First record and bionomics of the mycophagous ladybird Psyllobora bisoctonotata (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Sudan

AbstractPowdery mildews caused by several fungi, particularly of the genera Erysiphe, Sphaerotheca and Leveillula, are destructive diseases of various cultivated and wild plants during winter season (December–March) in Sudan. Application of synthetic fungicides is the only control measure practiced. Fortuitously, during a field survey, congregations of coccinellid adults and grubs were found associated with powdery mildews on a wild plant, Xanthium brasilicum Vell., locally known as “Ramtouk”, at Shambat area/Khartoum North. Therefore, the insect was subjected to some bionomical studies conducted during winter season 2011/12. Emphasis was devoted to morphometric investigations, supported with life cycle durations and seasonal trend on the foregoing host. Accordingly, the species was recognized as Psyllobora bisoctonotata (Muls.), a well known powdery mildew feeder in several countries. This is the first record of a mycophagous insect in Sudan. Hence, the important morphological features of the different stages were presented. The rearing of the insect on powdery mildew infected Ramtouk leaves in the laboratory (27.50±3.75°C and 15.83±3.82% R.H.) revealed that the mean total lifecycle from egg to adult was 25.28±1.57days. The insect appeared on X. brasilicum in a very small number in December, peaked in February, and then gradually declined thereafter coinciding with an increase in temperature and a decrease in powdery mildew infection. So far, the real distribution of this mycophagous species and its host range are waiting for more investigations. Meticulous bio-ecological studies are important to ascertain the proper habitat for such insect throughout the year, and to evaluate its potential role as a biocontrol agent for the powdery mildews

Primary nocturnal enuresis in children presenting to the outpatient Department of Khartoum ENT Teaching Hospital with adenotonsillar hypertrophy

ABSTRACT Background: Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (PNE) is a common health problem seen in childhood. It has many risk factors that can play a role in its etiology including an untreated adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) which is the most common etiology of obstructed sleep apnea (OSA). Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of PNE in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) and to reveal the relation of PNE with severity of ATH in Sudanese children. Material and Methods: A total of two hundreds and ninety patients diagnosed with ATH were recruited in this prospective study with age ranging from 5 to 15 years. The study was conducted in Khartoum ENT teaching hospital from Jan. to May 2012. Results: From 290 patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy, 114 (39.3%) were proved to have primary nocturnal enuresis. From these 114 children, 86 (75.4%) were wetting their beds at least once a week. Almost half of the study population had grade 3 adenotonsillar hypertrophy. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between frequency of primary nocturnal enuresis and grading of adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Conclusion: Prevalence of primary nocturnal enuresis in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy was high (40%). Children presenting with nocturnal enuresis should be evaluated for adenotonsillar hypertrophy. There is no association between primary nocturnal enuresis and severity of upper airway obstruction caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy

Thrombocytopenia due to Plasmodium Palciparum malaria in children in paediatrics department, Alamal National Hospital, Sudan

Abstract Malaria is a major public health problem in Sudan. Thrombocytopenia has been reported to be associated with malaria with incidence between 24-94% in some studies. Usually it runs a benign course and causes no bleeding. It responds usually to anti-malarial treatment. Case reports: 28 patients were treated in paediatric department diagnosed as having malaria due to plasmodium falciparum infection and one patient had mixed infection (falciparum and vivax) from September 2012 to March 2013 (7 months). Their age ranged from 10 months to 15 years. 15 patients (53.5%) had malaria associated with thrombocytopenia (one of them was treated as out-patient). Only 2 patients (13.33%) had severe thrombocytopenia (7,000 and 19,000/ cumm). The rest (13 = 86.66%) had mild and moderate thrombocytopenia i.e. ˃ 20,000/ cumm. 10 patients (66.66%) treated with quinine (I.V. and oral) and 5 patients (33.33%) treated with IM Artemether. All patients (15 = 100%) recovered from malaria and thrombocytopenia and discharged home. No one of them had bleeding from any site. Conclusion: In general, mild and moderate thrombocytopenia is very common in falciparum malaria and has got a benign course and improves with treatment. Severe thrombocytopenia is uncommon and rarely associate with bleeding. Malaria should be considered in febrile patients with low platelets

Comparative bio-ecological studies among two species of Urentius lace bugs (Hemiptera: Tingidae) in Sudan

Among the prevalent lace bugs in Sudan, Urentius hystricellus and Urentius euonymus are important pests of eggplant and pigeon pea, respectively. They attack alternative hosts, but some plants were reported as common hosts for both species. In fact, the identity of these pests and their actual host plants seems to be confusing. Therefore, the main objectives of this work were to; differentiate between such pest species based on certain morpho-biological investigations, verify their hosts’ ranges and study their intra-host distributions and seasonal trends through field surveys and experiments. The results showed clear morphological and biological differences among the two lace bug species. The durations of pre-imaginal stages of U. hystricellus were shorter than those of U. euonymus, while each pest took shorter durations in autumn as compared with winter season. Each pest has its own host range, and no shared hosts were detected, as believed. Hence, the mistaken hosts were corrected and new hosts were added. Such new records included Solanum incanum for U. hystricellus, and two hosts (Chrozophora plicata and Rhynchosia memnonia) for U. euonymus. Counts of insects on either leaf sides have revealed variable distributions in different hosts. The seasonal trends of the two pests showed peak populations during autumn and summer seasons. In conclusion, the study made clear distinctions between U. hystricellus and U. euonymus, and gave supportive findings for ecological management

