IPM News and Events Roundup 4/8/2022
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment and funding opportunities and more from the NE IPM Center. If you have IPM-related research, events or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email me at nec2@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived here.
Northeastern IPM Center Upcoming Events:
Job Opportunity: Program Aide, Northeastern IPM Center, Cornell University
Join our team! The Northeastern IPM Center is hiring a program aide. This is an opportunity to have an important impact in many areas of what we do. The position entails a variety of responsibilities ranging from administrative and logistical to assistance with communications and support for our webinars and grant awardees. Applications accepted through April 17.
Northeastern IPM Center Announces 2022 Grant Recipients
The Northeastern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center has announced its grant recipients for 2022.
Most years, the Center announces a list of projects funded through its Partnership Grants Program. This year, funding is also being awarded through the Center’s Pest Management Strategic Plans and Production/Management Profiles Grants Program.
The recording of the recent 2022 Research Update Conference is up and available for listening
The 2022 Northeast IPM Research Update Conference, hosted by the Northeastern IPM Center (NEIPMC), featured updates from active projects funded by the NEIPMC’s Partnership Grants Program and from IPM-related projects funded through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program, USDA-NIFA’s Applied Research and Development Program (ARDP), and Extension Implementation Program (EIP).
Taking a Closer Look: How Strawberry Disease Risk Varies with Microclimates at Canopy Level, Mengjun Hu Presenter, May 4 11am ET
Weather stations in strawberry fields might seem like good sources of highly local environmental data, but this assumes sun, wind, and shade affect an area evenly. There can be microclimate variations at the canopy level, especially when row covers are used for plasticulture strawberry production.
Southern IPM Center April Newsletter is out!
Read about the 2022 grant recipients, International IPM Symposium recap, upcoming events and more.
Numerous species of endemic and invasive pests threaten the productivity of food crops and negatively impact food security and affordability around the world. Synthetic pesticide application is the most common practice for addressing various pests, which frequently leads to pesticide resistance, endangerment of beneficial organisms, residue buildup that harms environmental and human health, and increased yield losses and crop production costs. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies offer a comprehensive solution to address all kinds of pests in an economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially acceptable manner contributing to safe and effective pest suppression. Although numerous scientific publications present the efficacy of various pest control options and their role in an IPM program, there is a dearth of peer-reviewed publications that offer comprehensive solutions for various pests of a crop or a particular pest that attacks multiple crops before or after harvest. We invite original research and review articles that provide system-, pest- or crop-specific comprehensive IPM solutions that can help researchers, educators, students, and agriculture.
USDA-NIFA Update for April 6 week
Read about University of Nebraska Cover Crop course, Last update from NIFA Director Carrie Castile and an acting director appointed. New funding announced for AFRi, webinars, events and LOTS more.
EPA conducts registration review for Spirodiclofen
EPA is conducting its registration review of spirodiclofen pursuant to section 3(g) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Procedural Regulations for Registration Review at 40 CFR part 155, subpart C. Section 3(g) of FIFRA provides, among other things, that the registrations of pesticides are to be reviewed every 15 years. Under FIFRA, a pesticide product may be registered or remain registered only if it meets the statutory standard for registration given in FIFRA section 3(c)(5) (7 U.S.C. 136a(c)(5)). When used in accordance with widespread and commonly recognized practice, the pesticide product must perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on the environment; that is, without any unreasonable risk to man or the environment, or a human dietary risk from residues that result from the use of a pesticide in or on food. Comments accepted through June 6.
Meanwhile Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy is overseeing a cleanup led by six companies whose unplanted seed, sent to AltEn, is the original source of the contamination. The group includes the world’s three largest agrichemical giants: Bayer, Corteva Agriscience, and Syngenta, as well as AgReliant Genetics, Beck’s Superior Hybrids, and Winfield Solutions (owned by Land O’Lakes). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is assisting NDEE and told Civil Eats it is “closely monitoring the situation.” And AltEn faces one lawsuit brought by NDEE and three other lawsuits filed by seed companies seeking reimbursement for the cleanup. Yet the larger question of how pesticide-treated seed is being disposed of by agrichemical companies has gone unanswered, even as an industry-government alliance focused on pesticide safety has convened a task force that includes representatives of the companies to probe disposal problems.
