Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

As of March 19, 2013, Roy Van Driesche began his two-year term as chair of this project. Scott Salom is serving as chair-elect and will assume the chairmanship when Roy steps down. Judy Hough-Goldstein, presently secretary, will also assume the role of chair-elect at that time and the group will name a new secretary. The secretary will rotate into the chair-elect position at the time the chair-elect becomes chair. All project officers have two-year terms.

The regional project meets annually, alternating between meetings every other year with the USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species. In alternate years, the meeting venue will rotate among different meetings and locations, with the goal of trying to meet with the S.E. regional biological control project, the western regional biological control project, and the Entomological Society of America Annual Eastern Branch Meeting. After discussion of holding a separate meeting of this regional project vs. meeting in conjunction with another large meeting, it was decided to continue our present strategy. The next meeting of this regional project will be with the USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species at Annapolis in January, 2014. Roy Van Driesche will organize this regional project meeting.

Members were encouraged to consider also attending the meeting of the western regional project on biological control (W3185) to be held at Jackson Wyoming Oct 1 & 2, 2013. Contact Lynn LeBeck llebeck46@comcast.net.

Individual state detailed reports can be found at: http://cris.nifa.usda.gov with an assisted search for active Hatch projects under NE-1032. What follows below is a brief summary of highlights of these programs organized under goals and objectives of the regional project.

Goal 1 (Conservation of existing natural enemies)

Objective 1. To conserve natural enemies in blueberry production.

Despite much speculation by scientists that honey bees compete with native bees for floral resources and by doing so lower native bee populations, there is no evidence that this happens in Maine. Honey bees should be moved out from blueberry fields as soon as bloom is over, thus allowing native bees full access to the early summer flowering plants. (Frank Drummond, U. Maine)

Objective 2. To determine the distribution and impact of Cotesia rubecula.

The introduction of Cotesia rubecula (Marshall) has had a positive effect on the conservation of a state-listed native butterfly (Pieris oleracea Harris) formerly suppressed by another parasitoid, Cotesia glomerata (L.), that has now been greatly reduced by competition with C. glomerata. As part of the project to understand how P. oleracea interacted historically with C. glomerata, two experiments were run in 2012, one on degree of attraction of C. glomerata to volatiles from the cuckoo flower (Cardamine praetensis L.), a major new host plant of P. oleracea and the other on the effect on parasitoid foraging of overtopping vegetation. Olfactometer tests showed that parasitoids oriented equally well to cuckoo flower foliage infested with P. oleracea larvae and infested collard foliage, suggesting that this was not the mechanism by which P. oleracea escaped parasitism when shifting to cuckoo flower. Field cage experiments with overtopped natural vegetation vs clipped vegetation showed that the presence of overtopping vegetation reduced attack rates by C. glomerata on P. oleracea larvae on both cuckoo flower and collards by almost fifty percentage points (from 72% in clipped to 23% in overtopping), suggesting that this factor likely provided butterfly larvae with at least partial escape from parasitism. (R. Van Driesche (U. Mass.)

Objective 3. To examine the effects of exotic plants on ecosystem function.

Exotic plants have been shown to cause loss of native arthropods and vertebrates in domestic landscapes in the Mid-Atlantic States. However, the response of arthropods to native woody landscapes compared to exotic was somewhat taxon specific. There was no difference in overall levels of feeding damage in native compared to exotic woody landscapes, but native landscapes suffered greater chewing damage, and exotic landscapes suffered greater discoloration damage. Discussions with gardening enthusiasts suggest there is increasing awareness of the importance of plant function rather than just plant origin. (Paula Shrewsbury and Mike Raupp, Univ. of Md.)

Goal 2 (Augmentation programs)

Objective 4. To release and evaluate augmentative biological control agents and educate the public about their role in pest management.

In NJ the Mexican bean beetle (MBB) Epilachna varivestis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) biological control program involved 28 growers and 33 survey locations with a history of Mexican bean beetle pressure. A total of 256,000 adult P. foveolatus, 8,000 per location, were released. Additional soybean field releases totaling 278,000 parasites were made in 23 sites to keep pressure on the Mexican bean beetle population. Thus, during the 2012 season a total of 534,000 P. foveolatus were released statewide.

