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Articles 451 - 480 of 1129

Full-Text Articles in Entomology

Description Of Eniacomorpha Hermetiae Delvare Sp. N. (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Chalcididae) A Pupal Parasitoid Of Hermetia Illucens (L.) (Diptera, Stratiomyidae), And A Potential Threat To Mass Production Of The Fly As A Feed Supplement For Domestic Animals, Gérard Delvare, Robert S. Copeland, Chrysantus M. Tanga Jan 2019

Description Of Eniacomorpha Hermetiae Delvare Sp. N. (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Chalcididae) A Pupal Parasitoid Of Hermetia Illucens (L.) (Diptera, Stratiomyidae), And A Potential Threat To Mass Production Of The Fly As A Feed Supplement For Domestic Animals, Gérard Delvare, Robert S. Copeland, Chrysantus M. Tanga

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Eniacomorpha hermetiae Delvare sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae, Dirhininae), reared from pupae of black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera, Stratiomyidae), is described and illustrated from Africa and compared with other similar species newly considered as forming the ehrhorni species-group within Eniacomorpha Girault, 1915. The newly described parasitic wasp may have a negative impact on efforts to mass produce BSF in Africa as a feed supplement for domestic animals. Eniacomorpha is removed from synonymy under Dirhinus Dalman, 1818, revised status, for the Afrotropical species of Dirhininae previously placed in Dirhinus subgenus Pareniaca Crawford, 1913. A checklist of the 10 …

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Sampling Adult Populations Of Anopheles Mosquitoes, Julie Anne A. Tangena, Alexandra Hiscox, Paul T. Brey Jan 2019

Sampling Adult Populations Of Anopheles Mosquitoes, Julie Anne A. Tangena, Alexandra Hiscox, Paul T. Brey

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For the control and elimination of malaria, information on the local vector dynamics is essential. This information provides guidance on appropriate and timely deployment of vector control tools and their subsequent success. The data on the dynamics of local mosquito populations can be collected using many different Anopheles sampling methods. Dependent on the objectives, resources, time, and local environment, different traps and methods can be chosen. This chapter describes the sampling of adult populations, focusing on the important preparatory stages and some of the widely used sampling methods. The trapping methods discussed in this chapter are the human landing catch, …

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Perception And Awareness Of Insects As An Alternative Protein Source Among Fish Farmers And Fish Feed Traders, G. Ssepuuya, C. Sebatta, E. Sikahwa, P. Fuuna, M. Sengendo, J. Mugisha, K. K.M. Fiaboe, D. Nakimbugwe Jan 2019

Perception And Awareness Of Insects As An Alternative Protein Source Among Fish Farmers And Fish Feed Traders, G. Ssepuuya, C. Sebatta, E. Sikahwa, P. Fuuna, M. Sengendo, J. Mugisha, K. K.M. Fiaboe, D. Nakimbugwe

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The perception of key players in the fish farming sector towards the use of insects is important for their acceptance to adopt insects as an alternative protein source to the expensive fish meal. Perception was established through a cross-sectional study of 208 fish farmers and 71 fish feed traders and/or processors conducted in Gulu, Tororo and Masaka districts in Uganda, using descriptive, Chi-square, correlation and factor statistical analysis of the data collected. Males dominated the fish farming and fish feed trading and/or processing enterprises. Youths were involved to almost the same extent as adults. Fish farmers majorly practiced pond fish …

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Salivary Α-Amylase Of Stem Borer Hosts Determines Host Recognition And Acceptance For Oviposition By Cotesia Spp. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Gladys B. Bichang'a, Jean Luc Da Lage, Kevin Sambai, Simon Mule, Bruno Le Ru, Laure Kaiser, Gerald Juma, Esther N. Maina, Paul André Calatayud Dec 2018

Salivary Α-Amylase Of Stem Borer Hosts Determines Host Recognition And Acceptance For Oviposition By Cotesia Spp. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Gladys B. Bichang'a, Jean Luc Da Lage, Kevin Sambai, Simon Mule, Bruno Le Ru, Laure Kaiser, Gerald Juma, Esther N. Maina, Paul André Calatayud

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Foraging insect parasitoids use specific chemical cues to discriminate between host and non-host species. Several compounds have been identified in "host location and acceptance." However, nothing is known about the molecular variations in these compounds that could account for host-range differences between parasitoid species. In a previous study, it was shown that during the host-finding process, contact between the braconid Cotesia flavipes and its host is crucial, and that α-amylase of oral secretions from the host plays a key role for host acceptance and oviposition by the parasitoid. The present study sought to establish whether the variations in this enzyme …

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Opposite Macroevolutionary Responses To Environmental Changes In Grasses And Insects During The Neogene Grassland Expansion, Gael J. Kergoat, Fabien L. Condamine, Emmanuel F.A. Toussaint, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Anne Laure Clamens, Jérôme Barbut, Paul Z. Goldstein, Bruno Le Ru Dec 2018

