Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Summary of Decisions Made for WERA-066, September 21, 2010. 1) Decision was made to renew WERA-066 and focus on maintaining high quality, attractive programming. 2) Self-imposed deadline for the 1st draft of the new WERA-066 proposal is January 2011. 3) Site for next meeting is Minneapolis, MN in March 2012 and is to be a joint meeting with the International Plant Resistance to Insects meeting. 4) Program Chair will be Gary Puterka, and secretary elect is Mike Smith for the 2012 Meeting. Minutes of Meeting September 21, 2010 8:30 am -- Called Meeting to Order Followed by Invited Speaker Presentations Chair Christie Williams called the meeting to order and began with a round of introductions by those in attendance. Gary Puterka then read the minutes of the 2009 meeting that was held in Stillwater, OK. Christi Williams moved that the minutes be approved and Scott Nicholson seconded the motion, which then carried. 8:45 am -- Presentation by David Weaver - Wheat Stem Sawfly Research in Montana. The wheat stem sawfly is a significant pest of wheat causing 100-700 million in losses/year in the US. Role of wheat volatiles in WSS preference is being investigated. Use of selected cultivars preferred by WSS as a trap crop showed success in managing WSS. Orange wheat Blossom Midge continues to be present in high numbers in the Flathead Valley with low parasitism evident. Other affected areas in the main wheat belt of Montana are using pheromone traps to monitor OWBM activity with none presently being detected. 9:45 am -- Presentation by Gary Puterka - Russian Wheat Aphid Biotype Problem and Role of Sexual Reproduction in Biotypic Diversity. There is currently eight biotypes. Site found in western Colorado in 2007 that overwintered as eggs and produced about 50% biotypic variation at one site and over 40 new biotypes. Stressed the need to monitor biotypic diversity. 10:45 am -- Presentation by Frank Peairs - Russian wheat aphid and wheat research in Colorado. Russian wheat aphid is currently at low levels. Research was presented on biocontrol factors affecting RWA. Hessian fly is becoming a big concern for Colorado wheat. Populations are primarily in the south-eastern part of the state and are presently being monitored. Russian wheat aphid eggs were located during a study on grasses hosts of RWA. There is strong evidence that mountain wind currents disperse aphids to the lower elevations where wheat is produced. 11:30 am -- Presentation by Mike Smith - Molecular Investigation of RWA Populations in the World and Paths of Invasion, Host plant mechanisms Studies on RWA resistant Wheat. Molecular evidence indicates that the US has had several RWA introductions. Microarray studies on plant response indicated Jasmonic and salicylic pathways are up regulated during RWA feeding. Early defense pathway expression is the area of focus. In aphid-plant studies, antibiosis in some wheat varieties appears to be the operating mechanism for RWA resistance in wheat. 2:00 pm -- Presentation by Pat Byrne - CAP Grant Process and How Successful Grants are Organized. Successful grant funding is favored by multi-state, multi-organization grants with very large numbers of researchers. These grants need an overall coordinator and internal panel to ensure an organized and successfully implemented grant. 2:45 pm -- Presentation by Scott Haley - GMO Wheat and What it Means to University Breeders and End Users. The National Organization of Wheat Growers (NAWG) sees GMO wheat as the Future for wheat profitability. Yield and stress traits are a high priority. Development of new wheat varieties would shift from state institutions to private. 4:00 pm -- Marion Harris led a group discussion on the ramifications of GMO wheat. Concerns were increased seed costs to growers, GMO companies controlling how growers produce wheat under GMO contracts, and pushing out University wheat breeders and them being replaced by companies. 5:30 pm -- Adjourned Minutes of Meeting September 22, 2010 Discussion and Oral Summaries of State Reports. 8:30 am -- WERA-066 Proposal for 2011-2016, Identification of Secretary and Location for Next Meeting. Tom Holtzer, Administrative Advisor, led the discussion on the duties of the Chair of WERA-066 and the future of WERA-066. The term for WERA-066 will soon be up for renewal. Discussions centered on member participation, communication among members, meeting dates and the overall purpose and benefits of having WERA-066 continue. After these discussions it was decided to keep the mission, enhance programming, and pursue the renewal of WERA-066. The issues challenging wheat are growing and dynamic enough that yearly meetings are a great benefit to wheat researchers. Proposals for the next WERA-066 meeting site were solicited. Issues included the need to combine WERA meetings with other meetings whenever possible in order to be cost and time effective. October of 2011 is the start of a new year for WERA-066 but it was decided to schedule meetings in March in order to coincide with IPRI in the future. After some discussion, the members decided to have a joint meeting with the International Plant Resistance to Insects, March 2012. Oral state Reports were mainly addressed on the first day of the meeting during speakers presentations. Written detailed reports have been submitted for each participating state. The written reports include several states where representatives were unable to attend. 10:30 am - Meeting Adjourned. A tour of the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation facility at Ft. Collins followed.

