1. Gratiana boliviana Releases in Georgia and Alabama Amy Roda and Stephen Hight USDA APHIS PPQ CPHST USDA ARS CMAVE

2. Goals Establish populations tolerant of northern conditions Establish populations tolerant of northern conditions Create field insectaries to serve as source for other northern locations Create field insectaries to serve as source for other northern locations Develop a method to evaluate the impact of Gratiana boliviana Develop a method to evaluate the impact of Gratiana boliviana Evaluate the impact of Gratiana boliviana Evaluate the impact of Gratiana boliviana

3. Evaluation -1x1 m patch Count all plants Count all plants Measure the five tallest plants Measure the five tallest plants % composition that TSA % composition that TSA Count fruits Count fruits Photo Photo GPS center GPS center

4. Evaluation -100’ Line 2005 # of branches crossing line 2006 added 1 m swath each side line height of plants % TSA of area # fruits & flowers # larvae & adults

5. Kenny’s Site, Coffee Co. AL 2005 2,650 beetles released 2,650 beetles released Transect set – 2 lines with 6 1x1 m patches Transect set – 2 lines with 6 1x1 m patches2006 Beetles survived winter Beetles survived winter 2,350 beetles released 2,350 beetles released2007 Beetles survived winter, located on site edges Beetles survived winter, located on site edges No beetles released No beetles released June 06June 05June 07

6. Kenny’s Site, Coffee Co. AL

7. Brook’s Site, Geneva Co. AL 2005 2,650 beetles released 2,650 beetles released2006 Beetles survived winter despite Beetles survived winter despite cultural practices 2,350 beetles released 2,350 beetles released Transects set – 6 lines Transects set – 6 lines2007 Beetles survived winter, Beetles survived winter, located ca. 100 m from release 1,850 beetles released site edges 1,850 beetles released site edges June 05 June 06

8. Mapleville Site, Chilton Co. AL 2006 3,300 beetles released Aug. 3,300 beetles released Aug. Individual plants measured (height, width, length) Individual plants measured (height, width, length)2007 Beetles survived winter Beetles survived winter 3,000 beetles released 3,000 beetles released Transects set – 4 lines Transects set – 4 lines August 06June 07

9. Herd Farm-Trail Site, Bainbridge, GA 2005 2,600 beetles Decatur Co. 2,600 beetles Decatur Co. Transect lines – only crossings counted Transect lines – only crossings counted 1X1 m patches 1X1 m patches2006 Beetles survived winter/cultural practices Beetles survived winter/cultural practices 1,000 beetles released 1,000 beetles released2007 No beetles found No beetles found No beetles released No beetles released June 05 June 06June 07June 06

10. Herd Farm-Trail Site, Bainbridge, GA

11. Herd Farm-Pond Site, Bainbridge, GA 2006 Site located in Aug Site located in Aug Transects set – 4 lines Transects set – 4 lines 1,000 beetles released 1,000 beetles released2007 Beetles survived Beetles survivedwinter/cattle 5,250 beetles released 5,250 beetles released in surrounding area June 07August 06

12. Late November Site Visits All stages present All stages present Plant die back Plant die back Patches green material Patches green material Chilton Co. AL 11/30/06Chilton Co. 12/1/ 06 Coffee Co. AL 12/1/06 Geneva Co. GA 11/30/06

13. Future Efforts Continue evaluation of sites Continue evaluation of sites Discontinue release of G. boliviana Discontinue release of G. boliviana Determine impact of over-wintering population Determine impact of over-wintering population Release new agents Release new agents Bainbridge site/new sites Bainbridge site/new sites

14. Questions/Discussion When do we consider the beetles to be “established”? When do we consider the beetles to be “established”? TSA plants appear very ephemeral & affected by environmental conditions (drought, farm practice, cows, etc.). How do we measure impact of the beetles? TSA plants appear very ephemeral & affected by environmental conditions (drought, farm practice, cows, etc.). How do we measure impact of the beetles? How do we measure seasonal population changes when plots no longer have TSA? How do we measure seasonal population changes when plots no longer have TSA? Grant: Explore how biological control of a weed that serves as a virus reservoir helps reduce the virus spread to commercial crops. Grant: Explore how biological control of a weed that serves as a virus reservoir helps reduce the virus spread to commercial crops.