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Articles 631 - 660 of 1443

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Minerals Content Of Extruded Fish Feeds Containing Cricket (Acheta Domesticus) And Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia Illucens) Fractions, F. G. Irungu, C. M. Mutungi, A. K. Faraj, H. Affognon, C. Tanga, S. Ekesi, D. Nakimbugwe, K. K.M. Fiaboe Jun 2018

Minerals Content Of Extruded Fish Feeds Containing Cricket (Acheta Domesticus) And Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia Illucens) Fractions, F. G. Irungu, C. M. Mutungi, A. K. Faraj, H. Affognon, C. Tanga, S. Ekesi, D. Nakimbugwe, K. K.M. Fiaboe

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Animal food sources provide human beings with minerals considerably in adequate quantities. Fish is an indispensable reliable source of nutrients, as aquaculture is a sector that is fast growing and which provides 50% of the world’s fish production. However, fish production is hampered by the increasing costs of feeds due to the ever rising cost of fish meal, an integral component of fish feeds. Substituting fish meal with cheap, yet highly nutritious ingredients in fish feeds is therefore paramount. This study investigated the effects of substituting fish meal with adult cricket meal (ACM) and black soldier fly meal (BSFM) on …

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When It Looks And Walks Like An Ant, Fiona R. Cross, Robert R. Jackson Jun 2018

When It Looks And Walks Like An Ant, Fiona R. Cross, Robert R. Jackson

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Some jumping spiders (family Salticidae) bear a striking resemblance to ants, a dangerous type of prey, both in terms of their appearance and in terms of how they move. Recent research has taken important steps toward determining whether predators categorize these spiders as ants on the basis of the way they move.

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Women’S Empowerment In Agriculture And Agricultural Productivity: Evidence From Rural Maize Farmer Households In Western Kenya, Gracious M. Diiro, Greg Seymour, Menale Kassie, Geoffrey Muricho, Beatrice Wambui Muriithi May 2018

Women’S Empowerment In Agriculture And Agricultural Productivity: Evidence From Rural Maize Farmer Households In Western Kenya, Gracious M. Diiro, Greg Seymour, Menale Kassie, Geoffrey Muricho, Beatrice Wambui Muriithi

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This paper documents a positive relationship between maize productivity in western Kenya and women’s empowerment in agriculture, measured using indicators derived from the abbreviated version of the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index. Applying a cross-sectional instrumental-variable regression method to a data set of 707 maize farm households from western Kenya, we find that women’s empowerment in agriculture significantly increases maize productivity. Although all indicators of women’s empowerment significantly increase productivity, there is no significant association between the women’s workload (amount of time spent working) and maize productivity. Furthermore, the results show heter-ogenous effects with respect to women’s empowerment on maize …

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Sticky Small Target: An Effective Sampling Tool For Tsetse Fly Glossina Fuscipes Fuscipes Newstead, 1910, Njelembo J. Mbewe, Rajinder K. Saini, Baldwyn Torto, Janet Irungu, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Christian W.W. Pirk Apr 2018

Sticky Small Target: An Effective Sampling Tool For Tsetse Fly Glossina Fuscipes Fuscipes Newstead, 1910, Njelembo J. Mbewe, Rajinder K. Saini, Baldwyn Torto, Janet Irungu, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Christian W.W. Pirk

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BACKGROUND: Small targets comprising panels of blue and insecticide-treated black netting material each 0.25 × 0.25 m have been shown to attract and kill Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead, 1910 (Diptera: Glossinidae) thereby reducing its population density by over 90% in field trials. However, their attractive ability has not been fully exploited for sampling purposes. Therefore, in this study we assessed the effectiveness of using sticky small targets as sampling tools for G. f. fuscipes in western Kenya. We also determined the influence of colour on the landing response of female and male flies on sticky small targets.

