Entomology Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

La collecte d’objets fut une pratique fréquente dans les territoires occupés par les États européens colonisateurs. À partir de la seconde moitié du XIXe siècle, les pouvoirs coloniaux encourageaient leurs citoyens implantés dans les... more

The present investigation was carried out at Vegetable Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during the 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the effectiveness of thiamethoxam, used as seed... more

The present investigation was carried out at Vegetable Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during the 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the effectiveness of thiamethoxam, used as seed treatment against the sucking insects of tomato. The seed treatment with thiamethoxam protected tomato seedlings from aphids and thrips at the early season from the onset of seed planting. There was a fast initial effect against the pests then gradually decreased to reach a moderate effect. Data revealed that Thiamethoxam 70% WS @ 4.2 g a.i./kg of seed showed the significant pest reduction followed by Thiamethoxam 70% WS @ 3.85 g a.i./kg of seed. Highest yield was recorded by Thiamethoxam 70% WS @ 4.2 g a.i./kg of seed (28.25 t/ha) closely followed by Thiamethoxam 70% WS @ 3.85 g a.i./kg of seed (25.00 t/ha) as compared to untreated check (20.91t/ha). Percent increase in yield over control was highest (35.10%) in Thiamethoxam 70% WS @ 4.2 g a.i./kg of seed followed by Thiamethoxam 70% WS @ 3.85 g a.i./kg of seed (19.56%). The percent reductions of predators by Thiamethoxam, used as seed treatment, in both the seasons ranged from 1.65-2.58% which was very minimum. Hence, it was concluded that the seed treatment of tomato with Thiamethoxam 70% WS @ 4.20 g a.i/kg of seed reduced the early season insect-pests (aphid and thrips) and had very less effect of natural enemies population as compared to control and also increased the fruit yield significantly than other treatments.

Entomological surveys were conducted to identify Anopheles malaria vector species, their feeding and resting behaviors, and characterization of larval habitats on Bongao Island, Tawi-tawi Province, in July and November, 2007. Survey... more

Entomological surveys were conducted to identify Anopheles malaria vector species, their feeding and resting behaviors, and characterization of larval habitats on Bongao Island, Tawi-tawi Province, in July and November, 2007. Survey parameters included all-evening human-landing collections (HLC), evening buffalo-baited trap (BBT) collections, daytime indoor and outdoor adult resting collections, adult female age-grading, identification of natural Plasmodium infections in mosquitoes, larval habitat identification and physical/biological characterization, and adult insecticide susceptibility assays. Both surveys revealed the predominant and putative malaria vector species on Bongao Island is Anopheles litoralis. Anophelesflavirostris was collected on only one occasion. The HLC during the July survey produced approximately 4 mosquitoes/human/night (mhn). The November survey yielded 1.27 mhn due, in part, to inclement weather conditions during time of sampling. Anopheles litoralis host ...

Phenology and distribution with the state of Louisiana.

The genus Speonemadus Jeannel, 1922 currently includes 12 species distributed in the Western Mediterranean (Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, Sicily and continental Italy). Two new species are described from Morocco, S. brusteli sp. n.... more

The genus Speonemadus Jeannel, 1922 currently includes 12 species distributed in the Western Mediterranean (Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, Sicily and continental Italy). Two new species are described from Morocco, S. brusteli sp. n. from the Rif and S. comasi sp. n. from the High Atlas, the first in the S. vandalitiae-group of species and the second with an isolated position within the genus. Two species are also resurrected from synonymy, S. pulchellus (Reitter, 1885) stat. rest. (former synonym of S. orchesioides (Fairmaire, 1879)) and S. gracilis (Kraatz, 1870) stat. rest. (former synonym of S. vandalitiae (Heyden, 1870)), raising the total number of species of the genus to 16. Lectotypes are designated for Anemadus pulchellus Reitter, 1885, and Anemadus tenuipes Peyerimhoff, 1917. A molecular phylogeny of the genus Speonemadus is presented, based on a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear genes and including seven of the currently recognised species, one of the newly described (S. brusteli sp. n.) and the two reinstated taxa. The genus is estimated to have diversified from the late Miocene (Tortonian), with successive cladogenetic events related to the isolation of landmasses between Iberia and North Africa, including the opening of the Strait of Gibraltar at the end of the Messinian. The distribution of some of the species of Speonemadus remains still uncertain, due to their frequent misidentification and the problems with their taxonomic status.

