UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) As spring arrives, many Pennsylvanians are bracing for an onslaught of foreign insect invad ers Asian lady beetles. But despite the temptation, you shouldn’t kill these -benign and even beneficial bugs. “In the last few years, multico lored Asian lady beetles have caused quite a stir,” said Steven Jacobs, extension entomologist in Penn State’s College of Agricul tural Sciences. “Although they can be a nuisance, they do far more good than harm." A native of eastern Asia, the beetle was introduced into the United States by the U.S. Depart ment of Agriculture as a biologi cal control agent. The tree dwelling insect can live up to three years and is a voracious predator of aphids, scale insects, and other pests. Adults of the species were first observed in Pennsylvania in 1993. At 9/32 of an inch long and 7/32 of an inch wide, these beetles are oval or convex and slightly larger than native lady beetles. They are yellow to red in color, with or without as many as 19 black spots on die wing covets. The head is usually concealed beneath a disk shaped “collar,’* which is cream to yellow in color with a black ’M’ design in the center. Asian lady beetles become a nuisance when they invade homes in search of shelter apd warmth. “Starting around September, these insects will begin to congregate on windows, doors and porch decks, seeking sites to overwinter,” said r Farmer Boy Ag Systems j Featuring: Full Line of Parts in M ° UrS! Mon Frl 7 to ss3 ° Stock For Your Poultry, flog Sat 7:30 to Noon and Cattle Needs „ Hour Farmer Boy Ag. Systems 410 East Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067 h -—■ M 717-866-7565 • 1-800-845-3374 Sm l--: HI 3/30 Swine & Poultry System* Specialists WE SHIP UPS Lady Bugs Can Be Beneficial Jacobs. “If they have entered your house, you may not notice them until temperatures begin to rise in the spring. After a few warm, sun ny days, the emerge from their hiding spots in search of an exit." The presence of Asian lady bee tles in large numbers can lead to near hysteria among some home NFO Submits Testimony To Committee AMES, lowa On Monday, March 25, The National Farmers Organization (NFO) voiced its concern about vertical integration in the livestock industry to the USDA’s Advisiry Committee on Agricultural Concentration. In written testimony, NFO President Gene Paul focused on die need to resist the current trend in packer industry concentration and to maintain a marketplace that is fair, open, and competitive. ‘*We view recent developments with great concern because three or four meatpacking firms control a large percentage of the market The vertical integration continues by many of these same firms own ing or contracting livestock pro duction facilities, which can adversely affect market prices and fair access,” Paul said. Paul explains that as competi tion is eliminated in purchasing of fed cattle , hogs and sheep, the negative influence also affects prices for feeders and breeding stock. NFO represents independent livestock producers nationwide who adopted the following resolu- THANKS TO GREG DOWLING A Division of <@> • Feed Bins • Flex Augers • Hi-Lo Pan Feeders owners. Despite the nuisance the beetles can cause, they do not bite, sting, carry human diseases, or feed on wood, clothing, or food. “Mechanical exclusion seems to be the best way to keep them out of your house,” said Jacobs. “Seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, siding, utility turn which supports: ♦Lcgislativeeffort that would restrict anticompetitive mergers and acquisitions. •More attentive surveillance of the packing industry by the justice department and others with responsibility for administtationof the anti-trust laws. ’Continuation of the indepen dent administation of the Packers and Stockyards Act to investigate market irregularities. ’Retaining and strengthening the present authority contained in the Packers and Stockyards Act tb investigate market irregularities. ’Enforcement of legislation restricting large integrated corpo rate livestock operations which adversely affect rural communi ties and creat environmental pollu tion, and requiring that all large confinement entities be bonded and financially responsible for environmental damage and subse quent cleanup. “The United States Department of Agriculture, through the Pack ets and Stockyards Act of 1921 has set a precedent for appropriate enforcement of section 202“ Paul pipes and chimneys with silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Repair or replace damaged screens. Cover attic vents and fireplace chimneys with number 20 or smaller screen mesh. “If beetles are already in your house, use a broom and dust pan or vacuum cleaner to remove said. “Section 202 states in part that it is unlawful to engage in any course of business with the effect of manipulating or controlling prices, or creating a monopoly in the acquisition of, buying, or selling.” Paul further stated that failure to act will result in the further industrialization of American Agricultural Drivers Exempt During Growing Season The “planting ana harvesting season” in Pennsylvania has been designated as March 1 through Nov. 30 for the purposes of the ex emption. Drivers are allowed to extend their driving hours within a 100-mile radius of the source of the commodities or the distribu tion point for the farm supplies. Brosius noted that the exemp tion will mean increased profit ability for farmers because it will allow for a freer and more timely flow of commodities to market during critical harvest periods. It will also allow the delivery of im portant supplies to farms through out the planting and growing sea son. HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) —Truck drivers transporting agri cultural commodities or farm sup plies in Pennsylvania have been granted a permanent exemption on maximum driving time during the growing and harvesting seasons, according to Agriculture Secre tary Charles C. Brosius. "We have worked closely with the Department of Transportation in providing this regulatory relief under provisions of the National Highway Safety Act, and the ex emption will bring important eco nomic benefits to Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry,” Brosius said. of McAlisterville, PA for choosing Farmer Boy Ag Systems ' To Construct Their New 44’x500’ Broiler House 4k inter Saturday, march IWB-A37 them” Jacobs said. “But because they’re veiy beneficial in controll ing damaging pests, they should be released unharmed in a pro tected area outside.” For a free fact sheet on multico lored Asian lady beetles, contact the Penn State Cooperative Exten sion office in your county. agriculture and the more rapid demise of independent producers. While Americans have never experienced serious concerns about food security. National Far mers is concerned whether control of America’s food supply by three or four multinational corporations is in the best interest of consumers. 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