Certified Science - November 2013

A Periodic ESA Service for ACEs and Urban-Industrial BCEs
November, 2013
The Entomological Society of America is the #1 source of scientific information for the urban entomologist. This email is a service of the Entomological Society of America for all Associate Certified Entomologists (ACEs) and Board Certified Entomologists (BCEs) who hold a specialty in urban and industrial entomology.

Before we get into the science, though, I want to remind everyone that this is "renewal season" for ACEs and BCEs. Forms were mailed to everyone recently and a second set of forms will mail in early December for those whose renewal has not yet been processed. We are phasing in a change for all renewing ACEs -- in 2014 this is optional and starting in 2015 the change is mandatory. All changes are detailed on the ACE renewal form but are essentially two things (a) CEUs are required, and (b) the renewal period is moving to a 3-year term. Don't forget to submit your PCO license and sign the code of ethics too. If you are a BCE, please either renew your BCE with your ESA membership or use the BCE renewal form.

And now, on with the science ...

Here is a summary of some recent articles in the ESA journals that relate to structural pest management and urban arthropod pests. The abstracts are freely available online for all articles, though access to the full text will generally require member in the Entomological Society of America, in addition to your certification.

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Pesticide-Induced Release From Competition Among Competing Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Abstract: Competitive interactions between mosquitoes Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) may depend on environmental conditions. Pesticides may alleviate density-dependent competition for limited food, and a differential species response to sublethal concentrations may modify interspecific competition. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to malathion alters interspecific resource competition between these two species. In the absence of malathion, Ae. aegypti survivorship and per capita rate of population change were negatively affected by increasing densities of Ae. albopictus. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Alto, Barry W.; Lampman, Richard L.; Kesavaraju, Banugopan; Muturi, Ephantus J.
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 50, Number 6

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DNA Barcoding Distinguishes Pest Species of the Black Fly Genus Cnephia (Diptera: Simuliidae)
Abstract: Accurate species identification is essential for cost-effective pest control strategies. We tested the utility of COI barcodes for identifying members of the black fly genus Cnephia Enderlein (Diptera: Simuliidae). Our efforts focus on four Nearctic Cnephia species—Cnephia dacotensis (Dyar & Shannon), Cnephia eremities Shewell, Cnephia ornithophilia (Davies, Peterson & Wood), and Cnephia pecuarum (Riley)—the latter two being current or potential targets of biological control programs. We also analyzed one Palearctic species, Cnephia pallipes (Fries). Although Cnephia adults can be identified anatomically to species, control programs target the larval stage, which is difficult or impossible to distinguish morphologically. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Conflitti, I. M.; Pruess, K. P.; Cywinska, A.; Powers, T. O.; Currie, D. C.
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 50, Number 6

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Biting Deterrence, Repellency, and Larvicidal Activity of Ruta chalepensis (Sapindales: Rutaceae) Essential Oil and Its Major Individual Constituents Against Mosquitoes
Abstract: … This study revealed that R. chalepensis essential oil and its major compounds were active biting deterrents against Ae. Aegypti at higher application rates whereas only the essential oil showed activity similar to DEET against An. Quadrimaculatus. 2-undecanone was the most active compound in in vivo repellency bioassay against Ae. aegypti. Chemical composition of R. chalepensis essential oil varies because of plant production and harvest practices, and the activity level of the essential oil may depend on the source of the sample... (Full abstract here)
Authors: Ali, Abbas; Demirci, Betul; Kiyan, Hulya Tuba; Bernier, Ulrich R.; Tsikolia, Maia; Wedge, David E.; Khan, Ikhlas A.; BaÅŸer, Kemal Husnu Can; Tabanca, Nurhayat
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 50, Number 6

