Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences include scientists working in the disciplines of soil insect ecology, landscape ecology, invasion biology and integrated pest management; turfgrass entomologists; extension agents; pest management practitioners; golf course superintendents; lawn care providers; school and grounds managers; representatives of commercial insecticide companies. Changes/Problems: Two major changes occurred during this funding period. The original PI (D. Peck) left their position at Cornell University. He was replaced by the new PI (G. Loeb). In the last year of the project the Co-PI (M. Petersen) accepted a new position and was no longer involved in research activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Through these activities we developed the professional skills and offered valuable experience for 5 employees. These employees assisted in research and lab activities. They include: Christine Driscoll, Summer Technician, Cornell University; Akiko Seto, Technician, Cornell University; Debra Marvin, Extension Support Aide, Cornell University; Ting Yuet, summer Technician, Cornell University; Juliet Garcia, summer Technician, Cornell University Professional development opportunities were provided for Mathew Petersen, Research Associate, Cornell University and Suzanne Yocom, student worker, MIllersville University. Through this projects Co-PI Petersen was involved in running the day to day activities of the research, presenting its findings at various conferences. Co-PI Petersen is now a Visiting Assistant Professor at Roanoke College. Suzanne Yocom was a summer scholar funded through this grant. She ultimately conducted a senior thesis project based on the opportunity provided by this funding. She has now graduated and is employed by the University of Alaska. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? To disseminate the findings of this research we presented our results through several academic, professional and technical presentations and reports. We presented 9 technical presentations at stakeholder conferences. We presented 8 scientific presentations are regional and national conferences. We hosted a symposium at the national meeting of the Entomological society of America in Knoxville TN, "The global grass-based agroecosystem: connectivity, diversity, and management”. We wrote 5 scientific peer-reviewed journal articles and have two additional manuscripts in preparation. We provided 3 updates to Cornell's pest management guidelines regarding invasive crane flies. Beyond these formal outlets we disseminated our findings directly to stakeholders through 2 research activities. 1) We had direct contact with <100 homeowners in the greater Rochester NY area and relayed written information about invasive crane flies through research at determining the local and landscape factors affecting invasive crane fly distributions. 2) we contacted all NY county extension offices about records of invasive crane flies they had received and relayed our findings and data to them. 3) we conducted scouting for invasive crane flies, assisted by NY county extension officers, in pasture and grass production systems in NY state. We relayed findings and increased awareness of this issue. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We worked to elucidate the climatic, landscape, habitat and host plant factors that affect the invasibility of agroecosystems by invasive European crane flies (ECF); determine how those variables might be manipulated for pest control; and promote a comprehensive management program for curbing the spread and mitigating impact as range expansion continues across eastern North America. 1) Elaborate tools to improve the delivery of science-based knowledge to stakeholders. To improve the delivery of science-based knowledge to stakeholders we conducted a ‘citizen-science’ project by which to evaluate the capacity of the general public to capture and identify invasive crane flies. We distributed insect collection kits to >100 citizen volunteers. One-third of specimens went through traditional identification services (county extension offices), one-third were processed for molecular identification, and one-third were identified with a new taxonomic key used for this project. Results show that the potential of FTA elute cards for molecular specimen identification were low, largely because of the time and effort needed weighed against traditional morphological identification techniques. Local identification services in all cases correctly identified invasive crane flies. To better assist with morphological identification we used submitted specimens to write a freely accessible on-line identification key in the Lucid format (http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/craneflies/). This key allows for invasive crane flies to be distinguished from other commonly collected species of native crane flies. A change in knowledge occurred in the broad dissemination of ECF pest fliers to homeowners and to county extension agents. A change in action occurred in creating a new taxonomic tool for the identification of ECF. This tool has greatly increased the capacity to recognize ECF from native species. 