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Articles 1981 - 2010 of 2421

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Zooprophylactic Diversion Of Mosquitoes From Human To Alternative Hosts: A Static Simulation Model, A. Hassanali, L. V. Nedorezov, A. M. Sadykov Mar 2008

Zooprophylactic Diversion Of Mosquitoes From Human To Alternative Hosts: A Static Simulation Model, A. Hassanali, L. V. Nedorezov, A. M. Sadykov

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

In this paper we describe the development of individual-based simulation model on zoophilic mosquito's behavior that encounters odor plumes from two groups of alternative hosts. Within the framework of the model it is assumed that (i) the hosts are represented by two points located at varying distance from each other and that their odor plumes ("zones of influence") are represented by fractional-linear functions that depend on the number of individuals in each host group and their relative attractiveness to the mosquito; (ii) a mosquito comes under the attractive influence of the plumes only within a fixed domain with rectangular distribution; …

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Green Oak Leaf Roller Moth Dynamics: An Application Of Discrete Time Mathematical Models, Lev V. Nedorezov, Dinara L. Sadykova Mar 2008

Green Oak Leaf Roller Moth Dynamics: An Application Of Discrete Time Mathematical Models, Lev V. Nedorezov, Dinara L. Sadykova

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Discrete mathematical model is selected for description of green oak leaf roller (Tortrix viridana L.) population dynamics. Experimental data set from Rubtsov [Rubtsov, V.V., 1992. Models of Oscillation Processes in Forest Ecosystems, Forest Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation, p. 39 (in Russian)] is analyzed from the standpoint of phenomenological theory of forest insect population dynamics [Isaev, A.S., Khlebopros, R.G., Nedorezov, L.V., Kiselev, V.V., Kondakov, Yu. P., 1984. Dynamics of Forest Insects Populations, USSR, Nauka, Novosibirsk, p. 224 (in Russian); Isaev, A.S., Khlebopros, R.G., Nedorezov, L.V., Kiselev, V.V., Kondakov, Yu.P., Soukhovol'sky, V.G., 2001. Population Dynamics of Forest Insects, Russian Federation, Nauka, Moscow, …

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On-Farm Evaluation Of The 'Push-Pull' Technology For The Control Of Stemborers And Striga Weed On Maize In Western Kenya, Zeyaur R. Khan, Charles A.O. Midega, David M. Amudavi, Ahmed Hassanali, John A. Pickett Mar 2008

On-Farm Evaluation Of The 'Push-Pull' Technology For The Control Of Stemborers And Striga Weed On Maize In Western Kenya, Zeyaur R. Khan, Charles A.O. Midega, David M. Amudavi, Ahmed Hassanali, John A. Pickett

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The 'push-pull' technology is a novel pest management strategy developed for control of stemborers and striga weed, Striga hermonthica, in maize-based farming systems in eastern Africa, where maize is intercropped with desmodium, a forage legume, and Napier grass is planted as a border crop. Desmodium repels stemborer moths while Napier grass attracts them. Desmodium also suppresses the parasitic striga weed through a series of mechanisms ranging from shading to allelopathy through the root system. The technology is currently being disseminated among smallholder farmers in eastern Africa and adoption rates are rising. Our on-station studies have reported efficacy of this technology …

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Eco-Social Analysis Of An East African Agro-Pastoral System: Management Of Tsetse And Bovine Trypanosomiasis, Johann Baumgärtner, Gianni Gilioli, Getachew Tikubet, Andrew Paul Gutierrez Mar 2008

Eco-Social Analysis Of An East African Agro-Pastoral System: Management Of Tsetse And Bovine Trypanosomiasis, Johann Baumgärtner, Gianni Gilioli, Getachew Tikubet, Andrew Paul Gutierrez

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A key constraint for development of many East African agro-pastoral communities is African animal trypanosomiasis or nagana caused by Trypanosoma spp. and vectored by species of tsetse flies (Glossina spp.). Suppression of trypanosomiasis through trapping of tsetse fly populations was conducted from 1995 to 2005 at and near Luke, Southwest Ethiopia. Odor baited mass trapping technology was used to suppress adult fly populations to very low levels while tryponocidal drugs were used to treat trypanosome infections in cattle. Data on ecological, economic and social variables were collected and analyzed in the context of eco-social dynamics in the community. The bio-economic …

