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? Why does it matter?
The abundant production of food and fiber would not be possible without crop protection, which for the past decades has been accomplished through the use of synthetic pesticides. The concern of the general public, government regulators, and land managers over the risk to the sustainability of agricultural and natural lands has put added emphasis on the development of more benign strategies for controlling crop and invasive pests. Global pesticide use in 2001, based on the active ingredients alone, was estimated to exceed 5 billion pounds. Therefore, in order to significantly reduce pesticide usage, alternative strategies to the chemical control of weeds must be developed. While it is unlikely that synthetic chemicals can be totally displaced by alternative methods, significant reductions in chemical use may be achieved through a greater emphasis on biological control in weed management. In addition, in some situations, the use of synthetic herbicides is not an alternative because of environmental restrictions, economic limitations, or preference, as in the case of organic agriculture. Consequently, there is a growing need for efficacious biological control agents for insect and weed pests.

The research to be undertaken falls within National Program 304, Crop Production and Protection, Research Component A (Insects and Mites), subcomponent Biology of Pests and Natural Enemies and Research Component B (Weed Science). subcomponent: Biological Control of Weeds. The research conducted is to accomplish ARS Strategic Plan General Goal 3: Enhance Protection and Safety of the Nation’s Agriculture and Food Supply, Objective 3.2: Develop and Deliver Science-based Information and Technologies to Reduce the Number and Severity of Agricultural Pest, Insect, Weed, and Disease Outbreaks, Performance Measures 3.2.5 Provide scientific information to protect agriculturally important plants from pests and diseases), and 3.2.6 Provide scientific information of use to producers of agriculturally important plants in support of exclusion, detection and early eradication, control and monitoring of invasive insects, weeds and pathogens, and restoration of affected areas. The project focuses primarily on the development of safe and effective agents of insect and weed pests and will contribute to the sustainable management of agricultural and natural land.

2.List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress)
This CRIS project was exempt from the OSQR process. As such, there are no approved milestones. The objectives of the CRIS are presented in liu of milestones.

1. Discover and collect biological control agents for pests of Asian origin.

2. Provide assistance to ARS and other stateside collaborators on collection expeditions throughout China.

3. Ship specimens to appropriate laboratories and/or quarantine facilities.

4a.List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006.
Biological control agents for the soybean aphid. Several explorations for natural enemies of the soybean aphid were conducted in several locations in China. Mummafied soybean aphids were collected from soybean plants and from leaves of Rhamnus, a fall host of this pest. The mummafied aphids may prove to be a useful source of parasites or disease of this pest. Additional explorations will be conducted into the area where the most aphid mummies were found.

4b.List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any.
None.

4c.List significant activities that support special target populations.
None

5.Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact.
The Sino-American Biological Control Laboratory (Sino-ABCL) has assisted numerous scientists in their search for natural enemies of U.S. pests that originated in Asia. As a result, several biological control agents have been discovered, collected, and shipped to U.S. collaborators. Consequently, the support provided by Sino-ABCL has been a significant contribution to ARS scientists developing biological control agents of insect and weed pests originating from China.

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?
1. Trees that attract Asian longhorned beetle were discovered and shipped to collaborators at ARS, Newark, DE. The plant or derivatives of it may be of value in developing lures to trap or monitor the pest.

2. A leaf beetle, Diorhabda elongata, collected in Xinjian province, was shipped to ARS, Albany, CA. The insect is being evaluated for the control of saltcedar.

3. A leaf beetle that attacks Canada thistle was discovered, collected, and shipped to the European Biological Control Laboratory, Montpellier, France. It is being evaluated for its efficacy and host range.

Constraints to the development and adoption of the biological control agents are poor adaption to the environments where the agents are to be used, undesirable host range, insufficient efficacy, and difficulties in culturing/rearing and establishing agents.

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).
None.