Kedar Devkota, C. F. dos Santos, A. B. Ferreira, Júlia Terra Zuch, Binayak Prakash Mishra, B. Blochtein
Waste produced by living organisms is commonly disposed of as a prophylactic measure to avoid the spread of diseases and parasite infestation. For social insects, a proportion of workers is allocated to dispose the waste material outside the colony’s nest. However, most nests of social insects have a single entrance, where a high flow of individuals may create congestion, potentially compromising normal foraging activities and colony growth/health. Here, we investigated how two species of stingless bees (Tetragonisca fiebrigi and Plebeia droryana) deal with waste disposal and regular foraging activities, and the impacts of these activities on traffic flow at nest entrances. First, we compared the average traffic of bees assigned to waste removal activities. Following this, we investigated probabilities for waste removal as bee traffic increases. Then, we estimated a cutoff value to predict the likelihood that waste removal activities will be intensified over foraging trips. We found that, on average, the number of bees performing waste removal activities was lower than those undertaking foraging trips for both species. In addition, we observed that as overall bee traffic increases, the number of workers engaged in waste removal reduces or even ceases. Our models indicate that bee traffic of approximately 15 individuals/time is a cutoff score, below which, colonies invest in waste removal and above which, foraging trips are increased. It suggests that both species use the entrances of their colonies in an optimized way by adjusting which tasks should be intensified as the traffic of individuals increases.
{"title":"The Worker Flow at the Hive Entrance Predicts When Nest Cleaning is Intensified in Stingless Bees","authors":"Kedar Devkota, C. F. dos Santos, A. B. Ferreira, Júlia Terra Zuch, Binayak Prakash Mishra, B. Blochtein","doi":"10.1155/2024/6659234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6659234","url":null,"abstract":"Waste produced by living organisms is commonly disposed of as a prophylactic measure to avoid the spread of diseases and parasite infestation. For social insects, a proportion of workers is allocated to dispose the waste material outside the colony’s nest. However, most nests of social insects have a single entrance, where a high flow of individuals may create congestion, potentially compromising normal foraging activities and colony growth/health. Here, we investigated how two species of stingless bees (Tetragonisca fiebrigi and Plebeia droryana) deal with waste disposal and regular foraging activities, and the impacts of these activities on traffic flow at nest entrances. First, we compared the average traffic of bees assigned to waste removal activities. Following this, we investigated probabilities for waste removal as bee traffic increases. Then, we estimated a cutoff value to predict the likelihood that waste removal activities will be intensified over foraging trips. We found that, on average, the number of bees performing waste removal activities was lower than those undertaking foraging trips for both species. In addition, we observed that as overall bee traffic increases, the number of workers engaged in waste removal reduces or even ceases. Our models indicate that bee traffic of approximately 15 individuals/time is a cutoff score, below which, colonies invest in waste removal and above which, foraging trips are increased. It suggests that both species use the entrances of their colonies in an optimized way by adjusting which tasks should be intensified as the traffic of individuals increases.","PeriodicalId":20890,"journal":{"name":"Psyche: A Journal of Entomology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141117634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Shakya, Mamta Singh, Kalpana Gautam, Sunita Jamra, Vivek Agrawal, A. Jayraw, G. Jatav, S. K. Gupta, Sachin Kumar
Ticks are blood-sucking parasites and occur all over the world, especially in humid and subhumid nations such as India. They are very important vectors of many economically important livestock diseases, such as Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Theileria spp. Ticks were collected from organized and unorganized cattle farms situated in and around Mhow. The initially collected samples of ticks (≤200) were washed in tap water and identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. The study was carried out from June 2021 to May 2022. Ticks were treated with 0.625, 1.25, 2.50, 5, and 10% oil of Azadirachta indica in both the adult immersion test and larval immersion test. All the concentrations were prepared with absolute ethanol. In the present study, fipronil was used as a positive control using various concentrations (x/8, x/4, x/2, x, and 2x) and was prepared in distilled water. The LC50 values against fipronil were observed as 1.03 and 1.12 ppm for adults and larvae, respectively. Results of the study showed that the oil of Azadirachta indica was responsible for the mortality of adults (LC50 = 2.70%) and larval stages (LC50 = 1.27%) at all the concentrations used. Furthermore, it was observed that this oil was also responsible for the inhibition of oviposition and had excellent repellent activity at 10% concentration. Based on the study, we can conclude that the oil of A. indica can be used in an integrated tick management system to reduce the tick burden on animals.
