Diversity of aphid pests on the crops in Kanchanpur district, Nepal

A survey was conducted to explore the aphid pests’ diversity in Kanchanpur district, far-western, Nepal from April 2018 to March 2019. A total of 15 aphid pests were collected and identified, viz. Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), Aphis craccivora (Koch), Aphis gossypii (Glover), Aphis fabae (Scopoli), Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus), Lipaphis erysmi (Kaltenbach), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), Macrosiphum rosae (Linnaeus), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus), Rhopalosiphum rufiadominale (Sasaki), Uroleucon compositae (Theobald), and the guava aphid. Exploration of aphid pests showed that they caused serious damages to agricultural crops by attacking different parts of plants.

Status of ant research and species first described from Nepal with new distribution records

Nepal occupies the Central part of the Himalayas and offers unique ecological and species diversity. Ants are amongst the most diverse and successful insects on the Earth. Study of Nepalese myrmeco-fauna has started only after 1906 and little is known about them except the availability of few published works only. This paper provides a brief overview of the status of ant research in Nepal, type localities, distribution records, diagnosis and etymology of ant species which are described for the first time from Nepalese specimens. All the type materials of these species are deposited in museums abroad and it seems essential to deposit voucher specimens in the country to excel taxonomic work on Nepalese fauna. Systematic surveys of ants and well-curetted ant depository will facilitate the discovery of more ant species from Nepal. We hope that this paper will stimulate local interest in the study of ants of Nepal.

Inventory of Butterflies and Its Role to Promote Ecotourism in Northern Sindhupalchok District of Central Nepal

Sindhupalchok is one of the largest districts of central Nepal with area occupancy of about 2542 km². The northern side of this district exhibits complex physical feature where this study was carried out within the elevation of 850m to 4300m. The changing elevation gradients along mountain habitats act to control the distribution of butterflies at its ascending range. This study made on different periods in 2009 and 2012 brought a list of 114 species of butterflies from three different destinations of the northern side that included areas like Melamchi, Timbu (central-northern), Helambu (northern) Nakote (north-western) Panch Pokhari and adjoining region (north-eastern). The diversity of butterflies declined gradually above 3500m towards Panch Pokhari whereas species richness was noticed high at 900-2700 m from Melamchi to Helambu route including Nakote, Shermathan and Tarkyghyang. Ecotourism promotional activity can also be linked to the butterfly watch that includes rare and attractive species carrying high interest to the visiting tourists to this region. These tourists intend to watch, document and photograph these butterflies besides birds and other wildlife species. The supplementary information on these insects including other faunal components can be helpful to provide impressive knowledge to the visiting tourists to this part.

Habitat and Behavioral Observation of Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus (BRÜNNICH, 1782) in Sallaghari, Bhaktapur, Nepal

The study on Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus), the most diverse group of mam­mals, was conducted from17th September, 2016 to 3rd March, 2017 at Sallaghari, Bhaktapur to collect baseline information on habitat, behavior, population and threats. The population structure and estimated populations along with their habitat using direct observation and the branch estimation method were assessed. The general behaviour of the individual animal was observed and recorded using focal animal sampling over a 10 minute periods either in the morning or evening. Local people and members of the Nepal Army were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires in order to assess threats. Most flyng fox were found roosting in tall Eucalyptus spp. trees and the highly branched Populus spp. Resting was observed as the most the dominant behavior among male, female and young individuals during the study period. Highest populations (n=1421) were observed in September 2016 and lowest (n=36) in February 2017. Habitat de­struction, lack of food, urbanization and electrocution were the major threats to P. gi­ganteus. The population is decreasing compared to previous studies. Electrocution and persecution by humans are the major causes of accidental death each year. Therefore, in order to conserve and save this species, habitat and afforestation along with aware­ness programs should be implemented urgently.

A Study of Fungal Diseases Occurring on Stored Tomatoes of Balkhu Agriculture and Vegetable Market, Nepal

Tomatoes are one of the most widely produced and consumed vegetable in Nepal. Fungal pathogens deteriorate the quality and quantity of tomato and cause health hazards to the consumers as well as economic loss to the traders. This study was carried out to identify some fungal diseases associated with post-harvest deterioration of stored tomato fruits in Balkhu Agriculture and vegetable Market of Kathmandu, Nepal. Collected samples were cultured in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media in complete randomized design. Fifteen species of fungi namely Alternaria alternata, A. solani, Aspergillus niger, Botrytis cinerea, Fulvum fulva, Colletotrichum truncatum, Curvularia spicifera, Fusarium oxysporum, Dipodascus geotrichum, Mucor mucedo, Penicillium chrysogenum, Phytophthora infestans, Boeremia exigua, Pythium aphanidermatum and Rhizopus stolonifer were identified. These were responsible for 14 different diseases of Alternaria fruit rot, Anthracnose, Black mold rot, Botrytis Bunch Rot, Damping off/ fruit rot, Drechslera mold, Fusarium rot, Mucor rot, Penicillum rot, Boeremia blight, Phytophthora rot, Rhizopus rot, Russet, and, Sour rot. The presence of these fungi and corresponding rot diseases on stored tomato indicates the need for management of fungi, farm sanitation and improved market in order to prevent field-to-storage transmission of pathogen.

Antioxidant Potentials of morel mushroom (Morchella conica Pers.) from Nepal

Oxidative stress contributes to the aging process and raises the risk of several chronic diseases. In recent years, natural antioxidants are being explored intensively for their ability to protect organisms and cells from oxidative stress-induced harm. Furthermore, mushrooms are widely used as a source of natural therapies for a variety of ailments caused by oxidative stress. In this study antioxidant activities of Morchella conica Pers. extracts obtained with methanol were investigated. This is supposed to be the first report of the antioxidant activity of morel mushroom from Nepal. Five complimentary test systems; namely DPPH free radical scavenging, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid, ascorbic acid, and carotenoid concentration were used. At concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml the methanol extracts scavenged 69, 69, 70, 68 and 81% DPPH radicals. The total phenolic content of the extracts was 4.304±0.12 mg/g gallic acid equivalent. The total flavonoid compound concentration was measured as 0.381±0.00 mg/g quercetin equivalent. The concentrations of ascorbic acid were recorded 19±0.02 mg/g dry sample. β-carotene and lycopene detected in the extract of M. conica are 0.020±0.001 and 0.021±0.002 μg/ml respectively. Finally, the findings of this study demonstrated that M. conica has a high antioxidant activity, making it potentially effective in antioxidant therapy and therapeutic intervention in oxidative stress-related disorders.

Floristic Diversity in the Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley, Central Nepal

Wetlands support exceptionally high biodiversity and provide valuable ecosystem services, yet they are among the most threatened habitats due to anthropogenic activities. Conservation and management planning of wetlands requires, among others, a comprehensive floristic account. In this study, we prepared a checklist of the flowering plants found in the wetlands of the Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley (LCPV), a Ramsar site of Nepal, located in a rapidly urbanizing capital city of Gandaki Province in Central Nepal. Voucher specimens were collected from the study sites through multiple visits during the monsoon (June-August) and autumn (September-November) seasons. Species were categorized based on their life forms (Raunkiaer’s classification) and native distribution range (native, naturalized, invasive). Ethno-botanical uses of the plant species were compiled from the published literature. We identified 230 plant species belonging to 70 families and 177 genera. Asteraceae (25 species), Poaceae (22 species), Fabaceae (18 species), Cyperaceae (16 species), and Lamiaceae (11 species) were species-rich families. Therophytes (30%) were the dominant life form followed by Hemicryptophytes (27%). Among 230 species, 183 species were native and 47 species naturalized; among the naturalized species, 21 species were invasive. Most of the plant species (61%) have medicinal values while others have food (24%) and fodder values (13%).

Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analysis of Groundwater Quality of Kathmandu Valley

The limited availability, accessibility and deterioration of the water quality in Kathmandu valley have led to the high demand of ground water. This study aims to evaluate ground water quality of the Kathmandu valley. In this study, the physio-chemical parameters of water samples were performed using standard procedures. Also, total coliforms were enumerated using standard membrane filtration technique to quantify the bacterial contamination. Water samples were collected from July 2017 to July 2018. The results revealed that 56% and 73% of well and boring water samples, respectively exceeded standard value of iron recommended by National Drinking Water Quality Standards, 2005. Likewise, ammonia content was higher in 41% of well water and 35% of boring water samples than standard. However, few numbers of water samples were contaminated with arsenic (0.27% and 2.6% of well and boring water samples, respectively) and nitrate (3% and 8% of well and boring water samples, respectively). Besides, 96% of well water samples and 88% of boring water samples were contaminated with total coliform bacteria. Our data indicated that groundwater quality of Kathmandu valley was poor, which was not suitable for direct drinking purposes. Therefore, regular monitoring and treatment of groundwater is recommended before using accordingly.

A survey on gastro-intestinal helminth parasites of Channa species at Kanchanrup Municipality, Saptari, Nepal

A survey on gastro-intestinal helminth parasites of Channa species was done from the fish markets of Kanchanrup municipality and surrounding rivers and ponds with the help of local fishermen from May 2017 to April 2018. The experimental fishes were carried in the laboratory of Post Graduate Campus, Biratnagar. The visceral masses of the fishes were removed and examined under microscope by simple wet mount preparation for occurrence of various helminth parasites. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. C. orientalis (n=200) was infected by nematodes (Capillaria pterophylli), trematodes (Gonocerca physidis and Genarchopsis goppo) and cestodes (Senga sp.) giving prevalence of 87.5%. Similarly, C. striatus (n=225) was infected by nematodes (Camallanus intestinalis and Neocamellanus sp.), cestodes (Bothriocephalus sp.) and acanthacephalan (Pallisentis ophiocephali) with prevalence of infection 85.33%. The total multiple infection number was 131(74.9 %) found in C. orientalis. Channa spp. were heavily loaded by gastro-intestinal helminth parasites which may give rise to a health threat of zoonotic transmission to consumers. Therefore, immediate development of effective control measures and an application of good nourishment practice urgently needed to lower the helminth infection to fishes.

Agave americana (Ketuke) toxicity in the kidney of Clarias batrachus

Different parts of plant have been used since many decades by humans for catching fishes. In this investigation, ‘ketuke ‘leaf effect was observed on behavioral change and histological alterations in the kidney of Clarias batrachus. Few fishes were kept as control i.e. not exposed to plant piscicide. The other fishes were exposed to 3gm per 30 liters of water for 24 and 48 hrs. In exposed fish’s restlessness, vigorous movement, excessive secretion of slime and loss of appetite was seen. Histologically, glomerular contraction, clumping of melanomacrophages, degeneration of epithelial tissue along with the degeneration of renal tubules and others were seen. Increase in the Bowman’s space was one of the noticeable changes. Extract accumulation was seen in the tissues. Exposure to sub lethal concentrations of Ketuke (Agave americana), caused duration dependent histopathological alterations in the kidney of Clarias batrachus which is discussed in the paper.