According to scientists, the reason farming has to use Neonicotinoids is to combat the many predators that are ready to pounce on corn or soybean seeds, every time they are sown in the ground. Seeds are impregnated with drugs before sowing. Photo: Scientific Beekeeping What are neonicotinoids? Neonicotinoid has been banned for use in Australia and Europe since 2013. This is a pesticide derived from nicotine (the addictive substance found in tobacco), the way to use is to dissolve in water and spray on plants. for the plants to absorb themselves, forming an artificial “immune system” to protect the crops. Neoincotinoids are thought to be effective against pests and insects, but are safe for mammals. However, because of its strong effect on insects, it also affects bees directly, reducing the number of pollinators. This pesticide is said to reduce the sperm count of male bees by up to 40%, as well as reduce their lifespan from an average of 22 days to 15 days, thus reducing the chances of male bees fertilizing the queen bee. also decreased. Besides disease, soil-dwelling pests such as helminths and larvae can also damage seeds and seedlings, along with terrestrial insects such as bean leaf beetles and aphids. seeds and saplings. Therefore, in the field of seed treatment against insects and diseases, farmers often treat seeds in combination with fungicides (IST) to help plants sprout straight and grow early. It is easy to mention some of the popular Neonicotinoid IST methods such as Imidacloprid (Gaucho, Bayer Crop Science), Clothianidin (Poncho, BASF) and Thiamethoxam (Cruiser, Syngenta)… Seth Naeve, an agronomist specializing in soybean research at the University of Minnesota Extension (USA), said that Neonicotinoid insecticides are highly water-soluble, helping to activate protection from insects. Great early season. Shawn Potter, Syngenta’s head of seed care product marketing, said that the growth of the seeds after treatment was driven in part by previous seasons. “Early seeding from a wet, cool, or both, seeds and seedlings will be exposed to various diseases. “Without seed treatment, crops could be damaged early on,” said Mr Potter. Nick Tinsley, BASF technical specialist, added: “Farmers and retailers alike can easily treat corn and soybean seeds with Neonicotinoid insecticides as well as fungicides from the company. producers to protect crops”. For decades, seed companies have treated corn with fungicides. However, IST only started to be added to the fungicide seed treatment of soybeans in the early 2000s. Studies have demonstrated that a combination of seed treatment with both fungicides and insecticides increases soybean yield per acre by 2 bushels (equivalent to 72.74 kg/0.4 ha). According to Mr. Potter, in general, each “shift” of treating soybean pest/mushroom combos will cost from 10 to 12 USD per seed unit (ranging from 80,000 to 140,000 seeds/0.4 ha). That’s because 70% of treatment costs go to pesticides, while the profit-taking rate per acre is between $16 and $17. This assumes that soybeans cost $12 per bushel and that the cost of the pesticide seed treatment is between $7 and $7.50 per seed unit. Entomologists in the Midwest and South America have also observed that the average soybean yield spike of 2 bushels per acre from this combination. “Some years are higher, some years are lower,” says Sebe Brown, an entomologist at the University of Louisiana. Responses tended to be higher in cases where soybeans were planted early, two crops, or planted after a cover crop.” Gus Lorenz, a scientist at the University of Arkansas, adds: “Companies have provided growers with insurance to maintain good standing. At current seed prices, the cost of treating seeds with pesticides is a good investment.” A synthesis of studies in a 2019 report representing agronomists and entomologists from 14 universities found that the best recorded soybean yield was an increase of 3.3 bushels per acre. after using the combined seed treatment solution. However, in some cases in Minnesota, the benefits are so small that it is argued that farmers should not be encouraged to use seed treatments or should apply them selectively. Concerns Previously, scientists believed that neonicotinoid pesticides were the main cause of the decline in bee populations and pollinators worldwide. A few years ago, the United Nations published alarming figures: In the first 10 years of the 21st century, the number of bees in the world has decreased by 85% in the Middle East, about 30% in the US and Europe. Neonicotinoids are likened to “birth control pills” for bees and reduce the population of bees. Photo: GCM Bees are the intermediate species that help pollinate more than 75% of the world’s food and fruit crops, so a decrease in the number of bees also means a reduced crop or even a crop failure. However, long-term studies by Syngenta suggest that the health effects of bees are negligible when using Neonicotinoid seed treatments to kill insects. According to Mr. Potter, what many experts agree on is that the health of bees depends on the interaction of factors such as parasites, disease, nutritional health and weather phenomena. A 2019 study published in the journal Scientific Reports detailed the effects that imidacloprid had on white-tailed deer. When imidacloprid (an insecticide that acts as an insect CNS toxin, belonging to the genus Neonicotinoids) was increased in the animal’s spleen, factors such