Biocontrol News and Information 38(2), 11N–18N www.cabi.org/BNI General News

Parasitoids Established for Lily Leaf Beetle in the the states, and further afield to New Hampshire, USA Maine and Connecticut, while T. setifer was shipped to Canada in 2010 for release near Ottawa. Decisions A paper in Environmental Entomology describes a about where to release the different parasitoids were programme leading to the successful establishment based on knowledge of the climate of their native of three parasitoids against the introduced lily leaf ranges in Europe: T. setifer in all release areas beetle (Lilioceris lilii) in North America, which has because it has the greatest likelihood of establishing the potential to mitigate the impact of the beetle’s throughout lily leaf beetle’s potential North Amer- 1 invasion. The authors discuss how a management ican range; L. errabundus in maritime areas; and D. strategy could be optimized from what they have jucunda in northern/inland US locations. Parasitoid learned during the release and monitoring phase of establishment and spread was monitored initially by the project. sampling and latterly by enlisting the gardening public to send in larvae for dissection. All three spe- Lilioceris lilii is found widely in Eurasia and was cies have established in the USA, and T. setifer is introduced to North America in 1943. It is now dis- established in Canada. They have spread from tributed throughout most of the northeastern USA release sites, with rates varying for the species and southeastern Canada, with localized populations between 1–2 and 4–5 km/year. Impact in terms of further west in both countries. Introduction to new reduced beetle populations and lily damage from T. regions and areas has in most cases been via infected setifer and L. errabundus is becoming apparent from bulbs or plants, with ensuing local spread. It is a monitoring results and anecdotally from gardeners’ serious pest of ornamental and native Lilium and reports. Fritillaria species (family Liliaceae) in North America some of which are of conservation status. The authors use their results to illustrate how horti- cultural practices could be amended to support Currently the only other species of Lilioceris present biological control. Pesticide use is generally difficult in North America, L. cheni, was introduced as a bio- to integrate with biological control, and lily bulbs are control agent of air potato (Discorea bulbifera). Three frequently treated with systemic pesticides that are members of the same subfamily are introduced pests not always declared at the point of sale, so organi- that have been largely controlled by introduced par- cally-produced bulbs are recommended. These are, asitoids. No parasitoids or predators of L. lilii had as the authors note, more expensive and can be diffi- been found in North American populations. Taken cult to obtain, which would hamper both scientists together, these factors suggested that classical bio- seeking to establish release plots and gardeners logical control was a good avenue to explore for L. alike. A more-easily integrated change is related to lilii. The area of origin of the lily leaf beetle is mulching strategies. Mulching lilies is a common thought to be China. It was probably introduced to practice among North American (and some Euro- Europe, where it is not a pest either, several hundred pean) gardeners, but during the first US releases it years ago. Published records of natural enemies in was found to prevent T. setifer over-winter survival Europe led to first surveys being conducted in and establishment. While lily leaf beetles fly away to France, and later in other climatic zones. Beetles on seek suitable overwintering sites, the three parasi- ornamental and especially native lilies were found to toids overwinter in host cocoons underneath lily be heavily parasitized, usually by several species, plants, and a layer of mulch may give inadequate although the dominant species varies with region. protection from low temperatures, desiccation and predation. Equally, autumn disturbance of lily bulbs Seven parasitoid species were collected during sur- (moving or lifting in autumn and replanting in veys and, after initial screening by CABI in spring) can interfere with the parasitoid life cycles. Switzerland, four of them were sent to the University of Rhode Island (URI), USA. Further host-specificity A larger problem is the slow rate of spread of the par- testing in quarantine eliminated one of the species. asitoids, attributable at least in part to the patchy Proposals for field release of the remaining three spe- distribution of both cultivated and native lilies. As cies as biocontrol agents for L. lilii were approved by the authors discuss, a programme of laboratory and USDA-APHIS-PPQ (US Department of Agriculture field-plot rearing and redistribution of three parasi- – and Plant Health Inspection Service – toids was very successful against the related cereal Plant Protection and Quarantine) and relevant US leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) in the 1970s, but O. states. melanopus was recognized as a major threat to agri- culture and received substantial funding and The eulophid Tetrastichus setifer and two ichneumo- staffing. Lily leaf beetle funding will be much more nids, Lemophagus errabundus and Diaparsis limited. Ensuring that the parasitoids are deployed jucunda, were released from 1999 and 2003, respec- to best effect as the lily leaf beetle invasion expands tively, in monitored plots in Rhode Island and will be a real challenge. However, results from Massachusetts. Once establishment was docu- releases of the three agents have led the authors to mented, the parasitoids were redistributed within conclude that releases can be quite modest in

Are we on your mailing list? Biocontrol News and Information is always pleased to receive news of research, conferences, new products or patents, changes in personnel, collaborative agreements or any other information of interest to other readers. If your organization sends out press releases or newsletters, please let us have a copy. In addition, the editors welcome proposals for review topics. 12N Biocontrol News and Information 38(2) number, and are most effective on reasonably sized, Southeast Asia revealed two more interesting bra- well-infested lily plots. Parasitoids are also likely to conid species, Phanerotoma syleptae (an egg–larval establish more easily on wild lilies (in Europe, para- parasitoid) and Therophilus javanus (a larval parasi- sitism levels are higher on wild lily populations). toid), with field parasitism rates of up to 60%.8 Both Wild lilies in the invaded range stand a good chance parasitoids were introduced from the World Vege- of harbouring parasitoid populations, which could table Center (WorldVeg) to the rearing labs of the reduce damage and contain outbreaks better, and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture this would be good news for North America’s threat- (IITA), Benin Station, for two years’ confined testing. ened and endangered lily species. An interesting aspect worth mentioning is that, by the time we introduced the parasitoids in our labs, Modelling suggests that much of the North American we had just switched from rearing M. vitrata larvae continent is suitable and therefore under threat from on artificial substrate to the use of sprouted cowpea the lily leaf beetle. Establishment of a suite of three grains as a natural substrate. As we found out later, biocontrol agents while the invasion is still in its we would never have been able to establish a rearing early stages could be a key factor in slowing the colony for one of the parasitoids, T. javanus, if we had pest’s spread and limiting the impact of the invasion tried to rear it on M. vitrata larvae originating from in new areas. This early research will also be invalu- artificial diet, possibly because of a lack of essential able in guiding release strategies as the parasitoids elements, or because of the presence of some anti- are redistributed in North America to counter the nutritional factors affecting the development and invasion. survival of the parasitoid.

