bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oviposition and length of adult life in Caryedon gonagra (F.) (Col., Bruchidae)
Authors: da Fonseca J. P. Cancela
Published: July 2009

Oviposition and the length of adult life in the Bruchid beetle Caryedon gonagra (F.), an important pest of unshelled groundnuts (Arachis) in West Africa, were studied in continuous darkness in incubators at 30 and 40°C. at relative humidities of 50, 70 and 90 per cent., and at 45°C. and 70 per cent., and also under conditions of diurnal alternation of periods of light and darkness in a constant-temperature room at about 27·5°C. and 75 per cent. R.H. Newly emerged beetles were placed, singly (unmated or after a single mating) or in pairs, in tubes with 1–5 unshelled groundnuts. In addition, the influence of the absence of groundnuts was investigated.

Length of life of the adults increased with decreasing temperature, increasing relative humidity, the absence of nuts (for females only) and the absence of mating (for females, and, in absence of nuts, for males). Adults survived for 3–4 days at 45°C. and 70 per cent. R.H. Optimum conditions are probably about 27·5—30°C. and 70—90 per cent. R.H., under which the adult length of life was about 21 days.

The adults were sexually mature on emergence from the cocoons, and mating took place within 24 hours of emergence. Under the conditions of the experiments, the preoviposition period was between 24 and 48 hours. At 27·5 and 30°C., the mean length of the oviposition period (9—13 days) was only slightly influenced by relative humidity, being slightly shorter at the lowest R.H. (50%); an increase in temperature from 30 to 40°C. caused a marked reduction in the period.

About 80 per cent, of the eggs were laid in crevices in the shell of the nut, where they are difficult to find. In the absence of nuts, the females laid readily between the cork and the glass and at the bottom of the tube.

At 40°C., oviposition was inhibited at 50 and 70 per cent. R.H., but at 90 per cent. R.H. many eggs (but significantly fewer than at lower temperatures) were laid; the largest mean numbers (106–115) were laid at 27·5–30°C. and 70–90 per cent. R.H.; absence of nuts did not influence the numbers of eggs laid, but caused some irregularity in the oviposition pattern. More than one copulation appeared to be necessary for the female to lay a full complement of eggs.

Under conditions of alternating periods of light and darkness, there was a daily rhythm of oviposition, with a strong correlation between numbers of eggs laid and the periods of darkness.

The results are compared with those recorded in the literature.
A check list of the Culicine mosquitos of Tanganyika, with notes on their distribution in the territory
Authors: van Someren E. C. Cunningham
Published: July 2009

The names of 156 Culicine mosquitos that are known to occur in Tanganyika are listed, together with a further three species of undetersting status. Systematic notes are included for species that show interesting taxonomic features, and locality records and the source of the information are given for each species. The distribution of the species in relation to zoogeographic and climatic regions if summarised in a table.
Behaviour studies of Glossina morsitans Westw. in the field
Authors: Pilson R. D. , Pilson B. M.
Published: July 2009

Investigations of the feeding activity, resting behaviour and seasonal distribution of Glossina morsitans Westw. were carried out at Lusulu Veterinary Research Station, Rhodesia, in 1961–63. Nine principal sampling sites were used, one in each of five distinct vegetation types and four at places where various pairs of types met. At each site, from dawn to dusk on several consecutive days in each of four seasons, tsete flies that had engorged naturally on a tethered ox were caught, marked and released, and meterorological readings were taken. Daylight observations of resting flies, both marked and unmarked, were made by searching the vegetation from ground level to a height of 25 feet (with the aid of ladders) and also by placing nets over inaccessible resting places, such as ant-bear holes, at the hottest time of day, thus trapping the flies that emerged later. Attempts to determine the night resting places by releasing flies marked with reflecting paint were unsuccessful.

The results showed that the feeding activity of G. morsitans was restricted to temperatures between 18°C., below which the flies were inactive, and about 32°C., above which they echibited a negative reaction to light. Feeding ceased abrupthy with the onset of darkness, and these was some evidence that activity was reduced by very high light intensity during the middle hours of sunny days. The diurnal pattern of feeding activity varied considerable from season to season but relatively little between vegetation types. A sex ration near equality was observed amongst flies caught feeding on oxen. The proportion of marked flies recaptured (i.e., feeding a second time on a bait-ox) was low, ranging from 0 to 12 per cent. according to vegetation type and season: it was higher for males than for females.

During daylight, the boles and branches of trees were used as resting places in all vegetation types, branches (especially horizontal ones) being preferred at most seasons. When temperatures rose above 32°C., however, the flies removed to resting places in deep shade, e.g., ant-beat holes, rock crevices, tor holes in trees and the fluted boles of dark-barked trees. Searching at night with electric torches failed to reveal the resting places used at that time.

The catches of feeding flies indicated that a wide range of vegetation types at Lusulu were inhabited by G. morsitans at all seasons and that, with the exception of males in riverine vegetation in the hot dry season, vurtually no concentration of flies took place in any specific vegetation at any time of year. These findings are discussed in relation to control by discriminative clearing.
Seasonal movements of swarms of Locusta migratoria migratorioides (R. & F.) in western Africa in 1928 to 1931
Authors: Batten Anne
Published: July 2009

Cartographical analysis of the distribution of recorded swarming populations of Locusta migratoria migratorioides (R. & F.) in western Africa for the first four years of the 1928–41 plague of this species has shown seasonal latitudinal displacements in each year with a nroth-to-northweastward movement of swarms during the monthe February-March to August-September, and a south-to-south-westward return during the priod October until the end of the year or January or Ferbruary of the following year.

