Location: Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory
Project Number: 8042-22000-315-007-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 15, 2019
End Date: Nov 30, 2022
Objective:
To (1) test the effectiveness of aggregation pheromones and/or natural enemies suppression of stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs, for protection of commercial vegetable crops in different regions of the state, using traps, trap crops, and/or bait (attract and kill) tactics; (2) test the effectiveness of aggregation pheromones for trapping and/or bait (attract and kill) tactics for chrysomelid leaf beetles such as crucifer flea beetles, spotted and striped cucumber beetles and Colorado potato beetles, in different regions of the state; (3) evaluate other tactics for commercial vegetable crop pest management, which incorporate discoveries of pheromones and other attractants, and enhancement of natural enemies for pest suppression.
Approach:
ARS will provide expertise on response of stink bugs and leaf beetles to specific pheromone lures and other volatile attractants, and provide experimental lures for stink bugs and leaf beetles, based on ongoing research and novel chemical syntheses within the Beltsville Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory. The COOPERATOR will provide expertise and experimental designs for testing the lures for monitoring and management of pests in commercial settings realistic for cole and cucurbit other vegetable crops in the Southeast which are host plants of various stink bugs, leaf-footed bugs, and leaf beetles.
