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Articles 811 - 840 of 1129

Full-Text Articles in Entomology

Recent Reduction In The Water Level Of Lake Victoria Has Created More Habitats For Anopheles Funestus, Noboru Minakawa, Gorge Sonye, Gabriel O. Dida, Kyoko Futami, Satoshi Kaneko Aug 2008

Recent Reduction In The Water Level Of Lake Victoria Has Created More Habitats For Anopheles Funestus, Noboru Minakawa, Gorge Sonye, Gabriel O. Dida, Kyoko Futami, Satoshi Kaneko

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Background. The water level of Lake Victoria has fallen more than 1.5 m since 1998, revealing a narrow strip of land along the shore. This study determined whether the recent drop in the water level has created additional breeding grounds for malaria vectors. Methods. The recent and past shorelines were estimated using landmarks and a satellite image. The locations of breeding habitats were recorded using a GPS unit during the high and low lake water periods. GIS was used to determine whether the breeding habitats were located on newly emerged land between the new and old shorelines. Results. Over half …


Resource Allocation And Bionomics Of Indigenous And Exotic Cotesia (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Species Reared On Sesamia Calamistis, Y. Hailemichael, F. Schulthess, J. Smith, W. Overholt, A. Chabi-Olaye Aug 2008

Resource Allocation And Bionomics Of Indigenous And Exotic Cotesia (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Species Reared On Sesamia Calamistis, Y. Hailemichael, F. Schulthess, J. Smith, W. Overholt, A. Chabi-Olaye

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The braconid larval parasitoids Cotesia chilonis (Matsumura), C. flavipes Cameron and a strain of Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) from coastal Kenya, reared at the International Centre of Insect Ecology and Physiology, were introduced at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in the Republic of Benin for suitability testing on West African stemborers prior to release. C. chilonis was originally collected in Japan while C. flavipes was imported into Kenya from Pakistan. The host species used was the noctuid Sesamia calamistis (Hampson), the most important noctuid maize pest in the region. All three Cotesia species attacked and successfully developed in 2nd to …


Role Of Native Bees And Natural Habitats In Eggplant (Solanum Melongena) Pollination In Kenya, Barbara Gemmill-Herren, Alfred O. Ochieng' Aug 2008

Role Of Native Bees And Natural Habitats In Eggplant (Solanum Melongena) Pollination In Kenya, Barbara Gemmill-Herren, Alfred O. Ochieng'

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The pollination requirements of eggplant (Solanum melongena) were investigated. One variety of eggplant exhibited a significantly reduced seed set in absence of pollinators, and two varieties significantly increased seed numbers when pollen deposition was enhanced. Two solitary bee species, Xylocopa caffra and Macronomia rufipes, were identified as effective pollinators of the crop. The visitation rates of these pollinators to eggplant flowers declined significantly with distance from the wild habitat. The importance of wild plants as alternative forage source for pollinators was assessed by a survey of the flowering plants in different habitats surrounding eggplant fields. While ruderal farm weeds provide …


Economic Performance Of The 'Push-Pull' Technology For Stemborer And Striga Control In Smallholder Farming Systems In Western Kenya, Zeyaur R. Khan, Charles A.O. Midega, Esther M. Njuguna, David M. Amudavi, Japhether M. Wanyama, John A. Pickett Jul 2008

Economic Performance Of The 'Push-Pull' Technology For Stemborer And Striga Control In Smallholder Farming Systems In Western Kenya, Zeyaur R. Khan, Charles A.O. Midega, Esther M. Njuguna, David M. Amudavi, Japhether M. Wanyama, John A. Pickett

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The 'push-pull' technology (PPT), developed in Africa, offers effective control of cereal stemborers and Striga weed in maize-based cropping systems. It involves intercropping maize with desmodium, Desmodium uncinatum, with Napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum, planted as border around this intercrop. Desmodium repels the stemborer moths (push) that are subsequently attracted to the Napier grass (pull). Desmodium also suppresses and eliminates Striga. We assessed economic performance of this technology compared to the conventional maize mono- and maize-bean intercropping systems in six districts in western Kenya over 4-7 years. Ten farmers were randomly recruited in each district and each planted three plots representing …


Farmers' Perceptions Of A 'Push-Pull' Technology For Control Of Cereal Stemborers And Striga Weed In Western Kenya, Zeyaur R. Khan, David M. Amudavi, Charles A.O. Midega, Japhether M. Wanyama, John A. Pickett Jun 2008

Farmers' Perceptions Of A 'Push-Pull' Technology For Control Of Cereal Stemborers And Striga Weed In Western Kenya, Zeyaur R. Khan, David M. Amudavi, Charles A.O. Midega, Japhether M. Wanyama, John A. Pickett

