Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Personnel from NCERA220 organized a special symposium as part of the North Central Brach of the Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting in Cincinnati Ohio in March, 2019.  Presentations are listed below along with estimated attendance for each talk:

(1) Trophic omnivory among pollinators and bio-control agents: Bees and nematodes eat 'microbial meat'. Shawn Steffan, USDA - ARS, Madison, WI (20)

(2) Linking parasitoid nectar feeding and dispersal in conservation biological control. George Heimpel and Jana Lee, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USDA - ARS, Corvallis, OR (25)

(3) Choices and consequences: Comparing the foraging behaviors of generalist predators and pollinators. Jason Harmon and Katherine Kral, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND (30)

(4) Assessing hover fly (Syrphidae) winter survival strategies in a midwestern agricultural landscape and implications for pollination and biological control. C. Scott Clem and Alexandra Harmon-Threatt, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL (35)

(5) Mechanisms of ground-dwelling beetle community assembly in an urban ecosystem. Kayla Perry, Nicole C. Hoekstra, Yvan Delgado de la Flor and Mary Gardiner, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH (40)

(6) Monitoring changes in native bee communities in Michigan, with a focus on agricultural landscapes. Kelsey Graham, Jason Gibbs and Rufus Isaacs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada (40)

(7) Ecosystem service bundling: Integrating predator and pollinator responses to insecticides in midwestern cropping systems. Amanda Skidmore, Jacob Pecenka, Ivan Grijalva, Christian Krupke, Laura Ingwell, Rick Foster, Steve Yaninek and Ian Kaplan, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (65)

(8) Honey bees (Apis mellifera [Hymenoptera: Apidae]) in prairie strips integrated into cropland can obtain improved forage in agricultural landscape. Ge Zhang, Ashley St. Clair, Adam Dolezal, Caroline Murray, Lisa Schulte Moore, Amy Toth and Matthew O'Neal, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL (45)

Personnel from NCERA220 also organized a special symposium as part of the Joint North Central Brach and Southwestern Branch of the Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting that was to take place in March 2020.  We are re-organizing these meetings as a virtual symposium that is planned for May 2020.

Ongoing efforts by the Nebraska Extension Issue Team “Protect Beneficial Insect Ecosystems” continue to develop and support pollinator and beneficial arthropod habitat and education across the state. For example, a riparian area next to the Republican River, a pollinator habitat at the Corteva seed corn facility south of Doniphan, and at the Raising Nebraska Outdoors on the grounds of the Nebraska State Fair were initiated in 2019.

Laboratory studies were conducted in North Platte, NE in July-August 2019 to determine whether lady beetles have a feeding preference on three different stages of western bean cutworm (WBC) egg masses. One each adult Hippodamia convergens or Coleomegilla maculata lady beetle was placed in a Petri dish that contained one white, one tan, and one purple WBC egg mass. Egg masses turn darker the closer to hatching. Dino-lite cameras were used to record time lapse video to obtain the following data: latency to feed, total amount of time spent feeding on each egg mass, and the portion of each egg mass that was eaten. Results indicated that lady beetles preferred the youngest (white) egg masses and mostly avoided the oldest (purple) egg masses, spending the most time feeding on white eggs (38.86 mins), followed by tan eggs (30.16 mins) and purple eggs (1.38 mins).

An additional field project aims to describe the community and trophic role of spiders in western Nebraska cornfields. Field sampling was completed in 2017 and 2018 for a total collection of 934 spiders. Molecular gut-content analysis is currently underway on field-collected spiders to test for the presence of WBC DNA in the guts of these spiders and determine whether spiders are predators of WBC in the field.

