African Cotton Research Articles

Abundance and diversity of cotton insect pests under repeatedly cultivated cotton fields of Tanzania.

Cotton production in Tanzania is facing significant challenges due to insect pests that cause extensive damages to the crop. The most notable pests include the African bollworm (Heliothis armigera Hubner), Spiny bollworm (Earias biplaga Walker), Cotton stainers (Dysdercus sidae (Herrich-Schaeffer), Cotton Aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover), Thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman), Jassids (Amrasca biguttula, Bigutula), Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae jassidae), and Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci Genn). If left uncontrolled, these pests can cause up to 60% damage to the crop. Despite the importance of cotton and the fact that most of these pests are endemic, there are scanty knowledge on the dynamics and distribution of cotton pests across the seasons of the year and crop's phenological growth stages (germination, vegetative growth, flowering and boll formation) in areas under repeated cultivation of the crop in Tanzania. Here we report on the influence of seasons and cotton's phenological stages on the abundance, diversity, distribution and richness of cotton insect pests. The study was conducted in the Misungwi district for two cotton-growing seasons, using the UKM08 cotton variety. Stick traps and handpicking methods were deployed in catching the cotton insect pests. On average, a total of 8,500 insect specimen of diverse families and species were collected every season. The four dominant species among the collected were Aphis gossypii (17.37%), Amrasca biguttula (11.42%), Nezara viridura (10.7%), and Bemisia tabacci (10.68%). Both cotton phenological growth stages and seasons significantly (p<0.05) influenced the abundance, diversity, distribution and richness of cotton insect pests. In particular, the phenological growth stage 3 exhibited greater diversity of insect pests. The pests' distribution patterns remained relatively uniform across the crop growth stages. Findings from the present study could contribute to developing sustainable pest management strategies in areas under repeated cotton production in Tanzania and elsewhere.

Insecticidal Activity of Allium sativum Essential Oil-Based Nanoemulsion against Spodoptera littoralis.

Spodoptera littoralis, commonly known as the Egyptian or African cotton leafworm, is a significant agricultural threat. It is widely distributed in Africa, Mediterranean Europe, and Middle Eastern countries. This polyphagous pest infests numerous crop plants across 44 families, including cotton, soybeans, alfalfa, sweet potato, pepper, eggplant, tomato, maize, lettuce, strawberry, wheat, and hibiscus. The damage caused by S. littoralis on different plant organs, such as young leaves, shoots, stalks, bolls, buds, and fruits, often determines substantial product losses. Current control strategies predominantly rely on synthetic insecticides, which, despite their efficacy, have notable drawbacks, including insecticide resistance, environmental contamination, consumer concerns, and adverse effects on non-target organisms and beneficial insects. In response to these challenges, in this study, we developed and evaluated a garlic EO-based nanoemulsion with a high EO concentration (15%) and low surfactant content to mitigate the possible negative impact on plants and to enhance efficacy against S. littoralis larvae. Laboratory bioassays demonstrated promising larvicidal activity and reduced larval feeding, although some phytotoxicity symptoms were observed. This study underscores the potential of botanical insecticides as sustainable alternatives to synthetic chemicals, emphasizing the importance of balancing efficacy with environmental and ecological considerations in pest management strategies.

Transcriptome Expression Profiling Reveals the Molecular Response to Salt Stress in Gossypium anomalum Seedlings.

Some wild cotton species are remarkably tolerant to salt stress, and hence represent valuable resources for improving salt tolerance of the domesticated allotetraploid species Gossypium hirsutum L. Here, we first detected salt-induced stress changes in physiological and biochemical indexes of G. anomalum, a wild African diploid cotton species. Under 350 mmol/L NaCl treatment, the photosynthetic parameters declined significantly, whereas hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents increased. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activity and proline (PRO) content also significantly increased, reaching peak values at different stages of salt stress. We used RNA-Seq to characterize 15,476 differentially expressed genes in G. anomalum roots after 6, 12, 24, 72, and 144 h of salt stress. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed these genes to be related to sequence-specific DNA and iron ion binding and oxidoreductase, peroxidase, antioxidant, and transferase activity; meanwhile, the top enriched pathways from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database were plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, fatty acid degradation, carotenoid biosynthesis, zeatin biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and MAPK signaling. A total of 1231 transcription factors were found to be expressed in response to salt stress, representing ERF, MYB, WRKY, NAC, C2H2, bZIP, and HD-ZIP families. Nine candidate genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR and their expression patterns were found to be consistent with the RNA-Seq data. These data promise to significantly advance our understanding of the molecular response to salt stress in Gossypium spp., with potential value for breeding applications.

