Abstract: Studies were conducted to assess the numerical response of grounddwelling arthropods to a habitat management system (‘push–pull’) developed to control maize stemborers using spiders (Araneae) as an indicator group. In this cropping system, maize is intercropped with a stemborer moth-repellent (push) plant while an attractant trap crop (pull) is planted around this intercrop. Two study sites in western Kenya and one site at the Grain Crops Institute of the Agricultural Researc...
Abstract: 1 Field experiments were conducted on maize and sorghum at three locations in the Amhara state of Ethiopia to determine the effects of mixed cropping on stemborer infestation, borer natural enemies and grain yields. In the cool-wet ecozone of western Amhara, sole maize was compared with maize intercropped with faba bean, mustard, potatoes and cowpea. In the semi-arid ecozone of eastern Amhara, the trial was conducted on both maize and sorghum with the companion crops haricot bean, ...
Abstract: Competitive or facilitative interactions characterise phytophagous insect ommunities 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-e...
Abstract: Plants may defend themselves against herbivores via morphological traits, chemical traits, or a combination of both. Herbivores that overcome the defensive echanisms of a plant tend to specialize on this plant due to enhanced protection from natural enemies. Well-known examples of plants possessing a suite of defensive mechanisms are found in nightshades (Solanaceae), especially in the tomato genus Lycopersicon . The spider mite Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard (Acari: Tetran...
Abstract: The incorporation of entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs without doubt, has been highly effective. The ability of these fungal pathogens such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae to exist as endophytes in plants and protect their colonized host plants against the primary herbivore pests has widely been reported. Aside this sole role of pest management that has been traditionally ascribed to fungal endophytes, recent...
Abstract: Maize (Zea mays L.) production in Africa is constrained by several biotic and abiotic factors. The recent occurrence of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) a new invasive pest in Africa, has escalated the problem. Push–pull technology (PPT), proven to be effective for stemborers (Chilo partellus Swinhoe and Busseola fusca Fuller) and the parasitic weed striga (Striga hermontica Delile) management in Africa has been shown to provide good control of FAW. This stud...
Abstract: In this study, we tested whether GLS field symptoms on maize can be detected using hyperspectral data re-sampled to WorldView-2, Quickbird, RapidEye and Sentinel-2 resolutions. To achieve this objective, Random Forest algorithm was used to classify the 2013 re-sampled spectra to represent the three identified disease severity categories. Results showed that Sentinel-2, with 13 spectral bands, achieved the highest overall accuracy and kappa value of 84% and 0.76, respectively, while...
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sealing methods, grain volume and lighting candle in metal silo for the control of Prostephanus truncatus in stored maize. Metal silos with 100 kilograms holding capacity were loaded with 90 kilograms of grain, in-let and out-let were covered with lids and sealed either with rubber band, grease, rubber band combined with grease and lid without sealing (control). The control suffered highest grain damage of 6.6% and weight loss of...
Abstract: The African coffee white stem borer (CWSB) Monochamus leuconotusis a destructive pest of Arabica coffee in Africa. Documentation on outbreaks, spatiotemporal development and the relationship with different environmental conditions and coffee production system is limited. To underpin effective control measures, we studied aspects of local and regional pest drivers in Eastern Uganda. At the local scale, we (i) characterized the temporal development of CWSB and explored associations w...
Abstract: Rice farmers in Tanzania continue to experience losses due to stem borers. However, the information on farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of rice stem borers is limited and farmers’ efforts on managing this insect have been ineffective. The aim of this study was to investigate constraints affecting rice production and farmers’ approaches of stem borer management in irrigated low land rice ecosystems in Tanzania. Research method: A focus group discussion with farmers using a s...
Abstract: The shea caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi is an important insect, highly valued as a human food item in Burkina Faso.However, its appearance is seasonal due to its univoltine cycle. This study therefore investigated the possibilities of breaking the nymphal diapause by changing the environmental factors and through the hormonal treatment of prepupae and pupae using bovine insulin and 20-hydroxyecdysone. Changes in humidity and temperature did not result in emergence, suggesting a ma...
Abstract: Background: Elaphrodes lactea Gaede is a highly praised edible lepidopteran insect in the Miombo forest in the DRC. Both caterpillars and pupae of this species are consumed. Following recent declines in the Miombo forest, it is crucial to investigate the rate of consumption, biological, and exploitation cycles, as well as the trade and profitability of E. lactea to develop a sustainable program for its use. Methods: We, therefore, embarked on a survey in 10 sites located in Lubumba...
Abstract: Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, also known as the Asian citrus psyllid, is a pest of citrus known for its transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Ca. L. asiaticus), the causal bacterium of Huanglongbing. The African citrus triozid Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) has been the putative vector of Candidatus Liberibacter africanus (Ca. L. africanus) which causes the African citrus greening disease, until the recent detection of D. citri on the continent. Foll...
Abstract: The African citrus triozid Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is the most destructive citrus pest. Presently, biological data on T. erytreae are insufficient for important parameters like distribution, seasonal dynamics and ntomopathogens. Therefore, we determined the temporal dynamics of T. erytreae along three different altitudinal gradients in Kenya. In low altitudes, females of T. erytreae reactivated and started laying eggs between late February and early March...
Abstract: The productivity of maize in Ethiopia has remained lower than the world average because of several biotic and abiotic factors. Stemborers and poor soil fertility are among the main factors that contribute to this poor maize productivity. A novel cropping strategy, such as the use of push-pull technology, is one of the methods known to solve both challenges at once. A push-pull technology targeting the management of maize stemborers was implemented in the Hawassa district of Ethiopi...