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Articles 421 - 450 of 1129

Full-Text Articles in Entomology

Integrating Temperature-Dependent Life Table Data Into Insect Life Cycle Model For Predicting The Potential Distribution Of Scapsipedus Icipe Hugel & Tanga, Magara H.J. Otieno, Monica A. Ayieko, Saliou Niassy, Daisy Salifu, Azrag G.A. Abdelmutalab, Khamis M. Fathiya, Sevgan Subramanian, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Nana Roos, Sunday Ekesi, Chrysantus M. Tanga Sep 2019

Integrating Temperature-Dependent Life Table Data Into Insect Life Cycle Model For Predicting The Potential Distribution Of Scapsipedus Icipe Hugel & Tanga, Magara H.J. Otieno, Monica A. Ayieko, Saliou Niassy, Daisy Salifu, Azrag G.A. Abdelmutalab, Khamis M. Fathiya, Sevgan Subramanian, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Nana Roos, Sunday Ekesi, Chrysantus M. Tanga

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Scapsipedus icipe Hugel and Tanga (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) is a newly described edible cricket species. Although, there is substantial interest in mass production of S. icipe for human food and animal feed, no information exists on the impact of temperature on their bionomics. Temperature-dependent development, survival, reproductive and life table parameters of S. icipe was generated and integrated into advanced Insect Life Cycle Modeling software to describe relative S. icipe population increase and spatial spread based on nine constant temperature conditions. We examined model predictions and implications for S. icipe potential distribution in Africa under current and future climate. These regions …

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Using Sibship Reconstructions To Understand The Relationship Between Larval Habitat Productivity And Oviposition Behaviour In Kenyan Anopheles Arabiensis, Joel O. Odero, Ulrike Fillinger, Emily J. Rippon, Daniel K. Masiga, David Weetman Aug 2019

Using Sibship Reconstructions To Understand The Relationship Between Larval Habitat Productivity And Oviposition Behaviour In Kenyan Anopheles Arabiensis, Joel O. Odero, Ulrike Fillinger, Emily J. Rippon, Daniel K. Masiga, David Weetman

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Background: Strategies for combatting residual malaria by targeting vectors outdoors are gaining importance as the limitations of primary indoor interventions are reached. Strategies to target ovipositing females or her offspring are broadly applicable because all mosquitoes require aquatic habitats for immature development irrespective of their biting or resting preferences. Oviposition site selection by gravid females is frequently studied by counting early instar larvae in habitats; an approach which is valid only if the number of larvae correlates with the number of females laying eggs. This hypothesis was tested against the alternative, that a higher abundance of larvae results from improved …

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Agro-Ecological Options For Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda Je Smith)Management: Providing Low-Cost, Smallholder Friendly Solutions To An Invasive Pest, Rhett D. Harrison, Christian Thierfelder, Frédéric Baudron, Peter Chinwada, Charles Midega, Urs Schaffner, Johnnie Van Den Berg Aug 2019

Agro-Ecological Options For Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda Je Smith)Management: Providing Low-Cost, Smallholder Friendly Solutions To An Invasive Pest, Rhett D. Harrison, Christian Thierfelder, Frédéric Baudron, Peter Chinwada, Charles Midega, Urs Schaffner, Johnnie Van Den Berg

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Fall armyworm (FAW), a voracious agricultural pest native to North and South America, was first detected on the African continent in 2016 and has subsequently spread throughout the continent and across Asia. It has been predicted that FAW could cause up to $US13 billion per annum in crop losses throughout sub-Saharan Africa, thereby threatening the livelihoods of millions of poor farmers. In their haste to respond to FAW governments may promote indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides which, aside from human health and environmental risks, could undermine smallholder pest management strategies that depend to a large degree on natural enemies. Agro-ecological …

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Experimental Feeding Studies With Crickets And Locusts On The Use Of Feed Mixtures Composed Of Storable Feed Materials Commonly Used In Livestock Production, P. Straub, C. M. Tanga, I. Osuga, W. Windisch, S. Subramanian Aug 2019

Experimental Feeding Studies With Crickets And Locusts On The Use Of Feed Mixtures Composed Of Storable Feed Materials Commonly Used In Livestock Production, P. Straub, C. M. Tanga, I. Osuga, W. Windisch, S. Subramanian

