The orientation of Tribolium castaneum adults in the presence of aggregation pheromone 4,8-Dimethyldecanal and food oils

Monitoring of Tribolium castaneum, the red flour beetle, involves the use of aggregation pheromone 4,8- dimethyldecanal (4,8 DMD) and kairomones such as cereal oils. Despite their present use, certain information which maximizes the efficacy of these compounds is still lacking. These experiments tested the effects of distance from the pheromone and edible oils on the orientation of T. castaneum adults. The movement of adults toward the aggregation pheromone was determined by changing the distance from the pheromone or the air flow. The adults released inside a glass apparatus tested their orientation either toward the food oils or the empty vial. The maximum trap catch was recorded at distances up to 60 cm from the pheromone and with the presence of air flow. The oils having botanical origin successfully attracted adults than those of animal origin. It is concluded that the orientation of T. castaneum adults varies with the distance from pheromone, air flow and the nature of food oil.Monitoring of Tribolium castaneum, the red flour beetle, involves the use of aggregation pheromone 4,8- dimethyldecanal (4,8 DMD) and kairomones such as cereal oils. Despite their present use, certain information which maximizes the efficacy of these compounds is still lacking. These experiments tested the effects of distance from the pheromone and edible oils on the orientation of T. castaneum adults. The movement of adults toward the aggregation pheromone was determined by changing the distance from the pheromone or the air flow. The adults released inside a glass apparatus tested their orientation either toward the food oils or the empty vial. The maximum trap catch was recorded at distances up to 60 cm from the pheromone and with the presence of air flow. The oils having botanical origin successfully attracted adults than those of animal origin. It is concluded that the orientation of T. castaneum adults varies with the distance from pheromone, air flow and the nature of food oil

Refinement of the taxonomic structure of 16SrXI and 16SrXIV phytoplasmas of gramineous plants using multilocus sequence typing

Phytoplasmas that infect gramineous plants, including Napier grass stunt, sugarcane whiteleaf, sugarcane grassy shoot, and Bermuda grass whiteleaf, have been classified into two closely related groups, 16SrXI and 16SrXIV, based on the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Subsequently, phytoplasmas associated with coconut and Areca palm in southern India and Sri Lanka have been added into the 16SrXI group. However, the 16S rRNA gene gives relatively poor resolution between these phytoplasmas. In this study, a new set of universal phytoplasma primers that amplify approximately 1 kb of the leucyl transfer RNA synthetase (leuS) gene have been validated on a broad range of phytoplasma taxonomic groups. These have been used along with partial sequences of the secA gene to clarify the taxonomic classification of 16SrXI and 16SrXIV phytoplasmas. Based on this data, the sugarcane whiteleaf and grassy shoot phytoplasmas appear to be the same phytoplasma. The Napier grass stunt phytoplasma forms a distinct group from the Bermuda grass whiteleaf and sugarcane phytoplasmas, suggesting that Napier grass stunt should be in its own ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma sp.’. The phytoplasmas associated with coconut and arecanut in southern India and Sri Lanka, which are in the same 16SrXI group, appear in different groups based on secA analysis

Abundance of insects in rice mills in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka: Poster

Monitoring of insect population is a prerequisite for integrated pest management attempts. The complex structures/machines in rice milling facilities, however, limit surveying attempts aggravating the ignorance of insect fauna associated with such facilities. Furthermore, insect surveys conducted in Sri Lanka are very rare. The objective of the current study was to determine the presence, diversity, and abundance of insects in rice mills of varying capacity as found in a major rice processing area in Sri Lanka. A group of large-, medium-, and smallscale mills were used for the survey. Samples were collected from different locations in the mills, and the density of insects at each location was determined. Insect species and their abundance varied with the type of mill as well as with the location in the mill. This information is useful to design and implement pest management for the mills.Monitoring of insect population is a prerequisite for integrated pest management attempts. The complex structures/machines in rice milling facilities, however, limit surveying attempts aggravating the ignorance of insect fauna associated with such facilities. Furthermore, insect surveys conducted in Sri Lanka are very rare. The objective of the current study was to determine the presence, diversity, and abundance of insects in rice mills of varying capacity as found in a major rice processing area in Sri Lanka. A group of large-, medium-, and smallscale mills were used for the survey. Samples were collected from different locations in the mills, and the density of insects at each location was determined. Insect species and their abundance varied with the type of mill as well as with the location in the mill. This information is useful to design and implement pest management for the mills

