Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Goal A: Import and Establish Effective Natural Enemies

Objective 1. Survey indigenous natural enemies.

Surveys for natural enemies of arthropod and weed pests were conducted either in the native home of the pest or within the country of invasion. Select projects are highlighted.

Parts of Europe and Asia were surveyed for natural enemies of the following insect pests; Anoplophora spp., Halyomorpha halys, Bactrocera oleae, Euphyllura olivine, and of weeds Arundo donax, Centaurea solstitialis, Lepidium draba, Genisa monspessulana, Tamarix spp., Vincetoxicum sp., Taeniatherum caput-medusae, and Ventenata dubia. Indigenous natural enemy surveys have been conducted for two invasive pests, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), and the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri in southern California. BMSB is a highly polyphagous and destructive pest native to China. D. citri vectors a bacterium that causes a lethal and incurable citrus disease, huanglongbing. In quarantine at UC Riverside, native stink bug egg parasitoids have been studied to determine their preferences for BMSB eggs when compared to eggs produced by native California stink bugs. Life table and videography studies assessing natural enemy impacts on cohorts of ACP nymphs have determined that generalist predators (especially lacewing and syrphid fly larvae) are important biocontrol agents and approx. 60% of predation events happen at night.  These have been recorded with infrared videography.

Aphidiid parasitoids of aphids on Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota were surveyed. Diaeretialla rapae and Aphidius colemani had previously been released on Guam, Saipan, and Palau in 1998, but had not been recovered since then. Lysephlebis testaceipes had been released 20 years before, and only recovered in 1998 on Guam and Rota. 

Objective 2.  Conduct foreign exploration and ecological studies in native range of pest.

Several institutions in the western US conducted foreign exploration and importation of natural enemies for both new and established arthropod and weed pests this past year. Many of these exploratory trips are only partially successful.  Species sent to quarantine facilities must survive the trip and reproduce.  Subsequent cultures will then be used for non-target host testing and evaluation for potential release. 

The following species were collected in 2015; parasitoids Psyllaephagus euphyllura and P. pulchellus for biological control of Euphyllura olivine; egg parasitoids of Coptosoma scutellata in Italy; adults of the French broom weevil, Lepidapion argentatum in France; larvae of Cryptocephalus sp. in Uzbekistan for control of Tamarix sp.; root gall weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis, in France for biocontrol of Lepidium draba; seed weevils in Turkey targeted for biological control of Taeniatherum; and foreign exploration efforts for natural enemies of D. citri have been completed in Pakistan.  A grant was received to import the rust, Puccinia spegazzinii, from Fiji for use against Mikania micrantha on Guam.  A technician was hired to grow Mikania plants under shade-cloth conditions on Guam, and permits for importation are being acquired 

Objective 3. Determine systematics and biogeography of pests and natural enemies.

Systematics studies generate both molecular and morphological data that are essential to distinguishing between biotypes of both pests and natural enemies. These data also provide information about species biogeography, which ultimately helps select the best biological control species. 

Research continues on the parasites of the imported fire ant in South America and of the Little Red Fire Ant in the Caribbean and Central America. Methods are using both standard Sanger-sequencing approaches as well as novel anchored enrichment approaches to look at relationships and species identification across the entire genus. Results support an ancestral association with the ant genus Pheidole, followed by an ancient shift to the New World and diversification onto a wider variety of ant hosts, including Solenopsis, Wasmannia and other myrmicine ant hosts.

A study of the taxonomy and relationships of the leafminer parasitoid tribe Cirrospilini (Eulophidae), which include important parasitoids of the Citrus leafminer and the Citrus Peelmine, is ongoing. These wasps are niche generalists and attack a broad spectrum of insects mining leaves.

An introduced parasitoid (Closterocerus) attacking the new invasive eucalyptus gall former was discovered.  No parasitoid releases have been made against the gall-former, and it is hypothesized that the wasp was imported along with the newly established pest.

An NSF grant to revise the classification of the entire superfamily Chalcidoidea will tackle molecular, morphological and bioinformatic approaches to resolve the relationships of the superfamily. The project will disseminate information on the group through electronic resources and a new book that outlines the classification and biology of the group. Members of this superfamily are among the most important natural and introduced control agents of other pest insects, and this will form a foundation for all future studies on the group.

Phylogenetic analysis was conducted on species of the egg parasitoids (mainly Trissolcus and Telenomus) of Halyomorpha halys and its close relatives.