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Efficacy of ACTELLIC 300 CS, Pirimiphos Methyl, for Indoor Residual Spraying in Areas of High Vector Resistance to Pyrethroids and Carbamates in Zambia
Abstract: The selection of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors has the potential to compromise any insecticide-based malaria vector control program. To ensure that transmission-interrupting tools remain effective, and their choice is evidence based, insecticide surveillance and monitoring is essential. This study assessed and compared the residual efficacy of an organophosphate insecticide pirimiphos methyl (ACTELLIC 300 CS, 0-2-diethylamino-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl 0, 0-dimethylphosphorothioate) at 1 g/m² and the pyrethroid deltamethrin (K-Othrine WG 250, (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (1R, 3R)-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate) at 20 mg/m² for indoor residual spraying on cement and mud-rendered walls inside houses. Insecticide susceptibility profiles of local malaria vectors were also assessed using World Health Organization standard protocols. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Chanda, Emmanuel; Chanda, Javan; Kandyata, Alister; Phiri, Faustina N.; Muzia, Lucy; Haque, Ubydul; Baboo, Kumar S.
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 50, Number 6

Q&A about the new ACE exam

We're just over a month away from the launch of the new ACE exam. Here at ESA HQ we are getting near daily inquiries about the exam. The new items have been written and are being input to the testing software now in preparation for the debut of the new test on January 1st. Below you'll find answers to some of the more common questions we're hearing about the new exam and structure. If you have other questions, please direct them to ace@entocert.org.

Q1 - Who came up with the new exam questions?
A committee of subject matter experts (SME) have spent much of the past year editing existing questions, writing new questions, and then editing and editing and editing them until they are fair and representative. The SMEs are all BCEs and come from across the United States so the knowledge pool is not regionally biased.

Q2 - Will the new exam be harder?
That is not the intent. The goal of the new exam (as it was with the old exam) is to make it representative of the subject matter being tested. The average score on the old exam is currently about 74%. Our goal would be to have a similar pass rate on the new exam.

Q3 - Will there be rodent (and other non-arthropod) questions on the new exam?
Yes -- some. Animals can often harbor insects and other arthropods and carry them into the home or other urban structure. As such, to control the arthropods you need to know how to control the non-arthropods. However the main thrust of the exam is entomology and a passing score earns you the title of Associate Certified Entomologist. Our SMEs are experts in entomology and while some may also have substantial non-arthropod knowledge, that is not what we are testing or certifying.

Q4 - What should I be studying in order to take and pass the new exam?
A list of suggested study materials remains on the ESA website and is mostly unchanged from what you should have been studying for the old exam (click here to see the suggested study materials).

Of the recommended materials, the two books that many students have been finding to be of great help are these two (both of which can be purchased through the link above):
(a) The Handbook of Household and Structural Insect Pests
(b) General Household Pest Control

The new exam is just four main topics to study. They are:
(a) Inspection and Identification (45% of the exam)
(b) Monitoring (12% of the exam)
(c) Selection and Implementation of Control Methods (28% of the exam)
(d) Evaluation (15% of the exam)

Q5 - Is there a study guide?
A new study guide is being written now. A publishing date is not yet available.

Q6 - If I'm already an ACE, do I need to take the new exam in order to stay current?
No, but you will be required to watch a free webinar to ensure that all ACEs (existing and new) understand the concepts covered in the content outline. The webinar is being devised now and details will be published as soon as they are available.
The answer to this question changed from how it was originally posted. Current ACEs will not need to watch a webinar. They will, however, be required to review the new content outline and affirm with ESA that they have done so. See this post to learn how to do this if you became an ACE before 12.31.2013.

Q7 - Did the fees go up?
No. The structure of the application did change, however. Starting on January 1 all applications have a 3-year lifespan. The application fee is $395 for non-ESA members (ESA members save $40 -- their fee is $355). Once a person takes and passes the exam, however, they are ACE certified until the end of the initial 3-year term. ESA operates on a calendar year basis so some "rounding" will be involved with some initial terms lasting a little longer than 3 years and some lasting a little less than 3 years. Applications accepted in Jan-June will be a little less than 3 years and applications accepted July-December will be a little longer than 3-years in terms of their ACE certification when they pass.

