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AGRICULTURAL PEST MANAGEMENT

Research projects are developed to meet the mission of the Department of Entomology, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station and the LSU Agricultural Center. The overall goal of the faculty studying IPM issues is to provide solutions to the real-world problems being experienced by our clientele in Louisiana. This report is a summary of the individual faculty members’ contributions to agricultural IPM as well as the positive interactions among the faculty in the Department of Entomology with other scientists (on and off campus), extension specialists, USDA-ARS employees, State Department of Agriculture personnel, and out-of-state colleagues.

Ten faculty members of the Department of Entomology have research efforts linked to specific commodities, and three others with projects that provide basic information to address agricultural IPM issues. Research scientists are located at three LSU Agricultural Center branch research stations and extensive participation occurs with scientists at two USDA-ARS locations, and in the Louisiana Department of Agriculture (LDAF) that have integrated programs with the on-campus faculty. Five specialists in the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service interact with the Department’s faculty to transfer information to the public.

The following summary outlines the Department’s activities in the various IPM areas. These strategies include cultural pest control, biological control, "selective" insecticide use, and often rely on studies involving insect behavior, agro-ecological interactions, detection and monitoring of insect resistance to insecticides, and host plant resistance, with a focus toward technology and information transfer to clientele groups.

LSU Agricultural Center entomologists continue to put forth considerable efforts to better understand the basic interactions among arthropod pests and their environment. In the commodity-oriented research programs, this information is used to develop novel IPM systems or refine current recommendations. Examples of this work are illustrated in several commodities including timber (forests), rice, sweet potato, citrus, field corn, grain sorghum, soybean, cotton, and sugarcane.

In forested wetlands, the effects of nutrient levels and salinity concentrations in a flooded environment are being evaluated on early season defoliating pest densities and their interactions on tupelo and bald cypress productivity. Collaborative studies between USDA-ARS scientists and faculty members in the Department of Entomology are involved in evaluating the effects of prescribed burning on forest insect pests and the impact on tree health in longleaf pine ecosystems. This work includes studies on the interaction between coleopteran pests and vectored fungal pathogens impacting the decline of pine trees. The role of bark beetle

(Curculionidae: Scolytinae) vision and their behavioral responses to silhouettes and semiochemical cues is being evaluated as part of their host selection processes.

The ecology and biology of the rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus) and the rice stinkbug (Oebalus pugnax) on rice and non-crop hosts are being studied to improve the efficiency of existing management strategies.

The role of wild hosts in the development of sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius) infestations in sweet potato is also being studied to determine the feasibility of a regulated

eradication program. Collaborators at the University of Georgia also are studying behavioral responses of the sweet potato weevil to volatile components of potato skins to determine if antibiosis factors vary from one variety to another.

Surveys on citrus crops have identified leaf-footed bugs (Coreidae), primarily (Leptoglossus phyllopus) and (L. zonatus), as serious fruit feeding pests. Studies are underway to determine the ecology of these two pests in citrus groves and evaluate action thresholds and control measures.

The biology of the chinch bug (Blissus leucopterus leucopterus) is being studied on field corn and grain sorghum, and alternate non-crop hosts. Seasonal patterns of temporal migration from alternate host to crops fields are being studied to improve sampling plans and control strategies.

Delayed maturity syndrome of soybean has been associated with insect pests. The role of stinkbugs, primarily Nezara viridula and Euschistus spp., in the occurrence of this malady has been partially characterized in multi-disciplinary (entomologists and plant pathologists) studies.

In cotton, differential susceptibility between the bollworm (Helicoverpa zea) and tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) has been observed to the Cry proteins in genetically engineered cotton that express the Bollgard trait. In many instances, the bollworm is not effectively controlled with the Bollgard technology. The behavior of this species on non-transgenic and Bollgard cultivars is being studied to refine sampling methodology and action thresholds.

Ineffective control strategies against the Mexican rice borer (Eoreuma loftini) and severe yield losses in Texas sugarcane have prompted LSU Agricultural Center entomologists to initiate a collaborative research project with Texas Agricultural Experiment Stations at Beaumont and Weslaco. This work is identifying the extent of Mexican rice borer host range, developing initial control strategies in rice, and potential controls for sugarcane in Louisiana. The focus has been on varietal resistance and reassessment of insecticidal controls.

Cultural pest control strategies are linked to recommended agronomic practices and must be realistic within the range of producers’ limitations in crop production. Changes in livestock and crop production systems, tillage systems, weed management, etc, in Louisiana facilitate the need to evaluate and re-define cultural control strategies for IPM. Research is ongoing in rice, cotton, soybean, sweet potato, field corn, grain sorghum, and sugarcane.

The primary insect pest of rice in Louisiana is the rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzaephilus). Current research includes age-related changes in susceptibility of rice plants to herbivore damage, the effects of flooding and other cultural practices on weevil behavior, use of weedy and native host plants, plant-mediated interactions between the rice water weevil and the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), and the effects of herbicide-induced changes in rice plants on rice water weevil feeding.

In conservation tillage production systems for Louisiana crops, herbicide use strategies developed by multi-disciplinary teams in the LSU Agricultural Center have been evaluated to determine the optimal treatments and application timing to reduce the potential for economic injury by soil insect pests in cotton and field corn. Insect pest interactions with winter cover crops recommended as best management practices and alternate hosts on field borders also being investigated.

The sorghum midge is a serious pest of grain sorghum in Louisiana. The effects of planting dates and flowering period on grain sorghum susceptibility to sorghum midge (Contarinia sorghicola) are being evaluated in field tests in cooperation with faculty located at off-campus research stations.

Group IV soybean cultivars have begun to dominate the Louisiana’s soybean acreage due to earlier planting dates, high yields, and favorable weather pattern during harvest. Inter-disciplinary studies involving agronomists and plant protection faculty have refined soybean IPM in Group IV soybean production systems to acknowledge and manage those pest problems not common in other production systems.

The sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius elegantulus) is a primary pest in sweet potato that can severely limit yields and increase production costs. The range of alternate plants hosts and environmental tolerances of the sweet potato weevil are being investigated to determine patterns of seasonal survival and reproduction in Louisiana.

Several phytophogous stinkbugs attack Louisiana crops. In soybean, trap crops have been recommend as an effective strategy to manage these pests. Trap crop systems including host species, placement, and size are being evaluated as a means of controlling stinkbugs in pecan orchards.

Low densities of specific weedy plants have been shown to enhance the diversity and abundance of host for increasing numbers of arthropod predators in sugarcane fields. The manipulation of agronomic practices is being assessed to minimize competitive predation on Cotesia spp. and create a better refuge for the sugarcane borer parasitoid, (Cotesia flavipes).

Pheromone-baited traps are operated at several research stations and key locations throughout Louisiana to monitor the species composition and occurrence of lepidopterous pests of cotton, field corn, and soybean. The pheromone components of Phyllophaga species are being investigated in efforts to use traps as a means to determine population peaks and seasonal occurrence in crops such as sweet potato. Efforts to identify the pheromone of the rice water weevil also are underway.

Several faculty members have multi-disciplinary (primarily agronomy and entomology) studies underway to improve the information to support action thresholds to initiate control measures against insect pests. In cotton, fruiting form age has been correlated with heat unit accumulation and used to predict yield tolerance to selected late season insect pests. These data form the justification of when to terminate late season insect pest control strategies. In soybean, entomologists have defined the minimum leaf area necessary at specific reproductive growth stages required to maximize yields. Presently, this information is being used by agronomists to compare sunlight penetration through the plant canopy at varying defoliation levels and refine methods for action thresholds to treat defoliating insect pests. In sugarcane, monitoring techniques and action thresholds have been evaluated for management of wireworms and the associated impact on non-target insects and crop yield. Over 80% of the Louisiana sugarcane crop is contracted for insect scouting and management in a modification of a long established IPM program.

A temperature-based model is being developed to accurately predict the occurrence of key events in the life cycle of the pecan weevil (Curculio carayae) and more accurately time insect control strategies. The performance of several trap systems measuring adult emergence of hickory nut curculio are being evaluated as tools to properly time insecticide applications for optimum results.

In a cooperative study with USDA-ARS, NASA, producers, and private industry, digital images from fixed wing aircraft and satellites are being used to characterize and relate crop growth patterns to insect infestations and identify specific areas of fields for prescription applications of insecticides. Insecticide use strategies can be improved by reducing the total acreage being treated and decreasing the potential effects of off-target residues.

Studies currently underway in the Department of Entomology are generally associated with screening microbial toxins for insecticidal efficacy or collecting information on the ecology of beneficial arthropods in specific cropping systems.

A multi-departmental (Department of Agronomy), multinational (World Laboratory, Ukrainian Branch) project is investigating Ukrainian isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis to discover Cry proteins that exhibit toxicity to insect pests, including the tobacco budworm, sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis), fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), soybean looper (Pseudoplusia includens), boll weevil (Anthomomus grandis), sweet potato weevil, and the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). Beauvaria bassiana is being evaluated as a candidate insecticide against the rice stinkbug. Microbial insecticides also are being screened for activity against soil insect pests in sweet potatoes.

USDA-ARS scientists and faculty are studying the potential of predaceous beetles (Histeridae) as biological control agents of phytophogaus bark beetle pests in pines. In the citrus industry, a parasitoid (Ageniaspis citricola) has demonstrated satisfactory control of the citrus leafminer. Entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi have been isolated from pecan orchard soils and will be evaluated for their potential as a tool to manage the pecan weevil.

Multiple introductions of the sugarcane borer parasitoids, Cotesia flavipes and C. chilonis, at several locations, annually during the past few years have yielded numerous recoveries, sometimes in excess of 60% parasitism. However, in these USDA/LSU AgCenter studies assisted by J.W. Smith at Texas A & M, neither species has been shown to successfully overwinter.