Trichogramma ostriniae was found to have no particular affinity for corn leaves that had previously experienced European corn borer egg masses or a commonly induced plant volatile, methyl salicylate. Thus Trichogramma orientation and host-finding may not be substantively mediated by induced plant volatiles. Cooperative research in Indiana and Nebraska found that when T. ostriniae wasps were introduced into field cages, western bean cutworm eggs were successfully parasitized in bean and corn canopies. This new knowledge shows that some level biological control of western bean cutworm in corn and beans may be possible. Feral Trichogramma collected Lepidoptera eggs from corn, where parasitoid releases had been conducted in central NY several years prior, showed low levels of parasitism by T. ostriniae. This demonstrates that successful overwintering is occurring but is not adequate for classical biological control of European corn borer. (M. Hoffmann, Cornell)

Goal 3 (Classical Biological Control)

Objective 5. To develop a biological control program for exotic Phragmites australis.

Host range testing of candidate biocontrol agents was continued in quarantine at URI and at CABI-Europe in Switzerland. Testing of Archanara geminipuncta should be complete by the end of the 2013 season. (Cornell U. and URI cooperating with CABI-Europe in Switzerland)

Objective 6. To develop a biological control program for swallow-worts in North America.

Foreign exploration for biocontrol agents continues through USDA-ARS along with plant demographic modeling. Host range studies are complete for Hypena opulenta and nearing completion for Abrostola clarissa and A. asclepiadis.

Milestone: A petition was submitted to USDA for field release of H. opulenta in 2012. It was revised, as requested by TAG and resubmitted. (URI, Milbrath USDA-ARS, and CABI-Europe working in collaboration).

Objective 7. To establish and evaluate herbivores released against mile-a-minute weed.

The weevil Rhinoncomimus latipes, first released in 2004 for control of mile-a-minute weed, Persicaria perfoliata, is now well-established in the mid-Atlantic region and parts of surrounding states. In 2012, more than 76,000 weevils were reared and shipped from the NJ Department of Agriculture Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Laboratory and released in 10 states in the Northeast, from MA to VA, and west to WV. A Mile-a-Minute Weed Biocontrol Cooperators Meeting was hosted by the Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Laboratory at the New Jersey Public Health, Environmental and Agricultural Laboratory (PHEAL), on Feb. 16, 2012, attended by 77 people from 8 states plus DC.

Since 2004, the Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Laboratory has released 170,618 R. latipes adults into 13 New Jersey counties including five new sites in 2012. Weevils have been recovered at all of the release sites (100%) as well as at 168 dispersal/non-release sites, 55 of which were found in 2012. That represents the highest number of dispersal sites found in any one year. All new 2012 release sites already had R. latipes present before any releases were made!

Objective 8. To develop an effective biological control program for the emerald ash borer.

At least two of three introduced Chinese parasitoids are established in Michigan. Parasitoid populations continued to increase the level of control they exerted on the invasive pest. In 2012, parasitism by the introduced parasitoid Tetrastichus planipennisi in research study plots increased sharply to levels of 20-30% in some plots. Survival of emerald ash borer in the 2012 generation again dropped, to levels below 10%. Pest survival is now sufficiently low that population growth of the pest was minimal and densities in research plots were, or soon will be, declining. Ash trees in plots have increased prospects for survival. These events show that biological control of emerald ash borer is working and protection of the ash resource is potentially an obtainable goal in the near term. (Van Driesche U. Mass. cooperating with APHIS).

In 2012 releases of Tetrastichus planipennisi, Spathius agrili, and Oobius agrili were made in Maryland at two regions of the state. Tetrastichus planipennisi and Spathius agrili were recovered at both locations and estimates of rates of parasitism will be conducted at both sites in 2013. Life table studies examining EAB survival and mortality factors are also underway. (Shrewsbury and Jennings, U of MD, cooperating with Jian Duan, USDA ARS).

Objective 9. To establish and evaluate natural enemies of the hemlock woolly adelgid.

The adelgid predator, Laricobius nigrinus has been released in 18 eastern states. Sleeve cage experiments with the inland and coastal races of L. nigrinus support the laboratory results that the inland race is better able to survive winter temperatures in New England. This species seems to be established and increasing in some areas. A total of 10,567 L. nigrinus have been released in New Jersey since 2005. In 2012 a grand total of 468 larvae and 2 adult L. nigrinus were recovered in the spring with an additional 19 adults collected in fall 2012. This represents not only the largest single yearly total of hemlock woolly adelgid predators that have ever been recovered in NJ in one season but the total is greater than all previous seasons combined. One recovery was from the 2005 release site in Worthington SF which is eight consecutive years of recoveries for that site. We have confirmed dispersal of L. nigrinus of up to 730 meters from the closest release site.

