1a.Objectives (from AD-416)
Explore for natural enemies (pathogens, parasites and predators) in the native range of insect pests identified as high priority targets by the ARS National Program Staff. Identify, colonize and evaluate the most promising natural enemies and ship to U.S. cooperators. Results of laboratory and field studies will be used to improve the ability to predict key factors for application to future programs. Key target pests include the Asian longhorned beetle(Anoplophora glabripennis), emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus), olive fly (Bactrocera oleae), Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus), and plant bugs (several species).

1b.Approach (from AD-416)
Using modern techniques of computer-generated climate matching, molecular biology, chemical ecology and risk analysis, the native range of the target pests will be pinpointed, the coevolved genotypes of key natural enemies will be identified, and their behavioral and physiological efficiency on target and non-target hosts will be determined through basic studies on the biology, ecology and behavior. Physiological (laboratory) host specificity tests of candidate biological control agents will be conducted in a risk analysis context to generate data necessary to predict safety and efficacy of the agents, and to seek concurrence from State and Federal regulatory agencies for release. Field and laboratory studies on non-target species will determine ecological host range. The most promising natural enemies will be prioritized and shipped to U.S. cooperators for further collaborative screening and release.

4.Accomplishments
The use of entomopathogenic fungi against varroa mites. Varroa mites are one of the most important pests of honeybees worldwide, weakeing bees and transmitting diseases. Varroa are usually treated chemically, which has resulted in contaminated honey, pollen and wax, and causes mites to develop resistantce to the chemicals. The question investigated was whether a fungal disease of varroa will effectively kill varroa while being safe for bees. A strain of fungus was found attacking varroa mites in France and was colonized for testing its potential effectiveness. After applying it to hives, the percentage of mites that became infected with the fungus was much higher than in hives not treated, and remained higher for up to two weeks after treatment. No negative impact was observed on bee colonies. A provisional patent was submitted for the formulation of the fungus with a carrier. Honeybees are very important pollinators for US agriculture, and varroa mites are usually ranked in the top three honeybee problems.  Developing technology to control the mites using pathogenic fungi will increase control options in general and non-chemical options in particular. This research accomplishment aligns with NP304, Component V: Pest Control Technologies. A key natural enemy of the olive fruit fly in Africa is discovered and shipped to California. The olive fruit fly threatens olive production in California. Long known in the Old World, it invaded California without its co-evolved natural enemies. Among several parasitic wasps discovered from Eurasia and Africa, one from Kenya, and southern Africa was showed to be specific to olive fruit fly. Extensive collections in Kenya, South Africa and Namibia yielded several thousand olive fruit flies which were shipped to the ARS laboratory in France for processing. Seventeen shipments containing over 13,000 parasitic wasps (Psyttalia lounsburyi) were subsequently shipped to California for evaluation and release. If successfully established, it is highly likely that pesticide use and associated costs will be substantially reduced. This activity was accomplished in cooperation with USDA-APHIS, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the University of California, Berkeley. This research accomplishment aligns with NP304, Component V: Pest Control Technologies. Natural enemies of the Asian Longhorn Beetle found in Italy. The Asian Longhorn Beetle is under eradication in Illinois, New Jersey, Ontario. New Jersey alone has lost more than 8,000 treees due to the infestation. Immature beetles feed in the stems and branches of many hardwood tree species including maple, boxelder, alder, elm, birch, poplar, and willow and can lead to the death of branches and entire trees. Studies were carried out in infested sites in Italy to determine if natural enemies exist there that might be used in the U.S. Laboratory-infested trees placed in the field were readily attacked by a parasitic wasp, Spathius erythrocephalus, and was the most abundant natural enemy found. Eggs were also attacked at one site by another wasp species, Aprostocetus anoplophorae. If found not to attack native longhorn beetles, these natural enemies could be released in North America and help control this pest while reducing pesticide use. The natural enemies also would be of value in reducing the numbers of beetles in undetected populations. This research accomplishment aligns with NP304, Component V: Pest Control Technologies.

6.Technology Transfer

Number of invention disclosures submitted	1
Number of patent granted	1
Number of non-peer reviewed presentations and proceedings	19
Number of newspaper articles and other presentations for non-science audiences	2

Review Publications
Meikle, W.G., Mercardier, G., Holst, N., Nansen, C., Girod, V. 2007. Duration and spread of an entomopathogenic fungus used to treat varroa mites in honeybee hives. Journal of Economic Entomology 100: 1-10.