[ClackamasCootz]

Insect Frass As A Pathway For Transmission Of Bacterial Wilt Of Cucurbits

Department of Entomology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Abstract

Insects that vector diseases of plants are of critical concern to agriculture, but relationships between the vectors and pathogens often are poorly understood. In this study, we present research on vector relationships between the striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and the pathogen that causes bacterial wilt of cucurbits, Erwinia tracheiphila (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae).

We studied how the bacteria were retained in the gut of the beetle by developing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique for extracting and identifying bacterial DNA in the frass.

Bacterial DNA usually was present in the frass for 24 h after beetles had consumed inoculum but diminished quickly and was undetectable within 96 h. The amount of time that bacterial DNA could be detected in frass increased with the amount of inoculum and the length of time that beetles were exposed to inoculum and also varied with the strain of bacterium.

Frass that tested positive for bacterial DNA also was infective to cucumber plants, confirming that DNA was indicative of viable bacteria and that frass could be a pathway for transmission of the pathogen. This research suggests that few cucumber beetles serve as long-term vectors of the pathogen and that aggregation of the beetle on host plants may be critical for initiating plant infections in spring

Originally Posted by all natural

Hi I have just recently read about insect frass and purchased a small amount to try, about a half a pound of it. I have only watered a few plants with it so far. the claims about insect frass are intereseting and I was wondering if any of you organic growers have used it? and what your thoughts on this product are? here is a statement on the onfrass.com website about insect frass:

Insect Frass naturally contains the nutrition plants require, beneficial micro-organisms, and the only immediately plant-available source of chitin (pronounced “Kite-in”). Chitin fortifies a plant from the inside out, causing an "auto-immune" response that signals a plant to produce natural toxins which fend off its natural enemies like pests and fungal pathogens. The EPA says that chitin and chitosan (see FAQ's) defend against botrytis (grey mold), powdery mildew, early and late blight, fungal pathogens in the root zone (root rot) and root-feeding nematodes. Insect Frass does NOT cause a plant to kill beneficial insects or beneficial nematodes.

I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on bug poo. However, I have used the sand bedding from our gecko's cage (fed mostly on crickets & mealworms) and observed excellent vegetative growth of the plants where it was top-dressed.

My mother breeds bearded dragons, if only I could easily get a hold of her leftover bedding.

[cyat]

Ahrite, heres my take..... dont waste your money!

I had over 100lbs and their liquid extracts, every combo was tried, like mixing it in and or topdress plus teas, and liquids....

It does nothing against bugs esp. fungus gnats/ root aphids........

oh wait it does do something.... hatch nasty little insects.. fuckin gross

2nd 50lb bag- straight to the dump

have fun

[ClackamasCootz]

Originally Posted by cyat

Ahrite, heres my take..... dont waste your money!

I had over 100lbs and their liquid extracts, every combo was tried, like mixing it in and or topdress plus teas, and liquids....

It does nothing against bugs esp. fungus gnats/ root aphids........

oh wait it does do something.... hatch nasty little insects.. fuckin gross

2nd 50lb bag- straight to the dump

have fun

Thank you.....

[Neo 420]

Scratch that off the list huh?

Lol

[Oregonism]

This makes me want to continue my composting w/ slugs :experiments. No selective diets for those little f'ers, they get pitched anything and its results in a pretty damn good looking loam.....

It looks like the frass has some questions, but the concept is interesting.

Just spent the evening segregating and cleaning the mealworm bins. Must have close to twenty pounds of frass here.

[wintergreens]

I cleaned my mealworm colonys three weeks ago, retrayed frass with a layer of wheat bran and some cut potatoes. Just looked, thousands of small mealies had hatched and are readys to rescreen frass. Been useing in my tea brewing.

[ClackamasCootz]

Insect frass is not the same thing or even close to worm castings regardless of how many times the BSF crowd tries to claim that it is.

I have seen BSF larva used in commercial worm bin operations where the frass will be processed like any other raw manure - because that's what it is - manure.

Can we differentiate between what sort of frass we are discussing? Some of us are discussing mealworm frass, I remember one of the older members talking about cricket frass months ago too. I don't believe all frass is created equal. I need to find somewhere to get this mealworm frass sent off to be tested for microbial life or what have you.