bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Virus of Rinderpest and its Relation to Glossina morsitans, Westw.
Authors: Carmichael J.
Published: July 2009

The earliest known cases of the coincident disappearance of tsetse-fly from an area affected with rinderpest occurred in the Transvaal and Rhodesia in the early nineties of last century (Stevenson Hamilton, 1911 and 1912). There is no doubt that the fly either decreased or entirely disappeared from various districts in these two territories following the great rinderpest epizootic in the wild fauna. A satisfactory explanation has not yet been given to account for this remarkable phenomenon.

Fuller (1923) in a most interesting historical review of the tsetse position in the Transvaal and neighbouring territories points out that although there had been a gradual shrinkage of the fly over a period of some years, the disappearance of Glossina from the Eastern low country of the Transvaal can be definitely attributed to the rinderpest epizootic. He further states (p. 347) that “ it has been shown experimentally that disease-laden blood does not militate immediately against the fly.” No reference is given in support of this statement, and I am unable to trace any published experimental evidence in this connection, with the exception of Duke's (1919) work, which is referred to later.

Howard (1910), discussing the tsetse position in the Inhambane and Lourenço Marques districts of Portuguese Territory, states that after rinderpest passed over South Africa the fly began to disappear and that they had been unable to locate a single tsetse-belt in that portion of the country.
Observations on the Life-histories, Nutritional Requirements and Fecundity of Blowflies
Authors: Mackerras M. J.
Published: July 2009

L. sericata, L. cuprina, Ch. rufifacies, C. stygia and C. augur have been bred through many generations in captivity. These flies were bred in artificial light as well as in sunlight. Inbreeding had no effect upon activity, fecundity or length of life.

A diet of protein is necessary for the maturation of ova but not of spermatozoa.

Oviposition is not strictly associated with a suitable larval environment, but is more in the nature of a response to a tactile stimulus. Copulation appears to provide an essential stimulus for oviposition.

No evidence of parthenogenesis has been obtained and unfertilised females did not lay eggs.

The maximum oviposition observed was 3,171 ova by a hybrid Lucilia. This fly lived 94 days.

A total oviposition of 2,373 ova was observed in a L. sericata. Both parent flies lived 77 days.

The number of ova a fly can produce at one time is dependent on its size and thus on the amount of food obtained in the larval stage.

The sex-ratio for Lucilia is very close to 1 : 1. Starvation in the larval period did not have a marked effect on the sex-ratio.

It is possible to cross the two closely related species of Lucilia, and the cuprina characters appear to be dominant. It is unlikely that this cross occurs in the field.
Observations on Aëdes aegypti, L. (Dipt. Culic.) under controlled Atmospheric Conditions
Authors: Lewis D. J.
Published: July 2009

Methods of breeding and manipulating Aëdes aegypti are described. Experiments on length of life were carried out with 534 mosquitos under eleven sets of conditions of atmospheric temperature and humidity. Also, 379 females were given an opportunity to suck blood under 11 sets of conditions. The following conclusions were reached :—

1. The length of life of starved mosquitos at 23°C. is very much dependent on humidity, but it cannot be directly related to saturation deficiency.

2. In these experiments there is no significant difference between the mean survivals of males and females, the former being generally longer.

3. The survival periods of fed and unfed females have a similar relation to humidity, the fed ones surviving the conditions for a longer period, irrespective of the date of feeding.

4. The effect of a change of temperature of 7°C. on the survival at 23°C. and 30°C. is much less than would be expected when the long survival period at 10°C. is considered.

5. In the absence of any efficient physiological adaptation for retarding loss of water, the females, possibly for this reason, seek a blood meal mainly in saturated air at the temperature of maximum activity.
Comparative Observations on the Morphology and Biology of some Hymenopterous Parasites of Carrion-infesting Diptera
Authors: Evans A. C.
Published: July 2009

1. The biology and larval morphology of three Alysiine Braconids and one Chalcid, parasites of the pre-imaginal stages of some carrion-infesting Dipterous larvae, are described.

2. The mode of hibernation of the parasites is recorded.

3. The oviposition of Alysia manducator and Aphaereta minuta is discussed in detail, attention being drawn to the hitherto neglected sense-organs located in the tarsi of these two species and to their importance in the process of oviposition.

4. The differing responses of full-grown Lucilia sericata larvae to parasitism by Alysia manducator at high and low temperatures are suggested to be due to differences in the physiological states of the host larvae at these temperatures.

5. A comparative study of the three endoparasitic Alysiines suggests that Alysia manducator may have reached a state of endoparasitic life relatively later than the other species studied, or at least has not yet reached such an advanced stage of endoparasitic specialisation as have Aphaereta minuta and Aspilota nervosa.

6. The growth of the egg in Aphaereta minuta and Alysia manducator and of the larvae of Mormoniella vitripennis is discussed.
Ecology of the Moroccan Locust in Iraq and Syria and the Prevention of its Outbreaks
Authors: Uvarov B. P.
Published: July 2009

In the spring of 1932 the President of the International Locust Office at Damascus invited me to visit the main breeding areas of the Moroccan Locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus, Thunbg.) within the territories of the states adhering to that Office, i.e. Turkey, Syria and Iraq, in order to survey the local locust problem and to advise on the best general policy of locust control. The visit represented partly a continuation of the previous season's work in Western Anatolia (Uvarov, 1932) and concerned the great locust area which comprises the south-eastern vilayets of the Turkish Republic, the northern provinces of Syria and northern Iraq.

