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Armed Forces Pest Management Board

@afpmb.bsky.social
52 followers 9 following 138 posts

AFPMB recommends policy, guidance, and coordinates the exchange of information on all matters related to pest management throughout the Department of Defense

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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Protect our Warfighters! The DOW FY27 Deployed Warfighter Protection (DWFP) Program is open for pre-application submissions for advanced tech to combat disease vectors like mosquitoes & ticks. Pre-App Deadline: Nov 20, 2026. Details: ebrap.org #DWFP #ProtectOurWarfighters #VectorControlTech
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
The Entomological Society of America named nine scientists as 2026 Fellows, recognizing achievements in research, teaching, extension, administration, military service, and science policy. entsoc.org/news/press-r...
entsoc.org
Nine Entomologists Named 2026 Fellows of the Entomological Society of America
Annapolis, MD; August 5, 2026—Nine scientists have been selected as new Fellows of the Entomological Society of America for their outstanding contributions to the field of entomology. Election as a Fe...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
WRAIR teams ran vector and disease surveillance at BALTOPS 2026 in Latvia. Tick drags mapped camp risk zones, guiding repellent use, uniform wear, and tick checks. www.dvidshub.net/news/567118/...
dvidshub.net
Tiny Threats, Big Impact: Medical Surveillance Protects Readiness During BALTOPS 2026
WRAIR microbiologists and entomologists help identify hidden health threats at Camp Turtle, turning early disease and vector surveillance into practical steps that protect service members and sustain ...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
USDA: the Moore Air Base sterile fly facility in Texas opens spring 2027, seven months early. Production starts at 100 million sterile flies weekly, reaching 300 million by late 2028. thehill.com/policy/healt...
thehill.com
Texas sterile fly facility set for spring opening
A sterile fly facility is set to open in Texas next spring amid a New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak that has affected two states, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Monday.  The U…
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
New in J. Econ. Entomol.: a mesh trap mounted 8 cm in front of hive entrances, tested against yellow-legged hornet at 12 apiaries in Catalonia. Target hornets were 91 percent of captures, 5 percent of them founding queens. No pesticides. doi.org/10.1093/jee/...
doi.org
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
New in CDC's MMWR: ~40% of adult blacklegged ticks in Biltmore Forest, NC carry Borrelia burgdorferi, on par with Northeast rates. B. miyamotoi and A. phagocytophilum also detected—evidence of southward expansion. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
cdc.gov
Southward Expansion of Ixodes scapularis ...
This report describes identification of blacklegged ticks during community-based tick surveillance at a residential property in North Carolina.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
CDC ArboNET (Aug 18): 222 human West Nile virus cases across 32 states, 156 neuroinvasive. Peak transmission is still ahead. Surveillance and personal protection remain key. www.cdc.gov/west-nile-vi...
cdc.gov
Current Year Data (2026)
West Nile virus case data for the U.S. are regularly updated in summer and fall.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Virginia has reported its first locally acquired case of dengue fever, underscoring the evolving landscape of vector-borne diseases. This development highlights the critical need for robust public health surveillance and community engagement in mosquito control efforts. wtop.com/virginia/202...
wtop.com
Virginia resident has state’s 1st locally acquired case of dengue fever - WTOP News
Virginia health officials have confirmed the state’s first known case of locally acquired dengue, a viral disease usually associated with international travel.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
The latest Philippines Disease Vector Ecology Profile covers essential epidemiology, vector bionomics and behavior, and pesticide resistance for medically important arthropods across the archipelago. Built for planners, PMs, and preventive med teams. www.acq.osd.mil/eie/afpmb/do...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
New World screwworm (C. hominivorax) has re-emerged in the US. The new ESA podcast covers interagency eradication, SIT tech, & fact vs fiction. Highly relevant for AFPMB and force health protection professionals. Listen here: entomologytoday.org/2026/07/15/n...
entomologytoday.org
New World Screwworm: Entomologist Q&A Separates Fact From Fear
An entomologist answers questions on the basics of the New World screwworm, efforts to re-eradicate it from the U.S., and what's fact versus fiction in the buzz around this re-emergent pest.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Vector distribution is shifting. Lyme disease territory is expanding well beyond the Northeast, posing new challenges for force health protection and training readiness. Hear about the shifts driving this vector expansion in this NPR Short Wave episode.
npr.org
Ticks are a growing problem, no matter where you live : Short Wave
In the grand scheme of things, Lyme disease is a fairly new scientific discovery. It was first traced back to ticks in the late 70s and early 80s. The tick-borne illness can cause a rash, fever, pain,...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The AFPMB released the updated Disease Vector Ecology Profile (DVEP) for Indonesia! Essential for force health protection, this synopsis details regional vector-borne disease risks, vector behavior, and insecticide resistance. 🦟📋 www.acq.osd.mil/eie/afpmb/do...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Researchers are testing Dryinus sinicus, a tiny parasitoid wasp from Asia, as a promising natural enemy for the invasive spotted lanternfly. Could this tiny wasp be the key to long-term, sustainable control? entomologytoday.org/2026/07/02/d...
