2005 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Many insect species feed on crops in the U.S., reducing their yield and quality. Insect damage may be reduced with insecticides, but the latter increase food production costs and may cause environmental problems if misused. In addition, target pests frequently become resistant to insecticides. Several species of "plant bugs" (Hemiptera:Miridae) are significant pests of many important crops, in all regions of the United States. The Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit at Newark, DE is developing "classical" biological controls (the introduction of foreign parasites of pest insects) to permanently reduce crop damage by both native and accidentally-introduced plant bugs. Newark has permanently established two species of parasites from Europe: one has significantly reduced the tarnished plant bug (a native pest of many fruit, vegetable, seed, fiber, forest, and forage crops; the other attacks the alfalfa plant bug (an introduced pest of forage crops). These parasites are now present in nine and three northeastern states, respectively, and are spreading. In addition, Newark has released two additional species of parasites, one from Europe (to control the introduced alfalfa plant bug), and one from the western U.S., for control of the tarnished plant bug in the Mid-Atlantic States. Two native insects, the (eastern) tarnished plant bug (LYGUS LINEOLARIS) and the western tarnished plant bug (LYGUS HESPERUS), injure a large number of crops throughout the United States. Moderate to severe damage is done to fruits (strawberries, raspberries, peaches, apples), vegetables (cauliflower, celery, lettuce), forestry nurseries (conifer seedlings), fiber crops (cotton), and seed crops (alfalfa, carrots). Control with insecticides adds to production costs, and cannot always prevent damage, because yield losses often occur before visible symptoms become apparent, and because large flights of adult plant bugs can suddenly appear in a crop. The problem is especially severe in cotton, where resistance to some insecticides has been reported. Total losses and control costs were recently estimated to be between $2.1-3.5 billion per year for tarnished plant bug damage to all crops in the U.S. Successful biological control benefits conventional and organic farmers, small and large farmers, and home gardeners. The Chinese soybean aphid, APHIS GLYCINES Matsumura, a recent invader from the Far East, was first detected in nine midwestern states during the summer of 2000. Outbreak populations were observed in soybeans in southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, southeastern Minnesota, and southwestern Michigan in 2001, and its range had expanded to parts of Iowa, all of Wisconsin, eastern Michigan, northern Ohio and Indiana, and part of Ontario, Canada. This aphid transmits a number of plant viruses, including soybean mosaic virus, and also infests snap beans and some other legumes. Although 10 insecticides are labeled for soybean foliar applications, only three are labelled for soybean aphid. Potential nationwide yield losses are substantial, with $2.2 billion being estimated for the North Central Region alone. The brown marmorated stink bug, HALYOMORPHA HALYS, another new pest from Asia, recently invaded in the greater Allentown, PA vicinity. By 2005 it had spread to most other states of the mid-Atlantic region. It is a very polyphagous species, feeding on a large number of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs. In addition, it invades homes and commercial establishments in the fall in search of overwintering shelter, and the aggregations of stinkbugs cause a strong, disagreeable odor throughout the building. Research needs to be done on its economic importance, geographic and host ranges, and natural enemies in Asia to evaluate the potential for a biological control program in the U.S. Our objectives for dealing with these problems are as follows: (1) Implement a classical biological control program to reduce populations of the tarnished plant bug, L. LINEOLARIS, in the mid-Atlantic and southern Atlantic states, and the alfalfa plant bug, ADELPHOCORIS LINEOLATUS, in the northeastern U.S. (2) Implement a classical biological control program for Chinese soybean aphid, APHIS GLYCINES, in the mid-Atlantic region. (3) Initiate a classical biological control program for brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), HALYOMORPHA HALYS. Components of NP 304, Crop Protection and Quarantine, that are addressed include: II-Biology of pests and enemies, III-Pest-enemy interactions, V-Pest control strategies, and VI-Area-wide pest suppression. 2.List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Year 1 (FY 2006) Objective 1. Biocontrol of Mirid plant bugs: 111 - Receive P. howardi from Idaho and P. stygicus & rubricollis from EBCL; hold in quarantine for overwintering. 121 - Field release of howardi and stygicus, Delaware and rubricollis in New Jersey. 