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Release And Establishment Of Cotesia Flavipes For Biological Control Of Maize Stemborers In Zimbabwe, P. Chinwada, F. Schulthess, W. A. Overholt, P. Jowah, C. O. Omwega Mar 2008

Release And Establishment Of Cotesia Flavipes For Biological Control Of Maize Stemborers In Zimbabwe, P. Chinwada, F. Schulthess, W. A. Overholt, P. Jowah, C. O. Omwega

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Five populations of the crambid stemborer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) and one of the noctuid borer Busseola fusca (Fuller) from Zimbabwe were evaluated for their suitability for immature development of the exotic braconid larval parasitoid Cotesia flavipes Cameron. Successful parasitoid development occurred only on C. partellus but parasitism as well as egg-to-adult development time did not vary among the five populations. Smallest parasitoid broods, and sex ratios as the proportion of female offspring, however, were produced with C. partellus from the Muzarabani area of Zimbabwe. Co. flavipes became successfully established in five out of eight locations, where it had been released …

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The Meaning Of Predatory Specialization As Illustrated By Aelurillus M-Nigrum, An Ant-Eating Jumping Spider (Araneae: Salticidae) From Azerbaijan, Elchin F. Huseynov, Robert R. Jackson, Fiona R. Cross Mar 2008

The Meaning Of Predatory Specialization As Illustrated By Aelurillus M-Nigrum, An Ant-Eating Jumping Spider (Araneae: Salticidae) From Azerbaijan, Elchin F. Huseynov, Robert R. Jackson, Fiona R. Cross

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The distinctions between a predator's diet, its prey-choice behaviour and its preference are illustrated in a study of Aelurillus m-nigrum Kulczyn'ski, a salticid spider from Azerbaijan. The natural diet of A. m-nigrum was determined from records of individuals feeding in the field (N = 58). Ten arthropod orders were represented. Nine were from the class Insecta (Coleoptera, Collembola, Diptera, Heteroptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Psocoptera) and one from the class Arachnida (Araneae). Of 50 insects among the prey, 21 (42%) were Hymenoptera, with ants (family Formicidae) alone accounting for 31% of all prey records. Although the majority (69%) of the …

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Development And Reproductive Potential Of Diamondback Moth Plutella Xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) On Cultivated And Wild Crucifer Species In Kenya, R. Kahuthia-Gathu, B. Löhr, H. M. Poehling Mar 2008

Development And Reproductive Potential Of Diamondback Moth Plutella Xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) On Cultivated And Wild Crucifer Species In Kenya, R. Kahuthia-Gathu, B. Löhr, H. M. Poehling

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The development, survival and reproductive potential of diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) were studied at 25 ± 1°C in the laboratory in response to two cultivated Brassica oleracea cultivars (cabbage B. oleracea var. capitata and kale B. oleracea var. acephala) and four wild crucifer species Erucastrum arabicum, Raphanus raphanistrum, Rorippa nudiuscula and Rorippa micrantha. Rorippa micrantha was the most preferred species in oviposition choice tests, while cabbage and kale were least preferred. First instar larval mining period differed significantly between plant species with the longest period recorded on cabbage (3.0 days) and the shortest on R. micrantha (0.4 days). Pupal …

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Physical Properties Of Low-Trans Shortenings As Affected By Emulsifiers And Storage Conditions, Silvana Martini, Maria L. Herrera Feb 2008

Physical Properties Of Low-Trans Shortenings As Affected By Emulsifiers And Storage Conditions, Silvana Martini, Maria L. Herrera

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

The quality of shortenings, such as solid fat content (SFC) and texture, strongly depends on temperature fluctuations during storage and handling. The quality of a shortening might be affected not only by temperature fluctuations but also by its chemical composition and the presence of emulsifiers. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of emulsifier addition and storage conditions on the texture, thermal behavior and SFC of low-trans shortenings formulated with palm oil, palm kernel oil, and vegetable oils such as sunflower and soybean oils. Several conclusions can be drawn from this study: (a) The crystallization behavior of …

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Effects Of Nutrient Limitation, Competitors And Grazers On The Abundance And Toxicity Of Laboratory Cultures Of P. Parvum, A Harmful Alga, Ratheesh Ramachandrannair Marunnamkattil Feb 2008