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Moisture Adsorption Properties And Shelf-Life Estimation Of Dried And Pulverised Edible House Cricket Acheta Domesticus (L.) And Black Soldier Fly Larvae Hermetia Illucens (L.), E. Kamau, C. Mutungi, J. Kinyuru, S. Imathiu, C. Tanga, H. Affognon, S. Ekesi, D. Nakimbugwe, K. K.M. Fiaboe Apr 2018

Moisture Adsorption Properties And Shelf-Life Estimation Of Dried And Pulverised Edible House Cricket Acheta Domesticus (L.) And Black Soldier Fly Larvae Hermetia Illucens (L.), E. Kamau, C. Mutungi, J. Kinyuru, S. Imathiu, C. Tanga, H. Affognon, S. Ekesi, D. Nakimbugwe, K. K.M. Fiaboe

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Edible insects are part of the diets of a significant proportion of rural populations in the tropics especially Africa and Asia, and their use as source of key nutrients for better nutrition is re-emerging. Indigenously, elemental methods are used to process the insects before they are consumed or sold in retail outlets. In recent years, better knowledge of processing, packaging and storage has become necessary because of commercialisation needs. A common processing approach involves drying after a brief heat-treatment step, and then milling into a powdered product which is sold to manufacturers or consumers as ingredient for processing final products. …

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Compounds Extracted From Heads Of African Stingless Bees (Hypotrigona Species) As A Prospective Taxonomic Tool, N. N. Ndungu, N. Kiatoko, D. K. Masiga, S. K. Raina, C. W.W. Pirk, A. A. Yusuf Apr 2018

Compounds Extracted From Heads Of African Stingless Bees (Hypotrigona Species) As A Prospective Taxonomic Tool, N. N. Ndungu, N. Kiatoko, D. K. Masiga, S. K. Raina, C. W.W. Pirk, A. A. Yusuf

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Stingless bees are important pollinators of plants, and also producers of honey. Species within the African stingless bee genus Hypotrigona are difficult to differentiate due to morphological similarities. Chemical profiles of whole head extracts from workers of three Hypotrigona species: H. gribodoi, H. araujoi and H. ruspolii were studied by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. A total of 50 components belonging to six chemical classes: hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alcohols, terpenoids, steroids and fatty acids were identified. Twenty-nine compounds were found in H. araujoi, 26 in H. gribodoi and 33 in H. ruspolii head extracts. Hydrocarbons, alcohols and fatty acids were the major classes, …

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Odour And Feeding Preference Of Noctuid Moth Larvae Conditioned To Vanillin Diet And Non-Vanillin Diet, Christophe Petit, Peter Ahuya, Bruno Le Ru, Laure Kaiser-Arnauld, Myriam Harry, Paul André Calatayud Apr 2018

Odour And Feeding Preference Of Noctuid Moth Larvae Conditioned To Vanillin Diet And Non-Vanillin Diet, Christophe Petit, Peter Ahuya, Bruno Le Ru, Laure Kaiser-Arnauld, Myriam Harry, Paul André Calatayud

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It is largely accepted that larval experience influence host-plant preference of larvae. In general, larval experience with a host plant induces both an odour and feeding preference for that plant. In a previous study, exposure of three noctuid stem borer species, i.e. Sesamia nonagrioides, Busseola fusca and B. nairobica, to a vanillin-enriched medium induced an olfactory preference for the odours of this medium in the larvae of these species. Here, we checked if the exposure to a vanillin-enriched medium also induced a feeding preference for this diet. Different life stages (i.e. neonate larvae to adults) of the three species were …

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Effect Of Trichoderma Spp. And Purpureocillium Lilacinum On Meloidogyne Javanica In Commercial Pineapple Production In Kenya, Agnes W. Kiriga, Solveig Haukeland, George M. Kariuki, Danny L. Coyne, Nikolai V. Beek Apr 2018

Effect Of Trichoderma Spp. And Purpureocillium Lilacinum On Meloidogyne Javanica In Commercial Pineapple Production In Kenya, Agnes W. Kiriga, Solveig Haukeland, George M. Kariuki, Danny L. Coyne, Nikolai V. Beek

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Plant-parasitic nematodes, in particular Meloidogyne species, cause significant yield reduction in commercial pineapple, Ananas comosus, worldwide. The efficacy of three Trichoderma isolates (Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4, T. atroviride F5S21, Trichoderma sp. MK4) and two isolates of Purpureocillium lilacinum (KLF2 and MR2) were evaluated against Meloidogyne javanica, using rooted pineapple crowns in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. All the three Trichoderma isolates successfully colonized pineapple root endophytically. The application of two isolates of Trichoderma (T. asperellum M2RT4 and Trichoderma sp. MK4) and the two isolates of P. lilacinum significantly reduced nematode egg and egg mass production reducing root galling damage by …