1 Tewksbury, L., Casagrande, R.A., Cappuccino, N. Once we had obtained release permits from the and Kenis, M. (2017) Establishment of parasitoids of respective national authorities, a total of 101,600 the lily leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in adult parasitoids – 60,100 in Benin (30,300 T. North America. Environmental Entomology. javanus and 29,800 P. syleptae) and 41,500 in DOI:10.1093/ee/nvx049. Burkina Faso (23,000 T. javanus and 18,500 P. syleptae) – were released, starting in January 2016. Contact: Lisa Tewksbury, Based on ecological observations in their native area University of Rhode Island, USA. in Southeast Asia, our release strategy targeted dif- Email: [email protected] ferent agro-ecologies and host plant habitats depending on the parasitoid species. For P. syleptae, we released on flowering legume trees and shrubs Towards Successful Establishment of Exotic such as Pterocarpus santalinoides, Lonchocarpus Parasitoids Attacking the Pod Borer Maruca sericeus, Philenoptera cyanescens (syn. L. cyanes- vitrata in West Africa cens) and Milletia thonningii, all belonging to the family Leguminosae–Papilionaceae. These plants The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lep., Cram- are major hosts for Maruca vitrata populations bidae; syn. M. testulalis), remains the single most during the off-season, when no cowpea is planted.9 In important pest attacking cowpea (Vigna contrast, T. javanus was released on cowpea crops unguiculata) and other leguminous crops and wild and patches of herbaceous legumes including Ses- species in Africa. The damage caused by M. vitrata bania rostrata, Tephrosia platycarpa and Pueraria caterpillars feeding on flowers and pods of cowpea is phaseoloides, all Leguminosae–Papilionaceae, as estimated at 20–80%, depending on agro-ecological well. Releases were carried out with the active par- zone and climatic factors.1 ticipation of local communities and were preceded by a sensitization campaign explaining in simple terms For many years, this pest was tacitly categorized as the concepts of biological control. The two main mes- ‘indigenous’ in Africa, and hence most control sages voiced by the campaign were (i) not to apply approaches were targeting pesticide applications chemical pesticides where the releases were made, and improving host plant resistance.1 However, as and (ii) to preserve the legume tree species in the previously speculated from comparing natural environment. In fact, one of these trees, L. sericeus, enemy diversity in tropical Asia2, and recently con- is unfortunately the object of indiscriminate cutting firmed by phylogenetic studies comparing worldwide because of its value in artisanal charcoal processing, populations of M. vitrata3, it appears now quite clear hence the urgent need for advocating its preserva- that this insect originated in Southeast Asia. This tion. hypothesis is also supported by the fact that none of the natural enemies observed in West Africa are spe- In Benin, only a few months after the initial releases cific to M. vitrata.4,5 Earlier biodiversity studies in in early 2016, Phanerotoma syleptae was recovered Asia had identified the parasitic wasp Apanteles from parasitized pod borer larvae on the target host taragamae (Hym., ) from Taiwan as a plants, particularly L. sericeus, while Therophilus possible biocontrol candidate for testing in West javanus was recovered later in the season, mostly Africa.6 Although initial results from lab studies from cowpea and Tephrosia spp. Both parasitoids were promising, thorough ecological assessment of were also recovered from cowpea and from wild host its real potential in West Africa revealed that it was plants in Burkina Faso during the 2016 cropping only marginally adapted to the legume host range season. Furthermore, surveys carried out in Benin in present in this region.7 February–April 2017 indicate with certitude and unambiguously that both species have successfully In the meantime, more detailed biodiversity studies survived the long dry season (particularly harsh this targeting hymenopteran parasitoids of M. vitrata in year) on alternative host plants in the absence of News 13N cowpea, nearly one year after initial experimental Vegetable Center (AVRDC), Chiang Mai, Thailand, releases (first author’s unpublished data). pp. 76–82.

