Background and General Information 2

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Background and General Information 2 United States Department of National Program 304: Agriculture Agricultural Crop Protection and Research Service Quarantine National Program Staff August 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS Background and General Information 2 Component I: Identification and Classification of Insects and Mites 5 Component II: Biology of Pests and Natural Enemies (Including Microbes) 8 Component III: Plant, Pest, and Natural Enemy Interactions and Ecology 17 Component IV: Postharvest, Pest Exclusion, and Quarantine Treatment 24 Component V: Pest Control Technologies 30 Component VI: Integrated Pest Management Systems and Areawide Suppression 41 Component VII: Weed Biology and Ecology 48 Component VIII: Chemical Control of Weeds 53 Component IX: Biological Control of Weeds 56 Component X: Weed Management Systems 64 APPENDIXES – Appendix 1: ARS National Program Assessment 70 Appendix 2: Documentation of NP 304 Accomplishments 73 NP 304 Accomplishment Report, 2001-2006 Page 2 BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INFORMATION THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the intramural research agency for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and is one of four agencies that make up the Research, Education, and Economics mission area of the Department. ARS research comprises 21 National Programs and is conducted at 108 laboratories spread throughout the United States and overseas by over 2,200 full-time scientists within a total workforce of 8,000 ARS employees. The research in National Program 304, Crop Protection and Quarantine, is organized into 140 projects, conducted by 236 full-time scientists at 41 geographic locations. At $102.8 million, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 net research budget for National Program 304 represents almost 10 percent of ARS’s total FY 2007 net research budget of $1.12 billion. NATIONAL PROGRAM 304 (NP 304), CROP PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE Vision Pest management for a sustainable agriculture. Mission To provide technology to manage pest populations below economic damage thresholds by the integration of environmentally compatible technologies that are based on increased understanding of the biology, ecology and impacts of insect, mite and weed pests. Challenge The central challenge of NP 304 is the economical and sustainable management of insect, mite, and weed pests in U.S. agriculture, while minimizing negative consequences to the environment. Crop losses in the United States due to insects, diseases, and weeds have been estimated at 33-37 percent in recent decades, comparable to the 31-34 percent range of the 1940s and 1950s, despite massive use of chemical pesticides. At the same time, the negative consequences of chemical pesticide use, including potential negative impacts on the environment and on the public as well as pest control failures, have become apparent. A need for alternatives to sole reliance on pesticides led to increased attention to Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM was defined by R. van den Bosch in 1971 as a pest management strategy that utilizes all suitable techniques to reduce or maintain pest populations at levels below those that cause economic injury. IPM development and implementation is complex and require a complete understanding of the pests and the ecosystems in which they operate. Further, IPM does not exclude pesticides, but calls for a comprehensive pest management program that minimizes reliance on chemicals. A 1997 analysis published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences, by W.J. Lewis and colleagues, made a case for “a total system approach to sustainable pest management.” Lewis et al. argued that a search for “silver bullets” inevitably leads to disappointment, as complex ecosystems react with countermoves and adjustments to management tactics. For sustainable pest management to be achieved, farming practices and pest control measures must be compatible with both natural and agroecosystems. Crop protection in this context is defined broadly to include row crops, vegetables, fruits and nuts, greenhouse production systems, horticulture, ornamentals, organic farming and postharvest concerns. Concern about the potential impact of pesticides on human health led to enactment of The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996, which built on the 1993 National Research Council report “Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children.” FQPA takes into account the cumulative exposure to multiple chemicals that act though a common mechanism and sets a 10-fold margin of safety for exposure to pesticides. In spite of these considerations, U.S. agriculture remains dependent upon chemical pesticides, a situation that was reviewed in 2000 by the National Research Council in “The Future Role of Pesticides in U.S. Agriculture.” This report recognizes the importance of “maintaining a diversity of tools for maximizing flexibility, precision, and stability of pest management,” and recommends that the public sector focus its research on a number of problem areas, including “pest biology and ecology, integration of several pest management tools in managed and natural ecosystems, and targeted applications of pesticides.” NP 304 Accomplishment Report, 2001-2006 Page 3 The response of the private sector to these challenges has included the discovery and development of pesticides that are more specifically designed for control of pests, with reduced impact on non-target organisms (including humans) and the environment, and introduction of genetically-modified crops that are protected against some insect pests, or resistant to herbicides. However, with both biologically rational pesticides and the new products of biotechnology, the development of resistance by these pests remains of paramount concern: No matter how advanced IPM techniques become, genetic variation and selection pressure will inevitably lead to the development of resistance in some target species. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the biology and ecology of these pests, the crop systems that they attack, and the ecosystems that provide their environmental context. Only then can new technologies for the IPM tool box be developed and employed in integrated, sustainable systems. These considerations apply to both arthropod (insect and mite) and weed pests. Weeds, insects, and mites are present in virtually every ecosystem, and require a variety of management techniques. A number of specific biological characteristics distinguish weeds from other plants, and it is important to understand the biology and ecology of weeds so that new methods of control may be developed. A thorough knowledge of the biology and ecology of weed, insect and mite pests, and particularly invasive plant and arthropod species, is necessary for their interdiction and management in agricultural and natural ecosystems. These issues reflect the concerns expressed by our customers, stakeholders, and partners at planning workshops designed to solicit their input. The research needed to address these issues was incorporated into 10 NP 304 Research Components, which are briefly summarized below. These are further subdivided into 49 Problem Areas, by which this Accomplishment Report is organized. PROGRAM PLANNING PROCESS AND PLAN DEVELOPMENT National Program Assessment is the final step of the ARS National Program cycle (Appendix 1), which begins with ARS scientists and administrators meeting with customers, stakeholders, and partners at a series of workshops designed to discuss major issues and priorities. For NP 304, these workshops were: Stored Product Insects, Manhattan, Kansas, October 1999; Exotic Pests, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 2000; Weed Science, Dulles, Virginia, July 2000; and Crop Protection and Quarantine, San Diego, California, October 2000. Based on these in-depth exchanges, these 10 Research Components were identified for NP 304. Writing teams comprising ARS scientists and members of the National Program Staff were formed to develop planning documents to provide a framework for ARS research. Using input from workshops, their own knowledge of the subject matter area, and input from ARS scientists and their cooperators, the writing teams identified researchable problems to be addressed. This information was developed into the NP 304 Action Plan, which explains why a particular research area is important, how it would be addressed, and the benefits of conducting the research. The Action Plan also identified specific research areas, locations, and resources that could be used to address the various problem areas. This approach resulted in the development of coordinated, multi-location research projects, conducted by ARS scientists and their cooperators, to address high-priority regional and national research needs. All projects associated with NP 304 were evaluated for scientific quality by an external peer panel in 2004. Many ARS