Lab Updates

February 2008
We are now into day 1 of our week three of egg production and have obtained an estimated 602 eggs with 4 day and 21 more jars to process!

The first draft of the web site is completed with the much needed help and assistance of Murray Lamb.

Predator Beetle Lab Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday February 23rd at 10:30am

January 2008
The heater/cooler wall unit has finally been tamed thanks to the help of Plant Operations. The lab is now at a perfect 76 degrees and around 60% humidity. And just in time, because the next day...

We Have Beetles!!!! On Jan. 15th LayLa (Clemson University) supplied us with 50 males and 50 females of Sasajiscymnus tsugae. They were placed into oviposition jars, consisting of 10 females:5 males. After 7 days the eggs will be collected and placed into rearing. Once adults emerge more jars will be created to increase the population until there is enough for release. These beetles produced an estimated 114 eggs!

January 23rd I traveled to Cary N.C. to the N.C. Department of Agriculture. There, with the help of Kathy Kidd, Karin Hess, and Anitha Boniface, I was able to obtain almost 500 beetles! They were put into oviposition jars over the next couple days and along with the Clemson beetles produced an estimated 488 eggs!

With the increase in beetles we needed more room for storage of the hemlock branches. We have received another refrigerator donation from Dr. Conarro. This couldn't have been done without the aid of Fred Fritts and Alan Garcia from NGCSU Materials Maintenance.

December 2007
Robert Fuller and I journeyed to Young Harris College to visit Paul Arnold and his beetle lab and meet with Jim Wentworth of the forest service. Paul gave me a tour of the lab in order to get a better idea on the set up while Jim provided Robert with various maps of beetle release sites, areas to collect infested hemlocks, and insecticide use areas.

Paul was also gracious enough to allow me and my student workers/volunteers to come and get a hands on experience by working in his lab. We learned how to identify the males and females, process the oviposition jars, and daily maintenance of the cages.

Robert and I had the opportunity to visit the Clemson beetle lab, where LayLa Burgess showed us the set up of their lab for both Sasajiscymnus tsugae and Laricobius nigrinus. The later one required an environmental chamber and various temperature throughout its lifecycle.

The shelves, humidifiers, space heaters, and various other lab equipment was received and set up. The oviposition jars were made by cutting a circle out of the lids and gluing no-see-um netting in. We were supplied with two dissecting microscopes for the department of health and natural science.

November 2007
The biology field studies building (a.k.a. yellow house) had the basement remodeled in order to provide an area for the predator beetle lab. This involved covering a dirt floor, installing lights and a heating/cooling unit, and a fresh coat of paint. The new lab coordinator, Sarah Osicka, started working on the 26th and was busy ordering supplies and setting up the remainder of the lab. It was also a great help to already have a student worker, Michele Wiesner, along with a refrigerator (provided by Neville) and "bug dorms" waiting to be put to use.

Environmental Leadership Center

Predator Beetle Lab