Project Number: 6631-22000-003-03
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Jan 15, 2004
End Date: Jan 14, 2009

Objective:
Both parties have an interest in the development of biological control as a component for integrated pest management programs needed for exotic pest insects that pose a threat to U.S. agriculture. Many of the exotic insects that have been introduced into the U.S. through south Florida are pests of ornamentals; and movement of ornamentals may provide pathways for dispersal of these pests into other areas of the continental U.S. However, basic and applied research on biocontrol organisms is not part of the CRIS. Information obtained by the research of the collaborator, however, will be instrumental in advancing research on the chemical ecology of the biocontrol agents and integration of biological control agents with other pest management components being developed by ARS for mitigation of exotic insect pests.

Approach:
The cooperator at the University of FL will conduct research on the basic biology and the use of biological organisms for control of pests of subtropical and tropical ornamental plants. This research will include basic biology of the pest insects, development of rearing methods for pest and biological control agents, tests of host susceptibility to biological control agents, integration of biological control agents with insecticide control measures, and laboratory and field tests of biological control agent efficacy and distribution.