KM Foundation.Org Health and Environment Friendly Insect Control

Transcription

1 10/06/09 KM Foundation.Org Health and Environment Friendly Insect Control Insect control friendly to our health and environment is now widely available. Why spray or otherwise distribute toxic chemicals on our food supply, into the air that we breathe and onto the yards in which our children play when more effective, environment friendly means of insect control are available? Remedy many of our health problems at their source by reducing the use of toxic chemicals. Now, technology is available to reduce, substantially, the spraying of toxic pesticides and benefit our current and future generations. Now, individuals, concerned about the effect of pesticides on our health and environment, need to unite and become involved in this change. Stated briefly, there is great potential for the control of many insect species utilizing weathersheltered, bait-delivery systems promoting the transfer of bio-rational species specific pathogens to control a wide range of crawling, walking and flying insects. That is, targeted insects are attracted to a delivery device, contaminated with an active ingredient; and after leaving the system transfer this active ingredient to targeted problem insects that they feed, mate or otherwise come in contact with, and as a consequence eliminate the total insect infestation. Once the problem is mitigated, the beneficial insects provide a natural control thus drastically reducing the need for toxic pesticides. Presently, GoGreen and BioScience campaigns are being given worldwide attention and huge sums of money are being allocated for these purposes. In May, 2008, the Boston Globe reported that $5.2 billion was spent on these programs in North America and Europe during In their June 18 th edition, the news was about the world s biggest biotechnology convention being held in San Diego, and how Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick was announcing his $1 billion life science initiative and Maryland Governor Martin O Malley his $1.1 billion plan. Funds are literally thrown at any project that sound like it might reduce global warming or provide a biogenetic drug to aid in the battle against cancer & human ailments, etc, but of significance is that little, if no attention, is being given to bio-pesticides. Bio-pesticides that provide the safe means for controlling the insects that damage our food supply and strip our forests of their carbon dioxide removing capabilities, or that would allow for the reduction of spraying toxic pesticides, which in addition to being an energy drain and environmental pollutant, are a major source of our health problems including cancer, birth defects and many other endocrine related system disorders. Need for Change Change is necessary to cease spraying toxic pesticides that are highly damaging to our health & environment and that do not provide resolution to the insect problem: WWII nerve gas derivatives & other highly toxic chemicals still in common use. Highly toxic for quick kill before weather dissipates. 1

2 Chemical run off into lakes, rivers and other sources of water. Only kills insects that come in contact with chemical, requiring repeated application. Insects become resistant to chemicals requiring increased potency. Broad-spectrum chemicals that kill beneficial insects that provide natural insect control. Chemicals kill nitrogen-fixing bacteria and other organic nutrients, requiring more fertilizer. Pesticides place bees that pollinate at risk. Identified as causing cancer & birth defects in humans & other living creatures. Pesticides are ineffective in controlling beetles that destroy carbon dioxide absorbing forests. The following is a sampling of the concerns of many doctors and scientists about the use of pesticides and their effect on our health and environment. Excerpts shown with links to complete articles. Expressions of Concern Endocrine Disruption OVERVIEW The endocrine system is the exquisitely balanced system of glands and hormones that regulates such vital functions as body growth, response to stress, sexual development and behavior, production and utilization of insulin, rate of metabolism, intelligence and behavior, and the ability to reproduce. Hormones are chemicals such as insulin, thyroxin, estrogen, and testosterone that interact with specific target cells. The interactions occur through a number of mechanisms, the easiest of which to conceptualize is the lock and key. For example, target cells such as those in the uterus contain receptors (locks) into which specific estrogenic hormones (keys) can attach and thereby cause specific biological actions, such as regulating ovulation or terminating pregnancy. Other endocrine disrupting mechanisms include binding hormone transport proteins or other proteins involved in signaling pathways, inhibiting or inducing enzymes, interfering with uptake and export from cells, and modifying gene expression. To date, no chemical in use has been thoroughly tested for its endocrine disrupting effects. Traditional toxicological testing protocols were not designed to test for endocrine disruption and to test at ambient or low exposure levels. 2

