We hope to expand the site with further information, e.g. members’ main area of work; reports from the latest meeting; abstracts from the latest Bulletin; news; a list of relevant meetings; and relevant links. Any further ideas (that do not require a terrible lot of updating!) are welcome.

Will you all please check the listed information, and mail any corrections, additions etc. to me. This information is needed for a continuos updating of our member list. Please be careful checking the email-addresses. If you have a personal work-homepage, please let me know. Personal work-homepages are valuable for non-group members seeking information on e.g. area of work, lists of publications, etc. Institutional homepages can be used as substitutes.

http://www.agrsci.dk/plb/iobc/iobc_home.htm

The purpose of GoodBugs-L is to provide a forum for discussion and exchange of information concerning different aspects of biological and integrated pest control in protected crops. All kinds of information relevant to the members of our working group and other interested parties are welcome, including organising of future meetings or comment to our working group web site. With this, we hope to stimulate continuos discussions in the group in the intervals between meetings

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http://www.agrsci.dk/plb/iobc/goodbugs-l.htm

The IOBC West Palearctic and Nearctic working groups ‘IPM in Glasshouses’ will meet jointly, on the 8, 9, 10 and 11 May, 2002, at the Laurel Point Inn, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The meeting will feature 4 days of presentations and workshop discussions on Integrated Pest Management in Glasshouses, and will include a research tour of the dynamic glasshouse industry in southwestern British Columbia. The meeting will be organised like the previous meetings of our WPRS working group, including sending out the Bulletin with Preceedings to all participants before the meeting. There will be relatively few presentations at the meeting, with most of the time being devoted to discussions. Topics will, among others, include:

Integrated pest and disease management in greenhouse crops (ornamentals, vegetables)
Important and/or new pests and diseases
New beneficials
Intraguild predation
GMO’s – what are the issues for biological control?
Decision support systems

The meeting will be restricted to 150 delegates, on a first-come, first served basis. To be placed on a mailing list to receive further details, please contact the local organiser: D.R. Gillespie, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, P.O. Box 1000, Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada V0M 1A0; fax (604) 796-0359, or email gillespied@em.agr.ca

Ideas for additional topics are welcome – please send them to D.R. Gillespie.

IOBC-WPRS Working Group ‘Integrated Control in Glasshouses, Northern Section’

Convenor
Annie Enkegaard, address etc. at the top of the document.

IOBC-NRS ‘Greenhouse Working Group’
Convenors

Kevin Heinz                                                                 Les Shipp
Texas A&M University                                                Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
Department of Entomology                                          Greenhouse and Processing Crops Research Centre
College Station                                                            Harrow,
Texas 77843-2475                                                     Ontario N0R 1G0
USA                                                                           Canada
Phone: +1 4048623408                                              Phone: +1 5197382251
Fax: +1 4098457977                                                  Fax: +1 5197382929
Email: KMHeinz@tamu.edu                                        Email: shippl@em.agr.ca

The meeting covers research on the biology and chemistry of behaviourally active compounds of plant and insect origin, including their practical use for environmentally safe control of insects.

http://www.phero.net/iobc/samos/announc3.html

The group will have its yearly meeting in October, 2000. For further information contact: Dr. Heidrun Vogt, Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Institute for Plant Protection in Fruit Crops, Schwabenheimerstr. 101, D-69221 Dossenheim, Germany; Tel +49 (0) 6221/8680530, email: Heidrun.Vogt@urz.uni-heidelberg.de

2000 Brighton Conference - Pests and Diseases. Brighton, England, United Kingdom,
12-16 November 2000

The Brighton Conference and related exhibitions are widely recognised as an important international event for those involved with the world-wide crop protection industry.

Always a feature of this Conference is the presentation of new compounds and strategies for pest and disease management in temperate and tropical crops.

Specialist sessions will examine key strategic topics that will influence the management of pests and diseases in the future with an emphasis on meeting expected challenges, including those faced in Integrated Crop Management, organic farming and by use of biological control agents.

Concern for the user, consumer and the environment features strongly. Risk-benefit analyses for new and old products, new regulatory issues, resistance management and the use of transgenics for pest and disease management will be included. As will new technologies allowing the effect of new agricultural products on the environment and biodiversity to be determined.

Sociological concerns will receive special attention. Consumers and retailers can now influence agricultural practice. But who actually controls and decides upon crop protection programmes?

Similarly, the past few years have seen rapid advances in communication technology with more information than ever before being freely available to all. The benefits and drawbacks of this ‘information explosion’ will be explored

http://www.BCPC.org

‘Biocontrol Agents Modes of Action and their Interaction with other Means of Control’, IOBC workshop, WG for Biological Control of Fungal and Bacterial Plant Pathogens,
30 November - 4 December 2000, Seville, Spain.