Changes in the position of the northern limit of distribution of swatms in western Africa from month during 1931 have indicated a probable relationship between its position and that of the Intertropical Front, in its seasonal displacement, the position of the surface front being inferred from that of the 10-mm. isohyet. From February to September 1931, following the northward displacement of the Intertropical Front and the northward penetration of south-westerly winds, a general northward displacement of swarms occurred. Similarly, following the southward advance of northerly winds, there was a southward displacement of swarms.

There was an eastward movement in the main latitudinal displacement. This was particularly marked in 1929 and 1930. By September 1929, the infestation that in April had been restricted to parts of south-western Guinea and norther Sierra Leone had spread north-eastwards to cover the greater part of the Voltaic Republic and southern Mali; from December 1929 to January-February 1930, following the south-westward movement from late September to November 1929 which confined swarms to the countries bordering the Atlantic and the Gulf of Guinea. there was a spread eastwards along the coastal areas from south-eastern Ghana to southern and eastern Nigeria; and following the main northward movement of swarms which began in western AFrica in April 1930, there was, from May-June onwards, a pronounced eastward migration to the central and eastern parts of the continent. Each of these eastward movements occurred in areas where, at that particular time of year, the prevailing winds would be from the south-west.

The deduced movements suggest that swarms of Locusta in western Africa move downwind, and that the principal seasonal changes in the distribution of swarms in that area occur in response to the latitudinal displacement of the Intertropical Front and its associated wind field.
Observations on the life-history of Alarodia nana (Möschler) (Lep., Limacodidae) in Jamaica and a method for its control on Citrus
Authors: Strangways-Dixon J.
Published: July 2009

Alarodia nana (Möschler) (Lepidoptera, Limacodidae) is a major pest of Citrus in Jamaica. An outbreak of the larvae, the ‘ slug caterpillar ’, may result in severe defoliation. All stages are found on the foliage and are present throughtout the year; the adults are inactive by day and appear to be weak fliers.

Earlier attempts to breed the insect in the laboratory had been unsuccessful, and, whereas attempts at control had indicated that malathion was effective against the larvae, reingestation had invariably taken place, well-grown larvae being found five weeks after treatment.

In the present work, done in 1963–4, adults that emerged from field-collected cocoons held in wire-mesh cages over Citrus plants in the laboratory mated on the night of emergence and the females oviposited readily on the following night. A technique for rearing individual larvae and for measuring their head capsules is described. In the laboratory at a mean midday temperature of about 27°C., the incubation period of the eggs was 6–8 days, and the durations of the larval and pupal phases 25–42 and 14–19 days, respectively.

Results of a search for secondary host-plants from which reinfestation might take place were negative. Observations of emergence in the laboratory of adults from cocoons collected just before and just after the application to an orchard of a low-volume malathion spray derived from a 57 per cent. emulsifiable concentrate by dilution at the rate of 1: 80 in water showed that many pupae had survived the application, and suggested that reinfestation might arise from moths emerging from such pupae.

A field trial comprising two application of the low-volume spray of malathion was carried out; the second application, designed to destroy larvae derived from pupae that had survived the first application, was made after an interval of 312; weeks and was completely successcful.
A new species of Corioxenos (Stylopoidea) parasitizing Antestiopsis cruciata (F.) (Homoptera, Pentatomidae) in India
Authors: Baliga Hemlata
Published: July 2009

An account is given of Corioxenos raoi, a new Stylopoid species that parasitizes Antestiopsis cruciata (F.) (Pentatomidae), a pest of jasmine in South India. The new species is distinguished from Corioxenos antestiae Blair, the only other known representative of the genus.
A new species of Lutzomyia from Surinam (Diptera, Psychodidae)
Authors: Wijers D. J. B. , Huisenga J.
Published: July 2009

A Phlebotomine sandfly, morphologically closely related to Lutzomyia tuberculatus Mangabeira, 1941, caught in Surinam (Dutch Guiana) is described as new and is named Lutzomyia munangai ap. nov. Illustrations are given of the male genitalia.
Abnormalities of growth and metamorphosis in some Pyrrhocorid bugs: the paper factor
Authors: Carlisle D. B. , Ellis Peggy E.
Published: July 2009

After exposure of nymphs of some Pyrrhocorid bugs to contact with certain papers or wood chips, abnormal adults are produced. Some have crumpled wings (distorted adults) and a proportion of these do not berrd, others have wing buds resembling those of a last-stage nymph and can never breed (juvenile adults). A study was made on Pyrrhocoris apterus L. and Dysdercus intermedius Dist. of the source of the factors causing these abnormalities, which were more severe in the latter species.

