OPTIMIZING INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT IN A WESTERN SEMI-ARID ENVIRONMENT

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1002304
• Project Start Date: Feb 27, 2014
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2017
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY
1620 STANDLEY DR ACADEMIC RESH A RM 110
LAS CRUCES,NM 88003-1239

Performing Department
Entomology, Plant Pathology & Weed Science

Non Technical Summary
In the Pecos Valley the primary crops are alfalfa, corn, cotton, pecan and chile. Farms are family owned and fields are small. Alfalfa hay is the primary crop but pecan acreage is rapidly expanding. Cotton is used as a rotation crop. In Lea County, in the High Plains of New Mexico, crops include wheat, corn, sorghum, peanuts and a number of vegetables. Agronomic conditions are quite different from the southern New Mexico desert valleys which only average 10-12 inches of rain per year. Counties on the NM eastern High Plains average 13- 17" of rain per year. Fields are larger, and farms are larger with most fields in sprinkler irrigated circles. (USDA-NMAS 2012).Insect pressure and insecticide use is higher in the High Plains. The Pecos Valley currently has lower pressure from insect pests, but changes in management practices will likely increase insect pest pressure. In particular, a reduction in alfalfa acreage, a concomitant increase in pecan acreage and larger fields coupled with the increasing use of center pivot irrigation will likely increase insect pest pressure in all crops (Corbett and Plant 1993, Flint and Roberts 1988). Historically, insect pest pressure in the Pecos Valley has not only been lower than in Lea County but also lower than in a very similar valley 160 miles west, the Mesilla Valley. This is likely due to higher acreage of alfalfa in the Pecos Valley and the high production of beneficial arthropods in hay that provide significant control of arthropod pests in nearby crops. Replacement of alfalfa acreage with pecans will likely increase insect pest pressure in all crops but alfalfa. Although it is important to respond to issues as they arise, we will likely continue to emphasize three of the major crops in southeastern New Mexico: pecan, cotton and hay.Currently the primary pest in pecan is pecan nut casebearer. Aphids, leaf miners, stinkbugs, hickory shuckworm and leaf footed bugs are occasional pests that also may cause economic losses. The primary need in pecan in SE New Mexico is to evaluate biological control to determine techniques to conserve and enhance populations of predators and parasitoids (LaRock and Ellington. 1996). Our initial work has indicated that predation levels are typically high, but periodic disruptions in populations of beneficials have been associated with dramatically higher populations of insect pests, particularly aphids. In 2011, for example, when populations of beneficials were unusually low, some growers made up to 4 applications for aphids, when typically growers average less than one application.The near eradication of cotton boll weevil and pink bollworm has opened up more opportunities to use pest management tactics in cotton that were less tenable before eradication due to routine insecticide applications. In addition, the widespread use of Bt cotton varieties have further reduced problems with lepidopterous insect pests. Now, the primary insect pest of cotton in SE New Mexico is thrips. Conchuela stink bug, Chlorochroa ligata, lygus, and leaf footed bug are occasional pests that can cause economic damage. In non Bt cotton varieties we also need to consider a complex of lepidopterous pests. The key lepidopterous pest is cotton bollworm with beet armyworm a secondary pest. Cotton square borer, Strymon melinus Hubner, and cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni Hubner, are present but not at economic levels.The market for cotton has been difficult. Growers compete on a world market and do not receive significantly higher returns for a higher quality crop. The low price of cotton has resulted in a reduction of acreage in recent years. An effort is underway to increase crop value by growing a value added variety that is glandless, producing seed that can be consumed by humans or used for high value feed such as farm-raised shrimp. The primary obstacle to the production of glandless cotton has been insect pressure, since gossypol provides some baseline resistance to insect pests (Benedict et al. 1977, Jenkins et al. 1966). It is hoped that relatively low insect pressure and research into other management tools to suppress pest populations will allow New Mexico growers to produce glandless cotton without resorting to excessive insecticide applications. We have been evaluating the potential for insect damage in SE New Mexico and potential management techniques including the impact of biological control and modifying nitrogen rates.Although beneficial arthropods often control insect pests in alfalfa hay, alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), is still a key pest in New Mexico. Secondary pests can also cause economic damage. These include numerous species of cutworms, beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), cowpea aphid, Aphis cracciuara Koch, and alfalfa caterpillar, Colias eurytheme Biosduval. Damage from secondary pests can produce extremely high economic impacts by causing the loss of stands particularly, but not exclusively, in young stands of hay.Emerging pests are expected to cause issues over the next five years. Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomopha halys(Stal), for example, has been detected in New Mexico. It is already established in parts of Texas and much of the continental U.S. Bagrada bug, Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister), has been detected in New Mexico and has become an issue feeding on cotton in Arizona. These are examples of just some emerging issues that are likely to become the subject of research in the next five years in New Mexico.