Water sustainability of sub-Saharan African cotton industry: evidence from Mali

The world's cotton industry plays a significant role in the global economy, with cotton being used in around 50% of all clothing, household items, and other products. However, the production of cotton is also known to have a significant impact on the environment, particularly freshwater resources. Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable, with 40% of the world's water-deprived people living in the region. Cotton is a vital cash crop in sub-Saharan Africa, serving as the main source of livelihood for over 2 million rural families, but its production is also water-intensive, requiring around 20,000 litters of water per kg of cotton yield. In addition, cotton farming in the region is largely dependent on rain, but countries are looking to expand their production and acreage through increased irrigation, putting further pressure on already stretched water resources. This essay investigates the sustainability of sub-Saharan Africa's cotton industry, using Mali as a case study. The region can increase its output significantly, but this must be done sustainably to avoid exacerbating the negative impact on freshwater resources. The study also discusses the water crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, cotton farming in Mali and the region, and the potential consequences of increased cotton production on families and the environment. Mali, currently the highest cotton producer on the continent is a convenient case study reflecting conditions in other sub-Saharan countries. By studying the scientific literature on the progression of cotton production and attendant problems in Mali and some other West African countries, I hope to inform policymakers in the region about some proven ways to improve cotton yield and processing while leaving water resources pristine. The plan centres on producing cotton in an eco-friendly manner through the adoption of organic cotton, and GM cotton and irrigation in suitable areas. At the same time, there is a need to reduce the grey water footprint by reducing chemical usage and treating effluents before discharge.

Sustainable Development Goals for Textiles and Fashion.

In this paper, each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is discussed in the context of textiles and fashion. The necessity of collaborative efforts is accentuated to overcome the climate crisis and human health concerns encountered by the textiles and fashion industry. The concerns over poverty faced by cotton farmers, soil depletion, and toxicity to aquatic life due to microfibres and heavy metals are presented. The paper underlines numerous corrective practises such as the utilisation of African Organic Cotton, Better Initiative Cotton, and others that could enable curtailing poverty and hunger. The requirement for a more corporate and socially responsible textiles and fashion business that would propel SDGs is described with inspiring examples of Inditex, Culthread, Saint Basics, Flamingo's Life, etcetera. More, the greenwashing and ardent necessity of transparency across the fashion value chain is emphasised herein. The importance of reducing inequalities and working in partnership for innovation and justice is highlighted such as apple leather, algal foam, and others. Even more, the production waste and landfill disputes are reviewed. Eventually, the paper concludes with an appeal for mindful and diligent efforts from textiles and fashion consumers, designers, manufacturers, and traders to continually adapt to SDGs even after 2030 as there is no planet B. Also, abiding by the laws of nature as listed herein is found to be the key to reaching SDGs.

A genome-wide analysis of the GRAS gene family in upland cotton and a functional study of the role of the GhGRAS55 gene in regulating early maturity in cotton.

The members of the GRAS gene family play important roles in regulating plant growth and development, but their functions in regulating early plant maturity traits are still unknown. In this study, we used a series of bioinformatics tools to identify GRAS gene family members and investigate the function of the gene family (GhGRAS55) using a genome-wide database of upland cotton samples. A total of 58 members of the GRAS gene family were identified and screened, which were distributed on 21 chromosomes within the whole cotton genome. The results of the phylogenetic analysis showed that the genes of upland cotton, island cotton, African cotton, Raymond cotton, and Arabidopsis were distributed in subfamilies I-VIII, although subfamily II did not contain any upland cotton or Arabidopsis GRAS family members. The structures and other characteristics of the genes in this family were clarified using bioinformatics technology. The transcriptomic sequencing results for early and late maturing cotton species showed that the expression of most GRAS family genes, such as GhGRAS10, GhGRAS5511, and GhGRAS55, was lower in early maturing species than late maturing species. We also found that cotton plants with GhGRAS55 genes that were silenced by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology showed early bud emergence phenotypes, so it could be speculated that the GhGRAS55 gene has the function of regulating early maturity in cotton.

