The Contribution of food plants to the growth, development and fecundity of Zonocerus variegatus (L)

The performance of the variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus (L) fed on different food plants namely cassava (Manihot esculenta), pawpaw (Carica papaya) and acalypha (Acalypha wilkesiana) and a mixture of these plants (mixed diets) from 5th nymphal instar to adult was investigated. Survivor and longevity of nymphs and as well as the reproductive performance of adult Zonocerus was greater and better for insect fed on cassava and mixed diets, as compared to those fed only on Acalypha and pawpaw. Adults emerged between the 5th to 16th week in cages containing 5th instars fed on cassava and mixed diets, while it took between 7-23 weeks for those fed on acalypha and pawpaw to emerge as adult. There were significant differences in the measurements of the body parameters of insects fed on the four different food plants. Ranking was cassava>mixture>pawpaw>acalyhpa. Sex had no significant effect on the measurement of body parameters regardless of the food plants. Feeding assay showed that there was a significant difference between the amounts of leaves consumed by Zonocerus fed on the different food plants. Of all the diets, cassava was the most preferred and most consumed food plant. This had a corresponding effect on the weight gained by the insects. The results of the proximate analysis showed significant differences in the dry matter, crude protein and fat content of Z. variegatus fed on the different food plants. A positive correlation existed between the body weight, protein and fat content of Z. variegatus fed on the different food plants. Key words: Zonocerus variegatus, food plants, instar, growth, development. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(10) 2003: 350-35

Effect of stocking density on the growth and haemolymph biochemical value of Archachatina marginata

The growth performance and haemolymph properties of the African giant land snail Archachatina marginata fed ad libitun with pawpaw leaves and reared under different stocking densities were investigated in an eight week experiment. Four different stocking densities of 5, 10, 15 and 20 snailsper cage (0.5 m x 0.5 m x 0.2 m) were used with each group replicated. The cage with 15 snails per cage recorded the best growth performance in relation to weight gain, shell length gain as well shell circumference gain, while the cage stocked with 20 snails recorded the least growth performance. There is a strong relationship between stocking density and the concentration of the haemolymph protein, glucose and lipids. However, there was no difference in the concentration of the mineral elements across the stocking densities

Comparative toxicity effect of bush tea leaves (Hyptis suaveolens) and orange peel (Citrus sinensis) oil extract on larvae of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti

The ethanolic extracts of the orange peel (Citrus sinensis) and bush tea leaves (Hyptis suaveolens) were compared for their toxicity effect on the larvae of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti collected from disused tyres beside College of Natural Sciences building University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Eight graded concentrations, 0.9ppm, 0.8ppm, 0.7ppm, 0.6ppm, 0.5ppm, 0.4ppm, 0.3ppm and 0.2ppm of both plant extracts were tested on the larvae. The mean lethal dose LD10, was 0.15 ppm for C. sinensis, 0.01 for H. suaveolens, while LD50 for C. sinensis was 0.4ppm, H.suaveolens 0.60ppm and LD90 for C. sinensis was 0.9ppm and H.suaveolens was 1.45ppm. LD10 for the control 0.65ppm, LD50 0.9ppm and LD90 2.0 ppm. The extract of C. sinensis peel caused higher mortality rate at concentrations 0.8ppm (95%) and 0.3ppm (90%) of the larvae while the extract of H. suaveolens caused high mortality rate on the larvae at concentrations of 0.9ppm (80%) and 0.3ppm (80%). Significant differences were observed between untreated and treated larvae (exposed to either of the extract) at the various concentrations (P< 0.05). Keywords: Citrus sinensis, Hyptis suaveolens, larvae, mortality, Aedes aegypti, NigeriaTanzania Health Research Bulletin Vol. 7(3) 2005: 174-17

Performance, proximate and mineral analyses of African giant land snail (Archachatina marginata) fed different nitrogen sources

The effect of different nitrogen sources in the diets offered to caged African giant land snail, Archachatina marginata, was investigated in a six months experiment. Four experimental diets I, II, III and IV containing soybean, fishmeal, poultry dropping and urea as the only nitrogen source, respectively were formulated. Diet V (Pawpaw leaves) served as the control. Growth parameters (weight gain, feed intake, shell length gain and shell circumference gain), hemolymph and flesh minerals and proximate composition of the snails were determined. Snails fed diet III (poultry droppings) recorded the highest weight gain while the snails fed diet IV recorded the least value. Snail fed diet I had the highest feed conversion ratio (FCR}. The least FCR value was recorded for snails on diet V. The feed intake of snail on diet V was significantly higher (

