bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serological identification of the predators of the complex of Simulium damnosum Theobald (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the Ivory Coast
Authors: Service M. W. , Elouard J. M.
Published: July 2009

The natural predators of larvae and pupae of the complex of Simulium damnosum Theo., most probably S. soubrense Vajime & Dunbar and S. sanctipauli Vajime & Dunbar, in the River Marahousé in the Ivory Coast were identified by serological methods. Rabbits were injected with cell-free saline extracts of S. damnosum larvae to produce S. damnosum antiserum, which was used in interfacial capillary ring tests. A total of 1648 gut smears was made from various aquatic invertebrates and tested, and Trichoptera larvae were identified as the most important predators.
The influence of temperature and moisture on the survival and duration of the egg stage of the Australian sheep blowfly,Lucilia cuprina(Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Authors: Vogt W. G. , Woodburn T. L.
Published: July 2009

A relationship between mean development rate, temperature and saturation deficit was derived for the egg stage ofLucilia cuprina(Wied.). Development rate increased linearly with temperature between 10 and 40°C at constant saturation deficits. Increasing saturation deficits between 0 and 10 mm Hg caused non-linear decreases in development rate. At zero saturation deficit, temperatures between 15 and 40°C had no effect on egg survival. Survival in the egg stage declined rapidly with increasing saturation deficits, primarily through the inability of the larvae to rupture the chorion of the egg. The aggregation of single eggs into compact egg-masses during oviposition appeared to afford no additional protection against desiccation. The ecological implications of the results are discussed.
Laboratory experiments on the disruption of mating in the Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by excesses of female pheromones
Authors: Ellis P. E. , Brimacombe L. C. , Mcveigh L. J. , Dignan A.
Published: July 2009

The courtship of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) was studied in closed cages containing an excess of the female sex pheromones (Z,E)-9, 11-tetradecadienly acetate (III) or (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (IIA). High levels of III or IIA were obtained by using polyethylene vials loaded with 5, 1 or 0·1 mg of pheromone. Vials containing 10 or 1 μg released low levels of pheromone. Excess pheromone reduced mating; at high levels of III and IIA, only 15% and 42% of pairs, respectively, mated, compared with 92% of control pairs. Some 45% of courtships in control cages did not end in copulation, and in half of these the female rejected the male by giving a rapid flick of the wings. A detailed examination of unsuccessful courtships showed that an excess of III or IIA disrupted female courtship behaviour. At the higher levels of pheromone, no female wing-lifted to show acceptance of the male and only a few rejected the male by wing-flicking. Significantly more females took to flight in cages containing III, whilst in cages with IIA females either took to flight or remained still. These changes in behaviour were still apparent in courtships where the female was calling and the male gave a full brush display. It is suggested that both III and IIA block olfactory reception of the male brush pheromone. An excess of either pheromone increased the proportion of male courtships of non-calling females. IIA had no other appreciable effect on male behaviour, but III also significantly reduced full brush displays during courtship, increased the period of flight preceding hovering and increased partial brush extension during flights that did not lead to courtship.
Spatial and temporal changes in the distribution of eggs of Heliothis armiger (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Cotton in the Sudan Gezira
Authors: Haggis Margaret J.
Published: July 2009

To determine the extent to which the distribution of ovipositing Heliothis armiger (Hb.) might be ‘clumpy’ rather than random, the numbers of eggs on cotton throughout the 10 000 km2 Sudan Gezira were subjected to analyses of variance. It was found that at any time there was less variability within than between areas, highly significantly less for units of 600–700 km2. Within all areas, the numbers of eggs varied very significantly with time and many-fold increases in numbers of eggs occurred simultaneously over thousands of square kilometres. In every three-day period, there were two or more significantly different levels of infestation, each extending over areas ranging from a few hundred to several thousand square kilometres; the boundaries of such areas changed continuously, and no consistent differences or patterns were found. These findings suggest that redistribution of mobile populations of moths takes place over large distances. At all times there were areas with egg numbers below those considered economically serious; this has been utilised in new control strategy and tactics which have been effectively implemented experimentally. Larval spraying appeared also to reduce oviposition for at least three days and could in part account for some, but certainly not all, of the differences between areas.
Interactions Between Camargue horses and horseflies (Diptera: Tabanidae)
Authors: Hughes R. D. , Duncan P. , Dawson J.
Published: July 2009

In the Camargue in southern France, catches of tabanids in a Manitoba trap in 1976–78 gave seasonal, daily and hourly records of numbers. Concurrently, some interactions of the flies with a group of free-ranging horses were observed directly. The tabanids were present from May to October annually, with the main peak of abundance between late May and early July. The number trapped in each hour of the day increased with the ambient temperature in the morning, was stable during the hottest time of the day and declined in the late afternoon. Their alighting on a horse always elicited reactions aimed at dislodging them. When tabanids became very abundant and active, the horses would move as a group from where they were feeding to a traditional open bare area (‘chomadou’) where they would stay without feeding, sometimes for hours, even though large numbers of tabanids were still worrying them. Analyses of data on an index of the abundance of tabanids on or about the horses in a group showed the horses did not reduce the fly load by moving to and resting on their chomadou area. The number of responses by a horse to the tabanids on or about it was shown to be dependent not only on the number of flies but on their activity. Analysis of the responses revealed a negative effect of wind speed on the activity component which was separate from its known negative effect on the number of flies present. A hypothesis is proposed that movement to the chomadou can be explained as the horses going to an area ‘known’ to be usually exposed to the prevailing wind.
New records of some important mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)
Authors: Williams D. J.
Published: July 2009

