Farmers have cited several reasons for non-adoption of control measures for insect pests, diseases and weeds on their farms. This issue of IJT illustrates methods that have been developed by researchers that are simple, safe and inexpensive and that can easily be adopted by farmers. In some cases, the benefits derived have carryover effect on neighbouring farmers' fields growing similar crops to help keep the pest populations in check. Some of the studies promote the use of locally available plant materials. The beauty is that many of these innovations are based on farmers' indigenous practices. Like many methods, further studies are needed to clarify the scientific underpinnings of these tactics and to make them more manageable, but as they stand there are already more advantages than drawbacks in adopting these innovations. Cocoa farmers will be able to select the proposed cocoa IPM package. Maize farmers can continue to employ the traditional use of ashes from tested and recommended plant materials as grain protectants to treat maize in store, thus preventing insect damage and development of mould and possible contamination of the grain with aflatoxins. An unusual technique of mass production of baculovirus by groundnut farmers in controlling a common pest is given. The search for optimal mulberry cultivars for another agricultural product produced from the common silkworm can provide a commercial option to small-scale rural or peri-urban farmers. And knowing where the Anopheles gambiae mosquito deposits eggs and its oviposition behaviour in different water types are important to our understanding of the basic biology of this key vector of tropical malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.
I thank all authors for their excellent contributions in the past and trust that scholars as well as renowned entomologists will continue submitting quality articles to this journal. In a special drive to invite papers on whatever pertinent issues in tropical entomology that you may wish to consider in relation to insect pest control with minimal or no pesticide use, and, specifically, their sustainable management, a call for papers will be included at the back of each issue in this volume. Cambridge University Press and UNESCO are our sponsors for this volume in their different capacities. We thank them and encourage them to continue doing so in the future. I am grateful to the board members for their contribution as well.
As we mark the 27th year of publication of IJT, the journal continues to undergo changes to enhance its quality as it strives to become the reference publication in tropical entomology. This year, we have redesigned the journal appearance. The new-look cover has six new insect images. In addition, we have effected minor style changes in the body of the journal. The adjustments on partnerships and editorial policy of IJT that we announced in the last volume are being implemented. Readers will note that a few papers that are post-dated are included in this issue. This situation will improve soon. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding more so as we put the new measures into effect and hope that you will make this journal your journal of choice.
Prof. Christian Borgemeister
Editor-in-Chief
