Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Project S-1052 chairman, Steve Arthurs, at 8:30 am on Saturday, 14 November, 2015, in the Hyatt Regency (Minneapolis, MN) in conjunction with the Entomological Society of America’s 2015 Annual Meeting.   

Introductions: Welcome to all and begin with introductions (22 participants). Recap project objectives. There are 27 members of this working group listed on the NIMMS web site (an increase of 23 from last year’s list). Attendees introduced themselves and provided synopses of their research programs and other responsibilities. (S. Arthurs)

Approval of 2014 Annual Meeting Minutes: The 2014 minutes were distributed (available on website). No suggestions from the floor for changes. A motion to accept the 2014 minutes was made (Surendra Dara) and seconded (David Shapiro-Ilan). The motion passed unanimously. Minutes for this meeting are required to be posted within 60 days for the report. (S. Arthurs)

Chairs Report –: Participants are happy with the new format of the working group meeting coinciding with the ESA national meeting. We have a member symposium entitled “Ecological Engineering to Improve Microbial Control Agents” with 8 speakers. We obtained $1500 funding through ESA to support Dr. Ivan Hiltpold attending from Western Sydney University. We also had a member symposium “Regional Status of Microbial Control Programs” with 10 speakers accepted for the 2016 International Congress of Entomology. We have been awarded Complimentary Registrations and $2,000 Travel Stipend from ESA for this symposium. (S. Arthurs)

LGU Administrative Advisor’s Comments –The purpose and background of the working group was provided. 20% of NIFA funds are allocated for regional type activity. Emphasis on establishing multi-state collaborations thorough funding travel. To become a member, delegates can register through NIMMS with approval from their state experiment station. The organizing committee should invite representatives from industry to improve collaboration opportunities. Industry can be official members. Previously, the group comprised 50% industry; 25% university staff and students and 25% USDA; this is not the current status of the group. Donna Pearce (southern region administrator) can help with this objective. Members of the working group should not overlap project objectives from multistate projects with personal HATCH projects (or other USDA projects) to avoid issues of duplication of reporting. The S1052 project ends September 2017 (the deadline for proposals is February 2016). This group should consider submitting a nomination for the USDA-NIFA’s Southern Region Project Award (deadline February). Project organizers should start planning new objectives and impact statements for a new project. Projects including ‘hot topics’ such as climate change, organic agriculture, and water-conservation are more likely to be funded. The website needs to be updated. (R. Leonard)

Officer Elections: S. Arthurs is replaced by S. Dara as project chair. R. Behle is vice-chair. J. Klick was elected as member-at-large by the group. T. Goble will remain as Secretary.

In addition to the participants at the meeting, other S-1052 members including: David Oi, Stefan Jaronski, Albrecht Koppenhöfer, Gabriel Mascarin, Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes, Parwinder Grewal and Ann Hajek provided reports of research progress captured in this section of activities, outputs and short-term outcomes.  

Subproject 1. Annual Crops

Testing in vivo and in vitro production techniques of nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) was continued for black cutworm. Several participants expressed an interest of testing products in turfgrass and vegetables. (Behle)

Research on sugarbeet root maggot (SBRM), management in North Dakota. An integrated approach used two fungal formulations (M. anisopliae MA1200 conidia corn meal granules, and M. brunneum F52 microsclerotia on diatomaceous earth granules). These formulations were applied via conventional equipment. Formulations were tested alone and in combination with SBRM-resistant germplasm, Poncho Beta (clothianidin plus beta-cyfluthrin) chemical seed treatment insecticide; and Counter 20G (terbufos), a standard organophosphate. SBRM control provided by combining fungal granules with Poncho Beta was similar to terbufos alone, but neither fungal treatment provided significant sucrose yield increases. Two things potentially impacting the results were a late planting date and high SBRM infestations. As a result, plants were small and highly vulnerable to SBRM attack at the initiation of the larval feeding period.  Findings suggest that sugarbeet production in SBRM-infested areas would be compromised, but may be sustainable if conventional insecticides like terbufos are not available in the future. Further research on alternative control tools is anticipated. This work represented a collaborative effort between North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND), USDA-ARS (Sidney, MT), and USDA-ARS (Fargo, ND). (Boetel)

A student completed two-years of PhD training at USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL, under supervision of Mark Jackson and Robert W. Behle on technologies for liquid culture of shelf-stable blastospores of Beauveria spp. and microsclerotia of Trichoderma spp., coupled with convective drying systems. These technologies were submitted by USDA-ARS for PCT patents. Current work includes seed coatings with beneficial microorganisms. Partners are needed to focus on the deployment of these fungal propagules to other herbivore–pathogen–plant systems. Additional projects at Embrapa (Brazil) evaluated novel formulation and delivery systems for pests of bean, soybean, cotton, rice etc. (Mascarin)

