Appendix I: MRP MidTerm (Submitted)

Status: Complete Project ID/Title NE1032: Biological Control of Pests and Weeds 1. Progress Report: Describe results since the project was last approved; compare actual accomplishments with the objectives in the project outline; reasons should be given if project objectives were not met. Rate the project on accomplishments of stated objectives.

Progress Report Excellent Comments Considerable progress has been made with the overall goal of furthering cooperative research and implementation of biological control across the northeastern US. Progress has been made with nearly all of the 16 objectives, which fall under four broad goals including conservation of existing natural enemies, augmentation programs, introduction of new natural enemies and evaluation and education. Some examples include the discovery that multiple species of predacious harvestmen (spiders) exist in blueberries, and that certain management approaches differentially impact populations. A survey encompassing 25 states/provinces determined that Cotesia rubecula, a parasitoid of a pest butterfly, Pieris rapae, is now wide spread. Augmentative releases of natural enemies including those important for control of the Mexican bean and European corn borer continue. For the latter it has been demonstrated that the egg parasitoid, Trichogramma ostriniae, does overwinter in New York but not at levels that will likely provide adequate control in subsequent years. A long list of classical biological programs continue many demonstrating successful establishment of critically important natural enemies. Some specific examples include biological control of Phragmites australis and swallow-worts, where host range studies are progressing or complete; releases of the weevil, latipes, a natural enemy of mile- a-minute weed have been made in multiple states in the region; releases of Laricobius nigrinus against hemlock wooly adelgid in 18 eastern states have now been made with recoveries made at some release sites and another predator from Japan is now also being released; it has been determined based on long term study plots, that garlic mustard decline dramatically in less than a decade suggesting that biological control may not be necessary; and new biological control projects focused on the tree of heaven, alfalfa snout beetle and knotweed continue to make progress. Considerable progress is being made with evaluation and education including the successful web site Biological Control: A guide to natural enemies in North America. NE1032 members continue to share progress with projects across the region and internationally at professional meetings and through publications. 2. Linkages: Is there evidence of the interdependence among project participants and with other projects/agencies? Please list relevant examples. How well is the technical committee working together? Document any linkages. Is there evidence of delivering accomplishments to peer groups, stakeholders, clientele, and other multistate activities? Rate this project on linkages.

Linkages Excellent Comments Many members of NE1032 have been working collaboratively for many decades prior to the approval of this multistate project. In addition there are linkages to western, north central and southern biological control projects. The nature of the pests, which are often widespread almost, mandate collaboration across state lines to ensure success, especially with classical biological control programs. In addition new pests moving into the region such as the emerald ash borer are being studied in Michigan and elsewhere so as this pest expands its range eastward it is essential that members of this project be fully engaged and updated on progress in Michigan and other states where the emerald ash borer is established. Some specific examples of interdependence among project participants and other projects/agencies include classical biological control of Phragmites, which includes cooperators at Cornell, University of Rhode Island and CABI in Switzerland. The work on mile-a-minute weed includes cooperators in NY, CT, RI, VA, PA, WV and NJ with natural enemies being reared by the NJ Department of Agriculture Phillip Alampi Beneficial Lab. Nearly every classical biological control program associated with NE 1032 has multistate collaboration and often involving multiple agencies. Land grant universities, APHIS and the US Forest Service are frequent key players in the various projects. Overall, there is substantial collaboration among technical committee members, especially where there is common interest in a particular pest. Despite the wealth of collaboration a more purposeful effort to identify collaborations could help strengthen and potentially identify efficiencies for some projects. Given the lengthy list of publications, the extent of outreach including to the public, engagement of stakeholder groups and media attention some projects have received, it appears that accomplishments are adequately delivered. 3. Funding: Has outside funding been obtained from other federal and state agencies or the private sector by the technical committee to support project activities? Rate this project on its accomplishments in leveraging outside funding to help solve the problem being investigated.

Funding Good Comments Relatively little information is provided in the reports about specific funding received in support of the NE1032 objectives. However, by inference and by the scope of the work completed and underway, substantial funding must be invested to conduct field assessments for the goals of augmentative biological control, classical biological control and conservation of natural enemies. In nearly every instance, intensive sampling pre- and post release, rearing or natural enemies, rearing of hosts to assess impact of natural enemies and releases and monitoring are inherently expensive. Mention is made of funding from the US Forest Service and of CABI in Europe to conduct exploration work for needed natural enemies. The contributions of the NJ Department of Agriculture Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Lab. must be substantial given its involvement in several biological control projects. Although not in the region the natural enemies of the emerald ash borer are being produced by an APHIS mass-rearing laboratory in Brighton, MI. 4. Information and Technology Transfer: Document information and technology transfer which is required for every project supported by Multistate Research Funds. Rate this project on plans or accomplishments for delivering the results to users which include other researchers (journal articles, technical reports, etc.), Cooperative Extension, industry, producers, students, etc.

IT Transfer Good Comments The results of the work accomplished by members of NE1032 are extensively published via journal publications, dissertations, etc. More than 70 peer-reviewed papers have been published since the beginning of the project. Along with peer review publication

Regional Committee or AA Recommendation:

Recommendation Approve/continue project Comments 0