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Effects Of Vector Control On The Population Structure Of Tsetse (Glossina Fuscipes Fuscipes) In Western Kenya, Njelembo J. Mbewe, Rajinder K. Saini, Baldwyn Torto, Janet Irungu, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Christian Pirk Mar 2018

Effects Of Vector Control On The Population Structure Of Tsetse (Glossina Fuscipes Fuscipes) In Western Kenya, Njelembo J. Mbewe, Rajinder K. Saini, Baldwyn Torto, Janet Irungu, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Christian Pirk

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Displacement rates of tsetse affect performance of targets during vector control. Fly size, one of the indicators of population structure usually obtained from wing measurement, is among the determinants of displacement rates. Although recovery of tsetse in previous intervention areas has been widely reported, the population structure of tsetse that recover is rarely evaluated despite being associated with displacements rates. Previously, intervention trials had reduced tsetse densities by over 90% from >3 flies/trap/day to <1fly/trap/day on Big Chamaunga and Manga islands of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. In this study, we assessed the recovery in densities of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes on the two islands and evaluated the effects vector control might have on the population structure. A before and after intervention study was undertaken on four islands of Lake Victoria in western Kenya; Small and Big Chamaunga, Manga and Rusinga Islands, two of which tsetse control intervention had previously been undertaken. Three years after intervention average G. f. fuscipes catches in biconical traps were estimated on each island. Wing centroid size (CS) (a measurement of fly size) and shape, indicators of the population structure of flies from the four islands were compared using geometric morphometric analyses. CS and shape of available female but not male tsetse wings obtained before the intervention trial on Big and Small Chamaunga islands were compared with those from the same islands after the intervention trial. G. f. fuscipes apparent density on the previous intervention islands were>9 flies/trap/day. Irrespective of sex, wing shape did not isolate tsetse based on their islands of origin. The fly size from Big and Small Chamaunga did …

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A Climate-Adapted Push-Pull System Effectively Controls Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (J E Smith), In Maize In East Africa, Charles A.O. Midega, Jimmy O. Pittchar, John A. Pickett, Girma W. Hailu, Zeyaur R. Khan Mar 2018

A Climate-Adapted Push-Pull System Effectively Controls Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (J E Smith), In Maize In East Africa, Charles A.O. Midega, Jimmy O. Pittchar, John A. Pickett, Girma W. Hailu, Zeyaur R. Khan

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Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith), an economically important pest native to tropical and sub-tropical America has recently invaded Africa, causing substantial damage to maize and other crops. We evaluated functionality of a companion cropping system, ‘climate-adapted push-pull’, developed for control of cereal stemborers in drier agro-ecologies, as an added tool for the management of fall armyworm. The technology comprises intercropping maize with drought-tolerant greenleaf desmodium, Desmodium intortum (Mill.) Urb., and planting Brachiaria cv Mulato II as a border crop around this intercrop. Protection to maize is provided by semiochemicals that are emitted by the intercrop that repel (push) …

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Sweet Attraction: Sugarcane Pollen-Associated Volatiles Attract Gravid Anopheles Arabiensis, Betelehem Wondwosen, Göran Birgersson, Habte Tekie, Baldwyn Torto, Rickard Ignell, Sharon R. Hill Feb 2018

Sweet Attraction: Sugarcane Pollen-Associated Volatiles Attract Gravid Anopheles Arabiensis, Betelehem Wondwosen, Göran Birgersson, Habte Tekie, Baldwyn Torto, Rickard Ignell, Sharon R. Hill

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Background: Anopheles arabiensis is a key vector for the transmission of human malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the past 10,000 years, humans have successfully cultivated grasses and altered the landscape, creating An. arabiensis favourable environments that contain excellent habitats for both larvae and adults. Sugarcane is the most expanding agricultural system in sub-Saharan Africa, and is linked to the increased threat of malaria in rural communities. The prolific production and wind dispersal of sugarcane pollen, together with standing pools of water, often provide, as a result of irrigation, a nutrient-rich environment for the offspring of gravid malaria mosquitoes. Results: In …

