Fall 2010

BIOCONTROL NEWS AND VIEWS FOR WYOMING

Volume 10, Number 2 Editor: Tim Collier, College of Agriculture, University of Wyoming

What is CABI? A Brief History Hariet L. Hinz, Head Weed Biological Control Research, CABI Europe-Switzerland

Many of you have heard of CABI before and you from being responsible for the identification of might even know something about the biological control and fungal pests, and parasitoids, the organization also research conducted by our Centre, located somewhere in produced a monthly periodical giving summaries of Switzerland, right? (Or was that Sweden?). Indeed, the current entomological literature. This eventually led to Wyoming Biological Control Steering Committee sends the production of the CAB Abstracts, which is now money to our Centre in Switzerland each year, for which the world-leading database covering agriculture and the you eventually receive bugs that eat your weeds. But environment. In 1986, the name was changed from CABI does a lot more than that and I thought you might Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux to CAB be interested to hear a little bit about the history of the International, indicating the switch from a purely organization and what we do besides weed biological Commonwealth organization to a truly international one. control work. In 1990, CABI’s four international research institutes at CABI was founded in 1910 in the UK. With a little the time (Entomology, Mycology, Parasitology and mental arithmetic you will figure out that this means we Biological Control) became known as the International are celebrating our 100th anniversary this year! Back then Institute of Biological Control (IIBC). Eight years it was called the Entomological Research Committee continued on page 2…CABI…

Dr. Benno Herting and Dr. Hubert Pschorn-Walcher with insect nets and included two field entomolo- gists, one in East Africa and one in West Africa, to collect and study injurious to humans, crops and . Over the next four decades, the organization went through three name changes and Inside this issue: moved its headquarters four times: What is CABI? A Brief History 1 first to Ontario, Canada, to escape The CABI Summer Student Experience 3 the Second World War, then to Ottawa, Canada, and Trinidad before returning to the UK in CABI and the Wyoming Weed & Pest Council 4 1984. During that period, the Canadians contributed signifi- Bio Control of Common 5 cantly to the growth of CABI by allocating funds to stations Beneficial Visit to CABI 6 in Switzerland, Trinidad, Kenya, India and Pakistan. Apart CABI Visit 2009 7 continued from page 1…CABI… later, the four institutes of the IIBC All in all CABI has over 400 staff against forest pests. Initially, the were integrated into a new entity – operating from bases in nine countries Centre was established near Zürich, CABI Bioscience. In the same year, and working in more than 70. Apart in the German-speaking part of CABI Publishing was born, reflecting from publishing, CABI focuses on Switzerland; however, in the 1950s it the increasing importance of our development projects and research to was moved to Delémont in the publishing to CABI’s reputation and find solutions to agricultural and French-speaking part because the area income. Besides CAB Abstracts, and environmental problems. A third was more forested. (Unofficially, it CABI books, one of CABI’s best component is our microbial services may have had something to do with known products is the Crop Protec- unit that manages a collection the fact that the Centre Director at the tion Compendium, a comprehensive of over 28,000 living fungal strains: the time was French-speaking.) But there database for crop protection informa- UK's National Collection of Fungus is no doubt that Delémont is less tion worldwide. Currently, an Invasive Cultures. Besides offering identifica- pricey than Zürich, so the move made Species Compendium is being developed, which will be available free on the internet. Our most recent organizational change, in 2006, involved the merging of CABI Bioscience and CABI Publishing under a single CABI brand. The current CABI is a not-for- profit organization with 45 member countries. Unfortunately, the U.S. is not a member yet, but we are working on it! Each member country has an equal role in the organization's govern- ance, policies and strategic direction, in addition to enjoying a number of privileges and services. CABI is Group picture of CABI staff at the Swiss Centre in 2010 governed by the Review Conference and an Executive Council, both of tions, and consultancy services, we sense. In 1963 a new laboratory (the which consist of representatives of also screen our collection for natural current Centre) was built on the member countries. So we are a real products such as antibiotics, vitamins outskirts of Delémont, and the local customer-driven organization. In addi- and enzymes. As one little snapshot, in authorities even named the road tion, an independent board of nine 2000 CABI developed a tool kit to leading to the institute “Rue des advisors oversees CABI’s detect microbial contamination in fuel Grillons” (Cricket Street). programmes and guides management tanks of aero planes. Believe it or not, on operational and strategic issues. plane engines can be blocked up by fungal growth, which “…the local authorities even named the road passengers would leading to the institute ‘Rue des certainly not appreci- Grillons’ (Cricket Street).” ate, especially when the plane is up in the air! The test is now being commercialized CABI Europe-Switzerland started by a CABI spin-out off with a small group of scientists, but company. now employs 19 permanent staff So how does our on-site, four external scientists in Swiss Centre fit into Serbia, Hungary and China, currently all of this? seven students, and roughly 15 tempo- The CABI Europe- rary technical assistants known Switzerland Centre as summer students (Note that was initially set up in one person, our administrator, 1948 and was driven Monique Gyseler, is present in both Staff at CABI in Switzerland in the 1960ies. From left to right: Dr. by Canada’s needs for pictures!) If you have problems Klaus P. Carl, Dr. G. Scheibelreiter, Dr. O. Eichhorn, Ms. Monique parasitoids to be used locating her, especially in the second Gyseler, Dr. Helmut Pschorn-Walcher, and Dr. Dieter Schroeder continued on page 4…CABI… Page 2 The CABI Summer Student Experience by Danielle Fife

