Project Number: 1926-22000-019-04
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2003
End Date: Dec 31, 2006

Objective:
Develop methods for optimizing control of Asian longhorned beetle using entomopathogenic fungi, especially focusing on use of non-woven fiber bands for fungal delivery

Approach:
Field trials will be conducted in China to evaluate the effectiveness of fungal-impregnated non-woven fiber bands for control of Asian longhorned beetle. With assistance of Chinese collaborators, plots will be identified with sufficient Asian longhorned beetle populations. Collaborators will produce bands using a strain of native North American Metarhizium anisopliae that has already been registered for pest control by the EPA. Bands will be hung in treatment plots, in some plots including attractants to lure beetles to bands. Populations will be monitored over ca. 1.5-2 months by collecting and rearing adults, quantifying oviposition, larval activity and emergence of new adults on a regular basis. Either in China or using the colony of Asian longhorned beetles in Ithaca, NY, conduct experiments to include studies such as how long beetles must remain on bands for a lethal dose, time to death after varying exposure times, effects of high temperatures on conidial survival, requirements for production of new conidia once initial conidia on bands die, etc.; subjects for specific studies will be determined based on field data.