Palmicultor palmarum (Ehrhorn), a species of pseudococcid found mainly on coconut in Micronesia and Hawaii, is recorded for the first time from the Bahamas. Planococcus lilacinus (Ckll.) is discussed from Guyana, the first record for the New World, and Pseudococcus microadonidum Beardsley is recorded from the Seychelles causing damage to coconut.
Variation in tolerance of seven species of stored product Coleoptera to methyl bromide and phosphine in strains from twenty-nine countries
Authors: Hole Barbara D.
Published: July 2009

The toxicities at 25°C and 70% RH of methyl bromide at about 4 mg/litre and phosphine at about 0·24 mg/litre were determined for large populations, including all developmental stages, of a number of strains of seven species of stored product beetles from 29 countries for a range of exposure periods. The species tested were Oryzaephilus surmamensis (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Sitophilus granarius (L.), S. oryzae (L.), S. zeamais Motsch., Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) and T. confusum Duv. With both fumigants, some individuals of certain strains of S. oryzae and T. castaneum survived a concentration × time product twice that sufficient to kill every individual of other strains of these species, and this was also true for R. dominica with methyl bromide and T. confusum with phosphine. With methyl bromide, some individuals of six species survived the longest exposure used. For the two species of Tribolium, this was 48 h, and for the three of Sitophilus and R. dominica it was 32 h. With phosphine, individuals in many strains of S. granarius, S. oryzae and S. zeamais survived for 8 days. In several of the species, there was some correlation between the tolerances of immature stages and of adults for both fumigants. Many strains were tolerant to both fumigants.
Three New Australian species of Goniozus Foerster (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), and G. antipodum Westwood redescribed
Authors: Farrugia D.
Published: July 2009

Goniozus antipodum Westw. is redescribed, and three species, G. jacintae sp. n., G. collessi sp. n. and G. mandibulatus sp. n., are described from the females, figured and keyed. All are from Australia, and G. jacintae and G. mandibulatus are parasites of the tortricid Epiphyas postvittana Wlk.
Marasmia Patnalis sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Rice in S.E. Asia
Authors: Bradley J. D.
Published: July 2009

A pyralid moth belonging to the Marasmia generic complex of leaf-rolling defoliators of rice in S.E. Asia is described and named M. patnalis sp. n. It is differentiated from M. bilinealis (Hmps.), M. ruralis (Wlk.), M. suspicalis (Wlk.) and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Gn.), with which it had previously been confused because of similarity of the adults and shared host-plant association.
Ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea) of Ethiopia. I. Distribution, ecology and host relationships of species infesting livestock
Authors: Pegram Rupert G. , Hoogstraal Harry , Wassef Hilda Y.
Published: July 2009

In a survey of adult ticks infesting livestock in Ethiopia, 33 species and subspecies were identified. The distribution and abundance of each are discussed in relation to ecology (altitude, climate and vegetation).Amblyomma variegatum(F.) is the most widespread and abundant tick parasitising cattle.A. cohaerensDön. is common on cattle in wetter western habitats but is replaced byA. gemmaDön. in drier eastern areas.A. lepidumDön. occupies intermediate habitats. The distribution ofBoophilus decoloratus(Koch) is similar to that ofA. variegatum. Hyalomma truncatumKoch andH. marginatum rufipesKoch are both common except in extremely arid and humid zones.H. anatolicum anatolicumKoch,H. anatolicum excavatumKoch,H. dromedariiKoch,H. erythraeumTonelli-Rondelli, andH. impeltatumSchulze & Schlottke are usually associated with camels in semi-arid areas of eastern Ethiopia.Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsiNeum.,R. sanguineus(Latr.) group andR. simusKoch do not display marked ecological preferences. East of the Rift Valley in semi-arid areas below 2000 m,R. pulchellus(Gerst.) is abundant on cattle and camels.R. longicoxatusNeum. andR. pravusDön. inhabit drier localities, butR. lunulatusNeum. occurs only in wetter western areas. Species taken infrequently wereA. nuttalliDön.,A. sparsumNeum.,B. annulatus(Say),Haemaphysalis aciculiferWarb.,H. leachii(Aud.),H. parmataNeum.,H. spinulosaNeum.,Hyalomma marginatum marginatumKoch,H. marginatum turanicumPom.,H. puntHoogst., Kaiser & Pedersen,Ornithodoros savignyi(Aud.),R. longus Neum., R. muhsamaeMorel & Vassiliades, andR. senegalensisKoch. The seasonal dynamics of the common species and observations on their relationships to tick-borne diseases of man and domestic animals are discussed.
Laboratory studies on oviposition behaviour of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae): choice of oviposition medium and oviposition cycle
Authors: Suleman M. , Shirin M.
Published: July 2009

