Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Monday, January 23, 2006 Chair of the NC-205 committee, Dennis Calvin, opened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. Calvin announced he had accepted the position of Associate Director of Extension at Penn State, but would continue to serve as chair if that was acceptable. Announcements and Short Discussion Randy Higgins indicated that Sonny Ramaswamy has accepted a position at Purdue, so a search is underway at KSU for a Dept Head (Higgins is search committee chair). Pat Porter indicated that a grains entomologist position (asst. professor, 70% corn) is open at Texas A&M, Lubbock Research Station. Tom Sappington indicated a corn entomologist position (asst. or assoc. professor) is open at Iowa State. Dennis Calvin provided the following update on Wednesday's agenda. The meeting will begin at 7:30 a.m., as Sharlene Matten (EPA) will join us by conference call at 8:00 a.m. Rick Meyer and Bob Nowierski cannot make it to the meetings, so Steve Pueppke will present the administrative report on Wednesday after the conference call with Sharlene. Dennis Calvin called for the Committee's approve the 2005 meeting minutes? Tom Hunt entered a motion to approve to minutes. This was seconded by Galen Dively. A vote was called and the 2005 NC-205 minutes were approved. Pat Porter announced that the sugarcane borer has been found to have Bt resistance alleles in Louisiana. He asked the question of whether NC-205 wanted to provide an intellectual framework for resistance? The position more research was needed to verify and improve an IRM strategy (includiing monitoring) for sugarcane borer was passed by the committee. Galen Dively indicated that there is a movement away from non-target field studies by the EPA. They are now the moving to conduct three years of post-market monitoring. He suggested that this is a problem because effects of seed treatments applied to transgenics may confound interpretation of monitoring. Greg Cronholm indicated that there are issues that concern IRM requirements in the south, where cotton and corn are produced. There are changes in acreage devoted to cotton/corn, for example in parts of southern KS cotton production is increasing. NC-205 publication NCR 327 discussion Chuck Mason announced that the NC-205 publication "European corn borer ecology and management" needs revision and noted that a revision is a formal objective of the current project. Sections need to be expanded, new sections included, other crops considered, possibly other Lepidoptera. An outline of the current publication was given out three quarters of the pub is dedicated to ECB on corn, quarter on other commodities. Pat Porter suggested that the publication needs to be electronic and include video, interactive portions, regional aspects of management. Chuck Mason agreed to organize a NCR-327 revision committee (original group plus some new members). The following individuals were nominated and agreed to serve on the publication committee: Charles Mason (chairman), Marlin Rice, Bill Hutchinson, John VanDyk (if available), Dave Andow, Dennis Calvin, Rick Hellmich, Galen Dively, Randy Higgins, Tom Hunt, Traci Baute, and Pat Porter. Pat Porter volunteered to build a core for electronic version with modules. Larry Buschman asked about presenting to the public a debate of issues surrounding ECB management? Bt/Asian corn borer discussion NC-205 guests from the Philipines, Emiliana N. Bernardo and Wilma R. Cuaterno, led a discussion of the Bt corn and resistance management issues in Asia. A presentation "GM corn production in the Philippines" was given by Cuarterno and IRM research needs were discussed. The differences between North American and Philippine agriculture leads to many research needs and questions. Some of the issues of importance were the presence of many different open pollinated corn varieties, the small average field size (0.5 - 2.0 ha), the wet/dry season, the multiple alternate hosts for the borers, seed sales and education issues (e.g., wives attend extension meetings, not husbands), etc. Possible studies and deployment strategies were discussed as well as the evolution of IRM recommendations in North America. Monitoring of Bt genes in open pollinated corn was encouraged. Review of Project Objectives, Progress and Impacts Calvin: Led discussion of new project, reporting needs, etc. Each year we need to review the stated outcomes and impacts. We will be held accountable for those. Each State needs to know their responsibilities. We are not restricted to stated outputs, outcomes, or projected impacts. Committee Member's Key Activities & Influences Janet Knodel is the new North Dakota representative (3 weeks in