Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

ACCOMPLISHMENTS These are only a selection of 2016 results. This group works on over 140 different species of arthropod and weed pests. 

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; water hyacinth weevil Neochetina eichhorniae; invasive insects (Bagrada hilaris, Lygus spp. and Rhipicephalus annulatus) and invasive weeds (Arundo donax, Salsola tragus, Taeniatherum caput-medusae).

Indigenous natural enemy surveys have been conducted for species of Reduviidae in southern California. A study that uses integrative approaches (molecular, morphometric, morphological) to delimiting species in this difficult genus is underway. Aphidiid parasitoids of aphids on Guam, Saipan, and Rota were surveyed. Collections of the aphids Pentalonia nigronervosa and P. caladii from banana and comb ginger, respectively, and of Aphis gossypii from curcurbits and other hosts revealed the presence of Lysephlebis testaceipes and Lipolexis oregmae on Guam. Surveys continued in southwestern Kansas in 2016 to locate populations of the larger tamarisk beetle, Diorhabda carinata, which had occurred in relatively high numbers in 2014. However, following heavy rainfall and flooding in 2015, tamarisk beetles were rarely found (low numbers in only one county. In 2016, no beetles were recovered, suggesting that populations are either very low, or no longer present. Surveys were conducted to determine native and adventive natural enemies of French broom in California. Surveys were conducted for possible natural enemies of bagrada bug, Bagrada hilaris, a new exotic pest of cole crops in California.

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 2016; biotypes of the water hyacinth weevil Neochetina eichhorniae were collected by collaborators and shipped to the USDA ARS Albany quarantine facility; foreign exploration was conducted in the Eastern Hemisphere for prospective biological control agents of invasive insects (Bagrada hilaris, Lygus spp. and Rhipicephalus annulatus) and invasive weeds (Arundo donax, Salsola tragus, Taeniatherum caput-medusae). Guam imported the rust, Puccinia spegazzinii, from Fiji in April 2016 for use against Mikania micrantha on Guam. The rust was transferred to Mikania plants of Guam origin in a quarantine laboratory, which have been transferred to an outside shade-cloth nursery where attempts are being made to transfer P. spegazzinii to additional plants prior to releasing the rust island-wide. 

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.

A large group of US and international scientist to is studing the routes of invasion of the pest Drosophila suzukii. Evidence was found for 3 separate introductions from native range regions into the introduced range. From Japan to Hawaii, from southeastern China into the western US (mixed also with Hawaiian sources) and from northeastern China into Western Europe (mixed also with US sources). This information is crucial to exploring for biological control agents from the native range. Integrative taxonomy using molecular genetics and morphological analysis distinguished the presence of 9 species of Trissolcus parasitoids reared from eggs of Halyomorpha halys collected in East Asia. Molecular genetic analysis showed that Bagrada hilaris in North America probably originated from Pakistan. Molecular genetic techniques showed that wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus) is native to North America, not an invasive alien. Furthermore, there are three genetically distinct populations which indicate local adaptation to wheat which may be a cause of increasing sawfly problems in the southern Great Plains.

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 testing of three biotypes of the water hyacinth weevil Neochetina eichhorniae ; the seed-feeding weevil C. turbatus against L. draba; three native North American species Stanleya pinnata, Braya alpina and Lepidium alyssoides; the eriophyid mite, Aculops medusae, which is host specific to medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae); the prospective biological control agents (Cryptonevra sp., Lasioptera donacis, Rhizaspidiotus donacis and Lepidapion argentatum) for host specificity testing for the target weeds (Arundo donax, Genista monspessulana); olfactory preferences of the psyllid, Arytinnis hakani, for target and non-target weeds were evaluated under laboratory conditions to assess the ecological risks associated with a potential release of this biological control agent in North America; and host specificity testing of Oporopsamma wertheimsteini against rush skeletonweed.

Objective 5. Release, establish and redistribute natural enemies.

Many releases and redistributions of natural enemies (tens of thousands) were carried out against pests in 2016. Examples include follow. 

Approximately 15,350 Aulacidea acroptilonica were redistributed to field sites in CO, ID, MT, OR, and WY. The gall wasp is now established and increasing in population in at least ten sites in Montana. The gall midge Jaapiella ivannokovi is also well established in Montana with populations dispersing at some establishments. In fall 2016 field releases of Rhinusa linariae onto Linaria vulgaris (yellow toadflax) made in spring 2015 have established at a site in Colorado. This is the first report of establishment for this biological control agent in the United States. The shoot tip-galling fly Parafreutreta regalis was released as the first biological control agent in the world targeting invasive Cape-ivy (Delairea odorata), a major invasive vine along the California and southern Oregon coast (also invasive in Hawaii). The fly was released at seven sites in northern California, and galls were observed at two sites. The planthopper Megamelus scutellaris targeting water hyacinth was released at one new site, in the San Joaquin River watershed near the Merced River. Establishment of the arundo armored scale (Rhizaspidiotus donacis) was confirmed for the first time in California by isolation of reproductive females from arundo rhizomes at two sites in California. Approximately 36,000 Aulacidea acroptilonica adults were reared from galls on Russian knapweed collected at an established field sites in Montana. This is the first time that gall collections were made from redistribution releases. The gall wasp is now established and increasing in population at least eight sites in Montana and recoveries have also been made at 10 additional sites visited in 2016. The gall midge, Jaapiella ivannikovi, was also redistributed in 2016. Over 751 galls were sent to cooperators. Previous Aulacidea subterminalis releases were monitored for hawkweed plant density using a modified SIMP sampling protocol. No infested plants were observed at any of the releases.Two batches of the parasitoid Coccobius fulvus were field collected in Florida. These were shipped to Guam and directly released into the field on scale infested Cycas micronesica plants at Ritidian Point in northern Guam. The parasitoid has not yet been recovered from the initial release site.

