Center for Plant Health Science and Technology
CPHST Lab, Otis ANGB, Massachusetts |
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Location: Otis Air National Guard Base Cape Cod, MA |
The CPHST Otis Lab is located on Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts. The lab was established in 1962 to develop survey and control technology supporting APHIS’ efforts to manage the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar). Until the laboratory was established, research on gypsy moth and other target organisms was carried out at various temporary locations.
The Otis Lab mission is to identify, develop, refine, and transfer technology for pest survey, exclusion, control, and risk assessment for APHIS and its cooperators. The laboratory now serves a wide variety of APHIS-PPQ programs, including Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), emerald ash borer (EAB), gypsy moth (GM) and Asian gypsy moth (AGM), Sirex noctilio, Japanese beetle, pine shoot beetle, CAPS, AQI commodity treatments, and emerging pest problems such as the light brown apple moth (LBAM). The laboratory is involved in identifying high risk exotic pests and developing survey technology to facilitate early detection of introductions. In addition, projects are being carried out in support of a risk assessment for Copitarsia and virus production for USDA gypsy moth control programs. Otis Lab scientists work in either teams or individually to support a specific program activity. There are strong cooperative relationships with ARS, the Forest Service, universities, and private industry. The cooperative projects extend to government organizations and universities in a number of offshore locations, such as Russia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, China, Korea, Japan, and Brazil.
The laboratory is housed in a 30,000 sq. ft. brick building and a collection of out-buildings and greenhouses. It is staffed with 14 scientists, 14 technicians, 1 insect production leader, 3 insect production workers, 2 administrative support assistants, 2 computer specialists (one on contract) and 3 facility management and maintenance staff. Within the building, there are nine laboratories, an insect quarantine facility, and an insect rearing facility. In addition to the facility on Otis ANGB, the Otis Laboratory has satellite facilities in Brighton, MI (emerald ash borer); Syracuse, NY (Sirex woodwasp); and Amityville, NY (Asian longhorned beetle).
The Otis Lab is well equipped for entomological and pathological investigations. Equipment includes microscopes, balances, various meters, a GC-EAD set-up, a mass spectrometer, a genetic analysis system capable of gene sequencing, a variety of additional DNA analysis equipment (thermal cyclers, centrifuges, and electrophoresis equipment), electroretinogram systems, flight tunnels, bioassay apparatuses, a gamma irradiator, bench-top and floor-standing sterilizers (autoclaves), a semiochemical library, and a wide variety of field equipment ranging from chain saws to spectral analysis equipment. The Otis Lab is capable of undertaking large-scale investigations of a variety of agricultural and natural-system pests. The quarantine facility houses projects on several very serious plant pests that do not occur or occur in only limited distribution in North America (e.g., Asian gypsy moth, Asian longhorned beetle, Sirex noctilio, emerald ash borer). The insect rearing facility was originally developed to produce large numbers of gypsy moths for pilot sterile insect technique (SIT) releases; however, recently, it is used primarily to rear larvae for the production of nuclear polyhedrosis virus (Gypchek).
Recent Accomplishments
- Discovered that the emerald ash borer (EAB) is resistant to the IPPC standard heat treatment ISPM-15 for wood packing material, which is 56°C for 30 minutes. These results have lead to development of a new heat treating schedule for items which may be infested with EAB. This project will be completed in 2008.
- Supported the light brown apple moth (LBAM) program by leading a technical working group (TWG) and developing and evaluating control treatments, including mating disruption. Work is also underway to develop regulatory treatments for nursery stock and improve the standard lures for pheromone traps. Additional development work is focused on identifying and refining mating disruption treatments.
- Released three exotic EAB parasitoid species in plots in Michigan and discovered a fourth EAB parasite in the Russian Far East. The Otis Lab assisted with plans to develop a parasite production facility and release/evaluation programs. Additional insecticides were tested and proven to be effective to control EAB and work continues to evaluate other pesticides. A trap-lure combination and guidelines for its use were provided to and adopted by the EAB program for survey. Optimization of the trap, the lure, and its deployment continues. The laboratory organized an annual EAB meeting in Pittsburgh, PA, to exchange current research findings within the EAB community. This meeting was followed by a meeting of the EAB Science Panel.
- Continued to carry out DNA analysis of all specimens submitted from the domestic monitoring program and developed new markers and a universal library of Lymantria specimens for Asian gypsy moth research support. Completed a long-term project through the publication “A review of selected species of Lymantria Hübner [1819],” by M. G. Pogue and P. W. Schaefer. Provided technical support for the ongoing Russian Port Monitoring Program and for establishing offshore programs in Korea, Japan, and China.
- Developed new immunoassays for additional alternative insecticides. Provided support in developing an attractant and traps that can be used for Asian longhorned beetle survey. Recent advances in ALB rearing methods include an artificial substrate for oviposition (logs had been used until now).
- Provided pheromone dispensers to support the national CAPS program and to provide technical advice about trap design, placement, non-target captures, and survey strategies. Recently, this included recommendations for surveys for wood borers, Spodoptera spp., brown spruce longhorned beetle (BSLB) and LBAM. In a cooperative effort with the Pennsylvania State University, we are developing remote sensors for detecting or monitoring pest populations. Good progress has been made with automated pest recognition and remote field data reporting components of the project.
- Conducted experimental releases of a Sirex biocontrol agent, the nematode Beddingia siricidicola, in New York and Michigan. Studies to develop the methodology and timing for establishing trap trees for nematode release are yielding results. Studies are also underway to characterize the impact of native natural enemies.
- Evaluated volatiles from Sirex host plants as attractants for traps. Electroantennogram studies have identified several active compounds. The presence of contact pheromone has also been documented and we are exploring uses for it in survey or population management once it is chemically identified. Of note is that, surprisingly, the result of 2006 host tree studies found that stressed white pines yielded as many S. noctilio as artificially stressed Scotch or red pine. White pine, P. strobus, was thought to be a non-host or marginal host for Sirex noctilio. Development of regulatory treatments for pine wood is progressing. We are evaluating fumigation, conventional heat treatment, and radiofrequency “dielectric heating.”