The IOBC Phytopathogens working group will have a meeting in Sevilla on 30.11-4.12.2000. The general aim is to bring together students, researchers and implementers of biocontrol of plant diseases to discuss potential improvements of biocontrol activity. The specific aims of the workshop are double: 1) To present research and discuss potential modes of action of biocontrol agents and preparations that are effective against fungal and bacterial diseases; 2) To study their interaction with other plant disease control methods. Presentations will be carried out orally or as posters, in English, and amply amount of time will be devoted to discussions.

http://www.agri.gov.il/Depts/IOBCPP/SecCirSite.html

Genetic transformation has been a cornerstone of the remarkable progress in molecular genetics. It has been critical in elucidating gene regulatory networks in a number of model organisms. It has played a pivotal role in biotechnological breakthroughs. Insects, being the most diverse group of animals, are major components of ecosystems. As pollinators of valuable plants, destructive pests of crops and livestock, and vectors of devastating infectious diseases, they have a profound effect on humans. However, successful genetic transformation of economically and medically important insects has only recently been achieved. Highlighting developments in insect genetic transformation, this symposium will focus on future refinement of this methodology as well as its utilization in exploration of insect-specific molecular mechanisms. An important focus of the symposium is the potential of genetic transformation in designing novel control strategies for pest management and vector-borne disease transmission. The program covers key areas in insect molecular biology, from insect genomics to gene regulatory cascades and physiological systems, which are the eventual targets of genetic transformation. Continuing on the success of two previous symposia, this meeting is anticipated to provide new research directions that will significantly influence the insect science.

http://www.symposia.com/MeetingDetail.cfm?MeetingNumber=B6&Year=2001

First Conference on Integrated Pest Management
28-29 March 2001, Giza, Egypt

This meeting, arranged by Cairo University, Department of Economic Entomology and Pesticides, will cover all aspects of Integrated Pest Management of Pests that affect agricultural plants or farm animals. Topics include pest of field crops, vegetable crops, fruit orchards, ornamentals; pest of farm animals; beneficial insects and their use; biology, physiology and ecology of agricultural pests; biological control methods; genetic, cultural and physical control; safe use of chemical pesticides and natural products; systems for implementation of integrated pest management. Further information: contact Dr. S. A. El Arnaouty, Tel.: 202 5695686, Fax 202 5695686, email: arnaout@intouch.com

The first meeting organised by this group. Aim is to bring together researchers working on fundamental and applied aspects of induced resistance (IR) or tolerance. Two main topics will be covered: 1) cross-talk among herbivore- and pathogen-induced signal cascades; 2) risks and benefits of IR and tolerance. Contributions related to other aspects of IR or tolerance will be accepted for further sessions. Scientists and Ph.D. students working on entomological and phytopathological aspects of IR and tolerance in plants are invited.

Further information: Dr. Annegret Schmitt; email: anne.schmitt.biocontrol.bba@t-online.de

IOBC/WPRS WG ‘Insect Pathogens and Insect Parasitic Nematodes’
May 29- June 2, 2001, Greece

Next meeting in 2001 – please contact Dr. Bernard Papierok, email: papierok@pasteur.fr

This symposium – consisting of keynote speakers followed by paper presentations, with afternoon poster sessions and small discussion groups – will develop a list of objectives to enhance the practice of biological control in the 21st century and publish proceedings. Attendees will be encouraged to register a year in advance, so mark your year 2000 calendars to sign up for the following year. For more information contact Tim Kring, Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA at +1 501 575-3186, email: tkring@comp.uark.edu

15th International Plant Protection Congress,
July 6-11 2003, Beijing, China

The 15th IPPC will focus on the current progress in the plant protection sciences and technology, and its foreseeable development in the new millennium. To meet the new challenge facing plant protection in the new millennium, the tentative theme is ‘The First Great Gathering for Plant Protection in 21^st Century’. The researchers, crop protection consultants, practitioners, extension workers, representatives of regulatory agencies (quarantine, pesticides, biotechnology), administrators, and representatives of industry (chemicals, biologicals, genetic modification, diagnostics, monitoring equipment, software, etc.) are cordially invited to participate in the Congress. The scientific program will include opening & closing lectures, plenary lectures, symposia, workshops and poster sessions on the following topics (among others): Host plant resistance; Bio-control; Chemical pesticides; Bio-technology for plant protection; Information technology; Ecological regulation; Plant quarantine; Non-chemical pest control; Pest management in various crops; Pest management for pre-growing and post-harvesting.

http://www.ipmchina.cn.net/ippc/index.htm

p.c. – pers. com.
Wardlow, 1990 – in Sting 10, 1990
Pijnakker, 1999 – student report; ENITHP F-ANGERS, 39p. "Protection Biologique et Intégrée des cultures sous serre aux Pays Bas - Geintegreerde Bestrijding voor Bloemisterij en glasgroente in Nederland"

The last meeting of the WG was held in Antalya, Turkey from 24 to 28 April 2000. Thanks are due to Prof. Erdal Sekeroglu, Dr. Kamil Karut and the rest of his colleagues from Çukurova University in Adana, Turkey for the perfect organisation. Sixty-four researchers and implementers participated in the meeting. They mainly came from several Mediterranean areas but also from North European regions: Turkey (18), Israel (4), Egypt (2), Algeria (1), Morocco (4), Portugal (6), Spain (11), France (3), Italy (7), Belgium (3), The Netherlands (1), Denmark (1), Poland (2), and Austria (1). A total of 47 (33+14) oral and poster contributions were published before the meeting and they are available in the IOBC/WPRS Bulletin 23(1) 2000. They dealt with IPM systems in protected crops (7), pollinators (2), plant diseases (6), biological control of whiteflies (5), biological control and monitoring of leafminers (5), biological control of aphids, mites, thrips, Lepidoptera and heteropteran pests (8), polyphagous predators (11), and selective use of pesticides (3). Discussion of main topics presented followed short oral and poster presentations. Release and conservation practices for biological and natural control, soil solarization, importance of plant virus diseases, use of exotic vs. Mediterranean native natural enemies, parasitoids vs. predators, banker plant systems for biological control in greenhouses, greenhouse screening, were, among other, some of the topics discussed. A full day excursion around one of the most important greenhouse-growing areas in Turkey complemented the conference-room sessions. The increasing use of bumblebees for pollination in protected crops is pushing Turkish growers to apply more selective chemicals. The importance of plant viruses for greenhouse-vegetable production, in particular TYLCV in tomato, could be checked in several greenhouses.