Endophytic actinobacteria from wild medicinal plants are a natural source of insecticide to control the African cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis)

Insecticide resistance in agricultural pests has prompted the need to discover novel compounds with new modes of action. We investigated the potency of secondary metabolites from seventy endophytic actinobacteria against laboratory and field strains of Spodoptera littoralis (fourth instar), comparable to the bioinsecticide spinetoram (Radiant SC 12%). Endophytes from Artemisia herba-alba and A. judaica were highly effective. Chemical profiling of the most potent metabolite of the strain Streptomyces sp. ES2 was investigated using LC-QTOF-MS-MS technique, and the activity was validated through molecular docking studies. Metabolic extracts from actinobacteria belonging to Streptomyces, Nocardioides, and Pseudonocardia showed immediate and latent death to the Spodoptera littoralis fourth instar larvae. The metabolite from strain ES2 has shown the most promising and significant histopathological and inhibitory effects on the fourth instar larvae. ES2 metabolite caused lesions in the body wall cuticle, indicating a different mode of action than that of Radiant. Chemical profiling of ES2 showed the presence of cyromazine (molt inhibitor), 4-nitrophenol, and diazinon as key constituents. In conclusion, these findings suggest that secondary metabolites from endophytic actinobacteria inhabiting wild medicinal plants can be a sustainable source for promising natural biocontrol agents. This is the first illustration of the insecticidal activity of Artemisia spp. microbiome, and natural cyromazine synthesis by actinobacteria.

Transcriptome Profiling of Gossypium anomalum Seedlings Reveals Key Regulators and Metabolic Pathways in Response to Drought Stress.

Drought stress is a key limiting factor for cotton (Gossypium spp.) growth, production, development, and production worldwide. Some wild diploid cotton species are remarkably tolerant of water deficit and constitute an important reservoir for understanding the molecular mechanisms of Gossypium spp. drought tolerance and improving cultivated upland cotton. Here, we utilized RNA-Seq technology to characterize the leaf transcriptomes of a wild African diploid cotton species, Gossypium anomalum, under drought stress. A total of 12,322 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified after mapping valid clean reads to the reference genome of G. anomalum, of which 1243 were commonly differentially expressed at all stages of drought stress. These genes were significantly enriched for molecular functions Gene Ontology terms related to cytoskeleton, hydrolase activity, cellular redox, and binding. Additionally, a substantial proportion of enriched biological process terms concerned cell or subcellular processes, while most in the cellular components category concerned membrane function and photosynthesis. An enrichment analysis against the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes showed the top significantly enriched pathways to be photosynthesis-antenna proteins, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, MAPK signaling pathway, glutathione metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. The DEGs also exhibited interestingly significant enrichments for drought stress-induced tandemly repeated genes involved in iron ion binding, oxidoreductase activity, heme binding, and other biological processes. A large number of genes encoding transcription factors, such as MYB, bHLH, ERF, NAC, WRKY, and bZIP, were identified as playing key roles in acclimatizing to drought stress. These results will provide deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms of drought stress adaptation in Gossypium spp.

Cotton, fragile economic lifeline for West African smallholders

Cotton production in francophone W. Africa is in danger of collapse in coming years, due to stagnating yields, increasing costs, and depressed prices, with dramatic effects for smallholder producers and their countries. The question is, does cotton have a future in W. Africa, and what is needed to safeguard that future? This paper reviews the current status of the cotton sector in Burkina Faso, as an example of a West African francophone cotton growing country, ways to remedy the existing weaknesses and steps to be taken towards a healthy, productive, and durable product chain. Current yields are low, and profitability is weak, due to several causes, ranging from agronomic to organisational and trade-related factors, the latter both at local and international level. There are several opportunities to narrow the ‘yield gap’ between actual and potential yield thereby at farm and community level enhancing profitability, by technical and organisational measures. The interventions should be tested at farm and community level using participatory research methods and, if performant, promoted by participatory extension methods. In the medium and long term, Integration of cotton within the overall cropping system should be undertaken, rather than running it as a stand-alone activity as is currently the case. This will strengthen the crop's resilience to pests, compensate for the losses in one crop by the yield of another, and improve the sustainability of crop production as a whole. In respect of sector organisation, there is a need for reform of both farmers’ organisations and service providers to effectively implement these interventions. The GPC should transform themselves into genuine primary societies, whose primary task will be to look after their members’ interests. In the longer term, the development of a local textile industry presents a beckoning perspective on the road to a complete and remunerative cotton sector.

