Pennsylvania Vector Control Association

The Pennsylvania Vector Spreading News to the Vector Control Community

Volume 1, Issue 2 November 18, 2003 Inside this issue: NOAH Consulted for Surveillance Woes. Ark to be added in grant packages. Tyler Prize Awarded 2 Submitted by: Editor Cougar VS 2 PA Envirothon-perspective 3 If this season is any in- dication of what we have to What’s Up: Region 1 3 look forward to, West Nile New Theory 4 County Coordinators and Regional DEP officials may Mosquito-killing virus 4 have to start adding water Warren gives a warning 5 craft to their grant pack- ages in the coming years. Mosquito Trivia 5 Not only did the record rain Field techs teaching a sentinel flock to do the breast stroke. On the bank, falls cause farm fields and the life-guard stands watch, rope in hand, as the back-up retriever waits for New tool for Surveillance 5 his command. I wonder if the car is still parked next to the creek? parks to become wetlands What’s Up; Region 2 & 3 6 and marshes, some field Earlier this year, Well, this year we technicians had to include George Wojcik, told us of found out what it’s like to What’s Up: Region 4 7 swimmers safety training adulticiding operations in live in the “Skeeter Zone”. and scuba gear as part of Portsmouth ,Virginia. He Many of our county pro- What’s Up: Region 5 7 their job description. pointed out that among the grams have reported re- Coming Events 8 salt-water marshes and cord numbers of adult Pictured to the upper tidal areas, it was not un- mosquitoes. Why not: the PVCA LINE UP 8 right, several Biologists are common to collect 1 to 2 entire state was made into attempting to collect blood thousand mosquitoes per an mosquito incubator. What’s Up: Region 6 8 samples from a sentinel night. Some of us chuckled 2003 Black Report 9 flock of chickens. As you because we’d never seen Fortunately, our state can see, what was once a and county folks work ADVERTISING 10-13 more than a few hundred low level woodland site, adults per trap in nearly 3 hard and are committed to President’s Corner 14 became the “Black Lagoon” years of research. It just taking the lead in mos- over night due to heavy doesn’t get like that in PA. quito control. Great job Special points of interest: rains. • PVCA CONFERENCE November 19-21 State College, PA • New theory about droughts and JUST GRIN AND BARE IT …….Smile! mosquito numbers • Multi County Strategies: new look When your job is catch- How many techs does it How many techs does it at being neighbors ing mosquitoes, it can lead take to collect a sample take to determine wind From the Preface to Mosquito to some pretty interesting from a sewage treatment speed? 2—1 to throw the conversation. Usually it’s plant? 4 — 1 to collect feather and 1 to drive the “No on earth has touched so directly and profoundly the lives of our friends “buzzing” to the sample and 3 to pull truck. so many human beings. For all of share their wit. These nor- him out. history, and all over the globe, she mally don’t sound very How many techs does it has been a nuisance, a pain, and an funny coming from them, How many techs does it take to count mosquitoes? angel of death. The mosquito has but when you think about take to handle dry ice? 1—as long as there are killed great leaders, decimated ar- 3—1 to hold it and 2 to free less than 20 in the trap. mies, and decided the fates of na- some of the things our tions. All this and she is roughly the his hands. rookies get into; Oh well. Heard any of these before? size and weight of a grape seed.” VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 2 2003 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. Information submitted by Ben Russell