Surveys were carried out in Kansas where previously known populations of the larger tamarisk beetle, Diorhabda carinata, had occurred in 2014. Tamarisk beetles were located in only one county.  The date of recovery was the earliest recorded emergence date for any Diorhabda species in the U.S.  However, the other locations, which comprised nineteen sites in eleven counties, had no populations at any time during the surveys. The low or absent populations of tamarisk beetles in Kansas matches what was observed all over the Midwest. Factors for these data possibly include unseasonably early heavy rains that caused widespread flooding where overwintering adults and pupae resided, relatively high humidity which is detrimental to the beetles, and a greater abundance of predators early in the season.

Collaborative projects continued on New World green lacewings. Emphasis was on three regions of South America and also Hawaii; primary pest targets were aphids, scales, mealybugs, and other soft-bodied arthropods. Significant progress was made in establishing reliable taxonomic information for making identifications of adults and larvae in the large chrysopid tribes Chrysopini and Leucochrysini. The results will help future work on the biology, mass production, and use of these predators in biological and integrated pest control programs.

Invasion pathways of the African coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampeii) were examined using phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses, which suggest a likely route of invasion from Kenya to Uganda to Latin America to Hawaii

A combined morphological, molecular and biological study has shown that the shoot-mining weevil species (which attacks Linaria spp.) presently named M. janthinus is actually composed of two cryptic species, M. janthiniformis sp. n., which is associated with L. genistifolia and L. dalmatica in southeastern Europe and M. janthinus, which is associated with L. vulgaris in most of Europe.

Objective 4. Determine environmental safety of exotic candidates prior to release.

Many non-target studies and host-specificity tests are underway. Examples follow.

Host specificity tests in laboratory for Lepidapion argentatum for Genista monspessulana. Field experiments to evaluate host specificity of Larinus filiformis for Centaurea solstitialis in Turkey.

Argentatum lepidapion, was imported into quarantine for studies of its safety and efficacy as a biocontrol agent against French broom. Studies on the effect of long-wave UV light on population development of the mite Aceria salsolae on Russian thistle were completed to examine host range under realistic light conditions in quarantine. UV light did not reduce the ability of the mite to develop populations on two nontarget plants.  Host range and host specificity testing for three natural enemies of ACP nymphs collected from Pakistan has been completed for Tamarixia radiate. T. radiata and D. aligarhensis have received release permits.

Host specificity testing of Oporopsamma wertheimsteini for rush skeletonweed control continued.  Newly hatch larvae were transferred to: Chondrilla juncea, Grindelia squarrosa, Krigia biflora, Krigia montana, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lygodesmia juncea, and Solidago prob. missouriensis.   Larvae only developed on the rush skeletonweed controls which had high mortality of smaller plant due to Oporopsamma feeding. CABI continued conducting supplemental host-specificity tests, as recommended by the USDA, for the gall-forming weevil Ceutorhynchus cardariae. Mite-infested Russian olive branches were collected in Iran and moved to quarantine at the CABI Centre in Switzerland. Mite-infested leaves were pinned to leaves of test plant species and to Russian olive, including six North American species of the family Eleagnaecae and Rhamnaceae. None of the test plants were attacked by A. angustifoliae.

Objective 5. Release, establish and redistribute natural enemies.

Many releases and redistributions of natural enemies (tens of thousands) were carried out against pests in 2015. Examples include:

Shipments to US cooperators of Tetramesa romana and Rhizaspidiotus donacis for biological control of Arundo donax; and shipments to US cooperators of Psyttalia lounsburyi for biological control of Bactrocera oleae. The specific egg parasitoid, Aprostocetus fukutai, was released in Italy to control Anoplophora chinensis.

After four seasons, the establishment of the planthopper Megamelus scutellaris on water hyacinth was confirmed. This is the first site in the western U.S., in Folsom, California.The arundo wasp (Tetramesa romana) and arundo armored scale (Rhizaspidiotus donacis) were released for biocontrol of arundo at six new sites in northern California.  In cooperation with the CDFA, approx. 2,000,000 T. radiata have been released in urban areas and organic citrus orchards for biocontrol of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). Approximately 80,000 D. aligarhensis were released in similar areas.  Agents of Rhaponticum repens were released at four sites in Wyoming; two sites each for Aulacidea acroptilonica and Jaapiella ivannikovi, respectively.  Establishment of A. acroptilonica from previous releases was confirmed at four of five release sites.