as progeny viability, length of jawbone, body weight and visceral weight all decreased. Records show that at least 60% of white-tailed deer killed indicate the presence of Imidacloprid. According to expert Jonathan Lundgren, all insecticides can negatively impact mammals and bees. “The use of insecticides is so widespread these days that they are present in almost every growing system across the United States and are truly binding. These insecticides are affecting ecosystems in ways that we could not have foreseen.” Meanwhile, the companies that manufacture and trade in Neonicotinoid seed treatments have always denied this and asserted that “the products are safe if used according to the instructions on the label”. Compounds such as polymers coat the seeds or products like Bayer Fluency Agent Advanced to help prevent release into the environment, said Chip Graham, Bayer Crop Science’s North American director of seed development. “Initially we had really low dust levels, but these products ensure that pesticides remain on the seeds and reduce contamination levels during the growing process,” said Mr. What is the future of farming? Instead of treating seeds with neonicotinoid insecticides, Mr. Lundgren called for regenerative methods, such as tilling and changing seasons, increasing crop diversity as well as reducing pest pressure. bugs, insects. “Farmers need to understand that these seed treatments really don’t help them much,” said Lundgren. Neonicotinoid pesticides are believed to reduce bee pollinators, threatening food security. Photo: TN Meanwhile, expert Graham said that banning this seed treatment would be detrimental to farmers because “there are currently no foliar sprays to treat early-season insects as a rescue application”, so ” Seed treatment in this way is most effective to provide activity against early-season pests of maize and soybean.” Agronomist Naeve said: “They’re a good example of how the best tools we’ve ever had in agriculture, but it’s not a good idea to treat the entire soybean acreage. They can be a double-edged sword.”

Chef Bun Lai’s cicada sushi invites Washingtonians to enjoy it for free on May 23. Photo: AP Accordingly, the number of cicada species “Brood X” has emerged from the ground for the first time since last weekend after 17 years hidden deep underground. The largest population of cicadas is believed to be in the eastern states of the United States such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana and Tennessee. With this in mind, a chef in Washington DC took the initiative to “take advantage” of this rare insect invasion as an opportunity to show off his talent for processing cicadas into a new dish. Hong Kong-born American chef Bun Lai said his actions fit an aspect of food ethics. Accordingly, chef Bun Lai, a supporter of the sustainable food movement, invited locals to go catch cicadas in city parks, then prepare and invite them to enjoy fried cicada sushi made by himself. he created. This chef also teaches people how to catch, prepare and prepare dishes from cicadas as a way to talk about alternative food sources. Fried cicadas and wrapped with rice with vegetables. Photo: AFP “In a world where humanity is suffering from a multitude of diet-related diseases – we will have to take a revolutionary approach to eating habits,” said Bun Lai. On his personal tweeter, the chef constantly “invited” Americans to go hunting cicadas and enjoy free dishes from this “nearly 20 years old” insect. Stella Roque, a 36-year-old local resident who grew up with a fear of all insects, said she wasn’t too eager at first but took the opportunity to overcome her phobia. “I came here today because of Bun Lai’s invitation to try cicadas over the fire, and I thought it would be an interesting experience. I decided to join the event because I had previously heard about the mysterious day of the cicada “Brood X” occurring in the area.” Chef Bun Lai and local people catch cicadas that have just escaped their bodies to be processed into dishes. Photo: AFP Magazine The Washingtonian In the end, she’s not alone in trying out some of the macabre dishes, and hopes cicadas will become a staple on restaurant menus. Responding to the press, chef Bun Lai happily warned not to let cicadas become “food for gourmets”, for fear that they would be “slaughtered” for food like humans did. with so many species that we’ve been obsessed with. Under the guidance of chef Bun Lai, the harvested cicadas are washed and salted before being fried in a pan and turned into sushi along with rice and vegetables. This cicada dish is gluten-free, high in protein, low in fat and macronutrients (carbs), the chef says. After enjoying the cicada sushi, Ms. Stella Roque said: ‘I was expecting the worst, but then I was “pleasantly surprised” by how delicious it was. An American citizen enjoys cicadas cooked into sushi at Fort Totten Park in Washington DC on May 23, 2021. Photo: AFP Brood X cicadas are creatures that spend 17 years living underground, unlike other breeds with a life cycle of 13 years. They suck the sap of tree roots for food but do not harm people, except make noise. In their 17th year they will emerge from the ground in billions, if not more. According to entomologist Michael Raupp, cicadas have come to the surface earlier in recent years because of climate change. In the pre-1950s, they usually appeared at the end of May, but now they appear a few weeks earlier.