2) Define the realized and potential distribution of ECF across multiple spatial scales. We investigated the spatial distribution of ECF across three spatial scales. We investigated regional distributions using an ecological niche modeling approach. This project additionally tested for the evolution of the ecological niche of ECF across all invasive ranges and resulted in a journal publication. We conducted the second year of a two-year study investigating the relationship between insect incidence and abundance in relation to local and landscape level variables at 70 lawns in Rochester, NY. We met with homeowners and relayed information on ECF as an outreach activity. We collected data and determined efficacy of endemic entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) populations at 40 sites to determine the level of natural biological control present. A journal publication is being prepared from this work. We investigated local spatial distributions of ECF through two projects. First we examined the tempo-spatial distributions of ECF across turfgrass habitats and related these patterns to the distributions of both local biotic and abiotic factors. This work resulted in a journal publication. We conducted a three-year field study on ECF in golf course turf to correlate habitat variables with insect incidence. We produced predictive models that sought to predict incidence and abundance of ECF in managed golf habitats. A journal article is currently in preparation for this work. 3) Define variation in host associations and the pest status trajectory in production systems. To define variation in host plant associations and the trajectory of pest status in production systems we conducted two multi-year greenhouse research experiments and a field experiment dealing with ECF larval performance and impact across grass and biofuel host plants. We evaluated a broad spectrum of turf and pasture grass genotypes for resistance to ECF feeding. All genotypes were susceptible to ECF feeding however grass texture and endophyte infection were both suggested as possible means to increase plant protection. This research is documented in a journal publication. We concluded a field host plant feeding trial of ECF against 7 genotypes of 3 biofuel grass species. ECF larvae successfully overwintered and increased larval weight on all biofuel grass geneotypes. There was no detectable level of host plant damage. Throughout this project we investigated the occurrences of ECF damage that was reported from turfgrass and both alfalfa and corn production systems. We were able to determined that T. paludosa was present and causing economic within all systems. This information confirms the increasing threat level that should be applied in systems outside of perennial grass-based systems. 4) Validate and evaluate different pest management approaches.We sought to evaluate traditional means for pest control and to evaluate methods to move pest management in new directions. To validate and evaluate traditional chemical pest management approaches for ECF we conducted two field experiments on the timing and efficacy of insecticidal controls. We conducted efficacy trials to evaluate different chemistries and application rates for control of ECF. We created the goundwork a precision pest management approach for the control of insects in turfgrass systems. We created a predictive model that can be used to establish zones of ECF occurrence. The goal of this research is to develop a precision management plant that can apply pesticide treatments in a spatially defined application method. We have completed the first aspect of this work, namely laying out the methodology for ECF prediction and projection of models to a gridded surface in a GIS framework. A change in knowledge has occurred in identifying the key biotic and abiotic factors that influence the local spatial distribution of ECF within managed perennial grass-based agroecosystems. 5) Coalesce and disseminate best management practices.To coalesce and disseminate best management practices we shared information in 17 presentations, wrote five scientific manuscripts, and updated information in Cornell's pest management guidelines.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Petersen, M.J., Seto, M. and D.C. Peck. (2013) Linking the spatio-temporal distribution of an edaphic crane fly to its heterogeneous soil environment . Ecological Entomology 38: 585-595.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Petersen, M.J. and D.C. Peck. (2013) Host plant resistance of cool-season (C3) turfgrasses to above- and belowground feeding by Tipula paludosa (Diptera: Tipuloidea). Journal of Economic Entomology 106: 1463-1472.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Petersen, M.J. (2012) Evidence of a climatic niche shift following North American introductions of two crane flies (Diptera; genus Tipula). Biological Invasions 15: 885-897.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Zhu, G., Petersen, M.J., Liu G. and Peck, D.C. (2012) Imidacloprid functions as a contact-arrestant to disrupt the movement of scarab larvae. Pest Management Science 69: 483-492.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Zhu, G., Petersen, M.J., Liu, G., and Y. Gao. (2012) Selecting biologically meaningful environmental dimensions of low discrepancy among ranges to predict potential distribution of bean plataspid invasion. PLOS ONE. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0046247
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Petersen, M.J., Olmstead, D.L. and Peck, D.C (2011) Best Management Practices for Invasive Crane Flies in Northeastern United States Sod Production, Journal of Integrated Pest Management 2: C1-C6.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Peck, D.C, Olmstead, D.L and Petersen, M.J (2010) Pest Status of Invasive Crane Flies in New York Turfgrass and the Repercussions for Regional Plant Protection. Journal of Integrated Pest Management 1: E1-E3.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Yocom, S.M. (2013) Invasive European crane flies (Diptera: Tipula paludosa Meigen) and entomopathogenic nematodes population dynamics and the local and landscape drivers of their distribution and abundance. (senior thesis, Millersville University)