131 - Construct PCR assay for P. rubricollis & lab-validate specificity and sensitivity. 141 - Finalize experimental design to evaluate impact of biological control of TPB by P. digoneutis in fruit; select study sites in NY and PA and initiate field surveys. Objective 2. Biocontrol of soybean aphid: 211 - Locate SBA infestations in DE / MD / NJ / PA soybeans & begin surveys; locate Rhamnus for sampling & begin survey; curate and identify emerged parasitoids. 221 - through foreign exploration, survey spring Rhamnus and soybean; recollect in late summer soybean; survey in fall Rhamnus; Rear out and culture natural enemies from collections ; send material to cooperators as needed. 231 - Evaluate in quarantine studies the parasitoids obtained during 1st year of exploration; conduct exclosure studies of SBA in soybean and on Rhamnus (yr 1). Objective 3. Biocontrol of brown marmorated stinkbug: 311 - Obtain translations of key Asian literature; obtain info on distribution in Asia from cooperators. 321 - Collect BMSB specimens from many locations in Asia; submit for DNA analysis; begin CLIMEX analysis. 331 - Survey for natural enemies in Lehigh Valley and record impact. 341 - Collect baseline data on BMSB abundance and parasitization at selected sites in Asia; test feasibility of exclosure expt. 351 - Compile lists of U.S. non-target stinkbugs based on phylogenetic & ecological affinities to BMSB. Year 2 (FY 2007) Objective 1. Biocontrol of Mirid plant bugs: 112 - Receive P. howardi from Idaho and P. stygicus & rubricollis from EBCL; hold for overwintering, field release of howardi, stygicus, rubricollis emerged from the previous year's collection 122 - validate P. rubricollis assay using field- collected APB nymphs at EBCL & lab-exposed APB nymphs at BIIR 132 - continue 1st full season of field surveys in apples and confirm identity of parasitoid samples collected. Objective 2. Biocontrol of soybean aphid: 212 - Survey SBA in DE / MD / NJ / PA soybeans, make spring & fall survey of Rhamnus, curate and identify emerged parasitoids. 222 - In Asia, survey spring Rhamnus and soybean; recollect in late summer soybeans; survey fall Rhamnus; rear out and culture natural enemies from collections ; send material to cooperators. 232- Evaluate in quarantine any new parasitoids obtained during 2nd year of exploration; conduct exclosure studies of SBA in soybean and on Rhamnus (yr 2). 242- Prepare EA for suitable candidate spp. (if any). Objective 3. Biocontrol of brown marmorated stink bug: 312 - Publish annotated bibliography on BMSB literature. 322 Finish BMSB collections in Asia and submittal to DNA cooperators; complete CLIMEX analysis. 332 - Continue surveys for natural enemies in Lehigh Valley. 342 - Based on results of 3b, start studies in Asia; if necessary; find alternative to exclosure expt. 352 - Select species most at risk; start cultures of species not readily available; check host range records for natural enemies in Asia. Year 3 (FY 2008) Objective 1. Biocontrol of Mirid plant bugs: 113 - Receive P. howardi from ID and P. stygicus & rubricollis from EBCL; hold & overwinter; Field release of howardi, stygicus, rubricollis; conduct recovery surveys. 123 - Test P. rubricollis assay on APB nymphs from DE & NJ field sites to detect P. rubricollis from releases. 133 - Continue 2nd full season of field surveys in apples, confirm identity of parasitoid samples collected. Objective 2. Biocontrol of soybean aphid : 213 - Survey SBA in DE / MD / NJ / PA soybeans, and a spring & fall survey of Rhamnus; curate and identify emerged parasitoids. 223 - In Asia, survey aphid on spring Rhamnus and soybean; survey fall Rhamnus; rear out and culture natural enemies from collections ; send material to cooperators as needed. 233 - In quarantine, evaluate new parasitoids obtained during 2nd year of exploration; conclude exclosure studies of SBA in soybean and on Rhamnus. 243 - Obtain 1st release permits; begin releases of first candidate species. Objective 3. Biocontrol of brown marmorated stinkbug: 313 - Analyze BMSB specimen DNA. 323 - Complete surveys for natural enemies in Lehigh Valley. 333 - Continue field experiments and monitoring in Asia; start to import promising natural enemies. 343 - Collect likely non-target hosts in Asia; begin to conduct lab tests in quarantine vs. U.S. species. Year 4 (FY 2009) Objective 1. Biocontrol of Mirid plant bugs: 114 - Recovery surveys & report on establishment, and if established, begin assessment of howardi, stygicus impact; field release P. rubricollis; obtain P. digoneutis ex S. Europe from EBCL (if needed). 124 - Test P. rubricollis assay on APB nymphs from DE & NJ field sites to detect P. rubricollis from releases. 134 - Analyze data from 2+ yrs of site comparisons; report on results. Objective 2. Biocontrol of soybean aphid: 214 - Survey SBA in DE / MD / NJ / PA soybeans, and spring & fall survey of Rhamnus, curate and identify emerged parasitoids. 