The voyage was planned to take place at the period when oviposition by locusts usually occurs, and about three weeks in the second half of May and early June were spent in actually touring the areas subject to regular locust invasions in Iraq and Syria. Unfortunately, no arrangements were made for including Southern Turkey in the tour and, therefore, an important section of the area remained unstudied.

While the choice of the period for the ecological investigations proved to be correct, the year was scarcely favourable for reaching very definite conclusions. Locust swarms were numerous and rather widely spread during at least two or three previous years, but the meteorological conditions of the early spring of 1932 were quite exceptional, owing to the practical absence of rains, which caused great mortality amongst young hoppers.
Taxonomic Notes on the Coffee Mealybugs of Kenya Colony
Authors: James H. C.
Published: July 2009

The following species of mealybugs have been collected from Coffea arabica in Kenya Colony :—

Pseudococcus lilacinus, Ckll.

Pseudococcus citri, Risso.

Pseudococcus simulator, sp. n.

Pseudococcus virgatus, Ckll.

Pseudococcus perniciosus, Newst. & Willc.

Pseudococcus longispinus, Targ.

It is possible that additional species may be collected, especially from the coffee districts of Western Kenya, which are very distant from Nairobi, but undiscovered species, if they exist, can be little more than entomological rarities.
Notes on Some Injurious African Rhynchota
Authors: Distant W. L.
Published: July 2009

Head, antennae, rostrum, pronotum, scutellum, body beneath and legs black; posterior lobe of pronotum, posterior angular areas of prosternum, and a sub-basal discal suffusion to abdomen beneath, dark sanguineous; intermediate and posterior tibiae broadly annulated with pale luteous; corium and membrane pale grey hyaline, a black spot at apical angle to corium; head shorter than pronotum; antennae with the first joints reaching apex of head, second longest thickened towards apex,

third and fourth subequal in length; pronotum with the lateral margins distinctly pilose, posterior lobe granulose, anterior lobe more coarsely so; membrane extending beyond the abdominal apex, third and fourth subequal in length; pronotum with the lateral margins distinctly pilose, posterior lobe granulose, anterior lobe more coarsely so; membrane extending beyond the abdominal apex.
Classical Biological Control and Social Equity
Authors: Altieri Miguel A.
Published: July 2009

For over a century, scientists from industrialized countries as well as from developing countries have appropriated natural enemies from different regions of the world. These actions have been conducted thus far without compensation to the donor countries for such ‘biological services’. This unrecompensed extraction has been predicated on the basis that biodiversity (including natural enemies) are ‘humankind's common heritage’ (Kloppenburg & Kleinman, 1987). Such a view has been challenged by some social scientists as well as representatives from some developing countries who now question the inequity of global patterns of exchange of and access to plant genetic resources. At issue is the substantial ‘genetic debt’ that the industrialized countries have procured from developing countries and which has remained uncompensated (Fowler & Mooney, 1990). In fact, the agricultures of industrialized countries are characterized by extreme dependence on ‘introduced’ genetic materials from developing countries. Much of this germplasm has been utilized by seed companies from industrialized countries to develop new, high-yielding varieties, often sold back to developing countries at considerable profit. The contradiction in the status of developing countries crop genetic resources as freely available ‘common heritage’ and the status of seed companies’ commercial varieties as ‘private property’ available by purchase has fueled a major geopolitical controversy. This dispute is bound to expand to other activities involving interregional exchange of biological resources. Concern about global environmental changes, the levels of responsibility of industrialized and developing countries in relation to these changes, and the fact that many developing countries are major repositories of biodiversity which play major biospheric roles, are all issues that fuel the controversy.
Integrated use of pink bollworm pheromone formulations and selected conventional insecticides for the control of the cotton pest complex in Pakistan
Authors: Critchley B.R. , Chamberlain D.J. , Campion D.G. , Attique M.R. , Ali M. , Ghaffar A.
Published: July 2009

Hollow-fibre, microencapsulated and twist-tie formulations of the pheromone of the pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) were used in trials conducted in Pakistan from 1985–1988. Early season control of this pest by mating disruption, permitted an average reduction of two applications, of conventional insecticides otherwise required to control the cotton pest complex, particularly at the time of flower and fruit setting when beneficial insects are most numerous. The pheromone formulations, together with a mixture of selective and broad-spectrum insecticides in plots of 5 or 10 ha of cotton were compared with plots of cotton, of similar size in the same locality treated with a conventional insecticide spray programme and in plots where no insecticide applications were made for the control of bollworms. Comparisons of numbers of infested bolls and estimated yields showed that levels of control achieved using the pheromone/insecticide combinations were equal in effect to conventional programmes of insecticide sprays, whereas in plots where no bollworm control measures were taken, significantly higher bollworm infestations and reduced yield estimates were recorded.
The effect of adult feeding on female pre-calling period and ovarian development in a migratory moth, the Oriental armyworm Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Han Er-ning , Gatehouse A. Gavin
Published: July 2009