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: OUTPUTS: We investigated the landscape and habitat factors that affect the invasibility of perennial grass-based agroecosystems by invasive crane flies (ECF); determined how those variables might be manipulated for pest control. ACTIVITIES. We updated our georeferenced locality database and our identification key housed at: http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/craneflies/ to include new findings from this period. For Obj 2, We finished a two-year study investigating the local scale spatial structure of ECF populations across managed turfgrass. We conducted the third year of a three-year field study on golf course turf to correlate habitat variables with insect incidence. We conducted the second year of a two-year study investigating the relationship between insect incidence and abundance in relation to local and landscape level variables at 70 lawns in Rochester, NY. We met with homeowners and relayed information on ECF as an outreach activity. We collected data and determined efficacy of endemic entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) populations at 40 sites to determine the level of natural biological control present. We mentored an undergraduate student through a summer research project. The student then produced a research poster presented at Cornell University. For Obj 3, we submitted a manuscript on larval performance and impact across turfgrass and forage grass hosts. We concluded a host plant feeding trial of ECF against 7 genotypes of 3 biofuel grass species. We investigated occurrences of ECF damage that were reported from both alfalfa and corn production systems. We determined T. paludosa as the species present and causing economic within the system. For Obj. 4, we conducted efficacy trials to evaluate different chemistries for control of ECF. For Obj. 5, we shared information in 3 presentations, wrote and submitted two scientific manuscripts, and updated information in Cornell's pest management guidelines. EVENTS included 3 programs: (1) Petersen, MJ, Ecological suitability predicts the spatial patterns of insect abundance across golf course habitats. Entomological Society of America Eastern Branch Meeting, Hartford, CN. (2) We hosted and moderated a symposium at the national meeting of the Entomological society of America in Knoxville TN, titled "The global grass-based agroecosystem: connectivity, diversity, and management; and presented a research presentation: Petersen MJ, Influence of urban landscape on the distributions of Tipula paludosa and associated biological control agents. (3) A talk was given at the Turf & Grounds Expo in Rochester, NY, 14 November 2012, Petersen MJ, A targeted IPM approach for ECF. PRODUCTS included an updated georeferenced locality database and an identification key housed at: http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/craneflies/. We developed models to predict the occurrence and abundance of ECF across urban gradients and across golf course environments. Through collaboration with Cornell University's summer scholar research program we are mentoring an undergraduate student and are facilitating a research program for her honor's thesis. PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS:Greg Loeb, Principal Investigator; Mathew J. Petersen, Co-Principal Investigator; PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Suzanne Yocom,student worker, MIllersville University; Mathew Petersen, Research Associate, Cornell University. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include scientists working in the disciplines of soil insect ecology, landscape ecology, invasion biology and integrated pest management; turfgrass entomologists; extension agents; pest management practitioners; golf course superintendents; lawn care providers; school and grounds managers; representatives of commercial insecticide companies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Our outputs begin to define how ECF incidence and abundance are linked to environmental variables across a continuum of ecological scales, from host, to habitat, landscape and climate. The strengthened understanding is the result of both descriptive and manipulative experiments conducted in both the greenhouse and field. Changes in KNOWLEDGE include publishable data on variation in larval performance and injury expression across a range turf and forage grass species. ECF are generalist feeders on turfgrass and forage grass genotypes, however grass texture and endophyte infection can both increase host plant protection. ECF are capable of surviving on the biofuel grasses proposed for use in the Northeast US. While their damage potential to these commodities is still unknown, they have the potential to consume these commodities. We produced publishable data on the influence of habitat heterogeneity on spatiotemporal dynamics in low and high maintenance turf. Our results showed that the distribution of favorable habitats would change spatially between years, largely in relation to changing patters of soil moisture. The spatial distribution of ECF between years will reflect the changes to habitat suitability. Furthermore, we identified that the interaction between fall and spring soil moisture distributions was the primary factor influencing the abundance of damaging spring 3rd instar populations. A manuscript documenting this work is currently in development. Changes in ACTIONS include earlier detection of ECF in areas of new establishment; earlier and more successful intervention tactics; better anticipation and prevention of outbreaks. We determined fall scouting for 1st instar larvae is not predictive of densities of damaging spring 3rd instar populations. Our models indicate that rather than relying on insect abundance alone, a program of habitat-based management should be used. Conducting insect scouting within areas that correspond to the insect's niche is a better approach. We instructed practitioners to evaluated habitat characteristics before making broad insecticide applications. Changes in CONDITIONS include incorporation of knowledge into written, oral and web-based extension and educational materials, including Cornell's Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Turfgrass; training of a Research Associate scientist; contributions to the disciplines of soil insect ecology, landscape ecology, invasion biology and integrated pest management; improved understanding of the comparative establishment, spread and pest status of two congeneric invasives of European origin; new opportunities and approaches for ECF management across perennial grass-based agroecosystems.
Publications
- Petersen, M.J. (2012) Evidence of a climatic niche shift following North American introductions of two crane flies (Diptera; genus Tipula). Biological Invasions DOI 10.1007/s10530-012-0337-3.
