This selected bibliography on the whitebacked planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horváth), contains 506 published and unpublished references for the period 1899 to February 1984. References are arranged alphabetically by the name of the author and also classified by subjects. A distribution map, two tables of the varietal resistance to the pest and its natural enemies, and a brief description of the current status of the pest are also provided.

In this study, the effects of relaxed mass-rearing conditions on Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) production and quality were determined. Relaxed rearing conditions were defined by a reduction in the density of adult flies, from 80,000 to 60,000 flies per mass-rearing cage, and a reduction in the density of larvae, from 6.18 to 3.70 eggs/g of diet. In the parental generation, flies reared under relaxed conditions exhibited significant and a few non-significant changes – increased daily fecundity from 37 to 42 eggs per female, larval recovery from 80 to 91%, larval weight from 18.5 to 19.5 mg, pupation at 24 h from 92 to 96%, pupal weight from 13.5 to 14.3 mg, adult emergence from 92 to 94% and percentage of fliers from 89 to 90%. During the following 12 generations, non-significant differences were observed, but comparisons between relaxed and non-relaxed colonies were significant. The sexual competitiveness of males produced under relaxed conditions was similar to that of wild males.

Sixty selected rice varieties were tested for resistance to damage by the African striped borer, Chilo zacconius. Artificial infestation with first instar larvae in screenhouse showed that Lac 23 (white), IR 2035-120-3, 1R 4625-132-1-2, Colombia 1 and N 21-1 had significantly low “dead hearts” and larval survival. Damage was also low when these varieties were exposed to adults in the screenhouse and in the field. Both local and exotic varieties possessed resistance. Antibiosis conferred resistance to the borer in the varieties screened.

Stingless bees are little-known organisms but important plant pollinators in Bwindi Forest. They risk disappearance, as with other pollinators and seed dispersers, as a result of pesticide and herbicide poisoning, habitat alteration, invasion by alien species (plant and animal) and insularization of habitats. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park forest has five species of stingless bees in two genera (Meliponula and Hypotrigona). The conservation of pollinators in Bwindi needs to be urgently addressed, and among the required measures are studies on plant–pollinator relationships. The study also demonstrated the accuracy of Abayanda indigenous systematic knowledge.

The dry and largely deciduous forests in Santa Rosa National Park in northwestern lowland Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, Central America, have a moth fauna of about 2800 species. These moths pass the six month rain-free dry season, and some other portions of the year, by: (a) remaining dormant in the egg stage (1 species only), (b) remaining dormant in the pupal or prepupal stage (many species), (c) undergoing larval development (a few species of particular life forms) (d) remaining in the Park as a potentially active but non-reproductive adult (many species), and (e) migrating out of the Park after one to two generations and then returning at the beginning of the following rainy season (a few species of particular life forms). The migrating moths constitute a strong link between the dry forest and the rainforests to the east of the dry forest. The seasonal patterns of dormancy of immatures, reproductively dormant adults, and migration are not well correlated with the simple presence or absence of foliage on host plants, or with climate changes (except that the temperature drop that occurs at the beginning of the rainy season appears to be a widely used cue for pupal eclosion). The pattern of habitat use by leaf-eating caterpillars is probably determined more by the seasonal abundance of carnivores (parasitoids and predators) than by the mere presence of leaves; this process is very strongly evident in the failure of many moths to have more than one generation per year, even when their host plants are leafy throughout the six month rainy season or are even evergreen.

Cutworms, semiloopers, budworms and armyworms in the genera Agrotis, Chrysodeixis, Heliothis, Mythimna, Persectania and Spodoptera are important pasture and crop pests in Australia. They comprise both cosmopolitan species, such as A. ipsilon, H. armigera, M. separata and S. exempta and endemic species such as A. infusa, H. punctigera, M. convecta, P. ewingii and P. dyscrita. Although the cosmopolitan species are major pests of parts of Asia and Africa, they are, with the exception of H. armigera, less important agricultural pests in Australia than their endemic counterparts. The latter are widely distributed outside cropping areas, because they breed on a wide range of native host plants as well as on introduced crops and pastures and also have the potential to invade cropping areas from native habitats. The cosmopolitan species are largely confined to tropical and subtropical summer crops and improved pastures of north and east Australia where chronic infestations often develop although major outbreaks and migration out of cropping areas are rare. Periodic outbreaks of endemic species result from an unusually favourable growth of vegetation in early autumn, following drought-breaking rains in the inland. Moths arrive in the rain-affected areas as a result of migration and concentration by rain-bearing troughs and depressions. Southward migration of their progeny occurs in spring on warm northerly airflows produced ahead of eastward-moving cold fronts and results in invasions of temperate crops and pastures. Migration also occurs in anticyclonic conditions, resulting in an extensive redistribution of populations and is adapted to the erratic distribution of rainfall in inland Australia. Among cosmopolitan species, only Spodoptera spp. cause outbreaks which are infrequent and occur with the onset of summer rains in coastal and sub-coastal areas. Most movements of cosmopolitan species are confined within cropping areas although migration from coastal to inland crops, under the influence of prevailing SE winds, and in frontal systems, troughs and storm outflows, is also suspected.

