Average Infestation Rate Research Articles

Level of damage and yield losses associated with the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on maize (Zea mays), millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) on station in Burkina Faso

Spodoptera frugiperda is an exotic Lepidoptera that causes enormous damage to cereal crops worldwide. The study was conducted at a research station in western Burkina Faso during two consecutive rainy seasons in 2020 and 2021. The objective of this work was to estimate crop damage and yield losses by S. frugiperda. Each scenario was tested according to a split-plot design with four randomized replicates. The main plots were the varieties and the secondary plots the levels of insecticide treatments. Three varieties of each cereal crop were tested and the insecticide Lambda-cyhalothrin (15 g/l) + Acetamiprid (10 g) was used in three levels of protection: no insecticide application, 4 insecticide applications and 6 insecticide applications. The results showed that the highest average infestation rate was recorded on maize (50.27% of the plants attacked), followed by sorghum (38.61%) and millet (33.19%) in 2020. In 2021, these rates were 41.38%, 26.80% and 26.38% for maize, sorghum and millet, respectively. The average damage score on the Davis scale associated with maize cobs was 2.13 in 2020 in control plots, 1.74 in plots receiving 4 times the insecticide and 1.54 in those receiving 6 times the insecticide. In 2021, the same trend was observed. S. frugiperda infestation on grain of the three crops studied were only recorded on maize, leading to yield losses of around 22.19% in 2020 and 22.18% in 2021.These results may help technical and political decision-makers in the management policy of S. frugiperda, in Burkina Faso.

Geographical Spatial Distribution and Population Density of Wheat Stem Sawfly, Cephus pygmeus, in Wheat Fields in Southeastern, Eastern, and Northeastern Regions of Türkiye

The wheat stem sawfly (Cephus pygmeus) is a major pest of wheat crops in many regions of the world, including Eastern Türkiye. This study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution and population density of wheat stem sawfly in Eastern Türkiye and to evaluate the damage caused by this pest on wheat yield and quality. A total of 120 wheat fields were surveyed in six provinces of Eastern Türkiye during the 2018 growing season. The results showed that the population density of wheat stem sawflies varied significantly among the surveyed fields, with an average infestation rate of 37.4%. The highest infestation rate was recorded in the province of Kilis (62.5%) and Diyarbakır (61.9%), while the lowest was in the province of Ağrı (8.3%). The study also identified some factors that affect the population density of wheat stem sawflies, including host plants (mainly wheat, barley, and rye), altitude, temperature, and geographical structure such as mountains and forests. These findings provide valuable information for developing effective management strategies to control wheat stem sawfly populations and minimize the damage caused by this pest in Eastern Türkiye, especially Southeastern Anatolia Region.

Risk analysis of Apis mellifera colony losses and health assessment in Albania from 2021 to 2023

The research relevance is determined by the decline of bee populations in Albania, as the need to understand the dynamics of colony loss and the factors contributing to it is of paramount importance. The study aimed to comprehensively investigate the prevalence and main causes of colony losses, with special attention to Varroa mite infestation, Nosema disease, viral pathogens, pesticides, and bacterial infections. Using the stratified sampling method, 15,493 beekeepers of different ages and experiences participated in the study. Both electronic and face-to-face surveys were used to collect data on bee family losses, management practices and environmental factors affecting bee health. In addition, monitoring programmes allowed a detailed assessment of bee family health and environmental conditions in the apiary, providing valuable information on temporal trends and patterns. The findings indicate alarming rates of Varroa mite infestation, prevalence of Nosema and a complex interplay of factors contributing to colony loss, particularly during the summer and winter months. For example, Varroa mite infestation was found in 61% of the 29,474 bee samples collected during summer sampling, with rates ranging from 0.5% to 70.2%. Similarly, during autumn sampling, 65% of 43,037 bee samples contained Varroa mites, with an average infestation rate of 5.3%. Moreover, Nosema disease is also a complex problem, with clinical prevalence ranging from 0.1% in autumn to 1.3% in summer and spring. These key figures highlight the urgent need to develop effective strategies to reduce Varroa mite infestation and Nosema disease, thereby maintaining bee populations and ecosystem health. The results of the study make a valuable contribution to bee management and policy development, emphasising the importance of holistic approaches to maintaining bee health and resilience in Albania