Sampling mosquitoes with CDC light trap in rice field and plantation communities in Ogun State, Nigeria

Mosquito species were sampled to determine the mosquito composition and abundance in rice field and plantation communities in Ogun State Nigeria. Mosquitoes were caught once weekly from four selected houses in each of the two communities by means of CDC light traps. A total of 47,501 mosquitoes representing fifteen species were caught in the two communities of which the rice field community accounted for 63.8% of the total catch. Mansonia Africana constituted the most important biting mosquito in the two communities representing 62.1% and 39.1% in rice field and plantation communities, respectively. Other species in decreasing order of abundance were M. uniformis, Anopheles gambiae, Coquilletidia fuscopennata, An. moucheti, An. funestus, An. nili, Culex quinquefasciatus, Eretmapodites chrysogaster, Coq.metallica, Cx annulioris, An. rhodesiensis, Aedes aegypti, An. Squamosus and An. Maculipennis. Seven mosquito species were caught throughout the year but mostly in the months of May to October. Abundance varied significantly between the study sites and between the months (F,1.11 =241.9

Comparative Analysis of the Growth Performance and Haemolymph Biochemical Properties of Normal and Albino Giant Land Snail- Archachatina marginata

This study was conducted to compare the growth performance and haemolymph metabolites concentrations of two snail ecotypes-normal skin and albino snail raised in captivity for eight weeks. The growth performance was measured by body weight gain, shell length gain and shell circumference gain  while the measured haemolymph metabolites were glucose, protein, lipids, Na+, K+ ,Ca2+, Cl- and PO42-. Normal snail recorded better growth performance and growth rate (3.432x) than albino snails (2.166x). Similarly significantly higher (P 0.05) was recorded in the concentrations of minerals of the two snails species haemolymph. The domestication of the two snail ecotypes is thus recommended for heliculturist.Keyword: Albino snails, Archachatina marginata, biochemical value,  haemolymph

Can physical activity attenuate the impact of internet addiction on anxiety in young adults? A moderation analysis

Background: The potential moderators of the nexus between internet addiction (IA) and symptoms of anxiety are less understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the moderating roles of physical activity (PA) and gender in the association between IA and anxiety. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 510 Nigerian undergraduate students was carried out. IA, anxiety, and PA levels (low, moderate, and high) were assessed using Internet Addiction Test, anxiety sub-scale of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and Patient-Centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise Plus Nutrition, respectively. Moderation analysis was applied while controlling for important covariates. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.33 ± 2.63 years. The prevalence of IA and anxiety was 57.6 % and 52.6 %. IA was positively associated with anxiety (b=0.307, 95 % CI: 0.2168-0.3982, t (498) =6.660, p < 0.001). PA level, but not gender seem to moderate the association between IA and anxiety (F (2, 498) =3.561, p=0.029, R2 change =0.011). Moreover, interaction between PA and gender indicated that the moderating effect of PA was less pronounced among females compared with males (F (3, 498) =2.895, p=0.035, R2 change =0.014). Conclusions: PA can attenuate the deleterious nexus between IA and anxiety in young adults. The attenuation of PA in IA-anxiety nexus is weaker among female young adults compared with male counterparts. PA is a viable low-cost intervention strategy in combating the effect of IA on symptoms of anxiety among young adults. Further longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms among IA, anxiety symptoms, PA, and gender

Towards the Development of an Empirical Model for Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from the Middle East

Academic research suggests that variances in contextual dynamics, and more specifically religion, may lead to disparate perceptions and practices of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Driven by the increased geopolitical and economic importance of the Middle East and identified gaps in knowledge, the study aims to examine if indeed there is a divergent form of CSR exercised in the region. The study identifies unique CSR dimensions and constructs presented through an empirical framework in order to outline the practice and perception of CSR in a context with strong Islamic beliefs. The framework goes beyond the platform of mere Islamic philanthropy and is based on CSR-stakeholder management practices. Following an exploratory research design and collecting interview data from representatives of 63 organisations from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, the study offers a snapshot of the CSR reality from the perspective of those living the phenomenon. The results suggest that the practice and perception of CSR in the examined context are largely grounded in the areas of social and altruistic actions but they cannot be examined in isolation from the religious context of CSR operation. This focus is mainly attributed to the dominant role of Islam in the examined sample, which leads to forms of non-structured or semi-structured approaches to CSR. Apart from the theoretical advancements offered to the CSR literature, the study also provides contributions for practitioners and policy makers.</p