Effect of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on different stages of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

The sand fly, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli, 1786) (Diptera: Psychodidae), is the main vector of Leishmania major Yakimoff and Schokhor, 1914, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis North Africa, the Middle East, and North Sinai. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fungi on P. papatasi larvae, pupae, and adults using light microscopic analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and histopathological studies. Specifically, larvae, pupae, and adult P. papatasi were infected with the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Scanning electron microscope and histopathological methods were used to investigate the destructive impact of the fungi on the external and internal structures of P. papatasi. The results revealed propagation of the conidia on the cuticles of all P. papatasi life stages, including on the compound eyes, leg setae, thorax, wings, and abdomen of the adults. Histological sections of the control and treated larvae, pupae, and adults showed many alterations and malformations in the body and tissues of all life stages after 72 h. These results demonstrated that B. bassiana was more effective than M. anisopliae as a biological control of phlebotomine sand flies. Further studies to determine the best methods for delivery and application in the diverse ecological settings of the various leishmaniasis vectors are recommended.

Biting midges of the genus Forcipomyia Meigen, 1818 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Afghanistan, with description of a new species

Examination of an old collection of adult biting midges of the genus Forcipomyia Meigen, 1818 from Afghanistan revealed six species, placed within four subgenera: Forcipomyia (3 species), Microhelea (1 species), Synthridomyia (1 species) and Thyridomyia (1 species). Five species are new records, Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) szadziewskii n. sp. is described as a new member of this genus from this country.

Morphological variations in Nigerian Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 populations in Guinea savannah agro-ecological zone

Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 is one of the most economically valuable insects which plays significant role in human medicine, nutrition and crop pollination. The morphometric variations of honeybee from different locations of the southern guinea and northern guinea savannah ecological zone of Nigeria were studied. Fifteen morphological traits were measured for variation on six hundred (600) worker honeybee samples purposively collected from ten different locations within the ecological zone. Data collected were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), SNK test (α=0.05) and Pearson correlation between morphometric characters were determined. At the same time a dendrogram of morphological proximity based on the fifteen morphological features was constructed. Results showed that morphometry variation (p<0.05) existed within the honeybee population in the guinea savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria, high morphological similarities were observed in the tibia length of the hind leg and the thorax length. The honeybee samples were classified into two distinct morphoclusters (A and B). Honeybee samples within morphocluster A were closely related in terms of the examined morphometric features and geographic distance (CV=1.65). In contrast, within cluster B, honeybee samples were closely related despite the vast geographical distance (CV=3.30, p<0.05). The body length was significantly positively correlated with the leg size, while hind wing length was positively associated with the proboscis, abdominal, thoracic, body length and hooks. Morphometric variations found in A. mellifera of guinea agro-ecological zone could significantly impact conservation and future bee breeding programmes of Nigeria.

Makaya gen. nov. (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae) from dry forests in western Madagascar

A new monospecific genus of flatid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae), Makaya gen. nov., is described for Makaya volontany sp. nov. (type species) from the island of Madagascar. Habitus, male and female external and internal genital structures of the new species are illustrated and compared with related taxa. Makaya volontany is endemic to Madagascar where it is currently known from different types of dry forests in the western part of the island.

Insecticidal activity and phytochemical analysis of Pyrus communis L. extracts against malarial vector, Anopheles pharoensis Theobald, 1901 (Diptera: Culicidae)

We aimed at investigating the insecticidal activity of Pyrus communis L. against the malarial vector, Anopheles pharoensis Theobald, 1901 and its phytochemical constituents. Leaves were collected and the crude extracts were prepared using hexane (PCH) and methanol (PCM). Tested PCH and PCM possess larvicidal activity against A. pharoensis with LC50 and LC90 values of 179.9, 41.2 and 314.1, 68.9 ppm, respectively. A significant reduction in the number of eggs laid by females A. pharoensis that developed from larvae treated with PCH and PCM was noticed. Also, PCH treatment showed highest repellent activity compared with PCM. GC/MS analysis of the PCH revealed the presence of 55 identified compounds subdivided into 2 major classes viz. phenyl alkanes (38.65 %) and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids (36.41 %). LC/MS of PCM had led to the identification of 37 compounds, mainly flavonoids, chalcones, phenolic acids and tannins. The results demonstrate the insecticidal potential of leaves methanol and hexane extracts from P. communis as green insecticidal agents for the control of malarial vector, A. pharoensis.

Effect of sowing dates on the populations of three major insect pests and associated natural enemies throughout the growth stages of maize plants

In Egypt, maize is an important crop that is attacked by various pests. In the present study, the effect of maize planting dates on the populations of insect pests and their natural enemies were investigated throughout the growth stages of maize plants. The maize planting dates were at the beginning of May, Jun, and July in the 2019 season and were repeated in the 2020 season. Samples were collected weekly to determine the populations of the insect pests, Limothrips cerealium (Haliday, 1836), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch, 1856), and Sesamia cretica Lederer, 1857 and their natural predators. For the first sowing date, the infestation percentage of L. cerealium and S. cretica were most substantial, especially in the seedling and precorn formation stages. For the third sowing date, the number of R. maidis was most substantial, especially in the corn formation stage. Three predators were associated with these insect species; of these predators, Coccinella undecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758), Scymnus interruptus (Goeze, 1777), and Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) were observed at the highest numbers during all sowing dates. A highly significant correlation existed between populations of S. interruptus and the three insects across the two seasons. Data suggest that the percentage of thrips, aphids, and stem borers infestations can be minimized by planting maize varieties in June.