Occurrence, Distribution, Damage Potential, and Farmers’ Perception on Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith): Evidence from the Eastern Himalayan Region

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a polyphagous non-native pest identified as a serious threat to crop production and food security globally, including in India. Its unintentional introduction and quick coverage in large areas is a serious concern to millions of farmers in the eastern Himalayan region. However, detailed understanding of farmers’ perceptions and the biological attributes associated with the meteorological factors for FAW is limited. The present investigation, which aimed to create baseline data on this pest, concurs with the idea that the FAW is widely dispersed throughout the maize ecosystems of Tripura, with an average infestation rate of 21.33 percent. The severity ranged from 0 to 1.40, with an average leaf damage score of 1 on a 0–4 categorical scale. The findings indicate that pheromone trap catch was significantly correlated with the evaporation rate as other meteorological factors influenced variably. The biological attributes imply that the life cycle was completed in 32.82 ± 0.08 days, with a high fecundity potential (1068.57 ± 4.35 numbers) in controlled conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 5% RH). Indigenous natural enemies, such as entomopathogens, spiders, and wasps, were found to be the first defence against this invasive pest. A minority of the population (17.51%) was aware of the incidence of FAW. Furthermore, respondents’ socio-demographic variables were associated significantly with FAW status. This is the first scientific report from the eastern Himalayan region about farmers’ knowledge and awareness of the invasiveness of FAW. This finding enumerates a detailed understanding of FAW from diverse perspectives. Further, the concerted data provide an important baseline that could help the development of holistic management strategies for FAW.

Efficiency of Some Plant Extracts, Pesticides and the Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in Controlling the Tomato Moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in the Field

Raad, M.F., S.Z. Baker and A.A. Kareem. 2023. Efficiency of Some Plant Extracts, Pesticides and the Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in Controlling the Tomato Moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in the Field. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(2): 127-133. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-41.2.127133 A field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Conocarpus erectus leaf and Illicium verum extracts, Belt 480 SC and Movento 100 SC and the Metarhizium anisopliae (WP) biological preparation in controlling the tomato moth T. absoluta on the tomato cultivar Ahlam. The results obtained showed that all treatments were able to reduce fruit infestation rate, leaf mining level and severity of infestation by the insect. The combined treatment of M. anisopliae + Movento was superior by preventing fruit infestation, with the lowest leaf mining level and infestation severity, which amounted to 0.00, 6.00 and 0.5%, respectively, four weeks after treatment. The general average of the same treatment was 3.41, 9.08 and 0.77%, respectively, and the combined treatment (Belt + M. anisopliae) came second in the average fruit infestation rate (7.74%) and third in leaf-mining level, and infestation severity, which amounted to 12.41 and 1.10%, respectively. However, the Movento 100 SC treatment ranked third in fruits infestation rate and second in leaf-mining level which reached 8.08 and 10.49%, respectively, and it did not differ significantly from the combined treatment M. anisopliae + Movento in infestation severity with an average of 7.30%, whereas the treatment star anise + M. anisopliae ranked third, with an average infestation severity of 30.9%. Keywords: T. absoluta, insecticides, M. anisopliae, Conocarpus erectus, star anice

ANALYSIS OF ASPECTS OF THE CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANIC COCOA PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND PRODUCERS PERCEPTION OF THE USE OF BOTANICAL PESTICIDES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF COCOA MIRIDS IN TOGO

