2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Determine the relative attractiveness of extrafloral nectar from different peach cultivars and the effects on natural enemy life history and biological control efficiency. Determine the effect of extrafloral nectary resources on natural enemy abundance and biological control on apple trees. Determine the spatial dynamics and distance at which extrafloral nectaries affect natural enemy effectiveness, and develop prototypical orchard designs for implementing natural enemy management practices in commercial orchards. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Extrafloral nectar from peach leaves will be collected and tested for attractiveness to natural enemies with a gas-chromatography and electro-antennal detection system. Nectar will also be provided as diet to natural enemies to investigate nutritive qualities of the nectar. Field cage and orchard studies will be done to examine the effect of nectar sources on biological control of insect pests on apple. Both abundance of natural enemies and the number of pests killed will be used to evaluate the impact of nectar. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable agreement between ARS and Shepherd University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 1931-21000-015-00D Integrated Orchard Management and Automation for Deciduous Tree Fruit Crops. In collaboration with Dr. Clarissa R. Mathews, Shepherd Univ. experiments are being conducted to investigate the interaction between nectar as an alternative food source and natural enemies of insect pests of apple. Feeding trials continue to study the parasitic insect Goniozus flavadana, a biological control of the tufted apple budmoth, a serious pest of apple in the eastern US. Investigations are studying the life span of the parasitoid and the number of budmoth it can kill in the presence of extrafloral nectar. Analysis of the nectar is being done to determine the types of sugar in different cultivars of peach and if these sugars have a differential effect on parasitoid effectiveness. Progress of the project has been monitored through quarterly meetings, site visits and telephone calls as needed to keep the research on target to meet the goals.