projects are associated with more than one National Program because their objectives are broad enough to encompass more than one area, and because National Programs overlap to address broad problems of U.S. agriculture. These projects may also address more than one component and more than one problem area within a National Program. NP 304 Accomplishment Report, 2001-2006 Page 4 HOW THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT WAS CONSTRUCTED AND WHAT IT REFLECTS In this Report, selected NP 304 accomplishments and their impact are organized according to the 10 Research Components and their 49 constituent Problem Areas of the Action Plan. The content of this report is derived from responses by scientists
Recommended publications
  • Overcoming the Challenges of Tamarix Management with Diorhabda Carinulata Through the Identification and Application of Semioche
    OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF TAMARIX MANAGEMENT WITH DIORHABDA CARINULATA THROUGH THE IDENTIFICATION AND APPLICATION OF SEMIOCHEMICALS by Alexander Michael Gaffke A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology and Environmental Sciences MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana May 2018 ©COPYRIGHT by Alexander Michael Gaffke 2018 All Rights Reserved ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project would not have been possible without the unconditional support of my family, Mike, Shelly, and Tony Gaffke. I must thank Dr. Roxie Sporleder for opening my world to the joy of reading. Thanks must also be shared with Dr. Allard Cossé, Dr. Robert Bartelt, Dr. Bruce Zilkowshi, Dr. Richard Petroski, Dr. C. Jack Deloach, Dr. Tom Dudley, and Dr. Dan Bean whose previous work with Tamarix and Diorhabda carinulata set the foundations for this research. I must express my sincerest gratitude to my Advisor Dr. David Weaver, and my committee: Dr. Sharlene Sing, Dr. Bob Peterson and Dr. Dan Bean for their guidance throughout this project. To Megan Hofland and Norma Irish, thanks for keeping me sane. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................1 Tamarix ............................................................................................................................1 Taxonomy ................................................................................................................1 Introduction
    [Show full text]
  • Hym.: Eulophidae) New Larval Ectoparasitoids of Tuta Absoluta (Meyreck) (Lep.: Gelechidae)
    J. Crop Prot. 2016, 5 (3): 413-418______________________________________________________ Research Article Two species of the genus Elachertus Spinola (Hym.: Eulophidae) new larval ectoparasitoids of Tuta absoluta (Meyreck) (Lep.: Gelechidae) Fatemeh Yarahmadi1*, Zohreh Salehi1 and Hossein Lotfalizadeh2 1. Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University, Mollasani, Ahvaz, Iran. 2. East-Azarbaijan Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Tabriz, Iran. Abstract: This is the first report of two ectoparasitoid wasps, Elachertus inunctus (Nees, 1834) in Iran and Elachertus pulcher (Erdös, 1961) (Hym.: Eulophidae) in the world, that parasitize larvae of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lep.: Gelechiidae). The specimens were collected from tomato fields and greenhouses in Ahwaz, Khouzestan province (south west of Iran). Both species are new records for fauna of Iran. The knowledge about these parasitoids is still scanty. The potential of these parasitoids for biological control of T. absoluta in tomato fields and greenhouses should be investigated. Keywords: tomato leaf miner, parasitoids, identification, biological control Introduction12 holometabolous insects, the overall range of hosts and biologies in eulophid wasps is remarkably The Eulophidae is one of the largest families of diverse (Gauthier et al., 2000). Chalcidoidea. The chalcid parasitoid wasps attack Species of the genus Elachertus Spinola, 1811 insects from many orders and also mites. Many (Hym.: Eulophidae) are primary parasitoids of a eulophid wasps parasitize several pests on variety of lepidopteran larvae. Some species are different crops. They can regulate their host's polyphagous that parasite hosts belonging to populations in natural conditions (Yefremova and different insect families. The larvae of these Myartseva, 2004). Eulophidae are composed of wasps are often gregarious and their pupae can be four subfamilies, Entedoninae (Förster, 1856), observed on the surface of plant leaves or the Euderinae (Lacordaire, 1866), Eulophinae body of their host.
