Conclusion

After three years of survey, CLB has been detected in a total of nine Washington counties. Cereal leaf beetle will most likely continue to expand its range in Washington State. This spread will probably be facilitated both by natural and human-aided movement. The state-wide detection survey will continue in 2002 targeting those counties not yet surveyed. Repeat surveys of previous detection sites will attempt to monitor known CLB populations and to identify new colonies that may have established. Supplemental releases of the biological control agent Tetrastichus julis are planned for the Nine Mile falls field insectary. The WSDA intends to set up additional field insectaries for the propagation of this and other species of biocontrol agents. The WSDA will continue cooperative work with growers, the USDA, WSU, and other western cooperators to study the distribution, biology, and natural enemies of the pest.

Summary of Activity, 1999-2001

Detection Survey (See Figure A)

• Current positive counties reported (total number of positive sites):
  Adams(2), Clark (3), Columbia (1), Franklin (1), Grant (2), Lincoln (3), Pend Oreille (2), Spokane (11), Stevens (4).

Biological control

• Implementation of "conservation strip" strategy at the Nine Mile Falls field insectary, to encourage establishment of Tetrastichus julis for control of CLB.
• Release of approximately 7700 parasitized CLB larvae at field insectary in 2001. Based on % parasitism, an estimated 9435 T. julis larvae were introduced. Total estimated number of T. julis introduced to insectary during both years: 10,135 larvae or adults.
  

Acknowledgements

Thanks to many cooperators for their assistance in survey and biocontrol activities, including: Dr. Jay Karren, Laura Bennett, Steve Keller, Bethany Merrell, Barbara Weber (Utah State University, Logan); Dave Prokrym and Ruthann Berry (USDA-APHIS-PPQ Niles Biological Control Laboratory, Niles, MI); Gary Adams, Craig Thomson and staff (USDA-APHIS, Montana), and Terry Miller and staff (WSU-NWBIQ, Pullman); Brad White (WSDA), George Bruno, Larry Skillestad, and Deborah Jepson (USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Spokane), and Gary Brown (USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Portland); Diana Roberts (WSU-Coop. Ext.), Dave Bragg (WSU-Coop. Ext.), and members of the CLB working group for ongoing guidance in survey methodology, training and public outreach. The authors would like to express special appreciation to Kit and Rob Cutler for collaboration in the establishment and management of the field insectary site.

Literature Cited

Bai, B. B., R.A. Worth, Kathleen J.R. Johnson, and Gary Brown. 2002. Detection Survey and Population Monitoring of Cereal Leaf Beetle in Oregon, 2001. Proceedings 61st Annual Pacific Northwest Insect Management Conference, Portland, Oregon.

Gage, S. H., and D. L. Haynes. 1975. Emergence under natural and manipulated conditions of Tetrastichus julis, an introduced larval parasite of the cereal leaf beetle, with reference to regional population management. Environ. Entomol. 4: 425-434.

Hitchcox, M., M. Klaus, C. Campbell, M. Gould, and S. Miller. 2000. Cereal leaf beetle survey and biological control activities in Washington State 2000. 2000 Entomology Project Report - WSDA Pub. 044. Laboratory Services Division, Pest Program, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Olympia, Washington.

Klaus, M. W., C. Campbell and S. Miller. 1999. Cereal leaf beetle survey in Washington State. Research abstract for the 59th Annual Pacific Northwest Insect Management Conference, Portland, Oregon. p. 47.

Klaus, M. W. 1992. Pest Risk Assessment on cereal leaf beetle (CLB), Washington State Department of Agriculture- Lab Services Division - Entomology Program.

NAPIS. 2001. http//www.ceris.purdue.edu/NAPIS/pests/clb/index.html.

Stehr, F. W. 1970. Establishment in the United States of Tetrastichus julis a larval parasite of the cereal leaf beetle. J. Econ. Entomol. 63: 1968-1969.

Distribution / Content Note
This report on the Washington State survey of Oulema melanopus (L.) and related biocontrol activity (WSDA PUB 068 (N/2/02) is provided as a public resource. This entire report, as well as individual graphic images, may be freely copied, distributed, and used in electronic and printed format as long as they are not modified for content or used for commercial purposes. Inquiries regarding the availability of this publication in an alternate format should be directed to the WSDA Receptionist at (360) 902-1976 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (360) 902-1996.
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This project was a cooperative effort of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State University and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Funding for field staff was provided in part from the USDA APHIS Western Region through cooperative agreement 00-8553-0249-CA for participation in the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS).

Project Results | Figure A CLB Distribution Map

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