S1073: Biological Control of Arthropod Pests and Weeds

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Active

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[10/07/2024] [02/26/2026]

Date of Annual Report: 10/07/2024

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/19/2024 - 03/19/2024
Period the Report Covers: 03/15/2023 - 03/19/2024

Participants

Pasco Avery
Adam Dale
Rodrigo Diaz
Steve Frank
Jerome Grant
Philip Hahn
Sriyanka Lahiri
Norman Leppla
Carey Minteer
Nicole Quinn
Jason Schmidt

Brief Summary of Minutes

Title: Recent advances in biological control of plants and arthropods

Date: Tuesday, March 19^th

Time: 2:00-5:00PM

2:00PM – Welcoming remarks – Adam Dale, President

2:05PM – Classical biological control in Tennessee: Looking back to the future

Jerome Grant, University of Tennessee

2:18PM – Developing ways to be more proactive with reactive control strategies

Carey Minteer, University of Florida

2:31PM – Field validation of sorghum aphid natural enemy thresholds: summation of type I and type II error rates

Kristopher Giles, Oklahoma State University

2:44PM – Fortuitous biocontrol: what we know about the Roseau cane scale parasitoid complex in Louisiana

Tanner Sparks and Rodrigo Diaz, Louisiana State University

2:57PM – Revealing parasitoid-aphid food webs in pecans for building future biological control programs

Pedro Felipe Toledo and Jason Schmidt, University of Georgia

3:10PM – Interactions between multiple biocontrol agents used to control the invasive plant, air potato

Philip Hahn, University of Florida

3:23PM – Opportunities for using real-time satellite monitoring to improve the impact of weed biological control

Rodrigo Diaz, Louisiana State University

3:36 – 3:51PM – Group discussion of biological control topics presented and discussed thus far

3:51PM – European pepper moth plant preferences and insecticide susceptibility

Steve Frank, NC State University

4:04PM – Trichopoda pennipes host preference and suitability when reared on species of pentatomids and coreids

Norm Leppla, University of Florida

4:17PM – Exploring conservation biological control in urban lawns: opportunities and limitations

Adam Dale, University of Florida

4:30PM – Development of conservation and augmentatitve biological control tools for management of chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, in strawberry

Sriyanka Lahiri, University of Florida

4:43PM – Occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi in soil collected from citrus groves with and without cover crops: a baseline analysis

Pasco Avery, University of Florida

4:56PM – Concluding discussion, identification of incoming officers, and planning for next year’s meeting in Baton Rouge, LA.

