BACKTALK

LEADERSHIP THANK YOU
I cannot thank PCT and Syngenta enough for the role they both play in the betterment of the pest management industry. The Leadership Awards program, now in its 13th year, is one example of how a trade magazine can strengthen an industry’s self awareness. PCT has, for many years, made all of us feel better about who we are as individuals, companies and a collective service industry. Most of us are not good at receiving recognition for what we do. We are too busy dealing with the critical or the mundane of day-to-day business life. You really help us with vision, ethics and the recognition of how fortunate we are to be where we are.

Clarke Keenan
President
Waltham Services
Waltham, Mass.

CORRECTION NEEDED
I was appalled that the article “Ants and Plants: The Landscape Correlation,” in the ant supplement in the August issue of PCT quoted one of 30 “ant experts” saying that, “New ant species had evolved that proved to be resistant to the insecticides.”

Unless I have missed a very basic premise on evolution, species and pesticide resistance just doesn’t happen. (I’m not saying it can’t happen, that is a different statement.) I think that Dr. Nichols may have been misquoted. PCT should have caught this error. Ignorance is rampant out here. Let’s fight it and promote the best in understanding pest control and the science around it.

Ingrid Carmean
Pest Management Consultant/Entomologist
Carmean Pest Management
Fresno, Calif.

PCT’S RESPONSE
With technical articles (such as the one discussed above), PCT’s policy is to have the author or a technical expert review the story before publication.
Unfortunately, this error was not caught at that time or by the editors during our proofreading. The subject of the article, Phil Nichols, told PCT that he agrees with Carmean’s comments. PCT regrets the error. — Editor

Comments can be sent to 4012 Bridge Ave., Cleveland OH 44113 or via fax to 216/961-0364. Letters may be edited by PCT.