As R. Albajes has been convening the WG for 10 years, a new convenor was elected according to the IOBC/WPRS Council rules. Among four candidates, Antonio Mexia from Portugal (ISA-DPPF, Tapada da Ajuda, 1399 Lisboa Codex, Portugal, Tel: 351 21 3653428, Fax: 351 21 3653430, mail: amexia@isa.utl.pt), was elected. He will be proposed to the IOBC/WPRS executive committee as new convenor of the group. It was agreed that the next meeting should take place in 2003.

Editors note: The two new convenors of the WG’s on IPM in glasshouses/greenhouses agree on the importance of keeping a good contact between the groups – to follow the example set by Ramon Albajes and Joop van Lenteren. Accordingly, meetings in the respective groups will be planned to avoid temporal overlap.

The European Whitefly Studies Network
Dr Ian D. Bedford, EWSN project coordinator
John Innes Centre, UK,
email: ian.bedford@bbsrc.ac.uk

The European Whitefly Studies Network (EWSN) is an EC funded concerted action (FAIR6 CT98 -4303), which enables a network of researchers involved in whitefly-related studies to discuss and review current research. It also provides an organisation for compiling up-to-date information on the many problems that these insects are causing within European agriculture. The network encompasses five areas of study, Faunistics and Systematics, Virology, Epidemiology, Natural Enemies and Plant Protection and has evolved unique links between these disciplines that strengthen and augment associated research. Information collated through EWSN is rapidly disseminated within the network and world-wide through regular newsletters and meetings to researchers, plant health organisations, related industries and growers.

EWSN began in March 1999 and held its first workshop soon after (4th-7th May), where almost 50 scientists and industrialists convened at the John Innes Centre in Norwich to review the present European whitefly situation and become au courant of the associated and ongoing research projects within Europe.

The workshop provided a forum for reviewing one of the main whitefly problems within Europe, where tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci are transmitting viruses to tomato, cucumber, melon, bean and pepper crops around the Mediterranean basin and on the Atlantic Islands. These viruses are readily acquired and transmitted with great efficiency, and in the case of the tomato yellow leaf curl viruses, a single infected whitefly has a 60% possibility of passing the virus to a healthy plant. The viruses are also transmitted very quickly, (often before insecticide treatments have had time to work) and symptoms subsequently appear almost two weeks later. Infected plants often prompt many growers to increase the use of insecticide, even when insignificant numbers of whiteflies remain within the crop. The increase in insecticide use without careful management, then leads to resistance problems with whiteflies and restricts the implementation of more environmentally friendlier pest management schemes that involve the use of natural enemies and IPM. However, EWSN is very aware of the considerable pressure that growers in these regions are under to deliver the high quality produce demanded by many consumers, particularly within northern Europe. We are therefore working to provide clear, yet practical advice for reducing the whitefly problems and rationalising the use of insecticides.

Over the past year EWSN has continued to expand to around 70 members and has the additional support from Novartis AG, Koppert Biological Systems, Zeneca, Biological Crop Protection, Biobest and ECOspray. We have subsequently organised working group meetings to review and standardise methods for characterisation and identification of whitefly-transmitted viruses, whitefly species, biotypes and natural enemies, and to assess crop protection strategies. From these and additional information supplied by EWSN members, an invaluable compendium ‘The EWSN Resource Pack’ is being produced. Our two-monthly newsletter is now distributed to almost two thousand addresses world-wide and an international whitefly symposium is being organised in Ragusa, Sicily (27^th February - 3^rd March 2001). EWSN welcomes the association of anyone involved in whitefly research or control and can be contacted through the project coordinator, Dr Ian Bedford ( or Research Facilitator, Mr David Oliver ( at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, Norfolk.

Further information on the EWSN can also be found at our website: http://www.jic.bbsrc.ac.uk/hosting/eu/ewsn/

Once major pests like thrips and aphids are controlled biologically, with additional spot treatments using selective chemicals, Swedish ornamental growers sometimes experience that previously unnoticed pests start causing problems. Here are some examples:

Tyrophagus longior
The "French Fly" used to be a pest of cucumbers grown in soil with straw added to the substrate. Since soilless culture was introduced we almost forgot about this problem, but it has now reappeared in some bedding plants. Especially pansies are sensitive. Damage to flowers makes plants unmarketable. Biological control has not been tried, as there is some fear that adding T. putrescentiae (together with the predatory mite Amblyseius cucumeris) might make things worse. Furthermore the temperatures in pansy production are quite low and may not be suitable for the predator.

