Pests



As stated on the previous page, a pest is an organism considered harmful to humans or their interests. Pests have many negative impacts on society. They have the potential to damage the world's health, economy, and ecology. Economically, millions of dollars of crops are damaged due to pests. In the United States, pests account for the loss of 500 million dollars of stored food and grains annually (Pest Control, 2005).

__Pest Classification__
Pest classification is an essential piece to IPM. According to Dr. Linda Mason, food pest entomologist at Purdue University, there are two major methods of classifying pests. One, by the crop, organism, or other item that a specific pest attacks (corn pest, wheat pests, structural pests, ornamental pest). Two, pests can be classified taxonomically. Understanding taxonomic classification can be extremely helpful to an Integrated Pest Manager. For example, if Forest Tent Caterpillars are becoming a disturbance on poplar trees, one must know that these caterpillars fall under the order Lepidoptera. Knowing this, Btk, a bacterium found in soil, would be the obvious pest control option due to the fact that it is toxic only to members of Lepidoptera ("Taxonomy").

__Invasive Species__
Many pests can also be classified as invasive species. The World Conservation Union defines invasive species as "species which becomes established in natural or semi-natural ecosystems or habitats, are an agent of change, and threaten native biological diversity." In other words, a pest that is introduced into a new area and harms that area ecologically ("100 of the World's",2005).


 * __ 10 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species __ ** (All information from Global Invasive Species Database)

1. //Acacia mearnsii// ( Australian acacia ) This tree, native to Australia, can deplete grass communities, compete with native plants, and contribute to the water loss of riparian zones. It has been introduced into North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Pacific, Africa and Europe. 2. // Achatina fulica // (giant African land snail, at right) This animal spreads diseases among plants, threatens crops, and overall alters habitats. It is native to East Africa but can be found in humid tropics, Pacific islands, Asia, and the Caribbean Sea.

//3. Acridotheres tristis// ( brun majna ) This bird, Native to India and the Middle East, has been introduced all around the world for purpose of preying on agricultural pests. However, it often eats the crops themselves. It has also been known to eat chicks and eggs of other birds. //4. Aedes albopictus// ( Asian tiger mosquito) This insect is associated with the spread of Dengue, West Nile and Japanese Encephalitis, deadly human diseases. It is native to the Oriental Region, and is found in all other colonized continents.

//5.// //Anoplolepis gracilipes// ( Yellow crazy ants) These ants target red land crabs, and have kill 3 million crabs in 18 months. They interfere with the reproduction of various, reptiles, mammals, birds, and arthropods. It is thought to have been originated in Asia or Africa, and has been introduced into South America, Australia, Indian Ocean Islands, and Pacific islands. //6. Anoplophora glabripennis // ( Asian longhorned beetle, seen at right) Native to China and Korea, this insect has the ability to damage trees in just a few years. It is responsible for the destruction of 40% of China's poplar plantations, and claimed thousands of trees in the US. This pest has also been introduced into Canada and Austria.

// 7. Aphanomyces astaci // (crayfish plague - fungus) This parasitic fungus is known for infesting only crayfish. Centuries ago, it was introduced into Europe through the imports of North American crayfish carrying the fungus. It has since damaged crayfish populations on Europe, causing significant economic loss.

//8. Ardisia elliptica //( ati popa'a - tree ) This tree is adapted to prosper in shady conditions. It also experiences high reproductive success, which suppresses native vegetation.It is native to South East Asia, and has found its way into Hawai'i, Southern Florida, Okinawa, and Jamaica.

//9. Arundo donax // (giant reed, arundo grass) This species overtakes native grass and alters habitats and wildlife. Unfortunately, it is very vulnerable to flooding and fires. It is native to India. It is found in many warm and/or tropical areas, and also in the Southwestern US.

// 10. Asterias amurensis // ( Flatbottom seastar, Northern Pacific seastar) This sea critter goes through rapid 'bust and boom' cycles, reaching numbers up to 12 million in two years. This success is due to its aggressive feeding habits, eating nearly anything. This pest has severely damages Japanese marine industries, costing them millions of dollars. It is native to Korea, Japan, Russia, and other West Pacific-bordering countries. It is invasive in Australia ("100 of the World's", 2005).

HISTORICAL
__BUBONIC PLAGUE__ (flea - Order Siphonaptera, Class Insecta ) In the 1300's, a bacteria was transmitted to humans by fleas that infested migrating Asian black rats. The rats (and fleas) traveled through out Europe and Asia by trade ships and other methods of travel. The Bubonic Plague is an infection that usually occurs in small wild rodents in rats and squirrels. In the end, it was approximated that 13 million people died from this in China and 25 million people died in Europe.

__POTATO BLIGHT__ ( Phytophthora infestans) From 1845 through 1849, a parasitic fungus was attacking the potato crop in Ireland. The spores were carried by insects, wind, and rain. After the spores of the fungus were on the potato, the potato would then rapidly rot into a pulp. This was also known as the Irish Potato Famine becuse, potatoes being a main part of the Irish diet, they then lost much of their food.

MODERN
__AVIAN FLU/ BIRD FLU__ The avian flu is a highly infectious form of the influenza virus. It was a first only thought to affect birds, but in 1997, the first human cases of the avian flu occurred in Hong Kong. The symptoms of the bird flu are very similar to those of the other types of the flu virus. The main difference is that the death rate of those infected with the avian flu is much higher than other forms of the flu virus.

__COCKROACHES (Asthma/Allergies)__ (Order Blattaria) Cockroaches can trigger asthma an/or allergies. One in five children are thought to have asthma/allergies related to cockroaches. It is cause by "roach dust" which are the saliva, droppings, and (decomposing) body parts of the cockroaches. Cockroaches can also carry E. Coli, salmonella, which can contaminate food.

__RODENTS__ (Order Rodentia) Rodents, especially rats and mice can enter a house through a hole or crack. The rodents are attracted to food and will leave their droppings in their pantry, under baseboards and inbetween walls. Rodents can cause allergic reactions in certain people. They most frequenty re vectors, arrying bacteria, like salmonella, and can contaminate food, the kitchen and cooking equipment. They can also carry certain types of bacteria and viruses (ex. Salmonella). They an also carry the potentially harmful, Hantavirus, which can cause kidney failure.

__MOSQUITOES (West Nile Virus)__ (Order Diptera) Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus can cause West Nile Fever, West Nile Meningitis, or West Nile Meningoencephalitis.West Nile Fever is a mild disease with flu-like systems and it only lasts a few days. Encephalitis causes inflamation of the brain and meningitis is an inflammation of membrane around the brain and spinal cord. West Nile Virus was common in Africa, Eastern Europe, and West Asia. The first cases of West Nile Virus found in the U.S. was in New York in 1999, and in Pennsylvania in 2000. The virus was transmitted to birds and horses.

__TICKS (Lyme Disease)__ (Order Ixodida, Class Arachnida) Lyme Disease is a bacterium that is typically transmitted by the blacklegged tick (Deer Tick). Lyme Disease in the U.S. is found mostly in the Northeastern States and the Mid-Western States. The early stages of Lyme Disease cause fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If it is left untreated it can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system. If it is diagnosed early on it can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. Ticks can also cause other diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, Babesiosis, Erlichiosis, and Tick Paralysis.

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