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Insects such as the Mediterranean field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus and the Desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, are emerging as potential sources of human food and feed for livestock. High nutritive value and efficient feed conversion make them attractive for commercial production as novel livestock, but these properties strongly vary with the insects´ diet. Current mass-rearing protocols are based on fresh, non-storable feed materials. This requires constant supply and makes the systems sensitive to fluctuations regarding nutritional quality and safety. Hence there is a need to find storable, readily available feeds. Therefore, experimental diets were composed from the five different feed materials, …

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Isopentyl Butanoate: Aggregation Pheromone Of The Brown Spiny Bug, Clavigralla Tomentosicollis (Hemiptera: Coreidae), And Kairomone For The Egg Parasitoid Gryon Sp. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), Hilaire Kpongbe, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Fathiya Khamis, Manuele Tamò, Baldwyn Torto Jul 2019

Isopentyl Butanoate: Aggregation Pheromone Of The Brown Spiny Bug, Clavigralla Tomentosicollis (Hemiptera: Coreidae), And Kairomone For The Egg Parasitoid Gryon Sp. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), Hilaire Kpongbe, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Fathiya Khamis, Manuele Tamò, Baldwyn Torto

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The brown spiny bug, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stål (Hemiptera: Coreidae) is a key pest of leguminous crops in many countries in Africa, causing significant yield losses especially in cowpea, pigeon pea and common beans. Although C. tomentosicollis uses olfaction to aggregate, little is known about the identity of the aggregation pheromone. This study aimed to identify the aggregation pheromone of C. tomentosicollis and to test its potential role in the behavior of its egg parasitoid, Gryon sp. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, only male volatiles strongly attracted both sexes of C. tomentosicollis. Coupled gas chromatography/electroantennographic detection (GC/EAD) and GC/mass spectrometry were used …

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Seasonal Abundance Of Plutella Xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) And Diversity Of Its Parasitoids Along Altitudinal Gradients Of The Eastern Afromontane, Benignus Valentine Ngowi, Henri Edouardo Zefack Tonnang, Fathiya Khamis, Evans Mungai Mwangi, Brigitte Nyambo, Paul Nduati Ndegwa, Sevgan Subramanian Jul 2019

Seasonal Abundance Of Plutella Xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) And Diversity Of Its Parasitoids Along Altitudinal Gradients Of The Eastern Afromontane, Benignus Valentine Ngowi, Henri Edouardo Zefack Tonnang, Fathiya Khamis, Evans Mungai Mwangi, Brigitte Nyambo, Paul Nduati Ndegwa, Sevgan Subramanian

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Monthly field surveys of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) and its parasitoids were conducted to assess seasonal abundance and diversity under changing altitude. Twenty-four crucifer farms spread across three altitudinal zones of Mount Kilimanjaro and Taita hills were sampled for the insects at monthly interval from 2013 to 2014. Diamondback moth abundance differed significantly between seasons (F3, 21 = 3.883, p = 0.024) in the high zone of Taita hills. The abundance among altitudinal zones of the two transects was not significantly different (Mt. Kilimanjaro: F2, 98 = 0.415, p = 0.661; Taita hills: F2, 116 = 0.303, p …

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Responses Of Glossina Fuscipes Fuscipes To Visually Attractive Stationary Devices Baited With 4-Methylguaiacol And Certain Repellent Compounds In Waterbuck Odour, Njelembo J. Mbewe, Rajinder K. Saini, Janet Irungu, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Christian W.W. Pirk, Baldwyn Torto Jul 2019

Responses Of Glossina Fuscipes Fuscipes To Visually Attractive Stationary Devices Baited With 4-Methylguaiacol And Certain Repellent Compounds In Waterbuck Odour, Njelembo J. Mbewe, Rajinder K. Saini, Janet Irungu, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Christian W.W. Pirk, Baldwyn Torto

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Background: A blend of compounds (pentanoic acid, guaiacol, δ-octalactone and geranylacetone) identified in waterbuck (Kobus defassa) body odour referred to as waterbuck repellent compounds (WRC) and a synthetic repellent 4-methylguaiacol have previously been shown to repel tsetse flies from the morsitans group. However, these repellents have not been evaluated on palpalis group tsetse flies. In this study, we evaluated the effect of these repellents on catches of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (major vector of human sleeping sickness) in biconical traps and on sticky small targets which are visually attractive to palpalis group flies. The attractive devices were baited with different doses …

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Frugivorous Insects Reared From Chytranthus Obliquinervis Radlk. (Sapindales: Sapindaceae) With The Description Of A New Monophagous Species Of Grapholita Treitschke (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Robert S. Copeland, Józef Razowski Jul 2019