job) and is interested in ECB genetics, non-targets, and collaborating with NC-205 members. Richard Hellmich indicated that he had participated in an IRM and non-target workshop in Serbia and a Biocontrol conference in Switzerland. Dennis Calvin also participated in the Switzerland conference on biocontrol. Galen Dively, Richard Hellmich, and Dennis Calvin all participated in a USDA/ARS/CSREES meeting (Greenville) on evaluation of non-targets (Grain Belt meeting). Christian Krupke indicated that ECB numbers were very low in Indiana - no ECB calls. David Andow indicated that he was an editor of the new journal Environmental Biosafety Research and asked people to submit appropriate articles. He indicated he has served on a WPO panel on Environmental Effect of Genetic Engineering, and helped develop curricula for regulators current target countries: Vietnam (May), Brazil (June). He also attended the European Science Foundation on IRM for ECB in Europe. He is involved in monitoring the evolution of corn borers in Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Slovakia and Greece. Eileen Cullen indicated that Wisconsin had the lowest ECB flights on record. Current seed treatments are causing an issue with sandhill crane no lindane used anymore, so more cranes and crane damage to fields. Flight control chemicals (repellants) are being used. Galen Dively indicated that there is an increase in Bt sweet corn acres leading to a reduction in conventional chemical use. Tom Sappington indicated that there is a new subject area in Environmental Entomology: Transgenic plants and insects. Pat Porter recommends that we never use a pyrethroid for 2nd generation ECB control (John Deere Magazine). Randy Higgins discussed radio, newsletter, websites, field days conducted/presented on resistance management issues, etc. David Buntin indicated that Xin Zhi Ni filled Billy Wiseman's position, which has Lepidoptera and corn responsibilities. Corn acres are declining in Georgia. There are significant stinkbug and aflatoxin problems in corn. Chuck Mason indicated that in Delaware the number of Agricultural acres is declining because of development. Tracie Baute indicated they are seeing more problems with millipedes in corn. Bt corn adoption is at about 35-45%. They have conducted several IRM meetings. Ron Hammond said that ECB numbers are low, but stacks are being pushed by industry. Dennis Calvin indicated that a lot of education on IRM was given in Pennsylvania. Of issue in Pennsylvania is rootworm/ECB refuge in irregular or small-sized fields. Preparation for Conference Call with Sharlene Matten (EPA) The issues that will be addressed during the EPA conference call with Sharlene Matten on Wednesday (8:00 a.m.) were discussed. Calvin referred to a communication from Sharlene asking for information on possible treatment windows for various pests that occur when adult CRW are present and issues related to insecticidal sprays of Bt refuge. It was noted that treatment windows are often indistinct or variable. Larry Buschman indicated that in SW Kansas spider mites, SWCB, ECB, and adult corn rootworm are often treated at the same time. It was noted that growers ask why CRW IRM differs from ECB IRM. Billy Fuller suggested it was primarily a western Corn Belt issue and there are a lot of biological and planting considerations. Pat Porter indicated that one difference between ECB and CRW refuge structure is it kills about 99% of CRW adults and has good residual. In some scenarios only part of a refuge would need treatment. David Andow indicated that pyrethroid spraying will greatly affect refuge efficacy. He asked the question: what would be the impact of long-term treatment. Chuck Mason suggested that we how have more information on moth movement then we did when the refuge decisions originally occurred. He suggested that we may also want to revisit ECB and IRM. Can we decrease refuge size and not spray? What do models say? David Andow noted that ECB population equilibrium may be lower (opinion), but that this does not necessarily mean that the chance for resistance is significantly lower or that populations will remain low. David Onstad put a motion on the table that NC-205 send a letter to Sharlene Matten requesting that more data be collected on ECB behavior in high spray areas to determine whether refuges for ECB Bt corn should never be treated for ECB control. Survey and model results suggest that ECB may become resistance (3% allele frequency) in less than 10 years. NC-205 needs that data before re-registration of products in 2002. Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Meeting opened 8:30 a.m. Onstad motion revisited for discussion. Onstad noted that although the EPA and ABSTC say the High Spray survey is sufficient to address the question of spraying refuge in areas of frequent insecticide use, there are several reasons that indicate a further examination is warranted. David Onstad's manuscript on the topic indicates some concern, more analysis of efficacy data is needed, and many questions were raised about borer (ECB and SWCB) behavior in irrigated and non-irrigated corn. Tom Hunt seconded Onstad's motion and more discussion ensued. David Andow suggested there are theoretical issues concerning various simulation models - Onstad's indicates risk, Andow's does not. Randy Higgins suggest we reword the motion, or add an amendment. Chuck Mason indicated a point of order was needed make motion for amendment. Randy Higgins suggested a friendly amendment. David Onstad modified motion to add friendly amendment to change from corn borer behavior to broader request. Rick Hellmich as whether it is wise to request more data, or should Larry and Dave simply send a letter? More discussion ensued and Chuck Mason motioned to Table the motion. David Buntin second the motion passes. NC-205 publication NCR 327 discussion A discussion of the Monday evening meeting and a possible format of the revised publication were undertaken (video, hard copy, electronic, etc.). Chuck Mason indicated that individuals have been assigned to sections. These individuals are responsible for moving the sections forward. Chuck indicated that anyone interested in contributing to a section should contact him. Additional sections were discussed. Porter volunteered to establish a website, but it needs to be a protected for internal and external access. Drafts should first be sent to Chuck. Content will be reviewed by Andow, Calvin, Hunt, Mason (editorial review committee) prior to public posting. This revision will include source citations. Chip Guse give a presentation on the commonalities and differences between Resistance Management models "Evaluation of Models for Insect Resistance to Transgenic Crops." He gave an overview of the techniques. Addressed EPA questions: how they work, what they indicate, how they compare. The purpose is to develop a framework for regulatory agencies to understand models. He discussed the creation of theoretical standards, problems with fitness characterization, etc. Pat Porter ask how do tropics and sugarcane borer fit? A long discussion ensued. Revisit Onstad Motion The wording of David Onstad and other's final motion was presented - MOTION: NC-205 informs the US-EPA that the committee believes that the scientific support is inadequate to make recommendations related to the use of insecticides on Bt refuge corn. Specifically, there is a need to a) develop a consistent theory on the effects of treating the refuge with insecticide, b) understand changing insecticide use patterns in high insecticide use areas, and c) parameterize models for irrigated and non-irrigated corn in high insecticide use areas including collecting behavioral data and using new data on corn borers. A discussion about whether this should be sent as a letter ensued? It was decided that the NC-205 chair would present a letter to Sharlene Matten from the committee, but we first wanted to discuss with the NCR-46 committee to see if they wanted to be included. Time and Place Committee Report Rick Hellmich indicated that the 2007 meeting is tentatively scheduled to be held at Dallas, TX. Dates:1st choice - Jan 29, 30, overlap next a.m.. 2nd choice Feb 5, 6, overlap next a.m.. 3rd Choice - Jan 22, 23, overlap next a.m. Options will be presented to NCR-46. Onstad: Move to accept. Fuller: Second, motion passes. Nominating Committee Mason: Motion to sentence (elect) Calvin (NC-205 chair) and Hunt (NC-205 secretary) to another year of service. Andow: Seconded and the motion passed. Additional Issues Discussed Area-wide suppression/increase of Lepidoptera was discussed. A variety of factors must be examined (e.g., combination of events, voltinism predictions). Temporal data, spatial correlations, model results should be included in analysis. Question: Why does not SWCB go down? Cronholm: It has in Texas. Still a problem, but numbers are down. Higgins: An impact "High level of planting of Bt near urban areas because of fear of lawsuits" so insecticide use down near urban areas. Hellmich: IA has a library of ECB pubs; send any old pubs to IA (Hellmich). Hellmich: Move to adjourn. Everyone: Second, motion passes. 5:30 Adjourn 2006 NC-205 Annual Meeting

Bt Evaluation tool (BET) is available on line to evaluate value of Bt corn. F2 screen has been used to identify a major gene for resistance to Bt corn in the sugarcane borer in Louisiana. Sugarcane borer is an important pest of corn in Louisiana and Texas.