which results in losses in fruit quality and yield. The parasitoid wasp Ganaspis kimorum is a natural enemy from Southeast Asia that parasitizes SWD larvae and was permitted for release in the US as a classical biological control agent for SWD. A biocontrol program using G. kimorum was started in Rhode Island to help RI farmers minimize SWD damage. We maintained colonies of SWD and G. kimorum in the lab with the goal of releasing G. kimorum at berry farms in Rhode Island. After releases, berries were collected from these farms to monitor for the presence of spotted wing drosophila and to determine parasitism rates of SWD larvae post G. kimorum release.   Presentations:   <table width="1431"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="168">9/11/2023</td> <td width="262">Meyerson Invasive Species Class</td> <td width="268">SW/MAM/Knotweed Biocontrol</td> <td width="205">Charlestown, S.K., RI</td> <td width="285">Lisa Tewksbury</td> <td width="243">20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>10/24/2023</td> <td>URI Entomology Club</td> <td>SLF</td> <td>URI, Kingston, RI</td> <td>Lisa Tewksbury</td> <td>12</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2/2/2024</td> <td>ELOSC</td> <td>Swallow-wort Biocontrol</td> <td>Virtual</td> <td>Lisa Tewksbury</td> <td>105</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2/7/2024</td> <td>Master Gardener Class</td> <td>Insect ID/Management/IPM SLF</td> <td>Virtual</td> <td>Lisa Tewksbury and Lexi Johnson</td> <td>143</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2/15/2024</td> <td>Home Horticulture Class</td> <td>Insects/Pest Management</td> <td>Virtual</td> <td>Lisa Tewksbury</td> <td>80</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2/28/2024</td> <td>RINLA Meeting</td> <td width="268">LT-SLF/winter moth KUM-Beech leaf disease and other</td> <td>Warwick, RI</td> <td width="285">Lisa Tewksbury and Keiddy Urrea-Morawicki</td> <td>100</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>3/11/2024</td> <td>ESA meeting</td> <td>SW biocontrol</td> <td>Morgantown, West Virginia</td> <td>Lisa Tewksbury</td> <td>50</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3/13/2024</td> <td>Osha Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)</td> <td>Invasive pests/management</td> <td>URI,Kingston, RI</td> <td>Lexi Johnson</td> <td>20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4/16/2024</td> <td>Boots to Bushels</td> <td>Insect pests/IPM/SLF</td> <td>Virtual</td> <td>Lisa Tewksbury</td> <td>20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4/16/2024</td> <td>RI Fruit Growers Association</td> <td>SLF</td> <td>East Farm, Kingston, RI</td> <td>Lisa Tewksbury (and others)</td> <td>30</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5/22/2024</td> <td>RI Fruit Growers Association</td> <td>SLF</td> <td>Small World Farm</td> <td>Lisa Tewksbury (and others)</td> <td>40</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7/31/2024</td> <td>Women in Science Event</td> <td>SLF/Invasive Species/Butterflies</td> <td>Mystic Aquarium</td> <td>Dana Terrill and undergraduate students</td> <td>400</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8/14-8/15/2024</td> <td>Washington County Fair</td> <td>SLF/Invasive Species/Butterflies</td> <td>Washington county fairgrounds</td> <td>Dana Terrill and undergraduate students</td> <td>200</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8/18/2024</td> <td>URI Agriculture Field Day</td> <td>SLF/Invasive Species/Insect and Disease ID</td> <td>URI Skogley Building</td> <td>Lisa Tewksbury/Keiddy Urrea-Morawicki</td> <td>50</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8/21/2024</td> <td>RI Nursery and Landscape Association</td> <td>Biocontrol Lab Tour/SLF</td> <td>URI Greenhouse</td> <td>Lisa Tewksbury (and others)</td> <td>45</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Publications

