MTT Agrifood Research Finland. (2014, September 1). Greenhouse whitefly: Will the unwanted greenhouse guest make it in the wild?. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 2, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140901102221.htm

Greenhouse whitefly is a widespread invasive pest, which has occurred in Finland since the year 1920. The greenhouse whitefly is not native to Finland but survives as it finds suitable overwintering habitats in greenhouses. Insecticides have not helped as much as they would want. They fly is a generalist herbivore which means it can almost eat anything. If biological pest control was used, whitefly populations were more susceptible to insecticides, whereas whiteflies from greenhouses treated with insecticides over the years showed initial signs of resistance development.

This is important because it shows that our unnatural desire to grow crops where and when they don’t belong. Our unnatural desire creates problems that we try to fix with pesticides which decrease their effectiveness. It also shows that if we use what nature gives us it can be a lot more beneficial in the long run. Creating generalist creatures that are resistant to pesticides sounds like a nightmare for the agriculture industry

Entomological Society of America. “Insect-resistant maize could increase yields and decrease pesticide use in Mexico.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 November 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141117084715.htm>.

Mexican farmers use around 3,000 tons of active ingredient each year just to manage the fall armyworm and even more chemicals are used to control other pests. Mexican farmers don’t use methods used by large farms because many of them have way smaller farms than would be efficient and the farming conditions vary greatly. The use of bt corn could be a very good way of controlling the pest but cannot be implemented instantly. Bt corn is a genetically modified organism that is modified to protect against pest.

This is important because it shows that many of the pest management strategies are not always created with small farms in mind. It also shows that one way of controlling a pest does not work in all conditions. It shows that pest themselves have a great environmental impact because we kill of pest with large quantities of chemicals disregarding anything but our survival.

Entomological Society of America. (2015, February 9). Rice growers: New resource against the rice water weevil. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 2, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150209171315.htm

“A native of the southeastern U.S., the rice water weevil invaded Japan in 1976, Korea in 1980, China in 1988, and Italy in 2004.” An open-access article provides management strategies that rice growers can implement. The rice water weevil can spread very quickly because of its ability to reproduce asexually. The strategies provided by the article include draining fields, delayed planting, winter flooding, and nutrient augmentation. The article also recommends using crops that have been genetically modified as a pest management strategy.

This is related to environmental science because it shows that not all native species are appreciated by us humans. Native species can be just as harmful to us as invasive species. The difference is that a native species does not have a very dramatic effect in an ecosystem. The discussed strategies such as GMOs are looked down upon by society but are very crucial to sustaining an over populated world that carries humans that take more than what they need.

Entomological Society of America. (2014, September 3). Brown marmorated stink bug biology, management options. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 2, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140903092203.htm

The Marmorated stink bug has been found in 40 states in the U.S. as well as Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, and Lichtenstein. The Marmorated stink bug is an invasive herbivore bug with origins in Asia. The stink bugs large range of things it considers food has an expensive effect on the agriculture industry. A way of managing this pest varies from introducing organisms that are its predators to using chemicals to take it out. The introduction of natural predators is the best long term solution

This is related to environmental science because it’s a pest that has an expensive effect on the agricultural industry. The pests still does not have a specific way of management. The best option is a natural predator according to the article. A natural predator can also have an impact on ecosystems. Introducing a predator for the stink bug would just be the introduction of another invasive species.

A group of entrepreneurs based off of Veracruz have developed a way to protect bee hives from the growth of a mite larva called Varroa Destructor. The system sprays a formula that removes the larva from a hive. The formula was created first and worked at removing the larva but if sprayed in inadequate dosages it has negative effects on the bees. They later created an automated sprinkler system that sprays the formula in controlled dosages. They hope to fully automate the system by giving it the ability of knowing when larva is present.

This is related to environmental science because it shows the importance of a creature that might seem insignificant to a large portion of the population. The bee population is important because they are the pollinators of the world and a world built on agriculture really needs their pollinators that help their crops reproduce. This also shows that not every creature is a pest and sometimes we need a special pest management system that doesn’t eradicate every living organism in its path. The system should help the declining bee population and is very important if we wish to keep pollination a free service.

