INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL NEARCTIC REGIONAL SECTION NEWSLETTER Volume 23, No. 2 Summer 2001 Editor: S. E. R. Mahr

Conferences and Coordination: of IOBC and the West Palearctic RS team of all of these organizations together at one A Bit of an Editorial to present “IPM in Glasshouses”, to be held time to discuss the benefits and opportuni- Perhaps the term “groupie” has a bit of a in Victoria, British Columbia. Information ties of better coordination and communi- negative connotation; certainly the word is on these and other upcoming meetings can cation. With the increase in international not often used to describe the attendees of be found elsewhere in this newsletter. And trade we will continue to experience the scientific meetings. But all of us North I am sure that there others that I have introduction of exotic pest species, so there American biological control groupies will missed, and I apologize for overlooking will be continuing need for classical bio- have ample opportunity to co-mingle over these. (Ed. note: don’t forget to notify us logical control. Research and development the next year, or at least as long as our travel of your upcoming biological control meet- of new microbial agents for control of budgets remain solvent. ings, so that we can advertise them in the pathogens, weeds, and provides newsletter.) new tools for increased microbial control, In early August we will be attending “The and the insectary industry continues to of- Practice of Biological Control: Importation It’s a bit gratifying to see so much atten- fer new products as well. But amongst all and Management of Natural Enemies and tion being paid to biological control. But I of these opportunities for increasing bio- Agents” in Bozeman, . At least have to think that this flurry of activity is a logical control are the concerns being ex- one USDA CSREES regional biological bit coincidental, and that such energy is pressed about non-target impacts. We have control committee will be meeting in con- unlikely to be sustained. Certainly two of entered an era where individual research- junction with this conference, as will the the bigger events are the Bozeman and ers, agencies, and industries can not pro- ESCOP Biological Control Working Honolulu meetings. It’s a bit unfortunate ceed in a vacuum. I applaud those who have Group. Just slightly over a month later, that they are occurring so close together, conceived and organized the upcoming Honolulu, Hawaii will be the venue for the and several fine biological control work- meetings; their hard work is appreciated, “First International Symposium on Bio- ers have told me that they would like to as is the financial support of the organiza- logical Control of Arthropods”. This con- attend both, but, for a variety of reasons, tions and agencies that are sponsoring these ference is proposed to be held every four can not. Of course, the arguments can be events. But as we get together and talk years, providing the equivalent made that the Bozeman meeting is a one- about the science of biological control, I of the weed biological meetings that have time event, somewhat of a follow-up to the urge us to also consider what steps are been held regularly for many years. In Vedalia Conference. Additionally, the Ho- needed to better coordinate our activities. I October, “Growing Partnerships in Bio- nolulu meeting is to be every four years, also encourage all of you who are mem- Control,” the 2001 conference and annual and of international scope, which means bers of IOBC-NRS to write us with your meeting of The Association of Natural Bio- that, whenever scheduled, it might likely suggestions as to how this group can be control Producers (ANBP) is being held in conflict with other biological control meet- more involved in the coordination and com- D.C. in association with The ings elsewhere in the world; and now that munication effort. International Biocontrol Manufacturers it has started its 4 year rotation, conflicts — Dan Mahr, IOBC-NRS President Association (IBMA). In San Diego in De- will be easier to avoid. cember, IOBC-NRS holds its annual sym- Exploring the World for posium, focusing on generalist predators, But still I think there is room for better co- Biocontrol Agents in conjunction with the national meeting ordination within biological control, and I Most IOBC members have heard of the of the Entomological Society of America, am referring not just to the scheduling of European Biological Control Laboratory which, as usual, will also have a full plate conferences. Within North America there (EBCL) in Montpellier, France, and many of biological control conferences, sympo- are really relatively few organizations and have visited the facility or collaborated with sia, and