Showing posts with label insects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insects. Show all posts
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
JUST IN FROM FRIENDS OF THE EARTH ABOUT GM MOSQUITOES BEING TESTED IN THE FLORIDA KEYS, THEN ELSEWHERE - A RISKY EXPERIMENT AT BEST...
While
biotechnology companies keep creating new types of genetically
engineered animals to serve on our dinner plates or bugs to release into
our environment, our federal regulatory system is stuck in the mud.
The latest alarming example centers on a private, British company called Oxitec. Oxitec wants to use the Florida Keys as its first testing ground for releasing genetically engineered mosquitoes in the U.S. wild.
Because the U.S. has no laws specifically designed to regulate the field release of genetically engineered insects or other animals, Oxitec has applied to the Food and Drug Administration for approval to release its mosquitoes as a “new animal drug.”1
Tell the FDA: Reject Oxitec’s risky experiment and halt approval of all genetically engineered insects and animals until we have a regulatory system equipped to deal with their novel risks.
While Oxitec’s mosquito experiment is in the name of disease control, independent scientists have raised serious concerns about the impacts it could have on the local health and ecosystem -- and about whether it will even work.
It's nothing short of wacky that the FDA relies on antiquated regulations meant for livestock vaccines and antibiotics to review the novel risks of engineered bugs that, once unleashed into the environment, can breed, bite humans or fly to another part of town. The FDA's own expertise lies in veterinary medicine -- not insect ecology, environmental risk and other areas crucial to fully assessing the potential impacts of genetically engineered mosquitoes and other animals.
Unwilling to be Oxitec's guinea pigs, grassroots citizens in Florida and the Key West city commission have called for a halt to the release until a rigorous, independent scientific review is completed and the genetically engineered mosquitoes are proven safe.
Yet, under "new animal drug" rules, Oxitec's plan could be approved at any time -- with little to no warning or input from local communities and independent scientific experts.
Take action in solidarity with residents in the Florida Keys and tell the FDA to reject Oxitec’s plan. Our regulatory system must be brought into the 21st-century before any genetically engineered animals end up in our environment.
We've already seen how flawed the “new animal drug” review process is throughout our multi-year fight to prevent FDA approval of unlabeled, genetically engineered salmon for U.S. consumption.2 The FDA negotiates with the company behind closed doors, isn’t required to get public input, doesn’t have the necessary expertise, and collaborates poorly with agencies that do.
The FDA is only beginning to consider Oxitec’s plan to release genetically engineered mosquitoes, and its course of action will set a precedent for the review of other potentially harmful genetically engineered insects in the biotech industry’s pipeline.
Whether it’s genetically engineered salmon or mosquitoes, the public deserves a regulatory system that’s equipped to address the unique risks genetically engineered animals pose to our health and ecosystems.
Tell the FDA: Reject the release of Oxitec's mosquitoes and any genetically engineered animals in the U.S. until we have laws on the books to ensure public health and safety are protected.
Let's create a buzz the FDA can't ignore!
Eric Hoffman
Food and technology campaigner, Friends of the Earth
1. See the blog post, "GE mosquito release 'remains on indefinite hold' -- but for how long?"
2. See the blog post, "GE mosquitoes and salmon show the need for better regulation."
The latest alarming example centers on a private, British company called Oxitec. Oxitec wants to use the Florida Keys as its first testing ground for releasing genetically engineered mosquitoes in the U.S. wild.
Because the U.S. has no laws specifically designed to regulate the field release of genetically engineered insects or other animals, Oxitec has applied to the Food and Drug Administration for approval to release its mosquitoes as a “new animal drug.”1
Tell the FDA: Reject Oxitec’s risky experiment and halt approval of all genetically engineered insects and animals until we have a regulatory system equipped to deal with their novel risks.
While Oxitec’s mosquito experiment is in the name of disease control, independent scientists have raised serious concerns about the impacts it could have on the local health and ecosystem -- and about whether it will even work.