The sweetpotato weevil, Cylas brunneus, is a serious insect pest of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam.) in East and West Africa. Knowledge on the influence of temperature on development, reproduction and mortality of this pest is... more

The sweetpotato weevil, Cylas brunneus, is a serious insect pest of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam.) in East and West Africa. Knowledge on the influence of temperature on development, reproduction and mortality of this pest is important in understanding its potential population growth and geographical distribution. Such knowledge is also a pre-requisite for developing pest control strategies for different agro-ecological zones. The effect of temperature on the development of immature stages, reproduction and mortality of C. brunneus was studied at six constant (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C) and at fluctuating temperature range of 22.9 ± 8.7 °C. Results obtained indicated that at 15 °C and 40°C, there was no development and reproduction of C.brunneus. At 35°C, only 46% of eggs hatched after 1.78 ± 0.20 days but the larvae from these eggs did not pupate. Egg-laying was not possible at 15 °C, 35 °C and 40 °C. The developmental period from egg to adultat 15 °C, 20 °C, 30 °C and 35...

The Ptinidae or spider beetles, is a worldwide family of beetles especially distributed in the subtropical and temperate zones including Iran. The species Niptus hololeucus (Faldermann, 1836) collected from Kangohar cave in Fars Province,... more

The Ptinidae or spider beetles, is a worldwide family of beetles especially distributed in the subtropical and temperate zones including Iran. The species Niptus hololeucus (Faldermann, 1836) collected from Kangohar cave in Fars Province, southern Iran, is described as new record for Iran with illustrations of adult as well as male and female genitalia. We regarded this beetle as a troglophile and guanophile species.

Large cage and field studies were conducted to compare the efficacy of 2 American Biophysics Corporation mosquito traps, the standard professional (PRO) trap and a new counterflow geometry (CFG) trap. The PRO trap utilizes conventional... more

Large cage and field studies were conducted to compare the efficacy of 2 American Biophysics Corporation mosquito traps, the standard professional (PRO) trap and a new counterflow geometry (CFG) trap. The PRO trap utilizes conventional downdraft technology and the CFG trap uses a patent-pending technology. In large cage studies, similarly baited CFG traps captured approximately 1.7 times as many laboratory-reared Aedes taeniorhynchus as the PRO trap. The CFG trap baited with CO2 + octenol resulted in significantly reduced landing counts compared to all other treatments; mean landing count was reduced from 233.8 (12.99/min), when no trap was present, to 24.7 (1.37/min). In field studies against natural populations of woodland species, the CFG trap captured 7.8 times more mosquitoes than the PRO trap overall, and approximately 11 times more Anopheles crucians, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, and Culex erraticus.

Evolution spatiale et temporelle des dégâts du jasside Jacobiella facialis Jacobi, 1912 (Cicadellidae) en comparaison avec la distribution de la pluviométrie au cours des vingt dernières années dans les zones de culture cotonnière en Côte... more