Nicole Quinn will move into the acting President role

Sriyanka Lahiri volunteered to serve as the new Secretary

5:15PM – Meeting concluded

Accomplishments

FLORIDA NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE:  Adam Dale              AES (STATE): Florida                                                       LABORATORY NAME OR LOCATION: University of Florida, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida REC, UF/IFAS Tropical REC, UF/IFAS Indian River REC, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast REC PHONE: 352-273-3976                                                 E-MAIL:  agdale@ufl.edu                                             OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Carey Minteer, Norm Leppla, Sriyanka Lahiri, Phil Hahn, Lance Osborne, Pasco Avery, Nicole Quinn ACCOMPLISHMENTS (by Objective) <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To discover, assess, and release new biological control agents</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Earleaf acacia 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. The first note of the potential weedy nature of this species was in 1976. Since that time, earleaf acacia has become more prevalent and more of an issue in Florida. Multiple sources list this species as high risk for invasive potential, and there is a lack of long-term control options outside of chemical basal bark and "cut and spray" treatments. This makes earleaf acacia a good candidate for biological control. Currently, 114 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 these arthropods, Calomela intemerata and Trichilogaster nov., are now in quarantine in the University of Florida’s Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory (BCRCL). Host range and biology tests for C. intemerata are nearing completion and a petition for release is being drafted. Host range and biology tests for Trichilogaster sp. nov. are underway.</li> <li>Brazilian peppertree: Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), a biological control agent for the invasive Brazilian peppertree is being mass-reared and released into the invaded range in Florida. Members of this working group reared and released over 211,000 ichini in Florida over the last fiscal year.</li> <li>Nipaecococcus viridis: We conducted a literature review of viridis and its natural enemies and identified several regions in which foreign exploration for classical biological control agents could be conducted. This work is planned for late summer or early fall 2024.</li> <li>Bulimulus bonariensis: We discovered a new, undescribed species of parasitic mite in wild bonariensis.</li> <li>Many of the thrips’ problems we have in foliage plant production in Florida greenhouses are the result of 3 primary species: Echinothrips americanus, Scirtothrips dorsalis, and most recently, the invasive Thrips parvispinus. Recent studies using the large predatory thrips Franklinothrips vespiformis native to Florida have shown very promising results for americanus control in greenhouses. This predator also is effective in managing whiteflies and spider mites in the crop. Studies have shown the addition of supplemental food, such as decapsulated brine shrimp eggs, to the crop can promote the persistence of F. vespiformisduring periods when prey are absent. This species can also be maintained on banker plants containing an alternative prey and studies are currently being conducted on the best practices for a banker plant system. During the summer of 2023, we released this predatory thrips in a gardenia landscape that was heavily infested with an established population of T. parvispinus. Four releases were made: May 3, May 25, June 30 and July 7 in the residential landscape on Palm Beach Island.  Control was great, hedges that had not had flowers for two years made a comeback and began to bloom, however, recovery was short-lived when we ran out of predators from our lab colony.  Our studies have shown the addition of supplemental food, such as decapsulated brine shrimp eggs, to the crop can promote the persistence of F. vespiformis during periods when prey are absent and we would like to investigate this in the landscape.</li> <li>Finished laboratory trials to determine the functional response of the pantropical predatory thrips (Franklinothrips vespiformis)on whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) to assess its impact as a predator of whiteflies. Our results showed that vespiformis was a very effective predator, with adults consuming up to 110 eggs and 30 nymphs per day. This work has been published.</li> </ul> <ol start="2"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To characterize and evaluate the impact of native and introduced biocontrol agents</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Releases of Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) began in July 2019 to control the invasive Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia). In areas with heavy thrips pressure, we have seen a dramatic decline in health of Brazilian peppertree plants along with an influx of secondary plant pests (aphids and fungal pathogens) that are further weakening the plants. Areas with fewer ichini present are currently being augmented with additional releases. Studies collecting quantifiable data on impact are underway but have not shown any reduction in plant growth metrics to date. Augmentative releases of P. ichini are occurring in these areas as well.</li> <li>Air potato- We investigated synergistic interactions between two classical biological control agents introduced to control the invasive plant air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera): a leaf-feeding beetle Liliocerus cheni and a bulbil-feeder egena. To address this objective, we used controlled feeding experiments to manipulate saponin (i.e., diosgenin) in artificial diet to examine beetle performance in response to varying saponin concentrations. We found that L. cheni feed more vigorously on the diets with intermediate to high concentration of saponins, suggesting the saponins act as a feeding stimulant. For L. egena, they follow a similar pattern although not as strongly as L. cheni. We also have established 80 air potato in the greenhouse and applied four treatments: 1) damaged by L. cheni, 2) sprayed with Jasmonic acid, 3) sprayed with Salicylic acid, 4) control. We harvested bulbils from these plants and used them in feeding experiments with L. egena. Liliocerus egena feed equally on bulbils from all treatments. Importantly, they were not affected by bulbils that grew on plants previously damaged by the leaf-feed L. cheni. These results demonstrate that the two beetles will act additively, and not interfere with each other, to provide effective control of air potato.</li> <li>One lab study was conducted by a PhD student to assess the potential of Orius as a biocontrol agent of Scirtothrips dorsalisHood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). To evaluate feeding rate on S. dorsalis and impact on the oviposition of Orius spp., strawberry leaf discs were used in petri-dish arena. Studies will be repeated twice as part of the PhD student’s dissertation.</li> <li>Nipaecoccus viridis: We have begun rearing viridis and one of its parasitoids, Anagyrus dactylopii, in our quarantine laboratory.</li> <li>Bulimulus bonariensis: We initiated a field study of bonariensis in which we will determine the natural enemy complex of B. bonariensis in Florida citrus via camera traps, pitfall traps, and gut content analysis. This will provide the first description of the trophic ecology of B. bonariensis and associated organisms. We collected our first round of preliminary data in Fall 2023.</li> <li>Two greenhouse trials arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and 4 replications were conducted to determine the effectiveness of pallidus beetle to control Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 populations applied either directly to poinsettia or by a papaya banker plant system compared to the insecticide grower standard at the high (first greenhouse trial) and low rate (second greenhouse trial) and the untreated control. Preventative fungicide for powdery mildew was applied to the banker plants prior to infestation with papaya whitefly and the predatory beetle.  No powdery mildew was detected on the banker plants in either trial.  Adult pest whitefly populations in the untreated control in both trials reached 525 per leaf and resulted in plant death.  Insecticide control was excellent for the duration (13 weeks) of trial one at the high rate and control broke starting in week 7 of the second trial at the low insecticide rate. Both beetle treatments provided significantly better control of all stages of the pest whitefly compared to the untreated control and were not significantly different from the insecticide treatment for most weekly evaluations.  Beetles from the papaya banker plant dispersed readily to the cash crop and provided better control of Bemisia overtime compared to direct release.  This is being repeated currently.</li> </ul> <ol start="3"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To develop augmentation and conservation biological control tactics</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Trichopoda pennipes DNA. We were the first to describe the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes and associated host preference of Trichopoda pennipes, a parasitoid of Nezara viridula. Trichopoda pennipes is a tachinid parasitoid of several significant heteropteran agricultural pests, including the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula, and leaffooted bug, Leptoglossus phyllopus. To be used successfully as a biological control agent, the fly must selectively parasitize the target host species. Differences in the host preference of pennipes were assessed by assembling the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of 38 flies reared from field-collected N. viridula and L. phyllopus. The mitochondrial genomes of the flies were sequenced and compared to identify possible host-determined sibling species. There were no differences in the architecture of these genomes. Phylogenetic analyses using sequence information from 13 PCGs and the two rRNAs individually or as a combined dataset resolved the parasitoids into two distinct lineages: T. pennipes that parasitized both N. viridula and L. phyllopus, and others that parasitized only L. phyllopus.</li> <li>Stink bug rearing. The invasive stink bug, Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister), recently became established in the southwestern U.S. and has become a major pest of broccoli and other cole crops. Due to concerns about its possible establishment in Florida, a colony of this pest was maintained in quarantine to conduct research on its environmental requirements. The colony was reared reliably with approximately 300 adults per generation but began to decline in generation 16. Due to unknown causes, only about 73 females were recovered to mate and oviposit during the final 46 days. However, a corresponding decrease in the number of mated pairs did not reduce the yield of eggs, nymphs, and adults per day, rather the females were maintained for fewer than the normal 160 days per generation. Therefore, quality control procedures were implemented to increase the number of days the colony produced adults in subsequent generations. The goal of producing approximately 400 adults per generation was accomplished during 104, 160, and 156 days, respectively, in generations 17, 18, and 19. The purpose of this research was to develop quality control procedures for rearing B. hilaris, use the procedures to restore a colony in quarantine, and describe how quality control can be used to maintain small colonies of insects. Implementing quality control procedures when a colony is established can help to prevent its decline.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Data from previous year’s field study was analyzed to conclude that strawberry plants adjacent to ornamental pepper had significantly lower Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood population compared to strawberry plants adjacent to sweet alyssum. Additionally, there was an effect of distance of strawberry plant from banker plants on damage from dorsalis. At a distance of 2.4 m, significantly less plant damage was visible due to both banker crops (ornamental pepper and sweet alyssum). At 3.7 m, lower damage was visible due to proximity to ornamental pepper only. No significant differences in plant damage index were visible due to banker crops compared to control plots beyond the 3.7 m distance. Plant damage was lowest in spinetoram treated plots, in this field experiment, and this rating was lower than those plants having access to banker crops.