Abstract: Although black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) is effective on crop performance, information on nitrogen (N) mineralization and nutrient release capacity of soils amended with BSFFF is lacking. This study utilized field incubation experiments to investigate the ammonification, nitrification, microbial populations, and quantities of nutrients released by soils amended with BSFFF and commercial organic fertilizer (SAFI) for a period equivalent to two maize cropping seasons. For ...
Abstract: The effectiveness of two lures for trapping the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, by means of in-hive traps was tested by Þeld trials in apiaries located in Florida, Delaware, and Pennsylvania during 2003Ð2005. Both lures included a mixture (pollen dough) consisting of bee pollen and commercial pollen substitute formulated with or without glycerol and honey. Before it was used in the traps, the dough was conditioned either by the feeding of adult small hive beetles or by inocula...
Abstract: Pollinators are of essential importance for sustainable agriculture. However, pollination efficiency depends on interacting factors such as pollinator behaviour and morphology. We compared the effect of probing time length and visit frequency of two distinct body size African stingless bee species (Meliponula bocandei, Dactylurina schmidti) as alternative pollinators to Apis mellifera scutellata on greenhouse cultivated cucumber. We found differences in morphometric characteristics...
Abstract: Avocado (Persea americana) production is increasing in Kenya, with both small and largeholder farming for domestic and export markets. However, one of main challenges that limit production is infestation by insect pests, notably the oriential fruit fly Bactocera dorsalis and Ceratitis spp. fruit flies, which cause direct crop losses and are indirectly responsible for non-tariff trade barriers due to stringent export requirements. Data on weekly pest trap counts were collected betwe...
Abstract: Stomoxys calcitrans (stable fly) is a cosmopolitan biting fly of both medical and veterinary importance. Unlike blood-feeding-related behavior of stable fly, its plant feeding, the fitness value, and the S. calcitrans–plant interaction are less understood. Here we show based on two chloroplast DNA genes, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large chain (rbcL) and the intergenic spacer gene trnH-psbA, that field-collected male and female stable flies fed on various plant species. We ...
Abstract: Edible insects are increasingly gaining popularity as research reveals multiple benefits. However, the rediscovery of natural products from insects as medicinal agents has received limited attention. This study aimed at evaluating the diversity of sterols in extracts of nine edible insects and potential antibacterial activities. Dichloromethane extracts of these insects were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to identify important sterols, followed by evaluation ...
Abstract: Reliable metrics to monitor human impacts on biodiversity are essential for informing conservation policy. As insects are indicators of global change, whose declines profoundly affect ecosystems, insect diversity may predict biodiversity status. Here we present an unbiased and straightforward biodiversity status metric based on insect diversity (richness) and landscape naturalness. Insect diversity was estimated using spatially explicit earth observation data and insect species ass...
Abstract: Analysis of landmark-based morphometric measurements taken on body parts of insects have been a useful taxonomic approach alongside DNA barcoding in insect identification. Statistical analysis of morphometrics have largely been dominated by traditional methods and approaches such as principal component analysis (PCA), canonical variate analysis (CVA) and discriminant analysis (DA). However, advancement in computing power creates a paradigm shift to apply modern tools such as machin...
Abstract: The Anopheles symbiont, Microsporidia MB, is maternally inherited and has a strong malaria transmission-blocking phenotype in Anopheles arabiensis. Microsporidia MB is also vertically transmitted, sexually transmitted, and avirulent. These characteristics are expected to promote its spread through mosquito populations, enhancing the potential of Microsporidia MB as a candidate for the development of a symbiont-mediated malaria transmission-blocking strategy. We found that the patte...
Abstract: The utilization of insect protein in poultry feed is globally gaining momentum. However, the nutritional quality of meat from hen fed diet with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) as fishmeal (FM) substitute has received limited research attention. Our results revealed that feed substitution did not affect the proximate compositions of the meat products. Omega 3 fatty acids were uninfluenced (P < 0.05) whilst the total monounsaturated fatty acids progressively increased with incr...
Abstract: Background: PermaNet® 3.0 is a deltamethrin-treated combination long-lasting insecticidal net with the addition of synergist piperonylbutoxide (PBO) on its roof section. It is designed to overcome the challenge posed by pyrethroid resistant vector populations against mainstream long-lasting insecticidal nets impregnated with pyrethroids only. The objective of this study was to determine insecticide resistance status of Anopheline and Culicine mosquitoes, to evaluate the bio-efcacy...
Abstract: : This study was carried out to assess individuals’ willingness to pay (WTP) for UZIMAX,a novel plant-based biopesticide developed for malaria vector control. The biopesticide is estimated to kill up to 100% of Anopheles larvae within 48 h of application and poses no risks to human health and the environment. However, scaling-up of its adoption requires clear evidence of its acceptance by individuals in malaria-prone areas. We conducted Becker-DeGroot-Marschak (BDM) revealed pref...
Abstract: Background: In Kenya, malaria remains a major public health menace equally affecting the semi-arid to arid ecologies. However, entomologic knowledge of malaria vectors in such areas remains poor.Methods: Morphologically-identified wild-caught Anopheles funestus (s.l.) specimens trapped outdoors from the semi-arid to arid area of Kacheliba, West Pokot County, Kenya, were analysed by PCR and sequencing for species identification, malaria parasite infection and host blood-meal sources...
Abstract: Background: The search for a standard human surrogate in the form of a synthetic mosquito attractant has been the goal of many laboratories around the world. Besides alleviating the occupational risk subjected to volunteers participating in vector surveillance and control, discovery of potent attractants underpins the development and deployment of mass trapping devices for controlling mosquito-borne diseases. Methods: A dual-port olfactometer was used to assess behavioural response...
Abstract: Background & objectives: A study was conducted to characterise larval habitats and to determine spatial heterogeneity of the Anopheles mosquito larvae. The study was conducted from May to June 1999 in nine villages along the Kenyan coast. Methods: Aquatic habitats were sampled by use of standard dipping technique. The habitats were characterised based on size, pH, distance to the nearest house, coverage of canopy, surface debris, algae and emergent plants, turbidity, substrate, and...