Female oriental armyworm moths, Mythimna separata (Walker), emerged without discernible oocytes in the ovarioles, and reproductive maturity, on the criterion of onset of calling behaviour, was associated with an intermediate stage of oocyte development. Ingestion of carbohydrate was required for completion of oocyte development in the majority of females although a proportion matured when allowed only water. Among females kept alone, these were exclusively moths from a strain selected for early onset of calling but, in the presence of a male, a few females from an unselected line also called and achieved oocyte maturation, without access to carbohydrate. Thus factors other than ovarian development apparently influence the commencement of calling. The absence of an effect of carbohydrate uptake on pre-calling period supports a previous conclusion that this trait is determined primarily by genetic components in this species. It is concluded that ingestion of carbohydrate is important for the attainment of reproductive maturity in M. separata but that it has a differential effect in early and later-calling genotypes. The implications of the results for the reproductive and migratory strategies of M. separata, an important agricultural pest, are discussed.
Arthropod community structures of rice ecosystems in the Philippines
Authors: Heong K.L. , Aquino G.B. , Barrion A.T.
Published: July 2009

The arthropod community associated with irrigated rice grown in five sites in Luzon Island, Philippines, was analysed using guild categories. Phytophages and predators were predominant in all sites. The phytophage species were mainly Homoptera and dominated by Nephotettix virescens (Distant), N. nigropictus (Stål) (Cicadellidae), and Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) and Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Delphacidae). Predators were mainly Heteroptera with Microvelia douglasi atrolineata Bergoth (Veliidae), Mesovelia vittigera (Horváth) (Mesoveliidae), and Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter (Miridae) as the most abundant species. Spiders were the next dominant group with Pardosa pseudoannulata (Böesenberg & Strand) and three species of Tetragnatha the most common. Differences in species diversity between the sites were easily differentiated using diversity indices. The relative differences in arthropod abundance, species richness and diversity may be attributed to the median temperatures, cropping patterns, and diversity in crop stages and germplasm in the sites. Predator-Homoptera correlations were significant in all cases. High positive correlations were obtained for veliids, spiders and Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, in most sites.
Comparative transmission potential of three Mansonia spp. (Diptera: Culicidae) for filariasis in Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Chang Moh-Seng , Chan Kai-Lok , Ho Beng-Chuan , Hawley William A.
Published: July 2009

Subperiodic filariasis (Brugia malayi) infections are endemic in the State of Sarawak, Malaysia, along the coastal villages and rural communities where the mosquitoes Mansonia bonneae Edwards, M. dives (Schiner) and M. uniformis (Theobald) are the main vectors. Two ecologically similar villages, Kampung Ampungan and Kampung Sebangkoi, were selected for comparison of the three Mansonia spp. in terms of their entomological baseline data, namely biting activity, survival and infective rates. Data obtained on their annual transmission potential (ATP), annual infective biting rate (AIBR) and vectorial capacity (C) showed M. bonneae to be the principal vector of B. malayi infections in Sarawak. Survival rates of M. bonneae and M. dives were estimated using both the exponential model of Macdonald which assumes an age-independent survival rate and the Gompertz model which assumes a decrease in the survival rate with advancing age of female mosquitoes.
The influence of host food plants on host recognition by four aphidiine parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Powell W. , Wright A.F.
Published: July 2009

The attack rate of four parasitoids against different aphid species was investigated in the absence and presence of leaves from aphid food plants. The parasitoids used, Aphidius ervi Haliday, A. rhopalosiphi De Stefani, A. picipes (Nees) and Ephedrus plagiator Nees, varied in the extent of their host ranges. The presence of plant leaves significantly influenced the attack rate of A. ervi and A. rhopalosiphi, the two parasitoids with the most restricted host ranges, but did not appear to affect attack rates by the more polyphagous A. picipes and E. plagiator. Consideration of these results together with those from previous studies on the host preferences of laboratory populations of A. ervi and A. rhopalosiphi leads to the conclusion that genotype is probably determining the responses of individual parasitoids to semiochemicals involved in host recognition. It is proposed that field populations of oligophagous aphid parasitoids consist of a mixture of specialist and generalist individuals.
Trap-catches, nutritional condition and the timing of activity of the tsetse fly Glossina longipennis (Diptera: Glossinidae)
Authors: Randolph Sarah E. , Rogers D.J. , Dransfield R.D. , Brightwell R.
Published: July 2009

Samples of Glossina longipennis Corti, taken over four days in traps (baited with acetone, cow urine and octenol) at half-hourly intervals during their restricted activity periods at dusk and dawn, were analysed for their nutritional condition. For both sexes, trap catches were highest at the end of dusk, between 19.00 and 19.30 h, associated with a significant increase in numbers with the low haematin content characteristic of flies estimated to have fed more than 60 hours previously. Also, the mean fat content of these flies was significantly lower than that of those trapped earlier. There was considerable day-to-day variation in the numbers of flies trapped, and in the numbers of low haematin and low fat flies. It is concluded that the nutritional condition of the fly probably influences the timing of the onset of activity, but possibly the fly's approach to the trap.
The Oriental species ofHelopeltis(Heteroptera: Miridae): a review of economic literature and guide to identification
Authors: Stonedahl Gary M.
Published: July 2009

