Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:1. Specialty crop growers 2. Extension agents 3. Students 4. Master gardeners 5. Postdoc and exchange scholars 6. Community and participating schools 7. USDA and State partners and collaborators 8. Workshop and scientific meeting participants 9. General public Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided the following training and professional development opportunities to the stakeholders & clientele and the project team: 1. The students and stakekholders were exposed to best IPM practices. Their knowledge, skill sets and abilities were enhanced. 2. The stakeholders and students were provided visit opportunities to the speciatly crops IPM demonstration site to observe the effects of monoculture and intercropping. The students participated in the activities on insect detection, identification, monitoring, and management. 3. New and improved IPM practices including digital insects identification, insect traps, baits, pheromones, and new cultivars were offered to stakeholders and clientele. 5. The students, faculty, and extension agents were able to organize IPM field days, workshops, and symposia. All presented their extension and research findings in local, regional, natinonal, and interntional meetings. 6. The partnerships with the state and federal agencies was enhanced. 7. Pesticide applicators and pest managers from nine States participated in the 48th Annual Entomology field day and obtained certification training and earned specific CEUs to continue their profession. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of the project were dissiminated by the following activities: 1. Field days & workshops. 2. Insect open houses for schools and communities. 3. Orgnizedsymposia in annual and biennial meetings. 4. Presented IPM extension and research work in the scientic meetings. 4. Blogs and brief articles in the local newspaper, Tallahassee Democrat. 5. Participant visits to IPM demonstration sites. 6. Exposed students to mosquito districts. 7. Mentoring and training students. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The team will focus on the following workplan for the next reporting period: 1. Continuedeveloping three IPM demonstration sites to produce vegetabels &industrial hemp and provide training to the stakeholders and clientele. Quantifiy insect pests and beneficial species. Carry out pest detection, monitoring, and managment activities. Organize field days and workshops to showcase effctive IPM practices. A questionnaire is being developed for the stakeholders on the cost-benefit of IPM practices to be shared during the August field day and workshop. 2. Continuepest and beneficial species detection, monitoring, and managment for the seasonal specialty crops. 3. Test soil nutrient needs, soil moisture, and pH to configure best farming practices for crop productivity. 4. Grow selected trap crops and refuge crops to manage pests and to conserve beneficial species. 5. Evaluate new and improved IPM tools to manage pests and conserve beneficial species. 6. Participate and present in theAnnual Grape Harvest Festival and Provide IPM tools and practices to approximately 2,000 Community Participants. 7. Organize an IPM symposium entitled "Innovations in Integrated Pest Management to Protect Beneficial Insects" during the coming Annual meeting of Entomological Society of America to be held in Portland, Oregon in November for the scientific community and stakeholders, 8. Organize a6th IPM Forum during the 1890 Association of Research Directors (ARD) 2026 Symposium to be held in March 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. During this biennial symposium 13-15 talks will be deliveredon the IPM in the specialty crops and communities. 9. Present the findings of extension and research work in the 107th Florida Entomological Society to be held in Lake Alfred Florida in the coming July. 10. Publish blogs and brief extension articles on the IPM of specialty crops in the local newspaper, Tallahassee Democrat for the stakeholders and clientele. 11. Develop images of pests and share with the stakeholders and clientele for proper identification. 12. Provide internship opportunities to students and increase their knowledge, skill sets and abilities on the IPM of specialty crops and communities. 13. Mentor and train undergraduate and graduate students. 14. Provide alerts on the new invasive pests to stakeholders. 15. Organize 49th IPM field day and train pesticide applicators and pest control professionals. 16. Inviteguest speakers to discuss surveillance and mapping of mosquito incidences using ArcGIS at the Entomology Department at FAMU in the Summer and Fall. 17. FAMU field day will be organized in November 2025 to train PMPs in mosquito management, pesticide management, and other urban pests. 18. Internship opportunities will be provided to undergraduate and graduate students at Anastasia Mosquito Control District. 19. New cultivars of industrial hemp will be evaluated for pest activities and reommendations will be provided to stakeholders on the intercropping practices and effective IPM.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