Insecticides are a necessary tool to mitigate, as a last resort, the injurious effects of Louisiana’s insect pests. Insecticides are recommended by extension entomologists as components of a multi-tactical strategy against insect pests in all major agricultural commodities (Table 1). Federal and university entomologists are evaluating numerous registered and experimental insecticides for efficacy and their potential in integrated management strategies against pests of these commodities (Table 2). Insecticide toxicity to predators and parasitoids of insect pests and the impact of these treatments on pest resurgence is also being evaluated in several commodities.

¹LCES personnel screen products on these pests as new insecticides/miticides become available.

Scientists with the USDA-ARS Soil and Water Research Laboratory and the LDAF/LAES Agricultural Chemistry Department on the LSU campus currently have cooperative studies with several faculty members involving insecticide persistence and movement in the environment. Adoption of Best Management Practices encouraged by federal regulations is creating additional pest management issues concerning surface water quality.

In numerous instances, the use of chemical control over many years has resulted in the development of insecticide-resistant populations of pests in Louisiana. In many of the commodity-oriented research programs supported by Dr. Ottea in the insecticide toxicology program, monitoring insect susceptibility to chemicals has become critically important to the success of Louisiana IPM in agriculture. Traditional bioassay and novel molecular techniques are being used as diagnostic tools to detect, characterize, and monitor insecticide resistance in key insects. The monitoring programs are prerequisites to changes in IPM and insecticide resistance management.

Monitoring tobacco budworm and bollworm populations to pyrethroids and organophosphates has been ongoing since 1986. Although the primary insecticides include pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamates, baseline dose mortality data have been collected for spinosad, indoxacarb, Valent Corp. S-1812, methoxyfenozide, and tebufenozide. Data for these and other compounds also have been collected for the susceptibility of several other pests including the sugarcane borer, soybean looper, Spodoptera spp., Lygus spp., Pentatomidae, and Aphis gossypii. The relationships among soybean looper populations originating from Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Carribean islands, and Central America are being compared using molecular diagnostic techniques (DNA fingerprinting) and variation in susceptibility to insecticides.

A comprehensive long-term project with horn flies (Haematobia irritans) was initiated in 1990 and is ongoing. Populations of horn flies from seven research stations across Louisiana have been surveyed for susceptibility to various insecticides. Samples of these populations with varying levels of resistance have been archived and stored at –70^oC for future enzyme and genomic assays.

Mechanisms of resistance to insecticides are being studied in several key species. Comprehensive toxicology research is investigating the regulation of the expression of detoxification enzymes (e.g., mixed-function oxidases, glutathione S-transferases, and esterases) modification of the target site within the insect and, increased excretion, and toxicant penetration to the target site. These avenues of inquiry have obvious relevance to enhancing pest management including development assays allowing unambiguous identification of resistance mechanisms and the spectrum of cross resistance among classes of insecticides. Insecticide resistance management strategies in Louisiana cropping systems are being monitored for their effects on target insect and non-target arthropod susceptibility.

Entomologists are included as requisite members of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for the screenings and development of commercial cultivars important to Louisiana’s producers in several commodities. Entomologists also are involved in the basic discovery of plant resistance traits; screening advanced breeding lines, and in studying effects of genotype by environmental interactions on targeted insect pests in Louisiana.

USDA-ARS and LSU Agricultural Center scientists have a cooperative agreement to develop and release sugarcane varieties with the American Sugarcane League. Entomologists from these agencies cooperate in many aspects of host plant resistance research with the sugarcane borer, but make a concerted effort to partition research and avoid duplication. Scientists in the LSU Agricultural Center assess relative injury and area-wide impact of the new cultivars while the USDA-ARS evaluates germplasm in the basic breeding program and relationships between insect damage and crop yield.

Insect pests of sweet potatoes are one of the primary factors limiting production in Louisiana. Considerable research is directed toward the search for host plant resistance traits in sweet potatoes to the sweet potato weevil and banded cucumber beetle. Plant resistance to these insects is a primary consideration in selecting breeding material and the further development into a commercial cultivar.

The production of rice cultivars is primarily accomplished through public breeding efforts. The rice cultivar development program in the LSU Agricultural Center is recognized as one of the premier programs in the world. Entomologists cooperate with rice agronomists in studying plant resistance and tolerance traits (natural and genetically engineered) to the primary rice pest in Louisiana, the rice water weevil. In addition, efforts are beginning to study the effects of interactions between the environment and plant genotype on the expression of plant resistance to insect herbivory. Studies that are underway include age related changes in susceptibility of rice plants to herbivore damage, and plant-mediated interactions between the rice water weevil and fall armyworm.

LSU Agricultural Center scientists were instrumental in the development and commercialization of the Bollgard (Bacillus thuringiensis, Cry1Ac protein) technology in cotton. Research and extension projects are developing IPM strategies for non-target pests in Bollgard cotton. Implications for resistance management including refuge considerations are being studied as well. The second generation of transgenic technology in cotton (Bollgard II, Cry1Ac + Cry2B proteins) is currently under development and is being evaluated in Louisiana to determine the spectrum of pest species controlled and the benefits to the cotton IPM system.

The influence of Bollgard cotton on soybean looper susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis proteins and overall impact on soybean IPM is being evaluated in field and laboratory studies. Soybean looper densities have been sampled in soybean agroecosystems with and without Bollgard cottons to determine the effects on population developments. Variation in the efficacy of the Cry1Ac protein against target pests is being evaluated among a number of specific Bollgard cultivars.

Genetically engineered commercial and advanced breeding lines of field corn expressing insecticidal Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis are being evaluated for efficacy against Louisiana’s lepidopteran pest spectrum. Interactions of these GE corns with planting dates are being studied to determine the optimum value of the technology.

Only one faculty member in the Department of Entomology currently is assigned formal extension responsibilities. Currently, one scientist at a research station has a split research/extension appointment. Therefore, four full-time extension specialists, one pesticide specialist, two scientists with split (research: extension) appointments and five extension associates are charged with technology transfer to the public. However, in reality, most research scientists associated with agricultural IPM participate in extension activities at multiple levels. The cooperative efforts of research and extension scientists are observed in the preparation of publications that recommend IPM strategies for the primary crops. In addition, research scientists frequently conduct county agent training sessions, and participate in parish meetings to transfer pest control strategies to producers, crop advisors, and agrochemical industry personnel. This level of cooperation allows both extension and research scientists to be involved in the discovery, development, validation, and implementation of IPM strategies for Louisiana pests. In several commodities, county agents and consultants often utilize research entomologists for information.

The primary responsibility of the Extension Entomology project is to collect and assimilate data from research scientists and transfer that information to the extension agents. This process enables the agents to provide the services and demonstrations needed to assist producers, homeowners, and the general public. The information provides the clientele with the knowledge to manage arthropods using IPM on their crops, gardens and landscapes and to protect themselves and their property from insect pest populations.

The extension project has added the use of the Digital Diagnostic Service to provide farmers and other clientele with quick and effective identification and recommendations for managing their pest problems. This program has been used by many agents in and out of Louisiana. It is functional for the specialist because it can be used wherever they use computers. This program, like the Diagnostic Clinic, where specimens are mailed in, has been assisted by Dr. Carlton and Ms. Mosley in verification or assistance in identifying specimens. The clinics have been a source of obtaining new specimens and records of infestations for the museum. Faculty representing each specific commodity in the Department of Entomology cooperate with extension specialists in the proper identification of insects, providing information about the basic biology of species, and assisting in the development and implementation of appropriate IPM strategies.

Training programs have been assisted with the Distance Learning System. Compressed video programs may be broadcast throughout the state reducing travel for both agents and specialists. The Distance Learning System presently includes 12 locations throughout the state, with additional sites scheduled for the future. This Distance Learning System is used at remote classroom sites for the agents participating in an entomology specialization program. Several members of the Department of Entomology are assisting in this program. The purpose of the training is to help agents expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities in entomology. Upon completion of the specialization training, these agents will be assigned multi-parish responsibilities in entomology programming.

Information is transferred to the public through field demonstrations, formal meetings, trade journals, newspapers, mass media, personal visits, field tours, training clinics, and links with university and public commodity web sites. Updates to pest management information and recommendations that can be used during the production season are being listed on the World Wide Web. Listings for the Department of Entomology, specific research and extension programs and research stations are linked together through the LSU Agricultural Center’s web site. The Extension project also has developed several exhibits that are used for fairs, school programs, earth day, garden shows, and other events. These exhibits include honey bees, termites, fire ants, relations between humans and insects, IPM, and sustainable agriculture (in process). Each of these includes information developed by faculty in the Department of Entomology.

The specific agricultural IPM areas emphasized by extension specialists include ornamentals, turf, forestry, sugarcane, feed grains, soybean, cotton, vegetables, pecans, pastures (forage), sweet potato, livestock and pesticide education. Formal education programs have been developed in each of the areas that provide support to the public through agents located in each of the 64 parishes in Louisiana. Each extension entomology specialist is responsible for several commodity areas.

Dr. Ralph Bagwell is the cotton specialist and works off campus at the Scott Research/Extension center in Franklin Parish. The center is the first of several special units emphasizing a commodity in a location central to the commodity. Not only are extension/research entomologists housed in the same area, but scientists addressing all phases of the production of the commodity are included. Dr. Bagwell has worked effectively with Drs. Leonard and Burris, students and other personnel in developing a premier program in aiding the cotton farmers to manage their program and problems more effectively and economically. He has developed an excellent web page on the cotton program.

Dr. Jack Baldwin provides service to the soybean, corn, pastures and forages, small grains, livestock and stored grains commodity areas. He has developed a web page on Ag Pests for these commodity areas. Working with Drs. Boethel, Riley, Foil, Leonard and others, Jack has developed a program of demonstrations and applied research. These programs are conducted cooperatively with the research stations and McNeese State University. Jack is also involved with public health insect problems such as mosquito control.

