Highest Number Of Larvae Research Articles

Ecology and life cycle of the filter-feeding Amphipsyche meridiana Ulmer 1902 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) in an irrigation canal, central Thailand

Ecology and life cycle of the filter-feeding Amphipsyche meridiana Ulmer 1902 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) in an irrigation canal, central Thailand

Sexual Dimorphism in the Physiopathology and Immune Response during Acute Toxocara canis Infection.

Toxocara canis (T. canis) is a helminth parasite of zoonotic and veterinary health significance that causes the disease known as Toxocariasis. This disease has been associated with conditions of poverty, especially in tropical climate zones throughout the world. Although it rarely causes important clinical manifestations, T. canis can lead to blindness, meningoencephalitis, or other nervous manifestations in humans. Moreover, some studies show its importance in the development of tumor growth, which have been associated with the parasite's ability to modulate the host's immune response. While different studies have evaluated the immune response during this disease, currently, there are no studies where the infection is analyzed from the perspective of sexual dimorphism. To evaluate sex differences in susceptibility, we analyzed lesions and parasite loads in lung and liver at 7 days post-infection. In addition, immune cell subpopulations were analyzed in spleen, mesenteric and peripheral lymph nodes. Finally, the production of cytokines and specific antibodies were determined in the serum. Statical analyses were performed using a Two-way ANOVA and a post-hoc Bonferroni multiple comparison test. Female rats had a higher number of larvae in the liver, while male rats had them in the lungs. The percentages of immune cells were evaluated, and in most cases, no significant differences were observed. Regarding the cytokines production, infection can generate a decrease in Th1 such as IL-1β in both sexes and IL-6 only in females. In the case of Th2, IL-4 increases only in infected males and IL-5 increases in males while decreasing in females due to the effect of infection. IL-10 also decreases in both sexes as a consequence of the infection, and TGF-β only in females. Finally, the infection generates the production of antibodies against the parasite, however, their quantity is lower in females. This study demonstrates that T. canis infection is dimorphic and affects females more than males. This is due to a polarization of the inadequate immune response, which is reflected as a higher parasite load in this sex.

Intercropping organic broccoli with Rhododendron tomentosum and Fagopyrum esculentum: a test of bottom-up and top-down strategies for reducing herbivory

Brassicaceous plants are attacked by a wealth of specialist herbivores that include the Diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), control of which requires novel biocontrol strategies. DBM is a cosmopolitan pest causing damage that varies yearly in Finland depending on the timing and extent of their migration. Intercropping with companion plants can hamper host location by herbivores or attract their natural enemies. We tested two sustainable companion plant-based protection strategies on field-grown broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), which comprised 1) aromatic and repellent-releasing Rhododendron tomentosum (RT) (bottom-up strategy), and 2) nectar-producing buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum (FE) (top-down strategy) combined with an early-season floating row cover (mechanical control) (MC + FE). In addition, a control (no companion plant or cover) and mechanical control (MC) without FE were included. DBM adults on yellow sticky traps and larvae on plants were counted, and feeding damage on leaves was quantified. Volatile organic compounds emitted by broccoli plants in control and RT plots, and emitted by boundary RT plants in RT plots, were identified and quantified. There was a mass outbreak of DBM in early summer with a population peak in mid-July when the second adult generation emerged. DBM adult densities were significantly lower in RT and MC + FE than in control plots. Broccoli in RT plots had a lower larval density and lower damage intensity than in control plots in the early-season. Larval densities and damage intensities were the highest in the latter half of July. Control plots had the highest number of larvae followed by RT, MC, and MC + FE plots. Damage intensities in control plots were significantly higher than in all other treatments throughout the season. Damage intensity was lower in MC and MC + FE plots than in RT plots at the end-of-July. R. tomentosum emitted two characteristic sesquiterpene alcohols, palustrol and ledol, but no evidence of adsorption and re-release of these compounds from Brassica plants grown in RT plots was found. We conclude that incorporating RT as a boundary plant and using a mechanical row cover reduces DBM damage on broccoli, but further multi-year trials under varying degrees of pest pressure are needed.

Modelling the factors affecting the spatiotemporal distribution of cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala) larvae in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in the UK.

Cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB; Psylliodes chrysocephala L.) management in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) has become an urgent issue in the absence of permitted and effective insecticides. Understanding the meteorological and management factors affecting their population dynamics has become critical to the development of pest management strategies. The spatio-temporal changes in CSFB larval populations were assessed both in autumn and spring, in the UK from 2003 to 2017 (a period encompassing pre-and post-neonicotinoid insecticide restriction). After the neonicotinoid ban in 2013, the number of larvae both in autumn and spring increased 10-fold in the UK. When neonicotinoids were available, later sown crops contained fewer larvae than early sown crops, and bigger fields had fewer larvae than smaller fields, whereas after the ban, bigger fields tended to have more larvae than smaller fields. Wet and mild/hot Septembers were related with higher numbers of larvae when neonicotinoids were available and with lower larval numbers after the neonicotinoid ban. Low temperatures in December and January combined with high rainfall were related with high numbers of larvae in spring both before and after the neonicotinoid ban. This study will help to produce decision support systems that allow future predictions of regional CSFB population changes and will help growers and consultants to adjust their management methods to reduce the risk of high infestations. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The number of Oesophagostomum spp. larvae recovered in coprocultures varies with media used.

Nodular roundworms (Oesophagostomum spp.) are frequent parasites of the large intestine in several mammal species including humans and pigs, and their study often requires the use of infective larvae produced using several coproculture techniques. However, there is no published comparison of techniques to determine which yields the highest number of larvae. This study compares the number of larvae recovered from coprocultures made with charcoal, sawdust, vermiculite, and water in an experiment repeated twice using feces from a sow naturally infected with Oesophagostomum spp. at an organic farm. A higher number of larvae were recovered from coprocultures using sawdust relative to other types of media used, and this was consistent across the two trials. The use of sawdust to culture Oesophagostomum spp. larvae is rarely reported and our study suggests it can yield higher numbers relative to other media.

Occurrence of the sweet potato hornworm <em>Agrius convolvuli</em> (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in the Haut-Katanga province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Agrius convolvuli (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) is a pest that feeds on young sweet potato leaves causing severe plant defoliation. This study was designed to report for the first time on the occurrence of the pest in the Haut-Katanga province in DR Congo. Survey and observations were conducted during the growing season in ten cities of the Haut Katanga province to detect the presence of A. convolvuli. Fifty-two sweet potato fields were inspected during the season. Larvae and pupae were collected in each city and reared in the laboratory at the University of Lubumbashi, DR Congo. Results revealed that the pest occurs in the province with Lubumbashi and Kasumbalesa being the most highly infested with 18.80±11.36 and 18.71±8.13% of infestation, respectively. The highest number of larvae per field and per plant was recorded in Lubumbashi alone with 18.80±8.04 and 3.80±1.48, respectively. Classification of sweet potato leaf damage indicated that Kasumbalesa, Sakania and Lubumbashi had high levels of damage. Positive relationships were observed between infestation rate and number of larvae per field (R2=0.3069; t=4.705; p<0.0001) but also between infestation rate and number of larvae per plant (R2=0.4478; t=6.368; p<0.0001). The findings of the current study suggest that A. convolvuli could be a potential threat to sweet potato production in the Haut-Katanga province.

Reliability of Pheromone Trap Catches and Maize Plant Damage as Criteria for Timing Fall Armyworm Control Interventions in Humid Forest Agroecology of Central Africa.

Control of fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) since its invasion of Africa still depends on pesticides. Early detection of adults is considered the key to the success of larvae control in the crop field. However, FAW control thresholds based on current monitoring techniques are not well established in Africa. We investigated the efficacy of moth capture frequencies and FAW incidence levels as decision tools for FAW management. Experiments were conducted over two maize cropping seasons during which FAW incidence, severity, and larvae count were recorded during destructive sampling after the application of a homologated insecticide. During the first season, the FAW incidence ranged from 37.5 ± 5.6% in the 25% incidence threshold treatment to 48.1 ± 8.1% in the control. During the second season, the incidence was significantly lower in the 25% incidence threshold treatment (55.8 ± 5.7%) compared with the control (75.7 ± 3.0%). Over the two seasons, no significant difference in FAW damage severity was recorded between the treatments and control. The highest number of larvae per plant (4.0 ± 0.6) was observed in the 10% incidence threshold treatment. Insecticide application did not consistently contribute to reducing FAW incidence and observed plant damage did not translate into yield loss. FAW control needs further investigation to establish a threshold above which damage translates into yield loss, thus necessitating control intervention.

Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Species Composition of Malaria Mosquitoes in Selected Districts of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia

The highest malaria transmission risk as stratified by annual parasite incidence, appears largely in Benishangul Gumuz region, the lowland and midlands of the western border with Sudan and South Sudan. The effectiveness of malaria vector control strategy depends on knowledge of factors that determine vector density and distribution, affecting adult Anopheles vector population dynamics and malaria transmission. This study aimed to investigate the spatial-temporal distribution and species composition of Anopheles mosquitos in western Ethiopia. The study was conducted in three districts of Assosa Zone (Assosa, Homosha and Bambasi), Benishangul Gumuz regional state. Adult and larva of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected using standard techniques after the long rainy season (October 2020-December 2020) and Dry season (January to February 2021). After collection, the data were analyzed using SPSS software. A total of 2063 Anopheles mosquitoes (1745 larvae and 318 adults) were collected during the study period and categorized into five Anopheles species (An. gambiae, An. funestus, An. coustani, An. ziemanni, and An. squamosus). Among all species An. gambiae s.l. (1548, 88.7%) was the predominant species while An. squamous (14, 0.8%) was the least dominant. From the three districts, the highest Anopheles mosquito specimens were collected from Bambasi (917, 52.6% larval and 126, 39.6% adult). And out of all collection months, the highest number of larvae and adult mosquitoes was collected during October. Among larval breeding habitats, pond was highly productive for Anopheles mosquitoes. Anopheles mosquitoes prefer to breed in all breeding sites, particularly temporary and sunlit habitats. Anopheles gambiae s.l. predominantly occurs during all seasons in its immature and mature stages, suggesting that malaria is a health problem in the area.

Vertical migration of Haemonchus sp. infectant larvae on Stylosanthes spp. and Brachiaria brizantha (Syn. Urochloa brizantha) cv. Marandu forage

The present work aimed to evaluate the influence of Stylosanthes spp. (Campo Grande© styles) and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu in the vertical migration of Haemonchus spp. infective larvae, in the region of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Seeds of Stylosanthes spp. and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu were planted in 50 pots of five liters (20 cm diameter) evenly disposed in an area of the Capim Branco Experimental Farm, Federal University of Uberlândia. When both species reached the minimum height of 20 cm, the pots were experimentally contaminated with sheep feces coprocultures. Samplings were performed, with complete removal of the vegetal material contained in the pots, on days one, three, six, 10 and 14 after contamination. Nematoids were recovered from the plant samples by thermo and hydrotropism, counted under an optical microscope and identified. For statistical analysis, the data were analyzed in a completely randomized design (DIC) in a 2X5 factorial scheme (two fodder species X 5 collection dates). No effect of the forage species was observed on the number of L3 of Haemonchus sp. recovered in the feces (p = 0.7790), upper stratum (p = 0.1755) or lower stratum (p = 0.7883) of the forage, however, there was a significant decrease in the number of L3 found with the passing of the days. When comparing the mean L3 recovered in the upper (0.06±0.31 L3) and lower (2.94±0.39) strata, a higher number of larvae was observed in the lower stratum (p < 0.0001). Therefore, in both forage species studied, the upper stratum of the plants, preferably pastured by the animals, remained with less contamination of infective larvae and the contamination tended to decrease over the days.

Evaluation of mosquito ovitraps in different localities of Multan

The objective of the study was to check the efficacy of ovitraps and assess whether variation in the breeding habitat type and water quality parameters can affect the abundance of larvae in an ovitrap. This study was conducted in different localities of Multan including Awami Nursery near High Court, Canal colony old Bahawalpur road, Nishter colony, Nishter hospital Multan, Bblock MRI research area MNS-University of Agriculture Multan (MNS-UAM). A pair of ovitraps was placed in each locality. Data was collected on weekly basis to determine the presence of mosquito larvae; the collected specimens were brought to laboratory for identification purpose. The data so collected was analyzed statistically by using SPSS-16. Results of this study have shown that a total of 12,377 mosquito larvae including three species; Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. vagans, Cx. fuscocephala were collected from the ovitraps out of which Cx. quinquefasciatus (5815) found most abundant. Highest number of larvae was recorded during the month of October. Culex vagans, Cx. fuscocephala, Cx. quinquefasciatus were found the most abundant species during the months of October and November. Among various water types in ovitraps, Cx. quinquefasciatus found in excessive quantity than Cx. vagans in ovitraps containing turbid water whereas Cx. vagans found more abundant in turbid foul. Culex fuscocephala was recorded in lesser number than Cx. quinquefasciatus in turbid foul water. It was concluded that ovitrap is a good surveillance technique to monitor mosquito population.