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

The second year of studies to compare field population size and greenhouse cage oviposition by three previously-released agents of yellow starthistle on invasive western U.S. accessions in comparison to accessions from Greece, France and Spain was completed. The agents under study include the flower- and seedhead-feeding weevil Eustenopus villosus, the flower-galling tephritid fly Urophora sirunaseva, and the seedhead-feeding tephritid fly Chaetorellia succinea. Studies of long-term establishment of the weevil Mecinus janthiniformis on Dalmatian toadflax continued at the southernmost site in California. 2016 results indicated dispersal of the weevil up to 0.5 km from release sites to ‘control’ sites, indicating strong recovery of the weevil population since a fire in 2013 and new releases in 2014. Studies were conducted in California on the abundance of previously-released biocontrol agents of water hyacinth, specifically the weevils Neochetina bruchi and Neochetina eichhorniae, the moth Niphograpta albigutallis, and the planthopper Megamelus scutellaris. The weevil N. bruchi was found throughout the Delta but densities varied spatially and seasonally from less than one per plant to up to 20-25 per plant. The efficacy of the psyllid Arytinnis hakani on French broom was tested in quarantine over multiple generations of the psyllid. After three psyllid generations, over 80% of plants that received psyllids died, and the height of surviving psyllid-addition plants was reduced by over 60% compared to controls. The gall forming mite Aceria genistae was discovered in Washington State in 2005, subsequently dispersed to Oregon and was recently discovered in California. Populations of Dalmatian Toadflax in northern Utah were sampled to determine the percentage of stems attacked by the introduced, stem-mining weevil Mecinus janthiniformis, and to characterize the phenology of adult weevils as they occur on the host plant to feed, mate and lay eggs in spring and summer. From these field studies, a degree-day model was developed to predict, by using physiological time, when during the growing season populations of adult females and males peak in their numbers on the host plant. 

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.

A new project is using molecular diet analysis to document the impacts of predatory insects, and also of wild birds, on herbivorous pests of Brassica crops. Other work is characterizing dung-beetle biodiversity of west coast organic farms, some of which integrate livestock into their farming operations; dung beetles appear to suppress human pathogens in the animal feces they consume. Squarrose knapweed populations in Utah were sampled to determine infestation rates of seed heads by two introduced seed-feeding insects, the fly Urophora quadrifasciata and the weevil Larinus minutus. Results showed that across the large expanse of west central Utah infested by the weed, the fly persists well in infesting seed heads even with its vulnerability to intraguild predation from the weevil. The stink bug complex (Euschistus servus, Chinavia hilaris, Nezara viridula) was surveyed in the southeastern United States. Maize, peanut, cotton, and soybean were sampled. In each sample we identified (to species and life stage) and counted all stink bugs, Geocoris spp., and fire ants.

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

Research has documented that organic potato farms, where fewer insecticide sprays lead to higher densities of predatory bugs, experience stronger biological control of two-spotted spider mites.

Surveys of invasive ants on the islands of Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota in the Mariana Islands continued during 2016. This activity is part of an ongoing USDA-APHIS-CAPS funded project on the surveillance of Wasmannia auropunctata and Solenopsis invicta on Guam and the CNMI. A related study seeks to describe attendance behavior of Guam’s invasive ants towards aphids, scales and mealybugs commonly encountered in the Marianas, and the effects this might have on biological control agents against hemipteran plant pests. 

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

A series of projects are documenting the importance of hedgerows and other natural habitats on organic mixed-vegetable farms, as refuges for pest-eating predatory insects and wild birds. Other work is examining the timing of potato psyllid movement from non-crop host plants to potato, so that insecticide sprays can be carefully timed to best prevent psyllid establishment in potato fields; in turn, reduced spray frequency will help conserve natural enemies.

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

Objective 10. Assess biological characteristics of natural enemies. 

Reduviidae are successful predators in part because of the toxicity of their saliva. The current knowledge of saliva across Heteroptera was summarized.

A laboratory experiment was conducted to examine the relationship between photoperiod and diapause induction in a Manhattan Kansas population of the green lacewing, Chrysopa oculata, and to compare photoperiodic response patterns with a C. oculata population from 1986. Preliminary results indicate that the critical photoperiod has not changed in 30 years. However, short photoperiods did not induce 100% diapause, which differs from 1986. It is possible that selection is acting on diapause responses in the shorter daylength range only, and that change are associated with mean higher temperatures. 