The preference of Culex quinquefasciatus Say for oviposition in rearing water (in which larvae and pupae of the same species had been reared), pond water, tap water (from a well) deionised water and food water (in which larval food was mixed) was tested in a 5 × 5 Latin square. Most oviposition occurred in rearing water, followed in decreasing order by pond water, tap water, deionised water and food water, the differences being significant except between pond water and tap water. Diel oviposition activity of females from wild-caught pupae was studied under tropical normal (light-day) photoperiod (LD 12:12), reversed (dark-day) photoperiod (DL 12:12) and continuous light (LL) for at least three consecutive days at average conditions of 29·3°C and 91% RH. Under conditions of alternate light and dark periods (normal as well as reversed), there was a circadian rhythm, which was unimodal, confined to the scotophase and concentrated in the first half of the scotophase. Under continuous light, activity was greatly depressed, with disturbances both in circadian rhythm and unimodality. It is concluded that the circadian rhythm of oviposition activity of C. quinquefasciatus is predominantly exogenous in nature and regulated mainly by photoperiod, activity being stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light.
Some new oriental shoot-flies (Diptera: Muscidae, genus Atherigona) of actual or suspected economic importance
Authors: Pont A. C.
Published: July 2009

Flies of the genus Atherigona spend their immature stages in decaying organic matter (species of the subgenus Acritochaeta) or in the young shoots of various Gramineae (species of the subgenus Atherigona). Descriptions are given of two and 12 new species in these two subgenera, respectively. Most of these species are from India, and are of actual or potential economic importance.
The Effect of perforated polyethylene sheeting on the alighting behaviour of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and their infestation of potato crops
Authors: Wilson Anne L. , Taylor L. R.
Published: July 2009

Potato plots in southern England were covered by polyethylene sheeting perforated by 9-mm slits that opened to permit expansion as the plants grew. The slits admitted rain and also some aphids. Covered plants received 93% less immigrant aphids than exposed plants. The greatest protection was from Myzus persicae (Sulz.) (99%), whilst noncolonising species were reduced by 77%. It is improbable that the barrier to movement presented by the polyethylene would differentiate between incoming species or that M. persicae, for which potato is a preferred host, would escape more readily once inside the cover. This suggests that the behavioural barrier to alighting is in response to the reflection of high wavelength light at the polyethylene surface which affected M. persicae more than other species. The method has potential in protection of crops from aphids.
Further studies on mating disruption of the red bollworm, Diparopsis castanea Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), with a microencapsulated mating inhibitor
Authors: Marks R. J. , Hall D. R. , Lester R. , Nesbitt B. F. , Lambert M. R. K.
Published: July 2009

Water-based ultra-low volume (WULV) applications to cotton at fourday intervals of a 1% a.i. polyurea-based microencapsulated formulation of the pheromone inhibitor 9-dodecenyl acetate (E/Z 80:20) in a 0·2-ha field cage in Malawi resulted in an average reduction of 60·2% in nightly mating of females of Diparopsis castanea Hmps. A relatively constant level of inhibitor was maintained by spraying with 30 g/ha initially and decreasing by 10% with each successive spray. Examination of the mated status of 1712 female moths sampled on 88 occasions revealed that, in the presence of inhibitor, mating increased linearly with increasing population density from 22 to 2844 moths/ha (equal numbers of males and females). In an openfield trial, WULV applications of 30 and 60 g of 1 % a.i. microencapsulated inhibitor/ha to isolated cotton plots (0·4–1·2 ha) at seven- and 14-day intervals had no measurable disruptive effect on released populations of moths as measured by oviposition and larval infestation of the crop, although there was some reduction in egg fertility and catches of males in pheromone traps in the treated plots. Timeseries analyses by gasliquid chromatography (GLC) of the residual inhibitor on filterpaper discs and cotton leaves in the field gave similar results, and GLC measurement of inhibitor on filter papers removed at intervals from the test plots showed that inhibitor loss was very rapid, typically 60% within two days and almost 100% after six days. Loss of inhibitor was less rapid in the field cage and under laboratory conditions. Physical and chemical evaluation of microcapsule deposition on cotton plants revealed that spray droplets penetrated to all parts of the plant but that deposition was greatest on the upper laminae of the top leaves of the plant. Methodology for assessing the success of mating-disruption experiments is described and discussed, and the failure of the open-field experiments is attributed mainly to the rapid loss of inhibitor from the formulation in the field.
Inheritance of the ability of strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to breed on split-pea (Pisum sativum)
Authors: Thind B. B. , Muggleton J.
Published: July 2009

