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On cold hardiness of the egg parasitoid wasp Telenomus tetratomus (Thomson, 1861) (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) – a population regulator of the Siberian moth
Nina A. Bulakhova‡, Zoya A. Zhigulskaya‡, Lyudmila P. Gashkova§, Daniil I. Berman‡
‡ Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, Magadan, Russia
§ Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agro-Bio Technologies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and Peat, Tomsk, Russia
Corresponding author: Nina A. Bulakhova ( sigma44@mail.ru )
Academic editor: Elijah Talamas
© 2022 Nina A. Bulakhova, Zoya A. Zhigulskaya, Lyudmila P. Gashkova, Daniil I. Berman.
Citation: Bulakhova NA, Zhigulskaya ZA, Gashkova LP, Berman DI (2022) On cold hardiness of the egg parasitoid wasp Telenomus tetratomus (Thomson, 1861) (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) – a population regulator of the Siberian moth. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 91: 27-39. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.91.83765
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:309D900E-0396-4153-A29D-06584BFEE730
Among the factors contributing to the initiation of outbreaks of the Siberian moth, a dangerous pest of the coniferous forests of Northern Eurasia, it is considered important to reduce the regulatory impact of entomophages. One of the most effective regulators of the pest abundance is the egg parasitoid wasp Telenomus tetratomus (Thomson, 1861). There is an established opinion that T. tetratomus is less cold-resistant than caterpillars of the Siberian moth, and outbreaks of the pest are provoked by cold winters, during which conditions (low temperatures and low snow cover depth) are tolerated by the moth caterpillars but lead to death of the parasitoid. However, the lethal temperature for T. tetratomus was determined in an insufficiently controlled experiment more than 60 years ago. We evaluated one of the cold hardiness characteristics of T. tetratomus, the supercooling point (SCP), which had not been measured previously. Both the host and the parasitoid overwinter in a supercooled state, and freezing is lethal to both. The mean SCP of T. tetratomus (-21.2±0.2 °C) was found to be 6.3 °C lower than the SCP of Siberian moth caterpillars. Comparison of SCP distributions and mortality rates at several temperatures allows us to tentatively estimate 50% mortality temperature of the wasp – about -16 °C. The obtained result, analysis of temperatures in the litter of various types of coniferous forests, and published data indicate that the asynchronous mortality of the host and its main parasitoid during wintering, due to differences in cold hardiness, can be considered as the cause of outbreaks of the Siberian moth mass reproduction only with caution.
Dendrolimus sibiricus, lower lethal temperatures, supercooling point, surviving, West Siberia
The Siberian moth, Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetv., is a well-known dangerous pest of coniferous forests in North Asia. In addition to the Asian part of Russia and Northern Kazakhstan, it is found in North China, Northern Mongolia and on the Korean Peninsula; its larvae infest and defoliate more than 20 species of Abies, Pinus, Larix, Picea and Tsuga (Gninenko and Orlinskii 2002). In the 20th century, the range expansion of the pest to the west was noted; by the 1950s, this species from the Asian part of Russia had moved into the European part, and is currently found up to 51°E. Moreover, the almost uniform genetics of the continental D. sibiricus populations was shown, which suggests its rapid spread to the west of Eurasia (Kononov et al. 2016). Additionally, in recent decades, due to the observed climate change, the pest range has been expanding to the north (Kharuk et al. 2016). Currently, the Siberian moth is listed as a quarantine pest in Annex IAI of Directive 2000/29/EC.
The Siberian moth is characterized by periods of rapid reproduction, leading to a catastrophic increase in numbers (outbreaks) in local areas or on a panzonal scale (taking place in various territories simultaneously) and damage to coniferous forests. Outbreaks are poorly predicted, and opinions differ about the most important triggering and limiting factors for an outbreak. A number of researchers link the dynamics of the pest population with the dynamics of the abundance of entomophages that parasitize on eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalides (Kolomiets 1958, 1961, 1962; Chikidov 2009; Gninenko and Baranchikov 2021). Among approximately 40 species of insect parasitoids that attack Siberian moth (Baranchikov and Montgomery 2014), a special place is given to the egg parasitoid wasp Telenomus tetratomus (Thomson, 1861).
Telenomus tetratomus (=T. gracilis Mayr., T. bombus Mayr. and T. verticillatus Kieffer) (Kozlov 1967; Kozlov and Kononova 1983) is widespread in Europe, Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan. It is considered one of the most effective regulators of pest abundance. The percentage of parasitism is more than 50% at any host abundance and by the end of outbreaks it can reach 100% (Kazansky 1928; Boldaruev 1952; Kolomiets 1962; Kondakov 2002; Baranchikov and Montgomery 2014; Gninenko and Baranchikov 2021). Since the end of the 19th century, T. tetratomus has been proposed to control the Siberian moth by breeding and releasing it into the nascent centers of the pest's mass reproduction. There are examples of almost complete elimination of D. sibiricus at different phases of foci formation after releasing T. tetratomus in them (Vasiliev 1905; Boldaruev 1952; Baranchikov and Montgomery 2014; Gninenko and Baranchikov 2021).
There is a widespread opinion that outbreaks of the Siberian moth are initiated by a decrease or disappearance of the regulatory impact of T. tetratomus as a result of its mass death during cold winters with little snow, since the parasitoid is less cold-resistant than its host (Kolomiets 1958, 1961, 1962; Chikidov 2009; Gninenko and Baranchikov 2021). However, studies on the cold hardiness of the wintering stages of these species, Siberian moth caterpillars and adult T. tetratomus, examined different characteristics. For the moth caterpillars, the supercooling point (SCP) was determined, and for T. tetratomus mortality was evaluated during short-term exposure to some negative temperatures (Kolomiets 1961). At the same time, while SCP of the Siberian moth (-14.9±1.5 °C) was studied in the laboratory by the instrumental method (cooling with thermocouples), the temperature limits tolerated by T. tetratomus and its mortality rate were determined in the course of an insufficiently controlled half-nature experiment. It is described as follows: "Several thousand parasitic wasps were placed in a Dewar vessel and stored in natural cooling conditions (between window frames) to determine their frost-resistance. The environmental air temperature was monitored with a minimum thermometer. After exposure to varying degrees of cooling, the parasitic wasps were brought into a warm room for vitalization" (Kolomiets 1961, p. 119). As can be seen from the above quotation, temperature conditions of the experiment were poorly controlled, and assessment of the wasp survival was approximate, which could significantly distort the true picture of the dependence of mortality on temperature.
Currently, there are two different ideas about lower lethal temperatures of T. tetratomus: according to Kolomiyets (1961), the mortality of females begins at -7 ... -9 °C, and already at -9 to -12 °C, 98% of individuals die, while 100% die at -14.7 °C. According to other authors, temperatures below -4 °C are lethal for this species (Baranchikov and Montgomery 2014). Comparison of the above characteristics of cold hardiness of the host and the parasitoid underlies one of the key ideas about population dynamics of the Siberian moth: before the onset of an outbreak, in the wintering sites of both species, there are temperature conditions under which caterpillars survive, while parasitic wasps die due to freezing. Despite the emergence of more accurate laboratory instruments in the 60 years since the experiment of Kolomiets (1961), the study of cold hardiness of T. tetratomus has not been refined. Due to the exceptional economic importance of the Siberian moth, its high potential for range expansion and the important role of T. tetratomus in regulation of the pest population, biological characteristics of the parasitoid must be carefully studied. Therefore, data on its cold hardiness need to be verified.
We determined the supercooling point of T. tetratomus, which had not been studied previously. SCP characterizes the ability of organisms to tolerate sub-zero temperatures without the freezing of body fluids. We could not fully assess the second characteristic, the lethal temperature for the survival of the species during long-term exposure, due to a technical failure (at temperatures below -6 °C). Also, the outbreak stopped in areas accessible for the parasitoid collection, which did not allow us to continue the work. However, comparison of the SCP values obtained by us and the known levels of mortality at several temperatures (Kolomiets 1961) do not support the idea of insufficient cold hardiness of T. tetratomus. Based on the leading role of this species of parasitic wasps in regulating the abundance of the dangerous pest and the possibility of introducing T. tetratomus into foci that appear in new territories with climatic conditions other than those in the native range, we considered it necessary to publish the results of our studies to draw the attention of colleagues to the need for a comprehensive study of its biological parameters, including cold hardiness.
Sampling sites
Siberian moth eggs affected by T. tetratomus were collected at the end of August 2018 in one of the sites with high pest abundance (Bakcharsky district of the Tomsk region) on the northeastern spur of the Great Vasyugan mire in the basin of the Gavrilovka River (56.85°N, 82.69°E). In the studied mire, pine-shrub-sphagnum plant communities represent vegetation. The tree stratum is dominated by the stunted Pinus sylvestris, up to 4 m high (Fig. 1A), Pinus sibirica up to 5 m high is found singly. Projective cover of the grass-shrub stratum (height of 30–40 cm) is 70%; dominants are Vaccinium uliginosum (30%) and Chamaedaphne calyculata (20%), as well as Rhododendron tomentosum, Andromeda polifolia, Rubus chamaemorus. Among the herbs, Eriophorum vaginatum predominates (less than 10%), others are found singly. The basis of the moss-lichen cover is Sphagnum fuscum (70%) with an admixture of Sphagnum divinum, Sphagnum angustifolium, Sphagnum balticum, Polytrichum strictum, Pleurozium schreberi, and Dicranum polysetum. Lichens are represented by species of the genera Usnea and Cladonia.