While it is too early to be able to give a proper quan- 9 Arodokoun, D.Y., Tamò, M., Cloutier, C. and titative assessment of the impact of the released Adeoti, R. (2003) The importance of alternative host parasitoids on Maruca vitrata populations, it is note- plants for the annual cycle of the legume pod borer, worthy that during the recent post-dry season Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). surveys we were able to recover parasitized M. vit- Insect Science and its Application 23, 103–113. rata larvae from very low pod borer populations, indicating a good ecological adaptation of both para- By: Manuele Tamò ([email protected]), sitoids, and maybe also an early sign of parasitoid Benjamin Datinon ([email protected]), efficacy. Elie Dannon ([email protected]), Fousséni Traoré ([email protected]), 1 Singh, S.R., Jackai, L.E.N., Dos Santos, J.H.R. and Clémentine Dabiré ([email protected]), Adalla, C.B. (1990) Insect pests of cowpea. In: Singh, Barry Robert Pittendrigh ([email protected]) S.R. (ed.) Insect Pests of Tropical Food Legumes. Ramasamy Srinivasan Wiley, Chichester, UK, pp. 43–89. ([email protected]).

2 Tamò, M., Bottenberg, H., Arodokoun, D. and Adeoti, R. (1997) The feasibility of classical biological Biocontrol Agents Break New Ground in the control of two major cowpea insect pests. In: Singh, Cook Islands B.B., Mohan Raj, D.R., Dashiell, K.E. and Jackai, L.E.N. (eds) Advances in Cowpea Research. Interna- International collaboration and funding from New tional Institute of Agriculture (IITA) and Japan Zealand have facilitated the introduction and release International Center for Agricultural Sciences of biocontrol agents against two invasive plants that (JIRCAS). IITA, Ibadan, pp. 259–270. have not previously been targeted anywhere else. The introductions are part of a larger project to 3 Periasamy, M., Schafleitner, R., Muthukalingan, K. implement biological control of invasive weeds in the and Ramasamy, S. (2015) Phylogeographical struc- Cook Islands. ture in mitochondrial DNA of legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata) population in tropical Asia and sub- Seven invasive plant species in the Cook Islands Saharan Africa. PLoS ONE 10(4), e0124057. were identified for biological control during consulta- DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124057. tion in 2009 between Landcare Research New Zealand scientists and experts in agriculture, biodi- 4 Arodokoun, D.Y., Tamò, M., Cloutier, C. and Bro- versity conservation and biosecurity in the Cook deur J. (2006) Larval parasitoids occurring on Islands. Using a method developed by Landcare Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Research, the process took into account the impor- Benin, West Africa. Agriculture, Ecosystems and tance of each weed and the feasibility and relative Environment 113, 320–325. cost of implementing biological control. A five-year plan was mapped out for a partnership project 5 Traoré, F., Ba, N.M., Dabire-Binso, C.L., Sanon, A. between Landcare Research and the Cook Islands and Pittendrigh, B.R. (2014) Annual cycle of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), funded by the New legume pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidop- Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Bio- tera: Crambidae) in southwestern Burkina Faso. control agents have so far been released on -Plant Interactions 8, 155–162. Rarotonga, the largest island of the Cook Islands archipelago, against five of the invasive plant spe- cies, including the two novel targets. In addition, a 6 Huang, C.C., Peng, W.K. and Talekar, N.S. (2003) genetic study is being conducted on peltate morning Parasitoids and other natural enemies of Maruca vit- glory (Merremia peltata) because the dominance of rata feeding on Sesbania cannabina in Taiwan. this smothering vine over native species had led to BioControl 48, 407–416. its native status in Rarotonga being questioned, with 7 suspicions that it could actually be a Polynesian Dannon, E.A., Tamò, M., Agboton, C. and Dicke, M. introduction. If it is a recent introduction, that poten- (2012) Effect of Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Cram- tially opens the door to its biological control. bidae) host plants on life-history parameters of the parasitoid Apanteles taragamae (: Red passionfruit Braconidae). Insect Science. DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2011.01488.x. Red passionfruit (Passiflora rubra) was potentially a difficult target, because it had not been targeted 8 Srinivasan, R., Yule, S., Chang, J., Malini, P., Lin, before and because of the need to avoid non-target M., Hsu, Y. and Schafleitner, R. (2012) Towards attack on the related edible passionfruit (P. edulis). developing a sustainable management strategy for Traditionally, such a project begins with surveys in legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata on yard-long bean the area of origin of the target plant. But evolu- in Southeast Asia. In: Holmer, R., Linwattana, G., tionary biologists have long been interested in Nath, P. and Keatinge, J. (eds) SEAVEG 2012: Pro- coevolution between Passiflora species and Neotrop- ceedings of the Regional Symposium on High Value ical Heliconius butterflies as a model system. Vegetables in Southeast Asia: Production, Supply Research on them has been extensive, and has and Demand. Publication No. 12-758. The World revealed a high degree of host specificity in the but- 14N Biocontrol News and Information 