Project Number: 5347-22620-021-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Nov 04, 2010
End Date: Nov 03, 2015

Objective:
Develop knowledge and control tactics based on the physiology, biochemistry, genetics and vector-pathogen interactions of insect pests. Characterize and exploit interactions among plants, insect pests and natural enemies; investigate the role of arthropod predators and trophic interactions for improved biological control. Characterize flight behavior and dispersal of insect pests and natural enemies; elucidate relationships among landscape structure, pest and natural enemy biology and dispersal behavior. Refine sampling strategies for insect pests and their associated natural enemies; develop and refine economic thresholds for sucking pests in cotton that incorporate biological control potential; support post-eradication detection of pink bollworm populations. Refine insecticide-based management strategies; characterize factors influencing resistance to chemical insecticides and insecticidal proteins in transgenic crops; evaluate insecticide selectivity; support post-eradication pink bollworm resistance monitoring in Bt cotton.

Approach:
Research will build a solid foundation of fundamental tactics for avoiding pest problems and will strengthen prescriptive pest control through refinement of monitoring, decision aids and effective treatment options. Research will explore and exploit the molecular and chemical basis of male-derived factors on female mating inhibition and hormonal factors regulating reproduction and diapause in Lygus. hesperus, the molecular basis of water channel proteins in Bemisia tabaci, the impact of plant virus and plant allelochemical mediated changes on B. tabaci fitness and insecticide resistance, respectively, and the molecular basis of Bt resistance in Pectinophora gossypiella. Further research will exploit semiochemicals and tri-trophic interactions for enhanced biological control, and identify insect and plant based semiochemicals enabling mating disruption and improved monitoring of B. tabaci and L. hesperus. Flight behavior and inter- and intra-crop dispersal of L. hesperus, and source-sink relationships for arthropod predators inhabiting the agro-ecosystem will be quantified, facilitating IPM at the landscape scale. Selective insecticides and improved decision aids that account for natural enemy abundance will be evaluated and developed for B. tabaci in cotton. Research will further support P. gossypiella post-eradication efforts through refinement of pheromone-based monitoring systems and detection of resistance to Bt cotton. Replaces 5347-22620-017-00D, 5347-22620-018-00D and 5347-22620-020-00D (10/10).