It's nothing short of wacky that the FDA relies on antiquated regulations meant for livestock vaccines and antibiotics to review the novel risks of engineered bugs that, once unleashed into the environment, can breed, bite humans or fly to another part of town. The FDA's own expertise lies in veterinary medicine -- not insect ecology, environmental risk and other areas crucial to fully assessing the potential impacts of genetically engineered mosquitoes and other animals.
Unwilling to be Oxitec's guinea pigs, grassroots citizens in Florida and the Key West city commission have called for a halt to the release until a rigorous, independent scientific review is completed and the genetically engineered mosquitoes are proven safe.
Yet, under "new animal drug" rules, Oxitec's plan could be approved at any time -- with little to no warning or input from local communities and independent scientific experts.
Take action in solidarity with residents in the Florida Keys and tell the FDA to reject Oxitec’s plan. Our regulatory system must be brought into the 21st-century before any genetically engineered animals end up in our environment.
We've already seen how flawed the “new animal drug” review process is throughout our multi-year fight to prevent FDA approval of unlabeled, genetically engineered salmon for U.S. consumption.2 The FDA negotiates with the company behind closed doors, isn’t required to get public input, doesn’t have the necessary expertise, and collaborates poorly with agencies that do.
The FDA is only beginning to consider Oxitec’s plan to release genetically engineered mosquitoes, and its course of action will set a precedent for the review of other potentially harmful genetically engineered insects in the biotech industry’s pipeline.
Whether it’s genetically engineered salmon or mosquitoes, the public deserves a regulatory system that’s equipped to address the unique risks genetically engineered animals pose to our health and ecosystems.
Tell the FDA: Reject the release of Oxitec's mosquitoes and any genetically engineered animals in the U.S. until we have laws on the books to ensure public health and safety are protected.
Let's create a buzz the FDA can't ignore!
Eric Hoffman
Food and technology campaigner, Friends of the Earth
1. See the blog post, "GE mosquito release 'remains on indefinite hold' -- but for how long?"
2. See the blog post, "GE mosquitoes and salmon show the need for better regulation."
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Wednesday, May 30, 2012
THE DAMSELFLY PHOTO AT THE TOP OF THE BLOG - NEAT STORY ON THIS ONE
This was taken on the Memorial Day weekend at Econfina Creek. Because Econfina is higher in elevation than it is near me, it is a fast running, springfed creek - it comes out of the springs crystal clear and colorless, turning that gorgeous aqua/turquoise color and as it enters the creek, it picks up tannin and starts darkening.
Down here, you can't see the bottom - it flows slow and deep, the color of coffee.
This is an American Rubyspot, and when it perches and flicks its wings which is its habit, that red spot is exposed and really is "ruby". It is one of our larger damsels. I imagine flashing that spot may entice the opposite sex. I am not absolutely sure of its sex but I think it may be a female.
Took the grandkids to this creek in the same spot two years ago. I got a picture of the same species but it wasn't close or clear enough. I use the LCD to focus, and I put the Sony T1 in a Pelican case so it won't drown (my score on this is 3 cameras) but let's not talk anymore about that!
The same twig was there. That's why I went looking for it last weekend. I just had a feeling. Certainly it wasn't the same - damsels have a short lifespan. But that I photographed both on the very same twig that comes up from a submerged log, blows my mind.
According to Dennis Paulson's book, "Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Southeast", it is just at or slightly south of its range.
It is a very agreeable male American Rubyspot and to a nature photographer who just LOVES bugs, a great find.
I would very much rather be straddling that log, losing myself in nature, than spending hours here at the keyboard, worrying about the future of a crumbling America and its first dictator.
Down here, you can't see the bottom - it flows slow and deep, the color of coffee.
This is an American Rubyspot, and when it perches and flicks its wings which is its habit, that red spot is exposed and really is "ruby". It is one of our larger damsels. I imagine flashing that spot may entice the opposite sex. I am not absolutely sure of its sex but I think it may be a female.
Took the grandkids to this creek in the same spot two years ago. I got a picture of the same species but it wasn't close or clear enough. I use the LCD to focus, and I put the Sony T1 in a Pelican case so it won't drown (my score on this is 3 cameras) but let's not talk anymore about that!