Cocoa mirids are the main insect pests of the crop in Togo. In order to contribute to a sustainable management of these pests, the present study aimed at analyzing some aspects of the cocoa production system in conventional and organic farming and evaluating the perception of producers on the use of botanical pesticides as a means of control. Thus, a survey questionnaire was administered to 178 producers, including 96 conventional cocoa producers and 82 organic cocoa producers. The producers surveyed occured in 27 villages in the prefectures of Agou, Akebou, Kloto and Wawa. The results showed that about 98% of conventional cocoa farmers and 100% of organic cocoa farmers mentioned mirids as major pests of the crop. The average infestation rate of the plantations was estimated at 40.79 ± 25.72% in conventional cocoa production and 44.93 ± 26.92% in organic cocoa production. The related average losses are respectively 13.09 ± 8.58% and 17.39 ± 10.93% in conventional and organic cocoa production. As a means of control, 98.93% of producers in conventional cocoa production versus 65.06% in organic cocoa production use at least one insecticide. Three (3) classes of chemical insecticides are used in conventional cocoa production: Neonicotinoids (48.15%), pyrethrinoids (41.66%) and organophosphates (10.18%). In organic cocoa production, Azadirachtaindica is the plant most used for mirid control. 31.71% of producers use Neem oil against 17.05% and 15.85% who use its leaves and seeds respectively. Regarding producer adherence, 81.96% of conventional and 91.46% of organic cocoa farmers believe that local plant-based bioinsecticides can help to control cocoa mirids 68.75% and 71.95% of these two respective groups are willing to use them if they are effective and affordable.

Study of the Factors Affecting Infestation Rate with Olive Moth Prays oleae (Bernard, 1788) in Three Olive Growing Locations Along the Syrian Coast

Wassouf, Y., A.N. Bashir and Gh. Ibrahim. 2022. Study of the Factors Affecting Infestation Rate with Olive Moth Prays oleae (Bernard, 1788) in Three Olive Growing Locations Along the Syrian Coast. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 40(3): 193-200. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-40.3.193200 This study aimed to investigate the effect of the most important factors affecting the infestation rate with the olive moth, Prays oleae (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), in three olive growing locations in Lattakia and Tartus Governorates (Al-Sawda, Ain Shiqaq and AlBarqiah). The study was carried out during the period 2019-2020. Results obtained showed that the location had an effect on the infestation rate, and the highest average infestation rate was 33.53% in Al-Barqiah location, followed by 20.86% in Ain Shkak, and the lowest was 16.65% in Al-Sawda location. Results obtained also showed that the insect generation had an effect on the olive moth infestation rate; infestation of the phyllophagous generation was the highest, followed by the antophagous generation and the carpophagous generation in the three locations. The x2 (Chi-square) test showed that there were significant differences between the infestation rate and the total number of biological enemies, the number of predators and the parasitism rate in the three locations. Keywords: Biological factors, olive moth, predators, parasitoids, Ain Shkak, A-Sawda, Al-Barqieh, Syria

Prevalence of intestinal parasite among patients attending two hospitals in French Guiana: A 6-year retrospective study.

IntroductionIntestinal parasitic diseases are a global health problem. Due to its equatorial climate, vast territory with isolated areas and the precariousness of its population, intestinal parasitosis is considered to be a major issue in French Guiana but only few data are available and these mainly focus on specific population. We aimed at determining the parasitic index and at describing the characteristics of these infections in order to develop preventive strategies.Material and methodsWe retrospectively analysed all the parasitological samples recorded in the register of the two main laboratories of French Guiana between 2011 and 2016. The parasitic index was the percentage of parasitised patients in comparison with the total number of subjects studied. A patient who underwent several positive parasitological examinations was considered only once in the analysis at the time of the first sampling.ResultsA total of 15,220 parasitological samples of 9,555 patients were analysed and 2,916 were positive in 1,521 patients. The average infestation rate and parasitic index were 19.2% and 16.0%, respectively. The parasitic index remained stable between 2011 (18.2%) and 2016 (18.3%). The patients were mainly men (66.4%), with a median age of 33.0 years (26.3% of patients were under 18 years of age) and lived mainly in the Central Agglomeration (48.2%) and in West Guiana (37.4%). Hookworms were the most common parasite (25.2%) followed by Entamoeba coli (13.3%), Strongyloides stercoralis (10.9%) and Giardia intestinalis (10.8%). Among the infected patients, 31.0% presented mixed infections and 67.5% of them had at least one pathogenic parasite. The patients aged from 0 to 18 years presented significantly more polyparasitism (30.9%) than monoparasitism (24.3%, p<0.001). Ancylostoma sp and Strongyloides stercoralis were mainly diagnosed during the rainy season (59.5% and 64.7% respectively), in men (78.6% and 81.1% respectively) and in patients aged from 18 to 65 years (86.6% and 76.6% respectively) whereas, Giardia intestinalis infected mostly children under 5 years (59.5%) of age.ConclusionAlthough it may not be representative of the entire Guyanese population, the parasitic index remained high and stable from 2011 and 2016 and it justifies the need for an active prevention program as it was already done in the other French overseas departments such as Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Prevalence of Demodex spp. in eyelashes of a university’s population in Santiago, Chile