Biological control of Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli the causal agent of root rot of bean using Bacillus subtilis CA32 and Trichoderma harzianum RU01

Root rot, caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli, is one of the main root diseases impacting production of common bean in Sri Lanka. Rhizobacteria were screened in dual Petri plate assays to select antagonistic strains against F. solani f. sp. phaseoli. B. subtilis CA32 effectively antagonized the pathogen. T. harzianum RU01 also showed the antagonistic activity. The efficacy of the B. subtilis CA32 and the T. harzianum RU01 were tested in greenhouse pot experiments against F. solani f. sp. phaseoli. Seed bacterization with B. subtilis CA32 and T. harzianum RU01 significantly protected bean seedlings from F. solani f. sp. phaseoli compared to the untreated control plants. Plant protection was more pronounced in T. harzianum RU01 treated plants than bacterized plants. Enhanced root growth was observed only T. harzianum RU01 treated plants, suggesting that the biotic modifications of the mycorrhizosphere as a result of colonization with T. harzianum RU01

Residual efficacy of spinosad-treated surfaces on Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum adults: Presentation

Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum cause massive losses in stored food. These insects are effectively controlled by synthetic insecticides and fumigants but they accompany many demerits on biotic and abiotic environment. Spinosad is a bacterial formulation and a reduced-risk insecticide which is registered for stored grain protection in many countries. Despite many avenues of research on spinosad, its residual efficacy on certain insect species remains undiscovered. The objective of this research was to evaluate the residual efficacy of spinosad-treated surfaces on the survival of R. dominica and T. castaneum adults. The label rate of spinosad (25 ppm) was sprayed on polypropylene, jute, polythene, metal and filter paper. One-month-old twenty adults of R. dominica or T. castaneum were introduced on to the surfaces treated with spinosad and maintained at ambient environmental conditions. The mortality was counted at 2 and 6 days following introduction of adults. The mortality differed with the surface, insect species and duration of exposure. The current study highlights the possibility of controlling R. dominica or T. castaneum by spinosad sprayed on different surfaces.Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum cause massive losses in stored food. These insects are effectively controlled by synthetic insecticides and fumigants but they accompany many demerits on biotic and abiotic environment. Spinosad is a bacterial formulation and a reduced-risk insecticide which is registered for stored grain protection in many countries. Despite many avenues of research on spinosad, its residual efficacy on certain insect species remains undiscovered. The objective of this research was to evaluate the residual efficacy of spinosad-treated surfaces on the survival of R. dominica and T. castaneum adults. The label rate of spinosad (25 ppm) was sprayed on polypropylene, jute, polythene, metal and filter paper. One-month-old twenty adults of R. dominica or T. castaneum were introduced on to the surfaces treated with spinosad and maintained at ambient environmental conditions. The mortality was counted at 2 and 6 days following introduction of adults. The mortality differed with the surface, insect species and duration of exposure. The current study highlights the possibility of controlling R. dominica or T. castaneum by spinosad sprayed on different surfaces

