Susceptibility of immature Ixodes scapularis (Acari:Ixodidae) to plant-derived acaricides.

Plant-derived acaricides, extracted from various botanical species, and commercially available phytochemicals were evaluated for biological activity against immature Ixodes scapularis (Say) using the disposable pipet method. In addition, residual activity of the plant extracts was determined. Of the 13 plant extracts tested, 9 exhibited biological activity with Alaska yellow cedar, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach., being the most effective against the nymphal ticks (LC50 = 0.151% wt:vol) and eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana L., showing the greatest activity against larval ticks (LC50 = .001% wt:vol). The commercially available products were significantly less active than the plant extracts we prepared, but some commercial compounds did exhibit limited activity. Only the Alaska yellow cedar exhibited any residual activity that lasted 21 d after treatment.

Plants of the Olympic Coastal Forests: ancient knowledge of materials and medicines and future heritage.

The indigenous people of the west coast of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula have used a wide variety of forest plants for centuries to make materials and medicines. The late David Forlines shared at least eight generations of the knowledge of uses of these plants for materials and medicines with us in hopes that this information might be used 'to help science catch up with the old people.' Dyes, paints and adhesives were some of the materials made. The medicines were often administered as teas, but in some cases, fresh plant material was required. Some parallels were found to European and Chinese uses of similar species. Plants from the family Rosaceae had the greatest number of medicinal uses, but several other plant families known to contain polyphenols were also encountered. The role of polyphenols in the use of these plants is difficult to estimate because in many cases the plants have not been studied chemically. A preliminary screening indicated that many of the plants were rich in procyanidins and associated compounds.