Animal sampling
Collected shoots (20–30 cm) of Pinus sibirica and P. sylvestris (Fig. 1B) with Siberian moth egg clutches were packed in non-woven bags or in cardboard boxes, moistened and placed in polyethylene bags, which were stored in the laboratory at temperatures of 15–18 °C. By the time the eggs were collected, most of T. tetratomus had already hatched, which was noticeable both by the holes in the eggshells (Fig. 1B) and by the number of egg parasitoid wasps collected from the shoots in the laboratory. Since only fertilized females of T. tetratomus hibernate, in order to minimize the use in experiments of males that die shortly after hatching (Boldaruev 1952; Baranchikov and Montgomery 2014), animals were caught after a week in the laboratory. The dead individuals were not used in experiments. Mobile T. tetratomus from needles, bag walls, and Siberian moth eggs were collected with an exhauster and placed 10–20 individuals in 20 or 50 ml test tubes with moist filter paper and a bunch of needles inside. The proportion of eggs damaged by parasitoids was determined using identification keys (Kolomiets 1962). Taxonomic identification of T. tetratomus (Kozlov and Kononova 1983; Kononova 2014) was carried out by A.V. Timokhov (Moscow State University, Russia); specimens are deposeitd in Zoological Museum of Lomonosov Moscow State University (ZMMU) (No USNMENT009903625–USNMENT009903629) and in the Biocenology Laboratory of the IBPN FEB RAS (Magadan).
A partially defoliated pines B egg-laying and C Siberian moth pupal cocoon at the collection site (photo by L. Gashkova).
Acclimation and determination of cold hardiness
The egg parasitoid wasps in test tubes were acclimated and cooled in test chambers WT 64/75 (Weiss Umwelttechnik GmbH, Reiskirchen-Lindenstruth, Germany), gradually (at a rate of 1 °C/day) lowering the temperature and keeping at a temperature of 5 °C for a month, 10 days at 1 °C, 20 days at 0 °C, 20 days at -5 °C, and 31–36 days at -6 °C. The temperatures were additionally monitored with preliminarily calibrated temperature loggers (iButton DS1922L, Scientific and Technical Laboratory "ElIn", Moscow, Russia).
The supercooling point (SCP) of T. tetratomus was assessed approximately 5 months after the individuals were collected and kept in the laboratory at the above temperatures. SCP is the temperature at which ice begins to form within the body fluids. Crystallization is accompanied by a surge of heat output and a peak on the temperature diagram. Cooling specimens to SCP and then evaluating survival after the rewarming gives an idea of the state, either frozen or supercooled, in which the specimens are able to tolerate freezing temperatures. SCP was determined in living specimens stored at -6 °C (n = 73), which, when manipulated, weakly moved their limbs. The standard methodology for SCP determination, which has been tested on many invertebrate species, was used (Berman et al. 2010; Berman and Leirikh 2019). The temperature was measured with manganin–constantan thermocouples (wire diameter 0.12 mm). The thermocouple signal was converted using an analog–digital board (ADC LA-TK5) via a DC voltage amplifier and recorded on a computer. The egg parasitoid wasps were fixed on the working junctions of thermocouples with a thin layer of vaseline. The thermocouples with attached insects were cooled in a cooling chamber at a rate of 1 °C/minute. After passing the peak of the freezing onset, the temperatures were lowered by 0.2–7 °C to guarantee freezing of the samples. After that, the wasps were warmed and kept for several hours at 4 °C, then at room temperature, and then the survival was checked.
Winter temperatures in habitats
The temperatures in forest litter in the places where Siberian moth eggs were collected were not determined due to their remoteness. However, they were estimated in typical habitats of the Siberian moth and T. tetratomus at a site located approximately 90 km from the egg collection area, in the vicinity of the Podgornoye village (57.79°N, 82.69°E), according to our archival data. In 2008–2009, in this area, a large-scale study of temperatures in soils and forest litter was carried out in various biotopes, including several types of coniferous forests: at a pine-shrub-sphagnum bog (similar to the one at which Siberian moth eggs with egg parasitoid wasps were collected); in a mature dark coniferous (cedar and fir) forest with high crown density on a river side of the Iksa River; in plantations of pine and in a narrow snow-protective spruce-pine belt. The temperature loggers (DS1922L) recorded temperature 6 times a day in typical T. tetratomus wintering places, forest litter or moss cover at three depths: at the surface (0–2 cm) and at 10 or 20 cm (depending on the cover thickness). Data on air temperatures and snow depth were obtained at the meteorological station in the Podgornoe village, located no more than 7 km from the places where the temperature loggers were positioned and at the meteorological station in the Bakchar village, located about 40 km from the place where the animals were collected for experiments.
Observations in nature
At the end of August, pupal cocoons and eggs of the Siberian moth were found on trees in the studied bog (Fig. 1B, C). Among the several hundred collected eggs examined in the laboratory, no more than 3% had signs of caterpillars emerging (brownish color of the shells, a large irregularly shaped hole with uneven edges). The vast majority of eggs had traces of parasitoids in them, among which T. tetratomus predominated (gray shells, one hole of small diameter with smooth edges, see Fig. 1B). In the summer of 2019, during an inspection of this territoty, as well as forests damaged by the Siberian moth in the Chainsky and Tomsk regions, caterpillars, butterflies or eggs of the moths were not found, i.e., the year of the Siberian moth egg collection (2018) was the last year of the three-year pest outbreak.
Cold hardiness of Telenomus tetratomus
The majority of T. tetratomus (85% of the sample) cooled in the laboratory to -6 °C survived: when they were transferred to positive temperatures, they began to move after a few minutes. SCP values ranged from -15.7 to -26.2 °C, with an average of -21.2±0.2 °C (Fig. 2). None of the animals cooled by another 0.2–7 °C after reaching SCP, including those that spent only a few seconds in the frozen state, survived after a long period at positive temperatures.
Histogram of Telenomus tetratomus SCP distribution.
Minimum temperatures in winter habitats of Telenomus tetratomus
In the winter preceding the time of collecting Siberian moth eggs (2017–2018), the minimum air temperature was -40.9 °C, and the maximum snow depth was 73 cm (according to data from the meteorological station in the Bakchar village). In the area of soil temperature measurements (surrounding the Podgornoe village), the minimum air temperature was the same (-41 °C), with a slightly lower snow cover depth (69 cm). Under these conditions, the minimum temperature in the ground cover in different types of coniferous forests varied greatly. In the upper 2 cm of the litter, it was the lowest (-25 °C) in the pine-shrub-sphagnum bog with sparse low-growing pines and cedars and in the mature dark coniferous forest with high crown density on the river side (-15 °C). However, in the plantations of pine and in the narrow snow-protective spruce-pine belt, the temperatures were much higher (-7 and -9.5 °C, respectively). At a depth of 10 cm in the litter in both areas of pine plantations, the minimum temperatures were 1–2.5 °C higher than at the surface (-6.2 and -7 °C), respectively. In the litter in the dark coniferous forest, even at a depth of 10 cm, temperatures dropped to -12.8 °C. It was also cold on the raised bog in the depths of the thick and loose moss-grass-shrub cover – temperatures of -7 °C were recorded no closer than 20 cm from the surface.
Coniferous forests in the Tomsk region periodically suffer from outbreaks of the Siberian moth, the last of which was observed in 2016–2018. This outbreak was part of a panzonal outbreak that engulfed many regions of Asian Russia. In the year of our research, the outbreak in the Tomsk region was in the eruptive phase. However, in 2019, the number of Siberian moths decreased sharply and the vast majority of the local outbreaks disappeared. According to forest pathologists, this was facilitated by a high level of parasitoid infection of eggs, caterpillars and chrysalides in 2018 and weather conditions in 2019. In most of the region's territories, as in our studies, more than 90% of Siberian moth eggs were infested with parasitoids, of which the most common was T. tetratomus (Denisova et al. 2020). These observations once again confirm the significant role of parasitoids in regulating the abundance of the Siberian moth.
We have estimated the supercooling point of T. tetratomus for the first time. The significant survival rate of T. tetratomus, which were at negative temperatures for about 2 months (down to -6 °C), and 100% death after freezing on thermocouples (i.e. at temperatures below SCP) indicate that they are not freeze-resistant, and therefore are only able to overwinter in a supercooled state, like many other hymenopteran parasitoids (Carrillo et al. 2005; Hanson et al. 2013; Santacruz et al. 2017). The real ecological value of SCP for freeze intolerant species is ambiguous. Though SCP is often criticized as a poor indicator of cold hardiness, it is used in many studies because it provides crucial information on the lower lethal temperature of freeze intolerant species of non-tropical invertebrates and constitutes a convenient comparative index (Bale 1987; Renault et al. 2002). Together with the lower lethal temperatures, it gives an idea of cold hardiness of a species that can be obtained from laboratory studies.
Our average T. tetratomus SCP values (-21.2±0.2 °C) were found to be 6.3 °C lower than the average moth caterpillar SCP values (-14.9±1.5 °C) (Kolomiets 1961). Such a large difference in the average SCP of these species living together and hibernating in a supercooled state casts doubt on the established opinion about the greater cold hardiness of the Siberian moth compared to the parasitoid.
The statistical distribution of T. tetratomus SCP (Fig. 2) and SCP cumulative curve (Fig. 3) have shapes typical of many small invertebrate species studied, including Hymenoptera (Block 1982; Berman et al. 2010; Berman and Leirikh 2019). However, the construction of the T. tetratomus cumulative mortality curve according to Kolomiets (1961) and its comparison with the cumulative SCP curve that we obtained raise a number of questions (Fig. 3).
