Source: AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE submitted to NRP
PEST BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Sponsoring Institution
Agricultural Research Service/USDA
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
USDA INHOUSE
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0408319
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 22, 2004
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2005
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
(N/A)
BROOKINGS,SD 57006
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
(N/A)
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
40%
Applied
40%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2111510113062%
2111549113010%
2131649114010%
2161820107018%
Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems; 213 - Weeds Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
1510 - Corn; 1549 - Wheat, general/other; 1649 - Forage legumes, general/other; 1820 - Soybean;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology; 1070 - Ecology; 1140 - Weed science;
Goals / Objectives
Insect and weed pests continue to develop resistance to conventional and emerging control technologies and continue to invade increasingly broader host and geographical ranges. The therapeutic control strategy of killing pests with toxic chemicals has prevailed for over 50 years. Safety problems and ecological disruptions continue to ensue, and there are recurring appeals for effective, safe, and economical alternatives to prophylactic pesticide use. The objectives of this research project are: 1) To conduct research on the basic biology, behavior, and ecology of key pests and beneficial insects in corn/soybean/wheat agricultural systems; and 2) Synthesize basic research results to develop integrated pest management systems and decision aids that support development and implementation of ecologically-based sustainable approaches to the management of native and invasive insect and weed pests through a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methodologies that reduce pest populations to acceptable levels while minimizing impacts on human health and the environment.
Project Methods
Our interdisciplinary research brings emerging technological advances and integrated pest management practices together to develop short- and long-term pest management strategies for sustainable agriculture. These pest management strategies are based upon reduced insect resistance to genetically modified crops, improved cultural pest control, and risk assessment models for decision support. Our approaches are: 1) To characterize the ecology, behavior, and genetics of insect and weed pests in agricultural systems of the northern Great Plains as a basis for developing and evaluating resistance management and pest control strategies, such as crop sequencing within integrated pest management systems; 2) To determine pest-crop interactions and pest-landscape relationships to develop sampling/monitoring technology, optimize management tactics, assess yield loss potential, establish action thresholds, define management zones, and develop risk assessment models; and 3) To improve understanding of the complex interactions between pest and beneficial insects and the impacts of agronomic practices on beneficial insects in corn/soybean/wheat cropping systems. Benefits of this research include reduced chemical usage, improved efficiency, and cultural control options for pest management, leading to integrated production systems based upon a better understanding of agroecological principles.

Progress 04/22/04 to 08/31/05

Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Killing pest organisms with toxic chemicals has been the prevailing pest control strategy for over 50 years. Insect and weed pests continue to reduce yields and cause economic loss to farmers. The application of toxic chemicals to control weeds and insects may have a negative impact on the health of people, wildlife and the environment. The overall objectives of this project are to conduct research on the basic biology and ecology of weeds and insect pests and beneficial insects in corn/soybean/wheat production systems and to develop integrated pest management systems and decision aids that provide effective and economically acceptable alternatives to prophylactic pesticide use. Our specific objectives are to: 1) investigate the behavior and genetics underlying the resistance of corn rootworms to pest management tactics and develop novel pest management technologies for northern and western corn rootworms; 2) reduce emerging weed and insect problems in corn/soybean and corn/soybean/wheat rotations; and 3) develop and evaluate cultural, biological control and host plant resistance management tactics for emerging and invasive insect pests of soybean. Attaining the objectives as outlined above will provide farmers with new and refined methods of pest and crop management for improved crop productivity and quality. The knowledge and information gained from the above research will be synthesized into ecological concepts as a basis to minimize insect resistance to genetically modified crops and to develop integrated pest management systems and decision aids based upon improved cultural pest control and risk assessment models for decision support. Benefits potentially derived from this research include reduced chemical usage, improved crop production efficiency, better cultural control options for pest management, and the development of integrated pest management systems based upon a better understanding of pest biology and ecology. Alternative cultural, physical, or mechanical pest control tactics are often underutilized when they require a higher level of planning or management than existing practices or when their effects are limited to one or a few selected target species. Our interdisciplinary research brings emerging technological advances and integrated pest management practices together to develop short- and long-term pest management strategies for sustainable agriculture. Our approaches are to characterize the ecology, behavior, and genetics of insect and weed pests in agricultural systems of the north central U.S. as a basis to: 1) develop and evaluate resistance management and pest control strategies; 2) determine pest-crop interactions and pest-landscape relationships to develop sampling/monitoring technology; 3) optimize management tactics; 4) assess yield loss potential; 5) establish action thresholds; 6) define management zones; 7) develop risk assessment models; and 8) improve understanding of the interactions between pest and beneficial insects and impacts of agronomic practices on beneficial insects in corn/soybean/wheat cropping systems. The overall philosophy of the Crop Protection and Quarantine National Research Program (NP 304) is to develop and implement ecologically-based sustainable approaches to the management of native and invasive insect, mite, and weed pests through a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methodologies that reduce pest populations to acceptable levels while minimizing impacts on human health and the environment. Our research is consistent with the NP304 goals. Potential products of our research include: Knowledge of the genetic basis of diapause duration and reproductive biology of northern corn rootworm; Guidelines, risk assessment models, and GIS models for site-specific pesticide application; Recommendations for transgenic crop usage and management of surviving insect populations; Improved equipment for precise and efficient application of corn rootworm eggs to field plots; Corn germplasm with natural resistance to corn rootworm larval feeding; Action thresholds that support integrated pest management decision-making for rice root aphid and bean leaf beetle; Rearing methods for continuous culture of bean leaf beetles in the laboratory and knowledge of bean leaf beetle larval feeding effects on soybean development and yield; Identification of key natural enemies and knowledge of ways to enhance their effectiveness against soybean aphid and bean leaf beetle; Soybean lines resistant to soybean aphid and assessment of their compatibility with biological control; and Guidelines for integrating diverse crop rotations and alternative crop management options into ecologically-friendly weed and insect management systems. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Year 1 (FY 2005) Experiment 1a: Locate fields to extract pupae, obtain pupae. Establish and record matings. Begin collecting eggs. Experiment 1b: Analyze data on baited insecticidal sprays. Manuscript preparation. Spatial variability in rootworms data analysis. Experiment 1c: Obtain pupae. Establish mate competition and record matings. Begin collecting and processing eggs. Experiment 1d: Construct new rootworm infestation. Field root damage evaluation of 250 corn lines for resistance to western corn rootworm. Greenhouse root damage trials for northern corn rootworm. Behavioral bioassay trial for northern corn rootworm. Experiment 2a: Rootworms in volunteer corn field work. Rootworms in volunteer corn data analysis. Experiment 2b: Wheat residue study field work. Wheat competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study field work. Experiment 2c: Evaluate plant growth and yield. Data analysis. Repeat infestation at various aphid-day dosages. Experiment 3a: Develop bean leaf beetle rearing techniques, publish results. Develop methods for greenhouse and field studies, publish results. Quadrant sampling for predominant bean leaf beetle natural enemies, publish results. Experiment 3b: Procure and assemble experimental materials. Make weekly evaluations of natural enemies vs. soybean aphids and exclusion cage studies. Test natural enemy response to aphid-infested plants and to volatile semiochemicals. Data analysis. Experiment 3c: Growth chamber studies evaluate soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid. Seed multiplication for field studies. Year 2 (FY 2006) Experiment 1a: Continue collecting eggs. Place eggs in cold storage. Go over protocol and modify if necessary. Begin egg hatching and processing. Continue processing egg dishes for 1 year diapause. Return eggs to cold storage. Processing egg dishes for 2 year diapause. Experiment 1b: Submit manuscript for peer review, analyze data on corn rootworm dispersal, manuscript preparation. Spatial variability in rootworms data analysis. Experiment 1c: Finish mate competition experiment, begin analyzing videos, continue processing eggs. Complete data analysis, submit manuscript for publication. Obtain pupae, establish repeated mating experiment collecting and processing eggs. Experiment 1d: Construct new rootworm infestation. Compare new and old rootworm infestations. Analyze data and prepare manuscript and submit for publication. Field root damage evaluation of 250 corn lines for resistance to western corn rootworm. Field root damage trial for northern corn rootworm. Greenhouse root damage trials for northern corn rootworm. Adult emergence trial for northern corn rootworm. Vertical root pulling force trial for northern corn rootworm. Behavioral bioassay trial for northern corn rootworm. Experiment 2a: Rootworms in volunteer corn field work. Rootworms in volunteer corn data analysis. Rootworms in volunteer corn publish results. Experiment 2b: Wheat residue study field work. Wheat competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study field work. Experiment 2c: Evaluate plant growth and yield. Data analysis. Complete data analysis; summarize findings. Test wheat plants versus rice root aphid, barley yellow dwarf virus, or RRA +BYDV. Experiment 3a: Develop bean leaf beetle rearing techniques, publish results. Develop methods for greenhouse and field studies, publish results. Greenhouse studies larval damage effects on soybean physiology, publish results. Field studies-larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Quadrant sampling for predominant bean leaf beetle natural enemies publish results. Experiment 3b: Data analysis. Procure and revamp experimental materials. Make weekly evaluations of natural enemies vs soybean aphids and exclusion cage studies. Test natural enemy response to aphid-infested plants and to volatile semiochemicals. Experiment 3c: Growth chamber studies evaluate soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid. Trial conducted to characterize resistance of soybean lines as antixenosis and or tolerance. Natural enemies tested on aphid resistant soybean lines for their ability to be used as oviposition sites. Seed multiplication for field studies. Field study to evaluate the relative resistance of soybean varieties to aphids and their impact on natural enemy performance. Analyze data and write manuscript on studies. Year 3 (FY 2007) Experiment 1a: Processing egg dishes for 2 year diapause. Summarize data from parental crosses. Begin manuscript. Continue with manuscript. Begin mass matings. Submit manuscript for publication. Continue mass matings. Experiment 1b: Manuscript preparation, submit manuscript for peer review publication, risk assessment model. Spatial variability in rootworms publish results. Experiment 1c: Obtain pupae. Establish repeated mating experiment collecting and processing eggs. Data analysis. Experiment 1d: Analyze data and prepare manuscript and submit for publication. Field root damage trial for northern corn rootworm. Greenhouse root damage trials for northern corn rootworm. Adult emergence trial for northern corn rootworm. Vertical root pulling force trial for northern corn rootworm. Behavioral bioassay trial for northern corn rootworm. Experiment 2a: Rootworms in volunteer corn publish results. Experiment 2b: Wheat residue study field work. Wheat residue study data analysis. Wheat competitiveness study data analysis. Wheat competitiveness study publish results. Corn competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study data analysis. Experiment 2c: Data analysis. Begin a second, identical round to test rice root aphid, barley yellow dwarf virus, and RRA +BYDV. Complete data analysis. Summarize findings/write manuscript. Submit manuscript. Experiment 3a: Develop bean leaf beetle rearing techniques, publish results. Develop methods for greenhouse and field studies, publish results. Greenhouse studies Larval damage effects on soybean physiology, publish results. Field studies larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Collaborative field studies on nodule feeding and economic thresholds, publish results, technology transfer. Outplanting bean leaf beetle eggs and larvae for predation studies, publish results. Experiment 3b: Data analysis. Summarize findings. Write manuscript on 2005-6 studies. Procure and assemble test materials. Determine if populations/distribution of key natural enemies can be manipulated by attractants. Submit manuscript on 2005-6 studies. Experiment 3c: Growth chamber studies evaluate soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid. Trial conducted to characterize resistance of soybean lies as antibiosis, antixenosis and or tolerance. Natural enemies tested on aphid resistant soybean lines for their ability to be used as oviposition sites. Natural enemies tested on aphid resistant soybean lines for their effect on foraging rate of predators. Seed multiplication for field studies. Field study to evaluate the relative resistance of soybean varieties to aphids and their impact on natural enemy performance. Analyze data and write manuscript on studies. Year 4 (FY 2008) Experiment 1a: Process eggs for 1 year diapause, return eggs for 2 year diapause, continue processing eggs for 1 year diapause. Experiment 1b: Risk assessment model, run and validate risk assessment model, manuscript review. Experiment 1c: Manuscript preparation. If needed, continue processing eggs, continue data analysis and manuscript preparation. Submit manuscript for publication. Obtain pupae, establish male mating capacity experiment. Experiment 1d: Analyze data and prepare manuscript and submit for publication. Evaluation of 250 corn lines for resistance to northern corn rootworm using best method or methods. Experiment 2b: Wheat residue study data analysis. Wheat residue study publish results. Wheat competitiveness study publish results. Corn competitiveness study data analysis. Corn competitiveness study publish results. Experiment 3a: Greenhouse studies Larval damage effects on soybean physiology, publish results. Field studies larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Collaborative field studies on nodule feeding and economic thresholds, publish results, technology transfer. Outplanting bean leaf beetle eggs and larvae for predation studies, publish results. Experiment 3b: Data analysis. Procure and revamp experimental materials. Determine if populations/distribution of key natural enemies can be manipulated by attractants. Evaluate 3c: Growth chamber studies evaluate soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid. Trial conducted to characterize resistance of soybean lies as antibiosis, antixenosis and or tolerance. Natural enemies tested on aphid resistant soybean lines for their effect on foraging rate of predators. Palatability of aphids produced on the different soybean lines tested. Seed multiplication for field studies. Field study to evaluate the relative resistance of soybean varieties to aphids and their impact on natural enemy performance. Analyze data and write manuscript on studies. Year 5 (FY 2009) Experiment 1a: Continue processing eggs for 1 year diapause, summarize data from F1 crosses, manuscript preparation. Experiment 1b: Run and validate risk assessment model, manuscript preparation, submit manuscript for peer review publication, modify model. Experiment 1c: Obtain pupae, establish male mating capacity experiment. Data analysis and manuscript preparation. Submit manuscript for publication. Experiment 1d: Evaluation of 250 corn lines for resistance to northern corn rootworm using best method or methods. Experiment 2b: Corn competitiveness study publish results. Experiment 3a: Greenhouse studies Larval damage effects on soybean physiology, publish results. Field studies larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Collaborative field studies on nodule feeding and economic thresholds, publish results, technology transfer. Outplanting bean leaf beetle eggs and larvae for predation studies, publish results. Experiment 3b: Data analysis. Summarize findings; write manuscript. Procure and assemble experimental materials. Experiment 3c: Growth chamber studies evaluate soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid. Trial conducted to characterize resistance of soybean lies as antibiosis, antixenosis and or tolerance. Palatability of aphids produced on the different soybean lines tested. Seed multiplication for field studies. Field study to evaluate the relative resistance of soybean varieties to aphids and their impact on natural enemy performance. Analyze data and write manuscript on studies. Year 6 (FY 2010) Experiment 1a: Submit manuscript for publication. Experiment 1b: Modify model. Experiment 1c: Submit manuscript for publication. Experiment 3a: Field studies larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Collaborative field studies on nodule feeding and economic thresholds, publish results, technology transfer. Experiment 3c: Analyze data and write manuscript on studies. 3a List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005. For each milestone, indicate the status: fully met, substantially met, or not met. If not met, why. 1. Experiment 1a: Located fields to extract pupae, obtained pupae. Established and recorded matings. Began collecting eggs Milestone Fully Met 2. Experiment 1b: Analyzed data on baited insecticidal sprays. Manuscript preparation began. Spatial variability in rootworms data analysis began. Milestone Fully Met 3. Experiment 1c: Obtained pupae. Established mate competition and recorded matings. Began collecting and processing eggs. Milestone Substantially Met 4. Experiment 1d: Constructed new rootworm infestation. Began field root damage evaluation of 250 corn lines for resistance to western corn rootworm. Began Greenhouse root damage trials for northern corn rootworm. Behavioral bioassay trial for northern corn rootworm was started. Milestone Substantially Met 5. Experiment 2a: Rootworms in volunteer corn field work continued. Began volunteer corn data analysis. Put in place a second year experiment using mechanically infested eggs. Milestone Substantially Met 6. Experiment 2b: Began wheat residue study field work, wheat competitiveness study field work, and corn competitiveness study field work. Milestone Fully Met 7. Experiment 2c: Evaluated plant growth and yield. Began data analysis. Repeated infestation at various aphid-day dosages. Milestone Substantially Met 8. Experiment 3a: Developed bean leaf beetle rearing techniques, published results. Developed methods for greenhouse and field studies, published results. Began quadrant sampling for predominant bean leaf beetle natural enemies, published results. Milestone Substantially Met 9. Experiment 3b: Procured and assembled experimental materials. Made weekly evaluations of NE vs. soybean aphids and exclusion cage studies. Exclusion cage studies were replaced with observational studies of natural enemy aggregation to known densities of soybean aphids. Cage studies have a number of artifacts that cloud experimental results, and felt that observational studies would be superior in attaining the goal of the experiment. Tested natural enemy response to aphid-infested plants and to volatile semiochemicals. Data analysis. Milestone Substantially Met 10. Experiment 3c: Began growth chamber studies to evaluate soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid. Seed multiplication for field studies began. Milestone Fully Met 3b List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2006, 2007, and 2008). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? Year 2 (FY 2006) Experiment 1a: Continue collecting eggs. Place eggs in cold storage. Go over protocol and modify if necessary. Begin egg hatching and processing. Continue processing egg dishes for 1 year diapause. Return eggs to cold storage. Processing egg dishes for 2 year diapause. We will have a better understanding on the pattern of inheritance for 1-year diapause in northern corn rootworm eggs, which ultimately will lead to better management decisions. Experiment 1b: Submit manuscript for peer review, analyze data on corn rootworm dispersal, manuscript preparation. Spatial variability in rootworms data analysis. We will have a better understanding of the effectiveness of the Corn Rootworm Areawide Management Program in reducing corn rootworm populations in South Dakota, and ultimately contribute knowledge on managing corn rootworms with semiochemical insecticides. Knowledge of spatial variability of corn rootworms will provide a basis for developing site-specific pest management protocol. Experiment 1c: Finish mate competition experiment, begin analyzing videos, continue processing eggs. Complete data analysis, submit manuscript for publication. Obtain pupae, establish repeated mating experiment collecting and processing eggs. We will know whether larger male northern corn rootworms have a mating advantage over smaller rival males, which ultimately will provide knowledge on the evolutionary rate of resistance to transgenic corn and lead to optimal refuge designs for resistance management. Experiment 1d: Construct new rootworm infestation. Compare new and old rootworm infestations. Analyze data and prepare manuscript and submit for publication. Field root damage evaluation of 250 corn lines for resistance to western corn rootworm. Field root damage trial for northern corn rootworm. Greenhouse root damage trials for northern corn rootworm. Adult emergence trial for northern corn rootworm. Vertical root pulling force trial for northern corn rootworm. Behavioral bioassay trial for northern corn rootworm. The outcome of this research will be the development of reliable techniques to identify corn germplasm that has resistance to the northern corn rootworm. The long term goal is to develop corn germplasm that has natural resistance to the northern corn rootworm. Experiment 2a: Rootworms in volunteer corn field work. Rootworms in volunteer corn data analysis. Rootworms in volunteer corn publish results. We will have a better foundation as a basis for timing of alternate herbicide application to glyphosate-resistant volunteer corn in soybean to obtain optimum effect on possible corn rootworm carryover populations. Experiment 2b: Wheat residue study field work. Wheat competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study field work.. This research will supply knowledge that may lead to weed management systems less dependent on herbicides. A key goal is diversifying the corn-soybean rotation to include other crops Experiment 2c: Evaluate plant growth and yield. Data analysis. Complete data analysis; summarize findings. Test wheat plants versus rice root aphid, barley yellow dwarf virus, or RRA +BYDV. This research will determine the pest status of rice root aphid. Experiment 3a: Develop bean leaf beetle rearing techniques, publish results. Develop methods for greenhouse and field studies, publish results. Greenhouse studies larval damage effects on soybean physiology, publish results. Field studies-larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Quadrant sampling for predominant Develop bean leaf beetle natural enemies, publish results. The outcome of this research will be new knowledge of the biology of a major soybean insect pest and its natural enemies. Ultimately we hope to develop IPM systems for this pest that complement the activity its natural enemies. Experiment 3b: Data analysis. Procure and revamp experimental materials. Make weekly evaluations of NE vs. soybean aphids and exclusion cage studies. Test NE response to aphid-infested plants and to volatile semiochemicals. This research will identify key natural enemies of soybean aphid and provide information on the potential for enhancing their effectiveness. This research is an essential step in isolating natural enemies that impact soybean aphid populations, and will lead to a non-chemical tactic (biological control) for managing this emerging pest. The impact of the research will be to reduce our reliance on insecticides for managing insects in soybeans. Experiment 3c: Growth chamber studies evaluate soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid. Trial conducted to characterize resistance of soybean lines as antixenosis and or tolerance. Natural enemies tested on aphid resistant soybean lines for their ability to be used as oviposition sites. Seed multiplication for field studies. Field study to evaluate the relative resistance of soybean varieties to aphids and their impact on natural enemy performance. Analyze data and write manuscript on studies. This research will evaluate various soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid and their compatibility with selected natural enemies. This research will result in a product (resistant hybrids) that soybean producers can incorporate into an integrated pest management system for soybean aphid, thereby reducing our reliance on insecticides as a sole method for managing this pest. Thus, reduced use of insecticides in soybeans will ultimately be achieved. Year 3 (FY 2007) Experiment 1a: Processing egg dishes for 2 year diapause. Summarize data from parental crosses. Begin manuscript. Continue with manuscript. Begin mass matings. Submit manuscript for publication. Continue mass matings. We will have a better understanding on the pattern of inheritance for 2- year diapause in northern corn rootworm eggs, which ultimately will lead to better management decisions. Experiment 1b: Manuscript preparation, submit manuscript for peer review publication, risk assessment model. Spatial variability in rootworms publish results. We will have a better understanding of the effectiveness of the Corn Rootworm Areawide Management Program in reducing corn rootworm populations in South Dakota, how corn rootworms respond to semiochemical insecticides, and contribute knowledge on managing corn rootworms with these semiochemical insecticides. Knowledge of spatial variability of corn rootworms will provide a basis for developing site-specific pest management protocol. Experiment 1c: Obtain pupae. Establish repeated mating experiment collecting and processing eggs. Data analysis. We will know the extent of repeated matings by female northern corn rootworms, which affects the genetic diversity of offspring and ultimately provides knowledge on the evolutionary rate of resistance to transgenic corn and lead to optimal refuge designs for resistance management. Experiment 1d: Analyze data and prepare manuscript and submit for publication. Field root damage trial for northern corn rootworm. Greenhouse root damage trials for northern corn rootworm. Adult emergence trial for northern corn rootworm. Vertical root pulling force trial for northern corn rootworm. Behavioral bioassay trial for northern corn rootworm. The outcome of this research will be the development of reliable techniques to identify corn germplasm that has resistance to the northern corn rootworm. The long term goal is to develop corn germplasm that has natural resistance to the northern corn rootworm. Experiment 2a: Rootworms in volunteer corn publish results. We will have a better foundation as a basis for timing of alternate herbicide application to glyphosate-resistant volunteer corn in soybean to obtain optimum effect on possible corn rootworm carryover populations. Experiment 2b: Wheat residue study field work. Wheat residue study data analysis. Wheat competitiveness study data analysis. Wheat competitiveness study publish results. Corn competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study data analysis. This research will supply knowledge that may lead to weed management systems less dependent on herbicides. A key goal is diversifying the corn-soybean rotation to include other crops Experiment 2c: Data analysis. Begin a second, identical round to test rice root aphid, barley yellow dwarf virus, and RRA +BYDV. Complete data analysis. Summarize findings/write manuscript. Submit manuscript. This research will determine the pest status of rice root aphid. Experiment 3a: Develop bean leaf beetle rearing techniques, publish results. Develop methods for greenhouse and field studies, publish results. Greenhouse studies Larval damage effects on soybean physiology, publish results. Field studies larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Collaborative field studies on nodule feeding and economic thresholds, publish results, technology transfer. Outplanting bean leaf beetle eggs and larvae for predation studies, publish results. The outcome of this research will be new knowledge of the biology of a major soybean insect pest and its natural enemies. Ultimately we hope to develop IPM systems for this pest that complement the activity its natural enemies. Experiment 3b: Data analysis. Summarize findings. Write manuscript on 2005-6 studies. Procure and assemble test materials. Determine if populations/distribution of key natural enemies can be manipulated by attractants. Submit manuscript on 2005-6 studies. This research will identify key natural enemies of soybean aphid and provide information on the potential for enhancing their effectiveness. This research is an essential step in isolating natural enemies that impact soybean aphid populations, and will lead to a non-chemical tactic (biological control) for managing this emerging pest. The impact of the research will be to reduce our reliance on insecticides for managing insects in soybeans. Experiment 3c: Growth chamber studies evaluate soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid. Trial conducted to characterize resistance of soybean lies as antibiosis, antixenosis and or tolerance. Natural enemies tested on aphid resistant soybean lines for their ability to be used as oviposition sites. Natural enemies tested on aphid resistant soybean lines for their effect on foraging rate of predators. Seed multiplication for field studies. Field study to evaluate the relative resistance of soybean varieties to aphids and their impact on natural enemy performance. Analyze data and write manuscript on studies. This research will evaluate various soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid and their compatibility with selected natural enemies. This research will result in a product (resistant hybrids) that soybean producers can incorporate into an integrated pest management system for soybean aphid, thereby reducing our reliance on insecticides as a sole method for managing this pest. Thus, reduced use of insecticides in soybeans will ultimately be achieved. Year 4 (FY 2008) Experiment 1a: Process eggs for 1 year diapause, return eggs for 2 year diapause, continue processing eggs for 1 year diapause. We will have a better understanding on the genetics of inheritance of egg 1-year and 2- year diapause in northern corn rootworms, which ultimately will lead to better management decisions. Experiment 1b: Risk assessment model, run and validate risk assessment model, manuscript review. With this model we will predict vulnerable landscape scale areas where corn rootworms are capable of causing the most damage to corn, and contribute decision information on managing corn rootworms. Experiment 1c: Manuscript preparation. If needed, continue processing eggs, continue data analysis and manuscript preparation. Submit manuscript for publication. Obtain pupae, establish male mating capacity experiment. We will know the extent of repeated matings by male northern corn rootworms, which affects the genetic diversity of offspring and ultimately provides knowledge on the evolutionary rate of resistance to transgenic corn and lead to optimal refuge designs for resistance management. Experiment 1d: Analyze data and prepare manuscript and submit for publication. Evaluation of 250 corn lines for resistance to northern corn rootworm using best method or methods. The outcome of this research will be the development of reliable techniques to identify corn germplasm that has resistance to the northern corn rootworm. The long term goal is to develop corn germplasm that has natural resistance to the northern corn rootworm. Experiment 2b: Wheat residue study data analysis. Wheat residue study publish results. Wheat competitiveness study publish results. Corn competitiveness study data analysis. Corn competitiveness study publish results. This research will supply knowledge that may lead to weed management systems less dependent on herbicides. A key goal is diversifying the corn-soybean rotation to include other crops Experiment 3a: Greenhouse studies Larval damage effects on soybean physiology, publish results. Field studies larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Collaborative field studies on nodule feeding and economic thresholds, publish results, technology transfer. Outplanting bean leaf beetle eggs and larvae for predation studies, publish results. The outcome of this research will be new knowledge of the biology of a major soybean insect pest and its natural enemies. Ultimately we hope to develop IPM systems for this pest that complement the activity its natural enemies. Experiment 3b: Data analysis. Procure and revamp experimental materials. Determine if populations/distribution of key natural enemies can be manipulated by attractants. This research will identify key natural enemies of soybean aphid and provide information on the potential for enhancing their effectiveness. This research is an essential step in isolating natural enemies that impact soybean aphid populations, and will lead to a non-chemical tactic (biological control) for managing this emerging pest. The impact of the research will be to reduce our reliance on insecticides for managing insects in soybeans. Evaluate 3c: Growth chamber studies evaluate soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid. Trial conducted to characterize resistance of soybean lies as antibiosis, antixenosis and/or tolerance. Natural enemies tested on aphid resistant soybean lines for their effect on foraging rate of predators. Palatability of aphids produced on the different soybean lines tested. Seed multiplication for field studies. Field study to evaluate the relative resistance of soybean varieties to aphids and their impact on natural enemy performance. Analyze data and write manuscript on studies. This research will evaluate various soybean lines for resistance to soybean aphid and their compatibility with selected natural enemies. This research will result in a product (resistant hybrids) that soybean producers can incorporate into an integrated pest management system for soybean aphid, thereby reducing our reliance on insecticides as a sole method for managing this pest. Thus, reduced use of insecticides in soybeans will ultimately be achieved. 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? The importance of crop diversity in weed management systems The perspective of weed management is changing; producers and scientists are seeking to expand their control tactics beyond herbicides and tillage to include population management of the weed community. Crop diversity in rotations helps weed management by providing more opportunities to eliminate established weeds and prevent seed production, thus reducing the number of weed seeds in the seed bank. Crop diversity may provide an ancillary benefit related to weed seed survival in soil. In a study evaluating seedling emergence of wild sunflower, seedling emergence was reduced 85% when winter wheat was included in the rotation, compared with continuous soybeans. Also, tilling the soil prolonged survival of wild sunflower seed in soil, increasing seedling emergence two-fold compared with no-till. 4b List other significant accomplishments, if any. Detection of insects and crop disease using remote sensing techniques Because cereal crop yield in the US Great Plains is often reduced by 35 to 70 % by aphid infestations and aphid-vectored disease, producers often apply insecticides to manage cereal aphid populations, to reduce the spread of aphid-vectored disease, and to reduce subsequent yield losses. Research was conducted at the USDA, ARS, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory to determine if crop canopy chlorosis in small grain fields infested with insects could be used as a diagnostic tool by farmers to detect crop damage from cereal aphid population outbreaks which would enable them to target insecticide applications specifically to pest- infested portions of the field. The objectives of this 2-yr field study were to characterize canopy reflectance spectra of oats damaged by cereal aphids or barley yellow dwarf virus and to determine if changes in reflectance spectra were related to leaf area index, canopy temperature, tissue chlorophyll levels, and yield. Our observations suggest that crop stresses that result in leaf chlorosis, mottling, necrosis, or leaf temperature changes can also have profound effects upon crop canopy reflectance spectra. Distribution of northern corn rootworm Little information is known about the relative abundance and spatial distribution of northern corn rootworms in relation to physical and landscape features. We examined northern corn rootworm population data collected from cornfields in the South Dakota Corn Rootworm Areawide Management Sites for years 1997 2001. We showed that the relative abundance in space of northern corn rootworms is related to the aggregation of cornfields, topography, and soil type. Our spatial analysis on northern corn rootworms will contribute information to the development and refinement of models on managing this pest in corn. Rice root aphid experiments The rice root aphid infests wheat throughout North America, yet very little is known about the aphids alternate hosts, appropriate rearing techniques for it, and its impact on yield. In greenhouse tests, we evaluated rice root aphid survival and reproduction on selected grasses and cultivated cereals. Altai wildrye, Elbon rye and other cultivated cereals were generally suitable hosts based on reproductive rates and aphid survival, whereas most non-cultivated grasses were relatively inferior hosts. During each of two field seasons, rice root aphids infested winter wheat soon after emergence and increased in number until mid-December, and then began to decline. Field populations that averaged 3.6 rice root aphid per tiller over a 60-day infestation period reduced forage but not grain yield of wheat. This research was performed in collaboration between scientists at the Northern Grain Insect Research Laboratory, Brookings, SD, and the Plant, Soil and Water Conservation Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Stillwater, OK. Ground beetles as natural control agents of pest insects and weed seeds. Ground dwelling insect communities are poorly understood, yet the abundance of potentially beneficial insects is staggering (up to 100,000 insectivores per hectare in soybean systems). Ground beetles (Carabidae) are an important component of this community, consuming insect pests and weed seeds. Furthermore, because of the heterogeneity in feeding behaviors and physiological requirements in these species-rich communities, ground beetles are important indicators of crop production practices and pest management programs. To coordinate collaborations and facilitate information dissemination, the Midwestern Carabidologists Working Group was formed. A series of multi-location research projects examining how the ecology, taxonomy, genetics, and physiology of ground beetles influences pest management by these insects. One project is allowing us to use genetic markers for identifying ground beetle immature stages, as well as characterizing the genetic diversity of dominant ground beetle species throughout eastern North America. Recently characterized symbiotic relationships between gut-dwelling microbes and granivorous ground beetles will allow us to understand why some ground beetles are such effective seed predators and allow us to isolate novel seed pathogens. Farming practices have important implications for ground beetle communities, and research produced has shown that the farming intensity can influence the level of biological control inflicted on insect pests and weed seeds in organic systems. Finally, the widespread adoption of transgenic insecticidal crops has raised concerns over the environmental risks of this technology. Research at our laboratory has been instrumental in using ground beetles in the ecological risk assessment for transgenic crops, both through analyzing community structure in transgenic crops and the development of laboratory bioassays for assessing the toxicity of Cry proteins to ground beetles. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. The research reported here is conducted under ARS Strategic Plan Goal 3: Enhance protection and safety of the nations agriculture and food supply and Objective 3.2: Develop and deliver science-based information and technologies to reduce the number and severity of agricultural pest, insect, weed, and disease outbreaks. ARS Strategic Plan sub-objectives important to this research include: Sub-Objective 3.2.5 (Provide fundamental and applied scientific information and technology to protect agriculturally important plants from pests and diseases); and Sub- Objective 3.2.6 (Provide needed scientific information and technology to producers of agriculturally important plants in support of exclusion, detection and early eradication; control and monitoring of invasive insects, weeds and pathogens; and restoration of affected areas. Conduct biologically based integrated and areawide management of key invasive species). ARS Strategic Plan performance measures important to Sub-Objective 3.2.5 are: Specific information and technology will be available to producers to control disease and pest outbreaks as they occur. Strategies and approaches will be available to producers to control emerging crop diseases and pest outbreaks. Performance measures important to Sub- Objective 3.2.6 are: Knowledge and understanding of the ecology, physiology, epidemiology, and molecular biology of emerging diseases and pests will be improved. This knowledge will be incorporated into pest- risk assessments and management strategies to minimize chemical inputs and increase production. The overall philosophy of this NP304 crop protection and quaratine research program is to develop and implement ecologically-based sustainable approaches to the management of native and invasive insect, mite, and weed pests through a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methodologies that reduce pest populations to acceptable levels while minimizing impacts on human health and the environment. The research described in this project plan addresses several high-priority research needs as outlined in this National Program 304: A. Develop management strategies based on complementary alternative tactics to improve compatibility with agronomic/economic goals and maximize impact on insect complexes; B. Develop new and improved sampling and detection methods to improve determination of pest population action thresholds and potential yield reduction; C. Determine interactions among weed control tactics to identify synergistic combinations that optimize weed control and reduce seed bank densities in agroecosystems; and D. Develop a systems approach to pest management that results in IPM and areawide suppression programs for a majority of U.S. agricultural production systems. The Chinese soybean aphid, an insect pest native to Asia, is now a considered to be a major insect pest of soybean in the North Central U.S. Soybean producers lost about $120 million to soybean aphids during the 2003 growing season in Minnesota alone. Scientists from the USDA, ARS Northern Grain Insect Research Laboratory, in cooperation with entomologists at South Dakota State University, are developing integrated pest management systems and disseminating information about this invasive pest to their customers. During 2005, field and laboratory experiments were conducted and research results were disseminated through talks to individual growers, invited presentations to professional and grower organizations, peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, radio and TV interviews, popular press articles, and internet sites. Research topics included soybean aphid identification, scouting methods for soybean aphid populations, measurement of aphid infestation impact on soybean seed yield and quality, development of economic thresholds needed for an IPM approach for managing this invasive insect pest, investigation of the impact of biological control on soybean aphid populations, and mapping the distribution of soybean aphid population in South Dakota. This research, which will help soybean farmers decide if pesticide application against Chinese soybean aphid would make good economic and ecological sense, has the potential to limit the economic loss to soybean farmers and the value-added enterprises that depend on the production of large amounts of high-quality soybeans. Data from global positioning system technology and geographic information systems indicated that crop yield, corn rootworm egg, larval and adult numbers, and rootworm injury to maize vary greatly over the landscape of typical fields. This information should be useful in developing tools to identify within-field zones for site specific corn rootworm management. A revision of a Potash and Phosphate Institute Precision Farming Guideline is underway which will incorporate new information regarding spatial distributions of corn rootworms. Laboratory studies show that soil moisture and subfreezing temperatures interact to affect survival of eggs. Studies of ground beetles in plots of maize, soybean, wheat and alfalfa maintained under different crop management intensities and rotational sequences indicated that diversity and richness were greatest in plots managed with minimal chemical inputs and highest crop diversity. Multiyear monitoring of ground beetles in transgenic maize and conventional crops provided information on distribution of these beneficial predators among habitats that will help evaluate potential adverse effects of transgenic crops on ground beetle communities. Analysis of field studies was completed to determine the influence of yellow foxtail as an alternate host plant for western corn rootworms in different soil types and to determine if yellow foxtail can serve as a trap-crop for western corn rootworm larvae to lessen canopy and root injury to corn. Soil types at the two study sites varied between a Vienna silty clay loam and a Brandt silty loam. Emergence from the relatively sandy Vienna loam was similar in wet or dry years. In the Brandt silty clay loam soil, western corn rootworm emergence was delayed in a wet year compared to a dry year. Foxtail may serve as a buffer to western corn rootworm damage to corn and may affect rootworm development or susceptibility to transgenic corn, but only at the expense of crop yield losses due to foxtail interference. Meaningful sources of plant resistance are needed against the bird cherry-oat aphid, a widespread pest of wheat. We found moderate levels of resistance to this aphid in several lines of triticale. Two papers that summarize our results have been published, and another series of tests with triticale are nearly completed. Information in the papers is potentially useful to small-grain breeders, entomologists, and producers interested in having resistance traits transferred to wheat and other small grains. In follow-up studies, we are collaborating with the winter wheat breeder at Colorado State University to test for resistance in crosses between a widely planted wheat variety and some of the resistant triticale lines. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? An ecological approach to weed management was explained to 650 producers at a No-Till Conference in Ukraine, November 2004. Crop production is rapidly changing in the Eurasian steppe, with producers exploring no-till systems, diverse rotations, and alternative weed management tactics. Constraints are the lack of experience among producers and lack of extension services in Ukraine. During 2005, field and laboratory experiments on the Chinese soybean aphid were conducted and research results were disseminated through talks to individual growers, invited presentations to professional and grower organizations, peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, radio and TV interviews, popular press articles, and internet sites. Research topics included soybean aphid identification, scouting methods for soybean aphid populations, measurement of aphid infestation impact on soybean seed yield and quality, development of economic thresholds needed for an IPM approach for managing this invasive insect pest, investigation of the impact of biological control on soybean aphid populations, and mapping the distribution of soybean aphid population in South Dakota. Information on using remote sensing techniques to detect insect infestations and disease in oat crop canopies was presented at a national meeting of the American Society of Agronomy and an international meeting on Precision Agriculture. This information provided canopy reflectance data at specific wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. Such data, along with metadata that provides background information on the experimental treatments, can be used by scientists and other remote sensing practitioners to interpret hyperspectral images obtained from sensors mounted on satellite or airplane platforms. Attended Annual Meeting of ESA, Salt Lake City, UT, Nov 14-17, 2004. Presented poster: Spatial Distributions of Carabidae in Bt Corn Plots and Soybean Buffer Zone Scientists from the USDA, ARS, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory attended and presented posters at the ESA Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, UT, November 14 17, 2004. Posters were titled Reproductive biology of northern corn rootworms based on male and female size. and Spatial Distributions of Carabidae in Bt Corn Plots and Soybean Buffer Zone Scientists from the USDA, ARS, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory attended and presented at the NCBESA Annual Meeting. West Lafayette, IN, March 20 23. Titles of papers were: Variation in spatial distribution and diurnal activity cycles of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) encountered in experimental settings for study of sustainability issues and Suppression of adult corn rootworm populations in the South Dakota areawide management site using semiochemical-baits. A scientist from the USDA, ARS, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory continues to exchange information and work with another government agency through an IAG and industry through a CRADA on managing corn rootworm populations using transgenic corn. A scientist from the USDA, ARS, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory presented a poster entitled Insect Infestations, Incidence of Viral Plant Diseases, and Yield of Winter Wheat in Relation to Planting Date, to scientists at the Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Nov. 17, 2004. The information will be published in a scientific journal article within the next fiscal year, and it can be transferred to growers, extension personnel, and agricultural scientists by the start of the next winter wheat growing season. There is flexibility in date of planting winter wheat in the northern Great Plains, and delayed planting of winter wheat may be a readily adoptable practice there. The need to establish winter wheat early in the fall to prevent soil erosion is one consideration that may constrain some growers from adopting the practice of delayed planting. Information about soybean aphid was transferred via an invited seminar presentation to a group of about 25 growers, agrichemical distributors, and others at a technical meeting, Ham Lake, MN, Jan. 27. The information was available for agrichemical distributors and consultants for use in decision-making before the start of the 2005 soybean growing