Support research on biological control of invasive landscape insects, our overarching goal is to support methods development work on exotic invasive forest and landscape pests

This $248,718 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 on biological control methods for invasive insects threatening forests and landscapes.

Specifically, the University of Rhode Island (URI) Research Office will: 1) Conduct host specificity testing of parasitoids for the control of the Spotted Lanternfly; 2) Maintain a collection of priority non-target species and conduct host range tests for biological control agents of the invasive Roseau Cane Scale; and 3) Support improvements to insect rearing systems for the Spotted Lanternfly, Box Tree Moth, and Asian Longhorned Beetle. This work aims to develop and enhance effective biological control strategies for these destructive invasive pests. The award period runs from May 15, 2024 to April 30, 2025.

The spotted lanternfly, roseau cane scale, emerald ASH borer, box tree moth, and asian longhorned beetle are all destructive pests, and the development or improvement of biological controls is desirable. More specifically, to support research on SLF biological control, we will rear potential nontarget insects for host specificity testing of spotted lanternfly parasitoids. We will continue to maintain lab colonies of non-target species for use in host-range studies for the nymphal parasitoid, dryinus sinicus. Nymphs of non-target species will be collected from the colonies and sent to the fpml as needed for no-choice host range tests. Choice tests and behavioral assays will also be conducted when initial no-choice tests show some development of the parasitoid to determine the ecological rather than physiological risk these species might incur. For roseau cane scale biocontrol research, we will maintain a list of priority non-target species to be used to conduc t host range tests with candidate biological agents for the management of invasive roseau cane scale and to continue collecting and rearing these selected non-target species. And lastly to support improvements to priority insect rearing, we will continue studies on SLF EGG hatch from traps, conduct BTM artificial diet studies for rearing systems development, and assist with rearing ALB.