Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Sunday 15th March 2015 13:00-18:00 The business meeting was preceded by an official symposium at the conference, S1058 Biological Control of Arthropod and Weed Pests in the Southern United States. The organizers of the symposium were the chair of the group Carey Minteer (USDA-ARS) and the secretary of the group Emma Weeks (University of Florida). The talks were given by members of the group and included: Symposium Title: Species composition, seasonal activity and impact of parasitoids and predators of Parthenolecanium Spp. (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in the Southeastern U.S. Presenter: Ernesto Robayo- Camacho, email: crobayo@g.clemson.edu (Clemson University). Co-authors: JC Chong (Clemson University), PB Schultz (Clemson University), SK Braman (Virginia Tech), and SD Frank (University of Maryland). Title: Creating innovative management solutions for organic cucurbit production. Presenter: James D. Harwood, email: jharw2@email.uky.edu (University of Kentucky). Presentation Cancelled. Title: Promising predators: biological control of hemlock woolly adelgid in Tennessee. Presenter: Gregory J. Wiggins, email: wiggybug@utk.edu (University of Tennessee). Co-authors: JF Grant (University of Tennessee), and PL Lambdin (University of Tennessee). Title: Biological control of emerald ash borer: a southern perspective and a new opportunity. Presenter: Jerome F. Grant, email: jgrant@utk.edu (University of Tennessee). Co-authors: GJ Wiggins (University of Tennessee), and PL Lambdin (University of Tennessee). Title: Recent advances in biological control of Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia. Presenter: James P. Cuda, email: jcuda@ufl.edu (University of Florida). Co-authors: WA Overholt (University of Florida), R Diaz (University of Florida), and V Manrique (University of Florida). Title: Potential interactions between spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe ssp. Micranthos) and its biological control agents in Arkansas. Presenter: Beth Ferguson, email: mef005@email.uark.edu (University of Arkansas). Co-authors: TJ Kring (University of Arkansas), and RN Wiedenmann (University of Arkansas). Title: Revisiting an old friend: biological control of water hyacinth in southern Florida. Presenter: Carey Minteer, email: carey.minteer@ars.usda.gov (USDA-ARS). Co-authors: P Tipping (USDA-ARS), J Foley (USDA-ARS) and B Knowles (USDA-ARS). Title: Biological control of giant salvinia in north Texas: the impact of cold on overwintering survival of adults. Presenter: Allen Knutson, email: a-knutson@tamu.edu (Texas A&M University). Co-authors: Kevin Heinz (Texas A&M University). Business Meeting Present: Carey Minteer (Chair; USDA-ARS), Emma Weeks (Secretary; University of Florida), Jim Cuda (University of Florida), Rob Wiedenmann (University of Arkansas), Tim Kring (University of Arkansas), Jason Schmidt (University of Georgia), Greg Wiggins (University of Tennessee), Allen Knutson (Texas A&M University), Rodrigo Diaz (Louisiana State University), Stephen Micinski (Louisiana State University Ag Center), and Juang Chong (Clemson University). Apologies from: Saied Mostaghimi (Administrative Advisor; Virginia Tech), Norm Leppla (University of Florida), Jerome Grant (University of Tennessee), and James Harwood (University of Kentucky). 1. Minutes of 2014 meeting - Carey Minteer (Chair) offered to read the full minutes from the 2014 meeting. Emma Weeks (Secretary) made a motion that the reading of the minutes should be approved and submitted without reading, Jim Cuda (University of Florida) seconded the motion and the motion passed. 2. Notes from the Administrative Advisor - Saied Mostaghimi (Virginia Tech) went to the APLU meeting in DC and provided a report on the budget. He suggests that we work together on interdisciplinary grant proposals. He believes that due to our longstanding term our group has a good chance at securing funding in the future. 3. Notes from Chair - Carey Minteer (Chair) said that the idea behind the changes to this meeting are to increase discussion and collaboration and prepare us to apply for grants like those mentioned by the Administrative Advisor. It was decided to not read the reports from each state but rather to discuss any matters of interest to the whole group. 