International Journal of Nematology and Entomology

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2021.   © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Farmers’ knowledge and perception of horticultural insect pest problems in southwestern Nigeria

BANJO, A.D.¹, LAWAL, O.A.^1*, FAPOJUWO, O.E.² and SONGONUGA, E. A.¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun-State, Nigeria. ²Department of Extention and Rural Sociology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun-State, Nigeria.

Accepted 23 February, 2021

Abstract

This survey was carried out in three states of southwestern Nigeria (Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states) on farmer’s perception of horticultural insect pest problems. The survey was conducted between August 2002 and January 2003. A large number of the farmers were above 25 years old (91%). They were predominantly male (73%) and about 76% were married. Some farmers cultivate both tree and vegetables (36.5%) while a few of them plant trees, vegetable and ornamentals together (5.4%). Whilst 89% were aware of insect pest problems, only 35% used chemical treatment even though about 79% thought that pest damage ranged from mild to severe. Majority of the farmers adopt diverse number of traditional methods in pest control.

Key words: Farmers, pests, horticultural crops, vegetable, control.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 7 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae to the red-legged tick, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi

Marius Hedimbi¹*, Godwin P. Kaaya, G.P², Michael Samish, M³, Galina Gindin³ and Itamar Glazer³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia.

²Department of Animal Science, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia.

³ARO, The Volcani Centre, P. O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.

Accepted 18 March, 2020

Abstract

Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi is an economically-important tick of livestock in Africa mainly due to its ability to transmit Babesia equi to horses, Anaplasma marginale to cattle and to cause paralysis in lambs, adult sheep and calves. This study investigated the pathogenicity and hence the bio-control potential of Metarhizium anisopliae to eggs and all other off-host stages of R. e. evertsi. The eggs and larvae were infected by placing them on filter paper wetted with conidial suspension. Tick instars were infected by dipping in M. anisopliae suspenssion (1×10 ³–10 ⁸ conidia/ml) and incubated together with the eggs at 25°C and 100% relative humidity (RH). The m ortality of eggs and all tick stages tested increased with increasing conidial concentration and were higher (P>0.05) in conidia formulated in oil than in those formulated in water. For instance, the LC₅₀ in unfed larvae was 1×10 ⁴ conidia /ml in oil formulation and 1×10 ⁵ conidia /ml in water formulation. No difference was observed in mortality between fed and unfed tick stages.

Key words: Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Metarhizium anisopliae, formulation, mortality, biological control.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 9321-5320 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Plasmodium and intestinal helminths distribution among pregnant women in the Kassena-Nankana District of Northern Ghana

Godwin Fuseini¹*, Dominic Edoh², Bugre Gumah Kalifa³ and Dave Knight⁴

¹International SOS, Ghana.

²Zoology Department, University of Ghana, Ghana.

³Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana.

⁴International SOS medical Consultant and University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Accepted 12 September, 2019

Abstract

Parasitic infection during pregnancy is a major cause of anaemia in Africa. Social and environmental risk factors for the transmission of human parasites vary according to geographical location. Knowledge of the geographical distribution of parasitic helminths and malaria parasites is key to any interventional programme. Thus, in August-November 2005, a hospital-based study was conducted on 300 pregnant women at their first attendance to antenatal health care. This was to determine the distribution of helminth/Plasmodium infections among pregnant women in the Kassena-Nankana District of Northern Ghana. Stool specimens were examined by the concentration method whilst blood specimens were examined microscopically. The district was divided into three micro- ecological zones; the irrigated-rural area, the non- irrigated-rural area and the township. The participants were allocated to a zone according to their place of residence. Prevalence of intestinal helminths in gravid women from the irrigated-rural area was 41.2% (28/68), followed by the non-irrigated area of 15.64% (28/178) and then the township of 11.32% (6/53). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of intestinal helminths by micro-ecological zone (p=0.0001, X²=23.02), and in the prevalence of Plasmodium by micro-ecological zone (p=0.0001, X²=42.30). The prevalence of Plasmodium infection in irrigated- rural area was 80.9% (55/68) , followed by the non-irrigated area of 60.7% (108/178) and the township of 22.64% (12/53). Out of the total 62 women infected with the intestinal helminths, 67.7% (42/62) were also co-infected with the Plasmodium parasite. The participant’s age had no significant association with intestinal helminth infestation or Plasmodium infection. Knowledge of the geographical distribution of intestinal helminths and malaria infection in this district will assist public health policy formulation and direction of health promotion activities. The high prevalence of parasites found in pregnant women from rural-irrigated areas requires interventions to reduce transmission of malaria and intestinal helminths.