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Striga and cereal stemborers are major constraints to cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa causing serious food security concerns. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and partners have developed a novel integrated management system called the 'push-pull' technology (PPT) in mitigation. This involves inter-cropping maize with a stemborer moth-repellent forage legume, silverleaf desmodium (push), and planting an attractive trap crop, Napier grass (pull), around the intercrop. Additionally, chemicals produced from desmodium roots inhibit Striga. We evaluated farmers' perceptions of the pests, PPT attributes and factors influencing the likelihood of its adoption in 15 districts in western Kenya. A …


Can Low Release Numbers Lead To Establishment And Spread Of An Exotic Parasitoid: The Case Of The Diamondback Moth Parasitoid, Diadegma Semiclausum (Hellén), In East Africa, G. Gichini, B. Löhr, A. Rossbach, B. Nyambo, R. Gathu Jun 2008

Can Low Release Numbers Lead To Establishment And Spread Of An Exotic Parasitoid: The Case Of The Diamondback Moth Parasitoid, Diadegma Semiclausum (Hellén), In East Africa, G. Gichini, B. Löhr, A. Rossbach, B. Nyambo, R. Gathu

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From 2001 onwards, Diadegma semiclausum, an exotic parasitoid of the diamondback moth, was introduced and released in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Contrary to common practice where thousands of parasitoids are released, we released very low numbers, 125 females in Kenya, 160 in Uganda and 350 in Tanzania. About 2 years after this single release, the establishment and natural spread of the parasitoids was assessed in all release areas. Two methods were employed: in Kenya, a grid with equidistant points in the four cardinal directions (2-50 km) with the release area in the centre was used and collections were made 27 …


Genetic And Biological Variations Among Plutella Xylostella Granulovirus Isolates, S. Subramanian, R. J. Rabindra, S. Sithanantham Jun 2008

Genetic And Biological Variations Among Plutella Xylostella Granulovirus Isolates, S. Subramanian, R. J. Rabindra, S. Sithanantham

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Success of a baculovirus in the field depends on the selection and utilization of effective isolates of viruses with increased pathogenicity and virulence. Isolates of Plutella xylostella granuloviruses collected from Kenya and India were compared for genetic variations by restriction endonuclease enzyme analysis and for biological activity based on their median lethal concentration and time-to-kill early- and late-third instars. The P. xylostella granulovirus isolates in Kenya were more diverse than those in India and were considerably different from the latter, with only 53-61% similarity. The Kenyan and Indian isolates did not differ significantly for their median lethal concentration, but the …


Integrated Management Of Striga Hermonthica, Stemborers, And Declining Soil Fertility In Western Kenya, B. Vanlauwe, F. Kanampiu, G. D. Odhiambo, H. De Groote, L. J. Wadhams, Z. R. Khan May 2008

Integrated Management Of Striga Hermonthica, Stemborers, And Declining Soil Fertility In Western Kenya, B. Vanlauwe, F. Kanampiu, G. D. Odhiambo, H. De Groote, L. J. Wadhams, Z. R. Khan

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Striga hermonthica (Delile) Benth., stemborers, and declining soil fertility are serious threats to sustainable food production in the Lake Victoria zone of Kenya. To address these constraints, promising integrated crop management technologies were evaluated, using a multi-locational design in four sub-locations in Siaya and Vihiga district (western Kenya) for six cropping seasons. Technologies evaluated consisted of the traditional maize (Zea mays L.) - bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercrop, maize - Desmodium (Desmodium uncinatum (Jacq.) DC.) push-pull intercrop, Crotalaria (Crotalaria ochroleuca G. Don) - maize rotation, and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) - maize rotation. Within each of these systems, imazapyr-coated …


Chemical Ecology And Conservation Biological Control, Zeyaur R. Khan, David G. James, Charles A.O. Midega, John A. Pickett May 2008

Chemical Ecology And Conservation Biological Control, Zeyaur R. Khan, David G. James, Charles A.O. Midega, John A. Pickett

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Elucidating the chemical ecology of natural enemies, herbivores and host plants is important in the development of effective and successful integrated pest management (IPM) strategies where abundance and distribution of natural enemies could be manipulated by semiochemicals for improved conservation biological control (CBC). In response to attack by herbivores, plants produce semiochemicals called Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles (HIPVs) which act to repel pests and attract their natural enemies. Damaged, and in some cases, intact plants may also produce volatile signals that warn other plants of impending attack. Some of these intact plants are used as intercrops in 'push-pull' strategies; cropping systems …


Trypanosoma Brucei Rhodesiense Transmitted By A Single Tsetse Fly Bite In Vervet Monkeys As A Model Of Human African Trypanosomiasis, John K. Thuita, John M. Kagira, David Mwangangi, Enock Matovu, C. M.R. Turner, Daniel Masiga May 2008

Trypanosoma Brucei Rhodesiense Transmitted By A Single Tsetse Fly Bite In Vervet Monkeys As A Model Of Human African Trypanosomiasis, John K. Thuita, John M. Kagira, David Mwangangi, Enock Matovu, C. M.R. Turner, Daniel Masiga

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We have investigated the pathogenicity of tsetse (Glossina pollidipes)-transmitted cloned strains of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in velvet monkeys. Tsetse files were confirmed to have mature trypanosome infections by xenodiagnosis, after which nine monkeys were infected via the bite of a single infected fly. Chancres developed in five of the nine (55.6%) monkeys within 4 to 8 days post infection (dpi). All nine individuals were successfully infected, with a median pre-patent period of 4 (range = 4-10) days, indicating that trypanosomes migrated from the site of fly bite to the systemic circulation rapidly and independently of the development of the chancre. …


Heavy Metals In Mosquito Larval Habitats In Urban Kisumu And Malindi, Kenya, And Their Impact, Paul O. Mireji, Joseph Keating, Ahmed Hassanali, Charles M. Mbogo, Hudson Nyambaka, Samuel Kahindi, John C. Beier May 2008

Heavy Metals In Mosquito Larval Habitats In Urban Kisumu And Malindi, Kenya, And Their Impact, Paul O. Mireji, Joseph Keating, Ahmed Hassanali, Charles M. Mbogo, Hudson Nyambaka, Samuel Kahindi, John C. Beier

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Concentrations and distribution of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese and zinc in mosquito larval habitats in urban Kisumu and Malindi, Kenya and their effect on the presence of Anopheles gambiae, Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles funestus larvae were investigated. Manganese and iron were the most prevalent heavy metals in water of larval habitats in urban Kisumu and Malindi, respectively. Iron was the most prevalent heavy metal in bottom sediments in larval habitats in both cities. The highest concentrations of all heavy metals, except cadmium and iron, were recorded in the poorly planned-well drained stratum in the two cities. …


Blood-Feeding Patterns Of Culex Quinquefasciatus And Other Culicines And Implications For Disease Transmission In Mwea Rice Scheme, Kenya, Ephantus J. Muturi, Simon Muriu, Josephat Shililu, Joseph M. Mwangangi, Benjamin G. Jacob, Charles Mbogo, John Githure, Robert J. Novak May 2008

Blood-Feeding Patterns Of Culex Quinquefasciatus And Other Culicines And Implications For Disease Transmission In Mwea Rice Scheme, Kenya, Ephantus J. Muturi, Simon Muriu, Josephat Shililu, Joseph M. Mwangangi, Benjamin G. Jacob, Charles Mbogo, John Githure, Robert J. Novak

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Studies were conducted in Mwea Rice Scheme, Kenya during the period April 2005 and January 2007 to determine the host-feeding pattern of culicine mosquitoes. Mosquitoes were collected indoors and outdoors and tested for human, bovine, goat, and donkey blood meals by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. A total of 1,714 blood-engorged samples comprising Culex quinquefasciatus Say (96.1%), Culex annulioris Theobald (1.8%), Culex poicilipes Theobald (0.9%), Aedes cuminsi Theobald (1.0%), Aedes taylori Edwards (0.1%), and Mansonia africana Theobald (0.1%) were tested. Except for A. taylori, in which the single blood meal tested was of bovine origin, the other species fed mostly on …


Hydrological Modeling Of Geophysical Parameters Of Arboviral And Protozoan Disease Vectors In Internally Displaced People Camps In Gulu, Uganda, Benjamin G. Jacob, Ephantus J. Muturi, Erick X. Caamano, James T. Gunter, Enoch Mpanga, Robert Ayine, Joseph Okelloonen, Jack Pen Mogi Nyeko, Josephat I. Shililu, John I. Githure, James L. Regens, Robert J. Novak, Ibulaimu Kakoma Apr 2008

Hydrological Modeling Of Geophysical Parameters Of Arboviral And Protozoan Disease Vectors In Internally Displaced People Camps In Gulu, Uganda, Benjamin G. Jacob, Ephantus J. Muturi, Erick X. Caamano, James T. Gunter, Enoch Mpanga, Robert Ayine, Joseph Okelloonen, Jack Pen Mogi Nyeko, Josephat I. Shililu, John I. Githure, James L. Regens, Robert J. Novak, Ibulaimu Kakoma

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Background: The aim of this study was to determine if remotely sensed data and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) can test relationships between Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles gambiae s.l. larval habitats and environmental parameters within Internally Displaced People (IDP) campgrounds in Gulu, Uganda. A total of 65 georeferenced aquatic habitats in various IDP camps were studied to compare the larval abundance of Cx. quinquefasciatus and An. gambiae s.l. The aquatic habitat dataset were overlaid onto Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps retrieved from Landsat imagery with 150 m × 150 m grid cells stratified by levels of drainage. The LULC change …


Location, Acceptance And Suitability Of Lepidopteran Stemborers Feeding On A Cultivated And Wild Host-Plant To The Endoparasitoid Cotesia Flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Meshack Obonyo, Fritz Schulthess, Juma Gerald, Onesmus Wanyama, Bruno Le Rü, Paul André Calatayud Apr 2008

Location, Acceptance And Suitability Of Lepidopteran Stemborers Feeding On A Cultivated And Wild Host-Plant To The Endoparasitoid Cotesia Flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Meshack Obonyo, Fritz Schulthess, Juma Gerald, Onesmus Wanyama, Bruno Le Rü, Paul André Calatayud

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Maize fields in Africa are usually surrounded by land occupied by wild plants many of which harbor lepidopteran stemborer species not found on crops. It is not known if the exotic braconid parasitoid Cotesia flavipes, which was released in Kenya in 1993 against the invasive crambid Chilo partellus, searches for and attacks these borers in their natural habitats and whether they are suitable for parasitoid development. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between acceptance and suitability of six stemborer species attacking cultivated sorghum (C. partellus, Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis, and S. nonagrioides) or Napier grass (Busseola …


Interspecific Competition Between Diadegma Semiclausum Hellen And Diadegma Mollipla (Holmgren), Parasitoids Of The Diamondback Moth, Plutella Xylostella (L), Feeding On A New Host Plant, A. Rossbach, B. Löhr, S. Vidal Apr 2008

Interspecific Competition Between Diadegma Semiclausum Hellen And Diadegma Mollipla (Holmgren), Parasitoids Of The Diamondback Moth, Plutella Xylostella (L), Feeding On A New Host Plant, A. Rossbach, B. Löhr, S. Vidal

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Interspecific competition between an introduced parasitoid species aimed at controlling a herbivorous pest species and a native parasitoid parasitising the same host may influence the success of classical biological control programmes. In Kenya, interspecific competition between an introduced and a local parasitoid on two diamondback moth populations (DBM, Plutella xylostella) was investigated on two different host plants. We tested simultaneous and delayed competition of the local parasitoid Diadegma mollipla Holmgren and its exotic congenus D. semiclausum Hellen on a newly aquired DBM host plant (snowpea) in the laboratory. Under simultaneous competition, D. mollipla produced more progeny than D. semiclausum on …


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


Host Plants And Host Plant Preference Studies For Bactrocera Invadens (Diptera: Tephritidae) In Kenya, A New Invasive Fruit Fly Species In Africa, Ivan Rwomushana, Sunday Ekesi, Ian Gordon, Callistus K.P.O. Ogol Mar 2008

Host Plants And Host Plant Preference Studies For Bactrocera Invadens (Diptera: Tephritidae) In Kenya, A New Invasive Fruit Fly Species In Africa, Ivan Rwomushana, Sunday Ekesi, Ian Gordon, Callistus K.P.O. Ogol

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Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White (Diptera: Tephritidae), an invasive fruit fly species of Asian origin, was detected in Kenya in 2003, and is now well established in several parts of the country. We assessed the host range of this major quarantine pest in Kenya by collecting a wide range of cultivated and wild host plants from December 2004 to April 2006. Fruit were collected from 90 plant species representing 40 families from the Coast, Eastern, and Rift Valley provinces of the country where the fly population had been observed to occur in large numbers and where fruit and vegetable …


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


Life History Parameters Of Ceratitis Capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) Reared On Liquid Diets, Chiou Ling Chang, Carlos Caceres, Sunday Ekesi Nov 2007

Life History Parameters Of Ceratitis Capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) Reared On Liquid Diets, Chiou Ling Chang, Carlos Caceres, Sunday Ekesi

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A liquid diet for rearing Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was developed. Several yeast-based products were evaluated as diet ingredients, and a combination of whole cell yeast (LBI2240) and hydrolyzed yeast (such as FNILS65) in 1:1-3:1 ratio was selected for use in the study. Larvae reared in a liquid diet with LBI2240:FNILS65 ratios of either 1:1 or 3:1 resulted in the same pupal recovery as to those reared in the conventional mill fee- based control diet. Larvae reared in a liquid diet with whole cell yeast only yielded the lowest pupal production, whereas other parameters such as adult emergence, adult …


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

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

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