{"title":"Assessment of Antitick and Repellent Activity of Azadirachta indica Oil against Adults and Larvae Stages of Rhipicephalus microplus","authors":"M. Shakya, Mamta Singh, Kalpana Gautam, Sunita Jamra, Vivek Agrawal, A. Jayraw, G. Jatav, S. K. Gupta, Sachin Kumar","doi":"10.1155/2024/2224036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2224036","url":null,"abstract":"Ticks are blood-sucking parasites and occur all over the world, especially in humid and subhumid nations such as India. They are very important vectors of many economically important livestock diseases, such as Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Theileria spp. Ticks were collected from organized and unorganized cattle farms situated in and around Mhow. The initially collected samples of ticks (≤200) were washed in tap water and identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. The study was carried out from June 2021 to May 2022. Ticks were treated with 0.625, 1.25, 2.50, 5, and 10% oil of Azadirachta indica in both the adult immersion test and larval immersion test. All the concentrations were prepared with absolute ethanol. In the present study, fipronil was used as a positive control using various concentrations (x/8, x/4, x/2, x, and 2x) and was prepared in distilled water. The LC50 values against fipronil were observed as 1.03 and 1.12 ppm for adults and larvae, respectively. Results of the study showed that the oil of Azadirachta indica was responsible for the mortality of adults (LC50 = 2.70%) and larval stages (LC50 = 1.27%) at all the concentrations used. Furthermore, it was observed that this oil was also responsible for the inhibition of oviposition and had excellent repellent activity at 10% concentration. Based on the study, we can conclude that the oil of A. indica can be used in an integrated tick management system to reduce the tick burden on animals.","PeriodicalId":20890,"journal":{"name":"Psyche: A Journal of Entomology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140367902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Evaline J. Munisi, E. Masenga, Ally K. Nkwabi, H. Kiwango, Eblate E. Mjingo
Insects are key fauna species that respond quickly to disturbances and environmental changes. They act as good indicators of habitat, community, or ecosystem quality. Among the great diversity of insects, butterflies stand as ideal bio-indicators for ecosystem function and are sensitive to changes in habitat composition and structure. This study was carried out to examine the diversity and abundance of butterflies across the restored habitats in Usangu area part of Ruaha National Park (RUNAPA) from May 2022 to June 2022 using the walking transect method supplemented by sweep nets and butterfly baited traps. A total of six transects of 1 km in length were laid in the four main habitat types selected in Usangu area including grassland, Miombo woodland, Vachellia/Commiphora woodland, and riverine forest. Searches were conducted in the morning and evening. The Miombo woodland and riverine forest habitats exhibited relatively higher species diversity, richness, evenness, abundance, and a higher number of habitat-restricted species, while Vachellia/Commiphora woodland and grassland habitats recorded the lowest diversity and abundance as well as the lowest number of habitat-restricted species. Family Nymphalidae was the most dominant followed by Pieridae while Papilionidae and Hesperiidae were scarce in the study area. This study clearly shows the importance of Miombo woodland and riverine forest habitats in sustaining rich butterfly diversity and abundance in Usangu area. The two habitats must be effectively managed and conserved for sustaining ecological health and integrity of Usangu area. The Usangu area’s Miombo woodland and riverine forest habitats have immense potential for butterfly tourism and they can offer an excellent opportunity to promote conservation efforts and raise public awareness. However, it is crucial to monitor these habitats closely as any environmental changes that may occur could harm the butterfly diversity and abundance in the area. Preserving this wilderness to maintain a thriving butterfly population is of utmost importance.
