Abstract: The present study arrived at investigating the influence of supplementary food on a developing rodent community on the coastal dune forests north of Richards Bay, South Africa. Four sites were selected for the field experiment. Each of these study sites comprised a treatment and control grid. Sunflower seeds were provided on the treatment grids and the response thereof on rodent population and community variables were measured. Each of the grids were trapped on a monthly bases as t...
Abstract: Avermectins and milbemycins are commonly used in agro-ecosystems for the control of parasites in domestic livestock. As integral members of agro-ecosystems with importance in maintaining pasture health through dung burial behaviour, dung beetles are an excellent, non-target, bio-indicator taxon for examining potential detrimental effects of pesticide application. The current study uses the dung beetle species, Euoniticellus intermedius (Reiche), as a bio-indicator to test the relat...
Abstract: Four grids, each 3,42 ha (4 morgen) in size, were live trapped from April 1967 through May 1969 in two soil and vegetation types (black turf~ Acacia nigrescens community, and brown reddish soil: Acacia tortilis community) at Pongola, northern Zululand, to determine the effect of dieldrin coverspraying, at a dosage of 87,4 g/hectare (2,64 oz/morgen), on rodents. Low population numbers before and especially at the time of spraying made clear-cut conclusions impossible to reach. Roden...
Abstract: Gonipterus scutellatus species complex is a cryptic species that feeds on Eucalyptus leaves. Both the adult and larval stages cause high levels of defoliation. Gonipterus sp. n. 2 is the species present in South Africa and Anaphes nitens was released as a biological control agent. However, Gonipterus spp. populations have continued to cause economic damage and various countries continue to seek additional biological control agents. This dissertation focused on understanding how nat...
ABSTRACT Sweetpotato is a major food security crop grown in Kenya. Its production is however limited due to high prevalence of pests and diseases among other factors. Cultural control appears to be the most promising strategy in curbing this problem. However, the recommended cultural control practices are based on farming practices in Asia and United States of America that may not be appropriate for subsistence farmers found in Kenya. This study sought to establish farmers’ knowledge on swe...