The taxonomy of the Oriental species ofHelopeltisis revised and a review of the economic literature is given. An identification key is provided for the 14 recognized species, one of which,H. sulawesi, is described as new. A diagnosis and brief description is given for each species, as well as illustrations of useful taxonomic characters, information on distributions and host records, and a discussion of any known or suspected misidentifications. Lectotype designations are made for 13 nominal species and the following new synonymies are established:H. bradyiWaterhouse =H. ceylonensisDe Silva,syn. nandH. romundeiWaterhouse,syn. n;H. cinchonaeMann =H. brevicornisPoppius,syn. n.;H. clavifer(Walker) =H. australiaeKirkaldy,syn. nandH. nigerWalker,syn. n;H. cuneataDistant =H. elegansPoppius,syn. n;H. fasciaticollisPoppius =H. pallidusPoppius,syn. nandH. pallidicepsPoppius,syn. n;H. theivoraWaterhouse =H. oryxDistant,syn. nThe somewhat obscure synonymy ofH. theobromaeMiller underH. theivorais confirmed. Two subgenera are recognized and diagnosed:Afropeltissubgen. n(type speciesEucerocoris westwoodiWhite), including all African species of the genus, andHelopeltis sensu stricto, containing the Oriental and Australasian species.
Genetic variation in the Old World screw-worm fly,Chrysomya bezziana(Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Authors: Strong K.L. , Mahon R.J.
Published: July 2009

The Old World screw-worm fly,Chrysomya bezzianaVilleneuve, occurs in Africa, the Middle East, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, but it is not found in Australia. Introduction into Australia from any of these source areas would threaten the viability of much of the grazing industry in the northern part of the continent. Proposed control by the sterile insect release method (SIRM) would be compromised by the existence of sibling species withinC. bezziana.This study examines the degree of genetic differentiation throughout the extensive range of the fly to assess if the degree of geographic differentiation indicates the existence of sibling species and, allows identification of the source of any introduced flies. Electrophoretic analysis of 23 loci from samples collected in southern Africa, the Middle East, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea revealed 11 polymorphic loci. Overall, populations show remarkably little divergence given the geographic distribution of sample sites. None of the populations sampled were fixed for alternative electromorphs. There is no evidence from this study for the presence of sibling species withinC. bezziana.
Host recognition and acceptance behaviour in two aphid parasitoid species: Aphidius ervi and Aphidius microlophii (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Pennacchio F. , Digilio M.C. , Tremblay E. , Tranfaglia A.
Published: July 2009

The host preference and acceptance behaviour of populations of Aphidius ervi Haliday and A. microlophii Pennacchio & Tremblay from southern Italy was investigated. In no host-choice conditions, A. ervi females showed significantly higher attack and oviposition rates on the natural host Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) than on the non-host aphid Microlophium carnosum (Buckton)(Homoptera: Aphididae). In contrast, A. microlophii, which specifically parasitizes M. carnosum in the field, attacked both aphid species. However, dissections showed that oviposition of A. microlophii occurred only in a few of the attacked Acyrthosiphon pisum and was significantly less frequent than in M. carnosum. These results were confirmed in experimental host-choice conditions, suggesting that Aphidius microlophii oviposition is possibly regulated by a host haemolymphatic kairomone. Hybrids obtained by crossing A. ervi females with A. microlophii males attacked and oviposited in both aphid species, suggesting that these behavioural events have a strong genetic basis. The oviposition into host or non-host aphids did not elicit an immune defence reaction. The presence of the host's food-plant had no evident close-range effects on parasitoid attack and oviposition in non-host aphids. Aphidius microlophii reared on the non-host aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum produced a significant higher number of mummies after a few generations, suggesting a possible role of larval and early adult conditioning in the host selection process. These results, together with those from previous studies, suggest that Aphidius ervi is best considered as a complex of differentiated populations, characterized by a varying degree of genetic divergence.
The parasitoids of the African white rice borer,Maliarpha separatellaRagonot (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Polaszek A. , Fitton M.G. , Bianchi G. , Huddleston T.
Published: July 2009

A key is provided for the recognition of the hymenopterous parasitoids of the African white rice borer,Maliarpha separatellaRagonot, a pest of rice in Africa and Madagascar. Five species are described as new: Braconidae:Chelonus maudaeHuddleston,Rhacanotus carinafusPolaszek; Ichneumonidae:Prisfomerus bullisFitton,Prisfomerus carisFitton,Venturia jordanaeFitton. The following synonyms are proposed:Goniozus indicusMuesebeck,G. natalensisGordh andG. proceraeRisbec are synonymized withGoniozus indicusAshmead.Phanerotorna majorBrues is synonymized withPhanerotoma saussureiKohl. Lectotypes are designated forGoniozus proceraeRisbec,Rhaconotus scirpophagaeWilkinson andGarouella ovicidaRisbec. The known distributions, biologies and alternative hosts of each parasitoid are provided, and their use as biological control agents or components of integrated pest management programmes are discussed.
The biology of Culiseta morsitans and Culiseta litorea (Diptera: Culicidae) in England
Authors: Service M.W.
Published: July 2009