Evolution spatiale et temporelle des dégâts du jasside Jacobiella facialis Jacobi, 1912 (Cicadellidae) en comparaison avec la distribution de la pluviométrie au cours des vingt dernières années dans les zones de culture cotonnière en Côte d'Ivoire RESUME Le jasside Jacobiella facialis est un ravageur piqueur-suceur du cotonnier en Côte d'Ivoire. Depuis quelques années, ses attaques sont persistantes sur tout le cycle cultural malgré les traitements insecticides. Cette étude visait à analyser les distributions spatio-temporelles des dégâts du ravageur en relation avec les évolutions pluviométriques des vingt dernières années. De 1993 à 2015, des relevés parasitaires et pluviométriques ont été réalisés sur plus de 300 parcelles paysannes. Les données ont révélé une variation interannuelle des niveaux moyens de dégâts (0,52-6,01 plants attaqués pour 30 plants) avec une tendance à la hausse. La période 2011-2015 correspond à une forte pression parasitaire (3,05-6,01 plants attaqués pour 30 plants), avec un pic d'attaques entre le 93 ème et 114 ème jour après levée (JAL), contrairement à la période 1993-2007 correspondant à une faible pression parasitaire (0,52-2,10 plants attaqués pour 30 plants) avec un pic d'attaques entre le 30 ème et 44 ème JAL. La régression de la pluviométrie de juin-juillet explique de façon significative la recrudescence du ravageur. En effet, la distribution des plus fortes infestations dans le Nord-Est correspond au cours des dernières années à une pluviométrie inférieure à 320 mm. Cette donne recommande l'élaboration d'une nouvelle stratégie de gestion efficace contre le ravageur.

Insects are everywhere and in great numbers. Their impact on us is unquestionable, but a number of scientists are expanding what we can learn from these creatures – whether for environmental reasons or to help humans to live longer. One... more

Insects are everywhere and in great numbers. Their impact on us is unquestionable, but a number of scientists are expanding what we can learn from these creatures – whether for environmental reasons or to help humans to live longer. One of those scientists is Jason Williams.

Evoluzione della fauna macrobentonica e qualità delle acque in ambito alpino-torrente THURAS nell'alta Valle di Susa-Premessa La qualità delle acque può essere valutata con diversi criteri : il metodo degli indici biotici, sui popolamenti... more

Evoluzione della fauna macrobentonica e qualità delle acque in ambito alpino-torrente THURAS nell'alta Valle di Susa-Premessa La qualità delle acque può essere valutata con diversi criteri : il metodo degli indici biotici, sui popolamenti di macroinvertebrati bentonici tramite l'Extended Biotic Index : E.B.I. o Indice Biotico Esteso : I.B.E. modif. Ghetti, 1986 , rappresenta, allo stato attuale, un criterio di alto valore scientifico.

Abbreviations MD = morphological dormancy; MPD = morphophysiological dormancy; ND = non-dormancy; PD + PY = combined dormancy; PD = physiological dormancy; PIC = phylogenetically independent contrast; PY = physical dormancy Nomenclature... more

Abbreviations MD = morphological dormancy; MPD = morphophysiological dormancy; ND = non-dormancy; PD + PY = combined dormancy; PD = physiological dormancy; PIC = phylogenetically independent contrast; PY = physical dormancy Nomenclature International Plant Names Index (www.ipni.org/index.html) Abstract Questions: Is kind of seed dormancy important in environmental filtering at the local scale? Are there differences among kinds of seed dormancy in life-history traits like seed mass and adult life span? Location: Southern Kalahari (Botswana, Namibia and South Africa). Methods: Using mainly literature data, we determined kind of dormancy for each species in the Southern Kalahari flora and combined this data set with data on seed mass, life form and soil texture. Soil sand content was used as an environmental gradient because the risks associated with seedling establishment increase with soil sand content and would favour seed dormancy as a bet-hedging strategy. Also, the rapid descent of water in very sandy soils may exclude species with morphological (MD) or morphophysiological (MPD) dormancy that require relatively long moist periods for dormancy breaking. Multinomial logistic regression and phylogenetically independent contrasts were applied to determine relationships of kind of dormancy with life-history variables and soil texture. Results: The proportion of species with some kind of seed dormancy was not correlated with soil sand content. However, the proportion of species with MD or MPD decreased with increasing sand content, and proportion of species with some kind of dormancy decreased with increasing seed mass and life span. Life form and seed mass, but not soil sand content, had significant effects in a multi-nomial regression model predicting the presence of kind of dormancy. With increasing seed mass, the probability of a species having physical dormancy (PY) increased relative to the probability of having physiological dormancy (PD). With an increase in life span, the probability of a species lacking dormancy increased relative to the probability of having PD. Conclusions: We found little evidence that kind of seed dormancy plays a direct role in environmental filtering. Our results suggest that traits related to dor-mancy do not evolve independently and are part of a syndrome of co-adapted plant traits.