Exposure of nymphs to paper fro the Scientific American or the Sunday Express resulted in the production of 60–100 per cent. ‘juvenile’ adults, the others showing lesser deformities. Chips from the Baisam Fir (Abies balsamea) resulted in almost 100 per cent. ‘juvenile adults’ in Dysdercus and over 80 per cent. distorted adults in yPyrrhocoris. Chips from two other common American pulp trees (Pseudotsuga taxifolia and Tsuga albertiana) resulted in only a few distorted adults and no ‘juvenile adults’. Several chemial pulps were tested but none caused deformities, and it was conculded that the chemical processes removed all the active priniciples, even from the wood of the Balsam Fir. Mechanically produced pulp from the Balsam Fir was, in contrast, fully active. It was conculded that daily newspapers may contain enough mechanical pulp from active woods to produce the deformities, but that the active material must be in substances added later in manufacture to the papers used in the Scientific American, some copies of Nature, and tissues.

A number of tree products (mainly terpenoids) that are commonly added to paper in the final stages of manufacture were tested as extracts applied to filter paper. Tall oil rosin had little or on effect on the growth of either species, but it resulted in an increase in the number of eggs laid. Gum rosin had little effect on either species, except to produce a few distorted adults. Wood rosin likewise had little effect on P. apterus, but produced many distorted adults of D. intermedius, of which very few laid eggs. Bornly acetate, a common component of the tree orsins, produced some distorted adults of both species, and greatly reduced fertility in D. intermedius.

None of the qctive mqteriqls affected locusts (Schistocera gregaria Forsk. and Locusta migratoria migratorioides R. & F.) except that myrrh oil (a terpenoid) increased the rate of sexusl maturation.
A revised key to the Enicospilus antefurcalis (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) species-group of the Afrotropical region
Authors: Gauld I. D.
Published: July 2009

A revised key is given to the Enicospilus antefurcalis (Szépl.) species-group, some species of which are parasites of Lepidoptera of economic importance, of the Afrotropical region. One Oriental species, E. laqueatus (End.), is recorded for the first time from Africa and two species, E. watshami sp. n. and E. polemus sp. n., are described.
Species composition and cyclical changes in numbers of savanna blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) caught by suction traps in the Onchocerciasis Control Programme area of West Africa
Authors: Johnson C. G. , Crosskey R. W. , Davies J. B.
Published: July 2009

Ten large suction traps were operated continuously, day and night, throughout the wet season of 1977 at four widely separated places within the area of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in the Volta River Basin (OCP) in West Africa. At least ten species ofSimuliums.l. were trapped and the daily catches were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. In the total catch of 9189 flies there were 187 males and 9002 females; among the latter only six were gravid and only five contained a full blood-meal. Cyclical changes in numbers, with periodicities ranging from 10 to 20 days, were analysed in series of overlapping Gaussian distributions, each possibly reflecting the rise and fall of a distinct population. Similar patterns in the sequence of cycles were shown byS. adersiPomeroy,S. ruficorneMacq.,S. evillenseFain, Hallot & Bafort and other species at a particular trapping site. Patterns differed between catching sites, except in the general tendency for population maxima to increase during the season. In some species, notablyS. adersi, populations decreased in late July and early August before increasing greatly in September (end of the rains) prior to the October onset of the dry season. Among the species caught,S. evillensewas present at all four trapping sites and particularly abundant at two of them, although the species has never been recorded before in West Africa and its early stages remain undiscovered there despite special searches for them since the capture of adult flies. By contrast, only four specimens ofS. hargreavesiGibbins were trapped although this species is abundant in local breeding sites. Diel flight periodicity was recorded over a one-week period at the extreme end of the wet season and showed that most flies were caught in the daytime;S. ruficorneshowed a greater tendency to a unimodal periodicity than other species. The behaviour of flies at the time of capture is discussed, including a consideration of the local wind speeds and the air speed ofSimuliums.l.
The distribution and synonymy of Coccus Celatus De Lotto (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and its importance on coffee in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Williams D. J.
Published: July 2009

Coccus celatus De Lotto is now established on coffee in Papua New Guinea where it is causing some concern. As a result of studying extensive collections of this species from the Sudan and Papua New Guinea, it is now possible to synonymise the name C. consimilis De Lotto with C. celatus. An account of the distribution and host range is given.
A new species of Alcestis (Homoptera Folgoroidea: Tropiduchidae) attacking cacao in Brazil
Authors: Fennah R. G.
Published: July 2009

Alcestis ingens sp. n. is described from a series of adults collected in stands of hybrid cacao between Ilhéus and Itabuna, Brazil.
A new subspecies of Dimorphopterus Cornutus Slater (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) from Papua New Guinea on rice and carpet grass
Authors: Ghauri M. S. K.
Published: July 2009

Dimorphopterus cornutus novaeguineae subsp.n. is described from Papua New Guinea. Adults and immatures were collected from dying rice and a lawn of carpet grass (Axonopus compressus). Members of the genus Dimorphopterus and allied genera are known as chinch bugs and damage Gramineae in the tropics and subtropics. The differences between this subspecies and D. cornutus cornutus Slater are illustrated and described in detail.
The dispersal and survival of Anopheles Culicifacies Giles (Diptera: Culicidae) in a Sri Lankan village under malathion spraying
Authors: Rawlings P. , Davidson G.
Published: July 2009