Although Culiseta morsitans (Theobald) is a common Holarctic mosquito very little is known about its biology so many aspects of its life-history were studied, mainly in southern England, from 1964–1987. More limited observations were made in the south on the coastal Culiseta litorea (Shute). Both species laid an average of 109 eggs as an egg raft deposited on wet mud and leaf litter. At high humidities C. morsitans eggs can remain unhatched and viable for many months. Populations of both species overwinter as fourth instar larvae, pupation occurs in April and adults start emerging in early May. The adult season lasts until September or October. Both species feed principally on birds. Serological tests, however, on blood-engorged females show that a few feed on humans, although none has been caught in human bait collections. Light-traps are not very effective in sampling adults, although a few were caught in them, as they were in non-attractant suction traps. The relative sizes of adult populations of both species were monitored in most years from 1964–1980 on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, England, and showed a marked decline in the proportions of C. litorea, but there was a resurgence of this species after eight years, when the population again crashed.
A technique for initiating cutaneous myiasis (flystrike) on sheep
Authors: Steiner E.C. , Harrington S.A. , Watson K.V. , Monzu N.
Published: July 2009

A technique for initiating artificial strikes on sheep using eggs or larvae of Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) under controlled conditions is described. A liver based implant provides protein for initial larval development. The technique has been found to produce viable strikes more reliably than other currently-used methods for the purpose of screening insecticides in controlled experiments.
Toxicity of some pesticides to Eretmocerus debachi (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), an important parasitoid of Parabemisia myricae (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Uygun Nedim , Sengonca Cetin , Ulusoy Mehmet R. , Kersting Ulrich
Published: July 2009

The effects of nine pesticides commonly used in citrus orchards were tested on adults, larvae and pupae of the parasitoid Eretmocerus debachi Rose & Rosen in the laboratory. All pesticides caused immediate mortality to adult parasitoid females and significant losses in efficiency, if applied to larvae of E. debachi in its host Parabemisia myricae (Kuwana). Only the fungicide captan and the insecticide Mercathion (malathion) were slightly harmful and harmless to the parasitoid larva. Gramoxone (paraquat), Dursban 4 (chlopyrifos-ethyl), Mercathion and Supracide (methidathion) were harmful to E. debachi pupae, while five other pesticides were only moderately harmful or harmless.
Prospects for using odour-baited trees to control tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae)
Authors: Vale G. A. , Wilcox J. , Abson J.
Published: July 2009

Field studies in Zimbabwe elucidated the responses of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood and G. pallidipes Austen to natural and artificial trunks of trees baited with odours of acetone, 1-octen-3-ol and phenols. The numbers of tsetse electrocuted in flight near the base of the trunk increased 2–12 times when the trunk was shortened from 7.2 m to 0.9 m and its diameter was increased from 25 cm to 5 m, when the base was coloured blue or black to contrast with the upper trunk, or when the upper trunk was separated from the base by a gap of 2.7 m. A swarm flying near short trunks was more compact than near tall trunks. Electrocuting grids to catch alighting tsetse indicated that only about 20% of the attracted tsetse alighted on the base of the trunk, whether this was blue or blue/black. Since there is presently no apparent means of cost-effectively avoiding the inhibitory effects of tall trunks, the use of odour-baited trees as baits for tsetse control seems uneconomical.
A new species of Lydella (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Mexico with a discussion of the definition of the genus
Authors: Woodley Norman E.
Published: July 2009

Following the discovery of Lydella jaliscosp. n. (from Jalisco, Mexico), a parasite of the Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the limits of the genus Lydella Robineau-Desvoidy have been widened to include Diatraeophaga Townsend syn. n., Metoposisyrops Townsend syn. n., and Metagonistylum Townsend syn. n. All species regarded as belonging to Lydella are listed, with L. minense (Townsend) comb. n., L. oryzae (Townsend) comb. n., L. scirpophagae (Chao & Shi) comb. n., L. sesamiae (Mesnil) comb. n., and L. striatalis (Townsend) comb. n.
The microhabitat ofCulicoides impunctatus(Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) larvae in Scotland
Authors: Blackwell A. , Young M. R. , Mordue W.
Published: July 2009

Soil samples were taken from two transects (total 63 sampling points; 25 cm quadrats) representing theBetula pubescens(Betulaceae) woodland, rush-pasture and peat-based mire vegetation of the west coast and Highlands of Scotland, in an attempt to relate soil and vegetation features to the occurrence ofCulicoides impunctatusGoetghebuer larvae. The covers of vegetation groups were recorded at each sample site and soil wetness was assessed on an arbitrary scale.Culicoidesspp. larvae were extracted from half of each sample and stored for subsequent identification ofC. impunctatuslarvae, while the remaining half was used for analysis of soil pH and organic content (loss on ignition, LOI). Correspondence analysis (using DECORANA) separated the sample sites and vegetation groups and the ordination axes were significantly correlated with the density ofC. impunctatuslarvae, soil organic content and soil wetness index. Simple regression analyses revealed that the density ofJuncus acutiflorus/J. articulatus(Juncaceae) and soil wetness index were positively related to the overall variation inC. impunctatuslarval density. The wetness index had the strongest relationship and this remained the case in step-wise multiple regression. There was no relationship between larval density and soil pH. This information on the specific microhabitat preferences of the larvae could aid colonization attempts of this dominantly important species of biting midge in the UK.
Homoptera associated with the ants Crematogaster clariventris, Pheidole megacephala and Tetramorium aculeatum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on cocoa in Ghana
Authors: Campbell C.A.M.
Published: July 2009