We have maintained a colony of Trichogramma ostriniae at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center (PHREC) since November 2016 with capacity to mass rear 40 million wasps. The Nebraska Crop Improvement Association donated a seed separator to the PHREC Entomology Lab – an invaluable tool which we use to clean parasitized Ephestia eggs from unparasitized eggs. At present, our rearing system can produce T. ostriniae adults at a cost of $9.50 per 50,000 wasps (roughly a $7,600 annual investment). Trichogramma ostriniae were released at two locations in 2019: 3.95 million each into one corn and one dry bean field (4.54 hectares) in Keith County, Nebraska. At each location, Trichogramma were released at the center of the field. Surrounding the central release point were 36 sampling locations at 5, 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 50, 89, and 151 meters. At the time of T. ostriniae release, sentinel egg cards and yellow sticky cards were placed at each sampling point. Sentinel egg cards consisted of masses of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) (4 closest points only), and Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella) eggs. Egg masses were placed on an ovipositional substrate attached to the underside of a bean leaf or upper surface of an upper corn leaf to serve as sentinel hosts. Yellow sticky cards were unbaited 7.6 x 12.7 cm sticky cards placed at each sentinel host site. The sentinel egg masses and sticky cards were collected and replaced with new egg masses and cards every 3 days for two weeks and brought back to the lab. Egg masses were incubated in the laboratory in an environmental chamber maintaining a temperature of 25 ± 1°C and 10:14, light:dark cycle. For the dry bean releases, T. ostriniae was able to travel 150 m in 9 days. There was not any discernable pattern in terms of dispersal. At peak emergence, every sticky card that was recovered throughout the sample area recovered between 0 to 56 T. ostriniae. There were few differences in the number of T. ostriniae recovered with regard to time. 6.7%, 0.6%, and 3.0% of S. albicosta, O. nubilalis, and E. kuehniella sentinels showed parasitism respectively. For the field corn releases, T. ostriniae was able to travel 150 m in 9 days. The density was highest near the release points with a maximum of 595 T. ostriniae being captured at 5 m from the release.  However, there was a decrease in recovery of T. ostriniae on yellow sticky cards 15 days after parasitoid release. 0.0%, 3.1%, and 21.6% of S. albicosta, O. nubilalis, and E. kuehniella sentinels showed parasitism respectively.

In field experiments > 75% of Japanese beetle larvae infected with O. popilliae did not survive from October to May in Michigan.  Japanese beetle populations at golf courses in southern Michigan have decreased by 75% since 1999 when O. popilliae was first introduced.  In a cooperative research program with USDA APHIS we are introducing O. popilliae to 11 major cargo airports in the eastern US, known to be sources of Japanese beetle arriving at airports in western states.

A classical biological control program against invasive black and pale swallow-worts (Vincetoxicum nigrum and Vincetoxicum rossicum) was initiated in Michigan using the biological control agent, Hypena opulenta. In 2019, this defoliating moth was reared in the laboratory at Michigan State University (MSU) to build up populations for field release, which are planned for 2020 summer. During 2019 common garden field experiments were used to evaluate the synchrony of H. opulenta phenology with the climate in Michigan and the impact of various release sizes on establishment success and efficacy. Based on our findings that early season releases of H. opulenta result in two generations in Michigan we can plan the timing of the field releases planned for 2020 in Michigan accordingly.

Tested organic insecticides for Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) against natural enemies. Isaacs is co-author on a petition for approval to field release a classical biological control agent, Ganaspis brasiliensis, which has passed the first round of review and is under administrative review prior to a public comment period. Native natural enemies were collected and evaluated against SWD. Few native parasitoids were found to attack SWD in the field but Pachycrepoideus vindeminae shows potential of development on SWD.

Sampling methods were evaluated for the parasitoid Oobius agrili, an introduced egg parasitoid of emerald ash borer. A model was built and evaluated to predict the effects of temperature and photoperiod on host-parasitoid synchrony.

Codling moths, reared by the millions in a Canadian facility, are sterilized through exposure to radiation, and then released in large numbers in the apple orchards in Michigan. Mating events between sterile and wild moths produce infertile eggs thus preventing crop damage. Drs. Gut and Adams have been working on making this proven technology more cost effective for US growers by investigating alternative release methods, release patterns, and the minimum number of moths needed for control. Because this control tactic has no direct impact on any non-targets, and reduces or replaces the need for any pesticide sprays, it could be considered a form of (or promoting) conservation biological control because it will allow arthropod natural enemies to build in number.

Leveraged Funding:

University of Nebraska received a $100,000 Environmental Education grant from US EPA, “Developing conservation skills in students through beneficial insect protection in community agroecosystems”. Partners include Lincoln and York Public Schools, Pheasants Forever, Kimmel Foundation, Girl Scouts of Nebraska, and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Western bean cutworm biological control work was partially supported by the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station with funding from the Hatch Multistate Research capacity funding program (Accession Number 1006556) from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture ($500,000; 2015-2020).

The Ohio State University leveraged NCERA-220 linkages to obtain five grants totaling $13,259,593.

Publications

Refereed Papers

Aya, V.A., J. Montoya-Lerma, C. Echeverri-Rubiano, J.P. Michaud & G. Vargas. (2019) Partial host resistance to two parasitoids (Diptera: Tachinidae) helps explain a regional outbreak of novel Diatraea spp. stem borers in Colombia sugarcane. Biol. Control 129: 18-23.