Dr. Mary Grodner is the pesticide specialist. Her programs involve all phases of pesticides from updates on labels to supervising and providing leadership to the pesticide application program. She directs the private applicator certification/recertification program and the commercial pesticide applicator certification/recertification program, conducts the pesticide educational program for non-traditional extension clientele and the general public, and provides extension specialists with information on state and federal pesticide rules and regulations. She works closely with local state and federal organizations such as DEQ, EPA, LDAF and IR-4.

Patty Beckley is an associate who assists Dr. Grodner in her programs and has been involved in determining the impact of agricultural pesticides on sugarcane, honeybees, strawberries, and other commodities. She has developed and administered pesticide use surveys for compilation in the national pesticide database. Patty is responsible for the assimilation of the data on crop profiles and assisting with the presentation of several exhibits on insects for schools, earth day, 4-H and clinics.

Dr. Abner Hammond is one of two members of the entomology project who has a split appointment. He conducts research and extension programs on sweet potatoes. Working with the farmers and extension agents, Abner has set up a research and education program to improve the management programs of sweet potato pests while training farmers and agents to effectively and economically aid in the production of sweet potatoes.

Dr. Dennis Ring is responsible for programs on structural insects, vegetables, small fruits and rice. Dennis supervises, associates, Dr. Mao, Alan Morgan and Charles McCown in the termite program that involves the Formosan subterranean termite, (FST) French Quarter Program with USDA, ARS and the evaluation of the tree treatment programs in New Orleans and Lake Charles with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Both programs will have implications on the management of the FST throughout its range. Dennis works closely with Dr. Gregg Henderson along with his associates and students. Dennis and his associates have organized training and educational programs for agents, PCO’s and various clientele. Dennis works with Dr. Stout on the development of IPM of rice pests. He cooperatively assists all state, regional and federal programs to meet the agricultural needs of the state.

Dr. Lixin Mao, Alan Morgan and Charles McCown are the associates working with the termite programs. Dr. Mao and Mr. Morgan are involved with the termite program in the French Quarter and Mr. McCown is involved with the tree program. Alan also assists Dr. Ring with the vegetable, rice and small fruit programs. All are involved in the termite educational and training programs.

Dr. Mike Hall holds the second joint appointment in the project. He is stationed at the Pecan research station in Shreveport. His extension responsibilities are with the management of pests on pecans and greenhouse tomatoes. Mike has worked with extension since he acquired the position. He services north Louisiana on pecans and Dr. Pollet serves the southern portion of the state. Dr. Hall has assisted the project with identification and educational demonstrations with insects.

Dr. Dale Pollet is responsible for the programs on sustainable agriculture, sugarcane, ornamentals and turf, honeybees, urban trees and vegetables. A cooperative program in sugarcane IPM has been between extension, research and USDA-ARS. Dr. Reagan and Dr. White also are requested by field agents for training and educational programs. The sustainable agriculture program combines the efforts of all programs to teach improved management techniques to the agents and clientele. This program is designed to enhance production and economics through a holistic approach to integrated pest management.

Off-campus scientists often participate in extension activities such as problem solving through personal visits and telephone calls, and demonstration of new pest control technologies at research station field days. In some commodities, these scientists are more accessible to the public compared to those on the main campus because of their proximity within the state and their experience with local insect pest problems and IPM strategies.

Extension specialists also cooperate with USDA-APHIS and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) personnel in the surveys of exotic species, pest eradication programs, development of EPA section 24C/Section 18 pesticide use labels, and education programs licensing pest control advisors. For example, the sugarcane insect pest monitoring program for Mexican rice borer conducted in Eastern Texas and Louisiana relies on comparison of material in the Louisiana State Arthropod Museum (LSAM) and morphological study of genitalia for separating this species from similar pyralid moths.

The Extension Entomology Project is fortunate to have a cooperative faculty willing to assist in the identification and collection of data for presentation to the people of Louisiana, for improved production and pest management. The overall mission is to develop the idea of environmental stewardship and sustainability in the management of pests. Cooperation with faculty in the Department of Entomology is necessary to meet the needs of the people of Louisiana and the nation.

The lead agency for agricultural regulations and enforcement in Louisiana is the LDAF. Their cooperation with faculty in the Department of Entomology is primarily related to insect identification in regulatory inspection and quarantine, insect pest eradication programs, training for crop advisors and pesticide applicators, as well as preparation of pesticide label submissions to the EPA for local needs.

"It is intended that this information be viewed as representing some of the primary interests of commodity boards. However, in no case would such a list become the total focus of any of the LSU AgCenter research/extension programs."

1. Recommend that the Experiment Station continue to accelerate its cotton research program with particular emphasis on integrated pest management. (Regardless of the size of the cotton operation, insect management ranks the number one priority research need in Louisiana.)
2. Recommend that the boll weevil eradication effort should be supported.

1. Recommend that funding be secured for the continuation of research for fire ant control.

1. Recommend landowners and logging industry to use Best Management Practices.

1. Recommend that the LSU Department of Entomology secure an entomologist to work directly with insect problems of nursery stock.
2. Recommend that financial aid be obtained from state and/or federal funds for the purpose of controlling the imported fire ants in nursery-related business.

1. Recommend that the LSU Pecan Research and Extension Station return the 12 open acres at the station to pecan production, and that these acres be devoted to the development of new pecan cultivars and the study of pecan entomology and pathology.

1. Commend the LSU Rice Experiment Station in Crowley for the excellent work being conducted in all disciplines.

1. Recommend that because of the importance of the soybean industry in Louisiana, adequate research be conducted in the areas of weed, insect and disease control, fertilization rates, variety testing and plant breeding for soybeans. Also, recommend that research be expanded on wheat and feed grains production in Louisiana.
2. Request that appropriate synthetic pyrethroids be labeled for use on grain sorghum. Also, request that LSU research alternative pest control for grain sorghum, specifically midge control.
3. Recommend that research be performed regarding stinkbug damage and other insect damage in corn as related to aflatoxin.

1. Insect Control

(a) Control of cane borer

(i) Need for continued research for development of resistant varieties

(ii) Improved integrated pest management (IPM) practices

(b) Wire worm control studies to be continued

(c) Aphid control

(d) Recommend continued support for cooperative research in Texas on evaluating Louisiana varieties resistant to the Mexican Rice Borer.

2. Breeding Approaches - Increase insect resistance
3. Recommend continuation of the work to obtain a label for any promising pesticides, and also urge the labeling of these products on a timely basis.
4. Environmental concerns

(a) Recommend continued research into the judicious use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

(b) Evaluate effects of current crop production strategies and chemical usage in wildlife protection, wetlands preservation, and energy conservation.

1. Recommend the request of special emphasis on research to control soil insects, such as the cucumber beetle and sweet potato weevil, and urge that the USDA and Experiment Station officials place a high priority on this research through allocation of adequate funds and personnel. Also, recommend continued research into the developing of insect resistant varieties.
2. Commend the Sweet Potato Research Station at Chase, Louisiana, and also the coordinated efforts of the LSU Departments of Horticulture, Entomology, and Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology for the good work they have done in the past in developing new sweet potato varieties and foundation seed. Also, urge them to continue to expand their operations wherever possible in an effort to develop more new commercial varieties and the station to pursue additional research in cultural practices.

1. Historically, agricultural IPM research programs have been the strength of this Department. Presently, we are in an atmosphere of downsizing and consolidation brought about by budget constraints, with little relief in the foreseeable future. The loss of IPM research scientists on the main campus could create a loss in the stakeholder support we have in the agricultural community. Compared to entomology research at other universities, is this a logical direction for the LSU Department to proceed? Should some of the applied research responsibilities be formally directed to scientists at branch stations or extension specialists?
2. How do we fill present and future gaps in faculty expertise as we downsize?
3. Do the extension programs complement all research efforts in areas of critical need? Are they comprehensive enough to address all entomological questions?
4. Currently, the extension entomology specialists respond to a separate chain of administrators than do research scientists. Should the extension personnel and branch station scientists have formal appointments in the on-campus Department? Should the Head of the Department have some oversight on the off-campus research and extension scientists?
5. Many of the IPM research scientists have the unique opportunity in Louisiana to identify the needs of the clientele, develop solutions, and implement practical applications of technology to the end user. Should the research scientists hold extension appointments in this scenario?
6. With limited resources available to administrators, and a trend toward putting a majority of financial resources into a few select high-profile programs (as seen on main campus) faculty conducting applied research should be allowed to supplement their salaries with grant funds. Grant funds are used to pay research associates' salaries and graduate student stipends. A logical step would be to allow applied researchers to supplement their salaries with a portion of the grant funds they attract to their research programs. Should the administration allow research faculty to supplement salary through non-recurring funding such as grants, consulting services, etc?
7. Do the overall IPM programs have the proper balance between basic science, applied research in the experiment station, and technology transfer through formal extension appointments?
8. Nearly all of the IPM programs are tied to specific commodities. Would the Department be strengthened with cross-commodity cooperation? In the current downsizing mode, could the Department more flexibly address critical pest problems if the commodity lines were not so rigidly drawn?
9. Does the funding received from various grants produce results that address the needs of our state clientele?
10. Is their evidence to support the proper training of graduate students in agricultural IPM? What components are lacking excellence?
11. Do the agricultural IPM research programs have sufficient levels of support staff to accomplish their research goals?
12. Are the entomological needs of agriculture in the state of Louisiana being met? Identify areas of research and/or extension programming which should be increased, decreased or eliminated.

Ralph Bagwell: Extension Entomology

Program Goals: Inform and educate county agents, consultants, agricultural chemical industry, and cotton producers on identification and methods of insect pest management in cotton.

Program Objectives: To work in cooperation with research entomologists and organizations in developing programs that will provide assistance to the Louisiana cotton industry. To develop educational programs, publications, and visuals to present unbiased information to the clientele. To conduct field demonstrations, efficacy trials, and evaluations of new materials and methods for insect pest management.

