Project Number: 5358-22000-037-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 23, 2011
End Date: Feb 22, 2016

Objective:
Objective 1: Employ semiochemicals to enhance the monitoring and management of Otiorhynchus sulcatus and Drosophila suzukii as well as to manipulate their natural enemies. Objective 2: Develop integrated pest management tools for key pests of ornamental nursery and small fruit crops. Objective 3: Address invasive and reemerging arthropod pests of nursery and small fruit crops.

Approach:
The bionomics and the chemical ecology of economically-important insect pests of nursery and small fruits crops will be studied in the field and under controlled conditions of temperature, humidity, and light in growth chambers and greenhouses. Emphasis will also be placed on understanding the ecology of the microbial control agents of these pests in the laboratory greenhouse and field. Together, the information compiled on the ecology of the pests and their respective microbial control agents will be integrated to begin development of biologically-based pest management programs.