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VOL. IX NUMBER 3 October, 1997
1997 Season Wrap-Up
Overall N.J. experienced a relatively dry 1997 breeding season. Some rain events caused problems; most notably a 13.5" record breaker in Atlantic County. All counties report reduced mosquito populations and spray requests.
Robert Duryea, Warren County Mosquito Commission
And In Other Parts Of The Northeast….
CONNECTICUT
The WHAMM Program was started on July 1, 1997. There are two units of the program, one unit is the Wetlands Restoration Unit and the other is the Mosquito Management Unit. Since the state is the largest salt marsh owner, the state will control salt marsh mosquitoes as a good neighbor to shoreline communities. After the budget was passed ($444,000.00) and the bill signed by the Governor, the Mosquito Management Unit started. $300,000.00 was for the new Mosquito Management Program. Two Wetlands Restoration Specialists filled the two of the Mosquito Control Specialist positions and start working on surveillance of larvae on state owned salt marshes. Data will be collected on each site. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) received $144,000.00 to start the EEE arbovirus surveillance program which will run from June through Sept 30. Mosquito Management Unit (MMU) crews and CAES identified EEE Surveillance sites based on the EEE Trapping in 1996 and 1991. Each County will have at least two traps. The two Mosquito Control Supervisors started to identify freshwater breeding habitats around these EEE trap locations for our Contingency Plan for EEE. We will identify trap sites with the CAES using 1990 and 1991 trap site data and the EEE trap sites in 1996. This Contingency Plan for EEE was developed by the DEP, DPH, and CAES. The Mosquito Management Team developed brochures and other information to hand out to the public through the Communications Division of DEP. The Mosquito Management Coordinator attended a DPH Local Health Directors meeting and an Environmental Health Meeting to discuss what the towns and cities can do for their own mosquito control programs. Also, a list of license mosquito control operators for spraying adulticides is now available.
The DEP and the CAES continued to trap live mosquitoes for EEE testing. Test results are sent out to state officials, town officials, CDC and surrounding states. All test results for Connecticut mosquitoes are negative except for one trap on September 16, 1997 at the Stonington High School which had a pool of Cs. melanura test positive for EEE. More than 40,000 mosquitoes were collected from 37 locations around Connecticut, have been trapped and tested. A warning was issued for residents to take precautions against mosquito bites. In Connecticut, if EEE trap results become positive, the contingency plan will trigger a response similar to MA and RI. Part of the contingency involves identification of larval breeding sites around the positive trap sites and treating these sites with a larvicide or adulticide if human biting mosquitoes are present.
When severe salt marsh breeding sites are found, the sites are to be documented and data collected from each site for open marsh water management (OMWM) work in the winter. The MMU staff will continue to control the salt marsh mosquitoes on state own lands and will continue to collect data on severe mosquito breeding site for OMWM work. These plans must pass through the Wetlands Restoration Steering Committee and then apply for DEP and Army Corps of Engineers Permits before any OMWM work is done. In October, the MMU Program will shift to start working on OMWM plans in coastal salt marshes and will be able to help with the Wetlands Restoration Unit crew The WHAMM (Wetlands Habitat and Mosquito Management) Program will work together and restore and enhance salt marshes and freshwater sites.
Paul Capotosto, Connecticut DEP, Wildlife Div.
NEW YORK
The mosquito season in Suffolk County is over, and it was generally a quiet one. NJ trap counts were the lowest in many years. The dry weather greatly limited Culex spp., and Altosid continued to keep salt marsh numbers low. Two aerial adulticides were conducted, but only in our chronic problem area, Mastic/Shirley. We attribute this to mosquitoes
migrating from National Park Service (NPS) lands, where no control is allowed. Our Congressman assures us he will continue to work on changing the NPS policy. Our second aerial was with Fyfanon, and was far more effective than our Scourge applications. While aerial adulticide would probably not be needed if we solve the NPS problem, we plan to use Fyfanon as our standard aerial material in the future.