Effects Of Nutrient Limitation, Competitors And Grazers On The Abundance And Toxicity Of Laboratory Cultures Of P. Parvum, A Harmful Alga, Ratheesh Ramachandrannair Marunnamkattil

Biology Theses - Archive

P. parvum Carter is a haptophyte that occurs world wide in both fresh and brackish waters. Though P. parvum blooms occur world wide under a variety of environmental conditions, it occurs during the cooler months of the year in Texas. Various treatment combinations of temperatures, salinity and limiting nutrients were used to test the hypothesis that the interaction of these factors would affect the abundance and toxicity of P. parvum. In addition to testing various above mentioned factors and their interactions, P. parvum was grown in mixed species cultures with major competitors from a natural lake community (Lake Whitney) to …

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Comparison Of Five Allopatric Fruit Fly Parasitoid Populations (Psyttalia Species) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) From Coffee Fields Using Morphometric And Molecular Methods, M. K. Billah, S. W. Kimani-Njogu, R. A. Wharton, J. B. Woolley, D. Masiga Feb 2008

Comparison Of Five Allopatric Fruit Fly Parasitoid Populations (Psyttalia Species) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) From Coffee Fields Using Morphometric And Molecular Methods, M. K. Billah, S. W. Kimani-Njogu, R. A. Wharton, J. B. Woolley, D. Masiga

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Morphometric studies of five allopatric parasitoid populations (genus Psyttalia Walker) from coffee plantations in Cameroon (Nkolbisson), Ghana (Tafo) and Kenya (Rurima, Ruiru and Shimba Hills) and one non-coffee population (from Muhaka, Kenya) were compared with individuals of Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti), a species released in several biological control programmes in the Mediterranean Region since the 20th Century. Analyses of wing vein measurements showed the second submarginal cell of the fore wing and its adjoining veins had the heaviest principal component weights and served as the main contributing variables in the diagnostic differentiation of the populations. Two populations (Rurima and Ruiru) were …

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Effect Of Processing Conditions On The Crystallization Behavior And Destabilization Kinetics Of Oil-In-Water Emulsions, Silvana Martini, Megan Tippetts Feb 2008

Effect Of Processing Conditions On The Crystallization Behavior And Destabilization Kinetics Of Oil-In-Water Emulsions, Silvana Martini, Megan Tippetts

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

The objective of this research was to systematically study the effect of processing conditions on the crystallization behavior and destabilization mechanisms of oil-in-water emulsions. The effect of crystallization temperature (T c) and homogenization conditions on both thermal behavior and destabilization mechanisms were analyzed. Results show that the crystallization of lipids present in the emulsions was inhibited when compared with bulk lipids as evidenced by a lower onset and peak temperature (T on and Tp, respectively) in differential scanning calorimetry crystallization exotherms. The smaller the droplet size in the emulsion, the more significant the inhibition (lower T on and T p). …

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Probiotic Potential, Kingsley Anukam Jan 2008

Probiotic Potential, Kingsley Anukam

Data and Test Instruments

TODAY ON MICROBEWORLD – LET’S HEAR IT FOR PROBIOTICS. PROBIOTICS ARE MAKING HEADLINES AS STUDIES REVEAL THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN TREATING GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND THE SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY. PROBIOTICS ARE BENEFICIAL BACTERIA, LIKE THOSE FOUND IN YOGURT THAT AID THE GROWTH OF HEALTHY INTESTINAL FLORA. BUT BEFORE THEY CAN COLONIZE THE GI TRACT, PROBIOTICS HAVE TO SURVIVE THE HARSH ENVIRONMENT OF THE STOMACH. SO THE SEARCH IS ON FOR PROBIOTICS THAT HAVE UNIQUE SURVIVAL SKILLS.