The coconut rhino beetles invading Guam (2007), Hawaii (2013), Papua New Guinea (2015), and Solomon Islands (2015) are genetically different from other populations of this pest and are resistant to Oryctes nudivirus, the biocontrol agent of choice for this species. For these reasons, they are being referred to as the "the Guam Biotype".  Metarhizium majus was introduced from the Philippines. This entomopathogenic fungus has spread throughout Guam, but surveys indicate that less than 20% mortality is being realized.

Approximately 15,350 Aulacidea acroptilonica adults were reared from galls on Russian knapweed collected at an established field site or at the MSU insectary. Adults were released at field sites in Montana.  Over 1,000 Jaapiella galls were collected and sent to Beaverhead and Hill Counties. Several hundred galls were collected for the Whitehall High School insectary.

A consignment of 100 adults of Bradyrrhoa gilveolella was made to California to use against rush skeletonweed. 

Objective 6. Evaluate natural enemy efficacy and study ecological/physiological basis for interactions.

A program has been identifying parasitoids for a survey of citrus leafminer in southern California and developing a pictorial identification key to species. Assistance in identification of parasitoids of armored scales on imported and local avocados and citrus for projects was also provided.

The rate of parasitism by A. fukutai of A. chinensis eggs was assessed for 8 sites of an infestation in Italy.  An experiment measured the interaction between a root-galling weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis, and a soil pathogen, Rhizoctonia sp., attacking the invasive weed, Lepidium draba.  Microbial species associated with the giant reed leaf sheath midge, Lasioptera donacis were identified. 

Assessment of parasitoid dispersal and parasitism of cereal leaf beetle by the host-specific wasp in newly planted wheat fields in northern Utah demonstrated that the parasitoid has very strong ability to match its host in dispersal over long distances across a disturbed agricultural landscape, and that colonization lag is of little importance for the success of biocontrol associated with this pest-parasitoid interaction.

The efficacy of the psyllid Arytinnis hakani on French broom was evaluated in quarantine. Three generations of feeding and reproduction killed 80% of large potted plants and reduced plant size by over 50%, but one generation of feeding only killed 20% of plants.

The first year of studies to compare field population size and greenhouse cage oviposition and development by three previously-released agents of yellow starthistle on invasive western U.S. accessions in comparison to a Greek accession was completed. The agents being examined include the flower- and seedhead-feeding weevil Eustenopus villosus, the flower-galling fly Urophora sirunaseva, and the seedhead-feeding fly Chaetorellia succinea.

Studies of long-term establishment of the weevil M. janthiniformis on Dalmatian toadflax were continued in the U.S.  These studies include damage and agent population size assessment on this weed, as well as determination of plant biodiversity in release plots.

Long-term surveys of aphelinids attacking Bemisia tabaci in cotton were conducted from 1996-2010 during which a classical biological control program was underway. Several native aphelinid species were largely or completely displaced by exotic Eretmocerus sp. (Ethiopia) and Encarsia sophia in the early 2000’s and E. sophia has become the dominant parasitoid in cotton after many years of predominance by Eretmocerus.

Lifetable studies and videography work evaluating natural enemy impacts against ACP are ongoing. More than 6,000 h of video has been digitally recorded and is being analyzed to determine the identity and impact of natural enemies visiting ACP cohorts on citrus plants.

Monitoring effectiveness of the Erythrina gall wasp parasitoid continues. 

Goal B: Conserve Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control of Target Pests.

Objective 7. Characterize and identify pest and natural enemy communities and their interactions. 

Research on the citrus peelminer and citrus leafminer has involved assistance with the identification of parasitoids from field studies in California and central Mexico.

The occurrence and abundance of indigenous early larval parasitoids (Spathius erythrocephalus and/or Trigonoderus princeps) on A. chinensis larvae in Italy was assessed.

Objective 8. Identify and assess factors potentially disruptive to biological control.

Overwintering survival of Abrostola asclepiadis, a candidate for biocontrol of Vincetoxicum spp. was measured.  Abundance of A. chinensis and A. fukutai was compared among years (2015 versus previous years) in study plots of a zone subjected to substantial efforts of eradication of the pest.

A series of controlled laboratory studies were completed to measure potential impacts of transgenic Bt crops on several natural enemy species (Zelus, Amblyseius ). Protocols involve tri-trophic exposure scenarios in which prey or host are fed on Bt crops and then exposed to predators or parasitoids. To control for prey or host quality mediated effects, Bt resistance and non-susceptible prey and hosts were employed. Results have uniformly shown neutral effects of Bt proteins on multiple biological parameters of these natural enemies.