Vermont’s First Tick Survey will accompany the 2022 Spring turkey season
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) are teaming up in a cooperative effort with Vermont hunters to look for the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum), a tick believed to be in Vermont but one that has eluded capture through standard surveillance methods. However, this tick species has been found on turkeys in other northern states. This will be Vermont’s first turkey tick survey.
The Bed Bug Handbook, second edition is now available for purchase
The brand new second edition of the Bed Bug Handbook is now available! Written primarily for professionals…pest control specialists and the managers of hotels, apartments, and other commercial operations susceptible to bed bug infestations…the Bed Bug Handbook is an essential resource for anyone dealing with bed bugs and their control.
Avian Influenza update:
Avian Influenza detected in PA Chester County Bald Eagle
APHIS has posted a completely re-tooled database of confirmed populations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detected in domestic poultry in 24 states as of April 4, 2022. APHIS has posted a completely re-tooled database of confirmed detections in domestic poultry, also containing a map, all of which can be manipulated to present and download information in multiple different formats and according to variable criteria. A map organized by number of birds depopulated, shows the largest outbreaks as follows: Iowa has depopulated over 13.2 million birds at 12 premises, Wisconsin has depopulated over 2.7 million birds at 2 premises, Maryland has depopulated 1.6 birds at 4 premises, Delaware has depopulated 1.5 million birds at three premises, and Nebraska has depopulated over 987,000 birds at 2 premises. Nationwide totals are 118 separate premises/flocks, 72 of which are commercial chickens or turkeys, 46 backyard flocks of mixed species and a total of 22,851,072 birds depopulated.
Invasive Species:
April has been designated Invasive Plant, Pest and Disease Awareness Month by the USDA
This national outreach month is dedicated to highlighting the impact invasive plant pests and diseases have on plant health nationwide and educates Americans about the simple actions they can take to help reduce their spread. Hungry, invasive pests threaten our nation’s food crops, gardens, and natural resources. IPPDAM aims to raise public awareness about the threat, which can devastate livelihoods, food security, and forests.
Research:
Pathogen-mediated natural and manipulated population collapse in an invasive social insect
Tawny crazy ants, an environmentally damaging invasive pest in several countries globally, are spreading in North America. Examining 15 local populations spanning 9 y, we document both the collapse of local populations of this ant in North America and a strong association of collapse with infection by the microsporidian pathogen, Myrmecomorba nylanderiae. Over the observation period, all longitudinally sampled local populations that harbored the pathogen declined, with 62% of these populations disappearing entirely. We test the causality of this relationship by introducing this pathogen into two local populations. Article here.
Historically Inconsistent productivity and respiration fluxes in the global terrestrial carbon cycle
Virginia Tech researchers, in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, have discovered that key parts of the global carbon cycle used to track movement of carbon dioxide in the environment are not correct, which could significantly alter conventional carbon cycle models. The estimate of how much carbon dioxide plants pull from the atmosphere is critical to accurately monitor and predict the amount of climate-changing gasses in the atmosphere. This finding has the potential to change predictions for climate change, though it is unclear at this juncture if the mismatch will result in more or less carbon dioxide being accounted for in the environment. Article here.
A Derived honey bee stock confers resistance to Varroa destructor and associated viral transmission
Pol-line honey bees, a type of Varroa mite resistant honey bee developed by the Agricultural Research Service, are more than twice as likely to survive through the winter than standard honey bees, according to a study published in Scientific Reports. Although ARS developed Pol-line bees in 2014, this study was the first time that they were tested head-to-head alongside standard honey bee stock in commercial apiaries providing pollination services and producing honey. Colonies' ability to survive winter without being treated to control Varroa mites was followed in four states: Mississippi, California, and North and South Dakota. Article here.
Webinars, Seminars, Meetings and more
IR-4 2022 Project Research Symposium: Food Crops, April 12 11:30-3pm ET, virtual
Join IR-4 for their inaugural research symposium on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. During this virtual event, representatives from the IR-4 Project will share research results from Integrated Solutions and Product Performance trials on food crops. Results from these trials are used to identify potential pest management solutions and to support product registration.
