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Endemic foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) presents a global economic challenge to the livestock industry. The progressive control pathway for FMD (PCP-FMD) specifies successive steps through which a country/region can reduce FMD virus circulation and impact. These steps are reliant on understanding and obtaining knowledge on FMD epidemiology, to inform development of appropriate disease interventions like vaccination and quarantine programs. Currently, Uganda and Tanzania are in the early stages of the PCP-FMD. This review was undertaken to determine FMDV serotype distribution in Uganda and Tanzania between 2003 and 2015. The paper also presents the vaccine strains used in both countries for the same period viz avis the circulating topotypes. The review highlights four (O, A, SAT 1 and SAT 2) and five (O, A, SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3) serotypes that occurred in Uganda and Tanzania respectively in the thirteen year period. Observations revealed that reported circulating serotypes O and A in the two countries belonged to similar topotypes, East African 2 (EA-2) and AFRICA respectively. The SAT 1 viruses in Tanzania belonged to topotype I and differed from the Ugandan SAT 1s that belonged to topotype IV. Similarly, the SAT 2s in both countries belonged to different topotypes: IV in Tanzania and I in Uganda. This review additionally, underscores the spatial distribution of FMDV serotypes in Uganda and Tanzania and highlights regions in both countries that had high serotype diversity. The paper recommends definitive disease diagnoses, molecular serotype characterisation and matched vaccination deployment for improved disease control.

Chronic Opisthorchis viverrini-induced hepatobiliary disease is associated with significant leukocyte infiltration, including activated macrophages; however, the polarization of infiltrating macrophages remains to be fully characterized. In this study, we characterized macrophage polarization and phenotype in chronic O. viverrini-induced hepatobiliary disease in humans and hamsters using gene expression and histochemical analysis. Chronic O. viverrini infection and associated hepatobiliary diseases were associated with iron loaded M2-like macrophages in both humans and hamsters. This study provides suggestive evidence that iron loaded M2-like macrophages promote hepatobiliary disease in chronic O. viverrini infection.

Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a non-native moth attacking prickly pear cactus, Opuntia spp., in southeastern U.S. The insect is also an important threat to ecological systems and to native and endangered Opuntia spp. in southwestern USA. The egg parasitoid Trichogramma fuentesi Torre (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) was discovered attacking wild C. cactorum in Florida. To evaluate the potential effect of inundative releases of T. fuentesi against C. cactorum, the host searching behavior of T. fuentesi on C. cactorum eggs and host suitability of selected lepidopteran eggs were studied in the laboratory. Host suitability was studied on the native blue cactus moth, Melitara prodenialis Walker, and 6 selected species of butterfly eggs [Danaus plexippus (L.), Dryas iulia (Hubner), Junonia coenia (Hubner), Papilio glaucus (L.), Papilio polyxenes (F.), and Vanessa cardui (L.)] to assess the potential for non-target effects from T. fuentesi. The proportion of parasitism of the ...

Invasive insects present an ongoing challenge to the safety of U.S. agriculture. A current threat to the U.S. cotton industry is Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa), commonly known as the cotton seed bug. Populations are found throughout most of the world except for North America, and the southeastern U.S. is believed to provide a favorable environment for its establishment. A major component in efforts to control the spread of invasive pests is the rapid and accurate identification of intercepted specimens. Unfortunately, O. hyalinipennis belongs to an incompletely characterized taxon where the assignment of species identity by simple morphological keys is often problematic. In this study, we assessed the potential of DNA barcoding to facilitate the identification of the cotton seed bug in field-collected specimens.