Implication of types of feeds combined goat manure for preference black soldier fly (BSF) : Hermetia illucens L

Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomydae) called black soldier fly (BSF) has an important role in the degradation of organic waste or bioconversion activity. The current study compared some types of feeds to preference BSF to eggs laid and the implication of the number of larvae and the size of pupae produced, the percentage of larvae that became adults. Type of feeds is rice bran, mixture of fruits waste, agricultural waste, vegetable waste and household waste. The type of feeds mixed with goat mature. The study reports that Black Soldier Fly (BSF) produced the hightest number of egg colonies in household waste (6 colonies) then vegetable waste (5 colonies), bran (4.3 colonies), fruits waste (3.3 colonies) and the lowest on agricultural waste (1 coloni). The highest number of larvae was in bran (4783), then household waste (1942), vegetable waste (1511), fruits waste (983) and the lowest in agricultural waste (276). The longest pupa size is in fruits waste (2 cm), household waste (1.96 cm), vegetable waste 1,84 cm), bran (1.51 cm), and the lowest is in agricultural waste (1.46). the highest number of imago was in the bran (2266 heads), vegetable waste (396 heads), fruits waste (95 heads), agricultural waste (674.3 heads) and the lowest was in household waste (661.3 heads)

Effect of immigration time and beetle density on development of the cabbage stem flea beetle, (Psylliodes chrysocephala L.) and damage potential in winter oilseed rape

In a semi-field net cage experiment set up in three growing seasons (2015–2018) at Julius-Kühn Institute Braunschweig, Germany, the influence of different release times of adult cabbage stem flea beetles, Psylliodes chrysocephala (early September, mid-September, early October) and different beetle densities (6.7, 13.3 and 20 beetles/m2) on reproduction and damage potential in winter oil seed rape was investigated. In parallel to the cage trials, the number of deposited eggs was assessed in small boxes exposed in the field. Beetles released in early September laid significantly more eggs compared to beetles released early October, with a maximum of 270 eggs per female. The early release of beetles resulted in significantly higher numbers of larvae in autumn, but this differed significantly between the years. Warm autumn or winter conditions led to continued egg laying and development, whereas cold conditions stopped the reproduction. Significant yield losses (25%) and significant plant losses during winter were only found in 2016/17 in treatments with an early release of high numbers of beetles (20 beetles /m2). The German damage threshold of 3–5 larvae per plant was reached when 13 beetles/m2 were released before 20th September and 20 beetles per m2 after 20th September. Data of this study can be used for a better damage prediction and a more targeted beetle control.

Effect of Beauveria bassiana-Seed Treatment on Zea mays L. Response against Spodoptera frugiperda

Spodoptera frugiperda is a widely distributed insect pest that causes major economic losses in various crops, particularly maize. On the other hand, Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus that establishes symbiotic associations with many plants and contributes to tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present work, in laboratory experiments, the effects of the B. bassiana strain GHA, in addition to a native strain (PTG4), delivered via seed treatment in maize seedlings, were evaluated on S. frugiperda growth, development, and mortality. We inoculated maize seeds with 1 × 106B. bassiana blastospores; then these seeds were germinated and grown to seedlings under growth chamber conditions. Third-instar S. frugiperda larvae were allowed to feed on B. bassiana-treated and -untreated (negative control) seedlings until reaching the sixth instar and transferred to an artificial diet until reaching adult stage. Results showed that larvae feeding on B. bassiana strain PTG4-treated plants prolonged their larval stage. Furthermore, feeding on plants treated with B. bassiana strains yielded fewer S. frugiperda male moths compared with feeding with the untreated control plants. Under field conditions, 1 × 106 (first trial) and 1 × 108 (second trial) of B. bassiana (GHA strain) blastospores were used for corn seed inoculation. In the first field trial, there were a higher number of larvae in the negative control plants compared to those in the plants treated with B. bassiana. No larvae were found in negative control and B. bassiana-treated plants in the second field trial. In conclusion, seed treatment with B. bassiana in maize reduced S. frugiperda infestation of maize plants in field trials. S. frugiperda development was also affected in laboratory trials.