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An Analysis Of Tracheid Length Versus Age In A 4842-Year Old Bristlecone Pine (Pinus Longaeva D.K. Bailey) Called Prometheus, Teresa Halupnik Jan 2008

An Analysis Of Tracheid Length Versus Age In A 4842-Year Old Bristlecone Pine (Pinus Longaeva D.K. Bailey) Called Prometheus, Teresa Halupnik

Biology Dissertations - Archive

After felling, it was revealed that Prometheus, an ancient bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva D.K. Bailey) located in the Great Basin National Park, had been the oldest living organism at over 5000 years of age. Great Basin bristlecone pines are famous for their longevity, living thousands of years under extreme conditions of temperature and moisture at high altitudes. For the majority of conifer trees, a period of rapid growth in tracheid lengths has been observed from the pith up to ten to forty years of age. Since most pine trees live for an average of 100-300 years, it was hypothesized that, …

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The Evolutionary History And Genomic Impact Of Mammalian Dna Transposons, John Kelly Pace Jan 2008

The Evolutionary History And Genomic Impact Of Mammalian Dna Transposons, John Kelly Pace

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile repetitive sequences that make up large fractions of mammalian genomes, including at least 45% of the human genome. Class 2, or DNA intermediate transposons, which make up approximately 3% of human nuclear DNA, have typically been overlooked in analyses of mammalian genomes and therefore remain poorly understood. Here, we carried out the first large-scale analysis of the evolutionary history of DNA transposons throughout eutherian mammal evolution. The analysis included 18 mammals from all major branches of the eutherian tree including Afrotheria, Laurasiatheria, primates, rodents and Xenarthra. We combined three different computational methods: average divergence of …

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Ecological Genetics Of Adaptive Life-History Phenotypes In The Cricket Allonemobius Socius, Diana Lea Huestis Jan 2008

Ecological Genetics Of Adaptive Life-History Phenotypes In The Cricket Allonemobius Socius, Diana Lea Huestis

Biology Dissertations - Archive

As many organisms inhabit unstable environments, the ability to respond to changing environmental conditions is highly adaptive, and results in the evolution of phenotypic plasticity. Thus, identifying the genetic basis and evolutionary origins of adaptive life-history phenotypes, such as phenotypic plasticity, is an active and important research area within the field of evolutionary biology. In the last two decades, gene-expression techniques have been developed which allow genes to be identified and gene-expression levels measured in a range of species, reducing dependence on classic genetic model systems and allowing an array of species with interesting ecological phenotypes to be used as …

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Good (Youth) Sports: Using Benefits-Based Programming To Increase Sportsmanship, Mary Sara Wells, Skye G. Arthur-Banning, Karen P. Paisley, Gary D. Ellis, Mark F. Roark, Kara M. Fisher Jan 2008

Good (Youth) Sports: Using Benefits-Based Programming To Increase Sportsmanship, Mary Sara Wells, Skye G. Arthur-Banning, Karen P. Paisley, Gary D. Ellis, Mark F. Roark, Kara M. Fisher

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

Sportsmanship problems in youth sport have recently become a more prominent issue for parks and recreation professionals. Benefits-based programming is one method these professionals could use to address the issues of sportsmanship in their youth leagues. Recent studies and programs have successfully employed prosocial behavior techniques in this process as a means of improving the sportsmanship atmosphere in youth leagues. Previous research, however, has yet to compare the efficacy of such programs in comparison to a control group. Data for this study were gathered through observations of positive and negative sportsmanship behaviors youth basketball games at two local community centers. …

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Seasonal Variation In The Physical Characteristics Of The Copepod Calanus Finmarchicus (Gunnerus) Along The North Atlantic, A. A. Yusuf, L. Webster Jan 2008

Seasonal Variation In The Physical Characteristics Of The Copepod Calanus Finmarchicus (Gunnerus) Along The North Atlantic, A. A. Yusuf, L. Webster

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Physical oceanographic changes such as the North Atlantic Oscillation, which manifested in the 1990s, are said to affect the seasonal/stage dependent, vertical migrations and life cycle of Calanus finmarchicus. C4-C6 stages of C. finmarchicus collected during spring and summer in 2002 from the Irminger Sea, Greenland Sea, Iceland shelf and the Raykjanes Ridge were analysed microscopically for their prosome and total body lengths and gravimetrically for dry weights. Dry weight ranged from 60 μg individual-1 in C4 to 326.6 μg individual-1 in C6 stages. Total body lengths showed an increase with sample stage and season (2.10 mm in spring C4 …

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Potential Of Sequential Cropping In The Management Of Root-Knot Nematodes In Okra, A. N. Mweke, J. W. Kimenju, A. A. Seif, E. W. Mutitu, G. K. Mutua Jan 2008

Potential Of Sequential Cropping In The Management Of Root-Knot Nematodes In Okra, A. N. Mweke, J. W. Kimenju, A. A. Seif, E. W. Mutitu, G. K. Mutua

