Page 5, The Journal, Buena Vista, GA, Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Is the Fungus Among Us? By Seth McAllister pick later as help with pollination. Unfortu- It never ceases to amaze me bolls of lint. nately, we cannot always wait, the intricacies of the world we This, along and sometimes in order to save live in. Our creator has a very with the ac- yield, and reduce stress on cot- creative mind and just seeing tual feeding ton plants we must intervene. the ecosystem of a cotton fi eld damage of Here are just a couple things to really illustrates this point. Pop- the aphids, keep in mind. ulations naturally wax and wane which mim- Young seedling cotton is most just like the phases of the moon. ics drought stress can reduce vulnerable to damage from However, right now the cotton yields of cotton fi elds, as well aphid feeding. This is in part aphid populations are nearing as more importantly reducing because the mere surface area the peak, and soon they may quality. of a young cotton plant is so crash, but how much damage In normal populations of small that all of the feeding is can we expect in the meantime? aphids, natural predators thrive restricted to the young meristem Cotton aphids are a fairly pre- by feeding on them because and there is not enough tissue ‘In School’ Field Trip at Southland dictable pest that we see every aphids are very slow moving to outgrow the damage. This Southland Academy students experienced an excellent “in school” fi eld trip near the end of the year in cotton fi elds. They are a and not very evasive. How- means that late cotton, or cotton school year when representatives from the Chehaw Park and the River Aquarium brought animals to unique insect in that some gen- ever, they do have one very planted after small grains will Southland’s campus. Even though the students could not hold or even touch the animals, they had a erations have wings, and some interesting survival tactic; re- be most vulnerable. In a mature wonderful educational experience. The students were captivated with the animals, and wanted to take generations are wingless. The production… Exponential re- cotton plant, there are numerous some home for pets. What a great event to end a great school year! Standing with the Chehaw and winged generations are dark production. Aphids are one of branches with new, succulent River Aquarium guests are Arden Wheeler, Anna Gail Hammack, Henry Harry, Barrett Buchanan, and black and have clear wings. the intriguing little critters in growth, as well as the top of Max Kelley. However, there are also a the world that don’t need males the plant, that can handle more wingless generation that is more to reproduce. This is known as feeding. However, when plants of a yellow/green, and they do parthenogenesis. Basically, the get sticky with honeydew, ter- not have wings, and are fairly females clone themselves and minals start looking wilted, and DOWNER: Longtime Local Educator Retires slow moving. They are about give live birth to a female that the entire plant is struggling weight of fi scal responsibility challenges she sees in public ed- the size of a gnat, and they suck is a carbon copy of herself. In to outgrow the feeding, it may Continued from Page 1 and that aspect was certainly ucation moving forward, Down- on plant sap from the young, the summertime, these aphids be worth treating with an in- challenging, she said educating er said: “We must regain control tender foliage of cotton, as well mature in about a week’s time, secticide for aphids. As of this “I have loved getting to and caring for the needs of the of the nation and work our way as many weed species around and then they live 3-4 weeks, writing, the aphid fungus is just know all grade level teachers children is the most important into the schools. Common sense fi eld edges. Plant sap is high in but each one averages about 85 starting to be seen, but is yet and students (as an administra- and challenging aspect of being must prevail. We are a Consti- sugars, and low in protein, so young… As you can see, it does to be prevalent in most of our tor),” said Downer. “In doing a principal and a superintendent. tutional Republic and we must aphids have to consume much not take long for populations fi elds. this, I believe the most im- Downer has obviously seen have leaders who believe and more than they need to get ad- to reach plaguelike propor- If you can wait, it will be bet- portant job of an administrator much change over the last 45 live according to the Rule of equate nutrition. As a byprod- tions. Insect predators such as ter so as not to fl are other cotton is supporting all of those for years. Much of it – especially Law. I taught my Government uct, these excess sugars pass ladybugs, lacewings, big-eyed insect pests, but don’t let your whom I am responsible – stu- advances in technology –has students this for many years and through their digestive system bugs, and hoverfl ies with vo- cotton suffer longer than it has dents and teachers.” been exciting, but it appears to it applies now more than ever.” and are “expelled” in their poop racious appetites build popula- to. When asked what she most en- have come at a cost, too, and at As for advice for future edu- as a product called honeydew. tions slower, and while they eat As always, always feel free to joyed about her years as the lead least some students are weaker cators, she would point them to This honeydew is very sticky, millions of aphids, they simply call your local county agent if offi cial of the Webster Coun- overall. the sign she kept on her desk. It and is fed on by other insects in- cannot eat them as fast as they you have further questions. ty School System, she said: “I “Although technology is reads, “Do it with Passion or not cluding fi re ants. In very heavy reproduce. Luckily, every year * Seth McAllister of Buena have been incredibly fortunate very important, students must at all.” populations of aphids, this hon- between the end of June and Vista is the Terrell County Ag- to work with many wonderful fi rst understand basic, common Now, Janie Downer is look- eydew can become so thick that about the second week of July, riculture and Natural Resourc- Webster County teachers and sense information,” she said. ing forward to spending more the entire cotton plant can be a natural fungus develops that es Agent. He is also currently the most special students in the “Students are much weaker to- time at home on the farm with coated and the leaves/stems of predates on aphids. It is a brown serving as the interim agent for world.” day than 20 years ago because her husband, John, and being plants will be very shiny from it. fuzzy mold by the name of Neo- Marion County. While superintendents feel the they do not grasp the basic able to visit more with children Once it has been in the fi eld for zygites fresseni. Once this fun- foundations – reading, writing, and grandchildren in North and a few days, a black sooty mold gus arrives, cotton aphid popu- math, etc.” South Carolina. lations crash very rapidly, and Complete Care often develops, that resembles When asked to describe the the dark stains you see on cars the whole ecosystem once more Home Warranty parked under pecan trees… also balances. In a perfect world we Never Pay For Covered Home Repairs Never underestimate the power of dreams and the from aphids, albeit a different would allow this fungus to kill Again! COVERS ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS species. This sooty mold can aphids for us, so that an insec- AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE. infl uence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this inhibit photosynthesis and re- ticide application would not $200.00 OFF, 2 FREE Months! notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of duce the ability of cotton plants kill the benefi cial insects that 1-844-297-9091 us. to produce the fruit we intend to prey on pest insects, as well as Wilma Rudolph Moon Family Theatre Coffee Club Nights 2021 Concert Series Producer: Sunni Lynn McAllister Producer: Lynn Moon McAllister Phone: 229-583-GOCC Phone: 229-649-2028 Saturday, July 17 @ 7:00 Thursday, July 22 @ 7:00 Tickets Tickets ROCKLAND ROAD $40 MEGAN FOWLER $10 Two-Time Ga. Female Country ne g Sto Artist of the Year! ollin – R nt!” Taylor County native has shared the stage bera ““Exuberant!”Exu – Rolling Stone with Luke Combs, Bryan White, Phil Vassar, Doug Stone, & Eric McCain Family of The Oakridge Boys Lead Singer Duane Allen Duane Allen’s daughter Jamie Martin and children are a powerhouse group fea- turing soulful vocals imbued with a pure, exuberant joy worthy of the talented blood that fl ows through this family’s veins. In addition to playing in front of huge crowds across the county, the group has ““ShowShow SStoppers”toppers” performed at the Grand Ole Opry and – UUSASA TTodayoday A beguiling mix of class and country, even at The White House! sweetness and determination, Megan is just as comfortable going deep sea fi sh- ing as she is singing on a stage. But it is Opening Act on that stage that she most desires to be, Experience the guitar in hand, singing her heart out in MAGIC a microphone for all the world to hear.