Source: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE submitted to NRP
DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR ARTHROPOD PESTS AND NATURAL ENEMIES ON CITRUS AND AVOCADOS IN CALIFORNIA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0087296
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2012
Project End Date
Jun 30, 2017
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
(N/A)
RIVERSIDE,CA 92521
Performing Department
Entomology, Riverside
Non Technical Summary
Citrus production in California (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and mandarins combined) had a 2010 crop value of $1.26 billion. Bearing citrus in the state is grown on a total of 268,600 acres within 5 diverse climatic regions - the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, southern California coastal, southern California interior, and southern California desert regions. Arthropod pest management problems and solutions vary greatly between the various climatic regions and on different varieties of citrus within each region. Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) was first found in California late in 2008, has now spread throughout much of southern California, and is under "eradication" (really suppression) in much of southern California. In recent months, officials have come to the realization that the massive Los Angeles area infestation is beyond control and biological control is now being looked at to replace chemical treatment of backyard trees. Huanglongbing is a serious bacterial disease of citrus vectored by ACP and this disease has had severe impacts on citrus production in China, Brazil, Florida, and more recently, Mexico. The disease is moving northward towards California from Mexico and it is only a matter of time before the HLB is found in California and ACP spreads into the San Joaquin Valley production region. This project will address the need to make citrus arthropod pest control more reliable and less costly while minimizing the grower's reliance on broad-spectrum pesticide use to the degree that is possible. Substantial effort will be spent on helping the industry determine how to best deal with Asian citrus psyllid. This will logically progress from the current situation where we are mostly in suppression mode while the insect expands its range, then to a management phase once eradication/suppression is no longer feasible, and then to a third phase once huanglongbing is found and spreads in California. Based on 2010 statistics, avocados in California had an annual crop value of $415 million and were grown on 58,500 acres with the majority of this located in the coastal regions of San Diego, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. Prior to the early 1990's, California avocado growers were able to manage their arthropod pest problems with minimal chemical intervention and relied heavily on cultural and biological controls. This pattern was disturbed in recent years by the increasing importance of two newly introduced exotic pest species, the avocado thrips and persea mite. On citrus, research will focus largely on Asian citrus psyllid with continued research on citrus thrips; soft scales including black scale and citricola scales; bean thrips; Fuller rose beetle and Diaprepes root weevil; and mites or other contaminants of export citrus. On avocados, research will focus on avocado thrips and persea mite, focusing on basic biology, alternative management methods, selective chemical control, pesticide resistance management, and evaluation of the any promising natural enemies. Proactive research will be conducted on exotic armored scales that are likely to be introduced into California in the future and their biological control.
Animal Health Component
70%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
70%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2150999113020%
2151099113010%
2160999113040%
2161099113030%
Knowledge Area
215 - Biological Control of Pests Affecting Plants; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1099 - Tropical/subtropical fruit, general/other; 0999 - Citrus, general/other;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;
Goals / Objectives
Develop, test, and implement improved pest management strategies for arthropod pests of citrus and avocados and their natural enemies in California. On citrus, research will focus largely on Asian citrus psyllid with continued research on citrus thrips; soft scales including black scale and citricola scales; bean thrips; Fuller rose beetle and Diaprepes root weevil; and mites or other contaminants of export citrus. On avocados, research will focus on avocado thrips and persea mite, focusing on basic biology, alternative management methods, selective chemical control, pesticide resistance management, and evaluation of the any promising natural enemies. Proactive research will be conducted on exotic armored scales that are likely to be introduced into California in the future and their biological control. On both commodities, research will be reactive to the current situation, i.e. a number of scenarios could alter the focus and emphasis placed on different research projects, e.g., (1) the appearance of Asian citrus psyllid in the San Joaquin Valley, (2) the emergence of huanglongbing on California citrus, (3) escalation in citrus thrips resistance to spinetoram or avocado thrips or persea mite resistance to abamectin, (4) the appearance of a new exotic pest on either commodity, or (5) citrus exports to a particular country face a new phytosanitary challenge. Specific high priority objectives over the 5 years of this revision are: (1) Evaluate the impact of various pesticides in control of Asian citrus psyllid, citrus thrips, selected mites of citrus, Fuller rose beetle and avocado thrips, persea mite, and armored scales on avocados. Emphasis will be on new classes of chemistry and selective chemicals that allow natural enemies to persist as much as possible. Monitor pesticide resistance development and develop strategies to slow resistance evolution. (2) Research biological control of citrus and avocado pests that are likely to be amenable to this approach (citricola scale, black scale, Fuller rose beetle, armored scales on avocados, etc.). Develop methods of rearing host material and parasitoids, import new parasitoid species or strains through Quarantine as appropriate, study the biology of parasitoids and predators, and evaluate either classical, inoculative, or augmentative field releases. (3) Continue to develop and refine a biologically-based integrated pest management program for arthropod pests of citrus and avocado in California. Integrate new pesticides and new pest species as they re-emerge (citricola scale, bean thrips, citrus rust mite, Fuller rose beetle) or are introduced (recently introduced species such as Asian citrus psyllid, glassy-winged sharpshooter, persea mite, avocado thrips, Mexican strain of citrus peelminer, citrus leafminer, Diaprepes root weevil; potential new introductions such as brown citrus aphid, avocado armored scales, avocado seed moth, avocado stem and seed weevils, Lepidoptera infesting avocados, etc.).
Project Methods
Based on an understanding of the biology of the pest species on citrus and avocado and interactions with other pest species and natural enemies, develop improved management strategies which will lead to minimization of economic damage while utilizing minimal economic and agricultural chemical inputs. A number of procedures will be used to achieve the objective for specific pest management problems including but not limited to the following. a. Literature review and development of pest management simulation models where appropriate. Models may aid in problem formulation or may be based on degree-day accumulations to assist in field monitoring programs. b. Laboratory and/or field-based studies on the basic biology of the pest and/or natural enemies of interest. c. Development of improved field monitoring methods and refinement of economic thresholds. d. Monitoring of pesticide resistance levels and determination of the mechanisms and genetics of resistance and/or cross-resistance. e. Pesticide efficacy evaluations. Develop selective control alternatives and evaluate new classes of chemistry. f. Evaluation and improvement of biological controls through monitoring and/or natural enemy or pesticide manipulations. Study the biology of endemic parasitoids and predators and determine if their impact can be augmented. Import new parasitoid species or strains through Quarantine and conduct field releases after obtaining permits for importation and release. g. Develop improved methods of rearing natural enemies in the laboratory and/or in insectaries. Do field evaluation of inoculative and/or augmentative natural enemy releases. In relation to the specific high priority objectives (1) - (3) listed above, the following initial procedures will be used: (1) Conduct laboratory and field spray efficacy trials to evaluate selective chemicals and/or new classes of chemistry. (2) A number of parasitoid species are in culture, some collected locally and others resulting from foreign exploration or from shipments by cooperators. Basic biology studies, host specificity research, and requests for release from Quarantine will be conducted as needed. Methods will be developed for rearing high quality host material and for efficient rearing of parasitoids so as to produce the numbers needed for field release. Inoculative or augmentative release programs will be developed and evaluated in various regions of California. (3) Pest management on citrus and avocado in California is evolving rapidly as new issues arise (more restrictive pesticide and environmental regulations, an increasingly global marketplace with stronger foreign competition, reduced restrictions on trade with lessened phytosanitary security, public pressure for improved food safety and product quality, urban interface issues, increasing land, labor, and water costs, etc.) and new pest species are introduced. These new issues and pest species must be integrated into applied pest management programs that allow citrus and avocado growers to compete in a challenging and competitive marketplace.

Progress 10/01/12 to 06/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of these research efforts is largely citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California, University of California farm advisors and specialists, and researchers working on citrus and avocados in California and other areas of the world. Much of the information and research is relevant to researchers, advisers, and growers in other areas of the world such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas in the U.S. and Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Spain. Changes/Problems:As Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and huanglongbing continued to expand in California, more emphasis was placed on dealing with this disease vector (ACP) at the expense of work on other citrus pests. In addition, research focused on citrus export problems due to contamination by quarantine pests including Fuller rose beetle, ASYNONYCHUS GODMANI (South Korea); bean thrips, CALIOTHRIPS FASCIATUS (Australia); and several mite species (New Zealand). Due to the sensitivities involved in international trade, substantial unpublished research was conducted on these quarantine pests. Two new avocado pests appeared late in 2015, the Kuroshio shot hole borer and later the polyphagous shot hole borer (both are EUWALLACEA nr. FORNICATUS). These insects vector several fungi, in particular two FUSARIUM fungi that cause Fusarium dieback. At the request of the California Avocado Commission, research was shifted from other pest species to emphasize work on these beetles. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Over the 5 years of this project 36 presentations were made to growers, pest control advisors and others training them on how to best deal with Asian citrus psyllid, 17 with shot hole borers on avocados, 13 covering proactive pesticide resistance management, 11 dealing with managing Fuller rose beetle in relation to export shipments to South Korea, and 8 dealing with other citrus export issues. In addition, at the request of USDA-APHIS, 18 presentations were made to County Agricultural Commissioner inspectors training them on how to deal with citrus export issues relating to citrus shipments to South Korea, China, Australia, and New Zealand. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results were reported as refereed scientific journal articles, which are abstracted and available on the worldwide web to other researchers, advisors, specialists, pest control advisors, and more and more to growers as they become increasingly computer literate; and also as technical reports in lay magazines written targeting growers and pest control advisors. Practical approaches and applications were reported at numerous meetings with the citrus and avocado industries over the year and via 3-4 annual reports that were required for all industry-funded grants. As new information was obtained, web-based pest management guidelines for citrus (http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.citrus.html) and avocado (http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.avocado.html) were updated and revised. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project will be terminated as of June 2017 so there will not be another reporting period.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Over the 5 years of this project, research and extension was conducted with the aim of solving problems of importance to citrus and avocado growers in California. Research was published in 23 refereed journal articles, 2 book chapters, and 25 popular press articles designed for growers, pest control advisors, and extension personnel. Thirty-nine articles dealt with citrus pests - 9 with Asian citrus psyllid (DIAPHORINA CITRI), 7 with glassy-winged sharpshooter (HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS), 5 with citrus thrips (SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI), 5 with improving trapping for exotic fruit flies, 4 with protection of honey bees from pesticides, 3 with Diaprepes root weevil (DIAPREPES ABBREVIATUS) recently detected in San Diego and adjacent counties, 3 with various aspects of citrus integrated pest management, 2 with flat mites (BREVIPALPUS spp.), and 1 with Fuller rose beetle (NAUPACTUS GODMANI), which can be a quarantine contaminant of California citrus exported to South Korea. Ten publications dealt with avocado pests - 4 with exotic armored scales (Diaspididae) entering California on Mexican imports and their parasitoids, 3 with avocado thrips (SCIRTOTHRIPS PERSEAE), 2 with shot hole borers recently detected in commercial avocados (both species in California are EUWALLACEA sp. nr. FORNICATUS), and 1 with persea mite (OLIGONYCHUS PERSEAE); 1 article dealt with parasitoids attacking mealybugs found on okra.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Byrne, F.J., M.P. Daugherty, E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, J.A. Bethke, and J.G. Morse. 2017. Evaluation of Systemic Neonicotinoid Insecticides for the Management of the Asian Citrus Psyllid Diaphorina citri on Containerized Citrus. Pest Management Science 93: 506-514.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Poudel, M., E. Grafton-Cardwell, M. Daugherty, J. Almanzor, A. Washburn, G. Simmons, and J. Morse. 2016. Evaluation of Selected Insecticides for Asian Citrus Psyllid Control, 2014. Arthropod Management Tests doi: 10.1093/amttsw137, pp 1-2.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Byrne, F., E. Grafton-Cardwell, and J. Morse. 2017. Honey Bee Exposure to Systemic Pesticides in Citrus Nectar. Citrograph Winter, 2017, 8(1): 44-47.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bethke, J.A., M. Whitehead, J. Morse, F. Byrne, E. Grafton-Cardwell, K. Godfrey, M. Hoddle, and L. Corkidi. 2016. Screening Selected Pesticides Against ACP Nymphs. Citrograph Winter, 2017, 8(1): 50-54.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, J.G. Morse, E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, D.R. Haviland, J.N. Kabashima, B.A. Faber, B. Mackey, E. Nkomo, P.J. Cook, and J.D. Stark. 2017. Chemical Degradation of TMR Multi-Lure Dispensers for Fruit Fly Detection Weathered Under California Conditions. Journal of Economic Entomology (In Press).


Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of these research efforts is largely citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California, University of California farm advisors and specialists, and researchers working on citrus and avocados in California and other areas of the world. Much of the information and research is relevant to researchers, advisers, and growers in other areas of the world such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas in the U.S. Changes/Problems:Citrus grower and shippers are starting to accept the fact that there is increased risk of transporting huanglongbing-infected Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) when they harvest fruit in one region of California and transport it to a different region for packing. For that reason, we were asked to initiate research on methods of disinfesting bins of citrus potentially harboring adult ACP and this has been a major focus of research this past year. Research on avocados has shifted to an emphasis on methods of managing Kuroshio and polyphagous shot hole borer at the request of the California Avocado Commission. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Morse is nearing retirement (June 2017) and thus, the majority of effort was spent writing up research data that had not been published previously and turning over projects to other researchers. For example, Dr. Grafton-Cardwell (stationed at the Kearney Agricultural Center) has taken over research on Asian citrus psyllid and hired postdoctoral scientist Dr. Nastaran Tofangsazi (stationed in Riverside) to conduct this work. Because Dr. Tofansazi is stationed so far from her supervisor, Morse trained the former during 14 trials aimed at developing methods of controlling Asian citrus psyllid in bins of citrus harvested in one region of California and transported to a second region for packing. Dr. Grafton-Cardwell is taking over research done by Morse on citrus thrips, Fuller rose beetle, and bean thrips; Morse transferred all unpublished data and Powerpoint presentations on these pests to Dr. Grafton-Cardwell. Dr. Frank Byrne is taking over research on avocados and Morse worked with him to transfer research done on avocado thrips, persea mite and initiated new work on Kuroshio and polyphagous shot hole borers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results were reported as refereed scientific journal articles, which are abstracted and available on the worldwide web to other researchers, advisors, specialists, pest control advisors, and more and more to growers as they become more computer literate; and also as technical reports in lay magazines such as California Avocado Society Yearbook and Citrograph. Practical approaches and applications were reported at numerous meetings with the citrus and avocado industries over the year and in annual reports that are required for all industry-funded grants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project will be terminated as of June 2017 so there will not be another reporting period.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? California is repeatedly challenged with introductions of a wide variety of exotic fruit fly species and under the current trapping protocol 30,000 trimedlure, methyl eugenol, and cuelure traps are deployed throughout the state, which is both costly and laborious. We evaluated a new "trilure" trap developed by USDA-ARS, which includes all 3 types of lures, and is able to capture 63 of the 73 economically important known fruit fly species. These traps were weathered in 5 regions of California under both winter (over 1-12 weeks) and summer (1-8 weeks) conditions, were shipped on a weekly basis to Hawaii for testing with 3 species of fruit flies, and chemical analysis of lure degradation was performed by ARS cooperators in northern California. The combined trap has good potential to replace the 3 traps that are currently in use. Seven species of exotic armored scales (Diaspididae) are found on commercial avocados entering California from Mexico. We evaluated the potential of the commercially reared parasitoid APHYTIS MELINUS in controlling one of the more common exotic species, ACUTASPIS ALBOPICTA using a well-controlled California species, AONIDIELLA AURANTII, for comparison. A. MELINUS will attack and reproduce on A. ALBOPICTA but it does not appear to be as good a host for this parasitoid as A. AONIDIELLA. How well this parasitoid will control the exotic species will best be determined once it is detected in California and parasitoids are released for control. A second study evaluated levels of exotic armored scales entering California on Mexican avocados as well as associated scale parasitoids in comparison to endemic scale parasitoids found on avocados in California. Ten scale parasitoid species were detected from Mexican avocados and only 4 of these were found among the 17 parasitoid species associated with armored scales in California. Armored scales are seldom problematic on California avocados whereas they are obviously pestiferous on Mexican avocados. Whether scale parasitoids endemic to California would control one of more of the exotic armored scales once they are introduced is unknown. Molecular signatures were developed and deposited in GenBank for all scale and parasitoid species for use by future researchers in identifying any life stage rather than the adults normally needed for taxonomic study (the majority of specimens collected were immatures). Research was conducted to establish economic thresholds for citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI, on blueberries in California. Baseline susceptibility levels for Asian citrus psyllid, DIAPHORINA CITRI, exposed to 12 of the commonly used pesticides were developed for future use in monitoring pesticide resistance. Research was conducted to help refine use of the systemic pesticides imidacloprid and thiamethoxam for use in controlling Asian citrus psyllid in citrus nurseries.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, J.G. Morse, E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, D.R. Haviland, J.N. Kabashima, B.A. Faber, B. Mackey, and P. Cook. 2016. Captures of Wild CERATITIS CAPITATA, BACTROCERA DORSALIS, and BACTROCERA CUCURBITAE (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Traps with Improved Multilure TMR Dispensers Weathered in California. Journal of Economic Entomology 109(2): 607-612.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Waterworth, R.A., L.J. Robinson, R.A. Redak, and J.G. Morse. 2016. Evaluating the Performance and Preference of APHYTIS MELINUS (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on an Exotic Species, ACUTASPIS ALBOPICTA (Hemipera: Diaspididae), and AONIDIELLA AURANTII (Hemipera: Diaspididae). Environmental Entomology 45(1): 83-93.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Morse, J.G., P.F. Rugman-Jones, J.B. Woolley, J.M. Heraty, S.V. Triapitsyn, R. Hofshi, and R. Stouthamer. 2016. Armored Scales and Their Parasitoids on Commercial Avocados Grown in California or Imported from Mexico. Journal of Economic Entomology 109(5): 2032-2042.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Haviland, D.R., S.M. Rill, and J.G. Morse. 2016. Impact of Citrus Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripide) on the Growth and Productivity of Southern Highbush Blueberries in California. Journal of Economic Entomology 109(6): 2454-2462.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Morse, J.G., E. Grafton-Cardwell, F. Byrne, and J. Bethke. 2016. Monitoring for ACP Resistance to Pesticides - Baseline Levels Established for 12 Pesticides. Citrograph, Winter 2016, 7(1): 34-39.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Morse, J.G., A.A. Urena, L.J. Robinson, and P.J. Watkins. 2016. Citrus Thrips Fruit Scarring: Differing Susceptibility of Citrus Varieties. Citrograph, Summer 2016, 7(3): 44-47.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, J.G. Morse, E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, D.R. Haviland, J.N. Kabashima, and B.A. Faber. 2016. Improving California Trap Programs for Detection of Fruit Flies: Research and Development of Alternative Detection and Exclusion Methods. Citrograph, Summer 2016, 7(3): 60-63.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Byrne, F., M. Daugherty, E. Grafton-Cardwell, J. Bethke, and J.G. Morse. 2016. Developing a Plan to Protect Citrus Stock from ACP: Evaluating Uptake and Retention of Systemic Neonicotinoid Insecticides in Containerized Citrus. Citrograph, Summer 2016, 7(3): 86-90.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Morse, J.G., R. Hofshi, J.A. Bethke, F.J. Byrne, and K.E. Godfrey. 2016. Susceptibility of Avocado Rootstocks to Diaprepes Root Weevil. California Avocado Society 2014 Yearbook 97: 122-141.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Byrne, F., A. Eskalen, and J. Morse. 2016. UC Riverside Scientists Evaluate Trunk Injections of Pesticides for the Management of Invasive Ambrosia Beetles in California Avocados. California Association of Pest Control Advisors Newsletter, Applicator Alerts 1(2): 4-5.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Eskalen, A., J.S. Mayorquin, J.D. Carrillo, S.C. Lynch, J. Kabashima, T. Paine, R. Stouthamer, F. Byrne, and J. Morse. 2016. Invasive Shot Hole Borers Threatening Trees in Southern California. Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News 6(3): 1-2.


Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of these research efforts is largely citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California, University of California farm advisors and specialists, and researchers working on citrus and avocados in California and other areas of the world. Much of the information and research is relevant to researchers, advisers, and growers in other areas of the world such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas in the U.S. and Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Spain. Changes/Problems:As Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing continue to expand in California, more and more emphasis will be placed on dealing with this disease vector (Asian citrus psyllid) at the expense of work on other citrus pests. We also plan to shift most of our research effort on avocados to dealing with two newly invasive species, the polyphagous and Kuroshio shot hole borers (both are EUWALLACEA nr. FORNICATUS) that vector several fungi, in particular a FUSARIUM fungus that causes Fusarium dieback. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the reporting period, 47 presentations were made at industry or scientific meetings. Eleven of these trained citrus growers and pest control advisors on Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing, 14 were to avocado growers and pest control advisors, 8 were at scientific meetings, and 12 were training sessions with County Agricultural Inspectors, where our participation was requested by USDA-APHIS to provide information dealing with citrus exports. These dealt with Asian Citrus Psyllid (most export countries), Fuller rose beetle (Korea and China), or bean thrips and mites (Australia, New Zealand). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results were reported as refereed scientific journal articles, which are abstracted and available on the worldwide web to other researchers, advisors, specialists, pest control advisors, and more and more to growers as they become more computer literate; and also as technical reports in lay magazines such as California Agriculture and Citrograph. Practical approaches and applications were reported at numerous meetings with the citrus and avocado industries over the year and in annual reports that are required for all industry-funded grants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research will continue based on the needs of the citrus and avocado industries of California and what makes sense with regard to making good scientific progress.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Diaprepes root weevil, DIAPREPES ABBREVIATUS, is a pest that invaded California in 2005 and threatens coastal citrus production. Larval stages of the beetle feed on citrus roots, debilitating the tree, and making it more susceptible to attack by PHYTOPHTHORA root rot as well as citrus greening. Due to cost constraints, the state discontinued its DIAPREPES eradication program. We evaluated the use of various strains of entomopathogenic nematodes with and without the application of systemic soil insecticides as well as use of small-meshed landscape fabric and a dry soil barrier (created by sub-irrigation) as methods of reducing adult emergence out of the soil. In addition, we monitored soil emergence of Diaprepes root weevil at 6 sites in southern California over a period of 4 years. These data indicated the best timing for various control methods so as to best reduce Diaprepes levels.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bender, G.S., L.M. Bates, J.A. Bethke, E. Lewis, G. Tanizaki, J.G. Morse, and K.E. Godfrey. 2014. Evaluation of Insecticides, Entomopathogenic Nematodes, and Physical Soil Barriers for Control of DIAPREPES ABBREVIATUS (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Citrus. Journal of Economic Entomology 107: 2137-2146.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bates, L.M., J.A. Bethke, G.S. Bender, J.G. Morse, and K.E. Godfrey. 2015. Seasonal Emergence Patterns and Soil Borne Larval Distribution of DIAPPREPES ABBREVIATUS (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Southern California. Journal of Entomological Sciences 50: 326-334.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jetter, K.M., J.G. Morse, and J.N. Kabashima. 2015. The Cost of the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter to California Grape, Citrus, and Nursery Producers. California Agriculture 68: 161-167.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bethke, J.A., M. Whitehead, J. Morse, F. Byrne, E. Grafton-Cardwell, K. Godfrey, M. Hoddle, and L. Corkidi. 2015. Screening Conventional Insecticides Against Adult ACP. Citrograph Fall 2015, 6: 48-55.


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience of these research efforts is largely citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California, University of California farm advisors and specialists, and researchers working on citrus and avocados in California and other areas of the world. Much of the information and research is relevant to researchers, advisers, and growers in other areas of the world such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas in the U.S. and Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Spain. Changes/Problems: As Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing continues to expand in California, more and more emphasis will be placed on dealing with this disease vector (Asian citrus psyllid) at the expense of work on other citrus pests. We also plan to shift most of our research effort on avocados to dealing with a newly invasive species, the polyphagous shot hole borer (Euwallacea nr. fornicatus) that vectors a Fusarium fungus. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? During 2014, 34 presentations were made at industry or scientific meetings. Four of these trained growers and pest control advisors on Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing, 4 dealt with management of Fuller rose beetle, which is a serious problem for citrus exported to Korea, the number one export market for California citrus ($213 million annually), 12 were to avocado growers and pest control advisors, and 12 were training sessions with County Agricultural Inspectors, where our participation was requested by USDA-APHIS to provide information dealing with citrus exports. These dealt with Asian Citrus Psyllid (most export countries), Fuller rose beetle (Korea and China), or bean thrips (Australia, New Zealand). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research results were reported as refereed scientific journal articles, which are abstracted and available on the worldwide web to other researchers, advisors, specialists, pest control advisors, and more and more to growers as they become more computer literate; and also as technical reports in lay magazines such as Citrograph. Practical approaches and applications were reported at numerous meetings with the citrus and avocado industries over the year and in annual reports that are required for all industry-funded grants. Meetings and conference calls were held as co-chair of the California ACP-HLB Science Advisory Panel. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Research will continue based on the needs of the citrus and avocado industries of California and what makes sense with regard to making good scientific progress.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Field and tunnel cage studies were undertaken to determine the extent to which honey bees foraging on citrus blossoms were exposed to imidacloprid and its metabolites when citrus trees were treated with soil applications of this systemic insecticide. Based on published bioassay data, imidacloprid concentrations in the floral nectar did not surpass levels that would compromise foraging activity under normal use conditions for imidacloprid. The timing of trunk injections of the organophosphate acephate, and two systemic neonicotinoids, imidacloprid and dinotefuran, for the management of avocado thrips were evaluated in field trials. Trunk injections of acephate and dinotefuran permitted rapid uptake into avocados. Although residues of dinotefuran were detected in one tree, the levels were below typical MRLs for other crops treated with this insecticide. Imidacloprid was not detected in any fruit sampled from trees in which imidacloprid had established in leaf tissue at concentrations that were toxic to avocado thrips. Two chapters were published in the 2014 Citrus Production Manual, one each providing growers and pest control advisors with advice on Citrus IPM and on Managing Resistance of Arthropods, Fungi, and Weeds to pesticides applied on citrus. A Science Advisory Panel (SAP) was convened by the California Dept. of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) to provide advice on how to deal with Asian Citrus Psyllid and Huanglongbing (citrus greening) in California. J.G. Morse and E.E. Grafton-Cardwell served as co-chairs of this panel. Panel recommendations were submitted to CDFA and were then made available to the citrus industry and the public via an article in Citrograph.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Byrne, F.J., P.K. Visscher, B. Leimkuehler, D. Fisher, E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, and J.G. Morse. 2014. Determination of Exposure Levels of Honey Bees Foraging on Citrus Trees Previously Treated with Imidacloprid. Pest Management Science 70(3): 470-482.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Byrne, F.J., R.I. Krieger, J. Doccola, and J.G. Morse. 2014. Seasonal Timing of Neonicotinoid and Organophosphate Trunk Injections to Optimize the Management of Avocado Thrips in California Avocado Groves. Crop Protection 57: 20-26.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Morse, J.G., E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, J.E. Adaskaveg, H. Forster, J.M. DiTomaso. 2014. Managing Pesticide Resistance in Insects, Mites, Weeds, and Fungi. Pp. 279  294 In: Citrus Crop Production Manual. Editors: L. Ferguson and E.E. Grafton-Cardwell. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 3539, Oakland, CA. 433 pp.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Grafton-Cardwell E.E., J.G. Morse, E. Civerolo, T. Gottwald, M. Hoddle, M. Setamou and G. Vidalakis. 2014. Science Advisory Panel Meets to Discuss HLB/ACP. Summer 2014, Citrograph 5(3): 42-48.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Byrne, F.J., E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, and J.G. Morse. 2014. Imidacloprid Residues in Nectar Sampled from Commercial Citrus Trees. Citrograph Winter 2014, 5(1): 52-58.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Grafton-Cardwell, E.E., D.H. Headrick, P.A. Mauk, and J.G. Morse. 2014. Citrus IPM. Pp. 257  278 In: Citrus Crop Production Manual. Editors: L. Ferguson and E.E. Grafton-Cardwell. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 3539, Oakland, CA. 433 pp.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bethke, J., M. Whitehead, J. Morse, F. Byrne, E. Grafton-Cardwell, K. Godfrey, and M. Hoddle. 2014. Organic Pesticide Screening at the Chula Vista Insectary. Citrograph Spring 2014, 5(2); 44-51.


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience of these research efforts is largely citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California, University of California farm advisors and specialists, and researchers working on citrus and avocados in California and other areas of the world. Much of the information and research is relevant to researchers, advisers, and growers in other areas of the world such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas in the U.S. and Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Spain. Changes/Problems: As huanglongbing continues to expand in California, more and more emphasis will be placed on dealing with this disease vector (Asian citrus psyllid) at the expense of work on other citrus pests. It is hard to predict but we expect that the citrus export situation to Korea will become dire if that country follows through with their stated intent to end methyl bromide fumigation for management of NAUPACTUS GODMANI and California red scale – if this is the case, we will have to work with industry to come up with solutions. We need a more sensitive abamectin resistance test method to better show growers the degree to which resistance is evolving on avocados. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? During 2013, 37 presentations were made at industry or scientific meetings (8 training growers and pest control advisors on Asian citrus psyllid [ACP]/ huanglongbing [HLB] and 15 on management of Fuller rose beetle which is a serious problem for citrus exported to Korea, the number one export market for California citrus, $213 million annually). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research results were reported as refereed scientific journal articles, which are abstracted and available on the worldwide web to other researchers, advisors, specialists, pest control advisors, and more and more to growers as they become more computer literate; and also as technical reports in lay magazines such as Citrograph and the Proceedings of the California Avocado Society. Practical approaches and applications were reported at numerous meetings with the citrus and avocado industries over the year and in annual reports that are required for all industry-funded grants. Meetings and conference calls were held as co-chair of the California ACP-HLB Science Advisory Panel. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Research will continue based on the needs of the citrus and avocado industries of California and what makes sense with regard to making scientifc progress.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Research (experiments were conducted and data analyzed) this last year focused on solving multiple pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California. Pesticide resistance is becoming a serious problem for management of citrus thrips on citrus and part of this appears to result from heavy treatments of this insect on nearby blueberries because heavy feeding the previous summer and fall results in reduced fruit set. Two studies by Zahn et al. investigated the use of entomopathogenic fungi or BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS as citrus thrips control options, which might add to the limited number of products that can be used on blueberries. Unfortunately, no highly effective treatments were identified. Fuller rose beetle (NAUPACTUS GODMANI = PANTOMORUS or ASYNONYCHUS CERVINUS) has become a serious problem for citrus exports to Korea because that insect is not present in Korea and is a quarantine pest. Bifenthrin trunk sprays were developed for skirt pruned citrus as a means of control. This flightless insect emerges out of the soil and is both repelled and killed by the bifenthrin trunk sprays. Pesticide resistance is also a problem in management of persea mite on California avocados. The Hoddle and Morse 2013 article summarizes past research on persea mite and suggests how growers and pest control advisors can manage the pest so as to reduce the rate at which resistance makes currently registered pesticides ineffective.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Shi, X., J. Bi, J.G. Morse, N.C. Toscano, and D.A. Cooksey. 2013. Effect of Xylem Fluid from Susceptible and Resistant Grapevines on Developmental Biology of XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA. European Journal of Plant Pathology 135(1): 127-135.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zahn, D.K. and J.G. Morse. 2013. Investigating Alternatives to Traditional Insecticides: the Effectiveness of Entomopathogenic Fungi and BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS against Citrus Thrips and Avocado Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 106(1): 64-72.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zahn, D.K., D.R. Haviland, M.E. Stanghellini, and J.G. Morse. 2013. Evaluation of BEAUVERIA BASSIANA for Management of Citrus Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in California Blueberries. Journal of Economic Entomology 106(5): 1986-1995.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hagler, J.R., F. Blackmer, R. Krugner, R.L. Groves, J.G. Morse, and M.W. Johnson. 2013. Gut Content Examination of the Citrus Predator Assemblage for the Presence of HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS Remains. BioControl 58(3): 341-349.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Morse, J.G. and E.E. Grafton-Cardwell. 2013. Bifenthrin Trunk Sprays as a Strategy for Fuller Rose Beetle (FRB) Field Control in 2013. Citrograph 4(2): 26, 28, 30-33.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hoddle, M.S. and J.G. Morse. 2013. The Persea Mite Invasion into California: History, Biology, Management, and Current Status. California Avocado Society 2012 Yearbook 95: 106-136.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Vargas, R.I., D. Haviland, B. Faber, J. Kabashima, B. Grafton-Cardwell, and J.G. Morse. 2013. Improving Trapping Systems for Early Detection and Eradication of Fruit Flies in California. Citrograph 4(4): 28, 30-34.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Childers, C.C., J.C.V. Rodrigues, E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, and J. G. Morse. 2013. Part II - BREVIPALPUS mites in California Citrus. Citrograph 4(5): 52-58.


