Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to
A SUSTAINABLE IPM STRATEGY FOR THE INVASIVE AQUATIC WEED HYDRILLA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1005910
Grant No.
2014-70006-22517
Project No.
FLAW-2014-07753
Proposal No.
2014-07753
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
ARDP
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2014
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2018
Grant Year
2014
Project Director
Weeks, E. N.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
AG-ENTOMOLOGY / NEMATOLOGY
Non Technical Summary
Millions of dollars are spent annually in the U.S. to control large infestations of the invasive aquatic weed hydrilla. In the last 15 years hydrilla has developed resistance to the herbicides fluridone and endothall, two registered chemical control options for management of hydrilla infestations in the U.S. Integrated pest management (IPM) could help to mitigate the effects of herbicide resistance and improve the sustainability of hydrilla management. However, limited options has led to the frequent application of herbicides as a standalone tactic. Our long-term goal is to reduce the threat that the spread of resistant hydrilla biotypes represents to the nation's watersheds, urban areas, aquaculture, and irrigated agriculture. The objectives of this proposed project are to demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel IPM strategy and facilitate its use through education of stakeholders in collaboration with Florida LAKEWATCH. We expect our research project to show that low risk tactics including two biological control agents and an herbicide are compatible, and that by integrating them, we can achieve safe and cost-effective control of hydrilla. We also believe that by engaging and educating stakeholders with our Extension program we can improve understanding of IPM and promote its implementation. Our objectives and impacts align perfectly with the goals of the CPPM program and the National IPM Roadmap. Improved hydrilla management incorporating biological control methods to reduce herbicide input will protect human health, the environment, and the economy.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1120399114010%
1360399114010%
2160399114020%
9030399114020%
2130399114010%
2110399113010%
2160399113020%
Knowledge Area
213 - Weeds Affecting Plants; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems; 112 - Watershed Protection and Management; 211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity; 903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
0399 - Watersheds and river basins, general;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology; 1140 - Weed science;
Goals / Objectives
We plan to accomplish the overallgoal of this application, to demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel IPM strategy and facilitate its use through education of stakeholders, by pursuing the following specific aims and objectives:Specific Research Aim #1. Evaluate the effect of different combinations of C. lebetis, the fungal pathogen Mt, and the herbicide imazamox on hydrilla under field conditions.Objective#1.1. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungal pathogen Mt. Working Hypothesis: Laboratory tank studies have shown that simultaneous application of Mt with sublethal doses of herbicides can enhance the effectiveness of the herbicides applied at lower than the recommended rates (Netherland and Shearer 1996, Shearer and Nelson 2009). Therefore, we expect that low concentrations of Mt can be used in combination with C. lebetis because feeding damage to hydrilla by the developing midge larvae will increase the susceptibility of hydrilla to infection by Mt. (see 1.4 Preliminary data).Objective#1.2. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the herbicide imazamox. Working Hypothesis: Recent studies with imazamox have shown that hydrilla will branch profusely following treatment with this ALS inhibiting herbicide (M. Netherland, unpubl. data). The increased branching creates new larval development sites for C. lebetis. We expect that combining sublethal doses of imazamox will produce higher C. lebetis populations than hydrilla not treated with the herbicide. (see 1.4 Preliminary data)Objective#1.3. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungus Mt and the herbicide imazamox. Working Hypothesis: Our laboratory tank studies showed a reduction in hydrilla biomass or number of shoot tips, when C. lebetis was combined with either Mt or imazamox, respectively (see 1.4 Preliminary data). Therefore, we expect combining all three agents will have a significant impact on hydrilla growth.Specific Extension Aim #2. Facilitate the adoption of a novel integrated pest management strategy for hydrilla control. Objective#2.1 Evaluate hydrilla IPM materials previously produced and distributed. In our previous project our main deliverables involved the production of materials for distribution to promote understanding about hydrilla IPM including bookmarks, trifold brochures, boat rulers, a 12 page introductory guide and a more intensive ~200 page IPM guide. In this subproject we will produce a survey to evaluate these materials and to determine what additional materials should be produced.Objective#2.2 Determine and fulfill the needs of stakeholders, specifically Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers. Extension team members will facilitate and attend Florida LAKEWATCH annual regional meetings to discuss hydrilla problems and hydrilla IPM with participants. The needs of this involved group of stakeholders, with reference to hydrilla, will be recorded and compared with survey results so subsequent materials and trainings can be designed to satisfy those needs.Objective#2.3 Provide the tools for stakeholders to implement an IPM strategy. During the annual regional Florida LAKEWATCH meetings the counties with hydrilla problems will be selected. Incorporating the most efficacious IPM strategy from Specific Research Aim #1, the Extension team will deliver and apply the necessary biological control agents (if they are freely available) to interested lake owners and managers.