Frugivorous Insects Reared From Chytranthus Obliquinervis Radlk. (Sapindales: Sapindaceae) With The Description Of A New Monophagous Species Of Grapholita Treitschke (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Robert S. Copeland, Józef Razowski

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Ripe fruits of Chytranthus obliquinervis were sampled from a tree in Buda Forest in coastal Kenya. Four species of insects were reared from the fruits, two species of Tephritidae, an undescribed species of gelechiid moth, and a new species of tortricid moth, Grapholita chytranthusi Razowski, sp. n., described herein. No parasitoids were reared. Notes on the biology, distribution, and conservation status of the host and its pests are included.

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Host Species And Site Of Collection Shape The Microbiota Of Rift Valley Fever Vectors In Kenya, David P. Tchouassi, Ephantus J. Muturi, Samwel O. Arum, Chang Hyun Kim, Christopher J. Fields, Baldwyn Torto Jun 2019

Host Species And Site Of Collection Shape The Microbiota Of Rift Valley Fever Vectors In Kenya, David P. Tchouassi, Ephantus J. Muturi, Samwel O. Arum, Chang Hyun Kim, Christopher J. Fields, Baldwyn Torto

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The composition and structure of microbial communities associated with mosquitoes remain poorly understood despite their important role in host biology and potential to be harnessed as novel strategies for mosquito-borne disease control. We employed MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene amplicons to characterize the bacterial flora of field-collected populations of Aedes mcintoshi and Aedes ochraceus, the primary vectors of Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus in Kenya. Proteobacteria (53.5%), Firmicutes (22.0%) and Actinobacteria (10.0%) were the most abundant bacterial phyla accounting for 85.5% of the total sequences. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling plots based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarities revealed a clear grouping of …

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Unexpected Diversity Of Wolbachia Associated With Bactrocera Dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) In Africa, Joseph Gichuhi, Fathiya M. Khamis, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Sunday Ekesi, Jeremy K. Herren Jun 2019

Unexpected Diversity Of Wolbachia Associated With Bactrocera Dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) In Africa, Joseph Gichuhi, Fathiya M. Khamis, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Sunday Ekesi, Jeremy K. Herren

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Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is an important pest of fruit-bearing plants in many countries worldwide. In Africa, this pest has spread rapidly and has become widely established since the first invasion report in 2003. Wolbachia is a vertically transmitted endosymbiont that can significantly influence aspects of the biology and, in particular, the reproduction of its host. In this study, we screened B. dorsalis specimens collected from several locations in Africa between 2005 and 2017 for Wolbachia using a PCR-based assay to target the Wolbachia surface protein wsp. Of the 357 individuals tested, 10 were positive for Wolbachia using the wsp assay. …

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Population Dynamics Of The Diamondback Moth And Its Parasitoids In Zimbabwe, Rudo Sithole, Casper Nyamukondiwa, Peter Chinwada, Bernhard Lohr Jun 2019

Population Dynamics Of The Diamondback Moth And Its Parasitoids In Zimbabwe, Rudo Sithole, Casper Nyamukondiwa, Peter Chinwada, Bernhard Lohr

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Temporal population dynamics of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) and its parasitoids were studied for a continuous 13-months period at two sites in Zimbabwe, vis Henderson and Mutoko. Our results showed that mean DBM numbers of 2.2 and 2.9 per plant for Henderson and Mutoko, respectively were not significantly different (p = 0.12). At Henderson, the DBM numbers achieved a pre-winter peak in February and a post-winter peak in October, while at Mutoko the pre-winter and post-winter peaks were reached a month earlier, in January and September, respectively. A total of four parasitoid species, comprising Cotesia vestalis, Oomyzus …

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Zebra Skin Odor Repels The Savannah Tsetse Fly, Glossina Pallidipes (Diptera: Glossinidae), Olabimpe Y. Olaide, David P. Tchouassi, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Christian W.W. Pirk, Daniel K. Masiga, Rajinder K. Saini, Baldwyn Torto Jun 2019

Zebra Skin Odor Repels The Savannah Tsetse Fly, Glossina Pallidipes (Diptera: Glossinidae), Olabimpe Y. Olaide, David P. Tchouassi, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Christian W.W. Pirk, Daniel K. Masiga, Rajinder K. Saini, Baldwyn Torto