The 2003 Tyler Prize for Envi- In addition to his discovery and versity of the Negev in 1978 and was ronmental Achievement has been research on Bti, Dr. Margalith has promoted to Associate Professor in awarded to Yoel Margalith to honor helped introduce the concept of Inte- 1988 where he currently is a Profes- him for his contributions to the bio- grated Biological Control (IBC) sor of Entomology and Director of the logical control of mosquitoes and against mosquitoes in the Middle Center for Biological Control. He was black . His discovery in 1976 of East, Central Asia, Europe, and Af- also a visiting scholar of Tropical the new microbial subspecies known rica. Integrated Biological Control Public Health at Harvard School of as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis includes not only production and in- Public Health from 1990-92. (Bti) has had an enormous effect on troduction of Bti into mosquito and human health and on environ- black fly infested areas but also in- Dr. Margalith has been an active mental quality. volves ecological manipulation of the researcher, teacher, and author. He mosquito and black fly habitat as well has published some 60 scientific arti- Bti is a naturally occurring mi- as introduction of fish predators to cles, the author of 2 books and co- crobial agent, which is lethal to the breeding areas. editor of several collective volumes on most species of mosquitoes and Bacterial control of pests. He black flies. Unlike chemical pesti- Dr. Margalith was born in Yugo- served as President of the Zoological cides, Bti has little negative envi- slavia on Feb 9, 1933. He was a pris- Society of Israel from 1979-1981. ronmental impact, as it is specific to oner from 1944-45 at the Bergen— Internationally recognized as a leader the larvae of mosquitoes and black Belzen and Terezienstadt Concentra- in his field, Margalith has won nu- flies, while other organisms are un- tion Camps. He immigrated to Israel merous awards, including an Honor- affected. This natural enemy to the in 1948 and joined the Shaar ary Doctorate from the Universidad mosquito and black fly is often far Haamakin Kibbutz. He received his Autonoma de Neuvo Leon in Moner- cheaper than chemical alternatives. Bachelors’ degree from the Depart- rey, Mexico; the Presidential Citation No significant resistance to Bti has ment of Zoology at Hebrew Univer- Award from the American Mosquito been reported in over twenty years sity in Jerusalem in 1962, his MSc in Control Association (AMCA) and a of use. Bti has increasingly been Entomology in 1967 and a PhD de- Special Citation Award by the Greek chosen for controlling mosquito and gree in Parasitology in 1971 both Mosquito Abatement Organization. black fly born diseases. Bti has from the Hebrew University. He was He was awarded the first honorary been used very effectively against a visiting research associate at the membership in the Hungarian Mos- river blindness, along the Volta Center for Biology and Natural Sys- quito Control Association. The Soci- River in eleven African countries. tems of Washington University in St. ety of Invertebrate Pathology be- The sight of millions has been saved Louis, Missouri in 1972 and a visiting stowed upon him a special award for and repopulation of deserted river Associate Professor at Southern Illi- his achievements in Integrated Bio- valleys has been initiated. Addition- nois University from 1973—1975. In logical Control. He was also made ally, malarial infections from pesti- 1976, he returned to Israel as a Sen- the first honorary member of the cide resistant mosquitoes have ior Scientist at the Israel Institute for European Mosquito Control Associa- dropped by 90% along the Yangtze Biological Research, Nez Ziona. He tion. Margalith is popularly known River, China, which has a popula- became a Senior lecturer in the Dept as Israel’s “Mr. Mosquito” and his tion of over 20 million people. of Life Sciences at Ben Gurion Uni- effort saved millions of lives world-

Cougar VS Mosquitoes Submitted by Christian Boyer

This season Union County pur- new sprayer. The Cougar was used This was a great opportunity to chased a Cougar ULV truck several times during the peak of the increase our control efforts and also mounted sprayer. By doing this, we season, including 3 times in Snyder build stronger relationships with sur- greatly increased our ability to kill County. Everyone who saw this unit rounding counties by sharing ideas, large adult mosquito populations in in action was very impressed by its strategies, and developing team con- the county that could spread West knock down power. Both counties cepts for major mosquito control op- Nile Virus. This also became a saw, on average, a ten-fold decrease erations. This has proved to be cost valuable tool not only for this in mosquito populations after a treat- effective and timely for state and county, but also for the surrounding ment. It proved to be a powerful tool county partners. No more waiting or counties who chose to take advan- for our Integrated Mosquito Manage- paying for contract services. tage of the opportunity to use the ment program. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 3 STATE ENVIROTHON: Today’s kids-tomorrows future. Submitted by: Greg Molter

Last year the Danville High ored hair with ear, nose, lip, eye brow At every station, their enthusiastic School, in Montour County, was and tongue piercing wandering attitude was evident. Competition host to the Pennsylvania Envi- around in the great outdoors. Are directors tested the team members rothon. I had the opportunity to you starting to see a horror story un- for attention to detail and informa- observe and meet some very inter- folding? Flashbacks to Woodstock! tion on the topics of forestry, aquat- esting young people. Although our ics, wildlife, soil, and water conserva- West Nile Team didn’t have a test- Remain calm and take a deep tion practices. All students and able part in the competition, we did breath; these students were all of the teams were commended for their con- set up a display booth and talked to highest caliber. Like many of you, I tributions. When all was said and most of the students and faculty had never been exposed to multi col- done, Delaware County’s team won members present. I think it was ored hair, body piercing, pants worn with a score of 466 of a possible 500. informative for all of us. at the mid-groin area when I was in Good Show! school. Kids that were on special The competition started with 53 teams or clubs, had good grades and Just a thought, but maybe these of 65 teams giving oral presenta- were straight-laced, prim and proper. “Brats, Punks and Delinquents” are tions; a first in PA state competi- just what tomorrow needs. If mem- tion. The teams did surprisingly On a normal day, in conversation ory serves me well, some of us were well. (Of course, maybe I was the around town, you might hear teenag- referred to as “Brats, Punks and De- only one surprised.) ers of today referred to as “Brats, linquents” in our day. I think we’ll be Punks, and Delinquents”. And if all in pretty good hands after all. On the following morning, all 65 teenagers were directly related to the teams took to the field at PPL Mon- actions of some, or even more obvi- tour Preserve for the second phase ous, their appearance, then those la- of the competition: field evaluations. bels would probably fit. But they Imagine, 65 teams (4-5 students per aren’t all the same and to put these team), as many as 325 teenagers, in students in that grouping would be fatigues, jeans, t-shirts, multi col- ABSOLUTELY wrong .

