IPM News and Events Roundup 6/25/21
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 News:
The June 2021 issue of the Northeastern IPM Center’s newsletter, IPM Insights, is now available online and as a downloadable PDF.
More IPM News:
Maine bans consumer use of Neonicotinoid Insecticides, with some exceptions
Board of Pesticides Control shall prohibit the use of any product containing the active ingredient dinetofuron, clothianidin, imidacloprid or thiamethoxam used for application in outdoor residential landscapes such as on lawn, turf or ornamental vegetation. Article here.
Resistance Management of Arthropod Pests in Greenhouse Production Systems, from K-State Extension
Dr. Raymond Cloyd of Kansas State University just published a new extension paper on insecticide resistance management in greenhouses. Ray included several rotation examples for different pests in this article.
Western drought brings another woe: Voracious grasshoppers
To blunt the grasshoppers’ economic damage, the U.S. Department of Agriculture this week began aerial spraying of the pesticide diflubenzuron to kill grasshopper nymphs before they develop into adults. Approximately 3,000 square miles (7,700 square kilometers) in Montana are expected to be sprayed, roughly twice the size of Rhode Island.
Landscape Message from UMass Amherst
Both the Woody Ornamentals and Insect sections have updated information on disease and insect issues impacting Mass, but also other areas in the northeast. Issues of note include Lophodermium needle cast of pitch pine, Canopy dieback of blue spruce, oak shothole leaf miner, gypsy moth and more.
Chronic Wasting Disease found in a PA deer 5 miles from the NY border
On May 27, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center issued an alert containing this information. And Krysten Schuler, a wildlife disease ecologist with Cornell (and one of the top researchers regarding CWD) stated that the infected deer that was found so close to the NY border will require a thorough investigation to make sure it did not infect wild deer inside NY.
Have you seen wild turkeys wandering through your neighborhood? These American birds were once on the verge of extinction but now can be found foraging for food in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Some people enjoy the sight of a flock of wild turkeys strutting by their house. However, others may consider wild turkeys pests because of the droppings they leave behind, blocking traffic, destructive foraging, or aggressive behavior.
In this week’s PestTalks, by JC Chong, we learn more about using vinegar as an herbicide – the good and the bad, including a link to this study on Evaluating the Effects of Acetic Acid and d-Limonene on four aquatic plants. This is indeed a rabbit whole, ad JC points out, with many things to consider before using this. Stay tuned for another view on this from Mary Centrella, Director of Cornell’s Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP).
Gypsy moth update from Yates County NY extension
Gypsy moths have been an issue in Mass, CT and RI in previous years. They have moved west into NY and Ontario this year. This update from western NY focuses on managing this pest.
Comparative Efficacy and Ecotoxicology of some pesticides
The table below lists many of commonly used pesticides for mites, thrips, aphids and scale & mealybug insects, accompanied by their efficacy against target pests and their potential risk to the environment. Both the efficacy and environmental risk data are represented on a scale. The pesticides are also split up by application and exposure type.
Sweet corn survey on corn earworm
Dr. Kelly Hamby, an associate professor and Extension specialist with the Department of Entomology at University of Maryland, is leading a team of researchers who have developed a survey to prioritize research and extension efforts for improving corn earworm management in sweet corn throughout the Northeast. Your participation in this survey would be appreciated and the results will be used to develop a grant proposal to pursue federal funding to address these needs.
US Beekeepers continue to report high colony loss rates, no clear improvement
Beekeepers across the United States lost 45.5% of their managed honey bee colonies from April 2020 to April 2021, according to preliminary results of the 15th annual nationwide survey conducted by the nonprofit Bee Informed Partnership (BIP). These losses mark the second highest loss rate the survey has recorded since it began in 2006.
The Central Issue, North Central IPM Center Newsletter for June 2021 is here!
Focusing on pollinators, learn about pollinator news, pollinator research and more.
New York state passes pollinator legislation
This legislation, which was introduced at the request of NYS Ag & Markets to strengthen the state’s current Pollinator Protection plan, would modernize state law to reflect modern bee husbandry and create a Cooperative Honeybee Health Improvement Program. The program would include the registration of apiaries at no cost to beekeepers, and provides for annual inspections with prior notice. By requiring the registration of apiaries, NYS Ag & Markets can better stop the spread of disease and other dangers between colonies. Lastly, this legislation will add additional honeybee products to those that qualify a farm for the Agricultural Value Assessment and farm building tax exemptions.
Choosing Pollinator-Friendly Native Plants in Home Gardening or Landscaping
Whether you are interested in improving pollinator resources on your own property, looking for guidance developing a landscaping plan, or trying to determine which native plant species to stock for sale, these curated lists of native, pollinator-friendly container plants and seeds will help you make the right decisions. There are several upcoming webinars of interest here as well.
Invasive Species:
Spotted Lanternfly News:
PA Dept of Ag to canvass spotted Lanternfly quarantine counties
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced that the department’s Spotted Lanternfly Compliance and Enforcement Team will be conducting spotted lanternfly permit and inspection record checks for businesses in Pennsylvania’s 34 counties quarantined for the pest. Canvassing will begin in Blair County in July. Notice will be given as additional counties are added to the schedule.
There’s a new journal focusing on Invasive Insect Species from Frontiers in Insect Science
To date, there has not been a journal fully devoted to all aspects of invasive insect species research, extension and policy. The Frontiers platform, with a quality web presence, is an excellent answer to this need.
‘Crazy’ Ants that kill birds eradicated from Pacific atoll
"This is the first time an invasive ant species has been eradicated on such a large land area in the U.S," said Kate Toniolo, superintendent for the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, in a statement. "To ensure the eradication was successful, the teams have been monitoring, searching, and surveying for yellow crazy ants."
