Progress 06/01/05 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Pink Hibiscus Mealybug Workshop was hosted by the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network, Department of Entomology and Nematology in Gainesville, Florida on June 23 and 24. A total of 20 workshop participants attended from the following organizations: Arizona Department of Agriculture (1), Bermuda Department of Environmental Protection (1) Cayman Islands Department of Plant Protection (1), Centro Nacional de Referencia de Control Biologico, Mexico (1), Hawaii Department of Agriculture (1), Michigan State University (1), New Mexico State University (1), Southern Agricultural Laboratories (1),Texas Cooperative Extension (1), University of Florida (2), University of Georgia (1), University of Hawaii (1), Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Mexico (1) University of Panama (1), USDA, APHIS (3), Utah State University (1), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University (1). Training teleconferences were presented by the North Central IPM Center on June 1 and June 15. On June 1st 25 states participated with a total of 45 sites and 146 participants. On June 15th 20 states participates in the training with a total of 69 sites and 106 participants. Sites were in these states: Alabama, Arizona , California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Materials from the teleconferences are available online at http://www.ncpmc.org/phmb/index.cfm A Pest Alert for PHMB is has been produced by the North Central IPM Center and is available online at http://www.ncpmc.org/phmb/index.cfm Drs. Hodges and Ratcliffe in cooperation with Scott Martin (University of Illinois), Dr. Greg Hodges (Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry), Lyle Buss (University of Florida, IFAS Extension), and Dr. Lance Osborne (University of Florida, IFAS) developed a 113 page Pink Hibiscus Mealybug and Look-Alike Identification Deck. The publication is spiral bound and fully laminated to allow for field use. A total of 1,000 copies of the deck have been printed. The mealybug identification deck will continue to be of use and some more recent, limited pest establishments have occurred. The identification deck will also be particularly useful as a resource for field screening for state and federal agricultural inspectors as well as cooperative extension agents. PARTICIPANTS: James VanKirk, Director of the Southern Region IPM Center hosted at North Carolina State University, provided financial management of this project. Program leadership was shared by Dr. Amanda Hodges of the University of Florida and Dr. Susan Ratcliffe of the University of Illinois Urbana Champagne. Participants in the workshop included representatives of Arizona Department of Agriculture , Bermuda Department of Environmental Protection Cayman Islands Department of Plant Protection , Centro Nacional de Referencia de Control Biologico, Mexico , Hawaii Department of Agriculture , Michigan State University , New Mexico State University , Southern Agricultural Laboratories ,Texas Cooperative Extension , University of Florida (2), University of Georgia , University of Hawaii , Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Mexico University of Panama , USDA, APHIS (3), Utah State University , and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University . People from 25 states and 20 states participated in the first and second teleconferences, respectively. TARGET AUDIENCES: Traget audiences for this project included plant inspectors from USDA-APHIS as well as state Departments of Agriculture, private sector nursery producers and their advisors. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
All surveys returned by 15 participants in the University of Florida training indicated that the workshop was definitely productive. Participants highlighted the value of several aspects including enhanced mealybug taxonomic skills, pheromone trap updates , field identification and control information , slide-mounting information , the LUCID mealybug key , the male PHM key identification features and, the DPI tour . 100% of the participants indicated that the LUCID key will be useful in assisting in their identifications and that more keys should be developed on other economically important groups. When asked how information would be utilized, participants indicated that 1) training to county agents, industry personnel and others would be provided 2) enhanced mealybug identification skills very useful information to their regulatory agency 4) graduate and undergraduate student training and 5) pheromone trap information is critical to local monitoring programs. All participants responded favorably in describing the value and/or impact this workshop has had for their program in their institution. Evaluation forms from 54 teleconference participants. 100% strongly agree or agree that the teleconference met expectations, increased knowledge about PHM, increased ability to identify PHM, if present, and increased understanding of IPM strategies and options for the control of PHM. 96% strongly agree or agree the teleconference increased the likelihood I will scout for PHM. The first teleconference served greenhouse/nursery producers master gardeners and public employees, including Land Grant universities, state and federal agencies. 100% of survey respondents indicate the program met expectations, increased knowledge about PHM, increased ability to identify PHM, and increased understanding of IPM strategies. 96% report an increased likelihood they will scout for PHM. The second teleconference included participation of 106 individuals from 20 states at 69 sites. Respondents indicate the program met expectations, increased knowledge about PHM, increased understanding of IPM strategies, report an increased likelihood they will scout for PHM. Populations have subsequently established in Louisiana (2006) and Texas (2007) http://etipm.tamu.edu/insect_alerts/ph_mealybug.cfm . However, specialists trained at the 2005 workshop were involved in the initial identification communications. Although establishment was not prevented, specialists were aware and prepared for the problem. So far PHM has been focused on ornamentals, but there is some concern in Texas that the pest may affect other commodities. LA populations has been largely controlled by natural enemy releases, but the TX situation has been of increasing concern this year. Rapid response, educational efforts, and proper management strategies funded through the USDA-CSREES critical issues grant have successfully reduced the threat of PHM to the U.S. Coordinated educational, diagnostic, and research efforts have been instrumental to this process. A cohesive system of communication among agencies and land grant universities to promote early pest detection has resulted from this funding.
Publications
- Hodges, A., S. Ratcliffe, S. Martin, G. Hodges, L. Buss, L. Osborne. 2008. Pink Hibiscus Mealybug and Look-Alike Identification Deck, 113 pp.