Cumulative values of supercooling points and mortality at negative temperatures of Telenomus tetratomus. The black line is the mortality at different temperatures (according to: Kolomiets 1961), open circles indicate the SCP obtained in our experiments, the gray dashed line indicates our predicted mortality.
First, none of the more than 20 species of invertebrates that we have previously studied wintering in a supercooled state are characterized by such a narrow (only 3 °C) diapason of lethal temperatures. Such examples from the literature are also unknown to us. In the experiments of Kolomiets (1961), T. tetratomus females only began to die at -9 °C, and when it reached -12 °C, already 98% of individuals from a sample of several thousand animals were dead. Indeed, the death of the least prepared individuals for wintering in different species usually occurs at slightly subzero temperatures (-3 ... -5 °C); as temperatures decrease, mortality increases, and the most cold-resistant individuals die at temperatures close to the minimum SCP (Berman et al. 2010; Santacruz et al. 2017; Berman and Leirikh 2019). Thus, death occurs in a large temperature interval, significantly greater than 3 °C (from negative near zero temperatures to those comparable to minimum SCP values). Usually, this interval reaches 10–25 °C (Fig. 4).
Cold hardiness characteristics of several ant species (plotted according to: Berman et al. 2010, Berman and Leirikh 2019). Black lines indciate SCP cumulative curves, gray dashed lines indicate cumulative mortality curves upon exposure to the indicated temperatures for 1 day A Formica sanquinea B Myrmica angulinodis C Camponotus herculeanus D Formica execta E Myrmica kamtschatica F Formica gagatoides.
Second, the temperature of 100% mortality of T. tetratomus (-14.7 °C) revealed by Kolomiyets (1961) was found to be higher than the results of our experiments, with the SCP of the least cold-resistant individual at -15.7 °C (Fig. 3). This situation is not typical for species living in temperate seasonally cold latitudes and is probably typical only for tropical species (Renault 2002).
Third, the curves of the cumulative SCP and cumulative mortality turned out to be almost parallel and separated from each other by 10–11 °C throughout the entire length (Fig. 3). An analysis of literature data and our results of studying the cold hardiness of various groups of invertebrates in temperate latitudes wintering in a supercooled state (ants, beetles, butterflies, mollusks, etc.) suggests that such a disposition between the mortality curve and the SCP curve is an atypical situation (Berman et al. 2010; Berman and Leirikh 2019). In the vast majority of species, these two curves converge strongly with decreasing temperature, as, for example, in ants (Fig. 4A–D). Examples of parallel arrangement of the two curves are less common. At the same time, the curves of mortality and SCP in such cases are separated from each other by no more than 2–3 °C (Fig. 4E, F).
Considering all of the above, we can conclude that the high (more than 90%) mortality of T. tetratomus in the temperature interval from -9 to -12 °C is most likely the result of an incorrect conduction of the experiment and the lack of proper control of the temperatures at which the insects were held. Using a graphical method, 50% mortality temperature for T. tetratomus can be estimated at about -16 °C (Fig. 3), which is at least 5 °C lower than indicated by Kolomiyets (1961) and more than 10 °C lower than indicated by Baranchikov and Montgomery (2014).
For a number of invertebrates, including Hymenoptera, geographical variation in cold hardiness due to climatic differences has been shown: the average SCP of individuals in southern populations (with higher temperature) is higher than in northern ones (Block 1982; Turnock and Fields 2005; Santacruz et al. 2017). However, an analysis of temperatures in the wintering places of T. tetratomus (in the litter of coniferous forests) showed that, despite the more southerly position of the Tuvan population (52°N), which was studied by Kolomiets (1961), compared to the one studied by us, the temperatures in the wintering places of the parasitoid in Tuva are lower. In a coniferous forest, in the litter and under the moss cover at a depth of almost 20 cm, Kolomiets (1961) estimated the minimum temperatures as -18 °C due to the thin snow layer (20–22 cm) and low air temperatures (down to -48 °C). In the habitats that we studied, even at half the depth in the litter (10 cm), the minimum temperatures were higher (from -6.2 °C to -12.8 °C). The winter in which we measured the temperatures was slightly colder than usual and the minimum temperature reached -41 °C (against an average of -39.5 °C for the last 10 years) and with a slightly lower snow depth (69 cm against 73 cm on average for the last 10 years). So, it can be assumed that the forest litter was somewhat colder than usual. But even in relatively cold winters, the temperatures in the litter turned out to be higher than in the studied Tuva habitats. Thus, the comparison of winter temperature conditions in the wintering sites of T. tetratomus does not confirm the climatic conditionality of the obtained differences in cold hardiness of this species.
Our study of cold hardiness of T. tetratomus and the analysis of temperatures in the places of its overwintering indicate that the causes of Siberian moth outbreaks need further study. Both the host and its parasitoid overwinter in a supercooled state, and freezing is lethal to both. The average T. tetratomus SCP values (-21.2±0.2 °C) turned out to be 6.3 °C lower than the average Siberian moth caterpillar SCP values (-14.9±1.5 °C) obtained in the experiments by Kolomiets (1961). Such a large difference in average SCP casts doubt on two well-established positions: firstly, about the greater cold hardiness of the Siberian moth compared to its parasitoid; secondly, that one of the main reasons for the beginning of an increase in number of the Siberian moth is the death of T. tetratomus population during cold winters with little snow, while the host safely overwinters (Kolomiets 1961, 1962; Chikidov 2009).
The analysis of SCP distribution and T. tetratomus mortality allows concluding that 50% mortality temperature can be estimated at about 5 °C lower than indicated by Kolomiets (1961) and more than 10 °C lower than indicated by Baranchikov and Montgomery (2014), at about16 °C. The presented results undoubtedly require determination of T. tetratomus mortality at several temperatures with simultaneous SCP measurements. We hope that the present research will stimulate colleagues to conduct a full-scale study of cold hardiness of T. tetratomus and other parasitoids, which will provide an adequate understanding of the possible ways of regulating the Siberian moth abundance not only within the existing range, but also with its possible expansion into Europe, and the prospects for introduction of parasitoids into cold regions.
The authors thank A.V. Timokhov for determining the species of Telenomus tetratomus, without which this work would not have been possible; E.N. Meshcheryakova – for help in setting up the measuring equipment.
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Kondakov YP (2002) Mass breeding of the Siberian moth in the forests of Krasnoyarsk Territory. Entomologicheskie issledovaniya v Sibiri 2: 25–74. [In Russian]
Kononov A, Ustyantsev K, Wang B, Mastro VC, Fet V, Blinov A, Baranchikov Y (2016) Genetic diversity among eight Dendrolimus species in Eurasia (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) inferred from mitochondrial COI and COII, and nuclear ITS2 markers. BMC Genetics 17: 173–182. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12863-016-0463-5
Kononova SV (2014) Telenominae of the Palaearctics (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae). Subfamily Telenominae. Naukova Dumka, Kiev, 487 pp. [In Russian]
Kozlov MA (1967) Palaearctic species of egg parasites of the genus Telenomus Haliday (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae, Telenominae). Entomologicheskoe Obozrenie 46: 361–378. [In Russian]
Kozlov MA, Kononova SV (1983) Telenominae of the fauna of the USSR (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae, Telenominae). Nauka, Leningrad, 336 pp. [In Russian]
Renault D, Salin C, Vannier G, Vernon P (2002) Survival at low temperatures in insects: what is the ecological significance of the supercooling point? CryoLetters 23(4): 217–228.
Santacruz EN, Venette R, Dieckhoff C, Hoelmer K, Koch RL (2017) Cold tolerance of Trissolcus japonicus and T. cultratus, potential biological control agents of Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug. Biological Control 107: 11–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2017.01.004
Turnock WJ, Fields PG (2005) Winter climates and cold hardiness in terrestrial insects. European Journal of Entomology 102(4): 561–576. https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2005.081
Vasiliev IV (1905) Pine (Dendrolimus pini L.) and cedar (Dendrolimus segregatus Butl.) moths, their lifestyle, harmful activities and ways to control them. Trudy buro po entomologii 5(7): 1–102. [In Russian]


According to my parents I was always musically inclined. I use to make up melodies and stories all the time. My entire family is full of musicians and singers so it was very natural for me and I had a very good ear. When I was four years old Michael Jackson released Thriller and that was it. Nothing else mattered. I had the glove, the socks, the red leather zipper jacket, black loafers and black trouser flood pants. There was no turning back after that vinyl pressing hit the airwaves and poured into our home.
The first concert that I ever attended was The Jackson's Victory tour. I was four years old. My dad took me to see them at Exhibition place in Toronto. We followed them like a bunch of deadheads to Buffalo and Detroit.
Funny story… my father and I later went to go see The Grateful Dead in Maryland after my taste in music had shifted ten years later. I remember him buying me a tie-dye shirt that had a bottle of vodka on it and the writing on the tee said Absolute Dead. I loved that shirt. It was a hit at overnight camp and the latenight campfire sessions we had.