African cotton mosaic disease

African cotton mosaic disease

Herbivore feeding preference corroborates optimal defense theory for specialized metabolites within plants

Significance The “optimal defense theory” is a long-standing theoretical framework that is still controversially discussed. The central hypothesis of the optimal defense theory predicts that plant defenses are concentrated at the highest level in tissues and in organs that are the most valuable for survival and fitness. In this paper, we use the herbivore-deterrent defense compounds glucosinolates in the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana as a model to test this central aspect of the optimal defense theory. We eliminated the gradient of glucosinolate distribution across tissues by the mutation of genes encoding transporters and thereby altered the feeding preference of the African cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis , which is a devastating pest of many economically important crop plants including cotton, tomato, and maize.

Antifungal and Insecticidal Potential of the Essential Oil from Ocimum sanctum L. against Dangerous Fungal and Insect Species and Its Safety for Non-Target Useful Soil Species Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826).

The antifungal and insecticidal effect of the essential oil from Ocimum sanctum L. was evaluated using a model set of harmful organisms hazardous for health and the economy. Toxigenic and plant pathogenic filamentous fungi, including causal agents of human infections, were chosen as exemplary fungal groups—Fusarium verticillioides, Penicillium expansum and Aspergillus flavus. Spodoptera littoralis (African cotton leafworm), Culex quinquefasciatus (Southern house mosquito), the lymphatic filariasis vector and potential Zika virus vector, and the common housefly, Musca domestica were chosen as model insects. Major and minor active substances were detected and quantified using GC/MS analysis. Environmental safety was verified using the non-target useful organism Eisenia fetida. Significant antifungal and insecticidal activity, as well as environmental safety, were confirmed. The essential oil showed the highest efficacy against A. flavus according to MIC50/90, and against S. littoralis larvae according to LD50/90. The monoterpenoid alcohol linalool, t-methyl cinnamate, and estragole as phenylpropanoids were detected as effective major components (85.4%). The essential oil from Ocimum sanctum L. was evaluated as universal and significantly efficient, providing a high potential for use in environmentally safe botanical pesticides.

Nigeria’s Federal High Court relies on physical evidence and shipping documents to invalidate registered designs

Abstract Federal High Court, Lagos, Nigeria, West African Cotton Company Limited and Hozelock Exel, FHC/L/CP/1240/2013, 14 February 2020

Activity of Ajuga iva Extracts Against the African Cotton Leafworm Spodoptera littoralis.

Simple SummaryPest insects cause tremendous damage and losses to global agriculture, and their control relies mainly on chemical insecticides, which are greatly harmful for human health and the environment. Many Ajuga plant species have secondary metabolites such as phytoecdysteroids (analogues of insect steroid hormones—ecdysteroid) that control insect development and reproduction. In this study, the effect of ingestion of Ajuga iva phytoecdysteroid plant extract on the growth and development of the African cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis was carried out. Our results clearly showed the susceptibility of S. littoralis to phytoecdysteroid ingestion. Crude leaf extracts and fractionated phytoecdysteroids significantly increased mortality of first-instar S. littoralis by up to 87%. Third-instar larval weight gain decreased significantly by 52%, and crude leaf extract (250 ppm) reduced gut size, with relocation of nuclei and abnormal actin-filament organization compared to the controls. In conclusion, the use of phytoecdysteroids against pest insects is not an alternative for chemical insecticides, but they could have an important role in integrated pest management strategies for controlling S. littoralis and possibly other lepidopterans.Control of the crop pest African cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval), by chemical insecticides has led to serious resistance problems. Ajuga plants contain phytoecdysteroids (arthropod steroid hormone analogs regulating metamorphosis) and clerodanes (diterpenoids exhibiting antifeedant activity). We analyzed these compounds in leaf extracts of the Israeli Ajuga iva L. by liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and their efficiency at reducing S. littoralis fitness. First and third instars of S. littoralis were fed castor bean leaves (Ricinus communis) smeared with an aqueous suspension of dried methanolic crude extract of A. iva phytoecdysteroids and clerodanes. Mortality, larval weight gain, relative growth rate and survival were compared to feeding on control leaves. We used ‘4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI, a fluorescent stain) and phalloidin staining to localize A. iva crude leaf extract activity in the insect gut. Ajuga iva crude leaf extract (50, 100 and 250 µg/µL) significantly increased mortality of first-instar S. littoralis (36%, 70%, and 87%, respectively) compared to controls (6%). Third-instar larval weight gain decreased significantly (by 52%, 44% and 30%, respectively), as did relative growth rate (−0.05 g/g per day compared to the relevant controls), ultimately resulting in few survivors. Crude leaf extract (250 µg/µL) reduced gut size, with relocation of nuclei and abnormal actin-filament organization. Ajug iva extract has potential for alternative, environmentally safe insect-pest control.