38(2) terflies, some of which are known to be specific to research in Hawaii underpinned approval to release Passiflora subgenus Decaloba, to which P. rubra the scale Tectococcus ovatus against strawberry belongs and P. edulis does not. Using the published guava (Psidium cattleianum). Galls on plants were literature1, a subspecies of the red postman butterfly observed in early 2017, suggesting it has established. (H. erato cyrbia), which is native to Colombia and Puccinia xanthi, a rust fungus that keeps cockleburr Ecuador, was identified as a potential biocontrol (Xanthium pungens; part of the X. strumarium com- agent for P. rubra. Another hurdle in a novel project plex and commonly known as Noogoora burr in is collecting and developing rearing methods for Australia) under control in Australia was released in potential biocontrol agents. But Heliconius butter- 2015 and found established in 2017. This plant is flies are popular exhibits in butterfly houses and widely distributed in the Pacific, so success in the available commercially, so procuring H. erato cyrbia Cook Islands would encourage wider biological con- and establishing a rearing colony were relatively trol efforts. Another rust fungus has been more cheap and easy. Host-specificity testing conducted in difficult to work with in the Cook Islands: Puccinia the Landcare Research Beever Plant Pathogen Con- spegazzinii failed to establish first time against tainment Facility (BPPCF) in Auckland confirmed Mikania micrantha. A renewed attempt using plants that it did not attack edible passionfruit, while the inoculated multiple times in New Zealand and larvae proved destructive on P. rubra plants in con- imported for field release is extending the period of tainment. Permission was obtained to release H. sporulation in the field post-release to give a wider erato cyrbia, and first releases on Rarotonga were window for suitable conditions for establishment. A made in August 2016. Follow-up visits in January third rust fungus, Puccinia arechavaletae, has been 2017 found that it is firmly established and prioritized for grand balloon vine (Cardiospermum spreading. The hope is that it can be released else- grandiflorum), and a culture has been imported into where in the Cook Islands; one potential beneficiary New Zealand, where it is currently undergoing host- is the remnant forest on the makatea (fossilized coral range testing in the BPPCF against three plant spe- cliffs) that ring Atiu, which is being invaded by red cies of importance in the Cook Islands, prior to passionfruit. approval for release there being sought. The Cook Islands project is drawing on host-specificity testing African tulip tree by PPRI in South Africa, where C. grandiflorum is also a major weed. African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata) is native to Central and West Africa. Introduced widely, it has naturalized in other parts of Africa and the Carib- Merremia peltata bean and Pacific regions, and has become a serious The most recent genetic analysis indicates that sam- invader of natural forest and agriculture in some ples from the northern and western Pacific (e.g. countries. Biological control developed for the Cook Australia, Micronesia, New Guinea) are genetically Islands could potentially be implemented more distinct, indicating that they have probably been iso- widely. Surveys in Ghana led to three agents being lated from one another for a long time. By contrast, prioritized for further investigation by researchers at South Pacific samples (e.g. American Samoa, Fiji, Rhodes University in South Africa. The gall-forming New Caledonia, Niue, Rarotonga, Samoa) are genet- eriophyid mite Colomerus spathodeae, widely dis- ically similar to one another and also to some tributed from Ghana through to Uganda, proved 2 samples from Micronesia. Thus M. peltata may have sufficiently host-specific. It was approved as the recently colonized the South Pacific from Micronesia. first biocontrol agent for African tulip tree in the The team working on the genetics study are hoping Cook Islands after an environmental impact assess- to obtain more samples to confirm their findings. ment for Rarotonga demonstrated that it was suitable for release. A shade-house culture was The vision for this ambitious project is being real- established at the MoA in early 2017 and prelimi- ized: ‘off the shelf’ biocontrol agents and previous nary field releases were made around the island, research on them is facilitating biological control where signs of mite damage were becoming apparent against some priority invasive plants in the Cook just a week later. Testing of a second agent at Rhodes Islands, while new biocontrol agents are being suc- University, the chrysomelid leaf-mining beetle cessfully developed for novel invasive plant targets, Paradibolia coerulea, is at an advanced stage and, if which may in the future become ‘off the shelf’ agents this is successfully concluded, the beetle could also be 3 for other countries, which is particularly appropriate released. for the Pacific. A recent review by Day and Winston4 (see BNI 37(4) – December 2016) highlights difficul- Other targets ties faced by the small and geographically dispersed One invasive plant has been suspended as a target: countries and territories in this region in imple- reports of giant reed (Arundo donax) as a widespread menting classical biological control, but how they can invasive on Rarotonga proved to be inaccurate owing share experiences