Project Number: 6402-22000-044-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jun 07, 2005
End Date: Jun 06, 2010

Objective:
Changes in cotton insect pest management practices (i.e., Bt cotton, boll weevil eradiation, and Lepidopteran-specific insecticides) have resulted in reduced broad spectrum insecticide use, which coincidentally controlled secondary insect pests. This combined with insecticide resistance have lead to increased concerns over sucking insect pests. Three alternative management strategies will be developed to control tarnished plant bug and cotton aphid. First, entomopathogenic fungi will be developed for controlling tarnished plant bug populations developing on wild host plants. Second, sterile insect technique will be developed targeting these same tarnished plant bug populations. These first two objectives will contribute to the area wide management of tarnished plant bug. Finally, epizootics of the cotton aphid fungus, Neozygites fresenii will be augmented to enhance cotton aphid control.

Approach:
Entomopathogenic fungi isolated from native tarnished plant bug populations will be selected for characteristics relevant to microbial biopesticide development. Formulations will be developed for improving persistence and efficacy of fungi. A selected formulated isolate will be incorporated into ongoing area wide management programs in wild host plants. Tarnished plant bugs will be sterilized by irradiation and fitness evaluated. Once the sterile insect technique is developed, sterile insects will be released into populations developing on wild host plants. Diapause models will be developed and used to strategically time sterile insect release. Factors leading to the initiation and spread of cotton aphid fungus epizootics will be identified. Based on these factors cultural and pest management practices will be identified to augment epizootics and improve the establishment of epizootics through inoculative biocontrol.