Lady beetles are synonymous with sunshine and summertime, buzzing around tall green grass and plants from small gardens to large meadows. Perhaps the most familiar lady beetle is the iconic red bug with black spots, but there are hundreds of species, both native and non-native to the United States.

Lady beetles prey on a wide variety of aphids, or insect pests, making them essential to biological pest control. It’s for this reason that ARS scientists continually work to collect, research, and identify the most beneficial species of lady beetles to help curb the use of pesticides.

While many lady beetles are native to all 50 states, when it comes to crossing the Pacific to the islands of Hawaii, there are no lady beetles inherent to the tropical ecosystem.

“There is no evidence, at this point, that any of the lady beetles in Hawaii are native, those that exist have all been brought in from other places in the world,” said Louis Hesler, entomologist and lead scientist at the North Central Research Laboratory for Integrated Cropping System Research in Brookings, SD.

Presently, ARS researchers have collected and identified 50 lady beetles that are beneficial, serving as champions of Hawaiian biological pest control.

Recently, Hesler’s team received two apparently new kinds of lady beetles from collaborators in Hawaii. The team is currently working to research and identify whether these two kinds will also benefit the islands.

“We want to inform the pest management practitioners, horticulturalists, and the people that are involved in production agriculture and landscape architecture to give them a handle on what biological resources are available for pest control,” Hesler said. “We’re trying to develop a list of all species that are established, or confirmed, in Hawaii.

“There’s been a lot of beneficial insects, like lady beetles, that have been introduced in Hawaii but not all have been proven within the environment,” Hesler added. “So, it’s important we document those lady beetles that are fully established.” – Tami Terella-Faram, ARS Office of Communications

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Locking Out Viruses

Aphids are a well-known foe of anyone who grows plants, whether they’re farmers or home gardeners. The tiny insects harm plants by sucking sap from them, but they’re also very good at spreading viruses that are bad for plants – including important crops. One ARS researcher found a breakthrough way to keep aphids and the diseases they spread at bay, using the infamous spike protein that’s located on the outside of viruses. Find out more about how this game-changing technology can save plants.

Planet vs. Plastics

One of the great challenges to sustainability today is plastics — so much so that the theme of Earth Day in 2024 was “Planet vs. Plastics.” There are many reasons that plastics post a threat —  from their sources in non-renewable petrochemicals to the fact that they can last for long periods in the environment, long after people have finished using them for their intended purposes. They can also produce harmful particles called microplastics that end up in the food system and our bodies. What solutions does ARS offer to this challenge? 

Listen to this Earth Day interview with scientist Bill Orts to hear about some of the promising solutions that we’re developing — including plastics made from renewable agricultural byproducts, and more!

Salmonellosis (salmonella poisoning) is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., with over one million illnesses per year. Salmonellosis is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food products, including raw or under-cooked poultry, eggs, meat, raw or unpasteurized dairy products, and fruits and vegetables. It can also be transferred from handling pets — particularly some birds and reptiles. 

To combat its harmful effects, USDA is launching a "Grand Challenge" initiative to combat Salmonella. Learn how ARS is using the Grand Challenge to determine ways to identify and reduce Salmonella infections by reading our Under the Microscope Q&A.

ARS researchers in West Lafayette, IN, are examining how cattle, swine, and poultry are raised in an effort to improve their quality of life. To reach their goal, the researchers are focusing on three priority areas under modern farming conditions: pain or distress, animal health and productivity, and harmful effects caused by climate variability. 

Modern farming refers to the use of technology to improve agricultural practices. Examples include the dairy industry's use of automated milk feeders for young calves and the use of monitors to track an animal’s movements. In both cases, data can note changes in behavior and help predict the onset of disease. Early detection means a sick animal can receive treatment sooner, reducing suffering, production losses, and the chance of the illness spreading. This approach could save treatment-related expenses and improve animal welfare.