As a result of recent collecting efforts and older unpublished data of one of us (AA), 32 ant species (including 2 morphospecies) new to the island of Sicily (Italy) were discovered. Seven of these taxa represent unequivocally exotic... more

As a result of recent collecting efforts and older unpublished data of one of us (AA), 32 ant species (including 2 morphospecies) new to the island of Sicily (Italy) were discovered. Seven of these taxa represent unequivocally exotic entities, whose discovery marks a decisive increase of this component in the local fauna. Among these, two forms of Nylanderia EMERY, 1906 are treated as morphospecies because of the problematic taxonomy of the genus. Six taxa among the discovered species are entirely new to the myrmecofauna of Italy. Finally, Tetramorium indocile SANTSCHI, 1927 is reported for the first time as a host for the social parasite Strongylognathus testaceus (SCHENCK, 1852). The state of the art of the Sicilian myrmecofauna, now counting about 150 species, is commented on.

Termites are one of the most abundant invertebrates in tropical ecosystems, where they play a major ecological role in litter decomposition. Despite their important role, termites can cause considerable damage to wood structures in most... more

Termites are one of the most abundant invertebrates in tropical ecosystems, where they play a major ecological role in litter decomposition. Despite their important role, termites can cause considerable damage to wood structures in most tropical countries. The aims of this study was to evaluate termite attack in four economically important species in Togo including Antiaris africana Engl (Moraceae), Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir (Fabaceae), Triplochiton scleroxylon Schum (Malvaceae) (all local species) and teak or Tectona grandis Linné (Lamiaceae). For the latter species, termites were infested on 83.49% of 630 feet examined. However, the rate and type attacks differ from one plantation to another. On the studied forest species, termites were collected on about 97% of Triplochiton scleroxylon feet. For this species, at least 31% of examined feet have had their wood attacked. For the other two species, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Antiaris africana respectively about 80% and 67% of examined feet were attacked by termites. Amitermes evuncifer, Ancistrotermes guineensis and Microtermes lepidus were species of termite often harvested from trees examined. However the last two species namely A. guineensis and M. lepidus are

Abstract. 1. We analysed ant species richness-environment relationships across the Subantartic-Patagonian transition, in southern South America. We tested the predictions of the (i) thermal limitation hypothesis: temperature limits ant... more

Abstract. 1. We analysed ant species richness-environment relationships across the Subantartic-Patagonian transition, in southern South America. We tested the predictions of the (i) thermal limitation hypothesis: temperature limits ant species richness, (ii) the productivity hypothesis: ant richness is driven by the indirect effect of climate (temperature and precipitation) mediated by changes in plant environment (plant cover and litter accumulation). We also evaluated the effects of (iii) plant species richness, and (iv) habitat use by cattle on richness.2. We collected ants using 450 pitfall traps within a ∼150 × 150 km area. We used path analysis to evaluate the associations of ant richness with environmental predictors. We evaluated the influence of local abundance variation on richness-environment relationships; we applied principal co-ordinates of neighbour matrices to model the spatial autocorrelation in the data and combined spatial and ecological descriptors of ant richness into partial regression.3. Ant richness responded positively to indirect effects of precipitation mediated by shrub cover and tree cover, towards the west, and by litter accumulation, towards the east of the transition. Direct climatic effects on richness were negative or weak throughout. The local increase in plant species richness and habitat disturbance by cattle promoted an increase in ant richness, mostly towards the east of the transition. These results were not seriously affected by variation in local abundance and the spatial autocorrelation in the data.4. We suggest that climate, either directly or indirectly, through its biological effect on plant environment interacts with micro-spatial variation in habitat heterogeneity and disturbance to account for ant species diversity across this transition.

