Scientists take action against 'highly destructive' invasive species hurting Kansas farmers
MANHATTAN (KSNT) - Scientists in Kansas are working with federal partners to curb the spread of two invasive insects causing headaches for the state's farmers.
Kansas State University announced on Oct. 14 that it has launched a new project in association with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve biosecurity against the khapra beetle and the larger grain borer. Both of these invasive insects target grain after the harvest, making them a problem for Kansas farmers.
K-State will lead a nearly $800,000 project funded by the USDA to seek out ways to control the spread of these insects. While the larger grain borer has made its way to Kansas from south and central America, the khapra beetle has spread through international trade.
“There are very few invasive or quarantine stored product insects,” said Rob Morrison, a research entomologist with the USDA’s Agriculture Research Service Center for Grain and Animal Health Research in Manhattan. “However, khapra beetle and larger grain borer are two species that are considered quarantined, or species-of-concern. They are both highly destructive; larger grain borer feeds mostly on corn and cassava, while khapra beetle is much less discriminate.”
Scientists with the university aim to upgrade monitoring devices through the use of automated and remote trapping equipment. Researchers will also test new fumigants for their effectiveness against the insects following the loss of methyl bromide, a popular fumigant that is being phased-out due to the damage it causes to Earth's ozone layer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“Because methyl bromide is such an effective, fast-acting fumigant, there is no current alternative that has replaced it," Phillips said. "Quarantine is imperative for agricultural biosecurity; these key stored grain pests would greatly hurt our trade of grain and our economy.”
K-State's project will run for five years, ending in 2029. Scientists and researchers involved in the project come from the USDA lab in Manhattan, K-State and the University of Thessaly based in Greece.
“If these pests get into the food supply, it would not only raise our food costs, but would also likely bring hardship to the grain industry by limiting exports, and the resulting devaluation on infested, bulk-stored grains," said Rob Morrison, a research entomologist with the USDA's Agriculture Research Service Center for Grain and Animal Health Research in Manhattan.
To learn more about the khapra beetle, click here. To learn more about the larger grain borer, click here.
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