</li> <li>Potential of banker plants such as sweet alyssum, Mexican sunflower, and marigold for recruiting and conserving natural enemies of thrips pests was screened during strawberry field season 2023-2024. On the basis of sticky traps and visual sampling of flowers, both marigold and Mexican sunflower were found to host minute pirate bugs (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), and big-eyed bugs (Hemiptera: Geocoridae). The field study clearly showed that sweet alyssum hosted more aphid predators and parasitoids, than thrips predators. Later during strawberry season, sweet alyssum was found to be highly attractive to the adults and nymphs of green stink bug, Chinavia halaris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Therefore, for conservation biocontrol in strawberry targeting thrips pests, marigold or Mexican sunflower may be more useful banker crops.</li> <li>Bulimulus bonariensis: We surveyed a commercial citrus grove for bonariensis to examine the impact of irrigation and groundcover treatments on snail density and parasitic mite load.</li> <li>Finished conducting greenhouse studies using a acircula muhly grass banker plant system with the predatory beetle Diomus austrinus for managing pest populations of the highly invasive Madeira mealybug (Phenacoccus madeirensis) on Coleus as the ornamental cash crop. While control is eventually achieved over many weeks, it was determined that this release strategy was not a viable economic management option for Madeira mealybug. Crop damage thresholds reached unacceptable levels before beetles could reduce mealybug populations. Diomus appears to prefer mealybug eggs so need something that would attack later stages. Alternative options are being considered for the next agreement, such as adding mealybug parasitoids in conjunction with the predatory beetles.</li> <li>Finished conducting laboratory trials comparing the suitability of a diet of decapsulated cysts of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana to larvae of Echinothrips americanus for development and reproduction of Franklinothrips vespiformis. The effects of alternate diet on predation of americanus larvae was also examined. Data collection is complete, and analysis is underway. Preliminary data analyses suggest that egg to adult development is similar between diets, but adult longevity is significantly longer in individuals fed on Artemia cysts (45 vs 38 days). The presence of Artemia cysts also significantly reduced predation of E. americanus larvae (12 vs 7 larvae/day).</li> </ul> <ol start="4"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To develop integrated pest management programs that have a biological control component.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Brazilian peppertree: We have investigated appropriate methods for integrating biological control of Brazilian peppertree (Pseudophilothrips ichini) with chemical methods in the field. Conduct field studies to determine differences in control of the target weed among control methods used alone and in combination. Treatments included 1) chemical control alone, 2) biological control alone, 3) the combination of chemical control on female trees and biological control on male trees, and 4) no control. Post-spray surveys are continuing, with 4-month post-spray data completed in at two sites in Florida. So far, we have seen a reduction of Brazilian peppertrees in all herbicide and integrated plots. Pseudophilothrips ichini are regularly found across all thrips and integrated treatment plots, indicating that integration is likely not harmful for the insects. Final surveys of these plots will occur in FY 2025, to identify which treatments reduced Brazilian peppertree density the most. This longer time frame will allow for further action of the biological control agents and will account for any target plant regrowth after herbicide sprays.</li> <li>Two separate laboratory studies assessing the impact of commonly used fungicides and insecticides in strawberry fields on three species of predatory mites, Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans, Neoseiulus californicus McGregor, and Amblyseius swirskiiAthias-Henriot, was completed. The manuscripts were submitted to journals for publication. Two manuscripts are currently under review. These studies revealed that when feeding on twospotted spider mite pests of strawberry, exposure to all fungicides tested had an impact on the survival, feeding, and oviposition of the predators. Cyprodinil + fludioxonil had the highest impact on all three predators, while hydrogen peroxide + peroxyacetic acid had the least impact. In case of insecticides, spinetoram had the highest impact on survival of all predatory mites compared to all other insecticides while entomopathogen Cordycepsjavanica had the least impact on their survival. All predators consistently consumed low quantities of dorsalis, however, spinetoram drastically reduced prey consumption, while others like cyantraniliprole had minimal impact on prey consumption. There was no discernable variation in the oviposition rates among predators when exposed to insecticides.   </li> <li>Bulimulus bonariensis: preliminary data on the potential of commercially available materials as deterrents of bonariensis was conducted.</li> <li>Residential lawns – We evaluated warm-season turfgrass and turfgrass-alternative plant species for their conservation biological control value under reduced management inputs. We found that in the absence of pesticide inputs, warm-season turfgrass monocultures support active and diverse ground-dwelling natural enemy communities no different from turf-alternatives. However, flowering turfgrass alternatives, like Phyla nodiflora, supported significantly more predatory and parasitic organisms driven by the presence of floral resources. This work informs future research and application of flowering groundcovers as turfgrass alternatives that enhance conservation biological control in residential landscapes.  </li> </ul> UTILITY OF FINDINGS <ul> <li>Trichopoda pennipes has considerable potential as an augmentative biological control agent, parasitizing insects from at least six true bug families: Coreidae, Largidae, Pentatomidae, Scutelleridae, Pyrrhocoridae, and Alydidae, with species from 15 genera. For unknown reasons, however, pennipes causes high levels of parasitism in some hosts, locations and cropping systems but not others. Therefore, we are conducting research to determine how to produce T. pennipes that can be used in augmentative biological control of specific pest stink bugs.</li> <li>Conservation biological control using entomopathogenic fungi for the suppression of invasive arthropods – Soil temperature was generally higher with conventional treatments in citrus groves (orange, lemon, and grapefruit) without cover crops; however, soil moisture varied per citrus grove type. The total number of fungal species identified in all the groves combined was 1172, and of those 136 (~12%) were beneficial species. Of the beneficial fungi, 2 species were from the order Entomophthorales and 134 from Hypocreales. Entomophthoralean species were only found in the conventional treatments, not the cover crops. Many of the beneficial fungi identified in these soil samples are agroecosystem service providers that function as natural bactericides/fungicides, nematicides, miticides, insecticides and/or endophytes.</li> <li>Ornamental pepper, marigold, and Mexican sunflower are emerging as useful banker crops for thrips management using conservation biological control in open-field strawberry production in FL.</li> <li>Ornamental pepper and sweet alyssum are effective in suppressing dorsalis feeding damage in strawberry within a distance of 2.4 m. This finding is useful in developing a plan for banker crop planting in the field.</li> <li>The incompatibility of certain fungicides and insecticides with three species of predatory mites will assist with a tailored approach of integrating biological and chemical control options for urticae and S. dorsalis management in strawberry.</li> </ul> WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR (2023-2024) <ul> <li>The research objectives for next year are: 1) design and test efficient and reliable systems for rearing the host pentatomids and coreids for producing host-specific pennipes lines, 2) determine the preference of T. pennipes for alternative pentatomid and coreid hosts and associated host suitability, and 3) establish and test colonies of T. pennipes that are effective against individual pentatomid and coreid pest species. Studies are needed on a range of these parasitoid-host relationships, including how genetic and phenotypic variation of the host affects parasitoid host selection and suitability. Research is also needed on rearing methods, host ranges, potential effectiveness, release strategies, and impact monitoring.</li> <li>A research project is being completed that addresses causes for parasitoids to induce high levels of parasitization in some hosts and locations and not others. Host selection experiments will determine if pennipes reared from sympatric N. viridula, Anasa tristis, or L. phyllopus prefer to parasitize the host from which they are recovered, and which hosts are most suitable for parasitoid development. We will assess host preference of the field-collected parental generation of T. pennipes from the three host species and their laboratory propagated first generation progeny by conducting choice tests. Establishing a means of predicting the host preference of field-collected and laboratory propagated biological control agents and their progeny is essential to designing agents that prefer the target pest.</li> <li>Brazilian peppertree: releases of ichini, impact and integration studies will continue. We will produce a model that will predict the areas most suitable for P. ichini establishment. This will better inform release site selection and allow for improved use of resources.</li> <li>Earleaf acacia: Host range and biology studies on Trichilogaster nov. will continue. A petition for release for C. intemerata will be submitted to the Technical Advisory Group on the Biological Control of Weeds.</li> <li>Waterhyacinth: We will investigate the use of drone-based remote sensing to quantify the impact of biological control agents in the field. These data will be used to prioritize areas in need of additional releases of the biological control agents.</li> <li>Air potato- We are continuing to evaluate potential interactions between cheni and L. egena. We will also use species distribution models to understand areas where biocontrol agents may be more or less successful based on the overlap of their distributions with the plant in the native range.</li> <li>Continue assessing the soil samples collected in each citrus grove type of on a biannual basis to determine if the beneficial fungi numbers and species changes over time. Also determine if soil moisture and temperature is affected by the presence of cover crops compared to conventional treatments over time.</li> <li>Repeat laboratory studies to assess the feeding and oviposition rate of Orius on invasive pest, chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis.</li> <li>Nipaecococcus viridis: Foreign exploration for natural enemies of Nipaecococcus viridis is tentatively planned for late summer or early fall 2024. We plan to evaluate factors affecting the performance of both host and parasitoids throughout the year.</li> <li>We intend to work with taxonomists to get the new mite species formally described. In the meantime, we plan to study the ecology of this new natural enemy in 2024</li> <li>Bulimulus bonariensis: Surveys of bonariensis to examine the impact of irrigation and groundcover treatments on snail density and parasitic mite load will be continued in 2024. Camera and pitfall trap work will continue.</li> <li>Future work will assess various release strategies for vespiformis for B. tabaci management and compare the use of F. vespiformis against chemical control and other commonly used biological control agents.</li> <li>Urban and residential landscapes – We plan to publish work showing the effects of low-input lawn management practices on predatory ground-dwelling arthropods as a conservation biological control strategy for urban landscapes. We plan to publish work on the conservation biological control value of turfgrass alternative plants, including Phyla nodiflora. Finally, we plan to publish work investigating the priorities and preferences of home residents regarding the use of landscape plants and designs that promote conservation biological control in residential landscapes.