Investigación y Desarrollo. (2014, November 18). Effective method against bee-harming pest. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 27, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141118072644.htm

Keatley, K. (2014, October 17). New guidelines aim to prevent bee die-offs. Retrieved December 2, 2014, from http://www.capitalpress.com/California/20141017/new-guidelines-aim-to-prevent-bee-die-offs

The almond board of California has released the best-management practices that ask farmers to consult with beekeepers when they plan to use their pesticides. It also urges growers not to use their pesticides during bloom. The practices are trying to prevent pollen from being contaminated by the pesticides. The almond industry relies heavily on bees because bees pollinate the almond fields. The practices will only work if employers make their employees follow them.

This is relevant to environmental science because people are acknowledging that we need bees. The practices described in the article help the farmers change their practices to help the bee population stay at a healthy level. Bees are important for farming because they spread pollen and help plants with their reproduction. I like this article because it tells us the people that someone out there is trying to help fix the problem and if a change fails to happen it is not because farmers lacked the knowledge to change, they chose not to change.

Showdown looms as California eyes pesticides. (2014, November 9). SAN FRANCISCO (AP). Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.fredericknewspost.com/public/associated_press/showdown-looms-as-california-eyes-pesticides/article_27496515-982a-5eb8-943c-162246ad4b99.html

A pest management program has been proposed to use chemical fertilizers on organic farms. Organic farms would rather stop farming than become conventional farmers. The program was proposed to prevent the spread of the pest named the Asian citrus psyllid. The Asian citrus psyllid helps spread a disease that kills citrus trees. The disease has affected other states and has caused damage to their citrus industry with large losses. The citrus psyllid has not spread the disease in California but the use of pesticide are being used to prevent it from happening in the future.

This is relevant to environmental science because it shows how organic farmers have to sacrifice their views for the greater good of the farming industry. Many organic farmers don’t care for conventional farming and are not willing to put their profits at risk for the benefits of other farmers. I like this article because it shows that some people are organic farmers because the world organic adds to the price of their produce.

Johnson, N. (2014, November 13). Relax — California isn’t about to dump pesticides on organic farms. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://grist.org/food/relax-california-isnt-about-to-dump-pesticides-on-organic-farms/

The California Department of Food and Agriculture will spray organic farms with pesticides. California avoids pest management that involves chemicals whenever possible. Biological forms of pest management have been used in California. An example of a biological pest control would be releasing infertile male fruit flies that mate with other flies and produce no offspring. When California uses chemical pesticides it is done when other forms of pest management won’t suffice. Organic farms do not sell their produce as organic and they are harmed by doing so. In the long run it will help prevent future stronger pest.

This is relevant to environmental science because it shows how sometimes you must sacrifice for the better of something larger than yourself. Organic farmers have to sacrifice their organic crops to prevent pest from spreading and damaging the industry. It also shows that Biological ways of treating for pest are great but they will not always be the best option for farming as a whole industry.

Pramuk, B. (2014, November 14). Another tree pest moves north to Napa. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/columnists/bill-pramuk/another-tree-pest-moves-north-to-napa/article_fd2e0ec9-cb59-566c-93ac-812773c16fdb.html

A small light colored moth named the citrus leafminer has appeared in southern California. The moth migrated from Mexico. The moth attacks young maturing trees; the attacks result in distorted leafs on citrus trees. Parasitic wasp can be introduced to prevent large spread of the moths. The wasps don’t sting people and at mature ages they feed on and spread pollen.

This is relevant to environmental science because it shows how chemicals are not always the best solution to our pest management needs. Nature can help us control the creatures we see as pest. I like this article because it is proof that we don’t need to look for answers in chemicals instantly.

Yeung, B., Taggarat, K., & Donohue, A. (2014, November 10). When a pesticide’s cancer risk is unknown. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/10/-sp-california-strawberry-industry-pesticides

1,3-Dichloropropene Is a pesticide that is believed to cause cancer and under regulations is supposed to be banned in California. A director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation named Helliker allowed growers to use said pesticide. Growers were allowed to use the pesticide because of a loop hole. The company that manufactures the pesticide was given two years to fix the loop hole but they did not. The proposal that was turned in and signed off by Helliker was passed and put has put people at risk of cancer. The chemical is the third most heavily used pesticide in California and the strawberry is heavily dependent on it.

This is related to environmental science because it is an example of the active use of dangerous pesticides. Farmers use these pesticides because of available loop holes that were made even worse over time. The loop holes have put real people at risk of cancer. They have also created an industry that is very dependent on such harmful chemicals.