Entomobrya multifasciata
This springtail can often be seen in Impatiens "New Guinea" under biocontrol. When numbers get high there is "cosmetical" damage to the flowers with speckled petals and pollen spread around - in addition to the animals visible. Numbers seem to be reduced when the predatory mite Hypoaspis miles is added to the substrate.

Rhizoecus spp.
Root mealybugs are becoming more common in certain crops like Pelargonium stock plants. A good biocontrol method has not been found.

Uloborus plumipes
Not an old pest but a new predator (since 1987 in Sweden) is this tropical spider, well adapted to the greenhouse environment. Some growers must spend time cleaning plants for spiders´ webbing. To use lizards for keeping the number of spiders at a reasonable level has not yet been tried in Sweden.

Editors note: examples of secondary pests causing problems in biological/IPM management systems, as well as solutions compatible with applied control measures are obvious topics for discussions on the GoodBugs-L.

BRUCE BROADBENT, Agric. and Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Res. Center, 1391 Sanford St., London, Ontario N5Y 4T3 (broadbentb@em.agr.ca)

Bruce Broadbent is no longer working in greenhouse systems, having been transferred to another commodity assignment.

MICHAEL BROWNBRIDGE, University of Vermont, Entomology Research Laboratory, Burlington, Vermont, USA. (mbrownbr@zoo.uvm.edu)

As insect-killing fungi come to market, it is essential that we develop efficient and effective use practices for various greenhouse pests on different ornamental crops. Our research has focused on assessing different factors that influence fungal efficacy against three major pests: western flower thrips, silverleaf whitefly, and green peach aphid. Specifically, our work has assessed i) effects of fungal formulation on efficacy; ii) the influence of storage conditions on the long-term viability and virulence of formulated material; iii) different sprayers, high- and low-volume, for application of fungi; iv) effects of spray adjuvants on efficacy and viability; v) compatibility with various agrochemicals; vi) compatibility with natural enemies (Orius and Eretmocerus); and vii) use of fungi together with selected biorational pesticides to promote efficacy. Some results are summarized below.

1. Effect of storage temperature and formulation on viability and infectivity of Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus. Ideally, fungal-based pesticides should have a good shelf-life if they are to be widely utilized. Effects of storage temperature and formulation on the viability and infectivity of Beauveria bassiana (Bb) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Pfr) for silverleaf whitefly were thus studied. For both Bb and Pfr, viability and germination rate of spore powders stored at 37° C progressively declined to zero by d 365 and 224, respectively. At 20° C, total viability gradually declined, and the rate of germination significantly slowed over time. At 4 and -20° C, there was virtually no loss of viability. Bioassay data reflected the declining viability and germination rates of conidia stored at 37 and 20° C, with total mortality levels and the rate of mortality decreasing concurrently. Stored in paraffin oil, conidial viability at 37° C decreased rapidly; all conidia died by d 112. Conidial viability of >85% was maintained for batches stored at 20 and 4° C. Pathogenicity decreased as viability and germination rate decreased over time. Storage conditions and formulation thus significantly affect conidial viability and germination rate, with the resulting impact on pathogenicity. If stored under cool (4° C) conditions viability and pathogenicity of fungi formulated as wettable powders or in oil is maintained for long periods.

2. Management of silverleaf whitefly and western flower thrips with Beauveria bassiana: effect of spray techniques on efficacy. We have tested a hydraulic (high volume) sprayer fitted with a 5-nozzle extension lance and an electrostatic (low volume) sprayer for application of Beauveria bassiana, formulated as a wettable powder, to control western flower thrips on chrysanthemum and silverleaf whitefly on poinsettia. For both sprayers, conidia were not damaged during application and viability on the leaf surface was >90% immediately following and 6-d post-treatment. On chrysanthemums, the high volume sprays were more effective. On poinsettia, some suppressive effect was obtained with the electrostatic sprayer but it was not as satisfactory as the hydraulic sprayer. Higher numbers of spores were deposited on the underside of leaves in the lower canopy using the hydraulic sprayer, spraying up from the bench into the leaf canopy with the extension lance. This is where the bulk of the whitefly population is found at the start of an infestation, and may account, in part, for the superior levels of control obtained. These trials highlight the necessity to evaluate different sprayers and formulations for application of fungi and to develop appropriate guidelines and recommendations for their use.

3. Beauveria bassiana plus biorational insecticides – a recipe to enhance field efficacy in greenhouse ornamentals? In ornamentals, where there is minimal tolerance for infestation and damage, many growers are unwilling to accept and use these biopesticides as they perceive them as being less effective and slower acting than their chemical counterparts. To promote their wider adoption, ways of enhancing the field efficacy of these agents must be found. One way of doing this may be through using fungi in combination with selected biorational insecticides such as insect growth regulators, soaps and neem products. Tests have been done using BotaniGard® 22WP and selected biorational insecticides against silverleaf whitefly and western flower thrips. Against whitefly, higher rates of infection and mortality were obtained when conidia were applied in combination with: insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, Fulex SO-2000 (experimental formulation) and the insect growth regulator Adept® (diflubenzuron). Residual activity against thrips was improved when fungi were applied together with Adept®, low doses (half to one quarter the recommended concentration) of Azatin XL, and sugar (equivalent to 1 pound of white sugar per 100 gals water). Sugar appeared to promote a feeding response in the insects, increasing contact with spores on the leaf surface leading to higher infection rates. Lower infection rates were obtained when fungi were applied concurrently with Hot Pepper Wax; this product has a repellent effect that may have reduced thrips feeding and hence exposure to spores on the leaf, thereby reducing infection. Tank mixing these materials appeared to have no adverse effects on the spores, providing the materials were sprayed within 2 h of preparation. Effects and use rates now need to be validated and refined in greenhouse spray trials.