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 2016 follow. In 2016, studies worked to augment populations of Puccinia punctiformis, Canada thistle rust, on populations of Canada thistle in Colorado. Lab studies determined that inoculation of thistle plants results in reductions in weed performance even if there are no visible symptoms of infection. These results indicate that this fungal pathogen is likely having a greater impact on weed performance than previously recognized. Methods to mass-rear the parasitoid, Psyttalia lounsburyi, were improved and over 22,000 adults were shipped during to California in 2016 for release to control olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae).

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

Results have been reported under other objectives.

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.

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 2016, the percentage of shoots attacked had reached about 30%. Shoot density has stayed about the same. Impacts of J. ivannikovi are still relatively low.

In 2016 a project continued to compile information on insect biocontrol agent importations, introductions, establishment events and impacts on target and non-target species. The results of this project were communicated to biological control experts and will be made available to the general public following peer review.

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

An outreach presentation was given about impacts of biological control of Rhaponticum repens. From March 21-25, 2016 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 15^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.

PUBLICATIONS ISSUED AND MANUSCRIPTS APPROVED - 2016 

Amarasekare, K.G., Shearer, P.W., and Mills, N.J. (2016) Testing the selectivity of pesticide effects on natural enemies in laboratory bioassays. Biological Control 102: 7-16.

Amoah, B., J. Anderson, D. Erram, J. Gomez, A. Harris, J. Kivett, K. Ruang-Rit, Y. Wang, L. Murray, and J. Nechols. 2016. Plant spatial distribution and predator-prey ratio affect biological control of the twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) by the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Biocontrol Science and Technology 26(4): 548-561.

Andersen, J.C., Bourchier, R.S., Grevstad, F.S., Van Driesche, R., Mills, N.J. (2016) Development and verification of SNP arrays to monitor hybridization between two host-associated strains of knotweed psyllid, Aphalara itadori. Biological Control 93: 49-55.

Antwi F.B. and G.V.P. Reddy. 2016. Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes and sprayable polymer gel against crucifer flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on canola. Journal of Economic Entomology 109: doi: 10.1093/jee/tow140.

Asiimwe, P., P. C. Ellsworth & S. E. Naranjo. 2016. Natural Enemy impacts on immature Bemisia tabaci do not vary with plant quality in cotton. Ecol. Entomol. 41: 642-652.

Augé M., Bon M-C., Hardion L., Le Bourgeois T., & RFH Sforza 2016. Genetic characterization of a red color morph of Euphorbia esula subsp. esula (Euphorbiaceae) in the floodplains of Saône (Eastern France). Botany, 10.1139/cjb-2016-0067

Beers, E.H., Mills, N.J., Shearer, P.W., Horton, D.R., Milickzy, E.R., and Amarasekare, K.G. (2016) Non-target effects of orchard pesticides on natural enemies: Lessons from the field and laboratory. Biological Control 102: 44-52.

Bistline, A., and M.S. Hoddle. 2016. Biology of Psyllaphycus diaphorinae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a hyperparasitoid of Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 109: 22-28.

Bon, M.C., Hoelmer, K.A., Pickett, C.H., Kirk, A.A., He, Y.R., Mahmood, R., and Daane, K.M. (2016) Populations of Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Its Parasitoids in Himalayan Asia. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 109: 81-91.

Boyer, S, WE Snyder and SD Wratten. 2016. Editorial: Molecular and isotopic approaches to food webs in agroecosystems. Food Webs 9:1-3.

Castillo Carrillo, CI, AS Jensen and WE Snyder. 2016. Checklist of the Psylloidea (Hemiptera) of the Pacific Northwest. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 118:498-509.

Castillo Carrillo, CI, J Funderburk and WE Snyder. 2016. Thrips collected from Solanum dulcamara (Solanales: Solanaceae) in Washington and Idaho. Florida Entomologist 99:306-307.

Castillo Carrillo, CI, Z Fu, AS Jensen and WE Snyder. 2016. Arthropod pests and predators associated with bittersweet nightshade, a non-crop host of the potato psyllid. Environmental Entomology 45:873-882.

Charles, J.J., Paine, T.D. 2016. Fitness effects of food resources on the polyphagous aphid parasitoid, Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae). PLoS ONE. 14p. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147551.

Chartocerus sp. (Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae) and Pachyneuron crassiculme (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) are obligate hyperparasitoids of Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and possibly Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Florida Entomologist 97: 562-566.

Coelho Jr A, Rugman-Jones PF, Reigada C , Stouthamer R , Parra JPC. 2016. Laboratory performance predicts the success of field releases in inbred lines of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum. PlosOne DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0146153. 

Cooperband M, Stouthamer R, Carrillo D, Eskalen A, Thibault T, Cossé A, Castrillo L, Vandenberg J, Rugman-Jones P. 2016. Biology of two members of the Euwallacea fornicatus species complex, recently invasive in the USA, reared on an ambrosia beetle artificial diet. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 18: 223-237.