Studies on biology and ecology of Galeatus scrophicus Saunders (Hemiptera: Tingidae) in Sudan

Among insect fauna reported in Sudan, Galeatus scrophicus Saunders, was detected earlier in last century, and known as a pest of sunflower. Nevertheless, very limited research works have yet been conducted on this pest. Therefore, this study was proposed to cover certain bio-ecological aspects of G. scrophicus, including host range, geographical and intra-host distributions, seasonal abundance and life cycle of pre-adult stages. Such parameters were fulfilled through surveys, field experiments and laboratory works. The results revealed seven host plants for the pest under the family Compositae, viz., Helianthus annus L., Lactuca sativa L., Lactuca taraxifolia (Willd.) Schumach, Sonchus cornutus Hochst. Ex Oliv.+ Hiern, Sonchus oleraceus L., Xanthium brasilicum Vell. and Pluchea diosecoridis (L.) DC., all of them, except the former species, were new records. Higher numbers of nymphs and adults were reported on the upper surfaces than on the lower sides of plant leaves. However, the pest was found in all sunflower areas in central Sudan. The seasonal counts showed that the highest population of the pest occurred in winter as compared with autumn season. On the other hand, the mean total durations of pre-imaginal stages were shorter in autumn (14.12 ± 0.15 days) than in winter (25.27 ± 0.26) season. Therefore, some detrimental factors that seem to suppress the pest population buildup in autumn were suggested, and recommended for additional studies so as to design appropriate ecologically sound control measures

AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA Insecticidal activities of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seeds under laboratory and field conditions as affected by different storage durations

ABSTRACT Neem seed water extract is found to be very potent in combating various pests of storage and field crops in Sudan, and recommended for use in small holding farms. Two laboratory tests on Trogodarma granariun and a field experiment on okra crop were carried out to compare the insecticidal activities of several water extracts prepared from neem seeds stored at different durations (1-5 years) under room conditions. Such field study also compared extracts of corticated with decorticated seeds. The laboratory tests showed that neem seeds stored at 2, 3 and 4 years were better than the seeds stored at 1 or 5 years, in controlling the studied pest. The newest seeds (1year) seemed to exert more repellent effect than older seeds, while diminishing of neem activities appeared to start after four years of storage when applied under shade. On the other hand, field results reflected that all evaluated neem seeds of three storage periods (ca. 1, 2 and 3 years) significantly suppressed pests' populations, increased marketable yields and saved the prevailing predators. They all, except the oldest seeds (3 years), showed comparable or even better performance than the commercial insecticide used. Thus, declining of seeds activities under field situation was recorded with seeds of three years old. However, field results also proved the superiority of corticated neem seeds over that of decorticated. It is concluded that, neem seeds stored in jute sacks under shade, can remain as potent as new seeds for up to four and two years, regarding their uses for pests control either in storage or field crops, respectively. Corticated neem seeds were recommended for pests control instead of decorticated ones

Larvicidal properties of two asclepiadaceous plant species against the mosquito Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae)

Certain mosquito species are important vectors of fatal human diseases, among which Anopheles arabiensis is known to be associated with malaria transmission in different tropical and subtropical areas. Since chemical control of mosquitoes was linked with numerous drawbacks, like resistance development, the search for effective environmentally sound alternatives is urgently needed. Therefore, it was aimed by this study to evaluate some extracts prepared from two asclepiadaceous plants, viz., Solenostemma argel “Hargel” (seeds and leaves) and Calotropis procera “Usher” (leaves and flowers), as natural larvicides against An. arabiensis. The main parameters included bioassays of treatments for knockdown and residual effects, besides phytochemical analysis of the tested extracts. The results revealed variable groups of secondary metabolites in the two plants, with S. argel seemed to be the richest one. Hence, S. argel extracts caused higher larval mortalities than those of C. procera. This could be ascribed to some potent secondary metabolites in the former plant, which needs further studies. Almost all the high concentrations of S. argel extracts exerted the highest knockdown effect (90% mortality) after 24 h, which were comparable with those obtained by two standard insecticides. The highest doses of petroleum ether and water extracts of this plant also manifested significantly higher residual effects than the other extracts after three days following treatments, but were surpassed by the chemical insecticides thereafter. However, S. argel seed petroleum ether extract at 0.5% was the most effective of all botanicals up to three weeks of exposure. This extract needs to be evaluated under field conditions for proper exploitation as mosquito larvicide