Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Develop methods for optimizing control of Asian longhorned beetle using entomopathogenic fungi, especially focusing on use of non-woven fiber bands for fungal delivery Approach (from AD-416) Field trials will be conducted in China to evaluate the effectiveness of fungal-impregnated non-woven fiber bands for control of Asian longhorned beetle. With assistance of Chinese collaborators, plots will be identified with sufficient Asian longhorned beetle populations. Collaborators will produce bands using a strain of native North American Metarhizium anisopliae that has already been registered for pest control by the EPA. Bands will be hung in treatment plots, in some plots including attractants to lure beetles to bands. Populations will be monitored over ca. 1.5-2 months by collecting and rearing adults, quantifying oviposition, larval activity and emergence of new adults on a regular basis. Either in China or using the colony of Asian longhorned beetles in Ithaca, NY, conduct experiments to include studies such as how long beetles must remain on bands for a lethal dose, time to death after varying exposure times, effects of high temperatures on conidial survival, requirements for production of new conidia once initial conidia on bands die, etc.; subjects for specific studies will be determined based on field data. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement (1926-22000-019-04S - Agreement 58-1926-3-330) between ARS and Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. Experiments were conducted for control of Asian Longhorned beetle using entomopathogenic fungi, with non-woven fiber bands for fungal delivery. Beetles exposed to BEAUVERIA BRONGNIARTII bands consistently died faster than controls throughout the test period, while results from plots with METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE bands were not as consistent in differing from controls. Numbers of adult beetles from plots of each fungal species dying in less than 10 days were greater than controls (16% of beetles) but did not differ between fungal treatments (34-35%). Oviposition in fungal-treated plots was approximately half that in control plots. Locations of adult beetles and oviposition scars within tree canopies were quantified to determine optimal locations for band placement. Most adult beetles were found 3.5-m high in trees, with adults in B. BRONGNIARTII-treated plots higher within trees than adults in other plots. Additional studies were conducted to determine if infection of adult female ALB by two specific pathogenic fungi can effectively reduce their reproduction and survival, and the subsequent survival of their offspring. Results showed both fungi significantly reduced the number of days that female ALB survived, and the number of eggs they laid. Furthermore, among the eggs that were laid, infection also reduced the number that hatched. Among the eggs that hatched, infection also reduced the number of days they survived. In summary, results indicate that infection of female ALB by both fungi have potential to control ALB. These studies were monitored by conference calls, e-mail communications and preparation of a manuscript.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/03 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Develop methods for optimizing control of Asian longhorned beetle using entomopathogenic fungi, especially focusing on use of non-woven fiber bands for fungal delivery Approach (from AD-416) Field trials will be conducted in China to evaluate the effectiveness of fungal-impregnated non-woven fiber bands for control of Asian longhorned beetle. With assistance of Chinese collaborators, plots will be identified with sufficient Asian longhorned beetle populations. Collaborators will produce bands using a strain of native North American Metarhizium anisopliae that has already been registered for pest control by the EPA. Bands will be hung in treatment plots, in some plots including attractants to lure beetles to bands. Populations will be monitored over ca. 1.5-2 months by collecting and rearing adults, quantifying oviposition, larval activity and emergence of new adults on a regular basis. Either in China or using the colony of Asian longhorned beetles in Ithaca, NY, conduct experiments to include studies such as how long beetles must remain on bands for a lethal dose, time to death after varying exposure times, effects of high temperatures on conidial survival, requirements for production of new conidia once initial conidia on bands die, etc.; subjects for specific studies will be determined based on field data. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Research on this project was completed September 15, 2007. See the annual report for FY 2007 (October 1, 2006-September 30, 2007) which details the progress of this agreement. The final technical report was received on December 12, 2007. The remaining administrative close-out procedures are in progress. This research addresses National Program 304 Component II: Biology of Pests and Natural Enemies, Problem Statements: Basic Biology and National Program Component IV: Post-harvest, Pest Exclusion, and Quarantine Treatment, Problem Statements: Detection and Delimitation of Exotic Insect Pests. Monitoring was achieved through oral discussions, telephone calls, written reports and electronic mail.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. Additional details can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 1926-22000-019-00D, Invasion biology of invasive species: Biocontrol and related technologies for exotic insect pests, with emphasis on Asian Longhorned Beetle. The project objective is to develop methods for optimizing control of Asian Longhorned beetle using entomopathogenic fungi, especially focusing on the use of non-woven fiber bands for fungal delivery. 1.4.3. Fungal bands - FIELD STUDIES: During the 2005 field season we finally conducted a study including a treatment of fungal bands plus attractants in a location in China with a good beetle population. Studies were conducted in a planting of poplar trees (Populus simonii x Populus canadensis) in Friendship Village, northeast of Linhe (N 40o 43-44 x E107o 17-18; altitude = 1046 m),
Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China. Fungal bands were produced by the Anhui Agricultural University, who collaborated throughout this project. The fungal isolate used was Metarhizium anisopliae F-52, which has been registered with the EPA for use for control of ticks and lawn grubs in the US. The attractant that was used had two parts: a contact pheromone supplied by Dr. Aijun Zhang, USDA, ARS and a host plant attractant made by placing bark from twigs of Acer mono in dimethyl sulfoxide. Five plots of ca. 75-125 trees each (8 m wide containing 3 rows of trees x 100 m long) were created for each of three treatments: fungal bands alone, fungal bands plus attractant and controls with no fungal bands. The trees had been planted approximately 17-18 years before. Plots were separated from each other by 70 m of unbanded trees, which were not included in these studies and acted as a buffer zone between treatments. Bands were hung on 48 trees per plot in early-mid July. These trees
were not very similar to trees in the northeastern U.S., because on many trees the canopy was not wide, foliage was very sparse and tops were dead. However, these were the trees available with a pre-existing ALB population. Before bands were hung and every 5 days afterward, up to 7 beetles were collected from each plot. More beetles than this were not collected because we did not want to deplete the population so that we would not have adults to collect over time. At each sampling date, the small bags with host plant extract were also refilled. Beetles were reared at constant temperature (25 C) for up to 70 days after collection and date of death was recorded as well as whether M. anisopliae subsequently grew out of cadavers. To evaluate the effect of fungal bands on oviposition and survival of eggs, in early August, 24 trees were cut down. All beetle exit holes were recorded in each tree but more importantly, new ovipositions were recorded and resulting eggs were maintained on wet
filter paper under constant temperature to determine whether they hatched or not. For eggs that did not hatch, outgrowth of M. anisopliae was recorded. As background data, the density of adult beetles was recorded once every 5 days to document phenology and relative densities of ALB in different plots. These data were also used to assist when adults were collected. The experiment was terminated in mid-August. Some preliminary data was taken to study environmental contamination by this fungus from inoculated adults. Bark samples were taken after an inoculated adult was exposed to a fungal band and allowed to walk on tree trunks. Spore densities on bark samples were quantified using dodine plates at different dilutions from the washes from bark samples. At this time, the data from all studies have not yet been totally collected and have not been analyzed although computerization of some of the data will begin shortly. The data that were collected will be part of the M.S. thesis of a
Cornell University graduate student who was part of the team collecting the data in Linhe. When this study was planned it was very difficult to find a location in a region that received summer rainfall similar to the northeastern U.S., but also provided a robust population of ALB, so that enough beetles would be present for this study. This is a difficulty in conducting such studies because naturally occurring beetle populations in China must be used. After extensive searching by both Drs. Smith and Li, the best study site that could be found was in a semi-desert region, where rainfall was questionable during the period of the study. The weather in the 2005 study area is not similar to normal weather in northeastern North America. While bands were hanging during this study, some rain fell occasionally but for the first two weeks after bands were hung, it was exceptionally hot and dry. Whether these weather conditions will affect the activity of fungal bands is not known although one
could assume that this might have a negative impact. However, at present, it is too early to know the results from this study. LABORATORY STUDIES: (1) Fecundity studies: We completed the third replicate of a study of the effects of maternal exposure to M. anisopliae on (a) mates; (b) egg production; (c) egg hatch and infection; and (d) larval survival and infection. We have terrific data and a paper has been started; (2) Dose response: These studies have only begun. First priority over the past year was to complete the Fecundity studies so adult beetles were committed to that study first. Once we had adult beetles, we did not have good fungal bands and making bands took a few tries. Now, has offered fungal bands for out studies and this seems far preferable, to use bands made in the same facility where they have been produced for purchase by APHIS. Then, a method for quantifying the number of viable conidia had to be learned by the technician helping with this project. Thus far, we
conducted one dose response replicate but the results are not very consistent with previous studies and, before continuing, we are going to conduct a complete review of the experimental procedures to understand why the results from this bioassay look so different from previous data.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? D. Progress Report: This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. Additional details can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 1926-22000-012-00D Development of biological control and related technologies for invasive insect pests with emphasis on the Asian Longhorned Beetle. The project objective is to develop methods for optimizing control of Asian Longhorned beetle using entomopathogenic fungi, especially focusing on use of non-woven fiber bands for fungal delivery. The studies planned for 2004 included: (1) to test the effects of ALB attractants on the efficacy of fungal bands containing Metarhizium anisopliae F-52, attached around trees, to control of Asian longhorned beetles (Anoplophora glabripennis; ALB). Treatments included trees with fungal bands plus attractant, trees with only fungal
bands and trees with uninoculated bands. The attractants included crude extract of Acer mono (made in China) and a contact pheromone obtained from Dr. Aijun Zhang; (2) to investigate the persistence of conidia on tree trunks after being deposited by an inoculated adult beetle. Study sites are normally selected in Anhui province by Dr. Zengzhi Li (Hefei, Anhui). However, due to low population levels in Anhui, Dr. Li located a poplar plantation ca. 11 km east of Datong in Shanxi Province. Fungal isolates were sent to Dr. Li in Anhui where fungal bands were grown. In late June, Dr. Ann Hajek and Jennifer Lund (Cornell University) traveled to Hefei, Anhui and final preparations for studies were completed. Dr. Li, Peng Fan, Dr. Hajek and Jennifer Lund traveled to Datong where they surveyed the plantation. Some evidence of beetles was present. Four plots of 40 trees each (one treatment per plot) that were separated by at least 50 m were set up in the plantation and heights and diameters of
all study trees were measured. They planned to collect adult beetles from each plot every 5 days and every 10 days after band application, and cut down trees from each plot to investigate the effect of bands on oviposition and larval development. In between these activities, conidial deposition and persistence studies would be conducted. Dr. Hajek departed on July 7 and Jennifer Lund and Peng Fan remained to put up bands as soon as beetles emerged and conduct the studies. Directly after returning to Cornell, Dr. Hajek contacted Dr. Michael T. Smith and others to make sure we were using optimal methods for detecting ALB populations when they had not yet emerged from trees. Dr. Smith sent Dr. Hajek a detailed list of procedures he uses to assess ALB population level. The crew in Datong used the suggested procedures and by July 17 realized that the ALB population was not abundant in the study site. As recommended by Dr. Smith, Dr. Li contacted Wu Jian regarding alternate sites to the
north in Liaoning. However, sites in Liaoning were disappointing with extremely low ALB populations. As a result, the decision was made to postpone these field studies until 2005. The procedures recommended by Dr. Smith for estimating ALB population levels will be employed in 2005, and at a much earlier date. Upon returning to Cornell in late July, Jennifer Lund began conducting the dose-response studies with the F-52 strain of M. anisopliae. Revisions to the manuscript entitled "Fiber Bands Containing Cultures of Entomopathogenic Fungi For Control of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): Band Efficacy and Adult Location" (A. E. HAJEK, T. DUBOIS, H. BO, M. T. SMITH AND Z. LI) will be completed and the manuscript submitted to Biocontrol Science and Technology during September 2004. In addition, studies of the effects of fungal infection on longevity, oviposition, egg infectivity and larval infectivity will be completed in FY 2005.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
|