What’s Happening in Region 1: Submitted by Raymond Delaney As we wrap up the season here in for the spread of WNV. Yearly we re- species of and will process these the region, allow me to reacquaint you spond to approximately 10 rat bites and samples this fall for WNV. The informa- with our programs. The SE 5 county over 9,000 rodent complaints. In addi- tion from this study will be available to region includes Bucks, Chester, Dela- tion to responding to these complaints; us in the future and would be a great ware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia the Philadelphia Department of Public PVCA presentation for the next confer- counties. Our combined WNV pro- Health is in the midst of a Urban Com- ence. gram's duties are the work of over 155 mensal Rodent Grant that covers a fifty To say that this region is busy would people employed by local & county block area of North Philadelphia. This be understatement, but we did find some health departments, the DEP, the PA area is being surveyed for rodent infesta- time this season, as I hope we all did, to Health Department, and PDA. Six of tions and safety concerns with the goal to take ourselves a little less seriously. Was us work on the state's black fly program reduce these infestations and provide the it the time when our larviciding crews and close to thirty people work on ro- residents with safety items such as non- were questioned like terrorists accused of dent control issues. slip bath mats, night-lights, handrails and putting toxins into our sewer system? This season our region encountered smoke detectors. It also gives our Rat- Was it the time when the mist off our dry 62 West Nile Cases with 2 deaths, a Proofing Crew an opportunity to show ice was confused with an incendiary de- marked change from 2002's 14 cases off their handiwork. During this sum- vice? Maybe it was the time that the and three deaths. We responded to mer, some of us also had a chance to neighborhood gossip had you answer a over 160 cases of WNV in horses, work with staff from the USDA who was pool complaint just to get back at her ex - which is up from 13 last year and in our region to trap and study the spread brother-in-law? In any event working in countless pools of positive mosquitoes. of WNV in live birds and small mam- Vector Control can be almost as much 5,414 birds fell out of the air on our mals. The USDA staff took blood and fun as it is rewarding; if only it paid well. watch and 89 of those tested positive tissue samples from several different And how was your season???? VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 4 Drought Portends Mosquito Misery Story by Jocelyn Kaiser, Savannah, Georgia A rainy year means more mos- permanent ponds, they found few quitoes, right? Not quite, suggests mosquito larvae but plenty of fish, a study reported here on August 5th water beetles and other critters that at the meeting of the Ecological So- feed on mosquito larvae. Mosquitoes ciety of America. The research were also scarce in ponds that dried found that because dry weather up every year, in this case because knocks out key mosquito predators they were rife with competition: zoo- and competitors, last year’s plankton, snails, and tadpoles that drought—not this year’s rainfall— compete with mosquito larvae for al- may best predict mosquito out- gae and other food. breaks in wetlands.

The idea for the research came to natural ponds. After waiting 3 years Jonathan Chase of Washington to allow the communities to stabilize, University in St. Louis, Missouri, the researchers slowly drained some and his wife Tiffany Knight, now a tanks to create a drought. Mosquito postdoctoral researcher at the Uni- larvae numbers the next year boomed versity of Florida in Gainesville, compared with the tanks that were after a pond they were studying in drained each year or kept full. Pennsylvania dried up during a drought. The next year when the The team has found that drought pond filled again, the number of the previous year correlates much mosquito larvae skyrocketed. To better than the current year’s rainfall explore what was happening, the with mosquito abundance in some two ecologists surveyed about 30 cities, such as Winnipeg, Canada. ponds of three types: permanent, Although Chase and Knight studied semi permanent, and temporary. In But in ponds that were usually full only two species of mosquitoes but dried out after a drought in 1999, (Anopheles quadrimaculatus and mosquito larvae burgeoned the next Culex pipiens) that breed in wet- year, Chase reported. The reason, he lands, others have suggested that and Knight suspect, is that drought drought also plays a role in outbreaks killed both predators and competi- of mosquitoes that breed in tree tors, which in these ponds aren’t holes, such as the Asian tiger mos- adapted to dry spells. The team found quito, notes Steven Juliano of Illinois the same pattern when they created State University, Normal. “A few artificial wetlands: 1.5 meter wide people have thought about it, but no- tanks filled with soil and water that body’s done [this] systematic effort,” they stocked with mosquito larvae he says. and other organisms found in the

Mosquito-killing virus may help slow West Nile spread Taken from CNN.com/HEALTH April 24, 2003

