International Journal of Nematology and Entomology

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-005, October, 2022.   © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Bioactive fractions of n-hexane extracts from Vigna pods against the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius

Oigiangbe, O.N.², L.E.N. Jackai², F.K. Ewete³ and L. Lajide⁴

¹Insect Rearing Unit, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Campbell Hall, Room 200-B, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 6088, USA.

³Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

⁴Dept. of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

Accepted 8 September, 2022

Abstract

The identification of resistance factors in Vigna species has been a major constraint to the development of effective host-plant resistance against the major insect pests of cowpea. We studied the effects of some fractions of the n-hexane extract of green pods of three Vigna species namely V. vexillata, V. oblongifolia and V. unguiculata on the growth, development and fecundity of Maruca vitrata Fabricius. When incorporated in the artificial diet, the phenolic, acidic and basic fractions had no significant effect on larval growth and development. However, the neutral fraction from the three Vigna species showed antibiosis by significantly reducing larval weight, percentage pupation and adult emergence. There was no pupation on diet with V. vexillata neutral fraction. We conclude that neutral fractions of the green pods of wild Vigna species contain metabolites which can be exploited in the genetic engineering of cultivated cowpea for resistance against M. vitrata.

Key words: Vigna species, resistance, n-hexane extract, Maruca vitrata, larval growth, fecundity.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-004, October, 2022.   © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The nutritional value of fourteen species of edible insects in southwestern Nigeria

Banjo, A.D., Lawal, O. A.* and SONGONUGA, E. A.

Department of Biological Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria.

Accepted 26 September, 2022

Abstract

Seventeen species of edible insects representing nine families from south western Nigeria were analyzed for nutrient composition. They include the orders of Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Isoptera. Analeptes trifasciata, Rhynchophorus phoenicis and Zonocerus variegatus has the highest crude protein content (29.62, 28.42 and 26.8%, respectively). The Ether Extract content ranged from 1.50 to 31.40%, and the highest amount was found in R. phoenicis (31.4%), Macrotermes bellicosus (28.2%) and Macrotermes notalensis (22.5%). The nitrogen free extract content ranged from 38.5 to 85.3%, with highest values in Brachytrypes spp. and Oryctes boas. The insect richest in Vitamin A, B₂ and C was Apis mellifera (12.44 ug/100 g, 3.24 mg/100g and 10.25 mg/100 g, respectively). Highest calcium and phosphorus contents of 61.28 mg/100g and 136.4 mg/100g were found in Analeptes trifasciata. Iron was found highest in M.notalensi and magnesium in Zonocerus variegatus. These insects which are sources of delicacy are also pests of certain crops at developmental stages of their life. Despite this they constitute a significant component of diet among the people of south western Nigeria.

Key words: Nutrition, insects, Nigeria.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 9 (9), pp. 001-005, September, 2022.   © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on the quantitative and qualitative characters of cocoons and silk from methoprene and fenoxycarb treated Bombyx mori (L) larvae

D. M. Mamatha¹*,     H. P. P. Cohly², A. H. H. Raju¹ and M. Rajeswara Rao¹

¹Division of Sericulture, Department of Zoology, S.V. University, Tirupati-517 502, A.P., India.

²Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre, Jackson M.S. 39216, U.S.A.

Accepted 10 August, 2022

Abstract

Juvenile hormone analogues (JHA s) are known to prolong larval life in insects, and these have been tried for the improvement of silk production in the silkworm, Bombyx mori (L). In the cocoons and silk from 5^th instar B. mori treated with selected doses of methoprene and fenoxycarb, quantitative parameters like cocoon weight, shell weight, shell percentage, filament length and denier followed by qualitative characters of the silk like non-breakable filament length, reelability, winding capacity, tenacity, elongation percentage, cohesiveness, sericin and fibroin contents were determined. The cocoon from 1.0 mg methoprene and 3.0 fg/larvae treated on days one and two showed improved quantitative characters of cocoons followed by qualitative characters of the silk over the control. The use of juvenile hormone like methprene and fenoxycarb during summer season will help to get improved cocoon yield.