[Below is a summary of reported accomplishments. Full State Reports are provided as an attachment in the minutes section.] Colorado State University A. Biological control 1. 116 species of spiders were collected from wheat production systems, and a manuscript is being drafted. 2. Results from an exclusion cage study suggest that naturally occurring biological control has increased since similar studies were conducted in the early 1990s. The study currently is being repeated for a third year. B. Plant Resistance 1. Russian wheat aphid Biotype RWA1-resistant wheat cultivars are now planted on more than 50% of Colorados wheat acreage. The pest management benefits of these varieties is unknown, although anecdotal evidence suggests that they can be noticeable. 2. Winter wheat lines with the 2414-11 (Dn7) resistance source continue to be advanced. Seed is being increased and commercial release for at least one line is anticipated. 3. An experiment to develop an economic injury level for Biotype RWA2 is being initiated using an one of the advanced 2414-11 lines. 4. Surveys were conducted to determine the presence of Dn4-virulent Russian wheat aphids. In 2009, all but one sample contained aphids virulent to Dn4. No virulence to 94M370 (Dn7) was detected. C. Biology and Management 1. Aphid flights were monitored at four locations by means of suction traps. Trap catches were higher than they have been for several years, which was reflected in widespread insecticide use. 2. Noncultivated grass hosts were surveyed in montane environments along the Cache La Poudre River for a third season. Oversummering Russian wheat aphids, as well as other cereal aphids, were found at most elevations. Russian wheat aphid biotypic diversity in these environments is being examined. 3. Insecticide treatments containing chlorpyrifos (Lorsban Advanced and Cobalt Advanced, Dow Ag Sciences), dimethoate and lambda cyhalothrin (Warrior II, Syngenta) were effective against Russian wheat aphid as well as brown wheat mite in winter wheat. Producers now have some research-based guidelines for selecting treatments for situations in which their crop is infested with both pests. 4. A foliar thiamethoxam + lambda cyhalothrin product (Endigo, Syngenta) was equal to chlorpyrifos in efficacy against Russian wheat aphid in malt barley. This is a promising alternative to lambda cyhalothrin, which has been used for several years under Section 18 registrations. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ USDA-ARS Crop Production and Pest Control Research Unit at Purdue University New approaches to resistance in wheat to Hessian fly The Hessian fly is the most important insect pest of wheat in the southeastern United States. While the use of resistant wheat is an effective means for controlling Hessian fly, it places a selective pressure on populations and has led to the appearance of genotypes of the pest that can overcome resistance. A recent evaluation of 21 of the identified resistance (R) genes in wheat to Hessian fly documented that only 5 of the R genes would provide effective protection of wheat to Hessian fly in the Southeast. These results indicate that new approaches to the deployment of R genes such as gene combinations, identification of new and effective sources of resistance, and genetically engineered resistance are needed if genetic resistance is to continue as a viable option for protection of wheat in the Southeast. Hessian fly population genetics and microsatellites We have determined that only two distinct HF populations inhabit the southeastern US and small but significant levels of gene flow occurs between them. Sequencing data and microsatellite diversity studies indicate that multiple introductions of HF occurred, rather than the previously hypothesized single introduction. In addition, it is also apparent that the most important factor studied to date relating how the populations are associated with each other appears to be directly and positively correlated with the amount of wheat planted for hay in a given area. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Kansas State University Wheat Gene Expression is Differentially Affected by a Virulent Russian Wheat Aphid Biotype Experiments conducted to better understand the temporal expression of wheat genes controlling signaling and metabolism during compatible and incompatible D. noxia interactions revealed significant differences in level and pattern of gene expression in defense response signaling and metabolic pathways. The jasmonate (JA)-signaling genes LOX, AOS, and AOC were significantly more upregulated (~3- to 7 fold) in incompatible interactions than in compatible interactions (~2.5 to 3.5 fold) as early as 1 hr post D. noxia infestation (hpi). In contrast, glycolysis and citric acid cycle genes were expressed comparatively less (~1.5 to 2 fold) and significantly downregulated in incompatible interactions and upregulated or less downregulated in compatible interactions from 6 to 72 hpi. Differences in expression of JA-signaling genes between feeding site tissues and non-feeding site tissues suggest that D. noxia defense response signals in wheat are primarily restricted to aphid feeding sites in the initial 6 hpi. This is the first report of differential upregulation of plant genes at 1 hpi in incompatible interactions involving aphid herbivory. Early wheat plant defense responses in incompatible D. noxia interactions at 1, 3, and 6 hpi appear to be important aspects of D. noxia resistance in wheat. Reactive Oxygen Species Are Involved in Plant Defense against a Gall Midge Rapid and prolonged accumulation of H2O2 was detected in wheat plants at the attack site during incompatible interactions. Increased accumulation of both H2O2 and superoxide was detected in rice plants during non-host interactions with the larvae. No increase in accumulation of either H2O2 or superoxide was observed in wheat plants during compatible interactions. A global analysis revealed changes in the abundances of 250 wheat transcripts and 320 rice transcripts encoding proteins potentially involved in ROS homeostasis. A large number of transcripts encoded class III peroxidases that increased in abundance during both incompatible and non-host interactions, whereas the levels of these transcripts decreased in susceptible wheat during compatible interactions. The higher levels of class III peroxidase transcripts were associated with elevated enzymatic activity of peroxidases at the attack site in plants during incompatible and non-host interactions. Overall, our data indicate that class III peroxidases may play a role in ROS generation in resistant wheat and non-host rice plants during response to Hessian fly attacks. Barley Tolerance of Russian Wheat Aphid Biotype 2 Herbivory Involves Expression of Defense Response and Developmental Genes Previous phenotyping experiments revealed that plants of the barley variety Stoneham resist D. noxia damage from the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), via tolerance. In the present study, genes involved in upstream regulation of jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), ethylene (ET), auxin (AUX), and abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthetic pathways were monitored using qRT-PCR in Stoneham and susceptible Otis barley plants after D. noxia biotype 2 feeding. Results indicate that D. noxia tolerance in Stoneham plants is related to greater expression of JA-, ET-and AUX- biosynthetic pathway genes than in susceptible Otis plants, suggesting the possibility of immediate plant adjustments due to the stress of D. noxia feeding. There was limited induction of genes in the ET- (ACCS) and IAA (TDC) pathways in Stoneham tissues after D. noxia feeding. JA pathway genes upregulated in Otis tissues after D. noxia infestation failed to successfully defend Otis plants. AUX and ABA transcripts in Otis may be associated with developmental collapses resulting from source and sink adjustment failures. Interaction of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Infection with Wheat Resistance to Wheat Curl Mite Aceria tosichella Keifer Results of several experiments demonstrated that resistance or susceptibility of germplasm to A. tosichella is independent of initial infestation levels. A. tosichella population development and mite plant damage on wheat genotype OK05312 at 14 d post infestation were significantly lower than on susceptible Jagger plants. A. tosichella infestations and plant damage were significantly greater on WSMV-infected plants of susceptible genotypes than on corresponding uninfected plants. In A. tosichella - resistant plants, there were no statistical differences in A. tosichella infestations on healthy or WSMV - infected plants. Interactions Between Biological Control, Cultural Control and Barley Resistance to the Russian Wheat Aphid RWA populations in early-planted plots were significantly lower in all three years at the Colorado and Kansas sites. Within samples from early planting dates, RWA-resistant varieties yielded reduced RWA populations similar to those in insecticide-treated Otis plots at the Colorado and Kansas sites. Very low RWA populations were present in samples from both planting dates collected at the Nebraska site, resulting in no differences in RWA populations between varieties. Early planting dates and RWA-resistant varieties did not affect the natural occurrence of RWA biological control agents. Virus-Induced Gene Silencing of Putative Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) Resistance Genes in Wheat Because of the development of virulent biotypes of the Russian wheat aphid Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), the identification of new sources of barley and wheat resistance is necessary. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) utilizes the plant defense system to silence viruses in inoculated plants. The accumulation of virus RNA in plants triggers the defense system to silence sequences homologous to the introduced virus and sequences of interest from a plant are inserted into the virus and silenced along with the virus. The VIGS method was tested to determine the ability of barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) to serve as a VIGS vector in wheat plants containing the Dnx gene for resistance to D. noxia. Dnx leaves with silenced BSMV virus yielded D. noxia populations that were significantly no different from populations produced on healthy Dnx leaves. Thus, BSMV silencing does not interfere with Dnx resistance. Several different methods were examined to determine how best to confine aphids to the silenced leaf, and a modified plastic straw cage was chosen as the optimum cage type. Microarray and gene expression data were analyzed to select two NBS-LRR type disease resistance protein genes - NBS-LRR1 and NBSLRR2 - in order to assess their role in Dnx resistance. NBS-LRR1 and NBSLRR2 were silenced by inoculating leaves of Dnx plants with barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) containing sequences of each gene. Controls included Dnx and Dn0 plants inoculated with BSMV and non-BSMV inoculated plants. Aphids were allowed to feed on control and treatment plants to assess aphid population and mean weight of aphids surviving at the end of the experiment. There were no differences among treatments based on aphid population, but there were significant differences the mean weights of aphids reared on several different treatments. The Gut Transcriptome of a Gall Midge, Mayetiola destructor The most striking feature of the Hessian fly larval transcriptome is the existence of a large number of transcripts coding for so-called small secretory proteins (SSP) with amino acids less than 250. Eleven of the 30 largest clusters were SSP transcripts with the largest cluster containing 11.3% of total ESTs. Transcripts coding for diverse digestive enzymes and detoxification proteins were also identified. Putative digestive enzymes included trypsins, chymotrypsins, cysteine proteases, aspartic protease, endo-oligopeptidase, aminopeptidases, carboxypeptidases, and ±-amylases. Putative detoxification proteins included cytochrome P450s, glutathione S-transferases, peroxidases, ferritins, a catalase, peroxiredoxins, and others. This study represents the first global analysis of gut transcripts from a gall midge. The identification of a large number of transcripts coding for SSPs, digestive enzymes, detoxification proteins in the Hessian fly larval gut provides a foundation for future studies on the functions of these genes. Differential Accumulation of Phytohormones in Wheat Seedlings Attacked by Avirulent and Virulent Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Larvae We analyzed the accumulation of six phytohormones and phytohormone-related compounds in a wheat [Triticum aestivium (L.)] genotype Molly following attacks by avirulent and virulent Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say)] larvae, respectively, and examined the expression of genes in the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway by Northern blot analysis. Compared to uninfested plants, attacks by avirulent larvae resulted in increased accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) by 11.3- and 8.2-fold, 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) by 36.4-and 18.7-fold, 18:3 fatty acid by 4.5- and 2.2-fold, and 18:1 fatty acid by 1.8- and1.9- fold at 24- and 72-hours post initial attack (hpia), respectively, but an 20% decrease in JA accumulation at 24-hpia at the attack site. Attacks by the virulent larvae did not affect the accumulation of SA, OPDA, 18:3 and 18:1 fatty acids, but dramatically increased the concentration of auxin (AUX) from undetectable in uninfested plants to 381.7 ng/g fresh weight at 24-hpia and 71.0 ng/g fresh weight at 72-hpia in infested plants. Transcript levels of genes encoding lipoxygenase 2 (LOX2), allene oxide synthase (AOS), and Arabidopsis storage protein 2 (AtVSP2) were increased following avirulent larval attacks, but decreased following virulent larval attacks. Our results suggest that OPDA and SA may act together in wheat resistance to the Hessian fly, whereas AUX may play a role in the susceptibility of wheat plants. The increased OPDA accumulation following avirulent larval attacks was at least partially regulated through gene transcription. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Montana State University 2010 Orange Wheat Blossom Midge In 2010, OWBM continued to present in high numbers in the Flathead Valley. Growers are becoming familiar with the pest, which has recurred in significant numbers since a massive outbreak in 2006. They have adapted to using host phenological timing to apply insecticide to minimize losses. OWBM is present in low numbers in the northeastern part of the state, with some evidence of parasitism. There is no evidence of biological control agent establishment in the Flathead Valley, although parasitoids have been released twice at multiple locations. The major wheat producing area in Montana, the Golden Triangle (apices at Great Falls, Cut Bank and Havre) was monitored using pheromone traps by County Extension Personnel. Thus far, there is no evidence of OWBM in this area. We assessed oviposition preferences using a series of RILS developed from an attractive and unattractive parent. Oviposition preference was heritable, and NILs were developed to confirm QTL. We also assessed potential attractants for ovipositing females in the field. We also assessed wheat lines incorporating Sm1 type host plant resistance that are being developed specifically for northwestern MT growing conditions. 2010 Wheat Stem Sawfly WSS continues to be a tremendous concern for Montana wheat growers. The area impacted by populations increasing in size is expanding, and many farmers are dealing with heavy damage for the first time. Populations sampled during peak flight averaged more than 15 sawflies per sweep in a series of 5 sweeps per sample. Many fields had levels of larvae-induced stem cutting (resulting in lodging) of nearly 100%. Host plant resistance, mainly in the form of solid-stemmed wheat provided variable levels of resistance under heavy pressure, with cutting ranging from 10 to over 50% in fields with stem infestation approaching 100%. Natural enemy populations, including two congeneric braconid parasitoids and a clerid predator, were present at levels up to 70% in some fields, but the overall average parasitism was approximately 20% 1. For several years, we have been researching the role of host volatiles in oviposition preference in WSS. The idea is to deploy attractive and unattractive varieties in a trap crop paradigm. This has the potential to be very effective due to the type of agriculture, available antibiosis, and behavioral characteristics of WSS. In 2010, we continued research assessing plantings of attractant solid stem 'Choteau' around unattractive 'Conan'for a total of 4 site years  2 at each of 2 sites. The control is Choteau around attractive Reeder. These are large scale plots and for each site*year we have seen a significant higher infestation in solid stem Choteau surrounding the unattractive Conan while the infestation in the interior Reeder was much greater, often equivalent to that in the peripheral Choteau. 2. Crosses between Conan and Reeder yielded a series of RIL that were tested at 2 sites for 2 years. The oviposition preferences of female wheat stem sawflies were clearly heritable. QTL associated with oviposition preference were identified and these were not correlated with any other known agronomic or host plant resistance traits. NILs were tested to confirm the role of these loci and to provide lines for testing for volatile production. 3. Investigations on varietal tolerance and the interactions between physiological yield loss, water stress and nutrient limitations indicated that the impact of WSS larval feeding on yield varied by variety. A key finding was that yield losses were much greater for nutrient limited (P) plants with sawfly-cut stems than for water and nutrient stressed uninfested plants or for water-stressed plants that were cut by the wheat stem sawfly. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ North Dakota State University 2010 IPM Survey Maps from the 2010 IPM survey in North Dakota were uploaded onto the NDSU IPM website at the following address: (http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/ndipm/) Grain aphids Aphids occurred at relatively low levels in 2010. In North Dakota the treatment threshold is when 85% of the stems have one or more aphids present prior to the completion of heading. There was little insecticide spraying for control of wheat aphids in 2010. Grasshoppers The 2010 APHIS rangeland grasshopper forecast indicated potentially heavy grasshopper infestations in many states including North Dakota. Cropland adjacent to grasshopper infested rangelands could potentially have been at risk to significant crop loss. Fortunately ample rain and periods of cool weather in the early