entomologytoday.org
Researchers Zero In On Potential Natural Enemy of Spotted Lanternfly
A natural enemy of the spotted lanternfly in Asia, the parasitoid wasp Dryinus sinicus has emerged as a leading candidate for biological control of spotted lanternfly in the U.S.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
📢 New: AFPMB TG47 — Aedes Mosquito Vector Control — is out. Pocket reference for ID, surveillance & control of Ae. aegypti & Ae. albopictus (Zika, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever vectors). Updated maps + NSNs. Download 👉 www.acq.osd.mil/eie/afpmb/do...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
The World Health Organization has released its new Operational Manual on Larval Source Management (LSM), providing practical guidance for controlling both Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes. iris.who.int/server/api/c...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
The FY26 DoW Joint Warfighter Medical Research & Development Award is open! Build on prior DoD-funded work in vector-borne disease, force health protection & medical countermeasures. $8.8M, 4 awards. Closes Nov 16, 2026. #MilitaryMedicine simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The CAES is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist for a 2-year position focused on Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) and nano-acaricides. Interested candidates should submit their cover letter, CV, and three references to Goudarz.Molaei@ct.gov www.postdocjobs.com/posting/7330...
postdocjobs.com
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST - Job posted on PostdocJobs.com
Pending final approval, the Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (New Haven Campus), in collaboration with the ...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Spotted lanternfly season has begun in Massachusetts a full month earlier than last year, with experts pointing to sustained heat as the driver. This invasive damages grapevines, hops, fruit trees, and hardwoods, and is now confirmed in 19 states plus DC. www.westernmassnews.com/2026/05/20/s...
westernmassnews.com
Spotted Lanternfly season begins again in Mass.; here’s what to look out for
If you spot them, don’t hesitate to contact a pest control service company
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
MaineHealth's Vector-Borne Disease Lab is leading multiple 2026 studies on ticks and the pathogens they carry, including a five-year NIH-funded post-treatment Lyme disease study with Tufts University aimed at identifying biomarkers for persistent symptoms www.mainehealth.org/news/2026/05...
mainehealth.org
MaineHealth Vector-Borne Disease Lab Showcases Research On Tick-Borne Illness
May is Lyme Disease Awareness month.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
USDA has confirmed two new cases of New World screwworm in Texas (a calf and a dog). As we continue response efforts, including sterile fly releases and strict movement controls, we urge all personnel to remain vigilant. www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-...
aphis.usda.gov
USDA Confirms Two Additional Cases of New World Screwworm in the United States | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Texas confirmed its first human West Nile virus case of 2026 in a Harris County resident diagnosed with neuroinvasive disease, the most serious form. Health officials urge eliminating standing water and using repellent as mosquito season ramps up. www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/...
dshs.texas.gov
DSHS confirms first West Nile case in Texas in 2026 | Texas DSHS
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Tick submissions to SUNY Upstate's testing lab increased 145% between 2024 and 2025, with experts predicting an early and heavy tick season. Over 1 in 3 ticks tested carry disease. A reminder to check yourself and your gear after outdoor activity. www.upstate.edu/news/article...
upstate.edu
Upstate tick expert predicts early, heavy tick season expected in Central New York | Upstate News | SUNY Upstate
A big jump in ticks sent to Upstate’s lab—and the unusual rise of lone star, dog ticks—signals expanding risks for residents across the Northeast
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM) is vital for biodiversity, but implementation remains difficult. For military entomologists, this highlights the gap between conservation and mission-critical vector control. entomologytoday.org/2026/05/11/i...
entomologytoday.org
Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management: Why a Good Idea Still Struggles in Practice
IPPM offers solutions to manage pests while protecting pollinators, but it remains more of a guiding principle than an operational framework.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
📢 Hiring: Research Entomologist Join the USDA-ARS in Kerrville, TX! Focus on high-priority research for New World screwworm, ticks, and biting flies affecting livestock and wildlife. 📍 Kerrville, TX 💰 $89K - $192K 📅 Closes June 10, 2026 Apply here: www.usajobs.gov/job/86823510...
