Xylotrechus quadripes (Chevrolat), the coffee white stemborer (CWSB), is a major pest of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) in some Asian countries. The CWSB was first reported in India in 1838. CWSB larvae make galleries in the main stem and thick primary branches of coffee plants. The pest causes substantial economic loss every year because infested plants have to be uprooted. The borer completes its life cycle in 1 year. There are two to three population peaks in 1 year and emergence periods depend on climatic conditions. Several natural enemies (parasitoids, predators and pathogens) and some alternative host plants of this borer have been recorded. Integrated management, i.e. cultural, mechanical, sex pheromone and chemical methods, has been adopted to control the stemborer. This review summarizes the most important work carried out on the bioecology and integrated management of X. quadripes. Also, we briefly discuss the need for future studies for better management of the CWSB.

Inhibition of okra growth in response to flea beetle injury was studied in both the screen house and field. In the screen house or field, 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 pairs of Podagrica uniforma (Jacoby), representing six treatments, were introduced into different cages containing five 3-week-old okra plants, replicated three times. Data were collected on the number of flowers and branches, plant height, stem girth and functional leaf area in both experiments. With increasing densities of P. uniforma, days to 50% flowering and fruit initiation were prolonged by 1–13 days and 2–15 days, respectively. The beetle did not exhibit florivory but caused distortion of okra fruits, i.e. bending of fruit tips at the point of flea beetle-induced damage. From the 20-pair level (eight beetles per plant), there were significant reductions in plant height (up to 50%) and stem girth (up to 43%) in both the screen house and field. The number of distorted fruits showing bent tips was significantly higher relative to the control from the 5-pair level, and was more than 90% at the 40-pair level. Regression analysis indicated that plant height was a linear function of flea beetle population. Third-degree polynomial models best described the relationship between insect density and the number of bent fruits. χ2 analysis showed that these models derived from the screen house data were not significantly different from the field data models.

This study set out to explore the influence of trap crops designated for the management of Crocidolomia pavonana (Fab.) on two other frequent pests of cabbage: diamondback moth [Plutella xylostella (L.) and cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)]. The three pests were offered six hosts in the genus Brassica: kale (B. oleracea var. acephala), cauliflower (B. oleracea var. botrytis), broccoli (B. oleracea var. italica), Chinese cabbage (B. campestris L. ssp. pekinensis), Indian mustard (B. juncea (L.) Czern.), and white cabbage (B. oleracea var. capitata) in multiple (where all the six were offered at the same time) and two-crop trials (where each of the different hosts was paired with cabbage, including a control of cabbage in monoculture) in field trials. Oviposition was considered as a measure of preference for C. pavonana and P. xylostella while colonization and reproduction were measures of preference for B. brassicae. The treatments were arranged in a complete randomized block design with four blocks. The experiment was carried out in the field in 2007 and 2008. The results indicated that C. pavonana oviposition on cabbage was consistently lowered in trap crop treatments when compared with monoculture. The results for P. xylostella and B. brassicae were not as consistent and there was a great deal of variation. It was clear, however, that trap cropping for the control of C. pavonana would not worsen pest problems with the diamondback moth or the cabbage aphid.

A study to determine the species richness and spatial distribution of five meliponine bee species in three different habitats in the Kakamega forest was undertaken for the first time. Two forest (indigenous and mixed indigenous) and two grassland (with Eucalyptus spp. trees and indigenous trees) types, along with homesteads (in the vicinity of mixed indigenous forest and indigenous forest, respectively), were surveyed. Line transect methods were used in the nest survey in each habitat. The highest number of species was recorded in the indigenous forest, while no nest was discovered in the grassland with Eucalyptus spp. trees. The mean number of nests per transect was higher in homesteads followed by the indigenous forest. The nesting pattern of almost all species nesting in the indigenous forest, mixed indigenous forest (Meliponula bocandei [Spinola]) and grassland with indigenous tree species (Meliponula ferruginea [Lepeletier] reddish brown) was dispersed. The nesting pattern of M. ferruginea (reddish brown) and Hypotrigona gribodoi (Magretti) changed from a dispersed and random pattern, respectively, to a clumped nesting pattern when nesting in homesteads. The degree of nest clustering was low for M. ferruginea (reddish brown) and high for H. gribodoi. Differences in average nearest-neighbour distance were observed within species nesting in a dispersed or clumped pattern. This study reveals that habitat type in the Kakamega forest influences the species richness and nesting pattern of the five stingless bee species.

Pebrine caused by Nosema bombycis in the silkworm Bombyx mori L. causes severe economic loss to the sericulture industry. Several species of microsporidia and strains of N. bombycis have been isolated from infected silkworms. The study of the developmental stages of any parasite is important, as it leads to the identification of stages that may be susceptible to control measures. For this study, five microsporidian isolates from B. mori were collected from five different locations in West Bengal, India and a study of the developmental stages from mid-gut smears and histological techniques was undertaken. The observations of mid-gut smears and histological specimens revealed differences in the morphometry and duration of different developmental stages of the parasites.

The variation in demographic parameters (namely survival and fecundity, intrinsic rate of natural increase pre-reproductive period and relative growth rate) was used to assess the resistance of cowpea landraces (namely B261-B, B383, B013-F, B339 and Blackeye, as a check) against cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch). The experiment was carried out from 18 March 2011 to 5 April 2011. The demographic parameters of A. craccivora differed significantly among varieties, supporting our prediction that cowpea landraces resistant to cowpea aphid would have a significant effect on the demographic parameters of the aphid. We recorded significantly lower survival, fecundity, intrinsic natural rate of increase and relative growth rate on the landraces B261-B and B383 compared with the other landraces. A significant delay in the pre-reproductive period was also found on B261-B and B383. The results showed that landraces B261-B and B383 have an increased level of resistance as shown by the extended pre-reproductive period and the reduction in population growth rate, survival and fecundity. This information will be used in the characterization of the landraces before being incorporated in the breeding programme in Botswana.