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research (experiments were conducted and data analyzed) this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California (crop values of ca. $1.26 billion and $415 million in California, respectively). Research results were reported as refereed scientific journal articles, which are abstracted and available on the worldwide web to other researchers, advisors, specialists, pest control advisors, and more and more to growers as they become more computer literate; and also as technical reports in lay magazines. Practical approaches and applications were reported at numerous meetings with the citrus and avocado industries over the year and in annual reports that are required for all industry-funded grants. During 2012, 25 presentations were made at industry or scientific meetings. Meetings and conference calls were held as a member of the California HLB Task Force and as a member of their Science and Technology Advisory Committee; an output was providing feedback and advice on questions posed by the Task Force to the Advisory Committee. PARTICIPANTS: Work involved collaboration with the listed publication co-authors as well as citrus and avocado growers, pest control advisors, the California Citrus Research Board, the California Avocado Commission, the California Department of Food & Agriculture, USDA-ARS, USDA-APHIS, and research collaborators in Florida, Texas, Australia, Israel, South Africa, and Spain. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of these research efforts is largely citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California, University of California farm advisors and specialists, and researchers working on citrus and avocados in California and other areas of the world. Much of the information and research is relevant to researchers, advisers, and growers in other areas of the world such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas in the U.S. and Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Spain. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The Asian citrus psyllid, DIAPHORINA CITRI, was recently discovered in California (2008), the serious disease it vectors, huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening, was recently discovered in California (2012), and research has been initiated on psyllid rearing, chemical control, monitoring, and biological control. Fuller rose beetle has re-emerged as an issue of importance to California citrus exported to Korea and substantial effort is being expended to help develop ways in which the citrus industry can deal with that insect.

Impacts
Several recent publications (Lytle & Morse 2012, Lytle et al. 2012a, b, Krugner et al. 2012) impact management of glassy-winged sharpshooter (HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS) and its biological control. Millar et al. (2012) provides the identification of the pheromone of an armored scale (ACUTASPIS ALBOPICTA), which is likely to enter California in the future on imported Mexican avocados and could be quite damaging on a variety of plants including avocados and citrus. Pheromone traps are currently being deployed near several packinghouses which handle imported fruit in the hope of catching an incipient infestation early enough so that eradication might be attempted. Waterworth et al. (2012) provide information on the basic biology of this scale, which has received only limited study in the past. As the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) (DIAPHORINA CITRI) expands its range in California, information is provided to growers and pest control advisors to explain how this pest can best to eradicated from new areas (San Joaquin Valley) or suppressed in endemic areas (southern California) now that the disease this insect vectors (huanglongbing = HLB or citrus greening) has been detected in the state (Byrne and Morse 2012, Bethke et al. 2012). A historical perspective on biologically based pest management on citrus in California (Morse and Grafton-Cardwell 2012a) is provided in the hope that once HLB and ACP have been dealt with, the industry will re-evaluate the option of de-emphasizing chemical control and returning to a system which can be managed effectively with biological control and the limited use of selective pesticides. The spinosyn class of chemistry (first spinosad, then spinetoram) has been utilized extensively for citrus thrips (SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI) control in California since 1998 and for the first time, resistance to this chemistry appeared in 2011. The article by Morse and Grafton-Cardwell (2012b) provides a history of how citrus thrips has been managed in California over the past and explains the need to rotate available chemistries when pesticides are needed so as to slow resistance evolution until new products are registered and made available.

Publications

  • Lytle, J. and J.G. Morse. 2012. Distribution of Several Species of Parasitoids of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Southern California. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 88(1): 1-7.
  • Lytle, J., J.S. Bernal, and J.G. Morse. 2012a. Biology of PSEUDOLIGOSITA PLEBEIA (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an Egg Parasitoid of HOMALODISCA spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Collected From Northwestern Mexico as a Potential Biocontrol Agent of H. VITRIPENNIS in California. Journal of Economic Entomology 105(5): 1532-1539.
  • Krugner, R., J.R. Hagler, R.L. Groves, M.S. Sisterson, J.G. Morse, and M.W. Johnson. 2012. Plant Water Stress Effects on the Net Dispersal Rate of the Insect Vector HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and Movement of Its Egg Parasitoid, GONATOCERUS ASHMEADI (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Environmental Entomology 41(6): 1279-1289.
  • Lytle, J., A. Kapranas, D.J.W. Morgan, J.M. Nichols, and J.G. Morse. 2012b. Sex Ratio Dynamics of GONATOCERUS ASHMEADI, a Parasitoid of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter in California. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 145(3): 222-227.
  • Millar, J.G., S. Chinta, J.S. McElfresh, L.J. Robinson, and J.G. Morse. 2012. Identification of the Sex Pheromone of the Invasive Scale ACUTASPIS ALBOPICTA (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Arriving in California on Shipments of Avocados from Mexico. Journal of Economic Entomology 105(2): 497-504.
  • Waterworth, R.A., L.J. Robinson, J.G. Morse, and J.G. Millar. 2012. Developmental Biology of an Exotic Scale, ACUTASPIS ALBOPICTA (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Journal of Economic Entomology 105(6): 2035-2044.
  • Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, B. Mackey, P. Cook, J.G. Morse, and J.D. Stark. 2012. Field Trials of Solid Triple Lure (Trimedlure, Methyl Eugenol, Raspberry Ketone, and DDVP) Dispensers for Detection and Male Annihilation of CERATITIS CAPITATA, BACTROCERA DORSALIS, and BACTROCERA CUCURBITAE (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii. Journal of Economic Entomology 105(5): 1557-1565.
  • Byrne, F.J., A.A. Urena, L.J. Robinson, R.I. Krieger, J. Doccola, and J. G. Morse. 2012. Evaluation of neonicotinoid, organophosphate and avermectin trunk injections for the management of avocado thrips in California avocado groves. Pest Management Science 68(5): 811-817.
  • Morse, J.G. and E.E. Grafton-Cardwell. 2012a. The Evolution of Biologically-based Integrated Pest Management in California Citrus: History and Perspective. Citrograph Apr/May, Vol. 3(2): 32-34, 36-38, 40-43.
  • Byrne, F.J. and J.G. Morse. 2012. Assessment of Systemic Imidacloprid Insecticide for the Management of ACP in Commercial Citrus Groves. Citrograph May/June, Vol. 3(3): 42-45.
  • Bethke, J.A., J.G. Morse, F.J. Byrne, E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, K.E. Godfrey, and M.S. Hoddle. 2012. Asian Citrus Psyllid Pesticide Testing Begins at the Chula Vista Insectary. Citrograph May/June, Vol. 3(3): 36-40.
  • Morse, J.G. and E.E. Grafton-Cardwell. 2012b. Management of Citrus Thrips to Reduce the Evolution of Resistance. Citrograph Apr/May, Vol. 3(2): 22, 24, 26-30.
  • Rodrigues, J.C.V., C.C. Childers, E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, and J.G. Morse. 2012. Part I, Citrus Leprosis Viruses and their Known BREVIPALPUS Mite Vectors. Citrograph 3(6): 26-30.
  • Morse, J.G. and M.S. Hoddle. 2012. The Introduction of Avocado Thrips into California: History and Current Status. California Avocado Society 2011 Yearbook 94: 137-174.
  • Aguiar, J.L., C. Wilen, J.G. Morse, and Z. Mendel. 2012. Pest Alert: Cotton Mealybug on Okra. Imperial County Agricultural Briefs, Oct. 2012: 6-8.


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research (experiments were conducted and data analyzed) this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California (crop values of ca. $1.26 billion and $415 million in California, respectively). Research results were reported as refereed scientific journal articles, which are abstracted and available on the worldwide web to other researchers, advisors, specialists, pest control advisors, and more and more to growers as they become more computer literate; and also as technical reports in lay magazines. Practical approaches and applications were reported at numerous meetings with the citrus and avocado industries over the year and in annual reports that are required for all industry-funded grants (2 web based reports available to board members and growers and 2 written reports submitted to the granting agency for each of 4 citrus projects and 5 avocado projects). During 2011, 24 presentations were made at industry or scientific meetings. I attended the Second Annual Citrus Health Research Forum held in Denver, Colorado in October 2011 - this meeting focused on Asian citrus psyllid and citrus greening (huanglongbing or HLB); an output was discussing research conducted in other parts of the world on Asian citrus psyllid and coordinating with researchers on possible collaborations. Meetings and conference calls were held as a member of the California HLB Task Force and as a member of their Science and Technology Advisory Committee; an output was providing feedback and advice on questions posed by the Task Force to the Advisory Committee. PARTICIPANTS: Work involved collaboration with the listed publication co-authors as well as citrus and avocado growers, pest control advisors, the California Citrus Research Board, the California Avocado Commission, the California Department of Food & Agriculture, USDA-ARS, USDA-APHIS, and research collaborators in Florida, Texas, Chile, Australia, and Spain. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of these research efforts is largely citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California, University of California farm advisors and specialists, and researchers working on citrus and avocados in California and other areas of the world. Much of the information and research is relevant to researchers, advisers, and growers in other areas of the world such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas in the U.S. and Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Spain. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The Asian citrus psyllid, DIAPHORINA CITRI, was recently discovered in California (2008), the serious disease it vectors, huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening, was very recently discovered in commercial citrus in Texas and will likely enter California soon, and research has been initiated on rearing, chemical control, monitoring, and biological control. Substantial research has been initiated on exotic armored scales entering California on Mexican Hass avocados and comparing the species of parasitoids present in Mexico versus California so as to prepare plans for biological control should one or more species establish in California. Fuller rose beetle has re-emerged as an issue of importance to California citrus exported to Korea (previous concerns were in relation to Japan but that has been resolved with the finding of this insect in commercial citrus groves in that country).

Impacts
The Kapranas et al. 2011 article impacts sex ratio and biological control theory by being one of the very few articles in the scientific literature which provides FIELD BASED data separating the various causes of immature parasitoid mortality. Whereas almost all articles on this subject are lab based and extrapolate to what might happen in the field, this article actually measures how the adult female parasitic wasp allocates eggs of various numbers and sexes to brown soft scale hosts based on host size, quality, and female experience; immature parasitoid mortality is shown to be a complex interplay between encapsulation by the host (which is overwhelmed when enough eggs are laid), larval competition (consumption of some larvae by others; interesting bias towards consumption of males), and natural background mortality. Because of extensive sib-mating in this system (i.e. fertilization of females by their brothers that emerge in the same patch) and high levels of immature wasp mortality, a number of the females that leave a patch are unmated and thus lay only male eggs. The two Vasquez articles deal with APHYTIS MELINUS which is used all over the world as the major biological control agent of one of citrus' major pests, California red scale, AONIDIELLA AURANTII. APHYTIS was shown for the first time to be infected by the endosymbiotic bacteria WOLBACHIA. This bacteria causes reproductive incompatibility between infected and uninfected strains, all five commercial insectary populations were shown to be infected, and it appears wasps present in very hot areas of California can be naturally heat cured. Both this and the Vasquez study on quality control parameters of insectary reared APHYTIS help guide how augmentative releases should best be used on citrus in the San Joaquin Valley of California where more than 75% of the states citrus is now produced and where biological control is not effective without augmentation of APHYTIS levels. Other impacts of this project include development of an easy molecular method of distinguishing between various hard to identify parasitoids attacking soft scales in California (Rugman-Jones et al. 2011); testing of a new parasitoid of glassy-winged sharpshooter, HOMALODISCA COAGULATA, for assist potential release from Quarantine (Lytle et al. 2011); discovery of a quite common but taxonomically cryptic parasitoid of soft scales in California (Kapranas et al. 2011); and dissemination of suggested strategies for management of Asian citrus psyllid in California (Grafton-Cardwell et al. 2011).

Publications

  • Kapranas, A., I.C.W. Hardy, J.G. Morse, and R.F. Luck. 2011. Parasitoid Developmental Mortality in the Field: Patterns, Causes and Consequences for Sex Ratio and Virginity. Journal of Animal Ecology 80(1): 192-203.
  • Vasquez, C.J., R. Stouthamer, G. Jeong, and J.G. Morse. 2011. Discovery of a CI-inducing WOLBACHIA and its Associated Fitness Costs in the Biological Control Agent APHYTIS MELINUS DeBach (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Biological Control 58(3): 192-198.
  • Vasquez, C.J. and J.G. Morse. 2012. Fitness Components of APHYTIS MELINUS DeBach (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) Reared in Five California Insectaries. Environmental Entomology (In Press).
  • Rugman-Jones, P.F., L.D. Forster, E. Guerrieri, R.F. Luck, J.G. Morse, M.M. Monti, and R. Stouthamer. 2011. Taxon-Specific Multiplex-CR for Quick, Easy, and Accurate Identification of Encyrtid and Aphelinid Parasitoid Species Attacking Soft Scale Insects in California Citrus Groves. BioControl 56(2): 139-144.
  • Lytle, J.M., S.V. Triapitsyn, and J.G. Morse. 2012. Biology and Host Specificity of GONATOCERUS DELEONI (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), a Potential Biocontrol Agent of HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in California. BioControl. 57(1): 61-69.
  • Kapranas, A., D.L. Giudice, R.F. Luck, and J.G. Morse. 2011. Biology and Behavior of METAPHYCUS ANGUSTIFRONS Compere (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a Newly Discovered Parasitoid of Soft Scale Insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in California. Biological Control 56(2): 139-144.
  • Grafton-Cardwell, E.E., J.G. Morse, and B. Taylor. 2011. Asian Citrus Psyllid Treatment Strategies for California-Arizona. Citrograph, Summer Special Issue, Vol. 2(5): 16-19.
  • Al-Wahaibi, A.K. and J.G. Morse. 2010. Temporal Patterns in HOMALODISCA spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Oviposition in Southern California Citrus and Jojoba. Environmental Entomology 39(1): 15-30.
  • Prabhaker, N., S.J. Castle, S.E. Naranjo, N.C. Toscano, and J.G. Morse. 2011. Compatibility of Two Systemic Neonicotinoids, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam, with Various Natural Enemies of Agricultural Pests. Journal of Economic Entomology 104(3): 773-781.
  • Byrne, F.J., J.G. Morse, and J. Bethke. 2011. Optimization of Imidacloprid Application Rates for the Management of ACP on Containerized Citrus. Citrograph Jan/Feb, Vol. 2(1): 45-47.
  • Byrne, F.J. and J.G. Morse. 2011. Assessment of Systemic Imidacloprid Insecticide for the Management of ACP in Commercial Citrus. Citrograph Mar/Apr, Vol. 2(2): 22-24, 26.
  • Morse, J. G., L. J. Robinson, and A. A. Urena. 2011. Research on Postharvest Control of Bean Thrips in Citrus Degreening Rooms. Citrograph May/June, Vol. 2(3): 40-42.


