Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact 

for 

Field Release of Aphelinus rhamni (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) for Biological Co trol of 

the Soybean Aphid, Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in the Continental nited 

States 

June 2014 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Servi e 

(APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Pest Permitting Branch (PPB), is pro sing to 

issue permits for release of an insect, Aphelinus rhamni (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), in he 

continental United States. The agent would be used by the applicant for the biological ntrol of 

soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Before permits are issued for re ease of 

A. rhamni, APHIS must analyze the potential impacts of the release of this organisf int the 

continental United States in accordance with USDA APHIS National Environmental Policy Act 

implementing regulations (7 Code of Federal Regulations Part 372). APHIS has prepared an 

environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential environmental consequences f this 

action. The EA is available from: 

U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Animal and Plant Health inspection Service 

Plant Protection and Quarantine 

Registrations, Identification, Permits, and Plant· Safeguarding 

4700 River Road, Unit 133 

Riverdale, MD 2073 7 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth? 1 dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a%2F S _Cont 

ent_ Library%i2FSA _Our _F ocus%2FSA _Plant_ Health%2FSA _Domestic _pests_ And_ Diseases%2FSA _ E vironmen 

tal_ Assessments%2F 

The EA analyzed the following two alternatives in response to a request for permits authj rizing 

environmental release of A. rhamni: (1) no action, and (2) issue permits for the release o1 A. 

rhamni for biological control of soybean aphid. A third alternative, to issue permits wit special 

provisions or requirements concerning release procedures or mitigating measures, was 

considered. However, this alternative was dismissed because no issues were raised thatE' dicated 

that special provisions or requirements were necessary. The No Action alternative, as d scribed 

in the EA, would likely result in the continued use at the current level of chemical, host lant 

resistance, and biological control methods of soybean aphid. These control methods des ribed · 

are not alternatives for decisions to be made by the PPB, but are presently being used to bontrol 

soybean aphid in the United States and may continue regardless of permit issuance for fi ld 

release of A. rhamni. Legal notice of the EA was made available in the Federal Register on May 

2, 2014 for a 30-day public comment period. One anonymous comment was received o the EA, 

in opposition to the proposed release of A. rhamni. However, no substantive information was 

presented in the comment. 

I have decided to authorize the PPB to issue permits for the environmental release of A. hamni. 

The reasons for my decision are: 
• 

• 

This biological control agent is sufficiently host specific and poses little, if any, tr eat to 

the biological resources, including non-target insect species of the United States. 

The release will have no effect on federally listed threatened and endangered species or 

their habitats in the United States. 

• A. rhamni poses no threat to the health of humans. 

• 

• 

• 

No negative cumulative impacts are expected from release of A. rhamni . 

There are no disproportionate adverse effects to minorities, low-income populations, or 

children in accordance with Executive Order 12898 "Federal Actions to Address I 

Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-income Populations" and 

Executive Order 13045, "Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and 

Safety Risks." I 

While there is not total assurance that the release of A. rhamni into the environm I t will 

be reversible, there is no evidence that this organism will cause any adverse 

environmental effects. 

I have determined that there would be no significant impact to the human environment from the 

implementation of the preferred alternative (issuance of permits for the release of A. rharhni) and, 

therefore, no Environmental Impact Statement needs to be prepared. 

Emily Pullin 

Director 

Regulations, Permits, and Manuals 

Plant Health Programs 

Plant Protection and Quarantine 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

U.S. Department of Agriculture