Most entomologists I meet tell me It was one of my entomology a positive place to work. I imagine it they’ve been collecting since they could professors that told me about CABI would vary from year to year, but there barely walk and have reared everything and encouraged me to apply. Why really is a great group of people here from walkingsticks to Cercropia not? It would be a great way to and there’s always something going in their (very understanding) parent’s continue working with insects, learn on whether it’s a hiking trip on the basements. My love of insects dates all about biological control (something I weekend, filling up on cheese fondue (a the way back to my second year of had no experience with) and get to requisite Swiss experience), or watching university…so about four years ago. travel. I wrote a letter of interest to the World Cup at the local bar. It I took a class called ‘Insect Natural Dr. Hariet Hinz who was the contact creates an atmosphere where I actually History and Diversity’ with Dr. Steve listed on the advertisement and was a look forward to going into work. Of Marshall and I was hooked! Suddenly I little surprised to actually hear back course there are days when I would was seeing insects everywhere that I from her. I found out I got the job rather sleep in and not stare at tiny had no idea existed. It’s amazing what the day before I finished my last larvae through a microscope though! you can see if you take a closer look at exam as an undergrad. Phew! Off to Since the initial few weeks of that goldenrod in your garden or flip Switzerland to start a new adventure. getting settled in I've gotten into the over a few rocks in the forest! The whole process of coming swing of things at work. As I already I had always had an interest in over here was pretty stress-free. mentioned, I work for Esther who is nature, especially birds and mammals, CABI took care of organizing my a research scientist in the Weed which is why I decided to enroll in the work permit, a place to live and Biological Control section. Esther is zoology program at the University of helped me get settled in comfortably investigating potential biological Guelph in Southern Ontario (about an when I got here. I just had to get control agents for garlic mustard and hour away from Toronto, where I grew myself there! At the end perennial pepperweed. Both plants are up). Since many of the ‘ology’ courses of February I flew into Basel (or Bale European in origin and are invasive in were being cut or condensed by the in French) and somehow managed to time I could take them, I was able to fit find my way by train to the station in in more entomology courses, such as Delémont, a quaint farming town “…a place where it's cool to be Insect Behaviour, Systematics and even in the French-speaking region of a tropical entomology course in Bolivia! Switzerland (so much for 'when am I a biology geek!” ever going to need French, anyway?'). This is where the CABI office is located and where I was greeted by the United States and Canada. For my new boss Dr. Esther Gerber and garlic mustard we have been investigat- another recently arrived summer ing three different weevil species to use student, Beata. I felt a bit like as potential bio-control agents and for the living dead when I arrived so they perennial pepperweed, two weevils and just took me the grocery store quickly one flea . These all need to be and then to my new home, a base- tested on closely related plant species ment apartment that I would share to ensure the risk of them having a with two students from China. negative impact on native North Luckily, I was able to take my American plants is low. time going into work the next day and The process is similar for both started off easy with a tour of the weeds; we offer the insects different building and meeting the other staff. plant species from the same family Life at CABI was pretty quiet at first. as the target weeds to see if they can There were only a handful of summer complete their life cycle on them. This students from various different coun- involves setting up a lot of plants tries along with the permanent staff. covered in gauze, releasing adult It was a good way to get to know on them and dissecting plants to look people before the rest of the students for eggs and larvae. For perennial pep- arrived for the peak season in sum- perweed, this work has to be done mer, which is definitely not quiet! in quarantine, because the insects being Danielle Fife collecting weevils on garlic The strong social community is tested come from Turkey and Russia. mustard. something that has made CABI such Fortunately, the work in quarantine continued on page 8…Experience… Volume 10, Number 2 Page 3 continued from page 2…CABI… to result increases picture, see the solution on page seven in yield of 20 to of the Wyo-Bio. In general, we tend to up to 40%. So far, accommodate 