Progress 03/16/16 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Our participation on this project reached several diverse audiences including: 1) corn producers, 2) university extension personnel, 3) agricultural industry scientists, 4) federal agencies (EPA, USDA-NIFA), 5) international corn researchers. Changes/Problems:During the last year of the project, we encountered problems of travel for surveys, collection and insect monitoring due to the COVID-19 restrictions. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Adrian Pekarcik is a graduate student funded by the Department of Entomology and OSU, as well as a USDA pre-doctoral funded project. Adrian is working on the genetics and management of Asiatic garden beetle. Ana Trabanino is a graduate student in the Michel laboratory researching methodologies to improve management in fall armyworm. Our team is assisted by 3 research technicians and many Ohio State University Extension Educators who help collect data for western bean cutworm surveys. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In 2020, we have provided ~30 short newsletter articles to The Ohio State University Agronomic Crop Team's weekly newsletter that reaches thousands of farmers and crop consultants. We have also provided several extension presentations during the winter. All information and videos are posted to our OSU Agronomic Crops Insect webpage (https://aginsects.osu.edu/home) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: We performed field trials to determine the efficacy of seed treatments to control secondary corn pests, especially the seedcorn maggot (Delia platura). Where insect pressure was high, we found that these seed treatments effectively controlled the seedcorn maggot, and significantly had higher yields than untreated corn. Objective 2: In 2020, the Ohio State University WBC monitoring network had its highest participation to date, monitoring a total of 95 traps in 28 Ohio counties (Figure 2). Traps were monitored from June 15 through August 30. Overall trap count was the lowest we have observed since 2016 with a grand average of only 2.3 moths per trap in 2020. This number is down from an average of 9.7 moths per trap in 2019 (Figure 3). The overall peak week this year was the fourth week in July, with an average of 7.2 WBC/trap. Similar to previous years, the peak week varied by county. The cause for the decrease in the WBC population in 2020 is unknown; however, the significant rainfall observed in 2019 may have played a role in causing longer-term effects on the population. Overall, across the length of this project, we documented the distribution of western bean cutworm and provided timely scouting information for corn producers. -Entomology researchers affiliated with Ohio State University and Michigan State University conducted their second year of monitoring the life stages of Asiatic garden beetle throughout the growing season in collaboration with extension staff in Ohio and Michigan; both grubs and adults are concentrated in the sandiest (> 80% sand content) parts of fields sampled. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) previously evaluated for biological control of AGB in field corn in a greenhouse study were applied in a microplot field trial to assess the persistence and efficacy of locally isolated EPNs for AGB control. Microplots (PVC pipe with 12" diameter placed 12" below soil surface) containing either loam or sandy soil and were given one of seven treatments; water (control), and low (100,000,000 nematodes per acre) and high (200,000,000 nematodes per acre) rates of either Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, H. megidis, or Steinernema spp. Microplots will be monitored for EPNs every several months for the next 1-2 years using waxworm bait stations. We are currently using genomic DNA sequencing to develop a set of tools and understand AGB migration and population genetic structure. Overall, this work has expanded our understanding of biology and management recommendations for this new Great Lakes insect pest. -We have evaluated different nanoparticles for inducing RNA-interference in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. A manuscript will be submitted in January 2021 -Working with international collaborators in Brazil and Argentina, we researched interactions among Bt corn, lepidopteran pests and the environment, publishing 2 papers in 2019, and several additional papers throughout the project's duration Objective 3: We trapped and reported a high incidence of true armyworm in the spring of 2020. In response to this mini-outbreak, we provided management updates on our website and in weekly OSU extension newsletters. We established a trapping network for European Corn Borer to determine pheromone strain and to plan future work in Bt resistance testing. Objective 4: Dr. Tilmon and Dr. Michel participated in several extension events, providing presentations and updates on corn insect management. Updates and scouting videos were also provided on our website.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Cordeiro EMG, Pantoja-Gomez LM, de Paiva JB, Nascimento ARB, Omoto C, Michel AP, Correa AS. 2020. Hybridization and introgression between Helicoverpa armigera and H. zea: an adaptational bridge. 20:61. BMC Evolutionary Biology.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Mur�a MG, Vera MA, Michel A, Casmuz AS, Fatoretto J, Gastaminza G. 2019. Performance of field-collected Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) strains exposed to different transgenic and refuge maize hybrids in Argentina. J. Insect Sci. 19:21.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Smith JL, DiFonzo CD, Baute TS, Michel AP, Krupke CK. 2019. Ecology and management of the western bean cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn and dry beans Revision with focus on the Great Lakes region. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 10:27.