Key words: Plasmodium, intestinal helminths, pregnant women.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 9321-5320 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Population dynamics of the leaf curl aphid, Brachycaudus helichrysi (Kalt.) and its natural enemies on subtropical peach, Prunus persica cv. Flordasun

R. K. Arora, R. K. Gupta* and K. Bali

Division of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-J, Jammu-180 002, India.

Accepted 17 August, 2019

Abstract

Population dynamics of leaf curling aphid, Brachycaudus helichrysi (Kalt.) and natural enemies associated with the pest were studied. The initial occurence of the alate forms of B. helichyrsi on peach was noticed as the first alates (1.33/10 leaves) in the 3^rd week of October, 2004. In the aphid colonies, alates appeared (2.33 alates/10 leaves) in the 3^rd week of February and their percent population increased gradually in proportions. However, the winged aphids totally disappeared from 2^nd week of December to 2^nd week of February. There was a decline in the aphid population from 3^rd week of April (12.62%) and onwards both apterous and alate forms disappeared from the host plants. During 1^st week of February, the overwintering nymphs developed into apterous adults. There was a rapid increase in aphid population (170.67/10 leaves) and peak population (592.00/10 leaves) was recorded in 3^rd week of March when the mean atmospheric temperature and relative humidity were 16.2°C and 74.44% respectively. A positive correlation was observed between the population build up of the pest and combined effect of atmospheric temperature and relative humidity (R_1.23 = 0.7051). The independent effect of humidity (r_13.2 = 0.7741) and atmospheric temperature (r_12.3 = 0.5551) was also found positively correlated with population build up of the pest. Overwintering stage of the pest from December - January revealed that nymphs produced in the last week of November overwintered in the axils and bases of dormant buds of peach tree. The population of overwintering nymphs was more in January (3.0/10 buds) than in December (0.67/10 buds). Coccinella septempunctata L., Leis dimidiata F., Coelophora sauzeti Muls., Ischiodon scutellaris (F.), Paragus (Paragus) serratus (Fabr.) and Paragus (Pandasyophthalmus) tibialis (Fallen) were recorded as aphidophagous predators and Diaeretiella rapae M’Intosh and Aphidius sp. as parasitoids of the pest.

Key words: Population dynamics, Brachycaudus helichrysi (Kalt.), natural enemies, peach cv. Flordasun

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 9321-5320 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-003, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Larvicidal activity of the saponin fractions of Chlorophytum borivilianum santapau and Fernandes

S. L. Deore* and S. S. Khadabadi

Government College of Pharmacy, Kathora Naka, Amravati- 444604, (M.S), India.

Accepted 28 September, 2019

Abstract

The present communication deals with the laboratory studies carried out to ascertain the larvicidal properties of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. and Fernand. saponin extracts for the mosquito species Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. Methanolic extract (ME), crude saponin extract (CSE) and purified saponin fractions (PSF) were used as test solutions. Concentration to kill 50% larvae and concentration to inhibit emergence of 50% adult that is LC₅₀ and EC₅₀ values respectively were calculated. All extracts found to be larvicidal but PSF was found more effective.

Key words: Larvicidal, Chlorophytum borivilianum, saponin.