This APHIS grant is for a critical regional biocontrol effort targeting the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in Northwestern North Carolina and the Appalachians. The project aims to accelerate the impact of natural enemies, primarily the predatory beetles Laricobius nigrinus and Scymnus coniferarum. By replicating successful predator control strategies from the Pacific Northwest, the initiative seeks to establish sustainable HWA predator populations in the eastern U.S., allowing hemlock trees to remain healthy. Objectives include monitoring existing L. nigrinus populations, organizing collection and redistribution efforts, establishing new insectary sites across seven counties, and utilizing life history studies to refine strategic beetle releases. Findings will be widely disseminated to enhance HWA management regionally.
Opportunity ID: 181613
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | USDA-GRANTS-070312-001 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Accelerating the Dispersal and Impact of the Predatory beetle Laricobius nigrinus against Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges tsugae in the 7-County High Country Region of Northwestern North Carolina |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Agriculture |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 1 |
| Assistance Listings: | 10.025 — Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 1 |
| Posted Date: | Jul 03, 2012 |
| Last Updated Date: | – |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Aug 02, 2012 |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Aug 02, 2012 |
| Archive Date: | Sep 01, 2012 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $60,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | – |
| Award Floor: | – |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | For-profit industries, Land-Grant Universities, Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and State Governments. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service |
| Description: | This project is meant to serve as a catalyst for part of an ongoing regional biocontrol effort focusing on education, field rearing, collection, and redistribution of Laricobius nigrinus, a specific native natural enemy of the HWA. Including collection and establishment of another HWA predator, Scymnus coniferarum (expected to be permitted for field release in May 2012). In the Pacific Northwest, predators, especially Laricobius nigrinus, and Scymnus coniferarum play a critical role in controlling HWA through high rates of predation, and thus allowing trees to remain healthy while at the same time harboring low levels of HWA predators sustainably. The goal of this effort is to replicate that natural complex of predators in the eastern U.S.APHIS is looking to complete six objectives: 1) Monitor the phenology, host specificity, impact, and spread of Laricobius nigrinus populations through periodic beat sheet sampling at the three oldest release sites in northwestern North Carolina, 2) Organize L. nigrinus beetle collections and training sessions for local redistribution efforts, 3) Travel to Seattle area to collect/ship L. nigrinus back to cooperators in the High Country for immediate field release; 4) Release collected beetles into 7 new insectary sites, one per each county in the High Country of NC,5) Use information gained during life history studies to accelerate and improve strategic releases, establishment, numerical distribution, dispersal, and impact of L. nigrinus as a predator of the hemlock woolly adelgid throughout the southern and central Appalachians and, 6) Disseminate data and technology transfer into the appropriate APHIS/Forest Service HWA database and transmit findings at regionally appropriate meetings and appropriate publications. |
| Link to Additional Information: | APHIS’ Agreements Services Center website |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
Eileen Berke
Management Analyst Phone 301-851-2856 Email:eileen.m.berke@aphis.usda.gov |
Version History
| Version | Modification Description | Updated Date |
|---|---|---|
Related Documents
Folder 181613 Full Announcement-1 -> grant annoucement final.pdf
Packages
| Agency Contact Information: | Eileen Berke Management Analyst Phone 301-851-2856 Email: eileen.m.berke@aphis.usda.gov |
| Who Can Apply: | Organization Applicants |
| Assistance Listing Number | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PKG00130650 | Aug 02, 2012 | View |
Package 1
Mandatory forms
181613 SF424-2.0.pdf
181613 SF424B-1.1.pdf
181613 SF424A-1.0.pdf
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