Abstract Objective To determine the presence of Demodex spp. in the eyelashes’ pilosebaceous unit in volunteers of one campus of a private university. Materials and Methods The volunteers underwent anamnesis, biomicroscopic study and samples were taken of 8 eyelashes, 2 of each eyelid of both eyes. The eyelashes were mounted on a slide and observed under a light microscope to determine the presence and quantity of mites. Results 200 volunteers were recruited, determining the prevalence of Demodex spp. in 54 (27%) of them. Of the positive cases, 40 (74.1%) presented signs and/or symptoms of blepharitis, 43 (79.7%) presented the mite in one eye and an average infestation rate of 0.65 Demodex spp. per eyelash was obtained. Conclusions Approximately one in four of the volunteers studied without a diagnosis of blepharitis was a carrier of the parasite, of which a significant percentage presented some type of sign and/or symptom of this pathology which was related to a higher rate of infestation (p

Tick burden on European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Saxony, Germany, and detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus in attached ticks.

Southern Germany is known as tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) risk area; however, the north of the country is almost free of human TBE cases. Due to its location in the transition zone between TBE risk areas and areas with only sporadic cases, Saxony is of importance in the surveillance of TBE. Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), showing high seroprevalence of TBE virus (TBEV) antibodies, are considered to be sentinels for TBE risk assessment. Thus, roe deer could be used as indicators helping to better understand the focality of the TBEV in nature and as a possible source to isolate TBEV. Therefore, the aims of this study were to examine roe deer coats for the presence of ticks to establish the tick burden and to detect the TBEV in attached ticks. One hundred thirty-four roe deer coats were provided by hunters from the Hunting Association in Saxony (August 2017-January 2019). The coats were frozen at - 80°C and after de-freezing examined on both sides-inside and outside. Attached and nonattached ticks were collected, morphologically identified and tested using real-time RT-PCR for the presence of TBEV. In total, 1279 ticks were found on 48 coats. The predominant species was Ixodes ricinus (99.76%; n = 1276). Three remaining specimens were Ixodes spp. (0.16%, 1 female and 1 nymph) and Dermacentor reticulatus (0.08%, 1 male). The average infestation rate was 26.7 (SD = 69.5), with maximum of 439 ticks per animal. Females were the dominant life stage of ticks (n = 536; 42%), followed by nymphs (n = 397; n = 31.1%), males (n = 175; 13.7%), and larvae (n = 168; 13.2%). Only half of collected ticks were attached (n = 662; 51.8%). TBEV was detected only in one tick out of 1279 tested ticks. It was a female infesting a roe deer from Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountain. The results show that the method used in this study is not sufficient as a sentinel marker to predict TBEV spreading in nature. Although previous studies demonstrated the usefulness of serological testing of roe deer in order to trace TBE-endemic regions, using ticks attached to them to get virus isolates is not productive.