I. Extension: The following extension work completedduring this period: Site 1. A demonstration site on the intercropping, and monoculturewas established. Industrial hemp (eight cultivars), and hemp with vegetables (okra, cucumber, and beens) were cultivated. Five treatments of biochar and controlwere replicated to quantifiy the growth and development of these plants. Site 2. Collard crop was sown in a biochar treated field and insect quatification was completed for a season. Insect traps (sticky traps, pheromone traps, and pitfal traps were deployed). Several species of insects were collected and identified. Graduate and undergraduate students were trained. Also, extension agents participated in the activity. Site 3. High tunnel production stystem. In a high tunnel production system. Strawberries were cultivated and a workshop was organized for the stakeholders. More than 40 participated in this one day workshop. Several talks including the Integrated Pest Management in the high tunnels was delivered. Organized 48th annual entomology field day to support pesticide applicators and pest managers. More thank 85 participated in this annual field day. The participants from nine Stateswere trained on specific topics including IPM in urban areas, pesticide labeling, invasive termite biology, subterranean termites, fumigation, pesticide safety, public health, mosquito identification, and common pesticide concerns. This May participated in the Brooksville Farm Fest in Hernando County, Florida and shared IPM and biological control practices to specialty crop growers. More than 200 participated in the event. II. Research:The following research work partly completed during this time period: A. Insecticidal Activities of Selected Essential Oils against Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae) under Laboratory Conditions The sweet potato weevil (SPW), Cylas formicarius (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Brentidae), is a serius pest of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) in the United States and around the world. The current management practices rely heavily on synthetic insecticides, which may lead to pesticide residues in the tubers and non-target effects on the natural enemies. Essential oils (EOs) are considered promising alternatives due to their natural origin, low environmental impact, and specific biological activities such as insecticidal, repellent, oviposition deterrent, antifeedant, and growth and reproductive inhibitor properties. This study evaluated seven EOs: eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), garlic (Allium sativum), marigold (Calendula officinalis), mustard (Brassica juncea), peppermint (Mentha piperita), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and thyme (Thymus gobicus) at concentrations of 1%, 5%, and 10%, along with two controls (water and acetone) treatments and three replicates under laboratory conditions [temperature (25±5°C), relative humidity (65±5%), and a photophase of 14L:10D]. All EOs treatments reduced feeding in C. formicarius, showing repellent and/or deterrent effects. The females of SPW caused more perforations than the males. Mortality rates among larvae (2nd and 3rd instars) and pupae varied, with peppermint found to be the most effective across all concentrations (1%, 5%, and 10%) tested. Adult mortality was observed to increase proportionally to the concentration of the oils. The most effective essential oils at 10% concentration were peppermint (100%), thyme (100%), eucalyptus (98%), and rosemary (above 95%), showing strong larval and pupal mortality. Mustard had moderate efficacy (up to 92% in pupae and 65% in larvae), while garlic and marigold were the least effective, with maximum mortalities of 67% and 87%, respectively. Overall, higher concentrations enhanced the bioactivity of the oils against SPW. Further testing of the peppermint, rosemary, and thyme under the open field conditions is necessary to provide recommendations of these potential EOs for the IPM to sustain sweet potato production. B. Detection and Monitoring of Collard Insect Pests and Beneficial Species in Biochar-treated Field in Quincy, Florida Biochar, a carbon-rich byproduct of pyrolyzed organic matter, has gained recognition for its potential to improve soil fertility, structure, and overall health. However, its influence on both soil-dwelling and surface-dwelling insect pests remains underexplored. Effective monitoring is essential for the timely detection and management of insect pests in agricultural systems. The experiment was conducted from January 7 to March 29, 2025, at the Research and Extension Center, Florida A&M University, Quincy, Florida. The study was carried out in five rows of a collard green (Brassica oleracea var. acephala, cultivar 'Flash') open field. The experimental plot measured 73 ft × 21 ft., with row-to-row distance of three fts and