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Host Plant Forensics And Olfactory-Based Detection In Afro-Tropical Mosquito Disease Vectors, Vincent O. Nyasembe, David P. Tchouassi, Christian W.W. Pirk, Catherine L. Sole, Baldwyn Torto Feb 2018

Host Plant Forensics And Olfactory-Based Detection In Afro-Tropical Mosquito Disease Vectors, Vincent O. Nyasembe, David P. Tchouassi, Christian W.W. Pirk, Catherine L. Sole, Baldwyn Torto

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The global spread of vector-borne diseases remains a worrying public health threat, raising the need for development of new combat strategies for vector control. Knowledge of vector ecology can be exploited in this regard, including plant feeding; a critical resource that mosquitoes of both sexes rely on for survival and other metabolic processes. However, the identity of plant species mosquitoes feed on in nature remains largely unknown. By testing the hypothesis about selectivity in plant feeding, we employed a DNA-based approach targeting trnH-psbA and matK genes and identified host plants of field-collected Afro-tropical mosquito vectors of dengue, Rift Valley fever …

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Reducing Losses But Failing To Sequester Carbon In Soils – The Case Of Conservation Agriculture And Integrated Soil Fertility Management In The Humid Tropical Agro-Ecosystem Of Western Kenya, Rolf Sommer, Birthe Katharina Paul, John Mukalama, Job Kihara Feb 2018

Reducing Losses But Failing To Sequester Carbon In Soils – The Case Of Conservation Agriculture And Integrated Soil Fertility Management In The Humid Tropical Agro-Ecosystem Of Western Kenya, Rolf Sommer, Birthe Katharina Paul, John Mukalama, Job Kihara

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Agriculture is a global contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, causing climate change. Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is seen as a pathway to climate change mitigation. But, long-term data on the actual contribution of tropical soils to SOC sequestration are largely absent. To contribute to filling this knowledge gap, we measured SOC in the top 15 cm over 12 years in two agronomic long-term trials in Western Kenya. These trials include various levels – from absence to full adoption – of two widely promoted sustainable agricultural management practices: Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM; i.e. improved varieties, mineral fertilizer and organic …

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Datasets For Mapping Pastoralist Movement Patterns And Risk Zones Of Rift Valley Fever Occurrence, Gladys Mosomtai, Magnus Evander, Charles Mundia, Per Sandström, Clas Ahlm, Osama Ahmed Hassan, Olivia Wesula Lwande, Moses K. Gachari, Tobias Landmann, Rosemary Sang Feb 2018

Datasets For Mapping Pastoralist Movement Patterns And Risk Zones Of Rift Valley Fever Occurrence, Gladys Mosomtai, Magnus Evander, Charles Mundia, Per Sandström, Clas Ahlm, Osama Ahmed Hassan, Olivia Wesula Lwande, Moses K. Gachari, Tobias Landmann, Rosemary Sang

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Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease affecting humans and animals. It is caused by RVF virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. The data presented in this article propose environmental layers suitable for mapping RVF vector habitat zones and livestock migratory routes. Using species distribution modelling, we used RVF vector occurrence data sampled along livestock migratory routes to identify suitable vector habitats within the study region which is located in the central and the north-eastern part of Kenya. Eleven herds monitored with GPS collars were used to estimate cattle utilization distribution patterns. We used kernel density estimator to produce …

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Interspecific Competition Between Egg Parasitoids: Native Fopius Caudatus And Exotic Fopius Arisanus, In Ceratitis Cosyra, Miriam Frida Karlsson, Espérantos O. De Souza, Pascal M. Ayelo, Joseph Ayomidé Zannou, Gbelidji Souvenir Blaise Mègnigbèto, Aimé H. Bokonon-Ganta Feb 2018

Interspecific Competition Between Egg Parasitoids: Native Fopius Caudatus And Exotic Fopius Arisanus, In Ceratitis Cosyra, Miriam Frida Karlsson, Espérantos O. De Souza, Pascal M. Ayelo, Joseph Ayomidé Zannou, Gbelidji Souvenir Blaise Mègnigbèto, Aimé H. Bokonon-Ganta