season. Information about preliminary findings regarding the predators of soybean aphid was presented in a research highlight of the 2004 Research Accomplishments" section, Annual Report, Eastern South Dakota Soil & Water Research Farm, Mar. 16. The report is distributed to growers, state extension personnel and other stakeholders, and the timing of its distribution provides some of the latest research information prior to the upcoming growing season. Use of information in the report for decision-making by farmers may depend on further validation of research results in subsequent years. Information about the predators of soybean aphid was transferred twice via a poster presentation entitled "Preliminary results on the impact of natural enemies against soybean aphid in South Dakota. The poster was displayed to scientists at a meeting of the Entomological Society of America, North-Central Branch, West Lafayette, IN, Mar. 22, and to farmers at the Eastern South Dakota Soil & Water Research Farm Field Day, June 21. Thus, the information was available to growers, extension personnel, and scientists prior to the 2005 field season, and was used by at least two scientists in planning predator-soybean aphid field experiments in 2005. Information about research on cereal aphid management and weed control was given in invited presentations at the Mar. 30 board meeting, South Dakota Wheat Commission, Pierre, SD. The board is comprised of influential growers, ag consultants, and ag lenders, and it has substantial input in determining research objectives to address wheat- grower needs in South Dakota. A summary of research findings on the effect of winter wheat planting date and insecticidal seed treatments on insect infestation and disease incidence was presented in the Progress Report 2004, Central Crops & Soils Research Station, South Dakota State University, Plant Science Pamphlet No. 12. The pamphlet is available and distributed to end-users in the South Dakota agricultural community, including farmers and state extension personnel. There is flexibility in date of planting winter wheat in the northern Great Plains, but some growers establish winter wheat early in the fall to prevent soil erosion. Also, winter wheat has a relatively low profit margin, and this may constrain some growers from paying the additional cost for prophylactic seed treatment against aphid pests that are problematic in some but not all years. A scientist from the USDA, ARS, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory was invited to present Effects of E-64 proteinase inhibitor on larvae of the ground beetle Poecilus chalcites: implications for tier- I non-target organism testing for risk assessment of transgenic crops at the symposium Ground beetle ecology in the Midwest: their function and diversity in natural and agricultural habitats. ESA-NCB meeting, West Lafayette, IN. A scientist from the USDA, ARS, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory was invited to present Farm management intensity and biological control at the symposium Ground beetle ecology in the Midwest: their function and diversity in natural and agricultural habitats. ESA-NCB Meeting, West Lafayette, IN. A scientist from the USDA, ARS, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory was invited to present Farm management intensity and biological control to the Plant Science Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD. A scientist from the USDA, ARS, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory was invited to present Pollen-feeding by the predator, Coleomegilla maculata, and its implications for ecological risk assessments of transgenic crops to the Northern Crop Sciences Laboratory, USDA-ARS and the Department of Entomology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. A scientist from the USDA, ARS, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory attended the IOBC-NRS/Biocontrol Network Joint Meeting, Magog, Quebec, where The influence of management intensity on biological control of insects and weed seeds was presented. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Chandler, L.D., D. Hartman, W. Riedell, W. French, and B. Fuller. 2003. South Dakota studies provide new insight into rootworm management. In: Areawide Corn Rootworm Project: what works, what doesnt. Ed. L. D. Chandler. http://www.areawiderootworm.info/final_report.pdf Soybean aphid injury. In: M. Catangui (ed.) Soybean aphid fact sheet. SDSU Extension Entomology Publication, Plant Science Department. Available at http://plantsci.sdstate.edu/ent/entpubs/FS914_Soy_Aphid2.pdf. Tom Ritter, WNAX Radio Farm News. 2004. Radio interview: Damage caused by soybean aphid. Broadcast on 25 November 2004. Coverage area was Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota. SDSU University Relations. 2004. Research confirms SDSU soybean aphid thresholds. The Brookings Register, 1 December 2004. Soybean aphid. Todays Ag Television Show. Interview: Damage caused by soybean aphid. Broadcast on 22 January 2005. Coverage area was South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wyoming. Nickel, R. 2005. Beneficial Beetles. Successful Farming Magazine. Meredith Corporation May-June Issue. Biological Control in Agriculture. Featured on the radio program Successful Farming Radio Magazine with Daryl Anderson, distributed to 130 radio stations in 19 states. The Insect Spotlight. Publishing a monthly 500-word column on insect biology and pest management in the Tri-State Neighbor newspaper (circulation 30,000 in Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota). (log # 181281) Biological control. Featured on the regional television program Todays Ag, April 10, 2005. Coverage area is South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wyoming. Hosting the website for the Midwestern Carabidologists Working Group, a regional working group of ground beetle enthusiasts. www.midwestcarabids. ars.usda.gov

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • Anderson, R.L., Hanavan, D., Ogg, A.J. 2004. Developing national research teams: a case study with the jointed goatgrass research program. Weed Technology. 18:1143-1149.
  • Ellsbury, M.M., Noble, C., Head, G., French, B.W., Fuller, B. 2004. Spatial distributions of carabidae in Bt corn plots and soybean buffer zone. Meeting Abstract. Entomological Society of America, November 14-17, 2004. Salt Lake City, UT.
  • French, B.W., Hammack, L., Flaskey, J.S., Beck, D.A. 2004. Reproductive biology of Northern corn rootworms based on male and female size. Abstracts, Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. November 14-17, 2004, Salt Lake City, UT.
  • French, B.W., Beckler, A., Chandler, L.D. 2004. Landscape features and spatial distribution of adult northern corn rootworms (coleoptera: chrysomelidae) in the south dakota areawide management site. Journal of Economic Entomology 97(6): 1943-1957.
  • Greenstone, M.H., Rowley, D.L., Heimbach, U., Lundgren, J., Pfannenstiel, R., Rehner, S.A. 2005. Barcoding immature generalist predators by polymerase chain reaction: carabids and spiders. Molecular Ecology. 14:3247-3266
  • Hesler, L.S. 2005. Resistance to rhopalosiphum padi (homoptera: aphididae) in three triticale accessions. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98:603-611.
  • Hesler, L.S., Li, Z., Cheesbrough, T.M., Riedell, W.E. 2005. Population growth of rhopalosiphum padi (homoptera: aphididae) on conventional and transgenic wheat. Journal of Entomological Science. 40:186-196.
  • Hesler, L.S., Riedell, W.E., Langham, M.A. 2005. Aphid infestations, barley yellow dwarf incidence, plant growth and yield of winter wheat in relation to planting date and seed treatment. Progress Report 2004, Central Crops Research Station, South Dakota State University, Plant Science Department Pamphlet 20. p. 29-31.
  • Hesler, L.S., Tharp, C.I. 2005. Antibiosis and antixenosis to rhopalosiphum padi among triticale accessions. Euphytica. 143(1):153-160.
  • Lundgren, J.G., Fergen, J.K. 2006. The oviposition behavior of the predator, orius insidiosus: acceptability and preference for different plants. BioControl (2006) 51: 217-227.
  • Lundgren, J.G., Duan, J.J., Paradise, M.S., Wiedenmann, R.N. 2005. Rearing protocol and life history traits for poecilus chalcites (coleoptera: carabidae) in the laboratory. Journal of Entomological Science, 40(2): 126- 135.
  • Kindler, D., Hesler, L.S., Elliott, N.C., Royer, T.A., Giles, K.L. 2004. Seasonal abudance of rice root aphid in wheat and its effects on forage and grain yields. Southwestern Entomologist. 29(4):245-252.
  • Lee, J.H., Elliott, N.C., Kindler, D., French, B.W., Walker, C.B., Eikenbary, R.D. 2005. Natural enemy impact on the Russian wheat aphid in southeastern Colorado. Environmental Entomology. 34:115-123.
  • Oyediran, I.O., Hibbard, B.E., Clark, T.L., French, B.W. 2004. Selected grassy weeds as alternate hosts of the northern corn rootworm (coleoptera:chrysomelidae). Environmental Entomology. 33(5):1497-1504.
  • Riedell, W.E., Osborne, S.L., Hesler, L.S. 2004. Effect of insect pests and disease on oat crop canopy characteristics. Meeting Abstract. Annual Meeting, American Society of Agronomy, October 31-November 4, 2004, Seattle, WA.
  • Riedell, W.E., Osborne, S.L., Hesler, L.S. 2005. Insect pest and disease detection using remote sensing techniques. Meeting Proceedings. 7th International Conference on Precision Agriculture, July 25-28, 2004, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Kindler, D., Helser, L.S., Elliott, N.C., Shufran, K.A., Springer, T.L. 2004. Cereal and grass hosts of the rice root aphid, Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis (Sasaki), and a description of an efficient greenhouse rearing technique. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology. 21(1)51- 59.
  • Anderson, R.L. 2005. Are some crops synergistic to following crops? Agronomy Journal. 97:7-10.
  • Beckler, A.A., French, B.W., Chandler, L.D. Using gis in areawide pest management: a case study in south dakota. Transactions in Geographic Information Systems, 2005, 9(2): 109-127.
  • Ellsbury, M.M., Banken, K.R., Clay, S.A., Forcella, F. 2005. Interactions among western corn rootworm (coleoptera: chrysomelidae), yellow foxtail, and corn. Environmental Entomology, 34(3): 627-634.
  • Ellsbury, M.M., Clay, S.A., Clay, D.E., Malo, D.D. 2005. Within-field spatial variation of northern corn rootworms. In: Vida, S., Kuhlmann, U., and Edwards, R. (eds.). Western Corn Rootworm Ecology and Management. Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: CABI International. p. 145-153.
  • French, B.W., Chandler, L.D., Janus, A.T., Hartman, D.A., Beck, D.A. 2005. Suppression of adult corn rootworm populations in the South Dakota areawide management site using semiochemical-baits. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Web Site, http://esa.ent.iastate. edu/2005_west_lafayette/program, March 20-23, 2005.


Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04

Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? The therapeutic approach of killing pest organisms with toxic chemicals has been the prevailing pest control strategy for over 50 years. Safety problems and ecological disruptions continue to ensue, and there are renewed appeals for effective, safe, and economically acceptable alternatives. The thrust of this CRIS project is to conduct research on the basic biology and ecology of weeds and insect pests and beneficial insects in corn/soybean/wheat production systems and to synthesize this research through collaborative efforts with our customers and partners to develop integrated pest management systems and decision aids. Our research objectives are to characterize the ecology, behavior, and genetics of insect and weed pests in agricultural systems of the northern Great Plains as a basis for developing and evaluating resistance management and pest control strategies, determine pest-crop interactions and pest-landscape relationships to develop sampling/monitoring technology, optimize management tactics, assess yield loss potential, establish action thresholds, define management zones, and develop risk assessment models, and improve understanding of the interactions between pest and beneficial insects and impacts of agronomic practices on beneficial insects in corn/soybean/wheat cropping systems. Attaining the objectives outlined above will provide farmers with new and refined methods of pest and crop management for improved crop productivity and quality. Benefits potentially derived from this research include reduced chemical usage, improved efficiency, better cultural control options for pest management, and the development of integrated pest management systems based upon a better understanding of pest biology and ecology. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Insect pests and weeds cause major economic loss to U.S. agriculture. There are recurring appeals for effective, safe, and economical alternatives to prophylactic pesticide use. Additional pest problems include the development of resistance to control technologies as well as increasing host and geographical ranges of pests. Research on the basic biology and ecology of pests and beneficial insects in corn/soybean/wheat production systems needs to be synthesized to develop integrated pest management systems and decision aids based upon reduced insect resistance to genetically modified crops, increased host plant resistance, improved cultural pest control, and risk assessment models for decision support. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Program Component(s) to which it has been assigned? The overall philosophy of the Crop Protection and Quarantine National Research Program (NP 304) is to develop and implement ecologically-based sustainable approaches to the management of native and invasive insect, mite, and weed pests through a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methodologies that reduce pest populations to acceptable levels while minimizing impacts on human health and the environment. The research described in this prospectus addresses several high-priority research needs as outlined in this National Program: a. Develop management strategies based on complementary alternative tactics to improve compatibility with agronomic/economic goals and maximize impact on insect complexes; b. Develop new and improved sampling and detection methods to improve determination of pest population action thresholds and potential yield reduction; c. Determine interactions among weed control tactics to identify synergistic combinations that optimize weed control and reduce seed bank densities in agroecosystems; and d. Develop a systems approach to pest management that results in IPM and areawide suppression programs for a majority of U.S. agricultural production systems. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Year 1 (FY 2005) Objective 1. Develop Resistance Management & Pest Control Strategies 1a: Diapause duration in NCR. Locate fields to extract pupae. Obtain pupae; establish and record matings; begin collecting eggs. 1b: Reproductive biology of NCR and WCR (French) Obtain pupae; establish mate competition and record matings; begin collecting and processing eggs. 1c: Diversifying the corn-soybean rotation (Anderson). Wheat residue study field work. Wheat competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study field work. Objective 2. Pest-Crop Interactions and Pest-Landscape Relationships for IPM 2a: NCR life cycle disruption through cultural practice (Ellsbury). Disruption of the life cycle field work. Disruption of the life cycle data analysis. Disruption of the life cycle publish results. 2b: Spatial variability in CRW populations (Ellsbury). Spatial variability in rootworms field work. (Q2 1995 - Q3 2004) 2c: GIS models of NCR and WCR of high-risk areas (French). Analyze data on baited insecticidal sprays. Manuscript Preparation 2d: Herbicide application to disrupt WCR (Ellsbury). Rootworms in volunteer corn field work. Rootworms in volunteer corn data analysis. 2e: R. rufiabdominalis effects on small grains (Hesler). Infest wheat plants with RRA at various aphid-day dosages. Evaluate plant growth and yield. Data analysis. 2f: BLB larval feeding on roots and nitrogen-fixing nodules (Riedell). Develop BLB rearing techniques, publish results. Develop N-fixation measurement techniques, publish results. Objective 3. Pest-Beneficial Insect-Agronomic Practice Interactions 3a. Biological control of aphids and other insect pests (Hesler). Procure and assemble experimental materials. Make weekly evaluations of NE vs. soybean aphids and exclusion cage studies. Test NE response to aphid-infested plants and to volatile semiochemicals. Data analysis. 3b: Ecology of beneficial ground beetles (Ellsbury). Ground Beetles as indicators field work. (Beginning Q2 2000). Ground Beetles as indicators data analysis (residue trt). (Beginning Q4 2004) Year 2 (FY 2006) 1a: Continue collecting eggs. Place eggs in cold storage. Go over protocol and modify if necessary. Begin egg hatching and processing. Continue processing egg dishes for 1 year diapause. Return eggs to cold storage. Processing egg dishes for 2 year diapause. 1b: Continue analyzing videos. Begin manuscript preparation. Continue processing eggs. Complete data analysis. Submit manuscript for publication. Obtain pupae; establish repeated mating experiment; collecting and processing eggs. 1c: Wheat residue study field work. Wheat competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study field work. 2a: Disruption of the life cycle field work. Disruption of the life cycle data analysis. 2b: Spatial variability in CRW populations Spatial variability in rootworms data analysis. Spatial variability in rootworms publish results. 2c: Analyze data on baited insecticidal sprays. Submit manuscript for peer review. Analyze data on corn rootworm dispersal. Manuscript Preparation 2d: Rootworms in volunteer corn field work. (Beginning Q2 2002). Rootworms in volunteer corn data analysis. Rootworms in volunteer corn publish results. 2e: Infest wheat plants with RRA at various aphid-day dosages. Evaluate plant growth and yield. Data analysis. Complete data analysis; summarize findings. Test wheat plants versus RRA, BYDV, or RRA +BYDV. 2f: Develop BLB rearing techniques, publish results. Develop N-fixation measurement techniques, publish results. Greenhouse studies-Larval damage effects on nitrogen fixation, publish results. Field studies-larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. 3a. Data analysis. Procure and revamp experimental materials. Make weekly evaluations of NE vs. soybean aphids and exclusion cage studies. Test NE response to aphid-infested plants and to volatile semiochemicals. 3b: Ground Beetles as indicators field work. (Beginning Q2 2000). Ground Beetles as indicators publish results (residue trt) Year 3 (FY 2007) 1a: Processing egg dishes for 2 year diapause. Summarize data from parental crosses. Begin manuscript. Continue with manuscript. Begin mass matings. Submit manuscript for publication. Continue mass matings. 1b: Obtain pupae; establish repeated mating experiment; collecting and processing eggs. Data analysis. 1c: Wheat residue study field work. Wheat residue study data analysis. Wheat competitiveness study data analysis. Wheat competitiveness study publish results. Corn competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study data analysis. 2a: Disruption of the life cycle field work. Disruption of the life cycle data analysis. 2b: Spatial variability in rootworms publish results. 2c: Manuscript Preparation. Submit manuscript for peer review publication. Risk assessment model. 2d: Rootworms in volunteer corn data analysis. 2e: Data analysis. Repeat infestation at various aphid-day dosages. Begin a second, identical round to test RRA, BYDV, and RRA +BYDV. Complete data analysis. Summarize findings / write manuscript. Submit manuscript. 2f: Develop N-fixation measurement techniques, publish results. Greenhouse studies-Larval damage effects on nitrogen fixation, publish results. Field studies-larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Collaborative field studies-nodule feeding and economic thresholds, publish results, technology transfer. 3a. Data analysis. Summarize findings. Write manuscript on 2005-6 studies. Procure and assemble test materials. Determine if populations / distribution of key NE can be manipulated by attractants. Submit manuscript on 2005-6 studies. 3b: Ground Beetles as indicators publish results (residue trt) Year 4 (FY 2008) 1a: Process eggs for 1 year diapause. Return eggs for 2 year diapause. Continue processing eggs for 1 year diapause. 1b: Data analysis. Manuscript preparation. If needed, continue processing eggs. Continue data analysis and manuscript preparation. Submit manuscript for publication. Obtain pupae; establish male mating capacity experiment. 1c: Wheat residue study data analysis. Wheat residue study publish results. Wheat competitiveness study publish results. Corn competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study data analysis. 2a: Disruption of the life cycle field work. Disruption of the life cycle data analysis. Disruption of the life cycle publish results. 