    [Show full text]
  • Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Pamphiliidae, Siricidae, Cephidae) from the Okanagan Highlands, Western North America S
    1 New early Eocene Siricomorpha (Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Pamphiliidae, Siricidae, Cephidae) from the Okanagan Highlands, western North America S. Bruce Archibald,1 Alexandr P. Rasnitsyn Abstract—We describe three new genera and four new species (three named) of siricomorph sawflies (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) from the Ypresian (early Eocene) Okanagan Highlands: Pamphiliidae, Ulteramus republicensis new genus, new species from Republic, Washington, United States of America; Siricidae, Ypresiosirex orthosemos new genus, new species from McAbee, British Columbia, Canada; and Cephidae, Cuspilongus cachecreekensis new genus, new species from McAbee and another cephid treated as Cephinae species A from Horsefly River, British Columbia, Canada. These are the only currently established occurrences of any siricomorph family in the Ypresian. We treat the undescribed new siricoid from the Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil as belonging to the Pseudosiricidae, not Siricidae, and agree with various authors that the Ypresian Megapterites mirabilis Cockerell is an ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The Miocene species Cephites oeningensis Heer and C. fragilis Heer, assigned to the Cephidae over a century and a half ago, are also ants. Many of the host plants that siricomporphs feed upon today first appeared in the Eocene, a number of these in the Okanagan Highlands in particular. The Okanagan Highlands sites where these wasps were found also had upper microthermal mean annual temperatures as are overwhelmingly preferred by most modern siricomorphs, but were uncommon
    [Show full text]
  • Classical Biological Control of Arthropods in Australia
    Classical Biological Contents Control of Arthropods Arthropod index in Australia General index List of targets D.F. Waterhouse D.P.A. Sands CSIRo Entomology Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Canberra 2001 Back Forward Contents Arthropod index General index List of targets The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) was established in June 1982 by an Act of the Australian Parliament. Its primary mandate is to help identify agricultural problems in developing countries and to commission collaborative research between Australian and developing country researchers in fields where Australia has special competence. Where trade names are used this constitutes neither endorsement of nor discrimination against any product by the Centre. ACIAR MONOGRAPH SERIES This peer-reviewed series contains the results of original research supported by ACIAR, or material deemed relevant to ACIAR’s research objectives. The series is distributed internationally, with an emphasis on the Third World. © Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, GPO Box 1571, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia Waterhouse, D.F. and Sands, D.P.A. 2001. Classical biological control of arthropods in Australia. ACIAR Monograph No. 77, 560 pages. ISBN 0 642 45709 3 (print) ISBN 0 642 45710 7 (electronic) Published in association with CSIRO Entomology (Canberra) and CSIRO Publishing (Melbourne) Scientific editing by Dr Mary Webb, Arawang Editorial, Canberra Design and typesetting by ClarusDesign, Canberra Printed by Brown Prior Anderson, Melbourne Cover: An ichneumonid parasitoid Megarhyssa nortoni ovipositing on a larva of sirex wood wasp, Sirex noctilio. Back Forward Contents Arthropod index General index Foreword List of targets WHEN THE CSIR Division of Economic Entomology, now Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Entomology, was established in 1928, classical biological control was given as one of its core activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Identification of the Small Hive Beetle, Aethina Tumida, by Morphological Examination (OIE Method)
    Analytical method for animal health REFERENCE: ANSES/SOP/ANA-I1.MOA.1500 - Version 04 February 2020 Identification of the Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida, by morphological examination (OIE method) Sophia-Antipolis Laboratory National Reference Laboratory – Bee Health European Union Reference Laboratory – Bee Health This document, in its electronic form, is being made available to users as an analytical method. This document is the property of ANSES. Any reproduction, whether in full or in part, is authorised on the express condition that the source is ANSES/PR3/7/01-07 [version a] mentioned, for example by citing its reference (including its version number and ANSES/FGE/0209 year) and its title. REFERENCE : ANSES/SOP/ANA-I1.MOA.1500 - Version 04 History of the method A method can be updated in order to take changes into account. A change is considered major when it involves the analytic process, the scope or critical points of the analysis method, the application of which may modify the performance characteristics of the method and/or the results. A major change requires major adaptations and either total or partial revalidation. A change is considered minor if it provides useful or practical clarifications, reformulates the text to make it clearer or more accurate, or corrects minor errors. A minor change in the method does not alter its performance characteristics and does not require revalidation. The table below summarises the version history of this method and provides qualifications for the changes. Nature of Version changes Date Main changes (Major / Minor) 1. Reformatting of the method. 2. Updating of references.
