The primary purpose of this agreement is to improve an artificial diet-based rearing system for emerald ASH borer (EAB) and the para sitoids being released to control IT

This project supports efforts to rear and release biological control agents to slow the spread and rate of damage caused by EAB. Hundreds of thousands of parasitoid wasps are reared under laboratory conditions at the EAB bioco ntrol rearing facility in brighton, MI and distributed to infested areas for release. Current rearing efforts require live wood and foliage to maintain EAB rearing, which is difficult and costly. Release of biocontrol agents is key to the restoration of ASH trees and maintenance of forest ecosystems across a large portion of the united states. Studies conducted for this agreement aim to increase neonate to late instar larval survival on extruded diet, development of methods for large-scale production of EAB larvae, and successful parasitism of diet-reared EAB larvae. The recipient will provide two technicians (one full-time and one part-time) who will be based at the aphis EAB biocontrol rearing facility in brighton, MI. Activities will include conducting research examining various artificial diets and diet presentation methods. Testing extruded diets that will be produced at the fpml and shipped to brighton for testing. Designing, building and testing prototype parasitoid cages to promote EGG laying on EAB larvae in artificial diet. The principal investigator will, in cooperation with the aphis project manager, provide a detailed project work plan, supervise the technicians, purchase supplies, and write reports. The technicians, project manager, and recipient will have weekly virtual meetings to discuss progress and future planning throughout the project. Deliverables and expected outcomes will be progress towards a diet prese ntation and neonate infestation method that can be used in mass-rearing, a method to increase the number of third and fourth instars produced for parasitoid exposures, progress towards consistent parasitism of EAB larvae reared and exposed in twin-screw extruded diet, and a method to enhance parasitism of diet reared EAB larvae that can be used at the mass rearing facility. Efforts will benefit U.S. State and government agencies who rely on ASH forests, forest health and ASH trees in urban landscapes, tribal communities who utilize ASH tree materials in traditional crafts, as well as the U.S. Public who visit forests containing ASH trees and/or who own ASH trees.