Life cycle assessment of organic and conventional non-Bt cotton products from Mali

Cotton is the most produced natural fibre in the world, with an annual output of 23 million t of lint in the period 2000–2013. Africa produced in average 6% of that output, and despite being a relatively minor contributor to global cotton supply chains, it has been estimated that a large percentage of the continent’s population depends on cotton cultivation for their livelihood. Most published cotton LCAs focused on the main global producers (India, China, USA), a few consider African cotton, and none to date Malian cotton. This work presents an LCA of the Malian cotton sector, consisting of an agricultural phase and ginning operations, in contrast with other African and global cotton LCAs. The goal of the study is to assess the absolute and relative environmental impacts of Malian cotton, per agricultural production system type, including the processing of seed cotton in ginning plants to produce cotton fibre bales (cradle to processing plant gate). Inventories were built for the two initial phases in the production cycle of cotton fibre, namely, the agricultural phase and the ginning phase. The main agricultural production system types were identified, according to distinctive differences in yields and technical processes―such as phytosanitary strategies―as well as the main processes performed in ginning plants. Operational data, representing the period 2002–2010, were provided by the Malian Company for the Development of Textiles (CMDT). It included yields and input and their uncertainty data. Direct field emissions of the agricultural phase were estimated following the AGRIBALYSE methodology, adapted when necessary to tropical conditions (e.g. a modified version of the Indigo-N model set was used to estimate N losses). Impact assessment was based on the European-sanctioned ILCD 2011 Midpoint+ v1.0.9, May 2016 method. Sensitivity was explored with scenarios and uncertainty data was propagated with Monte Carlo. The agricultural phase of cotton production in Mali differs from that of the largest producing countries, in that it is non-irrigated and non-mechanised and that non-Bt varieties are used. Instead, Malian cotton is rainfed―thus produced during the rainy season, from April/May to October/November―in rotation with maize or sorghum, manual work is prevalent up to the harvest, ploughs are towed by animals, and local varieties are grown (mainly STAM 59A and NTA 90-5). Malian yields were in the order of 400 kg lint/ha in the period 2001–2018, corresponding to ~ 1 t seed cotton/ha. The dominant production system, conventional agriculture, was sub-classified into three sub-types based on the phytosanitary strategy followed: calendar (81%), threshold control (15%) and targeted (4%). An average conventional system type was also constructed, as a production-weighted average of calendar, targeted and threshold. An existing marginal production of organic (0.5‰) cotton was also modelled. Organic cotton products (seed cotton, lint and cottonseed) feature lower impacts than conventional both per t and per ha (except for the toxicity, climate change and eutrophication impact categories), despite comparatively lower yields, due to lower input intensity. A single score–based contribution analysis confirms that, for conventional cotton, pesticide application is the main contributor to impacts, followed by mineral fertilisers. For organic cotton, the main drivers of impacts are natural pesticides and organic fertilisation. The overwhelming contribution of pesticides is largely due to the provision of organophosphorus compounds, specifically the insecticide profenofos. Moreover, the ginning phase contributed very little to the overall impacts (up to 3%). When data uncertainty is considered, the impacts per t of lint are always lower for organic cotton. Impacts were generally larger for conventional than from organic cotton. The main hotspots are related to pesticide use, and therefore, efforts should focus on that factor, despite pesticide inputs being already relatively lower than elsewhere. Climate change indicators for Malian cotton products were compared with literature values, having similar orders of magnitude. Malian cotton production features lower yields than the main global producers do, which is mainly due to low soil fertility and, to a lesser extent, to its dependence on rainwater. A shift towards organic cotton would be desirable only if the yield gap can be overcome.