Major Activities: The primary function of my program is to assist the Louisiana cotton industry with insect pest management in cotton. Insects account for approximately 90 million dollars each year in insect control costs and yield loss to Louisiana cotton. Educational programs generally consist of combination of recommended control practices and solutions to the latest issues within cotton entomology. These recommendations and solutions are developed using available literature and research programs of the experiment station. Current projects include monitoring for insecticide resistance in the tobacco budworm and cotton bollworm, insect pests that account for approximately 60% of cotton insect control costs. Demonstration programs consist of insecticide efficacy evaluations and new thresholds for insect control. The new threshold evaluation essentially represents a reversion back to insect control practices of 20 years ago. Available data suggest that a significant amount of insect injury can be sustained pre-bloom in cotton without significant yield loss or delays in crop maturity, while during the third and fourth week of bloom minimal insect injury results in significant yield losses. Another project involves spatial imagery and evaluations of insect populations dynamics within a field. This project is to evaluate if spatially variable insecticide applications, based on multi-spectral satellite imagery, can be made without significant yield or economic loss in cotton. A final project involves a multi-state project that samples for epizootic of the naturally occurring fungal disease Neozygites fresenii on cotton aphids. Sampling data from this program is used to determine when an epizootic is about to occur, thus when insecticides are no longer needed for aphid control in cotton.

Cooperators: Agents and farmers throughout the state, researchers, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, DEQ, EPA, NASA, ITD Spectral Visions, Louisiana Farm Bureau, and Louisiana Cotton Producers.

David J. Boethel: Soybean Insect Research and Management.

Program Goal: To develop and refine management systems for the insect pests of soybean that will be compatible with and complement the overall production programs for the crop. The research provides data for educational programs of the cooperative extension service and information used for decision-making by private crop advisors.

Situation: Because the economics of soybean production (low value per acre) precludes heavy pesticide use, research has focused on developing insect pest management systems that minimize inputs, especially from insecticides. Although soybeans are grown near environmentally sensitive areas, there has been no environmental disruption or disaster associated with insecticide use on the crop over the past 30 years during which soybean acreage grew to a peak of 3.45 million acres in Louisiana.

Since the onset of the crop’s expansion in the late 1960's, the soybean IPM system has evolved with the commodity. Although numerous insect pests attack soybean in Louisiana, no automatic spray programs exist. The system incorporates tactics such as economic thresholds, selective insecticides, trap crops, conservation of biological control agents (predators, parasites, and pathogens of pest insects), insecticide resistance monitoring, weekly scouting of fields, and early-maturing varieties to escape late season migratory defoliating pests.

Major Activities: Over the past decade, research has focused on determination of the impact of early soybean production systems and transgenic herbicide-resistant cultivars on the soybean arthropod community; explanation of the role of the stink bug complex in delayed maturity of soybean; characterization of pyrethroid resistance in the soybean looper, elucidation of the role of transgenic BT cotton on soybean looper dynamics and development of resistance; and utilization of molecular techniques (DNA fingerprinting) to determine the source of insecticide resistance in the soybean looper. The soybean IPM program that emerged from this research has maintained the cost of insect management below 10% of the total production costs in a state that has among the most severe soybean insect problems.

Cooperators: Jack Baldwin is the extension specialist with primary responsibilities for soybean IPM. Scientists from the Dept. of Entomology (Jim Ottea), Northeast Res. Sta. (Gene Burris, Roger Leonard), Dept. of Agronomy (Jim Board), Red River Res. Sta. (Stephen Micinski, Jim Rabb), Dept. of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology (Jim Griffin, Ray Schneider), and several private crop advisors contribute to the success of the soybean insect research project. Cooperation with entomologist in 5 midwestern and 11 southern states occurs under the auspices of a multi-state project devoted to soybean IPM.

Eugene Burris: Cotton IPM, Northeast Research Station.

Program goals: To provide a continuous source of research data for cotton IPM strategies and insecticides used for cotton pest management especially, early season pests, and routinely disseminate the information through required channels.

Program Objectives: Investigate interaction of seedling insect pest and disease on cotton growth and develop appropriate management strategies. Define efficacy of foliar insecticides and evaluate management strategies for secondary arthropod pests in conventional and Bt cotton. Investigate migration patterns of tarnished plant bugs from corn and weedy, non-cropland areas into cotton and develop management strategies to minimize damage and control costs. Monitor tarnished plant bug and beet armyworm populations in selected regions.

Major Activities: Studies conducted in 2000 continue to show the dynamic influence of insecticide seed treatments and fungicide seed treatments against seedling pests and on maturity and yield. However, a black seed option with increased seeding rate has provided comparable stands in comparison to seed treatment and in-furrow fungicide treatments. The at-plant insecticide Temik 15G provided insect control in the tests. The potential for using black seed was further evaluated in on-farm test using bulked quantities of 500 pounds in super bags. Results were promising. Tests on Bruin Silt Loam and Sharkey clay soil were conducted for evaluations of increased insecticide seed treatment rates. Interim data suggest no economic advantage for that practice. Western flower thrips were again recovered from seedling cotton in 2000. In some instances, near pure populations of WFT existed after organophosphate selection pressure. This suggests the need for improved pest management strategies in much of the Mid-south and Southeast. New insecticides provided by DuPont and Valent will be evaluated for secondary pest activity. Steward, a new product from DuPont, has broad spectrum worm activity and is effective on tarnished plant bug. New aphicides are being developed by Aventis and Agrevo. Data indicates they are as effective as Furadan. Foliage feeding ratings taken of the Mon Bt varieties that contain stacked genes indicated superior control as compared to all other Bt lines and DP 50. Herbicide burndown programs appear to greatly reduce plant bug population densities at field margins. Much of the suitable habitat for plant bugs appears to occur in roadside vegetation. Cotton planted adjacent to corn continues to sustain extraordinary plant bug damage extending at least 500 ft. into a field. Wide-area herbicide burndown programs were initiated in 2000 and 75% reductions in populations were observed at peak populations that developed in April. Statewide trap captures of beet armyworm, provided information through weekly summaries that indicates the beet armyworm should be recognized as an annual pest in cotton. Beet armyworm egg masses are now consistently found in June cotton during the pre-flowering stage.

Cooperators: B.R. Leonard, Boyd Padgett, and R. D. Bagwell LSU AgCenter.

Lane Foil: Agricultural IPM (Horn flies).

Program Goals: Provide producers with information on efficacy of products for horn fly control while demonstrating periods and circumstances for which optimal economic benefit can be achieved by control measures. Develop and test management strategies that affect the incidence of insecticide resistance mechanisms.

Major Activities: The horn fly project was assigned to me after the departure of Ron Byford. The project is conducted around the state at 7 LSUAC Research Stations locations. At these sites, we conduct bioassays pre and post-treatment, collect flies at the time of the bioassay and store them at -70C, and conduct weekly horn fly counts. Susceptibility of fly populations is determined by the impregnated filter paper method. A large bioassay database is available and archived samples of frozen flies are available for enzyme and genomic assays. Currently, there are over 200 samples of flies that are stored at -70C that were collected between May 1990 and Oct 2000. For each sample, bioassay data and product efficacy (between pre and post-treatment assays) are recorded. Flies from populations with any needed level of susceptibility/resistance are available within this fly bank. We have recently worked closely with the ARS lab in Kerrville. Research by Guerrero has resulted in the identification of two mutations in the horn fly sodium channel gene which are associated with pyrethroid target site resistance (kdr) and development of a PCR-based assay to allow the detection of the presence of these two mutations in individual horn flies. We are currently using this technique with specimens from the fly bank to determine environmental factors that affect the incidence of the kdr mutation. Recently, we have created powerful resistance diagnostic tools by combining traditional bioassay and modern molecular techniques, that is, analysis of phenotypes of flies that do and do not survive discriminating doses. I hope to obtain funding to increase the level of activity in this project.

For general management strategies, we have demonstrated that once pyrethroid resistance is established in horn fly populations a yearly alternation of organophosphates (OPs) and pyrethroids will not delay or reverse the pyrethroid resistance. Currently we are testing a two-year alternation with OPs which appears promising for reversal of pyrethroid resistance. We also have demonstrated the apparent reversal of OP resistance with fall treatments of ivermectin, and we are testing that strategy for management of pyrethroid resistance while following the incidence of the kdr mutation.

Personnel: Glenn O’Remus, Research Associate- Assistance in laboratory and field studies and data management. Abd Younis, Visiting Scientist- biochemistry of horn fly resistance.

Cooperators: LSU Agricultural Center; Millard Kimball, Red River Research Station, Sid DeRouen, Hill Farm Research Station, Wink Alison, Northeast Research Station, Wayne Wyatt, Iberia Research Station, Dave Sanson, Rosepine Research Station. USDA; Felix Guerrero, USDA Livestock Laboratory, Kerrville, Texas.

Regional Project S-274 (LAES 3259) Integrated Management of Arthropod Pests of Livestock and Poultry. Obj.1. Assess host-parasite-environment interactions that govern arthropod pest abundance and injury levels. Obj.2. Design environmentally safe arthropod management systems that improve production efficiency.

James R. Fuxa: Agricultural IPM Research

Program Goals: 1) Evaluate environmental risk of recombinant viruses for insect control. 2) Weaken RIFA populations in Louisiana by means of classical biological control with the microsporidium Thelohania solenopsae. 3) Isolate and characterize new strains of fungi and nematodes for short-term control of pecan weevil. 4) Suppress late-season populations of rice stink bug with single applications of the fungus Beauveria bassiana.