Two mark-release-recapture experiments with Anopheles culicifacies Giles were carried out immediately before and one month after a round of malathion spraying of houses (at 2 g/m2) in a village in north-western Sri Lanka. In the first experiment the measurement of bidirectional movement of females collected in two halves of the village showed that movement was somewhat affected by wind direction; the percentage of migrants moving partially upwind was greater (11·4) than that in the reverse direction (6·4). The best estimates of daily survival were 0·79 before spraying and 0·44 after spraying; population sizes were about 44 500 and 1300, respectively. The proportion of females resting in the collection huts rose after spraying. The results are discussed with reference to the evolution of insecticide resistance in populations under insecticidal pressure and those populations not selected by spraying.
Trapping female cabbage root flies (Delia radicum (L.)) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) with allylisothiocyanate-Baited traps
Authors: Finch S. , Skinner G.
Published: July 2009

Field experiments in England with traps baited with allylisothiocyanate (ANCS) showed that females of Delia radicum (L.) were distributed more or less evenly through established brassica crops. Reducing the quantity of ANCS released from the traps either by diluting the concentrate with liquid paraffin or by presenting the concentrate in Wädenswil dispensers reduced the numbers of females caught. There was no indication that ANCS became repellent, even when released at a rate of 24 ml/trap per day. For maximum effectiveness, the ANCS dispenser had to be placed at the centre rather than at the edge of the trap. Attempts to make traps more effective by releasing the ANCS from several point sources around a trap, in the hope that this broader odour plume would ‘ attract ’ more flies, were unsuccessful. The ANCS-baited trap had an effective zone only 5 m in radius.
A comparison of two types of trap for sampling dung beetle populations (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Doube Bernard M. , Giller Paul S.
Published: July 2009

The effectiveness of pitfall traps baited with cattle dung enclosed in a gauze bag and pads of cattle dung on soil as methods for sampling dung beetle populations was assessed in the summer-rainfall regions of South Africa using 17 species of nocturnal/crepuscular tunnelling beetles. Pitfall traps accumulated the catch and prevented both access to and emigration from the dung bait. In contrast, beetles had direct access to dung pads on soil which allowed colonists to modify the bait and to emigrate. The number of beetles collected was therefore the net result of immigration and emigration. On each of five occasions in November–December 1985, 40 pitfall traps and 40 dung pads were set out in the evening and the trapped beetles recovered the following morning. Overall, 3774 individuals were trapped. For most species there was no significant difference between trap types in the numbers caught but two species were significantly more numerous in pitfall traps and one species was more numerous in the dung pads. However, both methods produced similar patterns of rank abundance of species (r=0.95). There was no evidence that beetles were more evenly distributed between dung pad baits than between pitfall traps.
Intensive free-choice and no-choice cohort tests for evaluating resistance to Maruca testulalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in cowpea
Authors: Echendu T.N.C. , Akingbohungbe A.E.
Published: July 2009

A method for intensive screening of cowpea for resistance to Maruca testulalis (Geyer) is described. It is capable of ensuring uniform infestation and thus eliminating problems due to escapes. Four cowpea varieties earlier identified from field screening trials as resistant (TVU 946, TVU 1896 AG, H 51–1 and 2 AK) and three susceptible varieties (Ife Brown, H 144–1 and 58–185) were screened using this method. The results confirmed the status of the resistant varieties. Some effects on M. testulalis included, non preference for oviposition and larval feeding, and antibiosis manifested by reduced final larval instar weight, elongated pupal period and smaller sized emerging adult females.
Toxicity of sesame extracts to the symbiotic fungus of leaf-cutting ants
Authors: Pagnocca Fernando Carlos , da Silva Osvaldo Aulino , Hebling-Beraldo Maria Jose , Bueno Odair Correa , Fernandes João Batista , Vieira Paulo Cesar
Published: July 2009

Extracts of different sesame plant (Sesamum indicum) Linnaeus organs inhibited the in vitro growth of the fungus Leucocoprinus gongylophorus (Möller) (=Rozites gongylophora Möller), which is cultivated by the leaf-cutting ants of the species Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The presence of the factor responsible for this inhibition was detected in methanol or chloroform extracts and is constant in the plant.
Factors influencing oviposition, larval growth and mortality in Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a pest of salted dried fish in south-east Asia
Authors: Esser John R.
Published: July 2009

Laboratory investigations were conducted into factors affecting oviposition, larval growth and mortality in the blowfly Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), an important cause of losses of salted dried fish in south-east Asia. When presented with a choice of fish spiked with recently laid C. megacephala eggs and unspiked fish, the flies preferentially oviposited on the spiked fish. Subsequently choice experiments indicated that the attraction exerted by the eggs was mainly olfactory in nature. When presented with oviposition media of a range of salt concentrations, C. megacephala preferentially oviposited on the medium of lowest concentration. In the absence of choice, C. megacephala readily oviposited on fish that had been salted to levels of up to 40% dry weight basis (dwb). Trials investigating the effects of feeding medium salt concentration on larval growth and mortality indicated that a high salt concentration of about 40% (dwb) is necessary to effectively control infestation of salted fish by C. megacephala. Such high salt concentrations are rarely obtained in commercially produced salted dried fish in south-east Asia and would be unlikely to gain consumer acceptance.
Sterilizing tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae) in the field: a successful trial
Authors: Hargrove J.W. , Langley P.A.
Published: July 2009