submitted papers and posters. In agencies that play a key role in biological researchers stationed there. The job of sci- May 2002, the greenhouse Working control. To my knowledge, there has never entists at the EBCL is to conduct research Groups of our Nearctic Regional Section been an attempt to gather representatives on parasites, predators, and pathogens of 2 insects and weeds that have become inva- Exploration for new natural enemies is Alan Kirk and John Goolsby (of the ARS sive pests of U.S. agriculture — but you done wherever the crops, climate, or habi- Australian Biological Control Laboratory) may not realize how extensive their activi- tat matches a particular U.S. region where are exploring Australia, Egypt, Hong Kong, ties are. The EBCL was the topic of an ar- a pest has become established. Insect pri- Macau, and other places to collect addi- ticle in a recent Agriculture Research orities includes diamondback moth, pink tional natural enemies. Magazine (Vol. 49, No. 4, pages 10-13). hibiscus mealybug, wheat stem sawfly, gypsy moth, codling moth, apple Olive Fruit Fly — this is an emerging The EBCL is about a 20-minute drive from leafrollers, olive fruit fly, grasshoppers, threat to ’s $33.9 million olive downtown Montpellier on France’s Medi- locusts, termites, Asian longhorned beetle, industry that will require biocontrol and terranean coast. USDA-ARS established and Lygus bugs. Weed priorities include other IPM tactics to minimize pesticide the lab in 1919 and had a new facility built yellow starthistle, Russian knapweed, costs and environmental harm. Last fall En- for it in 1999 on a 5-acre plot inside saltcedar, Russian thistle, leafy spurge, tomologist Kim Hoelmer and Dominique France’s prestigious international research hoary cress, perennial pepperweed, spot- Coutinot, senior support staff member, campus, called AGROPOLIS. Adminis- ted knapweed, medusahead ryegrass, and went to Tunisia to find olive fruitfly para- tered by ARS’s Office of International rush skeleton weed. Current projects are sites. Flies were collected at two different Research Programs, the 1,800-square- focused around the following insect and sites, from which at least two different para- meter lab boasts a top-notch quarantine lab weed pests: sitoids were found. Charles Pickett, a Cali- with three self-contained greenhouses. fornia Department of Food and Agriculture EBCL’s staff at Montpellier and substations Asian Longhorned Beetle — this (CDFA) cooperator, hopes to import new in Rome and Thessaloniki includes 30 sci- cerambycid has been found in New York parasites in addition to one he’s already entists, lab technicians, and support person- City and Chicago and poses a $3.8 billion test-released — Psyttalia concolor. nel from America, France, Britain, Africa, threat to North America’s hardwood and and elsewhere, under the leadership of di- ornamental trees, according to USDA- Wheat stem sawflies — cause roughly rector Paul C. (Chuck) Quimby, Jr. APHIS. EBCL entomologist Franck $100 million annually in yield losses in Hérard is exploring Europe to identify natu- Montana and North and . Nearly 200 different biocontrol agents, for ral enemies of cerambycid beetles that Biocontrol is especially appealing against use against at least 36 insect and weed pests might be useful for battling ALB. Hérard the sawfly because insecticides are too of U.S. agriculture or natural areas, have is working in cooperation with Michael costly to use in wheat, and resistant wheats been collected, reared, tested, and sent to Smith, an entomologist with the ARS Ben- (solid stem varieties) currently offer poor the States from this facility. Some of these eficial Insects Introduction Research Labo- yields. Hoelmer searched for sawflies in natural enemies include Peristenus wasp ratory (BIIRL), in Newark, , who Uzbekistan last summer and will evaluate species, whose larvae develop inside Ly- is focusing on natural enemies of the any parasitoids they harbor that emerged gus bug nymphs; Thanasimus formicarius, beetle’s closest U.S. relatives. Chinese co- this spring. a beetle that eats pine shoot beetles; operators, meanwhile, are searching for en- Trichothecium roseum, a fungus that in- emies that co-evolved with the pest in its Leafy Spurge — the gall midge Spurgia fects the exotic shrub saltcedar, which in native Asia. capitigena, collected by Rouhollah western states increases soil salinity and Sobhian, now retired from EBCL’s deprives native plants of water; and wee- Codling Moth and Leafrollers on Apple biocontrol research team, will be released vils Larinus minutus on knapweeds and and Pear — Kim Chen, a senior support by ARS cooperators in Montana against Eustenopus villosus on yellow starthistle. scientist, surveyed three orchards in south- leafy