10+ nationalities, so eight facilities our Centre is a hot-spot for cultural have been estab- diversity. lished which Focusing originally on classical have the ability to biological control of insect pests and produce and dis- weeds for North America; the Centre tribute 2.8 billion has enlarged its portfolio over the Trichogramma last 15 years to include ecosystem wasps every year, management, risk assessment and protecting almost inventories for invasive alien insects, 6,000 ha. How- CABI Europe-Switzerland: part of the garden space, greenhouses and invasion ecology, climate change and ever the plan is to the backside of the lab. implementation of Integrated Crop Management (ICM) through interna- implement the approach on 200,000ha toadflax, purple loosestrife, and tional development projects. In one of maize production in the near fu- houndstongue. Currently, we are inves- of these, my colleague, Ulli Kuhlmann ture! tigating potential agents for 18 invasive and his team, is trying to improve Connection to North America plants in North America. Recent food security for the people of North Based on work carried out over the highlights include the release of two Korea. Maize is one of the most im- years in our Centre’s Weed Biological agents for Russian knapweed, a portant crops in North Control section, 50 biological control gall-forming wasp and a gall-midge in Korea and grown on almost 20% of agents have been released against Wyoming. the total arable land. The biggest weeds – seven in New Zealand and But how, you might wonder, threat to maize production is the 43 in North America. Many of did the Wyoming Biological Control Asian corn borer. Ulli and his Team these agents are currently contributing Steering Committee and CABI are setting up production facilities to to the successful control of important Europe-Switzerland begin their strong mass release a tiny parasitic wasp invasive species in North America, relationship? This happened in the (Trichogramma), which has been shown including: leafy spurge, spotted 1990s and was initiated by Lars and diffuse knapweeds, Dalmatian Baker. See his account below. CABI and the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council A Productive Partnership By Lars Baker, Past Chair of the Wyoming Biological Control Steering Committee Wyoming came into the field of biological control other states, the USDA, and Canada funded research in of weeds cautiously. It really started in 1978 with the leafy spurge and other weeds. redistribution of conicus by USDA/ARS in Wyoming began its relationship with CABI, then Bozeman in 1978. In a few years the Wyoming Weed and called the International Institute of Biological Control Pest Council had established the Biological Control (IIBC), when Dieter Schroeder came to a meeting or two Steering Committee. We talked about the potential of in Wyoming looking for partners. Dieter charmed his biological control and listened excitedly when researchers way into the Council and in 1996, for the first time, like Dr. Paul Dunn and Dr. Norm Rees USDA/ARS Wyoming Weed and Pest Districts joined together to would speak to the Council at various meetings, but we support the Canada research program at IIBC. were all reluctant to spend any money to support research. While this never did produce any new agents, it did cross It looked like a black hole. a threshold and establish a financial mechanism for The formation of the steering committee brought Dr. future contracts for weed bio-control research. Robert Lavigne, University of Wyoming into the picture. Wyoming was very interested in working on Russian Four counties combined resources and sent $7,000 to knapweed and we began discussing a program. IIBC USDA/ARS in Albany, CA for work on leafy spurge agents submitted a proposal for a five year work plan. One of and as a result of that small contribution, we obtained 14 Wyoming’s main concerns was duplication of effort by pairs of Oberea erythrocephala that we moved around under the various research programs and competition for funds. cages until they all died. While we were not successful in Dieter addressed the issue by developing agreements with establishing Oberea from this release, it lighted a fire and USDA/ARS/EBCL and others to share the work load while the Steering Committee generated little money for and for staff to fully cooperate and that effort alone international research, it did start to channel funds to the comforted Wyoming contributors that their funds were University of Wyoming in support of biological control going to be carefully spent. A consortium was formed work in Wyoming. We more or less watched from afar as between the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council Biological continued on page 7…CABI and Wyoming… Page 4 Volume 10, Number 2 Biological Control of Common Tansy By Alec McClay, McClay Ecoscience, Sherwood Park, Alberta

Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is an aromatic, Agriculture, and on the perennial European plant that was introduced into North Canadian side by the America in 1631 by settlers as a kitchen and medicinal Alberta Invasive Plants herb. It escaped cultivation soon after introduction, and Council. is now a widespread weed across the northern US and André Gassmann at Canada. Tansy is mostly avoided by grazing livestock CABI is leading the because of its pungent aroma, and contains several toxic studies on potential bio- compounds. It is listed as a state, provincial, or local logical control agents. Common tansy is mainly noxious weed in Britsh Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Microplontus millefolii Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Common Tansy is often found a problem in the prairie provinces of Can- ada and in the north central US. To maximize the chances of finding climatically adapted agents, field surveys are concentrating on striatella in flower head eastern Europe, of common tansy particularly Russia (around St. Petersburg and Moscow) and Ukraine (around Kiev). Species under study at present include a A pasture in Minnesota infested with common tansy root-feeding flea beetle, Longitarsus noricus, a stem-mining in pastures, roadsides, waste areas, and riparian habitats, weevil, Microplontus millefolii, a flower and stem-feeding where it often forms dense stands. Over the past few , Isophrictis striatella, and a leaf-feeding beetle, Cassida years it has been spreading into forested areas of stigmatica. northern Alberta, along the Athabasca River. A test plant list of 56 species, mostly in the tribe Some preliminary studies on the potential for biologi- Anthemideae, has been reviewed by the Technical cal control of common tansy were carried out in Advisory Group and the Canadian the 1990s, and literature and field surveys in Europe Biological Control Review Committee. Almost all species identified several insects as possible candidate control have been obtained and are being grown at CABI. There agents. It was considered to be a good target as it is a is one native North American species Tanacetum, T. bipin- perennial plant growing in stable habitats, with natum which is sometimes split into three or four species. relatively few close relatives in the North American flora. Genetic studies are under way to assess the relationships After a hiatus of several years, funding was identified to among these T. bipinnatum populations and between this begin studies with some of these agents, and a project species and common tansy. was started at the Common tansy is a very variable plant chemically, CABI laboratory with a wide range of secondary compounds in its essen- in Switzerland in tial oils. A Ph.D. student, Vera Wolf at the University 2006. The project of Bielefeld, has been investigating this diversity in is a joint US- European and North American populations of tansy and Canadian one, its possible affect on host acceptance by insects. with funding on Funding support has been provided by: Agriculture the US side being and Agri-Food Canada adaptation programming coordinated by (delivered in Alberta by the Agriculture and Food Coun- the Minnesota Longitarsus noricus cil), Agriculture Development Fund (Saskatchewan), Department of continued on page 7…Common tansy… Volume 10, Number 2 Page 5 Beneficial Visit to CABI Nancy AP Webber, Assistant Supervisor/Bio-Control, Fremont County Weed & Pest Control District

