NCR46: Development, Optimization and Delivery of Management Strategies for Corn Rootworms

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[02/15/2002] [06/30/2003] [05/11/2004] [02/21/2005] [12/19/2005] [03/31/2006]

Date of Annual Report: 02/15/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/30/2002 - 01/31/2002
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2001 - 12/01/2001

Participants

Attendees (L. Bledsoe, M. Boetel, C. DiFonzo, R. Edwards, W. French, B. Fuller, M. Gray, C. Guse, B. Hibbard, R. Higgins, T. Hurley, D. Kopp, E. Levine, L. Meinke, P. Mitchell, K. Ostlie, C. Pierce, P. Porter, S. Pueppke, S. Ratcliffe, A. Schaafsma, J. Shaw, E. Shields, P. Sloderbeck, J. Spencer, J. Tollefson, J. Wedberg, and G. Wilde)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Discussion regarding value of continued combined meetings: much value regarding committee decisions and discussions on IRM, etc; an extra = day has become a necessary component of our meeting because of significant amount of time IRM discussions are taking; some expressed concern since NCR-46 is not a funded committee. NC-205 has been considering CIMMYT as a venue for the 2004 meeting. NCR-46 meeting first would be a good idea since we will have several important issues to discuss. A scientific advisory panel for issues relating to transgenic rootworm-protected corn may be formed.

Accomplishments

Research Reports Corn rootworm distribution and abundance: MN increased incidence of extended diapause; NCR populations were higher; may have been associated with good conditions for overwintering and larval establishment. WCR populations also higher. Populations have been building for past seven years. SD increasing reports of extended diapause problems; several fields had white grub infestations. MO moderate to high population levels evidenced by good feeding pressure in field trials. IN population levels increasing over past three years; an additional tier of counties outward from original core area now affected by variant. Europe (R. Edwards) as of 2001, 250,000 km2 now infested by WCR (increased by 60-70,000 km2 since 2000). Countries known to be infested: Bosnia, Italy, Serbia, Slovak Republic. Switzerland, Ukraine, etc.), but Austria, Romania, and Hungary may also be infested soon if not already. Working with A. Schaafsma (using RAPD) to compare populations to determine if more like variant or more like other US populations. Samples also sent to L. Chandler. Introduction into Europe appears to have occurred during early 1980s, and is believed to have come in on planes from Chicago airport. Management: not much European interest in transgenics; Austria and Croatia saying never to transgenics. Crop rotation is preferred. IA distribution about same, but slight increase in population levels; reports of extended diapause also rising. Reports of variant occurring in Allamakee county (northeast corner of IA); emergence traps in field following soybean produced small number of WCR beetles. NE in general, lower population levels, but a few hot spots in OP resistance areas; egg hatch slightly early, but not extreme. IL WCR numbers high; unusual behavior also; reports of WCR beetles on 50th floor of John Hancock building and on lakefront in Chicago, residential flower gardens; may be artifact of generally higher population levels; currently, 32 IL counties now affected by variant; WCR oviposition demonstrated to also be occurring in oat stubble, alfalfa fields, etc. Urbana is heart of variant problem area, but Dekalb is about as bad. Soybean appears to be poor quality food source for beetles; its suspected that, after feeding on soybean foliage, beetles become agitated and are therefore more likely to leave soybean fields and return to corn as a preferred food source. ND no major changes in distribution or abundance; rotation and conventional soil insecticide use remain effective as management tools. NY no major changes; TX an isolated first-year corn field with nothing but range for ca. 30 miles had an average of 6 beetles per plant. Chris Pierce (graduate student from IL) - late-planted corn as attractive as soybean in variant problem area. Not same disparity in non-variant area. Modeling: P. Mitchell presented his composed error model for insect damage functions. Major point: damage functions are a major link between entomology and economics. Common problem: when UTC yields exceed those of treated plots (i.e., negative loss [gain]). Hypothesis: 2 factors affect differences: 1) treatment effects, and 2) random effects. Finding: linear model best predictor. Low-end rating numbers cause most problems for model. Other topics: R. Edwards presented data from analysis of soil insecticide impacts on yield and profit/loss in continuous corn fields in northern IN. Compounds assessed: Aztec, Counter CR, Force 3G, Fortress 5G, Lorsban 15G, and Regent 4SC. Regent was only product that produced net profit on investment, largely because the application equipment was paid for by its manufacturer. Topics not covered: Biology/behavior/ecology, Insect/host interactions, Pesticide Resistance, Genetics, Economic Thresholds, New Products/Recommendations, Sampling, and Rearing.

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 06/30/2003

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/30/2003 - 01/31/2003
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2002 - 12/01/2002

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Preliminary Business Meeting:

1.) Approval of 2001 minutes:

Chair Meinke reminded committee that 2001 minutes were sent out via email last year and a few suggested corrections were incorporated at that time; asked the group if there were any additional suggestions for corrections of the 2001 minutes; hearing none, approval of minutes was assumed.

2.) Appointment of Nominations Committee:

Chair Meinke appointed K. Ostlie and E. Levine to Nominations committee and charged them with coming up with at least one nominee for the final business meeting.

3.) Time and place for 2003 meeting:

Chair Meinke appointed J. Tollefson and J. Wedberg to serve as Time and Place committee. Asked them to give report on NC-205 committee?s plans for 2003.

J. Wedberg stated that NC-205 had asked whether NCR-46 would like to meet first, and had suggested either Baltimore, MD or Kansas City, MO as possible venues.

J. Tollefson added that NC-205 voted to let NCR-46 meet first and that executive committees of each group should meet to arrange details.

Discussion regarding value of continued combined meetings: much value regarding committee decisions and discussions on IRM, etc; an extra = day has become a necessary component of our meeting because of significant amount of time IRM discussions are taking; some expressed concern since NCR-46 is not a funded committee. NC-205 has been considering CIMMYT as a venue for the 2004 meeting. NCR-46 meeting first would be a good idea since we will have several important issues to discuss. A scientific advisory panel for issues relating to transgenic rootworm-protected corn may be formed.

Final Business Meeting

1.) Nominations committee report:

E. Levine forwarded nomination of Bruce Hibbard as 2003 secretary and informed group that Bruce had been contacted and was willing to serve.

Moved by J. Tollefson and seconded by K. Ostlie for nominations to cease. No discussion. Motion carried unanimously.

2.) Time and place committee report

On behalf of the time and place committee, J. Wedberg requested discussion among group regarding timing of meeting (NCR-46 possibly meeting first in next year?s combined meeting).

Discussion: our meeting first may have value with possibility of significant changes and market launch in near future. May also be beneficial by allowing us to formulate structure of our discussion with NC-205 and other entities during joint meetings.

Proposed format:

Sunday, 26 January 2003, 1-5 p.m.

? NCR-46 IRM discussion

Monday, 27 January 2003

? 8 a.m. - noon: NCR-46 Preliminary Business meeting & state reports

? 1-5 p.m.: state reports cont?d & Final Business meeting

? Joint meeting with NC-205

Tuesday, 28 January 2003

? 8 a.m. - noon: Closed NCR-46/NC-205 meeting

? 1-5 p.m.: NCR46-hosted portion of Joint NCR-46/NC-205/EPA/Industry meeting

Wednesday, 28 January 2003

? 8 a.m. - noon: NC205-hosted ? ? ? ? ?

Motion by J. Tollefson, seconded by J. Wedberg to approve proposed dates and format. No discussion. Motion carried unanimously.

Proposed locations: Baltimore, MD and Kansas City, MO.

Kansas City preferred (within driving distance for many regional attendees; likely to be more economical location; convenient since it?s an airline hub).

Motion by E. Shields and seconded by B. Fuller to hold the 2003 meeting in Kansas City, MO. No discussion. Motion carried unanimously.

B. Hibbard volunteered to serve as chair of local arrangements.

Downtown Kansas City preferred by group over airport hotel location.

Dates, format, and location will be recommended to NC-205.

3.) Executive committee report:

List was sent around table for attendees to identify their respective areas of expertise for IRM subcommittee and NCR-46 Executive committee to utilize for contacting individuals when questions/issues come up.

M. Boetel presented executive committee?s proposed IRM subcommittee membership/structure. Proposed initial at-large membership to include L. Meinke, E. Shields, K. Ostlie, and J. Tollefson with NCR-46 Chair as an ex-officio member.

Discussion: may be value in having Canadian linkage/representation; major issues or formalized documents will still be brought before entire NCR-46 membership or presented for review via e-mail, etc.

Suggestion by J. Tollefson that proposed ad-hoc subcommittee designated as ?NCR-46 IRM Subcommittee? be formed and be comprised of 6 individuals:

Four NCR-46 participants (appointed by NCR-46 Executive Committee)

NCR-46 Chair (ex-officio)

Canadian liaison/representative (ex-officio).

Moved by E. Shields and seconded by B. Fuller to accept J. Tollefson?s suggested format. No discussion. Motion carried unanimously.

