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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
Regional IPM Grants (S-RIPM) |
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Project Title:
Developing Tools for Integrated Pest Management of an Exotic White Grub in Sweetpotato |
Project Directors (PDs):
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Lead State: NC Lead Organization: NC State University |
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Cooperating State(s):
New York, South Carolina |
| Research Funding: $142,081 |
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Start Date: Jun-01-2009 End Date: May-31-2012 |
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Pests Involved: white grub |
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Site/Commodity: sweetpotato |
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Summary:
Over 80% of annual sweetpotato production in the US occurs in the southern region, and North Carolina is the nations leading producer of the crop. Plectris aliena is an exotic white grub species that has caused significant economic loss to sweetpotato (estimated by growers to exceed $3 million) in North Carolina in the past three years. The rise in the importance of P. aliena in North Carolina sweetpotato is unexplained, and the potential of this pest to expand its range into other important production areas is unknown. There are currently no effective tools for managing this insect, and it poses a considerable threat to the sweetpotato industry. Only limited research has been conducted on this insect; therefore, this project will focus on providing relevant biological information that will be used to develop control strategies. Without a thorough understanding of P. aliena biology leading to effective management strategies, sweetpotato production in North Carolina, and possibly the entire Southern US, could be in peril. The goal of this project is to develop monitoring tools and effective, economically and environmentally sustainable management strategies for P. aliena.
Objectives: 1) Isolate and identify the sex pheromone of P. aliena; 2a) Develop a monitoring tool based on the sex pheromone; 2b) Use pheromone based monitoring tool to determine the geographic distribution of the insect and track population movement; 3) Identify cultural and environmental factors that contribute to P. aliena damage in sweetpotato; 4) Expand knowledge of P. alienas life-cycle in the Southern US; 5) Develop and evaluate the efficacy of cultural and chemical control options that are based on new knowledge of Plectris aliena biology. The proposed project addresses the IPM Road Map focus area of production agriculture. The project will provide the knowledge base needed to develop novel tools for the implementation of integrated pest management for an exotic and highly destructive pest of sweetpotato. |
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Final Report: |
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Results From report submitted by the PI to USDA CRIS report system PROGRESS: 2010/07 TO 2011/07 OUTPUTS: Laboratory and field experiments designed to improve understanding of the biology of Plectris aliena continued in 2010 and 2011. Studies evaluated cold tolerance, oviposition biology, adult emergence and mating biology, and geographic distribution. Putative sex pheromones were identified from field collected virgin females; assays to determine biological activity are ongoing. Additional studies evaluated the efficacy of conventional and biological insecticides against the grub stage of the pest in commercial field trials. Research findings were presented to international and regional scientific communities through oral paper presentations at the annual meeting of the South Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America (San Juan, Puerto Rico) and the Society of Invertebrate Pathology (Halifax, Nova Scotia) and a poster presentation at the annual meeting of the North Carolina Entomological Society (Raleigh, NC). Knowledge developed during the first two years of research was disseminated to growers through a presentation at the North Carolina State Sweetpotato Field Day in Clinton, NC in the fall of 2010. Updates on current Plectris aliena research and management options were provided to growers at a regional sweetpotato grower meeting in Wilson County and to growers in the affected area of Columbus County in the winter of 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Project director M.R. Abney (NC State University) was responsible for the organization of field and laboratory studies including those with project collaborators during the reporting period. J.C. Chong (Clemson University) directed studies conducted in South Carolina including collection of adult Plectris aliena in light and flight intercept traps. J.P. Smith (Clemson University) provided support for work conducted in South Carolina during the reporting period. C.E. Linn (Cornell University) directed work to collect and identify the sex pheromone of Plectris aliena. P. Robbins (USDA-ARS) collaborated with C.E. Linn and conducted field and laboratory research on the pheromone of P. aliena. North Carolina State University graduate student Nancy Brill conducted field and laboratory experiments to study a number of aspects of P. aliena biology. She also attended one regional and one international research conference where she presented her research; Ms. Brill made presentations to growers at three extension related events. TARGET AUDIENCES: Extension and outreach activities outlined previously were designed to reach sweetpotato growers in the area of North Carolina affected by Plectris aliena as well as growers across the state who have not yet been impacted by this pest. Multiple segments of the sweetpotato industry were addressed including growers, processors, and packers/shippers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project. IMPACT: 2010/07 TO 2011/07 To date, our studies have led to a increased understanding of the biology and ecology of P. aliena in the North Carolina sweetpotato production system. The minimum temperature threshold for overwintering larvae was established. These results show that the climate in most of North Carolina is favorable for successful overwintering of Plectris grubs in the soil. Studies defining the geographic distribution of the insect provided growers with important information needed to make decisions about where to plant sweetpotato to reduce the risk of infestation. No effective control strategy for the grub has been developed, but our evaluation of various insecticide chemistries led to the adoption by growers of the most effective product thus reducing the environmental and economic impact of ineffective insecticide applications. |
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Outcomes N/A |
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Impacts From report submitted by the PI to USDA CRIS report system To date, our studies have led to a increased understanding of the biology and ecology of P. aliena in the North Carolina sweetpotato production system. The minimum temperature threshold for overwintering larvae was established. These results show that the climate in most of North Carolina is favorable for successful overwintering of Plectris grubs in the soil. Studies defining the geographic distribution of the insect provided growers with important information needed to make decisions about where to plant sweetpotato to reduce the risk of infestation. No effective control strategy for the grub has been developed, but our evaluation of various insecticide chemistries led to the adoption by growers of the most effective product thus reducing the environmental and economic impact of ineffective insecticide applications |
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