Practical pest control methods

Dr Abe V Rotor

 Golden apple snail (Pomacea caniculata) is the number 

one pest of rice plants today in the Philippines. They lay 

pink eggs in clusters above the water level ensuring 

viability and high survival. 

1.  Snails (kuhol) are controlled with tubli, makabuhay and other plants.

Before the introduction of chemical pesticides our native kuhol was a good source of viand in the ricefield and seldom did it turn against growing rice plants. Almost simultaneously in the sixties the golden kuhol or apple snail (Pomacea caniculata) was introduced with the promise that it is a better gourmet, and that it could even be exported.  It did not turn out that way, and with the resistance this exotic mollusk developed having left behind its natural enemies, it emerged a maverick, now the number one pest of rice plants infesting two-thirds of our total lowland ricefield area of no less than two million hectares. Agriculturists have lately turned their attention to phytochemicals to control golden kuhol.  These are the plants they have confirmed to be effective.

·         Derris philippinensis (derris or tubli)

·         Manihot esculenta (cassava)

·         Chrysanthemum morifolium (chrysanthemum)

·         Capsicum anuum (pepper or siling labuyo)

·         Tinospora rhumpii (makabuhay) - Photo, below

·         Azideracta asiatica (Neem) 

Except for siling labuyo, the leaves and stems of any of these plants are either crushed or chopped finely and applied directly on the ricefield, controlling the water level up to three to four inches so as to allow the active ingredients to spread out and reach the pest in all of its stages. Where there are two or more of these plants growing in the area, farmers may use them in any combination, either alternately or simultaneously.

2. Incense rids chickens of lice.  It also calms them down. 

I learned this practice from my father when I was a farmhand. We raised native chickens on the range.  In the evening, we would occasionally smoke the fouls in their roasts under the house. “That would rid them of lice (gayamo’ Ilk),” my father assured me. “And pick a cull for tomorrow’s dinner,” he would add. 

I would sprinkle powdered incense into live charcoal and you could see the column of smoke rising and filling the roasting area.  You could hear the fowls cockle feebly, slowly loosen their feathers and pry their wings as if to allow the cloud of smoke to bathe them. Soon they are lulled to sleep or go into a kind of trance; you could pick them up without any sign of resistance. Without this calming power of incense, the slightest move you make on a roasting chicken would send it squawking in the night.~

Biological Control - Preying or praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) is the number one executioner in the insect world, a friend to farmers and gardeners. 

  

Moths: Masters of Camouflage and Mimicry (Part 1)

Dr Abe V Rotor  

Art of Camouflage 

Your artful disguise 

makes you invisible and free;  

Nature's given prize
of camouflage and mimicry.

Kite Moth

It is not only that birds follow the sun

that the sky is filled with colors and laughter;

it is your body symmetry copied for fun,

that children believe they own the sky

and make imagination their best teacher,

even in their dreams to fly.

STOL Moth

If your wings are for short takeoff and speed,

and your long antennae and infrared eyes 

defy the darkness of night, then I believe

someone has copied you in steel that flies. 

Jade Moth

If I freeze your beauty

and wear it on my heart,

I rob Nature, her grace apart; 

a star dies, so with art.

False Eyes

Whose eyes these are, real or just mask?

Why grotesque and cold, the children ask?

Unmoved, you simply sleep and wait 'til dawn,

and they ask again if they were your own.  

Stealth Moth

Man copied you but for another purpose;

peace and quiet you live, his intent is not,

but to rule the sky fiery by day and night; 

cheer up, for imitation will never be right.  

Falcon Moth

You are on the ceiling all alone

and the toad looking up

thinks of you a falcon;

in make-believe it's good to be up

with reverse role as predator;

everything's prey on the floor. 

Footprint Moth

If these two sets of footprints

lead to opposite directions, 

did you depart when  I needed you most?

What goodness did I lack?

"My child, you were alone 

and lost and I brought you back."

Hidden Mirror on the Wall

No, it's not Paleolithic painting,

but hidden mirror on the wall:

Bless you creature in slumber waiting 

the light of the world to fall,

then seek a beacon in the night

where a pen draws its might.

Atlas Moth

Thought you could put one on Hercules,*

from the burden of the world you're free; 

so thought too, the dinosaurs in spree;

bigness is no guarantee no less;

birds fly on wings and hollow bones,

flies need not four wings but two,

none but the water strider glides best - 

be humble, bigness is weakness, too.  

* In Greek mythology, Atlas played trick on Hercules to take 

over him carry the globe; but Hercules was smarter, 

and the task fell back on poor Atlas.  

Moths: Masters of Camouflage and Mimicry (Part 2)

Dr Abe V Rotor

Ghost Moth

From visibility to invincibility;

first, keep low like ice in thaw; 

then, keep shape with the scape, 

wear some spots, add many dots;

last, you're ghost to any host.

Chameleon Moth 

Where comes the trigger I know 

are hormones by signal flow, 

masking colors, painting a view, 

to match a perfect scenario.

Lion Moth

You look like a lion without mane,

and that's why you look tame;

how in the world can you scare 

with your lonely, friendly stare. 

Prominent Moth

(How can you be prominent?)

