Colony Collapse
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service July 2012 Studying the Syndrome of COLONY COLLAPSE page 4 Agricultural Research Service6ROYLQJ3UREOHPVIRUWKH*URZLQJ:RUOG ostharvest control of insect pests The dried fruits and tree nuts industry tion until they drown, and that means that is an integral part of maintaining also requires insect pest control measures. Asian citrus psyllids will very likely not Psafe, high-quality, abundant produce Much of the U.S. production of dried fruits be present in commercially packed fruit. domestically and for export. Insect pests and tree nuts occurs in the Central Valley This research will help maintain access can travel with fresh produce from the of California. To provide consumers with of California citrus to Australia, a market field and into processing plants and storage quality produce, processors must control valued at $60 million annually. facilities. Agricultural Research Service postharvest insect pests. Scientists in Parli- Also on the world stage, tephritid fruit scientists have found many innovativeand er, California, are developing nonchemi- flies are serious economic pests worldwide. environmentally friendly methods to help cal treatments to solve this issue, using The larval stages feed within host fruits, meet this challenge. temperature extremes or vacuum, as well making infestation difficult to detect. Fruit ARS laboratories in Manhattan, Kansas, as insect parasitoids as control agents. The imported into theUnited States is currently and Gainesville, Florida, in collaboration target pests for most of this work include checked for infestation by cutting open with others, are using unique ways to both field pests of postharvest significance a small sample of fruit and looking for detect and disinfest stored-grain facilities and stored-product pests. Several methods fly larvae. This is a time-consuming and of insect pests like the red flour beetle, a are being tested, including cold storage for potentially limited way to detect the insect, major pest of the flour-milling industry. spotted wing Drosophila on grapes, radio so more sensitive screening methods are Effective pest detection and monitoring frequency treatments for cowpea weevil in needed. USDA-ARS scientists in Miami, are critical to pest management because dried pulses, and low-temperature vacuum Florida, in conjunction with USDA’s they provide necessary information for treatments for codling moth in fresh fruits. Animal and Plant Health Inspection timing and targeting the application of Another insect, the Indianmeal moth, is Service, also in Miami, conducted research control measures. globally the most important stored-product to evaluate gas chromatography (GC) as Researchers in Gainesville have devel- moth pest. ARS scientists in Parlier, along a detection method. Grapefruits infested oped anew trap for monitoring thepresence with collaborators from the University with larvae of the Caribbean fruit fly were of red flour beetles. The trap uses ultraviolet of Michigan, demonstrated that mating examined to determine whether infested light, a chemical attractant, and a physical disruption controls Indianmeal moth in fruit emitted chemicals distinct from those configuration that guides beetles into a pit dried beans in central California. Mating of healthy fruit. GC analysis indicated that where they become trapped. This monitor- disruption is safer and less disruptive than there were volatile chemicals indicative ing tool has promise for use in flour mills fumigants and aerosol sprays, but it is less of citrus fruit injury and others associated and other food-processing plants. widely used for control of Indianmeal with larval infestation. These “signature In Manhattan, Kansas, ARS scientists moth. This demonstration of successful chemicals” were also detectable with a are trying to slow the growth of red flour control of the Indianmeal moth will encour- portable, ultra-fast GC analyzer. This beetle populations by altering its hormonal age adoption of mating disruption, thereby is just one example of studies that hold system. Treatment with growth regulators protecting food in distribution channels the potential in development of a rapid can kill immature insects, and survivors while reducing use of insecticides and screening protocol for detection of infested may have reduced fitness. When larvae improving worker safety. fruit at U.S. ports of entry. were exposed to growth regulators, males The possible presence of the Asian The article on oxygenated phosphine were less likely to survive to the adult citrus psyllid in loads of citrus arriving fumigation, on page 10 of this issue, is stage than females. Adult males that sur- in Australia threatens California’s ability another example of ARS research on ways vived larval exposure to growth regulators to export citrus into that market. Parlier to make U.S. produce as freeofinsect pests produced fewer offspring than unexposed researchers found that Asian citrus psyl- as possible for the consumer. males. Results show that the nonlethal lids are completely washed from fruits that are submerged, flooded, or sprayed effects of growth regulators potentially Daniel Strickman increase the impact of insecticide treat- at high temperatures using soak tanks and wash lines consistent with commercial ARS National Program Co-Leader ments on population growth rates, thus Methyl Bromide Alternatives practices in California. Nearly 99 percent making growth regulators more effectivein Beltsville, Maryland pest management than initially estimated. of the insects remain trapped by the solu- 2 Agricultural Research O July 2012 July 2012 Vol. 60, No. 6 ISSN 0002-161X Solving Problems for the Growing World (D2549-1) Agricultural Research is published 10 times a year by the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department The root-knot nema- of Agriculture (USDA). The Secretary of Agriculture tode can penetrate the has determined that this periodical is necessary in the transaction of public business required by law. roots of some crops Tom Vilsack, Secretary and rob plant nutrients. U.S. Department of Agriculture ARS scientists and Catherine E. Woteki, Under Secretary colleagues have Research, Education, and Economics released a resistant Edward B. Knipling, Administrator Agricultural Research Service cotton line to help Sandy Miller Hays, Director breeders fight the pest. Information Staff Story begins on Editor: Robert Sowers (301) 504-1651 Associate Editor: Sue Kendall (301) 504-1623 page 16. Art Director: BA Allen (301) 504-1669 Photo Editor: Tara Weaver-Missick (301) 504-1663 Staff Photographers: Peggy Greb (301) 504-1620 Photo by WILLIAM WERGIN and RICHARD SAYRE. Colorized by STEPHEN AUSMUS. Stephen Ausmus (301) 504-1607 Most information in this magazine is public property and may be reprinted without permission (except where copyright is noted). Non -copyrighted articles and high- Colony Collapse Disorder: An Incomplete Puzzle resolution digital photos are available at ars.usda.gov/ar. Paid subscriptions are available from the U.S. Cracking Down on Poultry Disease with Egg Yolk Government Printing Office (Superintendent of Documents). See back cover for ordering infor mation. Oxygenated Phosphine Fumigation for Pest Complimentary 1-year subscriptions are available directly from ARS to public libraries, schools, USDA employees, Control on Harvested Fruits and Vegetables and the news media. Call (301) 504-1638 or e-mail [email protected]. Getting Your Kids To Eat More Vegetables: Scientists This magazine may report research involving pesticides. It does not contain recommendations for their use, Scrutinize “Parenting Practices” nor does it imply that uses discussed herein have been registered. All uses of pesticides must be registered by Beneficial Yeast: A New Weapon for Keeping Tree appropriate state and/or federal agencies before they can be recommended. Nuts Safe to Eat Reference to any commercial product or service is made with the understanding that no discri mination is intended The Search for Nematode-Resistant Cotton and no endorsement by USDA is implied. The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs No-Till Crops Can Improve Air Quality and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital in the Pacific Northwest status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, Searching for Genes To Protect reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not Soybeans From Flooding and Diseases allprohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for Locations Featured in This Magazine Issue communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Cover: A honey bee being inoculated with 1RVHPD to determine bee infection rates and Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., immune responses. ARS scientists and others have been working for years to try to Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 solve the puzzling honey bee syndrome known as “colony collapse disorder.” The story (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal that begins on page 4 examines some of the potential causes and rules out others. opportunity provider and employer. Photo by Stephen Ausmus. (D2484-7)