- Petersen, M.J., Olmstead, D.L. and Peck, D.C (2011) Best Management Practices for Invasive Crane Flies in Northeastern United States Sod Production, Journal of Integrated Pest Management 2: C1-C6.
- Peck, D.C, Olmstead, D.L and Petersen, M.J (2010) Pest Status of Invasive Crane Flies in New York Turfgrass and the Repercussions for Regional Plant Protection. Journal of Integrated Pest Management 1: E1-E3.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We investigated the climatic, landscape, habitat and host plant factors that affect the invasibility of perennial grass-based agroecosystems by invasive European crane flies (ECF); determine how those variables might be manipulated for pest control; and promote a comprehensive management program for curbing the spread and mitigating impact as range expansion continues across eastern North America. ACTIVITIES. To define the realized and potential distribution of ECF across multiple spatial scales (Obj 2), we updated range maps based on the current distribution of both species. To further this objective of defining geographic range, we completed an analysis investigating the use of ecological niche modeling to describe geographic ranges of both ECF species. A manuscript was submitted to the journal Biological Invasions. We finished a two-year study investigating the local scale spatial structure of ECF populations across managed turfgrass. We conducted the second of a two-year field study on golf course turf to correlate habitat variables with insect incidence. The first year of a two-year study investigating the relationship between insect incidence and abundance in relation to local and landscape level variables was conducted at 48 lawns across an urban/rural gradient in Rochester, NY. To define variation in host plant associations and the trajectory of pest status in production systems (Obj 3), we concluded a greenhouse experiment on larval performance and impact across turfgrass and forage grass hosts. To investigate impact to forage grass agriculture, we conducted scouting for ECF at several location across upstate NY; Tipula plaudoa was found to be prevalent, along with 2 native species. To investigate the potential impact on biofuel grasses, we initiated a host plant feeding trial of ECF against 7 genotypes of 3 grass species. To coalesce and disseminate best management practices (Obj 5), we shared information in 2 presentations, wrote three scientific manuscripts, and updated information in Cornell's pest management guidelines. EVENTS included information transmission through 2 programs: (1) Petersen MJ and Peck DC, Predicting the spatial distribution of golf course insects using ecological niche models. Entomological Society of America national conference, Reno, NV; (2) Peck DC, Research update, National Turfgrass Entomology Workshop, Boise, ID, July 27-28, 2011. PRODUCTS included a georeferenced locality database and an identification key housed at: http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/craneflies/ . DISSEMINATION occurred through contributions to scientific meetings, presentations to stakeholder audiences, and interactions within a network of citizen volunteers. PARTICIPANTS: Daniel C. Peck, Principal Investigator; coordinated all activities related to this project. Mathew J. Petersen, Co-Principal Investigator; conducted and/or contributed to all activities related to this project. Greg Loeb, Principal Investigator [new]. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: New York State Turfgrass Association; Cornell Cooperative Extension. COLLABORATORS AND CONTACTS: Frank Rossi, Cornell University. TRAINING OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Christine Driscoll, Summer Technician, Cornell University; Akiko Seto, Technician, Cornell University; Debra Marvin, Extension Support Aide, Cornell University; Mathew Petersen, Postdoctoral Associate, Cornell University. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include scientists working in the disciplines of soil insect ecology, landscape ecology, invasion biology and integrated pest management; turfgrass entomologists; extension agents; pest management practitioners; golf course superintendents; lawn care providers; school and grounds managers; representatives of commercial insecticide companies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The principal investigator was changed from Daniel Peck to Greg Loeb.
