Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Opening session: Project Chair Alec Gerry called the meeting to order at 8:31 AM on January 15. Jerry Hogsette, local arrangements coordinator, provided information about the facility, registration fees, and meals/snacks. This was followed by a round of self-introductions. Dave Boxier shared the sad news of the death of Jack Campbell. Alec announced that he and Brad Mullens will organize a symposium in Jack's honor at this year's LIWC. NIFA representative Herb Bolton was unable to attend the meeting but sent a message that Alec shared with the group. This message is appended to this report in its entirety. We are encouraged to look at the newly updated National IPM roadmap in developing ideas for grant proposals. Dan Strickman, NP104 National Program Leader for ARS, was unable to attend the meeting. Rick Roeder, the administrative advisor to S1060 extended his congratulations on approval of the new project, which will run through September of 2018. In order to have the multistate project continue without interruption, a new multistate project will need to be submitted by October 1, 2017. He also reminded us that the minutes of meeting need to be submitted to him within 60 days of the meeting. After a brief break, we returned to begin discussion of progress on the project's various elements: Objective 1. New technologies for management of biting and nuisance flies in organic and conventional systems (moderator, Wes Watson). • Wes Watson reported that geraniol is effective at moving horn flies away from animals, and suggested that Jerry Zhu is seeing good results in this vein using catnip oil. This summer Wes will be working with heifers and try to measure the distance that the flies are moved and whether the repellent treatments have an effect on mastitis in the herd. He will measure fly movement using mark-release-recapture methods with DayGlo powders, assisted by a fly vac. • Dave Boxier reported on a push-pull project for stable flies on heifers in Nebraska. Treatments were 39% geraniol, prolate, permethrin, and mineral oil controls. Mineral oil and geraniol were somewhat repellent but efficacy was limited to a few hours. Dave also reported on an eartag study involving an 8% abamectin+PBO tag (Y-tex XP820) and found that the tags worked well for 14 weeks. This tag has been on the market since 2007. So far there is no evidence that the flies are developing resistance to the Al. Finally, in lab bioassays, Dave found that the fatty acid mixture product C8910 killed >95% of the stable flies and Aedes aegypti that were exposed. • Don Rutz opened a discussion about the state of knowledge regarding the use of landscaping plants to attract or repel pest species of flies. • Alec Gerry introduced the product SPLAT from ISCA technologies. SPLAT ("specialized pheromone & lure application technology") is a waxy material that is used for slow release of pheromones and possibly for repellents. SPLAT formulated with a number of known repellents was evaluated in a limited trial for use on cattle against horn flies and stable flies. Residual efficacy beyond 24-48 hrs was limited due it seems to loss of the product on the animals caused by animal grooming and loafing. • Jerry Hogsette provided an update on several projects: l )Vestergaard ZeroFly, a deltamethrin-treated screening material for use as barrier treatments and in attract and kill approaches for stable flies; 2) sugar baits containing eugenol for house flies; 3) boric acid sugar baits; 4) Suspend Polyzone, a deltamethrin product from Bayer, as an alternative to lambda-cyhalothin for treated fabric for stable fly targets; 5) the Knight Stick sticky fly trap from Bugjammer, whose foam base has a sparkly appearance that makes it more attractive to stable flies than the standard Olson trap. • Holly Ferguson examined alternative calf hutch bedding materials (chopped straw vs. poplar sawdust) and treatments (sodium bisulfate [ParlorPal], lime, diatomateous earh, sugar, diflubenzuron, sulfur, and ZorbiSan [Fullers earth/sulfuric acid/ quartz]) for their effects on house fly production . Diflubenzuron was the only bedding treatment that was effective in laboratory assays. In the field, sawdust bedding produced fewer flies than straw. ParlorPal was effective in some instances but the results were mixed. • Chris Geden gave a presentation on potential effects of climate change on fly populations and their natural enemies. He proposed updating the old fly simulation model developed in Axtell's program. There was a discussion about developing a multi-institution grant proposal on the topic of flies and climate change. • Erika Machtinger gave a presentation summarizing her PhD research to date on host location by the fly parasitoid Spalangia cameroni. This included a discussion of dispersal distance, effect of colonization on host finding, and chemical cues used in host location. S. cameroni responds most strongly to a combination of odors from the host larval habitat (soiled horse bedding) and fly larvae. • Phil Kaufman reported on CowVac (available through Spalding