|
Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Our main target audience is the farmers and corn producers in North America. We also reach to other entomology and agronomic university researchers, USDA-ARS scientists, EPA regulators, crop consultants, and other scientistss and employess of Agricutlural industy. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Adrian Pekarcik is a Ph.D. student researching the biology and genetics of the Asiatic Garden Beetle. Two undergraduate students assisted with agronomic field trials in the summer of 2019, receiving training in insect identification and scouting techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We created >30 short newsletter articles for the OSU Extension Weekly Agronomic Crops newsletter. Multiple videos, data and information has been uploaded to the agronomic crops insects website:https://aginsects.osu.edu/ What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will cotinue our field trials that test the efficacy and utility of corn insecticidal seed treatments on corn insects. Our WBC monitoring network will continue, with the addition two other important Lepidopteran pests: European Corn Borer and Corn Earworm. Training and educationin 2019 for corn insect management will focus on the growing presence and damage potential ofcaterpillar pests.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: We performed 2field trials to determine the efficacy of seed treatments to control secondary corn pests, especially the seedcorn maggot (Delia platura). Although the planting season was late and challenging because of intense rainfall, our data showed not significant differences between insecticide seed treated and untreated seed. Objective 2: Ohio State University Researchers and Extension Educators have developed a monitoring network for western bean cutworm (WBC), Striacosta albicosta in Ohio. Collectively, the network manages 86 traps across 24 counties on a weekly basis with assistance from 27 collaborators. The trapping network is a very important tool that helps us understand WBC populations and make the best management decisions for our growers (Figure 1). Recently, there have been reports of resistant WBC to Cry1F hybrids, making monitoring a critical component to the management of WBC populations. Each week, WBC averages are calculated and published in the C.O.R.N. newsletter. Overall, WBC numbers were slightly greater than last 2018, and peak flight was recorded during the 4th week of July (week ending July 28th), with an average catch of 36 per trap. Entomology researchers affiliated with Ohio State University and Michigan State University have conducted their second year of monitoring the life stages of Asiatic garden beetle throughout the growing season in collaboration with extension staff in Ohio and Michigan; both grubs and adults are concentrated in the sandiest (> 80% sand content) parts of fields sampled. Additionally, entomopathogenic nematodes were evaluated for biological control of AGB in field corn in the greenhouse; two species including Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and H. megidis caused > 30% mortality when applied at 1/10 the rate of commercial applications. A field trial is being conducted to assess the persistence and efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes in field corn when applied in a field setting. We are currently using genomic DNA sequencing to develop a set of tools and understand AGB migration and population genetic structure. We are optimizing a novel technique for RNA interference of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) using a nebulizer and nanoparticles. Preliminary evidence suggests a modest but significant amount of gene expression silencing. Objective 3: For the 2nd consecutive year, we observed a significant migration event of the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea which included larvae resistant to certain Bt varieties. We also found infestations of fall armyworm in corn and sorghum. Objective 4: Dr. Kelley Tilmon participated in modifying the Handy Bt-trait table, a tool used by many farmers and consultants to determine which Bt traits are in which products and what insect pests they should control. Dr. Tilmon created a video to understand impacts of seedcorn maggot--an Dipteran pest of seedling corn (https://aginsects.osu.edu/news/seed-corn-maggot-video). Dr. Michel and Dr. Tilmon organized and presented in the 2019 OSU Agronomy workshop that provided scouting and insect pest information to both OSU Extension Educators and crop consultants.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Raudenbush, A., K. Gault, M. Badertscher, L. Beers, B. Clevenger, S. Custer, T. Dehaas, A. Gahler, J. Hartschuh, A. Holden, S. Karhoff, E. Lentz, R. Lewandowski, C. Lokai-Minnich, D. Marrison, K. Martin, S. Noggle, L. Ober, E. Richer, G. Ruff, C. Schroeder, J. Stachler, M. Sunderman, A. Sundermeier, C. Young, C. Zoller, A. Michel and K. Tilmon. Western Bean Cutworm: Its time to scout for egg masses! . CORN Newsletter: 2019-23. July 23-29, 2019. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-23/western-bean-cutworm-it%E2%80%99s-time-scout-egg-masses
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Raudenbush, A., K. Gault, M. Badertscher, L. Beers, B. Clevenger, S. Custer, T. Dehaas, A. Gahler, J. Hartschuh, A. Holden, S. Karhoff, E. Lentz, R. Lewandowski, D. Marrison, K. Martin, C. Lokai-Minnich, L. Ober, E. Richer, G. Ruff, M. Sunderman, J. Stachler, A. Sundermeier, C. Young, C. Zoller, A. Michel and K. Tilmon . Western Bean Cutworm: Numbers Starting to Increase . CORN Newsletter: 2019-22. July 16-22, 2019. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-22/western-bean-cutworm-numbers-starting-increase
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Raudenbush, A., K. Gault, M. Badertscher, B. Clevenger, S. Custer, A. Gahler, J. Hartschuh, A. Holden, S. Karhoff, E. Lentz, K. Martin, C. Lokai-Minnich, L. Ober, E. Richer, G. Ruff, M. Sunderman, J. Stachler, A. Sundermeier, C. Young, C. Zoller, A. Michel and K. Tilmon. Western Bean Cutworm Numbers Remain Low Across Ohio . CORN Newsletter: 2019-21. July 9-15, 2019. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-21/western-bean-cutworm-numbers-remain-low-across-ohio
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Raudenbush, A., K. Gault, M. Badertscher, B. Clevenger, S. Custer, T. Dehaas, A. Gahler, M. Gastier, J. Hartschuh, A. Holden, S. Karhoff, R. Lewandowski, K. Martin, C. Lokai-Minnich, D. Marrison, L. Ober, E. Richer, G. Ruff, J. Stachler, M. Sunderman, A. Sundermeier, C. Young, A. Michel and K. Tilmon Western Bean Cutworm Monitoring . CORN Newsletter: 2019-20. July 2-8, 2019. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201920/western-bean-cutworm-monitoring
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
3. Smith JL, DiFonzo CD, Baute TS, Michel AP, Krupke CK. Ecology and management of the western bean cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn and dry beans Revision with focus on the Great Lakes region. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. Accepted.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Pekarcik, A. Tilmon, T., Richer, E., DiFonzo, C., and B. Mackellar. 2019. Identification, monitoring, & management of Asiatic garden beetle in field crops. Ohio State University Extension, Wooster, OH., and Michigan State University Extension, East Lansing, MI. 1-4. https://aginsects.osu.edu/sites/aginsects/files/imce/AGB%20in%20field%20crops%202019.pdf
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Raudenbush, A., M. Badertscher, L. Beers, B. Clevenger, S. Custer, T. Dehaas, A. Gahler, J. Hartschuh, A. Holden, S. Karhoff, E. Lentz, C. Lokai-Minnich, D. Marrison, K. Martin, S. Noggle, L. Ober, E. Richer, K. Ruetz, G. Ruff, C. Schroeder, J. Stachler, M. Sunderman, A. Sundermeier, C. Young, C. Zoller, A. Michel and K. Tilmon. Western Bean Cutworm Update: Past Peak Adult Flight . CORN Newsletter: 2019-26. August 13-19, 2019. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-26/western-bean-cutworm-update-past-peak-adult-flight
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Raudenbush, A., K. Gault, M. Badertscher, L. Beers, B. Clevenger, S. Custer, T. Dehaas, J. Hartschuh, A. Holden, S. Karhoff, E. Lentz, R. Lewandowski, C. Lokai-Minnich, D. Marrison, K. Martin, S. Noggle, L. Ober, E. Richer, K. Ruetz, G. Ruff, C. Schroeder, J. Stachler, M. Sunderman, A. Sundermeier, C. Young, C. Zoller, A. Michel and K. Tilmon. Western Bean Cutworm: Scouting in Select Counties Still Necessary . CORN Newsletter: 2016-25. August 6-12, 2019. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-25/western-bean-cutworm-scouting-select-counties-still-necessary
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Raudenbush, A., K. Gault, M. Badertscher, L. Beers, A. Bennett, B. Clevenger, S. Custer, T. Dehaas, A. Gahler, J. Hartschuh, A. Holden, S. Karhoff, R. Lewandowski, C. Lokai-Minnich, D. Marrison, K. Martin, S. Noggle, L. Ober, E. Richer, G. Ruff, C. Schroeder, J. Stachler, M. Sunderman, A. Sundermeier, C. Young, C. Zoller, A. Michel and K. Tilmon. Western Bean Cutworm: Peak time to scout for egg masses . CORN Newsletter: 2019-24. July 3-August 5, 2019. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-24/western-bean-cutworm-peak-time-scout-egg-masses
|
Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Our audience included corn farmers, university extension personell, crop advisers and managers, agricultural industry representatives, federal policy organizations (e.g. EPA) and researchers from the academic and federal sectors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have a graduate student, Adrian Pekarcik, researching the biology and control of Asiatic garden beetle. Adrian has attended several conferences, and has won awards for presentations in student competitions as well as leveraged external funding. Our team is assisted by 3 research technicians and many Ohio State University Extension Educators who help collect data for western bean cutworm surveys. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have provided >20 short newsletter articles to The Ohio State University Agronomic Crop Team's weekly newsletter that reaches thousands of farmers and crop consultants. We have also provided several extension presentations during the winter and field days during the growing season, including a corn insect scouting event in July. All information and videos are posted to our OSU Agronomic Crops Insect webpage (https://aginsects.osu.edu/home) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue our surveys for several important corn insect pests such as western bean cutworm, Asiatic garden beetle and will begin surveys for corn earworm. We will evaluated efficacy of new products for secondary pests and ear infestation. A new project will begin to investigate methods and technologies to manage Bt resistance in Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Corn production is challenged by insect pests and the high input costs available to control them. Our efforts evaluated different insect control strategies, and increased knowledge on corn insect biology and distribution to improve the sustainable management and profitable corn production. Specifically, We performed 4 field trials to determine the efficacy of seed treatments to control secondary corn pests, especially the seedcorn maggot (Delia platura). Where insect pressure was high, we found that these seed treatments (including neonicotinoids)effectively controlled the seedcorn maggot, and had significantly higher yields than untreated corn.We used pheromone lure traps to monitor for the presence of of the emerging pest western bean cutworm (, WBC, Striacosta albicosta). Overall, WBC numbers were at their lowest of the last 3 years. Virtually no field damage was reported this year, which was drastically different from past years. We collected 5,308 WBC over the duration of the monitoring period, with a grand average of 7.9 moths per trap (this was a decrease from 15,117 moths trapped with an AVG of 21 moths per trap in 2017). The peak week for WBC was the third week in July (July 15 through 21) with an average of 25 WBC/trap. We surveyed for the presence of Asiatic garden beetle (AGB,Maladera castanea), an emerging corn pest in Ohio. We evaluated several techniques, including golf-cup hole cutters, pitfall traps and yellow sticky traps, with pitfall traps collecting the most AGB adults. In addition, we evalated the efficacy of local entomopathogenic nematodes in controlling AGB larvae. Surprisingly, we observed a significant migration event of the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea. This is a migratory pest that does not overwinter in Ohio, but yet travels from the southern US. Many fields had a high infestation of this pest, with significant damage. Of important note, corn earworm was found feeding on corn expressing Bt traits. After collecting samples, we confirmed through Bt strip tests that these larvae were indeed heavily feeding on Bt corn, consistent with reports from Maryland and North Carolina that have documented Bt resistance in corn earworm. Dr. Kelley Tilmon participated in modifying the Handy Bt-trait table, a tool used by many farmers and consultants to determine which Bt traits are in which products and what insect pests they should control. Dr. Tilmon has created a western bean cutworm scouting video that helps growers and consultants to inspect fields for infestation (https://aginsects.osu.edu/news/western-bean-cutworm-video). Both Dr. Tilmon and Dr. Michel provided over 25 demonstrations and presentations on insect scouting and management in corn.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
ESA Position Statement on Insect Resistance Management for Genetically Modified Crops. 2018. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 111:3-5.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Trabanino A, Guidolin AS, Fatoretto J, Michel A. Fortenza� seed treatment as a potential strategy to control fall armyworm Bt resistance. ESA-NCB Annual Meeting
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Trabanino A, Guidolin AS, Fatoretto J, Michel A. Fortenza� seed treatment as a potential strategy to control fall armyworm Bt resistance. ESA Annual Meeting
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Pekarcik A and Tilmon KJ. SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE
ASIATIC GARDEN BEETLE TO LOCALLY ISOLATED ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES. ESA Annual Meeting
