1. Please state project objectives and what work was done this quarter to address them: Obj. 1: Document lab and field biology of B. bonariensis in Florida citrusLaboratory: We have tested both the protocol in our proposal provided by FDACS-DPI and additional protocols to support development of laboratory populations, however none have proved fruitful. In most designs, snails will lay eggs, but the juveniles do not survive through development. This suggests that either our assays require significant redesign, snails produce far more offspring than survive in the field, or both.Field: Field monitoring continues to be performed in 3 commercial sites in central Florida. Peaks in the populations at the sites in both Lake Alfred and Lake Wales can been seen in June 2023 and April in 2024. Obj. 2: Determine factors that influence snail movement/dispersal a. Influence of habitat on snail movementThe population in our Polk City site as found via trapping is always far lower than in our other locations, despite snails being present. One noticeable difference in these sites that may explain patterns is the difference in ground cover between sites. In our Polk City location, the grower has tall grasses and flowering forbs throughout the row middles and snails can be found readily in this tall, often moist vegetation. On our other sites, the ground cover is dominated by sand, with the only refuge available for snails to escape the hot ground surface being the tree trunks, irrigation jets, or to burrow into the sand.b. Influence of physical damage on trees to B. bonariensis attractionTrials are ongoing to better document the activity of B. bonariensis in relation to physical damage. For these studies, two young Valencia seedlings are potted into the same bin and soil added up to the soil line from the potting media. The trees are then placed into a pop up mesh cage inside of a tan mesh tent. For the current trial, treatments include (a) no damage to either tree, (b) both trees receive 30 seconds of damage from a metal file, and (c) one tree is damaged as describe and the other not damaged. Soil and tree canopies are misted twice daily and snail location recorded daily for 7 days. Upon initial release, snails immediately move to locations with damage. After a few days, though, more snails were found on the sides of the pop up cages than on plants or on soil. This suggests that the snails are likely climbing the closest substrate to them as temperatures increase, whether that is a potential food or water source, or just simply a physical barrier. Additional studies will expand upon our current findings to decipher triggers for snail movement.Obj. 3: Field evaluation of baits and exclusionBaits and insecticides continue to be screened for efficacy against B. bonariensis. At present, the products with 90% or greater mortality include Agri-Mek SC and the baits Deadling GT, Deadline MP, and Slugger Ultra. Agri-Flex induced 70% mortality, while Actara, Admire Pro, and malathion having less than 10% mortality and the water treated control having less than 5% mortality.While copper was previously found to not be effective for excluding B. bonariensis, other deterrents are under evaluation to determine if they could be used to reduce snail activity on unwanted surfaces, like microjets. Initial findings suggest that applications of pepper oil, copper II sulfate, and DEET to surfaces may deter snail movement. This effect persisted over the entirety of the 90-hour observation period.Obj. 4: Determine is B. bonariensis predators exist in grovesCamera trap data collection for this experiment has been completed. We have recorded approximately 600 hours of footage and will continue to review the videos over the coming weeks. So far we have not identified any predation events on camera, but it is still early. We have also collected 50 pitfall trap samples. We have been processing and identifying the hundreds of insects contained in the samples to identify potential natural enemies that may be present in citrus groves. These insects are being identified as specifically as possible. 2. Please state what work is anticipated for next quarter:Obj. 1: Document lab and field biology of B. bonariensis in Florida citrusLaboratory: We are redesigning the laboratory rearing methods and will continue working on these methods. Field: Aboveground populations monitoring will continue until we complete a minimum of 2 years of seasonal pattern data. Additionally, we believe that this species lays eggs in the fall, therefore we will begin seeking egg clutches from groves in early October using the methods described in our proposal.Obj. 2: Determine factors that influence snail movement/dispersal a. Influence of habitat on snail movementIn the next quarter, we will perform mark-recapture studies with snails in a minimum of 3 sites with varying ground cover similar to the trapping sites in Obj. 1. For these tests, 100 snails will be marked with nail polish (this has no impact on their health or survival and has been used in previous trials). Snails will then be released in one central location within each field. We will observe where snails are at varying timepoints over the course of a week to determine if their movement patterns are based on local abiotic conditions.b. Influence of physical damage on trees to B. bonariensis attractionThe trend described in this report was based on preliminary trials. We will continue to evaluate attraction patterns as snail availability continues.Obj. 3: Field evaluation of baits and exclusionWe are continuing to evaluate available pesticides for activity against B. bonariensis. These assays will continue as snail activity permits.We will continue evaluating deterrent, experimenting with concentrations and other potential test materials, as well as to study the persistence of any deterrent effects under field conditions.Obj. 4: Determine is B. bonariensis predators exist in grovesWe are continuing to identify potential snail predators from the pitfall traps. We will analyze the contents of their stomachs to determine whether they have eaten snails. Additionally, we collected 100 snails from the same citrus groves to analyze their stomach contents and determine whether they have consumed citrus, weeds, or other plant material. The snail gut content analysis is scheduled to be completed in the Fall. 3. Please state budget status (underspend or overspend, and why): With FY 2025 projections, this project should be on track with regards to budget. 4. Please show all potential commercialization products resulting from this research, and the status of each:This is yet to be certain, but the traps may be useful for timing management actions.