Dieterich Mabin M.E., C. Welty and M.M. Gardiner. 2020. Predator richness predicts pest suppression within organic and conventional summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L. Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae). Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 287: 106689. 

Gibson, D.R., Rowe, L., Isaacs, R. and Landis, D.A. (2019) Screening drought-tolerant native plants for attractiveness to arthropod natural enemies in the US Great Lakes region. Environmental Entomology 48, 1469-1480.

Grez, A.A., Zaviezo T. Gardiner, M.M. and Alaniz A. 2019. Urbanization filters coccinellids composition and functional trait distribution in greenspaces across greater Santiago, Chile. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 38: 337-345. 

Haack, Robert A. and Petrice, Toby 2019. "Historical Population Increases and Related Inciting Factors of Agrilus anxius, Agrilus bilineatus, and Agrilus granulatus liragus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in the Lake States (Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin)," The Great Lakes Entomologist, vol 52 (1)

Hosseini, A., M. Hosseini, M.M. Awal, M. Ghadamyari & J.P. Michaud. (2019) Life history responses of Hippodamia variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to changes in the nutritional content of its prey, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae), mediated by nitrogen fertilization. Biol. Control 130: 27-33.

Jarrett B. J. M., J. Pote, E. Talamas, L. Gut and M. Szűcs. 2019. The discovery of Trissolcus japonicas (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in Michigan. The Great Lakes Entomologist. 52:6-11

Kautz A.R., and M.M. Gardiner. 2019. Agricultural intensification may create an attractive sink for Dolichopodidae, a ubiquitous but understudied predatory fly family. Journal of Insect Conservation 23: 453-465.

Lee, J., Wang, X., Daane, K., Hoelmer, K., Isaacs, R., Sial, A. and Walton, V. (2019). Biological control of spotted-wing drosophila – current and pending tactics. Journal of Integrated Pest Management 10, 13.

Mercer, N.H., Teets, N.M., Bessin, R.T., Obrycki, J.J., 2020. Supplemental foods affect energetic reserves, survival, and spring reproduction in overwintering adult Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Environ. Entomol. 49, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz137

Sarkar, N., Rhodes, E.M., Spies, J., Roubos, C.R., Little, B.A., Sial, A.A., Fanning, P.D., Isaacs, R., and Liburd, O.E. (2019) Evaluation of non‐target effects of OMRI‐listed insecticides for management of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura in berry crops. Journal of Applied Entomology 144, 12-25.

Szűcs M, E. Vercken, E. Bitume and RA Hufbauer. 2019. The implications of rapid eco-evolutionary dynamics for biological control – a review. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 167:598-615

Szűcs M, P Salerno, B Teller, U Schaffner, J Littlefield and RA Hufbauer. 2019. The effects of agent hybridization on the efficacy of biological control of tansy ragwort at high elevations. Evolutionary Applications 12 (3): 470-481 doi.org/10.1111/eva.12726

Vacacela, H.E.A, J.P. Michaud, S.I.V.K. Almeida & H.E. Stowe (2019) How efficient is fertilization by traumatic insemination in Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)? J. Econ. Entomol. (in press).

White, J.A., A. Styer, L.C. Rosenwald, M.M. Curry, K.D. Welch, K.J. Athey, E.G. Chapman. 2020. Endosymbiotic bacteria are prevalent and diverse in agricultural spiders. Microbial Ecology 79: 472-481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-019-01411-w

Extension Publications

7 things to know about samurai wasps, a natural enemy of brown marmorated stink bugs www.canr.msu.edu/news/7-things-to-know-about-samurai-wasps-a-natural-enemy-of-brown-marmorated-stink-bugs.

Biological control of Brown Marmorated stink bug in Michigan https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/biological-control-of-brown-marmorated-stink-bug-in-michigan

Professional Presentations

Anderson, V, Christopher Ranger and Luis Canas. 2019. Comparative efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis and entomopathogenic nematodes for controlling fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae) infesting oyster mushrooms. Entomological Society of America National Meeting. St. Louis, MO, November 18, 2019.

Anderson, V, Christopher Ranger and Luis Canas. 2019. Comparative efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis and entomopathogenic nematodes for controlling fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae) infesting oyster mushrooms. North Central Branch, Entomological Society of America Meeting. Cincinnati, OH, March 18, 2019.

Bienemann, R, Carlos Esquivel, Nuris Acosta, Christopher Ranger and Luis Canas. 2019. Susceptibility of natural enemies to insecticides in greenhouses. Entomological Society of America National Meeting. St. Louis, MO, November 18, 2019.