I remember playing a lot of little places around Toronto and honing our chops there. I was very young when I started jamming. I was no more than 14 years old when I started playing in clubs and bars under-age. I used to play at this little cafe/bar called The Corner Cafe on the regular. The owner made a deal with us kids. We played there once a week and in return he would let us store our gear in the basement and rehearse there every day. It was a pretty wild scene we created – under-age kids playing for their under-age friends. We were living the dream. There was one night when the famous Eddie Shack of the 67′ Maple Leafs actually came into the bar because he lived nearby. We were so excited that there was someone famous in the audience. I remember walking up to him and asking him what he thought of the band. He replied with simply "the music is garbage, keep practicing or just give up". It was fantastic! So we practiced, and on my 19th birthday I ended up playing The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern for the very first time.


The Salomon Sickstick 151 is almost it's own board because it's not made as the next size down from the 157. It's a short/fat version of the larger size SickSticks that can work for a good many boot sizes and it is one of the more Versatile short/fatties we tried. If you want something you can set back in powder but also ride switch this is a great call.
Size: 151 from 2018 and a 151 from 2019.
Conditions: Everything from some decent powder to good groomers.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5'10" 185-195lbs), Grant (Size 11 6' 160lbs) and Mason and Ty from Gravity Sports.
Approximate Weight: Feels pretty light but not super light.
Flex/Buttering: The flex of our 151 and the 2018 model 151 is a pretty snappy medium flex that to some might border on medium stiff but it doesn't have this super aggressive flex. It can butter rather well. It's not super easy like many boards with lots of rocker in the tip/tail but it is very doable for most ability levels.
Sizing: This is the cool part about the Salomon Sickstick 151. It worked for Grants size 11's almost as well as it worked for my size 9 boots. It could handle my 185lbs no problem and Grants 155lbs just as well. I feel like anyone who is an 8-11 could work with this ride pretty well.
On Snow Feel: There is a nice stable platform underfoot that seems to enhance the stability you already get for having a good bit of camber underfoot. It is a very predictable ride in most conditions and has a really fun feel to it. It's great for those that need to do a long flat cat track or do a good bit of one footing. It has some taper going on but doesn't feel like it and we would say it is in that realm of Short/Fatties that look kind of surfy but have a much more double ender, balanced all mountain/one board quiver feel to it like the Ride Warpig.
Edge Hold: There is a pretty strong grip that can keep the Salomon Sick Stick 151 holding an edge in hard snow. It isn't like the Equalizer sidecut on some Salomon boards like the Assassin but it is pretty good for most conditions you want to ride in.
Turn Initiation: Pretty quick edge to edge for my size 9 feet. Nothing to write home about but I never felt worried in tight spots. The smaller length does seem to compensate for the wider width. For Grant and his size 11's he was very happy with the turn initiation but didn't feel like he was riding a little board either. Overall its definitely on the quicker side for most boot sizes.
Turning Experience: The Sick Stick doesn't have the massive bow of camber like the United Shapes Orbit 151 that I own but it sure does have a good bit of camber going on. It is a pretty lively poppy turn underfoot that has a lot of that camber feel but not with that catchy super technical consequence.
Carving: Very fun to carve and while it wasn't a super carver it did a very good job and I could carve as hard as I could all day with this little Salomon SickStick 151.
Skidded Turns: It isn't the easiest to skid turns but its still pretty forgiving if someone like an intermediate who often skids turns, was thinking about a board like this I would say go for it. It is a far cry from those punishing camber rides I learned on back in the dark ages of snowboarding.
Speed: If the conditions are good the Salomon SickStick 151 can almost hang with the 157 we rode.
Uneven Terrain: Even though the dampening isn't that good in hard micro bumps on groomers it doesn't have as much of that small bucky feel underfoot in the bumps you find off-piste or on a messy Saturday afternoon. If you want better uneven terrain performance then it is all about the First Call 151 instead but it isn't the worse in Salomon's line by any means.
Powder: We got some good powder with this and it wasn't what we thought it would be for having 10mm of taper. There is pretty good float but it did feel a lot like a directional twin instead of how most freeride boards feel with the same taper. It isn't bad or good but just different and kind of unexpected. When set all the way back on a 22″ stance width you can get 6 inches back. That's pretty far back for a 151 with a centered stance on sidecut. You can ride this centered too and ride it switch really well.
Switch: Waaay better switch than we both thought in powder and on groomers. There is something interesting going on with this design that allows 10mm of taper to act like it isn't there when riding switch. Yeah, it isn't a true twin but it sure feels pretty good for what it is.
Jibbing: Doable but not ideal and not where I would like to take it. A little too much unforgiving snappy pop to it that doesn't make a less than average jibber like myself want to even try it.
Pipe: Super fun in the pipe and I really had a good time in the small Mt. Bachelor pipe that was up at the time I rode this. This little short fatty rode really well in there.
So the SickStick is a very Unique ride and I think it has more than that quiver ride appeal. It mixes freeride and all mountain into a very doable short/fat one board quiver type of ride. if you want to try something new but still do a lot of things that many traditional length boards would do for you and possibly even more then the SickStick can work as long as you can deal with its somewhat cranky behavior in uneven terrain.
We try to get as many images of the Salomon SickStick 151, but forgive us if they're not all there.
I bought this board for Japan last year. Got 2days on it. This floated pretty well when centred in the light deep stuff. Set back made a difference though. Great for POW butters . I found it quick and responsive edge to edge and it handled groomers awesome. Real easy to manoeuvre and spin on jumps. I found it a bit stiff on the tail but still pressable. I ended up using my skeleton key 59 when the snow was deep in Hakuba .Bottom line this board is sick. And is great fun in all conditions except when really deep and light then you will need to set all way back .


32 Days of Halloween XI, Day 28: Macabre!
32 Days of Halloween X, Day 23: Witchcraft!
Well, we're getting in the gimmick side of things tonight…and since we are, we have to give a nod to the King of Horror Gimmicks: William Castle. Here's a brief retrospective of his genius/madness.
Directed by: William Castle; Written by: Robb White; Starring: Vincent Price, Carolyn Craig, Richard Long, Elisha Cook Jr., & Carol Ohmart.
Sam Hamm takes us through the trailer for the original 13 Ghosts, with some lovely backstory on William Castle--the king of horror movie gimmicks--as well as a great story of his misspent youth.


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8 Best and Worst Types of Alcohol for Weight Loss
Forgoing booze altogether is ideal if losing weight is a health goal, but if you must imbibe, registered dietitians recommend opting for certain alcoholic beverages over others.
By Moira LawlerMedically Reviewed by Kayli Anderson, RDN
Is cocktail hour derailing your weight loss goals?Helen Rushbrook/Stocksy
You've heard having a glass of wine with dinner is good for your heart, right? Well, it's not that good, according to some research. A meta-analysis published in 2018 in The Lancet found that while alcohol has been shown to provide some protective factors against heart disease and diabetes in women, the positive effects were offset by the fact that alcohol can increase the risk of cancer, accidents, and communicable disease. Another study published March 2022 in JAMA Network Open involving more than 370,000 individuals found that alcohol consumption (even modest amounts) can actually increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Ultimately, it seems the answer to the question of whether drinking even in moderation is healthy varies depending on whom you ask.
What's more, all that extra imbibing likely isn't aiding any slim-down efforts. "It's important to note that alcohol consumption can impact our metabolism and make weight loss more challenging," says Lori Zanini, RD, a certified diabetes care and education specialist based in Manhattan Beach, California.
Alcohol contains empty calories and doesn't provide any nutrients for your body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. "Alcohol can not only cause a water weight increase, but it's also full of calories, so your actual weight can go up, too," says Amanda A. Kostro Miller, RD, a Chicago-based advisory board member for Healing Daily, a consumer website that offers healthy-living resources. "The other issue is that once people start drinking alcohol, they tend to lose track of their health and weight goals." Maybe your plans to have only one drink turn into two or three or four drinks, or you find yourself reaching for unhealthy foods once the alcohol kicks in. According to a previous study, the more alcohol you consume, the more likely you are to make poor food choices.
So, how can you fight back if you're concerned about your weight but don't want to abstain completely? Think of alcohol as a treat. "Choose dessert or alcohol for the night, not both," Kostro Miller says.
The usual advice is to drink in moderation. Moderation is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. But if you're trying to lose weight, it's a good idea to limit your drinking even more, because drinking less is always healthier than drinking more.
You'll want to ensure that your overall relationship with alcohol is healthy, too. The previously mentioned JAMA Network Open letter noted that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to or exacerbate mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. "Be sure you're enjoying it and not just drinking out of habit or in order to escape real problems that should be addressed with healthier stress management techniques or even therapy," says Kelly Jones, RD, a certified specialist in sports dietetics and owner of Kelly Jones Nutrition in Philadelphia. "It doesn't have to mean you never drink alcohol — but do increase awareness around your habits."
Here are the best and worst types of alcohol to drink if you're watching your weight.
5 Best Types of Alcohol for Weight Loss
1. Red Wine (105 Calories per 5 oz Serving)
Enjoying a glass of red wine with dinner has long been considered a "healthy" move because of its purported heart-healthy benefits. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the idea can be traced back to the 1980s. And though there's never been a long-term randomized trial that proved some of these claims, a dry red wine (like a cabernet sauvignon or Syrah) is one of the lower-calorie adult beverages you can reach for, Zanini says. A 5-ounce (oz) glass of red wine has about 105 calories, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
2. Light Beer (96 to 100 Calories per 12 oz Serving)
If you're in the mood for beer, go light. It's another low-calorie option, Zanini says. You'll save about 40 to 55 calories per 12 oz serving, compared with a regular beer, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
3. Dry Vermouth (105 Calories per 3 oz Serving)
A 3 oz serving of dry vermouth contains 105 calories, according to MedlinePlus. And while you'll generally find it mixed into a martini or a Manhattan, you can save calories by sipping it neat. The reasonable calorie count isn't the only reason to reach for it. Some research has found that dry vermouth contains significantly more polyphenols than white wine. Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds in plants that have been shown to help regulate metabolism, weight, and chronic disease, according to a study published 2018 in Frontiers in Nutrition. Keep in mind, however, that there haven't been any peer-reviewed human studies on the health benefits of drinking dry vermouth, so it's unclear whether this possible benefit outweighs the general risks of drinking alcohol.