4.) Membership issues

Discussion: Confusion has arisen with EPA and others regarding official state representatives versus participants/affiliates. There are a few listed members that attend very infrequently and other attendees that participate regularly. No good record regarding official format for deciding on official voting member status. Historically, committee meeting has been closed to outside industry, but open to anyone in universities, USDA, etc. from public sector research/extension. Concern exists among some non-members regarding documentation of time and accounting for efforts with their respective administrators. Should officers and ?members? listed on NCR-46 letters and official documents possibly continue to be appointed state representatives and the 2 official USDA members? Should we have 2 membership categories: 1) official state representatives; and 2) at-large membership? NC-205 uses two categories: official state reps and cooperators but does not include graduate students. Currently, no official assigned representative from Ohio to replace Hal Willson (deceased).

Conclusions: No formal changes regarding membership designation. Officership and voting status will remain with official state and USDA representatives, but interactions and contributions by cooperators/affiliates valued and welcome. Administrative advisor should continue to archive official membership list and NCR-46 Executive Committee should maintain official membership list in addition to cooperator list. Executive committee should follow up to determine if Ohio representative has been appointed (consider contacting J. Kovach, OSU, Wooster, OH).

Accomplishments

Status of Corn Rootworm Management Guide and website (Ken Ostlie): Editorial committee consists of C. DiFonzo, L. Meinke, J. Tollefson, J. Wedberg, K. Ostlie, and B. Fuller. J. Wedberg, having professor emeritus status, may have more time than others, and has agreed to serve as chief editor. An FTP site at ftp://www.crwncr46@users.coafes.umn.edu has been set up with the following download folders: Covers/Outline, The Diabrotica, Life Cycle, Injury/Impacts, Monitoring/Scouting, Cultural & Natural Control, Insecticide Management Native Resistance, Host Plant Resistance, Areawide Management, and Photographs & Artwork. When attempting to access, you will be prompted for the password, which is ?crwpub?. Access is 24 h/day & 7 d/week. Original documents will be left intact, but can be downloaded, revised, and re-submitted. Updated draft files should be saved with initials of updating author. Take-home assignment: log on, download Covers/Outline folder, add your name to relevant sections as reviewer/contributor if willing and able, edit or write a section, upload file (use modified filename if modified a previous file). Editorial committee will review current set of contributions and begin coarse edits. Emphasis is on producing an image-rich document directed at progressive growers and agricultural professionals. Please review your slide files and consider submitting CRW-related images for use in the guide. P. Porter offered high-resolution slide scanning capability if needed. 3.) General IRM discussion: a) NCR-46 ongoing role with industry/EPA pertaining to transgenic corn L. Meinke ? Ag. industry, general public, EPA may have certain expectations of us; what should ongoing role of NCR-46 be relative to transgenics/IRM? Transgenic/IRM issues have taken up so much time during past few years that we have not been able to adequately carry out our normal research & survey information exchanges. Where do we prioritize? Leadership on IRM will be needed, but we can?t necessarily be available for every beckon call of EPA either. Should we construct an IRM subcommittee to buffer our Executive Committee so they are still able to carry on normal business of NCR-46 throughout year? If so, how form subcommittee? Discussion regarding possible subcommittee resulted in consensus opinion that subcommittee of 3-5 individuals be formed to handle IRM/transgenic rootworm-protected corn issues. NCR-46 Chair will defer to subcommittee representative or appropriate expert in CRW specialty area when necessary to address questions from EPA, media, etc. Efforts of subcommittee will allow NCR-46 Chair to focus on other important business (i.e., meetings, publications, etc.) that have been displaced over past few years due to IRM issues. Our Canadian counterparts may appreciate linkage with NCR-46 IRM subcommittee, and the interaction will likely be beneficial to both entities. Motion by J. Wedberg to form a subcommittee structured to address IRM and nontarget impact issues relating to rootworm-protected transgenic corn. Seconded by K. Ostlie. No further discussion. Motion carried unanimously. Executive committee was charged with structuring committee and agreed to meet Wednesday evening to draft a proposal for group to discuss during final business meeting Thursday morning. b.) Discussion of IRM alternatives: EPA is interested in our consideration of alternatives beyond the current IRM focus. What are current/possible IRM alternatives? Within-field ? block, strip, seed mix Adjacent field Mode of action rotation Technology rotation Prescriptive use of transgenic products Spatial crop rotation Limits on market penetration Community refuge (for instances of many farms combined) On-farm refuge requirement Areawide CRW management No refuge Concerns regarding IRM: We do not want to imply non-interest in major changes to interim IRM plan on part of NCR-46. Why assume that a refuge is an absolute necessity since multiple modes of action/toxins are being developed and anticipated to be available to producers? Difficult to arrive at optimal IRM plan until product is actually in marketplace for 1-3 years. Identification of research needs remains important. Growers look forward to getting away from insecticide use; most proposed IRM plans appear to keep them locked in to soil insecticide use to protect refuge corn. Seed mix may still warrant further consideration; may result in more random mating. Growers like simplicity (i.e., ?refuge in the bag?) of seed mix. Larval movement: will resistance gene frequency be increased if larvae pass through first instar on nontransgenic roots then move to transgenic plant as harder-to-kill later instars? Stacked transgenic products: are separate IRM plans needed? Compliance with IRM plan will rely on simplicity/ease of adoption.

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 05/11/2004

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/26/2004 - 01/28/2004
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2003 - 12/01/2003

Participants

M. Aldeeb, T. Baute, L. Bledsoe, M. Boetel, L. Buschman, D. Calvin, L. Campbell, T. Clark, C. DiFonzo, B. Eisley, J. Foster, W. French, B. Fuller, P. Glogoza, M. Gray, F. Gould, C. Guse, R. Hellmich, B. Hibbard, T. Hurley, C. Knight, C. Laub, E. Levine, L. Meinke, P. Mitchell, R. Nowierski, J. Olson, K. Ostlie, I. Oyediran, P. Porter, S. Pueppke, S. Ratcliffe, T. Sappington, Y. Schweikert, E. Shields, B. Siegfried, P. Sloderbeck, J. Spencer, K. Steffey, D. Sumerford, J. Tollefson, J. Wedberg, G. Wilde, and T. Wilson.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Preliminary Business Meeting:

1) After reviewing the location of previous meetings, just prior to the meeting, C. DiFonzo discussed the possibility of a 2004 meeting in Columbus, Ohio with B. Eisley (The Ohio State University). B. Eisley agreed to serve as local arrangements should NCR-46 confirm with NC-205 that the next meeting would be in Columbus. A call was put out for other nominations to be received at the final business meeting.

2) Just prior to the meeting, C. DiFonzo, talked with B. Fuller about the possibility of serving as Secretary in 2004 and he agreed. A call was put out for other nominations to be received at the final business meeting.

3) Administrative updates and management guide deferred until Monday.

4) B. Hibbard noted that the NIMSS database has now been updated so that all official members are now listed so that anyone in the country can see who is a member of NCR-46. This website is located at http://www.lgu.umd.edu/login.cfm, where anyone can enter as a guest. It was noted that the site is NOT updated concerning which individuals are working on which of the project objectives for NCR-46. This was discussed briefly and it was decided that if individuals wanted their information updated, they could do so through their respective experiment stations. R. Nowierski mentioned that this was a valuable database from a CSREES perspective and that it would be helpful to be add such things as meeting dates and agenda to the site.

5) It was pointed out that symposia ideas for the ESA national meeting need to be to Bob Wright by March 1.

6) P. Porter mentioned that if expertise on the Mexican corn rootworm is desired, an invitation to attend the meeting to specific individuals would be helpful.

7) C. Guse brought up the possibility of inviting internationals from Argentina or Mexico who are working with Diabrotica to the meeting. The idea was discussed and it was suggested that perhaps individual institutions could bring someone in during this time frame so that they could give a departmental seminar and also attend the NCR-46 meeting. It was also mentioned that the meeting could go to Mexico in the future.

Final Business Meeting

Pat Porter mentioned that the NC-205 reports are now accumulated on CD rather than on paper. The idea of something similar being done for NCR-46 was discussed. Bruce Hibbard agreed to receive electronic versions of the reports in Word, WordPerfect, or PDF files and assemble them on a CD for NCR-46 members and collaborators.

2004 meeting tentatively planned for Sunday, January 25 - Tuesday January 27 in Columbus, Ohio. Bruce Eisley will serve as local arrangements.

Billy Fuller confirmed as next year?s secretary.

Administrative Reports:

Steve Pueppke, Administrative Advisor update

-Unclear at present what biosecurity is going to mean and where the funding is going to come from (administrators are busy).

-International markets are important and will affect corn rootworm transgenic crops, but the path forward through the markets.

-Bad state budgets are leading to trends across a number of land-grant universities: 1) new waves of restructuring departments are being considered, 2) a disproportionate amount of pressure has been placed on extension, and 3) ?privatizing activities? are being investigated to help free up universities from the ups and downs of state budget cycles.