summer delayed grasshopper emergence and slowed the development of nymphs. Few wheat fields reached the economic threshold and needed to be treated. Wheat stem maggot Maggots were counted on 100 stems per field (20 stems at 5 locations in each field). Maggots boring in the stem cause characteristic white heads. These heads fail to develop seeds, and are found in otherwise uniformly green fields. White heads were observed from late June to the end of July. Wheat maggot damage was apparent in a number of wheat fields across the state this season, however, incidence of the insect was much lower than what was seen in 2007 when 40% of the wheat fields in the state had maggot damage. Preliminary research done at North Dakota State University suggests that tank mixing insecticides (Warrior II and Baythroid XL) with the early season herbicides during 5-leaf to jointing stage helped reduce the incidence of white heads and increased yields when large numbers of wheat stem maggot adults were present. At this time no economic threshold has been developed. Cereal leaf beetle CLB is an export concern for the shipment of hay from ND to California and is monitored for state regulatory purposes. Although crop scouts found what they thought was cereal leaf beetle damage, no infestations of cereal leaf beetles were confirmed in ND in 2010. Barley thrips Thrips per stem were counted from a sample of 40 plants per field. Extension specialists observed thrips in early June in the North Central and South Central parts of the state. However, seasonal weather conditions were not conducive for barley thrips development and thrips populations never reached levels high enough to cause crop loss. Wheat stem sawfly WSS continues to be a concern for farmers in the southwestern and south-central parts of the state. Although sawfly are usually considered a problem isolated to the western part of the state, reports from numerous growers indicate that it is moving eastward across the state. The most common method for controlling sawfly is with solid stemmed varieties. Hessian fly Initiated in 2008, surveys using a five component pheromone blend have been successful in providing a great deal of valuable information. Work is also being done to: 1) Biotype a population of Hessian fly to determine the virulence status of North Dakota flies to H3, H5, H6 and H7/H8. 2) Evaluate North Dakota Hard red spring, durum and barley for resistance to Hessian fly. 3) Assess the level of virulence in the North Dakota Hessian fly population to Hessian fly resistance genes H1-H32. 4) Examine native and non-native grasses as possible hosts to Hessian fly. 5) Identify parasitic hymenoptera found attacking Hessian fly. Orange wheat blossom midge Soil samples collected in the fall of 2009 indicated increased levels of overwintering wheat midge larvae in the Northwestern and North Central parts of the state. Yet, problems did not occur because early sowing of wheat negated synchronization of wheat midge adult emergence and the vulnerable heading stage. We are only aware of a few reports of wheat midge damage, and we do not think spraying for midge control was wide spread. Additional information on the orange wheat blossom midge as well as maps of the wheat midge survey for the last 14 years are available at the following address: www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/entomology/entupdates/Wheat_Midge/owbm.html) Wheat curl mite (wheat streak mosaic virus) WSMV was severe in a number of wheat fields in ND this year. The virus was confirmed in 71 wheat samples sent to the NDSU Plant Diagnostic Lab, with a majority of these samples from counties in the north central region of the state. Reasons for the high number of cases this year were last years late harvest, which made volunteer grain and weed control difficult, and abundant snow cover, which allowed for greater survival of mites and infected plants. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ USDA, ARS, SPA Wheat, Peanut and Other Field Crops Research Unit Stillwater, Oklahoma A. Barley Breeding Program Eight RWA-resistant, 6-rowed, winter, feed barley germplasm lines (STARS 1006B-1013B) resistant to both greenbug and RWA will be released by the end of September, 2010. These lines are in a Post 90 background and carry the Rsg1 gene for greenbug resistance. They also have RWA resistance each from 1 of 8 different sources. A cooperative project with Texas AgriLife is ongoing to map RWA resistance genes and Rsg1 and Rsg2 greenbug resistance genes in 3 winter barley germplasm lines. B. Wheat Breeding Program The main thrust of the wheat program has continued to be the identification and purification of germplasm lines that will provide consistent and reliable differentials for the identification of newly emerging biotypes of the Russian Wheat Aphid. To further this effort, seed was requested from GRIN for: 1) seed of all of the wheat lines in the collection that