Impacts
Our outputs begin to define how ECF incidence and abundance are linked to environmental variables across a continuum of ecological scales, from host, to habitat, landscape and climate. The strengthened understanding is the result of both descriptive and manipulative experiments conducted in both the greenhouse and field. Changes in KNOWLEDGE include publishable data on variation in larval performance and injury expression across a range turf and forage grass species; publishable data on the influence of habitat heterogeneity on spatiotemporal dynamics in low and high maintenance turf. Changes in ACTIONS include earlier detection of ECF in areas of new establishment; earlier and more successful intervention tactics; better anticipation and prevention of outbreaks. Changes in CONDITIONS include incorporation of knowledge into written, oral and web-based extension and educational materials, including Cornell's Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Turfgrass; training of a Postdoctoral scientist; contributions to the disciplines of soil insect ecology, landscape ecology, invasion biology and integrated pest management; improved understanding of the comparative establishment, spread and pest status of two congeneric invasives of European origin; new opportunities and approaches for ECF management across perennial grass-based agroecosystems.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We worked to elucidate the climatic, landscape, habitat and host plant factors that affect the invasibility of agroecosystems by invasive European crane flies (ECF); determine how those variables might be manipulated for pest control; and promote a comprehensive management program for curbing the spread and mitigating impact as range expansion continues across eastern North America. ACTIVITIES. To improve the delivery of science-based knowledge to stakeholders (Obj 1) we evaluated the potential of FTA elute cards for molecular identification, wrote an on-line identification key in the LucID format, distributed collection kits to >100 citizen volunteers, and processed submitted specimens. To define the realized and potential distribution of ECF across multiple spatial scales (Obj 2), we updated current range maps, improved an ecological niche model to describe geographic range, and conducted a field study on golf course turf to correlate habitat variables with insect incidence. To define variation in host plant associations and the trajectory of pest status in production systems (Obj 3), we conducted two greenhouse experiments on larval performance and impact across hosts. To validate and evaluate different pest management approaches (Obj 4), we conducted two field experiments on the timing and efficacy of insecticidal controls. To coalesce and disseminate best management practices (Obj 5), we shared information in 10 presentations, wrote two scientific manuscripts, and updated information in Cornell's pest management guidelines. EVENTS included information transmission through 10 programs: (1) Peck, DC, Insect pests of turfgrass: natural history and management, Monroe County CCE Horticulture School, Rochester, NY; (2) [Repeat of previous]; (3) Peck, DC, European crane fly update, Empire State Green Industry Show, Rochester, NY; (4) Peck, DC, Insect pests of turfgrass: natural history and management, Nassau-Suffolk Landscape Gardeners Association Workshop, Bayshore, NY; (5) Peck, DC, European crane flies, new threats to turfgrass, Southern Tier Nursery and Landscape Education Day, Owego, NY; (6) Peck, DC, Cornell research updates, National Turfgrass Entomology Workshop, Tucson, AZ; (7) Peck, DC, Turf insect management update, New York State Turf and Landscape Association Field Day, NYC, NY; (8) Peck, DC, Insect management update, Managing Golf Courses for Today's Consumer and Tomorrow's Environment, Westchester County CCE, Valhalla, NY; (9) Petersen, MJ, M Seto and DC Peck, Influence of habitat heterogeneity on spatiotemporal dynamics of Tipula paludosa Meigen larvae in turfgrass habitats, Entomological Society of America national conference, San Diego, CA; (10) Peck, DC, Turfgrass pest alert: leatherjackets cross into western New York (poster), Diptera Day, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. PRODUCTS include a georeferenced locality database and an identification key temporarily housed at https://sites.google.com/site/craneflycentral/projects/invasive-crane -fly-monitoring/key. DISSEMINATION occurred through contributions to scientific meetings, presentations to stakeholder audiences, and interactions within a network of citizen volunteers. PARTICIPANTS: INDIVIDUALS: Daniel C. Peck, Principal Investigator; coordinated all activities related to this project. Mathew J. Petersen, Co-Principal Investigator; conducted and/or contributed to all activities related to this project. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: New York State Turfgrass Association; Cornell Cooperative Extension. COLLABORATORS AND CONTACTS: Frank Rossi, Cornell University. TRAINING OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Akiko Seto, Technician, Cornell University; Debra Marvin, Extension Support Aide, Cornell University; Mathew Petersen, Postdoctoral Associate, Cornell University. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include scientists working in the disciplines of soil insect ecology, landscape ecology, invasion biology and integrated pest management; turfgrass entomologists; extension agents; pest management practitioners; golf course superintendents; lawn care providers; school and grounds managers; representatives of commercial insecticide companies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Our outputs begin to define how ECF incidence and abundance are linked to environmental variables across a continuum of ecological scales, from host, to habitat, landscape and climate. The strengthened understanding is the result of both descriptive and manipulative experiments conducted in both the greenhouse and field. Changes in KNOWLEDGE include publishable data on variation in larval performance and injury expression across a range turf and forage grass species; publishable data on the influence of habitat heterogeneity on spatiotemporal dynamics in low and high maintenance turf. Changes in ACTIONS include earlier detection of ECF in areas of new establishment; earlier and more successful intervention tactics; better anticipation and prevention of outbreaks. Changes in CONDITIONS include incorporation of knowledge into written, oral and web-based extension and educational materials, including Cornell's Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Turfgrass; training of a Postdoctoral scientist; contributions to the disciplines of soil insect ecology, landscape ecology, invasion biology and integrated pest management; improved understanding of the comparative establishment, spread and pest status of two congeneric invasives of European origin; new opportunities and approaches for ECF management across perennial grass-based agroecosystems.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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