Leucaena leucocephala (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae), originating from Central America, was introduced into Cameroon in the 1960s as a shade tree and for soil improvement. The tree is strongly infested by Heteropsylla cubana (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), also native to Central America. The purpose of this study is to record the presence of the psyllid in Cameroon, and assess its infestation pattern in order to provide the necessary data for an integrated pest management strategy. Data were collected at two sites, Koutaba (Western Highlands) and Yaounde (Southern Plateau), respectively, with three plots (K1, K2, K3) at the former site and one (Y) at the latter. The relative abundance of psyllids varied significantly between the four plots (K = 97.6, d.f. = 3, P < 0.0001). The Yaounde plot with a mean of 4013.71 individuals/100 leaves was more infested than any of those in Koutaba (with 1888.10, 314.60 and 2546.92 individuals/100 leaves, respectively). At both sites, the spatial distribution of psyllid populations globally followed an aggregated pattern with the dispersion index k ranging from 0.082 to 5.32. The infestation rate observed was influenced by plot age rather than climatic factors. In fact, the Yaounde plot was younger than those in Koutaba.

Hydrellia lagarosiphon sp. n. is described from adult male, female, ovum, third instar larva and puparium from cultured material originating from that reared from Lagarosiphon major in South Africa. Its related species, Hydrellia bicolorithorax Giordani Soika, 1956, is partially redescribed from type material from Rwanda.

The genus Alloxysta is recorded for the first time from Madagascar, with the description of two new species: Alloxysta antananarivoi Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar sp. n. and Alloxysta antsirananae Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar sp. n. Their morphological features and diagnostic characters are discussed and illustrated. This is the second genus of the subfamily Charipinae recorded from Madagascar.

This study was conducted to characterize larval habitats of Anopheline mosquitoes and to estimate the key ecological factors associated with this group's distribution. The study was carried out during June and July 2009 at 25 localities in 10 sectors of Larache Province. The aquatic habitats were sampled by standard dipping techniques. The habitats were characterized based on water depth, pH, temperature, conductivity, salinity, distance to the nearest house, dissolved oxygen, algae and emergent plants (presence or absence), turbidity and habitat type. A total of 54 aquatic habitats consisting of swamps, rivers and rice fields were chosen. Fifty-two per cent of all habitat samples were positive for Anopheles larvae. Of all mosquito larvae collected, 1145 were Anopheles of which 316 (28 % ) were early instars and 829 (72 % ) late instars. Morphological identification of third and fourth larval instars revealed that 76 % (n = 629) were Anopheles maculipennis s.l. and 24 % (n = 200) were An. cinereus. The only species belonging to the Anopheles maculipennis complex was An. labranchiae. Multiple factorial correspondence analyses (MFCA) showed that the density of An. labranchiae was negatively associated with turbidity, pH and depth in aquatic habitats. These findings suggest that the distribution of An. labranchiae was driven by different environmental factors. This will help in understanding the relationship between habitats, environmental factors and abundance of Anopheles larvae, which is essential for the efficient application of mosquito control methods.

Nest populations or colonies of the harvester termite, Trinervitermes trinervoides (Sjöstedt) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), which commonly occurs in the semi-arid grasslands of southern Africa, were assessed. The entire contents of nests, mounds and subterranean sections were excavated following fumigation. Termites were extracted by flotation from volumetric sub-samples of the nest material and counted. Nest populations were found to be considerably larger than those of other members of the genus. Sterile adult populations varied from 9000 in small mounds (height = 12 cm) to 889 000 in large mounds (height = 59 cm). Workers, major and minor soldiers make up 75%, 9% and 16%, respectively, of the total adult sterile population. The proportion of soldiers decreased with increasing colony size, constituting 51% of populations of the smallest nest and only 16% of a large nest. This decrease in total soldier proportions in larger nests reflected a decrease in the proportion of minor soldiers. Ratios of workers to soldiers varied from 1:1 in the smallest colonies to 5:1 in larger nests. Undifferentiated larvae comprised 51% of the total larval composition on average and were particularly low (20–29% ) in winter when low temperatures restricted foraging and scarce resources were directed towards the development and growth of the alates. Small larvae, from which both minor and major soldier lines develop, constituted 12% on average. The proportion of large larvae from which workers are derived, varied between 26–45%. No clear pattern of changing proportions of soldier or worker larvae emerged that could be linked to seasonal fluctuations in activities such as foraging. The first nymphs appeared in the nest in March and a number of different nymphal instars were present in the nest simultaneously. By October all nymphs had reached the adult stage and were ready to fly.

