Project Number: 1926-22000-013-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Mar 12, 2003
End Date: Aug 31, 2005

Objective:
(1) Determine the behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary bases for host specificity of insects parasitoids and herbivores being introduced for biological control.(2) Determine the usefulness of site matching for predicting establishment and growth of introduced populations of insects.(3) Screen candidates for biocontrol introductions, based on host specificity, site matching, and other behavioral, ecological, and genetic factors. Introduce the most promising species and evaluate their impact on target and non-target species.

Approach:
(1) For Aphelinus spp. and Heliothis spp., conduct crosses, measure host use, mating behavior, and morphology, map genes involved in these traits, develop molecular phylogenies of sibling species with different patterns of host use. (2) Develop statistical models to match sites among different geographical regions. For Aphelinus spp., determine genetic basis of differences in temperature/humidity tolerances among populations/species. (3) For parasitoids of Aphis glycines and other pests, measure host specificity in laboratory experiments, determine genetic basis of specificity, measure temperature/humidity tolerances. For candidates chosen for release, release in the environment and monitor impacts on target and non-target species using field exclosures, before/after comparisons, and life-table analyses.

Project Team

Hopper, Keith

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Crop Protection & Quarantine (304)

Related Projects

Quarantine and Host Range Testing of Parasitoids for Biological Control of Aphid Glycines    Morphometrics of Sibling Species in the Aphelinus Varipes Complex    Molecular Systematics of Sibling Species in the Aphelinus Varipes Complex    Evolution of Host Range, Courtship, and Morphology in Sibling Species of Parasitoids