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The response of different crops to a mixed population of root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita and their potential as suppressants in sequential cropping systems was evaluated in greenhouse and field experiments. Crops rated as resistant were five maize cultivars, four sorghum cultivars, two millet varieties, guwar and two pigeonpea cultivars which had galling indices ranging between 1.4-3.6. cowpea cv. K80 was rated as moderately resistant with a galling index of 4 while greengram and cowpea cv. KKI were rated as susceptible with galling indices ranging from 5.6 to 7.4. Four crops namely sweetcorn, babycorn, maize cv. Pioneer (Ph3253) …

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Concentration-Dependent Parsimonious Releaser Roles Of Gregarious Male Pheromone Of The Desert Locust, Schistocerca Gregaria, Edwin Rono, Peter G.N. Njagi, Magzoub O. Bashir, Ahmed Hassanali Jan 2008

Concentration-Dependent Parsimonious Releaser Roles Of Gregarious Male Pheromone Of The Desert Locust, Schistocerca Gregaria, Edwin Rono, Peter G.N. Njagi, Magzoub O. Bashir, Ahmed Hassanali

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The responses of (i) groups of crowd-reared mature males of desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria to a choice of two columns of air, one permeated with different concentrations of phenylacetonitrile (PAN), the major component of gregarious-phase male-produced pheromone, and the other untreated, and (ii) individual crowd-reared mature males of the insect to varying concentration gradients of PAN, were studied in two different types of arena. In the choice assay, locusts preferred to be within PAN-permeated air column at low relative doses of the pheromone, but away from PAN at high relative doses. In the second assay, individual locusts were arrested close …

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Cellular Targets Involved In Reovirus-Induced Oncolysis Of Ras-Transformed Cells, Jung Hwa Chung Dec 2007

Cellular Targets Involved In Reovirus-Induced Oncolysis Of Ras-Transformed Cells, Jung Hwa Chung

Biology Theses - Archive

Reovirus is a ubiquitous virus with demonstrated oncolytic properties. In this study, we investigate the pathways which reovirus produces a lytic infection in SV-40 transformed WI-38 cells and the noncytocidal infection of normal WI-38 cells using microarray technology. The analysis revealed that reovirus infection induced changes in 178 genes, of which 112 genes were up regulated and 66 genes down regulated. Of the 112 up regulated genes, 13 of the WI-38 2RA genes were shown to be involved in apoptosis or inhibition of cellular DNA synthesis. Of the 66 genes down regulated, seven of the WI-38 genes displayed effects involved …

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Rcd-1 Related:A Positively Selected Retrogene With Spermatogenesis Function In Drosophila, Taniya Muliyil Dec 2007

Rcd-1 Related:A Positively Selected Retrogene With Spermatogenesis Function In Drosophila, Taniya Muliyil

Biology Theses - Archive

Gene duplication is one of the major forces in driving genome evolution. Our study focuses on a particular retrogene Rcd-1 related (Rcd-1r) that originated through retroposition of the parental gene Required for cell differentiation 1 (Rcd-1) about 5-13 million years ago. Rcd-1r is present in D. melanogaster, D. simulans, D. sechellia and D. mauritiana whereas the parental gene is present in all the Drosophila species. Rcd-1r is inserted in the 3' UTR of the gene CG13102 and it is encoded in the complementary strand. Previous studies by Castrillion et al. showed that a P element inserted in the 5' UTR …

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Can A Screening Algorithm For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Be Formulated From Maximal Exercise Test Variables?, Stacy Marie Lueking Dec 2007

Can A Screening Algorithm For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Be Formulated From Maximal Exercise Test Variables?, Stacy Marie Lueking

Kinesiology Theses - Archive

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to compare the cardiopulmonary and electrocardiography exercise testing responses of overweight individuals between one group, at low-risk (LR) for developing OSA, versus another group at high-risk (HR) for developing OSA. Methods: Both men (N = 11) and women (N = 11) participated in the study (age 37.00 ± 12.55 yrs., BMI 35.61 ± 6.43). Each subject was assigned to one of two groups, LR (AHI ≤ 5) or HR (AHI > 5) depending upon their overnight AHI score from the ApneaLink® sleep report. In the LR (age 30.45 ± 8.40 yrs., BMI 34.93 …