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is produced by marine algae and released during foraging activity by zooplankton and fish. Pelagic fishes depend on patchily distributed foraging opportunities, and DMSP may be an important signaling... more

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is produced by marine algae and released during foraging activity by zooplankton and fish. Pelagic fishes depend on patchily distributed foraging opportunities, and DMSP may be an important signaling molecule for these events. We have previously shown that the abundance of carangid jacks is positively associated with elevated DMSP levels over coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, suggesting that these fishes may use spatial and temporal variation in DMSP to locate foraging opportunities. Here, we extend this work by demonstrating that juveniles of two species of pelagic jack, crevalle jack, Caranx hippos, and bluefin trevally, C. melampygus, detect and respond to DMSP in a flow-through tank in the laboratory. Juveniles of these species showed elevated swimming activity in response to ecologically relevant concentrations of DMSP (10−9 M). These results provide further evidence that this chemical may serve as a chemosensory cue for carangid species.

Este trabalho lista os gêneros de formigas coletados tanto no solo quanto na vegetação do Parque Estadual Cristalino, MT, Brasil. Também traz o número de morfoespécies para cada um dos gêneros identificados, o local de ocorrência e... more

Este trabalho lista os gêneros de formigas coletados tanto no solo quanto na vegetação do Parque Estadual Cristalino, MT, Brasil. Também traz o número de morfoespécies para cada um dos gêneros identificados, o local de ocorrência e informações complementares quanto à distribuição e biologia.
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This work lists the genera of ants collected both on the ground and in the vegetation of Parque Estadual Cristalino, MT, Brazil. Also, we provided information on the number of species by genus, occurence and information about the distribution and biology.

Comparison of the effectiveness of 8W fluorescent black and white light sources, in two 4x4 Latin squares (16 replicates) designs under South African conditions, showed black light to be up to three time more effective in collecting... more

Comparison of the effectiveness of 8W fluorescent black and white light sources, in two 4x4 Latin squares (16 replicates) designs under South African conditions, showed black light to be up to three time more effective in collecting Culicoides imicola Kieffer (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) and other South African Culicoides species. Four Culicoides species, which were collected in low numbers with black light, were not collected in traps equipped with the white light source. No significant difference was found in the parous rate of the C. imicola populations as determined by the two light sources. The study highlighted the superiority of black light as a preferred collection method for C. imicola, considered to be the most widespread and abundant vector of livestock orbiviruses. The results underline the need to develop and adopt standard techniques for measuring the variables of vectorial capacity.

Dung beetles are a functionally important group of species, and the effects of large wild herbivores on these species are not well understood. Management of wild herbivores could, therefore, have considerable consequences for dung beetle... more

Dung beetles are a functionally important group of species, and the effects of large wild herbivores on these species are not well understood. Management of wild herbivores could, therefore, have considerable consequences for dung beetle assemblages and the ecosystem services they provide. Here, we analysed how species richness, biomass, abundance, and composition of dung beetle assemblages were affected by different dung availability as a consequence of different red deer (Cervus elaphus) densities under field conditions. This was done in spring and autumn over four independent study regions in Central Europe where red deer are the most important providers of dung in forests. Our results show that forest sites with high dung availability support higher species richness of dung beetles than sites with low availability. This effect is independent of season and could be explained by the different colonisation patterns of beetle species which vary in their competitiveness. As aggregated dung resources increase opportunities for low-competitive species, those species establish small populations and do not necessarily increase the abundance of the whole assemblage. Our results show that the current policies to limit deer populations also limit higher levels of species diversity of this functionally important arthropod taxon. We highlight the importance of hunting-free areas for the conservation of insect diversity associated with large herbivores. In strictly protected areas with low herbivore densities we suggest to reduce control of ungulate numbers to provide sufficient resources for maintaining dung beetle diversity. Keywords Trophic interactions • protected areas • dung availability • bottom-up effects • hunting • Cervus elaphus Communicated by Andreas Schuldt.

