Each day, the Worldwide Web (WWW) grows by leaps and bounds as new websites are added by individuals, corporations, educational and government institutions, etc. Some view this medium as "Internet trash," whereas others view it as a revolutionary opportunity to access a wealth of information that used to be difficult, if not impossible, to find. In my opinion, both views are correct, depending on where you "surf." As with any medium, it can be difficult and time-consuming to sift through all the information to find what you really need.

For this reason, I have compiled a list of pest management and pesticide-related websites developed and maintained by the University of Illinois. In addition, you'll find that most sites provide a list of their developers' own favorite websites. Do a little exploring; you'll be amazed at the quality of information you'll find "out there on the web." Keep in mind that the WWW is a dynamic medium: The content is always changing. The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) (http://www.aces.uiuc.edu) website provides information about the structure of the College; its departments, courses, faculty, and staff; and numerous research and outreach projects. In addition, you can access the University of Illinois Extension website (http://www.ag.uiuc.edu) to learn about the various Extension projects or to learn more about the network of Extension offices and personnel (http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/~ve).

VISTA (http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~vista): This website contains publications written by faculty and staff in the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service (now also known as University of Illinois Extension) and departments of the University of Illinois College of ACES. Documents in this library exist in HTML and PDF formats. Although a few of the publications are simply previews, you'll be surprised at what you can find and print out. For example, you can easily print any chapter of the current Illinois Agricultural Pest Management Handbook.

Integrated Pest Management Program (http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/~ipm): At this site, you'll find detailed information about pests and pest management in field crops, fruits and vegetables (including a newsletter), turf, and ornamentals, in addition to structural and public health issues. It's a "young," but organized site, so keep checking, as materials are being added frequently. If you can't find what you are looking for, just "Ask the Expert!"

Pest Management and Crop Development Bulletin
(http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/cespubs/pest) is a weekly, fee-based newsletter available both on the WWW and by traditional mailing. Advanced and current information about crop development, weeds, insects, and plant diseases let you know what problem pests to look for before they reach your field. To subscribe, call (800)345-6087, or print and use the form provided at the website.

Home Yard & Garden Newsletter (http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/cespubs/hyg) is a weekly, fee-based newsletter available both on the WWW and by traditional mailing. This newsletter is issued weekly (biweekly in the early spring and late summer) to provide timely information on insect, weed, and plant disease pests for landscapers, arborists, lawn-care professionals, golf-course personnel, and garden-center operators. Current control procedures, application equipment and methods, safe storage and disposal of pesticides, and other topics of interest are discussed. To subscribe, call (800)345-6087, or print and use the form provided at the website.

The University of Illinois Extension Hort Corner
(http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/hort/index.html) offers a wealth of information for homeowners and professionals in northern Illinois. This site covers pest management and a variety of other topics pertaining to turf, ornamentals, household, and gardening. Newsletters, fact sheets, quizzes, recipes, and much, much more. If you can't find what you are looking for, just "Ask the Expert!"

The Solutions Series (http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~robsond/solutions/solutions.html) is a series of brief references that address many common and uncommon problems encountered in the areas of foods and nutrition, consumer and family economics, and horticulture. The horticulture topics include flowers, fruits, houseplants, lawns and groundcovers, pests, soils and fertilizers, trees and shrubs, and vegetables.

The Turfgrass Program (http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/Default.htm) provides an effective gateway to information pertaining to turfgrass research, teaching, Extension, and outreach at the University of Illinois. This site includes many fact sheets, as well as links to U of I turfgrass specialists, the Turf Tips newsletter, and the Illinois Turfgrass Foundation (ITF).

Pesticide Safety Education (http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/~pse): At this site, you'll find the web-based version of this newsletter (IPR). In the near future, the web-based format will change to allow keyword-search capabilities. In addition to an extensive set of pesticide-related links, you'll find schedules for the private and commercial Pesticide Applicator Training clinics, various fact sheets, and our annual program reports.

Agricultural Safety & Health (http://www.age.uiuc.edu/agsafety/agsafety.html) is a website that addresses a great many diverse health and safety issues. Whether you're searching for information about Roll Over Protective Structures (ROPS) or seeking help in overcoming a disabling accident, this site is worth a visit.

Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP) (http://ext.agn.uiuc.edu/piap): Want to know more about pesticide use in Illinois or the north-central states? Interested in the biologic and economic assessment of pesticide use in sites such as field crops, greenhouses, and nurseries? If so, point your browser to this website, where you can query a pesticide database and view complete pesticide survey and assessment publications.