The juvenile hormone mimic, pyriproxyfen, applied topically to female tsetse flies, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood and G. pallidipes Austen, effectively sterilizes them by arresting development of their offspring in the pupal stage. Between July and November 1989, 41 odour baited traps treated with pyriproxyfen were deployed near Rekomitjie Research Station, Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe, in a 12.3 km2 block of woodland habitat of G. m. morsitans and G. pallidipes. Tsetse entering the traps brushed against material dosed with 2 mg/cm2 pyriproxyfen and were then allowed to escape. Emergence rates from pupae of the two species collected in the block fell to 30% and 2.7%, respectively, of control levels after three months. Of more than 750 pupae of each species dissected 78% and 94%, respectively, showed incomplete development. The average ovarian age category of female G. pallidipes sampled in the block doubled during the trial. This was due to immigration of older flies and the declining birth rate which, if sustained over a large area for a year, was estimated as sufficient to cause a population reduction to 10−6 of its original level.
Traps and odour baits for the tsetse fly, Glossina longipennis (Diptera: Glossinidae)
Authors: Kyorku C. , Brightwell R. , Dransfield R.D.
Published: July 2009

Studies were carried out at Nguruman, south-west Kenya to develop an effective trap/odour bait system that could be used for sampling and possibly controlling the tsetse Glossina longipennis Corti. Neither acetone nor cow urine increased trap catches significantly when used alone, but together they increased catches by about four to five times. Used with a target and electric screens, acetone with p-cresol, 3-n-propyl phenol and 1-octen-3-ol gave a significantly higher index of increase than did acetone and cow urine. The use of odour baits did not affect the age composition of the catch. The standard F3 trap was about three and a half times more effective for females than was the biconical trap and about eight times more effective when used without its blue floor. The NG2B was the best of the NGU series of designs, and caught about four times more females than did the biconical trap. Neither the F3 nor the NG2B caught significantly more males than the biconical trap. The NG2B caught a significantly higher proportion of parous female flies than the biconical. Either the F3 or the cheaper NG2B, baited with acetone and cow urine or phenols, is recommended as a sampling tool for G. longipennis. Electric screen experiments showed that the NG2B caught less than 10% of the flies that approached it. Despite this, it might still be effective for control of G. longipennis given the high mobility of this species and the consequent likelihood of encountering traps.
Exploration for natural enemies of the cassava mealybug,Phenacoccus manihoti(Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), in South America for the biological control of this introduced pest in Africa
Authors: Löhr B. , Varela A.M. , Santos B.
Published: July 2009

Areas in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay were searched for the cassava mealybug,Phenacoccus manihotiMatile-Ferrero. The mealybug was located in the Paraguay River basin in the Santa Cruz de la Sierra area of eastern Bolivia, the Mato Grosso do Sul state in South-Western Brazil and in Paraguay east of the Paraguay River. Mealybug populations were extremely low in all areas but there was a period of increase from August to December. Eighteen species of natural enemies were found attackingP. manihoti: the most abundant and also most important were a solitary, internal parasitoid,Epidinocarsis lopezi(DeSantis) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae),Hyperaspis notataMulsant andDiomusspp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), andOcyptamusspp. (Diptera: Syrphidae). Collections of a closely related mealybug,Phenacoccus herreniCox & Williams yielded two additional encyrtid parasitoids,Epidinocarsis diversicornis(Howard) andAenasiussp. nrvexansKerrich, but they did not survive onP. manihoti.Four parasitoids (E. lopezi, E. diversicornis, Parapyrus manihotiNoyes andAllotropasp.) and four predators (H. notata, Diomussp.,Sympherobius maculipennisKimmins, andExochomussp.) were sent for quarantine. With the exception ofParapyrus manihoti, all mentioned natural enemy species were forwarded to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture at Ibadan, Nigeria for mass rearing and subsequent release.
Some factors affecting responses of four stored product beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae & Bostrichidae) to pheromones
Authors: Obeng-Ofori D. , Coaker T.H.
Published: July 2009

Males of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), T. confusum (Duval) (Tenebrionidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) and Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Bostrichidae) secrete aggregation pheromones attractive to both sexes. Responses of the four species to synthetic aggregation pheromones were investigated in relation to age, habituation, time of day, sex and previous mating experience in an olfactometer in which odour gradients were set up in moving air. Habituation reduced pheromone response in all the species tested but all recovered to pre-habituation levels after 48 h except Tribolium spp. males. Both sexes of T. castaneum and T. confusum were responsive to pheromone immediately upon eclosion, males reaching maximum response after 19 and 21 days and females after 21 and 16 days, respectively. Pheromone response was linearly related to age of the Tribolium spp. and T. castaneum males showed a greater response than the females. Sex or having mated did not affect the responses of T. confusum, P. truncatus and R. dominica. All the pheromones evoked periodicity of response, peaking between 10.00 and 18.00 h.
Tsetse fly (Diptera: Glossinidae) population dynamics and the estimation of mortality rates from life-table data
Authors: Williams Brian G. , Dransfield Robert D. , Brightwell Robert
Published: July 2009