3 Prenatal Origins of Endocrine Disruption Recent advances in research confirm that endocrine disruptors can interfere with the genecontrolled, normal signaling systems that determine every aspect of embryonic and fetal development. Over the past decade it has been demonstrated that there are endless ways endocrine disruptors can interfere with gene expression. They can interfere with how genes are programmed in the developing tissues of the unborn, thus changing how a teen or an adult would ordinarily respond to the normal chemical signals that control function as they mature. Disorders that have increased in prevalence in recent years such as abnormal male gonadal development, infertility, ADHD, autism, intellectual impairment, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and childhood and/or adult cancers are now being linked to fetal exposure. The increases in these disorders are also being reported in other northern hemisphere countries, constituting a problem of global proportion. Pesticides Most people are not aware of the thousands of pesticides and their formulations that are in use today, some of them in huge volumes and on huge acreages worldwide. They comprise acaricides, algicides, antifoulants, avicides, bactericides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, molluscicides, nematicides, piscicides, rodenticides, virucides, and the related plant and insect growth regulators; chemosterilants; bird, mammal and insect repellents, insect pheromones and other attractants. Product formulations may contain more than one active ingredient, as well as synergists, safeners, and other ingredients formerly known as inerts. Our particular concern about pesticides is that they have been designed to disrupt biological systems, causing death to target organisms, such as insects or plants. Some actually work by acting on the endocrine systems of insects. The problem is that the biochemistry of most living things is similar enough that humans, wildlife and plants can also be adversely affected by pesticides. How Environmental Toxins May Affect Reproductive Health in Massachusetts Authors: Ted Schettler MD MPH, Gina Solomon MD MPH, Paul Burns JD, Maria Valenti A 1996 Report by Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility (GBPSR) and the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) Education Fund. Major findings of the report include: Of the more than 80,000 synthetic chemicals in commercial use today, only a small fraction have been adequately examined for toxic effects in humans and other life forms; 3

4 Despite limited scientific information, there is solid evidence of the reproductive toxicity of some substances in widespread commercial use including solvents, metals, and pesticides; newlyemerging evidence of the toxicity of others; and important new information about a mechanism of toxicity known but largely ignored for many years -- hormone (endocrine) disruption; Federal and state regulations are frequently not written or implemented in ways protective of human health and the environment; Of industries required to report chemical use, Massachusetts businesses used more than 2.1 billion pounds of toxic chemicals associated with reproductive or developmental disorders from ; Means for Change The Means for change are now available for biological insect control to reduce, substantially, the need for spraying of toxic pesticides: Use effective low or non-toxic bio-pesticides for insect baiting & control. Scientific studies have proven approach practical for many insect species. Applicable horizontal transfer technology & methodology defined. Self-contained baiting system allows beneficial insects to return to provide nature s control. Proven practical approach to ant/ crop-damaging insect control now in use. Species-specific insect attractants and active ingredients commercially available. Providers available to supply additional beneficial insects to supplement resident insects. Environment Friendly Insect Control employs a horizontal transfer technology whereby: targeted insects are attracted to a self-contained, weather-sheltered, dispensing device; to be contaminated with a biological active ingredient; to transfer, after leaving, this active ingredient to targeted problem insects with whom they feed, mate or otherwise come in contact; and thus eliminating the total problem insect infestation. The following is a sampling of the direction scientists and business people are providing away from the current dominant use of harmful pesticides. Excerpts shown with links to total article. Cornell University Guide to Biological Control Four types of natural enemies of problem insects and weeds: Parasitoids. This wasp is laying its egg inside an aphid where its young will develop. Parasitoid immatures develop on or inside a host, killing it as they mature. They emerge as adults and continue the cycle. 4

5 Predators. Lady beetles are well-known examples of predatory insects. A predator consumes many prey during its lifetime. The predators listed in this guide feed on insects and mites. Pathogens. This nematode is just one example of a pathogen which may kill its host. Other pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. This section also includes antagonists which control plant diseases. Weed Feeders. Weeds can be attacked by arthropods, vertebrates, and pathogens (fungi, viruses, bacteria, and nematodes). This weevil feeds only on one particular type of weed called purple loosestrife. Cornell University - Biological Control with Pathogens Some insect species, including many pests, are particularly susceptible to infection by naturally occurring, insect-pathogenic fungi. These fungi are very specific to insects, often to particular species, and do not infect animals or plants. Fungi have considerable epizootic potential and can spread quickly through an insect population and cause its collapse. Weevil Control Fungi Transfer Study BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF RED PALM WEEVIL M. L. Deadman1, K. M. Azam1, S. A. Ravzi1 & W. Kaakah2 1Department of Crop Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, and 2Department of Crop Production, UAE University "A series of experiments were conducted using the biological agent Beauveria bassiana. The objectives were to determine the optimum bait mixture for attracting adult insects, the residence time of adult insects within bait traps, the mortality of adult insects following treatment with B.bassiana mixed with bait and the extent of horizontal transmission of B. bassiana infection from the treated insects to exposed, healthy insects." The results showed that male and female insects visit pheromone traps and showed burrowing behaviour traits into date pulp. When B. bassiana spores were mixed with the date pulp effective mortalities could be achieved after a treatment time of just 15 minutes. The results also showed significant subsequent levels of horizontal infection transfer from treated insects to healthy insects. of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae amongst adults of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.s. 5