Influence of competition and predation on survival of the hydrilla tip mining midge and its success as a potential augmentative biological control agent of hydrilla

Hydrilla verticillata is an aquatic weed that grows densely throughout the water column and is costly to manage. The hydrilla tip mining midge, Cricotopus lebetis, a potential augmentative biological control agent of hydrilla, feeds on the apical meristem preventing growth. The goal of this study was to quantify the influence of a predator (mosquitofish, Gambusia sp.) and a competitor (hydrilla leafcutter moth, Parapoynx diminutalis) and their interactions, on the ability of the midge to survive and feed on hydrilla. The first experiment involved six treatments established in 37.8 L tanks with combinations of the organisms, including larval C. lebetis. Survival to adult midge eclosion was significantly reduced in the presence of the predator but was unaffected by the competitor’s presence alone. Apical meristem damage was reduced when both the competitor and predator were present. The second experiment included four treatments with C. lebetis egg masses or larvae and the presence or absence of mosquitofish. Adding C. lebetis as eggs rather than as larvae increased midge survival in the absence of the predator. Midge survival was lower when larvae were added, but the predator had no additional effect. To facilitate successful establishment of the midge and control of hydrilla, high numbers of larvae should be released to overcome predation.

Broodstock cultivation of the yellow seahorse, Hippocampus kuda Bleeker, in the aquarium culture system

To improve the yield and survival rate of the offspring, the broodstock cultivation methods of the yellow seahorse, Hippocampus kuda Bleeker, were assessed, including the temperature conditions, diets, culture density and mono-or mixed-sex culture. Feeding parent seahorses with live food increased fecundity, and culture density of more than two pairs of parents during mating improved the survival rate of both sexes and decreased the production cycle. Additionally, separate culture of males and females prior to mating improved fecundity as well as the survival rate of juveniles. A higher number of larvae per batch was produced at 26 °C than at 30°C and 22°C, whereas seahorse production occurred at a higher frequency at 30 °C than in the lower temperature treatments. These results suggest that the optimal culture conditions for H. kuda are as follows: provide live food when cultivating seahorse broodstock, use equal proportions of males and females during mating, use monosex culture at other times, and maintain seawater temperature of 26 °C.

Effect of different doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone on stripping response and reproductive performance of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different doses injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone on stripping response and reproductive performance of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). African catfish spawners were intramuscularly injected with different doses of HCG (500, 1500, 3000, 6000 IU/kg female); males were injected at half the female dose. The results showed that fish group injected by 6000 IU/ kg female had the highest ovaries weight and gonadsomatic index, but, recorded the lowest value from ovulated egg diameter. The lower latency period was recorded with 6000 IU/ kg female (12 h). While, the highest latency period were in 500, 1500 IU/ kg (28 h) and 3000 IU/ kg (22 h). The number of fertilized eggs/ female and fertilization rate (%) were significantly different (P£0.05) among the experimental treatments, with the highest number of fertilized eggs/ female and fertilization rate were observed with 6000 IU/ kg female (60848 fertilized eggs/ female with 84.45%) and the lowest number of fertilized eggs/ female and fertilization rate were presented with 500 IU/ kg female (3372 fertilized eggs/ female with 10.15%). The number of larvae/ female and hatching rate showed significant differences (P£0.05) among different level of HCG hormone with the highest number of larvae and hatching rate with 6000 IU/ kg female (49657 larvae/ female with 81.45%) followed by those 3000 IU/ kg female (43177 larvae/ female with 73.65%), 1500 IU/ kg female (12099 larvae/ female with 57.9 %), while the incubation eggs of group injected with 500 IU/ kg female don’t show any hatching larvae. It was observed, HCG hormone has successfully and accelerate induced spawning in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)and increased in reproductive performance with the increase in HCG dosage.

