Twenty-three insecticide formulations were bioassayed for toxicity against the eggs and larvae of H. hampei in maturing and ripe berries of C. arabica L. Var. typica. The infested berries were dipped in different concentrations of individual formulations, dissected 24 hr later for recording larval mortality and transferring the eggs to wet filter papers where larval hatching was recorded for the next 4 days. The order of toxicity and LC50 (% a.i. × 103) values for the eggs in maturing and ripe (figures in parenthesis) berries were: thiodan EC 35, 5.1 (6.2) > perfekthion, 5.9 (8.1) > decis, 7.2 (9.4) > carbicron, 7.3 (9.8) > actellic, 10.6(12.9) > thiodan EC 3, 14.7 (17.4); > folimat > aldicarb > dursban > tiovel > supona > dimilin > methomyl > kelthane > phosdrin > sevin > methoxychlor > dieldrin > azordrin > fenitrothion > bimarit > chlorpyrifos > gardona, 39.7−1043.7 (44.3−2642.2). The order of toxicity remained almost the same for the larvae, the LC50 values being 2.1−12.7 (2.9−21.8) for the top six and 14.8−1920.4 (47.1−2738.6) for the remaining 17 formulations. Generally, the formulations were 1.1−2.7-fold more toxic to larvae than to eggs infesting the maturing berries but 0.47−3.57 more toxic to eggs than larvae in the ripe berries.

A pair of accessory reproductive glands (ARGs) containing a variety of secretory products forms a part of the male reproductive system of the tsetse, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood. All of the ARG cells have an extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum which is indicative of the production of proteinaceous substances to be secreted. Histochemically, the secretory products in the lumen of the ARG contain a neutral mucopolysaccharide-protein complex, and are products of several morphological types. The latter are probably stages of maturation of the secretory materials that eventually become the wall of the spermatophore, a highly organized structure which acts as a temporary container for the spermatoza during their transfer to the spermathecae, and is histochemically composed of a mixture of carbohydrates and proteins. On grounds of histochemical and ultrastructural similarities, we suggest that the spermatophore of G. morsitans is derived, at least partially, from the male ARGs.

Animals were trapped in Marigat, Baringo District to investigate animal reservoirs of visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic focus of the disease. Several species of rodents, carnivores and reptiles were captured. Specimens of spleen, liver and blood tissues were taken from the animals. The specimens were triturated into sterile saline and then cultured into NNN medium, and some of it injected into hamsters intraperitoneally. Skin biopsies were also taken and cultured in NNN medium. Slide smears of all the tissues taken were made stained with Giemsa stain and examined under the microscope for amastigotes. Four isolates of leishmanial parasites were made from a gerbil and three monitor lizards.

By employing histological techniques, it was possible to identify 11 stages of oocyte development in adult female Sarcophaga tibialis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). Stages 1–4 were represented by the differentiation of the oocyte and the acquisition of the follicular envelope. Stages 5–9 were characterized by a considerable growth of the oocyte which occurred due to an enormous deposition of yolk in the cytoplasm, while the follicle cells were typified by large intercellular spaces. Descriptions are given of the follicle cell degeneration during stages 10 and 11, which end with membrane formation around the mature egg.

A polytrophic ovariole of the fleshfly, Sarcophaga tibialis Macquart, is composed of two successively maturing egg chambers, each consisting of an oocyte, an interconnected cluster of 15 nurse cells, and an enveloping layer of follicle cells. The oocyte is established at the posterior end of the egg chamber. Nurse cell differentiation is characterized by nucleolar multiplication. At 25°C the first egg generation took approximately 8 days to develop. During this period, the growth rate of the egg chamber increased with time. A dramatic increase occurred during days 4–6, and was associated with the formation of large intercellular spaces between the follicle cells as well as an accumulation of numerous yolk globules. Completion of egg-chamber development was marked by the degeneration of the cluster of nurse cells and that of follicle cells.

Anthropophilic phlebotomine sandfly, Phlebotomus heischi, has previously been reported in Kenya by Kirk and Lewis (1950). Only one sandfly (female) specimen was reported. The present paper reports and redescribes the male form of P. heischi from Kalawa, Machakos District, Kenya, a region of a recent epidemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis.