usajobs.gov
RESEARCH ENTOMOLOGIST
The incumbent is a Research Entomologist at the Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit of the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
USDA has applied to register NovoFly, a genetically engineered biopesticide targeting New World screwworm, for use in a wide-area sterile insect program to prevent the pest from spreading northward from Mexico into the U.S. Comments due April 27. www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
federalregister.gov
Pesticide Product Registration; Emergency Exemption Request and Application for a New Active Ingredient
This document announces the Agency's receipt of and solicits comment on an application from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to register a new pesticide product containing an unregis...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
The FY26 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program is funding innovative research to prevent, detect, and resolve Lyme disease and other tick-borne conditions for service members, veterans, their families, and the public. cdmrp.health.mil/tbdrp/default
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
USDA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers broke ground on a new sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base, TX, advancing domestic Sterile Insect Technique capacity against New World Screwworm. Target: 100M flies/week by Nov 2027, scaling to 300M/week. www.usda.gov/about-usda/n...
usda.gov
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
New research in Nature Communications maps how ticks regulate their salivary glands during blood feeding. Scientists identified compounds that can block this process, opening a promising path toward targeted tick control. medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03...
medicalxpress.com
Stopping tick spit: What a new saliva control map could mean for Lyme prevention
Ticks are major vectors of infectious diseases, affecting both animals and humans. Their ability to remain attached to a host and feed on their blood over the course of several days derives from their...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
During Justified Accord 2026 in East Africa, US Army microbiologists conducted bio-surveillance on mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies collected across exercise locations to identify pathogens that could threaten deployed forces. Source: www.dvidshub.net/image/955898...
dvidshub.net
Innovation, bio-surveillance enhance force health protection during Justified Accord 2026
U.S. Army Maj. Luis Pow Sang, a microbiologist with Walter Reed Army Institute of Research - Africa, performs a nucleic acid extraction and polymerase chain reaction test to identify potential biologi...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) has spread north through Mexico to within miles of the Texas border. USDA sterile insect technique facilities are being refurbished to restart producing sterile flies by summer 2026 to counter the outbreak. theconversation.com/a-flesh-eati...
theconversation.com
A flesh-eating fly is advancing towards the US border – can it be stopped?
The New World screwworm parasite can infest livestock, pets and even humans.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
CDC updated ArboNET, the national arbovirus surveillance system with 2026 data on dengue, West Nile, and other vector-borne diseases tracked across U.S. states and territories as mosquito season approaches. www.cdc.gov/vector-borne...
cdc.gov
ArboNET
ArboNET is the national arbovirus surveillance system managed by CDC and health departments.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Wright-Patterson AFB's pest management team conducts regular inspections and facility treatments to eliminate disease-carrying insects and rodents that could impact the readiness of personnel stationed at the installation. www.dvidshub.net/news/561439/...
dvidshub.net
The Bug Stops Here: WPAFB’s Smallest Mission-Critical Team
The base pest management office, a specialized unit within the 88th Civil Engineer Squadron, manages wildlife and insect populations across the sprawling landscapes of both Area A and Area B.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
New research explores the evolving challenges of entomological warfare, analyzing historical uses and modern advancements like genetic engineering and drone-based delivery. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Insects as disease vectors: Historical and contemporary analysis of entomological warfare
Entomological warfare has been known since ancient civilizations used insects to spread disease among enemies. Advances in science and technology have enhanced the potential for using insects as vectors for viruses and toxins in warfare, including ...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Calling all military entomologists! The FY27 Global Emerging Infections Surveillance request for proposals is out. Focus on Force Health Protection, modern tech like AI, and CCMD alignment. 🧬 Proposals are due May 8, 2026, via ProMIS. CAC Login to Apply: carepoint.health.mil/sites/DMSS/P...
carepoint.health.mil
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Entomologists at the University of Florida report that invasive subterranean termites are expanding their range across the state faster than predicted. This research suggests that by 2050, most of Florida may be battling these species. www.popsci.com/environment/...
popsci.com
Termites are swarming Florida even faster than predicted
Most of the state may be fighting the invasive species by 2050.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
The U.S. Army & Defense Health Agency issued a health advisory regarding New World screwworm following a detection in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which shares a border with Texas. www.army.mil/article/2903...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
A new study examines how heat and humidity combos affect bed bug mortality. While low humidity increases stress, the most lethal pairing was 40°C at 90% humidity. These findings offer critical data for refining heat treatments in managed facilities. entomologytoday.org/2026/02/09/b...
entomologytoday.org
For Bed Bugs, Mortality Shifts With Varying Heat, Humidity Combos
A new study finds low humidity generally decreases bed bug survival, but the best combination was high humidity (90%) and high heat (40 degrees Celsius).