Major Activities: 1) Years of greenhouse microcosm and field studies are establishing that current recombinant nucleopolyhedroviruses have low environmental risk due to their poor persistence and spread. Current studies are focusing on abiotic, soil-to-plant transport and epizootic thresholds. 2) The microsporidium Thelohania solenopsae released into a polygyne population of red imported fire ants in a pasture in June, 1998, was barely detectable for almost 2 years but spread to 71% of colonies at the site by October, 2000. At that time, the ant population had not yet been weakened by the disease. The microsporidium failed to establish in a monogyne population. 3) Entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi were isolated from orchard soil to be evaluated as possible control agents for pecan weevil. Bioassays are underway for the numerous isolates. We may have discovered at least one new species of nematode. 4) Preliminary research has been completed, and field experiments will begin in summer 2001.

Personnel:

Arthur Richter, Research Associate, runs the virus risk assessment and pecan weevil experiments.

Dr. Ioulia Sokolova, Post-Doctoral Researcher, is responsible for the fire ant/microsporidium research.

Dilipkumar T. Patel has just arrived to assume responsibility as a Graduate Research Assistant for the rice stink bug research for his Ph.D. dissertation.

Cooperators:

Virus risk assessment: Dr. Bruce Hammock (U. California, Davis)

Fire ant biological control: Drs. David Oi, David Williams (USDA, Gainesville, FL), Roberto Pereira, Karen Vail (Univ. Tennessee), Earl Weidner (Dept. Biological Sciences, LSU), and Linda Hooper-Bui (Dept. Entomology, LSU AgCenter).

Pecan weevil pathogens: Drs. David Shapiro (USDA, GA), Wayne Gardner (Georgia Experiment Station), Mike Hall (LSU AgCenter Pecan Station).

Rice stink bug: Dr. Mike Stout (Dept. Entomology, LSU AgCenter)

USDA Grant #98-33120-6435 (LAES ProjectLAB 03357), Soil-to-Plant Transport of Recombinant Insect Virus. Objectives: 1) Quantify the effects of abiotic variables on soil-to-plant transport of a recombinant nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) in a greenhouse microcosm. 2) Quantify soil-to-plant transport of the recombinant NPV in a cotton agroecosystem.

Regional Project S-301 (LAES Project LAB03485), Development, Evaluation and Safety of Entomopathogens for Control of Arthropod Pests. Objectives: 2) Development, evaluation and safety of entomopathogens for control of homopteran and other piercing-sucking insects, 3) Development, evaluation and safety of entomopathogens used in cryptic and soil habitats.

Richard A. Goyer: Forest Entomology Research and IPM.

Program Goals: There are 2 major components of the forest entomology program that are involved with IPM in its broad sense. Firstly is the research component in LAB 3431, a McIntire-Stennis project and LAB 3243, a Hatch project. There are 4 specific research areas outlined below. Secondly, I serve as forest pest advisor to the LA Department of Agriculture and Forestry. In this capacity, I am responsible for coordinating, training, and detection activities with respect to insects and diseases on the 14 million acres of state and private forest land. Obviously, this is an IPM activity, and it is an outreach of the research program as well.

Program Objectives: With respect to LAES research, the 4 areas are: (1) Visual and semiochemical behavior of pine bark beetles; (2) biology and behavior of histerid beetle predators of pine bark beetles; (3) interactions of insect herbivory with nutrient and salinity inputs in a forested wetlands ecosystem, and; (4) insect-tree interactions in longleaf pine.

Major Activities: Specifically, #1, above, involves bark beetle vision and behavioral responses to silhouettes and semiochemical cues as part of their host selection processes. The goal is to identify means of using these behaviors to disrupt initial attack on high value pines. The second study involves identification, basic predator development, behavior, inter and intra-specific competition of histerid predators. The goal here is to ascertain the potential of utilizing one or more histerid species for augmenting natural control of pine bark beetles. The third area, in sensitive forested wetlands, will evaluate impacts of nutrients and salinity in a flooded environment on both early season defoliators and their interactions on tupelo and baldcypress productivity. The goal is to develop a model that will be adaptable to varying nutrient, hydrologic and salinity inputs and what the impact(s) will be on tree and site productivity. The fourth area of applied research will evaluate the interaction(s) of fire and insects on tree health, including primary and secondary (induced) resin response in longleaf pine. The goal here is to provide forest managers with a predictive model of the effects of growing and dormant season fires and prescribe burning over a range of fuel and forest conditions.

Mary L. Grodner: Extension IPM Programs.

Program Goals: Assure the safe and effective use of pesticides in conformity with an IPM program.

Program Objectives: To conduct the Pesticide Safety Education program in such a way that all applicators understand the basic principle of IPM and the need to abide by them. Also to conduct IPM/Pesticide Education programs for the public and non- ag applicators.

Major Activities: Conferences are held yearly in the various categories of commercial applicator certification, a component of which is a discussion of the basic principles of an IPM program and the specifics of a program for that category of certification. Meetings are held annually at the parish level for private applicators and other programs that also cover the specifics of IPM for the various commodities. An educational also is delivered to garden clubs, rose societies, etc. Keep the researchers informed about pesticide registrations, changes in rules & regulations, and other information as needed.

Cooperators: Entomologists: Dale K. Pollet, Jack L. Baldwin, Dennis R. Ring, Patty Beckley, Ralph Bagwell; Pant Pathologists: Clayton A. Hollier, H. Kenneth Whitam, Charles Overstreet (Nematologist); Weed Scientists: Reed Lensce, Steve Kelly, Ron Strahan; Horticulturists/Agronomists: Tomas J. Koske, Allen Owings, James Boudreaux; Engineers: Darryl. C. Rester, Daniel Martin; Veterinarian: Steven S. Nicholson; County Agents

Michael J. Hall: Pecan and Tomato IPM, Research/Extension, Pecan Research Station.

Program Goals: To provide growers with practical and accurate tools for monitoring pecan pest activity to optimize timing of insecticide applications. To incorporate the use of ‘reduced-risk’ insecticides into pecan and tomato spray programs to conserve non-target arthropods and to develop effective insecticide management strategies to minimize resistance development. To develop alternative control strategies that can be used in lieu of, or in conjunction with, ‘reduced-risk’ insecticides in pecan and tomato pest management programs.

Major Activities: A degree-day model is currently being developed to determine the occurrence of key events in the life cycle of pecan phylloxera. These events include the onset of emergence, the occurrence of 50% emergence, and the onset of gall formation. This information is being collected from three locations around the state. Currently, one cultivar is being used at each site; however, once the model is developed and proven, data will be collected from other cultivars. By accurately predicting the occurrence of these events, it will be possible to better time insecticide applications and even reduce the number of applications made from 2-3 down to a single application. Different types of traps are being evaluated for monitoring emergence of adult hickory nut curculio. Currently two types of traps have been evaluated, the cone emergence trap and the pyramid trap. The traps were evaluated for two years. The pattern of emergence for hickory nut curculio was determined to be the same for both trap types; however, the pyramid traps captured significantly more adult curculios. A third type of trap, the Circle trap, is to be evaluated in 2001. Insecticide applications for control of this pest have been hit-or-miss. Knowing the onset of emergence and the occurrence of 50% emergence will help growers to more accurately assess if an insecticide application is needed and, if so, the timing of the application. Studies have been initiated to evaluate the use of trap-crops for managing late-season populations of stinkbugs, particularly populations migrating into the orchard from host plants such as corn, cotton, and soybeans. The study is focusing on the type of trap crop to use (e.g. peas, soybeans), placement of the trap crop in the orchard, and management of the trap crop. The tomato pest management program is currently on hold until the construction of new greenhouses at the Pecan Research-Extension Station are completed. Field tomato work focused on evaluation of insecticides for controlling a variety of pests; however, with the demise of the field tomato research program, the emphasis has switched to greenhouse tomatoes. Greenhouse tomato work will focus primarily on the evaluation of ‘reduced-risk’ insecticides that are compatible for use with biological control agents, the evaluation of biological control techniques, and preventative types of treatments (e.g. sanitation) to manage populations of greenhouse arthropod pests.

Cooperators: Pecans - Phil Mulder, Jr., Oklahoma State University, Bill Ree, Texas A&M University, Blair Buckley, Calhoun Research Station. Tomatoes - Hanna Y. Hanna, Red River Research Station.

Abner M. Hammond: Sweetpotato IPM-Research/Extension.

Program Goals: Improve profitability for growers by finding safe, alternative pest management tools. Develop better understanding of pest biology and improve sampling techniques.

Program Objectives: Develop safe, effective chemicals to replace organophosphate insecticides. Implement the use of pheromones to sample for Phyllophaga adults and sweetpotato weevils. Train county agents and sweetpotato growers through workshops and field demonstration research.

Major activities: Louisiana is 2^nd in sweetpotato production in the United States. The crop has a total value of more that $99 million, and insect pests are the major deterrent to continued successful economic development of the crop in Louisiana. Reliance on organophosphate insecticides as the only means of insect control has placed the industry in jeopardy. This research program focuses on investigations to incorporate pheromones and host plant volatiles into insecticide formulations to improve control of the sweetpotato weevil. A weevil ‘eradication’ program has been initiated in cooperation with the LDAF. The LAES objective is to evaluate the program, determine the role of wild hosts in contributing to the infestations in commercial production fields, recommend insecticides and seek new chemical registrations for control of the weevil. Research also involves developing sex pheromones of Phyllophaga spp. to monitor pest populations and to study the biology and ecology of this important pest of sweetpotatoes. New chemistries including Spintor, Confirm and Admire have been evaluated for control of beet armyworms, loopers , whiteflies and aphids. The new virus-tested seed program requires use of the greenhouse to produce virus-tested seed. New chemicals are needed for controlling aphids and whiteflies, vectors of two important virus diseases of sweetpotato. Sweetpotato breeding lines and cultivars continue to be evaluated in the laboratory and field for host plant resistance to several pests.