Publications             Dietschler, NJ, Bittner, TD, Jubb, CS, Salom, SM, Whitmore, M. 2024. Observation of key phenological stages of hemlock woolly adelgid: Using citizen science as a tool to inform research and management. Short Communication, J. Econ. Entomol. 117 (3):1185-1191.      Dunn-Silver, AR and Lamb, EM, Growing perennial wildflowers from seed. Biocontrol Bytes blog post. 19 March 2024. <a href="https://blogs.cornell.edu/biocontrolbytes/2024/03/19/growing-perennial-wildflowers-from-seed/">blogs.cornell.edu/biocontrolbytes/2024/03/19/growing-perennial-    wildflowers-from-seed/</a>        Endriss, SB, Nuzzo, V and Blossey, B. 2025. Return of diversity: Wetland plant community recovery following purple loosestrife biocontrol. Ecological Applications.          Fulcher, M.R.; Larkin, R.; Johnson, A.; Tewksbury, L.; Tancos, M.A. 2025.     A foliar disease of invasive black swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum nigrum) caused by Boeremia exigua. Plant Disease. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-25-0684-SC">https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-25-0684-SC</a>        Grevstad, F.S.; Andersen, J.C.; Oderkirk, N.C.; Andreas, J.; Tewksbury, L.; Detweiler, C.; Price, J.; Blossey, B.; Reardon, R. 2025. Limited establishment from widespread releases of the knotweed  psyllid Aphalara itadori, a biological control agent for knotweeds in the USA. Biocontrol.         <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-025-10362-w">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-025-10362-w</a>        Indermauer, E.J.; Fulcher, M.R.; Szarka, D.; Johnson, A.; Tewksbury, L.; Tancos, M.A.; Smart, C.D. 2026. A new species of Didymella from the eastern United States is a pathogen of invasive Reynoutria japonica. Plant Disease.  <a href="https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-25-1125-RE">https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-25-1125-RE</a>        Miles, HH; Salom, S; Shively, TJ; Bielski, JT; McAvoy, TJ; Fearer, CJ. 2025. A review of potential biological controls for Ailanthus altissima. Annals of the Entomological Society of America.  118(2): 101-109. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saae041">https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saae041</a>         Shively, Timothy, Jacob Barney, Leighton Reid, and Scott Salom.  2024. The bioherbicide Verticillium nonalfalfae effectively removes Ailanthus altissima but leaves many other  nonnative plants. (Invasive Plant Science and Management – (Online DOI:      10.1017/inp.2024.27).

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 07/28/2026

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/29/2026 - 05/29/2026
Period the Report Covers: 09/01/2024 - 08/31/2025

Participants

Harris, David (dharris4@esf.edu) – State University of NY, Environmental
Science and Forestry; Kostromytska, Olga (okostromytsk@umass.edu) – University of
Massachusetts; Willden, Samantha (saw326@cornell.edu) – Cornell University; Hendry, Tory
(th572@cornell.edu) – Cornell University; Rutledge, Claire (claire.rutledge@ct.gov) –
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; Salom, Scott (salom@vt.edu) – Virginia Tech;
Long, Elizabeth (eylong@purdue.edu) – Purdue University; Park, Yong-Lak
(yopark@mail.wvu.edu) – West Virginia University; Whitmore, Mark (mcw42@cornell.edu) –
Cornell University; Nielsen, Anne (nielsen@njaes.rutgers.edu) – Rutgers University; Loeb, Greg
(gme1@cornell.edu) – Cornell University; Tewksbury, Lisa (lisat@uri.edu) –University of
Rhode Island; Rodriguez-Saona, Cesar (crodriguez@njaes.rutgers.edu) –Rutgers University;
Spies, Janine (jms1248@njaes.rutgers.edu) – Rutgers University; Foley, Jeremiah
(jeremiah.Foley@ct.gov) – Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; Amara Dunn-Silver,
Amara (arc55@cornell.edu) – Cornell University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Attendees briefly introduced themselves. We will use a shared spreadsheet to track current project members, contact info, and interests. We decided to meet in conjunction with the 2027 Eastern Branch Entomological Society of America (Ocean City, MD, 6-9 March 2027), hopefully with a virtual attendance option. We will propose a symposium at the meeting showcasing the work of NE2332 participants and mentees (Anne Nielsen will lead). Lisa Tewksbury reviewed reporting requirements and we made a plan to collect report content. Amara Dunn-Silver and Tory Hendry will co-chair the group for the next year. Full meeting details are available to project participants in a shared folder.

