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Author: Sisson, Melissa
Email: sisson@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-2503
Organization: Institute for the Study of Invasive Species
Address:
PO Box 2506,
Huntsville ,
TX ,
77341
Abstract Title: EARLY DETECTION AND THE RAPID RESPONSE TO NATURAL AND DOMESTIC BLUEBERRY PLANT PESTS (DROSOPHILA SUZUKII AND RHAGOLETIS MENDAX) IN TEXAS. Melissa S. Sisson*, Autumn J. Smith-Herron, Institute for the Study of Invasive Species, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, and Jerry L. Cook, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX.
Abstract Text: In Texas, the annual cash receipts for fruit and nut crops has been on a steady decline since 2010, due to a lack of monitoring programs in Texas it is hard to determine if this decline is being caused by pests, drought, or a combination of the two. Drosophila suzukii, commonly referred to as the spotted wing Drosophila, is an invasive species that was first detected in California in 2008 and has quickly spread to at least 15 other states including a single county in East Texas. Drosophila suzukii has a broad host breadth, it also reproduces rapidly (10 – 14 generations per year), and has a high degree of fecundity and temperature tolerance. The probability that this is a recent introduction increases the need for surveys to provide a rapid response to lessen its potential spread to blueberries & other crops. Much like the spotted wing Drosophila, the blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax) causes yield loss by mechanical damage to the fruit followed by pathological disease. The blueberry maggot is native, it is rapidly becoming a major economic pest of concern for the eastern/southeastern regions of the United States, very little published literature on this species exists, and since it is the main fruit attacking pest of blueberries in Texas, baseline surveys and management plans are essential. This research will advance the concepts of early detection and rapid response while promoting public teaching workshops and broadening the participation of growers and citizens in protecting economically important crops against native and invasive pest species, while maintaining landscape integrity. This project involves baseline survey results for two important pest species of Texas crops, molecular analysis of the pest (and any pathogen associated with host pests), and the development of timely management plans for growers, citizens, and stakeholders.
Conference
Year: TIPPC_2014
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Presenter Type (Student or Regular): Regular
Session: 1. Leadership and Coordination
Submission Date: 2014-01-02