Background Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Uganda in spite of the control measures used. Various aspects of the maintenance and circulation of FMD viruses (FMDV) in Uganda are not well understood; these include the role of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) as a reservoir for FMDV. To better understand the epidemiology of FMD at the livestock-wildlife-interface, samples were collected from young, unvaccinated cattle from 24 pastoral herds that closely interact with wildlife around Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, and analysed for evidence of FMDV infection. Results In total, 37 (15 %) of 247 serum samples had detectable antibodies against FMDV non-structural proteins (NSPs) using a pan-serotypic assay. Within these 37 sera, antibody titres ≥ 80 against the structural proteins of serotypes O, SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3 were detected by ELISA in 5, 7, 4 and 3 samples, respectively, while neutralizing antibodies were only detected against serotype O in 3 samples. Two FMDV isolates, with identical VP1 coding sequences, were obtained from probang samples from clinically healthy calves from the same herd and are serotype SAT 1 (topotype IV (EA-I)). Based on the VP1 coding sequences, these viruses are distinct from previous cattle and buffalo SAT 1 FMDV isolates obtained from the same area (19–30 % nucleotide difference) and from the vaccine strain (TAN/155/71) used within Uganda (26 % nucleotide difference). Eight herds had only one or a few animals with antibodies against FMDV NSPs while six herds had more substantial evidence of prior infection with FMDV. There was no evidence for exposure to FMDV in the other ten herds. Conclusions The two identical SAT 1 FMDV VP1 sequences are distinct from former buffalo and cattle isolates from the same area, thus, transmission between buffalo and cattle was not demonstrated. These new SAT 1 FMDV isolates differed significantly from the vaccine strain used to control Ugandan FMD outbreaks, indicating a need for vaccine matching studies. Only six herds had clear serological evidence for exposure to O and SAT 1 FMDV. Scattered presence of antibodies against FMDV in other herds may be due to the occasional introduction of animals to the area or maternal antibodies from past infection and/or vaccination. The evidence for asymptomatic FMDV infection has implications for disease control strategies in the area since this obstructs early disease detection that is based on clinical signs in FMDV infected animals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0616-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), ranks among the most important pests of various palm species. The pest originates from South and Southeast Asia, but has expanded its range dramatically since the 1980s. We used ecological niche modeling (ENM) approaches to explore its likely geographic potential. Two techniques, the Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Prediction (GARP) and a maximum entropy approach (MaxEnt), were used. However, MaxEnt provided more significant results, with all 5 random replicate subsamples having P < 0.002 while GARP models failed to achieve statistical significance in 3 of 5 cases, in which predictions achieved probabilities of 0.07 < P < 0.10. The MaxEnt models predicted successfully the known distribution, including the single North American occurrence point of Laguna Beach, California, and various areas where the pest has been reported in North Africa, southern Europe, Middle East and South and Southeastern Asia. In addi...

Effect of temperature on the developmental and reproductive biology of the passionvine mealybug, Planococcus minor (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), was investigated on sprouted potatoes. P. minor was able to develop and complete its life cycle at 20, 25, and 29 °C. No eggs eclosed at 15 and 35 °C. The developmental time from egg to adult female was approximately 49 d at 20 °C, 31 d at 25 °C, and 27 d at 29 °C. Between 20 and 29 °C, 58-71% of eggs survived to adulthood. Female mealybugs made up 60-73% of the adult populations in the 3 temperature treatments. Preoviposition and oviposition times decreased as the temperature increased. Females reproduced sexually and produced the highest number of eggs (270 eggs/female) at 20 °C. Adult female longevity declined from 34 d at 20 °C to 19-22 d at the 2 higher temperatures. Adult males were short-lived and their longevity declined with increasing temperature. At 25 °C, the gross reproductive rate (GRR) and net reproductive rate (Ro) were estimated at 445.7 ♀/♀ and 325.4 ♀/♀, respectively, the generation time (TG) was 39.5 d, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 0.147 (♀/♀/d), the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.158 (♀/♀/d), and the doubling time (DT) was 4.7 d. The ability of P. minor to develop, survive, and reproduce successfully from 20 to 29 °C suggests that the mealybug has the potential to develop and establish in climatic zones that fall within this temperature range. El efecto de la temperatura sobre el desarrollo y la reproduccion de Planococcus minor (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) fue investigado en papas germinadas. Planococcus minor pudo completar su ciclo de vida a 20, 25 y 29 °C. Los huevos no eclosionaron a 15 y 35 °C. El tiempo de desarrollo de huevo a adulto hembra fue de aproximadamente 49 dias a 20 °C, 31 d a 25 °C, y 27 d a 29 °C. Entre 20 y 29 °C el 58-71% de los huevos sobrevivieron y alcanzaron la adultez. El porcentaje de hembras fue de 60 al 73% en las tres temperaturas. Los periodos de preoviposicion y oviposicion, y la longevidad de los adultos, aumentaron con la disminucion de la temperatura. Las hembras se reproducen sexualmente. La fecundidad mas alta fue a los 20 °C cuando cada hembra produjo un promedio de 270 huevos. La longevidad de las hembras se redujo de 34 d a 20 °C a 19 -22 dias a las dos temperaturas mas altas. Los machos viven poco tiempo y su longevidad se reduce con incrementos en la temperatura. A los 25 °C, la tasa neta de reproduccion (Ro) fue 325.4 ♀/♀, el tiempo de generacion (TG) 39.5 dias, la tasa intrinseca de crecimiento (rm) 0.147 (♀/♀/d), la tasa finita de incremento (λ) 1.158, y el tiempo de duplicacion (TD) fue de 4.7 dias. La capacidad de P. minor para completar su desarrollo, sobrevivir y reproducirse con exito de los 20 a los 29 °C sugiere que esta cochinilla tiene potencial para establecerse en zonas climaticas con este mismo rango de temperatura. View this article in BioOne