Work is continuing with several pathogens against wheat stem sawfly larvae. Several strains of Beauveria spp. have been obtained, and a patent for their use has been filed by USDA-ARS, (Sidney, MT) and MSU.  Scott Portman (postdoctoral scientist) tested entomopathogenic nematodes in stubble (no till), but efficacy was limited by the larval plug hole which is hydrophobic. Selected surfactants were used to improve penetration.  Weather conditions in Montana during the fall were hard (cold, dry and windy) and not conducive to these tests.  Another project with entomopathogenic fungi (Amber Ferda) against the wheat stem sawfly also was limited by larval concealment and weather conditions. Further work was done (Frank Antwi) with fungal-seed coating technology against wireworms, however granular applications of the fungus worked better.  Additional work with pathogens is being performed with canola flea beetle and alfalfa weevil.  New Beauveria spp. combination products by Lavarlam are being commercialized and include X-pulse (pyrethrum plus Beauveria spp.) and X-pectro (neem plus Beauveria spp.).  It was recommended that both need to be tested in organic systems. There was a question of B. bassiana persistence in wheat soils. (Reddy)

Scientists in California are working to integrate IPM in strawberries and vegetable crops. Bagrada bug is new pest of cole crops, corn, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and other crops.  This pest is attracted to brown marmorated stink bug traps.  B. bassiana and azadirachtin, alone and in combination were evaluated for root aphid on organic celery. The products, Grandevo and Venerate, worked reasonably well against Bagrada bug and root aphids in celery. Mycotrol (B. bassiana GHA) and orange peel derivative were tested against Bagrada bug in winter cole crops.  Mycotrol-O plus OroBoost plus azadirachtin was a recommended product. Grandevo’s performance against Lygus spp. remains inconsistent. Growers are currently using predatory mites for spider mite control and bug vacuums for Lygus spp.  Mycotrol-O (organic) lost its organic label leaving few available products for this market. Alfalfa fields can be mowed and used as an insect pest trap crop for strawberry. Growers remain critical of microbial control. Organic tomatoes have a lack of good insecticides. Physical barriers – row covers – are not practical for effective field control in California systems.  Classical biocontrol remains the best option. (Dara)

Grandevo was not effective against thrips in trials. (Wraight)

Gandevo and Venerate were tested against pecan weevil in pecans with very positive results. (Shapiro-Ilan)

The effectiveness of Gemstar (Heliothis NPV) was questioned and suggested for testing in 2016.  IPM programs using trap crops (alfalfa) for Lygus spp. were for organic strawberry. (Klick)

Testing effect of organic management practices on natural abundance of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in corn and soybean systems. Collected > 100 isolates of Metarhizium spp. (M. robertsii; M. brunneum; M. anisopliae). EPF more abundant in corn and negatively associated with copper or zinc, that is associated with manure build up. Results suggest that Metarhizium spp. are more tolerant of disturbance in agricultural systems, whereas Beauveria spp. are more often associated with natural habitats. (Barbercheck)

Tomato growers requested assistance in solving a recent problem of root knot nematode. Recent work (Turkish trials) indicated that bacteria associated with EPN can decrease plant pathogens. Tomato plant roots dipped in bacterial cultures mixed with carboxymethyl cellulose significantly reduced plant diseases at efficacy levels similar to that of selected chemical fungicides.  The bacterium may need to be registered separately for future commercialized products.  This Turkish scientist (Selcuk Hazir) also has been working on Photorhabdus spp. and Xenorhabdus spp. metabolites for suppression of plant diseases; most recently he has been collaborating with Shapiro-Ilan.  This work has led to a patent for use of these metabolites against pecan and peach diseases. (Lewis)

Work continued to progress for the development of RNAi gene silencing for control of kudzu bug. A new Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin (Cry1Ie), developed as an alternative for Ostrinia nubilalis in Bt crops, expressed activity against coleopterans. (Jurat-Fuentes)

Ongoing studies indicated success in extracting compounds of bacteria and fungi isolated from ephemeral sponges in rainforests in the Amazon. (Verle Rodrigues)

Subproject 2. Perennial Crops

Research on cowpea (black eyed pea) weevil was done in Georgia.  Infestations from this pests increase in fields adjacent to a forest border because the adults overwinter in leaf litter. These areas require significant levels of chemical mediation.   Selected nematodes such as H. bacteriophora, S. feltiae, S. riobrave, etc. were applied to the soil to target the cowpea weevil adults. Epizootics (possibly B. bassiana) in kudzu bug infestations also were reported in Georgia. (Schmidt)