The estimation of tsetse fly mortality rates from life-table data is central to opulation dynamics studies and to the development of tsetse fly control programmes. For a population at equilibrium with a stable age distribution, the age-specific mortalities may be estimated directly from the number of individuals in each age class, but a correction must be applied when the population is growing or declining. Furthermore, if the mortality rates are changing with time, inaccuracies will be introduced into estimates of the mortality rates derived from the age structure of the population since the population will take time to reach a new stable age distribution. In this paper we use the Euler-Lotka equation, which relates the age-specific mortality and fecundity to the overall growth rate of the population, to study the loss rate of the tsetse flyGlossina pallidipes(Austen) as a function of pupal mortality, adult mortality and mortalities applied to each age class seperately. We then present a simulation model in order to quantity and to set limits on the precision of estimates of mortalities when the mortalities are themselves changing.
Effects of juvenile hormone mimics on the codling moth Cydia Pomonella (L.) (Lep., Olethreutidae)
Authors: Gelbič I. , Sehnal F.
Published: July 2009

Laboratory experiments with juvenile hormone analogues on Cydia pomonella (L.) showed that Cecropia C17 juvenile hormone (methyl 10,ll-epoxy-3,7,ll-trimethyl-2,6-dodecadienoate) was the most active of the 28 compounds tested. When applied to four-hour-old eggs at 0.1 μg/egg, the hormone caused 100% failure in embryogenesis, while the other compounds were at least five times less effective. Depending on the time since ecdysis and the dose, juvenile hormone mimics applied to last-instar larvae resulted in a wide range of intermediate forms. Against three-day-old last-instar larvae, the Cecropia C17 hormone gave 100% inhibition of development at a dose of 1 μg/larva, while three other compounds (methyl 10,11-epoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6-dodecadienoate, ethyl 11-chloro-3,7,11-trimethyl-2-dodecenoate and ethyl 3,7,11-tri-methyl-2,4-dodecadienoate) gave the same effect at 2–5 μg/larva. Against newly emerged adults, the last two compounds at 10–50 μg/insect reduced fecundity and fertility to 0–81% and 0–50%, respectively, of their normal levels.
Diurnal and nocturnal biting activity of flies (Diptera) in western Uganda
Authors: Kangwagye T. N.
Published: July 2009

Day and night catches of biting flies (excluding Culicidae) were made from bullock, buffalo and at light at Katookye, western Uganda, between July 1966 and August 1967. The 39 species caught were classified according to the time of day at which they bit. The seven Groups and the most commonly caught species are as follows: Group 1, Ceratopogonidae (purely nocturnal) and Glossina fuscipleuris Aust., Stomoxys ochrosoma Speiser and Haematobosca squalida (Grünb.) (diurnal and nocturnal); Group 2 (early morning peak),Haematobia minuta (Bez.),H. spinigera(Mall.)and H. thirouxi (Roub.); Group 3 (mid-morning peak), Tabanus taeniola P. de B. and T. thoracinus P. de B. Group 4 (mid-morning and late afternoon peaks), G. pallidipes Aust. males and Haematobosca latifrons (Mall.); Group 5 (early morning and evening peaks), Haematopota brunnescens Ric. females, H. patellicorne (End.) females, Stomoxys taeniata Big., S. nigra Macq., S. inornata Grünb. and S. omega Newst.; Group 6 (midday to mid-afternoon peak), G. pallidipes females, H. brucei Aust. females, T. par Wlk. females and Chrysops distinctipennis Aust. females; and Group 7 (progressive increase in biting from morning till evening), G. fuscipes Newst. and S. calcitrans (L.).
A new species of Mompha Hübner (Lepidoptera, Momphidae) from Assam, N.E. India, a potential agent for biological control of Ludwigia adscendens
Authors: Bradley J. D. , Carter D. J. , Sankaran T. , Narayanan E.
Published: July 2009

A species of Mompha, discovered on creeping water-primrose Ludwigia adscendens (Onagraceae) in Assam, N.E. India, is described as new and named Mompha ludwigiae. The eggs, larval and pupal stages are also described. Females lay up to 150 eggs in 3–7 days; development from egg to adult takes 3–5 weeks, the larva at first mining the leaves and later feeding externally on terminal shoots. The larvae could be reared on Oenothera rosea, L. perennis and L. octovalvis in the laboratory, but no host-plants other than L. adscendens were found in the field. A Eulophid parasite, Euryscotolinx sp., has been bred from pupal cocoons.
Comparative studies on sibling species of the Anopheles gambiae Giles complex (Dipt., Culicidae). III. The distribution, ecology, behaviour and vectorial importance of species D in Bwamba County, Uganda, with an analysis of biological, ecological, morphological and cytogenetical relationships of Ugandan species D
Authors: White G. B.
Published: July 2009