    [Show full text]
  • Insecticides - Development of Safer and More Effective Technologies
    INSECTICIDES - DEVELOPMENT OF SAFER AND MORE EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES Edited by Stanislav Trdan Insecticides - Development of Safer and More Effective Technologies http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/3356 Edited by Stanislav Trdan Contributors Mahdi Banaee, Philip Koehler, Alexa Alexander, Francisco Sánchez-Bayo, Juliana Cristina Dos Santos, Ronald Zanetti Bonetti Filho, Denilson Ferrreira De Oliveira, Giovanna Gajo, Dejane Santos Alves, Stuart Reitz, Yulin Gao, Zhongren Lei, Christopher Fettig, Donald Grosman, A. Steven Munson, Nabil El-Wakeil, Nawal Gaafar, Ahmed Ahmed Sallam, Christa Volkmar, Elias Papadopoulos, Mauro Prato, Giuliana Giribaldi, Manuela Polimeni, Žiga Laznik, Stanislav Trdan, Shehata E. M. Shalaby, Gehan Abdou, Andreia Almeida, Francisco Amaral Villela, João Carlos Nunes, Geri Eduardo Meneghello, Adilson Jauer, Moacir Rossi Forim, Bruno Perlatti, Patrícia Luísa Bergo, Maria Fátima Da Silva, João Fernandes, Christian Nansen, Solange Maria De França, Mariana Breda, César Badji, José Vargas Oliveira, Gleberson Guillen Piccinin, Alan Augusto Donel, Alessandro Braccini, Gabriel Loli Bazo, Keila Regina Hossa Regina Hossa, Fernanda Brunetta Godinho Brunetta Godinho, Lilian Gomes De Moraes Dan, Maria Lourdes Aldana Madrid, Maria Isabel Silveira, Fabiola-Gabriela Zuno-Floriano, Guillermo Rodríguez-Olibarría, Patrick Kareru, Zachaeus Kipkorir Rotich, Esther Wamaitha Maina, Taema Imo Published by InTech Janeza Trdine 9, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia Copyright © 2013 InTech All chapters are Open Access distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license, which allows users to download, copy and build upon published articles even for commercial purposes, as long as the author and publisher are properly credited, which ensures maximum dissemination and a wider impact of our publications. After this work has been published by InTech, authors have the right to republish it, in whole or part, in any publication of which they are the author, and to make other personal use of the work.
    [Show full text]
  • Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) 321-356 ©Entomofauna Ansfelden/Austria; Download Unter
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Entomofauna Jahr/Year: 2007 Band/Volume: 0028 Autor(en)/Author(s): Yefremova Zoya A., Ebrahimi Ebrahim, Yegorenkova Ekaterina Artikel/Article: The Subfamilies Eulophinae, Entedoninae and Tetrastichinae in Iran, with description of new species (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) 321-356 ©Entomofauna Ansfelden/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Entomofauna ZEITSCHRIFT FÜR ENTOMOLOGIE Band 28, Heft 25: 321-356 ISSN 0250-4413 Ansfelden, 30. November 2007 The Subfamilies Eulophinae, Entedoninae and Tetrastichinae in Iran, with description of new species (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Zoya YEFREMOVA, Ebrahim EBRAHIMI & Ekaterina YEGORENKOVA Abstract This paper reflects the current degree of research of Eulophidae and their hosts in Iran. A list of the species from Iran belonging to the subfamilies Eulophinae, Entedoninae and Tetrastichinae is presented. In the present work 47 species from 22 genera are recorded from Iran. Two species (Cirrospilus scapus sp. nov. and Aprostocetus persicus sp. nov.) are described as new. A list of 45 host-parasitoid associations in Iran and keys to Iranian species of three genera (Cirrospilus, Diglyphus and Aprostocetus) are included. Zusammenfassung Dieser Artikel zeigt den derzeitigen Untersuchungsstand an eulophiden Wespen und ihrer Wirte im Iran. Eine Liste der für den Iran festgestellten Arten der Unterfamilien Eu- lophinae, Entedoninae und Tetrastichinae wird präsentiert. Mit vorliegender Arbeit werden 47 Arten in 22 Gattungen aus dem Iran nachgewiesen. Zwei neue Arten (Cirrospilus sca- pus sp. nov. und Aprostocetus persicus sp. nov.) werden beschrieben. Eine Liste von 45 Wirts- und Parasitoid-Beziehungen im Iran und ein Schlüssel für 3 Gattungen (Cirro- spilus, Diglyphus und Aprostocetus) sind in der Arbeit enthalten.