Loss of animal feed due to infestation by Rhyzopertha dominica: Poster

Despite the use of natural food for livestock production, different animal feeds are currently available at the market. Long-term storage of these animal feeds lead to deterioration and contamination by insects. Therefore, it is important that the loss of these animal feeds be determined and methods to control the damage be sought. This study was conducted to determine the loss of eleven types of animal feed commonly used in Sri Lanka due to infestation by Rhyzopertha dominica, a major granivorous insect species. Twenty newly emerged adults of R. dominica were introduced separately to each animal feed: fish feed, rabbit feed, dog feed, cat feed, chick mash, grower mash, layer mash, broiler starter, broiler finisher, bird feed (Bajiri), and rice polish. Each animal feed was maintained either aerated or air tight. These parent adults were maintained for 21 days in the media under ambient environmental conditions (30°C, 65% relative humidity), and then removed. The progeny adults emerged in each feed sample were removed and the weight of the samples was determined at monthly intervals. In general, weight loss of animal feed varied with the feed type, duration of exposure, and aeration condition. Attention needs to be paid to protect those animal feeds that recorded higher losses due to R. dominica during storage.Despite the use of natural food for livestock production, different animal feeds are currently available at the market. Long-term storage of these animal feeds lead to deterioration and contamination by insects. Therefore, it is important that the loss of these animal feeds be determined and methods to control the damage be sought. This study was conducted to determine the loss of eleven types of animal feed commonly used in Sri Lanka due to infestation by Rhyzopertha dominica, a major granivorous insect species. Twenty newly emerged adults of R. dominica were introduced separately to each animal feed: fish feed, rabbit feed, dog feed, cat feed, chick mash, grower mash, layer mash, broiler starter, broiler finisher, bird feed (Bajiri), and rice polish. Each animal feed was maintained either aerated or air tight. These parent adults were maintained for 21 days in the media under ambient environmental conditions (30°C, 65% relative humidity), and then removed. The progeny adults emerged in each feed sample were removed and the weight of the samples was determined at monthly intervals. In general, weight loss of animal feed varied with the feed type, duration of exposure, and aeration condition. Attention needs to be paid to protect those animal feeds that recorded higher losses due to R. dominica during storage

(Z, E)-9, 12-Tetradecadienyl Acetate (ZETA) disrupts mating of Ephestia cautella: Presentation

The tropical warehouse moth Ephestia cautella is a major pest of stored products in Sri Lanka, and difficult to control using currently-available insecticides. The sex pheromone (Z, E)-9, 12- tetradecadienyl acetate (ZETA) emitted by the females attracts males of this species. Hence it can potentially be used in the management programs but the limited information on pheromone concentration and air movement impede the potential use of this pheromone in pest management programs. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of ZETA concentration and air movement on the mating disruption of E. cautella. The male and female moths of E. cautella were introduced into a cubicle in which ZETA was placed at different concentrations. Later, the female moths were dissected to determine the presence/absence of spermatophore. All the pheromone concentrations tested recorded lower mating percentages than the hexane control. Mating disruption varied with the pheromone concentration and the availability of air flow. This study reveals that ZETA can be used to disrupt mating in E. cautella.The tropical warehouse moth Ephestia cautella is a major pest of stored products in Sri Lanka, and difficult to control using currently-available insecticides. The sex pheromone (Z, E)-9, 12- tetradecadienyl acetate (ZETA) emitted by the females attracts males of this species. Hence it can potentially be used in the management programs but the limited information on pheromone concentration and air movement impede the potential use of this pheromone in pest management programs. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of ZETA concentration and air movement on the mating disruption of E. cautella. The male and female moths of E. cautella were introduced into a cubicle in which ZETA was placed at different concentrations. Later, the female moths were dissected to determine the presence/absence of spermatophore. All the pheromone concentrations tested recorded lower mating percentages than the hexane control. Mating disruption varied with the pheromone concentration and the availability of air flow. This study reveals that ZETA can be used to disrupt mating in E. cautella

Emerging Herbal Cosmetic Production in Sri Lanka: Identifying Possible Interventions for the Development of the Herbal Cosmetic Industry