Sitophilus oryzae (L.) is a pest of stored grain, hut most strains tested so far fail to breed on yellow split-peas (Pisum sativum) and these can be used in admixture to protect other grains from infestation by the weevil. However, seven strains of S. oryzae have been found to breed on yellow split-peas, and the inheritance of this ability was investigated in two of these strains, one from Lesotho and the other from Trinidad. In each strain, the pattern of inheritance showed that the ability to breed on split-peas was controlled by a single autosomal recessive gene. It was not possible to distinguish whether the same genetic locus was involved in each strain. Control is either by two alleles at the same locus or by functionally similar alleles at different loci. There was some evidence that the genetic background of the two strains is different and that the Lesotho strain carries a sex-linked lethal gene. The existence of a heritable ability of some strains of s. oryzae to breed on split-peas suggests that the usefulness of admixture of split-peas with other grain may be limited
Identification, distribution and host-plants of the pest species of Scirtothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: Mound L. A. , Palmer J. M.
Published: July 2009

Notes are given on the host range, distribution and recognition of the ten species of Scirtothrips recorded as pests: S. aurantii Faure on citrus in South Africa and bananas in Yemen; S. bispinosus (Bagn.) on tea in S. India; S. citri (Moult.) on citrus in California; S. dorsalis Hood on groundnuts in India, tea in Japan and strawberries in Queensland; S. inermis Priesn. on citrus in New Zealand; S. kenyensis Mound on tea in Kenya; S. longipennis (Bagn.) in glasshouses; S. mangiferae Priesn. on mango in Egypt and Israel; S. manihoti (Bondar) on cassava in Brazil; S. oligochaetus (Karny) on cotton in India. S. acaciae Moult, from Ghana is synonymised with S. aurantii Faure, and S. fragariae (Gir.) from Queensland is synonymised with S. dorsalis Hood. Drepanothrips reuteri Uzel, a grapevine pest from Europe and America which is very similar to Scirtothrips species, is newly recorded from Japan on Castanea.
Observations on the laboratory take-off behaviour of the desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria(Forskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
Authors: Lambert M. R. K.
Published: July 2009

Observations were made on crowded, laboratory-reared. 18–20-day-old males ofSchistocerca gregaria(Forsk.) taking off in a wind tunnel. Depending upon the time of day, take-off, which was usually upwind, particularly at higher wind speeds, was related to food availability. Few locusts with full foreguts took off, especially at low air temperatures (20°C), while at high temperatures (35°C), 95% of ones starved for 6 h took off. At 30°C, there was little further increase with starvation for 24–30 h. Females containing large oocytes took off less readily than those with small ones. Take-off was also sometimes initiated by decreases in wind speed and light intensity, and sudden changes in air temperature. A distinct passing shadow stimulated take-off, but not the flickering shadows of other flying locusts. A period of flight immediately beforehand inhibited take-off. The results are discussed in relation to field observations.
Insecticide drift and reinvasion of spray blocks in aerial spraying experiments against Glossina Morsitans Centralis Machado (Diptera: Glossinidae)
Authors: Davies J. E.
Published: July 2009

The effect of insecticide drift on Glossina morsitans centralis Machado in Botswana was assessed using two-man fly-rounds downwind of the 1700–4000 km2 aerial spraying blocks. The blocks were subjected to sequential applications of endosulfan at between 6 and 12 g/ha with a droplet v.m.d. of 30 μm. Post-spray reinvasion of flies was assessed using two-man fly-round surveys across the edge of one spray block along ideal linear habitat. Each application had an effect on the flies outside the spray block, even at a distance of 20 km downwind. The first two applications of a series had a greater effect than later ones. Total reductions of G. m. centralis after a series of 5 or 6 applications were 92·5% 7 km outside a block sprayed in 1975, 98·3% 6–12 km outside a block sprayed in 1977 and 64·2% 10–20 km outside a block sprayed in 1978. Ageing studies showed that some females 10–20 km downwind of the sprayed area survived up to five applications, and three months after the final application the population there had recovered almost to pre-spray levels. The main front of fly encroachment after spraying across the downwind edge of the 1978 block travelled at about 0·8 km/month in the first 17 months after spraying, but small numbers of flies were found well ahead of the main front. It was concluded that the situation in the drift area could be ideal for the development of insecticide resistance and that adjacent blocks sprayed in consecutive years should overlap by 10 km.
The Fecundity of Ixodes Ricinus (L.) (Acarina: Ixodidae) and the Mortality of its Developmental Stages Under Field Conditions
Authors: Gray J. S.
Published: July 2009

The egg production of females of Ixodes ricinus (L.) was found to be closely related to the engorged body weight. The relationship was due almost entirely to the size of the blood-meal. Smaller ticks seemed to be slightly more efficient than larger ones in converting their blood-meal to eggs. Ticks, especially larvae, that overwintered in diapause did not survive as well as those that fed and then moulted in the same year. Larvae that fed and entered diapause early in the autumn did not survive as well as those that fed later in the season. A very high proportion of tick eggs hatched, either in the same year as they were laid or after overwintering. Almost all nymphs and adults became active and climbed to the top of the tubes after moulting. Although most larvae appeared to become active, only about half of them reached the tops of the tubes. This is thought to be a reflection on the fact that larvae are adapted to parasitise small rodents. It is suggested that winter temperatures may play an important part in determining the mortality rate of larvae that overwinter in the engorged state.
An Analysis of Factors Affecting Catches of Insects in Light-Traps
Authors: Bowden John
Published: July 2009