Research on L. osakensis, another predator from Japan, has focused on its ability to survive, feed on prey, and reproduce in a forested setting. Adults survived from December to April in sleeve cages at two mountain sites in western VA. Females laid eggs during the entire sample period, with the highest numbers being laid during March and April. Adelgid densities were significantly lower on branches with predators than branches without predators. (Collaborative research between Va. Tech., U. Mass, NJ Biological Control Laboratory, US Forest Service.)

Objective 10. To establish and evaluate natural enemies of the winter moth.

Monitoring of winter moths populations continues in southern New England. The tachinid parasitoid Cyzenis albicans was released in 6 sites in Massachusetts and one site in Rhode Island. (J. Elkinton & D. Mausel - U.Mass Cooperating with Heather Faubert URI), with the highest parasitism being recovered being 30% at one MA site.

Objective 11. To distribute and evaluate Peristenus relictus, a parasitoid of the tarnished plant bug. Nothing reported.

Objective 12. To establish and evaluate biological control agents for garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata).

Monitoring of long-term plots in many states has shown garlic mustard populations to decline dramatically in less than a decade. Research continues on the nature of this decline and whether biocontrol of garlic mustard is actually needed. (B. Blossey - Cornell)

Objective 13. To investigate potential new biological control projects for the northeast.

In testing the feasibility of using persistent entomopathogenic nematodes to kill Japanese beetle grubs in grape row middles, a combination of three species of nematodes was applied in 2012. Despite low regional populations of Japanese beetle, early test results indicate some suppression of Japanese beetle populations by entomopathogenic nematodes that translated into reduced damage. (G. Loeb, E. Shields, and T. Weigle, N Y Ag. Exp. Stn. Geneva, NY.

Behavioral studies were conducted on two established parasitoids, Tiphia vernalis and T. popilliavora attacking Japanese beetles and oriental beetles. T. popilliavora spent considerably longer times attacking oriental beetle grubs than Japanese beetle larvae, perhaps because of the Oriental beetles more active defensive behaviors. (A. Legrand, Univ. of Ct.)

Quarantine studies were conducted to assess potential risk of importing Eucryptorrhynchus brandti as a biological control agent for the tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima. Studies focused on biology and host range testing and investigated the potential for this same weevil to carry a naturally occurring pathogenic fungus to uninfested trees. Research results on the weevil and its potential with the fungus as biological control agents were presented at several regional and national meetings and written for a VA Dept. of Forestry Forest Health Newsletter. (Va. Tech. working in cooperation with Penn. State University)

Alfalfa Snout Weevil: Forty five infested alfalfa fields in northern NY inoculated with persistent entomopathogenic nematodes between 2007 and 2009 were subjected to various crop rotations and then tested in 2011 to measure the impact of crop rotation on entomopathogenic nematode persistence. Results of the 4500 soil samples taken in 2011 show that entomopathogenic nematodes persist regardless of cropping system or rotation. This information was shared with stakeholders during 2012 spring field days. (Shields Cornell)

Knotweed Biological Control. Anticipating the eventual release of a biological control agent from research underway by cooperators Fritzi Grevstad (Oregon) and Dick Shaw (CABI Great Britain), a monitoring protocol was developed for Japanese/Giant/Bohemian knotweed. (Blossey - Cornell, Van Driesche - U. Mass., Grevstat (Oregon State U.)

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Biological Control by indigenous natural enemies. Field surveys conducted in commercial ornamental plant nurseries in 2011 and 2012 revealed surprisingly high levels of mortality due to eggs parasitoids and predators. Average total mortality in nurseries exceeded 50%, 34% of which was due to parasitism by eupelmids and platygastrids. (Shrewsbury and Jones U of MD).

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Control with fungal pathogens. Strains of Metarhizium and Beauvaria are under evaluation for use in direct applications and attract and kill approaches for controlling BMSB. (Shrewsbury and Pike, U of MD).

Effects of urbanization on carabid communities. Using a meta-analysis, we found that the number of carabid species in cities was only 77.6% that of corresponding rural sites, whereas assemblage abundance was relatively consistent between rural and urban sites. The most negative effects were for large, forest-specialist beetles that were predatory or omnivorous. (Raupp and Martinson, U of MD).

Goal 4 (Evaluation and Education)

Objective 14. To distribute information on the successful biological control of the birch leafminer throughout the northeastern states.