We had 5 isolations of EEE at Connetquot River State Park, all in Culiseta melanura. No health emergency was declared, nor did we do aerial adulticide in response, but the park was closed for three weeks. No EEE was found in the four areas treated in the spring with Altosid pellets, which suggests that we should continue to pursue larviciding for C. melanura. This fall has been extremely dry, drier than 1995, and most C. melanura habitats are dry now, with no water even in the crypts. This would seem to portend poor overwintering for this species. We plan to look into drought index and USGS well data to help us decide whether to larvicide for C. melanura in 1998.
We took delivery of our Bombardier Go-Tract with blade, backhoe and Impex ditcher. The machine is very well constructed, and shows good mobility in the marsh. There were problems with the ditcher mount, which was provided to Bombardier by Impex, but the ditcher worked superbly when a temporary mount was improvised by the Bombardier rep. We also developed an overheating problem in the hydraulics. Bombardier has decided to take our machine and Nassau County's twin back to the factory. They will solve the hydraulic problem and design and fabricate a proper mount for the ditcher. While we are disappointed about having these problems, Bombardier's service has been outstanding. There was a noticeable lack of excuse-making or other attempts to evade responsibility. I certainly did not expect them to send a truck to bring the machine back to Quebec. They seem very interesting in meeting the needs of mosquito control agencies, and learned a great deal from observing our operation firsthand. I remain confident this will be an excellent product when these "glitches" are worked out, and will report back when we get the machine back in a week or two.
The Division will be working with the USFWS on several OMWM projects this winter, to total 500-1000 acres. We are also continuing to implement the Mosquito Control Management System, primarily through the efforts of our
Biologist, Tom Iwanejko. This software will allow us to meet the new reporting requirements under our State permits and Pesticide Registry law. We will also continue to push for approval to use Altosid pellets and briquets for species other than C. melanura. Overall, the Division is continuing to modernize its operation as we attempt to survive in this era of smaller government and rising sea level.
Domenic Nannavagi, Suffolk County, New York
RHODE ISLAND
As of October 6, the 1997 mosquito season in Rhode Island has been relatively uneventful. Populations of most freshwater species were low for most of the summer due to dry conditions. Saltmarsh species’ numbers varied, depending on the level of coastal communities’ control programs.
Following the 1996 EEE crisis, support was increased. The number of seasonal employees was returned to four, allowing increased EEE surveillance. An average of 30 traps were set weekly statewide for the 1997 season. Also, increased funding for the community matching grant program financed several new projects. Of the 910 pools tested at Yale University to date, only two pools (one Culex spp. And one Culiseta spp.) were positive for EEE. Both isolations occurred in September. This represents the background level of EEE that is expected during a normal year in this area. Additionally, one miniature horse was confirmed to have succumbed to EEE. It was euthanized in early September.
Alan Gettman, DEM Mosquito Abatement Coordinator, RI
MEMBERSHIP IN NEW JERSEY MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOCIATION, Inc.
To apply for membership fill out the following application and forward it to: Secretary, Mosquito Research and Control, Cook College, PO Box 231, New Brunswick, NJ 08903. Make checks payable to "New Jersey Mosquito Control Association", membership period is from March to March.
Name:______________________________
Address:____________________________________
___________________________________________
Individual $25.00/yr: _____________
_______Sustaining $250.00/yr: __________________
Contribution to D.M. Scholarship: __________
Phone - Office:( )______________ Home:( )________________
PERSONNEL PROFILE
ROBERT B. KENT
Most readers of the NJMCA Newsletter are aware that Robert Kent generally summarizes the contributions of outstanding individuals for this publication. Profiling Bob indicates that turnabout is fair play. I take the greatest pleasure in having the opportunity to let you know more about this dedicated mosquito professional.
Bob has been active in all aspects of mosquito control in New Jersey for almost 25 years. He started out combing the Raritan Bay Shore as a summer employee for the Monmouth County Mosquito Commission. Working that area was familiar territory for Bob, because he was born and raised in Monmouth County. His work time in Monmouth County was split with a stint on the Rutgers Impact Study, which sought to answer questions regarding the affect of insecticides on the salt marsh ecosystem. After a brief time with the Monmouth County Planning Board, Bob, smitten by Rutgers, returned to the University to work on the Airspray Program under the direction of Dr. Donald Sutherland. In the late 1970's, this program was transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Mosquito Control Coordination, and Bob was moved to continue his work, administered by Dr. Ken Bruder.