Planococcus minor (Maskell) is native to South Asia, but it is also present in several Neotropical locations including the island of Trinidad in the southern Caribbean. The mealybug poses a serious threat to unin- fested countries in this region as well as the mainland U.S. As part of an effort to gather much needed information on P. minor, 33 cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) field sites on the island were surveyed in 2006 with a view to assess the occurrence and pest status of the mealybug. P. minor was identified from 20 field sites, indicating that it was well distributed across the island on this crop, which appeared to be a reliable indicator host plant. Infestation levels were generally low and populations were sparsely dis- tributed across the field sites categorized into three habitat types. The following year, nine field sites were surveyed for natural enemies of P. minor using laboratory-infested potatoes in sentinel traps. Spe- cies from four insect orders and six families were collected and identified. The major predators belonged to the families Cecidomyiidae and Coccinellidae. Two primary parasitoids, Leptomastix dactylopii Howard (Encyrtidae) and Coccidoxenoides perminutus (Girault) (=Pauridia peregrina Timberlake, =Coccidoxenoides peregrinus (Timberlake)) (Encyrtidae), were reared from different mealybug stages, along with several hyperparasitoids. The primary parasitoids were probably introduced fortuitously. These diverse natural enemies were recovered throughout the sampling period from the different habitat types. The identifica- tion of key natural enemies associated with P. minor has important implications for the implementation of biological control in newly infested areas.

Trichogramma fuentesi Torre was identified attacking Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg), a serious pest of Opuntia spp. in North America, raising the possibility of using this egg parasitoid as an inundative biological control agent. Studies were conducted to assess the biological parameters of this parasitoid under laboratory conditions. Nutritive quality influence of the rearing supplement on the parasitoid's longevity, mating, and age was evaluated based on the level of parasitism. The presence and type of food source had a positive impact on female longevity, and female parasitoids given a diet composed of pure honey lived the longest; an average of 11 d. Mated females parasitized a greater number of C. cactorum host eggs than did unmated females. Percent parasitism significantly decreased with female age. Two- to 3-day old female parasitoids had the highest level of parasitism. Two-day old host eggs were the optimal host egg age for parasitization by T. fuentesi. In the context of implementing an ...

Pheromone-food-bait trap and acoustic surveys were conducted in Curacao to monitor a recently discovered invasion of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus L. (RPW). This pest of economic importance in regions of Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean was not observed in the Americas until 2009. Due to its economic and environmental damage, there is an urgent need to manage or eradicate RPW in Curacao to reduce its impact on the island as well as avoid the possibility of transference to surrounding regions. Studies were conducted to explore methods available for monitoring adults with traps and acoustically assessing larval infestations in trees in the warm, dry but humid Curacao environment - considering also some special challenges of urban conditions, such as increased traffic noise or unwanted human curiosity that could negatively affect monitoring success. Bucket traps baited with 4-methyl-5-nonanol/4-methyl-5-nonanone pheromone lure, ethyl acetate and a molasses - ethylene glycol mixture captured ...