The Agriculture Department says a kind of a killer for a killer,” he said. transmitted. They’ve found it infects disease that kills mosquitoes could The department wants companies to a particular species of mosquito, be one way to slow the spread of make mosquito-killing sprays from Culex—a major carrier of West Nile West Nile virus. Jim Becnel, a baculovirus and put it on the market. virus. Researchers also noticed it scientist with the departments Ag- The agency got a patent on baculovi- works especially well on young Culex riculture Research Service, said rus, but it’s up to manufacturers to living in polluted wet areas. To kill that he and a team of researchers make commercial sprays because fed- larvae, they add magnesium to bacu- have come up with a new method to eral law prohibits the government lovirs and spray it on the larvae. The kill mosquitoes by infecting them from doing so. Becnel said scientists insects are dead within 2-3 days. It with an illness called baculovirus. discovered baculovirus in 1997 but will be interesting to see which direc- It only works on mosquitoes. “It’s took years to understand how it is tion this product takes. More to come. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 5 Palmerton area man issues warning By Karen Cimms, Carbon County News Warren Siegmond has a giant was the way we grew up.” also notices several dead mosquitoes shell in his yard, left over from in and around the water in the shell. someone who moved away years Siegmond listened to all the atten- He got a spoon and dipped the tiny ago. Thinking he could salvage it tion West Nile Virus was getting, and swimmers into a jar with more water and make something attractive for he worried about areas that looked from the birdbath. He sealed the jar the front yard of his Palmerton area like they might be breeding mosqui- tightly. Within a few days, adult home, he turned it into a birdbath. toes. “I remember looking at one mosquitoes appeared inside. Once he What he didn’t know was that his place and thinking “Boy, that has to realized his birdbath was a mosquito birdbath had become a breeding be a breeding place,’ not thinking breeding ground, Siegmond scrubbed ground for mosquitoes. that something in my front yard was it out. He watches it carefully and breeding.” replaces the water every couple days. “This whole business about larva and mosquitoes, that happens to Siegmond has other containers “I don’t know whether or not we somebody else, in somebody else’s around his yard to feed wildlife. He were breeding a harmful disease, but back yard. We treat it very noncha- would check on them occasionally and the fact is that they were there.” “I lantly. It happens to very young dump out any water that would accu- would advise anyone to be more care- people and very old people. There’s mulate. “I thought that I had every- ful, especially after a light rain. nothing to be afraid of. Years ago, thing clean, and then I saw this giant Check anywhere there is just enough we just slapped at mosquitoes and clam shell, and saw black things and water, warmth and no disturbance, never thought something else could they were moving. I thought they even a cover on the pool..” Sounds happen to us. Mosquitoes were an looked like little tadpoles.” The tad- like Warrens working for us. Reduc- annoyance and nothing else. That poles were quite tiny, and Siegmond tion starts at home: every home.

DID YOU KNOW? A Taste of Mosquito Trivia.

Did you know ….9 out of 10 Aedes its reach, including its own. Did you know …...Adults mosquitoes aegypti blood meals will be taken have been caught at altitudes in ex- from human hosts. Did you know ….. Toxorhynchites cess of 5,000 ft. brevipaplpis never takes a blood Did you know ….although an adult meal. It depends on nectar for suste- mosquito will only ingest 3 milli- nance. It’s also very shy; almost grams of blood, that amount greatly never observed in nature. exceeds its own body weight. Did you know ……. Anopheles dar- “The largest of all mosquito Did you know ….Toxorhynchites lingi feeds almost exclusively on hu- larvae is the Toxorhynchites brevipaplis is a voracious cannibal. mans and is perhaps the most dan- brevipaplpis.” During the larvae phase, it will con- gerous vector in the Americas. sume other mosquito larvae within

New Tool for Mosquito Surveillance: By Louise Bugbee, Lehigh Co.

Lehigh County WNV Staff util- to rotate every three hours. Results sented in nominal numbers included ized a Collection Bottle Rotator were fairly consistent. Ochlerotatus Psorophora, Anopheles and Coquillet- Trap this season in their mosquito trivittatus dominated the hours from tidia. surveillance. The Rotator allows a just before dusk until About two catch up to a 24-hour period to be hours after dark but were caught in The Rotator is a valuable device to segregated into 8 separate contain- every time period. Culex salinarius, learn which species are most active ers. The intervals are determined were present in consistent numbers during a given time of the day or by the collector and set using a pro- from just after dark until early morn- night. It can provide valuable data grammable timer. The trap was set ing. Ades vexans were present in from a particular site for the plan- four times from late July through small numbers throughout the day ning and timing of adulticiding opera- early October. It was programmed and night. Other genuses repre- tions. (See picture pg 6, Region 2.) VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 6