</li> </ul>   LOUISIANA NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE: Dr. Rodrigo Diaz                   AES (STATE):  Louisiana                                                   LABORATORY NAME OR LOCATION: Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 PHONE: 225-578-1835                                                                      E-MAIL: rdiaz@agcenter.lsu.edu                                OTHER PARTICIPANTS: (Louisiana State University). Veronica Manrique (Southern University, Baton Rouge). ACCOMPLISHMENTS (by Objective) <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To discover, assess, and release new biological control agents</li> </ol> Giant salvinia: Efforts in 2023 were made to import a population of the salvinia weevil (Cyrtobagous salviniae) from Argentina.  Observations at the quarantine in LSU suggested potential incompatibilities of this population while exposed to giant salvinia, specifically lack immature development. The next steps will be to import this population again in 2024 and determine whether immatures (eggs, larvae) are present on salvinia using genetic techniques. <ol start="2"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To characterize and evaluate the impact of native and introduced biocontrol agents</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Giant salvinia: During 2023, we changed our mass rearing operation of salvinia weevils. Mass rearing was conducted at the Reproductive Biology Center in St. Gabriel. In June 2023, a weevil harvest was organized for the public and in cooperation with several agencies. A total of 330 totes were harvested from both ponds. There were 29 participants from Ascension, Cameron, Iberville, Jefferson-Davis, St. Tammany, and Vermillion Parishes.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Air potato: In collaboration with scientists from SE USA, we published two papers showing the establishment and impact of the air potato beetle (Lilioceris cheni) and the population genetics of colonies of the beetles used for releases.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Chinese privet: A new set of primers were developed for the detection of the seed-feeding weevil, Ochyromera ligustri. This tool will be used to determine the impact of the weevil by detecting the DNA of the weevil rather than doing dissections.</li> </ul> <ol start="3"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To develop augmentation and conservation biological control tactics</li> </ol> <ul> <li>The LSU AgCenter website on Invasive Species was updated. The website contains biological control options for the management of several invasive weeds and insects common in Louisiana. <a href="https://www.lsuagcenter.com/invasivespecies">https://www.lsuagcenter.com/invasivespecies</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li>Social Media: To inform the public about the biological control programs in Louisiana, the LSU and Southern University programs used social media including Facebook and Instagram. Please follow us at: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lsubiocontrol/">https://www.instagram.com/lsubiocontrol/</a>; and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/su_entomology_lab/">https://www.instagram.com/su_entomology_lab/</a></li> </ul> <ol start="4"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To develop integrated pest management programs that have a biological control component.</li> </ol> None.  UTILITY OF FINDINGS How to integrate control methods for giant salvinia? The impact of the salvinia weevil was studied in Puerto Rico and coastal Louisiana. The findings from these studies demonstrated the great potential of biological control using the salvinia weevil in different aquatic ecosystems. Both studies show rapid and substantial reductions in salvinia coverage, leading to improved water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen levels and the recovery of submerged aquatic vegetation. Moreover, the Puerto Rico study highlighted the effectiveness of combining biological control with mechanical removal, achieving near-complete eradication over three years. The Louisiana study improved our understanding of the relationship between weevil density and coverage reduction in different habitat types. These findings offer resource managers an effective and sustainable tool for combating giant salvinia. The success in varied environments (tropical reservoir and coastal wetlands) suggests broad applicability of this approach. Furthermore, the predictive models developed in the Louisiana study can help managers estimate control timelines and optimize their strategies, potentially improving the cost-effectiveness and success rates of future giant salvinia infestations. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR (2023-2024) Specific objectives: 1) Identify populations of biological control agents suitable for the climate in Louisiana Giant Salvinia: Efforts will be made to import the population of the salvinia weevil from Uruguay or Argentina in the Fall 2024.   <ol start="2"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Release, monitor establishment, and evaluate biological control agents</li> </ol> Giant Salvinia: One of the major limitations of the program is not knowing where is salvinia and the weevil in the landscape. During 2024 and 2025, we will work with satellites and drone to develop a remote sensing model. This model will aid in the detection of plants using satellite images (Senitel-2). We will continue supporting the biological control programs of giant salvinia and waterlettuce (Pistia stratiotes) in Puerto Rico. In fall 2024, member of the LSU biocontrol lab will travel to Puerto Rico to survey the distribution of the biological control agents in different waterbodies.  Biocontrol of Aquatic Weeds: In the summer of 2024 and during 2025, we will work improving the biological control of waterhyacinth, ludwigia, and alligator weed. Surveys will be conducted in Louisiana and nearby states for agents which could imported to California. Additionally, augmentation biological control is new area which has a tremendous opportunity in weed biological control. Experiments will be conducted to improve the release and establishment of mass-reared agents. Chinese privet: In 2025, we will continue with the host range testing of the ligustrum weevil (Ochyromera ligustri) and conduct studies on field impact of Chinese privet.     OKLAHOMA NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE: Kristopher Giles                     AES (STATE):  Oklahoma                                                        LABORATORY NAME OR LOCATION: Oklahoma State University PHONE:  405-744-6298                                             FAX:   405-744-6039                        E-MAIL: kris.giles@okstate.edu                                            OTHER PARTICIPANTS:                 Tom Royer                 ACCOMPLISHMENTS (by Objective) <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To discover, assess, and release new biological control agents</li> </ol> None. <ol start="2"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To characterize and evaluate the impact of native and introduced biocontrol agents</li> </ol> Research focuses on natural enemies that attack insect pests, and describing aphid parasitism and predation in agricultural landscapes.  In 2023 and 2024, published results of a multi-year studies to examine aphid parasitism in agricultural landscapes.  Results indicated the dominance of Lysiphlebus testaceipes in winter wheat, the re-emergence of a native parasitoid Aphelinus nigritus on sorghum, and importance of Diaeretiella rapae on winter canola.  Studies were continued and completed to describe the latitudinal ecology of aphid parasitoids in the Southern Plains with an emphasis on describing competitive interactions, the presences of endosymbionts, and how diapause may influence effective parasitism. Studies were also completed validating natural enemy thresholds of sorghum aphid in sorghum and preliminary development of sampling plans for these natural enemies.  Key Outcomes:  Based on studies completed in Oklahoma, crop diversity that includes summer crops at spatial scales of 1.5 km radius is more likely to support key parasitoid populations that prevent aphid outbreaks in winter crops, but species composition varies among habitats.  Incorporation of landscape metrics into predictions of biological control services and IPM programs for aphids is the long term goal requiring validation. Studies on competitive outcomes among aphid natural enemies indicate that Aphelinus nigritus is a superior competitor at small spatial scales, and Lysiphlebus testaceipes coexists because it avoids patches occupied by competitors. Preliminary analyses of spatial distribution of natural enemies in sorghum indicate that both predators and parasitoid sampling plans can be merged with those of sorghum aphid to allow for efficient use of validated natural enemy thresholds. <ol start="3"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To develop augmentation and conservation biological control tactics</li> </ol> Research is focusing primarily on conservation of parasitoids and predators in field crops, and evaluation of predators in stored grain systems.  Studies describing pest suppression and conservation of natural enemies in landscapes with winter canola and wheat were published.  Key Outcome:  Crop diversity in time and space in agricultural landscapes has a positive effect on aphid suppression by parasitoids, diversity of pollinators and services they provide.  Studies were also completed on predatory mites in stored grain systems and indicated their potential for augmentation programs. <ol start="4"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To develop integrated pest management programs that have a biological control component.</li> </ol> None. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR (2024-2025) <ul> <li>Continued studies related to objectives 2 and 3.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Studies describing competitive outcomes among aphid natural enemies will be completed.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Complete studies describing life history traits of natural enemies in stored grain.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Validation of natural enemy thresholds for SCA on sorghum, and integration of sampling approaches will be completed.</li> </ul>   WEST VIRGINIA NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE: Carlos Quesada AES (STATE): West Virginia LABORATORY NAME OR LOCATION: School of Agriculture and Food Systems   PHONE: (304) 293-8835 EMAIL: carlos.quesada@mail.wvu.edu ACCOMPLISHMENTS (by Objective) <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To discover, assess, and release new biological control agents</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To characterize and evaluate the impact of native and introduced biocontrol agents</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To develop augmentation and conservation biological control tactics </li> </ol> <ol start="4"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">To develop integrated pest management programs that have a biological control component.</li> </ol> High tunnel insect exclusion screens. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of insect exclusion screens on insect pests and their biocontrol agents on vegetable crops in high tunnels. This study is being conducted on five commercial farms. We estimated the pests and their natural enemy abundance during the whole growing season in 2023 and 2024. Insecticide excretion through honeydew. The first objective of this study was to determine the concentration of several insecticides (imidacloprid, chlorantraniliprole, and flupyradifurone) in honeydew excreted by aphids feeding on pepper plants. The second objective was to determine the impact of insecticide tainted honeydew on lacewing. UTILITY OF FINDINGS High tunnel insect exclusion screens. Several studies have reported the impacts of insect exclusion on insect pests. However, impact of screens on natural enemies has been poorly studied, our finding will provide insight into this mechanical control tactic on natural populations of parasitoids and predators. Insecticide excretion through honeydew. Understanding the impact of insecticide applications on target pests and their natural enemies is important for integrated pest management programs. Our finding will provide information about the impact of insecticide tainted honeydew on lacewing. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR (2024-2025) We are done with data collection and will begin running statistical analysis soon. Three manuscripts are planned for next year.