Canas, L, Nuris Acosta, Carlos Esquivel, Rachel Bienemann. 2019. Impact of several insecticides on biological control agents. Entomological Society of America National Meeting. St. Louis, MO, November 17, 2019.

Canas, L. 2019. Pest management advances on greenhouse flower crops (Spanish: Avances sobre el manejo de plagas en flores de invernadero). Zamorano International Convention. Quito, Ecuador, October 25, 2019.

Canas, L. 2019. IPM and biological control of major insect pests in East Africa and Latin America: Why global pests require global solutions. North Central Branch, Entomological Society of America Meeting. Cincinnati, OH, March 17, 2019.

Cluever J, RJ Wright, JA Peterson, S Salgado Astudillo, K Swoboda Bhattarai, P Colombo da Luz, DG Montezano & JD Bradshaw. 2019. Efficacy of Trichogramma ostriniae for biological control of the western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) in Nebraska field corn and dry edible bean. NCB-ESA, Cincinnati, OH.

Delgado de la flor, Y.A., J.D. Harwood, D.M. Parker, M.M. Gardiner. Rich and abundant spider communities result from enhanced dietary niche breadth and reduced niche overlap. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. St. Louis, MO. (11/19/19)

Delgado de la flor, Y.A., E. Yabar, M. Del Castillo, C.B. Riley, and M.M. Gardiner. Diversity and distribution of spiders in Cusco, Peru: A survey and comparison of the Yale-Peruvian expedition of 1911. Poster Presentation. SACNAS The National Diversity in STEM Conference. Honolulu, HI (11/01/19)

*Dunkle, E.J., K.I. Perry, and M.M. Gardiner. Body size of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) decreases with urbanization. Poster Presentation. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America, Cincinnati, OH. (3/18/19)

Dunkle, E.J., K.I. Perry, and M.M. Gardiner. Body size of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) across an urban-rural gradient. Poster Presentation. 16^th Annual Undergraduate Research Forum. The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. (3/6/19)

Gardiner, M.M. Examining the ecology and conservation potential of urban vacant land. OSU-CU Partnership developing agriculture and environmental sciences. Pontifica Universidad Catholica de Chile (7/29/19)

Gardiner, M.M. The conservation potential of inner-city vacant land for insects. Department of Entomology Seminar Speaker. University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (4/9/19)

Gardiner, M.M. The balancing act of urban conservation: Can vacant land support biodiversity and ecosystem services in cities. Keynote Speaker, Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation. Entomology Congress 2019, German Society of General and Applied Entomology. Halle, Germany (3/12/19)

Gardiner, M.M. Vacant lots – A Novel Conservation Habitat? Symposium: Advancing Plant-Herbivore Interactions Through Complementary Approaches and the Blurring of Disciplinary Boundaries. Gordon Research Conference of Plant-Herbivore Interactions. Ventura, CA (2/24/19)

Gardiner, M.M. The conservation potential of inner-city vacant land for insects. Department of Entomology Student-Invited Seminar Speaker. Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. (1/28/19)

Geedi, R, Christopher Ranger, Luis Canas and Michael Reding. 2019. Fatal attraction of a generalist insect herbivore to Beauveria bassiana. North Central Branch, Entomological Society of America Meeting. Cincinnati, OH, March 18, 2019.

Melotto G, KA Swoboda Bhattarai, AJ McMechan & JA Peterson. 2018. Western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) (Smith) egg hatching and neonate behavior on maize. Annual Meeting of the ESA, Vancouver, Canada.

Mercer, N H., Bessin, R. T., Obrycki, J. J. March 2018. Conservation biological control of sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) in Kentucky. Entomological Society of America North Central Branch Meeting

Mercer, N H., Bessin, R. T., Obrycki, J. J. November 2018. Biological control of sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari, using buckwheat and methyl salicylate. Entomological Society of American National Meeting.

Mercer, N.H., Teets, N.M., Bessin, R.T., Obrycki, J.J., March 2016. Influence of food supplementation during overwintering on the survival and fitness of Hippodamia convergens adults. Entomological Society of America North Central Branch Meeting.

Mercer, N.H., Teets, N.M., Bessin, R.T., Obrycki, J.J., November 2016. Influence of food supplementation during overwintering on the survival and fitness of Hippodamia convergens adults. International Congress of Entomology.

