West Virginia University West Virginia University
Extension Service
June 2001
Dr. John F. Baniecki, Extension Specialist in Plant
Pathology/Entomology,
Pest Management Program
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has Revised it's Guidance Concerning West Nile Virus
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has revised its guidance
concerning West Nile virus. This virus is a potentially serious disease that is
transmitted by mosquitoes; birds serve as a reservoir and indicator for the disease. The
disease is also a serious threat to horses; it not known if small mammals are susceptible
or harbor West Nile virus. Unexplained dead birds could indicate the presence of the
virus. The CDC recommends source reduction as the first line of defense. Keep in mind that
mosquitoes must have water to reproduce; minimizing the available breeding areas can
reduce mosquito populations. In many places, however, it is not feasible to eliminate all
mosquito breeding sites. The CDC recommends controlling the larvae. Larviciding is
"typically more effective and target specific" than killing adults. There are
bacterial products and insect growth regulators that will kill mosquito larvae with little
or no effect on other organisms. Spraying pesticides for adult mosquitoes also remains an
important component of the program. The Center recommends applications based on
surveillance data and strategies to prevent the development of resistance. You can review
the CDC guidance at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/resources/wnv-guidelines-apr-2001.pdf
Without proper disposal, these pesticides will eventually contaminate the environment. Unfortunately, pesticide disposal is expensive, and many countries do not have the resources or expertise for pesticide disposal. Pesticide companies are doing the responsible thing. The Global Crop Protection Federation (GCPF) pledged to help developing countries dispose of obsolete pesticides. The GCPF is a group of about a dozen major pesticide companies. Certainly these companies bear some or most of the responsibility for this enormous amount of pesticide waste, but it is refreshing to hear multinational companies step up and pledge to fund cleanup. I hope the program is effective, and I hope the companies get the credit they deserve if cleanup is successful. (Pestic. & Tox. Chem. News, 5-14-01)
Scab causes more than $3 billion in losses annually in the U.S. A
number of biological controls have been identified for insects, but it has been more
difficult to find biocontrols for diseases. Researchers have identified several promising
candidates that work by competing with the disease for resources and space. If the 'good'
microbes have already colonized the wheat, the disease organism cannot become established.
You can read the details on the web www.nps.ars.usda.gov or you can contact the researchers at schislda@mail.ncaur.usda.gov
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The West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and West Virginia counties cooperating. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.