4. Booze on the Rocks (About 100 Calories per 1.5 oz Serving)
Whether you're into vodka or tequila, gin or whiskey, there's no real difference in calories or carbohydrates — they all have about 100 calories in a 1.5 oz serving, according to MedlinePlus. Your best bet when sipping alcohol is to have it straight, or with sparkling water or club soda, Zanini suggests. That's because a whiskey drink, for example, can quickly go from a 100-calorie drink to 300-plus when you add sugary, high-calorie mixers.
5. Champagne (85 Calories per 4 oz Serving)
You'll save about 35 calories per serving by choosing bubbly over a sweet white wine, according to MedlinePlus. A 4 oz glass of champagne has 85 calories. And while that might not sound like much, it's also possible that you'll feel fuller and turn down that second drink as a result of the carbonation. Previous research found that women reported feeling more full after drinking sparkling water, compared with flat.
3 Worst Types of Alcohol for Weight Loss
1. Sugary Cocktails (500 Calories per 8 oz Serving)
Fancy mixed drinks might sound tasty, but they're often loaded with calories. A Long Island iced tea, for example, will set you back about 500 calories in one 8 oz glass, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That's more calories than you'll find in a double cheeseburger from McDonald's.
2. Frozen Beach Drinks (280 Calories per 5 oz Serving)
A sunny beach day may make you crave strawberry daiquiris and piña coladas — but watch out if slimming down your waistline is a goal. According to the Cleveland Clinic, both daiquiris and piña coladas have about 280 calories per 5 oz serving.
3. Craft Beer (170 Calories per 12 oz Serving)
A 12-ounce craft beer runs about 170 calories (or more), according to MedlinePlus. The reason for this difference, compared with commercial beers, is that craft beers often have extra ingredients and carbs that amp up their flavor. Though the latter may lead you to drink less than you would when sitting with a light beer, ultimately craft beers tend to have higher alcohol content, and more alcohol means more calories.
An Alternative to Booze for Anyone Looking to Lose Weight
Keep in mind: Mocktails are always an option. Going liquor-free is the ultimate way to cut back on alcohol calories. But you'll still need to keep an eye on what's going into the mocktails and choose a low-calorie — or better yet, no-calorie — water or sparkling water drink with lime, Kostro Miller suggests. If you do choose to drink alcohol on a given night, she says it's a good idea to alternate between an alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink to keep your calorie intake in check. "This will spread out the calories from alcohol and keep you hydrated," she says.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


What: Contractor-built apartment|Or Ve'Osher Building & Development.
Where: Minrav Ha'Tzair Project, Rishon Le'Zion.
Concept: The man in the wall.
How: Surroundings for tidy living: Sliding wooden units embedded in the apartment walls to create a dynamic living environment that meets the needs of its residents.


Racing type game which the player has to use the drafting technique to win races. Only 5 miles to go in the race... 5 NASCAR cars in the front pack with same speed, some horsepower, are fighting for the lead!! The only way you can take the lead and win is to draft along with other cars.


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Kip Moore To Headline Labor Of Love Music Festival
by Denise Lockwood August 13th, 2015 Updated August 14th, 2015
Kip Moore is slated to perform at the Labor of Love Music Festival Sept. 7.
Country music star Kip Moore will perform Monday, Sept. 7 at the Labor of Love Music Festival, which will be held at Racine Festival Park.
The festival will raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project and highlight the importance of hiring veterans into skilled manufacturing and construction jobs. The Wounded Warrior Project helps veterans through a variety of programs and services.
"Labor Day is the perfect time to honor pride and dignity in work, and there may be no group that represents that more than the men and women of the armed services," Moore said. "It's my honor to pay tribute to these people, and all the hard-working people that come out to my shows, and to give back to a community that has been very supportive of me."
Sponsored by CASE Construction Equipment, the heavy equipment manufacturer plans to have its equipment on display. This is the second time CASE has partnered on with Kip Moore on a Labor Day event. The singer released a song through CASE in 2014 dedicated to the men and women of the construction industry titled "On the Case." Moore's second album "Wild Ones," is set to hit stores and online outlets on August 21.
The Veterans Outreach Center of Wisconsin will also have a 50/50 raffle to raise money for area veterans.
"There is a very real skilled labor shortage in America today, from welders and machinists to heavy equipment technicians and operators. It's important we help develop that next generation of talent and our veterans may be our greatest resource," said Jim Hasler, vice president – North America, CASE Construction Equipment. "'Labor of Love' is all about making that connection and helping veterans locally and throughout the United States take that next step in their professional lives."
The musical acts Bella Cain and Run Carolina will open for Moore. Area food and retail vendors, and restaurants will sell their wares
A ceremony honoring veterans will be held at 3 p.m. The concert will kick off at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Children 10 and under will be admitted at no charge. For more information, visit CaseCE.com.
Denise Lockwood
denise@racinecountyeye.com
Denise Lockwood has an extensive background in traditional and non-traditional media. She has written for Patch.com, the Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee Magazine and the Kenosha News. More by Denise Lockwood


Scandinavia is a stylish park bench without armrests and is designed for poured foundations. The bench seat is made of pine and the frame powder-coated steel. Scandinavia is one of Lappset's most popular park furniture ranges, and includes a park bench with back support, a table and a chair in the same design.


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Filmed in High Definition by award winning filmmakers, our programmes take you on a voyage of discovery, from Tokyo to Delhi and St. Moritz to Moscow uncovering the world's finest experiences and luxuries. We have exclusive access to the world's most exceptional places, events, brand leaders and creative minds.
Ten Years of Vintage Ornellaia 3 minutes 37 seconds
Every year since the release of Ornellaia 2006 in May 2009, a contemporary artist has created a site-specific work of art and a series of limited edition labels for Ornellaia's Vendemmia d'Artista project, drawing inspiration from the word chosen by the winemaker to describe the character of the new vintage. This film celebrates ten years of the project, the artworks and of course, the wine itself. Read more about the 2012 vintage here and about the 2015 vintage here.
Fashion For Conservation 2 minutes 27 seconds
Fashion For Conservation organised a catwalk show during London Fashion Week to shine a spotlight on the Amazon Rainforest – read our article here.
Sky In Their Eyes 6 minutes
Friday Late: Sino Flux, held at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, celebrated the evolving changes and development of China in the field of culture, through the mediums of art, design, performance and sound. Invited by the V&A to headline this curated showcase of Chinese art and talent, artist and designer Rui Xu presented her new works – Sky In Their Eyes: The Antelope In A Vanishing Landscape, a journey of tragedy and hope through fashion and dance theatre, with 11 dancers performing this woeful but beautiful story.
David Gandy's Debut 1 min 56 seconds
We go behind the scenes with David Gandy as he makes his directorial debut for The Gentleman's Journal with a film featuring Iguana Yachts and the ultimate "smart commute" to work. See here for more information about the project.
The Secret of Handicraft 2 minutes 10 seconds
The Luxury Channel goes behind the scenes with luxury glassmakers Moser, to discover the secret of their handicraft production. Read our article here.
Greatest Beds In The World 2 minutes 17 seconds
Hästens Master Craftsman Jan Erik Leander talks about the artisanship involved in making the greatest beds in the world. Read our interview with Ana Mladenovic, Hästens' Chelsea store manager, here.
Garsington Opera Experience 2 minutes 9 seconds
Take a seat at the Garsington Opera, Wormsley! Performances take place in the spectacular Opera Pavilion which sits within the rolling landscape of the Chiltern Hills, less than an hour from London. Before the performance, patrons can enjoy the gardens and grounds of the Wormsley Estate, owned by the Getty family, take afternoon tea and drink champagne. During the long dinner interval picnics can be taken down to the lake or patrons can have dinner in in the elegant marquee overlooking the famous cricket ground. Performances resume as the evening light begins to fade and end by 10.15pm. A minibus service connects with High Wycombe station, just a half hour train journey from London and forty-five minutes from Birmingham. For more information, go to www.garsingtonopera.org.
The Animal Ball 1 minute 17 seconds
The Luxury Channel attended The Animal Ball in London in aid of Elephant Family, where the world's leading fashion houses (including Burberry, Swarovski and Rui Xu) collaborated to dress beautiful creatures from all corners of British and international society, in this film produced by Albert Zhang.
A Chance For Cheetahs 2 minutes 40 seconds
Dr. Laurie Marker, founder of Cheetah Conservation Fund, sends a message about the important conservation work that the charity is undertaking to save the cheetah in Africa. Read our interview here.
The Sky In The Eyes 5 minutes 19 seconds
Chinese fashion designer Rui Xu presents "The Sky In The Eyes," a performance piece featuring the David's Deer and Antelope masks she has made for Elephant Family's annual Animal Ball, and reveals the design process that went into creating them.
The Making Of Louis Roederer 3 minutes 34 seconds
The Luxury Channel goes behind the scenes with Louis Roederer Champagne, as Philippe Starck designs the bottle for Brut Nature 2006.