Extension Plan: The extension program is designed to improve IPM practices used by growers. Training agents and growers to recognize insect pests and sample for their presence is part of the program. Field demonstration research is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of currently registered insecticides and test new chemicals. Efforts are underway to get a synthetic pyrethroid labeled for control of sweetpotato weevil. Workshops and field contacts facilitate training of agents, growers, packers and shippers.

Cooperators: Rick Story, Dept. Entomology; Chris Clark, Rodrigo Valverde, Dept. Plant Pathology; Don LaBonte, Dept. Horticulture; Mike Cannon, Sweetpotato Research Station, Mike Williams, MSU; Ken Sorensen, NCSU.

Hatch Project LAB03440, The integration of new technology into insect pest management systems: Strategies for sweetpotato and sugarcane. 1a. Improve sweetpotato weevil pest management by investigating the role of pheromones and host plant volatiles combined with insecticide formulations, 1b. Survey wild host plants for the weevil in south Louisiana, 2. Develop sex attractants as new tools to investigate the biology and ecology of Phyllophaga species. 3. Investigate management strategies for controlling aphids and whiteflies, vectors of insect viruses, in greenhouse grow micro propagated sweetpotatoes. 4. Determine if soil insect damage to sweetpotatoes can be reduced using alternate, sustainable systems.

Seth Johnson: Citrus and Pasture IPM.

Program Goals: Reduce the use of pesticides on citrus and in situations to control fire ants. Use classical biological control against appropriate introduced pests.

Program Objectives: Investigate the biology and ecology of selected pests of citrus. Investigate the biology, ecology and impact of natural enemies of these pests. Develop effective and environmentally safe controls of these pests with an emphasis on biological control. Release, establish and monitor success of phorid flies as biological control agent of red imported fire ants in pastures.

Major Activities: The citrus leaf miner, a new and potentially destructive pest of citrus invaded Louisiana in May 1994. Damage to citrus foliage was heavy and extensive in the citrus growing area of south Louisiana. The parasitoid, Ageniaspis citricola was released in June 1995 at the Citrus Research Station and quickly dispersed over the commercial citrus growing area. Average percent parasitism of the citrus leaf miner in Plaquemines Parish by A. citricola peaked between 37 to 57 % during 1995-1997. The citrus leafminer is now under biological control and only considered a problem in citrus nursery stock. Chemical control studies have been conducted against citrus rust mites, citrus mealybugs and citrus whiteflies. Currently blossom thrips Frankliniella cephalica and F. tritici are being investigated as potential pests of satsuma mandarian. Researchers in Florida reported that thrips caused economic damage to navel and Valencia oranges and we found populations as high as 45 per satsuma blossom in a survey in Plaquemines Parish, LA in 1999. In Louisiana the most damaging pests of citrus in 1999 and 2000 were leaf-footed bugs. The two most numerous species were Leptoglossus phyllopus and L. zonatus. Seasonal phenology and host plants were investigated in 1999 and 2000. The Leptoglossus spp. utilize a variety of wild hosts and vegetables in the spring and summer. They were not found on satsumas until late August. Both nymphs and adults feed on the fruit. Damaged fruit doesn’t drop and in most instances there are no visible feeding marks on the rind but the fruit wedges have a soft rot.

Classical biological control studies of the red imported fire ant with the decapitating fly, Pseudaceton tricuspis, were initiated in September 1999. Three releases have been made in pastures in the Florida parishes in southeastern Louisiana. Paired control and release sites were established for each release. The first release of flies was made in September 1999. That population survived the winter and as of October 2000 had dispersed 0.5 miles from the release point. The other two releases were made in May and October 2000. Mound counts, bait sampling and pitfall traps are being used to measure the impact of the flies on the red imported fire ant populations.

Cooperators: CITRUS -Wayne Bourgeois, Citrus Research Station, LSU Ag. Center; Alan Vaughn, LA Cooperative Extension Service; Marjorie Hoy, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL;

PASTURES – Linda Hooper-Bui, Department of Entomology, LSU Ag. Center; Sanford Porter, USDA-ARS, Center for Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL.

B. Roger Leonard: Cotton Insect Research and Management.

Program Goals: Develop applied research projects to address the fundamental arthropod management problems of Louisiana’s cotton industry and transfer the results of those studies to producers via the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.

Program Objectives: The current research program is focused on the development of IPM systems that compliment cotton production practices in Louisiana. Emphasis presently is on: (1) characterizing registered and experimental insecticide efficacy on cotton arthropod pests in laboratory and field trials, (2) incorporating genetically engineered (GE) cotton cultivars expressing insect resistance into practical insect pest management systems, (3) monitoring insecticide susceptibility in major pest species and developing practical resistance management plans, (4) validating the relationship between crop maturity and yield tolerance to arthropod pests and developing the node above white flower (NAWF) crop monitoring system for terminating late-season insecticide applications in Louisiana, and (5) evaluate remote sensing information coupled with GIS/GPS technologies to make prescription applications of insecticides.

Major Activities: The major achievement of these research efforts has been to provide cotton producers with logical, effective, and acceptable cotton pest management systems that are compatible with changing agronomic practices, shifts in the insect pest spectrum, problems with insect resistance, and the loss or addition of insecticides due to regulatory action. Specific achievements are the result of: (1) monitoring resistance/susceptibility of the primary cotton insect pests to registered insecticides; (2) establishing baseline dose-mortality responses of Louisiana’s insect populations to spinosad, indoxacarb, emamectin benzoate, and S-1812; (3) surveying thrips species on cotton seedlings; (4) developing IPM specific to conservation-till production systems; (5) defining the ranges of effective doses for field applications of novel insecticides against cotton arthropod pests; (6) evaluating pest spectrum controlled by transgenic (Bollgard) technology; (7) refining action levels to initiate control of non-target pests in Bollgard cottons, (8) studying changes in behavior of bollworm larvae on Bollgard cottons; (9) correlating boll age and tolerance to late-season insect pests; (10) using digital imagery of fields to refine the spatial and temporal patterns of insecticide use; (11) evaluating effects of weed densities on insecticide deposition and insect pest control; and (12) studying the interactions between herbicides and insecticides co-applied on transgenic cottons.

Cooperators: Three other entomologists (Gene Burris, Stephen Micinski, and Ralph Bagwell) also have responsibilities for cotton IPM and cooperate in development of research and extension projects. Other cooperators include scientists from the Dept. of Entomology (Jim Ottea, Chris Carlton), Northeast Res. Sta. (Don Boquet, Boyd Padgett, Steve Hague, Donnie Miller), Dept. of Agronomy (Gerald Myers), Red River Res. Sta. (David Caldwell), Dept. of Crop Physiology (Jim Griffin), USDA-ARS at Stoneville, MS (John Adamczyk, Dick Hardee, Gordon Snodgrass, William Scott), Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (John Barnett, David Neal, Terry Erwin), and several private crop advisors.

Stephen Micinski: Cotton IPM Research, Red River Research Station.

Program Goals: Project LAB03272 entitled ‘Arthropod Integrated Pest Management in Cotton’ has the following 3 objectives: 1) to evaluate the efficacy of experimental and registered insecticides and acaricides for controlling arthropod pests on cotton, 2) to monitor insecticide resistance in cotton arthropod pests, and 3) to conduct studies on the basic biology, ecology, and behavior of cotton pests. Project LAB03279 entitled ‘Utilization of Host Plant Resistance in Cotton Arthropod Pest Management’ has the following objectives: 1) to evaluate the effectiveness of host plant resistant cultivars and strains against specific cotton arthropod pests, and 2) to evaluate strategies for utilizing host plant resistant cottons in the control and/or suppression of cotton pests in integrated pest management systems.

Major Activities: Each growing season, insecticide efficacy trials are conducted on most of the major insect pests of cotton. Trials typically evaluate both registered and experimental insecticides on thrips, plantbugs, aphids, bollworms, and tobacco budworms.

Pheromone traps are operated on the Red River Research Station for the tobacco budworm and bollworm and for the beet armyworm off-station. The beet armyworm trapline consists of 9 pheromone traps located from Natchitoches, LA to the Northwest corner of Louisiana near the Arkansas border. Initially, it was hoped that data from this trapline would provide an early warning to farmers of potential beet armyworm problems. This was thought to be extremely important to growers and consultants in the Red River Valley during boll weevil eradication since beet armyworm problems had historically occurred in boll weevil eradication zones. Although further confirmation is needed, data from this study indicate that July beet armyworm pheromone trap catches exceeding 100 moths/trap/week are a strong indicator that damaging populations of beet armyworms will occur later that season in cotton. All pheromone data are provided to growers and consultants during the growing season through newsletters from the Cooperative Extension Service. Some of the data are also available online from the Red River Research Station’s website.

Cooperative work is conducted with Monsanto and Delta and Pineland Company on the evaluation of Bt transgenic strains and varieties. Work with Monsanto has included strain evaluations of both the original Bollgard cotton and more recently Bollgard II strains. Work with Monsanto has also included numerous GLP trials for their Regulatory Science division that was vital to bringing the Bt cottons to the marketplace. Work with Delta and Pineland Company consists of variety evaluations of Bt cottons under sprayed and nonsprayed conditions.

Additionally, a small percentage of time is spent on the biocontrol of musk thistle, Carduus nutans L. This work included the first field release of Trichosirocalus horridus (Panzer) in Louisiana for thistle control.

Cooperators: B.R. Leonard, Macon Ridge Branch, Northeast Research Station, LSU AgCenter; G. Burris, Northeast Research Station, LSU AgCenter; J. Fuxa, Department of Entomology, LSU AgCenter; M. E. Farris, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, LSU AgCenter. Additionally, insects from the Red River Valley are provided through cooperative agreements with numerous researchers across the cotton belt.

Dale Pollet: IPM Programs, Extension Entomology.

Program Goals: Inform and educate the farmers and general public of Louisiana in the identification of and methods of insect and arthropod pest management that will assist in the most effective, safest, and most economical control and management of their pest problems with the least effect on the environment.