with each other, as well as benefit to confusion with elephant grass (Pennisetum pur- from research and programmes in countries further pureum). Giant reed is actually highly localized on afield, to tackle common invasive weed problems. Rarotonga and could conceivably be eradicated and does not warrant biological control. Main source: Landcare Research New Zealand. Web: www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/ Progress on the remaining four target plants is being newsletters/biological-control-of-weeds/issue-79 made. Biocontrol agents that have proven successful elsewhere have been released on Rarotonga against 1 Jiggins, C.D., McMillan, W.O. and Mallet, J. (1997) three of the plants prioritized in 2009. Extensive Host plant adaptation has not played a role in the News 15N recent speciation of Heliconius himera and Helico- Unit), Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, but worked at the nius erato. Ecological Entomology 22, 361–365. quarantine facility of the Florida Biological Control Laboratory at the Division of Plant Industry (DPI), 2 Paterson, I.D., Paynter, Q., Neser, S., Akpabey, Gainesville. He was also a Courtesy Assistant Pro- F.J., Orapa, W. and Compton, S.G. (2017) West fessor in the University of Florida Department of African hold promise as biological control Entomology and Nematology in Gainesville. agents for an invasive tree in the Pacific Islands. African Entomology 25(1), 244–247. Gary’s research included studies of the biology and 3 host range of foreign with potential for biolog- Sutton, G.F., Paterson, I.D., Compton, S.G. and ical control of the Australian weeds, melaleuca, Paynter, Q. (2017) Predicting the risk of non-target Melaleuca quinquenervia, and old-world climbing damage to a close relative of a target weed using fern, Lygodium microphyllum, both of which sequential no-choice tests, paired-choice tests and threaten the Everglades and the South Florida eco- olfactory discrimination experiments. Biocontrol Sci- systems. He had extensive foreign experience, ence and Technology 27(3), 364–377. having conducted explorations and field collections in 20 countries for insects to control weeds as well as 4 Day, M.D. and Winston, R.L. (2016) Biological con- insect pests and having travelled to 19 additional trol of weeds in the 22 Pacific island countries and countries for meetings and visits. Gary also made territories: current status and future prospects. Neo- highly significant research contributions to the ARS Biota 30, 167–192. efforts to control alligatorweed, Alternanthera phi- Contact: Quentin Paynter, loxeroides, Eurasian watermilfoil, Myriophyllum Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua, spicatum, hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata, and water Auckland, New Zealand. hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, with insects. Upon Email: [email protected] retiring from the ARS in 2004, Gary and May moved to and settled in Sacramento, California. Iain Paterson, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, South Africa. Through his career, Gary published numerous Email: [email protected] research papers and other publications highlighting his studies and gave numerous talks at national and international scientific meetings. His research took Gary R. Buckingham: 1942–2017 him abroad to several countries and the travel fitted well with Gary’s interests in collecting not only One of the world’s great weed biological control insects but also antiques and experiencing foreign experts, Gary R. Buckingham, passed away on 16 cultures and food, especially desserts. Gary was an January 2017 at Richmond, California. Gary was avid photographer and usually had his camera ready born to Richard and Ione Buckingham in Rapid City, to capture interesting shots of ‘bugs’, nature, South Dakota, and completed high school in La antiques, and people. He was also a good, keen tennis Porte, Indiana. He received a Bachelor of Science in player. Agriculture (BSA) with distinction in Entomology from Purdue University in 1964. Gary then moved to By: Lloyd Andres, Al Cofrancesco, Susan Wright and the San Francisco Bay Area where he earned his Raghavan Charudattan. PhD in Entomology from the University of California (UC) Division of Biological Control, Berkeley, in 1975, with research carried out at the university’s Gill Tract-Albany Lab. His PhD dissertation was Eucalyptus Gall Wasp Biological Control titled “The parasites of walnut husk flies (Diptera: A paper in Biological Control evaluates classical bio- Tephritidae: Rhagoletis) including comparative logical control of the eucalyptus gall wasps Leptocybe studies on the biology of Biosteres juglandis Mues. invasa and Ophelimus maskelli in Israel, with (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and on the male tergal results also given for O. maskelli in Portugal.1 The glands of Braconidae (Hymenoptera)”. While at Ber- authors analyse the results of a detailed post-release keley Gary met and married May (Narasaki) Buckingham, his beloved wife of 46 years. monitoring study to assess the impact of the biolog- ical control programme in Israel, and the In 1970, Gary was sent to the USDA-ARS lab at contribution of the various biocontrol agents. The Rome in Italy by the UC Division of Biological Con- conclusion is that the biological control programme trol to study biological control of field bindweed, has led to effective control of the gall wasps, with Convolvulus arvensis, and yellow starthistle, Cen- steep decline recorded for both pests. Control of L. taurea solstitialis. In 1972, he was hired by the ARS invasa is better, possibly because of the richer and as Research Entomologist and Leader at the Rome more diverse guild of biocontrol agents that was lab. His studies included insects attacking thistles, established. Two of three O. maskelli parasitoids and Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica) and opium all four L. invasa parasitoids that were introduced in poppy, Papaver somniferum. 