Insect-enhanced diets of Periplaneta americana (L.), in separate combinations with Zea mays L. and starter mash/finisher, were fed to 4-week-old birds, Gallus gallus domesticus L., over a period of 13 weeks to identify alternative and relatively cheaper sources of protein for poultry birds. Within the first 3 weeks of feeding, the body weight of the birds was not significantly (P>0.05) different from each other, whereas a significant (P = 0.009) trend arose at week 8. This preliminary study shows that insect-enhanced meals could be used as an alternative feed within the formative stage of development of G. domesticus.

Rice germplasm comprising 66 lines/varieties was evaluated under field conditions for two wet seasons against a yellow stemborer, leaffolder and whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) at the vegetative and panicle initiation crop stages. Glasshouse screening of germplasm for WBPH resistance was done at the seedling stage. At the vegetative stage, over the 2 years, 18 lines/varieties showed leaffolder damage from 6.21 ± 0.33 to 9.99 ± 4.07%, while at the panicle initiation stage, six lines/varieties showed damage from 8.77 ± 1.25 to 12.25 ± 4.67%. A highly significant correlation between flag leaf width and per cent infested leaves at the vegetative (r = 0.88) and panicle initiation (r = 0.79) stages was recorded. No significant correlation was observed between plant height and leaffolder infestation at the vegetative stage; however, it was significant at the panicle initiation stage (r = 0.37). The dead heart (DH) damage at the vegetative stage over the years was less than 1% in six lines/varieties, while at the panicle initiation stage, seven lines/varieties showed whitehead (WH) damage ranging from 1.29 to 1.92%. A highly significant correlation was observed between plant height and per cent DH and WH at the vegetative (r = 0.73) and panicle initiation stages (r = 0.81). Such a relationship was not observed between leaf width and stemborer infestation at both stages. Two lines, viz. IR 59 547-235-3-3 and SPR 85 163-5-1-2-4, were resistant to the WBPH under glasshouse screening, whereas 20 lines were moderately resistant and the remaining lines were susceptible.

Functional response of all instars, adult males and females of the ladybird Coccinella septempunctata L. was studied against two species of aphids, namely Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) and Brevicoryne brassicae L., infesting mustard and cabbage crops, respectively. The predatory stages of C. septempunctata exhibited a type II response on both the prey species. The attack rate was highest (0.0192) with the lowest handling time (7.9 min) when the adult female consumed L. erysimi. There was a significant difference in the predicted values of consumption of L. erysimi by fourth instars, adult males and females compared with those of B. brassicae, indicating that the former prey is preferred over the latter one. The adult females prey upon significantly more numbers of aphids than the adult males.

Satureja hortensis and Zataria multiflora (Lamiaceae) essential oils were tested on Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) to evaluate their effects on oviposition deterrence, egg hatching and mortality of adults. To obtain essential oils, dry leaves were subjected to hydrodistillation using a modified Clevenger-type apparatus. The experiments were conducted at 25 ± 1°C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity in dark conditions with five replications for each essential oil. When concentrations of both essential oils were higher, the insecticidal effect on eggs and adults increased and oviposition was more deterred. At the highest concentration (60 μl/l air) of S. hortensis and Z. multiflora essential oils, 91.2 and 85.4% of adults were killed, respectively. There were no significant differences in oviposition deterrence between the two essential oils. At the highest concentration (4.3 μl/l air) of S. hortensis and Z. multiflora essential oils, egg mortality was 94.5 and 77.3%, respectively. Probit analysis revealed LC50 for adults and eggs of C. maculatus of 1.50 and 1.13 μl/l air, respectively, for the S. hortensis essential oil and 1.76 and 2.23 μl/l air, respectively, for the Z. multiflora essential oil. The results suggest that the essential oils of these aromatic plants can be used as botanical fumigants to protect grains against C. maculatus.

Upsurges in the populations of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria (L.) occurred in July 2011 at the airport and in sugarcane fields on Shimoji Island, Okinawa, Japan. In sugarcane fields and pathways, dark-coloured nymphs at early instars marched and infested sugarcane leaves. The number of locusts was estimated as approximately 1.4 million. After prompt control by spraying insecticides, the locust populations decreased remarkably in size at the airport and in sugarcane fields. The locust populations at the airport restored gradually and dark-coloured nymphs similar in appearance to typical gregarious forms were found marching on paved roads at the end of August. Insecticides were sprayed again in early September over those areas at the airport where nymphs were abundant. The locust populations rapidly declined and only a few locusts were observed thereafter on the island before winter. These observations indicate the importance of constant monitoring and prompt action for the control of locusts. The seasonal life cycle of this locust species on this island was studied by regularly sampling the locusts in the field, which revealed that this locust species produces three generations per year with different overwintering stages.

Shea parklands have a great socio-economic, cultural and ecological interest but suffer pest attack, which is among the major causes for their deterioration in Africa. To establish an inventory of insects associated with shea trees, the foliage, stems and fruits were regularly examined on 180 trees randomly chosen at six sites in the central and northern regions of Benin. From June to October 2010, a total of 196 samples containing 1415 specimens were collected. These insects belong to 8 orders, 36 families and 56 genera. Forty-seven insects were identified to the species level. The defoliator Cirina forda (Westwood) and the stemborer Neoplocaedaerus spp. were the two most damaging insect species occurring on shea trees. This study stresses the need to protect the shea parklands in Benin through the implementation of integrated insect pest management strategies against shea tree pests.

The larval Malpighian tubules of Sarcophaga ruficornis Fab. consist of two types of cells, namely principal and stellate cells. The principal cells are characterized by a large euchromatic nucleus, well-developed basal plasma membrane infoldings associated with mitochondria and prominent luminal microvilli containing mitochondria with well-developed cristae. The central cytoplasm of the cells contains clear vacuoles, lysosomes, mineral concretions or spherocrystals, lipid droplets and peroxisomes. The stellate cells are thin with extremely short basal plasma membrane infoldings and luminal microvilli devoid of mitochondria. The ultrastructural features of the principal cells show the characteristic of transporting cells engaged in water and ion transport. The cells are separated by septate junctions. The tubules are richly supplied by the tracheae.

Stenogiffardia Evans, 1977 is considered the senior synonym of Pratura Theron, 1982 syn. nov. and Doraturella Emeljanov, 2002 syn. nov., resulting in four new combinations. Duraturopsis Melichar, 1908 syn. nov. is considered a junior synonym of Chiasmus Mulsant and Rey, 1855, resulting in one new combination. Figures of the ovipositor of Stenogiffardia parvula (Kirkaldy) are provided for the first time, and habitus images of S. parvula and Chiasmus katonae (Melichar) comb. nov. are provided.