The BLM has been successfully controlled by Lathroles nigricollis throughout the Northeast and well into Canada and the mid-western states and there is no need for additional control efforts against this pest. This information was distributed to all northeast IPM coordinators and at New England Grows and in a Forest Service publication currently in press.

Objective 15. To provide web-based information for growers, landscape managers, educators, and students on biological control programs.

The highly popular web site, Natural Enemies: a Guide to Biological Control Agents in North America, http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol, is the most widely accessed web site on biological control according to Google. It is accessed by students from grade school to graduate school, and by the general public and the scientific community. Through this site, field workers attempting to initiate programs are able to find researchers who can guide them. Contributors are enthusiastic about this project and the public response to it, and often answer questions from site visitors. (T. Shelton, J. Nyrop, G. Loeb, and A. Agnello  Cornell Univ.)

The University of Maryland continues to produce an electronic newsletter Landscape and Nursery IPM Pest Alert throughout the growing season to provide timely information on pest identification and management tactics particularly emphasizing biological controls. This collaborative project involves Extension personnel and Master Gardeners, landscapers, nursery producers, and government agency staff. The newsletter is emailed to over 2,200 stakeholders in over 20 states weekly. A recent survey of users of the weekly electronic newsletter demonstrated the IPM Pest Alert greatly improved their abilities to identify, monitor, and control pest problems. For example, the survey indicated that the following percentage of respondents (of ~268) selected the highest ranking for the following questions: Usefulness (87 %); help identify pests (99%); help to monitor and control pests (96%); reduce pesticide applications (66%); select less toxic pesticides (66%); select alternatives to conventional pesticides (84%); recognize beneficial insects (96%); does this information help you make money? (16% yes). (P. Shrewsbury, U. of MD.)

Objective 16. To publish the results of biological control research in refereed journals, books, and proceedings. (See publications list.)

Abell, K.J., Duan, J.J., Bauer, L., Lelito, J.P., and Van Driesche, R.G. 2012. The effect of bark thickness on the effectiveness of Tetrastichus planipennisi (Hymen: Eulophidae) and Atanycolus spp. (Hymen: Braconidae) two parasitoids of emerald ash borer (Coleop: Buprestidae). Biological Control 63:320-325.

Davis, G. A., S. M. Salom, C. C. Brewster, B. P. Onken, L. T. Kok. 2012. Spatiotemporal distribution of the hemlock woolly aelgid predator Laricobius nigrinus after release in eastern hemlock forests. Agric. and For. Entomol. 14: 408-418. doi: 10.1111/j.1461-9563.2012.00581.

Duan, J.J., Bauer, L., Abell, K.J., and Van Driesche, R. 2012. Population responses of hymenopteran parasitoids to the emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in recently invaded areas in Michigan. BioContr. 57:199-209.

Frye, M.J., J. Hough-Goldstein, and K. Kidd. 2012. Response of kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) to different types and levels of simulated insect herbivore damage. Biological Control 61:71-77.

Frye, M.J., J. Hough-Goldstein, and K.A. Kidd. 2012. Response of kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) seedlings and naturalized plants to simulated herbivory. Invasive Plant Science and Management 5:417-426.

Gardner, J., Hoffmann, M. P., Pitcher, S. A., Nyrop, J. P. 2012. Recurrent warming to improve cold storage of Trichogrammatids (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Biocontrol Science and Technology 22(3)261-270.

Gardner, J., Wright, M. G., Kuhar, T. P., Pitcher, S. A., Hoffmann, M. P. 2012. Dispersal of Trichogramma ostriniae in field corn. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 22(10)1221-1233.

Hazlehurst, Alex F.; Weed, A. S., Tewksbury, L, Casagrande, R.A. 2012. Host Specificity of Hypena opulenta: A potential biological control agent of Vincetoxicum in North America. Environmental Entomology, Volume 41, Issue 4, pp. 841-848.

Herlihy, M.V., Van Driesche, R.G., Abney, M.R., Brodeur, J., Bryant, A.B., Casagrande, R.A., Delaney, D.A., Elkner, T.E., Fleischer, J. L., Groves, R.L. Gruner, D.S., Harmon, J.P., Heimpel, G.E., Hemady, K., Kuhar, T. P., Maund, C.M., Shelton, A.M., Seaman, A. J., Skinner, M., Weinzierl, R., Yeargan, K. V., and Szendrei, Z. 2012. Distribution of Cotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its displacement of Cotesia glomerata in eastern North America. Florida Entomol. 95:458-464.