Water Quality (http://www.wq.uiuc.edu): If it's water-quality information you're after, this is the place to be! The site provides a detailed description (and ordering information) of two popular and useful publications, 50 Ways Farmers Can Protect Their Groundwater and 60 Ways Farmers Can Protect Surface Water, in addition to various circulars. You will find information about the Illinois Water Quality Focus Group, Illinois watersheds, research projects, and water-quality laboratories.

- Bruce Paulsrud

Changes are occurring on pesticide labels concerning the use of particulate respirators. These two-strap masks are used to protect against pesticide dusts, pesticide mists, and welding fumes, but not the organic vapors associated with many pesticide applications. Pesticide labels used to list these masks as MSHA/NIOSH TC# (such as TC-21C-361). Based on new certification tests by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) that started in July 1995, respirator manufacturers will no longer manufacture these respirators that are covered under NIOSH's Part-11 regulations. As of July 10, 1998, this type of respirator will be manufactured under NIOSH's Part-84 regulations.

One important change in these respirators is that R and P Part-84 respirators have filtering materials that are more resistive to oils, in terms of maintaining electrostatic charges. Also, these respirators have a better collection efficiency in the 0.3-micron range. This particle size is most penetrating in terms of respirator filters, and this capability makes these filters more effective against spores and silica.

The new particulate respirators (Part 84) will be called filtering facepiece respirators. They are designated as N, not to be used with oil; R, oil resistant; P, oilproof; or HE, high efficiency. Those designated R may be used for up to 8 hours with pesticides that contain oil. Those designated P may be used with pesticides that contain oil and may be able to be used longer than 8 hours. Those designated HE also may be used with pesticides that contain oil. All four types may be used with pesticides that do not contain oil. Following the letter designation is an efficiency number, either 95, 99, or 100, indicating the percent of particulates that are filtered out.

Some pesticide labels will allow the use of filtering facepiece respirators alone. These respirators typically have two elastic straps that hold them in the proper position over the nose and mouth. They are much more effective than those sold for use against non-toxic nuisance particles such as pollen, alfalfa, or salt. They may have an exhale valve in the center of the respirator to make breathing easier. Other labels will suggest or require a filtering facepiece respirator as a pre-filter in front of an organic vapor filter on a cartridge or canister respirator.

For instance, if you were scouting in a grain bin, crawlspace, or other enclosed area where deer mice or other mice might be present, you would wear an N100 or P100 filtering facepiece respirator to protect yourself against the Hanta virus that these rodents might carry. This equipment replaces what used to be called a HEPA filter. If you need to apply Diazinon EC or some other oil-containing pesticide, the pesticide label might require that you wear a cartridge or canister respirator with an organic vapor filter and a P100 prefilter.

Distributors and retailers may continue to sell the TC# respirators (Part-11 type) until their supply is exhausted. The Industrial Safety Equipment Association and respirator manufacturers say there is a 1- to 3-year supply of these respirators in the distributor and retailer marketplace. Pesticide labels will be changed to use the new respirators and terminology. US-EPA published a policy statement in the Federal Register on May 7, 1998 (vol. 63, no. 88, pages 25168-25169), to address these changes. This policy statement says that US-EPA will not cite anyone using the new type of respirator (Part 84) if the pesticide label states that the older type of respirator (Part 11) must be used.

Although the wording is not absolute, the policy statement apparently does not allow the opposite. That is, apparently one cannot use an older respirator (Part 11) if the pesticide label requires a newer respirator (Part 84). The US-EPA policy statement gives no indication as to when new labels will be in place.

To stay in step with the new NIOSH Part-84 regulations, pesticide labels will also change as concerns the use of organic vapor cartridges and canisters. New pesticide labels will state that one shall use "a NIOSH approved respirator with organic vapor (OV) cartridge or canister." The OV cartridge color coding remains the same. That is, Part-84 OV cartridges will have a black background with white lettering.

These new Part-84 respirators are already being sold in safety-equipment catalogs instead of the old Part-11 respirators.

- Phil Nixon

Today is my last day as an Extension specialist in pesticide safety education at the University of Illinois. This has been an enjoyable 10 years, but I find it is time to move on. This newsletter will continue under the direction of the remaining team members: Bob Wolf, communications coordinator; Phil Nixon, reporting coordinator; Bruce Paulsrud, Private PAT coordinator; and Patty Bingaman, PAT program facilitator. During my years in this program, it has grown considerably. Although I would like to claim this was because of me, the true reason is teamwork.