were resistant to RWA1, but had no rating for RWA2 (received 79 lines), and seed of all of the wheat lines in the collection that were resistant to RWA2, but had no rating for RWA1 (received 165 lines). Screenings were conducted with the appropriate RWA1 and 2, and results are being prepared for submission back to GRIN. This year, over 50 lines that were previously identified as being resistant to RWA2 (rated 1, 2, 3, or 4) were identified as also being resistant to RWA1. Over 30 were highly resistant to RWA1. A few appear to be less resistant to RWA1 than they are to RWA2 (an unusual combination); this may be useful in biotyping work. In addition, four additional lines that were previously identified as being resistant to RWA1 are also resistant to RWA2. C. RWA Biotypic Diversity, Ecology, and Molecular Biology A new RWA biotype distribution and diversity study began this year in collaboration with researchers throughout the western United States. The last study was conducted in 2005 and covered Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. The discovery of sexually reproducing RWA and extensive biotypic diversity that resulted in 2007 in western Colorado made this necessary. In this study, we hope to include states in the northwestern United States. Efforts were made to collect RWA in Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico this spring but only a few samples were made because of a very unusual year of low RWA numbers. Dr. Edsel Bynum was able to make collections at 14 sites in eight High Plains counties in April. Preliminary screening for only Dn4 (Yumar) virulence indicated 96% of the samples gave an RWA1 response and 4% RWA2. Although testing will include the other RWA-resistance genes, there is a clear indication that the biotypic diversity in Texas has changed. Research on the salivary constituents of RWA continues with comparisons between RWA biotypes being conducted by Dr. Scott Nicholson, who joined the program as an ARS-Postdoc in May. Comparisons in salivary proteins between RWA1 and RWA2 using 2-D electrophoresis indicates that these two biotypes differ considerably in salivary protein composition. Research will focus on comparing RWA biotypes using Orbitrap MS analysis. Studies also include Diuraphis spp. pea aphid, and greenbug biotypes C and E. E. Molecular Ecology of Cereal Aphids and their Natural Enemies The rose-grain aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum) was collected from wheat at several locales in the Sacramento Valley of California. Sequencing of the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene revealed the presence of three unique haplotypes, with sequence identities of 97.9-98.6%. The frequency of haplotypes 1, 2, and 3 was 0.86, 0.07, and 0.07, respectively. This suggests that a host race especially adapted to annual grain crops may exist and is predominant in the population. However it is not yet known if there are any host associated differences in the biology of the rose-grain aphid possessing a specific haplotype. In developing experiments to ascertain if there is host adaptation associated with the three mtDNA haplotypes, we successfully established populations on Iris. Although grasses are the secondary hosts of rose-grain aphid, Iris has been reported as an occasional host. We have established colonies on, barley, wheat, and oat for host adaptation experiments. However, M. dirhodum did not colonize maize. Greenbug (Schizaphis graminum) populations and biotypes were previously found to be made up of three unique groups based on DNA sequences of mitochondrial the COI, suggesting that populations were made up of host-adapted races or possibly sub-species. Nuclear DNA (nDNA) sequences were obtained for greenbugs used in the 2000 study, plus more recently collected (2008) individuals from Oklahoma. Based on both mtDNA and nDNA data, three distinct genetic lineages were found in greenbug biotypes and populations. This supports the hypothesis that greenbug populations in the US are made up of three host races (or perhaps subspecies) that are reproductively isolated in the field. Previously it was thought that sexual reproduction between host-races occurred which led to biotypic diversity. However, the molecular genetic data do not support this hypothesis. The molecular data support the hypothesis that biotype C, or the sorghum biotype and its derivatives (E, I, and K), were the result of an independent introduction into the US during the late 1960s, and these have not interbred with the previously extant population since that time. A total of 367 aphids identified as S. graminum caught in suction traps at 9 locations in the UK during 2009 were provided by Rothamsted Research, Harpenden. DNA sequencing of the COI was performed. To date, mtDNA from 7 UK 2009 aphids were sequenced. Sequence identity ranged from 98.6  99.8% between UK and USA S. graminum. Although sequence identity was high, molecular