6 The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is being considered as a biocontrol agent for adult African malaria vectors. In the laboratory, work was carried out to assess whether horizontal transmission of the pathogen can take place during copulation, as this would enhance the impact of the fungus on target populations when compared with insecticides. Moth Control Fungi Transfer Study Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella Around the world, diamondback moth (DBM) is a major threat to those much loved vegetables, brassicas (cabbages, cauliflowers and other related greens). It is attacked by the fungus, Zoopthora radicans, but too late in the season to help growers. In a novel approach, the insects themselves will be used to spread the fungal spores to other DBM earlier in the season than the natural outbreaks would occur. Male moths, attracted to inoculation stations by pheromones (sex attractants), will pick up the fungal spores and then spread them through the DBM population. This 'auto-dissemination', has advantages over chemical insecticides, both in terms of environmental and economic sustainability and avoidance of resistance problems. This is particularly important because of the advantages that 'clean and green' produce confers upon our export and domestic markets. Ant Control with 1% Boric Acid Solution Argentine ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, white-footed ants, crazy ants and many other problem ants have been controlled in both scientific studies and commercial application with the use of weather sheltered, long-term, liquid ant bait dispensing system and 1% boric acid solutions. The use of low-toxicity bait (1% boric acid solution) permits the foraging ants (15% +/- of colony) time to get back to feed the queen and the balance of the colony. The highly-toxic, broad-spectrum, pesticides kill the foragers, only, causing the remaining ants to go into stress and to increase in greater numbers; and these pesticides also kill the ladybugs and other beneficial insects, place the pollinating bees at risk and destroy the nutrients in the soil thus requiring more fertilizer. Ants Take the Bait for Less Toxic Solution Organic citrus growers can use low-toxic ant control measures to rid their groves of pesky Argentine ants, according to a study funded by the UC Exotic/Invasive Pests and Diseases Research Program (UC EDRP). After one week of using baits, ants were reduced by about 50 percent and after two weeks, by about 70 percent. 6

7 In their study, Les Greenberg, entomology specialist, John Klotz, University of California Cooperative Extension urban entomologist, and Michael Rust, entomologist, all from UC Riverside, demonstrated a reduction in Argentine ants in an organic citrus grove using ant bait stations containing liquid toxicants. Control of Aphids, Mealy bugs, Scale and Other Homoptera, Where Ant-Homoptera Mutualism Occurs The Argentine ants and many other ant species protect and farm the mealy bugs, scale, aphids and other crop damaging homoptera for their honeydew. Once the ants are removed the ladybugs and other beneficial insects can return to provide a natural insect control. In agriculture, ants and homoptera are found together in many crops (citrus, grape, melon, soy bean, cotton) and are targets for this environment friendly methodology; the removal of the ant protection and re-entry of the beneficial insects. Aphids, also known as plant lice (and in Britain as greenflies), [1] are small plant-eating insects, and members of the superfamily Aphidoidea. [2] Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants in temperate regions. [3] The damage they do to plants has made them enemies of farmers and gardeners the world over, but from a purely zoological standpoint they are a very successful group of organisms. [4] About 4,400 species of 10 families are known. Historically, many fewer families were recognized, as most species were included in the family Aphididae. Around 250 species are serious pests for agriculture and forestry as well as an annoyance for gardeners. They vary in length from one to ten millimetres. Natural enemies include predatory lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), hoverfly larvae (Diptera: Syrphidae), parasitic wasps, aphid midge larvae, crab spiders [5] lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), and entomopathogenic fungi like Lecanicillium lecanii and the Entomophthorales. Some species of ants "farm" aphids, protecting them on the plants they eat, eating the honeydew that the aphids release from the terminations of their alimentary canals. This is a "mutualistic relationship". Fungi that attack aphids include Neozygites fresenii, Entomophthora, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and entomopathogenic fungi like Lecanicillium lecanii. Aphids brush against the microscopic spores. These spores stick to the aphid, germinate and penetrate the aphid's skin. The fungus grows in the aphid hemolymph (i.e., the counterpart of blood for aphids). After about 3 days, the aphid dies and the fungus releases more spores into the air. Infected aphids are covered with a woolly mass that progressively grows thicker until the aphid is obscured. Often the visible fungus is not the type of fungus that killed the aphid, but a secondary fungus. [21] 7