Prevalencia de Demodex spp. en pestañas de una población universitaria en Santiago, Chile

ObjectiveTo determine the presence of Demodex spp. in the eyelashes’ pilosebaceous unit in volunteers of one campus of a private university. Materials and methodsThe volunteers underwent anamnesis, biomicroscopic study and samples were taken of 8 eyelashes, 2 of each eyelid of both eyes. The eyelashes were mounted on a slide and observed under a light microscope to determine the presence and quantity of mites. Results200 volunteers were recruited, determining the prevalence of Demodex spp. in 54 (27%) of them. Of the positive cases, 40 (74.1%) presented signs and/or symptoms of blepharitis, 43 (79.7%) presented the mite in one eye and an average infestation rate of 0.65 Demodex spp. per eyelash was obtained. ConclusionsApproximately one in four of the volunteers studied without a diagnosis of blepharitis was a carrier of the parasite, of which a significant percentage presented some type of sign and/or symptom of this pathology which was related to a higher rate of infestation (p<0.05).

The pomegranate butterfly Deudorix livia (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): an emerging pest on dates in Tunisia

The pomegranate butterfly Deudorix (=Virachola) livia Klug 1834 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) was encountered for the first time infesting dates (Phoenix dactylifera, variety Deglet Nour) in the oasis of Gafsa, Southern Tunisia in September 2011. Larvae of D. livia only caused damage on date fruits at the phenological stages kimiri (green fruits) and khalal (yellow fruits). The average infestation rate of dates was 10%. In addition, 7.1% of the infested fruits dropped to the ground. Damage caused by this insect on dates is described, the current situation in Tunisia is provided and possible control methods in Tunisia are briefly discussed. Although this pest has previously been reported in Tunisia on pomegranate this is the first report of D. livia on dates in the country.

Determination of Population Development and Infestation Rate of The Beet Armyworm [Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] in Sugarbeet Fields in Ilgın (Konya) District

This study was carried out in sugar beet fields (Centrum, Duger and Karakoy) in the center of Ilgin, the district of Konya between the years of 2017-2018. With this study, it is aimed to determine infestation rate, the first adult emergence time, adult population abundance, adult population peaks and adult activity duration in nature, which are essential criteria required for the management of Beet armyworm [ Spodoptera exigua (Lep.: Noctuidae)] in Ilgin. The population development of S. exigua was monitored by sexual attractive pheromone traps. As a result of the study, it was determined that the adults of Spodoptera exigua were first caught in sexual attractive traps in the first half of May. In order to determine the infestation rate caused by the pest, weekly beans were sampled from the period of sugarbeet with 8-10 leaves. The adult population peaked twice during the all years, including June and July. The date when adults were caught in traps was in the first half of September every two years. With these results, it was determined that S. exigua adults were active in nature for at least four months (May-September). The average infestation rate of the fields in 2017-2018 was 0.0- 0.1%, 0.1- 0.1% in Duger and 0.2- 0.2% in Karakoy, respectively. Although the population of the pest does not increase every year, it might create an outbreak in some years. It is recommended that our producers continuously monitor the population of the pest.

Prevalence of lymphatic filariasis in a tribal area of Maharashtra

Background: About 304 million persons are living in the known endemic areas and are exposed to the risk of filariasis. About 22 million persons are harboring microfilaria in their blood and 16 million persons show clinical manifestations. The objective of the study was to study the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis in a tribal area.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out. Night blood smears were obtained between 9-11.30 pm by finger prick method and thick smears were prepared and usual staining procedure was performed. 451 people out of (enumerated) 565 could be covered excluding infants. Diethyl carbamazine (DEC) provocative test was performed the next day by administering 100 mg DEC orally and collecting blood sample after one hour with usual method. DEC could be administered to only 200 individuals in spite of utmost efforts to ensure cooperation.Results: Out of 451 persons examined, 20 (4.4%) were showing clinical manifestations. Overall microfilaria rate was 14.4%. Total endemicity rate was 17.3%. The lowest number of microfilaria was seen in 5 in 20 cumm of blood while the highest count was 78 in the 20 cumm of the blood. 13 smears (20%) showed that microfilaria count was in the range of 41-50. Maximum average infestation rate was 33.3 per 20 cumm of the blood. The most prominent clinical manifestation seen was hydrocele in males constituting 35% of the total clinical cases.Conclusions: The prevalence of filariasis in this tribal area was high. Mf rate was 14.4%. Endemicity rate was 17.3%. Hydrocele was the commonest clinical manifestation.

