The first order of new business was to approve the agenda for the 2001 meeting. Next, the participants identified themselves and provided brief statements about their interests in biological control. The chairman distributed key S-303 documents that are available by request: new S-303 Project, project approval memorandum, minutes- Orlando (S-267), S-303 Membership List, S-303 E-Mail Addresses, S-303 Principal Leaders, accomplishment reports format (Appendix D), Guidelines for Multistate Research Activities, Priorities for Multistate Research Activities, 1999 S-267 Accomplishment Report, and S-303 objectives. Norm described the rich history of the project and considerable resources devoted to biological control in the region. This project has been S-192, S-238, S-267 and now S-303, as it has evolved. It began as a classical biological control project to support foreign exploration for natural enemies of arthropod pests and weeds. However, it currently has a strong IPM component with pesticide effects on natural enemies, host specificity evaluations, and conservation and augmentation biological control. Interest in this regional project has never been stronger but we must emphasize collaboration across ecological areas and among states.

The keynote address, "Status of Red Imported Fire Ant Biological Control," was presented by David Oi, USDA-ARS, CMAVE, Gainesville FL. David discussed the current status of various biological control agents for fire ants and indicated that current efforts are focusing on self-sustaining agents. As a result of past adventive introductions, a protozoan, Thelohania solenopsae, is present in populations in Louisiana, Texas and Florida. T. solenopsae has been propagated and released at other sites throughout the southern U.S. The agents currently receiving considerable attention are several species of phorid flies that decapitate fire ant workers. One species has been released and is well-established and spreading naturally from sites in central Florida. This fly also has been released in one or a few sites in most southeastern states. A second phorid species has been approved for release. A proposal to conduct an area-wide biological control program on fire ants is pending. Most southern states also are funding research activities directed at fire ant suppression.

State reports were prepared by the participants and distributed at the meeting (UF, FAMU, GA, KY, LA, NC, TN, USDA-FL, USDA-GA, USDA-TX, VA- available by request). Additionally, participants gave reports on particular projects. Susie Legaspy reported on several projects being conducted by the USDA-ARS at Weslaco, TX. These included evaluation of natural enemies for Florida red scale on citrus and brown citrus aphid, and release of parasitoids for the Mexican stem borer in sugarcane. Raymond Hix described the situation in California with the introduction of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, a vector of Pierce's disease. The sharpshooter and disease have a wide host range but Pierce's disease is particularly devastating to grape plants. Citrus groves harbor the sharpshooter and disease during the winter but neither pest seriously impacts citrus. Sprays to control the sharpshooter in citrus before it moves to vineyards are disrupting natural biological control in citrus orchards. No effective insecticides are available to prevent disease transmission in vineyards. The glassy-winged sharpshooter and Pierce's disease are endemic to the southeastern U.S.. California IPM specialists are interested in introducing parasitoids of the sharpshooter into California from the Southeast and Mexico.

Jerome Grant has ended his term as the S-303 representative to the National Biological Control Institute, Customer Advisory Group. Jerome discussed the duties of the position and asked the group to nominate a replacement. Chris Geden volunteered to be the new representative.

Jim Cuda discussed an increasing problem among biological control specialists, the introduction of entomophagous agents without determining if they will attack and interfere with herbivorous agents. This practice can preclude control of exotic, invasive weeds. He recommended that weed biological control specialists be contacted before an entomophagous agent is introduced to determine if there are any potential conflicts. Posting release announcements on a Web site may help communicate this information. Jim also discussed the issue of contaminating insect agents with Walbachia spp. bacteria.

Matthew Baur discussed the current S-267 Web site . Last year, Matt transferred the site from Stoneville, MS to a server at LSU and changed the cover page to include a color photograph of a coccinelid beetle. The current S-303 Web site provides a list of members, project write-up, annual reports and links to other biological control Web sites. Members can log on and enter a brief summary of their research interests. The group discussed other possible items that could be posted on the site, including a list and photographs of natural enemies. John Ruberson will compile a database on pesticide toxicity trials for natural enemies. He will place this information on the Web site during the next year.

Norm Leppla reviewed the minutes of the 2000 meeting with regard to the re-write of the project. He reviewed the new objectives and discussed their intent. During the year, he prepared and submitted a grant proposal to the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program for the group to survey parasitoids of major pest groups in the South. Unfortunately, the grant was not funded. Norm discussed the importance of more cooperative activities by group members and set the stage for five breakout groups, one to discuss each of the S-303 objectives. After about one hour, each group reported general research and outreach plans for the next year:

Objective 1: Cooperatively survey for, import, and assess natural enemies for invasive pests (classical biological control of insects and weeds) Chris Geden, Leader. Hydrilla verticillata and Diaprepes abbreviatus are primary targets. Parasites for the citrus root weevil will be imported from Puerto Rico. Work will continue on giant salvinia at the USDA, FAMU, USGS and other institutions. New parasites are being tested to control filth flies.

Objective 2: Assess integration of exotic and indigenous natural enemies with current and novel pest management approaches, to improve environmental and economic sustainability (biological control and IPM) John Ruberson, Leader. Emphasis is being placed on pesticide effects on natural enemies. A list serve will be established to facilitate preparation and management of an associated database. The protocols for testing will be standardized.

Objective 3: Evaluate effects of introduced natural enemies on target and non-target organisms (host specificity testing on insects and weeds) Jim Cuda, Leader. Areas of activity include post-release evaluations of natural enemies, adaptation of boll weevil rearing techniques for a weevil that attacks tropical soda apple, more quantitative experimental methods, and natural enemies that adapt to non-target species. Cactoblastis cactorum will be addressed as a possible "black eye" for biological control. Evaluations will continue on the melaleuca weevil, phorids for fire ants and native weevils for purple loosestrife.

Objective 4: Characterize and quantify the impact of indigenous natural enemies on pest and beneficial species (impact evaluation of native organisms on weeds and insects), Susie Legaspy, Leader. Brown citrus aphid control with Lysiphlebus spp., Ageniaspis spp. for citrus leafminer, and glassy-winged sharpshooter biological control are high priorities. Additionally, natural enemy surveys will be conducted, if funded.

Objective 5: Improve colonization and efficacy of natural enemies through habitat manipulation for resident species and improvement of rearing, distribution, and establishment of released exotic or native natural enemies (augmentation and conservation biological control) Glynn Tillman, Leader. Cover crops and reservoirs, such as clover in cotton, will be studied. Nectar sources in sorghum could "trap" Helicoverpa zea. Orius spp. are important predators of thrips. Field tests will be conducted on biological control of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus linearis.

The chair then suggested that the next annual meeting be held in conjunction with the 2002 ESA Southeastern Branch meeting at Little Rock, AR. The participants approved this proposal. Most likely the meeting will be on the Sunday before the branch meeting on March 3, 2002.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM.

Next Meeting Information:

Location & Date: Little Rock, AR, with ESA, SEB meeting, probably March 3, 2002
Officers: Walker Jones (Chair & Local Arrangements), Secretary to be announced.