4. Influence of spray adjuvants on Beauveria bassiana viability and efficacy against silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii. Many growers will use adjuvants in a spray mix to improve leaf coverage, wetting and persistence, but how compatible are these products with fungi? The importance of this information is immediately relevant: poor coverage of foliage due to selection of an inappropriate wetting agent, or storage of a conidial suspension for an extended period in a wetting agent with fungicidal or fungistatic properties, will seriously impact the level of insect control achieved. We thus evaluated effects of various adjuvants on the viability of spores in BotaniGard® WP and ES formulations, and determined whether their use increased efficacy against silverleaf whitefly. None of the wetting agents tested appeared to be fungicidal over 4 h, at all test temperatures. Insecticidal soap caused some loss of viability after 4 h, an effect exacerbated by higher storage temperatures. Effects were greatest in the wettable powder vs. oil formulation. Efficacy was enhanced in all cases but the best interactions were observed with the selected wetting agents (Silwet L-77®, R-56™ and M-Pede®) vs. spreaders/stickers.

GILLIAN FERGUSON, Ontario Ministry of Agric., Greenhouse Res. Center, Harrow, Ontario, N0R 1G0 (gfergus@omafra.gov.on.ca)

Gillian Ferguson is working on two topics: (the following are her summaries)

1. Castor Bean as a Banker Plant for Amblyseius degenerans. Use of banker plants has been advocated for use by greenhouse vegetable growers. Specifically, the use of dwarf Castor beans for rearing of A. degenerans has been recommended. This has resulted in mixed success. Some growers are very successful in using this system and have saved themselves a huge cost by not having to buy any A. degenerans. Others, however, have found that this banker plant system can result in more problems, such as serving as a banker plant for western flower thrips. In one instance, it was host to Echinothrips americanus.

2. IPM Techniques for Control of Tomato Pinworm. The use of mating disruption as a technique that is compatible with the use of beneficials has been investigated in commercial trials for management of the tomato pinworm, Keiferia lycopersicella, Lepidoptera: Gelechiiidae. At low populations, use of mating disruption alone is sufficient to reduce tomato pinworm populations to unnoticeable levels. At high populations, use of UV light traps have contributed significantly to reduction of adult populations, and with the use of the sex pheromone, have resulted in satisfactory control of the pest. Although Trichogramma pretiosum has been released additionally in greenhouses, its contribution to control of the tomato pinworm under commercial conditions has not been evaluated.

David GILLESPIE, Agric. Canada Res. Sta., P.O. Box 1000, Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada, V0M 1A0 (gillespied@em.agr.ca)

David reports work in three areas: (1) biological control of spider mites on tomatoes, (2) new pest invasions and (3) trials with new biological control agents (his summaries follow)

1. Spider Mites on Tomatoes. These are a chronic problem. Rapid spread of initially small populations in the late spring has caused significant losses. Phytoseiulus persimilis continues to be inefficient as a biocontrol agent of spider mites on tomatoes. Feltiella acarisuga was studied as a natural enemy of spider mites over a three-year period. Cultural factors such as de-leafing, low relative humidities and sulfur use for control of powdery mildew have limited its success. Recent development of an oviposition stimulant by Nature's Alternative Insectary seems to overcome some of these problems. Models developed by Jenny Rogers and Bernie Roitberg at SFU suggest that emigration/immigration of spider mites on tomatoes, and fecundity of predators are key factors driving outbreaks. A recent study by Anna Luczynski (BioBugs Consulting) corroborates the models, and suggests that migration of spider mites into enemy-free space is a driving factor, as in research done by for example Nachman on metapopulations of spider mites on cucumbers. Predators disperse from plants 10 or more days after spider mites have dispersed.

2. Invaders and New Pests. New pest invasions have become a constant feature on the IPM scene in British Columbia greenhouses. These fall into two categories - exotic pests, presumably imported on plants or goods; and native pests that move into, and take advantage of greenhouse crops. These are extremely disruptive to biological control since their presence usually means that pesticides will be applied that will kill biological control agents. On average, one new pest has occurred on at least one of the three main crops (pepper, cucumber, tomato) each year, since 1985.
    Foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani), carmine mite (T. urticae strain), Lygus species, cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) are among the most damaging. Aphids (Aulacorthum. solani, Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, and Aphis gossypii) and Lygus (L. shulli, L. elisus, L. hesperus) invasions from flights outdoors are particularly threatening since they are difficult to predict. Echinothrips americanus and the potato psyllid, Paratrioza cockerelli are occasional pests of concern.
    Studies on the biology of the Lygus species, their distribution and damage caused to cucumber and tomato have been completed, but not published yet. On cucumber, damage to growing tips increases with both the number of bugs feeding on the growing tips, and the duration of feeding. One adult bug feeding on the tip for 4 days will cause death of the growing tip. Fewer bugs or shorter feeding durations cause "manageable" damage. However, anecdotal evidence from IPM consultants and growers suggests that damage from feeding may vary over time.