Occurrence, damage, and population dynamics of the olive fruit fly ( Bactrocera oleae Gmelin) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

The olive is one of the most important crops of the Mediterranean region. Ninety-eight percent of the world?s olive production occurs in this region. However, pest control is a major concern of olive growers, and the olive fruit fly is one of the major economic pests. The aim of this research was to observe their population, infestation rates, and effect on the quality of olive oil. This research included 14 olive groves within 2 different locations. To determine the population dynamics of adult olive fruit flies, 6 yellow sticky traps were placed haphazardly within the tree canopies (approximately 1.5 m in height) of each olive grove between the months of July and December during 2015 and 2016. Results showed that the infestation rate decreases when relative humidity increases (Pearson correlation: -0.597; P = 0.01). On the other hand, negative weak correlation was observed between the altitude and infestation rate (Pearson correlation: -0.206; P = 0.01). Interestingly, positive moderate correlation was determined between average temperature and infestation rate (Pearson correlation: +0.523; P = 0.01). As expected, positive moderate to high correlation (Pearson correlation: +0.735; P = 0.01) was determined between the olive fruit fly infestation rate and oil/acid ratio. This research is the first comprehensive study of olive fruit fly population dynamics and provides valuable information of its ecology within the Mediterranean climate.

New findings on infestation and phenology of Dasineura oleae Angelini (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae): an emerging pest on olive trees in the Palestinian Territories

Dasineura oleae is a gall midge on leaves and branches of olive trees. Due to the scarcity of information regarding to the infestation and phenology of D. oleae on olive trees, the objectives of this research were: (1) to study the pest status of D. oleae and its damage on olive trees, (2) to describe the life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult, (3) to determine the life cycle duration and number of generations per year and (4) to describe the egg laying, larval development, pupation and adult emergence. Results indicated that there was an outbreak of D. oleae in the Palestinian Territories where the average rate of infestation on olive trees was 51.46% and the damage caused by the insect on leaves, branches and inflorescence of infested trees reached at an average infestation rate of 35.88, 22.70 and 26.54%, respectively. Eggs of D. oleae were laid on the lower leaf surface, and the hatched larvae penetrated the tissues underneath and induced galls in which they live and develop until the emergence of adults. D. oleae developed one generation per year in the hilly regions of Palestinian Territories and two generations in the coastal regions of these territories. A full description of the life stages has been provided for the insect. In conclusion, this study provides with new information regarding to the pest status of D. oleae, infestation and development of the insect on the different organs of olive trees. These findings are necessary for the insect management and its control.

Comportamiento higiénico y nivel de infestación con Varroa destructor de Apis mellifera en la zona centro del Ecuador

Con el propósito de evaluar el comportamiento higiénico (CH) y su relación con las tasas de infestación (TIA) por Varroa destructor de abejas adultas (Apis mellifera), el presente trabajo se realizó en las provincias de Tungurahua y Chimborazo de la República del Ecuador; se muestrearon un total de 85 colonias durante los meses de abril y mayo de 2017. A cada colmena se le determinó el comportamiento higiénico a través de la técnica del perforado; conjuntamente se tomaron muestras para los diagnósticos de detección de varroa por el método de De Jong. Los resultados indican que para el CH los apiarios de Tungurahua y Chimborazo mostraron diferencias significativas (P£0,05), con valores medios de 80,3 % y 73,5 % y una TIA de 5,2 % y 3,13 % sin significancia al U de Mann-Whitney. Las colonias se clasificaron en base al CH obteniéndose tres grupos: alta CH (15 colmenas), intermedia CH (65 colmenas) y baja CH (5 colmenas), se comprobó que el acaro varroa está presente en toda la zona de estudio, con una prevalencia del 86 % de las colmenas (73/85). Se encontraron correlaciones negativas altamente significativas entre la CH y el número de ácaros en etapa forética (r= -0,547), revelando que aquellas colmenas con un mayor CH, presentaron menores cargas parasitarias. Se encontraron diferencias en el comportamiento higiénico de los apiarios de la provincia de Tungurahua y Chimborazo, mientras que se diagnosticaron tasas de infestación medias para estas provincias, comprobando que el acaro varroa está presente en la zona

