Minutes of the Technical Committee for Cooperative Regional Research Project W-1185

Minutes of the Technical Committee for Cooperative Regional Research Project W-1185

Biological Control in Pest Management Systems of Plants.

Alta, Utah, 4-6 October 2004

Technical Committee Member and Visitors Present: Alta, Utah, 4-6, 2004

Balciunas, JoeExotic & Invasive Weeds Research Unit, USDA-ARS/WRRC

Bancroft, JayUSDA-ARS, Shafter, CA

Caesar, AnthonyUSDA-ARS, NPARL

Carrillo, TraceyNew Mexico State Univ., EPPWS Dept.

Carruthers, NadaUSDA-ARS/WRRC, Exotic and Invasive Weeds Research Unit

Cooksey, DonaldUniversity of California, Riverside, Plant Pathology Dept.

Coombs, EricOregon State Dept. of Agriculture

Coutinot, DominiqueEBCL-USDA-ARS

Cristofaro, MassimoBiotech. & Biocontrol Agency, Rome Italy

Delfosse, ErnestUSDA-ARS, Natl. Weed Program Leader

Daane, KentUniversity of California, Berkeley, Division of Insect Biology

Dudley, TomNRES

Ehler, LesUniversity of California, Davis, Entomology Dept.

Ellington, JoeNew Mexico State Univ., EPPWS Dept.

Evans, TedUtah State University, Biology Dept.

Fieselmann, DanielUSDA-APHIS PPQ

Flanders, RobertUSDA-APHIS PPQ-Pest Permit Evaluations

Fumanal, BorisUSDA-ARS-EBCL (European Biological Control Laboratory

Gibson, CaraDept. of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ 85721

Glenister, Carol S.IPM Laboratories

Hansen, RichardNational Weed Management Laboratory

Hoelmer, KimUSDA-ARS-EBCL (European Biological Control Laboratory

Hufbauer, RuthDept. of Bioagricultural Science & Pest MGMT, Colorado State, Ft Collins,

Hunter, MollyDept. of Entomology, 410 Forbes, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721

Jaronski, StefanUSDA-ARS, Sidney, Montana

Johnson, MarshallUniversity of California, Riverside, Entomology Dept.

Kashefi, JavidEBCL

Lane, EricC/o Dept. of Agriculture, 700 Kipling St, Ste 400, Lakewood CO 80215-8000

Lawson, AndrewCalifornia State University, Fresno, Plant Science Dept.

LeBeck, LynnUniversity of California, Berkeley, Center for Biological Control

Littlefield, JeffMontana State University, Entomology Dept.

Luck, Robert F.University of California, Riverside, Entomology Dept.

McCaffrey, JoeUniversity of Idaho

McEvoy, PeterOregon State University, Botany and Plant Pathology

Messing, RussellUniversity of Hawaii, Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences

Miller, RossUniversity of Guam, College of Natural and Applied Sciences

Mills, NickUniversity of California, Berkely, Division of Insect Biology

Morgan, DavidCDFA

Nadel, HannahUniversity of California, Berkeley, Division of Insect Biology

Naranjo, SteveUSDA-ARS, Western Cotton Research Laboratory

Nechols, JimKansas State University, Entomology Dept.

Norton, AndrewColorado State University, BSPM Dept.

Nowierski, BobUSDA-CSREES, Washington, DC

Petit de Mange, BudUDSA-APHIS PPQ, 4700 River Rd., 4A25, Riverdale, MD 20733

Pickett, CharlesCalifornia Dept. of Food & Agriculture-Biological Control Program

Piper, GaryDept. of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163

Pitcairn, MikeCalifornia Dept. of Food & Agriculture-Biological Control Program

Roberts, Donald W.Dept. Biol, UTST Univ, Logan, UT 84322-5305

Roltsch, BillCalifornia Dept. of Food & Agriculture-Biological Control Program

Schat, MarjoleinDepartment of Entomology, 333 Leon Johnson Hall, Bozeman MT 59717

Simmons, GregUSDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHCT

Sing, SharleneUSFS-Rocky Mountain Research Station 1648 S. 7th Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59717

Smith, LincolnUSDA-ARS/WRRC, Exotic and Invasive Weeds Research Unit

Sobhian, RouhollahUSDA-ARS-EBCL (European Biological Control Laboratory

Stouthammer, RichardUniversity of California, Riverside

Story, JimWestern Ag Research Center, MT State Univ, 580 Quast Ln. Corvallis, MT

Tauber, CatherineCornell University, Entomology Dept.

Tauber, MauriceCornell University, Entomology Dept.