I have a chance to chat with Prof. Dr. Bui Cong Hien , former lecturer of Biology Department, University of Natural Sciences, VNU, leading entomologist in Vietnam about 10 years ago. At that time, he was retired and was dreaming with his friends to open a gallery of paintings made from insects. At the age of 80, Prof. Dr. Bui Cong Hien is still working hard. After a few years, I had the opportunity again follow GS.TS. Bui Cong Hien visit the artificial butterfly farming model in Ba Vi (Hanoi) made by himself. During those meetings, he told me about the insect world, about the benefits of insects and his predestined relationship with insects. He said, when he was still a student, he studied at the Department of Physics, Hanoi University (now Hanoi National University). He said that at that time his knowledge of insects was very little. Most of the time the teacher assigns a topic to do it. he did “Study on the phototropism of insects”, “Biology and ecology of the rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)” all suggested by the instructors. “Later, when I was retained as a teaching staff, I was assigned to the insect group of the Department of Invertebrates, Department of Biology. When going to work as a PhD student in the GDR, following the advice of Prof. Dao Van Tien, I chose the direction of research on Insect Physiology, a very bony research direction. Maybe I have a predestined relationship with insects, so insects chose me,” he wittily shared. He said, from that fate, he focused on researching insects in many directions such as insect pests, applied entomology, pheromones of insects, insects in Vietnam and prevention of harmful insects. , insect resources in Vietnam and valuable insects… From these studies, the benefits of insects he called “gold mines”. He affirmed that with more than 1 million species and living in all habitats, there is no creature that is attached to humans, being both “enemies” and “friends” like insects. Although small, the insect world is both “romantic” and “realistic”. Insects can kill people, but they also create jobs that feed millions. He asked the question: if insects were not present on the planet, how would humans live when the earth was filled with dead animals and plants; when the fruit is not pollinated… Sad because Vietnam is wasting gold mines Prof. Dr. Bui Cong Hien said, when studying insects, he discovered that many people call insects “insects” implying that insects are harmful species. Insects are “guilty” to humans. But that makes up less than 1% of the more than 1 million species. In fact, we are “a worm that upsets the whole pot of insect soup”. Prof. Dr. Bui Cong Hien said, we don’t know how to mine gold from insects. He said that insects bring 10 benefits to nature and 15 benefits to humans such as making food, beautifying, improving soil, pollinating plants… Especially Vietnam is a country with high biodiversity, with a large number of insects. However, we do not yet know how to mine gold from insects. Currently, according to GS.TS. Bui Cong Hien, in our country, the conservation and exploitation of insects, especially those in the wild, are rarely studied. “I had the opportunity to go through the market in Dien Bien, and saw the sale of worms and bees… I feel so sorry. Because people spontaneously exploiting insects have been both “victims” of poverty and backwardness, and “criminals” of biodiversity destruction”, he confided. “Why not research and help them breed these objects into farms to harvest and process valuable products like some countries have done. Why in many countries there are companies trading insects, but in Vietnam, they only sell at the market like hundreds of years ago. Earlier this year, the EU allowed the farming of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) as food for humans, while in Vietnam only selling mealworms for ornamental birds,” he added. Plans at the age of 80 Currently, Prof. Dr. Bui Cong Hien has turned 80. However, he still cherishes many plans. The gallery made from insects in the past could not open for many reasons, but now he is still determined to do it. Nutritious nuggets from insects that he used to make successfully in the past, with recipes and designs available, he did not want to give up halfway. “I raised the issue with the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports and the Bac Ninh Museum. In my opinion, besides traditional Dong Ho paintings, there should be Dong Ho paintings from butterfly wings to enrich folk paintings. Now I’m waiting for funding,” he revealed. The famous entomologist also said: Currently, he has researched and completed the process and technology of insect breeding, and the technology of making nutritious nuggets from insects. What he wishes is that there are businesses and entrepreneurs who realize the value of supporting insects, or invest in building a project to breed and exploit a few specific insect species. He said he is willing to transfer the technology. Invite readers to watch the video: Dangers of using weight loss foods online. Source: VTV24.