Opposite Macroevolutionary Responses To Environmental Changes In Grasses And Insects During The Neogene Grassland Expansion, Gael J. Kergoat, Fabien L. Condamine, Emmanuel F.A. Toussaint, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Anne Laure Clamens, Jérôme Barbut, Paul Z. Goldstein, Bruno Le Ru

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The rise of Neogene C4 grasslands is one of the most drastic changes recently experienced by the biosphere. A central - and widely debated - hypothesis posits that Neogene grasslands acted as a major adaptive zone for herbivore lineages. We test this hypothesis with a novel model system, the Sesamiina stemborer moths and their associated host-grasses. Using a comparative phylogenetic framework integrating paleoenvironmental proxies we recover a negative correlation between the evolutionary trajectories of insects and plants. Our results show that paleoenvironmental changes generated opposing macroevolutionary dynamics in this insect-plant system and call into question the role of grasslands as …

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Evaluation Of Biorational Insecticides And Dna Barcoding As Tools To Improve Insect Pest Management In Lablab Bean (Lablab Purpureus) In Bangladesh, Margaret R. Douglas, Jan Chang, Kohinoor Begum, Sevgan Subramanian, John F. Tooker, Syed Nurul Alam, Srinivasan Ramasamy Dec 2018

Evaluation Of Biorational Insecticides And Dna Barcoding As Tools To Improve Insect Pest Management In Lablab Bean (Lablab Purpureus) In Bangladesh, Margaret R. Douglas, Jan Chang, Kohinoor Begum, Sevgan Subramanian, John F. Tooker, Syed Nurul Alam, Srinivasan Ramasamy

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Lablab bean (Lablab purpureus) is a popular vegetable crop in Bangladesh, but farmers growing this crop experience significant losses to insect pests despite heavy reliance on conventional insecticides. We conducted field studies to improve pest management in lablab bean by testing biorational insecticides as alternatives to conventional insecticides for the control of pod borers (Maruca vitrata) and aphids (Aphis craccivora), and characterizing flower-inhabiting thrips as an emerging pest in this crop. In field experiments, spinosad was the most promising biorational we tested, suppressing pod-boring caterpillars more effectively than thiamethoxam or quinalphos. In contrast, azadirachtin (neem) did not significantly suppress any …

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Population Structure Of A Global Agricultural Invasive Pest, Bactrocera Dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae), Yu Jia Qin, Matthew N. Krosch, Mark K. Schutze, Yue Zhang, Xiao Xue Wang, Chandra S. Prabhakar, Agus Susanto, Alvin K.W. Hee, Sunday Ekesi, Kemo Badji, Mahfuza Khan, Jia Jiao Wu, Qiao Ling Wang, Ge Yan, Li Huan Zhu, Zi Hua Zhao, Li Jun Liu, Anthony R. Clarke, Zhi Hong Li Dec 2018

Population Structure Of A Global Agricultural Invasive Pest, Bactrocera Dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae), Yu Jia Qin, Matthew N. Krosch, Mark K. Schutze, Yue Zhang, Xiao Xue Wang, Chandra S. Prabhakar, Agus Susanto, Alvin K.W. Hee, Sunday Ekesi, Kemo Badji, Mahfuza Khan, Jia Jiao Wu, Qiao Ling Wang, Ge Yan, Li Huan Zhu, Zi Hua Zhao, Li Jun Liu, Anthony R. Clarke, Zhi Hong Li

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Bactrocera dorsalis, the Oriental fruit fly, is one of the world's most destructive agricultural insect pests and a major impediment to international fresh commodity trade. The genetic structuring of the species across its entire geographic range has never been undertaken, because under a former taxonomy B. dorsalis was divided into four distinct taxonomic entities, each with their own, largely non-overlapping, distributions. Based on the extensive sampling of six a priori groups from 63 locations, genetic and geometric morphometric datasets were generated to detect macrogeographic population structure, and to determine prior and current invasion pathways of this species. Weak population structure …

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Consequences Of Shade Management On The Taxonomic Patterns And Functional Diversity Of Termites (Blattodea: Termitidae) In Cocoa Agroforestry Systems, Ambele C. Felicitas, Bisseleua D.B. Hervé, Sunday Ekesi, Komivi S. Akutse, Christian T.C.L. Djuideu, Marie J. Meupia, Olubukola O. Babalola Dec 2018

Consequences Of Shade Management On The Taxonomic Patterns And Functional Diversity Of Termites (Blattodea: Termitidae) In Cocoa Agroforestry Systems, Ambele C. Felicitas, Bisseleua D.B. Hervé, Sunday Ekesi, Komivi S. Akutse, Christian T.C.L. Djuideu, Marie J. Meupia, Olubukola O. Babalola