Survival assays were conducted with beet armyworm (BAW), Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), a tortoise beetle, Gratiana bolivana Spaeth, and western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), on tropical soda apple (TSA), Solanum viarum Dunal, a relative of tomato. Both S. exigua and G. boliviana seem to induce plant defenses in tropical soda apple. Significantly more S. exigua neonate larvae survived to second instar on non-induced plants and artificial diet when compared with plants with induced defenses. Our results further suggest that the induced response in TSA was systemic, since BAW neonates suffered higher mortality in induced plants despite not being in direct contact with the damaged part of the plant. Results suggested that feeding action of G. boliviana on TSA had no significant influence on WFT host choice.

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, an important palm pest, was accidentally introduced into the Caribbean. A monitoring programme was established to determine the population level and distribution of infestations on Aruba and Curacao through the use of commercially available pheromone traps. Due to the small size of the islands and limited distribution of palms, eradication may be feasible using a combination of trapping, timely disposal of infested palms and curative and prophylactic chemical treatments. These studies on the pest in the Caribbean were used to help design a USDA plant health emergency response through the development of Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine New Pest Response Guidelines and provide an effective emergency response programme for other Caribbean Islands and the Americas.

Interest in the natural enemies of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) has increased since the moth was found in Florida in 1989. Previous surveys for natural enemies in Argentina identified egg parasitoids in the family Trichogrammatidae as potentially important control agents of C. cactorum. A study was conducted in north Florida to identify and to assess occurrence of egg parasitoids attacking this invasive moth in its new homeland. Surveys undertaken at 6 locations in north Florida from Jul 2008 to Dec 2009 revealed that eggsticks of C. cactorum were attacked by egg parasitoids from the Trichogramma genus: T. pretiosum Riley, T. fuentesi Torre, and an additional unidentified Trichogramma species belonging to the T. pretiosum group. In order to assess the importance of these egg parasitoids, the fate of individual C. cactorum eggsticks was determined during weekly visits to each site. This assessment showed that the combined level of parasitism of C. cactorum eggsticks was very low with less than 0.2...

Our study characterized host searching and oviposition ability of T. fuentesi . In general, female wasps walked to a C. cactorum egg, drummed over the surface, drilled into the chorion, and deposited an egg. Grooming and resting behaviors were observed infrequently and host feeding was never recorded. In a typical observation period of 60 min with eggs of the exotic C. cactorum , female parasitoids spent 16% of their time drumming, 4% drilling, and 8% egg laying into the selected host. Most of the oviposition behaviors happened in the first hour. Nuestro estudio caracterizo la busqueda de hospedero y la capacidad de oviposicion de Trichogramma fuentesi . En general, las avispas hembras caminaron hacia los huevos de Cactoblastis cactorum, pegaron sus antenas sobre la superficie de los huevos como un tambor (en tamboreo), perforaron el corion y depositaron su huevo adentro. Los comportamientos de aseo y de descanso fueron observados con poca frecuencia y la alimentacion sobre el hospedero no fue registrada. En un periodo de observacion tipica de 60 min con los huevos de la especie exotica C. cactorum , los parasitoides hembras pasaron el 16% de su tiempo en tamboreo, el 4% perforando y el 8% poniendo huevos dentro de los hospederos seleccionados. La mayoria del comportamiento de oviposicion ocurrio en la primera hora. View this article in BioOne

Four years after the release of two exotic parasitoids, Amitus hesperidum Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae) and Encarsia perplexa Huang and Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) for the classical biological control of the citrus blackfly (CBF), Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Dominica, a survey was conducted to assess establishment as well as potential nontarget effects especially on Aleyrodidae and other related taxa. CBF populations were low to non-existent in 50 of 51 field sites examined. At the site where CBF was encountered, both E. perplexa and A. hesperidum were present and CBF populations were declining. The two parasitoids were not among the several species collected on nontarget Aleryodidae and Hemiptera. It is concluded that E. perplexa and A. hesperidum have kept CBF populations under effective biological control in Dominica and there is no evidence of any nontarget effects on other Aleyrodidae or their natural enemies.