Daane, K.M., Wang, X.-G., Biondi, A., Miller, B., Miller, J.C., Riedl, H., Shearer, P.W., Guerrieri, E., Giorgini, M., Buffington, M., van Achterberg, K., Song, Y., Kang, T., Yi, H., Jung, C., Lee, D.W., Chung, B.K., Hoelmer, K.A., and Walton, V.M. (2016) First exploration of parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii in South Korea as potential classical biological agents. Journal of Pest Science 89: 823-835.

De Biase, A., Colonelli, E., Belvedere, S., La Marca, A., Cristofaro, M., Smith, L. 2016. 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. 106(1): 99-113. 

Deletre, E., Schatz, B., Bourguet, D., Chandre, F., Williams III, L.H., Ratnadass, A., Martin, T. 2016. Prospects for repellent in pest control: current developments and future challenges. Chemoecology. 26:1-16.

Desurmont, G.A., Zemanova, M.A. and Turlings, T.C.J. 2016. The Gastropod Menace: slugs on Brassica plants affect caterpillar survival through consumption and interference with parasitoid attraction. Journal of chemical ecology 42(3): 183-192.

Dowell, R.V., R.J. Gill, D.R. Jeske, and M.S. Hoddle. 2016. Exotic terrestrial macro-invertebrate invaders in California from 1700 to 2010: An analysis of records. CA Acad. Sci. Series 4 63(3): 63-157.

Eigenbrode, SD, ANE Birch, S Lindzey, R Meadow, and WE Snyder. 2016. A mechanistic framework to improve understanding and applications of push-pull systems in pest management. Journal of Applied Ecology 53:202–212.

Evans, E.W. 2016. Biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and classical biological control. Applied Entomology and Zoology 51: 173-184.

Forero, D. and Weirauch, C. 2016. Resin-enabled maternal care is an old evolutionary strategy in New World resin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). In press, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Early View DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12454. 

Forthman, M. and Weirauch, C. 2016. Phylogenetics and biogeography of the endemic Madagascan millipede assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae). Submitted to Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution 100:219-33. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.03.011.

Forthman, M., Chlond, D. and Weirauch, C. 2016. Taxonomic monograph of the endemic millipede assassin bug fauna of Madagascar (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 400: 1-152.

Giunti, G., G. G. Benelli, R. H. Messing, A. Canale. 2016. Early adult learning affects host preferences in the tephritid parasitoid Psyttalia concolor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Journal of Pest Science, 1-9. 

Goolsby, J.A., Moran, P. J., Racelis, A. E., Summy, K. R., Martinez-Jimenez, M., Lacewell, R. D., Perez de Leon, A., and Kirk, A. A. 2016. Impact of Tetramesa romana on Arundo donax along the Rio Grande River in Texas. Biocontrol Science and Technology 26: 47-60.

Goolsby, J.A., Moran, P. J., Racelis, A. E., Summy, K. R., Martinez-Jimenez, M., Lacewell, R. D., Perez de Leon, A., and Kirk, A. A. 2016. Impact of Tetramesa romana on Arundo donax along the Rio Grande River in Texas. Biocontrol Science and Technology 26(1): 47-60. 

Gordon, E. and Weirauch, C. 2016. Efficient methods of gathering natural history data reveals prey conservatism of termite assassin clades (Reduviidae: Salyavatinae & Sphaeridopinae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 94: 65-73.

Gordon, E., McFrederick, Q., and Weirauch, C. 2016. Phylogenetic evidence for ancient and persistent environmental symbiont reacquisition in Largidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). Applied and Environmental Microbiology doi:10.1128/AEM.02114-16

Guo, Y.Y., Tian, J.C., Shi, W.P., Dong, X.H., Romeis, J., Naranjo, S.E., Hellmich, R.L., Shelton, A.M. 2016. The interaction of two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch, with Cry protein production and predation by Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) in Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab cotton and Cry1F maize. Transgenic Res. 25:33-44. 

Harvey JA, Ode PJ, Malcicka M, Gols R.  2016.  Short-term seasonal habitat facilitation by an insect herbivore.  Basic and Applied Ecology 17: 447-454.

Haye T, Girod P, Cuthbertson, Wang XG, Daane KM, Hoelmer KA, Baroffio C, Zhang J, Desneux, N (2016) Current SWD IPM tactics and their practical implementation in fruit crops across different regions around the world. Journal of Pest Science 89:643–651 (Special issue on SWD),

Haye, T., Girod, P., Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Wang, X.-G., Daane, K.M., Hoelmer, K.A., Baroffio, C., Zhang, J.P., and Desneux, N. (2016). Current SWD IPM tactics and their practical implementation in fruit crops across different regions around the world. Journal of Pest Science 89: 643-651.

Hoddle, M.S. and C.D. Hoddle. 2016. How far can the palm weevil, Rhynchophorus vulneratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), fly? J. Econ. Entomol. 109: 629-636. 

Hogg, B.N., Moran, P.J., Smith, L. 2016. Multi-generational impacts of the psyllid Arytinnis hakani (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) on growth and survival of the invasive weed Genista monspessulana . Biological Control 100: 87-93.

Hogg, B.N., Smith, L., and Daane, K.M. (2016) Impacts of the adventive Arytainilla spartiophila (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) on growth of the invasive weed Cytisus scoparius under controlled and field conditions in California. Environmental Entomology 45: 109-116.