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Termites have gained importance as major pests in cocoa agroforests. Proper identification of termite species and knowledge on their functional diversity are the first steps in developing environmentally compatible management strategies. We tested the hypothesis that patterns of termite species richness in different cocoa agroforests is related to responses by termite functional groups to changes in shade management. We compared termite assemblages under five cocoa agroforestry systems in Cameroon to assess the impact of shade on termite taxonomic and functional group diversity. Sampling was done using a modified standardized transect method. Two 30 × 30 m quadrates each divided into …

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Occurrence, Biology, Natural Enemies And Management Of Tuta Absoluta In Africa, Ramzi Mansour, Thierry Brévault, Anaïs Chailleux, Asma Cherif, Kaouthar Grissa-Lebdi, Khalid Haddi, Samira A. Mohamed, Robert S. Nofemela, Abiola Oke, Serigne Sylla, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Lucia Zappalà, Marc Kenis, Nicolas Desneux, Antonio Biondi Dec 2018

Occurrence, Biology, Natural Enemies And Management Of Tuta Absoluta In Africa, Ramzi Mansour, Thierry Brévault, Anaïs Chailleux, Asma Cherif, Kaouthar Grissa-Lebdi, Khalid Haddi, Samira A. Mohamed, Robert S. Nofemela, Abiola Oke, Serigne Sylla, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Lucia Zappalà, Marc Kenis, Nicolas Desneux, Antonio Biondi

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The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a devastating invasive pest of tomato crops in several areas around the world including Africa. Here, we comprehensively review and discuss the relevant scientific knowledge on its occurrence, biological and ecological aspects, fortuitous insect natural enemies, and potential advantages and constraints of pest management scenarios adopted against this pest in tomato crops in both Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa. We conclude the manuscript with a comprehensive research agenda providing future priorities towards sustainable control of this important tomato pest.

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Investigating The Viral Ecology Of Global Bee Communities With High-Throughput Metagenomics, David A. Galbraith, Zachary L. Fuller, Allyson M. Ray, Axel Brockmann, Maryann Frazier, Mary W. Gikungu, J. Francisco Iturralde Martinez, Karen M. Kapheim, Jeffrey T. Kerby, Sarah D. Kocher, Oleksiy Losyev, Elliud Muli, Harland M. Patch, Cristina Rosa, Joyce M. Sakamoto, Scott Stanley, Anthony D. Vaudo, Christina M. Grozinger Dec 2018

Investigating The Viral Ecology Of Global Bee Communities With High-Throughput Metagenomics, David A. Galbraith, Zachary L. Fuller, Allyson M. Ray, Axel Brockmann, Maryann Frazier, Mary W. Gikungu, J. Francisco Iturralde Martinez, Karen M. Kapheim, Jeffrey T. Kerby, Sarah D. Kocher, Oleksiy Losyev, Elliud Muli, Harland M. Patch, Cristina Rosa, Joyce M. Sakamoto, Scott Stanley, Anthony D. Vaudo, Christina M. Grozinger

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Bee viral ecology is a fascinating emerging area of research: viruses exert a range of effects on their hosts, exacerbate impacts of other environmental stressors, and, importantly, are readily shared across multiple bee species in a community. However, our understanding of bee viral communities is limited, as it is primarily derived from studies of North American and European Apis mellifera populations. Here, we examined viruses in populations of A. mellifera and 11 other bee species from 9 countries, across 4 continents and Oceania. We developed a novel pipeline to rapidly and inexpensively screen for bee viruses. This pipeline includes purification …

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A Multiplex Assay For The Sensitive Detection And Quantification Of Male And Female Plasmodium Falciparum Gametocytes, Lisette Meerstein-Kessel, Chiara Andolina, Elvira Carrio, Almahamoudou Mahamar, Patrick Sawa, Halimatou Diawara, Marga Van De Vegte-Bolmer, Will Stone, Katharine A. Collins, Petra Schneider, Alassane Dicko, Chris Drakeley, Ingrid Felger, Till Voss, Kjerstin Lanke, Teun Bousema Nov 2018

A Multiplex Assay For The Sensitive Detection And Quantification Of Male And Female Plasmodium Falciparum Gametocytes, Lisette Meerstein-Kessel, Chiara Andolina, Elvira Carrio, Almahamoudou Mahamar, Patrick Sawa, Halimatou Diawara, Marga Van De Vegte-Bolmer, Will Stone, Katharine A. Collins, Petra Schneider, Alassane Dicko, Chris Drakeley, Ingrid Felger, Till Voss, Kjerstin Lanke, Teun Bousema