What’s Happening in Region 2: Submitted by Len Forte

In the Northeast Region, an un- flood pools created by heavy rains Wayne Co. were WNV positive. usually large amount of precipita- produced extremely large numbers of tion produced a bumper crop of mos- flood pool mosquitoes. Light trap In the summer of 2003 the North- quitoes in 2003. From June to Sep- collections often contained greater east Region experienced the most tember rainfall amounts recorded than 1000 adult mosquitoes. Flood viral activity ever previously re- were 12.91 inches above normal, pool species, Oclerotatus trivittatus, ported. This year there were 105 creating numerous breeding habi- Aedes vexans, and Psophora ferox WNV positive birds, 11 WNV positive tats for container breeders and flood predominated in these collections. horses, 61 WNV positive mosquito pool mosquitoes. Some areas actu- The first Oc. Trivittatus adult tested pools, and 7 sentinel chickens re- ally received more precipitation in positive on September 9th from Le- ported as of October 21st. There were localized heavy downpours. high Co. Ae. vexans went positive also 14 human cases that sought from a trap collected on September medical attention for West Nile Virus In June and July, Culex restu- 4th in Luzerne Co. ans numbers were extremely high. Gravid trap collections often con- Several other species have tested tained greater than 100 mosquitoes positive for WNV in the region. per trap. The first mosquito pool Anopheles punctipennis, Oc. japoni- that tested positive for WNV was a cus, Cu. Pipiens and Cu. salinarius pool of Culex restuans adults col- also tested positive. An interesting lected on July 16, 2003 in Carbon development was reported of two spe- Co. On July 30, 2003 a WNV posi- cies that previously had not tested tive Ochlerotatus triseriatus adult positive in Pennsylvania. Culiseta was collected in Luzerne Co. This melanura adults from two collections was the first non-Culex mosquito reported on September 3rd and Octo- testing positive in the region. ber 7th from Pike and Wayne Coun- ties, and Coquillettidia perturbans Check out Lehigh Co.’s Rotor Trap. In August and September large reported on September 3rd from Another tool of the trade. (story pg 5)

What’s Happening in Region 3 Submitted by Sven-Erik Spichiger

Region three was a hotbed for West quito . Huntingdon Co .– 7/23 mosquito; 52; Franklin 19; Huntingdon & Juniata Nile Virus activity this past vector sea- 8/29 bird . Juniata Co .– 6/24 mosquito; <5 each; Lancaster 86; Lebanon 35; Mif- son. Listed below are results as com- 8/14 bird ; 9/26 veterinary . Lancaster flin 5; Perry 8; York 508. piled by Kristen Bardell (South Cen- Co .– 7/21 mosquito; 7/22 bird; 7/22 vet- Black fly programs were conducted in tral Regional WNV Coordinator) , erinary; 7/30 human; 8/14 sentinel. 8 of the 15 region three counties this past with the aid of James Haefner (WNV- Lebanon Co .– 7/15 mosquito; 7/30 hu- season. Participating counties included Central Office) . This listing indicates man; 8/14 sentinel; 8/18 bird; 9/9 veteri- Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, the date each county had it’s first posi- nary . Mifflin Co .– 7/28 mosquito; 9/3 Huntingdon, Juniata, Perry, and York. tive in individual categories. Adams bird; 9/9 veterinary. Perry Co .– 7/28 Frequent rains throughout the season led Co .– 7/25 mosquito; 8/4 bird; 9/8 vet- mosquito; 8/21 bird; 10/3 veterinary; to near constant high water levels, which erinary; 9/18 human . Bedford Co .– 10/9 human . York Co .– 7/4 mosquito; hampered both surveillance and treat- 6/30 bird; 8/20 mosquito; 9/12 human . 7/15 bird; 7/30 human; 8/15 sentinel; 9/8 ments throughout the region. Conditions Berks Co .– 7/28 mosquito; 8/13 bird; veterinary . State VS South Central for treatment of the Susquehanna River 9/1 veterinary; 9/8 sentinel; 9/9 human . totals: Human cases: 212-SC 92 = 43%. were only suitable on two occasions, but Blair Co .– 7/14 mosquito; 8/29 bird; Mosquito pos: 1187-SC 629=53%. Bird were not optimal. The less than optimal 8/29 sentinel. Cumberland Co .– 7/22 pos: 544-SC 210=39%. Sentinel pos: conditions resulted in limited effective- bird; 7/28 mosquito; 8/21 human; 9/11 537-SC335= 62%. Veterinary pos: 86- ness for the two events. The loss of key veterinary . Dauphin Co .– 7/25 mos- SC 50= 58%. counties to the overall program also quito; 8/4 sentinel; 8/13 bird; 9/5 hu- Kristen Waller (DOH) provided the helped to contribute to higher than nor- man; 9/24 veterinary. Franklin Co .– following on Lyme Disease cases for the mal adult populations in the region this 7/11 mosquito; 8/13 bird; 9/2 human; region. Adams 86; Bedford 6; Berks season. -Dave Rebuck (DEP-Black Fly 9/4 veterinary . Fulton Co .– 7/23 mos- 189; Blair 5; Cumberland 47; Dauphin Program) VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 7

Region 4: “Hand-Shake Coalition”

