Re: OT: Fire Ants
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: OT: Fire Ants
- From: B* S* <b*@tiger.hsc.edu>
- Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 08:02:23 -0600 (MDT)
>I must again agree completely with Bill Shear's comments about the
>management of fire ants and the whole topic of pesticide use. North
>America seems to solve all problems by spraying. Unless used very
>sparingly, the use of chemicals is destructive of our natural
>environment, in the long run costs us increasing amounts of money, and
>can harm our children.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch today featured two articles, one of them on the
front page. The front pager was about a new strain of Staphyloccus
bacteria (they cause boils and other nasty infections) discovered in Japan
that seems to be resistant to the last available antibiotic used on them.
The second article on the front page of the Health and Science section
described head lice in various parts of the state that seem to be resistant
to the insecticidal treatments usually used for them, incorporating
pyrethrinoids.
As any evolutionary biologist can tell you (but who listens to THEM?), if
you supply a selective force, the target species will find a way around it.
It's natural (or un-natural) selection in action. As Ian Malcolm said,
"Life will find a way."
We have to learn to regard pesticides and antibiotics as stopgap measures
that have bought us some time to learn how to really control dangerous
pests and diseases the biological way. Unfortunately, we have not used the
time wisely, and it's five minutes to midnight.
I promise not to rant about this any more. Promise.
Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@tiger.hsc.edu>