In search of secondary plants to enhance the efficiency of cabbage seed weevil management

The infestation rate and parasitoid communities of Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were assessed on seven spring sown brassicaceous plant species to find potential secondary plants that might help increase the parasitism rates of this serious oilseed pest. Over the three-year study, the average infestation rate of pods by C. obstrictus remained below 10 % for each plant species. Despite the low pest abundance, C. obstrictus was parasitized by hymenopteran parasitoids on all plant species, except on Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa ((Mill.) Thell.). Parasitism rates were remarkably high: between 33.7 and 70.8 % on average and peaked at 94.7 % on Raphanus sativus (L.) var. oleiformis (Pers.). Not only was the parasitism rate high on R. sativus, but it also had a different parasitoid species composition consisting mainly of egg parasitoids (Mymaridae), while on the other plant species larval parasitoids (Pteromalidae) dominated. These findings are important for planning new sustainable pest management approaches.

Vulvar bilharzia on nine-year old girl: A case report

Introduction: In Senegal, West Africa, the overall prevalence of schistosomiasis varies from 0.3 to 1%. A major focus of schistosomiasis urogenital is known around the banks of the Senegal River where the average infestation rate reached 71.8%. Vulvar location is rare, the case of uro-digestive is even more so. Case Report: It was a girl aged 9, from a village situated on the banks of the Senegal River, received for swollen labia lasting for three years. There was a notion of contact with the river water. At dermatological examination, she had an itchy swelling of the large labia, small labia, clitoris, the groin with a palpation papulonodular, fibrous. There was hyper eosinophilia. Dermal histology showed under an acanthotic epidermis, a granulomatous inflammatory reaction around the dermis of an infestation of viable eggs of Schistosoma species terminal spur characteristic of Schistosoma haematobium. The abdominal-pelvic ultrasound revealed bilateral ureteral hydronephrosis The computed tomography urography without product injection noted an irregular parietal calcification of the bladder, ureters under pyelics, urethra, rectum, sigmoid, and the left colon with segmental dilatation of the ureters. She was put under praziquantel (40 mg/kg in two spaced taken 15 days). The outcome was favorable with a clear regression of swelling after one month. Resection of residual disease was made. Conclusion: We reported a vulvar bilharzia, remarkable by a clinical presentation, an urogenital tract case and the multidisciplinary management.

Molecular genetic analysis of tracheal mite resistance in honey bees

Honey bee resistance to the parasitic tracheal mite Acarapis woodi is known to be mediated by autogrooming. During autogrooming, bees use their midlegs to remove migrating foundress mites, thereby reducing invasion into their tracheae. We investigated the relationship between markers identified by single nucleotide polymorphism association and variation in average colony infestation rates, and in individual bees from a backcrossed mapping population combining tracheal mite-resistant and susceptible lines. We identified a genetic interval that may confer resistance and postulate on potential candidate genes coded in the interval. Three genes, ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR), tyrosine hydroxylase (TyHyd), and Gemin3, are involved in primarily neural pathways and may impact autogrooming. However, inability to validate marker segregation with infestation phenotype in an unrelated population with clear but small differences in tracheal mite resistance shows that SNPs or other genetic markers cannot necessarily be presumed to be functional for marker-assisted selection.