Signs Of Infestation Research Articles

Kehadiran Rayap dan Tanda-Tanda Infestasinya pada Bangunan Rumah Di Kawasan ‘Kebun Karet’ Gundaling, Tamiang Layang, Barito Timur, Kalimantan Tengah

Land clearing carried out in part or all of the ‘Rubber Garden’ area for settlement often leave stumps and branches that becomes food sources for termites and when the food sources is ran out, termites attack extends to the wooden structure of the house building and becomes a destructive pest. The aim of this research was to detect the presence of termites through signs of infestation on house building and yard located in the Gundaling ‘Rubber Garden’, Barito Timur Regency. Twenty house buildings were observed. Visual detection of termite infestation signs was conducted on house building and yard such as on wooden building components, fuel wood, stump, dead and living trees, and recording wooden building components damaged by termite infestation. Termites specimens were collected by directly capture termites from mud tubes and nests on the observed house buildings and yards. The results showed the presence of termites from the genus Nasutitermes on house buildings through signs of infestation in the form of mud tubes, carton nests, and damaged wooden building components. In the yard, the genus Nasutitermes was found through signs of infestation in the form of a mud tubes, arboreal carton nest, while the signs of termite infestation of genus Coptotermes was in the form of shelter tubes.

Screening for antibodies against the sheep scab mite (Psoroptes ovis) Pso o 2 antigen in experimentally infested Swifter sheep may fail to identify affected animals

Sheep scab, caused by Psoroptes ovis mites, represents a significant threat to sheep health and welfare. Infestations are diagnosed by parasite identification in skin scrapings, and more recently with a commercial ELISA against serum antibodies to the Pso o 2 mite allergen. However, little is known about the performance of the ELISA in non-UK sheep populations. In this study, six Swifter sheep were experimentally infested with P. ovis. Lesion sizes were monitored and serum IgG against Pso o 2 and the novel Pso-EIP-1 antigens were measured by ELISA. Although all sheep showed signs of infestation, serum from two animals failed to react with Pso o 2. However, they did react to Pso-EIP-1. This indicates that cases of sheep scab in (Swifter) sheep may remain undetected using the Pso o 2 ELISA, which may have implications for routine screening of non- UK sheep breeds.

Biology, ecology, and impact of Cryptonevra nigritarsis Duda, a potential biological control agent against the giant reed Arundo donax

Arundo donax (L.), commonly known as giant reed, is an invasive weed in riparian habitats worldwide. The chloropid fly Cryptonevra nigritarsis Duda infests young shoots of A. donax in its native range and has been considered for a long time as a potential biological control agent. This study was designed to investigate the biology and field ecology of C. nigritarsis and document its impact on A. donax. Populations of A. donax were monitored in ten field sites for a full year and sticky traps were used to assess C. nigritarsis abundance. Young A. donax shoots with signs of infestation were dissected monthly, and a DNA-based diagnosis method was developed to assess the prevalence of C. nigritarsis among the larvae and pupae collected. Finally, a manipulative experiment was performed to evaluate the impact of water stress on A. donax vulnerability to C. nigritarsis. Results showed that C. nigritarsis is likely to be a multivoltine species overwintering mainly as pupa. Only 6.3% of the A. donax shoots monitored were infested and the overall prevalence of C. nigritarsis among the larvae and pupae collected was 54.3%. C. nigritarsis was found in shoots of all diameters and was the predominant species in very thin and very thick shoots. Thicker shoots had a greater probability of infestation by chloropid flies in general. The manipulative experiment showed that mortality of A. donax shoots in the presence of C. nigritarsis was higher is water-stressed plants, but overall shoot mortality and infestation were low. These results shed light on some important aspects on the biology and ecology of C. nigritarsis and help in evaluating its potential as a biological control agent.

Evaluation of the injuries caused by Pachycoris torridus (Scopoli, 1772) (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) in Jatropha curcas (Linnaeus) (Euphorbiaceae)

ABSTRACT The Jatropha curcas species is a perennial plant and easy to manage, being cultivated in many countries because of its high content in oil and the lowest cost of production. This study had as objective to evaluate the injuries caused by the Pachycoris torridus in J. curcas seedlings. Thirty-four days after the planting, 30 J. curcas seedlings were covered with screens and submitted to herbivory of five bugs of the same sex. Morphological and physiological evaluations were conducted 65 days after planting. Seventy-three days after planting, 24 seedlings were submitted to herbivory, using the same methodology as the previous experiment with a quantitative differential of 10 bugs and a batch of 6 plants without insects (control). Evaluations were done 104 days after planting. Male adults (n = 5) of the P. torridus species caused a reduction in the growth and biomass increase in J. curcas seedlings 34 days after planting. After 30 days of herbivores, however the same injuries were not observed in seedlings with 73 days after planting. The injuries (34 days after planting) were considered mild and there was a decrease in the growth and in the biomass accumulation. Upon reaching 73 days after planting, the seedlings became more resistant to the attack of this pest, in such a way that as submitting them to twice the number of insects (n = 10), they did not negatively responded to the herbivory. Finally, the young seedlings were more susceptible to attack, even with low levels of infestation. The pest control should be done when there are signs of infestation at this stage.

Occurrence of Green Semilooper Chrysodeixis acuta Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Onion (Allium cepa L.) (Amaryllidaceae)

The occurrence of green semilooper, Chrysodeixis acuta Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in onion was recorded for the first time from the Pune district of Maharashtra State of India. Weekly observations of the pest and its damage were made to assess the intensity of the caterpillar population and its impact to the onion crop. Early instar larvae of C. acuta feed by scraping the leaves, whereas the later instars make circular cuts in the leaves. The presence of large cuts and defoliation is a sign of infestation in onion. Since C. acuta is polyphagous, it may spread to onion crops in the region and cause significant damage to the crop. Therefore, further research is required to monitor its spread and ability to become a pest in onion.

New data on the fauna of mealybugs (Hemiptera; Pseudococcidae) inhabiting subtropical plants in the Lankaran-Astara Region of Azerbaijan

Invasive insect species enter new environment mainly with their host plants and spread rapidly in new conditions due to the absence of natural entomophages that can effectively limit their numbers. Comprehensive studies of the invaders, including crop pest, are of great importance for agricultural practice. In this regard, we investigated mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) in the orchards of five subtropical species, viz. lemon (Citrus limon) mandarin (Citrus reticulate), orange (Citrus sinensis), persimmon (Diospyros kaki), and pomegranate (Punica granatum) in the Lankaran-Astara Region of Azerbaijan. The research was conducted in 2016‒2019 in various seasons. Three mealybug species were recorded from the area in question: Pseudococcus comstocki Kuwana 1902, Pseudococcus viburni Signoret 1875, Pseudococcus calceolariae (Maskell, 1879). An annotated list of species provides collecting localities, their geographical coordinates, dates of collection, and the number of individuals found. We obtained data on species distribution, biology, host plants and signs of infestation. Ps. viburni was registered in the fauna of Azerbaijan for the first time; a developement period of its larvae and imagoes is provided. The highest infestation of the vegetative organs was observed on the citrus plants: on average, 30 % of trees were damaged by Ps. comstocki, 27 % by Ps. viburni, and 21 % by Ps. calceolariae. Two mealybug species (Ps. comstocki, Ps. viburni) were found on the persimmon and only one species (Ps. comstocki) on the pomegranate. Ps. comstocki population density was the highest in the study area (3–5 larvae per 10 cm of branches, and 4–5 colonies per 100 leaves during flowering). All three species were found together on the stems and leaves of citrus crops; Ps. comstocki was observed on the fruits of mandarin and persimmon, and Ps. viburni was only on the persimmon. Based on the data obtained, the degree of harmfulness of the above species was determined: for Ps. comstocki – 3–5 larvae per 10 cm of branches, and 4–5 colonies per 100 leaves during flowering; for Ps. viburni – 2–3 larvae per 10 cm of branches, and 3–4 colonies per 100 leaves during flowering; and for Ps. calceolariae – 2–3 larvae per 10 cm of branches, and 2–3 colonies per 100 leaves during flowering.

Surface mites in dogs, cats and rabbits

Mites are small arthropods with a world-wide distribution. They can be parasitic or free-living. Some burrow into the skin of pet animals or live in their hair follicles, while others can be found on the surface of the skin and/or ear. Clinical signs of infestation in dogs, cats and rabbits are variable. Infestations are typically diagnosed by skin scrapings, coat brushings, hair plucks, and tape strips. Readily available veterinary insecticidal products are often effective but may need to be combined with environmental control procedures.

Effects of parasites and antigenic challenge on metabolic rates and thermoregulation in northern red-backed voles (Myodes rutilus).

Perturbations in host energetics are considered to be an essential pathway for parasite impact on host fitness. However, direct estimations of parasite-induced variations in basal metabolic rates of vertebrate hosts have so far provided contradictory results. The energy requirements of immunity and other vital functions may be compromised in energy-demanding conditions in comparison to comfortable conditions; therefore, in our study performed on the wild red-backed vole, Myodes rutilus, we compared the values of indices that reflect metabolic and thermoregulatory responses to acute cooling in individuals that had been naturally infected by gut helminths or Ixodes persulcatus taiga ticks to individuals with no signs of infestation. To consider the possible effects of an acquired immune response on host energetics, we also injected some of the tested individuals with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Red-backed voles infected by the nematode Heligmosomum mixtum injected with SRBC showed significantly lower cold-induced maximum oxygen consumption than the saline control. Additionally, individuals infected with H. mixtum showed significantly lower oxygen consumption during the final minute of the 15-min acute cooling period and a significantly greater decline in body temperature than individuals free from helminths. In individuals concurrently infected by H. mixtum and the cestodes Arostrilepis horrida, these indices did not differ from helminth-free individuals. The number of ticks simultaneously parasitizing the voles at the moment of capture correlated positively with their SMR. Our results suggest that even natural parasites produce deleterious effects on host aerobic capacity and thermoregulatory abilities, although the effects of different parasites might not be additive.

Bioecology and management of giant African snail, Achatina fulica (Bowdich)

Giant African snail ( Achatina fulica Bowdich) belongs to the Phylum-Mollusca and Class- Gastropoda. It is known for its destructive nature on cultivated crops wherever it occurs and is one of the world's largest and most damaging land snail pests. The pest is an East African origin, has spread in recent times by travel and trade to many countries. They now widely distributed and no longer limited to their region of origin due to several factors viz., high reproductive capacity, voracious feeding habit, inadequate quarantine management and human aided dispersal. A. fulica can cause serious economic damage on different crops and extensive rasping (scrapping), defoliation, slime trials, or ribbon like excrement is signs of infestation. In recent times, severe outbreak of this pest has been noticed due to some desirable agricultural and gardening practices like minimum tillage practices and straw retention techniques which help in survival of snails and make seedlings more susceptible to damage. This review paper aims to enlighten on taxonomy, distribution, extent of damage, morphology, biology, ecology, homing behaviour, seasonal incidence, nature of damage, host plants of A. fulica and its ecofriendly management strategies.

The Aftermath of Environmental Disturbance on the Critically Endangered Coffea kihansiensis in the Southern Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania

The endemic Coffea kihansiensis was monitored in the Kihansi gorge over a three year period following diversion of the Kihansi River underground for hydropower production and its associated catastrophic effect on the gorge biota. We assessed the growth status of the coffee population by measuring, along an altitudinal gradient, the height and diameter of 450 randomly selected coffee stems in 18 sampling plots covering ca 1800 m2. We also collected microclimatic data to compare with that collected prior to river diversion. Coffee infestation by parasites was examined by recording the number of stems with signs of infestation. There was no significant change in size of Coffea kihansiensis during the study period. However, the size for immature plants differed between the two sites; LWF and UCF. Parasite infestation differed between reproductive age classes and was greater at lower elevation (800 – 850 m a.s.l) than above, suggesting possible effects of altitude and microclimate on coffee infestation. Increasing habitat degradation, parasite infestations, and loss of the species' ecological envelope seriously undermine the species' growth potential with severe consequences for its long-term population survival. Continued monitoring of the species is recommended, with the emphasis on understanding basic species biology, population trends, and the potential role of assisted migration in saving the population from collapse.

567 L’incidence des anticorps anti-toxoplasmiques chez les patients roumains

Introduction Toxoplasmosis is an anthropo-zoonosis widely spread around the earth, whose ocular complications are frequent and are often a first sign of infestation . Objectifs and Methods This is a retrospective statistic research based on the clinical survey and periodic control of a lot of 135 patients with toxoplasmosis, out of which 90 presented ocular toxoplasmosis, either admitted into hospital or treated ambulatory between 2000 and 2005 by the Medical Centre of Diagnosis and Ambulatory Treatment of the Defence Ministry Bucharest, the Ophthalmology Department of the Central Military Hospital of Bucharest and Army Center for Medical Research. Specific serological tests consisted in the determination of Ig G and Ig M antibobies by ELISA method. The concentration of specific antibodies is expressed in optical density units (ODU) being considered a titter over 0.300 ODU. Results The epidemiological study demonstrated the following: the disease occurs more often in the urban area (48 cases), in adult population (highest incidence between 30 and 39 years) and in females (52 cases). The main factors of risk in toxoplasmosis, as revealed by the case studies (where we used survey cards), are: contact with cats: 41 cases – 45,6%, raw meat consumption: 25 cases – 27,8%, combination of risk factors: 11,1% of the cases, unknown risk factors: 14 cases – 15,6%. Discussion The treatment for toxoplasmosis is done both locally and generally. In the case of multiple aetiology, the associated affections must also be taken into account. In persons with immune-deprivation even asymptomatic forms must be treated, to prevent the reactivation of latent forms. Most patients need two periods of treatment, according to their evolution and prognosis. Conclusion The therapeutic success depends on the intensity of clinical manifestations, the earliness of the diagnosis, the presence of complications, the accessibility to therapeutic resources. The fact that most cases are congenital requires better investigation and follow-up of pregnant women suspected of toxoplasmotic infestation and possibly the start of specific therapy during the pregnancy. Later on the fetus must also be investigated by analyzing the blood in the umbilical cord immediately after birth.

Neem seed extract shampoo, Wash Away Louse®, an effective plant agent against Sarcoptes scabiei mites infesting dogs in Egypt

In the present study, the efficacy of water-free neem seed extract shampoo Wash Away Louse, provided by Alpha-Biocare GmbH, Düsseldorf (Germany), was investigated against Sarcoptes scabiei infesting dogs in Egypt. Ten naturally infested dogs were collected from different areas in the Nile delta. The occurrence of lesions, hair loss, and skin inflammation were regarded as signs of infestation and proved by detection of adult parasites and their developmental stages in scrapings of infested lesions. Adequate amount of the provided shampoo was applied topically and spread on the infested areas daily for 14 successive days. Scraping examinations were used to follow up the healing process. At day 7 of application, four dogs were completely free of mites as was proven by the disappearance of adults and/or any developmental stages of mites. The remaining six dogs showed a clear decrease in mite counts. By the end of the treatment (after 14 days), only a small number of mites were found in two dogs, while eight dogs were completely cured as was proven by mite counts and disappearance of clinical signs. No remarkable signs of side effects or adverse reactions were observed throughout the study.

Drywood and Dampwood Termites

Revised! ENY-211, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by F. M. Oi, R. Scheffrahn, W. Kern, and K. C. Ruppert, describes these two groups of structurally damaging termites that live inside the wood they eat, signs of infestation, and control. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, February 2008. ENY-211/IG098: Drywood and Dampwood Termites (ufl.edu)

Oral health awareness in HIV positive Nigerian adults

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness of a group of HIV-positive Nigerian adults on their oral health status. Study Design: Cross-sectional study using questionnaires and subsequent oral examinations. Results: 477 patients were examined. The age range was 16 80 years (Mean = 35 ± 9). 56.4% were females. 338 (70.8%) had post primary education. A total of 203 (42.6%) presented with oral lesions attributable to HIV/AIDS. Though 151 (31.7%) patients claimed to have noticed some abnormalities in their mouths, 101 (66.9%) actually presented with lesions associated with HIV. Clinically detectable oral lesions were also noticed in 102 (31.3%) of 326 patients who reportedly experienced no problem with their oral health out of which 17 of them had multiple lesions. Lesions commonly noticed includes; Candidiasis, Xerostomia, Herpes Stomatitis and Aphthous Ulcerations. Patient's educational level did not affect their ability to detect a change in their mouths (X2=2.932, p=0.402).Conclusion: The awareness of HIV-positive patients to their oral health is poor. As oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS could be the first sign of infestation, the general public should be encouraged to observe routine dental visits. Keywords: oral health, HIV/AIDS, Nigerian Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 5(1) 2006: 7-11

Burrowing saves Lake Erie clams

Freshwater unionid clams in North America have been virtually eliminated from waters that are colonized by zebra mussels. Near total mortality has been reported in western Lake Erie1,2,3,4, but we have now discovered a large population of native clams in a Lake Erie wetland that shows little sign of infestation. Field observations and laboratory experiments show that warm summer water temperatures and soft, silt-clay sediments trigger burrowing by clams. This discourages infestation and physically removes any attached zebra mussels.

The detection of lice (Bovicola ovis) in mobs of sheep: a comparison of fleece parting, the lamp test and the table locks test

Knowledge of the presence or absence of lice in a flock of sheep enables wool growers to make informed decisions as to the need for insecticidal treatments. However, with inapparent infestations, traditional methods of detection are not sufficiently sensitive and, as a consequence, flocks may be left untreated. Conversely, the routine application of insecticide to sheep with no sign of infestation is an unnecessary cost. The sensitivity of 3 procedures for detecting lice was evaluated in 68 mobs of sheep from 50 farms. In 24 mobs of sheep known to be lightly infested, lice were detected in 17% (71%) [corrected] by either parting the fleece of 10 sheep or by the lamp test in which 8g samples of shorn wool from 30 randomly selected fleeces were placed under lamps for 10 min to repel the lice. Twenty of 23 mobs (87%) were found to be infested by the table locks test in which a 30 g sample of locks wool was dissolved in 10% sodium hydroxide and the filtered residue examined with x 40 magnification. A screening test, in which either fleeces on 5 sheep were examined by fleece parting or lice were repelled from 30 shorn fleeces for 5 minutes, detected about 60% of lightly infested mobs. When this was followed by the table locks test 91% of lightly infested mobs were detected. Conducting any one of the tests on more than one mob, and in large mobs testing more frequently, increases the sensitivity of detection of lice within the whole flock.

The Digenetic Trematode Collyriclum faba (Bremser in Schmalz, 1831) in Migrant and Local Birds from Panama

A bird migration study was conducted by Florida State University during portions of the years 1967 and 1968 in the western part of the Republic of Panama. A total of 3,896 wild birds were banded between September and October 1967 at the Gorgas Memorial Laboratory's field station at Almirante (A), Bocas del Toro province, situated at sea level near the Caribbean coast in a tropical rain forest. Another 874 birds were banded from September to December 1967 and in March of 1968 at the Florida Audubon Society's field station at Cerro Punta (CP) situated at an altitude of 5,500 ft in the tropical cloud forest of Chiriqui province. Small nodular lesions resembling the tumours of avian pox virus, studied at the same locations (Kirmse and Loftin, 1969, Bulletin of the Wildlife Disease Association 5: 103-107), were found xclusively on the base of the lower mandible, the chin, or throat of the birds. They appeared as single subcutaneous cysts ranging in size from a pinhead to a cherry. They were easily removed through a small incision in the skin. Healing was promoted after application of tetracycline powder and birds from which lesions had surgically been removed showed no further sign of infestation when retrapped. On dissection the cysts contained a viscous yellowish-brown liquid in wh ch oval-shaped yellowish mature flukes were detecte , in numbers ranging from 1 to 8 specimens (mean 3.3) and measuring in diameter from 0.5 to 2.0 mm.

In-Field Traps: A New Concept in Survey and Suppression of Low Populations of Boll Weevils

Grandlure-baited traps placed in the field captured boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, when manual surveys failed to detect signs of infestations. An aggregating response was obtained from both sexes in early and late season as in previous trap studies, but significant numbers of boll weevils, primarily females, were captured in mid-season, thus indicating a true sex pheromone at this time of year. Previous trap studies failed to obtain this mid-season response. In-field traps provide a new and promising approach to survey and monitoring efforts, to evaluate an elmination program, and to the actual management and suppression of the boll weevil.