In the latter position, Bob has made many practical contributions that have bettered mosquito control operations in New Jersey. He still oversees the State Airspray Program, a progressive operation that provides mosquito larviciding and adulticiding services to coastal counties. This shared resource approach is also seen in another program, the State Equipment Program. Capital equipment purchases are made by the Office of Mosquito Control Coordination, which then "leases" the machinery or scientific supplies to a variety of local mosquito control agencies and institutions of higher learning. Bob is responsible for ensuring that the equipment is properly cared for. In addition to the above, Bob has written the specifications and takes bids for insecticide and aerial services contracts that local control agencies can use, saving them time and money in their operations. He is also responsible for oversight of the cooperative program with the State Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife that provides a variety of fish to be used for biological control efforts against mosquitoes throughout New Jersey. This program, in addition to yielding mosquito control pluses, is a media bonanza which has helped applied control programs shed the image that they are not environmentally oriented.
Not only is Bob a capable administrator of the above programs, but he has been involved in a great deal of applied research. At Rutgers, he played a fundamental role in studying and understanding the most effective methods to apply mosquito control products. With Roy Sofield, he wrote one of the earliest computer programs to measure ULV droplet sizes more rapidly, and many agencies still use this program. Bob also conducted very impressive work showing that ULV applications for mosquito control did not adversely affect honeybee populations. He has also gone beyond the expected tasks of his job, having served as President of both the New Jersey Mosquito Control Association and the Northeast Mosquito Control Association.
How did this impressive person get to where he is? A good woman? Well, partially; his wife Terri certainly deserves much of the credit. In terms of formal training, Bob took a somewhat convoluted route. He first took the insightful advice of his high school guidance counselor (how many of us have made that same mistake?) and enrolled in Elon College in Burlington, North Carolina. A year in the South of the late 1960's was enough for Bob, and he moved on to Brookdale Community College for a time before transferring to Montclair State College, where he graduated with a degree in Biology in January, 1974. Since that time, he has given his considerable talents almost exclusively to the mosquito control community.
Bob does actually rest occasionally, and his hobbies include sail and power boating. He tries, when he can, to get a few relaxing hours of fishing in most often at or near his beloved Raritan Bay Shore area. Parked in his garage is a past hobby that threatens resurgence every so often - a 1976 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle. I can still remember when Bob first got that bike, and although he made fun of my Yamaha RD350 (I think it was actually faster than the Bonny, Bob), we had some great road trips together.
Although Bob is an outspoken, honest and serious advocate for the mosquito control community, he is without any doubt one of the wittiest people you will ever meet. This humor does not translate well to print (at least not by me), so let me give you some parting advice; hang out with Bob for a time when you get the chance. You will agree that his wit and humor easily match his dedication to mosquito control.
Marc Slaff, Ph.D., Morris County Mosquito Commission
WEBSITE NEWS
New Jersey Mosquitoes- Biology and Control <www-rci.rutgers.edu/~insects/njmos.htm>
If you haven't visited the "New Jersey Mosquitoes" website lately, there is some new information added that might be of interest. Under Mosquito Biology there is now information there on larval habitats (with excellent photographs), the mosquito life cycle, a general mosquito pamphlet for the homeowner (Mosquitoes in Your Life) and short video clips of mosquitoes hatching, emerging and biting. Under Mosquito Control Agencies, profiles of New Jersey's mosquito control agencies are currently being entered onto the site.
The AMCA resolution for National Mosquito Control Awareness Week is also on the New Jersey site and the NJ Assembly and NJ Senate resolutions are to be added in addition to a few pictures from both of the NJ Mosquito Expos (Liberty State Park, Jersey City and The NJ State Museum, Trenton). This event is intended to be celebrated annually across the country. Updated information will be available for 1998.
Lisa Reed, in the Rutgers Entomology Department, has done an outstanding job entering information provided in addition to including information on her own initiative. Her efforts are greatly appreciated.
American Mosquito Control Association <www.mosquito.org>
The American Mosquito Control Association now has a new website. The address is <www.mosquito.org>. This site has been made possible by PestWeb. The site is in it's early stages and will be developed more as time goes on. It can be easily accessed by the general public using the simple website address and can readily connect an Internet user to other mosquito control organization/agencies via the Related Sites page.
