It is indeed a complex issue Lee. I certainly agree with you that the primary issue is to get rid of the mealys and then the virus transfer question is a mute point. I am glad you pointed out that mealys like to burrow down in the mix and feed on the roots. Many people don't realize that these critters are quite mobile and even hide out under the pot lips and benches. A word on Enstar. It is reported to be completely safe around humans and animals. That being said, many of the north central states use a similar IGR in their mosquito abatement programs. I am totaly unsure right now, but I believe that the active ingredient in their spray contains propylprene while Enstar is kinoprene (I think). Some have linked the use of the propylprene in the mosquito spray to genetic abnormalities in frogs. Like the thought of mealys transmitting virus, I have never seen any controlled experiment proving this one way or the other. I do know growers who have used Enstar and some, once they had knocked the scales/mealybugs down,
swear that a monthly spray program using Enstar prevented any reimergence. I haven't tried it in years due to the cost. As to the virus transmission by insects, as I said I have never seen a conclusive study done that proves or disproves that claim. It seems logical since mosquitos transmit Eastern/Western/Venesualin encephalomitis virus, West Nile, yellow fever, etc., but in all of those cases the virus replicates in the mosquito's salivary glands. I have no idea if that happens with any orchid viruses or not. I was quite concerned at the beginning of the HIV "epidemic" that perhaps human aids would be transmitted via mosquitos. Thankfully, that doesn't seem to be the case! Let me know if you uncover any thing in your search. I think it will prove to be very difficult to prove even via controlled experimentation due to the fact that testing for virus infection in orchids is not 100% conclusive in any of the current methods. Too many false negatives.
|
Linear Mode