Studies on mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae Giles complex at Bwamba, Uganda, showed that the newly recognized sibling species D may be restricted to breeding areas where waters contain unusual solutes, the effluent from hot springs at Buranga being particularly favourable. Two other members of the complex, species A and B, were also detected in the neighbourhood apparently breeding only in more normal situations. Species D specimens were usually identified cytotaxonomically, from the presence of XR potytene chromosomes of the type also occurring in species C and A. melas (Theo.) (neither of which is known from the area). Most species D females have distinctively pale palps, a valuable although limited distinguishing feature. Features of setation on larvae and pupae were discerned which might serve usefully as meristic chaetotaxonomic factors, at least locally, if tested further. Although it is unquestionable that a large proportion of species D females forage in the Semliki forest, feeding on primates, bovids, suids or unsuspected hosts, it was demonstrated that many species D females are markedly anthropophilic and display strong endophilic and endophagic tendencies, to the extent that they may be primary vectors of human malaria and filariasis over a limited range. Species D males were rare indoors and remained mainly within the forest, where great numbers rest low on vegetation in company with unfed females, near to breeding areas of brackish marsh. Two polymorphic chromosomal inversions in species D apparently embody the genetical causes of its differentiation. Cytogenetical evidence indicates that species D is phylogenetically nearly intermediate between A. melas and species C of the A. gambiae complex.
A method for the detection and measurement of insecticide resistance in larvae of Lucilia cuprina (Wied.) (Dipt., Calliphoridae)
Authors: Roxburgh N. A. , Shanahan G. J.
Published: July 2009

In this method the toxicant is absorbed with blood serum onto a loose roll of chromatography paper; first-instar larvae of Lucilia cuprina (Wied.) are inserted into the air spaces of the roll and allowed to feed. Mortality of the larvae is assessed 24 h later. Typical results using diazinon, dichlofenthian and chlorfenvinphos against susceptible and resistant strains of L. cuprina showed larvae to have resistance factors 6–8 times higher than those for adults determined by established techniques.
The influence of moonlight on catches of insects in light-traps in Africa. Part II. The effect of moon phase on light-trap catches
Authors: Bowden J. , Church B. M.
Published: July 2009

Nightly light-trap catches of insects, covering periods of 2–5 years, from two sites in Africa within 10° of the equator are examined in relation to the regular changes in night illumination of the lunar cycle. For several species average log catches at different phases of the moon are almost linearly related to (log) night illumination, catches of some species, such as Isoptera and Bostrychidae, increasing and of others, such as Marasmia trapezalis(Gn.) (Pyralidae), Lampyridae and Dorylus spp. (Formicidae), decreasing with moonlight. Relative catches of M. trapezalis and Bostrychidae varied by a factor of 30:1 between no moon and full moon. Analysis of whole-night catches gives some evidence on the pattern of insect activity through the night, identifying Syntomis monothyris (Hmps.) (Ctenuchidae) and Stemorrhages sericea (Dru.) (Pyralidae) in particular as early morning fliers. Evidence on how night illumination affects catch, and on the times of night when illumination has most effect, is consistent for the two sites and for different years. However, any adjustment of nightly catches to those expected under standard conditions of illumination can only be approximate. Although most of the differences between catches at different moon phases are accounted for by night illumination, many factors influence catch on an individual night, and moonlight is a major factor only for certain species. A hypothesis about how a light-trap may affect insect behaviour allows changes in catch of some species over the lunar cycle to be explained by the influence of background illumination on trap effectiveness.
Assessment of the quality of mass-reared Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) males treated with dieldrin as larvae in a female-killing procedure
Authors: Smith P. H. , Konovalov C. A. , Foster G. G. , Kerr R. W.
Published: July 2009

The administration of dieldrin in the larval diet of Lucilia cuprina (Wied.) killed susceptible females with no pre-emergence mortality of males in a strain which contained a Y–autosome translocation linking dieldrin-resistance to the male sex. Laboratory assays of flight activity, sexual competitiveness and visual sensitivity revealed no significant differences between treated and untreated males. The life-span of treated males was slightly reduced at the highest dieldrin concentration used. In field releases, however, the recapture rate of treated males was much lower than for untreated males, indicating a major deficiency in the performance of dieldrin-treated males in the field that was not suspected from the laboratory tests.
Factors influencing the selection of larviposition sites in the laboratory by Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae)
Authors: Rowcliffe C. , Finlayson L. H.
Published: July 2009

Pregnant females of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. were offered choices of larviposition sites in the vicinity of various models and patterns. Ground-level surfaces of black, green, white or red were not attractive. Vertical surfaces did not attract a majority of flies, but 50% of those that settled on them gave birth in that region of the chamber. Shade cast by horizontal surfaces was attractive, but shade cast by vertical objects was not. Models with an enclosed space were attractive, but larviposition rarely occurred within the model, probably because flies do not readily enter cavities unless the temperature is very high. Among patterns presented at a distance, a simple unbroken area of black was more attractive than equivalent areas in the form of stripes, etc. No distinction was made between stripes presented vertically, horizontally and at an angle. Models representing logs or trees with rot holes were not attractive. Models with subterranean cavities, even a simple trench, were attractive. Loose sand was not more attractive than sand glued to a substrate, but there was an indication of a preference for larger particles. No evidence was obtained for the hypothesis of Nash et al. (1976) that a larval pheromone attracts gravid females to larviposition sites.
Transmission of the human filarial parasite Mansonella Ozzardi by Culicoides phlebotomus (Williston) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in coastal north Trinidad
Authors: Nathan M. B.
Published: July 2009