spurge. ern, central, and northern France in 1999 One EBCL biocontrol success story is its and 2000 and found 65 parasite species, Russian Thistle — also known as tum- research on seven parasites and one preda- including braconid wasps and tachinid bleweed, this icon of the American West tor species from western Europe for con- flies, that attack these pests. A warm-cli- is an invasive species some landowners trol of alfalfa weevils. In the 1980s, these mate strain of the eulophid wasp consider a rangeland pest because of its biocontrols were released in the United Colpoclypeus florus was to be shipped this prodigious seed production, flammability, States and resulted in $90 million in yearly spring to Tom Unruh, an ARS entomolo- wind-driven tumbling, and thorny stems. savings. In Texas’s Rio Grande Valley and gist in Wapato, Washington, for release, A promising biocontrol discovered by southern California, silverleaf whitefly along with a braconid wasp that parasit- Sobhian is Gymnancylie canella, a lepi- numbers have declined since 1995, thanks izes leafrollers. dopteran that eats tumbleweed shoots and to integrated pest management (IPM) tac- seeds. More studies are needed on G. tics that include using insect growth regu- Pink Hibiscus Mealybug — this pest’s canella’s overwintering habitat and host lators and parasite releases. Alan Kirk and 1999 arrival in California was countered specificity before its value as a biocontrol Guy Mercadier contributed further to the with timely releases by APHIS coopera- can be fully ascertained. $1 billion pest’s decline by finding 36 para- tors, led by Dale Meyerdirk, of the Austra- site species in explorations to 31 countries, lian wasp Anagyrus kamali, reducing mea- Spotted Knapweed — Sobhian’s succes- including Spain, the United Arab Emirates, lybug numbers by 98% and preventing sor, René Sforza, is renewing a spotted and Pakistan, from 1991 to 1997. millions of dollars in losses. Entomologists knapweed project in which he’ll conduct 3 explorations for biocontrols in Ukraine and USDA agencies (including the Forest Ser- Research Centre in Saskatchewan, Canada Russia—areas formerly restricted during vice), non-USDA agencies in the Depart- has been licensed to Encore Technologies the Cold War. Sforza is also starting a new ment of the Interior, and many state and Ltd. Encore is now seeking regulatory ap- medusahead ryegrass project. land-grant universities. proval for the product in Canada and the U.S., and hopes to have it on the market by Saltcedar, Yellow Starthistle, and Other For the complete article online see http:// 2001 or 2002. Encore has improved the Invasive Weeds — plant pathologist Tim www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/apr01/ product to expand the range of weed con- Widmer and technician Fatiha Guermache world0401.pdf trol to include velvet leaf and small leaf are looking for pathogens that cause root mallow, as well as round leaf mallow. The and foliar diseases on saltcedar, yellow Free Nematodes for Academic mallows are very difficult to control, and starthistle, and other invasive weeds. Research plague a variety of crops in Canada and Widmer is testing more than 20 fungal the U.S. SymbiotekaTM, a division of Asa Jung Labo- strains and 45 bacteria isolated from thistle ratory, Inc., is a commercial laboratory that specimens and soils he collected in France produces, imports, and markets entomo- Baculovirus for Mosquito earlier this year. pathogenic nematodes, as well as develop- Control ing new products based on insecticidal ARS Entomologist James J. Becnel has EBCL scientists are doing more than just nematodes and their symbiont bacteria. discovered a baculovirus in Florida in exploration for new natural enemies. Mo- They are too small to fund outside research, Culex nigripalpus and C. fasciatus mosqui- lecular biologist Marie-Claude Bon and but will provide small research quantities toes that kills virus-carrying mosquitoes in senior support scientist Nathalie Ramualde of nematodes for free and field-trial quan- the genus Culex. While baculoviruses have are working on genetic characterizations of tities at their cost. If you are carrying out been used for controlling Lepidopterans biocontrol agents and their hosts. One ob- research with entomopathogenic nema- for years, baculoviruses from mosquitoes jective is to customize biocontrol strategies todes, contact Wayne Lanier, Ph.D., Chief are rare, and difficult to transmit. By add- based on genetic information about target Science Officer at 22540 Foothill Blvd., ing magnesium with virus preparations (to pests and their natural enemies. They’ve Suite H, Hayward, CA 94541 at (510) 583- activate the baculovirus), 60 to 70 percent also begun developing molecular diagnos- 9595 or visit their