After a 16-year interval, foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype SAT 3 was isolated in 2013 from an apparently healthy long-horned Ankole calf that grazed close to buffalo in Uganda. The emergent virus strain is ≈20% different in nucleotide sequence (encoding VP1 [viral protein 1]) from its closest relatives isolated previously from buffalo in Uganda.

Experiments were conducted to determine if Metarhizium anisopliae isolates which are capable of growth at cattle surface temperatures could produce pathogenicity to Boophilus microplus in laboratory and field studies. The diurnal temperature fluctuation on the surface of cattle was monitored. The temperature tolerance of M. anisopliae isolates (ARSEF3297 and IMI386697) was determined and their pathogenicity to B. microplus compared at a standard bioassay temperature (28 degrees C) and at a temperature similar to the cattle surface (31-35 degrees C). The effect of the two isolates on the B. microplus population on cattle under field conditions was determined. The temperature of the fore udder, rear udder, ribs and neck regions of the mixed Holstein cattle fluctuated between 30 and 35 degrees C, in a similar pattern to the prevailing environmental temperature. However, wider fluctuations were obtained on the ears (28-35 degrees C) and spine (30-41 degrees C). The colony radius of both isolates declined as temperature increased, however, the growth of IMI386697 was five times greater than ARSEF3297 at 34 degrees C. At 28 degrees C, the pathogenicity of both isolates to B. microplus was similar, however, at 31-35 degrees C, IMI386697 was more pathogenic than ARSEF3297. Both isolates reduced the B. microplus population on cattle in comparison to the control formulation. However, IMI386697 (8.5+/-0.64 ticks/animal) produced a greater reduction in tick numbers than ARSEF3297 (19.1+/-0.64 ticks/animal). M. anisopliae was re-isolated from 8.9% of the ticks collected from IMI386697 treated cattle as compared to 2.8% of ticks from ARSEF3297 treated cattle.

The citrus blackfly Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), a native of South East Asia, was first reported in Trinidad in 1998. As part of a classical biological control programme against the pest, releases of Amitus hesperidum Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae) were made in Trinidad from June to August 2000. Field studies were conducted on three commercial citrus farms, two large estates ( >500 ha) and one small orchard (

Studies were conducted to identify oil-based formulating agents (paraffinic oil, palm oil and emulsifiable adjuvant oils (EAOs)) for Metarhizium anisopliae that were superior to water with simple surfactants using a germination test and a bioassay against Boophilus microplus. Germination of conidia in all formulations, except 10% coconut EAO, produced more than 68% germination at 24 h and nearly 100% at 48 h. Coconut oil (average survival time (AST) = 4.6 +/- 0.28 days) and 10% liquid paraffin EAO (AST = 4.4 +/- 0.15 days) enhanced the pathogenicity of M. anisopliae to B. microplus relative to water (AST = 8.4 +/- 0.42 days). M. anisopliae in 10% liquid paraffin EAO was the most effective formulation having a moderately high germination after 24 h and a low AST as well as a high AST in the control. In the second experiment, germination of conidia in 2% liquid paraffin EAO and 2% Cropspray was higher than in 2% Codacide oil at 24 h, however, all treatments reached 100% germination after 48 h. The ASTs of the EAO based M. anisopliae formulations (Average AST = 6.4 +/- 0.54 days) were similar but lower that the ASTs of the controls (Average AST = 9.6 +/- 0.28 days).