Although the herbal cosmetic industry has exponentially increased globally, manufacturing of herbal cosmetic products in Sri Lanka is still very limited. Therefore, objectives of the study were to recognize plants used in commercialized herbal cosmetic products and major constraints faced by herbal cosmetic manufacturers and to identify possible interventions for the development of herbal cosmetic industry of Sri Lanka. Information was gathered via a semistructured questionnaire by personal interviews with 11 large-scale multiple herbal cosmetic products manufacturers. Collected data were analyzed via frequency index for usage and descriptive statistics. A total of 115 plant species belonging to 56 families were identified. Extensive usage of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., Coscinium fenestratum (Goetgh.) Colebr., and Santalum album L. (90.91%) was reported among herbal cosmetic manufacturers. The highest number of plants or plant materials was used for manufacturing skin care products (54.78%) followed by hair care (19.13%) and oral care (6.96%). The majority of plants were reported from the plant family Fabaceae (16 species). Leaves (20.87%) were the widely used plant part, whereas 10 plant species were used as whole plants. Inadequacy of 7 plants/plant materials and importation of 8 plant materials for the production were also recognized. As major constraints faced by herbal cosmetic manufacturers, inadequate availability and poor quality of raw materials were emphasized. In conclusion, establishing proper cultivation system, implementing strategies for quality control of raw materials, and conducting ethnobotany, ethnopharmacological surveys to identify cosmetic potential of medicinal plants and partnerships with universities to transfer technology for product development to industries are possible interventions for the development of herbal cosmetic industry of Sri Lanka

Postharvest losses of agricultural commodities in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka: Poster

In Sri Lanka, postharvest losses vary with the geographical area; higher losses are reported in warmer areas. A survey was conducted in Trincomalee district, one of the hottest areas in Sri Lanka, to ascertain the status of crop cultivation and postharvest losses of cultivated crops. Farming is the main livelihood of the people in the area. The main crops cultivated are paddy, red onion, chili, brinjal, tobacco and manioc; the average land extent possessed by a farmer family and the yield varies with the crop. Paddy, onion, and tobacco are stored for 6, 3, and 12 months, respectively. Paddy is stored indoor in bags, onion as racks (indoor), and tobacco as piles (indoor and outdoor) under shade conditions. During harvest, drying and storage losses occur in paddy and onion. Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitotroga cerealella, and rats are the major problems during paddy storage. Pesticides are not used regularly by the farmers. Instead they practice traditional pest management methods.In Sri Lanka, postharvest losses vary with the geographical area; higher losses are reported in warmer areas. A survey was conducted in Trincomalee district, one of the hottest areas in Sri Lanka, to ascertain the status of crop cultivation and postharvest losses of cultivated crops. Farming is the main livelihood of the people in the area. The main crops cultivated are paddy, red onion, chili, brinjal, tobacco and manioc; the average land extent possessed by a farmer family and the yield varies with the crop. Paddy, onion, and tobacco are stored for 6, 3, and 12 months, respectively. Paddy is stored indoor in bags, onion as racks (indoor), and tobacco as piles (indoor and outdoor) under shade conditions. During harvest, drying and storage losses occur in paddy and onion. Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitotroga cerealella, and rats are the major problems during paddy storage. Pesticides are not used regularly by the farmers. Instead they practice traditional pest management methods

Recovery potential of rare earth elements (REEs) from the gem mining waste of Sri Lanka:A case study for mine waste management

Sri Lanka is one of the wealthiest countries in terms of gems. Therefore, gem mining is extensively carried out in many areas of Sri Lanka, including districts such as Ratnapura, Monaragala, Matale, and Kalutara. During the mining process, only valuable gemstones are collected, and the remaining gravel fraction with many heavy minerals is discarded. Therefore, the gem mining industry produces a large amount of waste that is mainly used only for backfilling. To sustainably manage this waste stream, gem mining waste collected from a gem pit at Wagawatta in the Kalutara district in Sri Lanka was investigated for value recovery, specifically for rare-earth elements (REEs). The gem-bearing alluvial layer contained 0.3% rare-earth oxide (REO) that could easily be upgraded up to 2.8% (LREEs = 94%) with wet sieving and subsequent density separation via a shaking table. Therefore, the concentrates of gem mine tailings with REE-bearing minerals have the potential to be a secondary source for LREEs. The organic-rich clay layer underlying the gem-bearing alluvial layer contained 0.6% REO with 49% HREEs, including Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, and especially Y enrichments. Detailed explorations are thus necessary to assess the REE potential in Sri Lanka’s gem mining waste, and value recovery flowsheets should be subsequently developed to economically extract REEs. In addition, the presence of high U concentrations (800 mg/kg) in the concentrated samples could be alarming when considering the health and safety of the people engaged in gem mining. This aspect also requires detailed research studies