website at http:// infection can be achieved in natural popu- tic tools to detect and monitor parasitism www.AsaJungLab.com. lations and 100 percent in the laboratory, and differentiate among parasites, includ- killing the mosquito larvae in 48 to 72 ing Peristenus wasps—some species of NEWS hours. Patents have been filed for this dis- which have already been introduced into covery, and could lead to a new, safe, cost- the U.S. and Canada for Lygus control. Commercial Mycopesticide for effective, and specific biological control for Sclerotinia Control mosquitoes that carry St. Louis encephali- And insect pathologist Guy Mercadier and tis and West Nile virus. (From Weaver- Quimby, along with technician Nicolas The first and only EPA-approved biologi- Missick, T. 2000. Deadly Defenses Could Crespy, are testing new ways to formulate cal control product in the U.S. for control- Squelch Mosquitoes. Ag. Res. 49(4): 29- fungi into biopesticide products. Since ling Sclerotinia in the soil was announced 31. For the complete article online see http:/ about 1988, Mercadier has amassed 1,000- recently by Encore Technologies Ltd. /www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/apr01/ plus strains of Beauveria, Metarhizium, (Minnetonka, MN). CONTANS WG con- mosq0401.pdf) Paecilomyces, and other fungi isolated tains the naturally occurring fungus from silverleaf whiteflies, diamondback Coniothyrium minitans, that attacks and Weevil Controlling Dalmatian moths, codling moths, African locusts, cof- destroys sclerotia (small, hard resting struc- fee berry borers, and other insect pests. tures that look like seeds) of both S. toadflax in Canada They also developed a procedure to make sclerotiorum and S. minor in the soil. These The weevil Mecinus janthinus was released M. anisopliae more resistant to drying, by fungi cause many plant diseases, includ- for control of Dalmatian toadflax at 50 sites shocking the fungal spores with a dose of ing lettuce drop, white mold of snap beans, in Canada following a four-year study by sucrose and ethanol, which removes up to stem rot of soybean and Sclerotinia blight scientists at the Lethbridge Research Cen- 80 percent of cellular water. of peanuts. The biocontrol product must be tre in Alberta. The insect has established applied at least three months before plant- in all 50 sites, and has resulted in the elimi- Once a natural enemy has been identified ing to reduce or eliminate the disease in- nation of flowering and stunting of 50% of as a biocontrol candidate, it is sent to one oculum. In many research trials disease the plants around release sites. In one site, of three ARS locations in the U.S. Insects incidence was greatly reduced, and in some the toadflax disappeared completely. The and insect pathogens go to either the BIIRL cases was better than traditional chemical larvae mine the stems, reducing flowering or ARS’ Stoneville (Mississippi) Research fungicide treatments. For more information and seed production, but not killing the Quarantine Facility. Weed pathogens go to on CONTANS WG visit ET’s website at plants directly. This insect was approved ARS’ Foreign Diseases-Exotic Weed Sci- http://www.contans-wg.com. for release in the U.S. in 1995, and field ence Unit, in Fort Detrick, . releases have been made in the western EBCL’s cooperators include other ARS Fungus for Mallows U.S., also. labs, state agriculture departments, other A fungal agent developed at the Saskatoon 4 Bacteria Protect Against Sugar using state-of-the-art scanning electron their efficacy in destroying the plant. Each Beet Fungus microscope mounting techniques that use species feeds on a different part of the plant, Bacteria discovered near the roots of sugar low temperature. The scientists hope to so they possibly could all be used in com- beet plants may offer biological alternatives learn whether populations in the field bination. Preliminary indications are that to chemical pesticides for controlling one can be manipulated to significantly curb the weevils — especially A. breyeri — can of this crop’s worst fungal enemies. On- Canada thistle growth and if the mite can kill the weed if enough larvae develop on going ARS studies have shown that cer- transmit viruses to the weed that could also one plant. Full-grown larvae leave the plant tain strains of Pseudomonas root bacteria impede its growth. A search for viral-in- to pupate in the muddy bottom of the wa- exude substances that stifle the growth of fected Canada thistle plants in the areas ter body. Drying out of the water body en- Cercospora beticola fungi. In nature, the where they were once reported — Den- hances their development, so the weevil’s bacteria compete with the fungi for space mark, England, and — is effectiveness may be greatest in areas