Christine Musa, Chair, NJ Assoc. Executives- Internet Committee,Member NJMCA & AMCA- Public Relations Committees
NORTHEAST MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOC. ANNUAL MEETING
The Northeast Mosquito Control Association 1997 annual meeting in Sturbridge MA. is almost here. The meeting runs from December 8th through the 10th at the Sturbridge Host Hotel. Reservations can be made by calling 800-585-3232 or 508-347-7393. Discounted room rates with breakfast buffet (mention NMCA for discounted rate) are $79.00 (must be reserved by November 17th). A "lantern light" tour through Sturbridge Village is scheduled for Sunday evening December 7th.
In Memorial
David Scott - Superintendent, Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project
On October 12th, while on a hunting trip with his son in Maine, David Scott died of a heart attack.
David was affiliated with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project for twenty-two years, much of that time as superintendent. He also served capably as the President of the Northeast Mosquito Control Association from 1988-1990, not to mention his time as 2nd and 1st Vice Presidents. David continued to be active in mosquito control business which affected the entire northeast, working on such topics as environmental impacts, federal regulations and pesticide issues. He also was a member of the New Jersey Mosquito Control Association and attended those meetings regularly.
David was noted for his work with children, particularly with youth hockey over the past several years. He leaves his wife, Robin M. and three children, Amy M., Suzanne L., and Shawn D. Scott.
David was a good friend and positive man who brought the qualities of leadership and caring to all that he did. He will be missed by many in the mosquito control community.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tewksbury Youth Skating Association, PO Box 694, Tewksbury, MA 01876.
George Christie & Robert Kent
Culiseta melanura (Coquillett)
By: Dr. Wayne J. Crans, Rutgers University
REPORT FROM AMCA
MARTIN S. CHOMSKY, MPH, NORTH ATLANTIC REGIONAL DIRECTOR
The interim Board of Directors (BOD) meeting of the AMCA took place at John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Reno, Nevada from 9/21-9/22. As a first time participant I was surprised that so much business could be conducted in so short a time.
Day #1 was devoted to a "Strategic Planning Retreat" and development of a strategic action plan for AMCA. The meeting could have easily deteriorated into turf wars over the location of the central office (it will apparently remain in Lake Charles,LA until at least the 1999 Annual meeting.), and the need for an Executive Director (never publicly discussed), but never did.
Nine hours was not enough time to develop the plan, previous boards had held retreats that yielded numerous goals and prioritized them. The implementation process is the real problem area. The last planning session yielded 29 goals for AMCA and prioritized them.
This session resulted in a restructuring of the goals into three basic areas of the "AMCA Strategic Plan":
1. Membership services, 2. Legislative advocacy, 3. Public Information and Education
All previous goals were put into one of these broad categories or listed as methods of implementing the objectives. For additional info contact me privately.
A lot of credit goes to Chuck Beesley for controlling the deliberations of 25 people with 30 points of view on every topic. More information will be forthcoming in future issues.
Day #2 started at 8AM. The first item of business was the adoption of the agenda for the board meeting. It was unanimously approved as were most of the committee reports and action items.
Three minor bylaws amendments were recommended for approval. The first changes the fiscal year to July1-June 30. The second changes the wording for the newsletter of the AMCA and the journal of the association to generic names as opposed to the existing specific titles of those publications. The third change would allow the President-elect to name committee chairs at the Saturday BOD meeting.
I suggested that the Bylaws Committee establish a Bylaw that would legalize the previously appointed Executive Committee of the BOD and assign duties and responsibilities to legally conduct necessary association business between BOD meetings. This was approved by the BOD, and the Bylaws Committee was given approximately one month to review the proposal and make recommendations.
Bob Bonnett made an excellent presentation of the 1998 AMCA Budget. My perception of the entire funding strategy for the association was a minority position.
I opposed the change in the dues structure that increased the annual individual membership dues from $50/yr. to $65./yr. beginning in 1998 and to $75./yr. in 2000.
I also opposed the increase in charges for sustaining government members from $300/yr. including 4 memberships to $350/yr. with each member being required to pay the additional $65.