Within the last few decades Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) emerged Europe-wide as a major vector for epizootic viral diseases e.g. caused by Bluetongue (BT) or Schmallenberg virus. In accordance with the EU regulation... more

Within the last few decades Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) emerged Europe-wide as a major vector for epizootic viral diseases e.g. caused by Bluetongue (BT) or Schmallenberg virus. In accordance with the EU regulation 1266/2007, veterinary authorities are requested to determine vector-free periods for loosing trade and movement restrictions of susceptible livestock. Additionally, the widely used basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] is optionally applied for risk assessment of vector-borne diseases. Values of R0 < 1 indicate periods with no disease transmission risk. For the determination of vector-free period and R0 a continuously operating daily Culicoides spp. monitoring in Vienna (Austria) was established. It covered the period 2009-2013 and depicts the seasonal vector abundance indoor and outdoor. Future BT and African horse sickness (AHS) outbreak risks were estimated by projecting R0 to climate change scenarios. Therefore, temperature-dependent vector p...

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de diferentes dietas artificiales sobre la fecundidad y longevidad de adultos de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) en condiciones de laboratorio en... more

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de diferentes dietas artificiales sobre la fecundidad y longevidad de adultos de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) en condiciones de laboratorio en Ucayali, con el fin de encontrar una dieta artificial más económica y eficiente para su crianza masiva. Se probaron tres dietas: azúcar rubia + miel de abeja + polen, harina de maca + miel de abeja + polen y leche en polvo + miel de abeja + polen, en comparación con la dieta estándar (levadura de cerveza + miel de abeja + polen), realizándose un Diseño Completamente al Azar (DCA) con catorce repeticiones por cada dieta. Los parámetros evaluados fueron capacidad de oviposición, viabilidad de huevos y longevidad de adultos, durante la primera generación. Los resultados revelaron que la dieta a base de leche en polvo + miel de abeja + polen obtuvo valores mayores y similares a la dieta estándar en los tres parámetros evaluados. Por lo tanto, se concluye que esta dieta podría ser utilizada para la producción masiva de C. externa. Palabra clave: dieta artificial, capacidad de oviposición, viabilidad, longevidad.

Exposure to temperatures above 29°C has been shown to be detrimental to the development of Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) larvae, while it has been assumed that temperatures above 33° are lethal.... more

Exposure to temperatures above 29°C has been shown to be detrimental to the development of Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) larvae, while it has been assumed that temperatures above 33° are lethal. However, the details of larval sensitivity to high temperatures are not clearly understood. We examined the effects of different lengths and timing of high-temperature exposure on larval and pupal mortality, development time, and adult mass. The experimental high temperature was 36°, while 27° was the moderate temperature at which individuals were kept when not exposed to the high temperature. In three experiments, larvae and pupae were subjected either to constant exposure to 36° initiated at various developmental stages or to fluctuating temperatures (daily high-temperature pulses of 6 or 12 hours) throughout development. In general, we found that increasing lengths of constant exposure resulted in increasingly higher mortality, longer development time, and lighter adult mass, while daily temperature fluctuations resulted in very little mortality and shorter development times. Mortality, development time, and adult size were affected differently by the initiation of high-temperature treatment at the various stages of development. Because faster development is likely to be beneficial to Monarchs, certain high-temperature regimes that allow for shortened time to adulthood may not be as detrimental to larvae and pupae as previously was assumed.