that and nutrients on or near sugar beet leaves. under way. The team also plans to further are exposed to alternating wet and dry Cercospora causes the sugarbeet disease examine the specificity of A. anthocoptes. spells. (From ARS News & Information, leaf spot, which weakens susceptible cul- (USDA-ARS Quarterly Report, Oct-Dec Beetles Have a Big Appetite for tivars by defoliation. Grown on 1.5 mil- 2000) Waterlettuce, July 2, 2001; for the com- lion acres, sugar beets supply an estimated plete article see http://www.ars.usda.gov/ 50 percent of America’s sucrose. Beets that Hayfever Sufferers Rejoice is/pr/2001/010702.htm) are somewhat genetically resistant to A fungus new to science that may control Cercospora have been identified, but they ragweed has been discovered. Ragweed, PUBLICATIONS haven’t been developed into elite commer- Ambrosia artemisiifolia, is a noxious plant cial lines. Therefore, beet growers are that infests thousands of acres of arable land Biocontrol Agent for Hemlock forced to rely on chemical fungicides to worldwide and causes allergic reaction — Wooly Adelgid reduce the economic impact of Cercospora often seasonal — in many people. Its pol- Gabriella Zilahi-Balogh, a Ph.D. candidate outbreaks. Scientists are exploring a more len causes many sufferers irritated eyes, at Tech, has examined the poten- environmental friendly approach using two runny noses, and general discomfort. Last tial of a predatory beetle for control of the kinds of Pseudomonas bacteria: ND6-2 and year, scientists in Hungary — where rag- Hemlock wooly adelgid. A brief summary ND9L. One strategy is to mix the bacteria’s weed is even more of a problem than in the of her dissertation entitled “Laricobius spores into a so-called biopesticide that — reported they had found a nigrinus Fender (Coleoptera: could be sprayed onto the beet plant’s species of fungus that was pathogenic to Derodontidae) — a potential biological leaves to prevent Cercospora fungal spores ragweed. It causes the leaves to die and kills control agent of the hemlock woolly from germinating. Another approach is to some plants, probably by entering through adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand isolate genes for the microbe’s antifungal leaf stomates. ARS mycologists discovered (Homoptera: Adelgidae) in the eastern compounds and transfer these genes into that the fungus belongs to the asexual ge- United States” follows. For more informa- sugar beets. (USDA-ARS Quarterly Re- nus Septoria. After searching the literature, tion on this research, contact her at Dept. port, Oct-Dec 2000) they determined that this fungal species, of Entomology, Virginia Tech, 216 Price also found in the U.S., had never been de- Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0319, or by Canada Thistle Mite scribed. They characterized it using mo- email at [email protected]. A team of plant physiologists is studying a lecular sequencing, named it S. tiny mite as a possible biological control empambrosia, described and illustrated it, Laricobius nigrinus Fender (Coleoptera: for Canada thistle, a major invasive weed and showed that it is distinct from three Derodontidae), native to western North pest in U.S. pastures. First identified in other related known Septoria species. Sci- America is being evaluated as a potential Europe more than 100 years ago, this mite, entists will use this information to commu- biological control agent of the hemlock ( anthocoptes), was discovered in the nicate about the new fungus in developing woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae United States in 1998, when scientists col- it as a biocontrol agent for ragweed. [And Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae) in the lected some Canada thistle, (Cirsium none too soon for this editor] (USDA-ARS eastern United States. Members of the ge- arvense), on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Quarterly Report, Oct-Dec 2000) nus Laricobius are known to feed on Preliminary results from a survey of the adelgids. HWA is an exotic insect pest of area and surrounding states indicate the Beetles to Control Waterlettuce eastern (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière) mite is abundant there and specific for Waterlettuce, Pistia stratiotes, is an aquatic and Carolina (T. caroliniana Engelmann) Canada thistle. Under growth-chamber weed that has spread throughout waterways hemlocks. Prior to our investigations no conditions, mite populations on a Canada in the southeastern United States and work has been published on the biology of thistle plant can reach very high levels and abroad. Three species of weevil are being L. nigrinus or its association with HWA. cause severe damage. Their presence leads tested in Buenos Aires, at the South