Robert Noweirski (USDA/CSREES Representative) - National Program Leader for Biobased pest management and administrator of RAMP

Provided background information on where his position fits into the CSREES structure and some of the topics that he has been working with:

-IPM at the federal level will likely be fortified with additional training of employees in several branches of government.

-Risk assessment in the release of biocontrol agents.

-developing partnership between USDA and EPA to increase development, adoption, and implementation of biobased pest management.

-4th National IPM Symposium (April, 2003 in Indianapolis).

Funding opportunities and programs at CSREES was discussed.

Accomplishments

I. Abundance/Distribution Illinois - populations down, but a slight expansion to the north and northwest of the rotation-adapted population. Indiana - relatively low populations, but economic damage occurred. Iowa - population up in the last two years, especially in the northwest portion of the state. Kansas - moderate populations similar to the last few years. Michigan - low to moderate in most of the state Minnesota - dramatic increase over the last six years, including perhaps some western corn rootworms in rotated corn Missouri - rootworm problems in areas of continuous corn. Nebraska - some hot spot areas where populations were high. Extensive injury from populations that do not usually cause that level, probably due to drought in many areas. Ohio - numbers of adults were up in sticky traps, especially in areas under drought. Pennsylvania - high rootworm pressure across the state. South Dakota - moderate to high pressure, mostly from northern corn rootworm. Dry conditions caused some corn not to germinate and larvae did not establish as a result. Virginia - moderate populations pressure dry in most areas. Ontario - low to moderate populations. North Dakota - population were moderate with approximately 90% northern corn rootworms. Little continuous corn. Texas - corn is grown to a lesser extent south of Amarillo than previously and rootworms are much more rare than before. II. Sampling/Dispersal Illinois - Joe Spenser presented material on monitoring movement from MON 863 using gene checks on insects. Fifty percent of the beetles remain positive 16 hr after feeding on MON 863 as adults. Adults moved an average of 8.5 meters per day in corn and less than that in soybean (males moved only 2.2 meters per day in soybean). Not known whether newly emerged adults have detectable Cry3Bb1 with this system. Western corn rootworm adults will die rather quickly (almost as if starved) if fed solely on soybean. If fed both corn and soybean, then no nutrition is fine. Iowa - Ted Wilson (currently in Missouri) presented flight mill data. He tested mated 5 day old females in flight mill tests. Those that were fed MON 863 as larvae did not take as many long duration flights, but were still good flyers. When they did take sustained flights, the flight time tended to be longer. No virgin females took sustained flights. Only 5% of males took a sustained flights. Kansas - Wilde: Trece lure trap is easy to handle and does well in catching western corn rootworms. Many beetles were found in first year corn, with more than 50% of the fields exceeding the treatment threshold of 1 beetle per plant. Adults are moving to new fields in large numbers. Missouri - Hibbard: Larval movement was evaluated from point sources of viable egg levels of 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 eggs per infested plant in 2000, 2001, and 2002. A 3200 viable egg level was also tested in 2001 and 2002. All eggs were infested on one plant per sub-plot in a field that was planted to soybeans (Glycine max L.) in the previous year. For each sub-plot, the infested plant, three plants down the row, the closest plant in the adjacent row of the plot, and a control plant at least 1.5 m from any infested plant (six plants total) were sampled. Initial establishment on a corn plant appeared to not be density-dependent because a similar percentage of larvae was recovered from all infestation rates. Plant damage and, secondarily, subsequent post-establishment larval movement were density-dependent. Very little damage and post-establishment movement occurred at lower infestation levels, but significant damage and movement occurred at higher infestation rates. Movement generally occurred at a similar time as significant plant damage and not at initial establishment, so timing of movement appeared to be motivated by available food resources rather than crowding. At the highest infestation level in 2001, significant movement three plants down the row and across the 0.76 m row was detected, perhaps impacting refuge strategies for transgenic corn. Nebraska - Nowatski: Corn plants treated with rubidium chloride in whorl tissue. Artificially infested larvae fed on plants in first year corn. Produced approximately 55,000 beetles and captured about 3,000 males and 370 females. Males moved shortly after emergence. Females remained in the area until after mated. 91% of mating pairs capture in the area of emergence. III. Egg laying Minnesota - Ostlie: Western corn rootworm in first year corn confirmed in 2001 and 2002 in a total of three sites. Lodging in southeast Minnesota is going up dramatically. Whether this is independent of what is going on in Illinois/Indiana is unknown. Nebraska - rotation is not as common and adaptation to crop rotation has not been found, although there have been questions on a few fields. Pennsylvania - variant not detected. South Dakota - a small amount (less than 3%) of extended diapause for western corn rootworms found. Ontario - Goal to access risk of the rotation-adapted western corn rootworm population coming to Ontario. Trying to discriminate rotation-adapted western corn rootworm individuals from ?normal? individuals using molecular approaches. What is the frequency of the rotation-adapted population, especially along the fringes of where it occurs? Problem: initial RAPID technique is not as reproducible. Currently developing techniques that ?everyone? can use. IV. Host-insect interactions Missouri - Schweikert/Hibbard - M.S. project involved 3 infestation levels, 10 infestation times, and recovering larvae at 370 and 430 degree days (early second and early third instars). Later infestation dates established on the plant, but did not produce adults. Nebraska - Campbell/Meinke - Evaluated western, northern, southern corn rootworms and Diabrotica cristata in 3 prairie corn environments. Diabrotica cristata observed in corn, but trapped almost exclusively in prairie sites. Location of northern corn rootworm adults was variable, but they were mostly found in corn. Western corn rootworm adults were found in high densities in corn. In one site they were also found feeding on pollinating ragweed outside of the corn field. It is not known whether or not they were laying eggs. Southern corn rootworm not seen much in corn and were found mostly seen in prairies. Foster/Pete Clark - Evaluated feeding behavior of western corn rootworm larvae on MON 863 and isoline. Gel based media used so that feeding could be observed and material could be seen passing through the gut. No apparent difference in the feeding site. Missouri - Clark and Hibbard presented portions of several sets of experiments dealing with alternate hosts. The bottom line is that western corn rootworm larvae can survive at least a week on the roots of almost all grass species evaluated and that they develop at least to the third instar on the majority of species. Illinois - Levine - bean pod mottle virus is an important disease of soybean known to be transmitted by bean leaf beetles. Levine?s group demonstrated that the disease can also be transmitted by western corn adults (although not very efficiently compared to the bean leaf beetle). A concern was that western corn rootworms are more mobile than bean leaf beetles. The disease was first reported in 1975 and is now statewide. Western corn rootworms were tested for bean pod mottle virus 2000 and 2001. Most of the counties had at least some western corn rootworm beetles that tested positive for the disease. IV. Diapause/Insectides/Plant Resistance - Minnesota - Ostlie - Extended diapause of the northern corn rootworm is becoming very prevalent southwestern part of Minnesota. The odd number cohort is more prevalent than the even number cohort. Insecticides are providing a yield advantage in 80 to 85% of the fields, but seed treatments did not work well in Minnesota.. Nebraska - under dry conditions seed treatments worked very well, better than granular soil insecticides. Iowa - Park/Tollefson - discussed research involving site specific management and methods to predict future damage zones and create different management zones based on damage zones and then to validate the predictions. The best predictor of many evaluated was peak adult population. Missouri - Hibbard: A large native resistance program in Missouri has developed lines that are significantly less damaged than modern hybrids, but not significantly more damaged than an insecticide check. Reduced damage holds up best under moderate infestations. Under very high rootworm pressure, the resistance is much less apparent. V. Area wide Management Texas - Porter- Although not in the ARS area-wide program, certain consultants and growers are using Capture in an area-wide way. Unfortunately, spidermites are now as much as 500 fold resistant to Capture than they were before and no replacement miticides are available. Nebraska - shifts over time in susceptibility. Same diagnostic dose was killing fewer insects over time. Reduced sensitivity to cucurbitacins over time may also have been taking place. Iowa - Program is done - was it a success? Yes, in Iowa in terms reducing damage the following year and reducing the overall number of acres that need to be treated over time. It was cheaper to control on an area-wide basis and gave just as good control as soil insecticides (on average). Also, the total amount of toxicant is greatly reduced on a per unit area. Twenty fold reduction in toxicant and 40% reduction in acreage that needed treatment. However the program did not succeed in terms of getting farmers to understand that it must be in an area-wide program in that some farmers were willing to enroll a single field after the federal funding was gone. Indiana - able to reduce adult populations, but the bottom line is that it did not work in Indiana.

Publications

Forthcoming

Impact Statements

Transgenic plant IRM: Developed an NCR-46 subcommittee to address IRM issues; NCR-46 has interacted with and served as a resource for industry and U.S. regulatory agencies pertaining to development and registration of new transgenic technologies that are resistant to corn rootworm species; at EPA's request, NCR-46 wrote several letters that evaluated industry submitted IRM plans. As a result of these efforts, NCR-46 opinion directly affected IRM policy at the federal level and refuge requireme
Developed a regional protocol to evaluate as a group the potential yield and growth regulator effects of new seed treatment technologies that are coming on the market.
Completed a working draft of the Corn Rootworm Guide which will be targeted as a regional publication from NCR-46 that could have a large audience.