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A Sticky Situation: Functional Responses Of Mast Cells To Acidic Ph, Nicole Conaway Grose Dec 2007

A Sticky Situation: Functional Responses Of Mast Cells To Acidic Ph, Nicole Conaway Grose

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Precise regulation of extracellular pH is critical for proper function of many cellular activities. Minor fluctuations in pH can have profound effects on ion transport, receptor function, and cellular secretions. This work examines the impact of acidic pH, universal at sites of inflammation, on the activation status of mast cells. The mast cell line HMC-1 was used to explore activation by acidic pH. Activation of HMC-1 cells was characterized in cell adhesion, secretion of cytokines, and changes in cell morphology. HMC-1 adhesion to two substrates, collagen and laminin was measured at 0, 1 hr, 2 hrs, 4 hrs, and 6 …

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Efficacy Of A Series Of Organotin Polymers As Anticancer And Antiviral Drugs, Kimberly Rae Shahi Dec 2007

Efficacy Of A Series Of Organotin Polymers As Anticancer And Antiviral Drugs, Kimberly Rae Shahi

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Anticancer drugs have been shown to have antiviral abilities as well. The two types of diseases are similar in that they hold the cell in a continued growth phase. Therefore, if a drug has anticancer activity, it could have antiviral activity as well. I was interested in drugs that could inhibit DNA replication, since both cancer cells and cells infected with a DNA virus have increased DNA replication. Organotins are known to have anticancer activity and are thought to inhibit DNA replication. In this study, four cancer cell lines (from the NCI 60) and two DNA viruses, HSV-1 and vaccinia, …

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The Glossina Proteolytic Lectin (Gpl) Gene Is Expressed Only In Members Of Glossina Species, M. W. Burugu, B. N. Mbatia, E. O. Osir, E. U. Kenya, L. U. Abubakar Dec 2007

The Glossina Proteolytic Lectin (Gpl) Gene Is Expressed Only In Members Of Glossina Species, M. W. Burugu, B. N. Mbatia, E. O. Osir, E. U. Kenya, L. U. Abubakar

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Differentiation of bloodstream-form trypanosomes into procyclics in tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) is a crucial step in the establishment of midgut infections. A number of factors have been implicated in the transformation process, including enzymes and lectins or lectin-like molecules. Recently, Glossina proteolytic lectin (Gpl) gene, which encodes a protein with both lectin and trypsin activities has been shown to stimulate transformation of bloodstream-form trypanosomes into procyclics in vitro. Using RT-PCR, we show that the induction of Gpl gene expression by blood meal occurs only in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead, Glossina austeni Newstead, Glossina pallidipes Austen, and not in the Anopheles …

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Spatial Distribution Of Cocoon Nests And Egg Clusters Of The Silkmoth Anaphe Panda (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae) And Its Host Plant Bridelia Micrantha (Euphorbiaceae) In The Kakamega Forest Of Western Kenya, N. Mbahin, S. K. Raina, E. N. Kioko, J. M. Mueke Dec 2007

Spatial Distribution Of Cocoon Nests And Egg Clusters Of The Silkmoth Anaphe Panda (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae) And Its Host Plant Bridelia Micrantha (Euphorbiaceae) In The Kakamega Forest Of Western Kenya, N. Mbahin, S. K. Raina, E. N. Kioko, J. M. Mueke

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

A study on the spatial distribution of the silkmoth Anaphe panda (Boisduval) cocoon nests, egg clusters and the host plant Bridelia micrantha (Hochst) Baill. was conducted in two different habitats of the Kakamega Forest of western Kenya: Ikuywa (indigenous forest) and Isecheno (mixed indigenous forest). The mean densities of cocoon nests, egg clusters and B. micrantha were significantly different in the two blocks and were not semi-randomly distributed in the two habitats. The host plants were underdispersed in the indigenous forest, whereas they were overdispersed in the mixed indigenous forest. The cocoon nests were overdispersed and the silkmoth egg clusters …

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Semi-Captive Rearing Of The African Wild Silkmoth Gonometa Postica (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) On An Indigenous And A Non-Indigenous Host Plant In Kenya, Boniface M. Ngoka, Esther N. Kioko, Suresh K. Raina, Jones M. Mueke, David M. Kimbu Dec 2007