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:We engage several groups of stakeholders to provide science-based recommendations for corn insect pest management. These include, but are not limited to, university extension educators and staff, researchers (academic, federal and industry), pest management operators and crop advisers, corn producers, agricultural media, and commodity organizations Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have hired a graduate student (Adrian Pekarcik) to research AGB biology and develop management recommendations. Adrian has worked with OSU researchers, OSU Extension Educators and corn producers to meet his objectives. This has provided a unique professional development opportunity for Adrian to understand the land-grant mission of solving agriculutral problems for the general public. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Faculty (Michel and Tilmon) have given >30 presentations reaching >2,000 participants regarding icorn insect management.Our new webpage provides a better framework for our clientele to find information on corn insects. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue our broad focus on improving management of corn insects. In general we will evaluate new products in terms of efficacy and economics. Specifically, we will build on our previous knowledge of AGB and WBC. Traps will be deployed in the spring and summer to monitor for pest populations and to understand if ranges are expanding. We will also focus on providign information to growers on how to scout and manage for these pests if need be, along with including alternative strategies that may be more effective, and less costly to the environment and to their input costs.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Corn insects are constantly expanding and adapting to the corn production landscape, including control tactics. Understanding these biological factors leading to the increase of insect damage will improve ourstakeholer'sability to profitably, safely and sustainably produce corn.For Ohio, our corn producers have seen the emergence of two major corn pests--Asiatic Garden Beetle (AGB)and Western Bean Cutworm (ABC). These two pests arerelatively newin Ohio, andour goal is to understand theirinteractions with corn landscapes, determing appropriate mangement tactics, and provide this information to our clientele. Objective 1: We evaluated seed treatment technologies in controling two other importantcorn pests:western corn rootworm and seedcorn maggot. Pressures were light in our field trials and we did not see any increase in yield in seed treated corn compared to non-treated corn. Our data suggested that seed treatments may not be necessary in fields with a low risk of pest pressure. Objective 2: We surveyed for the presence and damage of AGB and WBC in Ohio. Our graduate student evaluated several AGB monitoring and surveying techniques to improve our ability to detect this pest. We also placed lure-baited traps for WBC across the state--this trapping program has now completed its 11th year. These data are allowing us to draw associations among peak population size, climate conditions and landscape factors. Objective 3: We evaluated a new AGB control tactic. Since we detected higher risk of AGB in cornfields that were soybean the following year, we hypothesized that spraying soybean when adult AGBs were present might limit egg laying. First developed by farmers, we design proper experiments to understand the relationship with adult spraying and population the preceeding year. Indeed, we did find less AGB in areas applied with insecticide. However additional work needs to be done to determine if this tactic is economically feasible as well as understanding the unintended consequences. We also evaluated whether corn expressing Cry1F remains susceptible to WBC. Indeed, like in previous years, we saw heavy feeding on Cry1F ears, and we can no longer recommendt this trait for WBC control. Objective 4: We have developed a new corn insect website for Ohio https://aginsects.osu.edu/that provides corn insect management information. OSU contributed toproduce a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=jJtaDeaOp0I)explaining how to manage insect resistance in Bt crops.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Fatoretto JC, Michel AP, Silva Filho MC, Silva N. 2017. Adaptive potential of fall armyworm limits Bt trait durability in Brazil. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 8: 17.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Tilmon K and Michel A. 2014. 2014 Update on Field Crop Insect Activity. Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicator 2014 Recertification Conference. OSUE
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Molecular Characterization of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Resistant to
Vip3Aa20 Protein Expressed in Corn
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Progress 03/16/16 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:We catered to a wide variety of target audiences for this project. Our main target audience was corn producers in Ohio and the US. Secondary target audiences included Ohio State University Extension Educators, crop consultants, agribusiness industry personnel, commodity boards, corn entomology scientists, government organizations (EPA and USDA), as well as international contacts. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In February 2016, we developed an Agronomy workshop with other OSU departments (Plant Pathology, Hort and Crop Science, Environment and Natural Resources), which included training and presentations on corn insect management. We focused our discussion on the emerging problem of resistance to Bt crops, especially for western corn rootworm. We demonstrated how to scout and accurately rate roots and how to use the Bt strip test to confirm that the roots are expressing the Bt trait. We had over 40 participants for this 2 day event. ACRE Program: For the 2nd year, we developed the Agricultural Crop Research Experience for undergraduates. These students are placed in OSU county extension offices to work within a focus area for crop research. Over 7 students were included in this program and a workshop was provided for proper scouting in corn. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Over 20 extension presentations were given reaching an estimated 1,500 hundred clientele including crop consultants, growers and agribusiness. Discussions included general insect updates and use of future tools for pest management (RNA interference). Ag Crop Insect Website: http://oardc.osu.edu/ag/. Information regarding scouting and updates were posted to our website. We also provided weekly updates in the Crop Observation and Recommendation Network (CORN) newsletter. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Asiatic Garden Beetle: Continue to run field trials and inspecting for damage. Our goal would be to develop an AGB fact sheet and an article for the Journal of Integrated Pest Management. Western Bean Cutworm: Work with growers and agri-industry to develop best management plans for WBC control, knowing that Cry1F is failing. With only 1 other Bt trait (Vip3A) labelled for control, and with limited acreage, growers will have to take a more pro-active approach for management. Managing Insects without Bt: Due to grain prices, many growers are trying to cut costs and grow non-Bt corn. However, demonstrations for scouting and experience has been lacking. Growers will need to be re-trained for scouting and IPM approaches.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Asiatic Garden Beetle: Corn can be attacked by a number of white grub species. The Asiatic garden beetle (AGB) is one of the most damaging, especially in Ohio. The AGB is an invasive species, and can be found under high pressure in sandier soils. Primarily a turf grass pest, it has recently been found damaging corn, with increasing levels of damage every year. As an invasive, it lacks knowledge on its biology and management, particularly in corn which differs from management in turf. 1) We sampled for AGB across OH in sandier soils to better detect its presence. We found that AGB prefers sandier soils, and damage is higher when corn follows soybean. We have also found correlations with the presence of marestail, a common weed which the adults prefer to feed and oviposit near. 2) We compared the efficacy of various seed treatments in control AGB and protecting against yield loss. Our data shows that, under high pressure, seed treatments will not protect against AGB. 3) Some growers have adopted a spraying program in soybean to prevent oviposition and decrease AGB presence the following year. We worked with OSU Extension Educators to set up a spray trial to sample for AGB. Preliminary results suggest that more AGB larvae were found in unsprayed plots. These plots will be re-examined in the spring. Western Bean Cutworm: We maintained our adult pheromone trapping network for the 10th consecutive year. We also intensified our inspection of corn plants for the presence of larvae based on reports in 2015 of WBC intense feeding on corn. We received many phone calls and notifications regarding WBC feeding in 2016. During several field visits, we noticed heavy feeding on ears. Many of these fields contained corn that was expressing Cry1F--a Bt protein that is labelled for western bean cutworm control. We confirmed the presence of Cry1F and several heavily damaged ears. This pattern was consistent with observations from other Midwest entomologists associated with this project. Based on these observations, we recommended that WBC control be removed from the label of Cry1F, and published an open letter to the seed industry (http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/efficacy_of_cry1f_trait_on_western_bean_cutworm).
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Michel A. 2015 Update on Field Crop Insect Activity. Ohio Pesticide Commercial
Applicator 2013 Recertification Conference.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
C. DiFonzo, A. Michel, C. Krupke, J. Tooker, K. Tilmon, E. Shields. Open letter regarding efficacy of Cry1F trait on western bean cutworm. http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/efficacy_of_cry1f_trait_on_western_bean_cutworm
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Pavinato, V. A. C., Margarido, G. R. A., Wijeratne, A. J., Wijeratne, S., Meulia, T., Souza, A. P., Michel, A. P. and Zucchi, M. I. (2016), Restriction site associated DNA (RAD) for de novo sequencing and marker discovery in sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis Fab. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Mol Ecol Resour. doi:10.1111/1755-0998.12583
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