Martin Scorsese's Foundation 1 minute 35 seconds
Three ultimate masterpieces – featuring a rare blend of Louis XIII cognac and designed by Hermes, Saint-Louis and Puiforcat – will be sold at auction at Sotheby's with all proceeds benefiting The Film Foundation's cinematic heritage efforts. In this film, director Martin Scorsese explains why The Foundation's work is so important.
Discovery Global Reveal 15 seconds
Land Rover reveals the All-New Discovery seven-seat SUV by breaking a Guinness World Record for the largest Lego structure ever built!
The Pilgrimage 2 minutes 40 seconds
The Yangtze in China is the third longest river in the world. Home to 480 million people, it supports one third of the Chinese population. In 2008, Swarovski Waterschool China was launched with the aim of helping local people learn live in harmony with nature and learn how to manage their water reserves sustainably. It now has 59 schools along the 6300 km of the "Long River." In this film, like his famous painter grandfather Shi Lu, who roamed the Yellow River in the 60s, Shi Jia explores the Yangtze in search of inspiration for his work.
Beauty On Fire – For Zaha 2 mins 19 seconds
Beauty On Fire – For Zaha from The Luxury Channel on Vimeo.
In memory of the late, great Dame Zaha Hadid, artist and couture fashion designer Rui Xu, one of China's foremost designers, presented BEAUTY ON FIRE — FOR ZAHA, an exhibition showcasing her unique and remarkable fashion designs set against the backdrop of Zaha Hadid's innovative and inspiring furniture installations. Have a read of our interview with Rui here.
Fiona Sanderson of The Luxury Channel speaks to mountaineer and Land Rover ambassador Kenton Cool at the launch of the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible in Courchevel, ahead of his next Everest challenge.
The Essence of Le Brassus 1 minute and 49 seconds
Since 2015, Audemars Piguet has presented innovative lounge concepts in the Collectors Lounge at all three Art Basel shows. In this film, designer Sebastian Errazuriz (who has received international acclaim for his original and provocative works) discusses his inspiration for the new Audemars Piguet Lounge at Art Basel in Hong Kong, including several elements of the natural landscape of Le Brassus, home of Audemars Piguet.
Liv Tyler's Inspiring Women 2 minutes 16 seconds
To mark the end of London Fashion Week, actress Liv Tyler launched a short film celebrating powerful, inspiring women. As Belstaff Brand Ambassador and Creative Contributor, Liv retraced the footsteps of pioneering 1920s aviatrix Amelia Earhart. Earhart, one of the first women Belstaff dressed, broke free from the expectations of her time by trusting her instinct and following her heart.
100 Years 1 minute 14 seconds
Louis XIII Cognac, one of the most luxurious spirits in the world, is the brand behind 100 Years – The Movie You Will Never See, an original and innovative film written by and starring Hollywood legend John Malkovich. Except there's a catch – the film will not be released until 2115! This is just a teaser, but read more here.
Tusk Conservation Awards 2 minutes 30 seconds
The Luxury Channel joined Tusk Trust and its Royal Patron HRH The Duke of Cambridge to recognise excellence in conservation in Africa at an awards ceremony held in London. The awards celebrate emerging leaders in conservation in Africa whose work has made a significant impact. Read the full story here.
The Paper Bridge 1 minute 47 seconds
Range Rover marked 45 years of engineering innovation with a jaw-dropping drive in China, across a bridge made entirely out of paper.
London Korean Festival 4 minutes 10 seconds
The London Korean Festival held in Trafalgar Square was the biggest free Korean cultural party ever hosted in the UK, celebrating the vibrancy of this Asian powerhouse.
L'Umbria Guarda 3 minutes 24 seconds
"ALL IS SILENT" – This is the opening line to a new short film by Frederick Shelbourne and Frances Von Flemming. It begins with a piece of Italian literature, a phrase from the melodious poet Giosuè Carducci in his harmonious Ode al Clitumno; a classical poem about a place that exists in a secret spot in Umbria, a place that has been the inspiration of great poets like Lord Byron. The film is narrated through a multitude of senses where entwining moving image, music, literature and photography portray the essence of the story line. Narrated through the eyes of Filippo Scarafia (the Italian actor from the film Terraferma by Emanuele Crialese, presented at the 68th Venice International Film Festival, winning the special jury prize), it is a passionate journey, discovering a mystic presence that is Umbria, luring its audience to come and find the green lands of this incredible region of Italy.
Winser London 4 minutes 6 seconds
The Luxury Channel speaks to Kim Winser OBE about building her eponymous brand, operating in the digital space, and how the customer is the driver of a business that works hard for real women.
Woolmark – Behind The Prize 20 minutes 53 seconds
This documentary follows the finalists as they prepare for the International Woolmark Prize final which took place in London (menswear) and Beijing (womenswear). Victoria Beckham and Paul Smith share their views as we go "behind the prize."
Ghurka USA 6 minutes 44 seconds
In 1975, Ghurka USA was officially launched. Inspired by the spirit of the Gurkhas, the notions of fearlessness and adventure and bravery have very much moved the brand forward to make it what it is today.
Martell's 300th Anniversary 1 minute 12 seconds
The Luxury Channel raises a glass (or three!) as we head to the Palace of Versailles to celebrate the House of Martell cognac's 300th Anniversary. Read our article here.
Ghurka USA Teaser 37 seconds
Renowned American leather goods firm, Ghurka USA, has launched its first international presence inside Fortnum & Mason in London. The opening marks the brand's 40th anniversary and coincides with Gurkha 200, the 200th anniversary of Gurkha service to the British Crown. Ghurka USA has produced the G200 Collection, a capsule assortment of three styles from the Ghurka archives re-imagined in partnership with The Gurkha Welfare Trust, Britain's leading charity dedicated to providing support for impoverished ex-Gurkha servicemen and their dependants. The bag designs utilize the famous green wool used in Gurkha uniform jackets in place of the brand's signature twill, and are lined in red as a nod to the military flash worn by the soldiers. The range is being retailed exclusively at Fortnum & Mason in the UK, with 25% of all sales benefitting the Trust. Further to this, a bespoke "Officer's Field Set" consisting of a picnic table, two field chairs, a green wool blanket, two pillows and a picnic umbrella – all created by Ghurka master furniture craftsman Richard Wrightman – will be debuted, with 100% of proceeds benefitting the Trust. Read more here.
The All-New Jaguar XF 2 minutes 41 seconds
The all-new Jaguar XF performs the world's longest high-wire water crossing in the heart of London's business district.
Range Rover's New Evoque 1 minute 33 seconds
Range Rover's new Evoque is unveiled in London's Crossrail tunnels.
Maserati's Next Challenge 1 minute 51 seconds
Maserati and skipper Giovanni Soldini are ready for their next challenge….
The Born Free Foundation commemorates its 30th Anniversary. Working with Land Rover (with whom Born Free has established a long-term relationship),The Luxury Channel went to see some of the remarkable, if harrowing, work that is routinely undertaken in conjunction with the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Masters of Photography 1 minute 17 seconds
After creating a limited edition set of six unique cask whiskys, The Macallan unveiled Mario Testino for the fifth edition of Masters of Photography, which saw him shoot an exclusive advert for the brand.
Zara Phillips 1 minute 4 seconds
Fresh from securing her place at the next Olympics, The Luxury Channel interviews Zara Phillips about how her horse, High Kingdom, is proving to be her winning asset.
The Endurance Race 4 minutes 30 seconds
The Luxury Channel speaks to Team GBR's Chef d'Equipe Andrea Baker, Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, and eventual winner of the race Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamad bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Land Rover Experience 1 minute 37 seconds
Show-jumper Leonora Smee swaps the saddle for a Land Rover, as she tries out the Land Rover Experience at the World Equestrian Games.
Burberry On The Catwalk 1 minute 14 seconds
Presenter Madeleine Macey goes to watch Burberry's SS15 London Fashion Week show, and speaks to Chief Creative and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Bailey about the company's role as a global luxury brand.
Pringle of Scotland 2 minutes 7 seconds
Presenter Madeleine Macey goes backstage at Pringle of Scotland's SS15 London Fashion Week show.
London Fashion Week 3 minutes 3 seconds
Presenter Madeleine Macey goes behind the scenes at London Fashion Week to discover what makes Somerset House the destination that designers are heading to in their droves.
Goldfinger 3 minutes 8 seconds
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Goldfinger, EON Productions has commissioned a one-off gold-plated third scale replica of James Bond's iconic Aston Martin DB5, which Christie's will offer in a special online auction to benefit the NSPCC. The one-off model has 24 carat gold plated detailing, complete with radio-controlled machine guns, bulletproof shield and revolving number plate. The unique Goldfinger model is expected to sell for between £40,000-60,000, with bidding closing on 17th September, the 50th Anniversary of the World Premiere of Goldfinger.
A Gentleman's Wager 6 minutes 28 seconds
A Gentleman's Wager tells the story of a wager between two men which results in a truly rare experience as part of their quest for personal progress. Filmed in the British Virgin Islands and London, the film sees Jude Law in the role of a man who, despite having it all, proposes a wager as an excuse to challenge himself to create an original performance in order to win a money-can't-buy prize.
A Year In Luxury 25 minutes 52 seconds
The appreciation of quality and fine craftsmanship plays a major part in our lives and in this programme, The Luxury Channel looks back on a year in luxury with a journey of discovery.