The military is not the only or- the total equipment requirement, we enced applicators. A meeting date ganization that can use the COALI- would still be able to provide general and time is set, we review the plan of TION FORMULA. protection and control to our specific action, ensure all agencies have been counties as needed, but could also contacted, then it’s “charge”. It ’s a Several counties in our region attack the larger problem areas as a little more drawn out than that, but have formed a “Hand-Shake” Coali- team. After all, we are receiving the you get the idea. Working together tion to combat the ever growing Bio same training, we’re working under allows us to brainstorm our ideas and Terror group know as Mosquitoes. the same leadership (DEP), and we to provide the very best control meas- Columbia, Montour, Snyder, and all want to provide assistance to our ures available from the home team. Union County WNV coordinators counties, without draining our budg- have agreed that working together ets. Not every location requires the full to fight adult mosquitoes would not “Normandy Invasion” response. It only be more effective, but also less Here’s a little example of how our may only need the assistance of one costly to the program. team reacts. A coordinator discovers or two additional personnel. But no large numbers of mosquitoes that matter what the situation, it’s nice to Early in the season, this group have been identified as potential know help is just a phone call away. discussed the grant proposals and WNV vectors. It’s decided that to how mosquito control in each area best handle the area, a combination We are already looking to 2004 might best be achieved. It became of barrier treatments, hand-held and enhancing our coalition force. By evident that to provide the total ULV, and a mobile ULV unit will be researching new and improved equip- control package in each area, would needed. With the local coordinator ment options now, we can plan for require additional equipment for taking the lead, the regional office is adding new tools to our regional arse- each county and would still require contacted, as well as other team play- nal and have them on hand before a the use of contract services to get ers who can assist with applying pes- major outbreak takes place the desired effect. With that in ticides: Union Co. has a truck So bring on the mosquitoes—the mind, the topic soon focused on mounted ULV spray unit while Co- “sharing the wealth” so to speak. “Coalition” is ready. Relax; we’ve got lumbia, Montour, and Snyder have your back (at least each other’s)! By each of us gathering portions of various back-pack units and experi- Region 5: Health Department Throws Money Down the Sewer Submitted by Bill Todaro In order to prevent another out- plan was to treat all of the mosquito At least $60,000 of the state grant was break of West Nile Virus in the Pitts- breeding sites that could be found in the spent just on pesticides alone, but there burgh area, the County Health depart- City and the surrounding municipal ar- was only one human case of West Nile ment focused its efforts on public edu- eas. Virus in the City and 9 cases in the rest cation, code enforcement and timely The pesticides chosen for the job were of the County, most being from munici- treatment of known Culex mosquito Vectolex WSP and Altosid XR ingots. pal areas that had not treated their catch breeding sites. Our Public information Both formulations had no impact on non- basins. office kept the local media well in- target fish, amphibians, birds or animals formed about West Nile and they pro- and so were considered safe enough for duced an excellent public service an- the city streets. However, based on cost nouncement that played on radio sta- and relative ease of use, three pallets tions all season. Starting in March, we (sixty cases) of Vectolex were used to trained over 100 County and Municipal less than ten cases of the Altosid ingots. staff about mosquitoes, disease and The combined effort resulted in thou- pesticides. About 75 of these staff sands of complaint responses and over were then either certified or registered 50,000 breeding site treatments in the as pesticide technicians by the Pennsyl- City of Pittsburgh and participating mu- vania Department of Agriculture. One nicipalities. In response to rising Culex Pictured are personnel from region 3 team responded to public complaints mosquito populations, based on gravid doing similar catch basin treatments in about abandoned swimming pools, trap catches, the first round of catch ba- Lancaster County. Peddling Pesticides : I scrap auto tires, while the other team sin treatments began in late June with a wonder if they printed their license num- focused on treating catch basins. The second round in late August. ber on the back of their tee shirts? VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 8 PVCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE LINE UP Editor The Pennsylvania Vector Control Mike Hutchinson WOODLAND POOL MOSQUITO Association Annual Conference is MEET THE MEDIA— (banquet) CONTROL— Chris Lesser about to begin. We hope you enjoy Mark Newberg BEES AND MOSQUITO CONTROL– your time with us. Here is a list of THURSDAY Dennis Van Englesdorp conference speakers and subject RODENT CONTROL IN PHILADEL- IMOSQUITO CONTROL EQUIP- matter. PHIA—Randy Clever MENT—(in parking lot) PA BLACK FLY SUPPRESSION FRIDAY WEDNESDAY HISTORY– Jon Raemore STINGING INSECTS —Joe Fitz- REGISTRATION: 11:00-12:00 VECTOR COMPETANCE— patrick WELCOMING REMARKS– Gary Michael Turell PA LYME AND TICK/BED BUGS Jones PVCA President MOSQUITO GENETICS & SUR- UPDATE-Steve Jacobs SUMMARY OF THE PA WNV VEILLANCE– Dina Fonseca INVASIVE FOREST INSECTS IN PROGRAM-Dan Arbegast DELAWARE/ MARYLAND WNV PA—Shahla Werner DCNR VECTORS AND BIOTERRORISM - PROGRAMS—Chris Lesser UNDERSTANDING PESTICIDE Michael Turell AERIAL LARVICIDING NEW JER- EXPOSURE AND INCREASING AP- IPM of RODENT CONTROL— SEY— John Holick PICATOR PROTECTION—Monte Mark Lacey PVCA OUTSTANDING STUDENT— Furry BIRD CONTROL— Brad Lovet PVCA BUSINESS MEETING Kim Lewis FORMULAS & MORE- Bill German LYME DISEASE—Rodent & Deer CALIBRATION OF ULV EQUIP- Jacquelyn Hakims MENT— William Zawicki VECTEST & RAMP—WNV TEST COMING EVENTS