Population densities of honeydew-producing Homoptera were assessed on mature upper-Amazon cocoa (Theobroma cacao) (Sterculiaceae) trees with combinations of the ants Crematogaster clariventris Mayr, Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius) and Tetramorium aculeatum (Mayr). Interactions were found between combinations of the three ant species and the abundance of Homoptera attended for honeydew. Crematogaster clariventris primarily attended Stictococcus sjostedti Cockerell (Stictococcidae), and less frequently Waxiella sp. nr zonata (Newstead) (Coccidae). Pheidole megacephala attended mealybugs, mainly Planococcoides njalensis (Laing), and Planococcus citri (Risso) (both Pseudococcidae). Tetramorium aculeatum was negatively associated with honeydew-producing Homoptera only when it was the sole dominant ant. Where T. aculeatum co-existed with either one, or both, of the other ant species, it had little influence on the abundance of the honeydew-producing Homoptera they attended, including the mealybug vectors of cocoa swollen shoot virus. Ant-attended Homoptera were more numerous on trees solely dominated by their attendant ants than on trees where two or all three ant species co-occurred. By contrast, the non-ant-attended psyllid Mesohomotoma tessmanni (Aulmann) was least common on trees with a single dominant ant species, and was most abundant on trees foraged by all three ant species.
SamplingAnopheles arabiensis, A. gambiae sensu latoandA. funestus(Diptera: Culicidae) with CDC light-traps near a rice irrigation area and a sugarcane belt in western Kenya
Authors: Githeko A.K. , Service M.W. , Mbogo C.M. , Atieli F.A. , Juma F.O.
Published: July 2009

CDC (Communicable Disease Center) light-traps were compared with human-bait collections as an alternative method for sampling malaria vectors in two villages of western Kenya. The numbers ofAnopheles funestusGiles andAnopheles gambiae sensu latoGiles in CDC light-trap collections were significantly correlated to the numbers caught in human-bait collections, but inAnopheles arabiensisPatton the two collections were not significantly correlated. Most of the female vectors collected in the traps were unfed. Parity ofA. arabiensiscollected in CDC light-traps (44.3%) was significantly lower than the rate obtained from females caught on human-bait (54.5%). Although CDC light-traps provide a cheap and convenient method for collecting vectors, further studies should nevertheless be undertaken to determine the influence of species-specific variation in the sizes and age-structure of collections because such variations can affect the epidemiological interpretation of the data.
Analysis of the components of ‘electric nets’ that affect their sampling efficiency for tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae)
Authors: Griffiths Nigel , Brady John
Published: July 2009

The efficiency of electrocuting devices currently used for sampling tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) and similar insects, was studied in Zimbabwe by recording approaches, kills, and escapes, with video. The kill rate of an electrified netting screen increased with the discharge frequency of the device up to 200 Hz (ca the highest practicable frequency) reaching ca 90% at best. The same kill rate was achieved by an electrified black cloth target. However, ‘two-choice’ comparisons of electric nets and their components showed avoidance by the tsetse of the black mosquito netting between the electric wires, and even of the electric wires on their own, though probably not of the black metal frame that supported them. The proportion of tsetse avoiding a standard electric net was ca 27% in full sun, ca 40% in shade, implying an overall sampling efficiency of, at best, ca 65% at the optimum 200 Hz discharge rate in sunshine, and ca 40–50% with the 67 Hz nets used currently in Africa. Potential for improvements therefore lies mainly in reducing the visibility of the nets; suggestions are offered.
Distribution and sampling of Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in maize and sorghum on the Kenya coast
Authors: Overholt W. A. , Ogedah K. , Lammers P.M.
Published: July 2009

The seasonal occurrence and spatial distribution of the crambine stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) were investigated in maize, Zea mays, and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, fields at the Kenya coast. During the vegetative growth stage, small-sized larvae were typically found behind leaf sheaths and in whorls in maize and sorghum. In reproductive and senescent maize, small-sized larvae were also found feeding in ears. Later immature life stages were located predominantly in stems in sorghum, and in the stems and ears in maize. Density and variance estimates of small, medium-, and large-sized larvae and pupae in maize and sorghum were fitted to Taylor's power law which provided significant regressions in all cases. The between-plant distribution was aggregated in all life stages. In maize, the distribution remained aggregated through the larval and pupal life stages, but in sorghum the distribution became progressively less aggregated as insects aged. The relationship of C. partellus density to the proportion of plants infested also suggested aggregation. Optimal sample sizes were determined for both binomial and enumerative sampling plans at two levels of precision, and a discussion is included on the relationship of optimal sample sizes to economic injury levels. Additionally, a presence/absence sequential sampling plan is proposed.
Notes on the biology and immature stages of West African sorghum head bugs Eurystylus immaculatus and Creontiades pallidus (Heteroptera: Miridae)
Authors: Ratnadass A. , Cissé B. , Mallé K.
Published: July 2009