Animal Health Component

50%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

50%

Applied

50%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
211	1710	1130	25%
211	1711	1130	25%
216	1710	1130	25%
216	1711	1130	25%

Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1711 - Long fiber cotton; 1710 - Upland cotton;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;

Keywords

upland cotton

biological control

insect pests

Goals / Objectives
Evaluating the impact of crop management on arthropod populationsDetermining the impact of beneficial arthropods on pest control in major crops in New Mexico and factors that could impact control of pests by beneficial arthropods Evaluate host plant resistance issues pertinent to New Mexico crops /conditionsRespond to issues with emerging arthropod pests and pests targeted for eradication

Project Methods
Evaluating the Impact of Crop Management on Arthropod PopulationsBiological control often provides relatively high levels of control, but early season when beneficial populations are lower, abiotic control from high temperatures and low relative humidity can help prevent pest populations from causing economic damage. Our research conducted to date has indicated that abiotic control can be responsible for close to 100% mortality of some insect pests in cotton, particularly early season pests (Pierce et al. 2001). A number of management decisions could have an impact on the crop microclimate and the level of abiotic mortality. Row orientation, row spacing, and plant population have been examined for impact on microclimate and insect mortality in conventional and Bt cotton varieties (Pierce et al. 2002, Pierce and Yates 2002). In the next five years we will examine the impact of these effects in glandless cotton varieties in an effort to develop management strategies to suppress insect pests in this susceptible cotton. Crop placement and landscape effects will also be examined further. One area we have been evaluating is the impact of alfalfa on control in nearby cotton and pecan (Pierce and Monk 2011). Alfalfa management has been used as a control technique for damage in other crops successfully in other states (Stern 1969, Summers 1976). The impact of weeds will also be considered.Plant nutritional status can have an impact on the level of attraction to ovipositing females, with higher egg lay, for example, occurring in plants with higher nitrates. (Mattson 1980, Prestidge 1982, Scriber 1984). We have looked at the impact of nitrogen fertilizers on insect pest development and damage in conventional and Bt cotton varieties. (Pierce and Kirk 1999). Research is ongoing in this area in our lab, in collaboration with John Idowu and Robert Flynn, Extension Plant Sciences. Our current effort is to determine the impact of nitrates on insect damage and populations in glandless cotton in an effort to find a means to manage insect populations in this highly susceptible host plant.Determining the Impact of Beneficials on Pest Control in Major Crops in New Mexico and Factors that Could Impact Control of Pests by Beneficials Most of our research in alfalfa has concentrated on control of alfalfa weevil. We have collaborated with Scott Bundy, an NMSU research entomologist, to examine seasonal phenology of alfalfa weevil. However, our major effort has been on biological control of this pest as a follow up to releases of parasitoids by USDA in the 1980s. Our work on biological control of alfalfa weevil has indicated that Bathyplectes spp. are well established in the Mesilla Valley and the Pecos Valley. A second species, Oomyzus incertus, is well established in the Mesilla valley. The two species generally provide good control in the Mesilla Valley. In the Pecos Valley, control is more variable and only Bathyplectes spp is well established. Other areas of the state have even lower levels of control by parasitioids and higher losses from alfalfa weevil (Pierce et al. 2009).We will continue efforts to develop an understanding of key predators of target crops in New Mexico and an understanding of the factors that impact their success. We are also examining the impact of alfalfa on biological control in nearby crops including cotton and pecan and will continue that effort. It seems clear that much of the success of biological control in the Pecos Valley is due to the prevalence of alfalfa in this valley. Interestingly, it may not impact all crops as initial results suggest that the key predators of pecan pests are less likely to originate in hay.The success of glandless cotton in New Mexico will depend on a high level of biological control for this very susceptible crop. We are evaluating biological control in glandless vs. glanded cotton both by sampling predators and by measuring predation levels through the use of sentinel eggs (Pierce et al. 2012).Other areas of research include evaluating the impact of plant architecture on biological control, for example leaf shape in cotton and tree size in pecan. Evaluate Host Plant Resistance Issues Pertinent to New Mexico Crops /ConditionsWe have evaluated variation in resistance in Bt cotton varieties, and endophyte infected grasses and the impact of nitrogen and environmental factors such as temperature on resistance (Pierce and Kirk 1999, Breen 1992, 1994). Current plans are to evaluate glandless cotton varieties which were highly susceptible to insect damage in other states in conjunction with other NMSU researchers, particularly J. Idowu. (Tingey and Singh 1980). Field and lab trials will be conducted to evaluate glandless cotton varieties and the risk of excessive insect losses. Abiotic and biotic control strategies will be considered in an effort to design recommendations that will allow us to produce a crop without excessive losses from arthropods. For example, plants high in nitrogen are often more attractive to insect pests and may result in faster development or even higher survival of insect pests. Lower levels of nitrogen fertilizers could be a strategy for reducing insect damage in glandless cotton. (Mattson 1980, McNeil and Southwood 1978, Onuf 1978)Respond to Issues with Emerging Arthropod Pests and Pests Targeted for Eradication Emerging insect pests that are issues in New Mexico include brown marmorated stink bug, walnut twig borer, bagrada bug, and a number of Triatominae among other species. Two years of research conducted by our lab in conjunction with S. Hanson and R. Durvasula has suggested that approximately 50% of Triatominae in SE New Mexico may be infected with T. cruzi the causative agent of Chagas disease (Bendixsen. 2011). This is similar to T. cruzi infection levels in Arizona and Texas (Kjos et al. 2008, Reisenman 2010).Walnut twig borer, Obera linearis L., is an increasing concern, particularly in the eastern US. We have recently begun working to determine the eastern boundary of walnut twig borer in New Mexico with Andrew Graves of the US Forest Service.Boll weevil and pink bollworm are virtually eradicated, but these or other pests could be the subject of research if there are problems with the eradication effort or reintroductions. My lab recently completed a two year study with Charles Allen and other collaborators from Texas A & M and USDA to determine why pink bollworm populations were higher than expected in an eradication zone in Texas. (Pierce et al. 2012). This type of work would be addressed if the need arose again.