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Tephritidae fruit flies are parasitized by Braconidae wasps, of which some are used in biological control programs. Releases of exotic parasitoids might affect, or be affected by, native species exploiting a common host. We studied interspecific competition between the native African parasitoid Fopius caudatus (Szépligeti) and the exotic Asian parasitoid Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (both Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in African native Ceratitis cosyra Walker (Diptera: Tephritidae). Wasp behaviour on infested fruits and dissection of fruit fly eggs assessed acceptance, oviposition performance and suitability for egg development, parasitism, and effect of parasitism by heterospecific species. While F. arisanus outcompeted F. caudatus in parasitization …

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Influence Of The Host Plant On The Encyrtid Aenasius Bambawalei, A Parasitoid Used To Control The Cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus Solenopsis, In Pakistan, Hayat Badshah, Farman Ullah, Paul André Calatayud, Hidayat Ullah, Bashir Ahmad Feb 2018

Influence Of The Host Plant On The Encyrtid Aenasius Bambawalei, A Parasitoid Used To Control The Cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus Solenopsis, In Pakistan, Hayat Badshah, Farman Ullah, Paul André Calatayud, Hidayat Ullah, Bashir Ahmad

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The mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae) is a highly polyphagous pest of fruits, vegetables, crops and ornamentals in Pakistan. Biological control approach by using Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) has been developed recently to control this pest. However, the efficiency of this parasitoid is variable according to the locality and the plants on which P. solenopsis is feeding. In this context, this experiment investigated under field and laboratory conditions the influence of the host plant of P. solenopsis on the parasitism success and the female fitness of A. bambawalei, Five plant species, commonly found to be host of P. …

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Impact Of Improved Maize Adoption On Household Food Security Of Maize Producing Smallholder Farmers In Ethiopia, Moti Jaleta, Menale Kassie, Paswel Marenya, Chilot Yirga, Olaf Erenstein Feb 2018

Impact Of Improved Maize Adoption On Household Food Security Of Maize Producing Smallholder Farmers In Ethiopia, Moti Jaleta, Menale Kassie, Paswel Marenya, Chilot Yirga, Olaf Erenstein

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In recent years, maize has gained prominence as an important staple crop in Ethiopia second only to teff in terms of acreage. Most of this is grown by semi-subsistence farm households whose livelihoods are tied to crop production and some livestock keeping. Therefore, an important policy question concerns the impact that the reported maize revolution has had on household food security. This paper answers that question by examining the empirical regularities that explain the adoption of improved maize varieties (IMVs) and how this has impacted household food security in a sample of 2327 maize producing households in 39 districts of …

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Responses Of The Ambrosia Beetle Xylosandrus Compactus (Coleoptera: Curculionidea: Scolytinae) To Volatile Constituents Of Its Symbiotic Fungus Fusarium Solani (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae), James Peter Egonyu, Baldwyn Torto Feb 2018

Responses Of The Ambrosia Beetle Xylosandrus Compactus (Coleoptera: Curculionidea: Scolytinae) To Volatile Constituents Of Its Symbiotic Fungus Fusarium Solani (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae), James Peter Egonyu, Baldwyn Torto

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Xylosandrus compactus is a polyphagus pest that cultivates a symbiotic fungus Fusarium solani in tunnels of host plants for food and is a major threat to coffee production in East Africa. We hypothesized that the female X. compactus, which is the only sex capable of flying to attack its hosts, is attracted to volatiles from F. solani. We investigated responses of females to volatiles released by fungal cultures and bioactive components identified in the fungal volatiles. In Y-tube olfactometer assays, ~68% of females were attracted to volatiles emitted from F. solani over clean air. Bioactive compounds were identified in the …

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Four-Horned Wasps, Description Of Some Remarkable Dirhinus (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) From Kenya, With A Discussion Of Their Taxonomic Placement, Gérard Delvare, Robert S. Copeland Jan 2018