2003 and 2005, respectively, were recovered during the study. Most O. maskelli parasitism was from one In 1977, Gary was transferred to Gainesville, Florida species (Closterocerus chamaeleon), while two spe- where he and May spent the next 25 years. Gary was cies (Quadrastichus mendeli and Megastigmus a member of the ARS, Invasive Plants Research Lab- zvimendeli) provided the majority of L. invasa oratory (formerly Aquatic Plant Control Research parasitism. 16N Biocontrol News and Information 38(2)

Pre- and post-release monitoring of the impact of C. vide reassurance to the international community chamaeleon against O. maskelli in Portugal also that biological control is both very successful and an indicates successful biological control. The paper environmentally safe pest management method notes biocontrol agent introductions in other coun- based on the use of biological diversity. tries (Turkey, India and South Africa for L. invasa, and Italy for O. maskelli), as well as their natural The Commission has included as components of best spread and impact in various countries. The authors practice: collaboration to facilitate information conclude that, largely by natural spread, the exotic exchange on what IBCAs are available and where parasitoids are providing effective control of the from; knowledge sharing via freely available data- invasive eucalyptus gall wasps through much of the bases documenting successes and failures; Mediterranean region. cooperative research to develop capacity in source countries; and transfer of production technology to 1Mendel, Z., Protasov, A., La Salle, J., Blumberg, D., provide opportunities for small-scale economic Brand, D. and Branco, M. (2017) Classical biological activity. The guide also provides two model concept control of two Eucalyptus gall wasps; main outcome agreements: (i) for scientific research and non-com- and conclusions. Biological Control 105, 66–78. mercial release into nature where ABS regulations are in place, and (ii) for provision of IBCAs where Contact: Zvi Mendel, Department of Entomology, ABS regulations are either not restrictive or absent. Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Centre, Bet Dagan, Israel. 1 Gerber, E. and Schaffner, U. (2016) Review of Inver- Email: [email protected] tebrate Biological Control Agents Introduced into Europe. CABI, Wallingford, UK, 194 pp.

2 Invertebrate Biological Control Agents: New Mason, P.G., Everatt, M.J., Loomans, A.J.M. and Collatz, J. (2017) Harmonizing the regulation of Publications invertebrate biological control agents in the EPPO Three publications to note, the first a book by Esther region: using the NAPPO region as a model. EPPO Gerber and Urs Schaffner1, which collates informa- Bulletin 47, 79–90. DOI: 10.1111/epp.12355. tion on 176 taxa of exotic (non-European) 3 invertebrate biological control agents (IBCAs) intro- Mason, P.G., Cock, M.J.W., Barratt, B.I.P., Klap- duced into Europe against 58 target pests since 1897. wijk, J.N., Lenteren, J.C. van, Brodeur, J., Hoelmer, The book has its origins in earlier publications (D.J. K.A. and Heimpel, G.E. (2017) Best practices for the Greathead’s 1976 A Review of Biological Control in use and exchange of invertebrate biological control Western and Southern Europe and the BIOCAT data- genetic resources relevant for food and agriculture. base). It provides an updated representative picture BioControl. DOI:10.1007/s10526-017-9810-3. of the history of IBCA releases into the environment in Europe. Commercializing Entomopathogenic A paper by Peter Mason and co-authors in EPPO Nematodes Bulletin2 is based on a presentation given at the Joint EPPO/COST SMARTER Workshop on the Two recent papers in biological control journals Evaluation and Regulation of the Use of Biological tackle important issues in making entomopatho- Control Agents in the EPPO Region in Budapest in genic nematodes (EPNs) a commercial success: November 2015. It reviews regulatory oversight in regulation and cost. Abate and co-authors1 review the EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Pro- global distribution of EPNs, including those released tection Organization) region in terms of history, commercially, in light of import regulations and country examples and extent (or rather lack) of har- issues that influence them. They assess whether cur- monization. It reviews North America in similar rent policies deal adequately with risks of global terms, highlighting the role of the North American EPN movement, and suggest considerations for Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) in harmo- future use of EPNs in biological control. Testa and nizing information requirements and guidelines for Shields2 describe the development of a labour- certification of movement for IBCAs, and discusses saving, ‘low-tech’, and thus low-cost mass-rearing how the North America model could be adapted for method for EPNs that has been used to supply over the EPPO region. 