Items listed here have been NOV 19-21—PVCA Annual Con- DEC 8—Region 5 Year End Wrap- submitted by the PVCA Staff, ference, State College up, DEP Pittsburg general membership, or ven- dors. We encourage you to take NOV 25— Region 4 Year End DEC 9—Region 2 Year End Wrap- advantage of this option. It is Wrap-up, DEP Regional Offices, up, DOH Wilkes-Barre Williamsport recommended that if you have DEC 11—Region 1 Year End scheduled events that would DEC 5—2004 WNV Grant Package Wrap-up, DEP Regional Offices, involve county or regional of- Drafts to DEP Regional Coordi- Conshohocken fices, placement in this news nators by close of business. letter may assist in reaching DEC 15—Region 3 Year End affected and interested parties. DEC 3—Region 6 Year End Wrap- Wrap-up, DEP Harrisburg up, DEP Mercer Co CO-OP Ext. JAN 15— News letter items due. What’s Happening in Region 6: Information from Scott Dudzic

This summer, the northwest re- these were to report standing water 2nd, with the first snowfall. After gion experienced heavy rainfalls and major adult mosquito problem that, the region had several hard and few days of sunshine. Our areas. With the amount of standing frosts with only a few warm days. longest dry period in the region water present, WNV staff could not Adult mosquito catches have been lasted five or six days. The extreme get to all problem areas before adult very low or nonexistent for the past weather created many floodwater mosquitoes started to hatch off. Due several weeks. habitats for mosquitoes to breed in. to the large number of mosquitoes, county WNV staff quickly became This summer provided a busy and County and DEP WNV program experts in ULV adult mosquito con- stressful environment for county offices were overwhelmed with in- trol. WNV staff. The long hours of lar- coming calls from individuals and vaciding and ULV application experi- community leaders. The bulk of Relief came to the region October ences gained, will only help to en- VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 9 Black Fly Program Experiences Difficult Season Submitted by David Rebuck

The PA-DEP Black Fly Sup- Treatment costs increased sub- pression Program experienced stantially in 2003 as a result of the heavy rainfall and very high stream high river and stream flows. The and river flows during the 2003 increased costs resulted in budget treatment season. This summer shortages that brought an early end was the second wettest in Pennsyl- to the 2003 treatment season in the vania history, with 16.90 inches of Susquehanna, Juniata, Delaware, precipitation. Only during the and Schuylkill river systems. flood year of 1972, has our state Treatments ended on the Susque- received more summer rainfall, hanna and Juniata in mid to late when 16.94 inches were recorded. July. The last Bti applications on The continuous precipitation cre- the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers ated high and turbulent waterways occurred in mid August. The west- and resulted in numerous missed and effectiveness of black fly treat- ern half of Pennsylvania fared a bit black fly treatments in participating ments. better, with Allegheny and counties. As a result of missed Youghiogheny River treatments treatments, and an early end to the Statewide black fly treatments continuing until late August. treatment season, adult black fly began in late April and early May. pest populations were unusually All black fly applications used Ba- With treatments ending early, high in some areas of the state dur- cillus thuringiensis var . israelensis , adult black fly populations in- ing mid-summer through fall. or Bti , a naturally occurring soil creased throughout the summer, bacterium. Vectobac 12AS TM , peaked in mid September, and con- Thirty-three Pennsylvania coun- manufactured by Valent Biosci- tinued above normal through the ties participated in the 2003 PA- ences Corporation, was the only end of October. Sample results DEP program. Fifty-three streams Bti control product used this sea- varied greatly from region to re- and rivers were monitored and son. Helicopter Applicators Inc. gion. Good larval control from treated, if necessary, for black fly and AgRotors Inc. completed all April through July in some areas of populations. Human pest black fly helicopter applications. A few the state, continued to suppress species in the Simulium jenningsi small streams were treated with adult numbers through late sum- complex were most abundant in the backpack sprayers by PA-DEP mer. However, other areas of Allegheny, Delaware, Schuylkill, biologists. Pennsylvania experienced adult Susquehanna, and Youghiogheny black fly populations 1 to 25 times river drainages. Elevated river lev- above established pest levels. This els and unsafe wading conditions contributed to numerous citizen resulted in a reduced number of complaints, legislator concerns, and larval and pupal samples collected increased economic impact on rec- during the year. PA-DEP biolo- reational and outdoor activities. gists and summer interns collected The PA-DEP Black Fly Program 2,521 larval and pupal samples regrets not being able to do a better from April 3rd to October 3rd . In job controlling black flies due to contrast, the number of adult sam- uncontrollable weather circum- ples increased slightly in 2003, stances. Our only wish for Christ- with 4,924 samples collected from mas this year is normal precipita- April 2nd to November 4th . A total tion and a successful treatment sea- of 7,445 black fly samples were son in 2004! collected and identified in 2003 to determine the need for, timing of,

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 10 Space reserved for vendors: 1/8 page free to sustaining members, otherwise 1/8 page $50, 1/4 page $75, 1/2 page $100 and full page $200. Contact Andy Kyle for more information regarding advertising in our newsletter.