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Background African trypanosomosis, primarily transmitted by tsetse flies, remains a serious public health and economic challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Interventions employing natural repellents from non-preferred hosts of tsetse flies represent a promising management approach. Although zebras have been identified as non-preferred hosts of tsetse flies, the basis for this repellency is poorly understood. We hypothesized that zebra skin odors contribute to their avoidance by tsetse flies. Methodology/Principal findings We evaluated the effect of crude zebra skin odors on catches of wild savannah tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes Austen, 1903) using unbaited Ngu traps compared to the traps baited with two known …

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Caterpillar-Induced Plant Volatiles Attract Conspecific And Heterospecific Adults For Oviposition Within A Community Of Lepidopteran Stemborers On Maize Plant, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Eric Siaw Ntiri, Peter Ahuya, Baldwyn Torto, Bruno Pierre Le Ru, Dora Chao Kilalo, Gerald Juma, Paul André Calatayud Jun 2019

Caterpillar-Induced Plant Volatiles Attract Conspecific And Heterospecific Adults For Oviposition Within A Community Of Lepidopteran Stemborers On Maize Plant, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Eric Siaw Ntiri, Peter Ahuya, Baldwyn Torto, Bruno Pierre Le Ru, Dora Chao Kilalo, Gerald Juma, Paul André Calatayud

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Olfactory cues may influence host plant preferences for oviposition of female moths within a community of stemborers that utilise the same resource. This study aimed to evaluate plant preferences for oviposition of gravid females of noctuid stemborers, Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis, and the crambid Chilo partellus for uninfested maize plants and plants infested by conspecific or heterospecific larvae. The involvement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by uninfested and maize plants infested by conspecific or heterospecific larvae on moth orientation was studied in Y-tube olfactometer assays and in the field. All gravid female moths significantly preferred VOCs emitted by …

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Mosquito Microevolution Drives Plasmodium Falciparum Dynamics, Markus Gildenhard, Evans K. Rono, Assetou Diarra, Anne Boissière, Priscila Bascunan, Paola Carrillo-Bustamante, Djeneba Camara, Hanne Krüger, Modibo Mariko, Ramata Mariko, Paul Mireji, Sandrine E. Nsango, Julien Pompon, Yara Reis, Martin K. Rono, Pamela B. Seda, Janis Thailayil, Alou Traorè, Cynthia V. Yapto, Parfait Awono-Ambene, Roch K. Dabiré, Abdulaye Diabaté, Daniel Masiga, Flaminia Catteruccia, Isabelle Morlais, Mouctar Diallo, Djibril Sangare, Elena A. Levashina Jun 2019

Mosquito Microevolution Drives Plasmodium Falciparum Dynamics, Markus Gildenhard, Evans K. Rono, Assetou Diarra, Anne Boissière, Priscila Bascunan, Paola Carrillo-Bustamante, Djeneba Camara, Hanne Krüger, Modibo Mariko, Ramata Mariko, Paul Mireji, Sandrine E. Nsango, Julien Pompon, Yara Reis, Martin K. Rono, Pamela B. Seda, Janis Thailayil, Alou Traorè, Cynthia V. Yapto, Parfait Awono-Ambene, Roch K. Dabiré, Abdulaye Diabaté, Daniel Masiga, Flaminia Catteruccia, Isabelle Morlais, Mouctar Diallo, Djibril Sangare, Elena A. Levashina

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Malaria, a major cause of child mortality in Africa, is engendered by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes. Fitness of Plasmodium parasites is closely linked to the ecology and evolution of its anopheline vector. However, whether the genetic structure of vector populations impacts malaria transmission remains unknown. Here, we describe a partitioning of the African malaria vectors into generalists and specialists that evolve along ecological boundaries. We next identify the contribution of mosquito species to Plasmodium abundance using Granger causality tests for time-series data collected over two rainy seasons in Mali. We find that mosquito microevolution, defined by …

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Effect Of Larval Density And Substrate Quality On The Wing Geometry Of Stomoxys Calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae), Steve B.S. Baleba, Daniel Masiga, Baldwyn Torto, Christopher W. Weldon, Merid N. Getahun May 2019

Effect Of Larval Density And Substrate Quality On The Wing Geometry Of Stomoxys Calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae), Steve B.S. Baleba, Daniel Masiga, Baldwyn Torto, Christopher W. Weldon, Merid N. Getahun

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Background: In insects, oviposition decisions may lead to egg deposition in substrates with different larval density and nutritional levels. Individuals developing in such substrates may present plasticity in their phenotype. Here, we investigated the effect of two factors related to oviposition decisions, namely larval density and substrate quality, on the wing size and wing shape of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae). Methods: We reared S. calcitrans larvae at different densities (5, 15 and 25) and on different substrates (camel, cow, donkey and sheep dung). For each fly that emerged, we recorded body weight, and detached, slide-mounted and …

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Sand Fly–Associated Phlebovirus With Evidence Of Neutralizing Antibodies In Humans, Kenya, David P. Tchouassi, Marco Marklewitz, Edith Chepkorir, Florian Zirkel, Sheila B. Agha, Caroline C. Tigoi, Edith Koskei, Christian Drosten, Christian Borgemeister, Baldwyn Torto, Sandra Junglen, Rosemary Sang Apr 2019

Sand Fly–Associated Phlebovirus With Evidence Of Neutralizing Antibodies In Humans, Kenya, David P. Tchouassi, Marco Marklewitz, Edith Chepkorir, Florian Zirkel, Sheila B. Agha, Caroline C. Tigoi, Edith Koskei, Christian Drosten, Christian Borgemeister, Baldwyn Torto, Sandra Junglen, Rosemary Sang

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We describe a novel virus, designated Ntepes virus (NPV), isolated from sand flies in Kenya. NPV has the characteristic phlebovirus trisegmented genome architecture and is related to, but distinct from, Gabek Forest phlebovirus. Diverse cell cultures derived from wildlife, livestock, and humans were susceptible to NPV, with pronounced permissiveness in swine and rodent cells. NPV infection of newborn mice caused rapid and fatal illness. Permissiveness for NPV replication in sand fly cells, but not mosquito cells, suggests a vector-specific adaptation. Specific neutralizing antibodies were found in 13.9% (26/187) of human serum samples taken at the site of isolation of NPV …

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Insecticide Resistance Modifies Mosquito Response To Deet And Natural Repellents, Emilie Deletre, Thibaud Martin, Claire Duménil, Fabrice Chandre Mar 2019

Insecticide Resistance Modifies Mosquito Response To Deet And Natural Repellents, Emilie Deletre, Thibaud Martin, Claire Duménil, Fabrice Chandre

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Background: Pyrethroid and organophosphate resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae has led to the search for not only alternative insecticides, but also repellent chemical compounds. However, little is known about the potential actions of repellents and the cross-resistance risk between insecticide and repellent compounds. Methods: Here we show the action of permethrin, DEET, geraniol, carvacrol, culminaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde against three A. gambiae strains: 'Kis' (Kisumu susceptible strain), 'KdrKis' (pyrethroid resistant strain) and 'AcerKis' (organophosphate resistant strain), the last two differing from the first by a mutation on the kdr and ace1 genes, respectively. Conclusions: Results from the DEET assays …

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Influence Of Temperature On Selected Life-History Traits Of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Reared On Two Common Urban Organic Waste Streams In Kenya, Marwa Shumo, Fathiya M. Khamis, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Sevgan Subramanian, Sunday Ekesi, Arnold Van Huis, Christian Borgemeister Mar 2019

Influence Of Temperature On Selected Life-History Traits Of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Reared On Two Common Urban Organic Waste Streams In Kenya, Marwa Shumo, Fathiya M. Khamis, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Sevgan Subramanian, Sunday Ekesi, Arnold Van Huis, Christian Borgemeister

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In sub-Saharan Africa, urban populations are projected to increase by 115% in the coming 15 years. In addition, economic growth and dietary shifts towards animal source foods have put high pressure and demand on agricultural production. The high ecological footprint of meat and dairy production, as well as high feed costs, prevent the livestock sector from meeting the increasing demand in a sustainable manner. Insects such as the black soldier fly (BSF) have been identified as potential alternatives to the conventionally used protein sources in livestock feed due to their rich nutrient content and the fact that they can be …

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Nest Architecture As A Tool For Species Discrimination Of Hypotrigona Species (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini), N. N. Ndungu, A. A. Yusuf, S. K. Raina, D. K. Masiga, C. W.W. Pirk, K. Nkoba Mar 2019

Nest Architecture As A Tool For Species Discrimination Of Hypotrigona Species (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini), N. N. Ndungu, A. A. Yusuf, S. K. Raina, D. K. Masiga, C. W.W. Pirk, K. Nkoba

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Hypotrigona species are difficult to identify morphologically. Here, we show that nest sites and nest architecture can be used to discriminate three Hypotrigona species found in Kenya. Hypotrigona gribodoi, H. araujoi and H. ruspolii colonies from Kakamega forest and H. gribodoi from Mwingi, were collected and placed in a meliponiary at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE). The following parameters were recorded: nest sites, internal nest entrances, external nest entrance colour and size, sizes (in terms of volume) of brood cells, honey and pollen pots, arrangement of brood cells and presence or absence of involucrum (cerumen covering …

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Manipulating Natural Enemy Behavior To Improve Biological Control: Attractants And Repellents Of A Weaver Ant, Anais Chailleux, Aurélien Stirnemann, Jimmy Leyes, Emilie Deletre Mar 2019

Manipulating Natural Enemy Behavior To Improve Biological Control: Attractants And Repellents Of A Weaver Ant, Anais Chailleux, Aurélien Stirnemann, Jimmy Leyes, Emilie Deletre

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Farmers may not want certain natural enemies of insect pests to be present in their fields all year round, due to the detrimental effects they might have on themselves or on their crop. We explored the potential for manipulating the behavior of the African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda, which may bite humans while being a major natural enemy against the invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, in Africa. Our aim was to find repellents that might help to protect farmers when working in the fields, while also coming up with ways of increasing weaver ant populations, by finding carbohydrate sources from …

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Field And Laboratory Performance Of False Codling Moth, Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Troticidae) On Orange And Selected Vegetables, Abdullah Mohamed Mkiga, Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed, Hannalene Du Plessis, Fathiya Mbarak Khamis, Sunday Ekesi Mar 2019

Field And Laboratory Performance Of False Codling Moth, Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Troticidae) On Orange And Selected Vegetables, Abdullah Mohamed Mkiga, Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed, Hannalene Du Plessis, Fathiya Mbarak Khamis, Sunday Ekesi

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False codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta is a key pest of citrus orange and other plants causing fruit loss through larval feeding. Although this pest is native to sub-Saharan Africa little is known on its performance on orange and vegetables in Kenya and Tanzania. Our objective was to assess the incidence, oviposition preference and offspring performance of FCM on orange and vegetables, namely, okra, African eggplant, chili and sweet peppers. A higher percentage of orange with FCM damage symptoms was recorded from the ground than from the tree sampled fruit. However, FCM larval incidence was higher for the latter (tree …

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Functional Analysis Of Rip Toxins From The Drosophila Endosymbiont Spiroplasma Poulsonii, Mario Gonzalo Garcia-Arraez, Florent Masson, Juan Camilo Paredes Escobar, Bruno Lemaitre Feb 2019

Functional Analysis Of Rip Toxins From The Drosophila Endosymbiont Spiroplasma Poulsonii, Mario Gonzalo Garcia-Arraez, Florent Masson, Juan Camilo Paredes Escobar, Bruno Lemaitre

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Background: Insects frequently live in close relationship with symbiotic bacteria that carry out beneficial functions for their host, like protection against parasites and viruses. However, in some cases, the mutualistic nature of such associations is put into question because of detrimental phenotypes caused by the symbiont. One example is the association between the vertically transmitted facultative endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii and its natural host Drosophila melanogaster. Whereas S. Poulsonii protects its host against parasitoid wasps and nematodes by the action of toxins from the family of Ribosome Inactivating Proteins (RIPs), the presence of S. Poulsonii has been reported to reduce hosts …

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First Record Of The Impact Of The Parasitism Of Cecidochares Connexa (Diptera: Tephritidae) By A Solitary Larval Ectoparasitoid In West Africa: Cause For Concern?, Pascal Osa Aigbedion-Atalor, Itohan Idemudia, Arne B.R. Witt, Michael D. Day Feb 2019

First Record Of The Impact Of The Parasitism Of Cecidochares Connexa (Diptera: Tephritidae) By A Solitary Larval Ectoparasitoid In West Africa: Cause For Concern?, Pascal Osa Aigbedion-Atalor, Itohan Idemudia, Arne B.R. Witt, Michael D. Day

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Cecidochares connexa is currently the only effective biological control agent of Chromolaena odorata an invasive weed in West Africa. Recently, an ectoparasitoid species belonging to the Ormyrus genus was found parasitizing C. connexa in three regions of Ghana. Adult parasitoid emergence percentages varied between 16 and 21%. This raises concerns about its impact on C. connexa populations and the overall biocontrol of C. odorata. New field surveys to determine the distribution range of Ormyrus sp. and its impact on C. connexa should be quickly addressed in West Africa.

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Growth-Disrupting Murraya Koenigii Leaf Extracts On Anopheles Gambiae Larvae And Identification Of Associated Candidate Bioactive Constituents, Clarence Maikuri Mang'era, Ahmed Hassanali, Fathiya M. Khamis, Martin K. Rono, Wilber Lwande, Charles Mbogo, Paul O. Mireji Feb 2019

Growth-Disrupting Murraya Koenigii Leaf Extracts On Anopheles Gambiae Larvae And Identification Of Associated Candidate Bioactive Constituents, Clarence Maikuri Mang'era, Ahmed Hassanali, Fathiya M. Khamis, Martin K. Rono, Wilber Lwande, Charles Mbogo, Paul O. Mireji

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Plant-based constituents have been proposed as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides for control of mosquito vectors of malaria. In this study, we first screened the effects of methanolic leaf extracts of curry tree (Murraya koenigii) growing in tropical (Mombasa, Malindi) and semi-arid (Kibwezi, and Makindu) ecological zones of Kenya on third instar An. gambiae s.s. larvae. Extracts of the plant from the semi-arid region, and particularly from Kibwezi, led to high mortality of the larvae. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract of the leaves of the plants from Kibwezi was then undertaken and the most active fraction (20 fold more …

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Does Artemether-Lumefantrine Administration Affect Mosquito Olfactory Behaviour And Fitness?, Jetske G. De Boer, Annette O. Busula, Jet Ten Berge, Tessa S. Van Dijk, Willem Takken Jan 2019

Does Artemether-Lumefantrine Administration Affect Mosquito Olfactory Behaviour And Fitness?, Jetske G. De Boer, Annette O. Busula, Jet Ten Berge, Tessa S. Van Dijk, Willem Takken

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Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the recommended treatment against uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infections, and ACT is widely used. It has been shown that gametocytes may be present after ACT and transmission to mosquitoes is still possible. Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is a broadly used artemisinin-based combination medicine. Here, it is tested whether AL influences behaviour and fitness of Anopheles mosquitoes, which are the main vectors of P. falciparum. Results: Dual-choice olfactometer and screenhouse experiments showed that skin odour of healthy human individuals obtained before, during and after AL-administration was equally attractive to Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto, apart from …

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Association Of Phlebotomus Guggisbergi With Leishmania Major And Leishmania Tropica In A Complex Transmission Setting For Cutaneous Leishmaniasis In Gilgil, Nakuru County, Kenya, Barrack O. Owino, Damaris Matoke-Muhia, Yasser Alraey, Jackline Milkah Mwangi, Johnstone M. Ingonga, Philip M. Ngumbi, Aitor Casas-Sanchez, Alvaro Acosta-Serrano, Daniel K. Masiga Jan 2019

Association Of Phlebotomus Guggisbergi With Leishmania Major And Leishmania Tropica In A Complex Transmission Setting For Cutaneous Leishmaniasis In Gilgil, Nakuru County, Kenya, Barrack O. Owino, Damaris Matoke-Muhia, Yasser Alraey, Jackline Milkah Mwangi, Johnstone M. Ingonga, Philip M. Ngumbi, Aitor Casas-Sanchez, Alvaro Acosta-Serrano, Daniel K. Masiga

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Background Phlebotomus (Larroussius) guggisbergi is among the confirmed vectors for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) transmission in Kenya. This scarring and stigmatizing form of leishmaniasis accounts for over one million annual cases worldwide. Most recent CL epidemics in Kenya have been reported in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where the disease has become a public health issue. However, little is known about the factors that drive its transmission. Here, we sought to determine the occurrence, distribution and host blood feeding preference of the vectors, and to identify Leishmania species and infection rates in sandflies using molecular techniques. This information could lead to a better …

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Entomological Assessment Of Dengue Virus Transmission Risk In Three Urban Areas Of Kenya, Sheila B. Agha, David P. Tchouassi, Michael J. Turell, Armanda D.S. Bastos, Rosemary Sang Jan 2019

Entomological Assessment Of Dengue Virus Transmission Risk In Three Urban Areas Of Kenya, Sheila B. Agha, David P. Tchouassi, Michael J. Turell, Armanda D.S. Bastos, Rosemary Sang

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Urbanization is one of the major drivers of dengue epidemics globally. In Kenya, an intriguing pattern of urban dengue virus epidemics has been documented in which recurrent epidemics are reported from the coastal city of Mombasa, whereas no outbreaks occur in the two major inland cities of Kisumu and Nairobi. In an attempt to understand the entomological risk factors underlying the observed urban dengue epidemic pattern in Kenya, we evaluated vector density, human feeding patterns, vector genetics, and prevailing environmental temperature to establish how these may interact with one another to shape the disease transmission pattern. We determined that (i) …

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More Than "Push" And "Pull"? Plant-Soil Feedbacks Of Maize Companion Cropping Increase Chemical Plant Defenses Against Herbivores, Daniel M. Mutyambai, Ethan Bass, Tim Luttermoser, Katja Poveda, Charles A.O. Midega, Zeyaur R. Khan, André Kessler Jan 2019

More Than "Push" And "Pull"? Plant-Soil Feedbacks Of Maize Companion Cropping Increase Chemical Plant Defenses Against Herbivores, Daniel M. Mutyambai, Ethan Bass, Tim Luttermoser, Katja Poveda, Charles A.O. Midega, Zeyaur R. Khan, André Kessler

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Plants can alter nutritional availability, structure, and chemistry of the soil they grow in. These soil changes can positively or negatively influence the growth and metabolism of other plants that co-occur or grow later in the conditioned soil. Plant-soil feedbacks could affect community interactions and dynamics but also be applied in sustainable agriculture to promote plant growth and resistance to pests. In this study, we use a maize companion cropping system, commonly known as "push-pull," as a model to investigate soil-mediated effects of functional biodiversity, on maize plant growth, and resistance against insect herbivores. We grew maize in soils collected …

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Relative Influence Of Host, Wolbachia, Geography And Climate On The Genetic Structure Of The Sub-Saharan Parasitic Wasp Cotesia Sesamiae, Antoine Branca, Bruno Le Ru, Paul André Calatayud, Julius Obonyo, Boaz Musyoka, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Laure Kaiser-Arnauld, Jean François Silvain, Jérémy Gauthier, Corentin Paillusson, Philippe Gayral, Elisabeth A. Herniou, Stéphane Dupas Jan 2019

Relative Influence Of Host, Wolbachia, Geography And Climate On The Genetic Structure Of The Sub-Saharan Parasitic Wasp Cotesia Sesamiae, Antoine Branca, Bruno Le Ru, Paul André Calatayud, Julius Obonyo, Boaz Musyoka, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Laure Kaiser-Arnauld, Jean François Silvain, Jérémy Gauthier, Corentin Paillusson, Philippe Gayral, Elisabeth A. Herniou, Stéphane Dupas

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The parasitoid lifestyle represents one of the most diversified life history strategies on earth. There are however very few studies on the variables associated with intraspecific diversity of parasitoid insects, especially regarding the relationship with spatial, biotic and abiotic ecological factors. Cotesia sesamiae is a Sub-Saharan stenophagous parasitic wasp that parasitizes several African stemborer species with variable developmental success. The different host-specialized populations are infected with different strains of Wolbachia, an endosymbiotic bacterium widespread in arthropods that is known for impacting life history traits, notably reproduction, and consequently species distribution. In this study, first we analyzed the genetic structure of …

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Effects Of The Juvenile Hormone Mimic Nc-184 On The Development Of The Reproductive Organs And Mating Behaviour Of Nymphs Of The Desert Locust, Schistocerca Gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae), Satoshi Hiroyoshi, Elizabeth Kokwaro, Sai Mettupalli, Takayuki Mitsunaga, Shigemi Yagi, Gadi V.P. Reddy Jan 2019

Effects Of The Juvenile Hormone Mimic Nc-184 On The Development Of The Reproductive Organs And Mating Behaviour Of Nymphs Of The Desert Locust, Schistocerca Gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae), Satoshi Hiroyoshi, Elizabeth Kokwaro, Sai Mettupalli, Takayuki Mitsunaga, Shigemi Yagi, Gadi V.P. Reddy

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The insect growth regulator NC-184, a juvenile hormone mimic, prevents moulting to the adult stage in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Male nymphs treated in the penultimate or fi nal nymphal instar with NC-184 exhibit precocious mating behaviour in the fi nal instar. We examined whether this chemical affects the development of the internal reproductive organs of crowded nymphs. In treated males, both accessory glands and seminal vesicles were underdeveloped, and no sperm was found in the seminal vesicle, whereas these organs in control individuals had greatly increased in size 10 days after treatment, when all the …

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