Experts Improve Associate Certified Entomologist Program for Pest Control Operators

A panel of ten insect pest-control experts convened in Annapolis, MD recently to review and improve the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) program, a certification program run by the Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation (ESACC) which seeks to raise the ever-increasing level of professionalism in the pest control industry by developing standards for applicators. Applicants for certification must meet minimum standards, be certified operators in at least one state, and pass an examination.

The expert panel was formed to ensure that the content of the ACE exam is up-to-date so that it matches the actual knowledge required for certified pest control professionals to perform effectively.

ACE certification is a valuable way to prove professional credentials, and can lead to better visibility, opportunities, and jobs for pest control professionals.

"This certification closes more sales for me than anything I have ever done," said Dean Gary, ACE, a pest control operator in San Antonio, TX. "When I tell a potential customer that I am an Associate Certified Entomologist, it seals the deal. I proudly wear the ACE patch on all of my uniforms."

While there are other certification programs in the industry, no other national pesticide applicator certification programs exist on this level. Although ESACC also runs a Board Certified Entomologist (BCE) program, it is less focused on household insects, making the ACE program unique in the industry for the individual operator. First introduced in 2004, the program has seen an average of 38% annual growth every year since that time.

“We feel strongly that as we continue to build the professionalism of the ACE program, it will have a lasting, positive impact on the entire industry,” said Dr. Shripat Kamble, Director of the ESACC Certification Board, who hopes to have 1,000 ACEs certified by the end of year 2013.

The Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation is dedicated to improving professionalism in the entomological industries through the development and implementation of measurable standards of accomplishment via certification programs that recognize superior performance. For more information, please visit www.entocert.org.

CONTACT:
Chris Stelzig, Director of Certification
Entomological Society of America
10001 Derekwood Lane, Suite 100
Lanham, MD 20706
cstelzig@entsoc.org
www.entocert.org
410-263-3622

New Rearing System May Aid Mosquito Control

The requirement for efficient mosquito mass-rearing technology has been one of the major obstacles preventing the large scale application of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) against mosquitoes.

However, according to a new article in the next issue of the Journal of Medical Entomology, scientists at the Untited Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have developed a larval rearing unit based on the use of a stainless steel rack that is expected to be able to successfully rear 140,000–175,000 adult mosquitoes per rack.

In "A New Larval Tray and Rack System for Improved Mosquito Mass Rearing" (eventual DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/ME11188) the authors report that the new mechanized rearing unit is simple to handle, maintains minimal water temperature variation and negligible water evaporation, and allows normal larval development. The mosquito mass-rearing tray was designed to provide a large surface area of shallow water that would closely mimic natural breeding sites, and the trays stack into a dedicated rack structure which fill and drain easily. Furthermore, the low amount of labor required to operate the system also reduces costs.

"Our larval rearing unit could enhance any mosquito control strategy in which large-scale releases of mosquitoes are needed to suppress or replace natural populations," said lead author Fabrizio Balestrino.

The Journal of Medical Entomology is published by the Entomological Society of America, the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has more than 6,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government.

CONTACTS:

Fabrizio Balestrino fbalestrino@iaea.org Phone (in Austria): (43) 1 2600 28407

Jeremie Gilles J.Gilles@iaea.org Phone (in Austria): (43) 1 2600 28407

Mark Benedict mqbenedict@yahoo.com

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Insect Scientists to Meet in Lincoln, Nebraska in June

More than 300 entomologists from the United States and Canada will attend the 67th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America's North Central Branch in downtown Linclon, Nebraska, June 3-6, 2012 at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

Topics of discusssion will include new crop protection products for corn, soybean and vegetables; invasive species, integrated pest management, biological control, pheromones, GMOs, beef and dairy cattle, stored-grain protection, insect zoos and museums, endangered species, conservation efforts, allergies spread by insects, insect-plant relationships, and insecticide resistance, among others.

A diverse number of economically important insects will be covered, including bed bugs, corn earworm, brown marmorated stink bug, cockroaches, filth flies, stable flies, honey bees, lady beetles, burying beetles, tiger beetles, caddisflies, termites, wasps, ants, and aphids.

In addition, the meeting will feature student competitions, field trips, an awards ceremony, receptions, and other social events.

Scientists, agriculturalists, growers, ranchers and anyone else who would like to attend the meeting can register at http://www.entsoc.org/northcentral.

Members of the media who would like a press pass should contact Richard Levine at rlevine@entsoc.org or call 301-731-4535, ext 3009.

The ESA North Central regional branch includes Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Manitoba, Nunavut, and Ontario.

The Entomological Society of America is the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has more than 6,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Members are researchers, teachers, extension service personnel, administrators, marketing representatives, research technicians, consultants, students, and hobbyists. For more information, visit http://www.entsoc.org/.

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Des scientifiques interviewés lors du congrès de la Société Américaine d'Entomologie

Dans cette vidéo, Fiona Le Taro, une étudiante de l'Ecole Environnementale de l'Université de Guelph (Ontario, Canada) interviewe des scientifiques francophones du Canada et d'Europe. L'interview s'est déroulée durant le 59ème congrès annuel de la Société Américaine d'Entomologie, en novembre 2011. Le prochain congrès se tiendra à Knoxville, Tenessee, du 11 au 14 novembre 2012. Pour plus d'informations : http://www.entsoc.org/.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: In this video Fiona Le Taro, a student at the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada), interviews French-speaking scientists from Canada and Europe. The interview was conducted at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America in November, 2011. The next meeting will be held November 11-14, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. See http://www.entsoc.org/ for more information.