To investigate the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotypes circulating in Uganda's cattle population, both serological and virological analyses of samples from outbreaks that occurred during 2012-2013 were performed. Altogether, 79 sera and 60 oropharyngeal fluid (OP)/tissue/oral swab samples were collected from herds with reported FMD outbreaks in seven different Ugandan districts. Overall, 61/79 (77%) of the cattle sera were positive for antibodies against FMDV by PrioCHECK FMDV NS ELISA and solid phase blocking ELISA detected titres ≥ 80 for serotypes O, SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3 in 41, 45, 30 and 45 of these 61 seropositive samples, respectively. Virus neutralisation tests detected the highest levels of neutralising antibodies (titres ≥ 45) against serotype O in the herds from Kween and Rakai districts, against SAT 1 in the herd from Nwoya district and against SAT 2 in the herds from Kiruhura, Isingiro and Ntungamo districts. The isolation of a SAT 2 FMDV from Isingiro was consistent with the detection of high levels of neutralising antibodies against SAT 2; sequencing (for the VP1 coding region) indicated that this virus belonged to lineage I within this serotype, like the currently used vaccine strain. From the Wakiso district 11 tissue/swab samples were collected; serotype A FMDV, genotype Africa (G-I), was isolated from the epithelial samples. This study shows that within a period of less than one year, FMD outbreaks in Uganda were caused by four different serotypes namely O, A, SAT 1 and SAT 2. Therefore, to enhance the control of FMD in Uganda, there is need for efficient and timely determination of outbreak virus strains/serotypes and vaccine matching. The value of incorporating serotype A antigen into the imported vaccines along with the current serotype O, SAT 1 and SAT 2 strains should be considered.

Several human hepatotropic pathogens including chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) have narrow species restriction, thus hindering research and therapeutics development against these pathogens. Developing a rodent model that accurately recapitulates hepatotropic pathogens infection, human immune response, chronic hepatitis, and associated immunopathogenesis is essential for research and therapeutics development. Here, we describe the recently developed AFC8 humanized liver- and immune system-mouse model for studying chronic hepatitis C virus and associated human immune response, chronic hepatitis, and liver fibrosis.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Kenya and has been well studied in cattle, but not in pigs, yet the role of pigs is recognised in FMD-free areas. This study investigated the presence of antibodies against FMD virus (FMDV) in pigs sampled during a countrywide random survey for FMD in cattle coinciding with SAT 1 FMDV outbreaks in cattle. A total of 191 serum samples were collected from clinically healthy pigs in 17 districts. Forty-two of the 191 sera were from pigs vaccinated against serotypes O/A/SAT 2 FMDV. Antibodies against FMDV non-structural proteins were found in sera from 30 vaccinated and 71 non-vaccinated pigs, altogether 101/191 sera (53 %), and 91 % of these (92/101) also had antibodies measurable by serotype-specific ELISAs, predominantly directed against SAT 1 with titres of 10–320. However, only five high titres against SAT 1 in vaccinated pigs were confirmed by virus neutralisation test (VNT). Due to high degree of agreement between the two ELISAs, it was concluded that positive pigs had been infected with FMDV. Implications of these results for the role of pigs in the epidemiology of FMD in Kenya are discussed, and in-depth studies are recommended.

Pauesia juniperorum has been selected as a potential agent for the biological control of Cinara cupressivora, an important introduced pest of conifers in Africa. As part of the pre-introductory assessment studies, selection of different host age categories for oviposition was studied in choice and no choice experiments. The duration of development and adult size of parasitoid progeny developing in different host age categories were compared. The effects of parasitism on survival and reproduction of five categories of the apterous morph of the host ranging in age from 3-15 days was also studied. The age of hosts had a significant influence on the degree with which different categories were parasitized. Host defensive behaviour, which increased with age, influenced the outcome of attempts by the parasitoid to oviposit. The effect was greater in older hosts, but in young hosts their small size was more important in enabling aphids to escape parasitism. The duration of development decreased while adult size i...