Detailed studies on the immature stages of the sorghum head bugs, Eurystylus immaculatus Odhiambo and Creontiades pallidus Rambur, were carried out in the laboratory at Samanko, Mali, during November 1991 to March 1992, and January to April 1993, and in the field in October 1993. Eggs of both species were laid in maturing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) grains. The egg incubation period was 4–7 days in E. immaculatus, and 5–7 days in C. pallidus. There were five nymphal instars in both species. The total nymphal period was 6–11 days in E. immaculatus and 8–14 days in C. pallidus. The durations of first, second, third, fourth and fifth nymphal instars were 1–3, 1–2, 1–2, 1–3 and 1–3 days, respectively, in E. immaculatus, and 1–3, 1–2, 1–3, 2–3 and 2–4 days, respectively, in C. pallidus. All the immature stages of E. immaculatus are described and sketched.
Effects of ivermectin and moxidectin on the insects of cattle dung
Authors: Strong L. , Wall R.
Published: July 2009

The numbers of insects colonizing the dung of cattle injected with the anthelmintics ivermectin or moxidectin were compared with the colonization of the dung from control animals given no treatment, in a blind field trial. Dung was collected 2, 7, 14, and 21 days after dosing and set out in a randomized grid of standard 2 kg pats. Pats were retrieved from each of the three groups group after 7, 14, 21 and 42 days in the field for analysis of insect fauna. There were no significant differences in the number of adult Aphodius spp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) found in the dung from the three treatment groups with either time of exposure in the field or time after treatment, showing that adult beetles were attracted to all pats equally. However, dung from animals treated with ivermectin prevented the development of larval Aphodius spp. for at least 7 days after treatment. In contrast, the dung from animals treated with moxidectin supported the development of Aphodius spp. at all stages after dosing, as did dung from control animals. There were no significant differences in the number of cyclorrhaphous Diptera larvae in dung from control or moxidectin-treated animals. In contrast, such larvae were largely absent from the dung collected from ivermectin-treated cattle for up to 14 days after dosing. The results show that moxidectin is less toxic to dung-inhabiting insects than ivermectin following standard injection treatment. The results are discussed in relation to the effects of anthelmintics on non-target pastureland insects.
A biosystematic crisis and a global response to resolve it
Authors: Jones OBE Tecwyn
Published: July 2009

Very late on a dark Saturday night in 1953, in the town of Kumasi in what was then the Gold Coast (Ghana), a semi-literate Tribal Policeman accosted a totally illiterate and inebriated employee of mine called Awuni Farafara, with the words ‘Who be You’. Awuni's reply of ‘I be Me’, caused the policeman to retort ‘You Lie!’ and the luckless Awuni was incarcerated for ‘failing to identify himself and thereby hindering the police in the performance of their duty’.

My plea, on his behalf, that Awuni's reply to the policeman was perfectly correct was rejected on the grounds that, ‘Me was not his given name; Me was not the name by which he was known; and Me was not the name by which the police could check their records to see what was known about him’. It further transpired that even if Awuni had given his correct name he would still have been arrested, ‘because it could have been a false name leading the police to false information in their records’. Awuni it seemed was destined to remain in jail until ‘he had been properly identified by someone with the authority to do so’. I had such authority; I did properly identify him; and he was released.
The feeding success of tsetse flies, Glossina pallidipes (Diptera: Glossinidae), on oxen treated with pyrethroid pour-ons at Galana Ranch, Kenya
Authors: Baylis M , Mbwabi A.L. , Stevenson P.
Published: July 2009

An experiment was conducted at Galana Ranch, Kenya, which examined, under natural conditions, whether treatment of oxen with insecticidal pour-ons affects the success with which tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes Austen) feed on them. An incomplete ring of electric nets was used to sample G. pallidipes approaching and departing from oxen that were either untreated, or treated 6–12 days previously with pour-ons containing deltamethrin or cypermethrin. Eight animals of each treatment were used. There was no evidence suggesting that pour-on application affected the number of G. pallidipes attracted to oxen. A positive relationship was observed between the number of G. pallidipes that approached an ox and the frequency with which it made anti-fly movements. There was also a significant, negative relationship between the rate of anti-fly movements and the proportion of G. pallidipes that fed on the oxen. However, there was no effect of pour-on application on either the rate of anti-fly movement or on the proportion of tsetse that fed. It is concluded that even recent application of deltamethrin or cypermethrin pour-ons to an ox does not affect the ability of G. pallidipes to feed; and that the feeding success of G. pallidipes is density dependent because when more tsetse approach an ox its rate of anti-fly movements increases and the proportion of tsetse that feed decreases.
Comparative activity of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in different crops in the Peruvian Andes
Authors: Cameron M.M. , Davies C.R. , Monje J. , Villaseca P. , Ogusuku E. , Llanos-Cuentas A.
Published: July 2009