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Nature's tiniest recyclers just leveled up. Black soldier fly larvae can eat polyurethane plastic — and it's their gut microbes doing the heavy lifting. One bacterial strain actually breaks down the stuff. The future of plastic waste might be very, very small. entomologytoday.org/2026/02/10/b...
entomologytoday.org
Inside a Fly Larva's Gut, Microbes Take a Bite Out of Plastic
New research finds black soldier fly larvae can eat and partially break down polyurethane, thanks to their gut microbes.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
New Funding Opportunity: The Fiscal Year 2026 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) has been announced with $7M in anticipated funding. Seeking research in Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Diagnosis to protect Service Members. cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2...
cdmrp.health.mil
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
The USDA-APHIS has launched the $100M New World Screwworm Grand Challenge! 🪰 Seeking innovations in sterile fly production, traps, lures, and animal treatments to stop the spread of NWS. 📅 Apply by Feb 23, 2026 💰 Up to $5M per award www.grants.gov/search-resul...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
The Army recently highlighted Captain Jordan Cornell's work as Entomology Chief for Public Health in Europe. His role focuses on vector surveillance and mitigation strategies to reduce disease risk for the warfighter. www.army.mil/article/2904...
army.mil
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Recent investigation reveals a high diversity of Rickettsia species in ticks beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever. For military medicine, this highlights the need for broader diagnostic awareness when treating personnel stationed in wooded training environments. academic.oup.com/jme/article-...
academic.oup.com
Beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever: investigation of the presence and diversity of spotted fever Rickettsia species in ticks submitted from forestry workers
Abstract. Ticks present a significant risk to people in the southern United States, particularly those who spend time outdoors, as ticks can transmit agent
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Nominations are open for the 2026 David Cooksey PestVet of the Year Award! This is a great chance to recognize a U.S. military veteran who has demonstrated excellence and selfless service within the pest management industry. www.npmapestworld.org/your-busines...
npmapestworld.org
Call for Nominations Open for 2026 David Cooksey PestVet of the Year Award
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
The FY2026 NDAA establishes a new Biotechnology Management Office to accelerate the development of bio-based defense solutions. This means new support for biomanufacturing innovative pest controls and enhanced intelligence sharing on biological threats. www.biotech.senate.gov/press-releas...
biotech.senate.gov
Biotechnology Breaks Through in FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act - Biotech
Biotechnology Breaks Through in FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act  With 17 new provisions, Committees embrace the critical role biotech plays in shaping the future of national security.     9...
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
The 2026 outlook for IPM focuses on AI-driven advisory systems, drone-based surveillance, and biological controls like entomopathogenic fungi. Precision technology is now a primary driver in reducing pesticide use while maintaining force protection. farmonaut.com/usa/pest-far...
farmonaut.com
Pest & Farm Management: Top 7 US Trends For 2026
Discover advanced pest management, farm management, and sustainable crop management trends for 2025—integrating IPM, precision tech, and eco-friendly strategies.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
New research shows that deforestation in the Atlantic Forest is driving mosquito species to seek human blood as their preferred hosts disappear. This highlights an increasing risk of new disease vectors emerging in changing environments. www.popsci.com/environment/...
popsci.com
Without forests, mosquitoes turn to human blood
Deforestation might lead to more deadly mosquito bites.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Recent investigation reveals a high diversity of Rickettsia species in ticks beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever. For military medicine, this highlights the need for broader diagnostic awareness when treating personnel stationed in wooded training environments. academic.oup.com/jme/advance-...
academic.oup.com
Beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever: investigation of the presence and diversity of spotted fever Rickettsia species in ticks submitted from forestry workers
Abstract. Ticks present a significant risk to people in the southern United States, particularly those who spend time outdoors, as ticks can transmit agent
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
The NPMA has named ticks the 2025 Pest of the Year. With ER visits for bites at a 5-year high and the rise of Alpha-gal syndrome, it is a critical time for the AFPMB to reinforce the use of treated uniforms and personal protective measures (PPM) across the Force. www.pestworld.org/multimedia-c...
pestworld.org
Ticks Crowned National Pest Management Association’s 2025 Pest of the Year as ER Visits Hit Five-Year High
NPMA names ticks 2025 Pest of the Year as CDC reports record tick bite ER visits. Learn about tick-borne diseases, prevention, and pest control tips.
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Health officials report a surge in Chikungunya cases among travelers returning from the Caribbean and Cuba. With 2025 cases rising, military personnel traveling to tropical regions must prioritize mosquito bite prevention to maintain readiness and avoid infection. www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...
unmc.edu
Recent Florida Cases of Chikungunya Linked to Cuba Travelers, Reminder Vector-Borne Illness is Still Circulating
Contagion Live During this time of year, much of the US becomes too cold for mosquitos to transmit vector-borne diseases. However, Chikungunya is still be transmitted in tropical environments. For …
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Armed Forces Pest Management Board @afpmb.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in mass-producing synthetic "brochosomes"—nanostructures used by leafhoppers to hide. This discovery paves the way for new bio-inspired camouflage and optical coatings for military equipment and personnel. www.psu.edu/news/materia...
psu.edu
Backyard insect inspires large-scale invisibility particles production | Penn State University
A team at Penn State has now developed a high-speed platform capable of producing synthetic versions of brochosomes at a rate exceeding 100,000 per second, a technological achievement that could lead ...
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