Research

Mealybug Destroyer: This research is the Ph.D. project of Juliana Garcia. The project is in collaboration with Dr. Cliff Sadof, Department of Entomology, Purdue University. Goals of the research are to define the effects of plant (Coleus) characteristics (plant size and variegation) on the life history parameters and search behaviors of the Mealybug Destroyer, Crytolaemus montrouzieri.

Podisus maculiventris: This research is a long-term/continuing study of the basic biology of the generalist hemipteran predator, Podisus maculiventris. Findings include the description of the life history characteristics of the predator; analyses of predator search strategies in soybeans and potatoes; simulation modeling of predator-prey dynamics; and investigation of the physiologic consequences of life history tradeoffs under low prey inputs.

Efficacy of Natural Enemies in Maize: This is a collaborative research project with the Panamerican School of Agriculture ("Zamorano"), Honduras. The research is the MS project of Luis Cañas and is being conducted in Honduras. The work involves determining the impact of sugar-solutions as an attractant for natural enemies of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in maize.

Foreign Exploration For Natural Enemies of Colorado Patato Beetle: This is a collaborative research project with the Illinois Natural History Survey, Iowa State University and the Panamerican School of Agriculture ("Zamorano"). To date, we have made several collections in western Honduras and found a number of natural enemies. Besides finding known egg and larval parasitoids, exploration has found promising new natural enemies including yet identified larval mites and immature pathogens.

Modeling Predator-Prey Dynamics: This is a project to incorporate our understanding of the biology of Podisus maculiventris into simulation model of predator- prey dynamics. The model is being used to investigate augmentative release strategies against Mexican bean beetle in soybeans. A predator-prey model for Podisus - Colorado Potato beetle in potatoes is under development.

Survey of Natural Enemies in Home Vegetable Gardens: This is a cooperative project with Dr. Rick Foster, Department of Entomology, Purdue University. The goal of the project is to catalog the common natural enemies in home vegetable gardens for future biological control projects in this system.

Publications

Teaching

Workshops

Theories and Applications of Biological Control: This is a cooperative project sponsored by NCR-125 and the LadyBird Committee. The Workshop is taught jointly with Dr. Doug Landis, Department of Entomology, Michigan State University. The 5-day course is offered in alternate years (next course, Summer 1996, @ Purdue) as part of the Midwest Institute of Biological Control. The course covers major theories of biological control, analytical techniques to measure the impact of natural enemies, and the use of natural enemies in a variety of crop systems.

Using Predators in Biological Control: This is a team-taught short course that has been offered in Honduras (1992) and Brazil (1993-95). The course is taught with Dr. Jorge Frana INTA, Rafaela, SF, Argentina and Dr. Gilberto de Moraes EMBRAPA/CNPMA Jaguarina, SP, Brazil. The course is designed to provide a mixture of theory and practice, with each major concept reinforced by practical exercises conducted in the laboratory or the field. The course is planned to be offered in Argentina in 1995 and Brazil in 1997.

Joint Teaching Efforts

Seminar Series: This is a joint seminar series with the University of Illinois. Seminar speakers present a seminar at both institutions. This Fall's speakers include: Dr. Doug Landis, Michigan State University; Dr. John Obrycki, Iowa State University; Dr. Jay Rosenheim, University of California, Davis; Dr. Bernard Roitberg, Simon Frazier University.

Midwest Institute in Biological Control: The Midwest Institute in Biological Control was organized to teach selected aspects of the field of biological control. The Institute offers two intensive one-week short courses in the "Basic Biology of Natural Enemies" (offered in 1995 @ the University of Illinois) and "Theories and Applications of Biological Control"; (to be offered in 1996 @ Purdue). These courses will be taught by experts in the respective fields, and open to students, staff and faculty throughout the region. Cooperating institutions include Purdue, Iowa State University, Illinois Natural History Survey, Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin.

Demonstration Aids

The Robert Meyer Entomophagous Insect Collection is named for Bob Meyer, Purdue's longtime insect diagnostician. The collection has approximately 8,000 specimens of entomophagous insects, representing ca. 65 Families. The collection is used for teaching (ENTM 556, Midwest Institute of Biological Control, etc.), extension (talks to growers, demonstrations at meetings, etc.), and research purposes (deposition of vouchers, catalog of entomophagous insects in home gardens, etc.). Donations to the collection are gratefully accepted.

International Efforts

In-country Research: This is a collaborative research project with the Panamerican School of Agriculture ("Zamorano"), Honduras. The research is the MS project of Luis Cañas and is being conducted in Honduras. The work involves determining the impact of sugar- solutions as an attractant for natural enemies of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in maize.

Foreign Exploration: This is a collaborative research project with the Illinois Natural History Survey, Iowa State University and the Panamerican School of Agriculture ("Zamorano"). To date, we have made several collections in western Honduras and found a number of natural enemies. Besides finding known egg and larval parasitoids, exploration has found promising new natural enemies including yet identified larval mites and immature pathogens.

Collaborative Research: We are currently cooperating with CENARGEN/EMBRAPA, Brazil studying the life system of the Meadow Spittlebug and have had a PhD student (Muaka Toko) conduct research on Cassava green mite at IITA, Benin West Africa.

Collaboration

NCR-125: NCR-125 is the USDA/CREES Midwest Regional Biological Control Working Group. Members include scientists from 12 midwestern Land Grant Universities, USDA/ARS and USDA/APHIS. Current chair is Dr. John Obrycki of Iowa State University.

LadyBird Committee: The LadyBird Committee was formed in 1990 and is named after our esteemed former First Lady "Ladybird Johnson". LadyBird is a sub-committee of NCR-125, the USDA/CSRS Regional Biological Committee. LadyBird has sponsored regional teaching (Midwest Institute of Biological Control), extension (Midwest Extension Workshop in Biological Control) and research (e.g., foreign exploration in Honduras) efforts.

El TOUHY: The el TOUHY Committee was formed in 1993 and is a sub-committee of the LadyBird Committee. El TOUHY helps to coordinate international efforts for midwestern biological specialists. Current efforts include collaborative efforts with the Panamerican School of Agriculture, Honduras and EMBRAPA, Brazil and INTA, Argentina. For the uninitiated, Touhy is a street in Chicago.