Distribution of Toxocara cati larvae in experimentally infected BALB/c mice

The experimental infection of mice with Toxocara cati provides one of the best models for pathological and immunological study of the visceral larva migrans syndrome. To broaden our knowledge of T. cati larval migration, BALB/c mice were inoculated with 500 embryonated eggs of T. cati for a period of two months.In the present study, T. cati eggs, obtained from faeces of naturally infected cats, were used for infection. After oral infection of 500 embryonated eggs of T. cati, mice were euthanised at 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 70 days post-infection (dpi) in groups of three per day. Systemic cytokine patterns of Th2 cytokines were evaluated 1 and 2 months after the experimental challenge using sandwich ELISA.The mean number of larval recovery from all infected mice was 16.53 % during infection. The highest number of larvae was obtained from the liver at 1 and 2 dpi; from lungs at 2 dpi and from the brain at 28 dpi. In muscles, the highest recovery rates of T. cati were obtained at 28 dpi. Our data showed that experimental infection with T. cati induced Th2 responses during the infection. In addition, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 levels increased significantly in the sera of the infected mice compared to the control group.Larval persistence of T. cati in the muscle of BALB/c mice and its migration behaviour highlights the important role of mouse as a paratenic host in the parasite life cycle and the host-parasite relationships, especially in human toxocariasis.

Comparison of novaluron, pyriproxyfen, spinosad and temephos as larvicides against Aedes aegypti in Chiapas, Mexico.

To compare the efficacy of three modern larvicides with the organophosphate temephos for control of Aedes aegypti in water tanks in Chiapas. Trials were performed to compare the efficacy of pyriproxyfen, novaluron, two formulations of spinosad (granules and tablets) and temephos in oviposition traps and domestic water tanks. Pyriproxyfen and temephos provided 2-3 weeks of complete control of larvae in oviposition traps, whereas spinosad granules and novaluron provided 7-12 weeks of control. Treatment of water tanks resulted in a significant reduction in oviposition by Ae. aegypti in houses (p<0.001). Higher numbers of larvae were present in temephos and pyriproxyfen-treated water tanks compared to novaluron and spinosad tablet treatments during most of the study. Spinosad formulations and novaluron were effective larvicides in this region. The poor performance of temephos may be indicative of reduced susceptibility in Ae. aegypti populations in Chiapas.

Maize Infestation of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Within Agro-Ecological Zones of Togo and Ghana in West Africa 3 Yr After Its Invasion.

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) invaded several West African countries in 2016 causing severe injury to maize plants and economic damage. This study assesses variations in the occurrence of this species in different Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) in Togo and Ghana during the 3 yr following its discovery. The surveys were conducted on 120 farms in Togo and 94 farms in Ghana by collecting larvae from 200 maize plants per hectare. Infestation levels were 68.46% in 2016, 55.82% in 2017, and 17.76% in 2018. The number of larvae recorded per hectare and infestation levels were higher in Togo than in Ghana. The lowest number of collected larvae and infestation levels of S. frugiperda were in 2018, compared to the other 2 yr. Larvae per hectare and the infestation level varied regionally inside the two countries. The southern part of Togo (AEZ five) contained higher numbers of larvae and higher infestation levels during the 2 yr following the invasion of the pest. We concluded that infestation levels of S. frugiperda are much lower in 2018 than the two previous years and it is therefore necessary to determine the factors that affect the population dynamics of S. frugiperda in the field, which is a perquisite for developing management interventions.

Observation of Abundant Larval Arctic Shanny (Stichaeus punctatus) in the Western North Atlantic, Found in the Waters of the Isles of Shoals, Maine, USA

Information about the life history of larval fishes can be sparse, especially at the edges of typical geographic ranges and among fishes for which there is no commercial fishery. We report a new observation of larval Arctic Shanny (Stichaeus punctatus) far south of their typical geographic range in the western North Atlantic. Only two previous records of adult of S. punctatus have been documented in this region, and there has only been one previous report of larvae in US Atlantic waters. From May through July 2018, we observed large numbers of larval S. punctatus by night-lighting off a dock at Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island, Maine, in the Gulf of Maine. We include approximations of catch per unit effort (number of larvae per ten-minute sampling interval) throughout the sampling period and information regarding identifying features. The high number of larvae seen could indicate that the Isles of Shoals is a spawning locality for this species and could indicate a future increase in their abundance in the southern Gulf of Maine.