Mites, an Untapped Biocontrol Option?

Predatory mites for biocontrol in greenhouses by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

A new book, "Prospects for Biological Control of Plant Feeding Mites and Other Harmful Organisms," explores the history of and novel options for introducing mites to control invasive insects.  While earlier work was very narrowly focused on a few species of mites on a few introduced species, contributors to this book documented how many more mite species can be effectively used for more pest control options.

Check out the book!

Prospects for Biological Control of Plant Feeding Mites and Other Harmful Organisms

Colorado Releases Biocontrol Agent for Emerald Ash Borer

Oobius agrili is an egg parasitoid wasp native to Asia, the same region as the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).  The wasp seeks out and lays their eggs in the borers eggs and when the wasp larva hatch, they eat the unhatched borer eggs.  The wasps have been studied and have not been found to affect other, native borers in North America; they specifically seek out emerald ash borer eggs.  The wasps have been released in several northeastern states and have now been released in Colorado.

Oobius agrili parasitizing an emerald ash borer egg on an ash tree by Houping Liu, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org

Source Article: Colorado Hopes This Asian Wasp Can Save its Trees
Emerald Ash Borer Bugwood Wiki: Agrilus planipennis
Oobius agrili Images: Oobius agrili
Emerald Ash Borer Distribution Maps: Agrilus planipennis

More Articles:
The invasive emerald ash borer has killed millions of trees, but researchers hope a wasp can save some of the survivors

Biological Control of Emerald Ash Borer

OOBIUS AGRILI (HYMENTOPTERA: ENCYRTIDAE), A SOLITARY EGG PARASITOID OF EMERALD ASH BORER FROM CHINA

Development of methods for the field evaluation of Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in North America, a newly introduced egg parasitoid of the emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Experimental Biocontrol Agent Released for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

While the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) was introduced to the western U.S. in the 1920s, DNA evidence indicates that the population in the eastern U.S. came from eastern Asia.  The western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) are resistant to their population of adelgid due to the trees similarities to native asian hemlock, but the eastern (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina (Tsuga caroliniana) hemlocks are more susceptible and can be killed by the infestation.

hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) by Lorraine Graney, Bartlett Tree Experts, Bugwood.org

Researchers found flies native to the western U.S. which are attacking and eating the adelgid.  After ten years of research, the silver flies (Leucopis piniperda and L. argenticollis) were gathered from Washington and released on May 12 in Tennessee and on June 5 in New York under a permit from the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service.  Most of the flies are confined to infested branches covered by bags, but there are open releases.  While the flies are unlikely to eradicate the adelgids, they may reduce the overall population.

Source Article: Flies released to attack hemlock-killing pest
Hemlock woolly adelgid images: Adelges tsugae Images
Hemlock woolly adelgid Wiki article: Adelges tsugae Wiki
Hemlock woolly adelgid map: Adelges tsugae map
Don't Move Firewood: Adelges tsugae