Program Objectives: To work in cooperation with research entomologists and organizations in developing programs that will provide assistance to the county agents and their clientele. To develop educational programs, exhibits, publications, and visuals to present unbiased information to the clientele. To conduct field demonstrations, efficacy trials, and evaluations of new materials and methods for insect pest management.

Major Activities: My programs cover-ornamentals and turf, sugarcane, vegetables, honeybees, urban trees, and sustainable agriculture. Each of these areas covers a unique set of problems and concerns. The primary function of my programs is to educate the agents and provide them with a knowledge and resource base through the literature and research programs of the department. Second it is my responsibility to provide information on areas of research that the agents need to assist their clientele. One of the primary objectives is to identify the insects that are submitted and provide the agents with the identification and the means to identify this insect on subsequent collections. Along with the identification, information on the life cycle, type of injury, and management recommendations, are provided. Where spraying is recommended, a note to check water pH, method of application and nozzles, assure proper management and reduce the need for excessive applications is emphasized. Timing is a very critical factor both in age of the infestation and the stage of plant development. As a preventative program, scouting, thresholds, pesticide rotation, and the use of insect growth regulators (IGRs) will assist in production without adding to the grower problems. A special emphasis on diversification of crops and management techniques adds to the reduction in pesticide applications, potential negative effects on the environment and social acceptance of the farming programs in the community.

The Sustainable Agriculture program is an overall management program that begins with emphasis on rebuilding the soil structure. This program uses all of the agricultural tools to assure that the farming operation works within itself to help manage and maintain the production and profitability of the crops. We work with the farmers to demonstrate IPM, BMP, parasite and predator effects and other management ideas and procedures based on research data.

Cooperators: Agents and farmers throughout the state, researchers, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, DEQ, EPA, and various associations dealing with the commodities listed.

Thomas E. Reagan: Ecology and Pest Management of Sugarcane Insects.

Program Goals: With emphasis on the interface of entomology with other disciplines involved in sugarcane production, develop and implement a fiscally and environmentally sound, holistic and multi-tactical insect pest management system that has a proactive vision.

Program Objectives: To identify insect resistant germplasm, and assess possible impact of potential sugarcane varieties at early stages of the breeding and selection programs. To continue development of IPM strategies that enhance biological control, minimize the need for insecticides, and emphasize adoption of narrow-range minimum-risk chemistry. To conduct research to facilitate the immediate implementation of management systems for newly identified pest insects of sugarcane.

Major Activities: In sugarcane insect pest management, an emphasis has been placed on achieving a balance of cultural, biological, and chemical control tactics to realize a more permanent IPM system. During the last 20 years, insecticidal use to control the key insect pest, the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis, has declined from 3.5 to less than one application per year. Recent research has focused on soil insect pest management to minimize unwarranted use of soil insecticides detrimental to important arthropod predator populations. In the last three years, two new economically damaging Homopteran insects, the (white) sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari, and a Delphacid, Perkinsiella saccharicidae, have also been discovered, their dispersion assessed, and control measures investigated.

Additional potential threats to the leading field crop returning more than $2 billion to the state’s economy include the Mexican Rice Borer, Eoreuma loftini, not found in Louisiana, but within 50 miles of Beaumont (Texas) sugarcane. Anticipating the threat of the Mexican Rice Borer, research/extension/ regulatory activities involve verifying the pest absence around sugarcane being transported to Louisiana for milling. Additional research involves monitoring the spread of E. loftini and trying to develop plant resistance and insecticidal controls.

Field research is often conducted on private farms across the industry due to the importance of working with natural infestation densities and utilizing adequate acreage for aerial application experiments. In the variety development program, replicated insect resistance evaluations (which include area-wide D. saccharalis moth production assessment) are initiated as early as the 1^st and 2^nd line trail phases of varietal selection. A focus of the multi stage insecticide evaluation program, particularly after the Guthion® fish kills of 1990 and 1991, involves application technology, and the search for environmentally friendly insecticides such as the recently labeled EPA Green Chemistry awarded Confirm®. Non-target insecticidal assessment includes pitfall trap studies with key predators and other arthropods, which are necessary to maintaining high predator populations. Parasitoid introduction studies also are a component of insecticide assessment. Though corn is a minor crop of the south Louisiana agricultural ecosystem, the potential of Bt-corn for the sugarcane IPM system is also being evaluated.

Cooperators: Sugar Research Station – Kenneth Gravois; USDA Sugar Cane Research Unit – W. H. White; Texas A&M Research and Extension Centers, M. O. Way, Jose Amador; LCES – D. K. Pollet, D. Ring, B. L. Legendre; County Ag Extension Agents and Ag Consultants in La and Texas; LDAF – Tad Hardy; Texas Department of Ag – S. S. Nilakhe.

Thomas J. Riley: Corn, Grain Sorghum, and Small Grain IPM.

Program Goals: Provide cost effect and environmentally sound IPM procedures compatible with the cultural production practices of Louisiana growers.

Program Objectives: Investigate the effectiveness of BT corn hybrids for control of the southwestern corn borer, sugarcane borer, corn earworm and fall armyworm. Evaluate effects of BT hybrids on secondary ear-infesting insect pests, and the diversity of non-target insects within the corn field environment. Evaluate the effects of cover crops and conservation tillage on soil insect pests in corn. Evaluate planting date and the timing of application of selected insecticides for control of the sorghum midge and effects on beneficial insects in grain sorghum. Evaluate commercial and experimental insecticides for effectiveness against insect pests of corn and grain sorghum.

Major Activities: The southwestern corn borer has become an increasingly important pest of corn in northeast LA since 1997. The drought of 1998 resulted in many corn fields going unharvested and provided ideal overwintering conditions for the southwestern corn borer and populations increased dramatically in northeast Louisiana, as did populations of the sugarcane borer. New Bt insect protection technology became available in corn hybrids adapted for Louisiana at about this time and have been evaluated for effectiveness against these two pests along with the corn earworm and fall armyworm. Three years of data indicate locally adapted hybrids containing YieldGard technology are highly effective against the SWCB and SCB, and reduce CEW and FAW injury by 20 - 50% compared to conventional hybrids. The yields from these Bt hybrids have been equal to or greater than conventional hybrids in the absence of corn borers and exceed conventional hybrids under high borer pressure. Biodiversity of non-target insects in the cornfield environment is not been effected by Bt technology. No effects of Bt technology have been shown on selected secondary insect pests (sap beetles, Nitidulidae:Coleoptera) invading the ears.

In grain sorghum, planting date was shown to effect sorghum midge damage to sorghum in several ways. Late planted sorghum can be subject to higher populations of the sorghum midge than early-planted sorghum, as occurs in most temperate areas where sorghum is produced. Planting too early can effect the level of injury from the sorghum midge by prolonging the susceptible blooming period of the crop. In very early plantings, sorghum fields could be in bloom and subject to midge damage for as long as two weeks. Later plantings when temperatures were warmer bloomed for only 5 days.

Insecticides are evaluated annually for control of insect pests and effects on beneficial insects in grain sorghum and corn. Gaucho seed treatments were evaluated in wheat for aphid control and sorghum for red imported fire ant control and found to be very effect under Louisiana conditions.

Cooperators: Jack Baldwin (LCES), Roger Leonard, North East Research Station, LSU AgCenter, Winnsboro, LA; James Rabb, Red River Research Station, LSU AgCenter, Bossier City LA; Frank Davis, (Retired Dec. 1999) USDA-ARS Corn insects Laboratory, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS; Bill White, USDAARS Sugarcane Research Station, Houma, LA; Ms. Nancy Adams, Dekalb/Monsanto, Union City, Tennessee.

Dennis Ring: IPM Programs, Extension Entomology.

Program Goals: Provide unbiased information to the producers and general public of Louisiana on the identification and integrated pest management of insects and other arthropods. Information includes efficacy, safety, economics, and environmental concerns.

Program Objectives: To work in cooperation with research entomologists and organizations in developing programs that will provide assistance to the county agents and their clientele. To develop educational programs, exhibits, publications, and visuals to present unbiased information to the clientele. To conduct field demonstrations, pilot tests, efficacy trials, program evaluations, and evaluations of new materials and methods for integrated pest management.

Major activities: Programs cover arthropods of structures (emphasis on termites, households, rice, vegetables, fruits, small fruits, citrus, and Christmas trees). Each of these areas covers unique problems and concerns. The primary function of my programs is to educate the county agents and provide them with information from the literature and research (from the entomology department and other sources). Information is provided to county agents that they can extend to their clientele. Research needs are communicated to researchers from producers, the public, and county agents. Arthropods are identified, identifications are sent to county agents, and county agents are provided means to make future identifications. Information is also provided on life cycle, injury, biology, and integrated pest management. Additional information includes water pH, timing, scouting, economic thresholds, predictive models, host plant resistance, resistance to insecticides, biological control, cultural control, mechanical control, and insect growth regulators.

The French Quarter program is a large area, community-wide, pilot test to reduce numbers of the Formosan subterranean termite in 15 blocks of the French Quarter. Ninety-nine percent of the properties in the 15 blocks have been treated. We are seeing reductions in the numbers of termites caught in our traps.

The tree treating evaluation program assesses the state’s program of treating trees for Formosan subterranean termites. The information obtained is used to evaluate the success of the program and make modifications for improvement. The numbers of termites in trees are being reduced.

My work on rice has helped producers move to new insecticides after the cancellation of Furadan®. This required completely different scouting and management programs.

Cooperators: Agents, producers throughout the state, researchers, pest control operators, property owners, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, DEQ, EPA, and various associations dealing with the commodities listed.

Rick Story: Sweetpotato and Vegetable IPM.

Program Goals: To improve the insect pest management systems of sweetpotato and vegetable crop growers, thereby minimizing losses due to insect damage.