Four-Horned Wasps, Description Of Some Remarkable Dirhinus (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) From Kenya, With A Discussion Of Their Taxonomic Placement, Gérard Delvare, Robert S. Copeland

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Five new species belonging to Dirhinus Dalman are described: D. quadrhinus Delvare sp. nov., D. gigasetosus Delvare sp. nov., D. kambae Delvare sp. nov., D. maasaii Delvare sp. nov. and D. leakeyorum Delvare sp. nov. These species belong to the newly defined and characterized quadrhinus species group, included in the subgenus Dirhinus of Dirhinus Dalman. Evidence for this taxonomic placement is provided despite the distinctive morphology exhibited by the relevant species. The himalayanus, claviger, anthracia and hesperidum groups, also included in subgenus Dirhinus, are similarly defined and characterized and lists of the relevant described species are provided. A key to …

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The Family Ismaridae Thomson (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea): First Record For The Afrotropical Region With Description Of Fourteen New Species, Chang Jun Kim, Robert S. Copeland, David G. Notton Jan 2018

The Family Ismaridae Thomson (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea): First Record For The Afrotropical Region With Description Of Fourteen New Species, Chang Jun Kim, Robert S. Copeland, David G. Notton

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The family Ismaridae Thomson, 1858 is reported from the Afrotropical region for the first time. A total of 15 species are recognised, 14 of which are described as new: Ismarus africanus sp. n. from Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa; I. apertus sp. n. from Kenya; I. bicolor sp. n. from Cameroon, Kenya; I. goodrichi sp. n. from Kenya; I. kakamegensis sp. n. from Kenya; I. kenyensis sp. n. from Kenya; I. laevigatus sp. n. from South Africa; I. madagascariensis sp. n. from Madagascar; I. minutus sp. n. from Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe; I. nigrofasciatus sp. n. from Malawi, Uganda; I. notaulicus …

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Relationship Between New Farming Practices And Chemical Use And The Consumption Of Giant Cricket (Brachytrupes Membranaceus Drury, 1770), F. O. Miantsia, F. Meutchieye, S. Niassy Jan 2018

Relationship Between New Farming Practices And Chemical Use And The Consumption Of Giant Cricket (Brachytrupes Membranaceus Drury, 1770), F. O. Miantsia, F. Meutchieye, S. Niassy

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The current work is aimed at generating information on giant crickets and the impact of commonly used pesticides on the natural population of these crickets. Data was collected based on interviews and complemented with field observations. Out of 319 respondents surveyed, 290 were aware of the use of the giant cricket as a food source, and 161 were active consumers. Regarding the availability of the giant cricket, respondents reported that the crickets' populations were diminishing because of farming practices. About 219 persons reported that commonly used herbicides harm giant crickets at different stages. This could be attributed to the scarcity …

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Morphological Re-Description And Molecular Identification Of Tabanidae (Diptera) In East Africa, Claire M. Mugasa, Jandouwe Villinger, Joseph Gitau, Nelly Ndungu, Marc Ciosi, Daniel Masiga Jan 2018

Morphological Re-Description And Molecular Identification Of Tabanidae (Diptera) In East Africa, Claire M. Mugasa, Jandouwe Villinger, Joseph Gitau, Nelly Ndungu, Marc Ciosi, Daniel Masiga

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Biting flies of the family Tabanidae are important vectors of human and animal diseases across continents. However, records of Africa tabanids are fragmentary and mostly cursory. To improve identification, documentation and description of Tabanidae in East Africa, a baseline survey for the identification and description of Tabanidae in three eastern African countries was conducted. Tabanids from various locations in Uganda (Wakiso District), Tanzania (Tarangire National Park) and Kenya (Shimba Hills National Reserve, Muhaka, Nguruman) were collected. In Uganda, octenol baited F-traps were used to target tabanids, while NG2G traps baited with cow urine and acetone were employed in Kenya and …

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Endophytic Colonization Of Onions Induces Resistance Against Viruliferous Thrips And Virus Replication, Alexander Mutua Muvea, Sevgan Subramanian, Nguya Kalemba Maniania, Hans Michael Poehling, Sunday Ekesi, Rainer Meyhöfer Jan 2018