100 billion EPN infective juveniles for an area-wide biological control programme over an eight-year The third paper, from the International Organisa- period in the USA. tion for Biological Control (IOBC) Global Commission on Biological Control and Access and 1 Abate, B.A., Wingfield, M.J., Slippers, B. and Benefit Sharing, has a global perspective.3 It com- Hurley, B.P. (2017) Commercialisation of ento- prises a best practices guide for the use and exchange mopathogenic nematodes: should import regulations of invertebrate biological control genetic resources, be revised? Biocontrol Science and Technology 27, in line with the requirements of the Nagoya Protocol 149–168. to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The authors say that following best practices will demon- 2 Testa, A.M. and Shields, E.J. (2017) Low labor “in strate due diligence in responding to access and vivo” mass rearing method for entomopathogenic benefit sharing (ABS) requirements, and also pro- nematodes. Biological Control 106, 77–82. News 17N Conference Proceedings

Interest in Biocontrol Research is Growing in Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research) presented India as Evidenced by Increased Turnout at another lead paper on “Perspectives on the use of National Biocontrol Conference Bacillus thuringiensis for effective management of insect pests”. Highlighting the various recent devel- That biological control is more relevant today than it opments, she indicated that increased Bt efficiency has ever been was amply proven going by the can be possible through development of nanosuspen- increased turnout at the Fifth National Conference sions and nanoemulsions. Also, reducing the particle on Biological Control: Integrating Recent Advances size of Bt to sub-micron size would not only lower the in Pest and Disease Management (5ncbc2017) held effective dose but also improve the consistency of for- in Bengaluru, India, on 9–11 February 2017. Stand- mulations. alone biocontrol agents and products are now avail- able for myriad insect pests, phytophagous mites, The oral presentations included a paper on the plant parasitic nematodes, plant diseases and weeds impact of BmNPV (Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedro- around the world. Wherever there is an established virus) on silkworm rearing and techniques for its integrated pest management (IPM) system, there is early diagnosis (Mudasir Gani et al.), indicating that an opportunity to add in or integrate one or more bio- horizontal transmission of the virus is best pre- control agents so as to devise a robust, biointensive vented through use of antibody-based biosensors IPM. The 2017 conference was aimed to create a plat- which have high specificity, sensitivity and the form for national researchers to project their results, option of “on-site” pathogen detection. Another inter- ideas and concepts on how to integrate more and esting paper was on rhamnolipids from more biocontrol methods, technologies and products Pseudomonas aeruginosa DR1 for biological control into existing pest and disease management pro- of Fusarium wilt (M. Yahya Khan et al.). Other grammes. The Society for Biocontrol Advancement papers during the session covered: efficacy of Neo- (SBA) partnered the ICAR–National Bureau of Agri- seiulus longispinosus in the management of cultural Insect Resources (NBAIR) in organizing this Tetranychus urticae on cucumber; rhizoplane fungi national meeting. The Indian Council of Agricultural of grasses and in vitro biological management of Col- Research (ICAR), State Bank of India and several letotrichum diseases in forest nurseries in Kerala; private firms sponsored the event. recent trends in biological control of scale insects on fruit crops; the effects of soil moisture and host stage Professor H.A. Ranganath, an insect geneticist of on suppression of Leucopholis lepidophora by ento- international repute and former Vice-Chancellor of mopathogenic nematodes; endophytic Bangalore University, was the Chief Guest. T.M. Manjunath, a legendary figure in biocontrol research entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents for and development in India, was the Guest of Honour. insect pest management; on-farm impact of Tricho- P. Sreerama Kumar, Chief Organizing Secretary, gramma spp. against lepidopteran pests in organic delivered the Welcome Address and Chandish R. rice in Punjab; development of Trichoderma formula- Ballal, President, SBA & Director, NBAIR, pre- tions to obtain more colony-forming units and longer sented the Presidential Address. The inaugural shelf-life; a first record of Encarsia formosa, an aphe- programme included release of new publications, linid parasitoid of greenhouse whitefly in India; praising senior biocontrol workers, distribution of screening and identification of antagonistic microbes SBA Awards and honouring biocontrol farmers. On against Fusarium ambrosium, a symbiont of tea the first day, various donor-sponsored awards insti- shot-hole borer; interactions of soil-applied, non- tuted by SBA were given away. There were also a native Trichoderma harzianum with resident micro- cultural programme and the conference dinner on flora in the tomato rhizosphere; morphometry and that day. On day three, a short tour was arranged to biology of a geocorid predator of soft-bodied insects; Bannerghatta National Park on the outskirts of Ben- and the bioefficacy of entomopathogenic fungi in sup- galuru city. pression of termites in sugarcane.

