Applied Entomology Research Papers/Topics

Land use effects on termite assemblages in Kenya

Abstract Termites perform key ecological functions and they also cause crop damage. Land use change resulting from agricultural intensification can result in changes in termite species diversity and abundance. Termite species occurring in natural vegetation, maize monocrop and maize-beans intercrop macrohabitats were investigated in Embu and Machakos Counties, Kenya. Influence of soil properties and seasons was also evaluated. Across the two Counties, seven termite species were recorded wi...

Differences in mate Acceptance and Host Plant Recognition between wild and Laboratory-reared Busseola Fusca (Fuller)

Abstract: The present study was aimed at characterizing differences in mate acceptance and host plant recognition between Busseola fusca (Lep.: Noctuidae) reared for several generations under laboratory conditions and wild conspecifics, directly collected from maize stems in the field. The mating success was significantly higher in laboratory reared when compared with the wild B. fusca population. Oviposition on artificial stems was significantly higher for laboratory-reared insects than for...

Impact of an exotic parasitoid on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) population dynamics, damage and indigenous natural enemies in Kenya

Abstract: Diadegma semiclausum (Helle´n) (Hymenoptera: lchneumonidae), an exotic diamondback moth parasitoid, was released in two pilot areas (Werugha in Coast Region and Tharuni in Central Province) in Kenya. Fifteen month before release, observations on the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), and local natural enemy population dynamics and pest damage were initiated in both areas and continued for three years after release. The P. xylostella population was bimodal with highe...

Bionomics of the Acarophagous Ladybird Beetle Stethorus tridens Fed Tetranychus evansi

Abstract: The bionomics of Stethorus tridens Gordon fed Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard were studied in the laboratory. The number of prey consumed by S. tridens increased with increasing instar levels and the total mean number consumed during immature development was 184.1 ± 18.02 T. evansi nymphs per individual. For adult male and adult female, the daily consumption was 41.3 ± 0.80 and 67.8 ± 1.69 nymphs, respectively. Stethorus tridens successfully developed to adulthood between 2...

Life Tables of the Predatory mite Phytoseiulus Longipes Feeding on Tetranychus evansi at Four Temperatures (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

Abstract: The tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi, is reported as a severe pest of tomato and other solanaceous crops from Africa, from Atlantic and Mediterranean Islands, and more recently from the south of Europe (Portugal, Spain and France). A population of the predaceous mite Phytoseiulus longipes has been recently found in Brazil in association with T. evansi. The objective of this paper was to assess the development and reproduction abilities of this strain on T. evansi under la...

Field Boundaries of Panicum Maximum as a Reservoir for Predators and a Sink for Chilo partellus

Abstract: The biological-control function of field boundaries of Guinea grass, Panicum maximum Jacq. on the spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe was examined as a reservoir for arthropod predators and as a trap plant for the pest. Field border vegetation and predator density were manipulated to determine the effect of the grass border on the abundance of stem borers and their predators in maize fields, and the effect of predators on the stem borer population. The strip of Guinea grass...

Efficiency of Phytoseiulus longipes Evans as a Control Agent of Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard (Acari: Phytoseiidae: Tetranychidae) on Screenhouse Tomatoes

Abstract: The spider mite Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard can cause severe damage to tomato crops. The predatory mite Phytoseiulus longipes Evans was recently reported in association with T. evansi in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of P . longipes on the population of T. evansi on tomatoes under screenhouse condition. The study consisted on four experiments, in each of which 80 potted plantlets were distributed...

Lepidopteran cereal Stemborers and Associated Natural Enemies on Maize and Wild Grass Hosts in Cameroon

Abstract: In Cameroon, the noctuid Busseola fusca is the most important pest of maize. The braconid Cotesia sesamiae, which is the most common larval parasitoid of noctuid stemborers in eastern Africa, was absent on B. fusca attacking maize. Thus, it is planned to introduce several strains of the parasitoid from Kenya. Pre-release surveys were undertaken in major maize growing areas to catalogue stemborer species, and larval and pupal parasitoids on maize and four wild host plant species. On...

Evaluation of Napier grass ( Pennisetum purpureum ) Varieties for use as Trap Plants for the Management of African Stemborer ( Busseola fusca ) in a Push–pull Strategy

Abstract: We evaluated eight Napier grass [Pennisetum purpureum Schumach (Poaceae)] varieties, used in various parts of eastern Africa as fodder, for their potential role as trap plants in the management of the African stemborer, Busseola fusca Füller (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) through a push–pull strategy. Oviposition preference, larval orientation, settling, arrest and dispersal, feeding, mortality and survival, and development were determined for each of these varieties under laboratory ...

Factors Affecting Stem Borer Parasitoid Species Diversity and Parasitism in Cultivated and Natural Habitats

Abstract: The effects of biotic and abiotic factors on stem borer parasitoid diversity, abundance,and parasitism were studied in cultivated and natural habitats in four agroecological zones in Kenya.Comparing habitat types, we found partial support for the “natural enemy”hypothesis, whereby, across all localities, parasitoid diversity was higher in more diverse host plant communities in natural habitats, whereas parasitoid abundance was higher in cultivated habitats. For both habitats, p...

Search for Effective Natural Enemies of Tetranychus evansi (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Northwest Argentina

Abstract: The mite Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard (Tetranychidae) probably originated in South America. Because of its importance as a tomato pest in Africa, an extensive project has been conducted to detect potentially effective natural enemies in South America for the classical biological control of the pest in Africa. A search for the natural enemies of T. evansi was conducted in the Province of Tucuma´n, northwestern Argentina, in December 2004, and this report describes the resul...

The antestia bug complex in Africa and Asia, pp. 465–493. In Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea): Biology, Higher Systematics, Semiochemistry, and Management

Abstract: The mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae) is a highly polyphagous pest of fruits, vegetables, crops and ornamentals in Pakistan. Biological control approach by using Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) has been developed recently to control this pest. However, the efficiency of this parasitoid is variable according to the locality and the plants on which P. solenopsis is feeding. In this context, this experiment investigated under ...

Exploring the Kairomone-Based Foraging Behaviour of Natural Enemies to Enhance Biological Control: A Review.

Abstract: Kairomones are chemical signals that mediate interspecificinteractions beneficial toorganisms that detect the cues. These attractants can be individual compounds ormixtures of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) or herbivore chemicals such aspheromones, i.e., chemicals mediating intraspecific communication between herbivores.Natural enemies eavesdrop on kairomones during their foraging behaviour, i.e., locationof oviposition sites and feeding resources in nature. Kairomone mi...

Climate-induced range shifts of invasivespecies (Diaphorina citriKuwayama)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP)Diaphorina citriKuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is a destructive, invasive speciesthat poses a serious threat to the citrus industry wherever it occurs. The psyllid vectors the phloem-limited bacteria‘CandidatusLiberibacter americanus’and‘Ca. L. asiaticus’, causal agents of the incurable citrus greening disease or huanglongbing (HLB). Itis essential to understand which regions and areas are suitable for colonization by ACP to formula...

Beyond sperm and male accessory gland proteins: Exploring insect reproductive metabolomes

Abstract: Insect seminal fluid, the non-sperm component of the ejaculate, comprises a variegated set of molecules, including, but not limited to, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, salts,hormones, nucleic acids, and vitamins. The identity and functional role of seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) have been widely investigated, in multiple species. However, most of the other small molecules in insect ejaculates remain uncharacterized. Metabolomics is currently adopted to deepen our understanding of c...


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