Laboratories) studies on Florida dairies. The product worked quite well on horn flies and also collected large numbers of house flies and stable flies. • Roger Moon did a comparison of the CowVac (ca. $7500) with the old-school "Bruce walk-through" trap, which costs less than $2000 to build. The CowVac was much more efficient than the Bruce trap, which only collected about 5% of the flies present. Cleaning the screening on the CowVac probably improves fly catch, but the strong motor on the trap allows for little loss of efficiency up through 50% occlusion of the screening. • Emma Weeks discussed recent work on efficacy of different strains of Beauveria bassiana against house flies. The GHA strain had the fastest kill rate. The HF23 strain performed poorly and had a low sporulation rate. Objective 2. Insecticide resistance detection and management (moderator, Jeff Scott). • Jeff Scott announced that the national survey of house fly insecticide resistance has been published. He also announced that the house fly genome has been sequenced in its entirety. Pia Olafson is currently working on the stable fly genome. Jeff then reported on recent work to understand the mechanism underlying resistance to neonicotinoids. He selected with imidacloprid to develop a strain that was 2300X resistant in females, l30x resistant in males. Resistance genes were mapped to chromosomes 3 and 4, both of which need to be present to get the full expression of resistance. The resistance was not synergized by PBO, and cross-resistance was seen to dinotefuran and acetamiprid but not to nithiazine or spinosyns. The resistance mechanism is not one of the "usual suspects". Work is on progress to identify the mRNA involved to provide a genetic test for the resistance alleles. • Phil Kaufman reported on the first year of efforts to document levels of stable fly resistance to permethrin at different locations. Data were obtained from sites in Tennessee, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Nebraska. Preliminary results indicated low resistance at most sites, but one of the North Carolina locations showed moderate resistance. The project will continue in the summer of 2014. Objective 3. Investigation of the microbial ecology, epithelial immunity, and vector competence of biting and nuisance flies (moderator, Ludek Zurek). Ludek Zurek presented reports that were submitted by Dana Nayduch and Pia Olafson, who were unable to attend the meeting: • Dana Nayduch announced that in her new 5-year project plan she will be concentrating on house fly again. The emphasis will be on bacteria in manure that affect fly fitness, which ones colonize the fly gut, and their effect on pathogen transmission by the fly. • Pia Olafson is concentrating on horn fly and stable fly. One aspect of the work is the immune system of the flies and how that system allows them to live in microbe-rich environments without being overrun by the microbes. There are 300-350 gene transcripts in the gut of horn fly and stable fly that are involved in innate immunity. She has found that live Salmonella organisms survive passage through the horn fly gut and appear in excreta 5-7 hours after ingestion, indicating that horn fly is both a reservoir and bioenhancer of the organism. She is also looking at stable fly peptidoglycan recognition binding proteins (PGRP's) and gram-negative binding proteins (BNBP's), especially at gene expression during different fly life stages and appetitive states. Stable fly PGRP and BNBP's are expressed in immature development, especially in the gut. Horn fly defensins and PGRP's are expressed in immature development in the gut. • Ludek Zurek announced that he will be playing a role in a $14 million USDA-CAP grant that will examine movement of shigatoxin-producing E. coli inthe food chain, including in manure and house flies. • John Stoffolano reported on recent work on the fly crop, especially in relation to pathogen movement through the environment. Compared with other flies, the house fly has a very high rate of crop contraction, and spends about 23% of its life regurgitating. Flies regurgitate much more than they defecate, allowing the movement and deposition of pathogens. Crop contraction is under the control adipokinetic hormone (stimulates contraction) and the neuropeptide DMS, which shuts it down. Contraction is also regulated by serotonin, trehalose, and glucose. Contraction of salivary glands is also under endocrine control and is highly sensitive to serotonin. Infection with salivary gland hypertrophy virus reduces the rate of contraction. Labellar glands and salivary glands both produce antimicrobials that go to the crop. • Astri Wayadande proposed development of a model of fly-borne pathogens that would include casual contact and regurgitation modes of acquisition and transmission. Flies are not equal in their ability to acquire and drop off pathogens, and the pathogens vary as well. Blow flies are much better at acquisition than house flies, and blow flies pick up many more E. coli than Salmonella. Blow flies are also much more efficient at dropping off these organisms than house