Ameri- Results of a two-year field study conducted to a reddish-brown discoloration and curl- can Biological Control Laboratory as pos- in British Columbia, Canada on the sea- ing of leaves and spindly growth. They can sible biocontrol agents of this weed. sonal abundance and synchronization of L. also transmit plant diseases to the weed. Argentinorhynchus bruchi, A. breyeri and nigrinus with HWA showed good syn- The mite was identified and characterized A. squamosus are under observation for chrony of L. nigrinus with suitable prey 5 stages of HWA. Oviposition and subse- October 25-27, 2001, Washington, D. C. lowed by oral papers and posters. The sec- quent larval development of L. nigrinus The 2001 conference and annual meeting ond announcement is expected in late 2001. coincided with egg laying by the sistens of The Association of Natural Bio-control For more information visit the website at (over-wintering) generation of HWA. Producers (ANBP) is being held in asso- http://www.iobc.agropolis.fr/sympo- ciation with The International Biocontrol sium2002 or contact: Biological studies on development, longev- Manufacturers Association (IBMA), U.S. Mireille Montes de Oca ity, fecundity as well as host specificity National Biological Control Institute IOBC International Symposium tests were conducted under quarantine at (NBCI) and the University of Florida. Con- AGROPOLIS Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Host ference fee is $195 advance registration, Avenue Agropolis specificity tests of L. nigrinus were con- $225 at the door. A complete conference 34394 Montpellier ducted on six species of Homoptera in three brochure and registration form will be Cedex 5, France families. In paired-choice and no-choice available in July. For more information, Tel: +33 (0)4 67 04 75 30 oviposition tests, L. nigrinus females pre- contact Maclay Burt, Executive Director, Fax +33 (0)4 67 04 75 99 ferred to oviposit in HWA ovisacs over 10202 Cowan Heights Drive, Santa Ana, Email: [email protected] other adelgid and non-adelgid species of California 92705, Phone/Fax (714) 544- Homoptera tested. Feeding tests showed 8295, e-mail: [email protected] OR visit NEWSLETTER that L. nigrinus consumed more eggs of their website at http://www.anbp.org/a- INFORMATION HWA than eggs of Adelges piceae conference.htm. Submission of news items from the mem- (Ratzburg) and Pineus strobi (Hartig) but bership is what makes this newsletter of not of Adelges abietis (L.). In larval devel- IOBC-NRS Symposium at the Entomo- value to all. Although a deadline is set for opment tests, L. nigrinus only completed logical Society of America, December 9- the editor’s sake, please submit at any time development on HWA. These results sug- 13, 2001, San Diego, California. See page for future newsletters (my address is on the gest that L. nigrinus has a narrow host range 6 for more information. back page). Some suggested topics are: and that it has potential for biological con- trol of A. tsugae. Based on these results, L. IPM in Glasshouses, IOBC-West Palearc- Items in the news affecting biological nigrinus has been cleared for field release. tic and Nearctic working groups joint meet- control ing, 8-11 May 2002, Laurel Point Inn, (revisions or studies impacting MEETING CALENDAR Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The biocontrol) meeting will feature 4 days of presentations Reports of Working Groups The Practice of Biological Control: Im- and workshop discussions on Integrated Announcements portation and Management of Natural Pest Management in Glasshouses, and will New research projects Enemies and Agents, IOBC-NRS/ESCOP include a research tour of the dynamic Thesis or dissertation topics Symposium, 2-5 August 2001, Bozeman, glasshouse industry in southwestern Brit- Open Forum type letters Montana. This symposium, consisting of ish Columbia. The meeting will be re- New appointments or people moving keynote speakers followed by paper pre- stricted to 150 delegates, on a first-come, around sentations, with afternoon poster sessions first-served basis. To be placed on a mail- Awards or honors received by members and small discussion groups, will develop ing list to receive further details, please Meetings or workshops related to a list of objectives to enhance the practice contact: D. R. Gillespie, Pacific Agri-Food biological control of biological control in the 21st century and Research Centre, Agriculture and New publications publish a proceedings. For more informa- Agri-Food Canada, P.O. Box 1000, tion see the website at http:// Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada V0M Items for the Fall Newsletter are due www.montana.edu/wwwcf/biocontrol/ 1A0. Fax (604) 796-0359 or e-mail: by 15 September 2001 mainframe.htm [email protected].