Between June 1976 and November 1977, man-baited and truck-trap collections of haematophagous Diptera were made on the foreshore of Las Cuevas Bay, north Trinidad, close to a fishing village where Mansonella ozzardi infections are prevalent in man. Culicoides phlebotomus (Will.) predominated in all collections, forming 96·1% of the total catch. Analysis of blood-meals from engorged C. phlebotomus collected by truck trapping at sunset indicated frequent feeding on mammals, with feeds on man comprising 47% of those identified. Filarial larvae were found in 0·8% of 6767 females of C. phlebotomus captured on man, and five (0·08%) had infective larvae of M. ozzardi. Similarly, 1·3% of 7028 females obtained by truck trapping were infected, including nine (0·13%) with infective larvae. Growth rates of M. ozzardi in C. phlebotomus were determined by experimental infection and were used to estimate daily survival rates of wild-caught females of C. phlebotomus based on filarial growth stages found in them. The daily survival rate varied from 85 to 95% in flies 1–3 days after infection to 69% in flies six days after infection. It was estimated that a person spending one hour on the beach every morning would receive 38 infective bites from C. phlebotomus per annum.
A Study of the diurnal biting and flight activity of Culicoides phlebotomus (Williston) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) using three trapping methods
Authors: Nathan M. B.
Published: July 2009

The diurnal flight and biting activity patterns of Culicoides phlebotomus (Will.) were investigated during ten all-day (06·00–19·00 h) trapping sessions at Las Cuevas Bay, north Trinidad. A comparison was made of the results obtained by biting catches, paddle trapping (in which a piece of greased wire screen was swung in front of the collector's legs) and truck trapping. Biting activity persisted throughout the day, with peaks of activity one to two hours after sunrise and again at sunset. Truck trapping recorded little variation in flight activity of empty females during daylight hours, but that of engorged, half-gravid and gravid females was greater during the afternoon than in the morning. Male flight activity was high in the early morning and mid-afternoon but declined rapidly towards sunset. Paddle trapping alone recorded a substantial increase in the blood-seeking activity of parous females after sunset. The paddle-trapping technique was found to be a useful alternative to biting collections for the study of anthropophilic Culicoides.
Responses of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to Plants treated with fatty acids
Authors: Sherwood M. H. , Greenway A. R. , Griffiths D. C.
Published: July 2009

The behaviour of Myzus persicae (Sulz.) on plant surfaces treated with emulsions of saturated fatty acids was investigated in three types of test. Aphids showed no clear preferences for settling or larviposition when the acids were applied to whole Chinese cabbage plants or to leaf discs from several different plant species, but settling on halves of Chinese cabbage leaves treated with undecanoic, dodecanoic or heptadecanoic acids was significantly decreased.
An ecological study of an Australian dung beetle, Onthophagus granulatus Boheman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), using physiological age-grading techniques
Authors: Tyndale-Biscoe M. , Wallace M. M. H. , Walker J. M.
Published: July 2009

The distribution and seasonal activity of Onthophagus granulatus Boh. was studied at two sites in eastern Australia. It is a univoltine species, with peaks of activity in spring and early summer. Breeding cycles and periods of stress were demonstrated by the proportions of newly emerged, nulliparous and parous beetles and those resorbing oocytes. The optimum temperature for brood production was 25°C. The threshold of development was 11·3°C, and 495 day-degrees C were required for development from egg to adult. Dung quality and drought were important factors affecting survival and brood production in the field. The distribution of the species in south-eastern Australia is limited by summer rainfall and temperature.
Host location byAedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae): a wind tunnel study of chemical cues
Authors: Eiras Alvaro E. , Jepson Paul C.
Published: July 2009

Lactic acid, carbon dioxide and human sweat stimuli were presented singly and in combination to femaleAedes aegypti(Linnaeus) within a wind-tunnel system. The take-off, flight, landing and probing responses of the mosquitoes were recorded using direct observation and video techniques. The analyses determined the nature of the response to different stimuli and the concentration ranges within which specific behaviours occurred. A threshold carbon dioxide concentration for taking-off of approximately 0.03% above ambient was detected. Lactic acid and human sweat samples did not elicit take-off when presented alone, however, when they were combined with elevated carbon dioxide, take-off rate was enhanced in most of the combinations tested. Flight activity was positively correlated with carbon dioxide level and some evidence for synergism with lactic acid was found within a narrow window of blend concentrations. The factors eliciting landing were more subtle. There was a positive correlation between landing rate and carbon dioxide concentration. At the lowest carbon dioxide concentration tested, landing occurred only in the presence of lactic acid. Within a window of low to intermediate concentrations, landing rate was enhanced by this combination. At the highest carbon dioxide concentration, landing was however inhibited by the presence of lactic acid. The sweat extract elicited landings in the absence of elevated carbon dioxide. This indicated the presence of chemical stimuli, other than lactic acid, active in the short range. Probing occurred only at low carbon dioxide concentrations and there was no probing when lactic acid alone was tested. There was however probing in the presence of combined stimuli, the level of response seemed to be positively correlated with the ratio of carbon dioxide and lactic acid concentrations.