{"title":"Butterfly Abundance and Diversity in Different Habitat Types in the Usangu Area, Ruaha National Park","authors":"Evaline J. Munisi, E. Masenga, Ally K. Nkwabi, H. Kiwango, Eblate E. Mjingo","doi":"10.1155/2024/8833655","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8833655","url":null,"abstract":"Insects are key fauna species that respond quickly to disturbances and environmental changes. They act as good indicators of habitat, community, or ecosystem quality. Among the great diversity of insects, butterflies stand as ideal bio-indicators for ecosystem function and are sensitive to changes in habitat composition and structure. This study was carried out to examine the diversity and abundance of butterflies across the restored habitats in Usangu area part of Ruaha National Park (RUNAPA) from May 2022 to June 2022 using the walking transect method supplemented by sweep nets and butterfly baited traps. A total of six transects of 1 km in length were laid in the four main habitat types selected in Usangu area including grassland, Miombo woodland, Vachellia/Commiphora woodland, and riverine forest. Searches were conducted in the morning and evening. The Miombo woodland and riverine forest habitats exhibited relatively higher species diversity, richness, evenness, abundance, and a higher number of habitat-restricted species, while Vachellia/Commiphora woodland and grassland habitats recorded the lowest diversity and abundance as well as the lowest number of habitat-restricted species. Family Nymphalidae was the most dominant followed by Pieridae while Papilionidae and Hesperiidae were scarce in the study area. This study clearly shows the importance of Miombo woodland and riverine forest habitats in sustaining rich butterfly diversity and abundance in Usangu area. The two habitats must be effectively managed and conserved for sustaining ecological health and integrity of Usangu area. The Usangu area’s Miombo woodland and riverine forest habitats have immense potential for butterfly tourism and they can offer an excellent opportunity to promote conservation efforts and raise public awareness. However, it is crucial to monitor these habitats closely as any environmental changes that may occur could harm the butterfly diversity and abundance in the area. Preserving this wilderness to maintain a thriving butterfly population is of utmost importance.","PeriodicalId":20890,"journal":{"name":"Psyche: A Journal of Entomology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140422653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
We report the whole-genome sequence of the Arabian honeybee (Apis mellifera jemenetica). Seven A. m. jemenetica samples were sequenced representing three distinct subpopulations. Generated sequence reads were mapped to the reference honeybee Apis mellifera genome (Amel_HAv3.1). Data revealed genome-wide patterns of genetic variation which can be useful in the characterization and assessment of positive selection of the Arabian honeybee using different genetic markers. In total, 75.16 Gb of clean bases were generated, and the GC content of samples ranged between 31.9 and 35.3%. The effective reference genome size is 223,937,270 bp. The mapping rate of samples varied from 88.97% to 96.19%, and the effective mapping depth was between 41.80 and 48.84X. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among sequenced individuals ranged between 2379499 and 2396116 with respect to the reference A. mellifera genome (Amel_HAv3.1), and 2% of the SNPs were nonsynonymous. Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) detected 1097962–1109829 InDels and 10090–11962 structural variations (SV) from which 22.1 to 33.8% were in the form of deletions. Copy number variation (CNV) ranged between 550 and 2824, and 45–91% of them were downregulated. These variations among interbreeding individuals or groups of the same species may reflect an adaptive environmental response and fitness among different subpopulations and can be very useful for subspecies characterization, conservation, and selection of the Arabian honeybee.
{"title":"Genome Resequencing of the Honeybee Apis mellifera jemenetica (Hymenoptera: Apidae): A Key Tool towards Characterization, Conservation, and Genomic Selection","authors":"A. Alghamdi, Y. Alattal","doi":"10.1155/2024/6627723","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6627723","url":null,"abstract":"We report the whole-genome sequence of the Arabian honeybee (Apis mellifera jemenetica). Seven A. m. jemenetica samples were sequenced representing three distinct subpopulations. Generated sequence reads were mapped to the reference honeybee Apis mellifera genome (Amel_HAv3.1). Data revealed genome-wide patterns of genetic variation which can be useful in the characterization and assessment of positive selection of the Arabian honeybee using different genetic markers. In total, 75.16 Gb of clean bases were generated, and the GC content of samples ranged between 31.9 and 35.3%. The effective reference genome size is 223,937,270 bp. The mapping rate of samples varied from 88.97% to 96.19%, and the effective mapping depth was between 41.80 and 48.84X. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among sequenced individuals ranged between 2379499 and 2396116 with respect to the reference A. mellifera genome (Amel_HAv3.1), and 2% of the SNPs were nonsynonymous. Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) detected 1097962–1109829 InDels and 10090–11962 structural variations (SV) from which 22.1 to 33.8% were in the form of deletions. Copy number variation (CNV) ranged between 550 and 2824, and 45–91% of them were downregulated. These variations among interbreeding individuals or groups of the same species may reflect an adaptive environmental response and fitness among different subpopulations and can be very useful for subspecies characterization, conservation, and selection of the Arabian honeybee.","PeriodicalId":20890,"journal":{"name":"Psyche: A Journal of Entomology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139619168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mequanint Andualem Mekonnen, Gebremariam Asaye Emirie, Solomon Yilma Mitiku, B. N. Hailemariam, Melkamu Birhanie Mekonnen, Anteneh Ademe Mengistu
The fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) is widely recognized as an invasive lepidopteran pest in Africa. Adoption of synthetic pesticides remains an option for emergency control of the FAW, but their large-scale use by small-scale farmers is costly and environmentally unsafe. Management options based on entomopathogenic fungi could minimize risks for health and the environment. In our study, the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi in different habitats along with their pathogenicity to fall armyworm was examined. A total of 56 soil samples were collected from three locations. A standard isolation method, baited with the wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella), was used for the isolation of entomopathogenic fungi from soil. Twelve entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from the total soil samples collected. It was observed that Metarhizium spp. was more frequent and widespread than Beauveria spp. and their occurrence was high in the forest habitat. Pathogenicity of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi isolates on fall armyworm larvae was tested by applying conidial suspension containing 1 × 108 spores/ml. All of the isolates tested were pathogenic to larvae of fall armyworm, with mortalities varying from 30 to 80% at 10 days posttreatment. Our results suggest that native entomopathogenic fungi could be integrated for the management of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae.