Collaborative Accomplishments Toward Project Objectives

<ol> <li>a) Short-term Outcomes:</li> </ol> Objective 1 – Conserve existing natural enemies and enhance ecosystem function: The Hendry lab found that plant protective bacteria can deter aphids, which is useful in developing microbiome-based applications to plants and reducing pesticide exposure. The Willden lab established links between microclimates and microbial biocontrol performance in controlled environments and described impacts of plant diversity on invertebrate diversity in high tunnels.  Objective 2 – Augmentation programs involving repeated rearing and release: The Whitmore lab collected and reared 3 hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) biocontrol agents from the western U.S. to be studied and released in the northeast.   Objective 3 – Introduction of new natural enemies against invasive plants: The Salom lab’s data have moved us closer to EPA approval and commercialization of an Ailanthus bioherbicide. The Park lab developed and tested a UAV-based aerial release system for the knotweed psyllid (Aphalara itadori) against Japanese knotweed.  Objective 4 – Introduction of new natural enemies against invasive insects: The Loeb lab found the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) larval parasitoid Leptopilina japonica was widely distributed in NY, possibly reducing SWD populations. The Salom lab helped rear, release, monitor, and redistribute HWA natural enemies on public land in collaboration with federal and state agencies. Rutledge collaborated with USDA-ARS and UMASS personnel to develop a technique for quantifying egg parasitism of emerald ash borer (EAB) by the parasitoid Oobius agrili. The Tewksbury Lab recovered 1 of 3 released EAB parasitoid species in RI. Their collaborative project with the USDA to evaluate biocontrol of spotted lanternfly (SLF) by a nymphal parasitoid from Asia is nearly done, supporting a petition for release.     <ol> <li>b) Outputs:</li> </ol> Objective 1: Kostromytska et al. found that predatory arthropods and entomopathogenic fungi were more abundant in natural areas of golf courses than in managed turf and shared results at a trade show and a regional scientific meeting. Dunn-Silver & Lamb educated gardeners (6 talks, 306 people) and K-12 and college students (4 events, 111 students and a presentation to 8 middle and high school science teachers who teach 660 students annually) promoting conservation biocontrol through habitat creation. The Willden Lab completed the first set of experiments to establish action thresholds for releasing natural enemies against aphids in greenhouse spinach and developed new tools to measure microclimate variation in greenhouses, supporting pest and biocontrol monitoring. They delivered 4 extension talks and 1 workshop. The Hendry lab trained 1graduate and 1 undergraduate student in microbiology and agricultural research. Students presented their research at 3 conferences. One manuscript is in preparation.   Objective 2: The Whitmore lab produced protocols for detection and rearing field-collected HWA predators. They collected data on the life history and feeding preferences of Le. argenticollis and Le. piniperda. The Shokoohi lab hosted 2 greenhouse augmentative biocontrol workshops at MA farms (50 growers) in collaboration with the UMass Extension Vegetable Program. The Long lab found that 2 species of entomopathogenic nematodes kill Asiatic garden beetle larvae and persist in IN peppermint fields. Cost-effectiveness is still not clear. They presented results at 3 grower/industry meetings.  