West Virginia University
Dr. John F. Baniecki, Extension Specialist in Plant
Pest Management Program
- New York City has been infested with Asian longhorned beetles that have already caused
5,000 trees to be removed. As a remedy, imidacloprid is going to be injected into hardwood
trees in an effort to reach the larvae of the beetle. The beetle has the potential to
cause more tree damage than Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight, and gypsy moths combined
($41 billion in damage by the USDA's estimate). (Environmental News Network) http://www.enn.com.
- USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) cooperators have recently elucidated a scenario
in which caterpillar-infested tobacco plants released compounds during the day and night.
Those released at night were repellent to female moths, who are looking for sites to
deposit eggs. This information is in addition to that which demonstrated corn seedlings
released chemicals that attract parasitic wasps when fed upon by caterpillars. (USDA ARS
News Service) www.ars.usda.gov.
- USDA ARS researchers have also determined how to reduce intestinal loads of Salmonella
typhimurium and E. coli 0157:H7 in pigs and cattle. These two
bacteria have an enzyme, nitrate reductase, that is absent in beneficial microorganisms.
When fed sodium chlorate, the enzyme converts chlorate to chlorite,which kills the
bacteria. It is estimated that these two organisms produce 1.5 million cases of food borne
illnessper year. (The Florida Cattleman, April, 2001).
- A whitefly-vectored crinivirus (tomato chlorosis virus) has been detected in tomato
plants grown in Puerto Rico for the first time. Signs of infection include interveinal
chlorosis, necrotic flecking, leaf thickening, and leaf rolling. (ProMED via Agnet, 3/25) www.promedmail.org.
- A whitefly-vectored begomovirus (tomato yellow leaf curl virus Israeli strain) has been
detected in tomato plants grown in Louisiana for the first time. Signs of infection
include severe stunting, leaf cupping, and chlorosis. (ProMED, 3/27).
- Auxein Corporation and Mycotech Corporation have announced their merger into Emerald
BioAgriculture Corporation. The company is based in Lansing, MI with production operations
in Butte, MT. The company has eight EPA-registered products. (Citrus & Vegetable
Magazine, March, 2001).
- A new biological fungicide (Contans® WG) has been granted EPA approval.
Produced by Encore Technologies, the material is billed as the only biological control
product available in the U.S. for controlling Sclerotinia diseases in the soil
(caused by S. sclerotiorum and S. minor). Info. at http://www.contans-wg.com. Akari® 55C
miticide/insecticide (fenpyroximate) for use on greenhouse ornamentals, floral and foliage
crops has received FDACS approval as of February 19, 2001. (Pesticide Registration
Evaluation Committee Agenda, April 5, 2001).
Registrants with Active Pesticide Registrations - 1,963
Farms and Business Sites Regulated Under Pesticide Programs -2,246,512
- Farms- 2,194,070
- Domestic Pesticide Manufacturing Establishments-11,305
- Foreign Pesticide Manufacturing Establishments -1,137
- Commercial Pest Control Firms -40,000
Farm Workers -2,952,600
- Self-employed Farm Workers-1,570,000
- Hired Farm Workers -890,300
- Unpaid Farm Workers -487,500
Certified Applicators -1,187,515
- Private Applicators -803,423
- Commercial Applicators-384,092
Helping you put knowledge to work
The West Virginia University Cooperative Extension
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and West Virginia counties cooperating. Equal
Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.