Management of an emerging pest, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), with pesticides in eastern Ethiopia

Outbreak of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, happened on potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) in eastern Ethiopia in 2014 and effective pesticides as part of IPM practice were sought from greenhouse and laboratory experiments at Haramaya University, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to identify pesticides with the highest efficacy against the mite. Potatoes infested with mites were used in the efficacy trial. Treatments, 9 pesticides and a control, were applied 2 times at weekly intervals. Mites per leaf before and after each spray were counted. Promising pesticides were further screened with leaf-disc spray, and dip methods. Adult mortality was recorded after 24 and 48 hours. Chlorantrniliprole + Lambda-cyhalothrin, Amitraz, Profenofos, Profenofos \u201cQ\u201d 720 g l-1, and Paraffin oil showed superior efficacy on eggs and mobile stages; though Paraffin\u2019s efficacy became clear 14 days later. Paraffin had the lowest mortality in leaf-disc sprays, but better mortality in the leaf-disc dip. This was attributed to complete wetting by the latter. Chlorantrniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin, Profenofos, Profenofos \u201cQ\u201d and Paraffin were identified as promising pesticides for the two spotted spider mite management on potato.L\u2019explosion de t\ue9tranyque \ue0 deux points, Tetranychus urticae Koch, s\u2019est produite sur la patate ( Solanum tuberosum L.) dans l\u2019Est de l\u2019Ethiopie en 2014 et des pesticides effectifs comme une partie de de pratique IPM a \ue9t\ue9 recherch\ue9e \ue0 partir des exp\ue9rimentations sous serre et au laboratoire \ue0 l\u2019Universit\ue9 de Haramaya, Ethiopie. L\u2019objectif de l\u2019\ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019identifier les pesticides avec de tr\ue8s grande efficacit\ue9 contre le t\ue9tranyque. Les patates infest\ue9es avec les t\ue9tranyques ont \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9es dans un essai d\u2019efficacit\ue9. Les traitements, 9 pesticides et un contr\uf4le, \ue9taient appliqu\ue9s deux fois \ue0 des intervalles d\u2019une semaine. Les t\ue9tranyques par feuille ont \ue9t\ue9 compt\ue9s avant et apr\ue8s chaque traitement. Des pesticidesprometteurs ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9galement\ue9valu\ue9s avec le pulv\ue9riseur \ue0 disque sur les feuilles, et les m\ue9thodes d\u2019immersion. La mortalit\ue9 de l\u2019adulte\ue9tait evalu\ue9e apr\ue8s 24 et 48 heures. Chlorantrniliprole + Lambda-cyhalothrin, Amitraz, Profenofos, Profenofos \u201cQ\u201d 720 g l-1, et l\u2019huile du Paraffine ont montr\ue9 une efficacit\ue9 sup\ue9rieure sur les \u153ufs, stages mobiles\ua0; quoique l\u2019efficacit\ue9 de paraffine est devenue claire \ue0 14 jours apr\ue8s. Paraffine a eu la plus faible mortalit\ue9 avec le pulv\ue9riseur \ue0 disque sur la feuille, mais meilleure mortalit\ue9 avec l\u2019immersion de la feuille. Ceci a \ue9t\ue9 attribu\ue9 \ue0 la mouillure compl\ue8te de la deuxi\ue8me m\ue9thode. Chlorantrniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin, Profenofos, profenofos \u201cQ\u201d et Paraffine ont \ue9t\ue9 identifi\ue9s comme pesticide prometteurs, pour la gestion du t\ue9tranyque \ue0 deux points sur la tomate

Survey and identification of termites (Insecta, Isoptera) using morphological and molecular methods from eastern, central and western Ethiopia.

The subfamily Macrotermitinae are the largest members among the Family Termitidae which are the fungus growing sub-family and Odontotermes are the most abundant genus from the subfamily.  The taxonomy of termites is poorly described in Ethiopia. In the present study 168 termite samples were collected from eight locations of Eastern, Western and Central Ethiopia. The collected samples were identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Molecular identification was done based on the dna sequence of a portion of the mitochondrial 16S rrna gene. A phylogenetic analysis of the collected samples and the outgroup resulted in a consensus tree with four distinct groups. Geographical distribution of the samples also supported the resulting clades. Odontotermes were the most widely distributed termites from the collected samples. The genetic distance between the sample showed that Odontotermes zambesiensis, Babile 33 is more distantly related with the rest of the samples

