4: Challenges and opportunities for enhancing biological control of cucumber beetles

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

12:03 PM - 12:18 PM EST

Presenting Author(s)

AH

Anjel Helms

Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

Co-Author(s)

John M. Grunseich

Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
AH

Allison Hay

Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Morgan Thompson

Graduate Student: Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
JA

Jared G. Ali

Penn State University
University Park, Pennsylvania
NA

Natalie Aguirre

Texas A&M University, Texas

Cucurbit growers face a variety of challenges from insect pests and pathogens that often result in lost yield and high pesticide inputs. Striped (Acalymma vittatum) and spotted (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) cucumber beetles are among the most economically devastating pests of cucurbit crops in the United States, as adult beetles feed on foliar and reproductive tissues and can vector lethal bacterial wilt disease (Erwinia tracheiphila), while larvae consume plant roots. Biological control using beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) is one promising strategy for controlling cucumber beetles and improving sustainability in pest management, however, adoption by U.S. producers remains low. Our current research aims to improve EPN-based biocontrol and increase its use for management of cucumber beetles by elucidating the chemically mediated interactions among plants, beetles, and EPNs and revealing additional benefits for plant protection.