In Senegal, damage caused by insect pests is a major obstacle to seasonal stability and an increase in cabbage production. Little is known about the spatial and temporal distribution of cabbage pests, which makes the design of management recommendations to small-scale farmers challenging. The objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate the status of insect pests observed in cabbage farmers’ fields; (ii) give information on the spatial and temporal distribution of key pests and (iii) assess the effect of temperature, insecticide applications, and host crop abundance on their incidence. A total of 116 cabbage fields were monitored for insect pests and related damage over four crop cycles, from October 2012 to May 2014, in the main vegetable producing area of Senegal (Niayes). The diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.) was by far the most important pest present in all the fields and with high levels of incidence (37.1% infested plants), particularly in the latter part of the dry season in the South of Niayes (50% infested plants). The cabbage webworm Hellula undalis (F.) was mainly observed in the early dry season in the south of Niayes, with an incidence of up to 12.5% infested plants. More surprising was the detection of the tomato fruit worm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), with damage of up to 9.4% of cabbage heads. The incidence of sucking pests such as whiteflies Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), or aphids (including Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis, 1914), Myzus persicae (Sulzer) or Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)) was generally low. The incidence of P. xylostella increased significantly with the number of insecticide applications, indicating that control deployed by growers was ineffective. The incidence of H. undalis did not depend on the number of insecticide applications, but significantly increased with host crop abundance and decreased with temperature. This study is a first step towards developing alternative pest management strategies in the framework of sustainable vegetable production systems.

This paper reviews and analyses literature on the effect of plant species diversity on crop pests. It is observed that populations of several crop insect pest species are depressed under conditions of plant species diversity. The factors responsible for this depression are: parasites, predators, masking, camouflage, repellency, less colonization, resource concentration, unfavourable microclimate, physical obstraction and trap cropping. Natural enemies account for more than half of the cases where the pest population was claimed to be regulated in the weed-diversity systems. However, under conditions of crop–crop diversity, natural enemy action accounted for less than a third of the cases reviewed. It is further observed that most of the reviewed crop–crop diversity systems were of annual crops. It is therefore concluded that under conditions of annual cropping natural enemies are probably of lesser importance than other regulating factors.

l-menthol isolated from the essential oil of Mentha arvensis and seven of its acyl derivatives were tested for contact and vapour toxicity, and ovicidal and repellent activity against the storage pests Callosobruchus maculatus F., Rhyzopertha dominica F., Sitophilus oryzae L. and Tribolium castaneum Herbst. Menthyl propionate and l-menthol were highly toxic in contact assays and vapour toxicity assays respectively. l-menthol was also found to be strongly repellent (82–100% at 0.353 μg/cm2 dose) against all the insects, while menthyl acetate was highly ovicidal against T. castaneum.

The insecticidal and repellent properties of Lantana camara and Tephrosia vogelii were evaluated against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in stored maize grain. Five treatment rates (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% w/w) of each powdered plant material, an untreated control and a synthetic insecticide (Actellic Super™ 2% dust) were used to investigate treatment efficacy on mortality of the adult insect (five to eight days old), F1 progeny emergence and repellency against S. zeamais adults. After 21 days, L. camara and T. vogelii caused 82.7–90.0% and 85.0–93.7% insect mortality, respectively. The mean lethal exposure times (LT50) to achieve 50% mortality varied from five to six days (7.5–10.0% w/w) to seven to eight days (2.5–5.0% w/w) for both plants. Probit regression analysis showed a significant relationship between plant powder concentration and insect mortality. The plant powders and synthetic insecticide reduced adult F1 insects by more than 75% compared to the untreated control. Tephrosia vogelii was most repellent to S. zeamais at 7.5–10.0% (w/ w), repelling 87.5% of the insects, followed by T. vogelii at 2.5% w/w and L. camara at 10% w/w which repelled 65.0 and 62.5% of insects respectively. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of smallscale farmer usage of these plants for stored product protection.