Mercer, N.H., Teets, N.M., Bessin, R.T., Obrycki, J.J., March 2017. Impact of winter feeding on overwintering Hippodamia convergens and survival and spring reproduction. Entomological Society of America North Central Branch Meeting.

Mercer, N H., Bessin, R. T., Obrycki, J. J. November 2019. Parasitization of the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari, by commercially available parasitoids. Entomological Society of America National Meeting.

Mercer, N H., Bessin, R. T., Obrycki, J. J. October 2019. Parasitization of the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari, by commercially available parasitoids. Ohio Valley Entomological Association Meeting.

Mercer, N H., Bessin, R. T., Obrycki, J. J. September 2019. Parasitization of the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari, by commercially available parasitoids. Aphidophaga Meeting.

Parker, D. M., M. M. Gardiner. How does urbanization affect declining native lady beetle species? Ohio State Department of Entomology Delong Competition. Columbus, OH. (3/6/19)

Parker, D. M., M. M. Gardiner. How does urbanization affect declining native lady beetle species? Annual Meeting of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America. Cincinnati, OH. (3/16/19)

Parker, D. M., M. M. Gardiner. Does urban landscape fragmentation and contamination impose similar constraints on native and exotic lady beetle communities?  Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. St. Louis, MO. (11/18/19)

Perry, K.I., N.C. Hoekstra, Y.A. Delgado de la Flor, and M.M. Gardiner. Mechanisms of ground-dwelling beetle community assembly in an urban ecosystem. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America, Cincinnati, OH (3/19/19)

Rogers, M.A., K.I. Perry, Y.A. Delgado de la Flor, and M.M. Gardiner. Rich plant communities in urban greenspaces support abundant and diverse spider (Linyphiidae) assemblages. Poster Presentation. Spring Undergraduate Research Festival, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. (3/26/19)

Rogers, M.A., K.I. Perry, Y.A. Delgado de la Flor, and M.M. Gardiner. Rich plant communities in urban greenspaces support abundant and diverse spider (Linyphiidae) assemblages. Poster Presentation. 16^th Annual Undergraduate Research Forum. The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. (3/6/19)

Rosenwald, L.C., J.A. White. 2019. A novel bacterial symbiont manipulates the reproduction of a Linyphiid spider, Mermessus fradeorum. American Arachnological Society, Lexington, VA.

Rosenwald, L.C., J.A. White 2019. Geographic diversity of endosymbiotic infection in a linyphiid spider. Entomological Society of America, St. Louis, MO

Ruchika Geedi, Christopher Ranger, Luis Canas, Michael Reding, Louela A. Castrillo and Michael Griggs. 2019. Behavioral Responses of Myzus persicae to microbial volatile emissions from Beauveria bassiana. Entomological Society of America National Meeting. St. Louis, MO, November 17, 2019.

Salgado Astudillo S, KA Swoboda Bhattarai, PM Colombo da Luz, DG Montezano, J Cluever, JD Bradshaw & JA Peterson. 2018. Monitoring dispersal of the parasitoid Trichogramma ostriniae in cornfields to improve western bean cutworm management in Nebraska. Annual Meeting of the ESA, Vancouver, Canada.

Sward, G, Luis Canas and Chris Ranger. 2019. Mushroom pest control at a glance. Poster Presentation. Entomological Society of America National Meeting. St. Louis, MO, November 18, 2019.

Sypolt, E.M., and M.M. Gardiner. Converting vacant lots: from blight to bright. Entomological Society of American National Conference Infographic Poster. St. Louis, MO. (11/19/19)

Sypolt, E.M., P.L. Phelan and M.M. Gardiner. The capacity of urban greenspace soils to support biological control. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. St. Louis, MO. (11/19/19)

Sypolt, E.M., P.L. Phelan and M.M. Gardiner. Biological control in urban environments. College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Annual Research Forum. The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. (4/22/19)

Sypolt, E.M., P.L. Phelan and M.M. Gardiner. Biological control in urban environments. Department of Entomology Delong Competition. The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. (3/8/19)

Tilmon, K. J., A. Pekarcik and A. Raudenbush.  2019.  Harmonia axyridis immigration and oviposition in response to variable aphid density.  International Symposium on the Ecology of Aphidophaga 14.  September, 2019.  Montreal, Canada.