Progress 02/27/14 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Primarily growers but also the general public, undergraduate and graduate students and K-12. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In the past year I have presented the results of this research three times at professional meetings and at six extension presenations. Growers and other clients were able to obtain pesticide applicator training CEUs from 5 of those six presentations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated in numerous ways both traditional and new. Presentations are and publications are already noted. We also have results available on social media and websites. Grower meetings and field walks are used to disseminate information as well as newsletters, and press releases and interviews. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Sugarcane aphid was found for the first time in NM in 2015. In 2016 we conducted field trials in Clovis and in Artesia NM to evaluate susceptibility to sugarcane aphid in cultivars that are adapted to NM conditions. Some varieties were identified as being particularly promising. Host plant susceptibility to glandless cotton has been evaluated to develop management tools that will allow us to commercialize this more susceptible cotton. Biological control of pests in glandless cotton has been a focus and we have determined that glandless cotton has similar levels of predation as glanded cotton. There are some differences in types of predators but overall levels of predation are similar. Trials were also conducted in cotton to evaluate seed treatments for control of thrips and varietal resistance to fleahoppers. Recent incursions of pecan weevil into New Mexico are causing concern since NM has been historically free of this most significant pest of pecan. We are planning research trials to support eradication efforts.

Publications

Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Primarily growers but also the general public, undergraduate and graduate students and K-12. Changes/Problems:Challenges included the vast distances and few entomologists to cover this large stateand emerging pestsWorking with new pests that are not well understood particularly in our environment is always a challenge. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In the past year I have presented the results of this research three times at professional meetings and at six extension presenations. Growers and other clients were able to obtain pesticide applicator training CEUs from 5 of those six presentations. Pierce, J. B. (Discussant), Monk, P. E. (Other), Idowu, O. J. (Other), Beltwide Cotton Conference, National Cotton Council, Dallas, TX, "Predation of Sentinel Eggs in Cotton and Sorghum in New Mexico", Scope: National, published in proceedings, Invited or Accepted? Accepted. (2017). Pierce, J. B. (Discussant), Monk, P. (Other), Idowu, O. J., Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO, "Predation of Sentinel Eggs in Cotton and Sorghum in New Mexico", Scope: National, published in proceedings, published elsewhere, Invited or Accepted? Accepted. (November 2017) Pierce, J.B. (Discussant) Sorghum-Sugarcane Aphid Regional Program Research Exchange Workshop. Sugarcane Aphid in New Mexico. Dallas, TX. January 2017. Invited or (January 2017) Pierce, J. B., 8th Annual Forage Growers Workshop, New Mexico State University, Los Lunas,NM, "Alfalfa Weevil and White Fringed Beetle Control in New Mexico", Invited. (December 2017). NM CEU available Lopez, Bo (presenter) and J.B. Pierce. Catron County Pesticide Applicator Workshop. Catron County Extension Service, Reserve, NM. Grasshopper Biology and Control in New Mexico. Invited (2017) NM CEU available Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Roosevelt County Private Applicator Renewal Workshop, Roosevelt County Extension Service, Portales, NM, " Sugarcane Aphid Management in New Mexico Sorghum ", (December 2017). NM and TX CEU available Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Pesticide Applicators Workshop, NMSU, Hobbs, NM, "Emerging Insect Pests 2017", Scope: State, Invited or Accepted? Invited. (2017). Item applies to Discovery. NM CEU available Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Clovis Field Day, ASC Clovis, "Sugarcane Aphid", (August 2017). NM and TX CEU available How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated in numerous ways both traditional and new. Presentations are and publications are already noted. We also have results available on social media and websites. Grower meetings and field walks are used to disseminate information as well as newsletters, and press releases and interviews. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project has recently finished. I plan to analyze the data that has not already been analyzed and continue to write up the results in refereed and extension publications.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Sugarcane aphid was found for the first time in NM in 2015. In 2016 we conducted field trials in Clovis and in Artesia NM to evaluate suceptiblility to sugarcane aphid in cultivars that are adapted to NM conditions. Some varieties were identified as being particularly promising. Host plant suceptibility to glandless cotton has been evaluated to develop management tools that will allow us to commercialize this more suceptible cotton. Biological control of pests in glandless cotton has been a focus and we have determined that glandless cotton has similar levels of predation as glanded cotton. There are some differences in types of predators but overall levels of predation are similar. Trials were also conducted in cotton to evaluate seed treatments for control of thrips and varietal resistance to fleahoppers. Recent incursions of pecan weevil into New Mexico are causing concern since NM has been historically free of this most significant pest of pecan. We are planning research trials to support eradication efforts

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2018 Citation: J. Pierce. Beet Armyworm in New Mexico Hay. Circular A-334. Las Cruces, NM. New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Pierce, J. B., Monk, P., Idowu, O. J. (2017). In National Cotton Council of America (Ed.), Predation of Sentinel Eggs in Cotton and Sorghum in New Mexico (vol. 71, pp. 536-541). Dallas, TX: Beltwide Cotton Conferences
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Indocochea, A., Gard, C., Hansen, I. A., Pierce, J. B., Romero, A. (2017). Short-Range Responses of the Kissing Bug Triatoma rubida (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to Carbon Dioxide, Moisture, and Artificial Light. Insects. 8, 90 12pp.
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2018 Citation: J. Pierce. Variegated Cutworm in New Mexico Hay. Circular A-335. Las Cruces, NM. New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2018 Citation: Pierce, J. B. (in press). Pink Bollworm Distribution and Eradication in Southeastern New Mexico and adjacent areas of the TexasTrans Pecos and Edwards Plateau 2009-2017. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University Experiment Station
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sutherland, C. A., Pierce, J. B., Lewis, B. E., Heerema, R. (2017). Ana Henke, Frank Sholdice (Ed.), Pecan Weevil: Wanted Dead, Not Alive (pp. 8 pp.). Las Cruces, NM
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Pierce, J. B., and C. Sutherland. (2017). Guide L-110: Honey Bees in New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: NMSU, University Communications, Cooperative Extension Service.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2018 Citation: Idowu, J. J. Zhang; J Pierce, M Omer, T Wedegaertner (2018) in press. In National Cotton Council of America (Ed) Impacts of Potassium fertilization on new glandless cotton cultivars developed for New Mexico. Beltwide Cotton Conferences . San Antonio, TX. Beltwide Cotton Conference