Significant inter-crop variation in the abundance of phlebotomine sandflies, mostly Lutzomyia verrucarum Townsend, and five aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae), was demonstrated by repeated castor oil sticky trap collections in two valleys in the Peruvian Andes. Sandfly populations were significantly higher in fruit crops than in ground crops. Sticky trap collections also proved to be a suitable method for measuring aphid relative abundance in crops. As aphid honeydew is a natural sugar source for phlebotomine sandflies, the relationship between the activities of sandflies and aphids was investigated in inter-crop comparisons. Significant correlations were detected between sandfly abundance and two of the major aphid species, Aphis gossypii Glover and Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann), in one valley, but indirect explanations for these apparent associations cannot be ruled out.
Development of the overwintering stages of the carrot fly, Psila rosae (Diptera: Psilidae)
Authors: Collier Rosemary H. , Elliott Marian S. , Finch S.
Published: July 2009

The overwintering stages of the carrot fly (Psila rosae (Fabricius)) were sampled at Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, during the winters of 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990. Between 20% and 55% of the insects overwintered as pupae in diapause. The remaining insects stayed in the larval stage during the winter period and gave rise to non-diapausing pupae in the early spring. In May, adults emerged earlier, and over a shorter period, from insects that overwintered as larvae than those that overwintered as pupae. Diapause was most intense during late December and early January. In the laboratory, diapause was completed at temperatures of 5°C and above but was not completed at 0°C. When the overwintering stages were sampled in early February and maintained at constant temperatures in the laboratory, the overwintering pupae required from 114 days at 9°C to 44 days at 21.5°C to give rise to adults. In contrast, the overwintering larvae required only 91 days (9°C) and 27 days (21.5°C), respectively. Populations of overwintering P. rosae collected from Warwickshire and Norfolk had similar requirements for spring emergence but diapause pupae collected in Lancashire emerged over a longer period of time than those collected in Warwickshire. Comparisons with published data indicated that North American and European pupae had different requirements for the completion of diapause. Accumulation of weather data for a P. rosae forecast should start when temperatures are low and any date in early February would be suitable.
Variation in populations of the introduced pollinating weevil (Elaeidobius kamerunicus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and its impact on fruitset of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) in India
Authors: Dhileepan K.
Published: July 2009

The introduced pollinating weevil, Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust, established itself well in the oil palm plantations in India, but the population fluctuated between seasons reaching its lowest level during the dry season. The wet season was more favourable for the population build-up of E. kamerunicus. As the weevil population in the male inflorescence did not represent the actual numbers present at a given time, an estimation of pollinator force as well as the population size is recommended. Fruitset increased significantly after the introduction of E. kamerunicus, but fluctuated widely between seasons. However, the fluctuation in populations in the male inflorescences, as well as the variation in the number visiting the female inflorescences, did not have any impact on the fruitset. During the dry season when the weevil population was very low, fruitset was high, but during the wet season when the weevil population was very high, the fruitset was lower. Availability of male inflorescences as well as climatic factors such as rainfall, number of rainy days and relative humidity affected the pollinating efficiency of the weevil by reducing the pollen load and its viability. Even though there was a population decline of E. kamerunicus during the dry season there was no reduction in pollinating efficiency and hence there is no need to introduce additional pollinators such as E. subvittatus Faust, which is more efficient during dry seasons.
Detection of isozyme polymorphism and estimation of geographic variation in the brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens(Homoptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Hoshizaki Sugihiko
Published: July 2009

Isozyme polymorphism in the brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens(Stål) was investigated using isoelectric focusing. Four of the 18 enzyme systems assayed were polymorphic. Allelic designations could be made for two enzyme systems (PGM and AK), but not for GPI and IDH, and GPI seemed to be sex-linked. Using the two highly polymorphic enzyme systems, GPI and PGM, geographic variation was estimated among several Asian (except Japanese) laboratory populations and several Japanese wild populations. Significant variation was observed among the Asian (except Japanese) populations, but the genetic structures of Japanese populations were very similar to each other. These results are suggestive of substantial differentiation among Asian populations and large panmictic structure of the migrant population.
Mark-release-recapture studies on three anthropophilic populations of Aedes (Stegomyia) simpsoni comple(Diptera: Culicidae) in Uganda
Authors: Lutwama J.J. , Mukwaya L.G.
Published: July 2009

Multiple mark-release-recapture experiments were carried out on females of three anthropophilic populations of Aedes simpsoni (Theobald) complex at Nkokonjeru and Bwamba in Uganda to determine and compare the population size, survival rates and longevity of the adult stages. There were high recapture rates (26.23%, 2 7.42% and 28.28%) at the different sites. The population sizes, estimated by Jolly's stochastic method for the three sites (465, 561 and 675 female mosquitoes) were not significantly different, neither were the survival rates of the females (0.6026, 0.7145 and 0.8152). Other parameters estimated for the three populations were also similar. Population size estimates by Jolly's stochastic model and the simple Lincoln Index methods were not in agreement. The other method over-estimated population size. Since the estimated parameters for the Nkokonjeru population are similar to those of the Bwamba populations, there is a potential for the transmission of yellow fever virus to the human population at Nkokonjeru, as at Bwamba.