Reducing Lead in the Landscape, April 14, 2pm ET
This webinar will provide an overview of the impact of lead on National Park Service wildlife resources, the National Park Service initiative to "Get The Lead Out", and the barriers and policies regarding the adoption of non-lead ammunition for invasive animal and wildlife management in the National Park Service.
Organic 101 webinar, April 15. 12pm ET
New to the organic industry? Join the Organic Trade Industry to learn the basics of what the organic label does (and doesn’t) mean, how it is enforced, and why it is the gold standard for food around the world. Watch our recorded presentation and then join us for a live Q&A for 30 minutes with OTA’s regulatory team.
Same Moth, New Name: Why Lymantria dispar is now the “Spongy Moth”, April 20, 1pm ET
In March, the Entomological Society of America adopted “spongy moth” as the new common name for the species Lymantria dispar (formerly known as “gypsy moth”). The change is the first undertaken via ESA’s Better Common Names Project, which aims to review and replace insect common names that may perpetuate negative ethnic or racial stereotypes. Learn more about why and how “spongy moth” was chosen and how you can help boost adoption of the new name.
Employment Opportunities:
Program Aide, Northeastern IPM Center, Cornell University
Join our team! The Northeastern IPM Center is hiring a program aide. This is an opportunity to have an important impact in many areas of what we do. The position entails a variety of responsibilities ranging from administrative and logistical to assistance with communications and support for our webinars and grant awardees. Applications accepted through April 17.
Executive Director, Organic Materials Review Institute, Eugene, OR
The next Executive Director of OMRI will advance the organization’s growth and impact on the organic movement. Having expanded in Canada and Mexico in recent years, the next Executive Director will ensure sound processes underscore the vital work performed by the organization. This individual will review OMRI’s business model, retain and recruit a high performing staff, and serve as a spokesperson for the organization. Working closely with the Board to implement its strategic vision for OMRI, the Executive Director leads the organizations partnership efforts with other organizations.
Seasonal Pest Survey Technician, Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources, Southborough, MA
The incumbent will play an important role in exotic pest detection in Massachusetts. Primarily, the incumbent will be responsible for installing and servicing insect traps in the field, carrying out insect and plant surveys, and sampling plant material to be tested for plant diseases. This position will require working in a variety of environments including local parks, farms, agricultural fields, groves/orchards, storage sites, nurseries, industrial sites, forests, ports of entry, etc. Incumbent will be responsible for collecting insect and plant specimens and recording data. Some data collection will require the use of GPS, PDAs and data management systems. Work will require extensive travel in Massachusetts. Incumbent will work independently, and as part of a team. Incumbent will interact with stakeholders and performing education and outreach to the public.
Associate Director/Field Research Coordinator, IR-4 Program, UC Davis
The Associate Director/Field Research Coordinator contributes to the leadership of the IR-4 Program, Western Region and coordinates the associated Field Program. Responsible for providing continuing liaison with Cooperative Extension (CE) specialists and advisors, Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) researchers and others within the University of California. The Western Region is comprised of California, Hawaii, Alaska, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon as well as the Pacific Islands. Within the National IR-4 Program, the Western Region conducts over 40% of all field trials in the national IR-4 program. The Field Program encompasses research involving pesticide residue trials, as well as pesticide evaluations for product performance, including Biopesticides and use in food and ornamental crops. Applications accepted through April 15.
Funding Opportunities:
USDA-NIFA The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development (EWD)
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development (EWD) focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. In 2022, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for the AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development program areas to support: professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals; non-formal education that cultivates food and agricultural interest in youth workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges; training of undergraduate students in research and extension; fellowships for predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars; and special workforce development topics. Applications due Oct. 27, 2022.
USDA-NIFA Tribal Colleges Extension Program – Capacity Applications
Tribal Colleges Extension Program - Capacity Applications provides funding to (1) increase Extension program capacity at 1994 Land-Grant Institutions; and (2) address special needs, take advantage of important opportunities, and/or demonstrate long-term sustained benefits of Extension projects at 1994 Land-Grant Institutions. Awards will be made to support one or more of the following Extension base program areas: Agriculture; Community Resources and Economic Development; Family Development and Resource Management; 4-H and Youth Development; Leadership and Volunteer Development; Natural Resources and Environmental Management; and Nutrition, Diet and Health. Applications due June 7.