{"title":"Occurrence and Pathogenicity of Indigenous Entomopathogenic Fungi Isolates to Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) in Western Amhara, Ethiopia","authors":"Mequanint Andualem Mekonnen, Gebremariam Asaye Emirie, Solomon Yilma Mitiku, B. N. Hailemariam, Melkamu Birhanie Mekonnen, Anteneh Ademe Mengistu","doi":"10.1155/2024/7444094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/7444094","url":null,"abstract":"The fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) is widely recognized as an invasive lepidopteran pest in Africa. Adoption of synthetic pesticides remains an option for emergency control of the FAW, but their large-scale use by small-scale farmers is costly and environmentally unsafe. Management options based on entomopathogenic fungi could minimize risks for health and the environment. In our study, the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi in different habitats along with their pathogenicity to fall armyworm was examined. A total of 56 soil samples were collected from three locations. A standard isolation method, baited with the wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella), was used for the isolation of entomopathogenic fungi from soil. Twelve entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from the total soil samples collected. It was observed that Metarhizium spp. was more frequent and widespread than Beauveria spp. and their occurrence was high in the forest habitat. Pathogenicity of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi isolates on fall armyworm larvae was tested by applying conidial suspension containing 1 × 108 spores/ml. All of the isolates tested were pathogenic to larvae of fall armyworm, with mortalities varying from 30 to 80% at 10 days posttreatment. Our results suggest that native entomopathogenic fungi could be integrated for the management of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae.","PeriodicalId":20890,"journal":{"name":"Psyche: A Journal of Entomology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139444827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alireza Sanei-Dehkordi, Abbas Abdollahi, Zahra Montaseri, Mojdeh Safari, Mahsa Rostami Chaijan, M. Osanloo
Malaria and bacterial infections remain a life-threatening disease with a significant global impact. This study aimed to develop nanogels (NGs) of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) and geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér.) essential oils (EOs) with promising repellent and antibacterial effects. The NGs were formulated using a nanoemulsion-based gel approach; nanoemulsion droplet sizes and zeta potentials were obtained as 146 ± 7 and 106 ± 6 nm and −23.2 ± 0.7 and −17.4 ± 1 mV, respectively. The ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed the successful loading of EOs in NGs. Repellent bioassays conducted on Anopheles stephensi Liston. mosquitoes demonstrated that geranium NG (140 min) was as effective as DEET (140 min), a widely used repellent. Antibacterial tests showed that the nanogels effectively reduced bacterial growth, with the geranium NG exhibiting over 90% reduction against Escherichia coli Migula. The lavender NG displayed higher efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus Rosenbach. These findings highlighted the potential of nanogels containing EOs as promising repellents and antibacterial agents, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for vector control and bacterial infections.