Dengue is a viral disease caused by Aedes mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and cause serious illness in people community living in tropics. It is able to cause bundles of symptoms and may cause bleeding internally leading to death of the... more

Dengue is a viral disease caused by Aedes mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and cause serious illness in people community living in tropics. It is able to cause bundles of symptoms and may cause bleeding internally leading to death of the patient. Currently there is no immunization against dengue disorder but the most broadly utilized techniques for control of mosquitoes are usage of insecticides and biological control. Present study has been designed to observe and compare the consumption of dengue mosquito larvae by two anuran species, Common Skittering Frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) and Southeast Asian Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) tadpoles inhabiting Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The tadpoles and dengue larvae were collected from ponds and pools using dip nets. Six trails were carried with anuran species of common skittering frog and Southeast Asian toad. Each trail was replicated thrice. The Kruskal-Wallis test present that the total number of consumed dengue larvae among various trials between two species (Common Skittering Frog and Southeast Asian Toad) did not differ-significantly (P=0.26) and (P=0.08), while the Wilcoxon test showed that the number of consumed dengue larvae by tadpoles of the two anuran species was P=0.08 which also did not differ significantly. Therefore it was concluded that the Southeast Asian toad is better in the consumption of dengue mosquito larvae as compared to common skittering frog.

The Phasmatodea (stick insects) have multiple, endogenous, highly expressed copies of glycoside hy-drolase family 9 (GH9) genes. The purpose for retaining so many was unknown. We cloned and expressed the enzymes in transfected insect cell... more

The Phasmatodea (stick insects) have multiple, endogenous, highly expressed copies of glycoside hy-drolase family 9 (GH9) genes. The purpose for retaining so many was unknown. We cloned and expressed the enzymes in transfected insect cell lines, and tested the individual proteins against different plant cell wall component poly-and oligosaccharides. Nearly all isolated enzymes were active against carboxymethylcellulose, however most could also degrade glucomannan, and some also either xylan or xyloglucan. The latter two enzyme groups were each monophyletic, suggesting the evolution of these novel substrate specificities in an early ancestor of the order. Such enzymes are highly unusual for Metazoa, for which no xyloglucanases had been reported. Phasmatodea gut extracts could degrade multiple plant cell wall components fully into sugar monomers, suggesting that enzymatic breakdown of plant cell walls by the entire Phasmatodea digestome may contribute to the Phasmatodea nutritional budget. The duplication and neofunctionalization of GH9s in the ancestral Phasmatodea may have enabled them to specialize as folivores and diverge from their omnivorous ancestors. The structural changes enabling these unprecedented activities in the cellulases require further study.

The main aimed to document the occurrence of non insect pest of deferent crops grown in India. It is estimated that production losses due to insect pests and non insect pest are around 30 per cent in crop. Non-insect pests are enormous... more

The main aimed to document the occurrence of non insect pest of deferent crops grown in
India. It is estimated that production losses due to insect pests and non insect pest are around 30 per
cent in crop. Non-insect pests are enormous and can cause significant damage to our agriculture.
You can't kill some of the vertebrates as they are protected under wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. One
must always select eco-friendly options for pest management rather than just relying on chemical
control which often cause environmental pollution. One should not hesitate in controlling the noninsects
like phytophagous nematodes and mites, in case they attain pest status. There are friendly
nematodes and predatory mites also which feed either on other phytophagous species or other
organisms, directly or indirectly injurious to us. Crabs, millipedes, snails and slugs are specific to
certain situations, often associated with aquatic ecosystems hence should be managed involving
community

Mites can be found in all imaginable terrestrial habitats, in freshwater, and in salt water. Mites can be found in our houses and furnishings, on our clothes, and even in the pores of our skin—almost every single person carries mites.... more