Argentine ants have developed disruptive mutualisms with D. citri nymphs. Nymphs provide honeydew which the ants collect and in turn they provide protection from natural enemies, especially parasitoids.  It has been determined that biocontrol of increases significantly if the mean number of ants ascending a citrus tree trunk in a 2 min observation period is less than 10. Reducing ant densities is possible by deploying sucrose baits laced with very small amounts of pesticide.

Objective 9. Implement and evaluate habitat modification, horticultural practices, and pest suppression tactics to conserve natural enemy activity.

Analyses are underway to develop and validate economic thresholds for Bemisia tabaci that account for the abundance of key predatory arthropods.  Experimental data was collected in 2011-2012, controlled validation studies were completed in 2013 and validation studies were expanded to commercial growers in AZ and Mexico in 2015.

Goal C:  Augment Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control Efficacy.

Objective 10. Assess biological characteristics of natural enemies.

The survival rate during diapause/hibernation of A. fukutai larvae was determined in host eggs in potted living host trees, and in natural climatic conditions (outdoor cages).

A laboratory experiment was conducted to assess the ability of larvae of the green lacewing, Chrysoperla rufilabris, to use tactile and olfactory cues to find aphid prey. Tests with washed and unwashed leaves, and with and without aphids present, did not reveal any differences in time taken for predators to locate leaves with aphids or putative cues when foraging at a distance of ca. 10 cm starting at the base of soybean seedlings.  In addition, when given a choice of leaves with and without aphids or possible semiochemicals, larvae accessed both treated and control leaves equally, suggesting that these lacewing larvae may only be able to detect prey cues within a very short range. 

Objective 11. Develop procedures for rearing, storing, quality control and release of natural enemies, and conduct experimental releases to assess feasibility.

Results have been reported under other objectives, but a few specific examples from 2015 follow.

Experiments were conducted to increase efficiency of mass-rearing the parasitoid Psyttalia lounsburyi for biological control of Bactrocera oleae.

Experiments were conducted using only the collar zone of potted Acer pseudoplatanus (with thick bark) as oviposition sites for Anoplophora chinensis to increase survival of A. fukutai larvae during diapause

The effects of cold storage on locally collected and now mass-reared Trichogramma pretiosum for bulking wasps for augmentative release was investigated.  

Objective 12. Implement augmentation programs and evaluate efficacy of natural enemies.

Results have been reported under other objectives, but a few specific examples from 2015 follow.

Field tests were conducted using sentinel trees infested with eggs of A. chinensis to attract and capture wild A. fukutai in Italy in sites subjected to eradication of the pest, and thus show evidence of the persistence of residual populations of the host, and efficacy of the egg parasitoid in low host density populations.

Effectiveness of the Erythrina gall wasp parasitoid continues to be monitored.

Goal D:  Evaluate Environmental and Economic Impacts and Raise Public Awareness of Biological Control.

Objective 13. Evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of biological control agents. 

Follow-up assessments of introductions in the 1990s of biological control agents against leafy spurge in the foothills of northern Utah on elk winter range revealed that the weed is now reduced to only 4% of its former abundance while other forbs and grasses have increased several fold in abundance, thereby resulting in much more favorable habitat for wildlife.

Ongoing monitoring of a population of Jaapiella ivannikovi, a gall-forming biological control agent for Rhaponticum (Acroptilon repens), has allowed the assessment of two measures of impact on the target weed: the percentage of Rhaponticum shoots galled, and the density of Rhaponticum shoots.  In 2015, the percentage of shoots attacked had reached about 14%.  Shoot density has increased.  Impacts of J. ivannikovi are still relatively low.  

Objective 14. Develop and implement outreach activities for biological control programs.

For A. ventenata, a smartphone app and a website, for identifying the target weed and geo-referencing new invaded locations, were designed and will be available in early 2016 for U.S. farmers.

In order to disseminate information for the public about Asian Citrus Psyllid biocontrol, active outreach programs have been developed that involve talks at meetings of Master Gardeners, CAPCA, PAPA, California Horticultural Clubs and a variety of professional society meetings (e.g., Entomological Society of America). Regular contriubtions to trade magazines like CAPCA Adviser and Citrograph also help. Two websites are maintained where research summaries are posted.