Project Methods
Specific Research Aim #1. Evaluate the effect of different combinations of C. lebetis, the fungal pathogen Mt, and the herbicide imazamox on hydrilla under field conditions.Midge Rearing. A colony of the hydrilla tip miner C. lebetis will be established and maintained in the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department. Samples of hydrilla infested with larvae/pupae of the midge C. lebetis will be collected from Lake Rowell, which is located in Bradford, Co., FL (29o 55'17.44" N, 82 o 09' 33.04" W).Mt Production. Stock cultures of the strain of M. terrestris (Mt) being used in this study will be maintained at -80C at USDA/ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in the Crop Bioprotection Research Unit. Production and formulation processes for microsclerotia of the test strain will be verified using previously described protocols (Shearer and Jackson 2003, 2006).Objective#1.1. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungal pathogen Mt. Experimental Design: The basic experimental design will be a randomized complete block small-scale field trial replicated over a two year period. The field study will be performed in a pond(s) infested with hydrilla located at the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants in Alachua Co., FL (29° 43' 37.62" N, 82° 25' 02.24" W). The proposed study will be conducted in 12 benthic enclosures, or limnocorrals (Cruikshank et al. 1983). Each limnocorral (1 m diam. × 1-2 m depth) will be constructed from a heavy duty clear plastic tube that extends down to the bottom of the pond, where it is anchored and sealed to prevent seepage. The hydrilla isolated in each limnocorral will either be harvested or planted to ensure uniform cover and initial biomass prior to applying the treatments.There will be four treatments: Control, Mt, hydrilla miner, and Mt + hydrilla miner. Each treatment will have 3 replicates. The procedures for evaluating the compatibility of C. lebetis with Mt will be similar to those used for combining Mt with fluridone or endothall (Netherland and Shearer 1996, Shearer and Nelson 2002). One rate of Mt (high) and one density of the insect (low) will be randomly applied to three of the limnocorrals containing established hydrilla plants. The insect will be added several days before the Mt to allow feeding to commence. The forth limnocorral will be a control that will receive no insects or fungi. Effective doses were established in our preliminary trials (see 1.4). Establishment of the Mt and hydrilla miner will be confirmed by microscopic examination of hydrilla shoot tips. The depth of the hydrilla plants (cm) will be measured from the surface of the water and hydrilla shoot biomass will be harvested 90 and 180 days after treatment, dried for 2 days at 60oC and weighed. Hydrilla depth and biomass (grams dry weight) will be subjected to repeated measures ANOVA (SAS 2002). Data will be transformed, if necessary, to meet normality and equal variance assumptions.Objective #1.2. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the herbicide imazamox. Experimental Design: Same as for Subproject #1.1. Except that there will be four treatments: Control, imazamox, hydrilla miner, imazamox + hydrilla miner. Each treatment will have 3 replicates. One rate of imazamox (low) and one density of the insect (high) will be randomly applied to three of the limnocorrals containing established hydrilla plants. The insects will be added 10-14 days after the imazamox treatment. The forth limnocorral will be a control that will receive no insects or herbicide. Establishment of the hydrilla miner will be confirmed by microscopic examination of hydrilla shoot tips. Other data collection and analysis will be the same as for Subproject #1.1.Objective#1.3. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis, the fungus Mt and the herbicide imazamox. Experimental Design: Same as for Subproject #1.1. Except that there will be four treatments: Control, imazamox + hydrilla miner, Mt + hydrilla miner and imazamox + Mt + hydrilla miner. Each treatment will have 3 replicates. One rate of imazamox (low), one rate of Mt (low) and one density of the insect (low) will be randomly applied to three of the limnocorrals containing established hydrilla plants. The forth limnocorral will be a control that will receive no insects, fungi or herbicide. Establishment of the hydrilla miner and the fungi will be confirmed by microscopic examination of hydrilla shoot tips. Other data collection and analysis will be the same as for Subproject #1.1.Specific Extension Aim #2. Facilitate the adoption of a novel integrated pest management strategy for hydrilla control. Objective #2.1 Evaluate hydrilla IPM materials previously produced and distributed. Experimental Design: A survey will be designed in Qualtrics to be distributed to all known recipients of our previously produced Extension materials including Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers, UF/IFAS Extension faculty and, the EPAF and FLMS attendants. The survey will be submitted to the UF Institutional Review Board (UF IRB) for approval. Once approved, the survey will be distributed via the listserves of the previously mentioned organizations, amongst others. The results of the survey will be statistically analyzed.Objective#2.2 Determine and fulfill the needs of stakeholders, specifically Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers.Experimental Design: The Extension team will facilitate and attend the annual regional meetings of the Florida LAKEWATCH. During the meetings they will present an update on the Hydrilla IPM project to the attendants of the meeting. Following the short presentation the team member will lead a discussion on the needs of the volunteers with regards to hydrilla management. Following the meetings the information obtained from each meeting will be organized to determine the priorities for this diverse stakeholder group. These priorities once correlated with our survey results will form the deliverables of this subproject.Objective#2.3 Provide the tools for stakeholders to implement an IPM strategy Experimental Design: When attending Florida LAKEWATCH annual regional meetings the Extension team will identify counties with severe hydrilla problems. Volunteers with access to lakes with hydrilla problems will be identified and their interest in receiving biological control agents will be determined. Once the field research has demonstrated the most effective combination of tools for hydrilla management these will be offered (if freely available) to the pre-selected volunteers or the owners/managers of the water bodies that they represent. The researchers (with the appropriate permits) will apply the tools to the water body.

Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/18

Outputs
Target Audience:We collaborate with Florida LAKEWATCH, our results are shared at their regional meetings which are attended by owners of lakeshore properties, lake managers and others with an interest in lake monitoring and management in Florida.Similarly our quarterly newsletter is distributed to a similar audience. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two undergraduate students and one staff member have been trained in biological control, insect rearing, experimental design, implementation, data collection, interpretation and analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Distributed educational materials at the Southeastern branch Entomological Society of America (4-7th March 2918, approx. 300 attendees), Extension Professionals Association of Florida (27-30 August, approx. 450 attendees) and Aquatic Plant Management Society meetings (15-18th July 2018, >200 attendees). Distributed educational materials at the Entomology and Nematology open House in conjunction with the bee lab opening (August 24-25, 2018). 300 people attended on the 24th and 1200 on the 25th. Purchased stands for displaying our educational materials in the department and at future events. Provided information about aquatic weed identification and management and education materials were distributed at Florida LAKEWATCH events attended by Florida LAKEWATCH lake monitoring volunteers. Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota & Lee Counties 1/24/18 Polk County 2/21/18 Leon, Gadsden, Franklin & Jefferson Counties 3/7/18 Lake, Marion & Sumter Counties 4/18/18 Osceola County 5/22/18 Volusia & Flagler Counties 5/30/18 Orange County 6/19/18 Seminole County 7/24/18 Bay, Gulf, Calhoun & Jackson Counties 8/17/18 Walton, Okaloosa, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Holmes & Washington Counties 8/18/18 Alachua, Hamilton, Bradford and Columbia Counties 9/6/18 Putnam, Clay, Duval, & St Johns Counties 10/3/18 Hillsborough, Pinellas & Pasco Counties 10/10/18 Highlands County 11/4/18 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Specific Research Aim #1. Evaluate the effect of different combinations of C. lebetis, the fungal pathogen Mt, and the herbicide imazamox on hydrilla under field conditions. Objective #1.1. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungal pathogen Mt. Twelve limnocorrals were built and established in ponds at the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. A limnocorral is a plastic tube attached to a floating ring and weighted down to create a mesocosm within the water column. In each of three ponds there were four limnocorrals. Treatments were applied to these limnocorrals in three experiments throughout the year. One replicate of each treatment was placed in each of the three ponds. Experiment 1: Control, midge, fungus, midge+fungus. Baseline samples and measurements were taken then midges and fungus were added to the limnocorrals. After 6 weeks samples were collected and measurements were taken. There was no significant effect of the treatments on biomass, but there was a significant effect of the treatments on damage. Midge-specific damage was most common (50% of tips damaged) in the combined treatment (p=0.003). Objective #1.2. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the herbicide imazamox. As described for the previous objectives the 12 limnocorrals were established in ponds at the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Experiment 2: Control, midge, herbicide, midge+herbicide. One replicate of each treatment was placed in each of the three ponds. Baseline samples and measurements were taken then midges and herbicide were added to the limnocorrals. After 6 weeks samples were collected and measurements were taken. There was no significant effect of the treatments on biomass, there was very little midge damage and only 3 midges were recovered. Objective #1.3. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungus Mt and the herbicide imazamox. As described for the previous objectives the 12 limnocorrals were established in ponds at the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Experiment 3: Control, midge+fungus, midge+herbicide, and midge+fungus+herbicide. One replicate of each treatment was placed in each of the three ponds. Baseline samples and measurements were taken then midges and herbicide were added to the limnocorrals. After 6 weeks samples were collected and measurements were taken. The experiment was replicated 3 times. Overall, the midge+fungus and midge+fungus+herbicicdes treatments had significantly reduced biomass (p=0.0352). There was significantly more midge damage in all three treatments compared to the control (p=0.0465). In fall of 2016, the number of turions were counted on the hydrilla, turions are an overwintering bud. All three treatments had significantly