Animal welfare science is a relatively young field that combines several scientific disciplines. One discipline that figures prominently is ethology, the study of animal behavior.

“We will continue to optimize animal welfare to maintain stakeholder confidence in animal agricultural practices,” said Jessica Pempek, an ARS animal scientist. “There is an ethical and moral obligation to ensure that animals under human care have a good quality of life, regardless of if they are used for companionship or food production.” Read more here.

Invasive plants pose serious threats to both our agriculture and our ecosystems. One of the biggest threats is the way these plants can drain water supplies, by consuming large amounts of available water that would otherwise support local plants and crops. In the southwestern U.S., the fast-growing Arundo plant has become one of the worst offenders. 

To address the problem without using chemical sprays, ARS scientists are identifying insects that can feed on and kill the Arundo plant. Importantly, these host-specific insects will not harm other plants or negatively affect the ecosystem in those areas. This is the first biocontrol project targeting an invasive grass. Watch this video to learn more about how scientists are zeroing in on safe, natural biocontrol approaches to combat the Arundo plant. 

ARS Researchers Use Tiny Particles to Create Huge Antimicrobial Capabilities

At a time when a global pandemic has sent shockwaves through society, the need for products to fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens has become more urgent than ever. Fortunately, ARS researchers have been working on powerful anti-microbial tools for years.

Scientists at the ARS Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans, LA, have been perfecting a technology to embed nanoparticles of silver – a known anti-microbial agent – inside of cotton fibers; binding them securely and enabling them to survive countless turns through a washing machine. The result is cotton-based textile products that have a powerful and lasting ability to kill germs.  Learn more.

Great Grains: Ancient Grains Deliver Health Benefits

Grains are the edible seeds of cereal crops such as wheat, rice, barley, oats and corn. A human nutrition study at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging reaffirmed the health benefits of substituting whole-grain foods for refined-grain products like white bread in the diet. Unlike refined grains, which undergo extensive milling or other processing, whole grains are sold for eating with their bran and other constituents intact—all rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients. Three healthy grains are farro, teff, and sorghum. 

• Farro, considered an ancient grain, is a nutty tasting whole grain in the wheat family. It's a good source of fiber and contains potassium, B vitamins and more protein than wheat.

• Sorghum is the fifth-most widely grown cereal grain crop worldwide, providing consumers with 12 essential nutrients.

• Teff is a gluten-free cereal grain containing 13% protein.

It's important to note that not everyone can eat all grains. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 2 million people in the United States have an autoimmune condition known as celiac disease. People affected with this serious disease are unable to consume gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Fortunately, sorghum and teff are known as alternative grains, those not containing gluten.

In these episodes our ARS researchers team up with culinary chefs Eric McCoy and David Milburn (Howard Community College Culinary Arts Program in Columbia, MD) to create wonderful dishes using the ancient grains farro, sorghum, and teff.

You'll learn how to make a delightful and beautiful farro and pomegranate salad, the best chicken and waffles (with hot honey sauce) you've ever tasted, and ultra-tasty gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, made from teff flour while learning  about the health and nutritional benefits of these ancient grains.

Witch Hazel, Not Just for Grandma Anymore!

Witch hazel is a popular folk remedy that your grandmother or great grandmother probably used to treat a variety of skin ailments, including acne and inflammation. But, according to a recent study by ARS scientist Reuven Rasooly and his team with the Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, witch hazel’s exalted place in folk medicine isn’t just hype.

The team discovered that witch hazel extract was extremely effective in suppressing bacterial pathogenesis, or the ability of bacteria to further develop and produce harmful toxins. Rasooly explained that pathogenesis is the root cause of many persistent infections and accompanying complications.

For consumers, witch hazel’s ‘smart’ antimicrobial properties make the plant a great way to fight bacterial pathogens, especially those that have notoriously developed resistance to conventional antibiotic treatments. Read "Witch Hazel Spells Trouble for Harmful Microbes" to learn more.