The team works well together and really gets things done. In addition, there is great cooperation between campus and field staff, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and other agencies. Thank you all for making my job easier and enjoyable.

Some of my contributions during my "reign" in Pesticide Applicator Training include:

1. editing the Illinois Pesticide Review Newsletter
2. coordinating and implementing the Worker Protection Standard program
3. offering Commercial PAT training in general standards, aquatic weeds, ornamental weeds, rights-of-way, and turf weeds
4. producing Private PAT materials, also serving as coordinator during personnel changes
5. initiating Spanish Pesticide Handler Training program
6. working on Chicago Methyl Parathion project
7. initiating annual report and changes to commercial schedule brochure
8. putting all workbooks into PageMaker layout software to facilitate quicker changes
9. coordinating production of all PAT manuals and other publications, and producing a long-range plan for PAT manuals
10. producing PAT media, including writing manuals and workbooks; producing videos and mass media releases

I will be working for the Fulton County Extension Office as an Extension assistant in horticulture and crops. This new challenge is exciting for me and allows me to use my education and experiences in a whole new way. In addition, my husband and I are both from Fulton County, so we are moving home. My husband has accepted a new position as a retail manager for Mason County FS, and we look forward to raising our two sons among family. Thank you for past support, and I look forward to watching this program grow.

- Rhonda Ferree

Following up the article on inert ingredients written in the March issue (vol. 11:2) of IPR, I am please to announce that the US-EPA has "cleaned house." The agency has identified and removed certain List-1, List-2, and List-3 inert ingredients that are no longer used in pesticide products. A 1987 Federal Register notice categorized all inert ingredients into four lists, according to toxicity, as follows: List-1 inert ingredients, described as "inerts of toxicological concern," were so categorized on the basis of toxicological or adverse ecological effects that had been documented in studies subject to peer review. List-2 inert ingredients, "potentially toxic inerts/high priority for testing," are structurally similar to chemicals known to be toxic, and may have data suggesting a basis for concern. List-3 inert ingredients, "inerts of unknown toxicity," do not have data supporting their inclusion on lists 1, 2, or 4. In a subsequent Federal Register notice, EPA further revised List 4, creating two subcategories: (1) List 4A, "inerts generally regarded as safe" and (2) List 4B, "inerts for which EPA has sufficient information to reasonably conclude that the current use pattern in pesticide products will not adversely affect public health or the environment."

In cleaning up the lists, the EPA removed 32 List-1, 12 List-2, and 205 List-3 inert ingredients that are no longer used in pesticide products. According to agency records, none of these chemicals has been used in any registered pesticide product for over 2 years; and, in most cases, they have not been used as inert ingredients in registered pesticide products for over 5 years. The agency does not normally expect to approve future applications involving the use of any of these (removed) List-1 or List-2 chemicals as ingredients. Data requirements for any such future request will be determined by the agency on a case-by-case basis. Use of any of the (removed) List-3 chemicals will be considered by the agency under the same procedures that apply to new inert ingredients specified in the April 22, 1987, Inert Ingredient Policy Statement.

There are 8 List-1 inert ingredients and 52 List-2 inert ingredients that, according to agency records, are still used in pesticide products. Keep in mind that specific label warning statements must be used when List-1 inerts are used in a pesticide formulation. The revised List 1 includes Formaldehyde, Isophorone, Rhodamine B, Dioctyl adipate, Phenol, Diethylhexylphthalate, 1,4-Benzendiol, and Nonyl phenol.

(Bruce Paulsrud, adapted from Federal Register, vol. 63:121)

ACHIVE 8ODG (tralkoxydim), Zeneca

EPA has received an application to register this new active ingredient for the selective control of wild oats, foxtails, annual ryegrass, and Persian darnel on wheat and barley.

AGREVO

EPA has approved the registration of Star Link brand Bt corn hybrids that control the European corn borer larvae. Garst Seed will be the first to market these products.

ALLEGIANCE (metalaxyl), Gustafson

This new formulation recently has been introduced as a seed treatment to control Pythium on corn, beans, cotton, and numerous other crops. It may be combined with other fungicides.

AXIOM (FOE-5043/metribuzin), Bayer

Received EPA registration for use on corn and soybeans for the preemergence control of grasses and some broadleaf weeds. Formulated as a DF, it is available in 25-lb plastic jugs. It may be applied early preplant, preplant surface, preplant incorporated, or preemergence. It will be test-marketed this year, with full introduction slated for 1999.