Tyrpak, A. M., K. I. Perry, Y. Delgado de la Flor, J. M. Raczkowski, and M. M. Gardiner. Does management frequency drive the conservation value of vacant land for ant communities? Annual Meeting of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America. Cincinnati, OH. (3/18/19)

Tyrpak, A. M., K. I. Perry, J. M. Raczkowski, C. B. Riley, and M. M. Gardiner. Understanding how landscape pattern and history shapes the ant communities occupying urban greenspaces. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. St. Louis, MO. (11/19/19)

Tyrpak, A. M., K. I. Perry, J. M. Raczkowski, C. B. Riley, and M. M. Gardiner. Understanding how landscape pattern and history shapes the ant communities occupying urban greenspaces. Ohio State Department of Entomology Delong Competition. Columbus, OH. (11/13/19)

Tyrpak, A. M., K. I. Perry, Y. Delgado de la Flor, J. M. Raczkowski, and M. M. Gardiner. Does management frequency drive the conservation value of vacant land for ant communities? Poster Presentation. College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Annual Research Forum. The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. (4/22/19)

Welty, C. January 8, 2019. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Biocontrol Progress. Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Lexington KY.

Welty, C. January 16, 2019. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Biocontrol Progress. Ohio Produce Network (Annual Conference of the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association). Dublin OH.

Welty, C. March 26, 2019. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Biocontrol Progress. Webinar program on invasive pest management, produced by the Ohio IPM Program. Columbus OH.

White, J.A., A. Styer, LC Rosenwald, MM Curry, KD Welch, KJ Athey, EG Chapman. 2019. Endosymbiotic bacteria are prevalent and diverse in agricultural spiders.  American Arachnological Society, Lexington VA.

Extension Presentations/Media Coverage

Bradshaw JD. 2019. Should I monitor or scout for western bean cutworm when it costs me $11 per acre to treat? Bean Day (winter), Gering, NE.

Bradshaw JD. Cutworms and kin. 2019. Bugeye Workshop, Scottsbluff, NE.

Peterson J. 2019. Western Bean Cutworm Updates. Stumpf International Wheat Center Field Day, Grant, NE.

Peterson J. 2019. Western Bean Cutworm Updates. Brule Water Lab Open House, Big Springs, NE.

Peterson J. 2019. Agroecosystems Entomology: Conserving Beneficial Insects and Managing Resistant Pests. North Platte Noon Rotary Meeting, North Platte, NE.

Peterson J. 2019. Agroecosystems Entomology: Conserving Beneficial Insects and Managing Resistant Pests. Ogallala Rotary Meeting, Ogallala, NE.

Peterson J, P Colombo da Luz, L Meinke, G Melotto, D Montezano, K Swoboda Bhattarai & R Wright. 2018. Western Bean Cutworm & Western Corn Rootworm Updates. Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association Annual Meeting, Kearney, NE.

Peterson J. 2018. IPM & Resistance Management for Top Insect Pests in Nebraska Corn. Winfield Solutions Winter Regional Conference, Kearney, NE.

Szucs, M.. 2019. MSU Trissolcus japonicus dispersal project: rearing, releasing and recapturing a parasitoid of BMSB. Great Lakes Expo. Grand Rapids, MI. Dec 9-12.

Szucs, M. 2019. Swallow-wort biocontrol update and identification and control of knotweeds. Oakland County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CISMA).

Szűcs M, O. Simaz*, J. Pote, L. Gut, J. Wilson. 2019. Augmentative releases of the Samurai wasp, a natural enemy of brown marmorated stink bug, across Michigan Great Lakes Expo. Dec 2019.

Wright, R. J. 2019. Corn insect update.  Crop Management & Diagnostic Clinic: Corn, UNL Eastern Nebraska Research & Extension Center, Ithaca.

Wright, R. J. 2019. Corn insect update. South Central Ag Laboratory Field Day, Clay Center NE.

Wright, R. J. 2019. Corn insect update. South Central Ag Laboratory, Advisory committee meeting, Clay Center NE.

Wright, R. J. 2019. Corn and soybean insect update.  CCA Ag Update meeting, Nebraska Agri-Business Association, Lincoln NE

Media Coverage

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2019/10/31/wasp-recruited-for-michigan-stink-bug-fight/

Michigan Farm news

https://www.michiganfarmnews.com/invasive-wasps-recruited-in-michigan-battle-against-stink-bugs?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Farm+News

Ionia Sentinel-Standard

https://www.sentinel-standard.com/news/20191030/invasive-wasps-recruited-in-michigan-battle-against-stink-bugs

Lansing City Pulse

www.lansingcitypulse.com/stories/wasp-recruited-in-michigan-battle-against-stink-bugs,13513?

Fox2News

http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/samurai-wasp-brown-marmorated-stink-bug-invasive-species-farmers-crops-insects-bugs