Research:
Statewide Passive Surveillance of Ixodes scapularis and Associated Pathogens of Maine
Collaborative researchers from University of Maine Cooperative Extension present an updated distribution of the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) in Maine and report the first statewide passive surveillance infection and coinfection prevalence of the pathogens Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti within the state's blacklegged tick population.
Massive yet grossly underestimated global costs of invasive insects
Despite the massive human and financial toll of invasive insects, cost estimates of their impacts remain sporadic, spatially incomplete and of questionable quality. Here we compile a comprehensive database of economic costs of invasive insects. Taking all reported goods and service estimates, invasive insects cost a minimum of US$70.0 billion per year globally, while associated health costs exceed US$6.9 billion per year.
This study was conducted to assess (i) the lethal effects of field rates, (ii) the sublethal effects of maximum and half field rates, and (iii) the lethal effects of different routes of exposure of three organic and two conventional insecticides against T. japonicus. Maximum field rates of spinosad and sulfoxaflor resulted in acute lethal toxicity to adult T. japonicus 1 week after residual contact exposure.
Plant Regulatory lists in the United States are reactive and inconsistent
As summer unfolds, more than 500 species of invasive plants will be taking root in fields, lawns, and gardens across the U.S. As plants continue to move north driven by climate change, the number of invasives will only increase. Unfortunately, inconsistent regulations that vary from state to state means that invasive plants have an edge on our attempts to control them. However, new research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently published in the Journal of Applied Ecology suggests that we already have an answer in hand – communication. Article here.
Webinars, Conferences, Meetings and more:
2120 Summer Tree Summit, June 30 12noon ET, $10 fee
Join Dr. Dave Nowak, USDA Forest Service, for this expanded 2-hr presentation-discussion about the state of our urban forests, as he contextualizes current urban forestry research by re-visiting our roots, and highlighting our next discoveries.
Farming with Soil Life Short Course, June 30, 9am-1pm ET
Healthy, living soil and its functions are created and maintained by fungi, bacteria, plants and by invertebrate animals as diverse as annelids, springtails, and firefly larvae, among others. Soil invertebrates are fundamental to soil health and create soil structure, cycle organic matter, consume weed seeds and prey on crop pests. Participants will learn about common soil invertebrates, their ecology and roles in soil health, scouting methods, and management strategies to increase beneficial soil animal populations.
University of Maryland Extension Field Days July 13 & 24,
Two days, two locations, same topic. Registrations required. High tunnels (or hoop houses) are a popular tool used on urban farms to extend the growing season and grow specialty crops. In 2021, UMD Extension will hold hands-on Urban Farmer Field Schools on farms across Baltimore to help urban growers learn best management practices that will enable them to get the most out of their high tunnels
UMass Turf Research Field Day, July 21 8am-1pm ET, fee
Join the in-person UMass Turf Research Field Day to hear about and see research projects in the field, get down to business at the on-site trade show, network with colleagues, and enjoy continental breakfast and a hearty cookout lunch. Turf Field Day is the biennial open house at the picturesque Joseph Troll Turf Research Center in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, and is a rare opportunity to tour the facility in a festive atmosphere.
Employment Opportunities:
Research Insect Pathologist/Entomologist, USDA-ARS, Ithaca, NY
The USDA-ARS Emerging Pests & Pathogens Research Unit in Ithaca, NY on Cornell University’s campus has a new position open for a Research Insect Pathologist/Entomologist. Incumbent is responsible for research on the biology and integrated management of insect pests and insect-vectored diseases. Research will focus on host-pathogen interactions between insects and a variety of agents, and use of the information to develop novel, bio-intensive IPM systems. Applications accepted through June 24
USDA-NIFA has staff positions open
NIFA has career opportunities in a variety of scientific disciplines covering engineering, food science, forestry, education, animal and crop sciences, and many other agriculture-related disciplines. We employ specialists, grants management specialists, accountants, budget analysts, communications professionals, administrative professionals, and other career fields.
Ag Program Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Franklin County
This position will serve as the Agriculture Outreach Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Franklin County and will provide program outreach education to the Franklin County agricultural community. This position will make calls on individuals involved with production agriculture to familiarize individuals with all existing agricultural educational programs and services; refer questions to appropriate specialists within Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County or the state-wide Extension System or to other agencies (i.e. Franklin County Soil and Water, Farm Service Agency, and various financial organizations).
Plant Pathologist, Maryland Dept of Agriculture, Annapolis, MD
To implement scientific and technical programs in the area of plant pathology which support programs intended to safeguard plant health and the quality of plant resources in Maryland. Assist in the enforcement of the Plant Disease Control Law. Applications due July 5.
Invasive Species Technician, part time, CGL Arbor Services, Catskills area, NY
The position requires field work in rough terrain in the Catskills and Hudson Valley treating Invasive Species, primarily Hemlock Wooly Adelgid and Emerald Ash Borer with the possibility of a few optional trips to work in the Finger Lakes. Applicants must be over 18, in good physical condition, and be willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions. Successful applicant must be comfortable with the responsible use of pesticides and will be trained as a NYS Pesticide Applicator Apprentice. Experience with rope work (rock climbing or tree climbing) is a plus but not required. Transportation and meals provided. Please contact Angelo Schembari at angelo@cglarbor or 845-489-0368
Funding Opportunities:
USDA unveils new Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant program
RISE provides grants of up to $2 million to consortiums of local governments, investors, industry, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities in rural areas. The funds may be used to form job accelerator partnerships and create high-wage jobs, start or expand businesses, and support economic growth in the rural areas of their region. Proposlas due Aug 2, 2021.