Date of Annual Report: 02/21/2005

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/25/2004 - 01/28/2004
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2004 - 12/01/2004

Participants

D. Andow, L. Bledsoe, M. Boetel, L. Buschman, D. Calvin, L. Campbell, T. Clark, E. Cullen, C. DiFonzo, G. Dively, B. Eisley, W. French, B. Fuller, J. Glasser, P. Glogoza, M. Gray, R. Hammond, T. Hunt, R. Hellmich, B. Hibbard, C. Knight, C. Mason, L. Meinke, P. Mitchell, . D. Onstad, K. Ostlie, P. Porter, S. Pueppke, T. Sappington, A. Schaafsma, E. Shields, B. Siegfried, P. Sloderbeck, J. Spencer, U. Stolz, J. Tollefson, G. Wilde, and B. Wright.

Brief Summary of Minutes

NCR-46 Meeting
Columbus, Ohio
26 - 28 January 2004

Monday Afternoon: Breakout into formal committees.

Initial Business Meeting:

Welcome by Mark Boetel (chair) and introduction of newly arriving attendees.

Minutes were previously distributed from last year's meeting by Bruce Hibbard. Mark Boetel asked if their were any changes or omissions that members wish to be made, hearing none, Gerald Wilde moved to accepted the minutes as submitted, seconded, and approved by voice acclamation.

Mark Boetel noted our joint-meeting vote that morning had selected College Park / Beltsville / Washington DC area as the site for our 2005 meeting. The dates will be the 23rd through the 26th of January.

Mark Boetel indicated that he has requested Lance Meinke and Gerald Wilde serve as a nominating committee for the 2005 NCR-46 secretary position, and they would be reporting back to the group during Tuesday's final business meeting.

The chair called for a report on the status of the Corn Rootworm Management Guide. Kenneth Ostlie spoke on the current progress of this document, and how the editorial committee was putting together some sections that needed further refinements. Mike Gray commented that the Regional Pest Management Centers could assist in the producing and paying for the final document after the editorial committee had finished their work.

Mark called for any additional old business or further discussion before moving on to the state reports. Several people spoke up concerning the committee desire to remain open and to work effectively with our industry and regulatory agency colleagues; however, there was concerned expressed that the scientific exchange mission of the committee could be hampered by having completely open meetings with these groups. The issue where NCR-46 committee members were excluded from the SAP was used as an example of this potential problem outcome. How can we be asked by an agency for our committee's opinion and then be said to be biased proponents when we responded? After further discussion, a voice vote decided that the format should limit outside participation to just the open portions of our meetings to facilitate frank and open scientific exchange.

Accomplishments

Abundance/Distribution (excerpted comments: please see state reports for full details) " South Dakota (Fuller) reported below normal rootworm pressures at efficacy trial locations. " Minnesota had continued problem areas with extended diapause and observed a problem with western corn rootworms in eastern portions of the state. " Ohio reported lower than normal numbers of rootworms and may have been related to heavy rainfall. " Ontario spotty problems with possibly the variant. " Nebraska indicated severe drought conditions may have affected abundance. " Illinois reported sweep net samples in soybean were collecting increased numbers of western corn rootworm beetles. " Michigan also noted an increase in the numbers of western corn rootworm. " New York high infestations of westerns were such that a possible plant growth response to Poncho seed treatments (even with heavy root pruning) enhanced yield potential. " Iowa noted variable infestations across state and some extended diapause problems. " Kansas displayed mapping and distribution data of corn rootworms and their movement in relation to landscape and refugia configurations. " Jon Tollefson discussed the spread and current status of the corn rootworm in Europe. Sampling/Dispersal " Bruce Hibbard noted 2 papers on larval movement were published and 1 other on its way soon. " Lance Meinke used rubidium as a marker on where adults go and referred members to the Nebraska report for more complete details. " Joe Spencer discussed dispersal from rootworm flights from 10 feet high towers and relating it to weather data collected. He also stated the likelihood of flight is related to atmospheric stability. For example, 1 meter high stability can initiate a flight response. " Gerald Wilde had 22 corn fields and monitored rootworm movement. Many of these fields were irrigated. In some central pivot fields the refuge placement was in the corners where no irrigation occurred. " Also, studies were conducted placing YieldGard in the middle area and evaluated movement away from different crops. Greatest in wheat. Move at a quicker pace across wheat. Intra-field movement 11 to 12 meters per day. Previous year's finding had shown 7 meters per day movement. Economic Threshold " Tim Nowatski and his coauthors have a manuscript in review that looks at the "node injury scale" and it includes support yield data. " Ken Ostlie presented a presentation looking at the 1 to 6 (Hills and Peters) and node injury (Oleson) root rating scales. Behavior & Ecology " Research by Laura Campbell at Nebraska involved sampling rootworms in several habitats and focused on prairie species (including 3 Diabrotica species). Lance Meinke indicated her work revealed that different rootworm species changed their host based on a plant's pollination. " Tim Nowatski discussed his feeding behavior research where he looked at Cry3Bb1, and purified Cry3Bb1 and found no suppression of rootworm in the range listed by Monsanto. " Joe Spencer commented that he had observed adults in dry wheat stubble are more active in their behavior. Tuesday (separate meeting continued) " Paul Mitchell opened the session with a presentation on: Effects of northern corn rootworm extended diapause and IRM on Mon-863. " David Onstad spoke on variant modeling. Rearing / Alternate Hosts " Bruce Hibbard indicated that he planned to address this topic when he spoke later that evening on Mon-863 survival. " Also, Bruce commented that most grasses are good larval hosts until later instars. Host Plant Resistance " Bruce Hibbard noted that he was working with fairly good nature resistance hybrids that limited damage lose to less than 1.5 nodes. Comment was made about using Martin Bohn (Univ. Illinois) exotic germ plasm. " French, Mihm, and Ostlie are continuing to find further resistant varieties and several are promising. " Mike Gray reported on his planting date research where 1 root rating lower injury was observed on later planted corn. " Yield impact of liquid and seed treatment were opened for discussion. Erratic performance was noted in several states. Some discussion on seed treatment failures generated several comments on possible "yield enhancement" (even in the place of significant rootworm pruning damage). Mike Gray asked Billy Fuller if he was still willing to coordinate a regional study on seed treatments to address this issue. Fuller volunteered to send out protocol with a simple list of treatments that would be workable for most projects. Discussion also favored a small number of treatments (5 was requested). Resistance to Insecticides " Lance Meinke spoke on what has happened since 1995. Aldrin resistance is still present in Nebraska rootworm populations. " Fitness issues were addressed on the intrinsic rate of increase on rootworm densities. It was noted that some Methyl Parathion-resistant rootworms were able to maintain normal egg laying habits. Row Spacing " Limited discussion was presented; however, Bruce Hibbard did make a comment about row spacing as related to an IRM issue. He stated that "larval movement across narrow row (22") is more likely than wider row spacing, but may not have a negative impact on IRM issues. Other Soil Pest " Michigan reported that the European chafer was an especially bad turf pest, but was also showing up as a problem in wheat and corn fields. It appears to be more of a problem in sandier soils. Beetles lay their eggs in soybeans or corn and can develop on soybean roots. Soybean root damage is regarded as being sub-economic. Chafers appear to be able to withstand harsh winter weather and may be very cold tolerance.

Publications

None reported.

Impact Statements

" NCR-46s 31 May 2002 letter to the EPA addressing a resistance management plan submitted by Monsanto weighed heavily in the EPAs decision to have a 20% refuge versus the 50% refuge suggested by an SAP. As a result of registration, more than 2 million acres of rootworm of rootworm-resistant transgenic corn were planted in 2004.
" A Diabrotica genetics consortium has been organized and an international conference on Diabrotica genetics met for information exchange. All attending agreed to use a specific set of markers in future work so that results can be compared across laboratories.
" Communication and scientific exchange has been facilitated between the EPA and corn rootworm experts in the past and during the 1-23 to 1-25-05 meeting. This scientific exchange has been initiated by EPA and may affect ongoing regulatory issues.

Date of Annual Report: 12/19/2005

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/23/2005 - 01/24/2005
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2004 - 01/01/2005

Participants

L. Bledsoe, M. Boetel, D. Calvin, C. DiFonzo, G. Dively, B. Eisley, W. French, B. Fuller, R. Hammond, R. Hellmich, B. Hibbard, R. Higgins, D. Kopp, C. Krupke, C. Mason, B. McManus, L. Meinke, P. Mitchell, K. Ostlie, P. Porter, S. Pueppke, T. Sappington, A. Schaafsma, B. Siegfried, J. Tollefson, R. Youngman, G. Wilde.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Bruce Hibbard ran through the slides he will present to address questions posed by EPA. In addition to these questions, the group discussed other questions that could be raised to EPA about non-target impacts and differential expression of Cry 34 and Cry 35. There was also a discussion of the non-target impact of the seed treatments on the transgenic seed and in the refuge.