Biology of barley shoot fly Delia flavibasis Stein (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) on resistant and susceptible barley cultivars

The biology of barley shoot fly Delia flavibasis was studied using resistant (Dinsho and Harbu) and susceptible (Holker) barley cultivars at Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia. A higher number of eggs was laid on Holker (17 eggs/female) than on Dinsho (11 eggs/female) or Harbu (12 eggs/female). However, there were no differences between cultivars in preoviposition and total reproductive periods. The shortest time required to complete larval, pupal and total developmental stages from egg to adult emergence occurred when the insect was reared on the cultivar Holker. Pupal weight, adult emergence and adult longevity did not differ between cultivars. The female to male sex ratio was 1:1. This study enabled us to understand the duration of each of the life stages of D.flavibasis, which will undoubtedly aid researchers and growers to design a sustainable management strategy against barley shoot fly

Re-establishment of Spodoptera teferii Laporte in Rougeot (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Noctuinae), with an updated molecular phylogeny for the genus Spodoptera Guenee

International audienceThe genus Spodoptera Guenee (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Noctuinae) is a group of economic importance which encompasses several major pests of crops worldwide. Although this genus has been the focus of many studies, the status of several Spodoptera species is still unstable, especially in the light of recent molecular analyses. In 2015 five Spodoptera specimens collected in Ethiopia were first identified as S. apertura (Walker). However, preliminary studies suggested that these specimens belong to a distinct species, S. teferii Laporte in Rougeot, which has been previously synonymized with S. apertura. In this study, on the basis of morphological and molecular evidence, we re-establish the species status of S. teferii. We provide a supplemental description of S. teferii male and the first description of S. teferii female. We also conducted several molecular analyses. First, we reconstructed an updated phylogeny for the genus based on a multilocus dataset (four mitochondrial and three nuclear gene fragments) including S. teferii and 28 of the 31 currently recognized Spodoptera species; the results of phylogenetic analyses support the hypothesis that S. teferii is more closely related to the clade encompassing S. littoralis (Boisduval), S. litura (Fabricius), S. pectinicornis (Hampson) and S. picta (Guerin-Meneville) than to S. apertura. Second, we carried out molecular species delimitation analyses on a 683-specimen dataset that also clearly support the status of S. teferii as a species distinct to S. apertura

Phylogeny and systematics of the Acrapex apicestriata (Bethune-Baker, 1911) species complex (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Apameini, Sesamiina) with the description of eight new species from the Afrotropics

International audienceTwelve morphologically similar species of Acrapex Hampson 1894, (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Apameini, Sesamiina), from Western, Central and Eastern Africa are reviewed. Eight of these species are new to science and are described: Acrapex akunamatatan. sp. and A. incrassata n. sp. from Kenya; A. gracilis n. sp., A. iringa n. sp., A. lukumbura n. sp. and A. rungwe n. sp. from Tanzania; A. soyema n. sp. from Ethiopia; and A. zoutoi n. sp. from Benin. All 12 species belong to a species complex that we hereby define as the Acrapex apicestriata group. Host-plants for three of the new species are recorded: Setaria incrassata (Hochst.) Hack. for Acrapex incrassata; Cymbopogon pospishilii (K. Schum.) C.E. Hubb. for A. rungwe; and Andropogon perligulatus Stapf. for A. zoutoi. We also conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses (using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) on a six gene multimarker molecular dataset (four mitochondrial and two nuclear gene fragments; 4581 nucleotides in length) consisting of 15 Acrapex species (including seven species from the apicestriata group) and four outgroups species from the subtribe Sesamiina (from genera Busseola Thurau 1904, Sciomesa Tams & Bowden 1953, Pirateolea Moyal, Le Ru, Conlong, Cugala, Defabachew, Matama-Kauma, Pallangyo & Van den Berg 2010 and Sesamia Boisduval & Guenee 1852). Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses yield a similar and well-supported topology, which supports the monophyly of the apicestriata group

Vers la comprehension de la systématique et de l’évolution du genre Acrapex Hampson, 1894 (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae : Apameini : Sesamiina) : phylogénie moléculaire du genre et définition du groupe Acrapex aenigma