AXIOM (fluthiamide/metribuzin), Bayer

Received EPA registration to use on corn and soybeans for preemergence grass and broadleaf weed control. It may be applied early preplant, preplant surface, preplant incorporated, preemergence, or burn-down. It may be mixed with liquid fer-tilizers or impregnated on dry fertilizers.

BIDRIN (dicrotophos), Amvac

EPA received a request from the manufacturer to delete from the label the use on soybeans. Unless the request is withdrawn, this deletion will become effective on 10-14-98. [insecticide/miticide]

EQUINOX (tepraloxydim), BASF

A new herbicide being developed for postemergence grass control in cotton and soybeans.

FOLICUR (tebuconazole), Bayer

Registration on wheat is expected in 1999. [fungicide]

GOVERN (fenbuconazole), Rohm & Haas

Being developed for usage on wheat and sugarbeets. Sold as INDAR on other crops. [fungicide]

MAGNATE 500 EC (imazalil), Makhteshim-Agan

This new formulation is being sold as a seed treatment on wheat and barley, and as a postharvest treatment on citrus. [fungicide]

ROUNDUP ULTRA (glyphosate), Monsanto

Added to their label the control of quackgrass, downy brome, and cheatgrass in dormant alfalfa.

STEWARD (indoxacarb/DPX-MP062), DuPont

EPA received an application to register this new active ingredient for agricultural crop use to control certain pests. [insecticide]

Unless otherwise noted, adapted from Agricultural Chemical News, May 1998, June 1998

- Bruce Paulsrud

AQ-1 0 (Ampelmyces quisqualis), Ecogen

Added to their label the control of powdery mildew on apples, beans, carrots, cherries, melons, pears, peppers, roses, sugarbeets, strawberries, tomatoes, and woody ornamentals.

ELEVATE (fenhexamid/BAY-KBR-2738), Bayer

Development and marketing rights to this new fungicide in the United States, Canada, and Mexico have been granted to Tomen Agro. They will develop it for use on stone fruits, grapes, strawberries, and ornamentals. On ornamentals, it will be marketed under the trade name Decree.

KELTHANE MF (dicofol), Rhom & Haas

Added to their label the use on pecans and noncrop areas. [miticide]

LIBERTY (glufosinate-ammonium), Agr Evo

Added to their label the control of 9 additional grasses, 22 additional broadleaf weeds, and 13 additional perennial weeds.

PRE FE RAD (Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Biobest

This new bioinsecticide product by Thermo Triology (marketed by Biobest) received registration in Europe to be used for control of whiteflies on cucumbers and tomatoes grown in greenhouses. Research is continuing on fruit crops and ornamentals.

PRIMUS (florasulam), Dow AgroSciences

A new postemergence herbicide is being developed in Europe to control broadleaf weeds in cereals and corn. Also, it is being researched on turf (newly planted), onions, and pastures.

SUCCESS (spinosad), Dow Agro Sciences

Added to their label the use on almonds, leafy vegetables, apples, citrus, and cole crops. [insecticide]

TELDOR (fenhaxamid), Bayer

A new fungicide expected to be registered this year on fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals in Europe. It will also be registered on fruit in Japan under the trade name Password. It is being co-developed with Tomen in the United States, Mexico, and Canada under the trade name Elevate.

THIRAM 5OWP, Gustafson

Added to their label for this seed-treatment product the use on ornamental flower seed and canola. [fungicide]

Unless otherwise noted, adapted from Agricultural Chemical News, May 1998, June 1998

- Bruce Paulsrud

ALTOSID XR-G (methoprene), Zoecon

A new extended-residual granule formulation being introduced to control mosquitoes.

BASF

The company has signed a letter of intent to acquire a majority share of MicroFlo, a formulation company located in Lakeland, Florida. MicroFlo has annual sales of $136 million.

BAY-KBR-3023 (propidine, Bayer

EPA received an application to register this new active ingredient to be applied directly to human skin to repel mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, chiggers, and fleas.

BAYER

The company has purchased the cereal seed-treatment business of Zeneca.

DOW AGROSCIENCES

The company plans to purchase the remaining shares of Mycogen Corp. Dow currently owns 6 percent of the company.

MONSANTO

The company has announced it has acquired two seed companies, DeKalb Genetics and Delta & Pine Land Co.

ORTHENE (acephate), Valent

EPA received a request by the manufacture to delete from the label the use on pastures and rangelands. Unless the request is withdrawn, this deletion will be effective on 10-14-98. (FR, vol. 63, 4-17-98) [insecticide]

SCOTTS CO.