Objective 3: The Park lab produced protocols for rearing and studying A. itadori and using UAVs to release it.   Objective 4: Loeb (NY), Rutledge (CT), and Long (IN) documented parasitism of SWD. The Tewksbusy lab shared results through presentations and digital platforms. Their Instagram account saw a 50% increase in followers and 1 post received 38,373 views (94% non-followers).    <ol> <li>c) Activities:</li> </ol> Objective 1: Kostromytska et al. continued sampling for natural enemies on golf courses in MA and CT and analyzed data. The Hendry lab conducted experiments assessing the impact of beneficial bacteria on aphid colonization of and survival on plants.  Objective 2: The Willden lab conducted experiments in greenhouses and high tunnels assessing and optimizing microclimates for biocontrol, the use of companion plants, and timing of biocontrol release on greenhouse spinach. Kostromytska et al. tested commercially-available entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi against turfgrass arthropod pests. The Long lab continued monitoring survival and efficacy of 2 entomopathogenic nematode species in IN peppermint fields. The Whitmore lab surveyed western hemlock for HWA and predators, collecting and rearing 3 predator species.   Objective 3: The Park lab is rearing A. itadori obtained from NJ Dept. of Ag. and used UAVs to release them in Morgantown, WV. They optimized equipment to permit automated dispersal.  Objective 4: Loeb (NY) and Rutledge (CT) released G. kimorum and collected data on SWD infestation and parasitism. The Salom lab participated in an area-wide USDA-ARS project developing IPM strategies for SLF and tree of heaven around vineyards. They continue to rear, distribute, and monitor biocontrol agents of HWA (L. osakensis, Leucotaraxis silver flies), and plan to study prey-finding in silver flies. The Tewksbury lab collaborated with the RI Dept. of Environmental Management to monitor winter moth and evaluate the effectiveness of its biocontrol with Cyzenis albicans, releasing additional C. albicans. They released parasitoid wasps for EAB at 11 locations in RI and have monitored for establishment in 6 of those sites.    <ol> <li>d) Milestones: </li> </ol> Objective 1:  Dunn-Silver & Lamb developed profiles for 45 biocontrol agents currently available on the Cornell IPM website (<a href="https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/eco-resilience/biocontrol/biocontrol-agents">cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/eco-resilience/biocontrol/biocontrol-agents</a>. Willden developed a protocol to monitor microbial biocontrol survival on plants and conducted successful field trials.  Objective 2: Whitmore optimized HWA predator release techniques.   Objective 3: Salom demonstrated Ailanthus bioherbicide variability in efficacy. Park completed initial UAV-based feasibility testing for A. itadori aerial release and established experimental and design groundwork for future field-scale aerial releases.   Objective 4: Long developed a laboratory assay to assess whether SWD larval parasitoids can use odors to distinguish between infested and uninfested fruit. Salom initiated a study of Eastern strain Leucotaraxis fly abundance in hemlock with and without the presence of white pine.