The invertebrate intestinal mucin is a major protein constituent of the peritrophic membrane. A SeIIM8 identified from Spodoptera exigua larvae contains a 16-amino acid signal leading sequence and six chitin-binding domains with one intervening mucin-like domain and one Aps-Lys-rich domain. Prediction of O-glycosylation indicated that the amino acid residues from 97 to 244 were potential O-glycosylation sites. Recombinant SeIIM8 expressed in baculorvirus-infected insect cell lines binds chitin in vitro.

Empodiodes namibiensis sp. n. is described from four localities in northern Namibia (Kunene Region), while a new South African record for Empodiodes melanoscopaeus Londt, 1992 is provided along with a new key for the separation of the four known species of Empodiodes Oldroyd, 1972. New records of the following species from Namibia are provided and considered of special interest — Damalis pollinosa Ricardo, 1925, Laphystotes albicans (Engel, 1932), Laphystotes ariel Londt, 2004 and Teratopomyia cyanea (Fabricius, 1781).

Thirty-two species of tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) have been recorded from the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Information about the distribution, habitat associations and seasonal activity patterns of tiger beetles in the Kruger National Park is summarized from data collected in field surveys conducted between 2006 and 2011, museum specimen records and literature records. Two ecological communities in the park support large and diverse assemblages of tiger beetle species: upland ‘sand veld’ communities and riverine/ riparian areas. Information about adult and/or larval microhabitat associations is presented for 23 of the tiger beetle species occurring in the Kruger National Park. The park supports 25.8% of the species of Cicindelidae known to occur in South Africa. Eighteen species of tiger beetles recorded from the park (including three species of Manticora Fabricius, the species Megacephala regalis regalis Boheman, and 14 species of Dromica Dejean) are listed as ‘protected species’ under the South African Biodiversity Act of 2004.

Investigations were conducted on seven cotton genotypes during the 2010 wet season at the Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru (11°11′N 07°38′E) in the Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria, to ascertain their level of resistance/tolerance to leaf roller, Sylepta derogata. The genotypes screened were Samcot 8, Samcot 9, Samcot 10, Samcot 11, Samcot 12, Samcot 13 and CL07. Percentage infestation ranged from 14.62 % (Samcot 10) to 22.72 % (Samcot 12) at 50 days after sowing (DAS), 19.18 % (Samcot 10) to 32.46 % (Samcot 12) at 80 DAS, and 17.17 % (Samcot 13) to 42.19 % (Samcot 12) at HO DAS. At 50 DAS, minimum percentage infestation of leaf roller was observed on Samcot 10 (14.62 %), which differed non-significantly from all other genotypes except CL07. The most susceptible variety was Samcot 12, while CL07 was highly resistant. CL07 could be used in the development of novel recombinants that are highly resistant to biotic stresses through introgression to the existing adapted commercial varieties. All the remaining genotypes tested were found to be moderately resistant to cotton leaf rollers.

Invasive Prosopis species (Leguminosae) (mesquite) pose a significant threat to biodiversity, pasture production and water resources in South Africa. In an attempt to contain the spread of this noxious weed the South African authorities have supported the introduction of host-specific and damaging seed-feeding biocontrol agents. In order to increase seed losses caused by existing agents, surveys were undertaken in Argentina and a seed-feeding weevil Coelocephalapion gandolfoi Kissinger (Coleoptera: Brentidae: Apioninae) identified. Aspects of the biology and the host range of this seed-feeding weevil were studied in Argentina and South Africa to evaluate its potential as a biocontrol agent. The period from oviposition to adult emergence was c. 40 days. The duration of the stages was: 11–20 days for eggs, 25–40 days for larvae, and 6–16 days for pupae. Field surveys found that the beetle was responsible for 51 % of the seed damage on P. flexuosa. The host range of C. gandolfoi was restricted to Prosopis species in the section Algarobia. Oviposition and feeding preference for Prosopis species native to Argentina and P. glandulosa from North America was very high. We consider C. gandolfoi to be a good candidate for the biological control of invasive Prosopis species in South Africa.

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the efficiency of Coccinella algerica Kovàr (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) against Pterochloroides persicae (Cholodkovsky) (Hemiptera: Lachninae) and compared against Acyrthosiphum pisum Harris (Hemiptera: Aphidinae). Feeding on P. persicae had a significant effect on predation rate by either fourth stage larvae or adults of C. algerica. The developmental period of C. algerica reared on P. persicae was significantly shorter than those reared on A. pisum (F = 51.45, d.f. = 1.19, P = 0.05). Larvae and adults of C. algerica reared on P. persicae showed a significantly greater mortality than those on A. pisum (F = 27.29, d.f. = 2, P = 0.05). Furthermore, the aphid species has an effect on body weight and fecundity of C. algerica. These results demonstrated that C. algerica is not recommended as a biological control agent of P. persicae in Tunisia.

