Project Number: 6602-22000-035-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Nov 30, 2005
End Date: Aug 31, 2010

Objective:
To investigate several different approaches toward pest management with a focus on integrating genetic strategies such as sterile insect techniques (SIT), biological control, and other biorational pest management tactics leading to the development of local and regional pest management systems for important invasive insects and insect pests of crops grown primarily in the Southeast, and the enhancement of the use of natural enemies for insect and weed biological control.

Approach:
We will test the hypothesis that novel approaches to the use of the SIT will provide critical knowledge in the development of strategies to suppress, exclude or eradicate indigenous or invasive pest species of importance to the Southeast. We also will test the hypothesis that the reproductively inactivated insect pests can serve as host/prey to increase the performance of natural enemies as biological control agents, and that this tactic can be integrated into local and regional pest management systems. Laboratory, greenhouse, and field research will be conducted to identify and develop integrated management tactics and strategies to control important established and invasive insect pests, to mitigate the threat of high-risk exotic pests, and to enhance the use of natural enemies for insect and weed biological control. We will emphasize biological control, area-wide management, and SIT in our research approach. We will develop SIT tactics to suppress or eradicate indigenous and invasive species of Lepidoptera, to determine the host and geographical range of invasive species and weed biological control agents, and to increase the performance of natural enemies. Our research will be designed to identify synergism between control tactics and to facilitate the decision-making process in developing integrated management strategies. This research, which emphasizes collaboration with State, Federal, and international cooperators, will result in improved management strategies for invasive insect pests and insect pests that threaten crops grown primarily in the Southeast, and enhanced use of natural enemies for insect and weed biological control.