flies. Astri proposed a group effort to get a clearer understanding of both casual and biological transmission with the additional goal of developing a model. Objective 4. Characterize population biology of biting and nuisance flies (moderator, Kristina Friesen). • Kristina Friesen discussed her current efforts to discover common denominators in stable fly larval development sites that account for their suitability for producing flies. She plans to continue studying the basic biology of stable fly larvae, an area that has received little study. This will include gut pH, physiology , and larval orientation. Stable fly larvae are attracted to ammonia. • Roger Moon reported on a project on source reduction for stable fly by managing bedding materials. In Minnesota, manure and bedding accumulate in loafing sheds during the winter and then become stable fly producing sites in the spring. Ifthis bedding is managed as a compost through the winter it can be rendered unsuitable for stable fly development in the spring. Roger is also preparing to do another round of stable fly development time determinations in different parts of the country through the help of volunteer collaborators. Objective 5. Community and stakeholder involvement (moderator, Don Rutz). Alec Gerry discussed the need for a reliable national database of registered insecticides for livestock and poultry pests. Current databases are cumbersome and difficult to navigate. Developing a new database that is current and correct will be challenging for several reasons. Things are constantly changing as products enter and leave the market, and several states have their own registration processes. Product names are confusing; sometimes products with very similar names have different active ingredients. At the same time, a single EPA registration may be sold and marketed under many different names. At this point it was agreed to stop the discussions and move into the business meeting because many people had travel plans that would prevent them attending all of the next day's session. Alec took the chair again and LSU (Baton Rouge) was selected for next year's meeting venue, with a suggestion that it be held in the 2"d week of January. There was a discussion about moving the S1060 meeting to hold it in conjunction with the LIWC. A motion was made to do so but did not carry, with the result that we will retain the current model of meeting in January. The meeting was adjourned for the day at 5 PM, and resumed the following morning. Objective 5, continued. The meeting was resumed with a continued discussion of Alec's proposed pesticide database. Roger Moon offered to donate student help to beta-test the database once it is up and running. Itwas agreed that industry support is critical to keep the information current. Phil Kaufman, Kelly Lofton, Roger Moon, and Bill Warner agreed to help with this project. Don Rutz proposed that we need a central location for all extension literature in our field, and Nancy agreed to work with Don on cataloging the known literature. The goal is a master list of extension and training resources for veterinary entomology. Don also requested the group to send one-page summaries of current work to produce public-ready "brag sheets"to document accomplishments by project members. Phil Kaufman indicated that UF's department has a science writer on staff who can help polish the writing on these documents. At this point the floor was opened to new business and general project planning activities: • Chris Geden asked who would be interested in exploring development of a grant proposal on climate change and flies: Roger Moon, Astri Wayadande, Kristina Friesen, Wes Watson, and Becky Trout indicated interest. • Becky Trout asked the group to send specimens of Gulf Coast ticks to her. • Jeff Scott asked the group to share information on funding opportunities via check-offs and other industry-sponsored grant programs. Jeff also asked that people let him know if they are working with new active ingredients. • Phil Kaufman asked folks to let him know if they are interested in participating in the stable fly resistance study this year. • Roger Moon asked for volunteers for the stable fly development time study. Alec then went through the project objectives in sequence and asked what plans people have for the coming year. He also pointed out that the US Poultry and Egg Association is willing to host Alec's fly spot counting program . The new egg rule requires fly monitoring as part of a Salmonella management, so there will be increasing interest in the program. Having concluded business, there was a vote to recognize Alec and Jerry with a hearty round of applause. Meeting adjourned, 11:30 AM. NIFA Update Multistate Project S-1060: Fly Management in Animal Agriculture Systems and Impacts on Animal Health and Food Safety Orlando, FL, January 15-16, 2014 Herb Bolton, NIFA National Program Leader, Entomology National I nstitute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) FY 2014 Budget Status • Because of the sequester in fiscal year 2013, NIFA has maintained a tight operating budget with more virtual grant panels; no staff travel;selective hiring; and no training funds. This austere posture will continue in fiscal year 2014. • NIFA is operating under a continuing resolution and will not know its fiscal year 2014 budget until Congress completes its appropr iations with an Omnibus Bill around January 15, 2014 when the continuing resolution expires. • Under the President's fiscal year 2014 budget request,total fundingfor the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) was requested to increase to $1.288 billion. • The President's Budget proposed numerous changes to NIFA programs including severa l funding line consolidations. o The NIFA Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program lines (excluding IR-4) were proposed to be consolidated under the new Crop Protection/Pest Management program with funding proposed at $17.1million.This consolidation is pending direction from Congress in the fiscal year Omnibus Bill. o Under the President's budget proposal,the 7.61% reductions due to FY 2013 sequestration to the system's core capacity programs (Hatch,Hatch Multistate, etc.) were requested to be restored and there was a request for a $106.396 million increase to AFRI (the Food and Agriculture Research Initiative) . o Language in the Science and Technology Priorities for the FY 2014 Budget from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of Management and Budget are supportive of NIFA's grant portfolio: • ";development of sustainable food production systems that minimize the use of inputs such as water,energy, pesticides, and fertilize r and increase the productivity of agriculture while minimizing environmenta l impacts." See: http://www .whitehouse .gov/sites/default/files/m-12-15.pdf Status of NIFA Grant Programs • Because NIFA is operating under a Continuing Resolution,no new programs can be started. So, NIFA is preparing Requests for Applications {RFAs) based on programs that were in place in FY 2013. • We are preparing to release RFAs for individual grant programs as in fiscal year 2013 unless Congress provides further guidance in the Omnibus Bill around January 15. • The FY 2014 AFRI Foundational RFA is now posted. o NIFA Funding Opportunity Page: o http: //www.n ifa.usda . gov/fo/foundational programafri . cfm.This page includes links to the request for applications (RFA), the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide, the application package, and abstracts of funded projects. • Please continue to monitor the NIFA website for release of other RFAs.See: http://nifa .usda.gov/ Farm Bill Situation • Although there was good bipartisan activity at the committee-level in both the House and Senate, the completion of the Farm Bill did not occur before Congress left on the Christmas recess. • Without a final Farm Bill,several NIFA grant programs will not have new grant opportunities: (1) Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative; (2) Specialty Crops Research Initiative; and (3) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. • In addition,NIFA's operating budget is adversely impacted by not having funding for these programs. • Some Congressional observers believe that Congress will act on passing a Farm Bill after the fiscal year 2014 Omnibus Bill is completed. NIFA Staff Changes • Ralph Otto, NIFA Deputy Director of Food and Community Resources,retired at the end of the year after more than 36 years of federal service. • Dr. Deborah Sheely, Assistant Director of the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability, has accepted a position at the University of Rhode Island. • Dr. Monte Johnson,National Program Leader for the IR-4 program and the Pest Management Alternatives Program retired at the end of the year. Communications • NIFA Communications Brochure - A Few Examples of recent High-Impact Outcomes of NIFA Investments are posted on the NIFA website. o See - http://www . nifa . usda . gov/newsroom/pri ority outcomes . html • NIFA Communications staff also completed a longer document of impacts/outcomes from the 2008 Farm Bill. o See - http://nifa.usda .gov/nea/ag systems/pdfs/farm bill 2013.pdf • Herb is always interested in receiving impacts and outcomes from the committee members on the S-1060, or S-1030 projects, that could be further promoted in NIFA publications and communications. • NIFA Communications staff particularly needs articles/stories that have been picked up or reported by the media on NIFA funded projects. • At any time throughout the year, please forward to me any media coverage or articles/stories on impacts/outcomes. National IPM Roadmap • The Federal IPM Coordinating Committee (FIPMCC) updated the 2004 version of the National IPM Roadmap in 2013. The FIPMCC has worked this past year to update the "Roadmap." • See: http://www.ipmcenters .org/Docs/IPMRoadMap.pdf NIFA Assistance • Please give me a call or send an email if Ican help in any way. o Herbert T. Bolton, Ph.D.,B.C.E. o National Program Leader for Entomology o Institute of Food Production and Sustainability o National Institute of Food and Agriculture o phone - 202-401-4201;fax 202-401-1782