The study evaluates the Sommerford method to stimulate queen bee rearing in a queenless bee colony between August 2008 and March 2009 and repeated between August 2009 and March 2010. The study was conducted in Kenya top-bar hives placed at two locations in Ogun State, Nigeria. The first location was at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and the second was Olupakun village, Ogun State. There were two treatments; the first was the parent hives from where four top-bars with queen bee, brood cells, some worker bees, and drones were removed and replaced with four empty top bars. The second treatment was uncolonized hives (nuclei) that received the top bars with queen bee, brood cells, some worker bees and drones. The control was colonized and undisturbed Kenya top-bar hives. The treatment and control hives were replicated four times and arranged using completely randomized design, with each hive placed at a distance of 50 m apart. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant means were separated using least significant difference. The honey yield, weight of dried pressed comb, number of combs with brood cells and total number of combs were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in 2010. Likewise, the honey yield, weight of dried pressed comb, number of ripe harvested honey combs, number of combs with brood cells and total number of combs were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Olupakun village. Bee colonies were established in the parent and nuclei hives. A significantly (P < 0.05) higher honey yield, propolis yield, weight of dried pressed comb, number of ripe harvested combs and number of combs with brood cells was obtained in the control hives. The study shows that the Sommerford method could be used to stimulate worker bees in a queenless colony to rear a queen bee.

Fruit flies are pests of economic importance in West Africa due to their quarantine status and losses recorded in fruits and vegetables. Before the introduction of exotic species of parasitoids against any exotic fruit fly species, it is fundamental to first determine the presence and monitor the native parasitoid species. This work was carried out in Casamance (Senegal), during the rainy season of 2010, with sampling of 5191 fruits from 22 plant species. Seven species of parasitoids (all Braconidae) were recorded and reared from six fruit species. The parasitoids included Fopius caudatus (Szépligeti), F. silvestrii (Wharton), F. desideratus (Bridwell), Diachasmimorpha fullawayi (Silvestri), D. carinata (Szépligeti), Psyttalia cosyrae (Wilkinson) and P. concolor (Szépligeti). The most abundant species was F. caudatus (63.97%). The overall mean parasitism rate observed in all samples was 2.4 ± 1.3 %. Ceratitis cosyra (Walker) (77%) was the host fly most commonly reared from fruits yielding parasitoids including F. caudatus. Annona senegalensis Pers. was the fruit species most frequently infested by fruit flies and Saba comorensis (Boj. ex DC) Pichon fruits had the highest parasitism rates. In the current work, there were no parasitoids reared from the recently introduced pest, Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta and White. This is the first report of all these reared parasitoids, except D. fullawayi, in Senegal.

The fecundity of spring and summer adults and mortality of the egg, larval and pupal stages of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L), were studied in sleeve cages in an apple orchard not treated with insecticides. There was a significant difference between the overall fecundity of the spring (137.2 eggs/female) and summer (159.3 eggs/female) moths. During the first third of October, spring moths produced significantly fewer eggs than in November. Egg mortality in spring was 8.2 %, and in summer 21.2%. The increased summer egg mortality was due to the egg parasitoid, Trichogramma luteum Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). During spring and summer, mortality due to infertile and fertile but unhatched eggs was less than 5 %. In the absence of entomophagous insects, the failure of first instar larvae to penetrate the fruit ranged from 4.9 to 19.5 %. The mortality of larvae from egg hatch to emergence from the fruit ranged from 29.7 to 43.8 %. Mortality of fifth instar larvae in cocoons spun in corrugated cardboard after emerging from the fruit was low, ranging from 0 to 8.7 %. Pupal mortality varied from 0 to 3.5 %. These studies indicate that codling moth in South Africa probably has a higher biotic potential than in most other apple-producing countries.