The meeting heard from ten invited lead speakers, Technical Session II (Biointensive IPM): In their lead while there were 55 other oral presentations and 134 paper on Trichoderma formulations, S.C. Dubey posters. There were six technical sessions and two (ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources) poster sessions, the latter attracting a significant and Aradhika Tripathi (ICAR–Indian Agricultural number of posters from students and young Research Institute) showed how their products ‘Pusa researchers. 5SD’ (seed application) and ‘Pusa Biopellet’ (soil application) exhibited longer shelf-life and were Technical Session I (Biological Control: Macrobials effective against several diseases of pulse crops, & Microbials): Chandish R. Ballal (NBAIR) pre- including dry and wet root rot of mungbean and sented a lead paper on “Biocontrol success in India chickpea, wilt of chickpea and root rot and damping- and abroad – drawing parallels”. She narrated the off complex in French bean. A lead talk on the cur- global history and success stories of various biocon- rent scenario and future prospects of biological trol programmes, and compared and contrasted the control of weeds was presented by A.N. Shylesha import regulations in vogue in various countries (NBAIR) on behalf of Sushilkumar (ICAR–Directo- regarding natural enemies for invasive pests, proce- rate of Weed Research) and P. Sreerama Kumar dures and constraints. P.S. Vimala Devi (ICAR– (NBAIR). He advocated the introduction of known 18N Biocontrol News and Information 38(2) bioagents into India, which have been proven suc- related, with topics ranging from solitary bees to cessful against common weeds in other parts of the semi-aquatic bugs that feed on mosquito immature world, and stressed the need to integrate biological stages, fruit flies, parasitic hymenopterans, thrips methods with chemical and mechanical methods to and pentatomid bugs. hasten the process of weed management. The oral presentations included a paper on biointensive Technical Session V (Molecular Biology & Bioinfor- options for the management of Tuta absoluta, an matics in Biological Control): The lead talk on invasive pest introduced to India in 2014 (M. Mohan “Multipartite interaction of introduced biocontrol et al.); a concept-introducing paper on ecological agents in the rhizosphere” by M. Anandaraj and P. engineering for enhancing biocontrol of hoppers in Umadevi (ICAR–Indian Institute of Spices rice (Chitra Shanker et al.); and another on the Research) highlighted the importance of recent tech- impact of biointensive IPM practices on insect pests nological platforms, viz. metagenomics and and grain yield in basmati rice (Sudhendu Sharma et proteomics, in understanding microbial interactions al.). in soil, because the field performance of any biocon- trol organism depends on its rhizosphere Technical Session III (Biorational Approaches & Bio- competence: its ability to grow on the roots of the control-Compatible Molecules): In his lead talk on plants within a stipulated time while competing with “Pheromones in pest management”, A.R. Prasad numerous native microbes. Giving the final lead talk (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Council of on entomopathogenic nematodes, M. Nagesh Scientific and Industrial Research), highlighted how (NBAIR) underlined the importance of molecular his group could successfully demonstrate the utility and gene manipulation techniques as they offer enor- of pheromones based on indigenously synthesized mous opportunity for in vivo production, formulation pheromone components in field crops such as rice, and storage, which are extremely important for their cotton, groundnut, sugarcane, eggplant, cabbage and utilization. Papers on transcriptome analysis of Tri- okra through a farmer participatory approach. In chogramma chilonis; comparative genomic sequence another related lead talk, N. Bakthavatsalam and K. analysis of HaNPV (Helicoverpa armigera NPV); and Subaharan (NBAIR) explained how infochemicals diversity of cry genes occurring in north-eastern help in identifying the presence of cryptic insects like India, had direct relevance to biological control. mealybugs, and how aggregation pheromones help in mass-trapping pests like coffee white stem borer The high point of 5ncbc2017 turned out to be the (Xylotrechus quadripes), coconut rhinoceros beetle final session, Technical Session VI, during which a (Oryctes rhinoceros) and red palm weevil (Rhyncho- Bioresources–Biocontrol Interface: Panel Discussion phorus ferrugineus). was organized. In the afternoon on day two, the nine experts on the panel discussed various issues related One of the advanced papers presented was on the to bioresources vis-à-vis biological control. Among utility of nanosensors in agricultural pest manage- the various recommendations, it was generally ment (Deepa Bhagat et al.). Pheromone nanosensors agreed that import regulations should be relaxed at allow users to detect pests early, to measure the con- least for importation of natural enemies, but that centration of pheromones in the field and to release due care should be taken during bulk import of nat- pheromones from devices in appropriate quantity ural enemies to avoid problems of accidental and time. Other papers of interest covered: Z-10 introduction of unwanted organisms. A committee dodecenal, a kairomone for the attraction of Exorista should be constituted with representatives from bombycis, the uzifly parasitoid of Bombyx mori; bio- ICAR, NBAIR, the National Biodiversity Authority, surfactants produced by endophytic actinomycetes the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & and their application as biocontrol agents; and phys- Storage, the Department of Agricultural Research iological and behavioural response of coconut red and Education, and private organizations to debate weevil to host volatiles. on all the issues regarding import, export and exchange of natural enemies, and to resolve issues Technical Session IV (Biodiversity & Conservation): related to exporting dead/preserved specimens for S.K. Gupta (Medicinal Plants Research & Extension taxonomic studies. It was also felt that a core group Centre, R.K. Mission) gave a lead presentation on of entomologists should be formed to list and resolve the efficiency and potential of the predatory mites of problems related to import/export/exchange of dead India, highlighting some of the important species insects and import/export of live insects for research/ and discussing how best the promising predators biocontrol. Further, procedures for registration of could be utilized in pest management. In the second biopesticides should be made less stringent than for lead paper of the session, Abraham Verghese (GPS chemical insecticides. The panel discussion was fol- Institute of Agricultural Management) and co- lowed by the Valedictory Ceremony and later by the authors presented a case study on bird insectivory Annual General Meeting of SBA. decline and pest boom in Bengaluru. They used archived notes of the last four decades to extrapolate By: P. Sreerama Kumar, Chief Organizing the biodiversity trends over this period, arguing a Secretary, 5ncbc2017, ICAR–National Bureau need to conserve insectivorous birds in agro-horti of Agricultural Insect Resources, Hebbal, ecosystems as part of conservation biological control. Bengaluru 560 024, India. The oral presentations were mostly taxonomy- Email: [email protected]