Abstract: Tomato cultivation is threatened by the infestation of the nocturnal invasive tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta. This study was based on field observations that a wild tomato plant, Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme, grown in the Mount Kenya region, Kenya, is less attacked by T. absoluta, unlike the cultivated tomato plants like S. lycopersicum (var. Rambo F1). We hypothesized that the wild tomato plant may be actively avoided by gravid T. absoluta females because of the emission o...
Abstract: In the past few decades, the control of pests and diseases of cultivated plants using natural and biological measures has drawn increasing attention in the quest to reduce the level of dependence on chemical products for agricultural production. The use of living organisms, predators, parasitoids, and microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, has proven to be a viable and sustainable pest management technique. Among the aforementioned, fungi, most importantly the insect...
Abstract: The African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda, is used as a biological control agent for the management of pests. The ant has several exocrine glands in the abdomen, including Dufour’s, poison, rectal, and sternal glands, which are associated with pheromone secretions for intra-specific communication. Previous studies have analyzed the gland secretions of Dufour’s and poison glands. The chemistry of the rectal and sternal glands is unknown. We re-analyzed the secretions from Duf...
Abstract: The multiple roles of fungal entomopathogens in host plants’ growth promotion, pest and pathogen management have drawn huge attention for investigation. Endophytic species are known to influence various activities of their associated host plants, and the endophyte-colonized plants have been demonstrated to gain huge benefits from these symbiotic associations. The potential application of fungal endophytes as alternative to inorganic fertilizers for crop improvement has often been...
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Abstract: The responses of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood to guaiacol (2- methoxyphenol), a mild repellent constituent of bovid odors, and seven analogues comprising 2-methoxyfuran, 2,4-dimethylphenol, 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol (4-methylguaiacol), 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol (4-ethylguaiacol), 4-allyl-2- ethoxyphenol (4-allylguaiacol; eugenol), 3,4-methylenedioxytoluene, and 3,4-dimethoxystyrene were compared in a two-choice wind tunnel. The 4-methyl-substituted derivative (2-methoxy-4-met...
Abstract: Oviposition site selection by gravid female insects is an important determinant in species distribution, abundance, and population dynamics. Females may assess the suitability of a potential oviposition substrate by using cues from conspecific or heterospecific individuals already present. Here, we assessed whether the presence of conspecific or heterospecific larvae and parasites influenced oviposition decisions by the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Linneaus). Using dual and mul...
Abstract: Background: Most malaria vectors belong to species complexes. Sibling species often exhibit divergent behaviors dictating the measures that can be deployed effectively in their control. Despite the importance of the Anopheles funestus complex in malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa, sibling species have rarely been identified in the past and their vectoring potential remains understudied. Methods: We analyzed 1149 wild-caught An. funestus (senso lato) specimens from 21 sites ...
Abstract: Family-group names for all taxa of earwigs (living and extinct) are listed with dates and sources indicated; in total 85 entries are recorded along with a single entry of dubious taxonomic identity (i.e., Ocelliidae, nomen dubium, a name apparently applied to a fossil earwig nymph of uncertain status and identity). This survey revealed two instances in which currently accepted names must be changed owing to priority by an older name: Platylabiinae and Cosmiellinae must be replaced ...
Abstract: The Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) whitefly is a major economically damaging pest of many crops such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Pesticides are widely used to control B. tabaci while the use of aromatic plants is an alternative control method. The aim of this study was to assess the B.tabaci repellent effect of wild oregano, Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng, a widespread aromatic plant in the West Indies. We tested three origins of wild oregano, including northern, centr...
Abstract: Production of maize,Zea maysL. (Poaceae), in sub-Saharan Africa is threatened by a new invasivepest, fall armyworm (FAW),Spodoptera frugiperda(JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). To mitigatethis threat, push–pull companion cropping, a system originally developed for management of lepi-dopteran stemborers, may be used to control FAW. The original system involved trap crops thatfunctioned as a ‘pull’ component to attract moths away from the main crop. How grass species canbe us...
Abstract: Assessment was conducted to determine the occurrence and estimate parasitism rates of hymenopteran and dipteran parasitoids on Cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in chickpea growing districts of Ethiopia. Larval parasitoids of tachinid species Drino sp., Goniophthalmus halli, Linnaemya cf. longirostris, Pimelimyia sp., and ichneumonid species, Charops sp., were identified from samples of H. armigera in chickpea. Charops sp. was the most common l...
Abstract: Tamarixia radiata is one of the established biocontrol pests against the major Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, a vector of Candidatus Liberibacter that is a causal agent of citrus Huanglong-bing (HLB) disease. Updated information and regional exploration on biocontrol pests are important elements for effective disease management strategies. In this study, the diversity and parasitism rate of T. radiata populations were evaluated. Due to the importance of the host–parasito...
Abstract: The success of biological bontrol (BC) introductions can be enhanced by considering theory and knowledge of biological systems. The gregarious braconid parasitoid Cotesia sesamiae (Cameroon) is one of the best studied biological control agent from the perspective of molecular ecology. Its evolutionary adaptation to the target host involves symbiotic partners. Polydnaviruses are responsible for immune and developmental adaptations whereas Wolbachia bacteria may reinforce this local ...
Abstract: The edible plant, Piper guineense Schum and Thonn, belongs to the family Piperaceae and possesses insecticidal properties against stored product insects, but information on isolation and use of its amide alkaloids for the control of insect pests is scanty. Therefore, amide alkaloids from P. guineense fruits as well as its crude extract were investigated as protectant against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulschy (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a cosmopolitan insect pest. Chemical analysis o...