Upsurges in the populations of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria (L.) occurred in July 2011 at the airport and in sugarcane fields on Shimoji Island, Okinawa, Japan. In sugarcane fields and pathways, dark-coloured nymphs at early instars marched and infested sugarcane leaves. The number of locusts was estimated as approximately 1.4 million. After prompt control by spraying insecticides, the locust populations decreased remarkably in size at the airport and in sugarcane fields. The locust populations at the airport restored gradually and dark-coloured nymphs similar in appearance to typical gregarious forms were found marching on paved roads at the end of August. Insecticides were sprayed again in early September over those areas at the airport where nymphs were abundant. The locust populations rapidly declined and only a few locusts were observed thereafter on the island before winter. These observations indicate the importance of constant monitoring and prompt action for the control of locusts. The seasonal life cycle of this locust species on this island was studied by regularly sampling the locusts in the field, which revealed that this locust species produces three generations per year with different overwintering stages.

Functional response of all instars, adult males and females of the ladybird Coccinella septempunctata L. was studied against two species of aphids, namely Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) and Brevicoryne brassicae L., infesting mustard and cabbage crops, respectively. The predatory stages of C. septempunctata exhibited a type II response on both the prey species. The attack rate was highest (0.0192) with the lowest handling time (7.9 min) when the adult female consumed L. erysimi. There was a significant difference in the predicted values of consumption of L. erysimi by fourth instars, adult males and females compared with those of B. brassicae, indicating that the former prey is preferred over the latter one. The adult females prey upon significantly more numbers of aphids than the adult males.

Stenogiffardia Evans, 1977 is considered the senior synonym of Pratura Theron, 1982 syn. nov. and Doraturella Emeljanov, 2002 syn. nov., resulting in four new combinations. Duraturopsis Melichar, 1908 syn. nov. is considered a junior synonym of Chiasmus Mulsant and Rey, 1855, resulting in one new combination. Figures of the ovipositor of Stenogiffardia parvula (Kirkaldy) are provided for the first time, and habitus images of S. parvula and Chiasmus katonae (Melichar) comb. nov. are provided.

Insect-enhanced diets of Periplaneta americana (L.), in separate combinations with Zea mays L. and starter mash/finisher, were fed to 4-week-old birds, Gallus gallus domesticus L., over a period of 13 weeks to identify alternative and relatively cheaper sources of protein for poultry birds. Within the first 3 weeks of feeding, the body weight of the birds was not significantly (P>0.05) different from each other, whereas a significant (P = 0.009) trend arose at week 8. This preliminary study shows that insect-enhanced meals could be used as an alternative feed within the formative stage of development of G. domesticus.

Shea parklands have a great socio-economic, cultural and ecological interest but suffer pest attack, which is among the major causes for their deterioration in Africa. To establish an inventory of insects associated with shea trees, the foliage, stems and fruits were regularly examined on 180 trees randomly chosen at six sites in the central and northern regions of Benin. From June to October 2010, a total of 196 samples containing 1415 specimens were collected. These insects belong to 8 orders, 36 families and 56 genera. Forty-seven insects were identified to the species level. The defoliator Cirina forda (Westwood) and the stemborer Neoplocaedaerus spp. were the two most damaging insect species occurring on shea trees. This study stresses the need to protect the shea parklands in Benin through the implementation of integrated insect pest management strategies against shea tree pests.

The larval Malpighian tubules of Sarcophaga ruficornis Fab. consist of two types of cells, namely principal and stellate cells. The principal cells are characterized by a large euchromatic nucleus, well-developed basal plasma membrane infoldings associated with mitochondria and prominent luminal microvilli containing mitochondria with well-developed cristae. The central cytoplasm of the cells contains clear vacuoles, lysosomes, mineral concretions or spherocrystals, lipid droplets and peroxisomes. The stellate cells are thin with extremely short basal plasma membrane infoldings and luminal microvilli devoid of mitochondria. The ultrastructural features of the principal cells show the characteristic of transporting cells engaged in water and ion transport. The cells are separated by septate junctions. The tubules are richly supplied by the tracheae.

Satureja hortensis and Zataria multiflora (Lamiaceae) essential oils were tested on Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) to evaluate their effects on oviposition deterrence, egg hatching and mortality of adults. To obtain essential oils, dry leaves were subjected to hydrodistillation using a modified Clevenger-type apparatus. The experiments were conducted at 25 ± 1°C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity in dark conditions with five replications for each essential oil. When concentrations of both essential oils were higher, the insecticidal effect on eggs and adults increased and oviposition was more deterred. At the highest concentration (60 μl/l air) of S. hortensis and Z. multiflora essential oils, 91.2 and 85.4% of adults were killed, respectively. There were no significant differences in oviposition deterrence between the two essential oils. At the highest concentration (4.3 μl/l air) of S. hortensis and Z. multiflora essential oils, egg mortality was 94.5 and 77.3%, respectively. Probit analysis revealed LC50 for adults and eggs of C. maculatus of 1.50 and 1.13 μl/l air, respectively, for the S. hortensis essential oil and 1.76 and 2.23 μl/l air, respectively, for the Z. multiflora essential oil. The results suggest that the essential oils of these aromatic plants can be used as botanical fumigants to protect grains against C. maculatus.