The following 14 species of jumping spiders from the southern part of Africa are redescribed : Baryphas woodi (Peckham & Peckham, 1903), Cosmophasis australis Simon, 1902, Euophrys infausta Peckham & Peckham, 1903, Euophrys purcelli Peckham & Peckham, 1903, Habrocestum luculentum Peckham & Peckham, 1903, Parajotus obscurofemoratus Peckham & Peckham, 1903, Phlegra imperiosa Peckham ł Peckham, 1903, Pochyta solers Peckham ł Peckham, 1903, Rhene banksi Peckham ł Peckham, 1902, Rhene biguttata Peckham ł Peckham, 1903, Saitis leighi Peckham ł Peckham, 1903, Sitticus uphami (Peckham ł Peckham, 1903), Thyene aperta (Peckham ł Peckham, 1903) and Thyenula juvenca Simon, 1902. A lectopype for Rhene biguttata is designated. The generic name Klamathia Peckham ł Peckham, 1903 is recognized as a junior synonym of Thyenula Simon, 1902. Three new synonyms are recognized: Heliophanus orchestioides Lessert, 1925 with Euophrys infausta Peckham ł Peckham, 1903, Pochyta solers Peckham ł Peckham, 1903 with Phintella aequipes (Peckham & Peckham, 1903) and Klamathia flava Peckham ł Peckham, 1903 with Thyenula juvenca Simon, 1902. Five new combinations are proposed: Euophrys uphami (ex Sitticus) Heliophanus infaustus (ex Euophrys), Mogrus woodi (ex Baryphas), Phintella australis (ex Cosmophasis) and Thyenula leighi (ex Saitis). Females of Euophrys purcelli and Thyenula leighi are described for the first time.

Thirteen cowpea varieties and two cereal grains were evaluated in the laboratory for their susceptibility to Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Parameters used in this evaluation were damage and losses caused to grains that were attacked, and the suitability of the grains for insect breeding. Results showed that S. oryzae caused varying degrees of damage and weight loss to eight varieties of cowpeas, just as it did to sorghum and maize. Five varieties of cowpea (IT86D-719, IT86D-721, IT89KD-288, IT90K-277-2 and IT93K-452-1) were significantly (P < 0.01) resistant to S. oryzae than other varieties of cowpeas. SARC-L02 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher susceptibility index while IT90K-277-2 had the lowest susceptibility index of zero. In the absence of its preferred host crop, sorghum or rice, S. oryzae will most probably switch host to cowpea instead of maize, because it developed faster on most cowpeas, just like it does on sorghum than on maize. This unusual observation calls for urgent integrated action on grain handling and storage, as many are often stored together in markets or stores by grain dealers and farmers and this would increase the risk of easy spread of the weevil in such stores.

After our recent revision of the Afrotropical species of Ootheca Chevrolat, 1837, and the description of Oothecoides Kortenhaus & Wagner, 2011, five galerucine species that are closely related to Ootheca and form a distinct monophyletic group, need to be transferred to a new genus, Ootibia gen. n. Two of these species have already been described in the genus Ergana Chapuis, 1879, a junior synonym to Ootheca. New combinations are Ootibia podagrica (Laboissière, 1939), the genotype of the new genus, and Ootibia bimbina (Laboissière, 1939) stat. n., originally described as a subspecies of the former E. podagrica. Three new species are described: Ootibia bredoi sp. n., Ootibia striata sp. n., and Ootibia viridis sp. n. Species of Ootibia gen. n. are characterized by a broad body shape with a broad pronotum, convex dorsum, short antennae and legs, similar to those of Ootheca. Males show characteristic sexual dimorphism in the shape and length of the metatibia. Genitalic structures, in particular the distinctive shape of median lobe, allow reliable species identification. Descriptions or redescriptions are given for each of the five species, including semi-schematic illustrations depicting the habitus outline, colouration, shape of the basal antennomeres and the median lobe. The material examined is listed in detail, and photographs of the name-bearing types, distribution maps and a key to the species are provided.

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is an important global pest of numerous crops as a result of its feeding and whitefly-transmitted plant viruses. To help develop a strategy to manage this pest and associated viruses in three vegetable crops in the Egyptian agricultural system, experiments on several cultural techniques were conducted. Cultural practices of mulching with white polyethylene, intercropping with maize (Zea mays L.), and crop rotation with maize resulted in reduced whitefly populations and reduced incidences of viruses in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). However, no benefit in whitefly abundance and virus incidence was obtained from modifying the planting time by one month earlier than standard planting. There was a high correlation between whitefly abundance and virus incidence. Based on viral symptoms, up to 75 % infection was observed in untreated plots, while most of the treated plots had less than 40 % infection. The viruses affecting the crops were Cucumber vein yellowing virus in cucumber, Squash leaf curl virus in squash, and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in tomato; they are common problems in Egypt. The first-mentioned virus is caused by an Ipomovirus in the family Potyviridae while the other two are Begomovirus in the family Geminiviridae. The cultural management strategies utilized in this study are viable tools to help manage B. tabaci and associated viruses in vegetable crops.