Analysis of published data on catches of insects in light-traps with a variety of light sources and of different designs showed that all conformed to the previously proposed model describing the functioning of a light-trap: catch = constant × where W = trap illumination and I = background illumination. Light-trap catches in differing cloud conditions and in open and woodland situations also varied as predicted by the model. A table of correction factors for different amounts of cloud cover is provided. The results are discussed in relation to use of light-traps and interpretation of light-trap data.
Bionomics of Bracon ?hancocki (Wilkinson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Larval Parasite of Cydia Ptychora (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Nigeria
Authors: Olaifa J. I. , Akingbohungbe A. E.
Published: July 2009

Bracon ?hancocki (Wlkn.) is a larval ectoparasite of Cydia ptychora (Meyr.), a major pest of cowpea at Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Parasitism occurred in the field all the year round, varying from 0 to 65·9% and with the highest incidence from September to February. In the laboratory, the fecundity of the parasite was low, averaging about six eggs per female. The life-cycle was completed in ten days. Mating occurred soon after emergence, and the preoviposition period lasted about 2–3 days. Unmated females rarely laid eggs, and their life-span averaged six days as compared to 14 days for mated females. The female:male ratio was 2:1. The parasite rarely attacked previously paralysed hosts, and the preferred hosts were the older, larger larvae. A description of the egg and larvae is given.
Oviposition by Diopsis macrophthalma Dalman (Diptera: Diopsidae) on different rice varieties and development of deadheart
Authors: Alghali A. M. , Osisanta E. O.
Published: July 2009

Studies were carried out in Nigeria on oviposition and the deadhearts caused by Diopsis macrophthalma Dalm. on ten rice varieties. The varieties were divided into three groups according to the numbers of eggs recorded on them. Strong positive correlations existed between (a) the numbers of eggs and tillers, (b) the numbers of eggs and deadhearts, and (c) the numbers of deadhearts and tillers. Some varieties compensated for damage by the production of new tillers. In the variety Suakoko 8, most of the eggs were confined to the leaf blades in young plants and to the leaf sheaths as the plants grew older. Peak oviposition occurred 30–40 days after transplanting. Some implications of the results for a pest management programme are discussed.
Age-specific life-table data for the Eucalyptus boring beetle, Phoracantha semipunctata (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), in Malawi
Authors: Powell W.
Published: July 2009

Age-specific life-table data were collected over a year for field and insectary populations of Phoracantha semipunctata (F.) on logs of Eucalyptus grandis in Malawi. Most mortality occurred in the larval stage, and the major mortality factor was intraspecific competition. Severe overcrowding led to a reduction in population density from one generation to the next. Overcrowding also led to a reduction in beetle size and to a shift in the sex ratio in favour of males. Elimination of potential breeding sites is recommended as an effective control measure for this pest.
The diminished incidence of Acarapis woodi (Rennie) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) in honey bees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), in Britain
Authors: Bailey L. , Perry J. N.
Published: July 2009

Investigations showed that there is a highly significant linear dependence of the percentage of bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies detectably infested with Acarapis woodi (Rennie) on the number of colonies in England and Wales. A decline of infestation since 1947 corresponds to a decrease recorded in the number of colonies. The simplest explanation, based on current knowledge, is that the decrease has allowed the foraging activity of the remaining colonies to increase, so lessening the contact between old infested bees and young susceptible individuals sufficiently to hinder the spread and multiplication of mites within colonies.
In vitro rearing of Glossina palpalis palpalis (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Glossinidae) on guinea-pig blood
Authors: Deloach J. R. , Taher M.
Published: July 2009

The productivity of Glossina palpalis palpalis (R.-D.) reared in vitro via silicone rubber membranes on fresh guinea-pig blood equalled the productivity of flies fed in vivo on guinea-pigs. Over 50 days, the number of puparia per initial female was 3·0 in both cases. Puparial weights were greater than 31 mg throughout the four reproductive cycles. While fresh blood was an excellent diet for G. p. palpalis, freeze-dried guinea-pig blood was unsuitable; survival, reproduction and puparial weights were all low for flies fed on freeze-dried blood. The evidence lends support to the theory that there is no inherent nutritional deficiency caused by feeding on blood through a membrane.
Assessment of methods for estimating the numbers of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Cereals
Authors: Dewar Alan M. , Dean Godfrey J. , Cannon Ray
Published: July 2009

Visual counting was found to be the most accurate method of estimating cereal aphid numbers in field studies in England. Vacuum sampling decreased in efficiency as aphid density increased, but could be a useful alternative to visual counts at very low aphid densities when the latter became too time-consuming. Cutting tillers for later washing in the laboratory was less efficient than visual counting as aphids, especially Metopolophium dirhodum (Wlk.), fell off the plants during sampling, but this method was useful in determining the proportion of different morphs of Sitobion avenae (F.) present at very high densities.
Further observations on the vertical distribution of flying mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in West African savanna
Authors: Snow W. F.
Published: July 2009