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

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is primarily growers/producers, most of whom grow the major crop in SE NM alfalfa hay, pecans and cotton but also growers of smaller crops particularly sorghum. To a lesser extent our audience is also homeowners and gardeners, the general public and K-12 students in addition to our undergraduate and graduate students. Changes/Problems:This change is consistent with the goal of responding to emerging pests and supporting eradication programs. However we had not done any work on pecan weevil in the past sothis is a change.With recent incursions into New Mexico it now seems important for NMSU research and extension entomologists to take on a larger role in response to this threat. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), New Mexico Crop Producers Association, New Mexico Crop Producers Assoc and NMSU Extension, Ruidoso, NM, "Forage Insects in New Mexico", Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), New Mexico Hay Association, New Mexico Hay Assoc and NMSU Extension, Ruidoso, NM, "Forage Insects in New Mexico", Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), New Mexico Cotton Growers, New Mexico Cotton Growers Assoc and NMSU Extension, Ruidoso, NM, "Insect Issues 2016 Field Day Presentations Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Alcalde Field Day, ASC Alcalde, "Alfalfa Weevil Biocontrol", (August 11, 2016). Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Clovis Field Day, ASC Clovis, "Sugarcane Aphid", Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Clovis Canola and Wheat Field Day, ASC Clovis, "Sugarcane Aphid Management", (May 10, 2016). Pierce, J. B. Artesia Field Day, ASC Artesia, "Economic Impact of Insect Pests in Southeastern NM",. (September 8, 2016) Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Artesia Field Day, ASC Artesia, "Insect Safari", Invited. (September 8, 2016). Pesticide Applicator Training Presentations Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Pesticide Applicators Workshop, NMSU Cooperative Extension Service, Clovis, NM, "Emerging Agronomic Insect Pests 2016", (December 8, 2016). Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Roosevelt County Private Applicator Renewal Workshop, Roosevelt County Extension Service, Portales, NM, "Biology and Control of Sugarcane Aphid in New Mexico Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Quay County Private Applicators workshop, Quay County Eextension Office, Tucumcari, NM, "Sugarcane Aphid Update",. Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Chaves County Pesticide Applicator Workshop, Chaves County extension Office, Roswell, NM, "Insect Isuues 2015",. Pierce, J. B., Ag Expo, Portales, NM, "Sugarcane Aphid Management in New Mexico", Scope: State, Invited or Accepted? Invited. (Patrick Kircher) (March 18, 2016).. Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Guadalupe County Crop Rotation and Improvement Workshop, Santa Rosa, NM, "Insect Issues 2015",. Other Extension Presentations Pierce, J. B. , Earth Day/ Ag in the Classroom, Artesia, NM, "Ag in the Classroom", (April 22, 2016). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated at Grower Workshops, Conferences, Pesticide Training Continuing Education Presentations, Master Gardener classes, extension publications, social media, websites, and at Professional Conferences and publications. The extension presentations have been listed. Following are Professional Conference presenations from 2016 Conference Research Presentations Pierce, J. B., Monk, P. E. , Richman, D. B. , Idowu, O. J. , Beltwide Cotton Conference, National Cotton Council, New Orleans, LA, "Control of Insect Pests in Glandless Cotton: The Role of Biological Control in New Mexico" (January 6, 2016) Idowu, O. J. , Zhang, J., Flynn, R. P. , Pierce, J. B. , Wedegaertner, T., Beltwide Cotton Conference, National Cotton Council, New Orleans, LA, "Performance of New Glandless Cotton Lines As a Function of Soil Type and Nitrogen Rates. (January 6, 2016). Zhang, J., Pierce, J. B., Beltwide Cotton Conference, National Cotton Council, New Orleans, LA, "Genetic analysis of yield, fiber quality and aboitic stress tolerance in Pima cotton", (January 6, 2016). Pierce, J. B., Hanson, S. F. , Bendixsen, D. Entomological Society of America National Meeting/XXV International Congress of Entomology, Entomological Society of America, Orlando , FL, "Changes in Incidence of Trypanosoma cruzi in New Mexico Triatomines." (September 26, 2016). Pierce, J. B. Monk, P. E. , Idowu, O. J. , Southwestern Branch ESA Annual Meeting, Southwestern Branch Entomological Society of America, Tyler, TX, "Predation of sentinel bollworm (Helicoverpa zea) eggs in glanded and glandless cotton in New Mexico" (February 24, 2016). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are planning to conduct research trials in Artesia, Clovis and Las Cruces NM. Sugarcane aphid cultivar resistance will be evaluated again as in 2016 in Artesia and Clovis. As in 2015 we will repeat the trial to examine seed treatment efficacy against thrips in cotton. Glandless cotton trials will be evaluated in Artesia and in Las Cruces to look at the impact of variety and irrigation on insect pests and beneficials. One change is that we will be using a high volume insectovac recently aquired to do high volume sampling in glanded and glandless cotton plots. Trials are being planned for 2017 with research designed to support eradication efforts for pecan weevil.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Sugarcane aphid was found for the first time in NM in 2015. In 2016 we conducted field trials in Clovis and in Artesia NM to evaluate suceptiblility to sugarcane aphid in cultivars that are adapted to NM conditions. One variety was identified as being particularly promising. Host plant suceptibility to glandless cotton has been evaluated to develop management tools that will allow us to commercialize this more suceptible cotton. Biological control of pests in glandless cotton has been a focus and we have determined that glandless cotton has similar levels of predation as glanded cotton. There are some differences in types of predators but overall levels of predation are similar. Trials were also conducted in cotton to evaluate seed treatments for control of thrips and varietal resistance to fleahoppers. Recent incursions of pecan weevil into New Mexico are causing concern since NM has been historically free of this most significant pest of pecan. We are planning research trials to support eradication efforts.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Pierce, J. B., Monk, P., Richman, D. B., Idowu, O. J. (2016). In National Cotton Council of America (Ed.), Control of Insect Pests in Glandless Cotton: The Role of Biological Control in New Mexico (vol. 70, pp. 198-201). New Orleans, LA: Beltwide Cotton Conferences. National Cotton Council, Memphis TN
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Idowu, O. J., Zhang, J., Flynn, R. P., Pierce, J. B., Wedegaertner, T. C. (2016). In National Cotton Council of America (Ed.), Performance of New Glandless Cotton Lines As a Function of Soil Type and Nitrogen Rates (pp. 58-61). New Orleans, LA: 2016 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. National Cotton Council. Memphis TN
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Pierce, J. B. (in press). Pink Bollworm Distribution and Eradication in Southeastern New Mexico and adjacent areas of the TexasTrans Pecos and Edwards Plateau 2009-2013. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University Experiment Station.,
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Pierce, J. B., French, J. (2016). Extension Pesticide Applicator Training Series #4: Sprayer Calibration. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service. http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_a/A613
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Pierce, J. B., French, J. (2016). Extension Pesticide Applicator Training Series #5: Calculating Pesticide Amounts for Broadcast Applications. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service. aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_a/A614/
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Pierce, J. B., Monk, P., Idowu, O. J. (2016). Predation of sentinel bollworm (Helicoverpa zea) eggs in glanded and glandless cotton in New Mexico (pp. 41). Tyler, TX: (Abstract) Entomological Society of America, Southwestern Branch Annual Meeting
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Pierce, J, P Monk and J Idowu. PREDATION OF SENTINEL EGGS IN COTTON AND SORGHUM IN NEW MEXICO. Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Dallas Texas. National Cotton Council. Memphis TN Patricia E Monk John Idowu
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Zhang, J., Pierce, J. B., Beltwide Cotton Conference, National Cotton Council, New Orleans, LA, "Genetic analysis of yield, fiber quality and aboitic stress tolerance in Pima cotton" Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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