4. Sugar Cane Aphid – Tim Kring (University of Arkansas) has been working on sugar cane aphid for the past three years, important due to insect switching hosts from sugar cane to grain sorghum. There is already a taskforce to deal with the problem. Tim Kring is looking for extant natural enemies within the subset predator/parasite. Allen Knutson (Texas A&M University) is already involved with sampling. Jason Schmidt (University of Georgia) and James Harwood (University of Kentucky) working on predator-prey interactions. Interested parties in preparing a grant on sugar cane aphid: Tim Kring, Allen Knutson, Jason Schmidt, Rodrigo Diaz. 5. Emerald Ash Borer – Greg Wiggins speaking for Jerome Grant (University of Tennessee). They are looking to complete comparative studies on the emerald ash borer (EAB) parasitoid types in different states (as they appear to have varying efficacy). Rearing lab is easy to work with and parasitoids are free. Depends upon how important the EAB is to your state as funding depends upon stakeholder interest. Most people including Rodrigo Diaz (Louisiana State University) and Tim Kring (University of Arkansas) were interested but were concerned about the lack of current support from stakeholders to work in this area, in areas where EAB is not yet a problem. Carey Minteer (USDA-ARS) asked about the White Fringe Tree, which was recently found with EAB in Tennessee. Rob Wiedenmann (University of Arkansas) suggested that perhaps the parasitoids might be more effective at protecting younger trees as the ovipositor length seems to be restricting their efficacy at protecting larger trees. Rob Wiedenmann (University of Arkansas) suggested that perhaps street trees in urban settings might be younger and smaller and provide a better habitat. 6. Rodrigo Diaz (Louisiana State University) – new member of the group, Jim Cuda (University of Florida) asked him what his position is at LSU, 75% research, 25% teaching. Three main areas, crape myrtle bark scale, non-chemical control, giant salvinia. He is collaborating with Allen Knutson (Texas A&M University) and Stephen Micinski (Louisiana State University Ag Center) on giant salvinia project. 7. Brazilian Peppertree - Jim Cuda (University of Florida) asked if anyone might be interested in collaborating on a Brazilian peppertree grant. Allen Knutson and Rodrigo Diaz expressed an interest. 8. Highlighted Pests – Tim Kring (University of Arkansas) mentioned that the highlighted pests on our website are quite out of date. For example, no one is really still working on fire ants in the group. Likewise is anyone working on thistles? Stephen Micinski (Louisiana State University Ag Center) is still monitoring for the weevil on thistles but no one really actively working on the topic. Perhaps these two pests should be removed during re-write and the other pests updated. 9. Letter for APHIS from NC Biocontrol Working Group– Carey Minteer (Chair) mentioned to the group that only 7/8 people signed the letter to APHIS about the delay of permission to releases biocontrol agents. Jim Cuda (University of Florida) raised concerns about releases that are recommended by TAG but not permitted by APHIS. Apparently no releases have been made since 2009 (last release was the Air Potato Beetle). Jim Cuda (University of Florida) also raised concerns about the emphasis placed on no- choice testing and little emphasis given to field studies and choice tests. Tim Kring (University of Arkansas) said that we need to follow up on the letter if we have no response within 30 days. 10. Importation Biocontrol - Tim Kring (University of Arkansas) also mentioned the decrease in academic interest of importation biocontrol/classical biocontrol due to increased political risk. There is a move towards using native natural enemies attacking the non-native pest over importation biocontrol. 11. Annual Meeting Location - Carey Minteer (Chair) brought up the topic of the annual meeting location. As we have a group from mixed ESA branches it seems unfair to always have the meeting at ESA-SEB. Options for a new venue were discussed including the SE Exotic Pest Plant Council. Most people liked the idea of meeting at ESA (national meeting), it should increase participation and decrease costs in the long run for people that have to attend both meetings. Need to check on if the timing of the meeting will cause a problem with the reports etc. 12. Officer Nominations and Elections. - The secretary Emma Weeks (University of Florida) was automatically elected to chair. Volunteers were sought for the secretary position, no volunteers came forward. A motion was made by Carey Minteer (USDA-ARS) to nominate Rodrigo Diaz (Louisiana State University) for secretary, Tim Kring (University of Arkansas), seconded the motion and the motion passed. 13. Any Other Business – The meeting format was discussed and it was agreed that it was liked by all. Tim Kring (University of Arkansas) suggested that it be made a little shorter (6 talks instead of 8) and Jim Cuda (University of Florida) suggested that instead of separating weeds and insects they should be mixed together. 14. Meeting Adjourned - No other business was discussed. Emma Weeks (Secretary) moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 pm, Carey Minteer (Chair)seconded the motion and the motion passed.