Project Number: 6631-22000-004-05
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2004
End Date: Aug 31, 2009

Objective:
Both parties have an interest in the identification of semiochemicals for use in development of new biologically-based insect control methods as components for integrated pest management programs needed for exotic pest insects that pose a threat to U.S. agriculture. Germplasm located at the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station is being evaluated for presence of chemicals that may be attractant, repellent, or toxic to insect pest species. For example, alpha-copene, which is a potent fruit fly attractant, has been identified from ficus trees, of which there are a number of varieties located at SHRS. Thus, is ongoing research to identify plant-derived chemicals from tropical and subtropical germplasm that may be attractant, repellent, or toxic to invasive pest insects, including wood-feeding insects. The collaborator has expertise in wood-feeding insects including subterranean termites that occur in Florida and has trained personnel familiar with techniques used to obtain and rear wood-feeding insects as well as bioassay methods needed to test antifeedant properties of identified plant-derived chemicals against these insects.

Approach:
The cooperator at the University of Florida will conduct research on the attractant, repellent and toxic effects of plant chemicals that have been identified by ARS scientists from tropical and subtropical trees that grow in south Florida. The cooperator will determine the primary wood-feeding insects to target and will field collect and/or rear insects needed for this research. The research will include laboratory bioassays and field tests of these chemicals, development of methods to deliver the chemicals to the target insect, and combination of biological-based control measures using these chemicals with integrated pest management techniques used for these insect pests.