HomeMy Public PortalAbout2012 Project Proposal.tifExhibit C
Project Proposal
Catharine Mannion, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
University of Florida, IFAS, Tropical Research and Education Center
18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, FL 33031
cmannion@ufl.edu 305-246-7001 x220
Situation
The Village of Key Biscayne is currently infested with the Rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus
rugioperculatus. This pest was first discovered in 2009 in Miami -Dade County and has been
spreading throughout this and other Florida counties. It feeds on a broad range of host plants which
include palms, woody trees and shrubs and fruits. Damage caused by this pest can include leaf
yellowing, defoliation and plant decline depending on the host plant. This pest also excretes
excessive amounts of honeydew (a clear, sugary, sticky substance) which covers everything in the
vicinity of the infestation which includes other plants, sidewalks, vehicles, statues, patio furniture,
etc. The presence of the honeydew provides a substrate for the growth of black sooty mold which
then will grow wherever there is honeydew. Additionally, the pest produces a white, waxy substance
that also becomes sticky with honeydew and will cover the infested tree and also get on everything in
the area.
Currently, there is heavily reliance on the use of pesticides to manage this pest which can be costly,
labor intensive and environmentally concerning. A long-term, biologically -based management
strategy is needed. Several natural enemies have been identified attacking this pest. Of particular
interest are a predatory beetle, Nephaspis oculota and a wasp parasitoid, Encarsia guodoloupae.
Both of these natural enemies have been found attacking this whitefly but are not commercially
available currently. The beetle is a type of ladybeetle (Coccinellidae) that mainly feeds on whitefly. It
has been established in Florida for more than 25 years and has been used in other places for control
of this type of whitefly. The parasitoid is wide spread and has also been used to control similar
whiteflies. These parasitoids have been commonly used for pest control and will not affect or harm
people or animals.
Objective
1. Enhance the presence of natural enemies to control the Rugose spiraling whitefly through
releases of known natural enemies.
2. Determine the impact of these natural enemies on the whitefly infestation.
Methods
1. Identify 4 sites with whitefly infestation. All sites should have whitefly and two of the sites
should have no pesticide use and two sites have pesticide use.
• No pesticide — natural enemy release
• Pesticide — natural enemy release
• No Pesticide — no natural enemy release
• Pesticide — no natural enemy release
2. Sample each site for the presence of any natural enemies and determine the level of whitefly
infestation
3, Release beetle predators at each site. A release program will be developed in which beetles
will be collected and released from two sources (field -collected and laboratory reared). In
order to implement this project rapidly, the initial releases will be from field -collected beetles.
Collection trips will be conducted weekly from local sites of whitefly infestations. These
beetles will be brought back to the laboratory and held in cages with whitefly to feed on. The
total number of beetles collected each week will be evenly divided and released at the two
identified sites twice monthly depending on the number collected. In addition to the release
of the field -collected beetles, a laboratory colony will be initiated. The laboratory colony will
be used to produce beetles for release. This process will take 2-3 months before there will be
sufficient beetles to release. This process is fairly labor intensive and there are limitations in
the number of beetles that can be produced, however, for this project sufficient numbers of
beetles can be produced.
4. A colony of parasitic wasps will be initiated and released at the selected sites. Wasps will be
released twice monthly. The total number of wasps produced will be divided between the
two sites.
5. Selected trees will be sampled month starting in June (one month after first release). Each
tree will be evaluated for level of infestation and field observation of natural enemies, Six
small branches will be collected from each tree and placed in bags. In the laboratory, leaves
will be examined for live and dead whitefly and presence of natural enemies. Data will be
collected and statistically analyzed.
Note: Once area wide mosquito spraying is started, all efforts will be made to not release natural
enemies within a week of the spraying. Dates on which mosquito spraying occurs will be recorded.
Time Table (2012-2013)
April
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify two field sites to conduct test
Select and mark trees used for sampling at each site
Sample trees for level of infestation and presence of natural enemies
Collect pesticide information for treated site
Begin beetle rearing
May
1.
Field collect beetles
2.
Release of beetles
3.
Continue beetle rearing
4.
Begin rearing parasitic wasps
June
1.
Sample trees for level of infestation
2.
Field collect beetles (twice)
3.
Release of beetles (twice)
4.
Continue beetle rearing
5.
Release parasitic wasps (twice)
July
1.
Sample trees for level of infestation
2.
Field collect beetles (twice)
3.
Release of beetles (twice)
4.
Release laboratory reared beetles (twice)
S.
Release parasitic wasps (twice)
August
1.
Sample trees for level of infestation
2.
Field collect beetles (twice)
3. Release of beetles (twice)
4. Release laboratory reared beetles (twice)
5. Release parasitic wasps (twice)
September
1. Sample trees for level of infestation
2. Field collect beetles (twice)
3. Release of beetles (twice)
4. Release laboratory reared beetles (twice)
5. Release parasitic wasps (twice)
October
1. Sample trees for level of infestation
2. Analysis of date and 6 month report
At this time, it will be determined whether it is necessary to continue the release
of natural enemies, based on the populations present and level of whitefly
infestation.
November
1. Sample trees for level of infestation
December
1. Sample trees for level of infestation
Depending on temperatures and level of whitefly infestation, samples may be
collected every two months from December— March.
January
1. Sample trees for level of infestation
February
1. Sample trees for level of infestation
March
1. Sample trees for level of infestation
April
1. Sample trees for level of infestation
May
1. Sample trees for level of infestation
2. Analysis of data and annual report
Bud et
Labor
6 months
20 hours per week @ $12.00
2.6 % fringe benefits
$6,500
Travel — gas and vehicle maintenance
Travel to/from field sites for insect collection
Travel to/From release sites
$3,000
_ _
General laboratory supplies
$500
Insect collecting and field supplies
$500
Insect rearing supplies (including rearing cages)
$1,500
TOTAL
$12,000