Project Number: 6206-11220-004-17
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 27, 2004
End Date: Sep 26, 2009

Objective:
Conduct host range and biological testing of insects necessary to introduce them into quarantine in the U.S. for biological control of saltcedar.

Approach:
At Tel Aviv, conduct field surveys of Tamarix species in Israel to find promising natural enemies for biological control. In the field, make periodic observations and surveys of the most promising candidate insects, including degree and type of attack on Tamarix species, amount of damage to the host plant, degree and type of parasitism suffered, seasonal occurrence, number of generations, and methods of overwintering. In the laboratory, learn how to culture the insects on saltcedar, determine their basic biological, behavioral, and reproductive parameters and requirements. Determine host range, including selection and reproduction on accessions of Tamarix from various pest areas of the U.S., adult feeding, ovipositional host selection, feeding and survival of larvae or nymphs, adult fecundity, and viability of eggs. Collect and ship insects to the U.S. cooperators as needed.