Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. ae a se wen ire, | SOUTHERN INSECT. * MANAGEMENT LABORATORY USDA/ARS 2% iP STONEVILLE, MISSISSIPPI Annual Report on Progress (CY 1993) and Plans (CY 1994) CONTENTS Page SR UO ee a a chee cnadedestnerceqenced 5 ieevilcsiOll otealements ald olall...o natONS V!m s 5 lll. Summary of Research Progress for Calendar Year 1993 A. Narrative SM OUSC we Me nee, teem), Ota! 101.) LI. Niileaey 9 Fin S94 CEE INGI|2E 2 1 s. atone gap aene ered At AEE EE SEP ee ee 31 B. Indicators of Progress 1. Publications (Published, In Press, Accepted) .............. 2 PITIRIVIGITUSCIID Ct tet ete thee st. ee ed, See. PB. 39 0 PAISTET ELIOT capt cc Beech coe 45 eh GAGE RESO) celal ces pee 50 IV. Planned Research for Calendar Year 1994 A. Narrative BME LIOUSC Ee acne eee ree LU, LEE bi “1 aCe ent01 2b sokea ee ec ee Oe Re LE Ae 61 iE INTRODUCTION This report summarizes progress made on various research objectives in 1993 and presents plans for 1994. Many of the results are preliminary and others are being released through established channels. Therefore, this report is not intended for publication and should not be referred to in literature citations. The intent of this report is to give the reader an overview of Southern Insect Management Laboratory (SIML) research activities. These activities (progress and plans) address the laboratory and unit missions (listed on pages 5-8). To accomplish the mission, the Laboratory is divided into one unit at Stoneville (Southern Insect Management Research Unit (SIMRU)) and one unit at Mississippi State (Insect Rearing Research Unit (IRRU)) which is housed in the R. T. Gast Rearing Laboratory. SIML activities are centered around seven research thrusts, which reflect present CRIS work units. These are: C1) Biological and genetic control and area-wide management of crop insect pests, emphasizing Heliothis/Helicoverpa; (2) Population ecology of insect pests for integrated control/management systems; (3) Biology, ecology, behavior, and biological control of plant bugs, cotton aphids, and sweetpotato whitefly; (4) Strategies for managing crop insects, emphasizing the cotton agroecosystem and pesticide effectiveness; (5) Integrated control of pecan pests; (6) Host plant resistance in soybean pests; and (7) Mass propagation technology for the boll weevil and Heliothis/Helicoverpa, and their parasites. The first through sixth areas are researched by the SIMRU and the seventh by the IRRU. This report is divided into four sections: (1) Report on research progress in CY 1993: (2) List of publications including those in press and accepted for publication; (3) Other indicators of progress such as presentations and papers in manuscript; and (4) Plans for CY 1994. In each section, items are arranged by researcher (in alphabetical order of lead scientist; the name of lead scientist and cooperating and/or collaborating researchers are provided for each item). If the reader has questions pertaining to the item, he/she should contact the individual scientist, research leader, or laboratory director. ll. MISSION STATEMENTS AND STAFF SOUTHERN INSECT MANAGEMENT LABORATORY ARS/USDA, Mid South Area Stoneville, Mississippi 38776 Telephone: Comm. 601-686-5231 FTS: 700-497-2231 FAX: 601-686-5421 OFFICE OF LABORATORY DIRECTOR MISSION: The mission of the Southern Insect Management Laboratory is to conduct fundamental research on the biology, ecology, and rearing of field crop and pecan insect pests and their natural enemies; develop innovative biological, genetic, cultural, and chemical methods for suppressing insect pests; and integrate this knowledge into insect management systems, with emphasis on area-wide methods for Heliothis/Helicoverpa. A goal of this laboratory is to develop new and improved insect pest suppression strategies, including improvements in pesticide effectiveness, for population management approaches to improve crop production efficiency. Exotic organisms are received and cleared through the Stoneville Research Quarantine Facility for biological control of insects and weeds. Exotic predators and parasites are released and evaluated for establishment on field crop insect pests. ARS PERSONNEL: D. D. Hardee, Laboratory Director T. G. Burton, Secretary OA L. E. Taylor, Office Automation Assistant W. W. Bryan, Quarantine Officer (on University leave) F. M. Williams, Acting Quarantine Officer G. G. Hartley, Entomologist (Insect Rearing) H. E. Winters, Biological Technician (Insect Rearing) R. L. Ford, Insect Production Worker G. J. Patterson, Insect Production Worker J. D. Warren, Engineering Technician (Shop) SOUTHERN INSECT MANAGEMENT RESEARCH UNIT MISSION: To develop new knowledge on the biology of field crop insects for development of new and improved control principles and to establish fundamental principles for encouraging and using natural enemies more effectively. To develop and integrate insect suppression strategies into field crop and pecan systems that minimize the cost of plant protection, yet are ecologically acceptable. Specifically: 1. Elucidate the efficacy of indigenous predators and parasites, particularly those attacking the bollworm, Helicoverpa zea, and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens. Research and develop methods for augmenting parasite populations in management of insect pests of field crops, particularly use of Microplitis croceipes and other parasitoids for control of Heliothis/Helicoverpa. Develop new knowledge on biology and behavior of Heliothis/Helicoverpa spp., initially emphasizing genetic characterization of Helicoverpa for establishment of a bollworm sterile hybrid and utilization of the Heliothis sterile hybrid and entomopathogenic viruses in area-wide management. Conduct basic biological and ecological research on plant bugs, particularly the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, aphids, particularly the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, and the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemesia tabaci. Develop monitoring and predictive technology through quantitative population ecology for field crop insect pests, particularly bollworm/budworm, tarnished plant bug, and cotton aphid. Assess the role of early season host plants in the buildup of Heliothis/Helicoverpa and tarnished plant bug populations and devise new and innovative tactics for suppressing these populations. Develop chemical/biorational control tactics for use in integrated systems. Develop chemical, biological, and other nonchemical methods for control of insect and mite pests of pecans. Evaluate selections and native pecans for yield and adaptability to the mid-south. Locate, develop, and evaluate soybean cultivars resistant to insects. ARS PERSONNEL: D. D. Hardee, Research Leader, Laboratory Director (Supervisory Research Entomologist) M. R. Bell, Research Entomologist R. W. Hoagland, Biological Technician G. W. Elzen, Research Entomologist L. C. Adams, Biological Technician D. E. Hendricks, Research Entomologist D. W. Hubbard, Biological Technician L. Lambert, Research Entomologist W. L. Solomon, Biological Technician M. L. Laster, Research Entomologist S. B. Ginn, Biological Technician W. P. Scott, Research Entomologist D. A. Adams, Biological Technician M. T. Smith, Research Entomologist M. C. Russell, Biological Technician G. L. Snodgrass, Research Entomologist R. A. Drake, Biological Technician P. G. Tillman, Research Entomologist Vacancy, Biological Technician A. A. Weathersbee, Research Entomologist (Research Associate)