Certainly we all recognize the necessity to increase revenue for the association, Without money AMCA can’t provide the educational services that our members need, quality professional legislative advocacy to strengthen our international image and organizational services to a dynamic membership. The problem is that the additional financial burden is being put on the backs of those who already bear the brunt of the financial load.
Ways have to be found to expand our membership. Those members who are familiar with the mission statement of AMCA surely recognize that the association has made little if any effort to expand membership to individuals who conduct research and provide control or management services for vectors other than mosquitoes although the mission statement clearly cites other vectors as being part of our mission.
Another way of doubling our membership and revenue is for each of us to recruit one new member.. One other strategy that I supported was to seek financial sponsorship for AMCA from previously untapped resources.
I certainly appreciate the financial and technological support that the mosquito and vector control industry members contribute to AMCA and our regional and state associations. But, they too are an ever diminishing number, and the necessity exists to find additional sources of money. Many national organizations develop alliances with major corporations and/or foundations. AMCA has never expanded its horizons past these manufacturers of products and equipment that we use in our profession. I think that the time to consider these possibilities is now. Probably, because I argued long and hard about the need to increase membership and that the previous BOD had deactivated the membership committee, President Gary Clark asked me to prepare a motion to reactivate the Membership Committee of AMCA.. As one of the last items of business, and after considerable discussion the BOD voted unanimously to reactivate the committee. President Clark appointed me to be BOD liaison and asked me to recommend an AMCA member to chair the committee. I am currently seeking a volunteer for this thankless task. I hope that many of you will share your thoughts about AMCA revenue generating problems with me.
Wayne Kramer and I moved for the creation of a cyberspace committee. Per the suggestion of Peter DeChant and Christine Musa After discussion the establishment of the committee was unanimously approved. Christine Musa was appointed as Chair and Wayne Kramer as BOD liaison.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding recommendations of the editorial board concerning a new name for the journal; page charges; a new editor for the journal and the newsletter; and industry support for the financing of the newsletter.
The recommended new name for the journal is "Mosquito and Vector Review" . After considerable discussion a decision was reached to survey the membership regarding the name change. Dr. Bruce Eldridge of the University of California at Davis was recommended and approved by the BOD as journal editor. Clark E. Wood of Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management was recommended and approved as editor of the newsletter, which will retain its original name AMCA Newsletter" and be published six times per year with the financial backing of AgrEVO and Abbott Laboratories.
Pamela Toups, AMCA Business Manager recommended a restructuring of the criteria for Life Members, Honorary Members and Emeritus Members as a means of increasing revenue. The BOD rejected this proposal.
After considerable discussion the BOD ratified the agreement with the Florida MCA regarding the publication of WingBeats. After my initial financial concerns were resolved I felt comfortable with a two year agreement. Bill Zawicki nominated and I seconded the selection of John J. Smith of the Norfolk County Mosquito Control District as a member of the WingBeats editorial board. This was approved by Gary Clark and consented to by the BOD.
The BOD approved accepting an interest free loan from the FMCA to have Dr. Richard Darsie complete the revision of the Darsie=Ward Key.
The BOD approved two PESP proposals, one of which was from Cape May County, NJ under the auspices of NJMCA for grant applications to the USEPA.
The 1998 AMCA annual meeting will be held at John Ascuaga’s Nugget, Sparks,NV from 3/7/98 to 3/12/98. The 1999 AMCA annual meeting will be held from 2/20/99 to 2/25/99 in St. Louis,MO. The 2000 meeting will be held at Ball’s Park Place Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, NJ from 3/11/2000 to 3/16/2000. The 2001 meeting will be held in Texas, probably Dallas, at a time and location to be determined. The BOD will be accepting proposals for 2002 at the BOD meeting in Sparks.
Upon the recommendation of Bill Zawicki the BOD approved the establishment of a standing Program Committee. Bill was appointed liaison to this Committee.
With a few editorial comments thrown in and possibly an omission or two, that’s what happened at the Interim BOD meeting. Please let me hear from you regarding any issue being considered by AMCA. Some management activities of AMCA are my primary concern and I would welcome your thoughts on the future of AMCA and what we can do to improve the prognosis.
New Jersey Mosquito Control Association 1998 Annual Meeting
Bally’s Park Place, April 5 - 9, 1998
Atlantic City, NJ
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