An invasive pest, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) has been observed infesting tomato Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae) in Central Uganda. The affected farmer made the report, and upon visiting the farm, we observed tiny larvae, green to cream in colour with a black head feeding on tomato leaves, fruit, as well as tender stems. Also, we saw several tiny moths resting on screen house linings. Delta traps baited with TUA-Optima® (Russell IPM) were set in and around the affected farm. Dozens of moths were attracted and trapped on the sticky surface of the traps. The team tentatively identified the insect as T. absoluta. Scientists at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi, Kenya identified the insect using morphological features and molecular techniques.

The functional response in terms of prey consumption and numerical response in terms of number of eggs laid by individual female adult predators of Coccinella transversalis Fab. and Cheilomenes (Menochilus) sexmaculatus Fab. (Coccnellidae: Coleoptera) at varied prey (Aphis gossypii Glover) (Aphididae: Homoptera) densities were investigated under laboratory conditions. The feeding rate by individual predators increased at increased prey densities, with both the coccinellids showing the Type II functional response. One hundred percent prey consumption was observed up to an initial prey density of 50 and 20 for Co. transversalis and Ch: sexmaculatus respectively. The fecundity of Co. transversalis increased at higher prey densities, but that of Ch. sexmaculatus remained unchanged.

Hyposidra talaca (Walk.) is a major pest of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in Northeastern (NE) India. The present study examined (1) the likely causes of expansion of H. talaca to tea from its ancestral home of sal forests, and (2) the anti-predatory mechanisms that helped it to build up in tea plantations. Studies were made on the role of the regulating agents of the eggs and caterpillars of the pest and responses of caterpillars to different predator-like stimuli (predatory wasps, ants and birds) and mechanical vibrations. Eggs collected from the fields were reared in the laboratory to study egg parasitization and monitored in the field to study the role of natural predators. Prolonged drought and inconsistent rainfall influenced the range expansion of H. talaca. In tea plantations, female moths preferred to conceal the eggs in the scaly bark of shade trees. Excluding woodpeckers, H. talaca eggs were scarcely attacked by other natural enemies. The caterpillars dropped off the plant in response to potential predators and assumed a deimatic ‘U’ or ‘S’ shape, and remained motionless when stimulated by mechanical vibration. This study suggests that the lack of specialized natural enemies helped H. talaca to build up in the tea plantations of NE India in a short period of time.

The effects on the reproductive responses and the offspring fitness in monogamous and promiscuous females of the seven-spotted ladybird Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus were studied. Reproductive responses were higher in monogamous and promiscuous females with unlimited mating than those subjected to limited mating. Monogamous females with unlimited mating recorded longer oviposition period and higher fecundity than those subjected to limited mating. Promiscuous females with multiple mating recorded the longest oviposition period, the highest fecundity and percentage egg viability (short-term benefits), and the shortest developmental period, maximum larval survival and adult emergence (long-term benefits).

The three races of the honeybee Apis mellifera Linnaeus in Kenya (A. m. scutellata, A. m. monticola and A. m. litorea) differ from each other with respect to size, cubital index and abdominal colour banding pattern. These differences were used to assess the extent of interbreeding and hybridization between the races. This was verified on the basis of selected morphometric traits. Bee samples were collected from traditional log hives in seven geographical locations throughout Kenya ranging from lowland Mombasa in the coastal region to the highland Kinangop ranges. The length and width of the right forewing, length of proboscis, right antenna and right hindleg were measured, and the cubital index was computed for each specimen. The bees were classified according to size and colour banding pattern. Data analysis indicated there was hybridization among the three races of A. mellifera in Kenya due to swarming and migration under seasonal pressure.

A study to determine the species richness and spatial distribution of five meliponine bee species in three different habitats in the Kakamega forest was undertaken for the first time. Two forest (indigenous and mixed indigenous) and two grassland (with Eucalyptus spp. trees and indigenous trees) types, along with homesteads (in the vicinity of mixed indigenous forest and indigenous forest, respectively), were surveyed. Line transect methods were used in the nest survey in each habitat. The highest number of species was recorded in the indigenous forest, while no nest was discovered in the grassland with Eucalyptus spp. trees. The mean number of nests per transect was higher in homesteads followed by the indigenous forest. The nesting pattern of almost all species nesting in the indigenous forest, mixed indigenous forest (Meliponula bocandei [Spinola]) and grassland with indigenous tree species (Meliponula ferruginea [Lepeletier] reddish brown) was dispersed. The nesting pattern of M. ferruginea (reddish brown) and Hypotrigona gribodoi (Magretti) changed from a dispersed and random pattern, respectively, to a clumped nesting pattern when nesting in homesteads. The degree of nest clustering was low for M. ferruginea (reddish brown) and high for H. gribodoi. Differences in average nearest-neighbour distance were observed within species nesting in a dispersed or clumped pattern. This study reveals that habitat type in the Kakamega forest influences the species richness and nesting pattern of the five stingless bee species.