Who would like you a frass lying still on crust,

feigning inanimate to pass the day in fast. 

Vesper Moth

You, who keep the faithful in vigil,

wearing a white stole over a holy robe - 

would being pious save you long?

Beaks and jaws simply don't care,

much less the order you belong

Tiger Moth

It is the tiger look that you seem respected,

else the mourning signal you send;

but whose view but the cruel beak instead

whose judgement lies your fateful end.  

Tapestry Moth

What you designed, man now claims his own,

yet it was your ancestors' pride before his dawn;

conditionally you gave, for a prize you crave,

by copying his art you may be saved. 

Poison Eater Moth
Moth feeding on the nectar of Lantana (Lantana camara) 
a poisonoius and obnoxious plant

What secret have you on hemlock you thrive,

which once robbed the world of a great mind?

Come to where there's li'l left of faith and pride;

bless you little moth, a messenger divine.

Battered Moth

Wings chipped, scales rubbed,

antennae curled, finish scrubbed;

eggs laid, leg cut, coat creased,

grounded, mission accomplished. 

Wood Moth

You look beaten like an old wood,

weathered by rain and tear and sun,

yet full of life and in good mood

like a seasoned timber's stand.

Klan Moth

With robe and hood you come and pause

in dignity, a racist you hide;

reminder of the Fuhrer's cause,

the ignoble Ku Klux Khan's pride;

but if you're a true ambassador,

please bring tidings to every door.

Furry Moth

Gather the dust and clothe your frame;

Wake up at dusk and play the game;

and feigning dead and devoid of spark,

your enemies take \you for just a bark.

Moths: Masters of Camouflage and Mimicry (Part 3)

Dr Abe V Rotor 

Sphinx Moths: 

Polymorphism or Diversity?

These three Sphinx moths have strong basic morphological characteristics, including size and color that at first glance one would not suspect their differences.  The shape and position of their antennae are different, so with their "hoods".  Another difference lies in the markings on their bodies and wings.  In some cases a pair of eyes (lowermost photo) appears real to a would-be predator.  

Markings and Transparency

Two ways to mimic and not be seen,

opaque and part of canvas;

or translucent as if you're not there, 

and let the enemy pass. 

The Art of Taking Off

Either it flaps or glides on the wind that a moth flies.  It can be both, Left photo shows a gypsy moth preparing for takeoff with wings drawn up.  At this stage, the predator is puzzled of the sudden transformation into a bright and large abdomen, while the moth flies and escape.  A hawk moth (right)  spreads its wings side wise and prepares to glide.  Without a favorable wind current it is a clumsy flyer.  Because moths are nocturnal, navigation relies mainly on the sensitive antennae and two compound eyes. 

From Dropping to Monster

This Geometrid moth lies prostrate like a dropping of a bird or rodent in order to escape its enemies. Then it begins to stir as it senses danger, its antennae now beginning to rise, and its wings start to split open ready for takeoff.  There is a close relative of the moth (not in the photo) which has a unique defense mechanism.  It twists its outer wings upward and inward, exposing a monstrous look to scare the intruder  

Children's Art Workshop: Painting and Drama

Dr Abe V Rotor

Of Brush and Colors

 I am what my brush and colors take me, 

to where the boundless world that be;\

beyond the sky or in the depth of me 

beyond the boundaries of what I see.   

Art Workshop 

To each his or her own now, and time to waste,
if idleness in art means any less;
and growing up a matter of chase and haste,
heed not, for the clay is still fresh.

Children's Art Exhibit

It's open house to view our children's art;
Amazing!  And who wouldn't agree?
For the young fills something on our part,  
We who were once talented and free.

Ribbon Cutting on Exhibit Day

Ritual we may say, or just ceremony,
Cheap on today's print or TV;
It's all about money and personality.
Save the young while still early.

Early Masterpieces 

When is pride humility?
Showing to the world beauty,
Handmade, and telling it good
As a good child really should.

Deities of Nature - A Drama Skit

Good spirits - they are deities of Nature,
living in forests, rivers, lakes and seas,
keepers of our land, air and water pure,
working night and day, at ease and peace.  

Best Artist Award

Single out the best, make them meek,
with medals to wear and to keep;
that others may also strive to seek,
what they may have failed to reap.

Art Instructor (Author as organizer and art instructor)

Give me your children's gifted hands
to hold the brush this summer;
and paint the glowing rainbow's bands
that bring in a sudden shower;
make the canvas come alive from the sands
of time, to a beautiful flower.

(Children's Summer Art Workshop, Filinvest Homes QC, 1996)
Workshop Graduation 

It's not an end, but a beginning,
From one chapter after another;
For life has no end nor beginning,
In one's own lifetime to another.~

Bacarra Tower in photos and verses

Dr Abe V Rotor

Tower of Babel, biblical but true;

Lofty Eiffel will have its time, too.

Stairway to heaven is man's dream

The god in him to claim God's realm.

The sun peeps behind this huge tower

Once proud in its prime;

I can not wait nor my children can

To see it succumb in time.  

 

Where have all the faithful gone?

The prayerful old and young;

Pilgrims come one by one

To fill the emptiness of time

History marks the march of time

In events big and small

By the hand that holds the pen 

and the magic crystal ball.