Projects on two pests (citrus psyllids and Bemisia spp. whiteflies) challenged with Isaria fumosorosea were completed. Another project with Chinese collaborators quantified host immunological response to infection through upregulated enzyme systems. (Arthurs)

Work with B. bassiana (GHA) against coffee berry borer (CBB) in Hawaii indicated that residual activity of the fungus was limited (one week). The action threshold for coffee damage is > 2%. In Hawaii, B. bassiana formulations are applied once per month for CBB management.  Sanitation is extremely important, but problems arise from neighboring coffee farms that do not control the pest. (Wraight)

Burkholderia bacterial endosymbionts were associated with caecum and ovaries of southern chinch bug (turf pest). These bacteria (acquired horizontally or vertically) can detoxify compounds in their host. Lab studies showed that selected bacteria provide resistance against entomopathogenic fungi and some pesticides. The resistance apparently correlated with number of bacteria (but not necessarily ribotypes) found inside the insect. These bacteria might be targeted with antibiotics. Some stink bugs also contain Burkholderia bacteria. Another scientist (recently retired) worked on phage therapy, with difficulty getting phages into the insect midgut. (Boucias)

The interactive effect of plant domestication and perennial cultivation on abundance, diversity and virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) was associated with highbush blueberry. The rhizospheric soil of plants was sampled in wild and cultivated sites within the Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey. Soil samples were baited with wax moth larvae and isolated EPN identified using molecular barcoding. The virulence of three native isolates was assessed against oriental beetle larvae. EPN diversity was higher in rhizospheric soil associated with wild plants than in plants from cultivated fields. Only Steinernema glaseri was isolated from cultivated fields. However, EPN abundance was higher in the cultivated sites.  A PCA analysis of soil characteristics linked higher plant nutrients in soil from cultivated fields but higher soil moisture, organic matter, boron and lower pH at wild plant-associated soil sites. Cultivation of domesticated blueberries may increase the abundance of EPN species that is more virulent against the presumed host, A. orientalis but appears to eliminate genetic variability from the EPN community. (Koppenhöfer)

A beetle, Fuller rose weevil (FRW), has become a new pest target in California citrus due to new trade importation restrictions. Several microbial control measures were tested. Results indicated that FRW larvae can be parasitized by EPN. A mixture of S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora is a promising strategy to target larvae and adults simultaneously. (Lewis)

Work continued to progress with hydromulch (Metarhizium brunneum F52 microsclerotia plus water + wheat straw mulch + psyllium tackifier). In July field trials were conducted at the USDA-ARS Fruit and Tree Nut Research Unit (Byron, Georgia) against pecan weevil. The treatments compared hydromulch with the commercial product Mycotrol (applied in oil).  Results showed that the latter treatment was more effective. Optimizing the formulation ratios is needed to enhance control and follow-up studies in pecans and turf are planned. (Goble)

New isolates (200) of Beauveria spp. were characterized from coffee berry borer (CBB) in Puerto Rico. Currently only Beauveria GHA is registered for pest management. Endemic strains of fungi and bacteria collected from coffee plantations may provide better control CBB options. Additional collaboration is occurring with Hawaii coffee growers. (Verle Rodrigues)

White grubs (Cyclocephala hirta and C. longula) are major pests encountered in organic blueberries.  The EPN, H. bacteriophora (1 billion IJs/A), provided 40% control of third instar white grubs.  Growers now use these treatments commercially, but pest thresholds have not yet been established in this crop. Research projects in Mexico tested botanical and microbial products in blackberries and raspberries against broad mites. Sulfur and PFR plus azadirect performed best in small scale field trials against mites. Performance of new acaracidal oils (Ecotec, Tritech, and Pestout) were discussed. (Klick)

Peach tree borer (PTB) was targeted with EPN (Steinernema carpocapsae) and applied with handgun, smart trunk sprayer, boom sprayer, or irrigation.  Barricade gel was applied with EPN in orchards where there is no irrigation. EPN also worked well against lesser PTB when using Barricade.  Sunscreen adjuvants (e.g. TiO2) are being evaluated to enhance the Barricade treatment and further protect EPN.  The use of a trap tree containing an insect attractant coupled with EPN helped control Plum curculio weevils organically.  In pecans, the biopesticide, Grandevo (applied in the canopy), as well as EPN and fungi (in the soil) were tested against pecan weevil. The programs worked as well as the current organic standard. Other scientists from Brazil and Turkey are working on nematode production and are using bacterial metabolites against plant pathogens. (Shapiro-Ilan)

Subproject 3. Natural and Urban Landscapes

Commercial entomopathogenic fungi were tested against chilli thrips on roses in Florida. Bioinsecticide programs provided significant control (typically ≈ 50-80% control), but were consistently less effective when compared with spinosad. No differences between standalone treatments and rotations were observed. Spinosad was most effective (85%+ control), however, western flower thrips have developed resistant to spinosad in Florida. (Arthurs and Aristizabal)

The USDA – ARS, Gainesville, FL provided a report from a cooperative project with the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.  Fire ant pathogens (Kneallhazia solenopsae and Solenopsis invicta virus-3) and decapitating phorid flies were established in the Palm Desert area of California during 2014. Fire ant nest counts have not declined at sites where the pathogens have established, but it is probably too early to assess population impacts. Mandatory water conservation regulations initiated in 2015 also may impact these projects. A microsporidian pathogen (Myrmecomorba nylanderiae) of the invasive tawny crazy ant was discovered and described by University of Texas and USDA - ARS (Gainesville, FL) researchers.  Mechanisms of transmission and impact on ant colonies are unknown. The cooperative project with the “Foundation for the Study of Invasive Species” to locate new pathogens of imported fire ants is continuing. (Valles, Porter, and Oi)

Progress was provided on rangeland grasshopper research in Sidney, MT.  A candidate Metarhizium spp. isolated by Don Roberts (Utah State), plus the African and Australian M. acridum strains are currently in field tests against Melanoplus differentialis using outdoor cages to allow normal thermoregulation. The nonindigenous M. acridum strains overcome host thermoregulation, but the native strains do not. Discussions are underway with BASF regarding a commercialization agreement for a selected M. acridum strains to be used in North America (BASF owns ‘Green Guard’ and has license for ‘Green Muscle’). USDA-ARS (Sidney, MT) scientists are collaborating with a startup company, Ecopesticides LLC, to develop and commercialize UV protectant technologies, which seem to be both practical and effective, for chewing insect pests. Work with these technologies are being extended to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains.  Cooperative projects among USDA-ARS scientists (Sidney and Beltsville, MD) are screening the very large USDA-ARS Bt culture collection for grasshopper-active strains, using molecular techniques based on recent Chinese publications. (Jaronski) 

Work was reported with the nematode, Deladenus siricidicola, which attacks invasive Sirex woodwasps. Surveys indicated that the pest, S. noctilio, has killed pine trees in seven states and is spreading south and west across the US.  The nematode, D. siricidicola, sterilizes woodwasps eggs and has been a very successful biological control agent in Australia, but the Deladenus spp. strain currently in North America does not sufficiently sterilize these wasps.  There is a project underway to determine if a native nematode, D. proximus can sterilize S. noctilio. (Hajek and Goble)

A novel fungal formulation ‘hydromulch’ containing M. brunneum F52 microsclerotia, wheat straw and a tackifier product was tested against the invasive pest, Asian longhorn beetle. The slurry is applied to trees in an attempt to infect and kill the adult beetle as it climbs the tree. There are technical challenges to maintain the effectiveness of the formulation post- application. A trial with the hydromulch was conducted against Pecan weevil with Shapiro-Ilan.  Results were disappointing and changes to the formulation are proposed. There are opportunities to apply the mulch as a ground application against stages (pupating) of other insects in the soil such as fruit flies. (Goble)

Reports with EPNs and their interaction with imidacloprid were reported from greenhouse and field trials.  Treatment combinations provided additive mortality when applied against annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) larvae. Thus, where imidacloprid is already used for white grub control, its combination with EPN could be a good option for ABW control. These observations have been confirmed with both pyrethroid-susceptible and -resistant ABW populations. Tests were also evaluated fungi spp. for control of these pests.  A product based on Beauveria bassiana was ineffective against pyrethroid-resistant ABW adults, but its performance was synergized with the pyrethroid, bifenthrin. Conversely, B. bassiana did not interact with chlorpyrifos against pyrethroid-resistant ABW adults. Chlorpyrifos used alone was ineffective against pyrethroid-resistant ABW adults. The lack of an effective synthetic adulticide to manage pyrethroid-resistant ABW adults increases the value of a B. bassiana-bifenthrin combination. (Koppenhöfer)

The performance of the Metarhizium F52 microsclerotia was measured against Japanese beetles in turf trials at Purdue. Two applications of the fungus with imidacloprid in August and September provided 50-60% control, compared with 90-100% for imidacloprid used alone. (Behle)

Entomopathogenic fungi were studied against founding pairs of termites. (Lincoln)

The efficacy of Isaria fumosorosea and an IGR (Talus) were tested alone and in combination against rugose spiraling whitefly in semi-field studies. The combination treatment worked best. In another study, the efficacy (and compatibility) of I. fumosorosea and the predatory lady beetle, T. montezumae, was tested against green croton scale. Both the predator and fungus provided significant control of croton scale in greenhouse trials. The fungus was compatible with the predator and readily transferred fungal spores in laboratory tests. I. fumosorosea and T. montezumae are potential biocontrol agents for management of green croton scale.  Additional biopesticide trials were conducted against several pests including Sri Lankan weevil, Madeira mealybug, and ambrosia beetles. (Avery)

Patents

Kobori, N., Mascarin, G.M., and Jackson, M.A. Fungal compositions for use in controlling plant disease and improving plant health. 2014 Patent Application: USDA Docket No. 0109.14

Mascarin, G.M., and Jackson, M.A. Liquid Culture Fermentation for Production of Shelf Stable Blastospores’. 2014 Patent Application: USDA Docket No. 22.14

Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., W. L. Tedders, J. A. Morales-Ramos, and M. G. Rojas. US Patent 8,677,935. System and Method for Producing Beneficial Parasites. Issued March 25, 2014.

Aristizábal, L.F., Ortiz, A.L., Quintero, J.C., López-Nuñez, J.C., Arthurs, S.P. 2015. Effect of Colombian strains of Steinernema colombiense (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) against Eurhizococcus colombianus (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) and Aeneolamia (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). Florida Entomologist 98: 981-983.Dolinski, C. D. I.

Shapiro-Ilan, and E. E. Lewis. 2015. Insect cadaver applications: pros and cons. Pp. 207-230, in: Campos-Herrera, R. (Ed.), Nematode Pathogenesis of Insects and Other Pests - Ecology and Applied Technologies for Sustainable Plant and Crop Protection. Springer Publishing.

Goble, T.A., Hajek, A.E., Jackson, M., Gardescu, S. 2015. Evaluating Metarhizium brunneum F52 microsclerotia applied in a hydromulch for potential control of adult Asian longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 108: 433-443.

Gumus, A. Karagoz^, M., Shapiro-Ilan, D. and Hazir, S. 2015. A novel approach to biocontrol: release of live insect hosts pre-infected with entomopathogenic nematodes. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 130: 56-60.

Lacey, L. A., D. Grzywacz, D. I. Shapiro-Ilan, R. Frutos, M. Brownbridge, and M. S. Goettel. 2015. Insect pathogens as biological control agents: back to the future. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 132: 1-41.

Oi, D. H., Porter S. D., and Valles S. M. 2015. A review of the biological control of fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecol. News 21: 101-116.

Plowes, R.M., Becnel, J.J., LeBrun, E.G., Oi, D.H., Valles, S.M., Jones, N.T., and Gilbert, L.E. 2015. Myrmecomorba nylanderiae et sp. nov., a microsporidian parasite of the tawny crazy ant Nylanderia fulva. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 129: 45–56.

Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., Cottrell, T.E., Mizell, R.F. III., Horton, D.L., and Abdo, Z. 2015. Field suppression of the peachtree borer, Synanthedon exitiosa, using Steinernema carpocapsae: Effects of irrigation, a sprayable gel and application method. Biological Control 82: 7–12.

Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., Mizell, R.F. 2015. An insect pupal cell with antimicrobial properties that suppress an entomopathogenic fungus.  Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 124: 114–116.

Shapiro-Ilan, D. I. S. Hazir, and L. Leite. 2015. Viability and virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes exposed to ultraviolet radiation.  Journal of Nematology 47: 184–189.

Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., and Raymond, B. Limiting opportunities for cheating stabilizes virulence in insect parasitic nematodes. Evolutionary Applications. In Press. Accepted 11-16-2015.

Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., and C. Dolinski. 2015. Entomopathogenic nematode applications technology. Pp. 231-234, in: Campos-Herrera, R. (ed.), Nematode Pathogenesis of Insects and Other Pests - Ecology and Applied Technologies for Sustainable Plant and Crop Protection. Springer Publishing.

Tian, J., Diao, H., Liang, L., Arthurs, S., and Ma, R. 2015. Pathogenicity of Isaria fumosorosea to Bemisia tabaci, with some observations on the fungal infection process. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 130: 147-153.