phylogenetic analysis of UK S. graminum formed two distinct two sister clades to Clade 1, the agronomic biotypes in the USA. These are preliminary results and suggest that while UK populations are most closely related to Clade 1 greenbugs, they are significantly diverged and reproductively isolated. F. Remote sensing of cereal aphids A study was completed to determine the potential of spatial pattern metrics derived from multispectral images, in combination with topographic and edaphic variables to differentiate stress induced by RWA from other stress causing factors. Areas within fields stressed by RWA, drought, and planting and fertilization issues in six wheat fields located near Boise City, OK. A discriminant function analysis was applied to 15 variables quantifying the spatial attributes of stressed areas within the fields caused by each of the three stress factors, and topographic and edaphic variables associated with each patch. Thirteen variables were retained in the discriminant function. Overall, 97% of original patches of stress were correctly categorized. Stressed patches caused by RWA were 96.8% correctly classified, patches caused by drought were 95.8% correctly classified, and patches caused by planting and fertilization issues were 99% correctly classified. We conclude that it is possible to discriminate stress induced by RWA from other stress causing factors using multispectral imagery processed to quantitatively characterize spatial attributes of stressed areas within a field and knowledge of topographic factors related to the physical location and intensity of particular types of stress. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma Synopsis of Arthropod Pest Activity in Wheat, 2008-2010 Wheat pest pressure was variable in 2008-10. An outbreak of brown wheat mite was reported in Ellis county in March 2009, and brown wheat mite infestations were reported in April of 2010 in Ellis, Harper, Woods and Alfalfa counties. Greenbug infestations were reported in several western Oklahoma counties in 2009-2010. Army cutworms were reported in wheat and canola in Major county, spring 2010. Winter grain mites were treated in scattered locations in 2009. An outbreak of Russian wheat aphid occurred in Beaver county in 2009, with reports of scattered Russian wheat aphid infestations continuing to come from the Oklahoma Panhandle throughout the spring of 2009. Integrated Pest Management of Wheat Objectives: 1) document the distribution and impact of Hessian fly in Oklahoma winter wheat systems, (2) describe the relationship among aphids, host plants, and natural enemy biology, (3) evaluate current insect management plans for wheat production systems in Oklahoma, and (4) describe the ecology of aphidophagous natural enemies in simple and diverse wheat agroecosystems. During the 2009-2010 winter wheat growing season in Oklahoma, project investigators (1) monitored first and second generation Hessian fly abundance on susceptible, semi-resistant, and resistant wheat, and (2) monitored the effectiveness of Gaucho XT wheat seed treatment for control of first generation Hessian fly. As expected, first generation Hessian fly numbers were lowest in resistant wheat compared with susceptible cultivars. Studies were completed (see publications) describing pest and natural enemy ecology, natural enemy biology in simple and diverse wheat agroecosystems, and detection of aphid infestation with remote sensing. Data is also being summarized from a multi-year / multi-state study completed evaluating the Glance n Go sampling approach in the Southern Plains. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Texas AgriLife Extension Service Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Amarillo, TX Overview of Pest Activity in Wheat, 2009-2010 Greenbug and Russian wheat aphid numbers were very low in the fall of 2009 in the Texas Panhandle. After severe winter conditions in January and February, aphids were difficult to find in fields. From March through May sporadic infestations of greenbugs, Bird Cherry- oat Aphids, and Russian wheat aphids were present in relatively low numbers in fields south of Amarillo, TX. None of the fields sampled for Russian wheat aphids North of Amarillo from March to May had any aphids (greenbugs, RWA, Bird Cherry- oat Aphids). Even with the light aphid infestation, there was a high incidence of Barley Yellow Dwarf in fields across the Texas High Plains and the Panhandle region. Infections were not extremely severe, but fields seemed to uniformly infected across the fields. A foliar insecticide trial was conducted against greenbugs in wheat. Cobalt (DowAg Sciences) provided comparable control to the standard chlorpyrifos treatment. A pyrethroid product, Declare (gama-cyhalothrin), by Cheminova was a little slower than chlorpyrifos in its control of greenbugs. A mixture of Declare with chlorpyrifos was equal to the chlorpyrifos alone and Cobalt treatments.