First record of Orsodacne altra (Coleoptera: Orsodacnidae) and Cyrtosus cyanipennis (Coleoptera: Malachiidae) associated to Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) in Morocco

Recently Dactylopius opuntiae Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell, 1896) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) has caused enormous damage in several production areas of cactus in Morocco. The spread of infestation by this scale pest is fast and unpredictable, and consequently, the destruction of large areas planted with cactus in several regions of the Kingdom. In aim to discover natural enemies that have the capacity and potential to be used as mealybug predators, a team of researchers have conducted surveys in cactus production areas. In January 2020 two unidentified Coleoptera species were observed associated to D. opuntiae in an infested cactus crop in El-Gharbia locality. The observed species were identified as Orsodacne altra (Ahrens, 1810) and Cyrtosus cyanipennis (Erichson, 1840). The current study represents the first register of these two genera associated to cactus mealybug in Morocco.

Abundance and diversity of insects associated with stored grains and tamarind in Nigeria

Detailed information on insect pests of stored grains in Nigeria is lacking. A two-year survey was conducted to determine the species composition and abundance of insects associated with maize, millet, rice, sorghum and tamarind in eighteen locations across five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Sixteen coleopteran, lepidopteran and hymenopteran species were associated with stored products, with high species richness on cereal grains but low species richness on tamarind. Most of these insects are polyphagous on cereal grains, whereas the tamarind weevil Sitophilus linearis (Herbst, 1797) (Curculionidae), and Caryedon serratus (Oliver, 1790) (Chrysomelidae) were found only on tamarind in this study. The maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky, 1758), rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (Linneaus, 1763), lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) (Bostrichidae), rusty grain beetle Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens, 1831) (Laemophloeidae) and red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Tenebrionidae) were most abundant on stored grains. The tamarind weevil, C. serratus and the sawtoothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linneaus, 1758) (Silvanidae) were most abundant on tamarind. The hymenopterans Theocolax elegans (Westwood, 1874) (Pteromalidae), Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard, 1881) (Pteromalidae) and Cephalonomia waterstoni (Gahan, 1931) (Bethylidae) were the dominant parasitoids of larvae and pupae of the storage pests. Simpson index of diversity of insect species across locations ranged from low (0.63) to high (0.89).

Population dynamics and distribution of exotic and native frugivorous insects of citrus in Nsukka, Nigeria

Invasion of the exotic Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel, 1912) (Tephritidae) has drastically reduced the abundance and distribution of native Ceratitis anonae Graham, 1908 (Tephritidae) and false codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick, 1913) (Tortricidae) in Nigeria. There is an overlap in resource use among the three frugivorous insects which could result in interspecific competition. Knowledge of the population dynamics and distribution of the three frugivorous insects in the study area is lacking and such data are indispensable for effective management of the tephritid and tortricid pests. The population dynamics and distribution of the three frugivorous insects were investigated to predict the route of invasion and the outcome of interactions among the three frugivorous insects. Bactrocera dorsalis occurred in all the seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) sampled while C. anonae and T. leucotreta occurred together in two LGAs and separately in two other LGAs. The population of B. dorsalis is significantly higher than either C. anonae or T. leucotreta in the study area. The three frugivorous insects are negatively associated with one another but only the association between B. dorsalis and C. anonae was significantly different. Bactrocera dorsalis invaded the study area from southern Nigeria and C. anonae is being driven towards northern Nigeria.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra (Linnaeus, 1753)) roots aqueous extract and some additives against Bactrocera zonata (Saunders, 1841) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders, 1841) is a destructive polyphagous pest threatening the horticultural production in Egypt. Licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Linnaeus, 1753) is a plant growing in Egypt and many other countries and famous for saponins groups that have insecticidal effect against broad spectrum of insect pests. In the present study, the insecticidal effect of licorice roots aqueous extract (LRAE), petroleum oil, KZ light mineral oil 96% (EC), water and an emulsion (1/4 L LRAE + ¼ L petroleum oil + ½ L KZ light oil 96% (EC)) treatments in a ratio 1 L: 29 L water were used in Matabi® sprayer of 30 L capacity against B. zonata pupae in sandy and clay soils. In sandy and clay soils LRAE reduced B. zonata population by 74.44% and 87.55% while petroleum oil, KZ light mineral oil 96% (EC) prevented flies emergence (100% reduction). Water treatment suppressed B. zonata population by 78.61% in sandy soil but caused 100% population reduction in clay soil. The emulsion reduced B. zonata population by 96.94% in sandy soil and 100% in clay soil. The best method for application of the emulsion was to spray as one target spray technique for eight seconds that was sufficient to obtain suitable coverage on soil with spray speed 1.2 km / hour. The persistence of the emulsion that highly reduced B. zonata larval populations was 3.5 and 4.5 days in sandy and clay soils, respectively. The flies emerged from B. zonata pupae treated with the emulsion neither feed nor move naturally. The histological studies showed that these flies suffered changes in the eyes, labellum, muscles and midgut tissues that were different from the emerged control treatment flies.