Outputs
Target Audience:Primarily growers of hay, cotton, pecan and alfalfa but also the general public, students and home gardeners. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Pierce, J. B. P. Monk , O. J Idowu. 2015 Predation of sentinel bollworm eggs in glanded and glandless cotton. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting Minneapolis, MN. Pierce, J. B. S. F. Hanson. 2015 Chagas disease in New Mexico: A new risk? Southwestern Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. San Antonio, TX. Pierce, J. B. P Monk and O. J Idowu. 2015. Sentinel egg predation in glandless cotton in New Mexico. Southwestern Branch Entomological Society meeting, San Antonio, TX Pierce, J. B., Pesticide Applicator Workshop, Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District, Edgewood, NM, "Insect Pest Update 2015", Scope:. (December 4, 2015).(CEU credits) Pierce, J. B., 6th Annual Forage Growers Workshop, New Mexico State University, Los Lunas,NM, "Forage insect pests: Identification, indications and management",(December 1, 2015). (CEU credits) Pierce, J. B. Pesticide Applicator Workshop, NMSU, Albuquerque, NM, "Issues with insect pest management for New Mexico 2015", . (November 19, 2015). (CEU credits) Pierce, J. B. Monk, P.Idowu, O. J.Entomolgical Society of America National Meeting, Entomological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN, "Predation of sentinel bollworm eggs in glanded and glandless cotton", . (November 17, 2015).(CEU credits) Pierce, J. B. , Clovis Field Day, ASC Clovis, "Sugarcane aphid and grasshoppers: an update for New Mexico", (August 7, 2015).(CEU credits) Pierce, J. B. Tucumcari Field Day, ASC Tucumcari, "Insect Pest Management in Glandless Cotton",. (August 6, 2015).(CEU credits) Pierce, J. B. , Quay County Grasshopper Workshop, Tucumcari Convention Center, "Biology and collection of grasshoppers. (July 28, 2015).(CEU credits) Pierce, J. B. Clovis Canola and wheat Field Day, ASC Clovis, "Insect Pest Management in Small Grains", . (April 28, 2015).(CEU credits) Pierce, J. B., Tucumcari, NM, "Sugarcane Aphid". (December 9, 2015). (CEU credits) Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), Pesticide Applicators Workshop, NMSU, Hobbs, NM, "Insect Pest Problems 2015",(January 29, 2015). Pierce, J. B. (Presenter), New Mexico Cotton Growers, New Mexico Cotton Growers Assoc and NMSU Extension, Ruidoso, NM, "Insect Pest Problems 2015", (January 14, 2015). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Pierce, J. B. La Semilla Workshop, La Semilla Community Farm, "Insect pests and beneficials in New Mexico Gardens", . (June 15, 2015) Results of cotton, pecan and hay research is reported annually at commoditiy meetings such as the Cotton Beltwide Conferences, the NM Cotton Conferences, and the NM Hay Conference, Results are also reported in experiment station reports. ESA annual meetings, field day demonstrations, NM Ag Expo, and numerous workshops organized by NMSU specialists and county agents. Examples of these are provided under training since they provide pesticide applicator CEUs. Entomological Society of America presentations were reported under professional development. Publications that allow dissemination of results include refereed publications, NMSU experiment station publications, extension publications, newsletters, and social media. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Ongoing projects include biological control of alfalfa weevil, identification of key predators in commerical pecan orchards, impact of alfalfa on landscape predation, impact of insect pests and predation in glanded and glandless cotton. In addition to continuting work on these ongoing projects we will put more emphasis on an emerging pest in New Mexico sugarcane aphid. Research at the Ag Science Centers in Artesia and Clovis NM will include trials to evaluate damage in less suceptible cultivars and the role of biological control on control of sugarcane aphid in New Mexico.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Sugarcane aphid was found for the first time in 2015 and did significant damage to sorghum in five counties in NM. It will likely need control measures in 2016 as well. Sugarcane aphid will present challenges in mangement of sorghum since it is a new pest and truly resistant varieties are not yet available. We have begun collecting data on biological control and have begun trials to look at less suceptible varieties. Host plant suceptibility of glandless cotton to insect pests has been evaluated. While glandless cotton has been found to be more suceptible to insect pests in the lab and in the field, we have not yet seen any impacts on yield from insect dmage suggesting that it might be a good fit for New Mexico where it can be used to produce high value seed that is not toxic to humans or other non ruminant mammals. It was found to be more suceptible to beet armyworm and bollworm damage however the levesl fo damage were not high enough to impact yield. Overall predation levels were similar in glanded and glandlss cotton although some predators, most notably spiders are found more commonly in glanded cotton in field trials. Predation trials in pecan in 2015 indicated that in addition to ghost spider, Hibana incursa, green lacewing can be a key predator in pecan orchards in New Mexico.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Pierce, J.B. P Idowu O. 2015. Predation of sentinel bollworm eggs in glanded and glandless cotton in New Mexico. Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conferences Vol 70. January 5-7, 2015 San Antonio TX
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Larson, Z, B Barrick, A Abdelraheem, S Sanogo, J Pierce, R Flynn, J Idowu, J. Zhang Evaluation of new glandless cotton lines for thrip and verticillium wilt resistance. Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conferences Vol 70. January 5-7, 2015 San Antonio TX
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Idowu, O. J. J.F. Shang. J. B. Pierce, R. P. Flynn. Impact of deficit irrigation on selected glandless cultivars in New Mexico. Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conferences Vol 70. January 5-7, 2015 San Antonio TX
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Insect Pest Management of Sugarcane Aphid and Grasshoppers in NM. Abstract Proceedings. New Mexico State University Field Day. Clovis, NM.
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Extension Pesticide Applicator Training Series #5: Calculating Pesticide Amounts for Broadcast Applications, New Mexico State University
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Extension Pesticide Applicator Training Series #4. Sprayer Calibration. New Mexico State University.
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Pink bollworm distribution and eradication in southeastern New Mexico and adjacent area of the Texas Trans Pecos and Edwards Plateau 2009-2013. New Mexico State University Experiment Station.