plant-to-plant distance of two fts. The soil treatments consisted of three biochar amendment rates, 1%, 2.5%, and 5% by weight, applied uniformly across designated plots. Two control treatments were included: an untreated control (no biochar) and a second control with no biochar but with a cover crop residue incorporated. To monitor insect pest dynamics, three sampling methods were utilized: Delta sticky traps, pitfall traps, and manual visual counts. A total of ten delta traps, each baited with a diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) pheromone lure, were deployed across the study area to capture aerially active moths. Additionally, ten pitfall traps (two per row) were installed at ground level, partially buried and filled with soapy water to capture and preserve ground-dwelling insects. The DBM was found consistently in all samples in traps. Also, its larval parasitoid, Diadegma insulare (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), and a pupal parasitoid Conura sp. wererecorded. The mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphidae), the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and cabbage worm, Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), were recorded in several samples on the plants. We recorded mole ground beetles, crickets, fire ants, and earwigs for soil-dwelling insects. This study will continue for the next year and based on the results of the two-season data, it will be evaluated, and recommendations will be provided to end-users. C. Detection and Monitoring of Pepper Insect Pests Pepper plants were sown in the greenhouse this summer and a colony of pepper weevil was established under laboratory conditions. One graduate student and assistant were trained to evaluated essential oils and their effects on the behvior of this serious pest of peppers. The date sets were recorded on the repellent, antifeeding, and oviposition effects. Additionally, a secondary pest Platynota rostrana (Lepidoptera:Tortricidae) was collected on the peppers in our greenhouses for the first time and confirmed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. D. Industrial Hemp Experimentation During the last spring season, an industrial Hemp Pest Control study was initiatedwith eight new breeding lines to evaluate pest dynamics and management strategies in industrial hemp in the open field in Quincy, Florida. This project aims to identify effective intercropping systems and assess varietal resistance to hemp-specific pests through a series of controlled field experiments. Three field experiments, each targeting different hemp varieties and intercropping treatments. Buffer zones of corn were incorporated to limit insect movement and ensure the integrity and independence of pest infestations across treatments. The data sets under these experimentation arebeing recorded during this season and the new breeding lines will be evaluated. Also, during the coming August a field day and workshop is planned to showcase the result of this study to stakholders and clientele.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
A. Publications:
Cabral, M.J.S., M. Haseeb and M.A. Soares. 2024. Major Insect Pests of Sweet Potatoes in Brazil and the United States, with Information on Crop Production and Regulatory Pest Management. 15: 823. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15100823.
B. Presentations:
1. Haseeb, M. 2025. Integrated Pest Management in the High Tunnels. 2025 High Tunnel Workshop organized in Quincy, Florida.
2. Haseeb, M. 2025. Developing Minority IPM Leaders in the Specialty Crops in Florida. An oral talk presented during the 11th International IPM Symposium, held in San Diego, CA (2-6 March 2025).
3. Bolgues, A., M. Haseeb and L.H.B. Kanga. 2025. IPM of Selective Specialty Crops in Passive Protective Structures and Open Field Conditions in Florida. An oral talk presented during the 11th International IPM Symposium, held in San Diego, CA (2-6 March 2025).
4. Cabral, M.J.D.S., Soares, M.A., and M. Haseeb. 2025. Insect Pests of Sweet Potato in Florida and Brazil and their Biological Control. A research poster presented during the 11th International IPM Symposium, held in San Diego, CA (2-6 March 2025).
5. Haseeb, M. 2024. Developing New Leaders in Insect Science: Opportunities and Challenges. An oral talk presented during the Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, held in Phoenix, AZ (10-13 November 2024).
6. Northe, Jr. B.S., A.M., M. Haseeb, C. Okoroji, and L.H.B. Kanga. 2024. Evaluation of Monitoring and Management Strategies for Pepper Weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) in North Florida and South Georgia. A research poster presented during the Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, held in Phoenix, AZ (10-13 November 2024).
7. Wesly, S., A. Sharma, M. Haseeb, A. Anandhi and L.H.B. 2024. Evaluation of efficacy of IPM traps for urban arthropod pests, Florida Entomological Society, July 1-3, 2024, at Quincy, Florida.
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