The Mystique of Rajasthan 24 minutes 58 seconds
In this film, The Luxury Channel discovers the riches of the Moghul Empire and how much there is to savour from that rich period of Indian history. We reveal the wonders of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur, from Maharajah palace hotels to exquisite gems and textiles.
Glamour of Italian Fashion 3 minutes 16 seconds
The Luxury Channel spoke with Julie Ann Morrison (UK Managing Director of Bulgari) at the V&A's exhibition The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945 – 2014, to discover the impact that Italian fashion houses have had on the industry today. We speak to the exhibition's co-curator, Lucia Savi, as well as industry experts.
Discovering Iceland 6 minutes 18 seconds
Following in the footsteps of James Bond, The Luxury Channel ventures to Iceland to discover and explore the stunning scenery, geysers and hot springs.
Biver At Baselworld 13 minutes 16 seconds
In this film, The Luxury Channel talks exclusively to Jean-Claude Biver, the chairman of Hublot, direct on day one of Baselworld about the World Cup, Womanity and what luxury means to him.
The Luxury Channel Showreel 1 minute 43 seconds
The Luxury Channel is a leading multi-media platform providing compelling, high-quality videos and trend-setting, up-to-the minute online editorial on the most sophisticated and smartest goings-on in the world of luxury, plus an outstanding range of high-end retail products. With an international roster of editors and writers covering areas such as world events, travel, fashion, lifestyle and sustainable luxury, The Luxury Channel takes viewers on a journey of discovery to uncover the world's finest experiences.
Completing Scott's Journey 12 minutes 57 seconds
Polar explorers Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere re-wrote history as they completed, for the first time ever, the ill-fated journey of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's iconic Terra Nova expedition. Having trekked 1,795 miles across the inhospitable landscape of Antarctica on a journey to the South Pole and back, Ben and Tarka have achieved the world record for the longest polar journey on foot in history. The Luxury Channel interviewed them as they arrived back at London's Heathrow Airport.
Uma Thurman's Calendar 5 minutes 21 seconds
Hollywood actress Uma Thurman is the face of Campari's new calendar, and The Luxury Channel was in Milan to speak to her about it.
Patron Princess Beatrice attended Fashion For The Brave and The Luxury Channel was there to capture the young Royal, along with Julien MacDonald, Abbey Clancy and Nicky Clarke, who were at London's Dorchester Hotel to raise money to support injured soldiers.
The New Moscow 27 minutes 17 seconds
Moscow has today become the byword for enterprise, success, exclusivity and energy. How has this economic and ideological sea-change affected the traditions, customs and memories of a city that only a few short years ago lived under the heel of a strict regime? In this film, we talk to leading figures about how the past has moulded and shaped Russia, and how it continues to change.
Dubai – The Art of Living 25 minutes 51 seconds
Dubai is fast gaining a reputation for innovative architecture and interior design, as well as its iconic skyline. Dubai's hotels are helping raise the bar of architectural extravagance and interior opulence in this glittering city in the sand.
The Luxury Channel was at The Westbury Hotel in London for the launch of Nicky Haslam's book, Sheer Opulence.
The Scott Expedition 7 minutes 13 seconds
For the first time in 100 years, British polar explorers Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere will be taking on one of the most challenging journeys in human history by completing Captain Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated Terra Nova expedition. We speak to Ben before he departs for Antarctica.
The Power of Three 3 minutes 30 seconds
Luxury Scottish whisky distiller The Macallan present M, a limited edition decanter born out of the artistry of three masters of their field, Creative Director Fabien Baron, Silvio Denz (CEO of Lalique) and David Cox (Director of Fine And Rare Whiskies at The Macallan).
St. James's Concours 2 minutes 51 seconds
Prince Michael of Kent leads historic cars down The Mall for St. James's Concours of Elegance, a unique event which showcases sixty of the rarest classic cars in the world. For more information, go to www.concoursofelegance.co.uk.
India: Discovering Luxury 26 minutes 15 seconds
The Luxury Channel investigates the growing world of sustainable luxury and meets the industry leaders who believe it can be achieved. India's rich history and wealth makes it the perfect incubator for the new interest in deeper luxury and responsible development, where the value of fine craftsmanship and the need to sustain it is brought to the fore.
Ralph And Russo 1 minute 41 seconds
Beyoncé's dress designers Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo show us what goes on behind the scenes at an exclusive photoshoot. Read our interview with Michael here.
Time Machines 27 minutes 34 seconds
It is not just about what o'clock is, the luxury timepiece is a statement of fashion and prestige. We meet three watch addicts who devote a fortune to keeping up with the latest timepieces as we follow Tom Bolt, the watch guru, who keeps the sharpest models on the smartest wrists.
Introduction To India 3 minutes 6 seconds
The Luxury Channel heads off to Rajasthan for a taste of the East.
Private Jet Pets 1 minute 7 seconds
Private Jet Central pamper you and your pets, thereby reducing the risk of stress all round! For world wide charters, contact Private Jet Central by visiting www.privatejetcentral.com/contact-us. Read our article here.
Concours of Elegance 1 minute 40 seconds
A unique event with sixty of the rarest motor cars in the world within the walls of Windsor Castle for a show of spectacular historic automobiles – many never before seen in this country – from pioneering horseless carriages to the birth of the supercar. For more information, go to www.concoursofelegance.co.uk.
Dubai Shopping 11 minutes
Dubai is the luxury fashion capital of the Middle East with the most luxury department stores and the biggest shopping malls in the region. The Dubai Mall, which clocks in at 54.8 hectares, is just one modern-day continuation of the trading tradition of this booming city.
White Turf 25 minutes 31 seconds
White Turf is the world's only horse race on ice – an amazing thing to watch. Horses racing at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, on hard-packed snow on the surface of a frozen lake, almost 6,000 miles above sea-level. In this film, we savour the ambience of the international winter resort where champagne and challenges go hand in hand.
The All-New Range Rover 5 minutes 26 seconds
In this film, The Luxury Channel interviews Land Rover's Creative Director, Gerry McGovern, about the All-New Range Rover. An entirely different beast, we put it to the test in the rivers and sand dunes above Marrakech. Read our article here.
The World of Private Jets 26 minutes 48 seconds
We investigate the exclusive world of private jets and talk to leaders in the industry and the interior designers who create exclusive, made-to-order furnishings and décor. Owning your own jet still remains the ultimate prize and this film reveals how the industry is faring in a challenging world.
Titanium – Metal of the Gods 25 minutes 28 seconds
Titanium has been called the luxury metal of the future, one that sculptors, architects, scientists, designers and jewellery-makers have praised for its strength and beauty. In this programme, we follow a jewellery designer and a craftsman to see how this unique metal can be transformed into some truly memorable pieces.
Ultimate Boys' Toys 25 minutes 36 seconds
It is probably every man's secret dream to live the life of James Bond, even just for a day. American actor Michael Brandon – who starred in Dempsey and Makepeace – has always been someone who enjoys the good things in life, and in this film he does just that, taking viewers with him as he savours the joys of being an ultimate jet-setter.
The White Alba Truffle 2 minutes 7 seconds
The Alba White Truffle has the enviable reputation of being the ultimate in fungi, with a taste unlike any other, and a price to match. Finding these gastronomic gems is an art in itself, and in this fascinating documentary, author and chef Tom Tuke-Hastings travels through the hills of Northern Italy finding out the age-old ways of detecting the Alba White Truffle.
As the ultimate party planner, Liz Brewer believes in bringing together the right people for the right occasion. To London society, she is the person to call when you want to throw a fabulous party where relationships can be struck and potential deals set up. A party guru who brings people together from all social sets, from polo matches to glittering events, Liz is the acknowledged Queen of the Party Set.
The King Of Diamonds 25 minutes 13 seconds
Laurence Graff, diamantaire, has spent half a century looking for the rarest and the finest gems. His consuming passion gained him a reputation as The King of Diamonds, and he has handled more of the world's top gems than probably any other. In this film, we see how Graff found his ultimate prize – the Lesotho Promise.
The Great British Butler 25 mintues 12 seconds
Our man Jeeves was there from dawn till dusk, ensuring that the British home and hearth were comfortable and trouble-free. Society may have changed enormously since those days, but today, demand for modern butlers has soared. In this film, we look at the history and traditions of the butler, why they were so crucial to the domestic structure, and why there has been a resurgence in their popularity.
The Grand Tour 25 minutes 15 seconds
The race is on from London to Monaco as classic cars and their (sometimes eccentric) owners make a mad dash from the streets of London to the beaches of the Mediterranean. Follow the adventure as our intrepid teams solve clues and wind their way through the heart of France in a quest to be the first to cross the finish line. The only thing to stop them? The lure of fine wine and long lunches along the way!
Sport of Kings 25 minutes 50 seconds
The Luxury Channel takes an in-depth look at the Sport of Kings, the high-octane world of thoroughbred racing. From the sellers at Tattersalls to the eye-catching hats and fantasy frocks at Ascot and Epsom, the characters – both human and animal – in horse racing are like no other. Racing expert Zoey Bird talks to breeders, owners and trainers to find out just what it takes to win.
Milan – Designing Our Future 25 minutes 37 seconds
The Luxury Channel was invited to Milan for the world's premier furniture, interior and industrial design fair.
In Masters of Style, we meet some of the important designers who have shaped the way we live our lives. From innovative kitchen and home design to cutting edge fashion, the last three decades have been imprinted by style gurus such as Philippe Starck, the global icon of style; Rosita Missoni and Matteo Thun – a cutting edge industrial designer re-inventing the concept of eco-luxury.