Grants, Contracts & Other Resources Obtained

Cabrera and E. Y. Long. ($19,567) Evaluating the impact of soil type on the synergy between chemical and biological control strategies for Asiatic garden beetle in mint. North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program – Graduate Student Grant (1 year; 2025-2026).

Y. Long, D. S. Richmond, and C. H. Krupke. ($243,303) Assessing the impact of crop rotation on the persistence and efficacy of insect-parasitic nematodes as biocontrol agents for soil-insect pests. North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grant Program. (3 years; 2024-2027).

Y. Long and D. S. Richmond. ($199,673) Evaluating interactions between soil characteristics and the persistence of entomopathogenic nematodes for sustainable management of soil-dwelling pests in mint. USDA-NIFA Crop Protection & Pest Management Program. (2 years; 2024-2026).

Lake George Park Commission committed $50,000 to HWA management in the watershed as a result of project activities.

Publications

Andrews, O., A.C. Jones, M. Whitmore, and S. Salom. 2025. Potential feeding deterrents of Adelges tsugae found in biological control flies.  The Science of Nature. 112:45.  <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-025-01996-y">https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-025-01996-y</a>    Dunn-Silver, A.R. 2025. <a href="https://blogs.cornell.edu/biocontrolbytes/2025/05/22/wildflower-or-weed-recognizing-perennial-wildflower-seedlings/">Wildflower or weed? Recognizing perennial wildflower seedlings</a>. Biocontrol Bytes blog. Cornell University, 22 May 2025. Accessed 1 October 2025.    Dunn-Silver, A.R. 2025. <a href="https://blogs.cornell.edu/biocontrolbytes/2025/01/22/stratifying-perennial-wildflower-seeds/">Stratifying perennial wildflower seeds</a>. Biocontrol Bytes blog. Cornell University, 22 January 2025. Accessed 1 October 2025.    Long, E. Y. and M.A. Johnston. 2025. Notes and new records for parasitoids of exotic drosophilids in Indiana, USA (Hymenoptera: Figitidae and Braconidae). The Great Lakes Entomologist 57(2), <a href="https://doi.org/10.22543/0090-0222.2499">https://doi.org/10.22543/0090-0222.2499</a><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}">  <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}">  Miles, H.H., S. Salom, T.J. Shively, J.T. Bielski, T.J. McAvoy, and C.J. Fearer.  2025. A review of potential biological controls for Ailanthus altissima. Ann. Ent Soc Amer.  118(2):  101-109.   <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saae041">https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saae041</a><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}">  <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}">  Rossi-Stacconi, M.V., et al. 2025. Adventively-established Leptopilina japonica: a new opportunity for agumentative biocontrol of Drosophila suzukii. Journal of Pest Science, 98: 1863-1879, DOI: 10.1007/s10340-025-01907-0. <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}">  <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}">  Rutledge, C.E. and N. Brophy. 2025. New host record for Drosophila suzukii and Zaprionus indianus (Drosophilidae: Diptera): Asimina triloba (Annonaceae: Magnoliales). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. Jul;127(1):133-5.<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}">    Shively, Timothy J., J.N. Barney, A. Baudoin, C.J. Fearer, J.L. Reid, S.M. Salom. 2025. Range expansion of a Verticillium nonalfalfae isolate suppresses Ailanthus altissima with mixed results along environmental gradients. For. Path. 55(2) 15 pp. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.70013">https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.70013</a> <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}">    Shokoohi, A. 2025. Biocontrol Basics & Planning. Vegetable Notes. UMass Extension Vegetable Program’s 37:1. January 16, 2025. Sent to over 3,500 online subscribers. <a href="https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/vegetable/newsletters/vegetable-notes/vegetable-notes-2025-vol-371#biocontrol">https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/vegetable/newsletters/vegetable-notes/vegetable-notes-2025-vol-371#biocontrol</a>    Shrestha, B., D. Rowland, S. Hesler, G. Brind’Amour, A. Wallis, A. Stansell. And G. Loeb. 2025. Enhancing biological control of spotted-wing Drosophila in New York fruit crops. Fruit Quarterly 33 (2): 10-14.    Fulcher, M.R., R.Larkin, A, Johnson, L. Tewksbury, and M.A. Tancos. 2025. A foliar disease of invasive black swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum nigrum) caused by Boeremia exigua. Plant Disease. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-25-0684-SC">https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-25-0684-SC</a>     Grevstad, F.S., J.C. Andersen, N.C. Oderkirk, J. Andreas, L. Tewksbury, C. Detweiler, J. Price, B. Blossey, and R. Reardon. 2025. Limited establishment from widespread releases of the knotweed psyllid Aphalara itadori, a biological control agent for knotweeds in the USA. Biocontrol. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-025-10362-w">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-025-10362-w</a>     Liu, F., T.D. Bittner, M.C. Whitmore, 2024. Environmental DNA assays for Laricobius beetles (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), biocontrol agents of the hemlock woolly adelgid in North America. Journal of Economic Entomology. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae116">https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae116</a>     Dietschler, N. J., T.D. Bittner, M.B. Lefebvre, J. Schmidt, C.S. Jubb, A. James, S.M. Salom, M.C. Whitmore, 2024. Observation of key phenological stages of hemlock woolly adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae): using citizen science as a tool to inform research and management. Journal of Economic Entomology. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae056">https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae056</a>     Elizabeth M. D’Auria, Nicholas J. Dietschler, Tonya D. Bittner, Isis A.L. Caetano, Mark C. Whitmore. 2025. Methods for collecting and rearing three sympatric biocontrol agents of Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in eastern North America. Journal of Insect Science. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/ieaf107">https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/ieaf107</a>     Dietschler N.J., F. Liu, S.L. Celis, M.C. Whitmore, A.A. Agrawal. 2025. Multi-trophic interactions and niche partitioning in the native range informs biological control in forests invaded by the hemlock woolly adelgid. Biological Invasions. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-025-03739-6%C2%A0">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-025-03739-6%C2%A0</a>     Bittner, T.D., N.P. Havill, N.J. Dietschler, Z. Zembrzuski, M.C. Whitmore, 2025. Eastern and western lineages of Leucotaraxis argenticollis (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae), a biological control agent for Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), are capable of hybridization in the laboratory. Journal of Insect Science. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/ieaf031">https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/ieaf031</a>    Guan, W., S.A. Willden, and L. Ingwell. 2025. Active vs. passive winter row cover management: Impacts on strawberry yield and pests inside high tunnels. HortTechnology, 35 (4): 533 – 540. DOI: 10.21273/HORTTECH05622-25.    Sharma, H., G. Loeb, and S. Willden. 2025. Spotted Lanternfly. Cornell Vegetable Program, Shared Article Network.    Grynyshyn, Y. and S. Willden. 2025. Western flower thrips. Cornell Vegetable Program, Shared Article Network. Circulated in VegEdge.    Sharma, H. and S. Willden. 2025. Fungus gnats in controlled environment agriculture. Cornell Vegetable Program, Shared Article Network.    Grynyshyn, Y. and S. Willden. 2025. Chilli thrips in controlled environment agriculture. Cornell Vegetable Program, Shared Article Network. Circulated in AgWeekly (Orange County), VegEdge, and CCE Madison Grower Listserv.    Sharma, H. and S. Willden. 2025. Twospotted spider mites. Cornell Vegetable Program, Shared Article Network. Circulated in AgWeekly (Orange County), VegEdge, and CCE Madison Grower Listserv.    Willden, S. and L. Ingwell. 2025. The battle for winter spinach: Organic management of aphids on winter spinach in high tunnels. InsideGrower, Spring 2025 pp 34-35. <a href="https://www.ballpublishing.com/magazine/ig_25_02/index.aspx%23">https://www.ballpublishing.com/magazine/ig_25_02/index.aspx#</a>    UMass Extension Vegetable Program, adapted from K. Fahey & A. LaSalle. 2025. Identifying Natural Enemies on Your Farm. Vegetable Notes. UMass Extension Vegetable Program 37:18. Augst 14, 2025; sent to over 3,500 online subscribers. <a href="https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/vegetable/newsletters/vegetable-notes/vegetable-notes-2025-vol-3718#a2">https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/vegetable/newsletters/vegetable-notes/vegetable-notes-2025-vol-3718#a2</a>     Valicharla, S. K., R. Karimzadeh, X. Li, and Y.-L. Park. 2025. Transformer-based semantic segmentation of Japanese knotweed in high-resolution UAV imagery using twins-SVT. Information, 16(9), 741. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/info16090741">https://doi.org/10.3390/info16090741</a>

Impact Statements

Evaluate efficacy of conservation and augmentation programs on natural enemies: Examples of impact include: Tewksbury, Dunn-Silver, and Lamb described natural enemy abundance across diverse habitats and crops; Willden seeks to understand the influence of abiotic factors on protective microbe abundance.
Release, establish and redistribute natural enemies: Project members are developing novel strategies to release natural enemies. For example, Park et al. supports the integration of knotweed biocontrol with precision invasive plant management using technological innovations like remote sensing and spatial targeting. Several labs assessed the success of current releases.
Evaluate natural enemy efficacy and study ecological/physiological basis for interactions: Multiple project members evaluated the efficacy of novel ecological interactions in biocontrol. For example, the Hendry lab assessed how microbes can present alternative ways to control pests in agriculture and provide solutions for growers. The Salom and Whitmore labs are identifying novel natural enemy interactions with native predators. The Long lab is investigating entomopathogenic nematodes.