For two weeks last spring I had the evidence of insect attack opportunity to travel to Delémont, and impact on the plant Switzerland and work with the great stands in the test plots and folks at CABI. weedy areas associated with It was very beneficial for me to see the vineyards. Closer to the screening procedures and the many Delémont I accompanied different aspects of testing. I was given Esther Gerber and Danielle the opportunity to participate in many Fife, Esther’s summer assis- of the activities that take place during tant, on an expedition to the bio-agent screening process. I took collect weevils on garlic part in host- and test-plant examination mustard, a problem weed and dissection under a microscope to in forested areas of the look for insect attack and damage. eastern U.S. I also spent a Hariet Hinz, my primary host, taught morning with Danielle in a Hariet in the Rein River Valley inspecting Dyers Woad for me how to sex weevils so equal num- quarantine room placing insect impact bers of male and female beetles are insect eggs on perennial placed on caged test plants. I spent a pepperweed plants and long morning transferring newly non-host test plants. “One of the most important areas of the hatched larva onto field bind weed The CABI facilities are located a short walk from the Delémont town facility, in my view, is the kitchen.” center in a beautiful country setting. The noon meal for the group. Many facility is impressive languages can be heard in the halls and with a main building, around the tables but, luckily for me, a number of green- English is the common language used houses and many doz- at CABI. ens of gardens and It is unusual for an “end user” cages. My appreciation of their work to visit the Delémont of CABI and the center, during my stay I was often Delémont center in- asked if I was a professor or what creased as I learned individual project I was working on. the extent, variety and Hariet asked that I give a presentation quality of work done on the history of Biological Control in out of the facility Wyoming which was well received. I which includes a num- was able to share a bit of the Wyoming Nancy & Esther collecting garlic mustard weevils ber of laboratory biological weed control experience, rooms, two quarantine facilities, plants with the smallest paint brush and give the researchers the perspec- temperature controlled chambers and in the world. Enthusiastic summer tive of the people implementing the many offices and meeting rooms. students do much of this tedious, time work started by CABI. consuming work. After taking part in One of the most important areas these activities I have a much better of the facility, in my view, is the understanding of the magnitude of the kitchen. This is the room when every- testing that takes place. one congregates for lunch and coffee. We took advantage of some beauti- People come to the Delémont Center ful spring days to work in the field. from all around the world to work on Hariet and I spent a day at some Dyers many different aspects of bio-control, Woad test plots among vineyards in the leaving home and family to become picturesque Rhein River Valley of part of the tightly knit CABI staff. Southern Germany. Despite the exotic This makes for a truly international surroundings, bending over test plots experience, and the international and digging up specimens for hours is flavors were best expressed during hard work. We were easily able to see lunch time when the permanent and seasonal staff take turns making the Houndstongue weevil, Mogulones borraginis Page 6 Volume 10, Number 2 CABI Visit 2009 continued from page 4…CABI and Wyoming… Brett Richardson, Assistant Supervisor, Big Horn County Weed & Pest Control Control Steering Committee, the Wyoming Department of District Agriculture, the University of Wyoming and USDA/ APHIS/PPQ and a three year agreement was developed with CABI to fully research the potential for a program. At the end of three years it was felt that literature could be reviewed and a host plant test list, a North American distribution map, and an economic analysis could be developed. At the end of the contract, we would all meet to review the project and decide if it was feasible. The three year agreement was funded at $165,000 ($55,000 annually). APHIS and other federal agencies added to that to make a viable program. By 1999, we had a good list of potential agents and a promising program in place that is still being funded today as the last of those agents are being screened. Two agents have been approved for Brett Richardson enjoying the view of the Alps release. One has been established. This has been a model It sounds like this issue of WYO-BIO is going to program that has established a relationship of trust have a lot of CABI and Switzerland articles. I guess it is between CABI and Wyoming to the end that the Steering fitting as this relationship is very important in the quest Committee maintains consortium accounts for many weed to find and test new bio-control species. It has been a bio-control projects and funds research at CABI in excess long and mutually beneficial relationship. Both Nancy of $100,000 annually. It took a lot of time to develop this and I have had the pleasure (except for the plane ride) to commitment and relationship which has outlived the be able to tour the CABI labs and spend time in the areas careers of many of the individuals involved initially and that these projects are taking place. It was interesting to demonstrates that a commitment to common goals can me to find that one of the most important positions at cement lasting institutional relationships. the institute was the gardeners. These individuals are the backbone of the research. The number of plantings that continued from page 5…Common tansy… they managed is remarkable and if they fail to get Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Sustainable Resource the plants to grow research becomes very difficult. The Development, British Columbia Ministry of Forests institute also takes great pains not to allow any plants that and Range, Canadian Pacific Rail, Enbridge Pipelines are not native to escape into their environment. One (Athabasca) Inc., EnCana Corporation, Lawrence and of the plant issues that you notice in this in Europe is Pennington Counties (South Dakota), Marksmen Inc, the problem with Goldenrod which is a native on our Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Montana Noxious continent and has been introduced as an ornamental in Weed Trust Fund, Saddle Hills County (Alberta), State of Europe. Along the freeways and in the native areas it South Dakota, Suncor Energy Inc., TransCanada Pipeline, resembles the noxious weed problems that we are used and UPM Blandin Paper Mill. to dealing with. I was also very impressed with the young people If you are interested in more information about the that were working there as summer interns. They were common tansy project, or in becoming a participant in truly excited and involved with the projects that they the consortium, please contact the Canadian coordinator, were assisting with, which was very apparent as they Alec McClay, at [email protected] explained what their role was and how the project was or the US coordinator, Monika Chandler, with the progressing. I was able to observe some of our old Minnesota Department of Agriculture at friends in their native ranges (Spotted knapweed, Oxeye [email protected]. daisy, Houndstounge, and Hawkweeds) playing nice with the other plants and behaving themselves. While I Did you guess? was at CABI they managed to show me a couple of churches, some Roman ruins and vineyards, and a section of the Alps. I came home from the trip with a better understanding of how and what is going on across the big water. I also came back with even more trust and respect for the organization and individuals that are managing these searches and tests for us. Unlike Nancy who might retire there I think I will stay on this side and raise some raspberries. Monique Gyseler, our Administrator, then and now!

Volume 10, Number 2 Page 7 Wyo-Bio 450 North 2nd Street, Rm 325 Lander WY 82520

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Switzerland and Southern Germany. Germany. Southern and Switzerland

the garden or go out on collecting trips around around trips collecting on out go or garden the

gets balanced out by getting to work outside in in outside work to getting by out balanced gets continued from page 3…Experience… 3…Experience… page from continued