3. New Biological Controls
* Cotesia marginiventris (reported in IOBC/WPRS Bull. 22(1), 1999) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitizes cabbage looper. This braconid wasp shows promise as a component of a multi-agent approach to managing noctuid caterpillars on greenhouse crops. Other agents and compatible approaches could include Trichogramma brassicae, Podisus marginiventris and B. thuringiensis, as well as light traps and pheromone disruption
* Feltiella acarisuga (mentioned also above) For more detail, see: http://res.agr.ca/summer/scrfrm2.htm
* Dicyphus hesperus. Biology is very similar to Macrolophus caliginosus, used in Europe. Current research program is focussing on this and other omnivorous Heteroptera. This omnivorous predator establishes on tomato crops and populations increase. Nymphs and adults feed on many small prey species, including whitefly, spider mites, thrips, aphids and caterpillar eggs. Studies to date have focussed on damage caused by plant feeding by adults and nymphs. The laboratory results show that, in the presence of tomato leaves, damage to fruit is rare. The presence of prey has little effect on plant feeding. Ripe fruit are attacked, but not green fruit. Greenhouse trials are in progress.

Kevin HEINZ, Department of Entomology, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX, 77843 (KMH0700@acs.tamu.edu)

1. Optimal release patterns for aphid control with parasitoids
2. Optimal host size presentation sequence for high female to male ratios in insectary rearing.
3. The nematode project (on Thripinema nicklewoodi), in cooperation with Roy Van Driesche, in Texas is being run by a postdoctoral associate, Judy Mason. It has as its objective study of the basic biology and host-parasite interactions, and study of the efficacy of transmission in crops

In addition, Kevin is participating in the development of new text on biological control in greenhouse, together with Parrella and Van Driesche, to be published in 2000 by Ball.

Mark HODDLE, Dept. Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521 (mark.hoddle@ucr.edu)

Mark Hoddle has continued to cooperate with Van Driesche and Sanderson to complete an investigation on the integration of insect growth regulators with reduced release rates of the parasitoid Eretmocerus eremicus for control of whiteflies on poinsettia. This work has been very successful and has identified that the labeled rate of buprofezin, applied twice at mid crop allows a release rate of 1 female wasp per plant per week to keep whitefly nymphs at sale below 2 per leaf, a commercial acceptable level in local markets. Cost of such a control program is $0.38 (US) per single-stemmed poinsettia, a cost competitive with wet spray applications of pesticides. The work has been done at three levels: laboratory, small greenhouse and commercial greenhouse. Mark has been responsible for the laboratory level work.

Richard LINDQUIST, Department of Entomology, Ohio Agric. Res. Center, Wooster, OH, 44691 (lindquist.1@osu.edu)

Richard Lindquist reports that his efforts are concentrated on the use of nematodes for the control of fungus gnats and of B. bassiana products against several pests (whiteflies, thrips, aphids).

Graeme MURPHY, Vineland Station, Advisory Services Bldg., 4890 Victoria Ave. N., Vineland Station, Ontario, L0R 2E0 (gmurphy@omafra.gov.on.ca)

Graeme commented on two current projects:
1. The first is being carried out by Wayne Allen, Colleen Teerling, Vanessa Carney and himself and focuses on the investigation of rearing and monitoring techniques for the staphylinid Atheta coriaria, which is being considered as a control for soil-dwelling insects, in particular fungus gnats, shoreflies, and thrips (pupae).
2. The second project is an investigation of the parasitoid Hexacola hexatoma for the control of shoreflies.

Ron OETTING, Department of Entomology, 1109 Exp. St., Georgia Agric. Exp. Sta., Griffin, Georgia, 30223-1797 (roettin@gaes.griffin.peachnet.edu)

Ron reported on two projects:

1. Work by Scott Ludwig and Ronald Oetting

Natural Enemy Compatibility with Beauveria bassiana. The direct and indirect effect of a commercial formulation of Beauveria bassiana was evaluated against five biological control agents. Orius insidiosus, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Encarsia formosa, and Aphidius colemani were evaluated under greenhouse cage and laboratory conditions and Ipheseius degenerans was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. These natural enemies were highly susceptible to infestation under laboratory conditions while lower rates were observed in the greenhouse trails. A. colemani was the most susceptible and O. insidiosus was the least susceptible of the natural enemies evaluated.

I. degenerans Compatibility with Mycoinsecticides, Soaps, Oils and Azadirachtin. I. degenerans was evaluated against soap, oil, azadirachtin, and water under laboratory condition to determine mortality rates. Water and soap resulted in significantly lower mortalities that neem oil and azadirachtin. I. degenerans was evaluated against the insect pathogens B. bassiana, Verticillium lecanii and Metarhizium anisopliae to determine direct and indirect infectivity under laboratory conditions. I. degenerans was least susceptible to Metarhizium followed by Verticillium and Beauveria. These data indicate with proper timing of insecticide application and natural enemies releases mycoinsecticides, azadirachtin, neem oil, and soap can be used together with I. degenerans.

Biological Insecticides used as Media Treatments for Control of Western Flower Thrips and Fungus Gnats. The potting media in 15 cm chrysanthemum pots was treated with Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Steinernema feltiae, Hypoaspis mile, and fenoxycarb to evaluate treatment effect on western flower thrips and fungus gnat emergence in two trials. When treatments were made every two weeks for five weeks fungus gnat populations increased in at least on trial when exposed to Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, while fenoxycarb provided the greatest control. Fenoxycarb and M. anisopliae resulted in the greatest reduction of thrips emergence.