Endophytic Colonization Of Onions Induces Resistance Against Viruliferous Thrips And Virus Replication, Alexander Mutua Muvea, Sevgan Subramanian, Nguya Kalemba Maniania, Hans Michael Poehling, Sunday Ekesi, Rainer Meyhöfer

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In agricultural ecosystems, insect pests, pathogens, weather patterns, and reduced soil fertility pose major challenges to crop productivity and are responsible for significant yield losses worldwide. Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) vectored by Thrips tabaci Lindeman, is a major hindrance to onion production in eastern Africa. Control measures often rely on insecticides with deleterious effects. Endophytes are one key alternative as they can play important roles in mediating induced systemic resistance. Hence, we examined the potential effect of endophytic fungus Hypocrea lixii (F3ST1) on feeding and replication of IYSV on endophyte-colonized (E+) and endophyte-free (E-) onion plants. For more precise …

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Lepidopteran Stem Borer Species Abundance And Associated Damages On Irrigated Kilombero Low Land Rice Ecosystem In Tanzania, Bonaventure January, Gration M. Rwegasira, Tadele Tefera Jan 2018

Lepidopteran Stem Borer Species Abundance And Associated Damages On Irrigated Kilombero Low Land Rice Ecosystem In Tanzania, Bonaventure January, Gration M. Rwegasira, Tadele Tefera

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Background: Rice stem borers are among the most biotic stresses of economic importance in agriculture. Little was known about stem borer problem in Tanzania prior to this study. Understanding stem borer abundance and damages would help to design appropriate stem borer integrated pest management strategy in rice. This study was aimed at investigating rice stem borer’s species abundance and their associated damages in irrigated lowland rice ecosystem in Kilombero Tanzania. Materials and Methods: Field survey study on rice stem borer abundance and incidences were conducted in farmer’s fields on selected rice varieties at varied growth stages in Kilombero district under …

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Physico-Chemical Properties Of Extruded Aquafeed Pellets Containing Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Larvae And Adult Cricket (Acheta Domesticus) Meals, F. G. Irungu, C. M. Mutungi, A. K. Faraj, H. Affognon, N. Kibet, C. Tanga, S. Ekesi, D. Nakimbugwe, K. K.M. Fiaboe Jan 2018

Physico-Chemical Properties Of Extruded Aquafeed Pellets Containing Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Larvae And Adult Cricket (Acheta Domesticus) Meals, F. G. Irungu, C. M. Mutungi, A. K. Faraj, H. Affognon, N. Kibet, C. Tanga, S. Ekesi, D. Nakimbugwe, K. K.M. Fiaboe

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Fish farming is faced with the challenge of high cost of feeds because of the cost of high quality protein needed for formulation of the feeds. Thus, there is urgent need for alternative protein sources. The effects of substituting freshwater shrimp meal (FWSM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFM) or adult cricket meal (ACM) on physico-chemical properties of hot-extruded fish feed pellets were investigated. The FWSM protein in a 26 g/100 g protein fish feed formulation was substituted at 0, 25, 50 and 75%, and moisture content of the formulated blends adjusted to 10, 20 or 30 g/100 g …

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Diapause Disruption In Cirina Butyrospermi Vuillet (Lepidoptera, Attacidae), The Shea Caterpillar, In Burkina Faso, H. B. Bama, R. A. Dabire, D. Ouattara, S. Niassy, M. N. Ba, D. Dakouo Jan 2018

Diapause Disruption In Cirina Butyrospermi Vuillet (Lepidoptera, Attacidae), The Shea Caterpillar, In Burkina Faso, H. B. Bama, R. A. Dabire, D. Ouattara, S. Niassy, M. N. Ba, D. Dakouo

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The shea caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi is an important insect, highly valued as a human food item in Burkina Faso. However, its appearance is seasonal due to its univoltine cycle. This study therefore investigated the possibilities of breaking the nymphal diapause by changing the environmental factors and through the hormonal treatment of prepupae and pupae using bovine insulin and 20-hydroxyecdysone. Changes in humidity and temperature did not result in emergence, suggesting a mandatory nature of the diapause in C. butyrospermi. Injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone between 20 and 40 ng on 20 C. butyrospermi pupae resulted in 15.24 and 47.5% emergence, respectively. The …

