mosquito control and non-target organisms

[Paul Cherubini]

Jeffrey Caldwell wrote:

> Interesting paper.  I wasn't aware of this sort of control activity, killing
> adult mosquitos only [while leaving non-target insects largely unharmed]

Unfortunately, anti-pesticide websites like the Pesticide Action
Network and NABA fail to provide the public with the results of research
that indicates mosquito spraying is not harmful to non-target insects.

Examples of their scary articles about mosquito spraying:
http://www.igc.org/panna/system/searchResults.html?mosquito%20spraying&20
http://www.igc.org/panna/resources/_pestis/PESTIS.1996.14.html
http://www.naba.org/wnvirus.html 

Yesturday I received an email from a laboratory that has
quote "made a career of assessing mosquito
adulticides/larvicides bioassays and effects on nontarget 
organisms ranging from fish to bees."  Here it is:

Subject: Re: Impact of mosquito spraying on non-target insects
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2000 09:55:01 EDT
From: TFloore at aol.com
To: cherubini at mindspring.com

Paul:

That question has been addressed many times in FL.  We use 
perhaps more adulticides than any other state in our mosquito 
control programs.

The permethrins and malathion are the most often used.  Permethrins 
come in a variety of formulations and label names depending on the 
supplier and manufacturer.  Application rates range 
from 0.0007 ug/oz to slightly more than half oz [per acre]
Malathion runs up to about 3 floz/a.

We have found in FL that generally if the label rates recommendations
 are followed and common sense applications made that no harm 
will come to nontarget organisms including bees. 

 This laboratory has made a career of assessing
 mosquito adulticides/larvicides bioassays and effects on nontarget
 organisms ranging from fish to bees.  We can send you some 
publications  or you can search our
list of publications found at http://pherec.org/mls/JAMSARL.HTM 
The EPA has several facts sheets available from their site also.

 If your inquiry is in reference to West Nile Virus in the northeast I think 
that label rates will not create a problem and there is no concern at the
level some are advocating.

MOSQUITO PESTICIDE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 
PUBLICATIONS:

Moore, J.C., J.C. Dukes, J.R. Clark, J. Malone, C.F. Hallmon
and P.G. Hester. 1993 Downwind drift and deposition of malathion on
human targets from ground ultra-low volume mosquito sprays. Am.
Mosq. Control Assoc. 9:138-142.

Tietze, N.S., P.G. Hester and K.R. Shaffer. 1994. Mass recovery
 of malathion in  simulated open field mosquito adulticide tests. Archives
 of Environ. Contam. and Toxicol. 26:473-477.
               
Tietze, N.S., P.G. Hester, C.F. Hallmon, M.A. Olson, and K.R.
Shaffer. 1991. AcuteToxicity of mosquitocidal compounds to young
mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. J. Amer. Mosquito Control
Assoc. 7:290-293.

Tietze, N.S., P.G. Hester, J.C. Dukes, C.F. Hallmon,
M.A. Olson, and K.R. Shaffer.1992. Acute toxicity of mosquitocidal
compounds to the inland silverside, Menidia beryllina. Florida Mosq.
 Control Assoc. 63:1-6.

Tietze, N.S. and E.T. Schreiber, P.G. Hester, C.F. Hallmon,
M.A. Olson, and K.R.Shaffer. 1993. Susceptibility of first instar
Toxorhynchites splendens to malathion, naled
 and resmethrin. J. Amer. Mosq. Control Assoc. 9:97-99               

Tietze, N.S., J.P. Ruff, C. F. Hallmon, P.G. Hester and K.R.
Shaffer. 1992. Effect of ULV malathion on automotive paint finishes.
 J. Amer. Mosquito Control Assoc. 8:241-246.

Tietze, N.S. and E.T. Schreiber, P.G. Hester, C.F. Hallmon,
 M.A. Olson, and K.R.Shaffer. 1993. Susceptibility of first instar
Toxorhynchites splendens to malathion, naled
 and resmethrin. J. Amer. Mosq. Control Assoc. 9:97-99.

 Tietze, N.S., M.A. Olson, P.G. Hester, and J. J. Moore. 1994.
Tolerance of sewage treatment plant microorganisms to mosquitocides.
J. Amer Mosquito Control Assoc.9:477-479.

Tietze, N.S., P.G. Hester and K.R. Shaffer, S. Prescott and
E.T. Schreiber. 1999 Integrated management of waste tire
mosquitoes utilizing Mesocyclops longisetus
(Copepoda: Cyclopidae), Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis,
Bacillus sphaericus, and methoprene. J. Am. Mosq.
Control Assoc. 10:363-373.

 Tietze, N.S., P.G. Hester, K.R. Shaffer and F.T. Wakefield 1996.
 Peridomestic deposition of ultra-low volume malathion
 applied as a mosquito adulticide. Bull. Environ.
 Contam. Toxicol.. 56:210-218

 Tietze, N.S., P.G. Hester and K.R. Shaffer. 1994. Acute
toxicity of Permanone 31-66 (Permethrin-Piperonyl Butoxide)
 on nontarget minnows and grass shrimp. J. Am. Mosq.
 Control Assoc. 11:476-479

 Tietze, N.S., P.G. Hester, M. A. Olson, C. F. Hallmon and
 K.R. Shaffer. 1994. Acute toxicity of mosquito control compounds to
Cyprinodon variegatus and Menidia beryllina: laboratory and field tests.
J. Fla. Mosq. Control Assoc. 65:37-44.

Tietze, N.S., P.G. Hester and K.R. Shaffer. 1995. Acute
 effects of Permanone 31-66 (Permethrin-Piperonyl Butoxide)
 on nontarget minnows and grass shrimp. J. Am. Mosq.
 Control Assoc. 11:476-476.

.Tietze, N.S., P.G. Hester, K.R. Shaffer and F.T. Wakefield.
1996. Peridomestic deposition of ultra-low volume malathion
applied as a mosquito adulticide. Bull. Environ.
 Contam. Toxicol. 56:210-218.

 Tietze, N.S., K.R. Shaffer and P.G. Hester. 1996. Halflife of
naled under three test scenarios. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc. 
12:251-254.