Develop molecular diagnostic tools and investigate population genetics of invasive pest insects and their biocontrol agents, which are detailed into five sections

The University of Richmond was awarded a $162,438 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service under the federal Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025). The purpose of this one-year agreement is to develop molecular diagnostic tools and investigate population genetics of invasive pest insects and their biocontrol agents. Specific project tasks include: conducting annual surveys and evaluating batch-processing strategies for spongy moth, determining loss of flight in hybrid progenies between the Asian gypsy moth (AGM) and the European gypsy moth (EGM), developing a qPCR assay to detect egg parasitoids of the spotted lanternfly, conducting annual surveys of Ovavesicula popilliae in Japanese beetle samples, and providing additional molecular identification support for forest and agricultural pests. These efforts aim to protect U.S. agriculture from economically damaging plant and animal pests and diseases.

This agreement involves (1) conducting annual spongy moth survey and evaluate batch-processing strategies, (2) determination of loss of flight in hybrid progenies between AGM and EGM, (3) development of a qpcr assay for detecting EGG parasitoids of spotted lanternfly, (4) conduct annual survey of ovavesicula popilliae in japanese beetle samples, and (5) additional support for molecular identification of forest and agricultural pests. Spongy moth, japanese beetle and spotted lanternfly are invasive pests that cause significant economic and ecological damage to agriculture and natural resources. The stakeholders for this work are broad. There are no subagreements.