Publications

Bogal, Mesfin, Shova Mishra, Kendal Stacey, Lillie Rooney, Paula…..Anthony Auletta, Norman Leppla, Peter DiGennaro. 2023. First description of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes and associated host preference of Trichopoda pennipes, a parasitoid of Nezara viridula. Genes 14:1172. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14061172">https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14061172</a>. Ivey, Cleveland, B., Norman C. Leppla, Amanda C. Hodges, and Joe E. Eger. 2023. Quality control applications for recovering an inbred colony of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). J. Insect Science. 23: 8; 1–6. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iead057">https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iead057</a>. Rooney, L. M. 2023. Host preference and suitability of Trichopoda pennipes (Diptera: Tachinidae) on Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Anasa tristis (Hemiptera: Coreidae) and Leptoglossus phyllopus (Hemiptera: Coreidae) in North Central Florida. Thesis, University of Florida, 99 p. Leppla, N. C., L. M. LeBeck, and M. W. Johnson. 2024. Status and Trends of Biological Control Research, Extension, and Education in the United States. Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 117:1-9. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saae005">https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saae005</a>. Carruthers, K. A., J. Cuda, S. Enloe, E. Le Falchier, and C. R. Minteer. 2023. Direct toxicity and emigration: Evaluation of herbicide interactions with a biological control agent for Schinus terebinthifolia. BioControl 68: 565-578. DOI: 10.1007/s10526-023-10216-3 Griesheimer, J. L. G, A. M. Gaffke, C. R. Minteer, J. L. Mass, S. Hight, and X. Martini. 2023. Attraction of the air potato leaf beetle, Lilioceris cheni, (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to leaf volatiles of the air potato, Dioscorea bulbifera, in a wind tunnel. Journal of Chemical Ecology DOI: 10.1007/s10886-023-01436-z. Lieurance, D., S. Canavan, D. C. Behringer, A. E. Kendig, C. R. Minteer, L. S. Reisinger, C. M. Romagosa, S. L. Flory, J. L. Lockwood, P. J. Anderson, S. M. Baker, J. Bojko, K. E. Bowers, K. Canavan, K. Carruthers, W. M. Daniel, D. R. Gordon, J. E. Hill, J. G. Howeth, V. V. Iannone III, L. Jennings, L. A. Gettys, E. M. Kariuki, J. M. Kunzer, H. D. Laughinghouse, N. E. Mandrak, S. McCann, T. Morawo, C. R. Morningstar, M. Neilson, T. Petri, I. A. Pfingsten, R. N. Reed, L. J. Walters, and C. Wanamaker. 2023. Identifying invasive species threats, pathways, and impacts to improve biosecurity. Ecosphere 14, e4711. DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4711. Manrique, V., E. Kraus, C. Schaffer, R. Diaz, C. Kelm, R. Poffenberger, E. Rohrig, R. Murray, A. David, M. Smith, E. Lake, C. R. Minteer, E. G. Le Falchier, J. Mass, and S. Hight. Assessing the status of biological control of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) in Southeastern USA. Biocontrol Science and Technology 33(12): 1173-1185. Wheeler, G. S., C. R. Minteer, E. Rohrig, S. Steininger, R. Nestle, D. Halbritter, J. Leidi, M. Rayamajhi, and E. Le Falchier. 2022. Release and persistence of the Brazilian peppertree biological control agent Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) in Florida. Florida Entomologist 105(3): 225-230. DOI: 10.1653/024.105.0308. Sanderson, C.H., R. Zonneveld, M. C. Smith, C. R. Minteer, and M. F. Purcell. 2023. Life history of the leaf‐feeding beetle Calomela intemerata, a potential biocontrol agent against Acacia auriculiformis. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 171(12), pp.902-912. Telmadarrehei T., A. L. Romero-Weaver, Y. Lee, and C. R. Minteer. 2024. The first complete mitogenome sequence of a biological control agent insect, Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood). Florida Entomologist. 107(1):20240014. Telmadarrehei T, Kariuki E. M., van Santen E., Le Falchier E. J., and C. R. Minteer. 2023. The effects of soil type and moisture on the survival of Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood). Biocontrol Science and Technology. 33:314-26. Calixto, E.S., J.L. Maron, and P.G. Hahn. Interactions between local and large-scale factors influence herbivory rates and seed loss. Ecology and Evolution 13: e10208. Quinn, N. F., T. R. Petrice, J. M. Schmude, T. M. Poland, L. S. Bauer, C. E. Rutlege, R. G. Van Driesche, J. S. Elkinton, and J. J. Duan. 2023. Post-release assessment of Oobius agrili establishment and impacts in Michigan and the northeastern United States. Journal of Economic Entomology 116(4): 1165-1170. DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad120. Olabiyi, David g, Eric Middleton, Muhammad Z Ahmed, Lance S Osborne, Cindy L McKenzie, Lauren Diepenbrock. 2023. Hibiscus Mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)–Biology, Host Plants, Current Management Practices, and a Field Guide for North America, Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 14(1):3, 1-9, https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmac029 Vivek Kumar, Yingfang Xiao, Matthew A Borden, Muhammad Z Ahmed, Cindy L McKenzie, Lance S Osborne. 2023. Distribution of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera:Thripidae) cryptic species complex in the United States and reproductive host assessment of its dominant member, Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 116, Issue 5, Pages 1715–1726, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad138 Ahmed, M. Z., Dorado, C., von Ellenrieder, N., Quinn, N. F., Roda, A., Schoeller, E. N. p, McKenzie, C. L., Osborne, L. S., and Diepenbrock, L. M., 2023. Development of a species-level field diagnostic kit for Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae), an invasive and regulatory pest in the United States. Journal of Applied Entomology, 147, 693-701, https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13177 Bohat., A., Folorunso, E.A., Lencov., J., Osborne, L.S. and Mraz, J. 2023. Control of sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) using entomopathogenic fungi under optimal and suboptimal relative humidity conditions. Pest Manag Sci, 80: 1065-1075. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7837 Muhammad Z Ahmed, Cindy L McKenzie, Lance S Osborne, 2024. Arthropod and mollusk pests of hemp, Cannabis sativa (Rosales: Cannabaceae), and their indoor management plan in Florida, Journal of Integrated Pest Management, Volume 15, Issue 1, 2024, 1, https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmad028 Schoeller, E.N. p, McKenzie, C.L., Hogan, J. and Osborne, L.S., 2024. Functional Response of Franklinothrips vespiformis (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) to Eggs and Nymphs of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)." Journal of Insect Science. 2024 Mar 1;24(2):3. Manrique, V., Kraus, E., Schaffer, C., Diaz, R., Kelm, C., Poffenberger, R., Rohrig, E., Murray, R., David, A., Smith, M., Lake, E., Rayamajhi, M. B., Leidi, J., Dray Jr., F. A., Minteer, C. R., Le Falchier, E., Mass, J. and S. Hight. 2023. Assessing the status of biological control of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) in the southeastern USA. Biocontrol Science and Technology 33: 1173–1185,  https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2023.2294207 Chura, M.  Healy, K., Diaz, R. and M. Kaller. 2023. Effects of species, sex, and diet on thermal tolerance of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae). Journal of Medical Entomology 60: 637–643, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjad037">https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjad037</a> Madeira, P.T., Diaz, R., Dray, F.A., Rayamajhi, M.B.,Lake, E. and M. Smith. 2023. Population genetics comparison of Lilioceris cheni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) colonies released onto Dioscorea bulbifera in Southeastern U.S.A. Biocontrol Science and Technology 33: 429-447. Salgado, A.L., Glassmire, A.E., Sedio, B.E., Diaz, R., Stout, M.J., Cuda, J., Py&scaron;ek, P., Meyerson, L.A., and J.T. Cronin. 2023. Metabolomic evenness underlies intraspecific differences among lineages of wetland grass. Journal of Chemical Ecology 49: 437-450, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-023-01425-2. Woodley, S.E., Wahl, C.F., Tryforos, A., and R. Diaz. 2023. Biological control of invasive floating fern leads to rapid recovery of ecological functions in coastal freshwater wetlands in Louisiana. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 61:42-54, https://doi.org/10.57257/JAPM-D-22-00011 Lee, H., Diaz, R., Johnston, J., Knight, I.A., Nyman, J.A. and J. T. Cronin. 2023. Vegetation restoration following dieback of Phragmites australis in the Mississippi River Delta, USA. Wetlands 43, 98, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-023-01746-8. Garcia-Lopez, X., Ortiz-Zayas, J.R., Diaz, R., Castro-Jiménez, A. and C. Wahl. 2023. Limnological response of Las Curias reservoir, San Juan, Puerto Rico: Successful management of the invasive aquatic fern, Salvinia molesta. Water 15, 3966, https://doi.org/10.3390/w15223966. Manrique, V., Kraus, E., Schaffer, C., Diaz, R., Kelm, C. Poffenberger, R., Rohrig, E., Murray, R., David, A., Smith, M.C., Lake, E, Rayamajhi, M.B., Leidi, J., Dray,A., Minteer, C.R., Le Falchier, E., Mass, J. and S. Hight. 2023. Assessing the status of biological control of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) in the southeastern USA. Biocontrol Science and Technology 33: 1173-1185,  <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2023.2294207">https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2023.2294207</a>. Wilson, C.J., Backe K.M., Just M.G., Lahr, E.C., Nagle, A.M., Long, L.C., Dale, A.G., and Frank, S.D. (2023) Tree species richness around urban red maples reduces pest density but does not enhance biological control. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.128093">doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.128093</a>. Mitchell, J.C., D’Amico, V., Trammel, T., and Frank, S. D. (2023) Nonnative plant invasion increases urban vegetation structure and influences arthropod communities.  Diversity and Distributions. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13755">doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13755</a>. Wilson, C.J. and Frank, S. D. (2023) Scale insects contribute to spider conservation in urban trees and shrubs. Journal of Insect Conservation. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-023-00471-1">doi.org/10.1007/s10841-023-00471-1</a>. Wilson, C.J. and Frank, S. D. (2023) Urban tree pests can support biological control services in landscape shrubs. Biocontrol. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-023-10192-8">doi.org/10.1007/s10526-023-10192-8</a>. Elliott, N. C., K. L. Giles, K. A. Baum, S. D. Elzay and G. F. Backoulou. 2023. Role of parasitoids and landscape structure in aphid population dynamics in winter canola. Biological Control. 186: 105330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2023.105330 Danso, J. K., G. P. Opit, C. L. Goad, B. H. Noden and K. L. Giles. 2023. Functional responses of predatory mites, Cheyletus eruditus (Schrank) and Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans (Trombidiformes: Cheyletidae) to Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) (Psocodea: Liposcelididae). Journal of Stored Products Research. 103: 102025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2023.102141 Danso, J. K., G. P. Opit, K. L. Giles and B. H. Noden. 2023. Ecological Interactions of Predatory Mites, Cheyletus eruditus (Schrank) (Trombidiformes: Cheyletidae) and Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans, and Prey, Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) (Psocodea: Liposcelididae), under Different Thermo-Hygrometric Regimes. Insects 14: 717. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14090717 Danso, J. K., G. P. Opit, K. L. Giles and B. H. Noden and. 2023. Numerical responses of the predatory mites, Cheyletus eruditus (Trombidiformes: Cheyletidae) and Cheyletus malaccensis, to Liposcelis decolor (Psocodea: Liposcelididae). J. Econ. Entomology. 116: 1447-1457. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad122">https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad122</a> Elliott, N. C., K. L. Giles, K. A. Baum and S. D. Elzay. 2023. Quantitative Study of Aphid Natural Enemies in Central Oklahoma Canola Fields. Southwestern Entomologist. 47: 821-828. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.047.0403