Chris Krupke was introduced as the replacement for Rich Edwards at Purdue he has an extension, research, and teaching appointment.

Management Guide Update (Ken Ostlie)
" Motion, Bruce: Management guide be put in the hands of a project manager/editor. Motion passed unanimously.
" Motion, Bruce: Susan Ratcliffe put forward as a project manager will check to see if the IPM Center is still interested in this proposition. Motion passed unanimously.
" Ken: Synthesized edit by Feb 4th will go out to NCR46 subcommittee.
" Needed: Updated maps for WCR/ NCR distribution and damage AND variant

People who are interested in acting as resource person for the guide:
Ken Ostlie, Chris DiFonzo, Billy Fuller, Bruce Hibbard, Lance Meinke, Pat Porter
(Ken, Pat, and Chris met Sunday evening and went over the guide)

2004 Minutes with minor corrections were distributed by Billy Fuller; a motion to accept was made, seconded, and approved.

An initial report on time and place for the 2006 meeting was given by Chris Difonzo and Larry Bledsoe. Mark Sears volunteered Toronto as a location for 2006. Motion from Bruce Hibbard to go along with the NC 205 time and place committees decision was made and approved.

Lance Meinke and Jon Tollefson nominated Tom Clark, University of Missouri, to serve as secretary for 2006. Motion was made and approved.

New Business Discussion

Bruce Hibbard passed out CDs with state reports. A discussion regarding whether state reports should be on CD or hard copies was opened. The committee decided to continue with CDs, and bring fewer hard copies for those who want them.

European membership/outside participation:

a. Jon Tollefson suggested it would be good to have European participation in the meeting and we should seek ways to help fund their travel expenses. However, Dennis Kopp indicated there may not be any U.S. dollars for their travel. It was decided to extend an invitation to European researchers who have funds to travel.

b. Participation of regulatory colleagues. In 2004, committee members voted that regulatory colleagues should not attend. Dennis Kopp suggested that the NCR46 is an open meeting, but if private discussion is needed the committee members can have a closed session. A carefully written motion (Dennis Kopp, Jon Tollefson, and Bruce Hibbard) on this topic will be mailed by Bruce to committee members for a vote.

In a motion that was e-mailed to official NCR-46 members in early February 2005, Bruce proposed that: "The NCR-46 committee encourages and welcomes all federal and state government scientists who are actively conducting Diabrotica research to participate in its meeting. As with all individuals attending the meetings, NCR-46 will expect active engagement in areas where these scientists can contribute their expertise. Individuals from regulatory agencies may be requested to leave during specific portions of the annual meeting should the committee feel it needs to go into executive session to discuss issues that may affect regulatory decisions." This motion passed 14 to 2.

Steve Pueppke Report:
NCR46 was selected by the NC region to prepare an impact statement. Some ideas suggested to show impact for bullet statements were the EPA letter for MON 863 working with NC205 on coordinated IRM, corn rootworm guide, Diabrotica consortium, and regional Poncho trial. NCR46 is up for renewal in 2006; rewrite is due in December 2005 on the NIMMS system. Note might want to keep NCR46 designation and Steve can assist Billy Fuller (2006 Chair) in the rewrite.

Bruce Tabashnik, University of Arizona, joined the discussion on transgenic corn by teleconference, while Bruce Hibbard ran through slides addressing questions posed by EPA. In addition to these questions, the group discussed other questions that could be raised to EPA about non-target impacts and differential expression of Cry 34 and Cry 35. There was also a discussion of the non-target impact of the seed treatments (high and low treatments) on the transgenic seed and in the refuge.