Semi-Captive Rearing Of The African Wild Silkmoth Gonometa Postica (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) On An Indigenous And A Non-Indigenous Host Plant In Kenya, Boniface M. Ngoka, Esther N. Kioko, Suresh K. Raina, Jones M. Mueke, David M. Kimbu

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The life cycle of the African wild silkmoth Gonometa postica Walker was studied between September 2000 and September 2001 in the Uasin Gishu District of western Kenya with Acacia mearnsii de Wild and Acacia hockii de Wild as host plants. The initial population of G. postica was set up from healthy live pupae in cocoons collected from host plants in the study area. Oviposition was carried out in net sleeves and small plastic cages. Moth emergence and oviposition were bimodal, occurring between September and October 2000 and between March and April 2001, respectively. Larvae were reared in semi-captivity by using …

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Effect Of Discriminative Plant-Sugar Feeding On The Survival And Fecundity Of Anopheles Gambiae, Hortance Manda, Louis C. Gouagna, Woodbridge A. Foster, Robert R. Jackson, John C. Beier, John I. Githure, Ahmed Hassanali Oct 2007

Effect Of Discriminative Plant-Sugar Feeding On The Survival And Fecundity Of Anopheles Gambiae, Hortance Manda, Louis C. Gouagna, Woodbridge A. Foster, Robert R. Jackson, John C. Beier, John I. Githure, Ahmed Hassanali

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background. A previous study showed for Anopheles gambiae s.s. a gradation of feeding preference on common plant species growing in a malaria holoendemic area in western Kenya. The present follow-up study determines whether there is a relationship between the mosquito's preferences and its survival and fecundity. Methods. Groups of mosquitoes were separately given ad libitum opportunity to feed on five of the more preferred plant species (Hamelia patens, Parthenium hysterophorus, Ricinus communis, Senna didymobotrya, and Tecoma stans) and one of the less preferred species (Lantana camara). The mosquitoes were monitored daily for survival. Sugar solution (glucose 6%) and water were …

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The Butterfly Danaus Chrysippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) In Kenya Is Variably Infected With Respect To Genotype And Body Size By A Maternally Transmitted Male-Killing Endosymbiont (Spiroplasma), Jeremy K. Herren, Ian Gordon, Peter W.H. Holland, David Smith Oct 2007

The Butterfly Danaus Chrysippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) In Kenya Is Variably Infected With Respect To Genotype And Body Size By A Maternally Transmitted Male-Killing Endosymbiont (Spiroplasma), Jeremy K. Herren, Ian Gordon, Peter W.H. Holland, David Smith

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Female-biased sex ratios in Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus) (family Nymphalidae, subfamily Danainae, tribe Danaini) populations are attributed to the action of an endosymbiotic 'male-killer' bacterium of the genus Spiroplasma. In stark contrast to the extensive geographic range of their host, the Spiroplasma appears to be restricted to East Africa, where four African D. chrysippus subspecies exist sympatrically and form a hybrid zone. In this study, specimens collected at three sample sites within the hybrid zone were screened for Spiroplasma infection. The findings demonstrate that, within the hybrid zone, the frequency of Spiroplasma infection varies both spatially and temporally. Host genotype at …

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Larvicidal Activity Of Piper Guineense And Spilanthes Mauritiana Crude-Powder Against Anopheles Gambiae And Culex Quinquefasciatus In Kilifi District, Kenya, Spala O. Ohaga, Isaiah O. Ndiege, Sammy S. Kubasu, John C. Beier, Charles M. Mbogo Oct 2007

Larvicidal Activity Of Piper Guineense And Spilanthes Mauritiana Crude-Powder Against Anopheles Gambiae And Culex Quinquefasciatus In Kilifi District, Kenya, Spala O. Ohaga, Isaiah O. Ndiege, Sammy S. Kubasu, John C. Beier, Charles M. Mbogo

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Field trials were conducted in Kilifi District, Kenya on the activity of Piper guineense and Spilanthes mauritiana powders against field populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Pools containing mosquito larvae were sampled and larval populations determined before and after application of plant powders. Four doses, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g L-1, were used in the trials and larval mortality monitored after 24, 48 and 72 h. After 24 h, P. guineense powder at 0.5 g L-1 gave larval mortalities of 18.8 and 23.6% for An. gambiae s.l. and Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively. At 2.0 g L-1, mortalities …

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