Project Number: 5325-22000-024-03
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 15, 2011
End Date: Aug 31, 2013

Objective:
Newly collected natural enemies will be assessed using molecular genetic methods to assist in accurate taxonomic identification and to ensure that later tracking of the agents is possible.

Approach:
New natural enemies will be collected both from domestic and foreign locations on key invasive weeds including Ludwigia spp., Egeria densa other other potential weeds of importance to California and the Western US. Sample specimens will then be sent to the University of Georgia Griffin Station where they will be characterized using molecular genetic techniques. Results from these molecular assessments will then be shared with USDA-ARS scientists at the Systematic Entomology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD where combined molecular and morphological data will be used to provide proper identification of all specimens.