Location: Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research
Project Number: 2040-30400-001-025-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2025
End Date: Mar 31, 2026
Objective:
1) Develop the science and technology to conduct classical biological control in Hawaii and show proof of concept for mass rearing and possible augmentation of approved biological control agents.
2) Reduce CBB numbers in infested areas in Hawaii using classical and augmentation biological control, which will reduce the likelihood of pest damage and crop loss.
3) Integrate biological control with other IPM technologies for CBB control in all cropping zones.
Approach:
Successfully establish and maintain a laboratory colony of CBB: CBB will be mass-reared on artificial diet at ARS-PBARC and University of Hawaii at Manoa. Beetles will initially be reared in small containers, and later moved into an effective mass rearing system based on the Cenicafé rearing methods. Strict sanitation procedures will be applied to ensure that pathogen-free colonies are maintained for P. coffea rearing.
Establish a laboratory colony of Phymastichus coffea in Hawaii: Permits have been issued by USDA-APHIS and Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) for importation and release of P. coffea in Hawaii. Two generations of the wasps will be reared in quarantine (likely both HDOA and USDA Forest Service facilities), on CBB from the mass rearing colonies described above. After evaluation in quarantine for contaminants, P. coffea will be transferred to the laboratory at ARS-PBARC and UH Manoa and system for mass rearing and release will be optimized.
Plan and design field releases of Phymastichus coffea on Hawaiian commercial coffee farms: We will attempt to make initial releases on two selected coffee farms on Oahu and Hawaii island by early 2025. These releases will be made to determine whether late-season establishment can be achieved. The goal is to release 10,000 wasps at each location if possible.