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SCIENCE ACTIVITY ...............................................

Managing A Pest

Purpose To investigate alternative methods for controlling a plant disease. Materials Magazine Article about Plum Pox Discovery File - A Pox on Your Peaches one 3" x 5" card

Peaches infected with Plum Pox Virus

Background

The U.S. Department of Agriculture may declare an emergency in response to the first recognized North American outbreak of a dreaded fruit-tree virus. The disease is Plum Pox. It is caused by an invasive species that attacks stone fruits--not only plums, but peaches, apricots, and other stone fruits too.

 

As a pest-management expert, you know that there is more than one way to approach a pest management problem. Because of your expertise, you have been asked by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to select the best approach to managing this deadly disease.

 

Procedure

First, read A Pox on Your Your Peaches or First Plum Pox turns up in North America (Science News^®) to learn how this virus spreads from tree to tree. Then click on each of the methods for managing pests. Carefully read each, then select the one that you believe will do the best job of controlling the Plum Pox virus.

 

Pest Control Management Methods-

Chemical
Biological
Physical-Mechanical
Cultural

Conclusion

Address a 3" x 5" card to Laurene Levy at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Her address is:

 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Beltsville, MD

Attention: Laurene Levy

 

Be sure to place your return address in the upper left-hand corner.

Now, on the other side of the 3" x 5" card give your recommendation for the best way to manage the Plum Pox virus. Use your best handwriting, and be sure to explain the reason for your choice.