Bureau of Methods Development &
Biological Control

Bureau Chief: Dr. Trevor Smith, Trevor.Smith@freshfromflorida.com
Assistant Bureau Chief: Abbie Jo Fox Abbie.Fox@freshfromflorida.com

Technique Development

Biological Scientist: Amy Howe Amy.Croft@freshfromflorida.com

Project Staff
Robert Ross
Samuel Watson

TD provides technical expertise for and participates in projects for the Bureau of Methods Development & Biological Control and initiatives for the Division of Plant Industry.

This section is dedicated to methods development investigations for the Biological Control Rearing Facility which involves the proposal and development of new methods and measurements for insect rearing and quality control practices. The objective is to improve the rearing procedures while minimizing cost, labor and time.

Responsibility for quality assurance of all raw ingredients for nutritional quality and purity remains a constant part of T & D’s priority. Bioassays are conducted for each diet component used in the rearing facility. This is to ensure that contract specifications are met and to prevent acceptance of ingredients with pesticide contamination or nutritional deficiencies. In addition to quality assurance of current diet ingredients, potential alternate ingredients for insect rearing are continually being explored.

In addition, research projects are conducted that are related to the control of agricultural pest species. These include, but are not limited to, soil drench (replacement for diazinon) and improved fruit fly bait stations for eradication of fruit fly pests and other experimentation as the needs arise.

Alternative Soil Drench Pesticides
Work continues on the testing of alternative materials to replace diazinons a soil drench and the development of effective and appropriate application techniques. This work has become more significant due to the removal of diazinon for all residential uses. Protocols for field testing and prototype field test units have been developed. When preliminary laboratory tests are completed, several promising candidate materials will be field tested.

Genetic Rejuvenation of Lab Reared Caribfly Colony
Introduction of wild Caribfly to the Biological Control Rearing Facility remains a top priority. Laboratory-reared flies tend to become domesticated over time and can change some of their natural abilities such as adult flight response, larval dispersal, sexual behavior, startle response and other attributes. Therefore, work is underway to replace the current laboratory reared flies with new genetic material. During the past year, larvae have been recovered from both loquat and guava fruit, and are currently being reared in the Technique Development laboratory.

Progress of Wild Fly Colony
The wild Caribflies are successfully laying eggs through the oviposition cloth that is located on the side of the cage (see diagram below). The colony is increasing and should be available to replace the current laboratory reared flies in the near future.

Laboratory Soil Drench Protocol set up

Close up of Soil Drench Unit.

Carbfly larvae Collected from Loquat Fruit	Carbfly larvae Collected from Loquat Fruit
Aspiration of Flies	Small Oviposition Cup
Eggs Ready for Collection	Larvae Infested Diet

Other Miscellaneous Projects
The Technique Development section conducts multiple projects and experiments. T & D is dedicated to the improvement of rearing procedures used in the facility. Photographs shown below are examples of some of the current work in progress.

Field testing of GF-120 longevity	Pupae sieved from three pupation mediums (Vermiculite, perlite, and corncob grits)
Yeast Hydrolysate Bioassay	Bait Spray Laboratory Experiment
Irradiated Caribfly release in citrus grove	Irradiated Caribfly release in citrus grove

Photo credits: Abbie Fox-DPI; Suzanne Fraser-DPI

Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner - Richard D. Gaskalla, Director

Bureau of Methods Development & Biological Control

Technique Development

Bureau of Methods Development &
Biological Control