8 Challenge Ahead To measure the challenge ahead for the KM Foundation s proposed initiative, read the white-paper report of the Alternative Paradigms for Commercializing Biological Control Workshop held by Rutgers University in The white-paper report arising from the workshop was and still is most insightful, but unfortunately most of its objectives have not been realized during the past eleven years. The KM Message, Need for Change & Means for Change, presented above validates that conclusion. Most of the action proposed by the Workshop can be a blueprint for future action. What was missing and now proposed is a self-funding, association of individuals and organizations, operating within a non-profit and profit-making framework, as a catalyst and rallying point for assembling support and resources to promote a transition from broadcast delivery of toxic insecticides to more environmentfriendly methods of insect control. (See excerpts from Workshop below) Alternative Paradigms for Commercializing Biological Control is a report of a workshop coorganized by the Experiment Station Committee on Policy - Biological Control Working Group (ESCOP-WGBC) and The Rutgers University, May 31 - June 2, 1998, Hyatt Regency Hotel, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Aspects of this report are adapted from a summary paper presented by Dr. Jeff Waage, CABI Bioscience, Silwood Park, UK, at the close of the workshop. The Action Plan represents a collaborative effort by all workshop attendees. Underlying the failure of biologicals to realize their potential is a more fundamental problem: the persistence of a chemical paradigm for pest control products that undervalues biologicals and undermines their development. The chemical paradigm expresses itself most clearly in statements on what is necessary for products to be competitive. Compared to chemical pesticides, biologicals generally fail in areas such as speed of kill, storage, range of targets, ease of use, distribution, and cost. Clearly, biologicals are not effective chemicals. However, some of these arguments appear more illusory than real. For example, the claim that farmers will only accept quick-acting products like chemical insecticides and will not wait for an insect pathogen to kill over a few days contrasts with the widespread acceptance of slow-acting herbicides. More generally, arguments formulated on what the farmer "wants", ignores the fact that the crop protection market has been supply driven for many years. Only recently, through innovative programs of farmer participation in IPM, are farmers beginning to play their deserved role in the development of products. Furthermore, the chemical paradigm goes beyond considerations of the desirable properties of products and involves the continuing problem of moving biologicals through extension and regulatory systems that have been molded over time for the movement of chemical products. With respect to regulation, biologicals face the paradox of often having lower efficacy than chemical competitors in terms of direct killing power, but of being better IPM products by virtue of this very attribute since they conserve natural enemies. Many registration systems fail to address this issue fully. Moreover, the chemical paradigm also reflects a bias in social values evident in the pharmaceutical and related industries toward quick and simple drug-like curative measures as an alternative to a more holistic, preventative approach. The latter is clearly more appropriate to biological products. 8

9 Perhaps the most profound impact of the chemical paradigm on biologicals is to marginalize those properties that make them superior to chemicals, specifically their capacity as living organisms to reproduce, persist and spread (ecologically, their numerical response). Thereby, their impact is potentially much greater than their original killing action (their functional response). The selection of agents for their killing power only is epitomized by the commercial development of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) relative to other pathogens that survive and reproduce better in crop environments (e.g., fungi, viruses). In a chemical paradigm, these properties are seen as potentially disadvantageous to commercial prospects since they could reduce sales. Nonetheless, there are commercially successful products sold into agro ecosystems where self-replication and spread is a desirable property, namely many seeds and plants. Similarly, the fact that demand for biologicals may decline as natural enemy populations recover from years of chemical pesticide use also can be seen as a disadvantage commercially when considered according to a chemical paradigm rather than as a positive attribute of a different kind of product. Bt, for example, plays an important role in recovery associated with pesticide treadmills in vegetable systems around the world. In this case, it might best be viewed as an environmental remediation product, perhaps transient in nature, but with a continuing small demand in restored systems. 9