The same twig was there. That's why I went looking for it last weekend. I just had a feeling. Certainly it wasn't the same - damsels have a short lifespan. But that I photographed both on the very same twig that comes up from a submerged log, blows my mind.
According to Dennis Paulson's book, "Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Southeast", it is just at or slightly south of its range.
It is a very agreeable male American Rubyspot and to a nature photographer who just LOVES bugs, a great find.
I would very much rather be straddling that log, losing myself in nature, than spending hours here at the keyboard, worrying about the future of a crumbling America and its first dictator.
NEW SPECIES OF TICKS SPREADING DISEASE ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST
http://charlotte.cbslocal.com/2012/05/28/new-species-of-ticks-spreading-disease-across-southeast/
Hey - it's all in the plan.
They'll have a new vaccine loaded with death in five minutes that you must take to save yourselves from this witch-spawn strain made to order in research labs. Genetics AND bioengineering. Ain't life grand.
Wait and see - the old girl is right.
Hey - it's all in the plan.
They'll have a new vaccine loaded with death in five minutes that you must take to save yourselves from this witch-spawn strain made to order in research labs. Genetics AND bioengineering. Ain't life grand.
Wait and see - the old girl is right.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Friday, November 4, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
THE LATEST ON BEDBUG INFESTATIONS FROM OUR FRIENDS AT NEWSMAX TODAY~
3. Environmentalists Blamed for Deadly Bedbug Plague
Government policies on the use of pesticides have led to a resurgent population of bedbugs — including some that carry a deadly antibiotic-resistant germ.
Bedbugs had been almost completely eradicated in the United States for half a century through the use of the now-banned pesticide DDT, but their population has grown rapidly during the past decade, overwhelming hotels, hospitals, schools, and apartment buildings, according to a report from the Heartland Institute.
Canadian researchers have recently discovered bedbugs carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a bacterial infection that is highly resistant to some antibiotics and can be deadly if it reaches the bloodstream.
H. Sterling Burnett, a senior fellow with the National Center for Policy Analysis, blames the bedbug resurgence on “poor policy decisions.”
He told Heartland Institute: “Most households have never seen a bedbug before now. But in the early 1970s, the government banned the pesticide DDT, and now we’re seeing bedbug infestations in European and North American cities.
“This is another legacy of Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring,’ the 1962 book credited with starting the environmental movement, leading to the ban of DDT.
“By banning DDT, we’ve killed people in developing countries through the spread of malaria. Now we’re subjecting the U.S. population to bedbugs and other pests and vermin.
“Government should lift the ban on DDT and other pesticides that are effective in treating pests like bedbugs.”
Angela Logomasini, director of risk and environmental policy with the Competitive Enterprise Institute, agrees.
“We had eradicated bedbugs in the past, then we banned DDT for home use, and now they’re back. I think this policy needs to be reevaluated.”
She also said, “We need a better regulatory environment. Rather than removing products from the shelves, which is where we are today because of the precautionary principle, more evaluation and experimentation is needed.”
And from Barbara at Farm Wars blog, comes this information:
Government policies on the use of pesticides have led to a resurgent population of bedbugs — including some that carry a deadly antibiotic-resistant germ.
Bedbugs had been almost completely eradicated in the United States for half a century through the use of the now-banned pesticide DDT, but their population has grown rapidly during the past decade, overwhelming hotels, hospitals, schools, and apartment buildings, according to a report from the Heartland Institute.
Canadian researchers have recently discovered bedbugs carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a bacterial infection that is highly resistant to some antibiotics and can be deadly if it reaches the bloodstream.
H. Sterling Burnett, a senior fellow with the National Center for Policy Analysis, blames the bedbug resurgence on “poor policy decisions.”
He told Heartland Institute: “Most households have never seen a bedbug before now. But in the early 1970s, the government banned the pesticide DDT, and now we’re seeing bedbug infestations in European and North American cities.
“This is another legacy of Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring,’ the 1962 book credited with starting the environmental movement, leading to the ban of DDT.