Key words: Silkworm, methoprene, fenoxycarb, cocoons and silk.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 9 (8), pp. 001-011, August, 2022.   © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative insect mitochondrial genomes: Differences despite conserved genome synteny

Sathees B. C. Chandra¹*, Jennifer L. Vlk¹ and Vinayak Kapatral²

¹Department of Biological, Chemical and Physical Sciences, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL 60605, USA.

²Integrated Genomics, 2201 W Campbell Park Dr, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.

Accepted 7 July, 2022

Abstract

We present a comparative analysis of select insect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) representing four insect orders (Diptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera and Coleoptera) consisting of 12 different species in an effort to study a common set of genes and to understand the evolution of mitochondrial genome. A functional analysis of mitochondrial genomes was carried out using ERGO bioinformatics suite. To compare the similarity between closely related insect mitochondrial genome sequences, dot-plot comparisons of sequences were performed. LSU and SSU rRNA sequences were used to construct a phylogenetic tree to determine the relationship among four insect orders. LSU rRNA sequences yielded a tree with branching patterns reflecting the expected pattern as insect species belonging to different orders were put into separate clades. Based on the sequence similarity, insect species belonging to four different orders in general appear to be closely related. However, a comparative and functional analysis of insect mitochondria sequences revealed differences in gene organization of mtDNA. Although tRNA species were identical in most species of insects, their position and the transcription orientations were different, reflecting differential transcriptions. Based on this study we conclude that, although the gene types are very similar across these insect orders, significant differences in GC content perhaps suggest multiple mitochondrial ancestors.

Key words: Mitochondria, genome analysis, gene content, gene order, phylogenetic analysis.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-002, July, 2022.   © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Isolation of Salmonella and Shigella species from house flies (Musca domestica l.) in Uturu, Nigeria

UGBOGU, O. C.*, NWACHUKWU, N. C. and OGBUAGU, U. N.

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological and Physical Sciences, Abia State University, P. M. B. 2000, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.

Accepted 6 June, 2022

Abstract

Salmonella and Shigella species were isolated from House flies (Musca domestica L.) from various sampling sites using selective media. Out of 34 pooled samples Shigella species were isolated in all (100%) of the samples while Salmonella species were isolated in 21 (61.7%) of the samples. The flies pooled from the refuse dump sites had higher load of these organisms. The infection rate of flies with Shigella species observed in this study is very high and calls for proper mechanical control of flies, environment sanitation and use of insecticides where applicable.

Key words: Salmonella species, Shigella species, house flies, Uturu, disease transmission.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 9 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2022.   © International Scholars Journals

Review

Gene pyramiding as a Bt resistance management strategy: How sustainable is this strategy?

Manyangarirwa, W.^1*, Turnbull, M.¹, McCutcheon, G.S.², and Smith, J.P.³

¹Department of Entomology, Soils and Plant Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0315, USA.

²Coastal Research and Education Center, Clemson University, 2700 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29414-5329, USA.

³Edisto Research and Education Center, Clemson University, 64 Research Road, Blackville, SC 29817, USA.

Accepted 24 May, 2022

Abstract

Reports on the emergence of insect resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis delta endotoxins have raised doubts on the sustainability of Bt-toxin based pest management technologies. Corporate industry has responded to this challenge with innovations that include gene pyramiding among others. Pyramiding entails stacking multiple genes leading to the simultaneous expression of more than one toxin in a transgenic variety. Questions have been raised on the sustainability of gene pyramiding since the use of insecticide mixtures has shown that cross resistance and/or multiple resistance can render such strategies to be less effective in the long term. Current theoretical and practical evidence in insect population genetics suggest that gene pyramiding cannot be sustained as a resistance management strategy per se. Pyramiding is useful as a strategy to broaden the range of insect pests controlled in each transgenic variety, and it still has to be deployed in tandem with Bt resistance management strategies such as crop refugia, biological pest control, temporal and spatial crop rotations among others.

Key words: Gene pyramiding, Bacillus thuringiensis, resistance management.