    [Show full text]
  • The Population Biology of Oak Gall Wasps (Hymenoptera:Cynipidae)
    5 Nov 2001 10:11 AR AR147-21.tex AR147-21.SGM ARv2(2001/05/10) P1: GSR Annu. Rev. Entomol. 2002. 47:633–68 Copyright c 2002 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved THE POPULATION BIOLOGY OF OAK GALL WASPS (HYMENOPTERA:CYNIPIDAE) Graham N. Stone,1 Karsten Schonrogge,¨ 2 Rachel J. Atkinson,3 David Bellido,4 and Juli Pujade-Villar4 1Institute of Cell, Animal, and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, The King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, United Kingdom; e-mail: [email protected] 2Center of Ecology and Hydrology, CEH Dorset, Winfrith Technology Center, Winfrith Newburgh, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8ZD, United Kingdom; e-mail: [email protected] 3Center for Conservation Science, Department of Biology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom; e-mail: [email protected] 4Departamento de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avenida Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; e-mail: [email protected] Key Words cyclical parthenogenesis, host alternation, food web, parasitoid, population dynamics ■ Abstract Oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae, Cynipini) are characterized by possession of complex cyclically parthenogenetic life cycles and the ability to induce a wide diversity of highly complex species- and generation-specific galls on oaks and other Fagaceae. The galls support species-rich, closed communities of inquilines and parasitoids that have become a model system in community ecology. We review recent advances in the ecology of oak cynipids, with particular emphasis on life cycle characteristics and the dynamics of the interactions between host plants, gall wasps, and natural enemies. We assess the importance of gall traits in structuring oak cynipid communities and summarize the evidence for bottom-up and top-down effects across trophic levels.
    [Show full text]
  • CDA Leafy Spurge Brochure
    Frequently Asked Questions About the Palisade Insectary Mission Statement How do I get Aphthona beetles? You can call the Colorado Department of We are striving to develop new, effective Agriculture Insectary in Palisade at (970) ways to control non-native species of plants 464-7916 or toll free at (866) 324-2963 and and insects that have invaded Colorado. get on the request list. We are doing this through the use of biological controls which are natural, non- When are the insects available? toxic, and environmentally friendly. We collect and distribute adult beetles in June and July. The Leafy Spurge Program In Palisade How long will it take for them to control my leafy spurge? The Insectary has been working on leafy Biological Control You can usually see some damage at the spurge bio-control since 1988. Root feeding point of release the following year, but it flea beetles are readily available for release of typically takes three to ten years to get in early summer. Three other insect species widespread control. have been released and populations are growing with the potential for future Leafy Spurge What else do the beetles feed on? distribution. All of the leafy spurge feeding The beetles will feed on leafy spurge and insects are maintained in field colonies. cypress spurge. They were held in Additional research is underway to explore quarantine and tested to ensure they would the potential use of soilborne plant not feed on other plants before they were pathogens as biocontrol agents. imported and released in North America What makes the best release site? A warm dry location with moderate leafy spurge growth is best.
    [Show full text]
  • ENDOCRINE CONTROL of VITELLOGENESIS in BACTERICERA COCKERELLI (HEMIPTERA: TRIOZIDAE), the VECTOR of 'ZEBRA CHIP' a Dissertat
    ENDOCRINE CONTROL OF VITELLOGENESIS IN BACTERICERA COCKERELLI (HEMIPTERA: TRIOZIDAE), THE VECTOR OF ‘ZEBRA CHIP’ A Dissertation by FREDDY ANIBAL IBANEZ-CARRASCO Submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Chair of Committee, Cecilia Tamborindeguy Committee Members, Ginger Carney Patricia Pietrantonio Robert Coulson Head of Department, David Ragsdale August 2017 Major Subject: Entomology Copyright 2017 Freddy Ibanez-Carrasco ABSTRACT The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc), is a phloem-feeding insect with preference for Solanaceae. This insect species transmits the pathogenic bacteria ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso) the causative agent of zebra chip, an important disease of commercial potatoes in several countries worldwide. The classification of psyllids among the most dangerous vectors has promoted their study, but still many biological processes need to be investigated. As a first step towards the elucidation of vitellogenesis in B. cockerelli, two candidate vitellogenin transcripts were identified and its expression was analyzed in different life stages. Our results showed that in virgin females, BcVg1-like expression increased up to 5 days old; while mating significantly upregulated its expression in 5- and 7-day-old females and also induced oviposition. BcVg6-like transcript was expressed at similar level between females and males and it was not up-regulated by mating. To elucidate the role of juvenile hormone in B. cockerelli Vgs expression, topical applications of juvenile hormone III (JH III) were performed on virgin females, resulting in an upregulation of BcVg1-like expression and an increase in the number of mature oocytes observed in female reproductive organs.