“By banning DDT, we’ve killed people in developing countries through the spread of malaria. Now we’re subjecting the U.S. population to bedbugs and other pests and vermin.
“Government should lift the ban on DDT and other pesticides that are effective in treating pests like bedbugs.”
Angela Logomasini, director of risk and environmental policy with the Competitive Enterprise Institute, agrees.
“We had eradicated bedbugs in the past, then we banned DDT for home use, and now they’re back. I think this policy needs to be reevaluated.”
She also said, “We need a better regulatory environment. Rather than removing products from the shelves, which is where we are today because of the precautionary principle, more evaluation and experimentation is needed.”
And from Barbara at Farm Wars blog, comes this information:
There is another solution, and one in which the mainstream refuses to swim. Diatomaceous Earth will eradicate them just as effectively as a noxious chemical :)
Diatomaceous Earth uses:Pest controlDiatomite is also used as an insecticide, due to its physico-sorptive properties. The fine powder absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of insects' exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate.[9] Arthropods die as a result of the water pressure deficiency, based on Fick's law of diffusion. This also works against gastropods and is commonly employed in gardening to defeat slugs. However, since slugs inhabit humid environments, efficacy is very low. It is sometimes mixed with an attractant or other additives to increase its effectiveness. Medical-grade diatomite is sometimes used to de-worm both animals and humans, with questionable efficacy.[10][11] It is most commonly used in lieu of boric acid, and can be used to help control and eventually eliminate cockroach and flea infestations. This material has wide application for insect control in grain storage.[12] It has also been used to control bedbug infestations, but this method may take weeks to work.[13] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth
GMOs? We don't need no stinkin' GMOs!
Barbara H. Peterson
http://farmwars.info
http://farmwars.info
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
HOW ABOUT A "BUG MAC" AND SOME GRUB STUFF INSTEAD OF A BURGER AND FRIES?
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.535b8021429b7f4411f0d1df3a913087.451&show_article=1
Is Michele making inroads?
One term first lady, I think.
Keep your skinny fingers out of our food, Michele. You probably would like what I put in my 10 lb.
lasagna's. But that's ok. You aren't invited.
Is Michele making inroads?
One term first lady, I think.
Keep your skinny fingers out of our food, Michele. You probably would like what I put in my 10 lb.
lasagna's. But that's ok. You aren't invited.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
AND NOW, DEAR TRAVELERS, WE HAVE MUTANT BEDBUGS, RESISTANT TO PESTICIDES
http://www.naturalnews.com/031083_bed_bugs_pesticides.html
Careful where you shop, with what you buy, and where you lay your heads at night!
They can be anywhere...in theaters, on your airline seat, on the subway, in the stores where you shop, in antique and thrift shops. They can transfer to you at a party, in crowded places, from a carpet. They hide in cracks and crevices like in mattresses, box springs, dressers, furniture, under the switchplates in your rooms.
Creepy, crawly, prolific breeders. One that creeps into your purse at night can harbor an infestation and suck your blood at night. Blood specks on your sheets? On your clothing, on your skin?
Itchy bites in twos or threes? You have them.
I can't stand this.
No more from me today on this subject!
Careful where you shop, with what you buy, and where you lay your heads at night!
They can be anywhere...in theaters, on your airline seat, on the subway, in the stores where you shop, in antique and thrift shops. They can transfer to you at a party, in crowded places, from a carpet. They hide in cracks and crevices like in mattresses, box springs, dressers, furniture, under the switchplates in your rooms.
Creepy, crawly, prolific breeders. One that creeps into your purse at night can harbor an infestation and suck your blood at night. Blood specks on your sheets? On your clothing, on your skin?
Itchy bites in twos or threes? You have them.
I can't stand this.
No more from me today on this subject!
Friday, October 8, 2010
BEDBUGS - HELPFUL TIPS ON AVOIDING THEM
Did you see yesterday that they are slowing taking over NYC? They're at the Waldorf.
The management refused to believe the victim until they saw the bites.