But few people know that inside the factory campus is also home to 600,000 bees. And every day, the bees are still rushing around in search of honey, living at the same pace as the production of supercars equipped with powerful V12 engines. Are the bees living in the Lamborghini factory responsible for helping the engineers here research to design models that inherit the aerodynamics from animals and insects as often seen in the history of the automotive industry? paint the world? A worker wearing protective gear with the Lamborghini logo checks honey at the beekeeping area in the factory Reality is not like that. On the occasion of May 20 every year chosen by FAO as World Honeybee Day, Lamborghini supercar company is also pleased to announce the latest count results of the population of bees in its factory which has reached 600,000. Back in 2016, the Italian supercar maker kicked off a biomonitoring project with the construction of eight beekeepers in the Lamborghini park at the Sant ‘Agata Bolognese factory. To date, the number of beekeepers has increased to 12 and it has an important task in understanding how the environment surrounding the plant affects the habitat of humans as well as insects. And bees, with their random behavior of pollinating in the process of collecting honey, will give quite accurate results on environmental quality. At certain times, entomologists associated with the Lamborghini factory will test the quality of honey and wax to assess environmental quality. Currently, the green trend in the auto industry is almost the target of many famous car manufacturers. Not only planting more trees, expanding static space, but some factories like Ford also increase waste water reuse or produce car accessories from recycled materials. As for beekeeping to assess the quality of the factory environment like Lamborghini, Bentley has recently learned and launched a similar project last year. Dinh Quy (according to Carscoops) Invite readers to collaborate, send news about the Department of Motor Vehicles by email: otoxemay@vietnamnet.vn. Appropriate content will be posted. Thank you!

As it turns out, the act of killing a spider is not only a “bad omen” but also harms the home ecosystem. Even the cleanest houses have inhabited spiders. In the journal The Conversation, entomologist Matt Bertone and colleagues at North Carolina State University in the United States published a study of 50 homes in North Carolina and in each home they found spiders. According to Bertone, arachnids are important members of the inner human ecosystem. They are “omnivorous” predators and eat almost anything they catch: from a fly trapped in a window to a mosquito trying to suck human blood. Sometimes, the spiders eat their own kind. A house spider is watching for flies Many of the “victims” of spiders are potential vectors of disease. There is even a species of jumping spider in Africa that only likes to eat blood-sucking insects in the house. So when you kill a spider by hand, you accidentally “kill” a “soldier” to destroy the pathogen in your home. The indoor spiders are not the venomous monster spiders in Australia that we still see in newspapers. During his research, Bertone often found only common indoor spiders like Pholcidae * and the most harmless arthropods of the family Theridiidae **. Both of these spiders spread silk where they live. Spiders Pholcidae sometimes leave their webs to hunt and eat other spiders around. I don’t want to see this scene in my house at all, what about you guys? The truth is that most spiders are poisonous, but the venom of most of them is not strong enough to harm humans. The spider’s fangs are also often too weak to bite through the skin. Hollywood movies have sprinkled us in the head with spiders attacking us while we are off guard. However, in contrast to these movie “myths”, the spiders almost never crawl past a sleeping person. The act of snoring, puffing, or even ordinary human breathing is enough to scare away the vertebrates in the home. Furthermore, spiders are afraid of humans and always try to avoid us. We are far more dangerous to them than they are to us. Cases of spider bites are extremely rare. The scene is haunting for many people Although there are some highly toxic species like the Black Widow, they very rarely bite humans and even so, these bites rarely cause serious medical disorders. If you have phobia or simply don’t want to see spiders crawling around where you live, follow the scientists’ recommendations: instead of killing arthropods, catch them in one. box and drop off the road. The spiders themselves will find a new place and we do not have to carry the “killing” karma. *: Pholcidae are arachnids in the arachnid family of the suborder Araneomorphae. They have a body length of 2–10 mm and their legs can be up to 50 mm long. They can be found on every continent in the world except Antarctica. They weave a messy, irregular mesh. Spider webs are woven in wet and dark areas, in caves and under rocks, and abandoned animal caves. Do these spiders look familiar? Spider webs do not have cohesive properties, but their unusual insect trap structure makes it difficult for prey to escape. Spiders quickly cover their prey with spider webs and then inflict a poisonous bite to kill the prey. The prey can be eaten or stored immediately thereafter. **: Theridiidae is a family of arachnids of the order Araneae. This family has 109 genera, a total of 2295 species. The spider Theridiidae is usually reclusive, almost harmless and extremely gentle.