Marie Helvin's Tokyo 25 minutes 7 seconds
Marie Helvin was one of the world's top supermodels, and she never forgot her roots when she was discovered as a teenager and became an international model. This special documentary follows Marie as she returns to the city of her birth, as she finds out how one of the world's oldest cultures and most modern metropolis mix together in a memorable and personal film.
London's Finest Artisans 26 mintes 54 seconds
London has always been the heart of fine craftsmanship, from clothes to fine guns. This film highlights five unique companies and explores how now, more than ever, people are looking for the value and uniqueness that made-to-order confers, whether it be a Savile Row suit or a cricket bat shaped by hand from willow wood. In an age of mass production, London's artisans ensure that beautiful, one-of-a-kind products continue to be made.
La Dolce Vita 26 minutes 41 seconds
The Luxury Channel heads to Italy in search of la dolce vita – the sweet life.
Horses On Ice 26 mintues 32 seconds
Horses On Ice reveals the story of White Turf, the most spectacular and daring horse race on earth. From the choice of horses and riders to the special training and the final drama and dangers, this occasion can truly be described as a unique and unforgettable event and in this film, all the action is captured.
From Russia With Style 25 minutes 49 seconds
Today, a new Russian revolution is taking place – in the world of high fashion. This film goes behind the scenes to gain an insight into the exciting retail revolution of style that is taking place and highlights leading international experts and Russian designers talking about how, after years of deprivation and drabness, Moscow is becoming the home of couturier innovation.
Chocolate Heaven 25 minutes 24 seconds
The Luxury Channel and William Sitwell, editor of Waitrose Food Illustrated, delve into the seductive world of all things chocolate. Sitwell receives a master class in making delicious chocolate truffles from chocolatier Amelia Rope and talks to Chantal Coady, the doyenne of chocolate and founder of Rococo, about the origins of the finest chocolate money can buy.
Luxury – Going Green 26 minutes 50 seconds
The global recession has affected most areas and none more so than the world of luxury. A new sense of conscience is changing the face of the luxury industries, led by individuals such as Dr. Jem Bendell, who is challenging companies to respond and place ethical sustainability at the very heart of their business. This documentary seeks answers to how fine living can survive alongside an increasing need for social responsibility.
After Dark 26 mintues 41 seconds
What goes into making a fine cigar, a sumptuous piece of chocolate and a memorable port? Many have a love of certain things in life that inevitably follow a good meal, those after-dinner luxuries that make an evening special. In this film, William Sitwell, editor of Waitrose Food Illustrated, discovers the craftsmanship that make up the perfect evening accoutrements.
Vicuña – The Golden Fleece 26 minutes 6 seconds
Vicuña – The Golden Fleece follows the extraordinary story of the finest, most precious fabric in the world from the high Andes of Peru to the fashion houses in Milan. Vicuña fur is literally worth its weight in gold, and in this fascinating programme, we see how a new conservation effort has managed to protect and sustain the animal which provides us with the finest fleece in the world.
A Fortune On Four Wheels 26 minutes 39 seconds
The world of classic cars and cours d'elegance are revealed in this fascinating programme. We talk to the people who are obsessed with these select automobiles, from collectors and investors, to the dealers and sellers of fortunes on four wheels.
The History And Magic of Amanjiwo By Fiona Sanderson
Henley Festival 2018 – What To Look Forward To By The Luxury Channel


text:
Bulkamid®
Bulkamid® is a urethral bulking agent that is used to treat SUI. It is a smooth, water-based gel which remains in the body over time without causing reactions in the surrounding tissue. The Bulkamid procedure consists of 3-4 injections into the wall of the urethra (this is the tube that allows urine to leave the bladder). By adding additional volume to the wall of the urethra, it helps prevent urine from leaking out of the bladder during normal daily activities.
Many women opt for urethral bulking as a treatment for their SUI over invasive surgery because the procedure is minimally invasive, can be done under local anesthetic, usually takes around 10-15 minutes and there is a short recovery time along with less risk of serious complications. See the important safety information for the full list of potential complications. Furthermore, having Bulkamid does not exclude you from pursuing other treatment options in the future.
Why BulkAmid®?
Bulkamid® is unique to other agents because the gel maintains its volume over time, meaning that most women see durable, long-lasting results.
The procedure itself only lasts around 10-15 minutes. The majority of women are able to resume normal daily activities within 24 hours.
Bulkamid® Urethral Bulking System is indicated for urethral injection for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) in adult women who have SUI or stress predominant mixed incontinence.
Bulkamid® website
Bulkamid® brochure
Women's Care – Non-Pain Full Packet
Women's Care – Pain Full Packet
Meeka Bond, MSN, FNP-C
Website >
Jamie Drake, PA-C
Adam Duke, M.D., FACOG
Northwest Women's Care
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Post Falls, ID 83854
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The Oregon shooting is a tragic reminder that the laws on the books are woefully inadequate.
James Dudley, MAS Criminology, retired after 32 years with the San Francisco Police Department as the Deputy Chief of Operations. He is a Lecturer in Criminal Justice Studies at San Francisco State University and is a police practices and security consultant.
Holmes, who was convicted recently of 24 counts of murder and 140 counts of attempted murder, was found not guilty by reason of insanity and is serving a life sentence. But he faced no counts for unlawful possession of firearms. Despite his history of mental illness, no law prohibited Holmes from purchasing the guns he used to carry out his crimes. This is hardly unusual—studies show that most of the firearms used in rampages by mentally ill gunmen were legally obtained. For instance, the perpetrators of the Virginia Tech, Santa Barbara and Tucson shootings were all allowed to purchase guns.
California has had better success in rejecting documented sales to mentally ill gun buyers than most states, according to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives statistics. The state has added an additional nine safeguards above the national standard to prevent mentally ill individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms. Those safeguards include a stringent background investigation, waiting period before purchase and guidelines on interstate sales purchase and transport. Undoubtedly these strategies create stumbling blocks for unlawful prospective gun purchasers including felons, gang members and the mentally ill.
Those laws earned California top honors on the 2014 Annual Gun Law State Scorecard, produced by the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. California led all others in large part because of its ability to track gun sales and limit gun purchases by those ineligible to possess firearms (including the mentally ill, convicted felons and domestic violence convicted offenders). By comparison, 23 states received "F" grades for failure to provide adequate safeguards in preventing gun-related violence. Many of the states were criticized for their lack of background checks, a common gateway to firearms possession by the mentally ill.
Beyond gun-control laws, mental health-related laws such as "Laura's Law" have allowed law enforcement and mental health professional to act before a violent incident involving a mentally ill individual. The law gives authority to relatives and caregivers to report unstable individuals and forced them into treatment. Most states detain individuals with mental illness for involuntary custody only if they exhibit signs of being a danger to self, a danger to others or are gravely disabled. California has successfully championed involuntary commitments beyond these minimum guidelines. Treatment of the mentally ill is also a high priority in California in comparison with several other states. Funding of total dollars in California for mental illness issues exceeds all other states except for New York.
The combination of stricter gun laws and an emphasis on treatment has saved lives in California. Studies by the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence show that states with better gun controls typically have lower gun-related death rates. In the report for 2014, California ranked 42 of the 50 states in gun-related deaths. Other states would do well to follow its example.
In the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, 33 were killed and 15 injured. In the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, 27 were killed. In the 2011 shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and several others in Tucson, Arizona, six were killed and 12 wounded. And in the 2012 movie theater shootings of several patrons in Aurora Colorado, 12 were killed and 70 were injured.
Certainly, in regards to these four shootings, something should have been done to keep the four men with previously diagnosed mental illness from obtaining firearms. By adopting the standards of California in regards to denying access to the mentally ill from legally acquiring firearms, the deaths of 80 individuals could have been avoided in those four incidents alone. Another 97 injured victims may have avoided trauma and anguish.
The way forward seems simple: Create a national database that lists those deemed to have severe mental illness, whether involuntarily detained or otherwise and require all firearms purchasers to be checked in the system. The system should apply to all purchases, including professional firearms dealers, private party sales and even sales between friends and family members. California employs such a system and the number of mass casualty incidents as a result of severely mentally ill offenders with legally obtained firearms is very low compared with the rest of the country.
The policy should be adopted by all 50 states with oversight and compliance checks conducted by the FBI. Annual reports should be mandatory with financial incentives and sanctions implemented to ensure compliance. The California policy should be adopted as the best practice model. Mental health professionals should be required to report all voluntary and involuntary commitments, including 72-hour crisis detentions. Patients making violent threats and those under the care of a psychiatrist for violent tendencies should be entered into the database as well. Finally, Congress should repeal the funding restriction and appropriate a budget to allow firearms related violence research to be conducted by the Centers for Disease Congrol and the National Institutes of Health with special attention given to firearms violence perpetrated by the severely mentally ill.
The opponents to such a national database are many. Several mental health professionals claim that any laws aimed specifically at the mentally ill will only create a worse problem in that those requiring mental health assistance in crisis will not seek services out of fear of stigmatization. Opponents of gun control of any kind often cite the United States Constitution, specifically the Second Amendment, as a rationale against new firearm restrictions.
Yet the shootings continue. After each heinous mass shooting by an unstable individual, there is speculation that change is coming. Let's hope that the tragedy in Oregon is the event that finally makes America enact common sense laws keeping guns out of the hands of the severely mentally ill.