Thompson, DavidNMSU, EPPWS, Box 30003, MSC 3BE, Las Cruces, NM 88003

Tronci, CarloUSDA-ARS BBCA Rome, Italy

Wood, LeedaUSDA-APHIS PPQ CPHST PDDML 22675 N. Moorefield Rd. #5-6414, Edinbury, TX 78541-5033

Woods, DaleCalifornia Dept. of Food & Agriculture-Biological Control Program

Wright, MarkDept. Plant & Env Sci, Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa

Chair, Ted Evans; Secretary: Dave Thompson; Member-at-Large: Martha Hunter

Committee Chair Ted Evans, Utah State University, opened the meeting at 9 AM Tuesday, 5 October, at the Alta Lodge in Alta, Utah. Evans reintroduced the co-organizer of this year’s meeting, Lynn LeBeck, Academic Coordinator, Center for Biological Control, UC Berkeley. Evans next introduced David Thompson, New Mexico State University as secretary/Chair-elect, and Molly Hunter, University of Arizona, as the current member-at-large (elected at last year’s meeting in Pacific Grove, CA). Members then briefly introduced themselves and stated their major current research interests in biological control.

The formal business meeting began with approval of the 2003 minutes. Next, Marshall Johnson gave a summary of the progress on the W-1185 website. Special thanks to Ken Daane and Nick Mills for their vision and support by letting Lynn LeBeck spend time to maintain the website. Joe Balcunias described the effort to summarize the weed biological control projects in the US that has been spearheaded by Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture. He asked that all of in attendance review a poster quantifying the efforts in each state. A discussion of the rules to become a member of the W-1185 was initiated. Questions and details should be directed to the projects’ Administrative Advisor, Don Cooksey, UC Riverside. Unfortunately, Cooksey was unable to attend this years meeting. Discussion ensued concerning nomination of a member-at-large to serve as secretary in 2007 and as chair in 2008. Ross Miller, University of Guam was unanimously elected member-at-large. Dave Thompson, Secretary/Chair-elect, proposed that next year’s meeting be held 4-6 October in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or Cloudcroft, NM. The Lodge near Cloudcroft, was selected as the 2005 venue, Thompson agreed to make formal arrangements with The Lodge on behalf of the group.

The majority of the reports and presentations given by members and cooperators are included as electronic attachments on the W-1185 website:

Federal and state agency reports followed. Ernest DelFosse, USDA-ARS, Washington D.C. gave an overview of ARS research efforts specifically noting many new hires and the importance of building strong cooperative programs. Bob Nowierski, USDA-CSREES, Washington DC, discussed numerous program enhancements and projects. Dan Fieselmann, USDA-APHIS PPQ discussed the role as 1/3 responding to emergencies, 1/3 projects, and 1/3 ad-hoc projects. The national Weed Management Laboratory is being set up in Fort Collins, CO at Colorado State University. They are looking for a GS14 project leader. APHIS is involved in 16 different biological control projects (8 in weeds and 8 in insects). Pushing predictive modeling with NC State. CAPS survey program is still active and techniques are progressing to improve the quality and timeliness of survey programs. Dominique Coutinot next reported on the staff and activities of USDA-ARS EBCL (Montpellier, France), and provided overviews of major programs to discover new biological control candidates. The business meeting was adjourned at noon.

The Wednesday afternoon session commenced with discussion from the final agency report, Mike Pitcairn and Dale Woods reported for the California Department of Agriculture (CDFA). State budget woes in CA have forced massive cuts and consequent reduction of staff and programs. Despite reduced funding, previously initiated biological control programs within CDFA continue at present, although Mike reviewed some adjustments in personnel that have occurred as a result of budget cuts.

With discussion of business matters concluded, the meeting shifted to panel discussions. The agenda of this scientific portion of the meeting is presented in the appendix below. The first panel discussion on long-term biological control programs was split into two sections one on Wednesday afternoon and two talks on Thursday morning. Bob Luck, University of California, Berkeley discussed the trials and tribulations of the citrus biological control program in California. On Thursday, Joe Ellington, New Mexico State University discussed biological control programs in cotton and pecans and Gary Piper, Washington State University discussed the progress and uncertain future of weed biological control.

Due to the ever changing confusion over APHIS permitting issues Greg Simmons, USDA, APHIS, CPHST organized a discussion on permit issues and concerns. Bob Flanders, Branch Chief, Biological and Technical Services Pest Permit Evaluations, USDA-APHIS-PPQ started the session with an update on the current requirements and expected future changes. Bud Petit de Mange, CITES and Plant Inspection Station Coordinator, Quarantine Policy Analysis and Support, USDA-APHIS-PPQ followed with a discussion of how plant inspections centers work including some specific operational procedures for importing biological control organisms. Discussion was relatively lively and was followed by Dominique Coutinot, Quarantine Officer, EBCL, USDA-ARS discussing the issues related to foreign importation. Leeda Wood, Arthropod Quarantine Officer, Pest Detection Diagnostic & Management Laboratory, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST gave several accounts of successful and unsuccessful attempts to import biological control agents into the United States. Finally, Carol Glenister, Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers (ANBP) and IPM Labs discussed the impact that new regulations will have on the independent commercial biological control suppliers.