    [Show full text]
  • Diseases of Trees in the Great Plains
    United States Department of Agriculture Diseases of Trees in the Great Plains Forest Rocky Mountain General Technical Service Research Station Report RMRS-GTR-335 November 2016 Bergdahl, Aaron D.; Hill, Alison, tech. coords. 2016. Diseases of trees in the Great Plains. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-335. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 229 p. Abstract Hosts, distribution, symptoms and signs, disease cycle, and management strategies are described for 84 hardwood and 32 conifer diseases in 56 chapters. Color illustrations are provided to aid in accurate diagnosis. A glossary of technical terms and indexes to hosts and pathogens also are included. Keywords: Tree diseases, forest pathology, Great Plains, forest and tree health, windbreaks. Cover photos by: James A. Walla (top left), Laurie J. Stepanek (top right), David Leatherman (middle left), Aaron D. Bergdahl (middle right), James T. Blodgett (bottom left) and Laurie J. Stepanek (bottom right). To learn more about RMRS publications or search our online titles: www.fs.fed.us/rm/publications www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/ Background This technical report provides a guide to assist arborists, landowners, woody plant pest management specialists, foresters, and plant pathologists in the diagnosis and control of tree diseases encountered in the Great Plains. It contains 56 chapters on tree diseases prepared by 27 authors, and emphasizes disease situations as observed in the 10 states of the Great Plains: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. The need for an updated tree disease guide for the Great Plains has been recog- nized for some time and an account of the history of this publication is provided here.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis Invicta
    University of Texas at Tyler Scholar Works at UT Tyler Biology Theses Biology Fall 11-1-2015 The oD wnregulation of Short Neuropeptide Receptor (SNPFR) in the Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis Invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the Tawny Crazy Ant Nylanderia Fulva (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) using RNA Interference, and the Use of an Anthranilic Diamide as a Novel Management Technique Megan Rudolph Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uttyler.edu/biology_grad Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Rudolph, Megan, "The oD wnregulation of Short Neuropeptide Receptor (SNPFR) in the Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis Invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the Tawny Crazy Ant Nylanderia Fulva (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) using RNA Interference, and the Use of an Anthranilic Diamide as a Novel Management Technique" (2015). Biology Theses. Paper 31. http://hdl.handle.net/10950/307 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Biology at Scholar Works at UT Tyler. It has been accepted for inclusion in Biology Theses by an authorized administrator of Scholar Works at UT Tyler. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE DOWNREGULATION OF SHORT NEUROPEPTIDE F RECEPTOR (SNPFR) IN THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT SOLENOPSIS INVICTA (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) AND THE TAWNY CRAZY ANT NYLANDERIA FULVA (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) USING RNA INTERFERENCE, AND THE USE OF AN ANTHRANILIC DIAMIDE AS A NOVEL MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE by MEGAN RUDOLPH A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science of Biology Department of Biology Blake Bextine, Ph.D., Committee Chair College of Arts and Sciences The University of Texas at Tyler November 2015 Acknowledgements I would like to begin my thanking my amazing family, whose unconditional love and support has helped me through this challenging and rewarding endeavor.
    [Show full text]