Hogg, B.N., Smith, L., Moran, P.J., and Daane, K.M. (2016) Post-establishment assessment of host plant specificity of Arytainilla spartiophila (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), an adventive biological control agent of Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius. Biocontrol Science & Technology 26: 995-1008.

Hopper, J.V., and Mills, N.J. (2016) Novel multitrophic interactions among an exotic generalist herbivore, its host plants and resident enemies in California. Oecologia 182: 1117-1128.

Hopper, J.V., and Mills, N.J. (2016) Pathogenicity, prevalence and intensity of a microsporidian infection by Nosema fumiferanae postvittana in the light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana, in California. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 134: 27-34.

Hopper, J.V., Huang, W.-F., Solter, L.F., and Mills, N.J. (2016) Pathogenicity, morphology, and characterization of a Nosema fumiferanae isolate (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) from the light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in California. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 134: 38-47.

Jones, J.M.L., C.H. Pickett, S.V. Triapitsyn, and M.S. Hoddle. 2016. New host record for Psyllaephagus pulchellus (Mercet, 1921) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) as a parasitoid of Euphyllura olivina (Costa, 1839) (Hemiptera: Liviidae), in Spain. Boln. Asoc. Esp. Ent., 40: 67-84.

Jones, MS and WE Snyder. 2016. Beneficial insect biodiversity in agriculture. In: Insect Biodiversity: Current Trends and Future Prospects (Eds. P Adler and R Foottit). Wiley Blackwell.

Jones, V.P., Horton, D.R., Mills, N.J., Unruh, T.R., Baker, C.C., Melton, T.D., Milickzy, E., Steffan, S.A., Shearer, P.W., and Amarasekare, K. (2016) Evaluating herbivore-induced plant volatiles and floral volatiles for monitoring natural enemies in apple, pear and walnut orchards. Biological Control 102: 53-65.

Jones, V.P., Horton, D.R., Mills, N.J., Unruh, T.R., Milickzy, E., Shearer, P.W., Baker, C.C., and Melton, T.D. (2016) Using plant volatile traps to develop phenology models for natural enemies: An example using Chrysopa nigricornis (Burmeister) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Biological Control 102: 77-84.

Jones, V.P., Mills, N.J., Brunner, J.F., Horton, D.R., Beers, E.H., Unruh, T.R., Shearer, P.W., Goldberger, J.R., Castagnoli, S., Lehrer, N., Milickzy, E.,Steffan, S.A., Amarasekare, K.G., Chambers, U., Gadino, A.N., Gallardo, R.K., and Jones, W.E. (2016) From planning to execution to the future: An overview of a concerted effort to enhance biological control in apple, pear, and walnut orchards in the western U.S. Biological Control 102: 1-6.

Kacar, G., Wang, X.-G., Stewart, T.J., and Daane, K.M. (2016) Overwintering survival of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and the effect of food on adult survival in California's San Joaquin valley. Environmental Entomology 45: 763-771.

Kaiser L, Ode P, van Nouhuys S, Calatayud P-A, Colazza S, Cortesero A-M, Thiel A, van Baaren J.  2016.  The plant as a habitat for entomophagous insects.  Advances in Botanical Research. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.abr.2016.09.006 

Kaplan I, Carrillo J, Garvey M, Ode PJ.  2016.  Indirect plant-parasitoid interactions mediated by changes in herbivore physiology.  Current Opinion in Insect Science 14: 112-119.

Karp, DS, R Moses, S Gennet, M Jones, S Joseph, LK M’Gonigle, LC Ponisio, WE Snyder, and C Kremen. 2016. Farming practices for food safety threaten pest-control services to fresh produce. Journal of Applied Ecology 53:1402-1412.

Kaser JM, Ode PJ.  2016.  Hidden risks and benefits of natural enemy-mediated indirect effects.  Current Opinion in Insect Science 14: 105-111.

Kenis, M., Tonina, L., Eschen, R., van der Sluis, B., Sancassani, M., Mori, N., Haye, T., Helsen, H. (2016) Non-crop plants used as hosts by Drosophila suzukii in Europe. Journal of Pest Science 89, 735–748.

Kim, M-S., Lee, H-L., Ku, D-S., Hérard, F., Gould, J.R., Williams, D.W., Kim, I-K., Hong, K-J. 2016. Discovery of Spathius ibarakius Belokobylskij et Maeto (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as a larval ectoparasitoid of citrus longhorned beetle in Korea. Korean J. Appl. Entomol. 55(3): 285-291. 

Kuriwada, T., and G.V.P. Reddy. 2016. Volcanic ash decreases dehydration tolerance in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 19: 85–87.

Lara, J.R., C. Pickett, C. Ingells, D. Haviland, E. Grafton-Cardwell, D. Doll, J. Bethke, B. Faber, S. Dara, and M.S. Hoddle. 2016. Developing a biological control program for brown marmorated stink bug in California. California Agriculture. 70:15-23.