International audienceSummary: With a species count reaching almost 100 species, the genus Acrapex is the most diverse genus of sesamiine stemborers (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Apameini: Sesamiina). Acrapex species are mostly distributed in the Afrotropics and consist of several large clades corresponding to distinct species complexes. In this study, 45 morphologically similar species of Acrapex from sub-Saharan Africa are reviewed, including 22 new species that are described: Acrapex alemuran. sp., A. barnsin. sp., A. capelongon. sp., A. congoensisn. sp., A. elgonan. sp., A. elisabethianan. sp., A. eucanthan. sp., A. grandisn. sp., A. igominyin. sp., A. inexpectatan. sp., A. ketoman. sp., A. lilomwin. sp., A. mafingan. sp., A. maketen. sp., A. marungun. sp., A. mazoen. sp., A. mlanjen. sp., Acrapex muchingan. sp., A. ngorongoron. sp., A. obscuran. sp., A. ruirun. sp. and A. wittein. sp. Supplemental descriptions for previously described species are provided as well. These 45 species are assigned to the newly defined Acrapex aenigma species group. We also conduct molecular phylogenetic analyses and molecular species delimitation analyses on a multi-marker (four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes) molecular dataset encompassing 304 specimens (including 256 Acrapex specimens from 54 species of which 16 species belong to the A. aenigma group). Molecular phylogenetics analyses recover well-supported relationships within Acrapex and support the monophyly of the newly defined group. Results of molecular species delimitation analyses are mostly congruent and tend to corroborate the status of the sampled Acrapex species. Consistent with what has been previously found in other studies, the comparison of results from distinct methods and settings for molecular species delimitation analyses allows us to assess species boundaries with more confidence.Avec près d’une centaine d’espèces le genre Acrapex est le genre de noctuelles foreuses le plus diversifié de la sous-tribu des Sesamiina (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae : Noctuinae : Apameini). Les Acrapex sont majoritairement distribués dans la région Afrotropicale et sont composés de plusieurs clades correspondant à différents complexes d’espèces. Dans cette étude, 45 espèces morphologiquement proches d’Acrapex sub-sahariens sont étudiées, au rang desquelles figurent 22 nouvelles espèces que nous décrivons : Acrapex alemura n. sp., A. barnsi n. sp., A. capelongo n. sp., A. congoensis n. sp., A. elgona n. sp., A. elisabethiana n. sp., A. eucantha n. sp., A. grandis n. sp., A. igominyi n. sp., A. inexpectata n. sp., A. ketoma n. sp., A. lilomwi n. sp., A. mafinga n. sp., A. makete n. sp., A. marungu n. sp., A. mazoe n. sp., A. mlanje n. sp., A. muchinga n. sp., A. ngorongoro n. sp., A. obscura n. sp., A. ruiru n. sp., and A. wittei n. sp. Nous fournissons également des descriptions supplémentaires pour des espèces déjà décrites. Ces 45 espèces sont assignées au groupe d’espèces Acrapex aenigma, que nous définissons. Nous avons également réalisé des analyses de reconstruction phylogénétique et des analyses de délimitation moléculaire d’espèces sur un jeu de données moléculaires multimarqueurs (quatre gènes mitochondriaux et deux gènes nucléaires) comprenant 304 spécimens (incluant 256 Acrapex de 54 espèces dont 16 appartiennent au groupe A. aenigma). Les analyses phylogénétiques retrouvent des topologies bien supportées au sein du genre Acrapex et soutiennent l’hypothèse de monophylie du groupe d’espèces nouvellement défini. Les résultats des analyses de délimitation moléculaire d’espèces sont majoritaitement en accord et tendent à soutenir le statut d’espèce des Acrapex échantillonnés. Conformément à ce qui a été mis en évidence dans d’autres études, la comparaison des résultats de différentes méthodes et paramétrages d’analyses de délimitation moléculaire d’espèces permet ainsi d’estimer les contours des espèces avec plus de confiance

Updated phylogenetic and systematics of the Acrapex albivena Hampson, 1910 and A. stygiata (Hampson, 1910) species groups (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Apameini, Sesamiina), with the description of nine new species from the Afrotropics