(a) Example #1 - John's application is accepted on 2/1/2014 and he tests and passes his ACE on 9/1/2014. His application lifespan is from 2/1/2014 and he will remain ACE certified until the end of the 3-year term (12/31/2016) which is a few months short of the 3-year period.

(b) Example #2 - Jane's application is accepted on 8/1/2014 and she tests/passes later that month. Her application lifespan is from 8/1/2014 and she will remain ACE certified until 12/31/2017 (since she applied in the second half of the year). Her application lifespan is thus a little longer than 3 years.

Q8 - I still don't get it. Can you tell me more about this new "lifespan" for my application?
You will have up to 3 years to pass your exam once your application is approved. The VAST majority of all ACE applicants pass their exam in FAR less than this amount of time. This change arose because the SMEs felt that the application process should not be indefinite, but that we also did not want to force the process too fast.

The timeline rules are these:
(a) All applicants must take their exam within 1 year of the application's acceptance
(b) If unsuccessful, the applicant must wait at least 3 months but not more than 1 year from their earlier attempt
(c) All applicants must ultimately pass the ACE exam within 3 years of application acceptance or the application will expire
(c1) If your application is accepted in the first half of the year it will expire on December 31st, two years hence
(c2) If your application is accepted in the second half of the year it will expire on December 31st, three years hence

New ACE and BCE list

Congratulations to our newest Associate and Board Certified Entomologists!

NEW BCE:
Ms. Sylvia Kenmuir, BCE, (Target Specialty Products), Cypress, CA  USA.  Certified on 10/9/2013.
Mr. Ronald T. Schwalb, BCE, ACE, (Nisus Corporation), Rockford, TN  USA.  Certified on 10/15/2013.

NEW ACE:
Ms. Melinda Adele Baker, ACE, (Arizona Exterminating Company), Phoenix, AZ  USA.  Certified on 10/25/2013.
Mr. Thomas R. Olschewske, ACE, (Arrow Exterminators), Woodstock, GA  USA.  Certified on 11/8/2013.
Mr. Shephard H. Patton, Jr., ACE, (Arrow Exterminators), Vaiden, MS  USA.  Certified on 11/8/2013.
Mr. Robert James Ringler, ACE, (Arrow Exterminators), Sarasota, FL  USA.  Certified on 11/8/2013.
Mr. Richard Dean Spencer, ACE, (Arrow Exterminators), Woodstock, GA  USA.  Certified on 11/8/2013.
Mr. Raymond Flores, ACE, (Western Exterminator Co.), Anaheim, CA  USA.  Certified on 10/31/2013.
Mr. Raymond A Hess, ACE, (Arrow Exterminators), Bonaire, GA  USA.  Certified on 11/8/2013.
Mr. Noah Andrew Krikstan, ACE, (Innovative Pest Management, Inc), Columbia, MD  USA.  Certified on 11/12/2013.
Mr. Michael Seth McGill, ACE, (Cook's Pest Control, Inc.), Decatur, AL  USA.  Certified on 10/24/2013.
Mr. Marty L Lynch, ACE, (Arrow Exterminators), Nashville, TN  USA.  Certified on 11/8/2013.
Mr. Jason LaMarca, ACE, (Arrow Exterminators), Woodstock, GA  USA.  Certified on 11/8/2013.
Mr. Jarrell R. Jarrett III, ACE, (Arrow Exterminators), Athens, GA  USA.  Certified on 11/8/2013.
Mr. Edward F Schwartz, ACE, (Paladin Pest Control), Colorado Springs, CO  USA.  Certified on 11/15/2013.
Mr. Danny Lee Gross, ACE, (Arrow Exterminators), Ponte Vedra, FL  USA.  Certified on 11/8/2013.
 Lisa A Fowler, ACE, (OPC Pest Control), Louisville, KY  USA.  Certified on 11/16/2013.