Project Number: 6402-22000-041-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 01, 2003
End Date: Aug 31, 2005

Objective:
Development of effective biological control technology for selected pests, including importation and culture of appropriate natural enemies and microbial control agents of insects and development and testing of technology for mass rearing, processing, packaging, distribution, and release of natural enemies of insects and weed pests. Effectve augmentative (classical) biological control strategies for key pests are developed. Production of insects for use in field evaluations in cooperation with other labs.

Approach:
Research and development activities are directed, primarily, at the development of automated mass rearing technologies for important biological control agents, including the development of artificial diets. Agents for study are selected on the basis of the needs of cooperators; the potential for success in the development of mass rearing technology; and the availability of basic rearing procedures, artificial diets, etc. Quality and process control criteria are developed. Techniques for packaging, distribution, and release of biological control agents are developed and tested. Biological control strategies are developed and tested through the mass rearing and field evaluation of the impact of released agents. Field evaluations are conducted with cooperators.