Dispersal of Orius insidiosus and Neoseiulus cucumeris on Pot Chrysanthemums. Greenhouse dispersal of Orius insidiosus and Neoseiulus cucumeris was evaluated when used to control western flower thrips on greenhouse pot chrysanthemums. Orius insidiosus established and distributed evenly throughout the greenhouse in two studies. Neoseiulus cucumeris was less successful in establishing and distributing on chrysanthemums. Out of three releases on thrips infested plants, establishment only occurred one time and the mites were not observed to disperse off of the release plants.

Efficacy of Orius insidiosus and Neoseiulus cucumeris Used in Combination for Control of Western Flower Thrips on Chrysanthemum. Orius insidiosus and Neoseiulus cucumeris were evaluated when used individually and in combination to control western flower thrips on greenhouse pot chrysanthemums in three trials. The individual predator releases resulted in significantly lower thrips populations than the control, while combination treatments generally had lower thrips populations than the individual predator treatments.

2. Natural Control Measures. The impact of Floramite, a new chemical, was evaluated on selected natural enemies this spring. Orius, Aphidius, Neoseiulus and Aphidoletes were selected for this study, ten natural enemies/ rep with ten replications. A simple evaluation of number alive and number dead at 12 and 24 hour intervals. Natural enemies were applied either to a wet or dry treatment and caged. It appears that Orius, and the Neoseiulus mite were less affected by the Floramite treatments, a slight reduction in the number alive was seen in the Aphidius after 24 hrs. Aphidoletes had a good survival rate at 12 hr and at this time period did not appear to be effected by the Floramite treatment. At the 24 hrs evaluation, most of the Aphidoletes (midge) were dead.
    We have also looked at several of the bio-insecticides (Beauveria, Metarhizium, PFR) and several of the insect growth regulators (azadiractin, dimilin, pyripoxyfen etc.) and combinations of standard and biological insecticides over the past few years on aphids, thrips, fungus gnats, whiteflies and spider mites. The IGR’s and bio-insecticides were compatible in most instances. Also, using both we were able to improve efficacy (Beauveria + IGR) in aphid control trials.
    An example of Western Flower thrips was with BotaniGard, Adept and Azatin showed that the combination of the chemicals provided control at the same level as the standard. The immature were most effected by the Azatin + BotaniGard treatment at week two and showed adequate control throughout the duration of the test and had better control than the Adept + BotaniGard.
    We have also looked at a Naturalis and Stirrup M combinations with Silverleaf whitefly, Two Spotted Spider mite and Melon aphid. Stirrup M did not reduce aphids, whitefly or mite populations when applied by itself. Naturalis was found to be parasitoid friendly in many of the aphid trials that were conducted. Naturalis was not as effective on control of aphids, mites or whitefly. The Stirrup M and Naturalis combination treatment did provide slightly better control of aphid, mite and whitefly populations were statically different from the standard treatments.

Lance OSBORNE, University of Florida, 2807 Binion Rd. Apopka, Florida, 32703 (lso@ICON.APK.UFL.EDU)

The overall thrust of Lance’s program is to develop long term solutions to the management of mites attacking ornamental plants. He report that

"We feel that the best predator currently available for managing both spider mites and broad mites is Neoseiulus (= Amblyseius) californicus. The use of this predator is affected by the presence of a number of other pests: scales, mealybugs and aphids primarily. Therefore, we are attacking this issue from a number of directions. First of all we are looking at how to integrate this predator with pesticides that are active against these other pests. The primary chemicals used are pyrethroids. We have a strain N. californicus that is highly tolerant to bifenthrin (Talstar) and we continue to select this strain in the laboratory for resistance with this material as well as others. This effort has allowed us to successfully implement programs in commercial nurseries where we have failed in the past. Secondly, we have colonized a number of predators and parasitoids for longtailed mealybug, aphids and scales. These are currently being evaluated for their utility. Two predatory beetles look particularly promising: Diomus austrinus (mealybugs) and Diomus terminatus (aphids). Imidacloprid shows significant promise on certain herbaceous crops. It can be used to manage most of the primary pests attacking many foliage plants without disrupting control by N. californicus."

Michael PARRELLA, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616 (mpparrella@ucdavis.edu)

Michael is working in three crops: lilies, roses, and gerbera

Lilies. In Asiatic lilies in Eureka, CA, Parrella and associates have been studying the use of parasitoid releases (Aphidius colemani, Braconidae), integrated with applications of Beauveria bassiana for control of melon aphid (Aphis gossypii). He has been testing different combinations of releases and applications. Grower interest, however, has waned with the registration of imidacloprid for the crop.

Roses. In roses, Michael is exploring the use of B. bassiana applications for control of western flower thrips, as well as releases of Phytoseiulus persimilis for control of Tetranychus urticae. These uses are in the context of with a new training system for the rose plants, which concentrates the mites low in the plant, apart from the saleable stems. The system also includes use of new fungicides for powdery mildew that are safer to the predator mite being released. Mildew control applications are being guided by application of a mildew control model developed for strawberries and grapes.