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Effects Of Waste Stream Combinations From Brewing Industry On Performance Of Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia Illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), Shaphan Y. Chia, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Isaac M. Osuga, Samira A. Mohamed, Fathiya M. Khamis, Daisy Salifu, Subramanian Sevgan, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Saliou Niassy, Joop J.A. Van Loon, Marcel Dicke, Sunday Ekesi Jan 2018

Effects Of Waste Stream Combinations From Brewing Industry On Performance Of Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia Illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), Shaphan Y. Chia, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Isaac M. Osuga, Samira A. Mohamed, Fathiya M. Khamis, Daisy Salifu, Subramanian Sevgan, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Saliou Niassy, Joop J.A. Van Loon, Marcel Dicke, Sunday Ekesi

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Background: In recent years, there has been a rapidly growing demand for readily accessible substrates for mass production of Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens Linnaeus. Beer production results in various by-products that typically end up in uncontrolled dumpsites constituting pollution problems, which merits urgent attention. The present study investigated whether the 12 formulated diets composed of brewers’ spent grains (BSGs), brewers’ yeast and cane molasses can serve as substrate for H. illucens production. Methods: Four different BSGs were selected and formulated into 12 diets, aiming at varying protein and net energy levels. The diets were offered to newly hatched (∼1 …

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Push-Pull Farming System Controls Fall Armyworm: Lessons From Africa, Zeyaur R. Khan, Jimmy O. Pittchar, Charles A.O. Midega, John A. Pickett Jan 2018

Push-Pull Farming System Controls Fall Armyworm: Lessons From Africa, Zeyaur R. Khan, Jimmy O. Pittchar, Charles A.O. Midega, John A. Pickett

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Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda invaded Africa, with the first detections being reported in Central and Western Africa in early 2016, and now affects at least 40 countries in Africa, causing up to total crop loss amounting to over $6.2 billion p.a. FAW is an invasive polyphagous pest that causes damage to economically important crops and has recently been reported in the Indian sub-continent. Effective control of FAW through use of synthetic chemical pesticides and genetically modified crops such as Bt maize faces challenges including improper use, unaffordability by smallholder farmers and development of resistance by the pest. Additionally, dispersal …

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An Assessment Of Effectiveness Of Participatory Video And Drama In Enhancing Learning Of “Climate-Smart” Push-Pull Technology: A Case Study Of Butere And Vihiga Farmers In Western Kenya, Wakesho George, Pittchar Jimmy, Midega Charles, Khan Zeyaur Jan 2018

An Assessment Of Effectiveness Of Participatory Video And Drama In Enhancing Learning Of “Climate-Smart” Push-Pull Technology: A Case Study Of Butere And Vihiga Farmers In Western Kenya, Wakesho George, Pittchar Jimmy, Midega Charles, Khan Zeyaur

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This study assessed the effectiveness of participatory video and drama in enhancing learning of climate-smart pushpull technology in western Kenya. A total of 80 farmers who had no knowledge of push pull technology were exposed to participatory drama and video that had been developed by farmers who are adopting push pull technology. Validated questionnaires were used for data collection where sampled non push pull farmers were interviewed before and after exposure to push pull knowledge using participatory video and drama. Data obtained was analyzed using chi square at 0.05 confidence level set a priori and also presented using frequency tables, …

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The Fall Armyworm Endemic: Contriving The Perspicacity In The Outbreak Of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) In Relation To Push-Pull Technology, Nicholas O. Ogot Jan 2018

The Fall Armyworm Endemic: Contriving The Perspicacity In The Outbreak Of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) In Relation To Push-Pull Technology, Nicholas O. Ogot

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Fall armyworm (FAW) is a moth native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas whose larva causes damage to crops. As of May 23, 2017 it has affected more than 143,000 hectares of land in major maize- and wheat-producing counties in Kenya. In response to its severity, this study was conducted to determine the perception of farmers in respect to; the challenges they faced through FAW endemic; the differences depicted between FAW and stemborers; and strategies farmers apply to attempt controlling them. This study was descriptive, and it was conducted in Homabay and Migori using a sample size of …

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