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Background: The transmission of malaria to mosquitoes depends on the presence of gametocytes that circulate in the peripheral blood of infected human hosts. Sensitive estimates of the densities of female gametocytes (FG) and male gametocytes (MG) may allow the prediction of infectivity to mosquitoes and thus a molecular estimate of the human infectious reservoir for transmission. Methods: A novel multiplex qRT-PCR assay with intron-spanning primers was developed for the parallel quantification of FG and MG. CCp4 (PF3D7-0903800) transcripts specific for FG and PfMGET (PF3D7-1469900) transcripts specific for MG were quantified in total nucleic acids. The assay was validated on sex-sorted …

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Sodalis Glossinidius Presence In Wild Tsetse Is Only Associated With Presence Of Trypanosomes In Complex Interactions With Other Tsetse-Specific Factors 06 Biological Sciences 0604 Genetics, Manun Channumsin, Marc Ciosi, Dan Masiga, C. Michael R. Turner, Barbara K. Mable Nov 2018

Sodalis Glossinidius Presence In Wild Tsetse Is Only Associated With Presence Of Trypanosomes In Complex Interactions With Other Tsetse-Specific Factors 06 Biological Sciences 0604 Genetics, Manun Channumsin, Marc Ciosi, Dan Masiga, C. Michael R. Turner, Barbara K. Mable

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Background: Susceptibility of tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) to trypanosomes of both humans and animals has been associated with the presence of the endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius. However, intrinsic biological characteristics of the flies and environmental factors can influence the presence of both S. glossinidius and the parasites. It thus remains unclear whether it is the S. glossinidius or other attributes of the flies that explains the apparent association. The objective of this study was to test whether the presence of Trypanosoma vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei are related to the presence of S. glossinidius in tsetse flies when other factors …

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Enhancing Vector Refractoriness To Trypanosome Infection: Achievements, Challenges And Perspectives, Henry M. Kariithi, Irene K. Meki, Daniela I. Schneider, Linda De Vooght, Fathiya M. Khamis, Anne Geiger, Guler Demirbaş-Uzel, Just M. Vlak, Ikbal Agah Ince, Sorge Kelm, Flobert Njiokou, Florence N. Wamwiri, Imna I. Malele, Brian L. Weiss, Adly M.M. Abd-Alla Nov 2018

Enhancing Vector Refractoriness To Trypanosome Infection: Achievements, Challenges And Perspectives, Henry M. Kariithi, Irene K. Meki, Daniela I. Schneider, Linda De Vooght, Fathiya M. Khamis, Anne Geiger, Guler Demirbaş-Uzel, Just M. Vlak, Ikbal Agah Ince, Sorge Kelm, Flobert Njiokou, Florence N. Wamwiri, Imna I. Malele, Brian L. Weiss, Adly M.M. Abd-Alla

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With the absence of effective prophylactic vaccines and drugs against African trypanosomosis, control of this group of zoonotic neglected tropical diseases depends the control of the tsetse fly vector. When applied in an area-wide insect pest management approach, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is effective in eliminating single tsetse species from isolated populations. The need to enhance the effectiveness of SIT led to the concept of investigating tsetse-trypanosome interactions by a consortium of researchers in a five-year (2013-2018) Coordinated Research Project (CRP) organized by the Joint Division of FAO/IAEA. The goal of this CRP was to elucidate tsetse-symbiome-pathogen molecular interactions …

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Α-Amylase Mediates Host Acceptance In The Braconid Parasitoid Cotesia Flavipes, Gladys Bichang’A, Jean Luc Da Lage, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Michel Zivy, Thierry Balliau, Kevin Sambai, Bruno Le Ru, Laure Kaiser, Gerald Juma, Esther Njoki Mwangi Maina, Paul André Calatayud Nov 2018

Α-Amylase Mediates Host Acceptance In The Braconid Parasitoid Cotesia Flavipes, Gladys Bichang’A, Jean Luc Da Lage, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Michel Zivy, Thierry Balliau, Kevin Sambai, Bruno Le Ru, Laure Kaiser, Gerald Juma, Esther Njoki Mwangi Maina, Paul André Calatayud

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Foraging parasitoids use chemical signals in host recognition and selection processes. Although, the volatiles play a relevant role in the localization by parasitoids of their hosts feeding on plants, the host identification process for acceptance occurs mainly during contact between the parasitoid and its host where host products related to feeding activities, fecal pellets and oral secretions, play a crucial role. The purpose of this study was to identify the nature of the contact kairomone(s) that mediate the acceptance for oviposition of the parasitoid Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), which was released in Kenya in 1993 to control the invasive …

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Vertical Transmission Of Naturally Occurring Bunyamwera And Insect-Specific Flavivirus Infections In Mosquitoes From Islands And Mainland Shores Of Lakes Victoria And Baringo In Kenya, Yvonne Ukamaka Ajamma, Thomas Ogao Onchuru, Daniel O. Ouso, David Omondi, Daniel K. Masiga, Jandouwe Villinger Nov 2018

