Bug-bomb Foggers are no Match for Bed bugs

Consumer products known as "bug bombs" or "foggers" have been sold for decades for use against many common household insects. However, recent research published in the Journal of Economic Entomology (JEE) shows these products to be ineffective against bed bugs.

In "Ineffectiveness of Over-the-Counter Total-Release Foggers Against the Bed Bug (Heteroptera: Cimicidae)," an article appearing in the June issue of JEE, authors Susan C. Jones and Joshua L. Bryant provide the first scientific evidence that these products should not be recommended for control of this increasingly worrisome urban pest.

"There has always been this perception and feedback from the pest-management industry that over-the-counter foggers are not effective against bed bugs and might make matters worse," said Susan Jones, an urban entomologist with the university's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) and a household and structural pest specialist with OSU Extension. "But up until now there has been no published data regarding the efficacy of foggers against bedbugs."

Jones and research associate Joshua Bryant evaluated three different fogger brands obtained from a nationwide retailer, and experiments were conducted on five different bedbug populations. Following application of the three foggers, Jones and Bryant found little, if any, adverse effects on the bed bugs.

Because a majority of bed bugs spend most of the time hiding in protected sites (under sheets and mattresses, in cracks and crevices, deep inside carpets, etc.), Jones said it is very unlikely that they will be exposed to the insecticide mist from foggers. And even if they do come into contact with the mist, she added, many bed bug populations have varying degrees of resistance to the insecticides, so they will most likely survive the application.

"These foggers don't penetrate in cracks and crevices where most bed bugs are hiding, so most of them will survive," Jones said. "If you use these products, you will not get the infestation under control, you will waste your money, and you will delay effective treatment of your infestation. Bed bugs are among the most difficult and expensive urban pests to control. It typically takes a professional to do it right. Also, the ineffective use of these products can lead to further resistance in insects."

Members of the media who would like access to the JEE article should write to pubs@entsoc.org.

The Journal of Economic 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. For more information, visit http://www.entsoc.org.

CONTACT:

Susan C. Jones
jones.1800@osu.edu
614-292-2752

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Larger Refuges Needed to Sustain Success of Transgenic Corn

Lanham, MD; June 3, 2012 -- Transgenic crops that produce insect-killing proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have reduced reliance on insecticide sprays since 1996. Yet, just as insects become resistant to conventional insecticides, they also can evolve resistance to the Bt proteins in transgenic crops. Thus, to delay pest resistance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has required farmers to plant "refuges" of crops that do not produce Bt proteins near Bt crops. But how much refuge acreage is enough?

In "Delaying Corn Rootworm Resistance to Bt Corn," an article appearing in the June, 2012 issue of the Journal of Economic Entomology, authors Bruce Tabashnik (University of Arizona) and Fred Gould (North Carolina State University) conclude the EPA should more than double the percentage of corn acres planted to mandated refuges to delay insect resistance, encourage integrated pest management (IPM), and promote more sustainable crop protection.

To slow resistance in the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), one of the most economically important crop pests in the United States, the EPA currently requires a 20% refuge for corn producing one Bt protein (Cry3Bb1), and a 5% refuge for corn that simultaneously produces two different Bt proteins. However, the authors note that this devastating pest has rapidly evolved resistance to Cry3Bb1 in some areas of the U.S. corn belt. For Bt corn to remain effective against rootworms, they recommend increasing refuge requirements to 50% for corn producing one Bt protein and 20% for corn producing two Bt proteins.

"Corn rootworms can cost U.S. farmers close to $1 billion each year. Bt corn has helped to reduce these costs and to decrease insecticide sprays, but evolution of resistance by the pests can diminish or even eliminate these benefits." said Dr. Tabashnik. "To delay pest resistance and sustain the benefits of Bt corn, we recommend planting more corn that does not produce Bt toxins active against rootworms. This approach, called the refuge strategy, allows the susceptible pests to survive and has worked to slow resistance of other pests to Bt crops."

"Most of the corn seed currently produced in the U.S. is transgenic and includes genes for insect control," said Dr. Gould. "Enlarging refuges will require more seed without corn rootworm control genes. This shift in production will take time, so this process should begin immediately."

In addition to increased refuge sizes, the authors write that the best way to postpone resistance is to use IPM, in which Bt corn is combined with other control tactics such as crop rotation and judicious use of insecticide sprays.

Members of the media who would like access to advanced copies of the article should write to pubs@entsoc.org.

The Journal of Economic Entomology is published by the Entomological Society of America (Http://www.entsoc.org), 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.

CONTACT:

Dr. Bruce E. Tabashnik
University of Arizona
Phone: (520) 621-1141
brucet@cals.arizona.edu

Dr. Fred L. Gould
North Carolina State University
Phone: (919) 515-1647
fred_gould@ncsu.edu

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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.

The 2012 ESA YouTube Your Entomology Contest is Now Open

The Entomological Society of America has begun accepting entries for the 2012 YouTube Your Entomology Video Contest. For the fourth year in a row, this contest gives ESA members the opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity through video.

Members may submit entries in four different categories:

* Research (Discovery)

* Teaching (Instruction -- academic, student-focused instruction)

* Extension (Outreach -- non-academic, outreach-focused instruction)

* Open category (anything goes, for the uber-creative entomologist)

The rules for this year's contest are:

1. Maximum length of videos is three minutes. Videos longer than 3:00 minutes will be disqualified from the contest.

2. At least one submitter of the video must be an ESA member.

3. The submitter must send the video to ESA using file-sharing programs such as DropBox, YouSendIt, or some other tool, and then must contact ESA at rlevine@entsoc.org with the video's title, description, category (see above), and producer name(s). Judges retain the right to reassign videos to other categories if the content is deemed more appropriate.

4. Videos must be submitted by midnight (EST), Monday, September 17, 2012.

All videos will be displayed on the ESA YouTube Channel, and winning entries may be shown at the Opening Session of the ESA Annual Meeting in Knoxville, TN.

Winners from each category will receive $200.00 and a trophy.

All file formats that are compatible with YouTube will be accepted. To participate, send your video to to Richard Levine at rlevine@entsoc.org using DropBox, Yousendit, or some other tool. If your video is already on YouTube somewhere, you may email the link to Richard, but the preferred method is for you to send the video file to him.

The deadline is September 17, 2012.

Click here to view videos from the 2011 contest.

Click here to view videos from the 2010 contest.

Click here to view videos from the 2009 contest.

If you have problems or questions, contact Richard Levine at 301-731-4535, ext. 3009, or rlevine@entsoc.org.

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