Location: Pollinator Health in Southern Crop Ecosystems Research
Project Number: 6066-30500-001-020-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 15, 2024
End Date: Aug 14, 2026
Objective:
1. Determine how to prolong the persistence of virulence of Entomo-Pathogenic Nematodes (EPNs) to Small Hive Beetles (SBH), and reduce the frequency of applications needed to ward off infestation of hives from SHB.
2. Test approaches to protect EPNs from desiccation and ultraviolet rays that can render them nonvirulent.
Approach:
In a systems approach involving fundamental and applied components, cooperator will assist ARS in conducting research to develop or enhance microbial control technology for suppression of key insect pests for the purpose of protecting pollinators. The main pests of interest will be the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida). Microbial control will focus on the use of entomopathogenic (insect-killing) nematodes as natural bio-pesticides.