The final panel discussion: Microbes and Biological Control was organized by Molly Hunter and Tim Collier, University of Arizona provided an indepth discussion of the roll of microbes in biological control programs. All of these talks are included in electronic format on the website. .The discussion started with a paper on the yeast symbionts of insect natural enemies presented by Cara Gibson, University of Arizona. This was followed by a lively discussion of parthenogenesis, Wolbachia and biological control by Richard Stouthammer, University of California, Riverside. Stefan Jaronski, USDA, ARS, Sidney Montana gave an interesting summary of the opportunities, constraints, challenges, and potential for biological control of the sugarbeet root maggot with a fungus. An interesting look into the application of biological control with fungi in Brazil was presented by Don Roberts and Dranzio E. N. Rangel, Utah State University. The final talk of the meeting involved soilborne microbes and classical biological control or as Tony Caesar, USDA, ARS, Sidney, Montana suggested an alternative title: Multitrophic Effects, with Negative Feedback on Non-indigenous plants.

At the conclusion of the microbe discussion on Thursday 7 October, the group thanked all of the speakers for an excellent set of presentations. The group applauded Ted Evans and Lynn LeBeck for their efforts in planning and hosting the meeting. The meeting was then adjourned.

Appendix. Scientific portion of the program.

Wednesday October 6

9:00 – 9:45 AMBusiness Meeting

• Welcome and Introductions. Ted Evans (2004 Chair)
• Approval of 2003 minutes
• Update on W-1185 website. Marshall Johnson
• Annual reports and deadlines for 2004 reports (Deadline: November 15, 2004; submit via email to Lynn LeBeck)
• Election of Member-at-Large (for 2005). Dr. Ross Miller, University of Guam was unanimously elected for this position.
• 2005 Annual Meeting.Dave Thompson (New Mexico State University), Presented several venue options – The Lodge in Cloudcroft, NM was selected.

9:45 – 11:30 AMAgency/Cooperator Updates

• USDA, ARS, National Program for Weed Science. Ernest Delfosse
• USDA, CSREES and NRI Updates. Bob Nowierski
• USDA, APHIS. Dan Fieselmann
• USDA, ARS, European Biological Control Lab (EBCL). Dominique Coutinot.
• California Department of Food and Agriculture. Mike Pitcairn and
  Dale Woods

1:00 – 1:40 AM Panel Discussion 1: Long-term Programs in Biological Control/IPM

• Citrus in California.Bob Luck, University of California,

1:45 – 4:30 PM Panel Discussion 2: Sending and Receiving Biological Control Organisms Across Borders in a New Security Environment. Organized by Greg Simmons, APHIS-PPQ-CPHST

• Increased Enforcement of Procedures and Regulations for Importing Living Plant Pests, Biological Control Organisms and Bees Into the United States. Bob Flanders, Branch Chief, Biological and Technical Services Pest Permit Evaluations, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
• How Plant Inspections Centers Work: Operational Procedures for Importing Biological Control Organisms. Bud Petit de Mange, CITES and Plant Inspection Station Coordinator, Quarantine Policy Analysis and Support, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
• Importation and Exportation of Living Material for Scientific Purposes: procedures in use at EBCL, an overseas USDA-ARS Laboratory in France (UE).Dominique Coutinot, Quarantine Officer, EBCL, USDA-ARS.
• New Procedures for Importation of Natural Enemies to Support Classical Biological Control Programs in the U.S.A, the View from a Quarantine Laboratory. Leeda Wood, Arthropod Quarantine Officer, Pest Detection Diagnostic & Management Laboratory, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST.
• Impacts of New Regulatory Rules on Importing Natural Enemies on the Beneficial Insect Industry Carol Glenister, Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers (ANBP) and IPM Labs.

Thursday October 7

8:30 - 9:30 AM Panel Discussion 1 (cont.): Long-term Programs in Biological Control/IPM.

• Pecans and Cotton in New Mexico.Joe Ellington, New Mexico State University.
• Weeds in the Western U.S.Gary Piper, Washington State University.

9:40 - 11:45 AM Panel Discussion 3: Microbes and Biological Control. Organized by Molly Hunter and Tim Collier, University of Arizona.

• Yeast Symbionts of insect natural enemies.Cara Gibson, University of Arizona.
• Parthenogenesis, Wolbachia and Biological Control. Richard Stouthammer, University of California, Riverside.
• Biocontrol of Sugarbeet Root Maggot with a Fungus: Opportunities, Constraints, Challenges, and Potentials. Stefan Jaronski, USDA, ARS, Sidney Montana.
• The Brazilians are Leaders in the Use of Fungi for Insect-Pest Control: Why Don Roberts and Dranzio E. N. Rangel, Utah State University.
• Soilborne Microbes and Classical Biological Control: or Multitrophic Effects, with Negative Feedback on Non-indigenous plants. Tony Caesar, USDA, ARS, Sidney, Montana.

12:00 Meeting Adjourned