PENNSYLVANIA WEST NILE VIRUS SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL PROGRAM

Information sources: DEP, DoH, & the Department of Agriculture

Bell Laboratories, Inc. J. C. Ehrlich Co., Inc. Dan Alarcon The World Leader in Rodent 100 Willowbrook Lane Suite 105 Control Technology West Chester, PA 19382 Scott Sikora (610) 431-7658 503 Sunset Road , West Reading, PA 19611 Fax (610) 431-7837 (800) 643-7397, ext. 3157 [email protected] [email protected]

EcoScientific Solutions Ronald M. Tussell 930 Meadow Avenue, Suite 2B Scranton PA 18505 (570) 496-1000, ext. 106 Fax: (570) 496-1001 [email protected]

Brian D. Smith Technical Sales Representative Professional Products & Services

UNIVAR USA INC. T 610 237 8402 Toll Free Phone: 800-323-5727 850 Calcon Hook Road 800 888 4897 (order) Local Phone: 630-894-2000 Alexander Court Bay #9 M 215 260 0834 Fax: 630-894-1774 Sharon Hill, PA 19079 F 610 237 8394 www.clarkemosquito.com USA brian [email protected] Email:[email protected] www.univarusa.com VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 11 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 12 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 13 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 14

PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR CONTROL ASSOCIATION The Pennsylvania Vector is an informational news letter, written and pro- Montour County duced for the purpose of providing the members of the PVCA with up- Dept. of Vector Management 30 Woodbine Lane dates on activities conducted by this group and to highlight innovations Danville, PA 17821 made in the field of vector control. Articles herein have been reviewed Questions/Submissions: for content and to the best of my knowledge contain the most current Phone: 570-271-3021 Fax: 570-271-3078 information available. The Pennsylvania Vector will be mailed to organiza- Email: [email protected] tion members and placed on the PVCA web site.

Items posted in “Coming Events” are submitted by the general member- ship and staff. Posting herein allows for the widest dissemination to all members of the organization. Should the event need to be cancelled or rescheduled (after publication), revisions will not be printed or mailed to the membership as part of the News Letter process. These revisions should be submitted as soon as possible by email or fax to the PVCA web site.

Organizations are encouraged to submit News Letter articles and can do so by contacting this office. Cut-off dates : Jan 15th, May 15th, and Sep 15th. Publications will be issued Feb, Jun, and Oct. www.pavectorcontrol.org/pvca.htm

PRESIDENT’S Corner: EDITOR’S Corner: Gary Jones Greg Molter The following information was It’s been one full year since we provided by CDC as of November 5, started “The Pennsylvania Vector” and I couldn’t be happier with the and passed along to all WNV Coor- support we’ve received from staff dinators and staff by Dan Arbegast. and members alike. You have made It’s worth repeating. During 2003, a this newsletter possible. total of 8,219 human cases of WNV The first edition proved to be the infection have been reported. Of 8,087 (98%) cases test by fire: deadlines, financial re- straints, establishing paid advertising, and collecting stories. for which demographic data were available, 4,253 Ok; so we missed our first deadline—and the second, but we (53%) occurred among males; the median age was did finally produce. What was a 4 to 6 page publication, 47 years (range: 1 month--99 years), and the dates quickly spread to 14 pages. You did get to meet the staff, and of illness onset ranged from March 28 to October even a little back ground about themselves. We found ven- 22. Of the 8,087 cases, 182 cases were fatal. A to- dor’s willing to place ads and we had our first edition profes- tal of 713 presumptive West Nile viremic blood do- sionally printed (a financial learning experience, at the least). this edition. Which looked like we would only have 1 or 2 nors have been reported to ArboNET, including 621 articles. But then the articles began flowing in: information (87%) from the following nine western and mid- that just HAD to be in this edition. Talk about a sigh of relief; western states: CO, KS, NE, NM, ND, OK, SD, TX, wow! I got feeling so good I even added a section for hu- and WY. Of the 583 donors for whom data are com- morous stories and jokes (Grin and Bare it). Maybe you have pletely reported, six (1 %) subsequently had neuro- something for next edition? Anyway, alls well that ends well In closing, I wish to thank you the support articles and invasive disease (median age: 45 years [range: 28 – information needed to keep the “Vector” alive and well. 76 years) and 89 (15 %) had West Nile fever. Working together, we can continue providing a newsletter with informational content and that’s enjoyable to read.