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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
IPM Enhancement Grants |
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Project Title:
Developing wetland monarch conservation habitats for southeastern golf course IPM programs |
Project Directors (PDs):
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Lead State: FL Lead Organization: University of Florida |
| Undesignated Funding: $28,523 |
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Start Date: Mar-01-2019 End Date: Feb-28-2020 |
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Pests Involved: Golf course insect herbivores |
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Site/Commodity: Golf courses/Turf and Ornamentals |
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Area of Emphasis: Conservation biological control and IPM |
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Summary:
Urbanization is a driver of habitat loss in the Southeastern U.S., reducing monarch habitat and abundance in a region where they occur year-round. Golf courses are among the largest managed urban green spaces in the Southeast. However, approximately 40-70% of acreage is out-of-play, but mostly turfgrass. PI Dale has found that creating drought-tolerant wildflower habitat in out-of-play areas conserves pollinators and increases biocontrol of insect pests. The average southeastern golf course contains at least one body of water, which require wetland plant species around them, Therefore, golf course superintendents have requested IPM guidelines for utilizing these spaces for conservation and biological control. However, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines for these habitats. IPM historically promotes plant diversity to reduce specialist herbivores and promote biological control, and we frequently see that increased nutrient content benefits plant-feeding pests. However, since we are trying to conserve an insect herbivore, plant diversity may counteract conservation efforts. Plus, evidence from other studies indicates potential negative effects of nutrient content on monarch survival. Interestingly, plant diversity and nutrients may interact to reduce negative effects of either factor on monarch conservation and lead to recommendations that conserve this threatened insect and promote golf course IPM. Therefore, our overarching goal is to develop evidence-based IPM recommendations that benefit monarchs, pest control, and the golf industry’s environmental and economic impact.
Objectives: Objective 1. Determine if plant diversity and/or nitrogen affect milkweed quality and monarch fitness Objective 2. Determine the effect of plant diversity on monarch conservation and biological control |
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