Major activities: Soil insect pests (sweetpotato weevil, white grubs, and banded cucumber beetle) of sweetpotatoes are responsible for the greatest loss to the sweetpotato industry in Louisiana. My research program focuses on these pests and involves the evaluation of insecticides (new and old) for insect control, biological studies, host plant resistance, studies of insect – host plant relationships, and an evaluation of insect pest management systems.

Considerable effort has been directed at the search for host plant resistance in sweetpotatoes to the sweetpotato weevil and banded cucumber beetles. These efforts have included both field and laboratory screenings of sweetpotato germplasm and a sweetpotato-breeding nursery that is conducted in cooperation with Dr. LaBonte (Horticulture Dept.). The influence of environmental factors on the expression of resistance has been investigated. Stressed plants tend to be more attractive to weevils for oviposition and feeding. Field evaluations of Beauvaria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, and H. marelatus for white grub and banded cucumber beetle control has revealed that M. anisopliae has some potential for both white grub and banded cucumber beetle control. Other sweetpotato research projects have included studies on the residual activity of foliar applied insecticides for sweetpotato weevils, cucumber beetles, and whitefringed beetles, evaluation of pheromones for surveying Phyllophaga spp., studies on the effect of root growth on the appearance of root damage at harvest, and root sampling through the growing season to document the temporal occurrence of white grub and banded cucumber beetle injury on roots.

Vegetable research in recent years has focused on the biology, ecology, and control of the yellowmargined leaf beetle, as well as insecticide evaluations. An evaluation of reduced risk tactics for control of thrips and tomato spotted wilt virus on Solanaceous crops will be conducted. These tactics will include the use of UV –reflective mulch, benzothiadiazole, a systemic acquired resistance inducer, and reduced risk insecticides such as Provado.

Personnel: Jeff Murray, Research Associate. Duties: Assist in data collection, data analysis, manuscript preparation and slide production. Supervise student workers and work with other research cooperators.

Cooperators: Abner Hammond, Professor, Entomology Dept., Don LaBonte, Associate Professor, Horticulture Dept., Chris Clark, Professor, Plant Pathology Dept., Rodrigo Valverde, Associate Professor, Plant Pathology Dept., Mike Cannon, Station Superintendent, Sweetpotato Research Station, Carl Motsenbocker, Horticulture Dept.

Hatch Project LAB0180112, Sweetpotato and Vegetable Insect Pest Management.

Objectives: (1) To develop sweetpotato breeding lines with resistance to the sweetpotato weevil and banded cucumber beetle. (2) To improve insect pest management systems for sweetpotato growers. (3) To develop and evaluate control measures for the key insect pests of the important vegetable crops in Louisiana.

Michael Stout: Rice IPM.

Program goals: Develop a diverse, cost-effective program for the management of insect pests of rice in Louisiana, with particular emphasis on the use of host plant resistance.

Program objectives: The two major pests of rice in Louisiana are the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, and the rice stinkbug, Oebalus pugnax. The objective of the rice IPM program, broadly described, is to investigate the biology and ecology of these insects to aid in the development of effective and environmentally sound control practices. Special emphasis is given to interactions between these insects, their host plants (rice and weedy hosts), and the environment (particularly as the environment is affected by cultural practices).

Major activities: Initial efforts involving the rice water weevil were directed toward evaluating several insecticides as replacements for the recently disallowed insecticide Furadan 3G. Efficacy data from these experiments were used by industry to support the registration of three insecticides for rice water weevil control, Icon® (fipronil), Karate® (lambda-cyhalothrin), and Dimilin® (diflubenzuron). Trials of alternative insecticides for weevil control continue, but emphasis has now shifted to more fundamental investigations of the rice water weevil and its interactions with its host plants. The ultimate goal of these studies is the development of novel or improved weevil control strategies that are based upon an understanding of the basic biology of the insect. Research on improved methods for monitoring adults are being coupled with studies of the impact of rice water weevil injury on rice growth, physiology, and yield in an effort to develop treatment thresholds. Screenings of rice varieties and breeding lines for resistance and tolerance to the rice water weevil are conducted, and the use of biotechnology is being considered to enhance resistance of rice to the rice water weevil. Another large set of experiments is devoted to understanding how extrinsic (environmental) factors and intrinsic factors (plant genotype and ontogeny) interact to determine the expression of resistance to herbivory by rice plants; data from these experiments will be used to develop cultural practices that optimize plant resistance. For example, recent research has demonstrated that the resistance and tolerance of rice plants increase as they progress through the tillering stage, thus providing a biological rationale for cultural practices such as delayed flooding and early planting that delay infestation by weevil larvae until rice is older. Several other aspects of rice water weevil biology and ecology are under study, including: the use of weedy and native host plants by the rice water weevil and herbicide-induced changes in rice suitability for the rice water weevil.

The biology, ecology, and population dynamics of O. pugnax are being studied in an effort to increase the effectiveness of available insecticides. The potential of Beuvaria bassiana as a biological control agent for the rice stinkbug is being evaluated.

Cooperators: Rice IPM- Dennis Ring, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service; William Rice, USDA-ARS, LSU Rice Research Station; M.O. Way, Texas A&M Agricultural Experiment Station; J. Bernhardt, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station; L. Godfrey, University of California Agricultural Experiment Station.

William White: Sugarcane IPM (USDA).

Program Goals: The mission of the Sugarcane Research Unit is to conduct basic and applied research to increase sugarcane production efficiency while minimizing the impact of the crop's culture on water quality and surrounding ecosystems.

Program Objectives: The incumbent is responsible as the team leader of the entomology program with the following objectives: 1) to discover ancestral and commercial sugarcane germplasm sources of resistance to sugarcane borer [Diatraea saccharalis (F.)] through the evaluation of sugarcane progenitors and Saccharum interspecific hybrids from the commercial breeding program; 2) to determine the inheritance of sugarcane borer resistance; 3) to lead a recurrent selection breeding program to increase levels of sugarcane borer resistance in sugarcane cultivars; and 3) to release and evaluate potential new natural enemies of the sugarcane borer.

Major Activities: The sugarcane borer is the most important insect pest of sugarcane in Louisiana. Presently, damaging infestations of the sugarcane borer are being controlled by a pest management program that relies on pesticides, plant resistance, biological control, and cultural controls. The IPM components, plant resistance and biological control, are areas of IPM program currently being researched. Bioassays conducted in the laboratory have identified three Saccharum sponteneum L. accessions that produce significantly smaller borer larvae when fed on freeze-dried tissue from them as compared to commercial standards. Inheritance studies have shown that sugarcane borer resistance is highly heritable [narrow-sense heritability (h² = 0.73). In 1986 a recurrent selection program was initiated to develop parental lines with superior resistance to the sugarcane borer, but maintaining acceptable yields. To date, 17 germplasm clones have been identified and registered with the Crop Science Society of America. These clones are currently being utilized by the commercial variety breeding programs at the USDA,ARS at Houma, LA and Canal Point, FL, Louisiana State University AgCenter at St. Gabriel, LA, and Texas A&M University at Weslaco, TX. Studies to establish the parasitoids Cotesia flavipes and C. chilonis were begun in 1992. Although successful establishment of both parasitoids has been obtained on a number of occasions during the growing season, neither species has been shown to successfully over-winter. Efforts continue to determine why these parasitoids are unable to become permanently established and if practical develop refugia to aid in their establishment.

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Division of Horticulture and Quarantine. 

Personnel: Matthew J. Keppinger, Asst. Commissioner; Craig Roussel, Director; Mark LeBlanc, Asst. Director; Dr. John Andries, BWEP Director; Jimmy Dunkley and Tad Hardy, Administrative Coordinators

Program Goals: To maintain adequate quarantines and regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of serious crop and fruit pests and diseases endangering Louisiana agriculture; to provide the public with protection against fraudulent practices; to assure product quality; and to provide for maximum protection of the environment for the betterment of the citizens of Louisiana.

Program Objectives: To conduct effective inspections, sampling, surveying, monitoring, and eradication efforts for plant pests; to ensure that materials are free from injurious pests and diseases; and to conduct effective licensing and permitting of horticulture-related businesses.

Major Activities: Annual regulatory inspections are conducted at nursery grower and nursery stock dealer locations statewide. Significant pest problems are referred to LSU Cooperative Extension personnel for control recommendations, and pest identification needs are submitted through USDA-APHIS-PPQ and/or the Department of Entomology. Certification of nursery stock shipments exported from Louisiana to states outside of the Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) quarantine area is done through cooperative agreement with nurseries and USDA-APHIS. Importation of foreign plant material, bees (Apis mellifera) and other regulated products is monitored for pest concerns through a federal/state Postentry program, in cooperation with USDA-APHIS. Cut Christmas trees entering the state each year are checked for proper certification and pest freedom from pine shoot beetle (Tomicus piniperda) . Transgenic field trials for insect-resistant crops under development receive state oversight through our office. Annual survey and detection programs are accomplished statewide using pheromone traps specific to selected pests, including Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica, turf and ornamental), gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar, urban and general forestry), Mexican rice borer (Eoreuma loftini, sugarcane) and, most recently, pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella, cotton and okra). Extensive monitoring and control programs for two major insect pests, boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) and sweetpotato weevil (Cylas formicarius elegantulus), have been established and are ongoing. These programs combine inspections, pheromone trapping, and recommended cultural and chemical control measures. Both programs utilize the up-to-date technology of GPS-GIS systems. Inspection and phytosanitary certification of Louisiana agricultural products are provided. Public inquiries regarding possible pest detections are processed through our office in cooperation with Extension, Department of Entomology and USDA-APHIS personnel.

Cooperators: Louisiana State University, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, USDA-APHIS, other state agencies, other federal regulatory agencies, state ag departments nationwide, state and local commodity groups, ag-related state associations, Farm Bureau, consultants, private businesses and regulated industries, among others.