2c: Risk assessment model. Run and validate risk assessment model. Manuscript Preparation 2f: Greenhouse studies-Larval damage effects on nitrogen fixation, publish results. Field studies-larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Collaborative field studies-nodule feeding and economic thresholds, publish results, technology transfer. 3a. Data analysis. Procure and revamp experimental materials. Determine if populations / distribution of key NE can be manipulated by attractants. Year 5 (FY 2009) 1a: Process eggs for 1 year diapause. Return eggs for 2 year diapause. Continue processing eggs for 1 year diapause. Summarize data from F1 crosses. Manuscript preparation. Submit manuscript for publication 1b: Obtain pupae; establish male mating capacity experiment. Data analysis and manuscript preparation. Submit manuscript for publication. 1c: Corn competitiveness study publish results. 2a: Disruption of the life cycle publish results. 2c: Run and validate risk assessment model. Manuscript Preparation Submit manuscript for peer review publication. Modify model. 2f: Field studies-larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Collaborative field studies-nodule feeding and economic thresholds, publish results, technology transfer. 3a. Data analysis. Summarize findings; write manuscript. Procure and assemble experimental materials. Conduct refined experiments to determine if populations / distribution of key NE can be manipulated by attractants to enhance biological control of soybean aphid in the field. Submit manuscript on 2007-8 studies. 3. Milestones: A. FY2004 Milestones This is a new project starting in FY 2005. Thus, there were no milestones in place for the project in FY 2004. Information on previous milestones related to this project can be obtained from viewing the annual reports for 5447-21220-001-00D (Sustainable agriculture based on ecological principles of crop, weed, and insect pest management) and 5447- 22000-011-00D (Insect pest population ecology, behavior, and management for sustainable agricultural production systems in the northern Great Plains). B. List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2005, 2006, & 2007). Year 1 (FY 2005) Objective 1. Develop Resistance Management & Pest Control Strategies 1a: Diapause duration in NCR. Locate fields to extract pupae. Obtain pupae; establish and record matings; begin collecting eggs. 1b: Reproductive biology of NCR and WCR (French) Obtain pupae; establish mate competition and record matings; begin collecting and processing eggs. 1c: Diversifying the corn-soybean rotation (Anderson). Wheat residue study field work. Wheat competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study field work. Objective 2. Pest-Crop Interactions and Pest-Landscape Relationships for IPM 2a: NCR life cycle disruption through cultural practice (Ellsbury). Disruption of the life cycle field work. Disruption of the life cycle data analysis. Disruption of the life cycle publish results. 2b: Spatial variability in CRW populations (Ellsbury). Spatial variability in rootworms field work. (Q2 1995 - Q3 2004) 2c: GIS models of NCR and WCR of high-risk areas (French). Analyze data on baited insecticidal sprays. Manuscript Preparation 2d: Herbicide application to disrupt WCR (Ellsbury). Rootworms in volunteer corn field work. Rootworms in volunteer corn data analysis. 2e: R. rufiabdominalis effects on small grains (Hesler). Infest wheat plants with RRA at various aphid-day dosages. Evaluate plant growth and yield. Data analysis. 2f: BLB larval feeding on roots and nitrogen-fixing nodules (Riedell). Develop BLB rearing techniques, publish results. Develop N-fixation measurement techniques, publish results. Objective 3. Pest-Beneficial Insect-Agronomic Practice Interactions 3a. Biological control of aphids and other insect pests (Hesler). Procure and assemble experimental materials. Make weekly evaluations of NE vs. soybean aphids and exclusion cage studies. Test NE response to aphid-infested plants and to volatile semiochemicals. Data analysis. 3b: Ecology of beneficial ground beetles (Ellsbury). Ground Beetles as indicators field work. (Beginning Q2 2000). Ground Beetles as indicators data analysis (residue trt). (Beginning Q4 2004) Year 2 (FY 2006) 1a: Continue collecting eggs. Place eggs in cold storage. Go over protocol and modify if necessary. Begin egg hatching and processing. Continue processing egg dishes for 1 year diapause. Return eggs to cold storage. Processing egg dishes for 2 year diapause. 1b: Continue analyzing videos. Begin manuscript preparation. Continue processing eggs. Complete data analysis. Submit manuscript for publication. Obtain pupae; establish repeated mating experiment; collecting and processing eggs. 1c: Wheat residue study field work. Wheat competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study field work. 2a: Disruption of the life cycle field work. Disruption of the life cycle data analysis. 2b: Spatial variability in CRW populations Spatial variability in rootworms data analysis. Spatial variability in rootworms publish results. 2c: Analyze data on baited insecticidal sprays. Submit manuscript for peer review. Analyze data on corn rootworm dispersal. Manuscript Preparation 2d: Rootworms in volunteer corn field work. (Beginning Q2 2002). Rootworms in volunteer corn data analysis. Rootworms in volunteer corn publish results. 2e: Infest wheat plants with RRA at various aphid-day dosages. Evaluate plant growth and yield. Data analysis. Complete data analysis; summarize findings. Test wheat plants versus RRA, BYDV, or RRA +BYDV. 2f: Develop BLB rearing techniques, publish results. Develop N-fixation measurement techniques, publish results. Greenhouse studies-Larval damage effects on nitrogen fixation, publish results. Field studies-larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. 3a. Data analysis. Procure and revamp experimental materials. Make weekly evaluations of NE vs. soybean aphids and exclusion cage studies.Test NE response to aphid-infested plants and to volatile semiochemicals. 3b: Ground Beetles as indicators field work. (Beginning Q2 2000). Ground Beetles as indicators publish results (residue trt) Year 3 (FY 2007) 1a: Processing egg dishes for 2 year diapause. Summarize data from parental crosses. Begin manuscript. Continue with manuscript. Begin mass matings. Submit manuscript for publication. Continue mass matings. 1b: Obtain pupae; establish repeated mating experiment; collecting and processing eggs. Data analysis. 1c: Wheat residue study field work. Wheat residue study data analysis. Wheat competitiveness study data analysis. Wheat competitiveness study publish results. Corn competitiveness study field work. Corn competitiveness study data analysis. 2a: Disruption of the life cycle field work. Disruption of the life cycle data analysis. 2b: Spatial variability in rootworms publish results. 2c: Manuscript Preparation. Submit manuscript for peer review publication. Risk assessment model. 2d: Rootworms in volunteer corn data analysis. 2e: Data analysis. Repeat infestation at various aphid-day dosages. Begin a second, identical round to test RRA, BYDV, and RRA +BYDV. Complete data analysis. Summarize findings / write manuscript. Submit manuscript. 2f: Develop N-fixation measurement techniques, publish results. Greenhouse studies-Larval damage effects on nitrogen fixation, publish results. Field studies-larval damage and soybean yield and quality, publish results, technology transfer. Collaborative field studies-nodule feeding and economic thresholds, publish results, technology transfer. 3a. Data analysis. Summarize findings. Write manuscript on 2005-6 studies. Procure and assemble test materials. Determine if populations / distribution of key NE can be manipulated by attractants. Submit manuscript on 2005-6 studies. 3b: Ground Beetles as indicators publish results (residue trt) 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single most significant accomplishment during FY 2004 (one per Research (00D) Project): This is a new project starting in FY 2005. Thus, there are no accomplishments for FY 2004. Information on previous accomplishments related to this project can be obtained from viewing the annual reports for 5447-21220-001-00D (Sustainable agriculture based on ecological principles of crop, weed, and insect pest management) and 5447-22000-011- 00D (Insect pest population ecology, behavior, and management for sustainable agricultural production systems in the northern Great Plains). B. Other significant accomplishment(s), if any. None C. Significant activities that support special target populations. None D. Progress Report opportunity to submit additional programmatic information to your Area Office and NPS (optional for all in-house ("D") projects and the projects listed in Appendix A; mandatory for all other subordinate projects). n/a 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This is a new project starting in FY 2005. Thus, there are no major accomplishments over the life of the project. Information on previous accomplishments related to this project can be obtained from viewing the annual reports for 5447-21220-001-00D (Sustainable agriculture based on ecological principles of crop, weed, and insect pest management) and 5447- 22000-011-00D (Insect pest population ecology, behavior, and management for sustainable agricultural production systems in the northern Great Plains). 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? This is a new project starting in FY 2005. Thus, no science or technology has been transferred. Information on previous science or technology transfers related to this project can be obtained from viewing the annual reports for 5447-21220-001-00D (Sustainable agriculture based on ecological principles of crop, weed, and insect pest management) and 5447-22000-011-00D (Insect pest population ecology, behavior, and management for sustainable agricultural production systems in the northern Great Plains). 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. This is a new project starting in FY 2005. Thus, there are no publications in the popular press or other presentations. Information on most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations related to this project can be obtained from viewing the annual reports for 5447-21220-001-00D (Sustainable agriculture based on ecological principles of crop, weed, and insect pest management) and 5447- 22000-011-00D (Insect pest population ecology, behavior, and management for sustainable agricultural production systems in the northern Great Plains).

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications