Higher Mean Number Of Eggs Research Articles

Sustainability and scalability of egg consumption in Burkina Faso for infant and young child feeding.

Malnutrition is a significant challenge to the health of women and children in Burkina Faso. Given the critical role of animal source food on the health of infants and young children (IYC), interventions continue to explore the potential for eggs to prevent malnutrition. Using data from the Un Oeuf intervention, which significantly increased IYC egg consumption, combined with quantitative and qualitative data from endline and 3-month follow-up, we explore the barriers and facilitating factors to IYC egg consumption and the sustainability and scalability of the intervention. Child egg consumption was high at follow-up in the Control, Partial, and Full Intervention arms (83.3, 88.2%, and 100, respectively). The Full Intervention arm had the highest mean number of eggs consumed (2.9, 2.6, and 5.7), which reflected a slight reduction from endline (6.2). All participants owned chickens at follow-up (100%), however, flock size varied. The Full Intervention arm had more chickens (mean 8.8) than the Control (5.1) or Partial Intervention (6.2) arms, which was a 50% reduction in below endline (18.5 chickens). Qualitative results indicate that chicken ownership, education about the nutritional value of eggs, and spousal support facilitated IYC egg consumption. Barriers included egg production, cultural taboos, and animal health. Motivational factors reported included the observed improvement in child health, increased availability of mothers' time, and mothers' financial independence. Knowledge sharing within the Full and Partial Intervention groups was widely reported, and the sustainability of IYC egg consumption was reinforced by accountability among mothers and to community leaders, flipbooks distributed during the project, and high motivation. Main findings indicate that mothers who received the full Un Oeuf intervention were able to overcome barriers to feeding their child an egg daily, were able to improve their livelihood, were motivated to continue feeding their child eggs, and saw the addition of eggs into the child's diet as sustainable. Future nutrition sensitive agriculture interventions should consider tailoring this approach for other LMIC contexts. Future research is needed to explore a possible threshold in the number of household chickens necessary to continuously feed a child an egg a day.

Biting rhythm and demographic attributes of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) females from different urbanized settings in Penang Island, Malaysia under uncontrolled laboratory conditions.

Urbanization could potentially modify Aedes albopictus’ ecology by changing the dynamics of the species, and affecting their breeding sites due to environmental changes, and thus contribute to dengue outbreaks. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the biting rhythm, fecundity and longevity of adult female Ae. albopictus in relation to urbanization strata; urban, suburban and rural areas in Penang Island, Malaysia. The experiments were done in comparison to a laboratory strain. Twenty-four hours biting activity of all the mosquito strains showed a clear bimodal biting activity, with morning and evening twilight peaks. The interaction effect between biting time and mosquito strains was not significant. Meanwhile, differences in fecundity among mosquito strains were statistically significant (F(3,442) = 10.559, P < 0.05) with urban areas having higher mean number of eggs (mean = 107.69, standard error = 3.98) than suburban (mean = 94.48, standard error = 5.18), and rural areas (mean = 72.52, standard error = 3.87). Longevity of adult females were significantly higher (F(3,441) = 31.259, P < 0.05) for mosquito strains from urban areas compared to the other strains. These findings would provide crucial information for the planning of control programs in Malaysia, particularly Penang.

Susceptibility of different tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L., varieties to infestation with some insect pests in Egypt

BackgroundTomato, Solanum lycopersicum L (=Lycopersicon esculentum Miller), is one of the most economically important crops in the world. In Egypt, tomato is infested with different pests causing damages in both quantity and quality of the yields. Six varieties of tomato, ‘Strain B,’ ‘Beto’, ‘El bandora,’ ‘GS,’ ‘Casterlok,’ and ‘Super strain B’, were evaluated for their susceptibility to some insect pest infestations during summer plantation under field conditions.ResultsAccording to the infestation with Tuta absoluta, the highly susceptible varieties that received the highest number of eggs were El bandora, followed by Strain B, while Super strain was the lowest. The obtained results indicated that the tomato Super strain B variety had much tolerance to the infestation by T. absoluta. GS variety recorded the highest mean number of eggs deposited by Phthorimaea operculella, but no eggs were observed on the leaves of El bandora and Super strain B varieties. Results also indicated that mean number of Liriomyza trifolii larvae/20 leaflets was the highest in Strain B and GS varieties. Strain B variety recorded the highest mean number of Bemisia tabaci eggs and nymphs/20leaflets than GS, which recorded the lowest value. Casterlok variety had the lowest mean number of Aphis gossypii, while, Super strain B and Strain B recorded the highest values.ConclusionsGenerally, all the six tested varieties were susceptible to infestation with several insect pests. The most susceptible variety was Strain B, followed by El bandora and GS while the lowest ones were the varieties Beto 86 and Super strain B.

The spatial distribution and fecundity of sympatric species ofDiplostomum(subclass Digenea) in single-species and mixed-species infections in the intestine of the Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

Interactions between parasite species may influence their distribution and abundance within communities. Experimental single-species infections of Diplostomum spp. in the gut of the definitive host, the Ringed-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis Ord, 1815), were compared with mixed-species infections to explore interactions among parasites. Three species of Diplostomum von Nordmann, 1832 (Digenea), designated as Diplostomum sp. 1, Diplostomum sp. 4, and Diplostomum baeri Dubois, 1937, were examined for intestinal distribution and fecundity in single and mixed infections. In single-species infections, most specimens of Diplostomum sp. 1 and D. baeri were recovered from the mid-region of the intestine, whereas Diplostomum sp. 4 were mainly present in the anterior region. Significant spatial displacement was observed only for D. baeri when Diplostomum sp. 1 was also present. Intensity was directly correlated to the number of occupied intestinal segments, and there was no significant difference in mean linear span for each species between single-species and mixed-species infections. Diplostomum sp. 4 had the highest mean number of eggs per worm in utero in single-species infections. In mixed-species infections, the fecundity of Diplostomum sp. 4 declined dramatically in the presence of Diplostomum sp. 1, whereas fecundity of Diplostomum sp. 1 increased in the presence of D. baeri. These results highlight interspecific interactions that may play a role in population dynamics of Diplostomum spp. and community structure.

Oviposition of Aedes aegypti Linnaeus, 1762 and Aedes albopictus Skuse, 1894 (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory and field conditions using ovitraps associated to different control agents, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of different control agents of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus associated with ovitraps under laboratory and field conditions. Five treatments were used: grass infusion+Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (gI+Bti), grass infusion+Saccharopolyspora spinosa (gI+Ss), grass infusion+Pyriproxyfen (gI+P), distilled water+Toxorhynchites haemorrhoidalis (dW+Th), and grass infusion (gI) (control). The highest mean number of eggs of both species were obtained with grass infusion in the laboratory. Among control agents, the lowest mean of A. aegypti eggs occurred with gI+Ss and the lowest mean of A. albopictus eggs occurred with dW+Th. There was no difference between treatments in A. aegypti (P=0.4320) and A. albopictus (P=0.7179). In the field, the highest mean number of eggs for both species were obtained with gI+Ss, and the lowest values were obtained with gI+P (P=0.0124). The treatments can be applied to both the surveillance and the control, but ovitraps with biological larvicide Bti were more effective and safer considering the number of eggs laid and selectivity of pathogens for mosquitoes.

Oviposition preferences of dengue vectors; Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Sri Lanka under laboratory settings.

Investigations on oviposition behaviour of dengue vectors are critical for effective controlling of vector breeding. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the oviposition behaviour of dengue vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Sri Lanka. Batches of 1000 adult mosquitoes (1 : 1, male: female ratio) housed in rearing cages were used for each experimental setup from Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Oviposition responses with respect to the size of the ovitrap, colours of the ovitrap, water source, sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration and presence/absence of larvae were evaluated by enumerating the number of eggs laid in the ovitraps. The analysis of variance and cluster analysis were used to investigate the significance in the variations among oviposition. The number of eggs laid by both species were improved with the increasing size of ovitraps. Ae. albopictus indicated the highest mean number of eggs in 0.2% of NaCl than in the ovitraps filled with distilled water. However, the egg laying preference was reduced with increasing salinity in both species. Drain water with low dissolved oxygen (DO) level (0.43 ± 0.12 mg l-1) was the preferred water source for both species, while a significantly high oviposition rate was observed in ovitraps with larvae. Black colour ovitraps attracted the majority of gravid females, while white was least preferred. There were no significant variations among oviposition behaviours of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti. The ability of these vectors to breed in waste water with low DO levels may lead them to attain wide dissemination in the natural environment, enhancing their potential threat to human life.

Molecular identification of Heterakis spumosa obtained from brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Japan and its infectivity in experimental mice.

Heterakis spumosa is a nematode of invasive rodents, mainly affiliated with Rattus spp. of Asian origin. Despite the ecological importance and cosmopolitan distribution, little information is available on the genetic characteristics and infectivity to experimental animals of this roundworm. Heterakis isolates obtained from naturally infected brown rats caught in 2007 in the city of Sagamihara, east central Honshu, Japan, and maintained by laboratory passages were subjected to mitochondrial sequence analysis and experimental infection in mice. Sequencing of the cox1 gene revealed that nucleotides of H. spumosa and previously examined Heterakis isolonche isolates from gallinaceous birds in Japan differed by 11.2-12.2% that conforms to the range expected for interspecific differences. The two H. spumosa isolates differed by a single 138T/C non-synonymous substitution in the 393-bp mt sequence. In a dendrogram, the H. spumosa samples formed a subcluster with members of the nematode superfamily Heterakoidea, H. isolonche and Ascaridia galli. In an experimental infection study, ICR, AKR, B10.BR and C57BL/6 mice strains were inoculated with 200 H. spumosa eggs/head and necropsied at 14 and 90 days post-inoculation (DPI) when the number of worms was recorded. Eggs were initially detected in faeces from 32-35 DPI in ICR, AKR and B10.BR mice and the highest mean number of eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) was 4,800 at 38 DPI, 2,200 at 58 DPI and 800 at 44 and 72 DPI in ICR, AKR and B10.BR mice, respectively. No eggs were observed in faeces of the C57BL/6 mouse strain during the experiment. A similar number of juvenile worms were isolated from all mouse strains at 14 DPI, whereas no adult worms were detected in C57BL/6 mice at 90 DPI.

Effects of blood type and blood handling on feeding success, longevity and egg production in the body louse, Pediculus humanus humanus

The effects of feeding different types of human blood to human body lice, Pediculus humanus humanus L. (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae), on feeding success, longevity and numbers of eggs laid were investigated using an artificial blood-feeding system in the laboratory. No significant differences were found between lice fed on different human blood types for any of the parameters tested. However, when lice were fed on human blood of one blood type followed immediately by a different blood type, they took significantly smaller bloodmeals, their longevity was reduced and they laid fewer eggs per female than control lice that had been fed twice on the same human blood type. When lice were fed human blood that had been stored for 1-26 weeks, the quantity of blood taken, the proportion of lice that became fully engorged and lice longevity diminished gradually as the storage time of the blood increased, but there was no effect of storage time on the mean number of eggs laid per female. However, lice would not feed on 26-week-old blood. The type of anticoagulant used had a significant effect on the proportion fed, longevity and number of eggs laid per female. Generally, EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)-treated blood reduced longevity and the number of eggs laid per female to a greater degree than heparinized or citrated blood. Lice fed on rabbit blood took significantly larger amounts of blood, lived longer and laid a higher mean number of eggs per female than lice fed on human blood.

FLOTAC: a new sensitive technique for the diagnosis of hookworm infections in humans

Hookworms infect more than 10% of the world's population, but current diagnostic tools have drawbacks. Our objective was to compare the diagnostic performance of three methods (Kato-Katz, ether concentration and FLOTAC techniques) for hookworm diagnosis. Stool samples were obtained from 102 schoolchildren in Côte d'Ivoire. First, a duplicate 41.7mg Kato-Katz thick smear was prepared. Next, a small portion of stool (mean weight 1.8g) was preserved in sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin and forwarded to a European laboratory. These samples were split in three parts, one processed by an ether concentration technique and two by the FLOTAC technique. All samples were examined by experienced technicians for hookworm eggs using light microscopy. The observed hookworm prevalences as assessed by the FLOTAC, Kato-Katz and ether concentration techniques were 65.7%, 51.0% and 28.4%, respectively. Considering the combined results as the diagnostic 'gold' standard, the FLOTAC technique had a sensitivity of 88.2% compared with 68.4% for the Kato-Katz and 38.2% for the ether concentration techniques. The Kato-Katz method resulted in a significantly higher mean number of eggs per gram of stool (155.8 EPG) compared with the FLOTAC (37.7 EPG) and ether concentration (5.7 EPG) methods. The FLOTAC method shows promise as an important new tool for individual hookworm diagnosis and for rigorous monitoring of helminth control programmes. [Clinical Trial No. ISRCTN21782274].

Reproductive biology in three species of the genusOnitisFabricius 1798 (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Onitini)

The reproductive biology of three species of the genus Onitis Fabricius 1798 was studied in laboratory conditions. The species, O. belial (Fabricius 1789) from Morocco, O. anthracinus Felsche 1907 and O. vanderkelleni Van Lansberge 1886 from Kenya, adopted a tunneler nesting strategy, as is typical of the tribe Onitini. Nevertheless, the same species can adopt different tactics, modifying the shape and depth of the nest, number of brood-masses per couple, and number of eggs laid. However, this study showed that O. vanderkelleni builds a poorly elaborated nest and lays a higher mean number of eggs, while O. belial and O. anthracinus expend a larger amount of energy in the construction of the nest, while reducing the number of eggs laid. KEY WORDS: dung beetles, nesting behaviour, Afrotropical Region, Oriental Region, Palaearctic Region.

Life table studies of Eotetranychus kankitus (Acari: Tetranychidae) at different temperatures

Life table parameters including net reproductive rate (R0), finite rate of increase (λ), doubling time for population (dt) and mean generation time (T) of Eotetranychus kankitus Ehara were studied at five constant temperatures. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of E. kankitus was compared to those of two associated mites on citrus, Panonychus citri (McGregor) and Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez. The highest mean number of eggs 87.96 eggs/female), with daily oviposition rate of 2.06 eggs/female/day, was obtained at 20¡C whereas the highest daily oviposition rate (3.73 eggs/female/day ) was observed at 35°C with a total of 55 eggs produced by each female. At 15°C , the lowest R0 (16.64) and the longest generation time (T=48.62 days) resulted in a lowest rm (0.058) and longest dt (11.95 days). The highest rm (0.223) and λ (1.2493) were obtained at 35°C and population can double in only 3.11 days. The rm values of E. kankitus at the five tested temperatures are lower than those of P. citri and A. exsertus.

Seasonal Activity and Reproduction in the Spring Breeding Groundbeetle Species Agonum dorsale and Brachinus explodens in Hungary (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Seasonal activity, age structure and egg production of 2 spring-breeding ground beetle species, Agonum dorsale (Pontoppidan 1763) and Brachinus explodens Duftschmid 1812, were studied in an abandoned apple orchard near Budapest, Hungary. The activity peak of both species was in May-June, reflecting their spring breeding habits. The reproductive pattems of both were similar. Ripe eggs were found in the ovaries from V-VII. Peak egg numbers and the highest mean number of eggs occurred in the second half of V and the first week of VI. The mean number of eggs in the ovaries was 13.5 eggs/F in B explodens, and 5.4 eggs/F in A dorsale. The egg volume of B explodens, however, was about 25% of the A dorsale egg volume. Although the total egg numbers were similar for the 2 species, the reproductive effort of A dorsale was considerably higher.

Influence of prey density, species and developmental stages on the predatory behaviour ofAmblyseius longispinosus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The influence of prey density, species and developmental stages on the predatory behaviour ofAmblyseius longispinosus (Evans) was studied. A 24 h exposure revealed that gravid females were more voracious compared to young females. The trends in the number of eggs and larvae consumed by each young and gravid female predator were about the same, showing an increase with density of the red and the yellow strains ofT. urticae levelling off at a prey density of 40 per predator. The highest mean number of eggs consumed in 24 h was 16.7 for the young female and 33.3 for the gravid female, and a mean high of 17 larvae in 24 h for the young female and 27.8 for the gravid female. With adult prey, however, the predators reached satiation point at a lower density of five to ten adult prey per female. In general, the response curves were adequately described by the Holling’s Type II model. Under continuous exposure for five days, a significant reduction in consumption was observed with the gravid female from the second day onwards, to a level similar to the number of eggs and larvae consumed by a young female predator.

Reproductive Behavior of the Specialist Predator Elatophilus hebraicus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

The reproductive biology of Elatophilus hebraicus Pericart, the principal predator of Matsucoccus josephi Bodenheimer & Harpaz (Homoptera: Matsucoccidae), was investigated. Oviposition is usually through a stoma. Eggs were laid on both adaxial and abaxial sides along the needle. In the forest usually a few eggs were inserted in a straight line through the adaxial side; additional eggs were observed in needles collected from the north-facing, inner parts of the crown. Females of E. hebraicus were exposed separately to 28 plant species. Adult needles of each of the 17 pine species employed, which consisted of both Haloxylon and Dilpoxylon, served for oviposition and successful neonate hatching. No oviposition took place in juvenile needles of tested pines. Oviposition did not occur in conifer needles other than pine or in needlelike assimilating organs of broad-leaved plants. A possible explanation of the ability of E. hebraicus to recognize pines and reject other plants is discussed. The preoviposition period ranged from 3.8 to 5.1 d. Significant differences were found in length of oviposition periods and life span under different temperature regimes. The highest mean number of eggs per female (202.7) was achieved when development and oviposition occurred at 26°C. At constant 20°C, or 18-28°C outdoors, an average female lived ≈3 mo; oviposition lasted ≈2 mo; and a female's life span was reduced to 5 and 2 wk at constant 26 and 30°C, respectively.

Response of the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis to an oviposition pheromone associated with conspecific eggs

Response of female Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva (Diptera: Psychodidae) to an oviposition attractant and/or stimulant associated with conspecific eggs was investigated in the laboratory. Females of two populations laid significantly higher mean number of eggs on sites with 160 eggs already present than on bare control sites. This response was lost when eggs placed on test sites were previously washed in organic solvents and distilled water. Age of eggs placed on test sites, 1-6 days after being laid, did not seem to affect the oviposition response of the females. Comparing effects of different numbers of eggs, positive responses were obtained when 80, 160 or 320 eggs were placed on test sites. No significant differences between mean egg numbers laid on test sites and controls were detected when batches of only 20 or 40 eggs were used.

Habitat selection, reproduction and survival of two small carabid species on arable land: a comparison between Trechus secalis and Bembidion lampros

In central Sweden, teneral adults of the strictly larval‐overwintering carabid beetle Trechus secalis Paykull started emerging during mid‐June and bred in midsummer (July). In contrast, the strictly adult‐overwintering carabid Bembidion lampros Herbst bred in early summer (June), and the new‐generation emerged in late summer (August). Both species appeared to be univoltine and had a short period of sexual activity (2–3 months). Their main oviposition periods did not overlap, and gravid B. lampros contained a higher mean number of eggs than did gravid T. secalis. Conversely, T. secalis had a longer oviposition period than B. lampros. Prereproductive B. lampros accumulated in high densities along field edges prior to hibernation. The cereal fields appeared to be optimal for reproduction and larval development of both species. Trechus secalis also reproduced in adjacent uncultivated habitats, whereas B. lampros did not. Trechus secalis larvae were completely subterranean, whereas B. lampros larvae were partly surface active. The adaptive significance of their reproductive tactics and habitat preferences as adults and the suitability of cereal fields as habitats for reproduction and survival of populations are discussed.

Effect of various diets (seeds) on development, longevity and fecundity of the cotton seed bug, Oxycarenus gossypinus Distant (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

Studies on the effect of various diets on development, longevity and fecundity of Oxycarenus gossypinus were conducted in the laboratory at temperatures of 25–33°C. The mean periods of nymphal development when reared on seeds of okra, kenaf, roselle and cotton were 15.5, 15.7, 15.8 and 18.1 days, respectively. Mated males lived longer and in decreasing order on okra (59.2 days), roselle (57.5 days) and kenaf (57.3 days) than on cotton (43.5 days). Mated females also lived longer on okra (41.4 days), kenaf (40.1 days) and roselle (39.3 days) than on cotton (32.5 days). Mated females reared on okra seeds laid significantly the highest mean number of eggs per female per day (15.05 ± 0.87 eggs). But the mean number of eggs oviposited when fed on seeds of kenaf (12.9 ± 1.01 eggs) and roselle (10.9 ± 1.18 eggs) was not significant.

Further Contributions to a Knowledge of the Centropagid Genera Boeckella, Hemiboeckella and Calamoecia (Athalassic Calanoid Copepods)

Two new species, Hemiboeckella powellensis and Calarnoecia elongata, and a new subspecies, C. gibbosa newmannensis, are described from Western Australia. Boeckella orientalis Sars from Mongolia is placed in synonymy with B. triarticulata (Thomson) from Australasia. B. saycei Sars is removed from synonymy with B. propinqua Sars and detailed instructions for the discrimination of these two species are given. Further information is supplied for B. nyoraensis Searle, B. opaqua Fairbridge, B. bispinosa Bayly and the C. tasrnanica complex. Species of Boeckella that are restricted to, or characteristic of, temporary waters tend to have a higher mean number of eggs per clutch than do the perennial species of permanent waters. Addition- ally the number of eggs in each clutch may be less variable in temporary-water species than in those that are perennial. A comprehensive list of the Australasian species of the three genera is provided, and a summary of their distribution is given.

Some laboratory observations on the rates of development, mortality and oviposition of several species of Bruchidae breeding in stored pulses

Some laboratory observations on the rates of development, mortality and oviposition of several species of Bruchidae breeding in stored pulses