Abstract: Microsporidia are spore-forming eukaryotes that are related to fungi but have unique traits that set them apart. They have compact genomes as a result of evolutionary gene loss associated with their complete dependency on hosts for survival. Despite having a relatively small number of genes, a disproportionately high percentage of the genes in microsporidia genomes code for proteins whose functions remain unknown (hypothetical proteins—HPs). Computational annotation of HPs has be...
Abstract: Edible insects are a sustainable source of high-quality animal protein. Insect farming is gaining interest globally, particularly in low-income countries, where it may provide substantial nutritional and economic benefits. To enhance insect farming practices in Africa, new farming systems are being developed. However, knowledge on how to best promote uptake of these systems is lacking. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the effectiveness of educational interventions ...
Abstract: The greater pumpkin flyDacus bivittatus(Bigot) is a fruit fly indigenous to Africa, whichcauses extensive damage to Cucurbitaceae. To control this pest, farmers rely on synthetic chemi-cals, often organophosphates, which have negative effects on human health and the environment.However, the sustainable management ofD. bivittatusmay be obtained through integrated pestmanagement (IPM) practices, with the use of biopesticides as a key component. In this study, theeffect of nine isolat...
Abstract: Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) (Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida Woll.) are quarantine pests of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) worldwide capable of causing significant yield loss and difficult to manage with conventional methods. The study explored the diversity of antagonistic fungi associated with PCN obtained from soil samples collected in Nyandarua and Nakuru Counties in Kenya and their effect on PCN egg viability and hatching was also evaluated. Twelve fungal isolates from f...
Abstract: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs), which play key roles in helping the host immune system fight pathogen invasions. Systematic information on TLRs at the genome-wide level and expression profiling in response to endophytic colonization is very important to understand their functions but is currently lacking in this field. Here, a total of two TLR genes were identified and characterized in Diaphorina citri. The TLR genes of D. citri were clustered ...
Abstract: Background Thermophilic composting is a promising method of sanitizing pathogens in manure and a source of agriculturally important thermostable enzymes and microorganisms from organic wastes. Despite the extensive studies on compost prokaryotes, shifts in microbial profiles under the influence of various green materials and composting days are still not well understood, considering the complexity of the green material sources. Here, the effect of regimens of green composting mater...
Abstract: Although mining is Zambia's major economic activity, it is implicated in environmental contamination, particularly with heavy metals. This study investigated the accumulation and transfer of heavy metals along the soil-plant-edible insect-human food chain. Our results revealed the presence of eight heavy metals (Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cop-per, Iron, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc) with a 28–60 % increase in soil concentrations at the proximity of the mining facilities. There was a h...
Abstract: In insect communities, the outcome of intra- and inter-specific competitions for food utilisation depend primarily upon density and duration even inter-specific competitions can occur when they are not sharing the same feeding niche such as between foliar feeders and stemborers. Experimental manipulations of larval densities and the durations of common diet feeding of fall armyworm (FAW), S. frugiperda, and the African lepidopteran stemborers, Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis and...
Abstract: Plant viruses and entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) can both elicit immune responses in insects. This study was designed to clarify whether plant viruses could affect the efficacy of EPF and explore the immune responses of brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, in response to different pathogen infections. In this study, a strain of Metarhizium anisopliae YTTR with high pathogenicity against BPH was selected and explored whether rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV) could affect its leth...
Abstract: To overcome the negative impacts of invasive fall armyworm (FAW), this study assessed the laboratory and field efficacy of aqueous and oil-based formulations of Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 41 as an alternative source for FAW management. Three oil formulations, including canola, corn and olive oils and an aqueous formulation of ICIPE 41, were assessed against the second-instar larvae of FAW in the laboratory. Field experiments were also conducted at Mbita and Migori, Kenya, using t...
Abstract: This study aimed to provide information on the nutrients of the edible larval stage of Gonimbrasia cocaulti (GC) for the first time, while exploring the potential nutrient content of the pupal life stages of the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori; BM) and the Eri silkworm (Samia Cynthia ricini; SC). The three insects were analyzed for fatty acids, minerals, proximate composition and vitamins. Among the fatty acids, linoleic, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, was approximately threefold hig...
Abstract: Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by skin-penetrating female Tunga penetrans fleas. Although tungiasis causes severe health problems, its ecology is poorly understood and morphological descriptions of the larvae are unavailable. To identify T. penetrans immature stages and sites where they develop, diagnostic PCRs are required. However, flea larvae feed on soil organic matter rich in PCR inhibitors. Here, three DNA preparation methods, including a soil DNA kit that r...
Abstract: Endophytic entomopathogenic species are known to systematically colonize host plants and form symbiotic associations that benefit the plants they live with. The actin-depolymerizing factors (ADFs) are a group of gene family that regulate growth, development, and defense-related functions in plants. Systematic studies of ADF family at the genome-wide level and their expression in response to endophytic colonization are essential to understand its functions but are currently lacking ...
Abstract: Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, has recently invaded Africa where it is seriously threatening food security. Current management methods rely heavily on synthetic insecticides which are harmful to humans, the environment, and non-target beneficial insects. Cotesia icipe was recently identified as a major FAW-associated indigenous parasitoid causing a high parasitism rate on the pest in Kenya. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE...
Abstract: Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) (=Tuta absoluta) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is the most damaging insect pest threatening the production of tomato and other solanaceous vegetables in many countries. In this study, we predicted the risk of establishment and number of generations for P. absoluta in the current and future climatic conditions under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) of the years 2050 and 2070 using insect life cycle modelling (ILCYM) software. We ...