Rural livelihoods and agricultural commercialization in colonial Uganda: conjunctures of external influences and local realities

Rural livelihoods and agricultural commercialization in colonial Uganda: conjunctures of external influences and local realities

Southern and Eastern African Cotton Forum: Platform for the advancement of cotton production in Africa

Southern and Eastern African Cotton Forum: Platform for the advancement of cotton production in Africa

Constitutive and induced insect resistance in RNAi-mediated ultra-low gossypol cottonseed cotton

BackgroundBesides fibers, cotton plants also produce a large amount of seeds with a high oil and protein content. The use of these seeds is restricted by their high contents of the terpenoid gossypol, which is harmful to humans and livestock. Using a genetic engineering approach, “Ultra-low gossypol cottonseed” (ULGCS) plants were produced by knocking down an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of a precursor of gossypol. This was accomplished via RNAi-mediated silencing of the target gene using a seed-specific α-globulin promotor. Since gossypol is also a crucial defense mechanism against leaf-feeding herbivores, ULGCS plants might possess lower herbivore resistance than non-engineered plants. Therefore, we tested the constitutive and inducible direct insect resistance of two ULGCS cotton lines against the African cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis.ResultThe herbivore was equally affected by both ULGCS lines and the control (Coker 312) line when feeding on fully expanded true leaves from undamaged plants and plants induced by jasmonic acid. When plants were induced by caterpillar-damage, however, S. littoralis larvae performed better on the ULGCS plants. Terpenoid analyses revealed that the ULGCS lines were equally inducible as the control plants. Levels of terpenoids were always lower in one of the two lines. In the case of cotyledons, caterpillars performed better on ULGCS cotton than on conventional cotton. This was likely caused by reduced levels of gossypol in ULGCS cotyledons.ConclusionDespite those effects, the insect resistance of ULGSC cotton can be considered as largely intact and the plants may, therefore, be an interesting alternative to conventional cotton varieties.

Comparative Study of the Use of Insect Meal from Spodoptera littoralis and Bactrocera zonata for Feeding Japanese Quail Chicks.

Simple SummaryWith the increasing world population and rising meat consumption, sustainable high-quality feed is urgently needed. It was proposed that insects could be a promising alternative feed source, since they have high protein contents and can be reared sustainably on food production residues. Caterpillars of the African cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis can be cultivated on different residues of crops and vegetables and larvae of the peach fruit fly Bactrocera zonata can be reared on fruit and vegetable residues. In addition, mass rearing expertise of these two insect species already exists thanks to the sterile insect technique, a method of biological pest control. The nutrient composition of meals from these two insect species was determined and the impact of their meals as feed ingredients for Japanese quail chicks in comparison to soybean meal was investigated. In the feeding trials, 50% of the soybean protein was replaced with B. zonata meal and S. littoralis meal, respectively. For chicks fed with insect meal containing diets, improved growth, feed performance parameters, carcass characteristics and biochemical indices were observed in comparison to a soybean meal-based diet. Consequently, both insect meals represent a promising alternative to soy in the feed of Japanese quail chicks.A transformation of current livestock production towards a more sustainable operation is crucial to face nutritional and environmental challenges. There is an urgent demand for more sustainable high-quality feed sources to reduce environmental costs. Insects pose a potential alternative since they can be reared sustainably on food and feed residues. Know-how in mass rearing already exists for insect species used in biological pest control, such as the African cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis and the peach fruit fly Bactrocera zonata. The impact of a replacement of 50% of soybean meal by S. littoralis and B. zonata meal, respectively, on seven-days-old Japanese quail chicks was investigated in feeding trials. Concomitantly, the chemical compositions of the two insect meals and soybean meal were determined and compared. It was observed that the insect meals had higher protein and fat contents, lower carbohydrate contents and contained more saturated fatty acids than soybean meal. They also had higher methionine, and S. littoralis had a higher lysine content. Feeding trials resulted in improved growth, feed performance parameters, carcass characteristics, and biochemical indices for both insect meals. Consequently, both insect meals represent a promising alternative to soy in the feed of Japanese quail chicks.

Plant odor and sex pheromone are integral elements of specific mate recognition in an insect herbivore.

Specific mate recognition relies on the chemical senses in most animals, and especially in nocturnal insects. Two signal types mediate premating olfactory communication in terrestrial habitats: sex pheromones, which blend into an atmosphere of plant odorants. We show that host plant volatiles affect the perception of sex pheromone in males of the African cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis and that pheromone and plant volatiles are not perceived as independent messages. In clean air, S. littoralis males are attracted to single synthetic pheromone components or even the pheromone of a sibling species, oriental cotton leafworm S. litura. Presence of host plant volatiles, however, reduces the male response to deficient or heterospecific pheromone signals. That plant cues enhance discrimination of sex pheromone quality confirms the idea that specific mate recognition in noctuid moths has evolved in concert with adaptation to host plants. Shifts in either female host preference or sex pheromone biosynthesis give rise to new communication channels that have the potential to initiate or contribute to reproductive isolation.