Vertical Transmission Of Naturally Occurring Bunyamwera And Insect-Specific Flavivirus Infections In Mosquitoes From Islands And Mainland Shores Of Lakes Victoria And Baringo In Kenya, Yvonne Ukamaka Ajamma, Thomas Ogao Onchuru, Daniel O. Ouso, David Omondi, Daniel K. Masiga, Jandouwe Villinger

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Background: Many arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes have been implicated as causative agents of both human and animal illnesses in East Africa. Although epidemics of arboviral emerging infectious diseases have risen in frequency in recent years, the extent to which mosquitoes maintain pathogens in circulation during inter-epidemic periods is still poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether arboviruses may be maintained by vertical transmission via immature life stages of different mosquito vector species. Methodology: We collected immature mosquitoes (egg, larva, pupa) on the shores and islands of Lake Baringo and Lake Victoria in western Kenya and reared them to adults. …

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Influence Of Feeding-Damaged Plants On The Oviposition Responses Within A Community Of Female Moths, Eric Siaw Ntiri, Paul Andre Calatayud, Boaz Musyoka, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Bruno Pierre Le Ru Nov 2018

Influence Of Feeding-Damaged Plants On The Oviposition Responses Within A Community Of Female Moths, Eric Siaw Ntiri, Paul Andre Calatayud, Boaz Musyoka, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Bruno Pierre Le Ru

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Competitive or facilitative interactions characterise phytophagous insect communities that utilise the same resources. These interactions are often mediated by the host plant. Plant mediation influences the oviposition choices that a community of insects, sharing the same host plant make. In this context, the oviposition choices of females within a community of lepidopteran cereal stemborers namely Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis and Chilo partellus were studied in plant choice-experiments under laboratory and field conditions. Gravid females of each species were presented with a choice between maize plants infested by conspecific or heterospecific larvae and uninfested maize plants. The number of eggs and …

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Threshold Temperatures And Thermal Requirements Of Black Soldier Fly Hermetia Illucens: Implications For Mass Production, Shaphan Yong Chia, Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, Fathiya M. Khamis, Samira A. Mohamed, Daisy Salifu, Subramanian Sevgan, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Saliou Niassy, Joop J.A. Van Loon, Marcel Dicke, Sunday Ekesi Nov 2018

Threshold Temperatures And Thermal Requirements Of Black Soldier Fly Hermetia Illucens: Implications For Mass Production, Shaphan Yong Chia, Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, Fathiya M. Khamis, Samira A. Mohamed, Daisy Salifu, Subramanian Sevgan, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Saliou Niassy, Joop J.A. Van Loon, Marcel Dicke, Sunday Ekesi

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Efforts to recycle organic wastes using black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens into highnutrient biomass that constitutes a sustainable fat (biodiesel) and high-quality protein ingredient in animal feeds have recently gained momentum worldwide. However, there is little information on the most suitable rearing conditions for growth, development and survivorship of these flies, which is a prerequisite for mass production technologies. We evaluated the physiological requirements for growth and reproduction of H. illucens on two diets [spent grains supplemented with brewers' yeast (D1) and un-supplemented (D2)]. Development rates at nine constant temperatures (10-42°C) were fitted to temperature-dependent linear and non-linear day-degree …

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Vector Competence Of Aedes Bromeliae And Aedes Vitattus Mosquito Populations From Kenya For Chikungunya Virus, Francis Mulwa, Joel Lutomiah, Edith Chepkorir, Samwel Okello, Fredrick Eyase, Caroline Tigoi, Michael Kahato, Rosemary Sang Oct 2018

Vector Competence Of Aedes Bromeliae And Aedes Vitattus Mosquito Populations From Kenya For Chikungunya Virus, Francis Mulwa, Joel Lutomiah, Edith Chepkorir, Samwel Okello, Fredrick Eyase, Caroline Tigoi, Michael Kahato, Rosemary Sang

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Background: Kenya has experienced outbreaks of chikungunya in the past years with the most recent outbreak occurring in Mandera in the northern region in May 2016 and in Mombasa in the coastal region from November 2017 to February 2018. Despite the outbreaks in Kenya, studies on vector competence have only been conducted on Aedes aegypti. However, the role played by other mosquito species in transmission and maintenance of the virus in endemic areas remains unclear. This study sought to determine the possible role of rural Aedes bromeliae and Aedes vittatus in the transmission of chikungunya virus, focusing on Kilifi and …

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Diversity And Distribution Of Lepidopteran Stemborer Species And Their Host Plants In Botswana, Eva Moeng, Reyard Mutamiswa, Des E. Conlong, Yoseph Assefa, Bruno P. Le Ru, Muluken Goftishu, Casper Nyamukondiwa Oct 2018

Diversity And Distribution Of Lepidopteran Stemborer Species And Their Host Plants In Botswana, Eva Moeng, Reyard Mutamiswa, Des E. Conlong, Yoseph Assefa, Bruno P. Le Ru, Muluken Goftishu, Casper Nyamukondiwa

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Lepidopteran stemborers are amongst the most important insect pests of maize, sorghum and sugarcane in sub-Saharan Africa. With the exception of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe), which was accidentally introduced into Africa, the other stemborer pests are indigenous to the continent and have co-evolved with native grasses and sedges. In addition to pest species, wild habitats harbour diverse non-economic stemborer species, some of which are new to science. However, the diversity and distribution of both non-economic and pest species of stemborer are currently mostly unknown in Botswana. Accordingly, country-wide surveys were conducted during 2014/15 and 2015/16 austral summer to determine species diversity …

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Screening For Resistance Against Major Lepidopteran And Stem Weevil Pests Of Amaranth In Tanzania, S. T.O. Othim, R. Srinivasan, R. Kahuthia-Gathu, T. Dubois, F. F. Dinssa, S. Ekesi, K. K.M. Fiaboe Oct 2018

Screening For Resistance Against Major Lepidopteran And Stem Weevil Pests Of Amaranth In Tanzania, S. T.O. Othim, R. Srinivasan, R. Kahuthia-Gathu, T. Dubois, F. F. Dinssa, S. Ekesi, K. K.M. Fiaboe

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Insect pests pose major challenges to optimum productivity of amaranth in Africa and Asia. The use of insecticides is the main control strategy, but is expensive and may pose health and environmental concerns, especially if proper care is not taken. Host plant resistance offers a cheap and sustainable pest management alternative. Open field experiments were conducted during two cropping seasons in 2016 and 2017 to screen 35 amaranth accessions and lines for resistance to leaf-webbers and stem weevils. The diversity (H) of lepidopteran defoliators and their parasitoids on each accession ranged from 0.00 to 1.57 and 0.00 to 1.65, respectively …

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Detection Of Pesticide Residues In Selected Bee Products Of Honeybees (Apis Melllifera L.) Colonies In A Preliminary Study From Seychelles Archipelago, Elliud Muli, Joseph Kilonzo, Norman Dogley, Gerald Monthy, Justus Kurgat, Janet Irungu, Suresh Raina Oct 2018

Detection Of Pesticide Residues In Selected Bee Products Of Honeybees (Apis Melllifera L.) Colonies In A Preliminary Study From Seychelles Archipelago, Elliud Muli, Joseph Kilonzo, Norman Dogley, Gerald Monthy, Justus Kurgat, Janet Irungu, Suresh Raina

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Pesticide residues in honey and pollen from Seychelles against a target of 108 pesticides using LC-MS/MS were analyzed. Fifteen pesticides were detected, at trace levels (< 15 ppb) and below the acceptable maximum residue limits (MRLs) as per EU regulations. In honey, six insecticide and three fungicide residues were detected. Eight insecticide and four fungicide residues were detected in the pollen matrix. The least contaminated honey and pollen samples had three and nine chemical residues respectively while the most contaminated honey and pollen samples had eight and eleven chemical residues respectively. Contact and oral LD50 values were used to calculate Pollen Hazard Quotients (PHQ) = concentration in ppb ÷ LD50 as µg/bee. The pollen hazard quotients (PHQ) obtained are way below those reported in literature. Residues were detected in low quantities, however, their high frequency and diversity and possible synergistic interactions may lead to negative impact on honeybees’ health in Seychelles.

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Gene Expression Profiles Of Odorant Binding Proteins In Glossina Brevipalpis (Diptera: Glossinidae), Mary Murithi, Rosaline Macharia, Esther Magiri, Steven Nyanjom, Daniel Masiga Oct 2018

Gene Expression Profiles Of Odorant Binding Proteins In Glossina Brevipalpis (Diptera: Glossinidae), Mary Murithi, Rosaline Macharia, Esther Magiri, Steven Nyanjom, Daniel Masiga

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Glossina spp. (Diptera: Glossinidae) vector trypanosomes, the causal pathogens of trypanosomiasis in humans and animals. Glossina spp. chemosensory mechanism is relevant to understanding the behavioral responses of these insects to environmental cues. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in either olfactory or nonolfactory cue sensation depending on their spatial and temporal expression. In most insects, the OBPs are ubiquitously expressed, although the levels are higher in the antennae. This study was aimed at determining the differential gene expression patterns of OBP genes in the developmental stages (larval, pupal, teneral) and differentially starved adults of Glossina brevipalpis (Newstead) collected from Shimba …

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The Occurrence, Diversity And Blood Feeding Patterns Of Potential Vectors Of Dengue And Yellow Fever In Kacheliba, West Pokot County, Kenya, E. Chepkorir, M. Venter, J. Lutomiah, F. Mulwa, S. Arum, D. P. Tchouassi, R. Sang Oct 2018

The Occurrence, Diversity And Blood Feeding Patterns Of Potential Vectors Of Dengue And Yellow Fever In Kacheliba, West Pokot County, Kenya, E. Chepkorir, M. Venter, J. Lutomiah, F. Mulwa, S. Arum, D. P. Tchouassi, R. Sang

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Introduction: Yellow fever (YF) and dengue (DEN) viruses are important re-emerging mosquito-borne viruses sharing similar vectors and reservoirs. The last documented YF outbreak in Kenya occurred in 1992–95. However, YF virus is re-emerging in bordering countries including Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan with the potential for spread to the neighboring regions in Kenya. Dengue is endemic in Kenya with outbreaks being detected in various towns in the north and the coast. This study reports on the Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquito species occurrence, diversity, and blood feeding patterns, as means of measuring the risk of transmission of YF and DEN in Kacheliba …

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A Scientifc Note On Validation Of Housekeeping Genes For The Primitively Eusocial Bee Euglossa Viridissima Friese (Apidae: Euglossini), S. Boff, A. Friedel, A. Miertsch, J. J.G. Quezada-Euán, R. J. Paxton, H. M.G. Lattorff Oct 2018

A Scientifc Note On Validation Of Housekeeping Genes For The Primitively Eusocial Bee Euglossa Viridissima Friese (Apidae: Euglossini), S. Boff, A. Friedel, A. Miertsch, J. J.G. Quezada-Euán, R. J. Paxton, H. M.G. Lattorff

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Studies on the expression of genes in different contexts are essential to our understanding of the functioning of organisms and their adaptations to the environment. Gene expression studies require steps of normalization, which are done using the stable expression pattern of reference genes. For many different eusocial bees reference genes have been discovered, but not for the primitively eusocial Euglossini bees. We used available genomic resources of Euglossini species and the gene information of Apis mellifera Linnaeus to develop a set of reference genes for the primitive eusocial bee Euglossa viridissima Friese. We tested nine genes, in distinct developmental stages, …

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Endophytic Effects Of Aspergillus Oryzae On Radish (Raphanus Sativus) And Its Herbivore, Plutella Xylostella, Bo Tong Sun, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Xiao Feng Xia, Jun Hui Chen, Xin Ai, Yang Tang, Qian Wang, Bo Wen Feng, Mark S. Goettel, Min Sheng You Sep 2018

Endophytic Effects Of Aspergillus Oryzae On Radish (Raphanus Sativus) And Its Herbivore, Plutella Xylostella, Bo Tong Sun, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Xiao Feng Xia, Jun Hui Chen, Xin Ai, Yang Tang, Qian Wang, Bo Wen Feng, Mark S. Goettel, Min Sheng You

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Main conclusion: We provide evidence that Aspergillus oryzae not only acts as an endophyte in Raphanus sativus, but also works as a plant growth promoter and provides some protection against its herbivore, Plutella xylostella affecting its feeding rate, mortality and fitness parameters, thereby contributing to the pest population suppression. Seed inoculation of radish seeds with the fungus Aspergillus oryzae allowed its establishment as an endophyte promoting plant growth and negatively affecting fitness parameters of its major herbivore, diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Endophytic fungi may contribute to the growth of their host plants and enhance resistance to herbivores and diseases. We …

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Effects Of Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) On Nutritional Quality Of Banana (Zingiberales: Musaceae) Buds, Deyi Yu, Peng Huang, Yong Chen, Yongwen Lin, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Yanyang Lan, Hui Wei Aug 2018

Effects Of Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) On Nutritional Quality Of Banana (Zingiberales: Musaceae) Buds, Deyi Yu, Peng Huang, Yong Chen, Yongwen Lin, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Yanyang Lan, Hui Wei

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The abundance of banana flower thrips (Thrips hawaiiensis Morgan) in a banana (Musa acuminata Colla "Williams" cultivar) plantation was investigated using yellow sticky traps (29.70 cm × 21.00 cm) in 2015. Banana flower thrips occurred throughout the year with monthly variation, and the maximum occurrence was observed in October and November during the bud burst (73.80 ± 6.32 adults/trap) and young fruit (70.06 ± 5.69 adults/trap) periods. The damage rates were as follows: interior flowers >3rd-layer flowers > 2nd-layer flowers > 1st-layer flowers > young fruits. This result indicates that thrips migrated to lower bracts, young fruits, and other flower buds as bracts …

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Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus Induces Changes In Host Plant Volatiles That Attract Vector Thrips Species, Nelson L. Mwando, Amanuel Tamiru, Johnson O. Nyasani, Meshack A.O. Obonyo, John C. Caulfield, Toby J.A. Bruce, Sevgan Subramanian Aug 2018

Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus Induces Changes In Host Plant Volatiles That Attract Vector Thrips Species, Nelson L. Mwando, Amanuel Tamiru, Johnson O. Nyasani, Meshack A.O. Obonyo, John C. Caulfield, Toby J.A. Bruce, Sevgan Subramanian

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Maize lethal necrosis is one of the most devastating diseases of maize causing yield losses reaching up to 90% in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is caused by a combination of maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and any one of cereal viruses in the Potyviridae group such as sugarcane mosaic virus. MCMV has been reported to be transmitted mainly by maize thrips (Frankliniella williamsi) and onion thrips (Thrips tabaci). To better understand the role of thrips vectors in the epidemiology of the disease, we investigated behavioral responses of F. williamsi and T. tabaci, to volatiles collected from maize seedlings infected with …

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Varroa-Specific Hygienic Behavior Of Apis Mellifera Scutellata In Kenya, Sammy Kiprotich Cheruiyot, H. Michael G. Lattorff, Ruth Kahuthia-Gathu, Jenard Patrick Mbugi, Elliud Muli Aug 2018

Varroa-Specific Hygienic Behavior Of Apis Mellifera Scutellata In Kenya, Sammy Kiprotich Cheruiyot, H. Michael G. Lattorff, Ruth Kahuthia-Gathu, Jenard Patrick Mbugi, Elliud Muli

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Varroa-specific hygienic behavior is a hereditary trait of honey bee (Apis mellifera), which supports resistance to Varroa destructor. This study investigated the response of Apis mellifera scutellata to Varroa-infested worker brood cells in Kenya, East Africa. Uncapping, removal of the brood, and disappearance of the introduced mite were recorded in a total of 690 cells into which live mites were introduced. We recorded a high proportion of untouched cells in controls (median, 80%) compared to manipulated cells in which mites had been introduced (median, 12.5%) with a significant difference (GLMM, p < 0.001). Mites were removed and cells were recapped in about 26% of the artificially infested brood cells. When ten, eight, and five mites were singly introduced in closely neighboring brood cells, hygienic bees were more responsive in the high mite density regime of eight and ten mites, an indication of a possibility that chemicals play a role in identification of Varroa-infested brood cells.

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Spatial Distribution Of Bactrocera Dorsalis And Thaumatotibia Leucotreta In Smallholder Avocado Orchards Along Altitudinal Gradient Of Taita Hills And Mount Kilimanjaro, James J. Odanga, Samira Mohamed, Sizah Mwalusepo, Florence Olubayo, Richard Nyankanga, Fathiya Khamis, Ivan Rwomushana, Tino Johansson, Sunday Ekesi Jun 2018

Spatial Distribution Of Bactrocera Dorsalis And Thaumatotibia Leucotreta In Smallholder Avocado Orchards Along Altitudinal Gradient Of Taita Hills And Mount Kilimanjaro, James J. Odanga, Samira Mohamed, Sizah Mwalusepo, Florence Olubayo, Richard Nyankanga, Fathiya Khamis, Ivan Rwomushana, Tino Johansson, Sunday Ekesi

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Avocado (Persea americana) fruits are an important source of income and a nutritious food for small-scale growers and other stakeholders involved in farming along the Afrotropical highlands of Taita Hills and Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya and Tanzania, respectively. Avocado fruits are infested by several insect pests, namely the Asian invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), and the false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). However, there is inadequate information on the distribution patterns of these pests in small-scale avocado cropping systems in the East African highlands. This study was initiated to generate a spatial distribution map of …

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Expression Of Resistance In Amaranthus Spp. (Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae): Effects Of Selected Accessions On The Behaviour And Biology Of The Amaranth Leaf-Webber, Spoladea Recurvalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Stephen T.O. Othim, Srinivasan Ramasamy, Ruth Kahuthia-Gathu, Thomas Dubois, Sunday Ekesi, Komi K.M. Fiaboe Jun 2018

Expression Of Resistance In Amaranthus Spp. (Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae): Effects Of Selected Accessions On The Behaviour And Biology Of The Amaranth Leaf-Webber, Spoladea Recurvalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Stephen T.O. Othim, Srinivasan Ramasamy, Ruth Kahuthia-Gathu, Thomas Dubois, Sunday Ekesi, Komi K.M. Fiaboe

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Spoladea recurvalis F. is a major pest moth of amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) flowers worldwide, with a potential of causing complete foliage loss under severe outbreaks. Chemical insecticides are uneconomical for resource-poor farmers and pose health and environmental risks. Host plant resistance (HPR) to insects is an effective, economical and environmentally friendly alternative that is poorly understood and largely unexploited among traditional leafy vegetables. A total of 35 amaranth accessions were evaluated for the expression of their antixenotic and antibiotic traits against S. recurvalis, focusing on their effects on the biology of the pest in comparison with a susceptible accession. The …

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