SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Basic Information
Additional Info

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Project No. and Title: NCERA_OLD125 : Biological Control of Arthropods and Weeds
Period Covered: 10/01/2003 to 09/01/2004
Date of Report: 02/07/2005
Annual Meeting Dates: 10/14/2004 to 10/15/2004

Allyene, Marianne - IL, INHS; Brewer, Mike - ?; Canas, Luis - OH; Evans, Jeff - ?; Fieldler, Anna - ?; Gardiner, Mary - ?; Heimpel, George - UM; Landis, Doug (Secretary) - MI; Olson, Denise (Chair) - ND; O'Neal, Matt - IA; O'Neil, Bob - IN; Puttler, Ben - MO; Prokrym, David - USDA, APHIS; Wright, Bob - NE; Zolnerowich, Greg - KS

Legacy attachment file:

[Participant]

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The meeting was held in East Lansing, Michigan at the MSU Kellog Conference Center. The chair was Denise Olson, the secretary Doug Landis, and the administrative advisor Steve Yaninek (who could not attend the meeting). Reports were given by Denise Olson (briefings submitted by the AA and the CSREES representative), David Prokrym (update on CPHST and PPQ), Marianne Alleyne (IOBC-NRS), Bob O'Neil (MBCI), and George Heimpel (IOBC Global). Details of their presentations can be found in the minutes. George Heimpel also reported on activities and hires at that the Quarantine lab in MN. State representative provided brief synopses of their state reports. The new business included a briefing about the 2004 ESA NCB symposium on Physiological and Ecological Determinants of the Host Range of Insect Pathogens and Parasitoids which Marianne Alleyne volunteered to organize. There was a discussion and general agreement to change the annual meeting format by expanding it by half a day. It was also decided to explore the possibility of a joint meeting with NC-148 Migration and Dispersal (this was arranged and the two committees will meeting jointly in Chicago in 2005). Dan Mahr received the support of the committee to develop a SARE proposal to update the North Central Regional Pub. 481 on the Biological Control of Insects and Mites. Denise Olson agreed to draft the letter of support. Luis Cañas was elected as secretary for 2005.

Accomplishments

The meeting provided an opportunity for participants in the region to review work in progress and discuss plans for the future. It is the one time each year when committee members come together to focus exclusively on topics that are a priority of this committee. Meeting accomplishments included: 1. Decision to organize a symposium on Physiological and Ecological Determinants of the Host Range of Insect Pathogens and Parasitoids in West Lafayette, IN at the 2005 ESA NCB meeting. 2. The committee agreed to change the format of the annual meeting by adding a half day extension. 3. The committee supported the initiative by Dan Mahr to develop a proposal for SARE to update Pub. 481 on the Biological Control of Insects and Mites. 4. The committee chose Luis Cañas as the 2005 secretary and 2006 chair. 5. The nominating committee picked Chicago/O'Hare, IL for a joint meeting with NC-148 (Migration and Dispersal) on October 25-26 for the 2005 annual meeting.

Impacts

Insect Biocontrol - Soybean aphid is a key invasive pest of soybean in the region causing $1.7 billion/year in losses. NCERA-125 determined that over 7 of the 42 million infested acres were treated with insecticides to control this pest in 2003. Foreign exploration in Asia to date revealed 10 potential natural enemies and host-range testing of 3 parasitoids has been completed. New biocontrol systems could save growers over $1 billion dollars/year in yield losses and pesticide costs.
Weed Biocontrol - We have established Aphthona species flea beetles for biological control of leafy spurge infestations in seven states in the region reducing stands by as much as 80-90%. Educational programs providing demonstrations and methodology training have reached more than 1,000 land owners and managers. Media attention to biological control of leafy spurge has reached over 300,000 people increasing public awareness of the need to control and prevent the spread of this weed.
BC Education/Extension - For 14 years, NCERA-125 members have organized the Midwest Institute for Biological Control offering in-depth, team taught graduate short-courses featuring biological control topics and expertise not widely available. The Institute brings together students and faculty from the region and rotates among institutions to expose students to peers and facilities from other locations including visits to Honduras and France to provide students an international experience.
BC Education/Extension II - To date, 240 students from most North Central states, CA, CT, MA, FL, NM, NC, Nicaragua, and France have taken courses. More than 25 "LadyBird Fellowships" have been awarded to support student participation. The Institute is funded by grants from the USDA, in-house contributions, and course registrations. A notebook of lecture outlines, and a Web-based text is available at (www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cee/biocontrol/home.html).

Publications

Available on the NCERA-125 website in the individual state reports at: http://www.cips.msu.edu/ncr125/

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