ABSTRACT As a result of the increasing demand for the use of mosquito coils in Ghana, as a means of personal protection against Anopheles gambiae sensu lato, it was important to evaluate the effectiveness of three selected mosquito coils under field conditions and also determine the resistance status of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto against pyrethroid-based mosquito coils. Three bands of pyrethroid-based mosquito coils; Angel Jumbo coil®, Lord Insecticide antimosquito coils® and Heaven J...
ABSTRACT Indiscriminate use of insecticides in controlling insect pests of agricultural crops has been implicated in the development of resistance in disease vectors such as the Anopheles gambiae s.l Giles (Diptera: Culicidae) populations that breed within farming areas. Since vector control strategies are insecticide based, it is important to study insecticide resistance in farming areas such as irrigation sites where vectors are breeding. The aim of the study was to investigate insecticide ...
ABSTRACT Biology of Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) was studied in the laboratory under controlled conditions, i.e. 28 ±1 °C, 65-70 % r.h and a photoperiod of 12L: 12D hours. The results indicated that the developmental time of P. xylostella from egg to adult emergence took on the average 17.5 days. About 59 % of the eggs were laid on the first night of oviposition. Additionally females were generally larger (5.0mm) than males (4.5 mm). Effects of tempe...
ABSTRACT The papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara De Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an invasive pest insect that can damage a wide range of agricultural crops. Successful biological control of this pest strongly relies on its mass rearing in order to produce its introduced natural enemy, Acerophagus papayae. Host susceptibility studies of P. marginatus were done on four different host plants: Manihot esculenta (cassava), Solanum macrocarpon (African egg-plant), V...
ABSTRACT The larvae of Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae), can cause significant damage to crops such as maize if not well managed. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of natural infestation of FAW along the phenology of maize under field conditions, investigate the critical stages for FAW control along maize phenology, and to ascertain the effect of different treatments on maize recovery and yield after FAW infestation. This w...
ABSTRACT Intraspecific variation and biological heterogeneity in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci make it a major pest in diverse agricultural systems worldwide. The economic burden of this insect pest owes to its apparent polyphagy, vectorial capacity for viruses, and propensity for insecticide resistance development. Ecological specialisation has been observed in the species, which compounded with the variability, and adaptability pose serious impediments in its control. Effective description of...
ABSTRACT Studies were earned out on the effects of variety and processed form of cassava chips on the development of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Araecerus fasciculatus (Degeer) (Coleoptera: Anthribidae). Additionally, changes in the nutrient composition of the chips due to infestation, and the influence of major nutrients on the population parameters of these insects were also studied Statistical analysis of insect preference to the processed chips in a choic...
ABSTRACT In the course of experiments aimed towards the laboratory colonization of Simulium damnosum sensu lato, egg masses of the flies were collected from the field and reared to adults. However, it was observed that with the samples obtained from Boti Falls (River Pawnpawn), the immature stages of S. damnosum were attacked and fed upon by some larvae belonging to the family Chironomidae (Diptera). The presence of two different species of chironomid was suspected because of the occurrence o...
ABSTRACT A study was conducted to determine the behaviour of the banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus Germar and the differential severity of its larval damage on four stages of plantain' (suckers, preflowering, flowered and recently harvested) in three different crop cycles. The results indicate that the population of the adult weevil increased in the ratoon crops, and that 3-day old traps were more attractive than 5-day old traps. The longevity of weevils decreased with increasing ratooning...
ABSTRACT A parasitological examination of 2,500 faecal samples of cattle was carried out in Plateau State, Nigeria, to determine prevalence, seasonal distribution and sources of various species of Eimeria in both sexes, age groups, breeds and husbandry systems. Effects of temperatures on sporulation of Eimeria oocysts and chemical analysis of the Eimeria oocysts were also determined. Out of 2500 samples examined, 1567 i.e 62.68% were positive for twelve species of Eimeria. E. alabamensis occu...
ABSTRACT Laboratory experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of steaming cowpeas on the oviposition and larval development of the cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). The possibility of oven and solar drying as well as the effect of the initial temperature of the cowpeas on the steaming effect were also investigated. Samples of four cowpea varieties (Soronko, Asontem, Amantin and US Blackeye) were steamed for 10 and 15 minutes and solar or oven dried. Some initially stored...
A B S T R A C T The principal goal of this work was to identify specific conditions of river water in West Africa, that influence the efficacy of the microbial insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 formulation (VectoBac®) against Simulium damnosum sensu lato larvae for onchocerciasis control. One hundred and thirty assays of a standard formulation using the mini-gutter system were carried out over a period of 15 months at a field station situated near Pra River in southern Ghana. To ident...
ABSTRACT Maize is an important staple food crop in Ghana and is cultivated throughout the country. The Guinea savanna zone in the Northern region, which is fast becoming a major production zone, is also the natural ecological zone o f Parkia plants. Some insect pests, such as Sitophilus zeamais are a serious threat to maize production in Ghana. These insects appear to have adapted to and survive on some wild host plants. They may therefore emigrate from these alternative hosts to preferred h...
ABSTRACT Insecticide bio as 3 ays were carried out on JD. thoracica (a) adults by topical application of 1 pi drop of toxicant on their nota; and Ob) eggs by dipping them into insecticidal solutions for 30 min. LC50 values obtained from the tests on the adults were: Gamma BHC, 26.4Ctog/l; Pirimiphos methyl (PP511) 28.00 mg/l; Serin, 67.00 mg/l and Malathion, 580.00 mg/l. Values obtained from the eggs tests were: PP511, 1.30 mg/l; Sevin, 5.30 mg/l; gamma BHC, 18.30 mg/l andMalathion, 83.00 mg/...
ABSTRACT Ten clones and 10 hybrids each of four cocoa populations; Nanays (Na), IMCs, Trinidad introduction (Ts) and Parinaris (Pa), were screened for attractiveness and resistance/tolerance to the capsid, Sahlbergella singularis (Hagl.). Two screening methods; a laboratory ‘microtest’ and an insectary test were used to determine the attractiveness of the genotypes to capsids. In addition, seedlings exposed to capsids in the insectary were observed under ‘ semi-field’ conditions to as...