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Progress 06/01/06 to 05/31/07
Outputs
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), is an exotic pest species that invaded California in 1999 and Florida in 2002. A nursery in Homestead, FL, shipped 900,000 hibiscus plants from potentially infested stock to 36 states in the U.S. from January through July 2004. Distribution of PHM may have occurred in other states, but were sold and incorporated into landscapes prior to testing for PHM Early detection techniques supported by a network of professionals would allow for a rapid response to outbreaks of this pest and would likely result in prevention and/or reduction of losses. This proposal seeks emergency funding to develop and implement such a system. OBJECTIVES: A rapid response network will be developed to detect and respond to outbreaks of the Pink Hibiscus Mealybug, (PHM). First detectors, diagnosticians, and others will be trained in monitoring, detection, identification, and management of PHM. Likely
infestation sites will be monitored. Biological control will be used where infestations are confirmed. APPROACH: Training will be provided through a national teleconference and a dignostic training workshop in Gainesville, FL. Training materials will also be made available as online presentations and as a pest alert. Diagnostic costs will be supported. Areas of likely infestation will be monitored with findings shared throughout the network. Sites with confirmed infestations will be subject to release of two biological control agents previously tested by APHIS-PPQ. Continued monitoring will determine the effectiveness of control. PROGRESS: 2006/06 TO 2007/05 The Pink Hibiscus Mealybug Workshop was hosted by the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network, Department of Entomology and Nematology in Gainesville, Florida on June 23 and 24, 2005. Training teleconferences were presented by the North Central IPM Center on June 1 and June 15, 2005. These sessions were previously reported upon. Dr.
Amanda Hodges, Dr.Greg Hodges and Dr. Lance Osborne (all of University of Florida) have developed the content for a Pink Hibiscus Mealybug Identification set that will be printed as laminated cards, two hole punched and bound by "C" rings.This content has been forwarded to Dr. Susan Ratcliff (University of Illinois Urbana Champagne) who is currently developing graphic layout, printing and shipping. We expect to print approximately 2500 copies that can be distributed to first detectors in affected states.
Impacts
Impact 2006/06 to 2007/05 Impacts from the Workshop was previously reported. The first teleconference served greenhouse/nursery producers (7%, with oversight of more than 2,000,000 plants annually), master gardeners (31%) and public employees, including Land Grant universities, state and federal agencies (62%). 100% of survey respondents indicate the program met expectations, increased knowledge about PHM, increased ability to identify PHM, and increased understanding of IPM strategies. 96% report an increased likelihood they will scout for PHM. The second teleconference included participation of 106 individuals from 20 states at 69 sites. Respondents indicate the program met expectations (97%), increased knowledge about PHM (97%), increased understanding of IPM strategies (97%), report an increased likelihood they will scout for PHM (96%).
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 06/01/05 to 05/31/06
Outputs
The pink hibiscus mealybug (PHMB), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), is an exotic pest species that invaded Hawaii in 1983, California in 1999 and Florida in 2002. Worldwide, PHM has been recorded from over 300 host plant species, including citrus, ornamentals, and vegetables. Despite federal (USDA-APHIS) and state (FDACS-DPI) efforts to regulate and control the spread of PHM to other susceptible states, a nursery in Homestead, FL, shipped 900,000 hibiscus plants from potentially infested stock to 36 states in the U.S. from January through July 2004. According to USDA-APHIS personnel, 11 of the states that received plant shipments are climatically suitable for establishment of the mealybug. The purpose of this project is to provide training on monitoring and identification for this pest to facilitate effective response to any outbreaks. The Pink Hibiscus Mealybug Workshop was hosted by the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network, Department of Entomology and Nematology in
Gainesville, Florida on June 23 and 24. A total of 20 workshop participants attended from the following organizations: Arizona Department of Agriculture (1), Bermuda Department of Environmental Protection (1) Cayman Islands Department of Plant Protection (1), Centro Nacional de Referencia de Control Biologico, Mexico (1), Hawaii Department of Agriculture (1), Michigan State University (1), New Mexico State University (1), Southern Agricultural Laboratories (1),Texas Cooperative Extension (1), University of Florida (2), University of Georgia (1), University of Hawaii (1), Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Mexico (1) University of Panama (1), USDA, APHIS (3), Utah State University (1), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University (1). Training teleconferences were presented by the North Central IPM Center on June 1 and June 15. On June 1st 25 states participated with a total of 45 sites and 146 participants. On June 15th 20 states participates in the training with a total
of 69 sites and 106 participants. Sites were in these states: Alabama, Arizona , California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Materials from the teleconferences are available online at http://www.ncpmc.org/phmb/index.cfm A Pest Alert for PHMB is has been produced by the North Central IPM Center and is available online at http://www.ncpmc.org/phmb/index.cfm
Impacts
All surveys returned by 15 participants in the University of Florida training indicated that the workshop was definitely productive. Participants highlighted the value of several aspects including enhanced mealybug taxonomic skills, pheromone trap updates , field identification and control information , slide-mounting information , the LUCID mealybug key , the male PHMB key identification features and, the DPI tour . 100% of the participants indicated that the LUCID key will be useful in assisting in their identifications and that more keys should be developed on other economically important groups. When asked how information would be utilized, participants indicated that 1) training to county agents, industry personnel and others would be provided (27%) 2) enhanced mealybug identification skills (27%) 3) very useful information to their regulatory agency (20%) 4) graduate and undergraduate student training (20%) and 5) pheromone trap information is critical to local
monitoring programs (7%). All participants responded favorably to describing the value and/or impact this workshop has had for their program in their institution. Evaluation forms from 54 teleconference participants. Of these100% strongly agree or agree that the teleconference met my expectations, increased my knowledge about PHMB, increased my ability to identify PHMB, if present, and increased my understanding of IPM strategies and options for the control of PHMB. 96% strongly agree or agree the teleconference increased the likelihood I will scout for PHMB.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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