Cinara sp. nov., previously identified as Cinara cupressi (Buckton) (Homoptera: Aphididae), is an important alien aphid pest of cypresses and junipers, and invaded Africa in the late 1980s. The work reported here was carried out as part of a larger programme aimed at the classical biological control of the aphid in Africa. Basic life history attributes including life table statistics of the aphid were quantified in order to facilitate the development of efficient aphid culturing methods and essential baseline information necessary for the culturing of potential parasitoid biological agents prior to selection for introduction to Africa. Developmental rates and fecundity were studied under four constant temperatures (10 degrees C, 15 degrees C, 20 degrees C, and 25 degrees C). The effects of several plant nutrients (nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus) supplied at different dose levels on life history attributes of Cinara sp. nov. were also studied. Unlike most other aphids, the apterous morph of Cinara sp. nov. developed through only three instars, and the alate four instars. The aphid is highly aggregative and exploits a wide range of feeding sites from young green branches to woody stems. The developmental period of Cinara sp. nov. ranged from 9.3 days at 25 degrees C to 22.3 days at 10 degrees C and the developmental threshold was 0.61 degrees C. Reproduction was delayed, because of the longer duration of development, and nymph production decreased with decreasing temperature. The intrinsic rate of increase ranged between 0.117 at 25 degrees C and 0.060 at 10 degrees C. Aphid size increased significantly as temperature was lowered. Wing formation was not induced when apterae were reared for up to three generations at each constant temperature but continuous crowding in the supply cultures held at 21 degrees C resulted in a high number of alates being formed. No appreciable effects of the different plant nutrients, supplied either singly or in combination, on the duration of instars or overall survival could be detected.

This chapter describes the host range, economic impact, pest status, origin and distribution, molecular identification, biology, life history, rearing techniques, sampling and monitoring, damage and economic thresholds, and control tactics (including chemical, biological, ant control, mating disruption, mass trapping, lure and kill, cultural, physical, mechanical, quarantine, and host plant resistance) of Planococcus minor.

The mealybug Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a new record for the Dominican Republic, based on specimens collected on 21 May 2010 from the ornamental plant Gomphrena globosa L. (Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae), in Santo Domingo. La especie Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) fue encontrada el 21 de mayo del 2010 como un nuevo record para la Republica Dominicana, especimenes fueron colectados en Santo Domingo sobre la planta ornamental Gomphrena globosa L. (Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae). View this article in BioOne

Survival assays were conducted with beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) and southern armyworm S. eridania (Stoll) with tropical soda apple Solanum viarum Dunal, a relative of tomato. In addition, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme assays were conducted to determine if plant defense compounds are being produced by tropical soda apple in response to herbivory. Both S. exigua and S. eridania induced plant defenses in tropical soda apple. Significantly more S. exigua and S. eridania neonate larvae survived to 2nd instar on non-induced plants and artificial diet when compared with plants with induced defenses. Tropical soda apple plants fed on by S. exigua and S. eridania had significantly increased PPO activity.

Entomopathogenic fungal isolates of Arachnid origin were assessed for their ability to produce mortality and inhibit egg hatching in Boophilus microplus with the aim of selecting an isolate for development into a myco-acaricide for control of cattle ticks. The ability of the most promising isolate to target developmental stages of more than one tick species and the optimum concentration of fungal inoculum to be used for future studies were determined. Metarhizium anisopliae was the most pathogenic of the three fungal species tested on B. microplus, producing shorter average survival times (ASTs) for engorged adults (AST = 5.2 +/- 0.1 days) and larvae (AST = 9.3 +/- 0.4 days), and a longer average hatching times (AHT; AHT = 19.8 +/- 0.5 days) in comparison to Simplicillium lamellicola and Paecilomyces farinosus. In comparative studies on two tick species with similar life cycles, M. anisopliae produced a shorter AST in engorged adult B. microplus (AST = 8.8 +/- 0.3 days) than Rhipicephalus sanguineus (AST = 10.3 +/- 0.3 days). M. anisopliae was pathogenic to larvae of B. microplus (AST = 7.7 +/- 0.4 days), however, had no effect on larvae of R. sanguineus (AST = 14.6 +/- 0.3 days) as the AST of this treatment was similar to its untreated control (AST = 14.1 +/- 0.4 days). M. anisopliae lengthened the AHTs in both B. microplus (AHT = 16.4 +/- 0.3 days) and R. sanguineus (AHT = 16.7 +/- 0.3 days) in comparison to the controls. The ASTs of engorged adult B. microplus treated with M. anisopliae shortened as the concentration was increased from 1 x 10(7) to 5 x 10(8) conidia/ mL. A further increase in concentration, 1 x 10(9) conidia/mL (AST = 10.2 +/- 0.4 days) did not shorten or lengthen the AST in comparison to 5 x 10(8) conidia/mL (AST = 9.4 +/- 0.3 days).