The correlation between ectoparasite infestation and total Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in Super Intensive Ponds

This study aimed to determine the type, intensity, degree of ectoparasite infestation and its correlation to the total V. parahaemolyticus bacteria in super-intensive pacific white shrimp culture. In this study, sampling was carried out in 3 super-intensive pacific white shrimp pond areas spread out in East Java, namely Bangil, Tuban, and Lamongan with 50 shrimps (PL30-PL 40). The obtained data underwent regression and correlation analysis. Based on the results, there were three types of ectoparasites, namely Zoothamnium sp., Epistylis sp. and Vorticella sp. High ectoparasite intensity was found in pacific white shrimp from Lamongan and Tuban ponds, namely 76 and 55 individuals/shrimp, respectively, showing the heavy infestation. High total V. parahaemolyticus bacteria was found in Tuban (1.16 × 105 CFU/gr) and Lamongan (1.16 × 105 CFU / gr) ponds. Based on the results, the coefficient value was R = 0.807 showing positive correlation of V. parahaemolyticus with the increasing parasite intensity and low oxygen levels.

Foliar Application of Entomopathogenic Nematodes against Cereal Leaf Beetle Oulema melanopus L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Wheat

Cereal monocultures are very susceptible to many pests, especially to those living on leaves, which largely affects yield by decreasing its quality. The most dangerous of them is the cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus L.). In cases of heavy infestation by its larvae, the surface of plants may be reduced by 50%, and sometimes even by 80%, with a main yield loss of 10–25%. The aim of the presented study was to assess the efficiency of a native isolate of Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev, 1934) and commercial preparation Larvanem (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar, 1975)) in controlling the larvae of O. melanopus, and to reduce crops damage in the field. Nematodes were applied in a dosage of 2 million IJs/m2 as a suspension of 11 litres per square metre. A hand sprinkler with field lance and flat-stream nozzles was used for applications at the lowest working pressure of 3000 hPa. The effectiveness of both nematode species was moderate: 47.8% for S. feltiae isolate and 49.5% for H. bacteriophora. The biggest reduction in leaf damage was found in crops treated with the commercial preparation, where the index of leaf infection was 32%, being more than twofold smaller than that for the control.

Hypothenemus hampei (coffee berry borer).

H. hampei, otherwise known as the coffee berry borer, is the most serious pest of coffee in many of the major coffee-producing countries in the world. The scolytid beetle feeds on the cotyledons and has been known to attack 100% of berries in a heavy infestation. Crop losses can be very severe and coffee quality from damaged berries is poor. H. hampei has been transported around the world as a contaminant of coffee seed and very few coffee-producing countries are free from the borer. Its presence in Hawaii was confirmed in 2010 and Papua New Guinea and Nepal remain free of the pest: in Papua New Guinea an incursion prevention programme was mounted in 2007 (ACIAR, 2013) to reduce chances of invasion from Papua Province (Indonesia). There is no simple and cheap method of control of H. hampei.

Entomological Survey for CCHF Vectors in Palghar District of Maharashtra

In view of reports of alert issued by Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Maharashtra for Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Palghar district, a visit was planned from 2-5 October 2020 to assess the situation and vector surveillance of ticks was carried out in the district. There is no past history with any report of CCHF cases in the district. However, there have been reported outbreaks of dengue and malaria during 2018 & 2019 as per IDSP data. The department of Animal Husbandry had initiated tick reduction activities in the bordering 19 villages with Gujarat using the chemical compounds (Deltamethrin, Cypermethrin). No confirmed cases of CCHF have been reported in District Palghar so far. During tick surveys in 4 villages and a dairy farm, heavy infestation of Boophilus Sp. (60-70%) mainly on cows and buffaloes.Hyalomma Sp. (30-40%) was observed mainly on goats which is the main vector responsible for CCHF. The infected ticks were found to be Boophilus microplus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hy. marginatumand Rhipicephalus sanguineus species.Guidelines on proper dosage for the formulations of insecticide being used and spray techniques need to be followed up on the animals by the field staff and officials of Animal Husbandry department.

Biological Control Potential of Native Entomopathogenic Nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) against Mamestra brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The largest group of cabbage plant pests are the species in the owlet moth family (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the most dangerous species of which is the cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae L.). In cases of heavy infestation by this insect, the surface of plants may be reduced to 30%, with a main yield loss of 10–15%. The aim of the present study was to assess the susceptibility of M. brassicae larvae to nine native nematode isolates of the species Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) and Heterorhabditis megidis Poinar, Jackson and Klein under laboratory conditions. The most pathogenic strains were S. feltiae K11, S. feltiae K13, S. feltiae ZAG11, and S. feltiae ZWO21, which resulted in 100% mortality at a temperature of 22 °C and a dosage of 100 infective juveniles (IJs)/larva. The least effective was H. megidis Wispowo, which did not exceed 35% mortality under any experimental condition. For most strains, there were significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in the mortality for dosages between 25 IJs and 50 IJs, and between 25 IJs and 100 IJs, at a temperature of 22 °C. Statistical analysis of the effect of temperature on mortality showed that only strain H. megidis Wipsowo exhibited significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) when applied at dosages of 50 IJs and 100 IJs.

Chemical Control Strategies

This chapter explores chemical control strategies. Despite promising recent developments in insect-resistant cultivars, biological control strategies, and improved cultural practices, turf managers in the United States often find that circumstances dictate the use of a traditional insecticide. The pressure to use insecticides to manage turf insect populations often comes from clients or golfers who have come to expect and demand virtually pest-free turf and assume that using an insecticide will produce the desired result. When heavy infestation of a pest insect is sudden and unexpected, there often is no alternative but to depend on a traditional insecticide to reduce the population in a timely manner. The chapter then considers the effect of insecticides on nontarget organisms, as well as the environment fate of pesticides.

Identification and Management of Clustered Pellitory (Parietaria praetermissa) in Citrus Groves

In Florida, clustered pellitory is becoming a troublesome weed for citrus, especially from the winter through early summer. Inadequate management of this weed can result in its heavy infestation in tree rows and can interrupt the spray pattern of low-volume drip irrigation systems. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department will assist Florida citrus growers with proper identification of clustered pellitory and with adoption of adequate and timely strategies to manage this weed in their groves. Written by Ramdas Kanissery, Biwek Gairhe, Brent Sellers, and Steve Futch. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1341

An Uncommon An Uncommon Cause of Acute Abdomen in Underprivileged Communities

Oftentimes general surgeons working in poorly resourced communities carry out emergency abdominal surgery in patients with acute abdomen with no definitive preoperative diagnosis. The definitive diagnosis is made at laparotomy. Perforated small bowel obstruction secondary to heavy Infestation with Ascaris Lumbricoides brings a number of intraoperative challenges requiring correct intraoperative surgical management decisions. We present a case of a 17 year-old patient who was admitted with a diagnosis of small bowel obstruction who at laparotomy was found to have perforated gangrenous small bowel volvulus with heavy worm load visible through the bowel wall. Because of faecal peritoneal contamination and haemodynamic instability she underwent a two staged procedure with good outcome.