Herrick, N. J., T. J. McAvoy, A. L. Snyder, S. M. Salom, and L. T. Kok. 2012. Host-range testing of Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a candidate for biological control of tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima. Environ. Entomol. 41: 118-124.

Hough-Goldstein, J. and S. LaCoss. 2012. Interactive effects of light environment and herbivory on growth and productivity of an invasive annual vine, Persicaria perfoliata. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 6:103-112.

Hough-Goldstein, J., E. Lake, and R. Reardon. 2012. Status of an ongoing biological control program for the invasive vine, Persicaria perfoliata in eastern North America. BioControl 57:181-189. Hough-Goldstein, J.A. 2012. Is Typhoid Mary a good role model (Invited expert commentary on featured article). Animal Conservation 15:553-554.

Liu, X., M. Chen, D. Onstad, R. Roush, H. Collins, E. D. Earle and A. M. Shelton. 2012. Effect of Bt broccoli or broccoli treated with insecticides on ovipositional preference and larval survival of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Environ. Entomol. 41: 880-886.

Liu, X., M. Chen, H. Collins, D. Onstad, R. Roush, Q. Zhang and A. M. Shelton. 2012. Effect of insecticides and Plutella xylostella genotype on a predator and parasitoid and implications for the evolution of insecticide resistance. J. Econ. Entomol. 105: 354-362.

Martinson, H. M., and M. J. Raupp. 2013. A meta-analysis of the effects of urbanization on ground beetle communities. Ecosphere 4(5):60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/ES12-00262.1

Raupp, M.J., P.M. Shrewsbury, and D.A. Herms. 2012. Disasters by Design: Outbreaks along urban gradients. In: Insect Outbreaks - Revisited. (eds. P. Barbosa, D.K. Letourneau, and A.A. Agrawal). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. ISBN: 9781444337594. Table of contents available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9781118295205

Salom, S. M., L. T. Kok, A. B. Lamb, and C. Jubb. 2012. Laboratory rearing of Laricobius nigrinus [Coleoptera: Derodontidae], a predator of the hemlock woolly adelgid [Hemiptera: Adelgidae]. Psyche. vol. 2012, Article ID 936519, 9 pages, doi: 10.1155/2012/936519.

Shelton, A. M., S. Naranjo, J. Romeis, and R. H. Hellmich. 2012. Errors in Logic and Statistics Plague a Meta-Analysis (response to Andow et al. 2012). Environ. Entomol. 41:1047-9. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EN11238.

Shrewsbury, P.M. and S.R. Leather. 2012. Using biodiversity for pest suppression in urban landscapes. In: Biodiversity and insect pests: Key issues for sustainable management. (eds. G.M. Gurr, S.D. Wratten, and W.E. Snyder). John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester, UK. ISBN: 978-0-470-65686-0. Table of contents available at: http://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470656867,descCd-tableOfContents.html

Snyder, A. L., S. M. Salom, L. T. Kok, G. J. Griffin, D. D. Davis. 2012.

Story, Heather M.*, Ligia C. Vieira*, Scott M. Salom, and Loke T. Kok. 2012. Assessing performance and competition among three Laricobius (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) species, predators of hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae). Environ. Entomol. 41: 896-904.

Tian, J., Y. Chen, Z-L Li, K. Li, M. Chen, Y-F Peng, C. Hu, A. M. Shelton and G-Y Ye. 2012. Transgenic Cry1Ab rice does not impact ecological fitness and predation of a generalist spider. PLoS One

Ulyshen, M.D., Duan, J.J., Bauer, L.S., Gould, J., Taylor, P., Bean, D., Holko, C., and Van Driesche., R. 2011. Field-cage evaluation of parasitism, development, and overwintering of two recently introduced biological control agents of the emerald ash borer. J. Insect Sci. 11:1-10.

Vieira, L. C., S. M. Salom and L. T. Kok. 2012. Functional and numerical response of Laricobius spp. predators (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) on hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae). Biological Control. 61: 47-54.

Yang, S., Duan, J.J., Lelito, J. and Van Driesche, R. 2012. Multiparasitism by Tetrastichus planipennisi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Spathius agrili (Hymenoptera:Braconidae): Implication for biological control of the emerald ash borer larvae (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Biological Control (in press).

Yang, S., Duan, J.J., Watt, T., Abell, K., and Van Driesche, R.G. 2012. Responses of an idiobiont ectoparasitoid Spathius galinae to host larvae parasitized by the koinobiont endoparasitoid Tetrastichus planipennisi: implications for biological control of the emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Environ. Entomol. 41:925-932.