reduced turions compared to the control (p=0.0011). Specific Extension Aim #2. Facilitate the adoption of a novel integrated pest management strategy for hydrilla control. Objective #2.1 Evaluate hydrilla IPM materials previously produced and distributed. Following the distribution of our educational materials, we prepared a survey to evaluate the opinions of our stakeholders about the educational (website, newsletter, brochures, booklets, and books) and promotional materials produced (fishing rulers, and book marks). The survey was evaluated and exempted by the UF IRB and deemed appropriate for distribution (UF IRB Exemption #2014-U-1209). Our survey was completed by 209 people (6.5%; n=3,187). When asked which of our educational and promotional materials they had seen, 44 people had seen our website, 32 had seen our newsletter, 50 people had seen the book, 44 had seen the booklet, 40 had seen the brochure, 26 had seen the book mark, and 44 had seen the fishing ruler.Not all items were deemed to be equally useful (F=4.57, df=6,200, P=0.0002), the most useful items were the educational materials and the promotional items were considered less useful.When asked if they shared the hydrilla management information with others, 47-70% said that they did share the information with others. When asked if the information changed the way they think about hydrilla the percentages that said yes (i.e., yes totally, yes a lot, and yes a little) were 62%-79%. When a score was applied to how much the item changes the way people thought about hydrilla management (1= totally to 5=not at all) and this score was compared across items the most opinion changing items were the book and the booklet. Objective #2.2 Determine and fulfill the needs of stakeholders, specifically Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers. Using the results of the open-ended questions in the survey completed in Objective 2.1 the needs of Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers have been established and materials have been developed to be distributed in 2019 (including a boat ramp poster for hydrilla invasion prevention). Objective #2.3 Provide the tools for stakeholders to implement an IPM strategy. Following the analysis of the results from Objective 1.3 we began to distribute materials to stakeholders and prepare to implement management with the tools in two large sites. We also established a demonstration project, where we applied the most efficacious treatment to one pond and kept the other two ponds as a control. This demonstration was monitored for one year, photos were taken and samples were collected monthly to demonstrate efficacy to stakeholders.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Mitchell A, Berro A, Cuda JP, and Weeks ENI. 2018. Effect of food deprivation on hydrilla tip mining midge survival and subsequent development. Florida Entomologist 101: 74-78
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Watson R., Baniszewski J., Cuda J.P., Weeks, E.N.I. Improvements to hydrilla tip mining midge rearing: oviposition requirements. Poster presentation. Southeastern branch of the Entomological Society of America, Orlando, FL. March 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Weeks E, Watson R, Mitchell A, Kariuki EM, Miller N, Berro AM, Cuda JP. Mass rearing of the hydrilla tip mining midge, Cricotopus lebetis: challenges and solutions. Invited oral presentation. Southeastern branch of the Entomological Society of America, Orlando, FL. March 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Kariuki EM, Cuda JP, Hight S, Hix RL, Gillett-Kaufman JL, Gettys L. Foraging depth of Cricotopus lebetis Sublette larvae. Southeastern branch of the Entomological Society of America, Orlando, FL. March 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Cuda JP, Gillett-Kaufman JL, Weeks, ENI, Hoyer MV, Jackson MA. An innovative IPM solution for management of the invasive aquatic weed hydrilla. Invited oral presentation. 9th International IPM Symposium ⿿Improving Health, Environment and Global Sustainability⿝ held in Baltimore, MD, 19-22 March.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Cuda JP, Gillett-Kaufman JL, Weeks, ENI, Hoyer MV, Jackson MA. Integrated Weed Management Solution for Hydrilla. Invited oral presentation. 58th Annual Meeting of the Aquatic Plant Management Society held in Buffalo, New York, 15-18 July.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Incorporating biocontrol agents into an integrated management plan: Practical considerations. Research Methods in Aquatic Plant Management. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management Supplement 56s: 97-100.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2018 Citation: Kariuki EM, Cuda JP, Hight SD, Hix RL, Gillett-Kaufman JL, Gettys LA. 2018. Foraging depth of Cricotopus ebetis Sublette larvae. J. Aquatic Plant Management (in press).


Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17

Outputs
Target Audience:We collaborate with Florida LAKEWATCH, our results are shared at their regional meetings which are attended by owners of lakeshore properties, lake managers and others with an interest in lake monitoring and management in Florida.Similarly our quarterly newsletter is distributed to a similar audience. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One undergraduate student and one staff member have been trained in biological control, insect rearing, experimental design, implementation, data collection, interpretation and analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dr. James P. Cuda was an invited speaker for a Weed Control CEU Variety Pack workshop sponsored by the Pinellas Co. Extension Office, Largo, FL, March 16th. Dr. Cuda gave a presentation titled "Biocontrol in aquatic and natural areas." Dr. James P. Cuda and Dr. Emma N. I. Weeks were invited by the Invasive Plant Program Supervisor of the St. Johns River Water Management District to give a presentation about their hydrilla IPM research. The presentation, which was titled "Combining Different Control Tactics to Reduce Hydrilla Biomass" was co-authored by Dr. Jennifer Gillett-Kaufman, and Mr. Eutychus Kariuki. Dr. James P. Cuda was an invited speaker for a Natural and Aquatic Areas Management Extension Workshop held in Estero, FL, 28 June.Dr. Cuda gave a presentation titled "Biological control of invasive weeds: an update." The 1 -day workshop was sponsored by the Lee County Extension Office. Dr. James P. Cuda was an invited speaker for the monthly Bivens Arm Neighborhood Association Meeting held in Gainesville on July 11th. Cuda gave a presentation on the hydrilla midge and the ongoing project to manage hydrilla in the Bivens Arm Lake. This project is being conducted in collaboration with the Alachua Co. Environmental Protection Department. One of the meeting attendees was Florida State Senator Keith Perry, who is very supportive of the project. Florida LAKEWATCH is a volunteer water quality monitoring program that currently samples approximately 550 lakes in 57 Florida Counties. Each year LAKEWATCH staff have approcimately 20 Regional Meetings around the state (see list below) where they invite all active volunteers to participate and discuss there years sampling data and field any lake management questions volunteers may have. At these meeting LAKEWATCH provides extension materials on all types of lake management issues including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of hydrilla. LAKEWATCH provides a report, pamphlet and a fish measuring ruler with information about IPM. These meetings interact with around 500 volunteers who then report back to many other individuals from the lake that they sample. Polk County - 2/28/17@5:30 pm S Leon, Gadsden, Franklin & Jefferson Counties - 3/29/17 @6:00 pm S Pinellas County - 4/1/17 @ 12 Noon P Lake, Marion & Sumter Counties - 4/29/17@11:30 am P Osceola County - 5/24/17@5:30 pm S Volusia & Flagler Counties - 6/1/17 @5:30 pm S Orange County - 6/27/17@5:30 pm S Seminole County - 7/20/17 @5:30 pm S Bay, Gulf, Calhoun & Jackson Counties - 8/25/17 @6:00 pm -8:00 pm P Walton, Okaloosa, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Holmes & Washington P Counties - 8/26/17 @11:30 am *Alachua, Hamilton, Bradford & Columbia Counties - 9/14/17 @5:30 pm S (Alachua meeting Cancelled-Hurricane) *Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota & Lee - 9/20/17 @5:30 pm P (Charlotte meeting Cancelled-Hurricane) Putnam, Clay, Duval & St. Johns Counties - 10/5/17 @6:00 pm S Hillsborough & Pasco Counties - 10/12/17@6:00 pm - 8:00 pm S Highlands County - 11/5/17 @1:00 pm (Highlands Provides food) Citrus, Hernando, Sumter & Marion Counties - 11/29/17 @5:30 pm S Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach Counties - 12/9/17 @11:30 am P What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Specific Research Aim #1. Evaluate the effect of different combinations of C. lebetis, the fungal pathogen Mt, and the herbicide imazamox on hydrilla under field conditions. Objective #1.1. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungal pathogen Mt. Completed. Objective #1.2. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the herbicide imazamox. Completed. Objective #1.3. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungus Mt and the herbicide imazamox. Completed. The data analysis has also been completed and we are working on a publication. Specific Extension Aim #2. Facilitate the adoption of a novel integrated pest management strategy for hydrilla control. Objective #2.1 Evaluate hydrilla IPM materials previously produced and distributed. Completed. Objective #2.2 Determine and fulfill the needs of stakeholders, specifically Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers. We will continue to work on the materials we generated as a result of the survey. Extension team members will facilitate and attend Florida LAKEWATCH annual regional meetings to discuss hydrilla problems and hydrilla IPM with participants. The needs of this involved group of stakeholders, with reference to hydrilla, will be recorded and compared with survey results so subsequent materials and trainings can be designed to satisfy those needs. Objective #2.3 Provide the tools for stakeholders to implement an IPM strategy. During the annual regional Florida LAKEWATCH meetings the counties with hydrilla problems will be selected. Incorporating the most efficacious IPM strategy from Specific Research Aim #1, the Extension team will deliver and apply the necessary biological control agents (if they are freely available) to interested lake owners and managers. The demonstartion will continue to be monitored through March and then used to prepare materials to disseminate to stakehodlers.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Specific Research Aim #1. Evaluate the effect of different combinations of C. lebetis, the fungal pathogen Mt, and the herbicide imazamox on hydrilla under field conditions. Objective #1.1. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungal pathogen Mt. Due to the results of objective 1.3 it was decided to focus on the combined treatments and performing more replicates of that experiment rather than the individual treatments. 100% completed. Objective #1.2. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the herbicide imazamox. Due to the results of objective 1.3 it was decided to focus on the combined treatments and performing more replicates of that experiment rather than the individual treatments. 100% completed. Objective #1.3. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungus Mt and the herbicide imazamox. This experiment has been completed three times 100% completed. Specific Extension Aim #2. Facilitate the adoption of a novel integrated pest management strategy for hydrilla control. Objective #2.1 Evaluate hydrilla IPM materials previously produced and distributed. The results of this survey have been analysed and the publication submitted to Journal of Extension. 100% completed. Objective #2.2 Determine and fulfill the needs of stakeholders, specifically Florida LAKEWTCH volunteers. Using the results of the open-ended questions in the survey completed in Objective 2.1 the needs of Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers have been established and materials are under development. 40% complete. Objective #2.3 Provide the tools for stakeholders to implement an IPM strategy. Following the analysis of the results from Objective 1.3 pending this fall we will begin to distribute materials to stakeholders. Some preliminary contacts have been made. We also established a demonstration project, where we applied to most efficacious treatment to 1 pond and kept the other 2 ponds as a control. This demonstration has been monitored all year, taking photos and collecting samples for demonstration of efficacy to stakeholders 50% complete.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Baniszewski J, Weeks ENI, Cuda JP. 2017, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki to reduce competitor moth, Parapoynx diminutalis, in Cricotopus lebetis colony. Florida Entomologist 99: 644-647.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2018 Citation: Mitchell A, Berro A, Cuda JP, and Weeks ENI. 2018. Effect of food deprivation on hydrilla tip mining midge survival and subsequent development. Florida Entomologist, in press.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2018 Citation: Weeks ENI, Gillett-Kaufman JG, and Hoyer MV. 2018. Engaging communities in invasive species management: a hydrilla integrated pest management case study. Journal of Extension, under reveiw.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Stachowiak S, Weeks ENI, Baniszewski J, and Cuda JP.2017. Influence of Predation By Mosquitofish on the Success of an Insect Biological Control Agent of Hydrilla. American Fisheries Society. Poster Presentation. August 2017, Tampa, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Mitchell A, Berro A, Cuda JP, and Weeks ENI. 2017. Impact of food deprivation on hydrilla tip-mining midge survival and subsequent development. Aquatic Plant Management Society. Poster Presentation. July 2017, Daytona Beach, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Stachowiak S, Weeks ENI, Baniszewski J, and Cuda JP.2017. Influence of Competition and Predation on Success of Cricotopus lebetis as a Biological Control Agent. Florida Lake Management Society. Poster Presentation. June 2017, Captiva Island, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Cuda JP, Weeks ENI, Gillett-Kaufman JG, and Kariuki E. 2017. A new IPM approach for hydrilla management: Update. Florida Lake Management Society. Oral Presentation. June 2017, Captiva Island, FL.


Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Our extension efforts have involved the presentation of a poster atFlorida LAKEWATCHregional meetings covering all counties in Florida by the end of 2016. Florida LAKEWATCH regional meetings are attended by owners of lakeshore properties, lake managers and others with an interest in lake monitoring and management in Florida. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Oneundergraduate student has been trained in biological control, insect rearing, experimental design, implementation, data collection, interpretation and analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A poster was taken to the Florida LAKEWATCH regional meetings. Title: Field evaluation of hydrilla integrated management techniques. This will be presented to every county in Florida that works with Florida LAKEWATCH by the end of 2016. Usually 15-20 meetings per year, aproximately 30 people per meeting. In Winter 2015/2016 an article was published in AQUAPHYTE entitled "UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department and UF/IFAS Florida LAKEWATCH Evaluating Hydrilla Integrated Management Techniques https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/files/caip/aquaphyte/AQ-Vol33-No1-Winter2015-2016.pdf. Approximately 1826 people would have received the link to this article via the UF/IFAS CAIP listserve. In March a presentation was given at the 2016 Southwest Florida Invasive Species Workshop entitled "Testing a New IPM Approach for Hydrilla Management: An Update". There were approximately 207 participants. In March a presentation was given at the 2016 Southeastern branch meeting of the Entomological Society of America by an undergraduate student entitled "Influence of Competition and Predation on Success of Cricotopus lebetis as a Biological Control Agent. In May Dr. James P. Cuda and two of his staff (Ms. Adriana Mitchell and Mr. Eutychus Kariuki) were featured in a video on the hydrilla tip mining midge Cricotopus lebetis that will debut during this year's UF Bug Week. In May Dr. James P. Cuda was invited by Dr. Chris Reuter of Osprey Biotechnics, Inc., to give a presentation about the hydrilla IPM project and tour the company's production facility. Osprey Biotechnics, located in Sarasota, FL, is a leader in the development of microbial products for a large range of environmental, industrial and agricultural applications. Osprey was a potential licensee for the hydrilla pathogen Mycoleptodiscus terrestris. Our newsletter was sent out in Septemeber 2015 http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/hydrilla/News2015_09.html and 2016 http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/hydrilla/HydrillaNewsletter2016-08.html to our listserve Dr. James P. Cuda was an invited speaker for the 2016 Statewide Polycom CEU training event on Weed Management that originated from McCarty D G001. Cuda gave a 50 minute presentation titled "Integrating Biological Controls with Herbicides." Over 420 extension agents and public/private land managers participated in the training event. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Specific Research Aim #1. Evaluate the effect of different combinations of C. lebetis, the fungal pathogen Mt, and the herbicide imazamox on hydrilla under field conditions. Objective #1.1. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungal pathogen Mt. Completed. Objective #1.2. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the herbicide imazamox. Completed. Objective #1.3. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungus Mt and the herbicide imazamox. The third and final replicate is underway and data will be collected in December and analyzed in January. Specific Extension Aim #2. Facilitate the adoption of a novel integrated pest management strategy for hydrilla control. Objective #2.1 Evaluate hydrilla IPM materials previously produced and distributed. The results of this survey will be analysed and published. The reuslts will be used to inform Objective 2.2. Objective #2.2 Determine and fulfill the needs of stakeholders, specifically Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers. We will continue to work on the materials we generated as a result of the survey. Extension team members will facilitate and attend Florida LAKEWATCH annual regional meetings to discuss hydrilla problems and hydrilla IPM with participants. The needs of this involved group of stakeholders, with reference to hydrilla, will be recorded and compared with survey results so subsequent materials and trainings can be designed to satisfy those needs. Objective #2.3 Provide the tools for stakeholders to implement an IPM strategy. During the annual regional Florida LAKEWATCH meetings the counties with hydrilla problems will be selected. Incorporating the most efficacious IPM strategy from Specific Research Aim #1, the Extension team will deliver and apply the necessary biological control agents (if they are freely available) to interested lake owners and managers.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Specific Research Aim #1. Evaluate the effect of different combinations of C. lebetis, the fungal pathogen Mt, and the herbicide imazamox on hydrilla under field conditions. Objective #1.1. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungal pathogen Mt. Due to the results of objective 1.3 it was decided to focus on the combined treatments and performing more replicates of that experiment rather than the individual treatments. 100% completed. Objective #1.2. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the herbicide imazamox. Due to the results of objective 1.3 it was decided to focus on the combined treatments and performing more replicates of that experiment rather than the individual treatments. 100% completed. Objective #1.3. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungus Mt and the herbicide imazamox. This experiment has been completed two times with promising results and a third replicate is being completed this Fall and results are pending 75% completed. Specific Extension Aim #2. Facilitate the adoption of a novel integrated pest management strategy for hydrilla control. Objective #2.1 Evaluate hydrilla IPM materials previously produced and distributed. Nothing to report. The results of this survey are yet to be analysed. 75% completed. Objective #2.2 Determine and fulfill the needs of stakeholders, specifically Florida LAKEWTCH volunteers. Using the results of the open-ended questions in the survey completed in Objective 2.1 the needs of Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers have been established and materials are under development. 30% complete. Objective #2.3 Provide the tools for stakeholders to implement an IPM strategy. Following the analysis of the results from Objective 1.3 pending this fall we will begin to districute materials to stakeholders. Some preliminary contacts have been made. 0% complete.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Baniszewski J, Weeks ENI, Cuda JP. Impact of refrigeration on eggs of the hydrilla tip miner midge Cricotopus lebetis (Diptera: Chironomidae): larval hatch rate and subsequent development. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management, 2015, 53: 209-215.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Baniszewski J, Cuda JP, Gezan SA, Sharma S, Weeks ENI. Stem fragment regrowth of Hydrilla verticillata following desiccation. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management. 2016, 54, 53-60.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Cuda JP, Shearer J, Weeks ENI, Kariuki E, Baniszewski J. Compatibility of an insect, a fungus and an herbicide for integrated management of hydrilla. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management, 2016, 54, 20-24.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Baniszewski J, Weeks ENI, Cuda JP. Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki to reduce competitor moth, Parapoynx diminutalis, in Cricotopus lebetis colony. Florida Entomologist. 2016, in press.


Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Our extension efforts have involved a survey that was sent out to groups responsible for the routine maintenance of a water body in states with hydrilla infestations, including Florida and those interested in water body management and invasive plants. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three undergraduates students have been trained in biological control, insect rearing, experimental design, implementation, data collection, interpretation and analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?December 2014 an article was written for the Florida LAKEWATCH newsletter to inform the community about our previous results and future plans http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/PDFFolder2014/VOL67December2014.pdf March 2015 an advert was placed in the Florida LAKEWATCH newsletter to inform the community about our upcoming survey http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/PDFFolder2115/VOL68March2015.pdf Our newsletter was reinstated and the first issue was sent out in Septemeber 2015 http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/hydrilla/News2015_09.html to our listserve. Our webiste was updated with all the information for the new grant http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/hydrilla/about.shtml and the materials produced for the previous project were placed online http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/hydrilla/resources.shtml As mentioned above communities of interest were surveyed as part of Objective 2.1. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Specific Research Aim #1. Evaluate the effect of different combinations of C. lebetis, the fungal pathogen Mt, and the herbicide imazamox on hydrilla under field conditions. Objective#1.1. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungal pathogen Mt. The second replication of this experiment will be completed in 2016. Objective#1.2. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the herbicide imazamox. The second replication of this experiment will be completed in 2016. Objective#1.3. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungus Mt and the herbicide imazamox. The first replicate of this experiment will be comleted and the second replication of this experiment will be completed in 2016. Specific Extension Aim #2. Facilitate the adoption of a novel integrated pest management strategy for hydrilla control. Objective#2.1 Evaluate hydrilla IPM materials previously produced and distributed. The results of this survey will be analysed and published. The reuslts will be used to inform Objective 2.2. Objective#2.2 Determine and fulfill the needs of stakeholders, specifically Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers. Extension team members will facilitate and attend Florida LAKEWATCH annual regional meetings to discuss hydrilla problems and hydrilla IPM with participants. The needs of this involved group of stakeholders, with reference to hydrilla, will be recorded and compared with survey results so subsequent materials and trainings can be designed to satisfy those needs. Objective#2.3 Provide the tools for stakeholders to implement an IPM strategy. During the annual regional Florida LAKEWATCH meetings the counties with hydrilla problems will be selected. Incorporating the most efficacious IPM strategy from Specific Research Aim #1, the Extension team will deliver and apply the necessary biological control agents (if they are freely available) to interested lake owners and managers.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Specific Research Aim #1. Evaluate the effect of different combinations of C. lebetis, the fungal pathogen Mt, and the herbicide imazamox on hydrilla under field conditions. Objective#1.1. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungal pathogen Mt. The first replicate of this experiment was completed and showed that the combination of midges and fungus caused increased damage to the hydrilla than the individual components or the control. There was an increase in recordable damage and a decrease in biomass associated with the midge+mt treatment. The second replication will be completed in 2016. 50% completed. Objective#1.2. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the herbicide imazamox. The first replicate of this experiment was completed and showed that the combination of midges and imazamox caused little damage to the hydrilla likewise the individual components showed little impact compared to the control.The second replication will be completed in 2016. 50% completed. Objective#1.3. Assess the efficacy of combining C. lebetis with the fungus Mt and the herbicide imazamox. The first replicate of this experiment was established and results are pending. 25% completed. Specific Extension Aim #2. Facilitate the adoption of a novel integrated pest management strategy for hydrilla control. Objective#2.1 Evaluate hydrilla IPM materials previously produced and distributed. A survey was developed and a waiver for IRB was obtained from the UF IRB. The survey was disseminated to recognised stakeholders with an interest in water body or aquatic plant management including the listserves of the Florida Lake Management Society (142 received; 14 completed), UF Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (1826 received; 49 completed), and Florida LAKEWATCH (1143 received; 134 completed). We also sent the survey to our newsletter listserve and select UF IFAS Extension agents that have previously expressed an interest in hydrilla IPM (76 received; 12 completed). The results of this survey are yet to be analysed. 75% completed. Objective#2.2 Determine and fulfill the needs of stakeholders, specifically Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers. 0% complete Objective#2.3 Provide the tools for stakeholders to implement an IPM strategy. 0% complete

Publications