Leroux, A.M., Gassmann, A. and Holliday, N.J. (2016) Effects of temperature on pupal and egg development of Euphranta connexa, a candidate biological control agent for invasive swallow-worts in North America. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 159(1), 17–29. doi:10.1111/eea.12432

Lesieur, V., Jeanneau, M., Martin, J., Bon, M. 2016. Development and characterization of 11 microsatellite markers in the root-gall-forming weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Applied Entomology and Zoology. 51:495–500.

Lestina J, Cook M, Kumar S, Morisette J, Ode PJ, Peairs F.  2016.  MODIS imagery improves pest risk assessment: a case study of wheat stem sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephus cinctus) in Colorado, USA.  Environmental Entomology 45: 1343-1351.

Lindsey A, Werren JH, Richards S, Stouthamer R. 2016. Comparative genomics of a parthenogenesis inducing Wolbachia symbiont. Genes, Genomes, Genetics 6: 12. 

Mace, K.C., and Mills, N.J. (2016) Nitrogen-mediated interaction: a walnut-aphid-parasitoid system. Environmental Entomology 45: 891-896.

Meissle, M., Romeis, J., Riedel, J., Naranjo, S.E., Kostov, K., Christova, P., Assenov, B., Tsvetkov, I., Slavov, S., Frolund-Damgaard, C.F., Henning-Krogh, P., Bohse-Hendriksen, N., Sweet, J. 2016. Impact of Bt crops on non-target organisms – 3 systematic reviews. IOBC-WPRS Bulletin. 114:37-38.

Mills, N.J., Beers, E.H., Shearer, P.W., Unruh, T.R., Amarasekare, K.G. (2016) Comparative analysis of pesticide effects on natural enemies in western orchards: a synthesis of laboratory bioassay data. Biological Control 102: 17-25.

Mills, N.J., Jones, V.P., Baker, C.C., Melton, T.D., Steffan, S.A., Unruh, T.R., Horton, D.R., Shearer, P.W., Amarasekare, K.G., and Milickzy, E.R. (2016) Using herbivore-induced plant volatiles and floral volatiles to attract natural enemies for studies of ecosystem structure and function. Biological Control 102: 66-76.

Moran, P. J., M. J. Pitcairn, and B. Villegas. 2016. First establishment of the planthopper, Megamelus scutellaris Berg, 1883 (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), released for biological control of water hyacinth in California. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 92:32-43.

Moran, P. J., M. J. Pitcairn, and B. Villegas. 2016. First establishment of the planthopper, Megamelus scutellaris Berg, 1883 (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), released for biological control of water hyacinth in California. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 92(1):32-43.

Morse, J. G., Rugman-Jones, P., Woolley, J. B., Heraty, J. M. Triapitsyn, S. V., Robinson, L. J., Hofshi, R. and Stouthamer, R. 2016. Armored scales and their parasitoids on commercial avocados in California and imported fruit from Mexico. Journal of Economic Entomology. doi.org/10.1093/jee/tow155

Mound, L.A. and M.S. Hoddle. 2016. The Scirtothrips perseae species-group (Thysanoptera), with one new species from avocado, Persea americana. Zootaxa 4079: 388-392.

Murray, E. and Heraty, J.M. 2016. Invading Africa: a novel transoceanic dispersal by a New World ant parasitoid. Journal of Biogeography 43, 1750–1761. 

Naranjo, S.E., Liu, S.J. 2016. Long term dynamics of aphelinid parasitoids attacking Bemisia tabaci. Biol. Control 93: 56-64. 

Ode PJ, Harvey JA, Reichelt M, Gershenzon J, Gols R.  2016.  Differential induction of plant chemical defenses by parasitized and unparasitized herbivores: consequences for reciprocal, multitrophic interactions.  Oikos 125: 1398-1407.

Ode PJ, Heimpel GE.  2016.  Communities without parasitoids?  Current Opinion in Insect Science 14: viii-x. 

Olfert O, Haye T, Weiss R, Kriticos D, Kuhlmann U (2016) Modelling the potential impact of climate change on future spatial and temporal patterns of biological control agents – Peristenus digoneutis as a case study. Canadian Entomologist 148, 579-594

Parker, JE, DW Crowder, SD Eigenbrode and WE Snyder. 2016. Trap-crop diversity enhances crop yield. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 232:254–262.

Peterson JA, Ode PJ, Oliveira-Hofman C, Harwood JD.  2016.  Integration of plant defense traits with biological control of arthropod pests: challenges and opportunities.  Frontiers in Plant Science 7, Article 1794.

Pratt, P.D., Herdonica, K., Valentine, V., Makinson, J., Purcell, M., Mattison, E.D., Rayamajhi, M.B., Raghu, S., Moran, P.J. 2016. Development rate, consumption and host specificity of Carea varipes (Lepidoptera: Nolidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 109:513-517.

Rand, T.A., W. L Morrill, J. B Runyon, K. A. Hoelmer, T. G. Shanower, J. L. Littlefield, and D. K. Weaver. 2016. Assessing phenological synchrony between the Chinese sawfly, Cephus fumipennis (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), its egg- larval parasitoid, Collyria catoptron (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), and the North American sawfly, Cephus cinctus: implications for biological control. The Canadian Entomologist 148: 482–492. doi:10.4039/tce.2015.64.