When you travel, be aware that they are everywhere, waiting in the dark to suck your blood - even in airline seats (eeeeeuuuuuuwwww - the pillows, the blankets1 and the upholstery!)
Always check for signs in your room - especially the welting on your mattress/box springs.
Little specks of blood on the mattress, dead insects that have been crushed.
Here are the tips:
The management refused to believe the victim until they saw the bites.
When you travel, be aware that they are everywhere, waiting in the dark to suck your blood - even in airline seats (eeeeeuuuuuuwwww - the pillows, the blankets1 and the upholstery!)
Always check for signs in your room - especially the welting on your mattress/box springs.
Little specks of blood on the mattress, dead insects that have been crushed.
Here are the tips:
A bit of information that you might like to know about. We have friends here in our community and one of their sons is an entomologist (insect expert), and has been telling them that there is an epidemic of bed bugs now occurring in America . Recently I have heard on the news that several stores in NYC have had to close due to bed bug problems, as well as a complete mall in New Jersey .
He says that since much of our clothing, sheets, towels, etc. now comes from companies outside of America, (sad but true), even the most expensive stores sell foreign clothing from China, Indonesia, etc. The bed bugs are coming in on the clothing as these countries do not consider them a problem. He recommends that if you buy any new clothing, even underwear and socks, sheets, towels, etc. that you bring them into the house and put them in your clothes dryer for at least 20 minutes. The heat will kill them and their eggs. DO NOT PURCHASE CLOTHES AND HANG THEM IN THE CLOSET FIRST. It does not matter what the price range is of the clothing, or if the outfit comes from the most expensive store known in the U.S. They still get shipments from these countries and the bugs can come in a box of scarves or anything else for that matter. That is the reason why so many stores, many of them clothing stores have had to shut down in NYC and other places. All you need is to bring one item into the house that has bugs or eggs and you will go to hell and back trying to get rid of them. He travels all over the country as an adviser to many of these stores, as prevention and after they have the problem.
Send this information on to those on your e-mail list so that this good prevention information gets around quickly.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
THE BEDBUGS ARE COMING, THE BEDBUGS ARE COMING
and you're going to get them. They're invading us from every angle - in movie theaters (they like the dark), in airplanes, in motels and hotels...and the nymphs are nearly invisible.
Here are ten tips. And if you don't believe me, go find the Bedbug Registry, etc.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-tips-to-avoid-bedbugs.html
Here are ten tips. And if you don't believe me, go find the Bedbug Registry, etc.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-tips-to-avoid-bedbugs.html
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
UNITED NATIONS: EAT BUGS TO SAVE THE PLANET
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-1301970/GOOD-GRUB-GUIDE-The-UN-says-eating-creepy-crawlies-save-planet---Our-girl-finds-hard-swallow.html
THESE PEOPLE ARE MADMEN AND WOMEN, POWER-CRAZED CRETINS WHO DO NOTHING BUT PLAN THE DEMISE OF HUMANS ON EARTH.
HOW ABOUT THIS. INSTEAD OF CAKE, LET THEM EAT BUGS.
YOU FIRST ON A STEADY DIET, OR SHUT THE HELL UP.
Tell this to our family farmers, all over the world.
We do this and Big Agra fails.
We could use the UN building for a really nice affordable housing complex. Why don't you move?
THESE PEOPLE ARE MADMEN AND WOMEN, POWER-CRAZED CRETINS WHO DO NOTHING BUT PLAN THE DEMISE OF HUMANS ON EARTH.
HOW ABOUT THIS. INSTEAD OF CAKE, LET THEM EAT BUGS.
YOU FIRST ON A STEADY DIET, OR SHUT THE HELL UP.
Tell this to our family farmers, all over the world.
We do this and Big Agra fails.
We could use the UN building for a really nice affordable housing complex. Why don't you move?
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Hidden Household Dangers - from roaches to plastics, AC/heating ducts to kitchen sponges - this'll make you paranoid.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/11-hidden-household-dangers.html
That kitchen sponge will come to haunt your dreams at night.
That kitchen sponge will come to haunt your dreams at night.
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