Investigations were carried out on the origin of osmeterial secretions exuded by fourth instar larvae of Papilio helenus and P. protenor that had been reported to secrete a variety of terpenic compounds. Variations in the chemical composition of the secretion induced by dietary and/or genetic factors were quantitative rather than qualitative in both species. Overall pattern of the chemical constituents was found to be highly species-specific and substantially invariable in a given species. Several sesquiterpene hydrocarbons secreted by the larvae were not present in detectable amounts in the leaves of the host plant, Fagara ailantoides, suggesting that the sesquiterpenes were biosynthesized by these larvae. Deuterium was efficiently incorporated in vivo into sesquiterpene hydrocarbons in the secretion, (E)-β−farnesene, β−caryophyllene, germacrene-A and germacrene-B, by topical application of deuteriumlabelled acetic acid to everted osmeteria, while similar treatment with deuterium oxide resulted in much lower incorporation of deuterium. These results provide evidence for de nova biosynthesis of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons in young Papilio larvae.

The functional development of the accessory reproductive glands (ARGs) and that of the corpora allata (CA) in the male grasshopper, Cataloipus cymbiferus, appear to be correlated. The growth of the ARGs and that of the CA glands increase with age to a maximum, 20 days after adult emergence. The increase in size of CA cells suggests increased secretory activity. However, the administration of farnesol, a juvenile hormone analogue, does not appear to have any direct effects on the growth of ARGs, although it completely blocked the growth and secretory activity of the CA.

Two types, wood and pod nest, were distinguished for Cataulacus guineensis in a Ghanaian cocoa farm. The contents of the nests were examined over the year, and the importance of the various inquilines in the nests is discussed. The termite, Neotermes spp. was found to actually initiate wood nests of Cat. guineensis. Heads of adults of the various castes were measured for comparison. The indication was that generally no significant differences exist between the sizes of the ants. The structure of the nest and the distribution of the brood within the nest were also investigated. The brood are almost uniformly distributed throughout the nest.

Late third stage (7-day-old) larvae and 1-day-old pupae of Anastrepha suspensa Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae) were dipped for 5 min in suspensions of 25% WP Dimilin® (diflubenzuron) at six dosages ranging from 0.003–0.1% a.i. Diflubenzuron caused significant (P < 0.05) mortality during the pupal stages of both groups treated. Consequently, the resulting adult populations were drastically reduced. The incidence of crumpled wings, deformed abdomens and ovipositors in these adults was 2–7 times and 4–9 times higher than the respective controls of treated larvae and pupae. The morphological abnormalities altered mating competitiveness of males and successful copulation and oviposition by females. Fecundity of females was reduced and diflubenzuron effects persisted into the first generation and caused decreased egg viability.

Adults fed a 0.1% a.i. diflubenzuron-treated diet for 27 days had no significant mortality, but had decreased fecundity. However, their pattern of oviposition did not differ from the control. Fecundity levels similar to the control's were achieved 6 days after the treated diet was replaced by normal diet. Diflubenzuron treatment of adults also drastically decreased the survivorship of first-generation individuals between egg-hatch and pupation. However, almost all individuals that pupated emerged as adults. No abnormalities were observed in first-generation adults or in the survivorship of their offspring.

Field observations were carried out on a natural outbreak of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of the armyworm Spodoptera exempta. Records were kept in four study sites with varying larval density, vegetation cover, and climatic conditions. Biotic factors influencing disease outbreaks were also noted. Initial mortality was recorded 11 days after larval outbreak, and the highest mortality occurred 10 days later. The epizootic was highest in sites of high larval density, wide fluctuations of daily temperatures (range 16.2°C), and high relative humidity. Rainfall was recorded in all disease outbreak sites. An acridid Acrotylus patruelis fed on larval cadavers in the field. Polyhedral inclusion bodies recovered from the gut of A. patruelis caused disease when fed to third instar S. exempta larvae in the laboratory. Predation on larvae by the pied crow Corvus albus in some observation sites reduced larval numbers, and may have prevented NPV from rising to epizootic levels in such areas. In sites of high polyhedrosis incidence, the disease led to larval population collapse in 3 weeks following disease outbreak.