Reddy, G.V.P. F.B. Antwi, G. Shrestha, and T. Kuriwada. 2016. Evaluation of toxicity of biorational insecticides against larvae of the alfalfa weevil. Toxicology Reports 3: 473–480.

Reddy, G.V.P. and F.B. Antwi. 2016. Toxicity of natural insecticides on the larvae of wheat head armyworm, Dargida diffusa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 42: 156–162.

Roy, H. J., Brown, P. M., Adriaens, T., Berkvens, N., Borges, I., Clusella-Trullas, S., Comont, R. F., De Clercq, P., Eschen, R., Estoup, A., Evans, E. W., Facon, B., Gardiner, M. M., Gil, A., Grez, A. A., Guillemand, T., Haelewaters, D., Herz, A., Honek, A., Howe, A. G., Hui, C., Hutchison, W. D., Kenis, M., Koch, R. L., Kulfan, J., Handley, L. L., Lombaert, E., Loomans, A., Losey, J., Lukashuk, A. O., Maes, D., Magro, A., Murray, K. M., Martin, G. S., Martinkova, Z., Minnaar, I. A., Nedved, O., Orlova-Bienkowskaua, M. J., Osawa, N., Rabitsch, W., Raven, H. P., Rondoni, G., Rorke, S. L., Ryndevich, S. K., Saethre, M.-G., Sloggett, J. J., Soares, A. O., Stals, R., Tinsley, M. C., Vandereycken, A., van Wielink, P., Viglasova, S., Zach, P., Zakharov, I. A., Zaviezo, T., Zhao, Z. (2016). The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis: global perspectives on invasion history and ecology. Biological Invasions 18, 997-1044.

Roy, L., Bon, M.C., Cesarini, C., Serin, J. and Bonato, O., 2016. Pinpointing the level of isolation between two cryptic species sharing the same microhabitat: a case study with a scarabaeid species complex. Zoologica Scripta 45:(4):407-420. 

Rugman-Jones PF, Stouthamer R. 2016. High‐resolution melt analysis without DNA extraction affords rapid genotype resolution and species identification. Molecular Ecology Resources, doi: 10.111/1755-0998.12599. 

Russell, K. and Weirauch, C. 2016. "Toothbrush" plant bugs and allies: Protemiris, gen. nov., a new genus and five new species of Proteaceae-associated Australian Phylinae (Hemiptera: Miridae). In press, Austral Entomology, Early View, DOI: 10.1111/aen.12213

Saadat, D., Seraj, A., Goldansaz, S., Williams III, L.H. 2016. Factors affecting reproductive success and life history parameters of Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from three host-associated populations. Biological Control. 96: 86-92.

Sadeh, A., and J. A. Rosenheim. 2016. Cannibalism amplifies the spread of vertically-transmitted pathogens. Ecology 97:1994-2002.

Sadeh, A., T. D. Northfield, and J. A. Rosenheim. 2016. The epidemiology and evolution of parasite transmission through cannibalism. Ecology 97:2003-2011.

Seier, M. K., Cortat, G., Hinz, H. L. (2016) Similar experiment – different conclusion; a response to the recent proposition of Septoria lepidii as a potentially important biological control agent for weedy species of Lepidium in North America. Biocontrol Science and Technology 26(2), 291–295.

Shearer, P.W., Amarasekare, K.G., Castagnoli, S., Beers, E.H., Jones, V.P., and Mills, N.J. (2016) Large-plot field studies to assess impacts of newer insecticides on non-target arthropods in Western U. S. orchards. Biological Control 102: 26-34.

Shelton, A.M., Romeis, J., Naranjo, S.E., Hellmich, R.L. 2016. Use of Bt-resistant caterpillars to assess the effect of Cry proteins on beneficial natural enemies. IOBC-WPRS Bulletin 114: 51-55.

Shi, P., G.V.P. Reddy, L. Chen, and F. Ge. 2016. Comparison of thermal performance equations in describing temperature-dependent developmental rates of insects: (I) Empirical models. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 109: 211–215.

Shi, P., H.S. Sandhu, and G.V.P. Reddy. 2016. Dispersal distance determines the exponent of the spatial Taylor’s power law. Ecological Modelling 335: 48–53.

Shogren, C., Paine, T.D. 2016. Economic Benefit for Cuban Laurel Thrips Biological Control. Journal of Economic Entomology. 109:93-99.

Stutz S., Hinz H.L., Konowalik K., Müller-Schärer H., Oberprieler C., Schaffner U. (2016) Ploidy level in the genus Leucanthemum correlates with resistance to a specialist herbivore. Ecosphere, 7:e01460.

Stutz S., Štajerová K., Hinz H.L., Müller-Schärer H., Schaffner U. (2016) Can enemy release explain the invasion success of the diploid Leucanthemum vulgare in North America? Biological Invasions 18, 2077–2091.

Thompson, B., and G.V.P. Reddy. 2016. Effect of temperature on two bio-insecticides for the control of confused flour beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Florida Entomologist 99: 67-71.

