[REARVIEW] Stories and statistics of interest to pest control operators

Gallup Poll: West Nile Virus Stirs More Public Fear Than Anthrax
PRINCETON, N.J. — Although medicine has eradicated some of the worst health scourges of human history, the introduction of West Nile virus to the United States in 1999 and anthrax bioterrorism in 2001 have given Americans two additional ailments to be worried about. And just as the risk of West Nile virus (along with the mosquitoes that spread it) temporarily fades with the end of summer, flu season is beginning.

Recent Gallup polling shows that fewer Americans are worried about anthrax exposure than are worried about being affected by further acts of terrorism against the United States, more generally. But concern about contracting West Nile virus exceeds both of these terrorism-related worries.

For additional information, including charts about West Nile virus and public opinion, visit http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr021003.asp.

Wasps to the Rescue

Wasps usually elicit squeals and a mad dash for bug spray by homeowners. But a team of Agricultural Research Service scientists and cooperators has found a new job for wasps — as chemical detectors.

ARS scientists have found parasitic wasps can be used to detect chemicals, such as those associated with foodborne toxins.

Researchers are using a model system to demonstrate the detection of chemicals associated with aflatoxins, which are naturally occurring mycotoxins produced by certain types of mold, such as Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Some strains of these Aspergillus species produce aflatoxins, and others don’t. Parasitic wasps can differentiate between toxin- and non-toxin-producing molds. Current methods to test for aflatoxins are limited, time-consuming and expensive.

Wasps can be trained to detect any chemical by using their natural instincts to find food by scent. Mimicking nature, scientists feed sugar water to wasps while exposing them to the chemical scent to be tracked. During this process, wasps learn to link this chemical scent to food. This mechanism is called “typical associative learning.”

To test for chemicals, wasps are placed in a container with a small hole, and air is passed over them. If the wasps detect the target chemical, they go into the hole hoping to find a food source associated with the chemical scent. When they move into the hole, they trip a buzzer that indicates aflatoxins are present.
Although certain airborne vapors are associated with aflatoxin, the specific chemicals are unknown. The research team’s next step is to determine the particular chemical in aflatoxin that attracts the wasps. This will allow the development of a portable machine that acts as a flexible biosensor.

NEW MEANING TO THE WORD ‘VEGAN’

In a cover story in Time magazine this summer, called “Should You Be A Vegetarian?” the magazine explained to its readers the differences between various levels of vegetarianism. From sproutarianism (people whose diet is built primarily around sprouted seeds, such as bean, wheat and broccoli sprouts) to ovo-vegetarians (who eat vegetables and eggs), eight types of vegetarians are discussed.