International audienceThe genus Acrapex Hampson, 1891 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Apameini, Sesamiina) constitutes a speciose group of noctuid stemborers mostly distributed in the Afrotropics. In this study nine new Acrapex species are described: Acrapex abyssinica n. sp., Acrapex dabaga n. sp., Acrapex jansei n. sp., Acrapex kifanya n. sp., Acrapex lusinga n. sp., Acrapex ngwenya n. sp., Acrapex njombea n. sp., Acrapex vetiveria n. sp. and Acrapex zima n. sp. All species are assigned to the A. albivena group with the exception of A. lusinga which is assigned to the A. stygiata group. We also provide supplemental descriptions for two previously described species of the A. albivena group, A. punctosa Berio, 1973 and A. sysciodes Berio, 1973, and for one species belonging to the A. stygiata group: A. brunneella Le Ru, 2014. Host plants of three species are recorded; A. brunneella and Acrapex jansei were reared on Cymbopogon pospischilii (K.Schum.) C.E.Hubb and A. vetiveria on Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.). We also conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses (using both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood) on a multi-marker (four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes) molecular dataset encompassing 138 specimens (including 98 specimens from the A. albivena group and 23 specimens from the A. stygiata group) from 48 stemborer species. The results of the corresponding analyses support the monophyly of the two groups of interest and the species status of all newly described taxa, except for A. lusinga that was not sequenced. The phylogenetic analyses also unravel several evolutionary lineages whose precise status is pending because their DNA was extracted from larval stages.Actualisation des connaissances de la phylogénie et de la systématique des groupes d’espèces Acrapex albivena Hampson, 1910 et A. stygiata (Hampson, 1910) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Apameini, Sesamiina), avec la description de neuf nouvelles espèces de la région Afrotropicale. Le genre Acrapex Hampson, 1891 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Apameini, Sesamiina) est un groupe diversifié de noctuelles foreuses, majoritairement distribué dans la région Afrotropicale. Dans cette étude neuf espèces nouvelles sont décrites : Acrapex abyssinica n. sp., Acrapex dabaga n. sp., Acrapex jansei n. sp., Acrapex kifanya n. sp., A. lusinga n. sp., Acrapex ngwenya n. sp., Acrapex njombea n. sp., Acrapex vetiveria n. sp. et Acrapex zima n. sp. Toutes ces espèces sont assignées au groupe d’espèce A. albivena à l’exception d’A. lusinga qui est assignée au groupe d’espèce A. stygiata. Nous fournissons également des descriptions supplémentaires pour deux espèces, A. punctosa Berio, 1973 et A. sysciodes, Berio 1973, précedemment décrites dans le groupe A. albivena ainsi que pour A. brunneella Le Ru, 2014, une espèce qui appartient au groupe A. stygiata. Les plantes-hôtes de trois espèces sont répertoriées ; Acrapex brunneella et A. jansei ont été élevées sur Cymbopogon pospischilii (K. Schum.) C. E. Hubb et A. vetiveria sur Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.). Nous avons également réalisé des analyses de reconstruction phylogénétique (utilisant à la fois l’inférence Bayésienne et le maximum de vraisemblance) sur un jeu de données moléculaires multi-marqueurs (quatre gènes mitochondriaux et deux gènes nucléaires) comprenant 138 specimens (incluant 98 specimens du groupe A. albivena et 23 specimens du groupe A. stygiata) de 48 espèces de foreurs. Les résultats de ces analyses soutiennent à la fois l’hypothèse de monophylie des deux groupes d’intérêt et le statut d’espèces des taxa nouvellement décris, à l’exception d’A. lusinga qui n’a pas été séquencé. Les analyses phylogénétiques révèlent également l’existence de plusieurs lignées évolutives distinctes dont le statut reste à définir car leur ADN a été extrait de stades larvaire

Molecular phylogenetics and definition of the Acrapex minima Janse group (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Apameini, Sesamiina) with the description of four new species from the Afrotropics

International audienceFive morphologically similar species of Acrapex Hampson (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Apameini), from sub-Saharan Africa are reviewed, including four new species that are described: Acrapex mondogeneta Le Ru n. sp., A. mubale Le Ru n. sp., A. robe Le Ru n. sp. and A. rubona Le Ru n. sp. These five species belong to a species complex that we hereby define as the Acrapex minima group. Host plants of three species are recorded; Acrapex minima is recorded for the first time on a host plant, Digitaria natalensis Stent; A. mondogeneta on Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf and A. rubona on Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. We also conducted molecular phylogenetics (using both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood) and molecular species delimitation analyses (Poisson tree processes) on a six gene multi-marker dataset (four mitochondrial and two nuclear gene fragments; 4582 nucleotides in length) of 42 specimens and 22 species, including 23 specimens from the Acrapex minima group. The results of the corresponding analyses support the monophyly of the group and the species status of the newly described taxa