Impact Statements

• An increasing number of invasive stink bug species continue to enter the U.S., become established, spread to new geographical areas, and infest additional crops. Along with native pest species, these recent invaders cost growers of agronomic, fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops in the U.S. millions of dollars annually due to reduced yields and increased control costs. Stink bugs can be controlled with pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides but the frequency of applications is increasing and there are significant non-target effects. Vegetable and fruit growers would benefit greatly by having effective augmentative parasitoids available to manage stink bugs in several of their crop production systems. Biological control using T. pennipes is a promising option if this parasitoid can be mass reared and applied effectively.
• My laboratory is new and laying the foundation for improving biological control of invasive invertebrates. This will result in improved economic and environmental sustainability through changes in management practices and introduction of classical biological control agents.
• Urban and residential landscapes are the most rapidly expanding land use type in the southeastern U.S. The process of urbanization and subsequent human-designed and managed plant systems often result in insect pest outbreaks and disrupt biological control services provided by many organisms. Understanding these effects and developing tactics to overcome them is critical to supporting more sustainable and ecologically functional future urban landscapes.
Our efforts focus on improving biological control for the management of invasive species in Southeastern United States. By reducing the use herbicides, the salvinia weevil program reduces the management costs and supports the resilience of freshwater bodies.
Pollinators, predators, and parasitoids play essential roles in global ecosystems by increasing yields and plant reproduction, and regulating herbivore populations in agricultural and natural systems. Humans are using increasing amounts of insecticides, including systemic insecticides like neonicotinoids. We know neonicotinoids affect non-target insects and insecticide excretion through honeydew is a newly discovered route of exposure. Because this project increases our knowledge of the characteristics of honeydew producers that affect systemic insecticide excretion and the consequences of this excretion on higher trophic levels, we will be able to advise growers, gardeners, and regulators on how systemic insecticides may have additional consequences on ecosystems, and better match insecticides to hemipteran herbivores. This is important for more sustainable food production, and in addressing invasive hemipterans that produce honeydew such as the hemlock woolly adelgid, spotted lanternfly and Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale.

Date of Annual Report: 02/26/2026

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/08/2026 - 03/12/2026
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2024 - 09/30/2025

Participants

Adam Dale, University of Florida
Carey Minteer, University of Florida
Norm Leppla, University of Florida
Sriyanka Lahiri, University of Florida
Phil Hahn, University of Florida
Lance Osborne, University of Florida
Pasco Avery, University of Florida
Nicole Quinn, University of Florida
Jason Schmidt, University of Georgia
Erich Schoeller, University of Georgia
Rodrgio Diaz, Louisiana State University
Korey Pham, Louisiana State University
Logan Herbert, Louisiana State University
Carlos Wiggins, Louisiana State University
Veronica Manrique, Southern University, Baton Rouge
Steve Frank, North Carolina State University
Kristopher Giles, Oklahoma State University
George Opit, Oklahoma State University
Juang Chong, Clemson University
Jerome Grant, University of Tennessee
Rafael Ferreira dos Santos, University of Tennessee
Reza Hajimorad, University of Tennessee
Anjel Helms, Texas A&M University

Brief Summary of Minutes

2025 S1073 Working Group Meeting Minutes

Date: March 9th 2025 Time: 1:00 - 3:30 PM Central Time

In Attendance- Nicole Quinn -UF (Chair) and Sriyanka Lahiri - UF (Secretary)

Symposium Speakers: Rodrigo Diaz -LSU, Norman Leppla - UF, Jason Schmidt - UGA, Philip

Hahn - UF, Sara Salgado - UF, Sriyanka Lahiri - UF.

Nicole reminded members to submit their annual reports to her by April 30th 2025. She

also reported that Amy Grunden (amgrunde@ncsu.edu) acknowledged our request to

approve this meeting and will provide us with the required paperwork soon. Amy will verify

whether another online meeting to officially approve the meeting will be needed then.

The symposium was well attended by faculty and students. Number of attendees ranged

from 20 at 1 PM and reached at 50 by 2 PM. Overall, we had 46 attendees in the room

thereafter until the business meeting began. A highly interactive talk and networking

session ended at 3:02 PM.

The business meeting began promptly at 3:04 PM.

Business Meeting: 3:04 PM

-Attendance: 22 members

-Nicole Quinn reiterated the final report submission deadline of April 30th.

-Jason Schmidt reiterated the importance of new members joining the working group

officially through the NIMSS application portal to access Hatch funds.

-Nicole Quinn and Sriyanka Lahiri will include the instructions on how to join this group to

interested new members, if contacted.

-Norm Leppla responded to a question from attendees and confirmed that employees in

state agencies can also join this working group. However, they will not have access to the

Hatch funding.

-Voting for the Secretary position was conducted: Philip Hahn was unanimously elected as

the next Secretary.

-Sriyanka Lahiri will serve as the next Chair.

-Sriyanka will develop a written guide for assistance with transitioning new Chairs and

Secretaries.

-It was unanimously voted to forego the readings of last year's meeting.

-The next S1073 meeting will be held in correspondence with the ESA-SEB Branch Meeting

2026, as agreed upon by those in attendance.

-Nicole Quinn thanked everyone for their participation and adjourned the meeting at 3:30

PM.