Gerbera. In gerbera, Michael and Roger Sher are working on the integration of nematode applications with parasitoid (Diglyphus sp.) for leafminer control. Nematode use seems to not affect the parasitoid and does increase overall leafminer mortality, but not to a high degree.

In addition, Michael is participating in the development of new text on biological control in greenhouse, together with Heinz and Van Driesche, to be published in 2000 by Ball.

John SANDERSON, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853 (jp3@cornell.edu)

John as been working in two areas. First, he has continued to cooperate with Van Driesche and Hoddle to complete an investigation on the integration of insect growth regulators with reduced release rates of the parasitoid Eretmocerus eremicus for control of whiteflies on poinsettia. This work has been very successful and has identified that the labeled rate of buprofezin, applied twice at mid crop allows a release rate of 1 female wasp per plant per week to keep whitefly nymphs at sale below 2 per leaf, a commercial acceptable level in local markets. Cost of such a control program is $0.38 (US) per single-stemmed poinsettia, a cost competitive with wet spray applications of pesticides. The work has been done at three levels: laboratory, small greenhouse and commercial greenhouse. John has been responsible for the small greenhouse-level work.

A second area of investigation in an earlier stage of investigation is the study of pests of greenhouse-grown raspberries and the biological control of these pests.

Les SHIPP, Agric. and Agri-Food Canada Res. Center, Harrow, Ontario, N0R 1G0 (shippl@em.agr.ca)

Les Shipp reports work in four areas:

Decision-support systems. Development and commercialization of decision-support system for integrated management of greenhouse tomato and cucumber crops assists growers in their decision making and allows the grower to log all their greenhouse operations and performance records. The program assists the grower in identifying conflicting practices for pest management (e.g., when chemical use may interfere with present or future biological control programs). The program also helps the user choose the correct biological control agent and how to release the biological control agent. Currently, Shipp is also developing a version of HGM for identification and control of insect and mite pests in Korea.

Greenhouse microclimate and pest control. Shipp has also conducted a number of studies on greenhouse microclimate and its influences on pest management strategies. He has developed a model to predict how temperature and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) affect the flight activity of Orius insidiosus and he has measured the dispersal rate for released Orius in the greenhouse under different temperature and VPD conditions. He has found that the larval stage of Amblyseius cucumeris is the most sensitive stage to high temperatures and VPDs. This relationship was modeled and results indicated that establishment of A. cucumeris would be delayed when VPD was greater than 1.54 kPa and may never occur if it exceeds 2.04 kPa. This study was conducted with Dr. van Houten of Naaldwijk. Also, Shipp has developed a quadratic model to predict the influence of temperature and VPD on the rate of predation by A cucumeris on first instars of western flower thrips. He found that the maximum rate of predation occurred at VPD’s below 0.75 kPa at the temperature of 17-25 °C. He has also developed a model to predict the temperature and VPD at different heights in the cucumber crop and at the surface of the leaf.

Western flower thrips injury levels. Shipp has determined the economic injury level for western flower thrips on sweet pepper and cucumber. Trials in tomato are ongoing. These studies provide an estimate of economic losses (fruit quality and yield) that thrips can cause in greenhouse vegetable crops. These thresholds will be used to improve the timing of insecticide applications and for determining the upper thrips densities for effective biological control.

Trichogramma for tomato pinworm. Shipp has investigated the use of Trichogramma releases for biological control of tomato pinworm. T. pretiosum was found in laboratory trials to have good potential as an egg parasitoid of tomato pinworm. Currently, Shipp is evaluating T. pretiosum in greenhouse trials and is also evaluating the use of A. cucumeris and O. insidiosus for control of thrips on tomato.

Roy VAN DRIESCHE, Dept. Entomology, University of Massachusetts, Fernald Hall, Amherst, MA, 01003 (vandries@fnr.umass.edu)

Roy is working in two areas: biological control of whiteflies and of thrips.

Whiteflies. He has continued to cooperate with Hoddle and Sanderson to complete an investigation on the integration of insect growth regulators with reduced release rates of the parasitoid Eretmocerus eremicus for control of whiteflies on poinsettia. This work has been very successful and has identified that the labeled rate of buprofezin, applied twice at mid crop allows a release rate of 1 female wasp per plant per week to keep whitefly nymphs at sale below 2 per leaf, a commercial acceptable level in local markets. Cost of such a control program is $0.38 (US) per single-stemmed poinsettia, a cost competitive with wet spray applications of pesticides. The work has been done at three levels: laboratory, small greenhouse and commercial greenhouse. Roy has been responsible for the commercial greenhouse-level work.

Western flower thrips. Roy has two projects on biological control of western flower thrips: (1) sterilizing nematodes and (2) pollen and phytoseiids.

The nematode project (on Thripinema nicklewoodi) is in cooperation with Kevin Heinz and is being conducted by a PhD student, Un Taek Lim. It has as its objective study of the basic biology and host-parasite interactions, and study of the efficacy of transmission in crops.

The mite/pollen project is just recently funded and will begin in the spring of 2000 and will consider 8 species of phytoseiids, with and without augmentative pollen applications, for control of western flower thrips in bedding plant flowers (impatiens).

In addition, Roy is participating in the development of new text on biological control in greenhouse, together with Heinz and Parrella, to be published in 2000 by Ball.