Thompson, B., and G.V.P. Reddy. 2016. Status of Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and its parasitoid, Macroglenes penetrans (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), in Montana. Crop Protection 84: 125–131.

Torréns, J., Heraty, J.M., Murray, E. and Fidalgo, P. 2016. Biology and phylogenetic placement of a new species of Lasiokapala Ashmead from Argentina (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae). Systematic Entomology 41, 596–606.

Uludag, A., Gbehounou, G., Kashefi, J., Bouhache, M., Bon, M., Bell, C., Lagopodi, A.L.2016. Management of Solanum elaeagnifolium in the Mediterranean Basin. European Plant Protection Organization Bulletin. 46:139-147. 

Van Driesche, R., D. Pratt, T. D. Center, M. B. Rayamajhi, P. W. Tipping, M. Purcell, S. Fowler, C. Causton, C., M. Hoddle, L. Kaufman, R. H. Messing, M. Montgomery, D. Wagner, R. van Kinken, J. J. Duan & J-Y. Meyer. Cases of biological control restoring natural systems. Chapter 10 in: R. van Driesche, ed., Integrating Biological Control into Conservation Practice. published online: 13 MAY 2016. DOI: 10.1002/9781118392553. Wiley & Sons.

Vetter, R. L.M. Penas, and M.S. Hoddle. 2016. Laboratory refugia preferences of the brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus (Aranea; Theridiidae). J. of Arachnol. 44: 52-57.

Von Virag, A., Bon, M., Closca, C., Diaconu, A., Haye, T., Weiss, R., Muller-Scharer, H., Hinz, H. 2016. Phenology and temperature-dependent development of Ceutorhynchus assimilis, a potential biological control agent for Lepidium draba. Journal of Applied Entomology. DOI:10.1111/jen.12322. 

Walker, A. A., Weirauch, C., Fry , B. G., and King, G. F. 2016. Venoms of heteropteran insects: A treasure trove of diverse pharmacological toolkits. Toxins, 8, 43, doi:10.3390/toxins8020043.

Wang, X.-G., Kacar, G., Biondi, A., and Daane, K.M. (2016) Foraging efficiency and outcomes of interactions of two pupal parasitoids attacking the invasive spotted wing drosophila. Biological Control 96: 64-71.

Wang, X.-G., Kacar, G., Biondi, A., and Daane, K.M. (2016) Life-history and host preference of Trichopria drosophilae, a pupal parasitoid of spotted wing drosophila. BioControl 61: 387-397.

Wang, X.-G., Stewart, T.J., Biondi, A., Chavez, B.A., Ingels, C., Caprile, J., Grant, J.A., Walton, V.M., and Daane, K.M. (2016). Population dynamics and ecology of Drosophila suzukii in Central California. Journal of Pest Science 89: 701-712.

Weirauch, C., Seltmann, K. C., Schuh, R. T., Schwartz, M. D., Johnson, C., Feist, M. A., Soltis, P. 2016. Areas of endemism in the Nearctic: a case study of 1,339 species of Miridae (Insecta: Hemiptera) and their plant hosts. Cladistics, Early View, DOI: 10.1111/cla.12169

Wickings, K. W. and J. R. Ruberson. 2016. Impact of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, on egg predation at the soil surface and in cotton foliage. Annals Applied Biology 169(3): 319-328.

Wilson, H., Miles, A.F., Daane, K.M., and Altieri, M.A. (2016) Host plant associations of Anagrus spp. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) and Erythroneura elegantula (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Northern California. Environmental Entomology 45: 602-615.

Wiman, N.G., Dalton, D.T., Anfora, G., Biondi, A., Chiu, J.C., Daane, K.M., Gerdeman, B., Gottardello, A., Hamby, K.A., Isaacs, R., Grassi, A., Ioriatti, C., Lee, J.C., Miller, B., Stacconi, M.V.R., Shearer, P.W., Tanigoshi, L., Wang, X.-G., and Walton, V.M. (2016). Drosophila suzukii population response to environment and management strategies. Journal of Pest Science 89: 653-665.

Yasin M, Rugman-Jones PF, Wakil W, Stouthamer R. 2016. Genetic variation among populations of Red Palm Weevil Rhyncophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) from Pakistan. Journal of Insect Science 16(1): 100; 1–7

Zhang, G., Hart, E. R., and Weirauch, C. 2016. A taxonomic monograph of the assassin bug genus Zelus Fabricius (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): 70 species based on 11,000 specimens. In press, Biodiversity Data Journal, e8150 (08 Jul 2016) doi: 10.3897/BDJ.4.e8150

Zhang, J., Eric R.L. Gordon, Michael Forthman, Wei Song Hwang, Kim Walden, Daniel R. Swanson, Kevin P. Johnson, Rudolf Meier, Christiane Weirauch. 2016. Evolution of the assassin's arms: insights from a phylogeny of combined transcriptomic and ribosomal DNA data (Heteroptera: Reduvioidea). Scientific Reports. 6:22177. DOI: 10.1038/srep22177.

Zhao, Z-H, G.V.P. Reddy, H. Cang, and B-L. Li. 2016. Approaches and mechanisms for ecologically based pest management across multiple scales. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 230: 199–209.