The company has purchased the U.S. home and garden consumer-products business of AgrEvo Environmental Health for an undisclosed amount. Scotts will have the marketing rights to the non-selective herbicide Finale (glufosinate ammonia), the selective herbicide Weed Warrior, the Vikor line of insecticides, and the Intercept H & G line of insecticides.

ZENECA

At a cost of $58 million, the company will double the capacity of its plant to produce its azoxystrobin fungicide. This plant will be built in England, with completion scheduled in mid-1999.

Unless otherwise noted, adapted from Agricultural Chemical News, May 1998, June 1998

- Bruce Paulsrud

BURKHOLDERIA CEPACIA STRAINS RAC-3, Agrium

Proposed to EPA to register this new active ingredient as a biofungicide for application to seeds or seedlings of conifer and deciduous trees, for indoor use only. (FR, vol. 63, 3-24-98)

CYGNUS (kresoxim-methyl), BASF

Registration is expected this year on greenhouse-grown roses, gerbera daisy, poinsettia, and zinnias; to control powdery mildew.

DIMENSION (dithiopyr), Rohm & Haas

Received a new label allowing the use of this product on sod farms. Sod should be established at least 6 months prior to application. [herbicide]

GOAL (oxyfluorfen), Rohm & Haas

Received an EPA expanded label to use on hardwood tree plantings such as field-grown maples, oaks, dogwoods, sycamores, lilacs, and cherry. [herbicide]

PIPRON (piperalin), Se Pro

Obtained a new expanded label so it can now be used on any ornamental greenhouse crop. [fungicide]

PREFAR (bensulide), Gowan

Received supplemental labeling to use on field-grown flowers, bulbs, and ornamentals to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds.

PYLON (AC 303, 630), American Cyanamid

A new miticide being developed in conjunction with Olympic Horticultural Products for use on ornamentals.

PYRIGRO (pyriproxyfen), Whitmire Micro Gen

A new microencapsulated formulation being introduced for use on ornamentals, to give long residual control of various insects.

TALSTAR FL (bifenthrin), FMC

The company has entered a marketing partnership with Whitmire Micro Gen for them to assume all marketing and sales responsibilities for this product in the greenhouse and nursery market. They will rename the product Talstar-GH. [insecticide]

ZERO TOL (hydrogen dioxide), Bio Safe Systems

EPA has registered this new active ingredient as a fungicide/algaecide to control horticultural diseases in greenhouses, garden centers, landscapes, nurseries, and interiorscapes. (FR, vol. 63, 3-24-98)

Unless otherwise noted, adapted from Agricultural Chemical News, May 1998, June 1998

- Bruce Paulsrud

APOGEE/BASELINE (prohexadione-calcium), BASF

A new growth regulator that should receive registration on apples next year. Apogee will be sold to manage tree canopy requiring less pruning, and Baseline will be sold to shape the plant canopy for harvest.

CONSEP INC.

The company has registered two new pheromone products, Checkmate-PTB-F for mating disruption of the peach tree borer and Check Mate OFM-F for mating disruption of the oriental fruit moth. These are sprayable-flowable formulations to used on stone fruits.

ELITE (tebuconazole), Bayer

Registration is expected this year on grapes and in 1999 on apples, pears, and almonds. [fungicide]

MONSANTO

It has been reported that the University of Florida has developed Roundup-Ready lettuce varieties.

MONSANTO

This year, the company expects its New Leaf Colorado beetle-resistant potatoes to be planted on 40,000 acres in the United States and 10,000 acres in Canada.

NOVARTIS SEEDS

EPA has granted a conditional registration for Attribute sweet corn seed with Yield Guard insect protection. This Bt sweet corn seed is the first available to protect against corn earworm and European corn borer.

PERLAN (G.A. plus benzyladenine), Fine Agrochemicals

This growth regulator is being developed in the United States for use on apples to improve their appearance.

QUADRIS (azoxystrobin), Zeneca

Registration is expected this year on cucurbits and rice. [fungicide]

SERANADE (AQ 713), Agra Quest

A new biofungicide being developed to control phytophthora and alternaria in grapes, fruit trees, and vegetables.

SONATA (AQ 153), Agra Quest

A new biofungicide being developed to control botrytis in grapes, fruit trees, and vegetables.

SOVRAN (kresoxim-methyl), BASF

Registration is expected in 1999 on apples, grapes, and pecans; to control scab and mildew.

WARRIOR 1 EC (lambda-cyhalothrin), Zeneca

Added to their label the use on leaf lettuce and brassica cole crops (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts). [insecticide]

Unless otherwise noted, adapted from Agricultural Chemical News, May 1998, June 1998

- Bruce Paulsrud