The mission of the USDA/ARS Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory (BCIRL), in Columbia, Missouri, is to discover, develop and refine principles and methods to effectively use biological control agents for management of pest populations of insects and weeds.  Specifically included in this mission are evaluation and enhancement of the activity, safety and production of effective beneficial pathogens, parasitoids and predators for biological control.  Current scientists at the BCIRL laboratory include Drs. Thomas Coudron (Biochemistry and Developmental Biology), James Grasela (Pathology, Molecular Biology), Arthur McIntosh (Virology, Cell Biology), Kent Shelby (Entomology, Resistance), and Renée Wagner (Research Leader, Lab Director, Biochemistry) .   We are in the process of hiring another scientist who will conduct research in the area of insect resistance to pathogens.  Drs. Cynthia Goodman (Virology, Cell Biology) and Sandra Brandt (Biochemistry and Natural Products) continued on temporary appointments.

1) Project title: Soybean Aphid (Aphis glycines)

Investigators: Wayne Bailey, Tom Clark, Ben Puttler, Division of Plant Sciences (Entomology), University of Missouri-Columbia.

Contact: Ben Puttler (puttlerbe@missouri.edu), Wayne Bailey (baileyw@missouri.edu), Tom Clark (clarkth@missouri.edu)

Project description: Economic populations of soybean aphids throughout Missouri did not materialize this year. Apparently migrating alates from more northern states from mid-season on has been limited by the lack of northern winds and other unknown factors. Some earlier migrating alates were initially successful in establishing aphid colonies. Drought and natural enemies (Orius and the Coccinellids Harmonia axyridus and Coccinella septempunctata) were responsible for decimating these aphid populations.
During the last week in September (2004), soybean aphids (gynoparae and oviparae) were detected on volunteer seedlings of Rhamnus cathartica (Buckthorn) growing in an understory habitat on the University of Missouri campus - Columbia. These aphids were also found on a buckthorn tree but less noticeable than on the seedlings. Most of the aphid colonies had a syrphid egg present whose predacious larva had decimated the aphid populations by mid October. Some aphid eggs were subsequently found on the buckthorn tree.

2) Project title: Alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica), clover head weevil (H. meles), lesser clover leaf weevil (H. nigrirostris)

Investigator: Ben Puttler, Division of Plant Sciences (Entomology), University of Missouri-Columbia,

Contact: Ben Puttler (puttlerbe@missouri.edu)

Project description: Compared to other years, alfalfa weevil adults were practically nonexistent in both the fall of 2004 and spring of 2005 sweep samples in a central Missouri study field. From a meager sample of 20 adults, 6 (30%) were parasitized by Microctonus aethiopoides, the highest percentage recorded to date and may be an artifact of the small sample. M. aethiopoides parasitized 4% of 175 H. meles and 8% of 25 H. nigrirostris adults collected from a red clover field in the same area.
In central Missouri, the fungus disease Zoophthora phytonomi of weevil larvae was again a major mortality factor. It was first detected in mid-April one week prior to its occurrence in 2004 and, as in the past, produced an epizootic 3-4 weeks later. Mortality attributed to the fungus rose from 4 - 84%. Prior to the latter percentage, parasitization by Bathyplectes anurus and B. curculionis was about 50% primarily by B. anurus. It is noteworthy that B.curculionis is surviving in competition with B. anurus and the fungus.

3) Project title: Lacebugs: Corythucha sp.

Investigator: Ben Puttler, Wayne Bailey, Division of Plant Sciences (Entomology), University of Missouri-Columbia, and Serguei Triapitsyn, University of California-Riverside.

Contact: Ben Puttler (puttlerbe@missouri.edu)

Project description: The undescribed species of Anagrus mentioned last year has been described as A. virginiae Triapitsyn and Puttler. It was reared from eggs of the chrysanthemum lace bug, Corythucha marmorata (Uhler), collected on Solidago alltissima (tall goldenrod), Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster), Ratibida pinnata (grey bearded coneflower), and Vernonia baldwinii. At present the parasite is only known from two localities – one each in two counties (Boone and Johnson) – in Missouri. They are separated by approximately 185 km. The relative ease by which A. virginiae was reared indicates a wider distribution of the parasite in Missouri and perhaps in other states because C. marmorata is known to have a wide distribution in the United States. The Erythmelus egg parasite primarily of the oak lace bug (Corythucha arcuata) is being referred to as Erythmelus sp. near tingiditiphagus. This taxon must remain undescribed at present as it would be premature to describe it in the absence of a revision of the numerous already described New World species of the genus. The parasite is a solitary idiobiont of lace bug eggs. It produces thelyotokously although an occasional male is produced. Oviposition takes place via the ovipositor penetrating the rim of the egg operculum. The life cycle from egg to adult at 20-24 C ranged from 11-17 days. It is present in the field from June through October and apparently overwinters as an adult.

4) Project title: Diseases of Grubs

Investigator: Ben Puttler, Division of Plant Sciences (Entomology), University of Missouri-Columbia.

Contact: Ben Puttler (puttlerbe@missouri.edu)

Project description: In 2004 the milky disease (Paenibacillus popilliae) again infected masked chafer grubs (Cyclocephala sp.) collected from the turf grass surface of the University of Missouri golf course. They were first observed the last week in September after a thunderstorm the previous week. Grub collections were then made weekly by criss-crossing the 11th fairway (ca. 370 x 60 yards) and collecting all grubs seen – a procedure that took 20 - 30 minutes. From September 21 to October 29, a total of 241 grubs were collected with the highest number on October 8 (82) and a combined collection of 104 on October 23 and 27. All the grubs collected were examined and found infected with milky disease. Also infected were three green June beetles (Cotinis nitida) and one Phyllophaga that occurred on the turf grass surface. The milky disease was also detected in a mixed grub population dug from a soybean field in Franklin County.

5) Project title: Aphis hyperici (St. Johns wort aphid)

Investigator: Ben Puttler, Division of Plant Sciences (Entomology), University of Missouri-Columbia

Contact: Ben Puttler (puttlerbe@missouri.edu)

Project description: Several species of St. John’s wort (Hypericum) are part of the landscape of the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. An aphid, Aphis hyperici (ID confirmed by D. Voegtlin, Illinois Natural History Survey) was found infesting the plants. Since very little is known about the aphid, a study was initiated to obtain biological data on the aphid and its natural enemies.

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Puttler, B. And S. V. Trinpitsyn. 2006. A new species of Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from Missouri, egg parasitoid of Corythucha marmorata (Hemiptera: Tingidae). Entomological News (in press)

Puttler, B., W. C. Bailey, and S. V. Triapitsyn. Host associations and biology of Erythmelus sp. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) an egg parasitoid of lace bugs (Hemiptera: Tingidae) in Missouri, USA with particular reference to Corythucha arcuata. Journal Kansas Entomological Society (submitted).

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