First International Symposium on Bio- The Role of Genetics and Evolution in logical Control of Arthropods, 17-21 Biological Control, 3rd International Sym- September 2001, Honolulu, HI. This is the posium of the IOBC, Montpellier, France, first meeting (to be held every 4 years) for 14-16 October 2002. The aims of the sym- practitioners of biological control of insects posium are to acquaint biological control and . It will be focused on conserva- workers with the latest advances in tion, augmentation and importation using genomics and molecular biology and to parasitoids and predators. Registration is explore ways that these advances can be $120 by July 17. Visit the website at http: put to practical use in biological control. //www.isbca.ucr.edu/ for more information Leading ecologists and biological control and registration forms. researchers have been invited as keynote speakers; papers can also be submitted un- Growing Partnerships in Bio-Control, til 1 March 2002. There will be 6 themes, each introduced by a keynote speaker, fol- 6

Annual IOBC-NRS Symposium

The annual IOBC-NRS Symposium will once again be held in conjunction with the national meetings of the Entomological Society of America, in San Diego, California this December. John Ruberson is our symposium coordinator and he and Molly Hunter will be co-moderators. This year’s symposium is entitled Generalist Predators in the Mist: The Search for Clarity. John has provided the following background for the symposium.

The interest in generalist predators is increasing as their roles in suppressing pest species are becoming more apparent. There are, however, some very important questions that we have barely addressed, and which are in need of greater emphasis. Growing concerns over nontarget impacts of introductions are encouraging greater interest in conservation biological control, where gener- alist predators are often numerically dominant. It is of great importance to better understand the outcomes of interactions between predators and multiple prey species and types, and the interactions of generalist predators with their environments. There is a pressing need to devise ways of anticipating with some reasonable probability the outcome of interactions between generalist predators and a prey cornucopia in diverse habitats. To do so will require more fundamental knowledge of the life histories of generalist predators and their interactions with other predators, prey, and their environment. This conference is structured to provide an examination of our current thinking in these three areas, although it will by necessity be rather cursory. Nevertheless, the topics and speakers should generate a greater interest in the role of generalist predators in managed ecosystems.