The vertical distribution of flying mosquitoes was investigated in separate experiments in open savanna and over a fallow field system near Keneba Village in the tidal zone of the Gambia using suction traps located at seven levels (0·1, 0·25, 0·5, 1·0, 2·1, 3·9 and 7·9 m) on a scaffolding tower. Mosquito density declined progressively with height forAnopheles melasTheo.,An. pharoensisTheo.,An. squamosusTheo.,An. ziemanniGrünb.,Aedes dalzieli(Theo.),Ae. punctothoracis(Theo.),Culex tritaeniorhynchusGiles andMansoniaspp. Catches ofC. thalassiusTheo. andC. invidiosusTheo. increased with height to around 1 m and then decreased steadily although the 7·9–m trap consistently captured moreC. thalassiusthan the trap below, presenting a bimodal vertical distribution profile. Flight altitudes of the two most abundant species,An. melasandC. thalassius, declined as the night progressed, but wind speed and lunar phase had no clear or consistent effects on flight levels. A functional relationship between flight altitudes and dispersal patterns of mosquitoes is suggested.
Rainfall and outbreaks of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Tucker M. R , Pedgley D. E
Published: July 2009

From estimates of the most likely egg–laying dates of 53 outbreaks of Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.) in East Africa, and from estimates of the likelihood of rainstorms (20 mm or more a day) at the outbreak sites around those dates, it is shown that concentrated laying by moths leading to outbreaks early in the season (January to March) in 1974–75 was associated with rainstorms at the time of oviposition. However, there was no such association in April and May. The mechanism of association is unknown; moths may be concentrated whilst airborne, or they may reach and stay in limited areas wetted by rain, where new grass growth might be expected.
Observations on the Sphingidae (Lepidoptera) of Trinidad
Authors: Stradling D. J. , LEGG C. J. , Bennett F. D.
Published: July 2009

Species records of Sphingidae taken in Trinidad were kept from 1968 to 1979. Seventy–five species and one subspecies were taken, including several new records for the island. The numbers of sphingids taken in Robinson light–traps equipped with 125–watt mercury–arc lamps were recorded over a period of eight years at St. Augustine, Trinidad, and the data analysed. The species abundance distribution was found to be well–fitted by the log–normal series. Data were examined for trends and periodicities, and the variance was found to be largely accounted for by three principal factors. A long–term decline in catch was observed in one trap due to the growth of screening vegetation. Annual variation in catch was found to correlate with the annual pattern of precipitation, with higher catches during the rainy season, although some species differences were detectable. Monthly variation in catch was found to correspond with the cycle of lunar illumination, being significantly depressed with increasing brightness. Interspecific differences in the response to moonlight were also detected. The influence of screening effects on the observed periodicities is discussed in relation to the siting of the traps. Times of commencement of flight activity were recorded, and the relationship between time of capture and activity is discussed. Apart from one species, the sex ratio of captured sphingids was significantly male-biased. Data from three traps were compared with each other and with those from other tropical locations.
The effect of aeration on the vertical distribution of grain beetles (Coleoptera) in wheat
Authors: Armitage D. M. , Day P. G. , Lewis G. J.
Published: July 2009

In order to see if aeration causes grain beetles to become peripherally distributed in bulks of grain, the positions of adults were recorded 7–10 days after they had been placed in the middle of vertical columns of wheat 1200 mm long and 80 mm in diameter. The columns were held at 10 or 25°C, and a downward current of air was passed through half of them. At 10°C, there were more adults of Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) at the ends and fewer at the centre of aerated than unaerated tubes when a high airflow was used, and at 25°C, a similar difference occurred when aeration caused cooling, dampening or drying of the grain. Dampening at 10°C and drying at 25°C caused there to be fewer adults of Sitophilus granarius (L.) at the ends and more at the centre of aerated than unaerated tubes. However, vibration at 10°C encouraged the dispersion of weevils. Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) scarcely moved at 10 or 25°C under either aerated or unaerated conditions.
Estimates of natural mortality related to environmental factors in a population of citrus red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Dias-pididae)
Authors: Atkinson P. R.
Published: July 2009

Biological control of Aonidiella aurantii (Mask.) is notoriously difficult in the hot lowlands of Swaziland and the eastern Transvaal. In view of resistance to organophosphates in populations elsewhere in the Transvaal, there is renewed interest in the commercial application of integrated pest management on citrus. Accordingly, data from a population of A. aurantii on orange trees in the Swaziland lowlands were examined to answer questions about biological control of the pest in this climatic region. Sections of the population on twigs and fruit were treated separately, and that on the leaves was ignored as not contributing much to the economy of the whole. The infestation of fruit each year depended largely on the size of the infestation on twigs in November (early summer), when crawlers from twigs first colonised the fruitlets. Mortality on twigs was estimated, checked from predictions of the recruitment rate and related to indices of climatic and biotic factors; 73% of the variation was described by mean predator intensity, mean minimum temperature and excess rainfall above the long-term mean, all measured over the generation time. On fruit, 32% of the variation in mortality was described by mean maximum saturation deficit in the generation time, the relationship being inverse. The dryness of the lowland climate appeared to be its favourable characteristic. The population appeared to be regulated about a mean level which was unacceptably high. Predators were the most effective natural enemies, probably followed by parasitoids (Aphytis spp.) on fruit. Endoparasitoids were probably ineffective.
Integration of insect sterility and insecticides for control of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae) in Tanzania. IV. Application of endosulfan as an aerosol prior to release of sterile males
Authors: Williamson D. L. , Dame D. A. , Lee C. W. , Gates D. B. , Cobb P. E.
Published: July 2009