Mites can be found in all imaginable terrestrial habitats, in freshwater, and in salt water. Mites can be found in our houses and furnishings, on our clothes, and even in the pores of our skin—almost every single person carries mites. Most of the time, we are unaware of them because they are small and easily overlooked, and—most of the time—they do not cause trouble. In fact, they may even proof useful, for instance in forensics. The first arthropod scavengers colonising a dead body will be flies with phoretic mites. The flies will complete their life cycle in and around the corpse, while the mites may feed on the immature stages of the flies. The mites will reproduce much faster than their carriers, offering themselves as valuable timeline markers. There are environments where insects are absent or rare or the environmental conditions impede their access to the corpse. Here, mites that are already present and mites that arrive walking, through air currents or material transfer become important. At the end of the ninetieth century, the work of Jean Pierre Mégnin became the starting point of forensic acarology. Mégnin documented his observations in ‘La Faune des Cadavres’ [The Fauna of Carcasses]. He was the first to list eight distinct waves of arthropods colonising human carcasses. The first wave included flies and mites, the sixth wave was composed of mites exclusively. The scope of forensic acarology goes further than mites as indicators of time of death. Mites are micro-habitat specific and might provide evidential data on movement or relocation of bodies, or locating a suspect at the scene of a crime. Because of their high diversity, wide occurrence, and abundance, mites may be of great value in the analysis of trace evidence.

Edible insects are found in different habitats such as forests, agricultural fields and aquatic ecosystems. The practice of eating edible insects and insect based food is called entomophagy and when it is related to humans, it is called... more

Edible insects are found in different habitats such as forests, agricultural fields and aquatic ecosystems. The practice of eating edible insects and insect based food is called entomophagy and when it is related to humans, it is called anthropo-entomophagy or human entomophagy. About one million insect species are reported and even more are yet to be documented. Insect origin is very old and evolution produces their great biodiversity. Out of million insect species, only about 5000 species are considered to be harmful. Anthropo-entomophagy is considered very primitive and taboo in many regions of the world especially in western countries, while in some regions it is widely accepted and important part of regular diets. It is estimated that anthropo-entomophagy is practiced by at least 2 billion people of the world. More than 2000 edible insects are reported in literatures. Edible insects are eaten in their all stages of life cycles viz. eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Edible insects can provide good alternative and sustainable source of protein other than livestock protein

The effect of ethanolic, acetone and petroleum ether extracts from leaves and stems of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) on some biological aspects of the house fly, Musca domestica L were tested. All extracts showed moderate to high toxic... more

The effect of ethanolic, acetone and petroleum ether extracts from
leaves and stems of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) on some
biological aspects of the house fly, Musca domestica L were tested.
All extracts showed moderate to high toxic effects on M. domestica
larvae; however, the petroleum ether extract from leaves and stems
were more toxic than acetone and ethanolic extracts. The effect of the
extracts on the larval and pupal duration, pupal mortality, adult
emergence (%) and growth index of M. domestica were
determined. The antifeedant and repellent activities of the present
plant extracts varied depending on solvent, plant parts used in
extraction and the dose of extract. The petroleum ether extraction
from leaves and stems of L. camara was more effective in exhibiting
antifeedant and repellent activity against M. domestica as compared
with the acetone and ethanol extractions. These results may
provide an opportunity to develop alternatives to costly organic
pesticides with some available cheap plants which are usually safe to
the environment and to other living organisms.

Se presenta el primer registro de Hippodamia variegata (Goeze 1777) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) en el Perú que además se constituye como la cita a mayor altura de la especie. Esta especie introducida se halla establecida en el resto del... more

Se presenta el primer registro de Hippodamia variegata (Goeze 1777) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) en el Perú que además se constituye como la cita a mayor altura de la especie. Esta especie introducida se halla establecida en el resto del continente pero su presencia en el Perú se confirma con la presente contribución. Son presentados un mapa de distribución y una clave para separar las dos especies del género presentes en el Perú.
The first record of Hippodamia variegata (Goeze 1777) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Peru is reported, which also constitutes the highest record of the species. This introduced species is already established in the rest of the continent, but its presence in Peru is confirmed in this contribution. A distribution map and a key to distinguish the two species of this genus present in Peru are presented.