224 - Make targeted recollections as needed for particular species; rear out and culture natural enemies from collections; send material to cooperators as needed. 234 - Conclude quarantine evaluations; analyze field exclosure data. 244 - Obtain additional release permits as needed; begin releases, second candidate species. Objective 3. Biocontrol of brown marmorated stinkbug: 314 - Complete DNA and CLIMEX analyses and document results. 314 - Publish findings on DNA and CLIMEX analyses. 324 - Conduct similarity analysis (with Asian survey results). 334 - Analyze data in exclosure expt. & report findings; import natural enemies. 344 - Continue observations in Asia and lab tests in quarantine; publish findings, submit environmental assessment for 1st candidate. Year 5 (FY 2010) Objective 1. Biocontrol of Mirid plant bugs: 115 - Recovery surveys & report on establishment; begin field releases of digoneutis from southern Europe (if needed); field release of rubricollis (if needed); assess howardi, stygicus impact. 125 - Document the assay technique and the field validation results. 135 - Document the impact of lygus biocontrol in apples. Objective 2. Biocontrol of soybean aphid : 215 - Document the composition of US resident natural enemy complex in soybean and Rhamnus, and the impact of resident natural enemies on soybean aphid. 225 - Document foreign survey and importation results. 235 - Document evaluation results; document results of field impact studies. 245 - Continue releases, begin surveys for establishment & impact. Objective 3. Biocontrol of brown marmorated stinkbug : 315 - Complete the similarity analysis and document the results. 325 - Import more natural enemies if necessary. 335 - Continue observations in Asia and lab tests in quarantine; publish findings, submit environmental assessment for 2nd second candidate; if approved, release 1st candidate. 4a.What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? 4a. Single most significant accomplishment during FY 2005. We have documented the presence of a reproducing population of brown marmorated stinkbug in New Castle Co., Delaware, a new state record. We also detected the presence of one or more indigenous egg parasitoids that had not previously been reported attacking populations of the pest in eastern Pennsylvania. This is noteworthy because extension personnel can make growers aware of the danger and the egg parasitoids merit further study. 4b.List other significant accomplishments, if any. None 4c.List any significant activities that support special target populations. Classical biological control of insect pests helps small farmers stay in business, because fewer or no insecticide expenditures are necessary to produce adequate crop yields and quality. Organic growers, regardless of the size of their operation, also benefit from classical biological control. 4d.Progress report. 1926-22000-018-01S: This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Cornell University. The impact of the introduced European parasitoid of tarnished plant bugs (TPB) was inactive during most of this and the preceding FY due to a staff vacancy at Cornell. A new graduate student was hired at the start of FY 2005 to resume the research and field work. Research plans were formulated over the winter months and field work again was planned to begin again during the late spring of 2005. Research on this project has shifted from past years emphasis on demonstrating the parasite's impact in strawberry crops to a demonstration of its role in apple crops. Damage to commercial apples by TPB in New Hampshire has declined since 1990, coinciding with the establishment and spread of the European parasite of TPB, and we wish to document the sequence of events as they occur in New York. This project is being replaced by a new agreement to facilitate progression of research. 5.Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. As this project began only four months ago, there are no major accomplishments to report during this reporting period. Our most significant findings during this period documented the presence of a reproducing population of brown marmorated stinkbug in New Castle Co., Delaware, the first known for Delaware, and the presence of one or more indigenous egg parasitoids attacking populations in eastern Pennsylvania that had not previously been seen. These will be evaluated further in the future. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? None 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Fuester, R. W., Day, W. H. “Whatever Happened to the Clover Root Curculio?” Biological Control Symposium: Whatever happened to … (different target pests), Ann. Meeting. Entomological Society of America, Eastern Branch, Harrisburg, PA, March 20-22, 2005. Review Publications Day, W.H. 2005. Diapause duration as a synchronizer of parasite (peristenus spp: hymenoptera: braconidae) and host (hemiptera:miridae) life cycles, and its use in separating morphologically-similar parasite species. Transactions of the American Entomological Society. 131:87-99.