Challenges of E-Waste pollution to soil environments in Nigeria - A Review

Hitherto Nigeria has been identified as a major dumping ground for e-waste from developed countries of the world arising from increasing demand for information computer technology (ITC) and other electronic gadgets by the populace especially with the relation of telecom sector since 2001. The term “e-waste” may be applied to electrical and electronic waste material of all  categories and includes but not limited to computers, refrigerators, television sets, mobile phones, office electronic devices, entertainment device electronics and electronic toys. Evidently, in addition to human health issues associated with e-waste management, e-waste constitutes a challenge to both developed and developing countries though markedly pronounced in the latter because of the dearth of appropriate technology in handling the menace posed by the discarded waste materials. There is paucity of information in quantitative terms regarding the effect of ewaste on the environment (including the soil fauna and flora) especially in Nigeria. However, e-waste has been implicated as being deleterious to soil quality, soil fauna and flora especially from studies outside Nigeria. In this paper this category of wastes will be assessed and in relation to its possible influence on soil environment in forms including heavy metal pollution. Possible e-waste management strategies will also be highlighted on soil environment with particular reference to Nigeria.Keywords: E-waste, Pollution, Soil, Environment, E-waste managemen

Effect of cassava varieties on oviposition and development of larger grain borer-Prostephanus truncatus horn (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

The influence of cassava varieties on the developmental biology of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) was investigated. This beetle was reared on flour varieties of cassava, namely: Danwari, Nwugo, Aburu-Asua and Ant-Ota. More eggs were lad in Danwari (132.0 +- 6.1 egg) than in other cassava variety. The least number of eggs laid was in Nwugo (118.3+-4.5) in No-choice experiment. In Free-choice test, the highest number of eggs was recorded in Aburu-Asua (64.0 + 17 eggs) and the lowest (41.6 +- 31 eggs) on Anti-Ota. The average total developmental period in, Aburu-Asua, Nwugo, Danwari and Ant-Ota were 32.5 +- 0.4, 30.6 +- 0.2, 28.5 +- 0.1 and 34.7 +- 0.1 days respectively. The low oviposition preference for Nwugo was attributed to the presence of oviposition deterrents in this variety, which might have protected it against the beetle attack.Keywords: Cassava, Oviposition, Larger grain borer, Coleoptera, Bostrichida

Preliminary checklist of flies associated with pig carrions decomposition in Okija, Anambra state, Nigeria

The decomposition process of pig carrions was carried out in Okija,  Anambra State, Nigeria. The study area was located on 05o53.240N and 006o48.50E within the ambient temperature and relative humidity of 30.2 ± 0.28 oC and 68.5 ± 1.34%, respectively. Flies found on the carrions were collected, preserved in 70% ethanol and identified. The flies encountered belong to six families (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Ulidiidae, Tephritidae, Stratiomyiidae and Muscidae) and ten species (Chrysomya abiceps, Chrysomya regalis, Chrysomya chloropyga, Isomyia dubiosa, Isomyia sp., Sarcophaga inzi, Chrysomyza africana, Trirhithum sp., Hermetia illucens and Musca domestica). The successional pattern of the flies was predictable. Their activities on the carrions include consumption of the carrion tissues and using same to propagate their progeny. All the flies except the Trirhithum sp. played defined roles on the carrions and were established as flies of forensic importance, while the Trirhithum sp. was referred to as opportunistic fly of the carrion resource.Keywords: Flies, Pig carrions, Decomposition, Forensic insects, Okij

Insects associated with wine from raffia palm (Raphia hookeri) in Alor, Nigeria

The insects associated with palm wine from raffia palm (Raphia hookeri) were studied in three villages in Southeastern, Nigeria for four weeks. The insects were sieved out after 24 hours from each 10 litres of raffia palm. Gas chromatography was used to analyse the raffia palm wine after 24 hours. The daily collection of the insects lasted for 28 days between February and March, 2008. The results showed that as the number of days increased the concentration of glucose and fructose decreased with alcoholic content increasing at varying pH and temperature. A total of eight insect species made up of seven genera represented by seven families – Formicidea, Apidae, Drosophilidae, Sarcophagidae, Calliphoridae, Nitidulidae and Curculronidae were obtained. There was a preponderance in the collection of Camponotus maculatus, Maycodrosophylla sp. and Lepidoptera larvae in all the site with C. acvapimensis and Apis mellifera L. collected in fairly large numbers from all the sites (villages). There was also preponderance in the collection of Diptera larvae, even though they were collected from only one village Ide. Sparsely collected insect species from Ide village included Sarcophaga tibialis Macq, Auchmeromyia senegalensis, and Brachypeplus sp. (as a singleton). Cryptarcha sp. was found only in Ide and Okebuonye villages while Rhynchophorus phoenicis was collected in all the villages. The significant difference in the collection of Mycodrosophilla sp. in the three villages were traced to variability in the movement of the conspecifics and habitat heterogeneity while the significant difference in the collection of Diptera larvae was attributed to differences in habitat use, differences in food resource and availability, and environmental heterogeneity. The factors responsible for the recovery of insect species from raffia palm wine were traced to foraging activities on palms, accidental dropping into palm wine gourd, olfactory response of species, pestiferous activities of species, palm pollination, use of incision points on palm stems and inflorescence as food and oviposition resources, and the role of raffia palms in the life history of species

Evaluation of the use of Ogiri from castor oil seed as bait in trapping of insect in a fallow plot in Awka, Nigeria

Pitfall traps were used to study insect fauna in a fallow plot at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Temporary site, Awka. The study was carried out for a period of seven weeks in the months of June and July 2013. The pitfall traps were baited using ogiri made from castor oil seed. The pitfall traps were used to investigate the activities and the relative abundance of insects in the study site. A total of 137 adult insects were trapped. From the overall results, eight insect orders, seventeen families and twenty-two species were found to be associated with the ogiri from castor oil seed in the fallow plot in Awka during the study period. Hymenoptera having the highest relative abundant (30.60%) followed by Collembola (15.67%) while both the Dictyoptera and Isoptera had the least relative abundance (3.73% each). However, analysis of variance showed that castor oilseed ogiri had significant effect on Diptera at p<0.05. The factors responsible for the presence and recovery of insect species from the bait include; accidental dropping into the pitfall traps, foraging activities on the bait, and oviposition resources.Keywords: Ogiri, Castor oil seed, Pitfall trap, Insects fauna, Fallow plot, Awka, Nigeri