Resistant rice varieties have proved to be highly effective against the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), but their long-term stability is threatened because of the evolution of prolific biotypes. At present, identification of biotypes is based principally on the differential reactions of host rice varieties to pest in greenhouse screenings and in field plantings of test nurseries at many locations. So far, three N. lugens biotypes that attack different rice varieties have been identified in the Philippines. Biotype 1 can survive on and damage only those varieties that do not carry any genes for resistance. Biotype 2 can thrive on varieties carrying Bph 1 resistance gene and on those susceptible to biotype 1. Biotype 3 can infest and destroy varieties having bph 2 resistance gene and those susceptible to biotype 1. However, none of these biotypes is capable of damaging varieties with Bph 3 and bph 4 genes for resistance, and the variety Ptb 33 carrying two unidentified genes is resistant to almost all known biotypes. Recently, a population of N. lugens was found thriving on the common weed grass Leersia hexandra Swartz on the IRRI farm and in some locations in Luzon, Philippines. This biotype does not survive on rice.

Several varieties which are resistant in the Philippines are susceptible in India and Sri Lanka because the South Asian biotypes of N. lugens are more virulent than the Southeast Asian biotypes. To monitor the pest biotypes in different geographical regions and to identify new sources of resistance, an International Rice Brown Planthopper Nursery (IRBPHN) has been established in many cooperating Asian countries.

Biotypes can also be differentiated by studying their behavioural and physiological responses to plants of known genotypes. Distinctive differences can be observed in insect feeding, growth, longevity, fecundity, oviposition and population increase on differential varieties and relative susceptibility or tolerance for hosts' allelochemics. Recent investigations of the existence of subtle morphological, cytological, and electrophoretic differences among N. lugens biotypes and results of hybridization experiments strongly complement other methods of biotype identification.

The evolution of biotypes is a complex process that is governed by the interactions of the genetic and other biological characteristics of the pest populations and the genetic makeup of cultivated varieties. While the strategy of sequential release of varieties with major resistance genes has been fairly successful, the monogenic nature of those varieties makes them vulnerable to the development of virulent pest biotypes. Therefore, present breeding endeavors envisage use of both major and minor resistance genes for effective pest suppression.

Each summer the true armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haw.), like many other noctuid species, establishes temporary populations in habitats considerably north of areas where permanent populations persist. Data are presented in support of the hypothesis that P. unipuncta is a seasonal migrant and not a victim of an agricultural “Pied Piper” phenomenon. It is proposed that the spring northward migration occurs to avoid the deleterious effects of summer temperatures and the southward fall one to escape severe winter conditions. It is also argued that both spring and fall migrations are initiated by similar short-day, low temperature conditions, which serve as predictable environmental cues for an impending habitat deterioration.

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a destructive pest of tomato, potato and other solanaceous crops of economic importance. One of the primary tools in its management is the use of conventional synthetic insecticides; however, this overreliance on synthetic insecticides quickly leads to the problem of insecticide resistance. In recent years, essential oils (EOs) of medicinal plants have received much attention as pest control chemical agents. If found, active compounds that are less persistent will be beneficial for both the environment and agricultural product consumers. In the current study, we studied the fumigant toxicity of EO of the Shirazi thyme, Zataria multiflora Boiss on the eggs, the second larval instars and adults. We analysed the composition of the EO by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The major component in the oil was thymol (33.52%). The EO showed strong adulticidal, larvicidal and ovicidal activity. Results show that by increasing the oil concentration, mortality will increase. By Probit analysis, the LC50 values for eggs, second larvae (inside leaf, outside leaf) and adults were 60.26, 4.44, 1.26 and 1.38 µl/L air, respectively. The EO of Z. multiflora may be suitable as a fumigant, because of its high volatility and safety.

The study sought to confirm reports by farmers and agricultural extension personnel of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) attacking harvested maize in Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central provinces of Zimbabwe and to map out, using pheromone trap catch data, the distribution of the pest in the country. A survey of 296 respondents confirmed the presence of P. truncatus in five districts of the provinces. Some respondents reported that the first few sightings of the pest were in 2005 or earlier, while the majority mentioned the 2006/2007 storage season. The map showed a more concentrated distribution of P. truncatus in the northern part of the country moving further inland towards the central and eastern parts of Zimbabwe, indicating possible spread of the pest from the neighbouring countries Zambia and Mozambique. The results of the study indicate legitimate concerns over food security with respect to stored maize grain and seed. The occurrence of P. truncatus in the country has serious implications on training of extension agents and packaging of extension messages that need to be disseminated to the farming community to reduce the impact of the pest. This is the first evidence-based and official documented report of P. truncatus occurrence in Zimbabwe.