Accomplishments

FLORIDA ACCOMPLISHMENTS (by Objective) <ol> <li>To discover, assess, and release new biological control agents</li> <li>To characterize and evaluate the impact of native and introduced biocontrol agents</li> </ol> The daily feeding rate of adult and nymphal Orius insidiosus on S. dorsalis was determined in a series of well replicated lab study and published. It is clear that O. insidiosus can feed on an average of 4-7 adult or larval S. dorsalis on a daily basis, depending on its own growth stage. With this new information about the potential of biological control impact on S. dorsalis, growers can be provided evidence of feeding activity and rate so that they may release this species in their crop fields infested with S. dorsalis. Air potato- We have completed several experiments examining synergistic interactions between two classical biological control agents introduced to control the invasive plant air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera): a leaf-feeding beetle Liliocerus cheni and a bulbil-feeder L. egena. We found that overall there is limited interactions between the two beetles. Specifically, feeding on leaves by L. cheni does not impact subsequent feeding by L. egena on the reproductive bulbils. This is promising from a biocontrol perspective, because it shows that the two beetles will not likely be interacting negatively in the field, either through competition for changes in host plant quality. Therefore, the two beetles should provide additive control, where the two beetles together provide more effective control than either one my itself. Bulimulus bonariensis: We collected data on the potential natural enemies of B. bonariensis using camera traps and pitfall traps. Our initial results indicate that some generalist predators, such as earwigs, may be useful natural enemies. <ol start="3"> <li>To develop augmentation and conservation biological control tactics</li> </ol>   Orius spp. and number of pests and Orius spp. visiting banker crops such as Mexican sunflower, sweet alyssum, and French marigold was assessed in a field study to study impact of having banker crops within the vicinity of strawberry crops. It was clearly determined that S. dorsalis was absent from these banker plants and three species of Orius were consistently present in these banker plants. Orius insidiosus was one of these species and knowing its daily feeding rate on S. dorsalis, we have a clear candidate for both augmentative and conservation biocontrol efforts. Trichopoda pennipes is a tachinid fly that parasitizes species of Heteroptera in certain geographical areas. It parasitized the bordered plant bug, Largus cinctus, largid, in California but not the local squash bug, Anasa tristis, despite occurring with each other in the same squash field. However, T. pennipes collected from A. tristis in New York and transported to California immediately parasitized A. tristis on squash. Trichopoda pennipes also parasitizes A. tristis and other coreids in the Southeast, along with the southern green stinkbug, Nezara viridula, and additional species of pentatomids. It frequently oviposits on the eastern leaffooted bug, Leptoglossus phyllopus, another coreid, as well. Therefore, three host-determined strains of T. pennipes were assumed to occur in different geographical areas: one from coreids in the Northeast, a second from pentatomids in the South, and a third from the bordered plant bug in California. We observed recently, however, that several species of coreids and pentatomids were parasitized by T. pennipes at the same southern farms. To determine if the T. pennipes from these host species are host-determined strains, mated females were given a choice between A. tristis, N. viridula, and L. phyllopus adults for oviposition. The females oviposited primarily on their parental host species for at least one generation. However, mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed separate markers for only two parasitoid lineages, one from both A. tristis and N. viridula and another from only L. phyllopus. Nipaecoccus viridis: Efficient rearing procedures of N. viridis and its parasitoid A. dactylopii have been developed. These techniques will prove useful in future mass rearing efforts and biological control agent evaluation. <ol start="4"> <li>To develop integrated pest management programs that have a biological control component.</li> </ol> Ornamental peppers were intercropped with strawberry at different rates to combine the impact of plant repellency and biological control to manage S. dorsalis issues in strawberry. The first year of this study was completed and data is being analyzed currently. Previous published studies have already shown that ornamental pepper strip near strawberry plants resulted in lower S. dorsalis infestation. UTILITY OF FINDINGS <ol> <li>Strawberry growers in Florida have shown an interest in planting sweet alyssum and Mexican sunflower either on field edges, strawberry bed edges, or woodland borders to recruit more natural enemies of S. dorsalis, based on our findings.</li> <li>Strawberry growers learnt the negative impact of fungicides and insecticides on predatory mites and have stopped using certain products in their field if they released predatory mites for S. dorsalis management.</li> <li>Soil temperature was generally higher with conventional treatments in citrus groves (orange, lemon, and grapefruit) without cover crops; however, soil moisture varied per citrus grove type. The total number of fungal species identified in all the groves combined was 1172, and of those 136 (~12%) were beneficial species. Of the beneficial fungi, 2 species were from the order Entomophthorales and 134 from Hypocreales. Entomophthoralean species were only found in the conventional treatments, not the cover crops. Many of the beneficial fungi identified in these soil samples are agroecosystem service providers that function as natural bactericides/fungicides, nematicides, miticides, insecticides and/or endophytes. New soil samples were still being analyzed.</li> <li>The southern green stink bug is one of the most destructive invasive insect pests impacting agriculture worldwide. Nymphs and adults of this species are highly polyphagous, feeding on many important economic crops in the United States such as soybean, cowpea, southern pea, lima bean, pecan, wheat, grain sorghum, corn, tomato, tobacco, and cotton. The squash bug is a very damaging pest of cucurbits in North America and the eastern leaffooted bug feeds on many vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants in the Southeast. Trichopoda pennipes was observed parasitizing 100% of the southern green stink bugs in an organic soybean crop. Additionally, this parasitoid has maintained squash bugs below the economic threshold in squash crops. Therefore, we are conducting research to determine how to produce T. pennipes that can be used in augmentative biological control of specific pest stink bugs.</li> </ol> WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR (2025-2026) <ol> <li>Publish findings of the study of impact of diet on feeding and oviposition rate of Orius spp. on invasive pest, chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis.</li> <li>Repeat field experiments with ornamental peppers intercropped with strawberries for the management of S. dorsalis.</li> <li>Continue assessing the soil samples collected in each citrus grove type of on a biannual basis to determine if the beneficial fungi numbers and species biodiversity changes over time. Also determine if soil moisture and temperature is affected by the presence of cover crops compared to conventional treatments (cover crops absent) over time.</li> <li>Air potato- We are planning to use field cages to evaluate potential interactions between L. cheni and L. egena. To date, our work with the two biocontrol agents has been conducted in the lab and greenhouse, so the field experiments will provide more realistic settings to test of their interactions influence their effectiveness in controlling air potato.</li> <li>We planted border rows of a grain sorghum trap crop along two to four sides of an organic tomato crop in North Florida to reduce fruit injury caused by the southern green stink bug and other invasive stink bugs. Many more stink bug adults were captured in sorghum than tomato when the sorghum panicles were in the milk to soft dough stage. Additionally, only 30% of the females in the sorghum and tomato crops were mated and contained more than 15 eggs, indicating that 70% had limited reproduction. We will classify the stages of oogenesis in southern green stink bug females and determine the timing of oviposition as they disperse in the tomato crop. Since most of the stink bugs aggregate and mate in the trap crop, there may be a discrete period when they can be targeted for elimination before they infest the tomato crop.</li> <li>Florida is a rice-producing state, with approximately 20,000 acres grown annually in the organic muck soil of the Everglades Agricultural Area. The major pests of rice in Florida are three species of stink bugs in the genus Oebalus, O. pugnax being the most damaging. Telenomius podisi attacks rice stink bug eggs at high levels in rice fields so has potential for augmentative biological control. We will assess the life history parameters of T. podisi required to establish and optimize a mass-rearing system. In addition, the effectiveness of mass-reared T. podisi as a biological control agent will be evaluated under field conditions.</li> <li>Urban and residential landscapes – We plan to conduct a series of research projects investigating the role of urban landscape design and host plant origin on scale insect invasions and biological control, using Fiorinia phantasma (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and ornamental palms as a model system. We will also be investigating the compatibility of insecticides with natural enemies of armored scale insects, and whether insecticide application technique influences non-target organism impacts.</li> <li>Continue to investigate B. bonariensis, N. viridis, and their natural enemies in FL and in their native ranges.</li> <li></li> </ol> LOUISIANA                                                ACCOMPLISHMENTS (by Objective) <ol> <li>To discover, assess, and release new biological control agents</li> </ol> Giant salvinia: Efforts in 2024 were made to import a population of the salvinia weevil (Cyrtobagous salviniae) from Argentina.  Observations at the quarantine in LSU suggested potential incompatibilities of this population while exposed to giant salvinia, specifically lack immature development. Therefore, we will not pursue further studies with this population. <ol start="2"> <li>To characterize and evaluate the impact of native and introduced biocontrol agents</li> </ol> Giant salvinia: During 2024, we expanded our mass rearing operation of salvinia weevils in the Reproductive Biology Center in St. Gabriel. During the summer, we held three weevil harvests for the public. <ol start="3"> <li>To develop augmentation and conservation biological control tactics</li> </ol> The LSU AgCenter website on Invasive Species was updated. The website contains biological control options for the management of several invasive weeds and insects common in Louisiana. <a href="https://www.lsuagcenter.com/invasivespecies">https://www.lsuagcenter.com/invasivespecies</a> <ol start="4"> <li>To develop integrated pest management programs that have a biological control component.</li> </ol> None   UTILITY OF FINDINGS How to integrate control methods for giant salvinia? The impact of the salvinia weevil was studied in Puerto Rico and coastal Louisiana. The findings from these studies demonstrated the great potential of biological control using the salvinia weevil in different aquatic ecosystems. Both studies show rapid and substantial reductions in salvinia coverage, leading to improved water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen levels and the recovery of submerged aquatic vegetation. Moreover, the Puerto Rico study highlighted the effectiveness of combining biological control with mechanical removal, achieving near-complete eradication over three years. The Louisiana study improved our understanding of the relationship between weevil density and coverage reduction in different habitat types. These findings offer resource managers an effective and sustainable tool for combating giant salvinia. The success in varied environments (tropical reservoir and coastal wetlands) suggests a broad applicability of this approach. Furthermore, the predictive models developed in the Louisiana study can help managers estimate control timelines and optimize their strategies, potentially improving the cost-effectiveness and success rates of future giant salvinia infestations. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR (2023-2024)  Specific objectives: 1) Identify populations of biological control agents suitable for the climate in Louisiana None. <ol start="2"> <li>Release, monitor establishment, and evaluate biological control agents</li> </ol> Giant Salvinia: One of the major limitations of the program is not knowing where is salvinia and the weevil in the landscape. During 2024 and 2025, we will work with satellites and drone to develop a remote sensing model. This model will aid in the detection of plants using satellite images (Senitel-2). We will continue supporting the biological control programs of giant salvinia and waterlettuce (Pistia stratiotes) in Puerto Rico. Biocontrol of Aquatic Weeds: In the summer of 2025, we will work improving the biological control of waterhyacinth, and ludwigia. Surveys will be conducted in Louisiana and nearby states for agents which could imported to California. Additionally, augmentation biological control is new area which has a tremendous opportunity in weed biological control. Experiments will be conducted to improve the release and establishment of mass-reared agents.   NORTH CAROLINA ACCOMPLISHMENTS (by Objective) <ol> <li>To discover, assess, and release new biological control agents</li> </ol> none <ol start="2"> <li>To characterize and evaluate the impact of native and introduced biocontrol agents</li> </ol> We have begun to characterize endemic natural enemies associated with native plants and their cultivars. We have surveyed natural enemies associated with hemlock trees in commercial production nurseries and in more natural forestry nurseries to identify predators and parasitoids of hemlock woolly adelgid and elongate hemlock scale. <ol start="3"> <li>To develop augmentation and conservation biological control tactics</li> </ol>  We have conducted experiments with biological control agents in greenhouses and in nurseries. Biological control agents include Cryptolaemus spp., six species of nematodes, multiple Beauvaria bassiana strains, greenlacewings, and predatory mites. We have assessed the efficacy of these for management of mealybugs, armored scales, and soft scales.   <ol start="4"> <li>To develop integrated pest management programs that have a biological control component.</li> </ol>  In greenhouses and nurseries we are focused on developing complete IPM programs that can be shared with producers including developing pre-sale intervals for the use of neonicotinoids and other insecticides so plants do not harm beneficials once planted in landscapes. UTILITY OF FINDINGS  The utility of our findings overall is producing IPM programs incorporating insecticides, biological control, or both to help greenhouse and nursery personnel manage pests in effective and cost efficient ways.   WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR (2023-2024) We are continuing the work above for at least another year and do not have plants to start new projects.   OKLAHOMA <h4>ACCOMPLISHMENTS</h4> <h4>I.   Continued participation in the multistate research project (S-1073: 2023-2028) with the goal to conduct research on locally and regionally important issues related to insect pest management and biological control.  I am participating in objectives 2 and 3 outlined in the multistate research project.   Objective 2.  To develop IPM programs that incorporate biological control components.  Research focuses on natural enemies that attack insect pests, and describing aphid parasitism and predation in wheat and sorghum landscapes.  In 2024, published results of a multi-year studies to examine aphid parasitism in agricultural landscapes.  Results indicated the dominance of Lysiphlebus testaceipes in winter wheat, the re-emergence of a native parasitoid Aphelinus nigritus on sorghum and winter wheat.  Studies were completed to describe the ecology of aphid parasitoids in the Southern Plains with an emphasis on describing competitive interactions. Studies were also completed validating natural enemy thresholds of sorghum aphid in sorghum and development of sampling plans for these natural enemies.  Key Outcomes:  Based on studies completed in Oklahoma, crop diversity that includes summer crops is more likely to support key parasitoid populations that prevent aphid outbreaks in winter crops, but factors such as insecticidal seed treatments may be interfering with parasitoid conservation.  Studies on competitive outcomes among aphid natural enemies indicate that Aphelinus nigritus is a superior competitor at small spatial scales, and Lysiphlebus testaceipes coexists because it avoids patches occupied by competitors, utilizing alternative hosts. Analyses of spatial distribution of natural enemies in sorghum indicate that both predators and parasitoid sampling plans can be merged with those of sorghum aphid to allow for efficient use of validated natural enemy thresholds.  Objective 3:   To develop augmentation and conservation biological control tactics. Research is focusing primarily on conservation of parasitoids and predators in field crops, and evaluation of predators in stored grain systems.  Work in stored grain systems indicate that the warehouse pirate bug provides predictable control of psocid pests. Studies describing pest suppression in field crops and stored grain were published.  Key Outcome:  Crop diversity in time and space in agricultural landscapes has a positive effect on aphid suppression by parasitoids.  Studies were also completed on predatory mites in stored grain systems and indicated their strong potential for augmentation programs.</h4> WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR (2025-26): *Continued studies related to objectives 2 and 3. *Studies describing competitive outcomes among aphid natural enemies will be published. *Publish studies describing life history traits of natural enemies in stored grain. *Validation of natural enemy thresholds for SCA on sorghum, and integration of sampling approaches will be published.   TEXAS A&M   ACCOMPLISHMENTS (by Objective) <ol> <li>To discover, assess, and release new biological control agents</li> <li>To characterize and evaluate the impact of native and introduced biocontrol agents</li> </ol> Dr. Kheirodin Lab is currently running functional response trials to understand the response of Orius spp. and Delphastus catalinae to range of whitefly densities in tomato. The work is currently ongoing. <ol start="3"> <li>To develop augmentation and conservation biological control tactics</li> </ol> Dr. Kheirodin's laboratory is currently conducting manipulative cage experiments to find a compatible natural enemy mix for controlling whiteflies and thrips in CEA tomatoes. The work has started and is expected to continue for over 2-3 years until suitable candidates are identified. Extensive molecular screenings will be done to evaluate natural enemies' compatibility within cages. <ol start="4"> <li>To develop integrated pest management programs that have a biological control component.</li> </ol> Dr. Kheirodin's lab conducts extensive biological product efficacy and compatibility testing (i.e., entomopathogenic fungal strains, bacterial strains) with selected whitefly natural enemies. The first set of trials is expected to be completed next month, and the result is expected to be published in 2025. Dr. Kheirodin's lab aims to develop a natural enemy species-based product selection guide, allowing growers to use biological products compatible with the natural enemy species they want to release in their facility.   UTILITY OF FINDINGS   WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR (2023-2024) Dr. Kheirodin lab will continue product compatibility trials to develop a comprehensive natural enemy species-based guide for compatible product selection to develop an ecological based IPM strategy. Extensive manipulative cage experiment will be continued throughout 2025 to move towards developing compatible natural enemy mix resulting in complementary whitefly and thrips control. Dr. Kheirodin PhD. student is expected to start researching habitat management practices within high tunnel tomatoes, to promote the efficacy of augmentation biological control program in CEA.