Accomplishments

Distribution/ abundance MO-ARS: Good damage in field sites; also found a few northern corn rootworms emerging in a location lacking corn last year, possibly extended diapause. KS: Above average populations of western corn rootworms. IN: Interesting events. Corn rootworm numbers have increased since 1998, but in June 200-300% rainfall - 15 inches of rain in a 15 days period, just after egg hatch. Soils were saturated across northern 1/3 of state. Corn rootworm pressure was low in research fields resulting in very little emergence in these fields. But in August, cool weather, wind patterns were from the north, astounded that field repopulated possibly from corn rootworms moving from IL. Highway 70 cuts state in half, which is the normal boundary for variant (variant not occurring below); this year however, variant was found three counties south of highway - transport event may have pushed adults further south into soybeans. TX: Record rains, no economic infestations. MI: Record rain in May. Wet soils reduced populations in some places. In others, simply delayed planting and corn rootworm emergence was high. Found surprisingly high number of northern corn rootworms at some locations. OH: Variant numbers were up considerably in NW Ohio (soybeans sampled by yellow sticky traps). Rated roots from corn on soy, pressure was very low. Had trials comparing Bt and non-Bt, no roots over a 3.0 on the old scale, even in untreated plots. One field in Wood County (NW Ohio) full of northern corn rootworms; assume it is an extended diapause situation. MN: With a cold winter and wet spring, expected reduction in corn rootworms. Eggs seemed to come through well. Cool summer delayed adult emergence. Extended diapause problems were observed in the same areas as in previous years. Ken Ostlie is establishing a study with MN Department of Agriculture to examine corn phenology in relation to of extended diapause regions. IA: Observed moderate abundance of corn rootworms. Put out sticky traps in 22 soy fields, and dug roots in adjacent 1st year corn - no injury on the corn roots, and few corn rootworms in soybean. But Pioneer reported corn rootworm adults emerging in one field following soybean in the Durant area (seedcorn production area in the NE part of the state near IL). There was late emergence of corn rootworms in an area in north central part of state, and in many locations. SD: Infestation levels were moderate at research locations. Europe: Distribution maps will be available in spring 2005. Rearing MO-ARS: 4 colonies of CRW w/ different exposure to MON 863 whorl stage plants in a greenhouse (exposure for entire life, exposure as a neonate, exposure only to 2nd/3rd instars, not exposed). Second generation is coming off. Colonies will be a resource to understand survival on MON 863 colonies area already being used for a variety of personal research. Extended Diapause: Recall notes from OH and MO on potential extended diapause fields in these states. Host interactions MO-ARS: Alternate host work in Bruce Hibbards lab. Bruce examined potential original hosts for corn rootworms (such as wheat grass). Wheat grass turns out to be a very good host. Bruce also examined grassy weeds that could be in corn fields, and act as a bridge for larvae to move to transgenic corn. Manuscript shows you get more beetles from weedy transgenic corn than corn alone or weeds alone. Behavior & Ecology IN: Set up three 50 acre fields at three locations, one with adjacent refuge (20%), one with alternating strips (still 20%), and one entirely transgenic block. The goal was to get information on beetle movement in these systems. One objective was to observe how beetles colonized the transgenic blocks. 8,000 sticky traps used with 1 trap per acre and more around the field. By the third week, the fields loaded up, saturated with beetles. Larry Bledsoe assumes these beetles were coming from Illinois. Refuge seemed to be irrelevant in this situation. KS (Gerry Wilde): Has a few traps in a lot of fields (19 in 04). Gerry is trying to understand what goes on in a Bt corn field. Found a range of patterns in 2003 and 2004. Sometimes corn rootworms are higher in the refuge, sometimes lower, sometimes equal, sometimes the pattern changes over time. Diabrotica genetics (Tom Sappington): Tom noted that there are currently 36 promising genetic markers for western corn rootworms based on a survey of loci in corn rootworms from 9 states, Texas to NY. Allelic diversity and heterozygosity were essentially similar across the range lots of genetic diversity across the range. All populations were genetically similar, except for a population from Lubbock TX, which was collected from within a hybrid zone of western and Mexican corn rootworms. Bottom line, no evidence of a recent genetic bottleneck in the western corn rootworm populations sampled. Host plant resistance Jon Tollefson is doing some work in Eastern Europe, and Bruce Hibbard is continuing work with native resistance. Transgenics The group discussed the reasons for delayed corn rootworm emergence on transgenic hybrids. The primary focus was whether emergence was actually delayed, or whether it was due to the early part of the population being truncated due to differential mortality on males and females? The group noted root damage of Mon 863 under heavy corn rootworm pressure in 2004. The damage occurred in IL, MI, and PA. Ken Ostlie noted that grass removal at different times (e.g. foxtail) appears to be a bridge for larvae to move onto transgenic corn and complete development. CRW emergence is higher in plots where grass is removed later. Regional Poncho Study (Billy Fuller) Billy presented data from multiple locations in 2004 testing corn treated with low (250; 0.25 mg rate) and high (1250; 1.25 mg rate) rates of Poncho (Clothianidin) versus corn treated with Force (Tefluthrin), corn treated with Force and Poncho, YieldGard Rootworm corn (MON 863), and untreated corn. Billy showed that the results varied across the region yield gain with Poncho is inconsistent. Billy suggested the group conduct another year of research. Paul Mitchell presented an update of Robert Metcalfs 1986 loss estimate of 1 billion dollars per year due to corn rootworms. Paul presented data by corn growing regions. Bottom line his new estimate of CRW monetary cost due to corn rootworms is similar to Metcalfs estimate. Management Root-injury scales Ostlie: Effect of surviving root length on yield and lodging. Compared different lengths of pruning, 1, 2, and 3 inches (i.e. different lengths of root survival). Length picked to denote pruning makes a difference&3 inch criteria seemed to do a better job to predict yield, 1 inch criteria seemed to do a better job predicting lodging. Jon Tollefson presented information on the now published 1-3 Node-injury scale (uses 1.5 inch pruning). Jon also discussed data from Yong Lak Park examining node-injury scale and precision (i.e., number of roots that should be sampled to achieve a certain level of precision). Host plant resistance Jon Tollefson is doing some work in Eastern Europe Bruce Hibbard is continuing to work with native resistance to western corn rootworms. Transgenics Bruce Hibbard opened a discussion of delayed corn rootworm emergence on transgenic hybrids. The primary focus was whether emergence was actually delayed, or whether it was due to the early part of the population being truncated due to differential mortality on males and females? The group noted root damage of Mon 863 under heavy corn rootworm pressure in 2004. The damage occurred in IL, MI, and PA. Ken Ostlie noted that grass removal at different times (e.g. foxtail) appears to be a bridge for larvae to move onto transgenic corn and complete development. CRW emergence is higher in plots where grass is removed later. Industry Presentations Monsanto Ty Vaughn and Todd DeGoyer introduced John Goette as the new development person (replacing Jay Pershing) with the company. YieldGard Plus: CRW/ECB stack compared to YGCB with or without insecticide, seed treatment, or nothing. There is a small yield advantage over soil insecticide, a bit larger over seed treatment, over and the most advantage over nothing. 2-6 bushels yield gain with YGPL treated with Poncho 250 across many locations shown in Todds slide set. Tech fee estimate for YGRW ($50/ unit ~ $20/ac) versus YGPL ($68/unit ~ $26/ac). Ty: Discussion of research initiatives [a. adult and larval movement; b. is IRM for WCR appropriate for MCR; c. mechanism of resistance to YGRW; d. effect of WCR ovipositing in soy and NCR extended diapause; e. baseline susceptibility] Novel IRM Option, Refuge in a bag- asked for feedback from the group on pitfalls and research needs. The group discussed technical and production concerns. Also discussed damage on Mon 863 in the field Ty indicates protein expression only occurs in actively dividing regions of the roots. Oct 2005, planning for an IRM workshop in St. Louis Syngenta Jeff Stein, John Steffens, Craig Nichols, Alan McCaffrey, Henry Steineiz, Rob Wilde, Jon Sagers Syngenta corn event, MIR604wr, is a Bt Cry3A protein (modified). The protein used in potato for CPB. The CPB has the enzyme to process the protein to the toxic form, while CRW lacks this enzyme. Therefore, Cathepsin G protease site was added to the Cry3A gene to create a cleavage site so the inactive protein is converted to an active protein. This modified protein is active against CPB, WCR, and NCR. It is not active with SCR. Safety profile is favorable. High LD50 with mice and birds - feeding studies had no negative impacts, no adverse effects on non-targets; half life is 7 days in soil. Section 3 submitted April 2004 (anticipates EPA approval Feb 2006). Efficacy and consistency: data presented to show MIR604 was similar to Force and Aztec. Marketing will come with 0.25 Cruiser for secondary pests. IRM presentation: 3 to 6 day delay in emergence in transgenic vs. non transgenic, but no difference in males vs female; no shift in sex ratio. Beetles from control plots were smaller compared to Force or MIR604, suggests density dependent effects. 1st instar highly sensitive, second and third instars less so. This event is classified as non-high dose. Lab observations: direct mortality of larvae which feed on roots plus a deterrence effect (antixenosis). Proposed IRM: 20% refuge; adjacent or near - similar to current CRW-IRM plans. Says there is uniform expression of the toxin throughout the root mass and throughout the season. EPA Presentation (Sharlene Matten, Alan Reynolds, Tessa Milofski) Pending Plant Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) products: Lepidoptera: modified Cry1F (Dow/Pioneer); Cry 2ab2 (Monsanto) Coleoptera: Cry 3Bb1 new construct (Monsanto); Cry3A (Syngenta); Cry 34/35 (Dow Pioneer) Stacks: Cry 3Bb1 new + Cry1Ab (Monsanto); Cry 1F + Cry 34/35 (Dow/Pioneer) EPAs Questions for NCR46 a. Dose: measurement and interpretation, role of density-dependent mortality? b. Larval movement and width of in-field strips? Dow Agrosciences, IRM for Heculex (Nick Storer, Tim Nowatzki, Elizabeth Olsen) Q: Dose. The key is mortality of susceptible and heterozygotes. Used screen cages with known infestation level to separate out reduction in adult production based on density-dependent mortality, and to estimate dose. Based on the estimated dose for WCR and NCR, uses Dave Onstads model to estimate that a 20% refuge is appropriate considers most conservative dose estimate and lower efficacy on NCR. Q: Larval movement. Proposed Cry34/35 plan calls for minimum strip width of 2 rows for the refuge. Larval movement can occur between adjacent rows (rarely 2 rows), thus used model to examine effect of strip width (2 to 10 row strips) on IRM. Model says that more and narrower strips could increase differences between susceptible and heterozygote larvae, but could also promote random mating of adults. Source sink effect does not apply well to CRW planting a larger refuge does not build up a larger CRW population within a given year (CRW only has one generation). This could only be accomplished by putting the refuge in the same location year after year - impractical. Density dependent mortality (Bruce Hibbard) Sources of density independent mortality: tillage, overwintering, soil conditions, host establishment (estimated at only 5%). In greenhouse studies with 100-3,200 eggs per plant, you recover approximately the same level of larvae in these treatments. Natural egg infestation: difficult to know egg density unless it is artificially infested. Larvae move around a plant, down the row, and across a row if food is depleted. Bruce presented data on cage studies with known egg density. No apparent density dependent mortality. Mortality in Cry34/35 was over 98%.

Publications

None reported

Impact Statements

New node injust scale for corn rootworm has been published and is now available to standardize damage assessments across state lines
The loss estimate for corn rootworm has been updated, allowing scientists and policymakers to assess the economic impact of this disease
Information on promising genetic markers for western corn rootworm has been collected and is now available to guide studies by population biologists
NCR46 provides support for the Diabrotica Genetics Consortium, which serves as a mechanism to standardize genetic markers in population studies and facilitate research collaborations

Date of Annual Report: 03/31/2006

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/26/2006 - 01/27/2006
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2005 - 01/01/2006

Participants

Bledsoe, Larry (lbledsoe@purdue.edu) -Purdue University;
Boetel, Mark (mboetel@ndsuext.nodak.edu) - North Dakota State University;
Buschman, Larry (lbuschma@ksu.edu) - Kansas State University;
Cullen, Eileen (cullen@entomology.wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin;
Eisley, Bruce (jbeisley@yahoo.com) - Ohio State University;
Ellsbury, Mike (mellsbury@ngirl.ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS, Brookings;
French, Wade (wfrench@ngirl.ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS, Brookings;
Fuller, Billy (Billy.Fuller@SDSTATE.EDU) - South Dakota State University;
Guse, Charles (cguse@express.cites.uiuc.edu) - University of Illinois;
Hammond, Ron (hammond.5@osu.edu) - OARDC-OSU;
Hellmich, Rick (rlhellmi@iastate.edu) - ARS;
Hibbard, Bruce (hibbardb@missouri.edu) - ARS;
Higgins, Randy (rhiggins@oznet.ksu.edu) - Kansas State University;
Krupke, Christian (ckrupke@purdue.edu) - Purdue University;
Mason, Chuck (mason@udel.edu) - Texas A&M;
McManus, Brad (Bradley.McManus@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University;
Meinke, Lance (lmeinke1@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska;
Onstad, Dave (onstad@uiuc.edu) - University of Illinois;
Ostlie, Ken (ostli001@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota;
Porter, Pat (p-porter@tamu.edu) - TAMU;
Pueppke, Steve (pueppke@uiuc.edu) - Michigan State University;
Sappington, Tom (tsapping@iastate.edu) - USDA-ARS, Ames, IA;
Sears, Mark (msears@uoguelph.ca) - University of Guelph Can;
Shields, Elson (es28@cornell.edu) - Cornell University;
Spencer, Joe (spencer1@uiuc.edu) - Illinois Natural History Survey;
Tollefson, Jon (tolly@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University;
Wilde, Gerald (gwilde@ksu.edu) - Kansas State University;

Participants Attachment:

Attachment

Brief Summary of Minutes

2006 NCR-46 meeting. (January 26, 2006)
Meeting called to order by Chair, Billy Fuller, at 8 am.

In attendance: Billy Fuller (SD), Wade French (ND), Joe Spencer (IL), Bruce Eisley (OH), Ron Hammond(OH), Mark Sears (Canada), Christian Krupke (IN), Larry Bledsoe (IN), Bruce Hibbard (MO), Rick Hellmich (IA), Jon Tollefson (IA), Gerald Wilde (KS), Larry Buschman (KS), Randy Higgins (KS), Mark Boetel (ND), Dennis Calvin (PA), Brad McManus (ND), Pat Porter(TX), Steven Pueppke (Admin, MI), Lance Meinke (NE), Tom Sappington (IA), Eileen Cullen (WI), Elson Shields (NY), Mike Ellsbury (ND), David Onstad (IL), Charles Guse (IL).

Preliminary Business Meeting:
1). Introductions & Announcements:
2). Local Arrangements: Mark Sears indicated that the registration fee would be US$80 ($50 for Thursday and $30 for Friday).
3). Approval of 2005 Minutes: 2005 minutes were approved.
4). Nominations committee: Christian Krupke nominated as 2007 Secretary, motion was seconded and approved. Wade French is Chair for 2007, Joe Spencer (2006 Secretary) will be 2008 Chair.
5). Time and Place Committee: Lance Meinke and Gerald Wilde proposed Dallas, TX. NC-205 is willing to meet there and enable a joint meeting. Potential dates: NC-205 prefers Week of Jan. 29th>Week of Feb. 2nd >Week of Jan. 22.

6). Old Business:
a). Renewal Status: NCR-46 committee is up for renewal. Administrative Advisor, Dr. Steve Pueppke reminded NCR-46 members to sign up for the new project.
b). Corn Rootworm Management Guide: Bruce Hibbard lead discussion of Guide which is listed as a formal objective; we will be held accountable for it. NCR-46 will discuss it in detail on 1/27/06.
c). Regional Poncho Study: Billy presented 2 year multistate study comparing root injury and yield among treatments of Poncho (Clothianidin) and or Force (Tefluthrin). SD, IN, IA, MI, MN, OH and VA contributed to the data. Poncho gives a yield boost/enhancement above expected based on root injury. Boost was very evident w/ low or no pest pressure. Numerically, Poncho can be the lead product with respect to yield. Not yet conclusive.
Lance added that there was no yield drag from Poncho and at low rate (250) it may provide some CRW control. The Issue of IRM for seed treatments was raised. Neonicitinoids + TG seed = a package. There is broad adoption of Neonicitinoids in NY, some counties are reaching ca. 100% coverage. Marketing may be trumping resistance management.

State Reports
1). Distribution, abundance, and species composition:
Iowa: Pop. Genetics of WCR and gene flow. Microsatellite panel compares gene frequencies across 10 Corn Belt sites. Pops are similar at neutral loci, despite distance between populations.
Comparison of USDA-NGIRL colonies. Heterozygosity is similar, except for the Lab Reared, Non diapausing line which was down, also has reduced alleles (~5 vs. 7-8) compared to other lines. Normal diapausing lab colony is still field-like.
Iowa: Intercontinental transport of WCR & the Europe spread study suggests there are WCR hotspots outside of the Eur. origin & spread areas. Multiple introductions in Europe.
Canada: Rotation-resistant WCR is present.
Indiana: Sweeps in soybean result in an Ind. county map for CRW. 2004 saw southern movement of WCR trouble, but in 2005, WCR slipped back to traditional pattern. Minor NCR presence.
Iowa: Iowa is seeing more CRW in soybeans.. Extended diapause of NCR is common in E. Iowa. WCR are emerging in 1st year corn; the numbers are low for now. Sticky trap results indicate only low numbers of both NCR and WCR in soybean, not at trouble level. The Iowa scenario is like the 88 Illinois scenario.
Minnesota: NCR distribution is changing. Expansion of CRW to north. Southeast MN is feeling NCR; cohort effect hypothesized: problems seen every other year with range expansion. Herbicide tolerant volunteer corn is present? CRW responses to volunteers may add to diapause troubles.
Missouri: NCR are in continuous and rotated corn.
Nebraska; There are more NCR in E. Nebraska. Many NCR in late-season soybean, studies needed into adult emergence in rotated corn. NCR are new in these areas. NCR distribution has changed since late 1990s. High WCR in some areas.
New York: Shift to WCR from the past NCR predominance.
Ohio: In NW OH there is weekly CRW trapping for 6 wks. Only 1 field above 5 beetles/trap threshold in NW state county, low numbers elsewhere. Rotation-resistant WCR are not a problem.
Ohio: Most soybeans are sprayed for aphids. NCR pocket in NW OH, may be NCR diapause issue.
Pennsylvania: PA = longer rotations with small grains. CRW population is WCR dominated.
South Dakota: Study of simulated Roundup Ready corn; too early to report.
North Dakota: NCR-WCR ratio is now 25:75. In C. and W. ND there are pockets of corn rotated with spring wheat with NCR damage.
Wisconsin: Traps reveal WCR have risen since 2003. Uses 5 WCR/trap/day threshold. In 2005, five counties e threshold. High range is 5-13/trap/day.

Presentation by Jeff Daniels of Bayer Crop Sciences: Gustafson/Bayer seed treatment products.

2). Behavior and ecology:
Illinois: No movement rate differences (ca. 6.1 m/d) between males in a 20% structured refuge vs. 20% seed blend.
South Dakota: Brookings lab: Block refuge study using Cry3Bb1 + Isoline for NCR. Refuge populations peaked before smaller peak in TG corn.
Iowasee above.
Kansas: No CRW feeding differences on YGRW vs. isoline; adults do not distinguish between varieties.
Missouri: Neonate movement & host experience changes search. Larvae may not move to TG, or die attempting it. Host plant detection possible if C3 vs. C4 plants are used for larval feeding.
Nebraska: See Abstract on resistant vs. susceptible CRW flight, also for larval movement, hatch, emergence, and OP-resistant/susceptible populations. High infestations have greater movement. Some larvae moved to end of sampling grid out to 1.5 m. John Foster work (described by Hibbard): 99% of WCR neonates die on 6-day-old YGRW corn, but if infested on previously infested roots, more larvae survive. 21% survive when introduced on damaged roots.

3). Biology: Rearing.
Missouri: Selection with MON863 colonies. After 3 gen. of selection, Bt. colonies have no emergence reduction compared to isoline (in GH); are also normal sized. Less exposed colonies show reduced size on Bt. Same trend for larval weight.

4a). Management: transgenics:
Texas: Are strip refuges better only when resistance is low, and blocks when resistance is higher?
Indiana: Monsanto Refuge study. Three designs: block refuge (80-20), strip refuge plot, no-refuge, three reps in 2004 & 2005. No evidence that the refuges fill in first. Pops in transgenic not different from refuge. Emerging females were weighed & dissected. Delayed emergence in transgenic corn. A little overlap exists between female populations in the transgenic corn and refuge. Direct competition for mates between females in these populations? Female WCR from the YGRW areas were heavier than YGRW males, refuge males, and refuge females. Higher WCR populations found at edge of transgenic cornfields, lower in center of transgenic corn. Outside fields contribute to transgenic cornfield pops. No refuge differences due to edge effect.
Kansas: Non-target papers (on CD).
Minnesota: Appropriate timing for weed removal in transgenic corn? Remove grass out of system before it gets big. Grass extends CRW emergence curves. Eliminating Glyphosate-tolerant volunteer corn is an issue in Roundup Ready soybeans.
Nebraska: Paper w/ Caprio and Model for Methylparathion resistance history are in press at JEE. Siegfried papers on mechanisms of resistance, genes related to BT receptors in larvae, cadherin genes, also coming out.
New York: Corn pollen moves miles, with 6-9 h longevity with UV exposure; may remain aloft 10-noon, drops at 8pm. Movement window of most concern is that day between silk availability and local pollen shed; a window when long distance pollen can fall on silks.
North Dakota: McManus thesis work is a study on non-target effects of transgenics using ladybugs.

4b). Management: sampling.
North Dakota: Consistency scales & industry. Iowa uses 0.25 on 1-3 for consistency scale. Wisconsin uses 0.5 or 0.25 as a criterion; Illinois uses 0.5.
Iowa: Screening Serbian varieties for HPR, also native commercial varieties for tolerance.
Minnesota: Seed-treatments and transgenics examined for yield response. Root injury relationship to yield is improved if root length is included in damage assessment.
Missouri; Native resistance program testing and mapping genes for HPR, screen native resistance and move it into other germplasm.

4c). Management: Resistance: The motion from the NC-205/NCR-46 joint meeting:

Motion: The NC-205 committee informs the US-EPA that the committee believes that the scientific evidence is inadequate to make recommendations related to the use of insecticides on Bt refuge corn.
Specifically, there is a need to:
(a) develop a consistent theory on the effects of treating the refuge with insecticides;
(b) understand present and changing insecticide use patterns in high insecticide use areas;
(c) parameterize models for irrigated and non-irrigated corn in high insecticide use areas, including collecting and using new behavioral data on corn borers.

