The Benefits of Insecticides - Essay Example

Here Your Full Your The Next Generation of Insects and Insecticides Insects are very productive group of organisms known for its ecological as well as economic contributions. However, some insect species are also popular as agricultural pests that cause damage to 30% of crops all over the world (Altieri, Nicholls and Fritz, 2005, p.1: par 1) and may also harm human species. From various presented literatures, it was uncovered that the six-jointed leg arthropods' or insects have priceless ecological significance as well as manageable harmful effects to man and environment in general. People have enjoyed the benefits of insecticides and are recently challenged to seek other effective strategies to control the rising insect pests. Background Insects are organisms which are considered most numerous in a natural ecology. They exist as either beneficial or harmful, depending on the nature of its ecology. Early of the 19th century, certain species of arthropods like mosquitoes, have been regarded as causative agents of some important diseases and the discovery of one cheap but effective insecticide called dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane or DDT in the year 1940s was considered as a large breakthrough in the management of vector-borne illnesses (Roosendall, 1997, p.1: par 1-2). In North America, more than 100 crop species needed insect pollinators for them to be Your Name Here 2 most productive. Before, insects like pollinator bees could achieve the pollination needs of orchards, grounds with sunflower, berry patches and pumpkins. Today, several farms are large, with less nearby habitat, and usually rely on honey bees to pollinate the crops and pesticides to limit the weeds and pest insects (US Agroforestry Notes, 2007, p. 1: par 1). Insecticides are chemically formulated substances that consist of wide range toxic ingredients for target insects and when these substances are absorbed through the insects' exoskeletal structures, it can result to death ( p. 1: par 4). On the other hand, there are already documentations on insect resistance to DDT since year 1447 and up to the present, scientists are continually investigating on mechanisms of how insects genetically and behaviorally respond to applications of insecticides. Public Concerns on Insects and Insecticide Use During 1950s and early 1960s, several countries organized to restrain or eradicate vector-borne diseases such as Malaria, Leishmaniasis and Chagas Disease through the introduction and use of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane or DDT. At first, the programs were successful and some countries have proven to control the vectors (insects that transmit diseases), but, in most countries, the success is short termed and they have observed that the insects developed resistance to DDT which opted people to use more expensive chemicals (Roosendall, 1997, p.1: par 3). In North America, West Nile Virus (WNV) has been a serious problem since 1999. The virus is usually transmitted by adult mosquitoes. Thus, in areas of Canada and throughout United States, insecticides are applied to troubleshoot the outbreak of WNV which Your Name Here 3 consequently resulted in several public concerns, particularly on the risk of insecticide use. In 2005, World Health Organization prompted to evaluate the human-health risks for WNV, health effects from WNV infection and assessed potential population risks among human subgroups throughout WNV disease outbreak scenario. Results indicate that the level of human-health risks due to household exposure to mosquito insecticides are low and will not likely to go beyond levels of concern. Moreover, results indicate that, according to human health criteria, the risks from WNV is more than the risks from harmful effects or exposure to mosquito insecticides (Environ Health Perspective, 2006, 114: 366-372). Similarly, there are also insecticides from most pet products. Organophosphates found in these products are of the greatest concern due to its potentials to poison the nervous system. Acute poisoning can result to short and long term effects on the nervous system, particularly the brain of fetuses and infants. The contamination from the chemical may also have possible impacts on learning, behavior and other physiology of the nervous system later in life . Evidence also now strongly supports the fact that, insecticide exposures may elevate risk of some long-term degenerative illnesses of the nervous system, such as Parkinson's. It also presents risk for cancer and emerging evidence connects the organophosphate exposures to the asthma development in some people (Wallinga & Greer, 2000, 2 : 27-31). New Generation Insects and Insecticides To date, population of insects that damage crops and cause diseases are rising. These Your Name Here 4 insect pests become resistant to chemicals or insecticides applied to them. The resistant strain is quite difficult to control and more people resort to application of higher quantity of chemicals which tend to be more costly, pose more threats to people and environment and the worse scenario is when, people use pesticides instead of insecticides which can result to the quick buildup of resistance among insects and mites. Genes of insects which are recipients of insecticides can proliferate from one generation to another or may pass the resistant trait to their respective offspring and eventually tend to outnumber susceptible ones. These mechanisms are dependent on some factors such as migration, reproduction, timing and frequency of insecticide or pesticide applications, crop protection or pest management strategies, and others. An estimate of about $40 million as an added expense to the total insecticide bill, due to insecticide resistance (IRAC, 2008, p 1-5) During the time immemorial, management system is directed to the 100% control of pest through agrichemical. Recently, integrated pest management is focused on management of the entire farm, buffer systems and nearby communities, through complementary strategies. Population of pests are maintained in acceptable number. Pest managers now employ tactics which are existing in the natural ecosystems such as utilization of beneficial insects which attack other insect pests and termites and not the crops. Another is through the use of bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoan and viruses which can make insect pests ill so that they can no longer damage crops (Altieri, Nicholls and Fritz, 2005, p.1-2). Your Name Here 5 Conclusions and Recommendations In the light of the foregoing evidences and facts presented, it can be noted that diversity among insect species can be linked to the introduction and/or application of different kinds of insecticides that may have caused resistance or genetic mutation. On the other side, research and technology offer several options to address the problem. Three (3) important ecological pest management key strategies that can be applied in farms are the following: First, to be selective to crops that are to be grown. These crops must be healthy, varied, have resistance against pests and are not attractive or unpalatable to the pests. Second is to stress the pest through appropriate management strategies. Confusing the pests, removing their possible food sources and breaking their life cycle. Finally, improve the population of beneficial insects which attack pests. These insects may be introduced by providing them food, shelter and causing them no harm . Agrochemicals should not also be applied on these beneficial insects (Altieri, Nicholls and Fritz, 2005, p.6: par 1-3). Other agro forestry plantings provide a more enhanced line of defense to compete with drifting insecticide and pesticide sprays, optional resources for beneficial insects, and a shelter or protection of landscapes commonly treated with chemicals. When best management practices go hand in hand with agroforestry practices for the use of pesticides, the various impact of these chemicals on pollinator insects can be importantly minimized or even eliminated (US Agroforestry Notes, 2007, p. 3: par 8). Your Name Here 6 As to the overall health of humans, in relation to the existing use of insect control products, commercial kits for the monitoring blood cholinesterase are available for this purpose. Levels of chemicals in the said specimen can be detected. Low levels predict overexposure to an organophosphorus insecticide. The said assays should be performed weekly for all persons using and handling these products. Those with unduly low cholinesterase activity must stop working with insecticides pending blood cholinesterase has returned to normal. Works Cited Peterson, Robert K.D. Macedo, Paula and Davis, Ryan A. "A Human-Health Risk Assessment for West Nile Virus and Insecticides Used in Mosquito Management" Environ Health Perspective. 114:366-372, 2006. Online available http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 14 October 2008] US Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences. "US Agroforestry Notes, Agricultural and Biological Risk Assessment". Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA, Vol 114, 3, March 2006. Altieri, Nicholls and Fritz. "Manage Insects in Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies". Sustainable Agriculture Network, Beltsville MD. Series 3. p. 1-4, 2005. David, Wallinga and Greer, Linda. " Poison on Pets: Health Hazards from Flea and Tick Products", Natural Resources Defense Council. November 2000 IRAC. "Resistance: The Facts - History & overview of resistance" Retrieved 14 November 2008 from http://www.iraq.online.org Rosendaal, Jan A. "Vector Control Methods for Use by Individuals and Communities" World Health Organization. P.1:1-3. 1997. Read More