Two outreach presentations were given about impacts of biological control, one focused on Rhaponticum (=Acroptilon) repens and another on Linaria dalmatica. 

From March 23-27, 2015 approximately 30 quarantine personnel from the CNMI, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, and Guam were trained in the importance of natural enemies in regulating populations of invasive insect pests in Micronesia, with special recognition of the potential impact of Hemiptera and ants if not intercepted or detected at or shortly after introduction to the islands. Regulations for importing natural enemies and prohibiting the entry of potential pests were discussed, along with methods for inspection and enforcement of regulations.  This activity was the 13^th of its kind hosted by the University of Guam and sponsored jointly by the Secretariat of the Pacific Commission, the Guam Department of Agriculture, and USDA-APHIS.

Anderson, J. M., S. A. Willden, D. L. Wright, and E. W. Evans. 2015.  Long term outcomes of population suppression of leafy spurge by insects in the mountain foothills of northern Utah. American Midland Naturalist 174: 1-13.

Andreazza, F., and J. A. Rosenheim.  2015.  Absence of transgenerational phenotypic plasticity in fecundity in the parasitoid Anagrus erythroneurae (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae).  Journal of Insect Science 15(1):138.  (DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iev122).

Beck, J. J., N. Porter, D. Cook, W. S. Gee, C. M. Griffith, A. D. Rands,  T. V. Truong,  L. Smith and I. San Román. 2015. In-field volatile analysis employing a hand-held portable gc-ms: emission profiles differentiate damaged and undamaged yellow starthistle flower heads. Phytochemical Analysis 26: 395-403.

Bistline, A., and M. S. Hoddle. Biology of Psyllaphycus diaphorinae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a hyperparasitoid of Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. Doi: 10.1093/aesa/sav113. 

Bistline-East, A., R. Pandey, M. Kececi, and M. S. Hoddle. 2015. Host range testing of Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) for use in classical biological control of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in California. Journal of Economic Entomology. DOI: 10.1093/jee/tov020 11 pages.

Bon M. C., K. A. Hoelmer, C. H. Pickett, A. A. Kirk, H. Yurong, R. Mahmood, and K.M. Daane. 2015. Populations of Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) and its parasitoids in Himalayan Asia . Annals of the Entomological Society of America 2015, 1-11. Doi:10.1093/aesa/sav114.

Burks, R. A., Heraty, J. M., Pinto, J. D., Grimaldi, D. 2015a. Small but not ephemeral: newly discovered species of Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Eocene amber. Systematic Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12124.

Burks, R. A., Mottern, J., Heraty, J. M. 2015. Revision of the Orasema festiva species group (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eucharitidae). Zootaxa 3972 (4): 521–534.

Burks, R. A., Mottern, J. L., Pownall, N. G., Waterworth, R. and Paine, T. 2015b. First record of Closterocerus chamaeleon, parasitoid of the Eucalyptus Gall Wasp Ophelimus maskelli (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae), in the New World. Zookeys 504: 149-152.

Chapman, E. G., R. H. Messing, J. D. Harwood. 2015. Determining the origin of the coffee berry borer invasion of Hawaii. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 108 (4): 585-592.

De Biase, A., E. Colonnelli, S. Belvedere, A. La Marca, M. Cristofaro and L. Smith. 2015. Genetic and morphological studies of Trichosirocalus species introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand for the biological control of thistles. Bulletin of Entomological Research.  doi:10.1017/S000748531500084X.

De Biase, A., E. Colonnelli, S. Belvedere, A. La Marca, M. Cristofaro and L. Smith. 2015. Genetic and morphological studies of Trichosirocalus species introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand for the biological control of thistles. Bulletin of Entomological Research. doi:10.1017/S000748531500084X.

Eckegaray, E., R. A. Cloyd and J. R. Nechols. 2015. Rove beetle, Dalotia coriaria (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) predation on the fungus gnat, Bradysia sp. nr. coprophila (Diptera: Sciaridae). J. Entomological Science. 50: 225-237.

Evans, E. W. 2015.  Rapid but limited aggregation of ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in response to sugar availability in the field. Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemicae 79: 65-71.

Evans, E. W., V. L. J. Bolshakova and N. R. Carlile. 2015.  Parasitoid dispersal and colonization lag in disturbed habitats: biological control of cereal leaf beetle metapopulations. Journal of Applied Entomology 139: 529-538.

Giunti, G., G. G. Benelli, A. Canale, R. H. Messing, E. Donati, C. Stefanini & J. P. Michaud. 2015. Parasitoid learning: current knowledge and implications for biological control. Biological Control, 90: 208–219. 

Herron-Sweet, C. R., J. L. Littlefield, E. A. Lehnhoff, L. A. Burkle, and J. M. Mangold. 2015. Native parasitoids associated with the biological control agents of Centaurea stoebe in Montana, USA. Biological Control 86:20-27.

Hinz, H. L. and D. Alecu. 2015. Biology and field host range of Ceutorhynchus cardariae, a potential biological control agent for Lepidium draba. Journal of Applied Entomology 139 (3): 168-178.

Hoddle, M. S., K. Warner, J. Steggall, and K. M. Jetter. 2015. Classical biological control of invasive legacy crop pests: new technologies offer opportunities to revisit old pest problems in perennial tree crops. Insects 6: 13-37.

Khan, M., H. Khan, and J. R. Ruberson. 2015. Lethal and behavioral effects of selected novel pesticides on adults of Trichogramma pretiosum (Trichogrammatidae: Hymenoptera). Pest Management Science 71: 1640-1648.

Littlefield, J. L., K. Keever, and J. Birdsall. 2015. The Montana action Plan for the Biological Control of Invasive Plants. Montana Biological Control Working Group January 2015. 42 p.

Manandhar, R. & Wright, M. G. 2015. Effects of interplanting flowering plants on the biological control of corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Sweet Corn. Journal of Economic Entomology (In press: DOI: 10.1093/jee/tov306).

Manandhar, R., Wright, M. G. 2015. Enhancing biological control of corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea and thrips through habitat management and inundative release of Trichogramma pretiosum in corn cropping systems. Biological Control 89: 84-90.

Mehelis, C. N., J. Balciunas, A, M. Reddy, V. D.Westhuizen, S. Neser, P. J. Moran 2015. Biology and host range of Digitivalva delaireae (Lepidoptera:Glyphipterigidae), a candidate agent for biological control of Cape-ivy (Delairea odorata) in California and Oregon. Environmental Entomology 44: 260-276.

Moran, P. J. 2015. Effect of water deficit on generation time and reproduction of the gall wasp Tetramesa romana, a biological control agent of giant reed (Arundo donax).  Biocontrol Science and Technology 25: 859-872.

Naranjo, S. E., Ellsworth, P. C., Frisvold, G. B. 2015. Economic value of biological control in integrated pest management of managed plant systems. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 60: 621-645.

Obrycki, J. J., M. J. Tauber and C. A. Tauber. 2015. Thermal requirements for development of predatory insects: Contributions of Alois Honěk, including data on three Nearctic species. Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemicae 79: 105-111.

Reddy, A. N., C. N. Mehelis. 2015. Pre-release efficacy assessment of the leaf-mining moth Digitivalva delaireae (Lepidoptera: Glyphipterigidae), a potential biological control agent for Cape-ivy, Delairea odorata (Asteraceae), in western North America. Biological Control 90: 67-74.

Segoli, M., and J. A. Rosenheim.  2015.  The effect of body size on the oviposition success of a minute insect parasitoid in nature.  Ecological Entomology 40:483-485.

Smith L. and J. J. Beck. 2015. Duration of emission of volatile organic compounds from mechanically damaged plant leaves. Journal of Plant Physiology 188: 19-28.

Su, H. H, Tian, J. C., Naranjo, S. E., Romeis, J., Hellmich, R. L., Shelton, A. M. 2015. Bacillus thuringiensis plants expressing Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab and Cry1F are not toxic to the assassin bug, Zelus renardii. Journal of Applied Entomology 139: 23-30.

Talamas E. J, M.V. Herlihy, C. Dieckhoff , K. A. Hoelmer, M. L. Buffington, M-C. Bon, and D. C. Weber. 2015. Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) emerges in North America. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 43: 119–128. doi: 10.3897/JHR.43.4661

Tauber, C. A. and F. Sosa. 2015. Rediscovery of Nuvol umbrosus Navás (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae, Leucochrysini): a redescription and discussion. ZooKeys 519: 141-153.   

Toševski, I., Caldara, R., Jović J., Hernandez-Vera, G., Baviera, C., Gassmann, A. and Emerson, B.C. 2015. Host associated genetic divergence and taxonomy in the Rhinusa pilosa Gyllenhal species complex: an integrative approach. Systematic Entomology 40, 268-287.