Project Number: 6205-32000-034-30
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 01, 2010
End Date: Sep 30, 2013

Objective:
Collaborate with ARS to: develop mass rearing methods for the arundo scale; conduct field releases; investigate the biology and host range of the arundo leafminer, evaluate the field impact of the biological control agents for Arundo donax, giant reed.

Approach:
Mass rearing of the arundo scale will be conducted at greenhouses and field plots at the South Farm in Weslaco, TX that is jointly operated with the Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Citrus Center. Field releases will be conducted in coordination with the Dept. of Homeland Security at multiple locations on the Rio Grande including Del Rio, Laredo and Los Indios, TX. Research on the biology of the leafminer will be conducted at the containment facility operated by USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST at Moore Airbase, Edinburg, TX. Evaluation of field impacts will include application remote sensing with spectroradiometry.