OVERVIEW

With the introduction of pine shoot beetle and Asian longhorned beetle in the midwest, and the continuing progression of the gypsy moth, the Midwest faces some serious challenges for biological control. Issues include: a) the perceived and real threat of the introduced pest, b) the impact of these pests and/or introduced natural enemies on native insect fauna, c) anticipatory biological control, d) emergence of fraudulent biological control "operators," e) coping with temporary successes, as in Entomophaga maimaiga and gypsy moth, and f) reducing stream of introductions. The following symposium was developed by members of the North Central Regional research project, Biological Control of Insect Pests, NCR-125.

Symposium:

Introduction: Cliff Sadof, Deb McCullough

Diversity of native natural enemies of pine shoot beetle and their potential impact on biological control. D. G. McCullough, Dept. of Entomology and Dept. of Forestry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Compatibility of biological control of pine shoot beetle with cultural practices in Christmas tree plantations, nurseries and landscapes. C. S. Sadof, Dept. of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Asian longhorn beetle: The threat to North American forests and the potential for classical biological control. T. Poland, R. Haack, USDA-FS, East Lansing, MI

Factors contributing to successful biological control of Eucalyptus borer in California. L. M. Hanks, Dept. Entomology, Univ. of Illinois, Champain-Urbana, IL; T.D. Paine and J.G. Millar , Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Calif. Riverside, CA

Factors contributing to composition of gypsy moth natural enemies in resident and newly established North American forests. W. Kauffman, USDA-PPQ, Niles, MI.

What role does Entomophaga maimaiga play in gypsy moth population dynamics? J. Elkinton. Dept. Entomology. Univerisity of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

What to do about the tonnage of dunnage? A regulatory perspective on the flow of pests into North America. R.D. Waltz, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indianapolis, IN

Invasion biology and risk associated with establishing new pests and natural enemies. R. C. Venette, Dept. of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

For more information, contact Dr. Cliff Sadof (765-494-5983); cliff_sadof@entm.purdue.edu