1) Project title: Biological control-based integrated crop management on greenhouse floricultural bedding plants

Investigators: Zhi Junrui, James R. Nechols, David C. Margolies, George P. Opit (Dept. of Entomology, Kansas State University), Kimberly A. Williams (Dept. of Forestry, Horticulture, and Recreation Resources, Kansas State University).

Contact: Jim Nechols (jnechols@oznet.ksu.edu)

Project description: Greenhouse experiments revealed that populations of the western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis, developed 3- to 4-fold higher on the impatiens cultivar ‘Impulse Orange’ than on ‘Cajun Carmine’. The predatory mite, Ambylseius cucumeris, significantly reduced WFT populations at two predator:prey ratios (1:2, 1:10). However, the reduction was greatest on ‘Cajun carmine’ at the higher (1:2) ratio. The addition of apple pollen early or late relative to predator release had no significant effect on WFT populations. Results suggest that predators may be effective in controlling WFT but cultivar susceptibility needs to be considered when adjusting predator:prey ratios. In addition, pollen does not appear to enhance either WFT or A. cucumeris.

2) Project Title: Interactions of surface-active agents with Beauveria bassiana for control of Tribolium castaneum.

Investigators: Waseem Akbar, Jeffrey Lord, James Nechols (Dept. of Entomology, Kansas State University).

Contact: Waseem Akbar (wakbar@agcenter.lsu.edu)

Project Description: Various dosages of diatomaceous earth and the fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana, were applied singly and in combination to adults and larvae of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Results indicated that B. bassiana alone did not decrease adult or larval survival of red flour beetles. However, the addition of diatomaceous earth enhanced the effect of B. bassiana in a dose-dependent synergistic manner indicating that formulations of the fungal pathogen containing diatomaceous earth may be efficacious for this stored product pest.

3) Project Title: Comparison of Trichogramma spp. at different patch scales on biological control of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella.

Investigators: Matt Grieshop, Paul Flinn, James Nechols (Dept. of Entomology, Kansas State University).

Contact: Matt Grieshop (mgriesho@oznet.ksu.edu)

Project Description: Comparative investigations at three different spatial scales (Petri dish, square meter grid, 3-dimensional shelving) revealed that Trichogramma deion exhibited the most efficient host searching and had the highest parasitization rates of P. interpunctella than did T. ostriniae or T. pretiosum. When released at the vertical midpoint of a 5-tiered shelving arena (~0.6 x 1.3 x 2 meters), T. deion dispersed and evenly attacked sentinel egg masses at all levels indicating that females moved both up and down following release. Parasitization of sentinel eggs by the other two Trichogramma species was lower on the shelf where releases were made and substantially lower above and below the release location compared to T. deion.

4) Project Title: Evaluation of classical biological control of musk thistle in Kansas.

Investigators: Lindsey R. Milbrath and James R. Nechols (Dept. of Entomology, Kansas State University).

Contact: Jim Nechols (jnechols@oznet.ksu.edu)

Project Description: Field experiments showed that the head weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus, reduced seed production by about 45% compared to uninfested thistles. This leaves more than 50% of the thistle seeds, including those seeds produced in late summer after R. conicus larvae have ceased feeding in thistle heads. The rosette weevil, Trichosirocalus horridus, occasionally reaches high larval densities but does not have a direct deleterious effect on musk thistle. However, various forms of plant-mediated indirect competition combine to reduce R. conicus populations by 61%, thus making this seed-feeder less effective as a biological control agent.

5) Project Title: Using molecular markers to examine behavioral genetics of a
predator-prey interaction.

Investigators: David C. Margolies,Yoonseong Park, Bhanu Konakandla (Dept. of Entomology, Kansas State University).

Contact: David C. Margolies (dmargoli@oznet.ksu.edu)

Project Description: In order to investigate genetic components controlling foraging behavior of the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis, we are constructing a linkage map using molecular markers. We have completed initial selection on 2 of the 3 targeted traits (prey location and consumption rate) from a sample drawn from a California population. In both traits we observed an increase in the mean level of the trait for 3-4 generations. We have obtained samples from populations in California, Sicily, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, and are working to obtain samples from Chile, Australia, South Africa, Israel, and France to look for polymorphisms and assess worldwide population structure. We have established a method for DNA extraction and PCR amplification using individual mites.

6) Project Description: Characterization of resistance mechanisms to Bacillus thuringiensis in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis.

Investigators: Brenda Oppert, Randy Higgins, Lawrent Buschman, Kun Yan Zhu (Dept. of Entomology, Kansas State University), Fangneng Huang (Louisiana State University), Huarong Li (Iowa State University).

Contact: Brenda Oppert (bso@ksu.edu)

Project Description: We have described the protein and gene differences in Bt-susceptible and -resistant strains of O. nubilalis to understand the physiological mechanisms that contribute to Bt-resistance in insects. Our findings indicate that a Dipel-resistant strain has a major change in the expression of a digestive proteinase that is associated with Bt-resistance, resulting in lower amounts of activated toxin during food digestion. These results will improve the use of Bt-transgenic insect control strategies.

7) Project title: Systematics of native and exotic species of Eretmocerus.

Investigators: Mike Rose (Dept. of Entomology, Montana State University) and Greg Zolnerowich (Dept. of Entomology, Kansas State University).

Contact: Greg Zolnerowich (gzolnero@oznet.ksu.edu)

Project description: Identification of native and exotic species of Eretmocerus (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) released against Bemisia in the United States, and a survey of Eretmocerus attacking whitefly in other genera. No imported Eretmocerus have been found attacking non-target hosts in California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida.

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Akbar, W., Lord, J.R. Nechols, J.R. Howard R.W. Diatomaceous earth increases the efficacy of Beauveria bassiana against Tribolium castaneum larvae and increases conidia attachment. J. Econ. Entomol. 97: In press

Li, H., Oppert, B., Higgins, R. A., Huang, F., Zhu, K. Y. and Buschman, L. L. 2004. Comparative analysis of proteinase activities of Bacillus thuringiensis-resistant and -susceptible Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 34: 753-762.

Li, H., González-Cabrera, J., Oppert, B., Ferré, J., Higgins, R. A., Buschman, L. L., Zhu, K.Y. and Huang, F. 2004. Binding analyses of Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac with membrane vesicles from Bacillus thuringiensis-resistant and -susceptible Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 323: 52-57

Milbrath, Lindsey R. and James R. Nechols. 2004. Indirect effect of early-season infestations of Trichosirocalus horridus on Rhinocyllus conicus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Biological Control. 30(1): 95-109.

Milbrath, Lindsey R. and James R. Nechols. 2004. Individual and combined effects of Trichosirocalus horridus and Rhinocyllus conicus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on musk thistle biological control. Biological Control 30(2): 418-429.

Opit, G. P., J. R. Nechols, and D. C. Margolies. 2004. Biological control of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), using Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseidae) on ivy geranium: assessment of predator release ratios. Biological Control 29: 445-452.

Rose, M., and G. Zolnerowich. 2003. Eretmocerus picketti new species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), reared from Tetraleurodes acaciae (Quaintance) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist 79(2): 119-127.

Zolnerowich, G., and M. Rose. 2004. Eretmocerus rui n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), an exotic natural enemy of Bemisia (tabaci group) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) released in Florida. Florida Entomologist: In press.

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