Publications

Adhikary, A. (G), H. A. Smith, S. Lahiri. (2025). Daily prey consumption and functional response of Orius insidiosus: Implications for biological control of Scirtothrips dorsalis in strawberries. Insects. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020205">https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020205</a> Lahiri, S., G. Kaur (G), A. Busuulwa (G). (2024). Field efficacy of a biopesticide and predatory mite for suppression of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in strawberry. Journal of Economic Entomology. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae144">https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae144</a> Busuulwa, A. (G), A. M. Revynthi, O. E. Liburd, and S. Lahiri. 2024. Banker plant efficacy to boost natural predators for management of field populations of Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in strawberries. Insects. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15100776">https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15100776</a> Busuulwa, A. (G), and S. Lahiri. 2024. Rearing Neoseiulus cucumeris and Amblyseius swirskii (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) on non-target species reduces their predation efficacy on target species. Florida Entomologist. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1515/flaent-2024-0062">https://doi.org/10.1515/flaent-2024-0062</a> Busuulwa, A. (G), S. S. Riley, A. M. Revynthi, O. E. Liburd, and S. Lahiri. 2024. Residual effect of commonly used insecticides on key predatory mites released for biocontrol in strawberry. Journal of Economic Entomology. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae220">https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae220</a> Busuulwa, A. (G), A. M. Revynthi, O. E. Liburd, and S. Lahiri. 2024. Residual effect of commonly used fungicides in strawberries on Amblyseius swirskii, Neoseiulus cucumeris, and Neoseiulus californicus (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae). Experimental and Applied Acarology. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-024-00928-1">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-024-00928-1</a> Kaur, J., E. Kraus, E. Rohrig, D. Salazar, E. Clifton, and P.G. Hahn. (2025). Induced defenses increase preference and feeding of a biocontrol herbivore to an invasive plant. Biological Invasions 27:1-16. Murray, R., P.G. Hahn and O.S. Menocal. (2025). Mass rearing protocol and density trials of Lilioceris egena (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biocontrol agent of air potato. Florida Entomologist 108:202400074. Calixto, E.S., J.L. Maron, K. Keefover-Ring, J.H. Cammarano, and P.G. Hahn. (2025). Phytochemical diversity increases with resources availability but has mixed effects on herbivory. Oikos e10914. Cammarano, J.H., S. Kroening, E.S. Calixto, and P.G. Hahn. (2025). Co-blooming neighbor plant diversity and floral display color similarity associated with higher flower visitation to focal species. Natural Areas Journal 45. Leppla, N. C., L. M. LeBeck, and M. W. Johnson. 2024. Status and Trends of Biological Control Research, Extension, and Education in the United States. Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 117:130-138. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saae005">https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saae005</a>. Daren, S.M., Laura, L.C., Pilcher, C., Sisson, A.J., Magarey, R., Adams, R., Almodovar, W.I., Alston, D., Beauzay, P., Bessin, R….Leppla, N.C.….et al. 2024. Integrated Pest Management (IPM): State Infrastructure Status After 50 Years of Federal Support (1973-2023). J. Integrated Pest Mgmt.15:X-X. (minor revision) Conlong, D.E., Cohen, A.C., Leppla, N.C., Gillespie, D.Y., Karsten, M., Bierman, A., Terblanche, J.S., Hatting, J., and Pieterse, J.J. 2024. Chapter 7: Insect Mass Rearing for IPM Applications. In: Principles of Integrated Pest Management: A Southern African Perspective. Minette Karsten and John S. Terblanche (Eds.) CABI (in press) Yong Wang, Patrick De Clercq, Norman C. Leppla, Adeney de Freitas Bueno, Maria Luisa Dindo, Ricardo Ramirez-Romero, Nicolas Desneux, Su Wang, Asad Ali, Lian-Sheng Zang. 2025 Artificial diets for arthropod natural enemies: present status, challenges, and perspectives Biological Reviews (in review) Pinkney IV JL, Iannone III BV, Milla-Lewis S, van der Laat R, Unruh JB, Schiavon M, Dale AG. 2025. Investigating multi-trophic effects of St. Augustinegrass cultivar blends in the Southeastern United States. Crop Science. Copeman, S.M.&dagger; and Frank, S.D. (2024) Profile of Duponcheli fovealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) as a greenhouse and nursery pest in the United States. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 15(1), 19. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmae011">doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmae011</a>. Copeman, S.M.&dagger; and Frank, S.D. (2024) Differential feeding on ornamental plants by Duponcheli fovealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larvae. Environmental Entomology. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvae020">doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvae020</a>. Wilson, C.J.&dagger;, Backe K.M., Just M.G., Lahr, E.C., Nagle, A.M., Long, L.C., Dale, A.G., and Frank, S.D. (2023) Tree species richness around urban red maples reduces pest density but does not enhance biological control. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.128093">doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.128093</a>. Mitchell, J.C., D’Amico, V., Trammel, T., and Frank, S. D. (2023) Nonnative plant invasion increases urban vegetation structure and influences arthropod communities.  Diversity and Distributions. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13755">doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13755</a>. Wilson, C.J.&dagger; and Frank, S. D. (2023) Scale insects contribute to spider conservation in urban trees and shrubs. Journal of Insect Conservation. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-023-00471-1">doi.org/10.1007/s10841-023-00471-1</a>. Wilson, C.J.&dagger; and Frank, S. D. (2023) Urban tree pests can support biological control services in landscape shrubs. Biocontrol. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-023-10192-8">doi.org/10.1007/s10526-023-10192-8</a>. Mitchell, J.C., Trammel, T., D’Amico, V., and Frank, S.D. (2023) Carabid specialists respond differently to nonnative plant invasion in urban forests. Urban Ecosystems. <a href="https://ecoipm.org/wp-content/uploads/MitchellEtAl2023.pdf">doi.org/10.1007/s11252-022-01323-7</a>. Elliott, N. C., K. L. Giles, K. A Baum, S. D. Elzay and G. F. Backoulou. 2024. Aphid parasitism in winter wheat fields in a heterogeneous agricultural landscape. J. Economic Entomology. 117: 907–917. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae073">doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae073</a> Giles, K., N. C. Elliott, T. Royer, H. Butler and Nina Rudin. 2024. Ecology of Aphid Parasitoids in Winter Wheat Habitats of the Southern Plains: How Latitude and Crop Diversity Influence. pp. 119-132. In: Arthropod Management and Landscape Considerations in Large-scale Agroecosystems. M. J. Brewer and Gary L. Hein. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800622777.0006">doi.org/10.1079/9781800622777.0006</a> Elliott, N. C., K. Giles, K. Baum, M. J. Brewer, S. Elzay and T. Royer. 2024. Aphid Biological Control by Parasitoids in Winter Wheat and Canola in Heterogeneous Agricultural Landscapespp. 104-118. In: Arthropod Management and Landscape Considerations in Large-scale Agroecosystems. M. J. Brewer and Gary L. Hein. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800622777.000">doi.org/10.1079/9781800622777.000</a> Elliott, N., K. Giles, H. Butler, N. Vázquez and L. Coakley. 2025. Parasitism of Three Aphid Species by Aphelinus nigritus on Sorghum. The Southwestern Entomologist. Southwestern Entomologist, 50:340-357 (2025). doi.org/10.3958/059.050.0135 Koralewski, T. E., M. J. Brewer, L. L. Deleon, N. C. Elliott, K. Giles, A. Szczepaniec and A. M. Faris. 2025. Activity of sorghum aphid and its natural enemies in the context of agro-ecological and weather conditions. Frontiers in Insect Science.  doi: 10.3389/finsc.2025.1503044 Bosomtwe, A., G. Opit , K. Giles, B. Kard and C. Goad. 2025. Functional responses of the warehouse pirate bug Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on a diet of Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) (Psocodea: Liposcelididae). Insects. 16. doi.org/10.3390/insects16010101 Bosomtwe, A., G. Opit , C. Goad, K. Giles and B. Kard. 2025. Numerical responses of Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on a diet of Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) (Psocodea: Liposcelididae). Insects. 16 doi.org/10.3390/insects16030296. Graham, K., Kheirodin, A. Generalist predators of sweet potato whiteflies. TAMU Extension publication. 2025. AgriLife Extension publication. <a href="Https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/generalist-predators-of-the-sweet-potato-whitefly-bemisia-tabaci/">Https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/generalist-predators-of-the-sweet-potato-whitefly-bemisia-tabaci/</a> Perier, J., Cremonez, P., Kheirodin, A., Parkins, A., Simmons, A., and Riley, D. 2024. Modified Maximum Dose Bioassay for Assessing Insecticide Response in Field Populations of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Entomological Science; doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.18474/JES23-88">https://doi.org/10.18474/JES23-88</a> Parkins, A., Kheirodin, A., Perier, J., Cremonez, P., Simmons, A., Riley, D., and Schmidt 2024. Direct and indirect effects of selective insecticides on two generalist predators of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Insect Science.1;24(6):1 Kheirodin, A., Sayari, M., & Schmidt, J.M. 2024. Rethinking trophic interaction in agricultural landscapes through tracking secondary feeding. Environmental DNA. 2024;6:e495. Kheirodin, A., Toledo, P., Simmons, A., & Schmidt, J.M. 2023. Crop diversity and within field multi-species interactions mediate herbivore abundances in cotton fields. Journal of Pest Science. Cremonez, P., Kheirodin, A., Perier, J., Nagaoka, M., Dunn, T., Parkins, A., Schmidt, J., Simmons, and A., Riley, D. Leaf Trichome and Insecticide Interactions Relative to Bemisia tabaci Management in a Cotton-Cucurbit Intercropping Model in Georgia, USA. Journal of Insect Science, In final preparation for submission. Sayari, M., Kheirodin, A., and Daayf, F. Differential gene expression analysis in Goss’s bacterial wilt tolerance and susceptible corn lines. 2024. BMC genomics, in review. Aigner, B., Kheirodin, A., Schmidt, J.M., Crossley, M.S., and Abney, A. Multi-scale relationships of peanut burrower bug, Pangaeus bilineatus, peanut injury with landscape & environmental factors in South Georgia. Manuscript in final preparation for submission. Target journal: Journal of Applied Ecology.

Impact Statements

Florida: This year, the promising results of our banker crop study encouraged three strawberry growers to grow marigold and sweet alyssum in their organic and conventional strawberry fields for S. dorsalis management. Additionally, strawberry growers opted to augmentatively release Orius insidiosus in addition to at least 2 species of predatory mites for thrips and spider mite management. This work’s findings will help growers to become aware of the effect of using cover crops for conserving the biodiversity of the microbial community in each growing region (oranges, lemons, grapefruits). Also, these findings will allow the grower to understand it is vital to only apply agrochemicals in any of the citrus agroecosystems that are compatible for the growth to conserve these entomopathogenic and beneficial fungi found growing naturally in the soil. Based on the results of our research, it would be possible to mass rear Trichopoda pennipes on either Anasa tristis or Nezara viridula for augmentative biological control against these two target hosts. In an allied project, a unique quality control system was developed for producing host ”bagrada bug,” Bagrada hilaris, an invasive stink bug pest of brassica crops that is native to Africa. This system can be adapted for use in producing hosts stink bugs for mass rearing T. pennipes. Growers will benefit greatly if effective T. pennipes parasitoids can be mass-reared efficiently and released economically in their crops. Urban and residential landscapes are the most rapidly expanding land use type in the southeastern U.S. The process of urbanization and subsequent human-designed and managed plant systems often result in insect pest outbreaks and disrupt biological control services provided by many organisms. Understanding these effects and developing tactics to overcome them is critical to supporting more sustainable and ecologically functional future urban landscapes.
Louisiana: Our efforts focus on improving biological control for the management of invasive species in Southeastern United States. By reducing the use herbicides, the salvinia weevil program reduces the management costs and supports the resilience of freshwater bodies.
North Carolina: The impact of our work is difficult to quantify in dollar value or in a year-long time-frame. However, our long-term impact has been, and will be, development of IPM programs that incorporate biological control to protect human and environmental health and increase growers’ profits.
Texas: The overall goal of my research program is to develop ecologically based pest management strategies that will benefit growers, industry partners, and consumers. Using an ecologically based IPM method will reduce the use of insecticides, promoting biodiversity and its associated ecosystem services, environment, and human health while securing farmers' profitability and yielding effective pest control in crops. The alternative ecological-based pest control services center biological control and selective entomopathogenic fungal strains, which will produce healthy products with minimal use of chemicals, promoting the environment's and consumers' health through pesticide-free products. When adopted by a large number of growers, the impact of this program would be significant locally, in the State of Texas, and the United States as a whole. Adopting an ecosystem-friendly management approach provides farmers with more revenue and opens the way for more organic production in CEA. This, in turn, gives the dual outcome of 1) higher sale price for organic production and 2) lower pest control costs due to limited use of unnecessary insecticides. On the sustainability side, this ecosystem-friendly alternative approach will preserve biodiversity and healthy consumer products.