As part of a programme to test the sterile insect technique against Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. in Tanzania, two aerial applications of endosulfan were applied to a 195-km2 test area. The applications were made with a 28-day interval to provide an initial reduction in the target species prior to the release of sterile males. A Cessna 310 aircraft equipped with a rotary atomiser and operating at night was used to apply the insecticide at a dosage of about 20 g/ha. Flyround surveys within 48 h following the spraying operations indicated that a 100% reduction of G. m. morsitans adults was achieved in both applications, while G. pallidipes Aust. was reduced by 91 5% in the first and 100% in the second.
A technique for tethering females of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to evaluate pheromone control methods
Authors: McVeigh E. M. , McVeigh L. J. , Cavanagh G. G.
Published: July 2009

A fast and simple method of preparing virgin females of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) for exposure in the field is described. Low predation rates were achieved by tethering the moths on a short (20 cm) piece of cotton thread directly to the plants and by keeping unnecessary daytime exposure to a minimum. Consistently high levels of successful mating were recorded in both berseem and cotton fields in Egypt, suggesting the suitability of the tethering technique for measuring reduction of mating levels in pheromone control trials.
The bionomics of Psectrosema spp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) reared from galls on Tamarix spp. in Pakistan
Authors: Habib R.
Published: July 2009

The galls induced on Tamarix spp. in Pakistan by six species of Psectrosema are described, and the known host ranges and geographical distributions of these species are given, together with information on seasonal biology and adult behaviour based on field surveys and laboratory observations. Parasitic Hymenoptera and other insects associated with the galls are listed.
Laboratory assessment of resistance to commercial insecticide formulations in two strains of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyo-ptera: Blattellidae)
Authors: Barson G. , Renn N.
Published: July 2009

The survivors of field treatments of Blattella germanica (L.) with ben-diocarb (strain D) and malathion (strain H) in the UK were bred in the laboratory. The resistance of these two strains to commercial formulations of bendiocarb, dioxacarb, propoxur, lindane, dieldrin, malathion, diazinon, fenitrothion, pirimiphos-methyl and permethrin was assessed in 24-h exposures on treated glass plates. Resistance in terms of knockdown or mortality was demonstrated for bendiocarb, dioxacarb and dieldrin in both strains, for malathion in strain H and, marginally, for permethrin in strain D. Selection with bendiocarb in strain D produced a x4 and x3 increase in resistance to bendiocarb at the LC50 and KD50 levels, respectively. There was no significant cross-resistance to propoxur, but cross-resistance to dioxacarb was evident at the LC50 and KD50 but not the 95 % levels. There was little or no cross-resistance in strain D to diazinon, pirimiphos-methyl or fenitrothion. In strain H, malathion selection increased resistance to malathion at the 50% but not the 95% levels, and there was no evidence of cross-resistance to diazinon, pirimiphos-methyl or fenitrothion. Some cockroaches from strains D and H were able to recover from knockdown during and after exposure to the carbamates and permethrin. There was no recovery from the organophosphorus or organochlorine insecticides.
Determining the age of adults of Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae)
Authors: Mail T. S. , Chadwick J. , Lehane M. J.
Published: July 2009

A preliminary investigation to find an easily assayable biochemical character, varying reproducibly with age which would give a more accurate assessment of insect age than the best methods then available, had revealed the fluorescent eye pigments, the pteridines, as a promising candidate. Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) was chosen as a model. Double-blind laboratory experiments in which the age post-eclosion of females was predicted from a standard laboratory curve of pteridine accumulation with age post-eclosion, showed the method to be accurate on average to ±1·49 days. Further laboratory experiments defined the relationships between temperature and pteridine accumulation in males and females of S. calcitrans such that the method could be modified for field use. Field observations in the UK indicated that the temperature of adults in the wild is determined by ambient temperature, the number of sunlight hours and the flies' own physiological and/or behavioural capabilities. From this information, equations for the accumulation of pteridines with temperature and age post-eclosion in males and females of S. calcitrans were constructed. To test the accuracy of these equations, approximately 19 600 marked flies of known age were released in a farmyard; 126 females were recaptured over 22 days and 90 males over 19 days. The average errors of predicted age using the pteridine accumulation method were ±190 days for females and ±137 days for males over the life-span of the recaptured insects.
A comparison of the Diptera caught in Manitoba traps with those caught from cattle and other parts of the field ecosystem in northern England
Authors: Ball S. G.
Published: July 2009

