Duration: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2011

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

Insect and weed pests have significant negative impacts on natural and managed ecosystems in the North Central region. In addition to the great number of established pests requiring ongoing management, the steady arrival of new invasive species poses a major threat to the region. Conventional management tools including pesticides are frequently expensive and may have undesirable environmental or human health impacts. Biological control is a critical part of IPM aimed at safe and effective management of pests.

The North Central Region shares similar agricultural, natural, and human environments and as a consequence, many pests are of regional importance. For example, the exotic soybean aphid is a key pest throughout much of the region and invasive weeds such as garlic mustard, leafy spurge and teasel are widespread threats to natural ecosystems. The USDA has identified a safe and healthy food supply, and the harmony between agriculture and natural resources as national and regional priorities. Our project directly addresses these priorities by coordinating cooperative research, education and outreach in biological control.

Our stakeholders include farmers, land managers, homeowners, green industries, regulatory agencies, commodity groups, and the broader scientific community. The membership of NCERA-125 encompasses expertise ranging from taxonomy of biological control agents, ecology of agroecosystems, to modeling impacts of biological control and our past collaborations have produced significant outcomes in research, education and outreach. Examples include annual team-taught classes of the Midwest Biological Control Institute, numerous symposia at professional meetings, delivery of regional extension workshops, the Midwest Biocontrol Newsletter, multi-state extramural research grants, and joint publications. Facilities in the North Central Region such as quarantine laboratories in Minnesota and Ohio, the NSF-LTER in agroecology in Michigan, and biological control research laboratories in all states ensure continued impacts on biological control in the Region.

This proposal builds on the strength of our previous collaborations, ties to our stakeholders, and addresses contemporary and future needs in biological control in the North Central Region.

Our goal is to coordinate biological control research, education, and implementation in the North Central Region.

Objectives

Procedures and Activities

Objective 1. Advance the science of biological control through fundamental research on the biology of natural enemies and their application in pest management.

We propose to work on a number of target insect and weed pests, their associated natural enemies, and environments. We will continue to describe the impact of natural enemies on soybean aphid (Aphis glycines), including those that currently are found in the US, as well as those discovered through foreign exploration in the aphid's homeland, Asia. Included in our "classical biological control" effort are studies examining the lab and field host specificity and potential non-target impacts of Asian natural enemies, and evaluations of their control effectiveness following release. We plan studies of the interaction of soybean varieties and natural enemies (Aphelinus albipodes, Lysiphlebus tesatceipes and Harmonia axyridis) to see how fitness parameters and performance of natural enemies is affected by aphids reared on soybean plants with differing levels of resistance to the aphid. In anticipation of the release of natural enemies from the classical biological control program, we are screening reduced-risk insecticides that may allow growers to treat soybean aphids with limited impact to beneficial insects. We will further examine how pest densities influence the impact of soybean aphid natural enemies on aphid populations. We will also conduct research on the role of landscape structure in mediating the interactions between soybean aphid and its complex of predator and parasitoid natural enemies. Using indirect tracing methods, we will examine movement of predators between different crops in the farming landscape to determine what crops may be sources of predators and at what times in the season. For both US and Asian natural enemies we will include studies on intraguild interactions between natural enemies. We will also investigate the role of native plants in supporting and enhancing beneficial arthropods in agricultural landscapes.

We also propose research on a number of other insect pests and associated natural enemies including sunflower stem weevil, Japanese beetle, white grubs, alfalfa weevil, the insect complex that attack plants grown in greenhouses and several lepidopteran pests of several vegetable crops. For the sunflower stem weevil, we propose to identify its parasite complex in native sunflower to determine if there are natural enemy species which are not present in cultivated sunflower, potentially to introduce species from one location/host plant to another. We also propose to determine whether lower pest densities in wild sunflowers suggest a source of resistance to attack by the weevil. In New York, we will continue to evaluate use of the egg parasitoid, Trichogramma ostriniae, for control of lepidopterous pests of sweet corn and peppers including its behavior and search efficiency, potential risks to non-target lepidoptera, diapause induction and overwintering success, and potential for enhanced production efficiencies. In Missouri, we plan to document and monitor the natural enemies of Japanese beetle, white grubs and alfalfa weevil. In Ohio, we plan to study how the relationship between competing herbivores attacking plants in greenhouses affects the performance of the natural enemies. We will also explore the tritrophic interactions between plant-herbivore-natural enemies. At the USDA/ARS laboratory in North Dakota we will research on the role of endosymbiotic microbes on the nutrition of ground beetles, and determine whether any of these microbes may be of used as novel seed pathogens to be exploited as biological control agents of weed seeds. We will study the pollen-feeding behavior of Orius insidiosus to evaluate how intraspecific nutritional variability in corn pollen affects the fitness of the predator. We will also conduct toxicity assays with transgenic corn pollen, examine the predator's ovipositional preference and determine how plant diversity influences this natural enemy's control efficacy. In Kentucky, we will continue to examine the movement of Bt proteins from transgenic corn through arthropod food webs. We are also using immunological and molecular techniques to evaluate levels of predation in several agroecosystems.

We will also focus on several weed pests, their natural enemies and associated habitats. Garlic mustard populations will continue to be monitored to provide baseline information on its demography and life history in anticipation of releases of one or more biological control agents (At present two species of Ceutorhyncus weevils are undergoing host-specificity testing under quarantine in Minnesota.). For teasel we plan to do demographic studies on cut-leaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) in Illinois to understand the population dynamics of this species in relation to nutrient availability, disturbance and competition. This research is designed to aid ongoing biological control research at USDA-ARS European Biological Control Laboratory in Montpellier, France, that includes surveys of the native ranges of Dipsacus spp., their associated natural enemies and host-specificity tests in greenhouses, growth chambers, and in the field. Proposed work on leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) includes ecological studies to identify the habitat variables that influence establishment of the weed biological control agents (Aphthona flea beetles) in Illinois. The effect Aphthona spp. in combination with herbicides and competitive native grass mixtures will be evaluated for long-term leafy spurge management in collaboration with the Spirit Lake Tribe Nation in North Dakota. Work on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) will include the chemical ecology of two species of Galarucella beetles that have been successfully established on (purple loosestrife), specifically examining the potential for use as an attractant of the recently discovered sex pheromone of the beetle (Heimpel et al. 2004, Ragsdale et al. 2004, Rutledge and O'Neil 2005, Wu et al. in press, Rutledge and ONeil in press).

Objective 2. Facilitate the implementation of biological control in production and natural systems.

Strong collaborations are in place to facilitate the implementation of biological control on pests and weeds in the Midwest. Michigan (MI), Indiana (IN), Illinois (IL), Iowa (IA) North Dakota (ND), South Dakota (SD) and Wisconsin (WI) are actively involved in baseline research on the soybean aphid (SBA) and its biological control agents both in the Midwest and in the native range of SBA (Asia). Research to improve conservation biological control of SBA is also being done in MI, IN, IA and SD. Similar collaborations are also in place to manage invasive agricultural and environmental weeds common to the region. Several partners in this proposal are developing methods to implement and monitor biological control of garlic mustard (MI, IL, MN), buckthorn (MI, IL, WI, MN) and teasel (IL, MN). Contingent on federal and state approval to implement classical biological control, this information will be actively translated into on-ground rearing, release and redistribution efforts to manage the economic and ecological impacts of the aforementioned pests and weeds. For pests and weeds that already have biological control agents, ongoing research is targeting improving the efficiency of their management, by integrating biological control with physical and chemical control methods (e.g. soybean aphids (IA, IN, IL, MI, SD), beanleaf beetles (IA, SD), leafy spurge (IL, ND, MN)). In controlled environments, we plan to explore the utilization of natural enemies in combination with other management techniques to reduce the impact of greenhouse pests and to assess the effect of current practices on the natural enemy biology in both ornamentals and vegetables (OH). We will also explore the use of nematodes as biological control agents of greenhouse pests (OH; Grewal et al, 2005).

Objective 3. Educate stakeholders, students, extension personnel and the general public on the principles and practices of biological control.

NCERA 125 has developed and will continue to develop workshops and symposiums to disseminate ideas relevant to biological control. We propose continuing the Midwest Biological Control Institute (MBCI). This annual workshop is a team-taught course on topical subjects in biological control. Historically, the audience has been graduate students, visiting scholars, extension personnel, and technical scientists. For 2006, Jonathan Lundgren (USDA-ARS, SD) will be hosting the MBCI in South Dakota on the topic "The Natural History of Ground Beetles and Their Use as Biological Control Agents". The Midwest Carabidologist's Working Group was formed in 2005 to facilitate regional research and outreach projects on ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), an important group of biological control agents. This working group is featured on the website: www.midwestcarabids.ars.usda.gov . For 2007, Matt O'Neal (IA) will be hosting the MBCI on the topic "Biological control use in environmental restoration." Also, we will continue to provide information about our biological control programs online through various web sites. NCERA 125 will continue to be active developing regional and national symposiums relevant to biological control. In NY we will be completing and distributing a CD focused on natural enemies in vegetable systems ranging from gardens to farms. We continue to contribute to educational/outreach efforts related to IPM but with an emphasis on biological control.

Objective 4. Contribute to national dialog about regulatory issues of biological control.

Members of NCERA-125 overlap with the governing board of the Nearctic Regional Section of the International Organization of Biologial Control (NRS-IOBC). Through this connection (NRS-IOBC), we will be coordinating efforts to communicate a code of best practices for the release of arthropod biological control agents to policy makers at APHIS, which currently regulates such releases. The NCERA-125 group will also provide input on a best-practices certification process that is being developed by the NRS-IOBC.

Expected Outcomes and Impacts

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Educational Plan

NCERA-125 has continued to co-sponsored symposia at annual meeting of the North Central Branch Entomological Society of America (NCB-ESA) since 1993. Recent and current symposia include:

2000 - Invasive species and biological control (George E. Heimpel, Robert N. Wiedenmann; coordinators). Mineapolis, Minnesota. 2001 - Biological Control of Aphids. Fort Collins, Colorado. 2002 - Biocontrol in Urban Environments and Interior Plantscapes (Raymond Cloyd; coordinator). Lansing, Michigan. 2003 - Risk Analysis in Biological Control. Madison, Wisconsin. 2004 - Conserving Natural Enemies in Urban and Agricultural Landscapes (Eric Rebek and Ashley Bennett; coordinators). Kansas City, Missouri. 2005 - Social and ecological contributions that affect adoption of IPM and biological control (Kris A. Wyckhuys and Robert J. O'Neil; coordinators). West Lafayette, Indiana. Given the success we have had in the past NCERA-125 will continue to co-sponsored symposia at annual meeting of the NCB-ESA.

With support from the National Biological Control Institute (NBCI), NCERA-125 will continue to develop the Midwest Biological Control Institute (MBCI). Each summer the MBCI involves members of NCERA-125 offering a short course on biological control. Over 300 students and 35 instructors have participated in the MBCI. For 2006, Jonathan Lundgren (USDA-ARS, SD) will be hosting the MBCI in South Dakota on the topic "The Natural History of Ground Beetles and Their Use as Biological Control Agents". For 2007, Matt O'Neal(IA) will be hosting the MBCI on the topic "Biological control use in environmental restoration."

Members of NCERA-125 also serve in leadership positions in a number of regional (S1010), national (Entomological Society of America), and international (International Organization of Biological Control) organizations, leading the way in the diffusion of information related to biological control.

Organization/Governance

The committee annually elects a Secretary/Treasurer for the subsequent year. This person becomes committee Chair the following year. A Communications Committee consists of the current and immediate past Chair and current Secretary/Treasurer. Additional sub-committees are appointed by the Chair or elected on an ad hoc basis.

Literature Cited

Grewal, P. S., Ehlers, R. U, and Shapiro-Ilan, D. I. (Editors). 2005. Nematodes as Biocontrol Agents, CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, 528pp.

Heimpel, G. E., D. W. Ragsdale, R. Venette, K. R. Hopper, R. J. ONeil, C.
Rutledge and Z. Wu. 2004. Prospects for importation biological control of
the soybean aphid: anticipating potential costs and benefits. Annals Ent.
Soc. Amer. 97: 249-258.

Ragsdale, D. W, D. J. Voegtlin, and R. J. O¹Neil 2004. Soybean aphid biology
in North America. Annals. Ent. Soc. Amer. 97:204-208.

Rutledge, C. E., R. J. O¹Neil, T. B. Fox and D. A. Landis. 2004. Soybean
aphid predators and their use in IPM. Annals Ent. Soc. Amer. 97:240-248.

Rutledge, C. E. and R. J. O¹Neil 2005. Orius insidiosus (Say) as a
predator of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura. Biological Control
33: 56-64.

Wu, Z. K. R. Hopper, R. J. O¹Neil, D. J. Voegtlin, D. R. Prokrym, and G. E.
Heimpel. 2005. Reproductive Compatibility and Genetic Variation between Two
Strains of Aphelinus albipodus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a Parasitoid of
the Soybean Aphid, Aphis glycines (Homoptera: Aphididae). Biological Control
(in press).

Rutledge, C. E. and R. J. O¹Neil Soybean plant age and population growth of
the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura J. Econ. Entomol. (in press)

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NY, OH, PA, WI

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

South Dakota