The speakers and their topics are as follows. • Kenneth Yeargan, Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington “Generalist predators and ephemeral agroecosystems: An overview” • Steve Naranjo, USDA-ARS, Western Cotton Research Lab, Phoenix, Arizona “Measuring generalist predation: Integrating functional response behavior and ELISA” • Jacques Brodeur, Dept. de Phytologie, Centre de Recherche en Horticulture, Universite Laval, Ste Foy, Quebec “Generalist predators in greenhouse systems” • David Horton, USDA-ARS, Wapato, Washington “Seasonal dynamics of predators and biological control in orchards” • Fabian Menalled and Douglas Landis, National Soil Tilth Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, and Center for Integrated Plant Systems, Michigan State University, East Lansing “Generalist predators in fragmented and disturbed systems”

PICTURE PERFECT: ONLINE PHOTOS AVAILABLE

Need a photo of a predator or parasite? The Convergent lady beetles USDA-ARS Information Staff has a col- Green lacewing larva lection of great photographs you can use. Long-jawed orb weaver spider Images are available for direct download P-14 lady beetle (2 photos) in three sizes: thumbnail (1.5"), medium Spined soldier bug (top photo) (3.5"), and large (8.89"). Higher resolu- Thanasimus formicarius tion digital files or duplicate transparencies are available from the Photo Unit at Parasitoids [email protected] or by phone at Aleiodes indiscretus 301-504-1606. Biosteres arisanus Catolaccus grandis The insects section has many pest pictures, Diapetimorpha introita but also includes a number of natural en- Peristenus digoneutis (bottom photo) emies. They continue to add photos peri- odically. Visit the Image Gallery online at Weed Biocontrol Agents http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/pho- Aphthona flava feeding on leafy spurge tos/index.html Diorhabda elongata for saltcedar Melaleuca sawfly adult Predators: Melaleuca sawfly larvae Asian multicolored lady beetle Melaleuca leaf weevil, Oxyops vitiosa Big-eyed bug 7

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• Individual, with subscription to BioControl (U.S. $115) ___ Includes subscription fee and $10 forwarded to Global Body

• Institutional member (U.S. $300) ___ Includes 2 copies of Global and NRS newsletters, BioControl, all bulletins and newsletters of other IOBC Regional Sections, and $150 forwarded to Global Body

• Supporting member (U.S. $1000) ___ Includes 2 copies of Global and NRS newsletters, BioControl, $900 for support of Global organization, and $100 to support NRS

U.S. $_____ enclosed for annual membership for the year 200__ (January to December) Date: ______Signature: ______Name and address (please print or type): ______Telephone, Telex or Cable Number and FAX: ______E-mail address:______Brief description of specialty area: ______

Please add on the reverse of this form comments concerning any services or assistance that IOBC/NRS could/ should provide that would be helpful to you.

Send application form and payment to: Robert Wiedenmann Secretary-Treasurer IOBC/NRS Illinois Natural History Survey 607 E. Peabody Dr. Champaign, IL 61820 USA

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO IOBC/NRS 8

International Organization for Biological Control of Noxious Animals and Plants Nearctic Regional Section

Organisation Internationale De Lutte Biologique Contre Les Animaux Et Les Plantes Nuisibles Section De La Region Nearctic

http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/iobc/nrs.htm

President: Daniel Mahr The International Organization for Biological Control - Nearctic President Elect: Molly Hunter Regional Section Newsletter is published 3 times a year in February, Past President: Larry Charlet June, and October to provide information and further communication Vice President: John Ruberson among members of the Region (Bermuda, Canada, and the United Secretary-Treasurer: Robert Wiedenmann States). Corresponding Secretary: Susan Mahr Members-at-Large: Jacques Brodeur Stefan Jaronski Peter Mason

Send items for the Fall 2001 IOBC-NRS Newsletter by 15 September to:

Susan Mahr Department of Entomology University of Wisconsin Madison WI 53706 USA

FAX 608-262-3322

e-mail: [email protected]

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Madison, WI Madison,

Permit No. 658 No. Permit

Madison, WI 53706 WI Madison, PAID

1630 Linden Dr. Linden 1630

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Department of Entomology of Department

Nonprofit Org. Nonprofit

Nearctic Regional Section Regional Nearctic

International Organization for Biological Control Biological for Organization International University of Wisconsin of University