Manitoba traps were used in a pasture field in northern England between June and October in 1980 and 1981.Samples of Diptera were also collected from cattle, cow dung, the field surface and from flowers in the hedges. A comparison of these samples, using multivariate similarity coefficients, showed that the Manitoba trap and cattle samples were most similar. There were 12 weeks in the two years during which both Manitoba trap and cattle samples were obtained, and the accumulated catches for this period were compared. They consisted mainly of cattle-visiting species, the proportion being greatest in the Manitoba trap samples (97%). Non-cattle-visiting species in the cattle sample (25%) consisted mainly of dung flies and species associated with the field surface. It is suggested that these were taken accidentally in proportion to their abundance around the cattle. There were some differences in the proportions of various species between the samples from cattle and the Manitoba trap, and the sex ratio of the three most abundant species was significantly higher in the traps. An experiment in which a large electrocuting grid was used to intercept flies travelling towards artificial bait as used in Manitoba traps, showed that the proportion of the two most abundant species differed significantly from a sample obtained from a nearby Manitoba trap. No such difference was observed in the sex ratios of these species.
The biology and economic importance of rice aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae): a review
Authors: Yano Kôji , Miyake Toshiro , Eastop V. F.
Published: July 2009

The biology and economic status of aphids attacking rice throughout the world is reviewed, as is the literature concerning other aphids found in or near irrigated rice fields but not usually infesting rice. Altogether, 37 species of aphids belonging to seventeen genera are considered. The aphids are dealt with in two similar–sized groups according to their feeding sites, namely root–feeding and leaf–, stem– and ear–feeding species.Aphis craccivoraKoch andMyzus persicae(Sulz.) are regarded as ‘occasional rice aphids’ as they are found on rice occasionally but do not regularly infest rice plants.A. gossypüGlov. is treated as a ‘rice aphid’ although its occurrence on rice plants is also sporadic. In addition to the literature survey, additional information is given based on field collections and observations, on the rice aphid component of more than 18 000 aphids trapped in yellow pan traps, on the natural enemies reared and collected and from laboratory experiments in Japan. Unpubished information was also extracted from the data labels of the British Museum (Natural History) aphid collection. The ecological relationships between rice aphids and aphids associated with weeds near irrigated rice fields in the Yamaguchi area of Japan is discussed. Three of the rice aphids were found on 22 species of weeds and the three ‘occasional rice aphids’ also occured on 22 species of weeds. A total of 43 species of weeds harboured aphids.
The response of Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) to water
Authors: Mary Stubbs , Robert Griffin
Published: July 2009

Experiments were carried out to determine whether Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) was attracted to water on a wick suspended in an arena. When insects were preconditioned at 25, 50, 75 or 100% RH, they were attracted to the water source. Those preconditioned at 50% RH gave the greatest response and those preconditioned at 100% RH, the least. Measurement of the humidity changes in the arena caused by adding a wick containing 5 Μ1 of water showed that the gradient between the edge and centre was steepest at the start of an experiment when insect activity was also greatest. About 30 min after a wick had been placed in the arena, virtually all the water (about 94%) had evaporated, the humidity had equalised over the arena and the insects were no longer attracted to the wick. This behavioural response is discussed in relation to the insects' environment.
Hymenopterous parasitoids of stem-boring Diptera (e.g. Oscinella frit (L.)) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in Britain
Authors: Moore D
Published: July 2009

A study was made at Hurley in southern England of the hymenopterous parasitoids of the stem-boring larvae of Oscinella spp. and Geomyza tripunctata Fall, in perennial ryegrass plants {Lolium perenne) taken from swards managed in different ways. Six species of parasitoids were identified after their emergence from stem-borer pupae; four of these were also identified in the parasitoid larval form parasitising stem-borer larvae. Parasitism exceeded 45% during 1980 but was only about 20% in 1981. Of the species of Oscinella, larvae of O. frit (L.) were always the most highly parasitised and those of O. vastator (Curt.) the least, irrespective of their frequency of occurrence. G. tripunctata also showed less parasitism than O. frit. The braconid Chasmodon apterus (Nees) was responsible for 95 % of the parasitism in 1980 and 85% in 1981. The higher parasitism in 1980 probably resulted from greater synchrony between the populations of the adults of C. apterus and those of the stem-boring larvae. Samples from eight other sites in the UK gave results similar to those obtained from Hurley.
Response of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to some potential attractants
Authors: Dean G. J. , Satasook C.
Published: July 2009

In laboratory and field studies in southern England, the responses of adults of Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) to various test materials were compared. Although the chrysopid, especially females, were especially attracted to hydrolysed and oxidised L- and D-tryptophan, they are unlikely to be attracted to crops by these compounds in Britain in sufficient numbers to control infesting aphids.
Sandflies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) and leishmaniasis in Kuwait
Authors: Lane R. P. , Al-Taqi M.
Published: July 2009

A survey of the phlebotomine sandflies in and around Kuwait City (Kuwait) was made during May and June 1981. Three species were found associated with human habitations: Phlebotomus papatasi (Scop.), P. alexandri Sinton and Sergentomyia antennata (Newst.). Sandflies were more abundant in newly developed areas on the periphery of the city than in the central or well-established areas. The five species in the phlebotomine fauna of Kuwait are reviewed and compared with those in adjacent countries. The relationship between the distribution of sandflies and building development is discussed and related to the recent increases in leishmaniasis cases in Kuwait. It is suggested that P. papatasi is the local vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis.