This agreement will identify the natural enemies associated with the cotton jassid (amrasca biguttula) in south florida for their potential to control this national priority pest

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the University of Florida a $104,448 cooperative agreement on July 15, 2026 to identify natural enemies of the cotton jassid (Amrasca biguttula) in South Florida and assess their potential as biological control agents for this national priority pest.

The recipient will determine the identification, abundance, and population dynamics of natural enemy and cotton jassid populations on preferred host crops—eggplant and okra—and on non-crop plants throughout South Florida. The recipient will collect parasitoids and predators from cotton jassid in the field and conduct laboratory bioassays to measure their attack rates and functional response to different pest life stages, thereby evaluating their efficacy as biological control agents.

Deliverables include identification of natural enemies attacking cotton jassid in South Florida with a summary of their seasonal population dynamics, and a summary of established natural enemy efficacy on cotton jassid with recommendations on their potential as biological control agents. The work benefits growers of cotton, okra, hibiscus, eggplant, and other affected crops. Cotton jassid, which emerged in Puerto Rico in 2022 and spread throughout Florida by 2024, causes severe leaf damage, reduced plant growth, and crop loss, generating substantial economic impacts on stakeholders facing rapidly expanding infestations.

The period of performance runs through July 14, 2027, with place of performance in Florida.

Activities to be performed: the recipient will (1) determine the identification, abundance, and population dynamics of the natural enemy community and cotton jassid associated on the preferred host crops (eggplant, and okra) and on non-crop plants in south florida, and (2) make collections of parasitoids and predators present in the field on cotton jassid and run laboratory bioassays determine their attack rates and functional response to different life stages thereby potential as biological control agents. Deliverables and expected outcomes: expected outcomes include, providing the identification of natural enemies found in south florida attacking cotton jassid and a summary of their population dynamics across the season (OBJ. 1) and a summary of the efficacy of established natural enemies on cotton jassid and recommendations on their potential as biological control agents (OBJ. 2). Intended beneficiary(IES): this work benefits growers of cotton, okra, hibiscus, eggplant, and other affected crops. Cotton jassid is a national priority pest causing severe leaf damage, reduced plant growth, and crop loss. Since emerging in puerto rico in 2022 and spreading throughout florida by 2024, the pest has caused substantial economic impacts; this project supports stakeholders facing rapidly expanding infestations.