Develop improved management methods for exotic invasive forest and landscape pests

This $406,537 Cooperative Agreement, awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), supports research and development to improve management methods for exotic invasive forest and landscape pests. The key products and services to be delivered under this agreement include:

• Conducting a survey of the invasive Lymantria dispar (Gypsy moth) pest, including developing molecular diagnostic assays to protect domestic states and ports
• Improving rearing methods for the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer to maintain a research colony and study associated parasitoids
• Investigating the genetic diversity and reproductive biology of Eucosmophorus wasps from Taiwan
• Maintaining a colony of the Dryinus sinicus nymphal parasitoid of the Spotted Lanternfly and researching its genetics, biology, lifecycle, and host specificity
• Evaluating the parasitoid species and conducting host range testing of Aprostocetus sp. 7, a key parasitoid of the Roseau Cane Scale

This work aims to provide additional tools and information to the USDA, state officials, property owners, and other stakeholders for managing these invasive forest pests. The agreement performance period is from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

Pests of interest including the invasive lymantria dispar (european and asian subspecies), shot hole borers (euwallacea SPP.), spotted lanternfly, and other exotic insect pests. This agreement also supports research on the invasive roseau cane scale, which is correlated with extensive diebacks of common reed plants in the mississippi delta and of significant concern for both economic and ecological stability as the shipping channels and the extensive delta wetland ecosystem are affected. Planned work includes a survey of invasive lymantria dispar including molecular diagnostic assays to protect domestic states and ports, improve rearing methods of polyphagous shot hole borers so that a colony can be maintained for further research on associated parasitoids, investigate the genetic diversity and reproductive biology of eucosmophorus wasps from taiwan, maintain the colony of dryinus sinicus, a nymphal parasitoid of the SLF, in the insect containment facility and conduct research on the genetics, biology, lifecycle and host specificity of this species, and evaluate their species make up and run host range testing of aprostocetus SP. 7, a key parasitoid of RCS. Upon completion of this work, additional and vital information and tools for managing these forest pests will be available to the USDA, state officials, public and private property owners, and other regional stakeholders. No subawards are included under this award.