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research (experiments were conducted and data analyzed) this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California (crop values of ca. $1.4 billion and $350 million in California, respectively). Research results were reported as refereed scientific journal articles, which are abstracted and available on the worldwide web to other researchers, advisors, specialists, pest control advisors, and more and more growers to growers as they become more computer literate. Practical approaches and applications are reported at numerous meetings with the citrus industry over the year and in annual reports that are required for all industry-funded grants. During 2010, 13 presentations were made at industry or scientific meetings. I was one of ten international citrus experts asked to review a report prepared by the National Research Council of the National Academies titled Strategic Planning for the Florida Citrus Industry - Addressing Citrus Greening; an output was feedback on how the report could be improved and clarified. I attended the International Workshop on TAMARIXIA Species (parasitoids of Asian citrus psyllid) held in McAllen, TX in February 2010; an output was interactions with other researchers to plan cooperative research. I was a member of one of the 3 organizing committees that planned and executed the First Annual Citrus Health Research Forum held in Denver, Colorado in June 2010 - this meeting also focused on citrus greening; an output was learning about research conducted in other parts of the world on Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and coordinating with researchers on possible collaborations. I was a member of the 5-person planning committee that organized and held meetings around California to develop area-wide management programs for Asian citrus psyllid as it spreads in the state (2-10 in Indio, 3-10 in Ventura, 3-10 in Riverside, 6-10 in San Diego, and 8-10 in Lindcove); an output was that for each area, we educated the audience about the threat ACP and huanglongbing (HLB) pose, made a listing of how ACP should be managed when it is initially detected and is subjected to eradication, and then how this might change in response to established populations, i.e. methods of maintaining levels as low as possible once it is established within the context of the management of other citrus pests and reducing ACP resistance evolution. Meetings and conference calls were held as a member of the California HLB Task Force and as a member of their Science and Technology Advisory Committee; an output was providing feedback and advice on questions posed by the Task Force to the Advisory Committee. PARTICIPANTS: Work involved collaboration with the listed publication coauthors as well as citrus and avocado growers, pest control advisors, the California Citrus Research Board, the California Avocado Commission, the California Department of Food & Agriculture, USDA-ARS, USDA-APHIS, and research collaborators in Florida, Texas, Chile, Australia, Spain, and South Africa. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of these research efforts is largely citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California, University of California farm advisors and specialists, and researchers working on citrus and avocados in California and other areas of the world. Much of the information and research is relevant to researchers, advisers, and growers in other areas of the world such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas in the U.S. and Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Spain. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The Asian citrus psyllid, DIAPHORINA CITRI, was recently discovered in California and research has been initiated on rearing, chemical control, monitoring, and biological control. Substantial research has been initiated on exotic armored scales entering California on Mexican Hass avocados and comparing the species of parasitoids present in Mexico versus California so as to prepare plans for biological control should one or more species establish in California. Fuller rose beetle has re-emerged as an issue of importance to California citrus exported to Korea (previous concerns were in relation to Japan but that has been resolved with the finding of this insect in commercial citrus groves in that country).

Impacts
A significant outcome from recent research is that scientists and regulatory personnel will start to realize from the Magsig-Castillo 2010 article, as it is disseminated and discussed (e.g., it was discussed at the Invasive Species Workshop held in Miami, FL in October 2010 which was attended by many APHIS regulatory personnel and scientists), that the common perception that natural dispersal of armored scale crawlers is by being blown in the wind is incorrect. Instead, such natural dispersal appears to occur via phoresy (attaching themselves to insects that can fly). As was clearly shown at this workshop (and will be repeated at other venues), on each of their 6 legs, armored scale crawlers have a tarsal claw and 4 suction cup-like structures at the apex of each leg. Phoresy was clearly shown to occur via all insects evaluated. The implications are clear - risk assessments that suggest exotic armored scales pose a low risk and can be ignored on all commodities for consumption, i.e. all fruits and vegetables imported into the U.S., are flawed and should be re-examined. The Rugman-Jones et al. 2009 article provides researchers and regulators a simple method of identifying the different species of armored scales entering the U.S. on Mexican avocados. Rapid scale identification is difficult, can be accomplished only by experts, and what is nice about the molecular method is that any living life stage can be used. Research on the egg stages of glassywinged sharpshooter and smoketree sharpshooter, HOMALODISCA spp., and their egg parasitoids will assist in the biological control of these insects in California. Both species vector various XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA diseases to a wide variety of crop plants.

Publications

  • Rugman-Jones, P., J.G. Morse, and R. Stouthamer. 2009. Rapid, Molecular Identification of Armored Scale Insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on Mexican Hass Avocados. Journal of Economic Entomology 102(5): 1948-1953.
  • Magsig-Castillo, J., J. G. Morse, G. P. Walker, J. L. Bi, P. F. Rugman-Jones, and R. Stouthamer. 2010. Phoretic Dispersal of Armored Scale Crawlers (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Journal of Economic Entomology 103(4): 1172-1179.
  • Al-Wahaibi, A.K. and J.G. Morse. 2010. Biology of the Adult Stage of UFENS PRINCIPALIS (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), An Egg Parasitoid of HOMALODISCA spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Southern California. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 103(2): 236-246
  • Al-Wahaibi, A.K. and J.G. Morse. 2010. Immature Development and Adult Eclosion of UFENS PRINCIPALIS (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an Egg Parasitoid of HOMALODISCA spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Southern California. Bulletin of Entomological Research 100(4): 467-479.
  • Shi, X., J. Bi, J.G. Morse, N.C. Toscano, and D.A. Cooksey. 2010. Differential Expression of Genes of XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA in Xylem Fluid of Citrus and Grapevine. FEMS Microbiology Letters 304(1): 82-88.
  • Byrne, F. J., E. C. Humeres, A. A. Urena, M. S. Hoddle, and J. G. Morse. 2010. Field Evaluation of Systemic Imidacloprid for the Management of Avocado Thrips and Avocado Lace Bug in California Avocado Orchards. Pest Management Science 66(10): 1129-1136.
  • Triapitsyn, S.V., P.F. Rugman-Jones, G. Jeong, J.G. Morse, and R. Stouthamer. 2010. Morphological and Molecular Differentiation of the ANAGRUS EPOS Species Complex (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), Egg Parasitoids of Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in North America. Zootaxa 2428: 1-21.
  • Jetter, K.M., J.G. Morse. 2010. The Economics of Pierces Disease in California. Pp. 277-282, In: Esser, T., D. West, and S. Veling (eds), Proceedings, 2010 Pierces Disease Research Symposium. Dec. 15-17, 2010, California Dept. of Food & Agriculture, Sacramento, CA. 283 pp.
  • Luck, R. F. J. G. Morse and L. Forster. 2010. Parasitoid Preference for Citricola Scale in Southern California Citrus versus San Joaquin Valley Citrus: Which One or Several Species Should We Produce and Release Citrograph pg. 21-23 (March-April).


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California (crop values of ca. $1.4 billion and $300 million in California, respectively). Research results were initially reported as refereed scientific journal articles, which are abstracted and available on the worldwide web to other researchers, advisors, specialists, pest control advisors, and more and more growers to growers as they become more computer literate. Practical approaches and applications are reported at numerous meetings with the citrus industry over the year and in annual reports that are required for all industry-funded grants. A major output this last year was a Journal of Economic Entomology article documenting the species and numbers of armored scales present on Mexican Hass avocados entering California. Mexican fruit were first allowed entry into California in February of 2007 after a quarantine in effect since 1914 was lifted. Data collected from 15.6% of the trucks entering California and carrying Mexican avocados over an 8-month period over 2007-08 were extrapolated to estimate the total numbers of 5 species of exotic scales entering California on 67 million fruit over this period. USDA-APHIS appears to value mainly refereed scientific journal articles as input into their risk assessments and we hope this journal article along with later articles which will show how armored scales disperse will cause them to re-evaluate the risks associated with the introduction of these exotic species of armored scales. PARTICIPANTS: Work involved collaboration with listed coauthors as well as citrus and avocado growers, pest control advisors, the California Citrus Research Board, the California Avocado Commission, the California Department of Food & Agriculture, USDA-ARS, and USDA-APHIS. Collaboration is in progress with researchers in Florida, Texas, Chile, and South Africa. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of these research efforts is citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California and Arizona, University of California farm advisors and specialists, and researchers working on citrus and avocados in other areas of the world. Much of the information and research is relevant to researchers, advisers, and growers in other areas of the world such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas in the U.S. and Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Spain. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The Asian citrus psyllid, DIAPHORINA CITRI, was recently discovered in California and research has been initiated on rearing, chemical control, monitoring, and biological control.

Impacts
We hope and expect that the 2009 article on exotic armored scales entering California on Mexican Hass avocados coupled with later articles on how armored scale crawlers disperse will eventually lead to a re-examination of USDA-APHIS' policy of ignoring armored scales found on commodities for consumption (including avocados) entering the U.S., i.e. re-considering the conclusion that they pose a low risk to U.S. agriculture and should be ignored on imported commodities. Several articles on the population dynamics and egg morphology of, and various parasitoids associated with, the glassy-winged sharpshooter will assist in the management of this serious pest and the diseases it vectors in California (Pierce's disease of grapes, oleander leaf scorch, almond scorch, etc.). Articles on Diaprepes root weevil and avocado lace bug will assist in dealing with these newly invasive species should they spread and become more serious pests. An article on pesticide resistance management on citrus in California anticipates the spread of Asian citrus psyllid and greater use of chemical controls, suggesting that management psyllid resistance will be key. This article was in a venue seen by most citrus growers and pest control advisors in California and will assist in better education these clientele on the importance of pesticide resistance management through moderation and rotation of different classes of pesticide chemistry.

Publications

  • Morse, J. G., P. F. Rugman-Jones, G. W. Watson, L. J. Robinson, J. L. Bi, and R. Stouthamer. 2009. High Levels of Armored Scales on Imported Avocados Raise Concerns Regarding USDA-APHIS Phytosanitary Risk Assessment. Journal of Economic Entomology 102(3): 855-867.
  • Krugner, R., R. L. Groves, M. W. Johnson, A. P. Flores, J. R. Hagler, and J. G. Morse. 2009. Seasonal Population Dynamics of HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Sweet Orange Trees Maintained Under Continuous Deficit Irrigation. Journal of Economic Entomology 102(3): 960-973.
  • Krugner, R., M. W. Johnson, D. J. W. Morgan, and J. G. Morse. 2009. Production of ANAGRUS EPOS Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) on HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Eggs. Biological Control 51(1): 122-129.
  • Humeres, E., J. G. Morse, W. Roltsch, and M. S. Hoddle. 2009. Detection Surveys and Population Monitoring for PSEUDACYSTA PERSEAE on Avocados in Southern California. Florida Entomologist 92(2): 382-385.
  • Jetter, K. M. and J. G. Morse. 2009. The Economics of Pierces Disease in California. Pp. 215-220, In: Esser, T., D. West, P. Blincoe, and K. Kahumoku (eds.), Proceedings, 2009 Pierces Disease Research Symposium. Dec. 9-11, 2009, California Dept. of Food & Agriculture, Sacramento, CA. 263 pp.
  • Morse, J. G. and E. E. Grafton-Cardwell. 2009. Managing Insecticide Resistance will be Key to the Future of Effective Citrus Pest Management. Topics in Subtropics 7(1): 6-8.
  • Haviland, D. R., S. M. Rill, and J. G. Morse. 2009. Southern Highbush Blueberries Are a New Host for SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in California. Florida Entomologist 92: 147-149.
  • Al-Wahaibi, A. K. and J. G. Morse. 2009. Egg Morphology and Stages of Embryonic Development of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicacdellidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 102(2): 241-248.
  • Al-Wahaibi, A. K. and J. G. Morse. 2009. Egg Stage of HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS (Germar) and H. liturata Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae): Ovometrics, Embryonic Development, and Non-parasitic Mortality. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 102(2): 249-260.
  • Al-Wahaibi, A. K. and J. G. Morse. 2009. Temporal Distribution of Egg Hatch for Two HOMALODISCA spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Under Constant Temperatures. Florida Entomologist 92: 156-158.
  • Humeres, E. C., J. G. Morse, R. Stouthamer, W. Roltsch, and M. S. Hoddle. 2009. Evaluation of Natural Enemies and Insecticides for Control of PSEUDOCYSTA PERSEAE (Hemiptera: Tingidae) on Avocados in Southern California. Florida Entomologist 92: 35-42.
  • Bates, L., J. Bethke, J. Morse, J. Pena, and K. Godfrey. 2009. Biological control of Diaprepes root weevil. Pp. 32-33 In: Woods, D. M. (ed.) Biological Control Program 2008 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, CA. 69 pp.
  • Roltsch, W., E. Humeres, D. Kellum, J. Morse, and M. Hoddle. 2009. An update on avocado lace bug seasonal population patterns in San Diego County. Pp. 41-42 In: Woods, D. M. (ed.) Biological Control Program 2008 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, CA. 69 pp.
  • Jones, P. F., J. C. Andersen, J. G. Morse, B. B. Normark, and R. Stouthamer. 2010. Molecular Phylogenetic Placement of the Recently Described Armored Scale Insect ABGRALLASPIS AGUACATAE and Several Congeners (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 103(1): 30-38.
  • Al-Wahaibi, A. K. and J. G. Morse. 2010. Temporal Patterns in HOMALODISCA spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Oviposition in Southern California Citrus and Jojoba. Environmental Entomology 39(1): 15-30.


Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California (crop values of ca. $1.4 billion and $300 million in California, respectively). Introduction of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS, into California has resulted in increased losses on grapes in the Temecula region because this species is a prolific vector of Pierce's disease, XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA. As a result, federally/grower funded area-wide GWSS management programs have been implemented on citrus, the major over-wintering host of this vector in Kern, Tulare, and Ventura counties and in both the Coachella Valley and Temecula areas of Riverside County. Research was conducted on egg parasitoids of GWSS. Research on parasitoids of brown soft scale assists us in better understanding how various species might be augmentatively released or manipulated in the field to improve control of citricola scale, COCCUS PSEUDOMAGNOLIARUM, which has become a major pest of citrus in the San Joaquin Valley of California. APHYTIS MELINUS is an effective parasitoid of California red scale, AONIDIELLA AURANTII, on citrus, it is augmentatively released using insectary-reared wasps, and studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of several new pesticides on the parasitoid. Avocado lace bug, PSEUDACYSTA PERSEA, and Diaprepes root weevil, DIAPREPES ABBREVIATUS, are new invaders of California and research was done on the seasonal phenology and biological control of the two species, respectively. Diaprepes populations are close to commercial avocado groves in San Diego County, could potentiate what is already serious damage caused by PHYTOPTHORA root rot on the crop, and due to funding constraints, the state's eradication program for Diaprepes was recently discontinued. An economic study has been initiated on the impact of GWSS on grapes and citrus in California. PARTICIPANTS: Work involved collaboration with listed coauthors as well as citrus and avocado growers, pest control advisors, the California Citrus Research Board, the California Avocado Commission, and the California Department of Food & Agriculture. Collaboration is in progress with researchers in Florida, Texas, Chile, Mexico, and South Africa. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of applied efforts is mainly citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California, and University of California farm advisors and specialists. Much of the information and research is relevant to research and growers in other areas of the world such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas in the U.S. and Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Spain. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The Asian citrus psyllid, DIAPHORINA CITRI, was recently discovered in California and research has been initiated on chemical control, monitoring, and biological control.

Impacts
Research on citrus and avocado is aimed at providing effective management tools for key pests of these crops while simultaneously minimizing crop damage and the use of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides. This research emphasizes using selective pesticides only on an as-needed basis, thus maximizing levels of predators and parasitoids that provide biological control. Thus, this research contributes to the positive economic benefits of these commodities to the state of California and the U.S. export trade while reducing levels of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides in the environment.

Publications

  • Krugner, R., M. W. Johnson, K. M. Daane, and J. G. Morse. 2008. Olfactory Responses of the Egg Parasitoid GONATOCERUS ASHMEADI Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) to Host Plants Infested by HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Biological Control 47: 8-15.
  • Krugner, R., M. W. Johnson, R. L. Groves, and J. G. Morse. 2008. Host Specificity of ANAGRUS EPOS (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae): A Potential Biological Control Agent of HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). BioControl 53: 439-449.
  • Kapranas, A., P. Pacheco, L. D. Forster, J. G. Morse, and R. F. Luck. 2008. Precise Sex Ratios Manifested by Several Encyrtid Parasitoids of Brown Soft Scale, COCCUS HESERIDUM L. (Coccidae: Hemiptera). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 62: 901-912.
  • Rill, S., E. E. Grafton-Cardwell, and J. G. Morse. 2008. Effects of Two Insect Growth Regulators and a Neonicotinoid on Various Life Stages of APHYTIS MELINUS (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). BioControl 53: 579-587.
  • Roltsch, W. J., E. C. Humeres, M. S. Hoddle, J. G. Morse, D. Kellum, and H. Dang. 2007. Avocado Lace Bug Geographic and Seasonal Population Patterns in San Diego County. Pp. 17-20 IN: Villegas, B. (ed.) Biological Control Program 2006 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, CA. 40 pp.
  • Bates, L., J. Bethke, J. Morse, J. Pena, and K. Godfrey. 2008. APROSTOCETUS VAQUITARUM, An Egg Predator of Diaprepes Root Weevil. Pp. 3-4 IN: Woods, D. M. (ed.) Biological Control Program 2007 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, CA. 39 pp.
  • Jetter, K. M. and J. G. Morse. 2008. The Economics of Pierce's Disease in California. Pp. 257-261, In: Esser, T., P. Blincoe, D. West, S. Veling, R. Randhawa, and J. LeMasters (eds), Proceedings, 2008 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium. Nov 27-29, 2006, California Dept. of Food & Agriculture, Sacramento, CA. 263 pp.


Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California (2005 crop values of $1.68 billion and $398.1 million in California, respectively). Introduction of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), HOMALODISCA COAGULATA, into California has resulted in increased losses on grapes in the Temecula region because this species is a prolific vector of Pierce's disease, XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA. As a result, federally/grower funded area-wide GWSS management programs have been implemented on citrus, the major over-wintering host of this vector in Kern, Tulare, and Ventura counties and in both the Coachella Valley and Temecula areas of Riverside County. Some of the pesticides used in these control programs are detrimental to biological control of GWSS using egg parasitoids. A survey of parasitoids of citricola scale, COCCUS PSEUDOMAGNOLIARUM, was done in southern California using brown soft scale out-plants and may assist in better management of citricola scale in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Pyriproxyfen is the major pesticide used for control of California red scale, AONIDIELLA AURANTII, on citrus and research established baseline susceptibility levels so that future reports of resistance can be properly evaluated. The bean thrips, CALIOTHRIPS FASCIATUS, is not found in Australia and the navel of navel oranges shipped from California is a favored over-wintering site of adults of this species. Our research investigated alternative methods of sampling for bean thrips levels in navel oranges prior to shipment of fruit to Australia. Avocado arthropod pest management in California prior to the 1990s emphasized biological control with minimal pesticide use. Persea mite, avocado thrips, and avocado lace bug were discovered in California in 1990, 1996, and 2004, respectively. These invasive pests, especially the first two, have changed California avocado pest management. Research is continuing to develop effective, selective, and economical means of managing field populations of avocado thrips and persea mite. Research is evaluating field resistance levels and searching for alternative products for control, which might be used in rotation to reduce the rate of resistance evolution to abamectin, a material that is heavily used for control of both pests. PARTICIPANTS: Work involved collaboration with listed coauthors as well as citrus and avocado growers, pest control advisors, the California Citrus Research Board, the California Avocado Commission, and the California Department of Food & Agriculture. Collaboration is in progress with research in Florida and Chile. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of applied efforts is mainly citrus and avocado growers and pest control advisors in California, and University of California farm advisors and specialists. Much of the information and research is relevant to research and growers in other areas of the world such as Florida, Arizona, and Texas in the U.S. and Australia, South Africa, Israel, Spain, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, etc.

Impacts
Research on citrus and avocado is aimed at providing effective management tools for key pests of these crops while simultaneously minimizing crop damage and the use of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides. This research emphasizes using selective pesticides only on an as-needed basis, thus maximizing levels of predators and parasitoids that provide biological control. Thus, this research contributes to the positive economic benefits of these commodities to the state of California and the U.S. export trade while reducing levels of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides in the environment.

Publications

  • Grafton-Cardwell, E. E., D. H. Headrick, K. E. Godfrey, J. N. Kabashima, B. A. Faber, V. F. Lazaneo, M. A. Mauk, and J. G. Morse. 2007 Citrus Leafminer. UC ANR Pest Note No. 74137. 4 pp.
  • Haviland, D. R. and J. G. Morse. 2007. Evaluation of Insecticides for Citrus Thrips Control, Using Blueberries as a Crop Surrogate. Citrus Notes 4(1): 3-4.
  • Prabhaker, N., J. G. Morse, S. J. Castle, S. E. Naranjo, T. J. Henneberry, and N. C. Toscano. 2007. Toxicity of Seven Foliar Insecticides to Four Parasitoids Attacking Citrus and Cotton Pests. Journal of Economic Entomology 100: 1053-1061.
  • Kapranas, A., J. G. Morse, P. Pacheco, L. D. Forster, and R. F. Luck. 2007. Survey of Brown Soft Scale COCCUS HESERIDUM L. Parasitoids in Southern California Citrus. Biological Control 42: 288-299.
  • Rill, S., E. E. Grafton-Cardwell, and J. G. Morse. 2007. Effects of Pyriproxyfen on California Red Scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) Development and Reproduction. Journal of Economic Entomology 100: 1435-1443.
  • Harman, J. A., C. X. Mao, L. J. Robinson, and J. G. Morse. 2007. Evaluation of Two Non-destructive Sampling Methods for Bean Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Detection in Navel Oranges. Crop Protection 26: 1747-1754.
  • Byrne, F. J., N. C. Toscano, A. A. Urena, and J. G. Morse. 2007. Toxicity of Systemic Neonicotinoid Insecticides to Avocado Thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS PERSEAE Nakahara (Thysanopera: Thripidae), in Nursery Avocado Trees. Pest Management Science 63: 860-866.
  • Triapitsyn, S. V., V. V. Berezovskiy, M. S. Hoddle, and J. G. Morse. 2007. A Review of the Neartic Species of ERYTHMELUS (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), With a Key and New Additions to the New World Fauna. Zootaxa 1641: 1-64.
  • Barry, J. B., S. B. Opp, J. Dragolovich, and J. G. Morse. 2007. Effect of Adult Diet on Longevity of Sterile Mediterranean Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). Florida Entomologist 90: 650-655.
  • Morse, J., F. Byrne, N. Toscano, A. Urena, E. Humeres, L. Robinson, M. Arpaia, L. Bates, S. Peirce, and L. Francis. 2006. Evaluation of Systemic Chemicals for Avocado Thrips and Avocado Lace Bug Management. Pp. 25-41, In: Proceedings, California Avocado Research Symposium, November 4, 2006, California Avocado Commission, Santa Ana, CA. 155 pp.
  • Phillips, P. A., B. A. Faber, J. G. Morse, and M. S. Hoddle. 2007. Invertebrates. Pp. 10-50, In: UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Avocado. UC ANR Publication No. 3436. UC IPM Program, Davis, CA. 85 pp.
  • Dreistadt, S. H., J. G. Morse, P. A. Phillips, and R. E. Rice. 2007. Scales. Pests of Homes, Gardens, Landscapes and Turf. UC ANR Pest Note No. 7408. UC IPM Program, Davis, CA. 8 pp.
  • Bender, G. S., J. G. Morse, M. S. Hoddle, and S. H. Dreistadt. 2007. Avocado Lace Bug. Pests of Homes, Gardens, Landscapes and Turf. UC ANR Pest Note No. 74134. UC IPM Program, Davis, CA. 4 pp.


Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Research this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California (2005 crop values of $1.68 billion and $398.1 million in California, respectively). Introduction of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), HOMALODISCA VITRIPENNIS, into California has resulted in increased losses on grapes in the Temecula region because this species is a prolific vector of Pierce's disease, XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA. As a result, federally/grower funded area-wide GWSS management programs have been implemented on citrus, the major over-wintering host of this vector in Kern, Tulare, and Ventura counties and in both the Coachella Valley and Temecula areas of Riverside County. These programs are disruptive to citrus IPM and one alternative to chemical control is improving biological control of GWSS using egg parasitoids. The predaceous mite EUSEIUS TULARENSIS provides partial biological control of citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI, and use of selective pesticides allows the mite to persist, thus reducing citrus thrips damage. Avocado arthropod pest management in California prior to the 1990s emphasized biological control with minimal pesticide use. Persea mite, avocado thrips, and avocado lace bug were discovered in California in 1990, 1996, and 2004, respectively. These invasive pests, especially the first two, have changed California avocado pest management. Research is continuing to develop effective, selective, and economical means of managing field populations of avocado thrips and persea mite. Research is evaluating field resistance levels and searching for alternative products for control such as abamectin, spinosad, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam, which might be used in rotation to reduce the rate of resistance evolution. The bean thrips, CALIOTHRIPS FASCIATUS, is not found in Australia and the navel of navel oranges shipped from California is a favored over-wintering site of adults of this species. In order to reduce the likelihood that this insect would be introduced into Australia, USDA APHIS imposed a Bean Thrips Mitigation Protocol which required all growers potentially shipping fruit to Australia monitor their groves in fall with yellow or white sticky cards and that groves with above threshold levels be withheld from shipment. Our research showed that green sticky cards provide a more effective sampling tool and in 2006, APHIS modified their Australian protocol to use green cards for monitoring.

Impacts
Research on citrus and avocado is aimed at providing effective management tools for key pests of these crops while simultaneously minimizing crop damage and the use of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides. This research emphasizes using selective pesticides only on an as-needed basis, thus maximizing levels of predators and parasitoids that provide biological control. Thus, this research contributes to the positive economic benefits of these commodities to the state of California and the U.S. export trade while reducing levels of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides in the environment. Invasive thrips are a problem in many areas of the world with bean thrips and avocado thrips providing examples of impacts on the exporting country and the invaded country, respectively. A review of thrips invasion provides insights into how invasive thrips are best dealt with both pre- and post-invasion.

Publications

  • Hoddle, M. S., J. G. Morse, R. Stouthamer, E. Humeres, G. Jeong, W. Roltsh, G. S. Bender, P. Phillips, D. Kellum, R. Dowell, and G. W. Witney. 2006. Avocado Lace Bug in California. California Avocado Society 2005 Yearbook 88: 67-79.
  • Hoddle, M., J. Morse, R. Stouthamer, E. Humeres, F. Byrne, N. Toscano, S. Triapitsyn, D. Kellum, H. Dang, L. Feeley, G. Bender, W. Rotsch, R. Dowell, and G. Witney. 2006. Biology and Management of Avocado Lace Bug in California. Pp. 1-11, In: Proceedings, California Avocado Research Symposium, November 4, 2006, California Avocado Commission, Santa Ana, CA. 155 pp.
  • Morse, J., A. Urena, and L. Robinson. 2006. Biology, Management and Resistance Monitoring of Avocado Thrips and Persea Mite. Pp. 16-24, In: Proceedings, California Avocado Research Symposium, November 4, 2006, California Avocado Commission, Santa Ana, CA. 155 pp.
  • Morse, J. G. and E. E. Grafton-Cardwell. 2006. Bear Citrus Thrips Resistance in Mind When Deciding Whether and How to Treat in 2006. Topics in Subtropics 4(1): 11-13.
  • Bethke, J. A., M. S. Hoddle, and J. G. Morse. 2006. UC Riverside's Center for Invasive Species Research. CORF News 10(2): 15.
  • Morse, J. G., D. J. W. Morgan, and J. M. Lytle. 2006. Seasonal Population Dynamics of Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Egg Parasitoids: Variability Across Sites and Host Plants. Pp. 92-94, In: Esser, T., M.A. Tariq, R. Medeiros, M. Mochel and S. Veling (eds.), Proceedings, 2006 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium. Nov 27-29, 2006, California Dept. of Food & Agriculture, Sacramento, CA. 321 pp.
  • Morse, J. G., R. Stouthamer, S. V. Triapitsyn, D. J. W. Morgan, J. M. Lytle, and R. Krugner. 2006. The ANAGRUS EPOS Complex: A Likely Source of Effective Classical Biological Control Agents for Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Control. Pp. 95-98, In: Esser, T., M.A. Tariq, R. Medeiros, M. Mochel and S. Veling (eds.), Proceedings, 2006 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium. Nov 27-29, 2006, California Dept. of Food & Agriculture, Sacramento, CA. 321 pp.
  • Morse, J. G. and M. S. Hoddle. 2006. Invasion Biology of Thrips. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 51: 67-89.
  • Humeres, E. C. and J. G. Morse. 2006. Resistance of Avocado Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to Sabadilla, a Botanically Derived Bait. Pest Management Science 62: 886-889.
  • Khan, I. and J. G. Morse. 2006. Impact of Citrus Thrips Treatments on the Predatory Mite EUSEIUS TULARENSIS. Journal of Applied Entomology 130: 386-392.
  • Tollerup, K. E. and J. G. Morse. 2006. The Effect of Horticultural Spray Oil and Surfactants on the Residual Efficacy of Spinosad against Avocado Thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS PERSEAE (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Journal of Agricultural & Urban Entomology 22: 127-131.
  • Harman, J. A., C. X. Mao, and J. G. Morse. 2007. Selection of Color of Sticky Trap for Monitoring Adult Bean Thrips, CALIOTHRIPS FASCIATUS (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Pest Management Science 23: 210-216.
  • Morse, J. G., R. F. Luck, and E. E. Grafton-Cardwell. 2007. The Evolution of Biologically-Based Integrated Pest Management on Citrus in California. UC Plant Protection Quarterly 17(1): 1-11.
  • Krugner, R., M. W. Johnson, J. G. Morse, and R. L. Groves. 2006. Host Specificity of the Mymarid ANAGRUS EPOS Girault, A Parasitoid of Cicadellidae Eggs. Pp. 168-171, In: M. S. Hoddle and M. W. Johnson (eds.), Proceedings, Fifth California Conference on Biological Control, July 25-27, 2006, Univ. of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA. 198 pp.
  • Toscano, N. C., J. G. Morse, N. Prabhaker, S. Castle, S. Naranjo, and T. J. Henneberry. 2006. Compatibility of Select Pesticides With Natural Enemies of Glassy-winged Sharpshooter and Other Pests. Pp. 107-110, In: Esser, T., M.A. Tariq, R. Medeiros, M. Mochel and S. Veling (eds.), Proceedings, 2006 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium. Nov 27-29, 2006, California Dept. of Food & Agriculture, Sacramento, CA. 321 pp.


Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
Research this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California (2003 crop values of $739.7 and $364.6 million in California, respectively). Introduction of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), HOMALODISCA COAGULATA, into California has resulted in increased losses on grapes in the Temecula region because this species is a prolific vector of Pierce's disease, XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA. As a result, federally/grower funded area-wide GWSS management programs have been implemented on citrus, the major over-wintering host of this vector in Kern, Tulare, and Ventura counties and in both the Coachella Valley and Temecula areas of Riverside County. These programs are disruptive to citrus IPM and one alternative to chemical control is improving biological control of GWSS using egg parasitoids. Avocado arthropod pest management in California prior to the 1990s emphasized biological control with minimal pesticide use. Persea mite, avocado thrips, and avocado lace bug were discovered in California in 1990, 1996, and 2004, respectively. These pests, especially the first two, have changed California avocado pest management. Research is continuing to develop effective, selective, and economical means of managing field populations of avocado thrips and persea mite. Based to a good extent on our research, abamectin was registered in 2005 (and was available 1999-2004 under a Section 18 exemption) for use against both avocado thrips and persea mite but a concern is that growers are overusing this material, leading to a high potential for resistance. Research is evaluating field resistance levels and searching for alternative products for control such as imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, which might be used in rotation to reduce the rate of resistance evolution. CERANISUS spp. parasitoids are larval parasitoids of various thrips species and are being looked at for control of citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI, and avocado thrips, S. PERSEA.

Impacts
Research on citrus and avocado is aimed at providing effective management tools for key pests of these crops while minimizing crop damage and the use of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides. This research emphasizes using selective pesticides only on an as-needed basis, thus maximizing levels of predators and parasitoids that provide biological control. Thus, this research contributes to the positive economic benefits of these commodities to the state of California and the U.S. export trade while reducing levels of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides in the environment. Basic research on the taxonomy and biology of UFENS and CERANISUS spp. parasitoids is of value to biological control on a wide spectrum of crops beyond citrus and avocado.

Publications

  • Byrne, F. J., N. C. Toscano, A. A. Urena, and J. G. Morse. 2005. Quantification of Imidacloprid Toxicity to Avocado Thrips SCIRTOTHRIPS PERSEAE Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Using a Combined Bioassay and ELISA Approach. Pest Manage. Sci. 61: 754-758.
  • Triapitsyn, S. V. and J. G. Morse. 2005. A Review of the Species of CERANISUS Walker (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in the New World. Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 131: 69-86.
  • Morse, J. G. 2004. Avocado Thrips Resistance: A Real Concern for the Future. Update, Mission Avocados, Oxnard, CA. December 2004, p. 3.
  • Morse, J. G. and G. W. Witney. 2005. Avocado Thrips - Resistance to Pesticides. AvoResearch, Spring 2005, Calif. Avoc. Commission, Irvine, CA. 2 pp.
  • Hoddle, M. S., G. S. Bender, J. G. Morse, D. Kellum, R. Dowell, and G. W. Witney. 2005. Avocado Lace Bug. AvoResearch. Spring 2005. Calif. Avoc. Commission, Irvine, CA. 2 pp.
  • Hoddle, M. S., J. G. Morse, and R. Stouthamer. 2005. Biology and Management of Avocado Lace Bug (ALB) in California. Pp. 1-13, In: Proceedings, California Avocado Commission Research Symposium, October 29, 2005, California Avocado Commission, Santa Ana, CA. 133 pp.
  • Al-Wahaibi, A. K., A. K. Owen, and J. G. Morse. 2005. Description and Behavioural Biology of Two UFENS Species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), Egg Parasitoids of HOMALODISCA Species (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Southern California. Bull. Entomol. Res. 95: 275-288.
  • Humeres, E. C. and J. G. Morse. 2005. Baseline Susceptibility of Persea Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) to Abamectin and Milbemectin in Avocado Groves in Southern California. Exp. & Appl. Acarol. 36: 51-59.
  • Morse, J. G., A. A. Urena, E. C. Humeres, L. J. Robinson, A. P. Flores, and P. J. Watkins. 2005. Biology, Management, and Resistance Monitoring of Avocado Thrips and Persea Mite. Pp. 14-23, In: Proceedings, California Avocado Commission Research Symposium, October 29, 2005, California Avocado Commission, Santa Ana, CA. 133 pp.
  • Morse, J. G., F. Byrne, and N. C. Toscano. 2005. Evaluation of Systemic Chemicals for Avocado Thrips and Avocado Lace Bug Management. Pp. 24-33, In: Proceedings, California Avocado Commission Research Symposium, October 29, 2005, California Avocado Commission, Santa Ana, CA. 133 pp.


Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Research this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California (2001 crop values of $814.3 and $315.8 million, respectively) as well as research designed to assist the Mediterranean fruit fly sterile insect Preventative Release Program (PRP). The Medfly PRP involves releasing 125,000 (male-only) sterile flies per square mile per week over 2,155 square miles in southern California in order to prevent feral fly establishment. The annual cost of this program since 1994 has been ca. $18.6 million. Research with the Medfly examined sterile fly recapture data for a 3-year period in comparison with climate, host plant in which traps were hung, and fly quality control data. Avocado arthropod pest management in California prior to the 1990s emphasized biological control with minimal pesticide use. Persea mite and avocado thrips which are native to Mexico, were discovered in California in 1990 and 1996, respectively. These two pests have changed California avocado pest management. Research is continuing to develop effective, selective, and economical means of managing field populations of avocado thrips and persea mite. A degree-day model was developed for the egg stage of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, HOMALODISCA COAGULATA, which might be used to predict the timing of egg hatch and to assist in research with egg parasitoids. These parasitoids appear to be the only significant natural enemies of this pest in California.

Impacts
The $18.6 million cost of the Medfly preventative release program is borne 50% by both the state and federal governments. Economic analysis has indicated that if the Medfly became established in California, the annual cost would be $1.3-1.9 billion. Our research on Medfly in cooperation with the Preventative Release Program, California Dept. of Food & Agriculture, and USDA scientists was focused on attempting to improve the PRP. Improvements in this program will result in a lower cost of the program to the people of California and a greater likelihood that exotic strains of the Medfly will not establish in the state, thus eliminating the costs of lost agricultural production, embargoes limiting fruit and vegetable shipments, and increased pesticide use to control the fly. In addition, backyard fruit and vegetable production would be severely limited in many areas of the state if the fly were to establish. Research on citrus and avocado is aimed at providing effective management tools for key pests of these crops while minimizing crop damage and the use of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides. This research emphasizes using only selective pesticides on an as-needed basis, thus maximizing levels of predators and parasitoids that provide biological control. Thus, this research contributes to the positive economic benefits of these commodities to the state of California while reducing levels of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides in the environment.

Publications

  • Al-Wahaibi, A. K. and J. G. Morse. 2003. HOMALODISCA COAGULATA (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Embryonic Development at Constant Temperatures. Florida Entomol. 86: 477-478.
  • Hoddle, M. S., K. M. Jetter, and J. G. Morse. 2003. The Economic Impact of SCIRTOTHRIPS PERSEAE Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on California Avocado Production. Crop Protection 22: 485-493.
  • Barry, J. D., T. Blessinger, and J. G. Morse. 2004. Recapture of Sterile Mediterranean Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in California's Preventative Release Program. J. Econ. Entomol. 97: 1554-1562.
  • Jetter, K. M. and J. G. Morse. 2004. Agri-Mek Section 18 Approved for the 2004 Field Season. AvoResearch 3: 1-2, 4-6.
  • Morse, J. G., E. C. Humeres, A. A. Urena, P. J. Watkins, A. P. Flores, and D. R. Anderson. 2004. Biology and Chemical Control of Avocado Thrips; Pesticide Resistance Monitoring with Avocado Thrips and Persea Mite. Pp. 43-53, In: Proceedings, California Avocado Commission Research Symposium, October 30, 2004, California Avocado Commission, Santa Ana, CA. 125 pp.


Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Research this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California (2001 crop values of $814.3 and $315.8 million, respectively) as well as research designed to assist the Mediterranean fruit fly sterile insect Preventative Release Program (PRP). The Medfly PRP involves releasing 125,000 (male-only) sterile flies per square mile per week over 2,155 square miles in southern California in order to prevent feral fly establishment. The annual cost of this program is ca. $18.6 million. Research with the Medfly examined the potential for increasing the efficacy of sterile fly releases or reducing release levels by exposing the flies to ginger rool oil ('Medfly viagra') prior to release; the impact of spinosad bait sprays on wild versus sterile Medflies; the impact of irradiation on performance characteristics of the new Vienna 7 male-only sterile Medfly strain; and how different ratios of male to female Medflies affect their mating dynamics (with the recent move towards the use of male-only release strains these dynamics may change). Recent research on citrus has focused on evaluation of several METPHYCUS parasitoid species for control of citricola scale in the San Joaquin Valley and black scale in southern California as well as evaluation of photoactive dyes mixed with molasses as a selective control for citrus thrips. With increased interest in reducing pesticide use and adopting integrated pest management, selective tools for control of these pests are needed. Avocado arthropod pest management in California prior to the 1990s emphasized biological control with minimal pesticide use. Persea mite and avocado thrips which are native to Mexico, were discovered in California in 1990 and 1996, respectively. These two pests have changed California avocado pest management and an economic analysis was conducted to quantify this impact. Research is continuing to develop effective, selective, and economical means of managing field populations of avocado thrips and persea mite

Impacts
The $18.6 million cost of the Medfly preventative release program is borne 50% by both the state and federal governments. Economic analysis has indicated that if the Medfly became established in California, the annual cost would be $1.3-1.9 billion. Our research on Medfly in cooperation with the Preventative Release Program, California Dept. of Food & Agriculture, and USDA scientists was focused on attempting to improve the PRP. Improvements in this program will result in a lower cost of the program to the people of California and a greater likelihood that exotic strains of the Medfly will not establish in the state, thus eliminating the costs of lost agricultural production, embargoes limiting fruit and vegetable shipments, and increased pesticide use to control the fly. In addition, backyard fruit and vegetable production would be severely limited in many areas of the state if the fly were to establish. Research on citrus and avocado is aimed at providing effective management tools for key pests of these crops while minimizing crop damage and the use of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides. This research emphasizes using only selective pesticides on an as-needed basis, thus maximizing levels of predators and parasitoids that provide biological control. Thus, this research contributes to the positive economic benefits of these commodities to the state of California while reducing levels of broad-spectrum or toxic pesticides in the environment.

Publications

  • Barry, J. D., T. E. Shelly, D. O. McInnis, and J. G. Morse. 2003. Potential for Reducing Overflooding Ratios of Sterile Mediterranean Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) with the Use of Ginger Root Oil. Flor. Entomol. 86(1): 29-33.
  • Barry, J. D., R. I. Vargas, N. W. Miller, and J. G. Morse. 2003. Feeding and Foraging Trials on Spinosad Bait by Wild and Sterile Mediterranean Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 96(5): 1405-1411.
  • Barry, J. D., D. O. McInnis, D. Gates, and J. G. Morse. 2003. Effects of Irradiation on Mediterranean Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae): Emergence, Survivorship, Lure Attraction, and Mating Competition. J. Econ. Entomol. 96(3): 615-622.
  • Barry, J. D., L. C. K. Tran, and J. G. Morse. 2003. Mating Propensity of Different Ratios of Male and Female Mediterranean Fruit Flies. Flor. Entomol. 86(2): 225-226.
  • Morse, J. G. and P. Atkinson (eds.). 2003. Proceedings, Seventh Annual Exotic Fruit Fly Research Symposium. Sept. 15-17, 2002. UC Center for Invasive Species Research and College of Natural & Agric. Sciences, Univ. Calif., Riverside. 99 pp.
  • Schweizer, H., J. G. Morse, and R. F. Luck. 2003. Evaluation of METAPHYCUS spp. for Suppression of Black Scale (Homoptera: Coccidae) on Southern California Citrus. Environ. Entomol. 32(2): 377-386.
  • Weppler, R. A., J. G. Morse, and R. F. Luck. 2003. Studies on Rearing METAPHYCUS HELVOLUS (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) for Augmentative Release Against Black Scale (Homoptera: Coccidae) on Citrus in California. Biological Control 29: 118-128.
  • Schweizer, H., R. F. Luck, and J. G. Morse. 2003. Augmentative Releases of METAPHYCUS sp. nr FLAVUS Against Citricola Scale on Oranges in the San Joaquin Valley, California: Are Early Releases Better than Late Ones? J. Econ. Entomol. 96(5): 1375-1387.
  • Tollerup, K. and J. G. Morse. 2003. Evaluation of Phloxine B as a Possible Control Agent Against Citrus Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 96(3): 629-635.
  • Hoddle, M. S., K. M. Jetter, and J. G. Morse. 2003. Introduction and Establishment of Exotic Insect and Mite Pests of Avocados in California, Changes in Sanitary and Phytosanitary Policies, and Their Economic and Social Impact. Chapter 12, pp. 185-202. In: Exotic Pests and Diseases: Biology and Economics for Biosecurity. (D. A. Sumner, ed.). Iowa State Press, Ames, IA.
  • Hoddle, M. S. and J. G. Morse. 2003. Avocado Thrips Biology and Control. AvoResearch Special Edition, Spring 2003. 8 pp.
  • Morse, J. G., E. C. Humeres, A. A. Urena, P. J. Watkins, A. P. Flores, and D. R. Anderson. 2003. Biology and Chemical Control of Avocado Thrips; Pesticide Resistance Monitoring with Avocado Thrips and Persea Mite. In: Proceedings, California Avocado Commission Research Symposium, November 1, 2003, California Avocado Commission, Santa Ana, CA. pp. 55-67.
  • Grafton-Cardwell, E. E., N. V. O'Connell, C. E. Kallsen, and J. G. Morse. 2003. Photographic Guide to Citrus Fruit Scarring. ANR Publication 8090. 8 pp.


Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Research this last year focused on solving pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California. In April 1996, Dr. Julio Bernal searched through Italy, Israel, and Turkey for parasitoids of black scale and citricola scale and imported METAPHYCUS sp. nr. FLAVUS from a location near Kozan in central Turkey. Working with Dr. Robert Luck's laboratory, we have now evaluated augmentative releases of this parasitoid for control of citricola scale in California's San Joaquin Valley - the parasitoid is effective in the field but further work will be necessary to determine if sustained control will be achieved with economically practical releases. Research with Mediterranean fruit fly showed that the male-only Vienna-4 strain is similar in quality to the bisexual Maui-93 strain that has been used in the Preventative Release Program in southern California over the last several years. Evaluation of lacewings eggs obtained from 3 commercial insectaries in California showed slight differences between insectaries, justifying use of any of these sources by growers wishing to use this predator in control of avocado thrips on avocados. An economic analysis of the impact of avocado thrips on California avocado production indicated that short-run losses due to this pest were approximately $8.51 million annually. Field trials indicate that abamectin (Agri-Mek) is an effective treatment for this pest that can provide up to 8 weeks of control. A degree-day model was developed for the egg stage of the glassy-winged sharpshooter.

Impacts
Citricola scale is a major impediment to the biologically-based integrated pest management program we have developed for San Joaquin Valley citrus. If proven to be effective and economical, METAPHYCUS sp. nr. FLAVUS could solve this impediment. The joint CDFA/USDA Medfly Preventative Release Program is run at an annual cost of ca. $18 million. There was some concern about switching to male-only Medfly releases based on low trap catch reported initially with this strain in comparison to standard strains. Partially based on our research, the Program has decided to switch to male-only releases, which are less expensive and are considered to be more effective. The avocado thrips was discovered in California in June 1996 and caused considerable short-run damage (estimated at $8.51 million annually) due to fruit down-grading and increased pesticide application costs. Our research helped to develop an effective treatment for this pest and over the past several years, economic damage has been depressed considerably.

Publications

  • Schweizer, H., J. G. Morse, R. F. Luck, and L. D. Forster. 2002. Augmenative Releases of a Parasitoid (Metaphycus sp. nr. flavus) Against Citricola Scale (Coccus pseudomagnoliarum) on Oranges in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Biol. Control 24: 153-166.
  • Barry, J. D., R. V. Dowell, and J. G. Morse. 2002. Comparison of Two Sterile Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Strains Released in California's Preventative Release Program. J. Econ. Entomol. 95(5): 936-944.
  • Silvers, C. S., J. G. Morse, and E. E. Grafton-Cardwell. 2002. Quality Assessment of Chrysoperla rufilabris (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Producers in California. Fla. Entomol. (in press.
  • Hoddle, M. S., K. M. Jetter, and J. G. Morse. 2002. The Economic Impact of Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on California Avocado Production. Crop Protection (in press).
  • Oevering, P., J. G. Morse, M. S. Hoddle, B. A. Faber, P. A. Phillips, A. A. Urena, and D. R. Anderson. 2002. Results of 2001 Avocado Thrips Field Pesticide Efficacy Trials. AvoResearch April 2002: 1-5, 8.
  • Hoddle, M. S., J. G. Morse, P. A. Phillips, B. A. Faber, and K. M. Jetter. 2002. Avocado Thrips: New Challenge For Growers. Calif. Agric. 56: 03-107.
  • Al-Wahaibi, A. K. and J. G. Morse. 2002. The Egg Stage of Homalodisca (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae): Embryonic Development at Different Temperatures. In: Proceedings, Third California Conference on Biological Control, University of California, Riverside, CA. (M. S. Hoddle, ed.). pp. 117-120.


Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
Research published this last year included a two-year survey of parasitoids of citricola scale, COCCUS PSEUDOMAGNOLIARUM, on citrus in the San Joaquin Valley of California; a review of management options available to growers for citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI; evaluation of green lacewings, CHRYSOPERLA spp., as predators of citrus thrips; and biology, pesticide efficacy, and natural enemy studies with avocado thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS PERSEAE.

Impacts
Research described is designed mainly to help solve applied pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California. Research on avocado thrips is intended to lessen the impact of this newly introduced pest that was estimated to cause $ 8-13 million in damage and increased control costs to the avocado industry in 1998.

Publications

  • Bernal, J. S., R. F. Luck, J. G. Morse, and Melanie S. Drury. 2001. Seasonal and scale size relationships between citricola scale (Homoptera: Coccidae) and its parasitoid complex (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) on San Joaquin Valley citrus. Biol. Control 20: 210-221.
  • Morse, J. G., E. E. Grafton-Cardwell, and A. A. Urena. 2001. Management options for citrus thrips in the San Joaquin Valley. Citrograph 86(3): 4-5, 12.
  • Khan, I. and J. G. Morse. 2001. Augmentation of CHRYSOPERLA spp. for control of citrus thrips in mangos. On-Line J. Biol. Sci. 1(3): 136-138.
  • Hoddle, M. S., J. G. Morse, P. Phillips, B. Faber, and E. Oevering. 2001. Recent progress on avocado thrips biology and management. pp. 5-18. In: Proceedings, California Avocado Commission Research Symposium, October 20, 2001, California Avocado Commission, Santa Ana, CA.
  • Hoddle, M. S., J. G. Morse, Y. L. Yee, and P. A. Phillips. 2001. Further progress on avocado thrips biology and management. California Avocado Society 1999 Yearbook 83: 105-114, 116-125.
  • Yee, Y. L, P. A. Phillips, B. A. Faber, J. G. Morse, and M. S. Hoddle. 2001. Control of avocado thrips using aerial applications of Insecticides. California Avocado Society 1999 Yearbook 83: 141-150, 152-162.
  • Hoddle, M. S., J. G. Morse, Y. L. Yee, P. A. Phillips, and B. A. Faber. 2001. Managing thrips in avocado orchards. Citrograph 86(3): 6-7.


Progress 01/02/00 to 12/31/00

Outputs
Research published this last year dealt with the evaluation of green lacewings as predators of citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI; biology, pesticide efficacy, and natural enemy studies with avocado thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS PERSEAE; an evaluation of research needed to address Pierce's disease and other diseases caused by various strains of XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA, as vectored by the glassy-winged sharpshooter, HOMALODISCA COAGULATA, and other sharpshooters; and studies on parasitoids affecting the glassy-winged sharpshooter.

Impacts
Research described is designed mainly to help solve applied pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California. Research on avocado thrips is intended to lessen the impact of this newly introduced pest that was estimated to cause $ 8-13 million in damage and increased control costs to the avocado industry in 1998.

Publications

  • Hoddle, M. S., J. G. Morse, P. Phillips, & B. Faber. 1999. Progress on the management of avocado thrips. California Avocado Society Yearbook 1998, 82: 87-100.
  • Phillips, P., W. Yee, J. G. Morse, and M. S. Hoddle. 2000. An update on management of the avocado thrips. California Avocado Commission Project Update, March 2000. 2 pp.
  • Gomes, W. R., D. A. Cooksey, D. L. Dahlsten, B. Kirkpatrick, J. R. McBride, J. G. Morse, P. A. Phillips, A. H. Purcell, R. A. Redak, N. K. van Alfen, A. Walker, E. Weber, L. Bezark, E. L. Civerolo, P. Gleeson, R. K. Webster, and S. P. Nation. 2000. Report of the University of California Pierce's Disease Research and Emergency Response Task Force. Univ. of California, Office of the President, Oakland, CA. 58 pp.
  • Al-Wahaibi, A. K. and J. G. Morse. 2000. Oviposition of Homalodisca spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and associated egg parasitism on citrus: cultivar effects. Pp. 101-104 In: Hoddle, M. S. (ed.). Proceedings of the 2nd California Conference on Biological Control, University of California, Riverside, CA.
  • Khan, I. and J. G. Morse. 1999. Laboratory studies on the evaluation of Chrysoperla spp. as predators of citrus thrips. Sarhad J. Agric. 15(5): 459-465.
  • Khan, I. and J. G. Morse. 1999. Field evaluation of Chrysoperla spp. as predators of citrus thrips. Sarhad J. Agric. 15(6): 607-610.


Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

Outputs
Research on biological control of citricola and black scales on citrus has focused on METAPHYCUS nr. FLAVUS, a species imported from Turkey in 1996 which has, to date, looked as good or better in laboratory and fields trials compared with endemic METAPHYCUS species. Augmentative release field trials were encouraging but not definitive -- larger release trials are needed once our insectary rearing methodology allows production of the greater numbers of parasitoids needed for large area releases. A survey of citrus and citrus thrips' supposed native host plant, RHUS LAURINA, failed to show significant natural parasitism, justifying efforts to import GOETHEANA INCERTA, a parasitoid of South African citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS AURANTII. Twenty-five years of field data from the Lindcove field station in Tulare Co. were used to construct and validate a model predicting citrus thrips severity on navel oranges sufficiently in advance of petal-fall such that growers and pest control advisors might alter their monitoring and control efforts accordingly. Research with avocado thrips has focused on chemical control using selective pesticides compatible with released and endemic natural enemies.

Impacts
Research described is designed to help solve applied pest management problems facing the citrus and avocado industries in California. Work with biological control of soft scales and citrus thrips on citrus is several years away from implementation. Research on avocado thrips is intended to lessen the impact of this newly introduced pest which is estimated to cause $9-13 million damage per year.

Publications

  • Zalom, F. G. and J. G. Morse. 1999. Expanded efforts needed to limit exotic pests. Calif. Agric. 53(2): 2
  • Schweizer, H. and J. G. Morse. 1999. Predicting citrus thrips damage on navel oranges in the San Joaquin Valley. Citrograph 84(3): 3, 6-7.
  • Bernal, J. S., R. F. Lucl, and J. G. Morse. 1999. Host influences on sex ratio, longevity, and egg load of two METAPHYCUS species parasitic on soft scales: implications for insectary rearing. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 92: 191-204.
  • Bernal, J. S., R. F. Luck , and J. G. Morse. 1999. Augmentative release trials with METAPHYCUS spp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) against citricola scale (Homoptera: Coccidae) in California\rquote s San Joaquin Valley. J. Econ. Entomol. 92: 1099-1107.
  • Triapitsyn, S. V. and J. G. Morse. 1999. Survey of parasitoids of citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI (Moulton, 1909), in southern California. Russian Entomological Journal 8(1): 47-50
  • Morse, J. G. 1999. Avocado thrips subproject 3: pesticide screening, sabadilla resistance, GOETHEANA and lacewing studies. Proceedings of the Spring 1999 California Avocado Research Symposium, pp. 37-46.
  • Morse, J. G., M. S. Hoddle, P. Phillips, B. Faber, and W. Yee. 1999. Making decisions on timing treatments for avocado thrips control. California Avocado Commission Project Update, June, 1999. 4 pp.
  • Hoddle, M. S., J. G. Morse, P. Phillips, B. Faber, W. Yee, and S. Peirce. 1999. Avocado thrips update. California Grower 23(6): 22-24.


Progress 01/01/98 to 12/01/98

Outputs
Research results over the past year have been fairly diverse. Participation in an expert workshop convened by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis resulted in recommendations for improving methodology used in pest risk analyses, e.g., those done by USDA/APHIS when examining proposals for importation of commodities into the U.S. (Gray et al. 1998). Pesticide induced hormesis (hormolygosis) is an often overlooked phenomenon resulting in pest resurgence and sometimes confused with reduction in natural enemy populations following pesticide treatment (Morse 1998). An integrated pest management program for San Joaquin Valley citrus has been developed which emphasizes increased pest monitoring, use of economic thresholds, minimization of pesticide use with an emphasis on selective chemicals, and augmentative release of APHYTIS MELINUS parasitoids for control of California red scale (Luck et al. 1997, Morse 1997). A number of other studies deal with parasitoids attacking brown soft scale (Bernal et al. 1998), and management of citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI, avocado thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS PERSEAE, and bean thrips, CALIOTHRIPS FASCIATUS.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • GRAY, G. M., J. C. ALLEN, D. E. BURMASTER, S. H. GAGE, J. K. HAMMITT, S. KAPLAN, R. L. KEENEY, J. G. MORSE, D. W. NORTH, J. P. NYROP, M. SMALL, A. STAHEVITCH, R. WILLIAMS and G. M. GRAY. 1998. Principles for conduct of pest risk analyses:.
  • MORSE, J. G. 1998. Agricultural implications of pesticide-induced hormesis of insects and mites. BELLE Newsletter 6(3): 20-23.
  • MORSE, J. G. 1998. Agricultural implications of pesticide-induced hormesis of insects and mites. Human & Experimental Toxicology 17:
  • LUCK, R. F., L. D. FORSTER and J. G. MORSE. 1997. An ecologically based IPM program for citrus in California's San Joaquin Valley using augmentative biological control. VIII International Citrus Congress, 12-17 May, 1996, Sun City,.
  • MORSE, J. G. 1997. Management of citrus thrips in California. VIII International Citrus Congress, 12-17 May, 1996, Sun City, South Africa. Proc. Int. Soc. Citriculture, 1996. Vol. 1: 508-510.
  • BERNAL, J. S., R. F. LUCK and J. G. MORSE. 1998. Sex ratios in field populations of two parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of COCCUS HESPERIDUM L. (Homoptera: Coccidae). Oecologia. 116: 510-518.
  • KHAN, I. and J. G. MORSE. 1998. Citrus thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) resistance monitoring in California. J. Econ. Entomol. 91:


Progress 10/01/92 to 06/01/97

Outputs
Research results over the past 5 years have been fairly diverse within the area of citrus pest management. Major arthropod pest species dealt with have included citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI (Moulton), black scale, SAISSETIA OLEAE (Olivier), Fuller rose beetle, ASYNONYCHUS GODMANI Crotch, and California red scale, AONIDIELLA AURANTII (Maskell). Working with FMC Corp., a high-pressure postharvest washer was developed which removes sooty mold, California red scale, yellow scale, and other contaminants from the surface of fruit. These washers are now in use in the majority of California citrus packinghouses. A 4-year demonstration study showed San Joaquin Valley citrus growers how citrus pests could be managed with reduced pesticide use and without economic loss. Research with citrus thrips focused on monitoring and reducing the rate of pyrethroid resistance evolution, evaluating new selective chemicals, better advanced prediction of economically damaging populations, and evaluating the impact of various natural enemies. Research with black scale was aimed at determining the levels and what species of parasitoids attack field scale populations in southern California and improving insectary rearing of parasitoids such as METAPHYCUS HELVOLUS which can be used in augmentative release programs. STEINERNEMA CARPOCAPSAE was evaluated for suppression of field Fuller rose beetle populations. The basic objective of the project remains unchanged - to develop, test, and implement improved pest management strategies for arthropod pests and natural enemies of citrus in California.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • SCHWEIZER, H. S. and J. G. MORSE. 1997. Estimating the level of fruit scarring by citrus thrips from temperature conditions prior to the end of bloom. Crop Protection. (in press).
  • SCHWEIZER, H. S. and J. G. MORSE. 1997. Factors influencing survival of citrus thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) propupae and pupae on the ground. J. Econ. Entomol. 90: 435-443.
  • HARE, J. D. and J. G. MORSE. 1997. Toxicity, persistence, and potency of sabadilla alkaloid formulations to citrus thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 90: 326-332.
  • KHAN, I. and J. G. MORSE. 1997. Toxicity of pesticide residues to citrus thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). J. Agric. Entomol. (in
  • KHAN, I. and J. G. MORSE. 1996. Field trials with abamectin for control of citrus thrips, 1995. Arthropod Management Tests 21: 77-79.
  • KHAN, I., J. G. MORSE and A. A. URENA. 1996. Speed-sprayer trials for citrus thrips control, 1995. Arthropod Management Tests 21: 79-80.
  • MORSE, J. G. and A. A. URENA. 1996. California citrus thrips small plot trial, 1995. Arthropod Management Tests 21: 80-81.


Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96

Outputs
In a project sponsored by FAO, the status of citrus pest management in 13 countries of the Near East (including a list of arthropod pest species and natural enemies present in each country) was evaluated in comparison to its status in southern Europe and California and recommendations were made to improve the situation in the Near East. Basic biology of METAPHYCUS HELVOLUS was investigated as part of an ongoing project aimed at improving biological control of soft scales in California; data were obtained useful in improving insectary rearing of this parasitoid so as to make augmentative field releases economical. Research with SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI showed that the majority of citrus thrips pupate under citrus trees in leaf litter and the upper layers of the soil; biotic and abiotic factors which might increase pupal mortality under citrus trees were investigated. Sabadilla is a botanical bait used for citrus thrips control since 1948 which has become increasingly popular in recent years because of its limited impact on biological control agents. Research quantified which alkaloids present in sabadilla are biologically active and will assist in future efforts aimed at improving its efficacy. The predaceous nematode STEINERNEMA CARPOCAPSAE was shown to be moderately effective in reducing field populations of Fuller rose beetle, ASYNONYCHUS GODMANI.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • MORSE, J G. (ed.). 1996. Exotic Fruit Fly Research Symposium. PROC. of 17 September 1996 Symposium. UC Center for Exotic Pest Research and College of Natural & Agric. Sciences, Univ. Calif., Riverside. 95 pp.
  • MORSE, J.G. and SCHWEIZER, H. 19S,6. Citrus thrips resistance -- a problem requiring grower and PCA restraint. Citrograph 81(7): 11-15.
  • SCHWEIZER, H.S. and MORSE, J.G. Factors influencing survival of SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) propupae and pupae on the ground. J. Econ. Ento.
  • MORSE, J. G., LUCK, R.F. and GUMPF, D.J. (eds.). 1996. Citrus pest problems and their control in the Near East. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper 135, UN-FAO, Rome, Italy. 403 pp.
  • LAMPSON, L. J., MORSE, J. G. and LUCK, R. F. 1996. Host selection, sex allocation, and host-feeding by METAPHYCUS HELVOLUS (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) onSAISSETIA OLEAE (Homoptera: Coccidae) and its effect on parasitoid size, sex, and qual.
  • SCHWEIZER, H.S. and MORSE, J.G. 1996. Pupation sites of SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and potential management through increasing mortality of instars on the ground. J. Econ. Entomol. 89: 1438-1445.
  • MORSE, J.G. and LINDEGREN, J.E. 1996. Suppression of Fuller rose beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on citrus with Steinernema carpocapsae (Rhabditia: Steinernematidae). Florida Entomol. 79: 373-384.


Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95

Outputs
Numbers refer to the 10 publications in order as listed below. Analysis of the gut contents of predaceous mites, EUSEIUS TULARENSIS, collected from commercial citrus groves showed limited feeding on citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI, thus questioning their assumed role in biological control (4). A high-pressure postharvest washer developed by FMC Corp. in cooperation with the University of California and the Citrus Research Board, was shown to be effective in removing California red scale, AONIDIELLA AURANTII, from navel oranges (5). The economics of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program developed for San Joaquin Valley citrus and emphasizing intensive pest and natural enemy monitoring, use of treatments thresholds, augmentative releases of the parasitoid APHYTIS MELINUS for red scale control, and use of selective pesticides as needed was developed comparing costs and returns on a 100-acre commercial grove for 4 years while on a traditional broad-spectrum pesticide program versus 4 years after adoption of IPM (7,8). Several pesticide efficacy trials were conducted against citrus thrips on navel oranges in Tulare County (10, 11).

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications


    Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94

    Outputs
    Research published this year covered a number of diverse subjects. A method was proposed of evaluating how soon after pesticides treatments, augmentative releases of APHYTIS MELINUS could be continued (1). Foliar applied urea was evaluated as a means of providing some control of citrus thrips during normal fertilization (4). Prospects for IPM of citrus thrips in California were reviewed (5). A previously published IPM program for San Joaquin Valley citrus was reviewed for grower consumption (6-8). 1990 pesticide use on citrus in California was analyzed and summarized as a basis for evaluating future progress in adopting IPM (9). Citrus pest management guidelines and chemical recommendations were reformulated into UCs systemwide document (10). Abamectin was registered for use on citrus in California in 1994 and a recommendations was made for its use against citrus thrips (11). Several pesticide efficacy trials were conducted on navel oranges in Tulare County (12-13).

    Impacts
    (N/A)

    Publications


      Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93

      Outputs
      A key accomplishment this year was the synthesis of the results of a 7-year research study in a 100-acre commercial citrus grove and a 3-year demonstration study in 13 grower-cooperator groves into a booklet which presents San Joaquin Valley citrus growers with guidelines for reducing insecticide use and energy costs through adoption of integrated pest management techniques (1). In a separate 3-year field study on strawberries, the economics of releasing insectary-reared predaceous mites was compared to the use of chemical controls or a combined natural enemy/selective chemical program for control of twospotted spider mite (3,4). Progress in monitoring for citrus thrips, S. CITRI, pesticide resistance to dimethoate and formetanate was achieved through development of a microplate assay for esterase levels and acetylcholinesterase insensitivity (5). The toxicity of a number of pesticides against two natural enemies, A. MELINUS and R. LOPHANTHAE, important in control of California red scale, A. AURANTII, on citrus in California was evaluated with the aim of integrating chemical and biological controls (6,7). Field pesticide efficacy trials evaluated the impact of citrus thrips treatments on California red scale control (8); the impact of various registered and new products and timing of treatments on citrus thrips-caused fruit scarring (9); and the impact on efficacy of adding nutritionals to botanical bait or pyrethroid treatments (10).

      Impacts
      (N/A)

      Publications


        Progress 10/01/87 to 09/30/92

        Outputs
        Research results over the past 5 years have been fairly diverse within the area of citrus pest management. Major arthropod and snail pest species dealt with have included citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI (Moulton), Fuller rose beetle, ASYNONYCHUS GODMANI Crotch, black scale, SAISSETIA OLEAE (Olivier), California red scale, AONIDIELLA AURANTII (Maskell), citrus red mite, PANONYCHUS CITRI (McGregor), and brown garden snail, HELIX ASPERSA Muller. Alternatives to preharvest citrus pesticide treatments were examined and the integrated pest management for citrus manual was revised. With citrus thrips, the external morphology of the mouthparts were examined with electron microscopy and impact on fruit quality was measured; sampling, degree-day, and damage prediction models were developed; field pesticide resistance levels were monitored and alternative methods of slowing pesticide resistance were evaluated in field and laboratory trials; and pesticide hormoligosis was examined. With Fuller rose beetle, various method of monitoring field populations and egg-mass infestation levels on fruit were developed, a degree-day model was developed for egg development, and alternative field and packinghouse management strategies were evaluated. The impact of various pesticides was measured against citrus thrips, Fuller rose beetle, black scale, California red scale, and a number of natural enemies important in citrus pest management including APHYTIS MELINUS DeBach, CRYPTOLAEMUS MONTROUZIERI Mulsant, and EUSEIUS STIPULATUS Athias-Henriot.

        Impacts
        (N/A)

        Publications


          Progress 01/01/91 to 12/30/91

          Outputs
          Research this last year dealt mainly with citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI (Moulton), black scale, SAISSETIA OLEAE (Olivier), and the impact of pesticides on natural enemies on citrus in California. Citrus thrips feeding on the rind of navel oranges was shown to advance fruit maturity (more rapid weight loss, higher percent soluble solids, lower titratable acidity, and higher sugar:acid ratios). In lab and field trials, low rates of several pesticides were shown to stimulate fecundity of female citrus thrips (hormoligosis) - thus, use of the pesticide check method for natural enemy studies is questioned. Field pesticide efficacy trials were conducted on navel orange at the Lindcove Field Station near Exeter in the San Joaquin Valley. Large plot speed-sprayer trials were found to be an important extension of small plot hand-gun applied trials - persistent pesticides were shown to be more effective in hand-gun trials, probably because of better coverage but short residual pesticides (e.g., abamectin) were more effective in large plot trials, probably because of rapid immigration in small plot trials. A two-year survey of black scale parasitoids in southern California resulted in the collection of 9 primary and 6 secondary parasitoids. Several insect growth regulators show promise for control of black scale. Studies were continued evaluating the impact of various pesticides on natural enemies important in citrus IPM.

          Impacts
          (N/A)

          Publications


            Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90

            Outputs
            Research this last year dealt mainly with citrus thrips, SCIRTOTHRIPS CITRI (Moulton), Fuller rose beetle, ASYNONYCHUS GODMANI Crotch, and black scale, SAISSETIA OLEAE (Olivier) on citrus in California. Citrus thrips feeding on the rind of navel orange was shown to advance fruit maturity (more rapid weight loss, higher percent soluble solids, lower titratable acidity, and higher sugar:acid ratios). In lab and field trials, low rates of several pesticides were shown to stimulate fecundity of female citrus thrips (hormoligosis) - thus, use of the pesticide check method for natural enemy studies is questioned. Studies were continued with citrus thrips pyrethroid resistance - under greenhouse selection, resistance to fluvalinate was shown to develop very quickly and cross-resistance, reversion, and mechanisms of resistance were evaluated. A two-year survey of black scale parasitoids in southern California resulted in the collection of nine primary and six secondary parasitoids. The four most common primary species were METAPHYCUS BARTLETTI A. and M., M. HELVOLUS (Compere), SCUTELLISTA CAERULEA (Fonscolombe), and DIVERSINERVUS ELEGANS Silvestri.

            Impacts
            (N/A)

            Publications


              Progress 01/01/89 to 12/30/89

              Outputs
              Research efforts this last year emphasized pesticide resistance monitoring, development of a degree-day model, sampling and damage prediction, and effect of cultural practices on citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri; development of a degree-day model for egg hatch, possible phytotoxicity of trunk treatments and recommendations for Fuller rose beetle, Pantomorus cervinas; and development of an IPM program for citrus in the San Joaquin Valley of California using selective pesticides and innundative releases of Aphytis melinus.

              Impacts
              (N/A)

              Publications


                Progress 01/01/88 to 12/30/88

                Outputs
                Research efforts this last year emphasized various aspects of the biology, monitoring, and control of Fuller's rose beetle, Pantomorus cervinus; monitoring, damage prediction, resistance management, and chemical control of citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri; the impact of systemic treatments and California red scale sprays on beneficial arthropods; and an evaluation of options and alternatives to preharvest chemical use on citrus in California.

                Impacts
                (N/A)

                Publications


                  Progress 01/01/87 to 12/30/87

                  Outputs
                  Research efforts this last year emphasized various aspects of the biology, monitoring, and control of Fuller rose beetle, Pantomorus cervinus, and chemical control, biological control, and pesticide resistance management with citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri. In addition, work continued with the impact of pesticides on Aphytis melinus, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Euseius stipulatus, and Euseius tularensis.

                  Impacts
                  (N/A)

                  Publications


                    Progress 01/01/86 to 12/30/86

                    Outputs
                    Research with citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri, in 1986 concentrated on developments and evaluation of field monitoring methods; studies on impact of life stage and temperature on feeding; location of citrus thrips pupation; chemical control with registered and new materials; evaluation of insect growth regulators; computer modeling studies; and evaluation of methods for monitoring resistance of field populations to various pesticides. A computer model was developed for 'Washington' navel orage flowers to be used in predicting bloom and petal-fall dates. Euseius tularensis was evaluated as a potential biological control of citrus thrips.

                    Impacts
                    (N/A)

                    Publications


                      Progress 01/01/85 to 12/30/85

                      Outputs
                      Research with citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri, in 1985, concentrated on biological studies evaluating feeding rate of different life stages at several temperatures and field studies into the location of pupation sites within and beneath citrus trees; chemical control studies with registered and new materials, also evaluating alternative timing of field treatments; evaluation of insect growth regulators; comparison of field sampling methods; and development of a technique for predicting levels of fruit scarring given population counts. A presence/absence sampling plan was developed for the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri, and predatory mite, Euseius tularensis. Temperature cabinet studies with the citrus red mite showed marked acceleration of development at fluctuating temperatures vs. constant temperatures with the same mean temperature. A technique was developed to evaluate residual toxicity of pesticides to motile insects and was applied to several beneficial insects and the citrus thrips in pesticide resistance evaluations.

                      Impacts
                      (N/A)

                      Publications


                        Progress 01/01/84 to 12/30/84

                        Outputs
                        Research with citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri, in 1984, concentrated on optimal chemical control in conjunction with detailed field monitoring; laboratory studies on levels of resistance to control materials (especially dimethoate); evaluation of the effect of life stage and temperature on feeding rate of citrus thrips; and development of a degree-day based on phenology model for citrus thrips. Major findings were that the citrus thrips most likely overwinters in the pupal stage as well as the egg stage, second instars are most likely the major life stage responsible for fruit scarring in the field and field populations have developed high levels of resistance to dimethoate, formetanate hydrochloride and fluvalinate. Work with the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, produced a field guide to identification of this species and the damage that it causes on young lemons. A presence/absence sampling plan was proposed for the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri, on orange trees. A degree-day model for flower development in 'Washington' navel orange was developed. The effects of pesticides applied for control of citris thrips on the following citrus beneficials were evaluated: Cryptolaemus montrouzierri (Coccinellidae), Aphytis melinus (Aphelinidae) and Euseius stipulatus (Phytoseiidae).

                        Impacts
                        (N/A)

                        Publications


                          Progress 01/01/83 to 12/30/83

                          Outputs
                          The California Citurs Treatment Guide was revised and updated for the period 1984-86. Studies with the citurs red mite focused on evaluation of registered and experimental materials useful in chemical control. Additionally, an analysis of available literature was performed aimed at calculating biological parameters useful in developing a degree-day model. Work is in progress to develop life table parameters comparing population growth under constant temperature regimes and fluctuating temperature regimes. A sequential presence/absence sampling plan is also being developed. Studies with the broad mite and bud mite involved field pesticide efficacy tests. A color bulletin for the broad mite was prepared which describes basic biology and aids in field identification. Studies with California red scale focused on the development and validation (from field pheromone catch data) of a degree-day model. Model implementation will require at least one more year of refinement and validation. Studies on citrus thrips involve: tests of alternative pesticides, treatment strategies and application methodologies for control; evaluation of alternative methods for field sampling; studies on the level and nature of resistance to pesticides.

                          Impacts
                          (N/A)

                          Publications


                            Progress 01/01/82 to 12/30/82

                            Outputs
                            The objective of this project is the development of management strategies for the major insect and mite pests of citrus in California, which will be optimal in view of citrus production constraints. The method of investigation involves development of pest and natural enemy simulation models which may be used to organize existing data, prioritize research objectives, evaluate experimental data and test alternative management strategies. Preliminary modeling efforts have been initiated with the 3 major insect pests of citrus in California - citrus thrips, California red scale and the citrus red mite. Literature review and synthesis of existing data indicated serious data gaps in various areas of basic biology for all three of these pests and their important natural enemies. Modeling efforts will continue concurrent with laboratory and field experiments aimed at filling these data gaps. Pesticide screening of registered and new experimental materials for control of citrus thrips and citrus red mite continue under this project.

                            Impacts
                            (N/A)

                            Publications