Floor Discussion: Deals more with NC-205 interests; should we join?
Ken Ostlie Joining could affect NCR-46 SAP participation.
Randy Higgins Informal communication from the group/individuals suggested.
Floor Discussion: Should NCR-46 add points or devise our own motion? Sugar Cane Borer (SCB) resistance to Cry1Ab was also noted. Tollefson: An issue for NC-205 to lead.

Meeting adjourned at. 5:00 p.m.

2006 NCR-46 Meeting. (January 27, 2006):
Called to order by Chair at 8 am.

In attendance: Billy Fuller, Wade French, Joe Spencer, Bruce Eisley, Ron Hammond, Mark Sears, Christian Krupke, Larry Bledsoe, Bruce Hibbard, Jon Tollefson, Gerald Wilde, Randy Higgins, Mark Boetel, Dennis Calvin, Brad McManus, Pat Porter, Lance Meinke, Tom Sappington, Eileen Cullen, Elson Shields, Mike Ellsbury, David Onstad, Charles Guse.

4c). Management: Resistance: Spraying Refuges (continued).
Elson Shields motioned that NCR-46 should join the NC-205 motion. The motion was seconded by Jon Tollefson. The motion passed without dissent.
Pat Porter suggested that the NCR-46 role in this motion be to ask NC-205 to consult with us regarding the issue of sprayed refuge; Wade French, as the 2007 Chair, will contact NC-205.
Floor Discusson: The issue of a motion regarding SCB borer was brought to the floor. Should NCR-46 defer to NC-205.
Elson Shields proposed an NCR-46 motion to support the NC205 motion:

The NCR-46 committee fully supports the efforts of the NC-205 to address the IRM and management concerns for sugar cane borer.
Bruce Hibbard seconded motion, it passed unianimously.

4d). Management: Seed Treatments.
Minnesota: Scouting & thresholds for seed treatments, plus technology fees should be included in revamped thresholds.
South Dakota: Multistate proposal for NCR and thresholds is needed.
Texas: Pat Porter: Irrigation costs are very significant; cost of water should be incorporated into IPM thinking.
New York: 80% of corn in NY is getting a seed treatment at high or low ratefuture resistance troubles?
South Dakota: Dealing with secondary insect pests is a new committee objectivethis is a new area of concern. White grubs discussed with respect to seed treatments.
Indiana: Industry is experimenting with more precise application methods to overcome some smartbox pulsation issues.
Iowa: IA report includes wireworm, white grubs trials on PDF. Grape colaspis on seedcorn (larval injury to roots) is a secondary pest issue. Should soil insecticides be used or is it possible to manage GC in soybean. Nothing definitive; corn tolerates GC grazing well. Plant height effects are evident if droughty conditions are present. Seed treatment and insecticide have effects, but not on yield. Adult sprays in soybean also hit BLB, Aphid, & etc. E. Iowa faces NCR problems, GC and potential WCR. Other student project: Herculex and black cutworm larvae: antibiotic or antixenosis effects. Cutworm larvae can get better after exposure. Affects on virus susceptibility involved.
Nebraska; Corn colaspis is in Nebraska w/o problems.
Illinois: More GC in soy/aerial samples.

4e). Management: Effects of Soybean aphid treatments on CRW IPM recommendations.
Floor discussion about extension response to grower questions about efficacy of adult WCR control in soybean (inc. WCR killed as part of SBA management).
Illinois: No IL threshold for WCR in soybean.
Michigan: Aphid sprays are likely ineffective against WCR.
Nebraska: NE also uses pyrethroids, but low residual effects.

5). Final Business Meeting.
a) Meeting Minutes: To be submitted 60 d from meeting end.
b) Committee Reports:Time and Place. Lance MeinkeCommittee recommends holding the 2007 meeting in Dallas on either Week of 29th Jan, 5th Feb, 22nd Jan. Motion proposed to accept Dallas with time tbd. Pat Porter will investigate. Elson Shields seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
c) Management Guide: Chair Reminded group to keep impacts of our committee in mind as they are important for the use of administrators. Transitioned into management guide discussion.
Ken Ostlie--We need to collect CRW distribution data.
Lance Meinke--Commented that the second half needs improved flow.
Lance Meinke-- Need to look closely at how it is pitched. NC-IPM Enhancement Program could be used to fund publication. Consensus that members should provide comments on the current revised guide to Lance, Bruce and Ken by 2/10/06.
Lance MeinkeOutline will be revisited before group meets at NCB-ESA.
Mark SearsCanadian perspective should be included.
Randy HigginsAdministrative perspective: Including Canada is positive. Use sales to quantify publication impact.

Meeting adjourned at 11:42 am.

Accomplishments

Despite CRW impacts on U.S. corn production and a dynamic market for CRW management tools, no comprehensive source is available for information on CRW biology and management. The complexity of CRW management has increased significantly since the last academic review of corn rootworm biology in 1991: "Management of diabroticite rootworms in corn" (Levine and Olumi-Sadeghi 1991). Top concerns among today's pest management practitioners (e.g., rootworm-protected transgenic (Bt) corn hybrids, IRM, seed treatments, and resistance to crop rotation) were unknown in 1991. Recognizing the need, the membership of the North Central Region Corn Rootworm Technical Committee (NCR046) developed an up-to-date guide to CRW biology and management. In addition to being a IPM-based source for management information, the "Corn Rootworm Management Guide" will be a reference about CRW biology, ecology, adaptations, and insect resistance management in the context of current management options. As the group with responsibility for regional coordination of corn rootworm research, development of research and educational materials that promote sustainable and economically viable CRW management is a goal of NCR046 activities. A proposal for NC-IPM Center Enhancement Grant funds to support publication of the "Corn Rootworm Management Guide" was submitted by a writing subcommittee of NCR046 in early 2006. Publication of the "Corn Rootworm Management Guide" is one of our projected accomplishments for this year, if Enhancement grant funds can be secured. If the proposal is not funded, several other funding options remain available. There is great support for a "Corn Rootworm Management Guide" from industry, academia, and our grower constituents; NCR046 is committed to publishing the Guide as soon as is possible. Developing a finalized management guide text and submitting a proposal to support the publication are a significant accomplishment for NCR046.

Publications

Publications Attachment:

Attachment

Impact Statements

Kansas studies (two Ph.D. thesis and several papers published as a result) evaluated the effect of transgenic corn for corn rootworm control on nontarget above ground and soil-dwelling arthropods and other organisms. No significant effects of transgenic corn were detected. This information was provided to EPA to help them determine if the product should be registered. Studies of transgenic crop effects on nontarget arthropods and other organisms address a significant gap in current understanding of transgenic crop ecology. As a result of the registration approval, more than 2 million acres of rootworm resistant corn were planted in 2005.
Demonstration by the of genetic homogeneity of WCR populations across Corn Belt in North America has influenced research directions of laboratories at EPA and in France.
Demonstration of genetic similarity of WCR laboratory strains at the Brookings ARS facility and wild populations, and the degree of variation lost in the non-diapausing strain, is useful to other researchers engaged in laboratory selection experiments for Bt resistance.
WCR microsatellite markers developed by the Ames ARS lab are being used by six researchers, including two U.S. universities, a Canadian university, two ARS labs, the EPA Molecular Ecology Branch, and an INRA lab in France.
Microsatellite markers and the genotype datasets of North American WCR populations provided by the incumbent to a French team were instrumental in revealing that the introduction of the WCR into Europe from North America is ongoing and frequent. The importance of this finding is reflected in its publication in the November 11, 2005 issue of Science (Miller et al. 310: 992). Advances made and input by NCR-46 participant lab accelerated the research by about a year, which is critical to EU quarantine efforts. The research is affecting EU research and strategies for containment of WCR outbreaks and slowing the spread of WCR in Europe (see Vidal 2006, Harmonise the strategies for fighting Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in Europe: A European Commission Specific Support Action; IWGO Newsletter 27(1): 11-13).
Due to variable distribution of variant western corn rootworm (VWCR), not all SE Wisconsin areas are affected nor do all first-year cornfields require treatment, even in the most affected pockets. Failure to treat a severely affected field can cause a substantial economic loss. In 2005 UW Madison Entomology and UW-Extension cooperated with growers to create an IPM scouting/educational outreach program to deliver information on VWCR range, areas at risk, and to educate growers about management. Seminars reached 500 crop advisors, growers and professionals at meetings in WI. Additional awareness was raised by articles and interviews on 2005 project results. Surveys indicated participant awareness of VWCR had increased dramatically, 90% of found program content very useful in their work. Data from this grower-funded, participatory research network was used to obtain federal funding (USDA) for continued research to increase adoption of IPM practices in areas newly affected by VWCR.