Progress 02/27/14 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences are primarily the following: commerical growers, part-time growers, home owners, gardeners, parks and recreation employees, and students. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Pierce, J. B., P.E. Monk, R. Flynn and O.J. Idowu. Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Entomological Society of America, Portland, OR, "Potential Impact of Spodoptera exigua and Helicoverpa zea on Glanded and Glandless Cotton in New Mexico" (November 2014) Trypanosoma cruzi in New Mexico Triatomes" (February 2014) Garnett, A. Pierce, J. B., P.E. Monk, R. Flynn and O.J Idowu. Entomological Society of America Southwestern Branch Meeting, Entomological Society of America, San Antonio, TX, "Glandless Cotton in New Mexico: Beet Armyworm, Spodoptera exigua and Bollworm, Helicoverpa zea Development, Field Damage and Potential for Biological Control " (February 2014) Pierce, J.B., P.E. Monk, A.J. Garnett, R. Flynn and O.J. Idowu. Beltwide Cotton Conference, National Cotton Council. New Orleans, LA. "Glandless Cotton in New Mexico: Beet Armyworm, Spodoptera exigua and Bollworm, Helicoverpa zea Development and Field Damage" (January 2014) Idowu, O. J. R.P. Flynn, J. Zhang, J. Pierce, J. B. and T. Wedegaertner. Beltwide Cotton Conference, National Cotton Council, New Orleans, LA, " Comparative Performance of a Glandless Acala Cultivar and Two Glanded Acala Cultivars in New Mexico" (January 2014) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results of cotton research is presented annually at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences as well as in reports to Cotton Incorporated some of which are sent directly to growers. Some local (eg up to state level ) presentations follow Pierce, J. B., Portales Pesticide Training, NMSU, Portales, NM, "Pest Management Issues in NM" Invited. (December 3, 2014). Pierce, J. B. ASC Entomology Research and News. Artesia Agricultural Field Day. (September 11, 2014) Pierce, J. B. Issues in Entomology. Tucumcari Agricultural Field Day. (August 7, 2014) (Was invited to give oral and poster presentations. The oral presentation was rained out but I had the poster on Salt Cedar biocontrol and left the handouts related to the oral presentation. Pierce, J. B., 2014. SE New Mexico Research Association, Artesia, NM, "Insect Control in Southeastern New Mexico " (April 3, 2014 -Written Report) Pierce, J.B. Management of Forage Insect Pests. (January 31, 2014). Forage Growers Workshop, Los Lunas, NM. Pierce, J. B. 2014. New Mexico Cotton Conference, New Mexico Cotton Growers Assoc. and NMSU Extension, Ruidoso, "Issues in Insect Pest Management", (January 15, 2014). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Sugarcane aphid will be monitored as it moves into New Mexico and we will work with the New Mexico Dpeartment of Agriculture to provide EPA with proper documentation in order to justify registration of a product that will be needed by growers to control this new pest. Experiments will be conducted to evaluate the impact of predation in glanded vs glandless cotton in oder to maximize biological control in glandless cotton. We will work with Texas A & M to identify predominant thrips in cotton and other primary crops in New Mexico and to evaluate imidiclorid activity in cotton seed treatments. We will continute to monitor salt cedar beetles in New Mexico in conjunction with other NMSU and regional entomologists to document establishment and movement of the three species that are now established in New Mexico. Experiments will also be conducted to evaluate the impact of some predators that preliminary research suggests are providing significant control of insect pests in cotton, alfalfa and pecan.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Sugarcane aphid will likely be found in New Mexico in the next year and will present challenges in management in sorghum. Field in eastern New Mexico were monitored periodically for sugarcane aphid so that when found appropriate steps can be taken to allow registration of an effecitve insecticide. Host plant suceptibilty of glandless cotton to insect pests was evaluated and while it has been found to be more suceptible to a number of insect pests in the field and the lab to date we have not seen any impacts on yield suggesting that it might be a good fit in New Mexico where it can be used to proudce high value seed that is not toxic to humans or other non ruminant mammals. It was found to be more suceptible to beet armyworm and bollworm damage however the levels of damage were not high enough or early enough to impact yield. Overall predation levels were similar in glanded and glandless cotton although some predators most notably spiders are found more commonly in glanded cotton.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Pierce, J.B., P.E. Monk, A.J. Garnett, R. Flynn and O.J. Idowu. 2014. Glandless Cotton in New Mexico: Beet Armyworm, Spodoptera exigua and Bollworm, Helicoverpa zea Development and Field Damage. In Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conference, National Cotton Council. New Orleans, LA. Vol. 68 pp. 688-692.