{"title":"Lavender and Geranium Essential Oil-Loaded Nanogels with Promising Repellent and Antibacterial Effects","authors":"Alireza Sanei-Dehkordi, Abbas Abdollahi, Zahra Montaseri, Mojdeh Safari, Mahsa Rostami Chaijan, M. Osanloo","doi":"10.1155/2023/9911066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9911066","url":null,"abstract":"Malaria and bacterial infections remain a life-threatening disease with a significant global impact. This study aimed to develop nanogels (NGs) of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) and geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér.) essential oils (EOs) with promising repellent and antibacterial effects. The NGs were formulated using a nanoemulsion-based gel approach; nanoemulsion droplet sizes and zeta potentials were obtained as 146 ± 7 and 106 ± 6 nm and −23.2 ± 0.7 and −17.4 ± 1 mV, respectively. The ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed the successful loading of EOs in NGs. Repellent bioassays conducted on Anopheles stephensi Liston. mosquitoes demonstrated that geranium NG (140 min) was as effective as DEET (140 min), a widely used repellent. Antibacterial tests showed that the nanogels effectively reduced bacterial growth, with the geranium NG exhibiting over 90% reduction against Escherichia coli Migula. The lavender NG displayed higher efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus Rosenbach. These findings highlighted the potential of nanogels containing EOs as promising repellents and antibacterial agents, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for vector control and bacterial infections.","PeriodicalId":20890,"journal":{"name":"Psyche: A Journal of Entomology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138973293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oliver C. Genga, Namikoye E. Samita, Ruth Kahuthia-Gathu, Esther N. Kioko
The Taita Hills swallowtail butterfly, Papilio desmondi teita, was reared in captivity on wild citrus (Rutaceae), Toddalia asiatica and Clausena anisata, in Ngangao Forest, Taita Hills, Kenya. The butterflies were exposed to the host plants for oviposition inside the laying buckets under ambient laboratory conditions. Results revealed that P. desmondi teita could only complete development on T. asiatica and but not on C. anisata in both seasons. The egg incubation period on T. asiatica was significantly shorter ( < 0.001) compared to C. anisata during the first season ( = 0.595) but not in the second season. The development period of the butterfly in 1st and 2nd seasons on T. asiatica was 81.13 ± 0.44 days and 112.15 ± 1.20 days, respectively, while a female-biased sex ratio was observed in the first and second seasons. Findings from this study indicate that T. asiatica was the most suitable host plant for development of P. desmondi teita.
{"title":"Biology of the Endemic Endangered Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio desmondi teita (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), on Wild Citrus Species in Taita Hills, Kenya","authors":"Oliver C. Genga, Namikoye E. Samita, Ruth Kahuthia-Gathu, Esther N. Kioko","doi":"10.1155/2023/5538627","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5538627","url":null,"abstract":"The Taita Hills swallowtail butterfly, Papilio desmondi teita, was reared in captivity on wild citrus (Rutaceae), Toddalia asiatica and Clausena anisata, in Ngangao Forest, Taita Hills, Kenya. The butterflies were exposed to the host plants for oviposition inside the laying buckets under ambient laboratory conditions. Results revealed that P. desmondi teita could only complete development on T. asiatica and but not on C. anisata in both seasons. The egg incubation period on T. asiatica was significantly shorter ( <math xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML\" id=\"M1\"> <mi>P</mi> </math> < 0.001) compared to C. anisata during the first season ( <math xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML\" id=\"M2\"> <mi>P</mi> </math> = 0.595) but not in the second season. The development period of the butterfly in 1st and 2nd seasons on T. asiatica was 81.13 ± 0.44 days and 112.15 ± 1.20 days, respectively, while a female-biased sex ratio was observed in the first and second seasons. Findings from this study indicate that T. asiatica was the most suitable host plant for development of P. desmondi teita.","PeriodicalId":20890,"journal":{"name":"Psyche: A Journal of Entomology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134957320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sylvia Mmbone, Linnet Gohole, F. M. Fredrick Wanjala
Edible insects play an important role as a protein source of high-nutritional value in the western region of Kenya. However, current knowledge on edible grasshopper/locust species consumed in western Kenya and the perception towards these insects as an alternative protein source are not well documented. A questionnaire was issued to 901 respondents in four counties of western Kenya. The results showed that 91.6% of the respondents had heard that grasshoppers/locusts are edible insects and that 51.2% of the respondents had consumed them. The most frequently identified edible species was Cyrtacanthacris tatarica, with 58.6% cases followed by Schistocerca gregaria (25.7%), while Ruspolia differens was the least identified (1.2%). The majority of the consumers (60.0%) were introduced to entomophagy by their relatives, fewer by their friends (34.0%), and 5.7% by themselves. For those who had never eaten them, 53.8% were unwilling to try, while 11.9% were willing. On availability in the market, 97.9% indicated having never bought, while only 2.1% had bought the insect. The highly preferred method of cooking was smoking/roasting at 53.3%. The majority at 50.1% indicated the willingness to rear, while 21.0% were undecided. The frequency of the respondents who highly preferred to rear the insect for food and feed was 50.4%. The results suggest that the study population has knowledge of edible grasshopper/locust species and is willing to rear edible insects as an alternative protein food source.
{"title":"Current Knowledge and Perception of Edible Grasshopper/Locusts’ Consumption in Western Kenya","authors":"Sylvia Mmbone, Linnet Gohole, F. M. Fredrick Wanjala","doi":"10.1155/2023/7034224","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7034224","url":null,"abstract":"Edible insects play an important role as a protein source of high-nutritional value in the western region of Kenya. However, current knowledge on edible grasshopper/locust species consumed in western Kenya and the perception towards these insects as an alternative protein source are not well documented. A questionnaire was issued to 901 respondents in four counties of western Kenya. The results showed that 91.6% of the respondents had heard that grasshoppers/locusts are edible insects and that 51.2% of the respondents had consumed them. The most frequently identified edible species was Cyrtacanthacris tatarica, with 58.6% cases followed by Schistocerca gregaria (25.7%), while Ruspolia differens was the least identified (1.2%). The majority of the consumers (60.0%) were introduced to entomophagy by their relatives, fewer by their friends (34.0%), and 5.7% by themselves. For those who had never eaten them, 53.8% were unwilling to try, while 11.9% were willing. On availability in the market, 97.9% indicated having never bought, while only 2.1% had bought the insect. The highly preferred method of cooking was smoking/roasting at 53.3%. The majority at 50.1% indicated the willingness to rear, while 21.0% were undecided. The frequency of the respondents who highly preferred to rear the insect for food and feed was 50.4%. The results suggest that the study population has knowledge of edible grasshopper/locust species and is willing to rear edible insects as an alternative protein food source.","PeriodicalId":20890,"journal":{"name":"Psyche: A Journal of Entomology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135993784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Enoch Selorm Kofi Ofori, Linus Dottey, Michael Yao Osae, John Abraham, Peter Kofi Kwapong
Mass trapping of insects involves the use of specific traps or devices that are designed to attract and capture a large number of adult insects, thereby reducing their population in the agricultural environment. This approach aims at disrupting the breeding cycle and proliferation of the target insect to minimize crop damage and economic losses. This study evaluated the efficiency of three trap types (Ecoman, Tephri, and Bucket funnel) and period of the day (morning, afternoon, and evening) in mass trapping of live male Bactrocera dorsalis and the survival of such catch over a period. The traps were deployed on selected trees following 3 × 3 factorial experiments. All the Bactrocera dorsalis caught in the traps were males. Ecoman traps caught the highest number of B. dorsalis in the mornings and evenings while Tephri traps caught the highest B. dorsalis in the afternoons. There was no significant difference in the survival of B. dorsalis in the three trap types after 24 hours. Correlation analysis showed that climatic factors played a significant role in trap catches. Bactrocera dorsalis caught in the evenings recorded higher percentage survival in all the three trap types than those caught during the morning and afternoon. The Ecoman trap was most efficient in trapping B. dorsalis. Hence, this study recommends the Ecoman trap for mass trapping live male B. dorsalis meant for further experiments such as irradiation studies.
{"title":"Mass Trapping of Live Male Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae): Interaction between Trap Types and Period of Trapping","authors":"Enoch Selorm Kofi Ofori, Linus Dottey, Michael Yao Osae, John Abraham, Peter Kofi Kwapong","doi":"10.1155/2023/5575236","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5575236","url":null,"abstract":"Mass trapping of insects involves the use of specific traps or devices that are designed to attract and capture a large number of adult insects, thereby reducing their population in the agricultural environment. This approach aims at disrupting the breeding cycle and proliferation of the target insect to minimize crop damage and economic losses. This study evaluated the efficiency of three trap types (Ecoman, Tephri, and Bucket funnel) and period of the day (morning, afternoon, and evening) in mass trapping of live male Bactrocera dorsalis and the survival of such catch over a period. The traps were deployed on selected trees following 3 × 3 factorial experiments. All the Bactrocera dorsalis caught in the traps were males. Ecoman traps caught the highest number of B. dorsalis in the mornings and evenings while Tephri traps caught the highest B. dorsalis in the afternoons. There was no significant difference in the survival of B. dorsalis in the three trap types after 24 hours. Correlation analysis showed that climatic factors played a significant role in trap catches. Bactrocera dorsalis caught in the evenings recorded higher percentage survival in all the three trap types than those caught during the morning and afternoon. The Ecoman trap was most efficient in trapping B. dorsalis. Hence, this study recommends the Ecoman trap for mass trapping live male B. dorsalis meant for further experiments such as irradiation studies.","PeriodicalId":20890,"journal":{"name":"Psyche: A Journal of Entomology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135044453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Marri, Samuel Adjei Mensah, D. A. Kotey, J. Abraham, M. Billah, M. Osae
The life cycle of the invasive alien insect pest, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), was studied using a colony established from field-collected larvae. Eggs, neonate larvae, and newly emerged adult moths were used in experiments to investigate the basic biology of the FAW. Adult females laid up to 1184 eggs with a mean of 469 ± 22 eggs per female. The incubation period of eggs and percentage hatchability were 2-3 days and 80–87%, respectively. The mean larval lengths from the first to the sixth instar were 4.63, 6.60, 9.76, 15.86, 25.13, and 27.81 mm, respectively. The mean larval weights were 0.003, 0.019, 0.045, 0.050, 0.060, and 0.067 g, respectively, for the six instars. The mean width of the head capsule of the sixth instar larva was 2.76 mm. The total larval duration throughout the six instar stages was 16–18 days, while the mean pupal weight was 0.25 ± 0.001 g and 0.35 ± 0.011 g for males and females, respectively. The mean pupal length was 14.3 ± 0.16 mm for males and 17.2 ± 0.14 mm for females. Pupal duration ranged from 8 to 14 days, with a mean of 10.35 ± 0.26 days, while the pupal emergence rate ranged from 60 to 94%, with a mean of 80.25 ± 1.28%. The life cycle of males lasted 33–44 days and that of females lasted 36–49 days under laboratory conditions. Adult copulation occurred between 8 and 11 pm, with the peak occurring at 9 pm. This study provides baseline information about the biology of the FAW. Apart from being an important reference point for future research on the FAW, the data provided would aid FAW management decision-making.
{"title":"Basic Developmental Characteristics of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Reared under Laboratory Conditions","authors":"D. Marri, Samuel Adjei Mensah, D. A. Kotey, J. Abraham, M. Billah, M. Osae","doi":"10.1155/2023/6917316","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6917316","url":null,"abstract":"The life cycle of the invasive alien insect pest, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), was studied using a colony established from field-collected larvae. Eggs, neonate larvae, and newly emerged adult moths were used in experiments to investigate the basic biology of the FAW. Adult females laid up to 1184 eggs with a mean of 469 ± 22 eggs per female. The incubation period of eggs and percentage hatchability were 2-3 days and 80–87%, respectively. The mean larval lengths from the first to the sixth instar were 4.63, 6.60, 9.76, 15.86, 25.13, and 27.81 mm, respectively. The mean larval weights were 0.003, 0.019, 0.045, 0.050, 0.060, and 0.067 g, respectively, for the six instars. The mean width of the head capsule of the sixth instar larva was 2.76 mm. The total larval duration throughout the six instar stages was 16–18 days, while the mean pupal weight was 0.25 ± 0.001 g and 0.35 ± 0.011 g for males and females, respectively. The mean pupal length was 14.3 ± 0.16 mm for males and 17.2 ± 0.14 mm for females. Pupal duration ranged from 8 to 14 days, with a mean of 10.35 ± 0.26 days, while the pupal emergence rate ranged from 60 to 94%, with a mean of 80.25 ± 1.28%. The life cycle of males lasted 33–44 days and that of females lasted 36–49 days under laboratory conditions. Adult copulation occurred between 8 and 11 pm, with the peak occurring at 9 pm. This study provides baseline information about the biology of the FAW. Apart from being an important reference point for future research on the FAW, the data provided would aid FAW management decision-making.","PeriodicalId":20890,"journal":{"name":"Psyche: A Journal of Entomology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42433710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}