Efficacy of Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) seed powder water extract against Aulacuspis tubercularis newsteed (homoptera: diaspididae) on mango (Mangifera indica l.) In East Wollega, Ethiopia

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera. Among the many tropical fruits, mango has been identified as the most important and considered to be the king of fruits from a socio-cultural, commercial and environmental point of view and grown in over 100 countries including Ethiopia. However, many biotic and abiotic factors limit its production and productivity across the globe. Aulacuspis tubercularis Newsteed (Homoptera: Diaspididae) commonly known as white mango scale is a serious insect pest of mango in Ethiopia. Though A. tubercularis introduced to Ethiopia almost a decade ago, technologies towards its control is almost nil or few which enabled the pest to invade the whole country where mango is grown to the extent of causing 50-100% crop losses. The current study was conducted to know the efficacy of Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) seed powder water extract in the management of A. tubercularis under field condition. Field experiments were conducted at Uke and Arjo Gudetu in western Ethiopia. The treatments were different spray concentrations. (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15mg/ml of water). The treatments were applied 3 times at 10 days interval after complete infestation was observed. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in four replications. Mortality count was done 10 days after 1st, 2nd and 3rd treatment applications. The results obtained revealed that water extracts of A. indica seed powder at 0.15 concentration significantly (p<0.05) reduced the population of A. tubercularis at both experimental sites. Crawlers and males were more affected than the females. Hence, the use of A. indica seed water extract can be recommended for the management of A. tubercularis. &nbsp

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

Host Range of Cotton Flea Beetle (Podagrica puncticollis) in a Hot Dry Tropical Environment of Ethiopia

Cotton flea beetle, Podagrica puncticollis is the most destructive insect pest of cotton in north-western part of Ethiopia. This study was conducted to identify and determine the host range of cotton flea beetle in Metema area. The field survey was undertaken from June 27, 2015 to January 9, 2016 in ten kebele administrations of the district. At least three fields were prospected after every 15 days, in each kebele for host plants as well as to determine population density and percent leaf damage by adult cotton flea beetle, at different growth stages of cotton plant. The composition of plant species with damaged symptom or infested by flea beetle was analysed using quantitative means and identified by comparing specimens with description of identification manuals. A total of 11 host plant species of cotton flea beetle were identified in the cotton growing areas of Metema throughout a season. Indigofera longibarbata (Fabaceae), Hibiscus articulatus, H. cannabinus, H. vitifolius, Abutilon figarianum, Sida alba and S. urens (Malvaceae), Bidens pilosa and B. setigera (Asteraceae), Corchorus olitorius and C. trilocularis (Tiliaceae) found to be common host plants of cotton flea beetle. Thus, among the host plants, H. vitifolius, H. cannabinus, H. articulatus, C. olitorius and C. trilocularis were the most suitable hosts for adult cotton flea beetle in respect of the number of adults per plant and percent foliage damage they sustained. These findings could aid in developing longterm management strategies for this important insect pest existing in a hot dry tropical environment of north-western Ethiopia

Potency of Neem, <em>Azadirachta indica</em> L. (A. Juss) Leaf Aqueous Extract Insecticide against White Mango Scale, <em>Aulacuspis tubercularis</em> Newstead (Homoptera: Diaspididae) Infesting Mango (<em>Mangifera indica</em> L.)

This study was conducted to evaluate the potency of aqueous A. indica leaf powder extract (LPWE) against A. tubercularis infesting mango. Field experiments were conducted in Ethiopia at two experimental sites, western Oromia. Randomized Complete Block design was laid in four replications with four blocks consisting of sixteen treatment plots. The treatments were 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 mg/ml spray concentrations made from A. indica LPWE. The treatments were applied 3 times at 10-day interval and the mortality count was carried out 10 days after 1st, 2nd and 3rd treatment applications. The results of the study confirmed that among the tested three different concentration of A. indica LPWE 0.15 mg/ml concentration significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the population of sessile A. tubercularis at both experimental sites. The results also indicated that male adults and nymphs were more affected than females. The population of sessile A. tubercularis significantly decreased as the concentration of A. indica LPWE increased in comparison with the check plots. Thus, the use of A. indica LPWE at high concentrations led to a notable population reduction of sessile A. tubercularis and its effects. Hence, the use of A. indica LPWE can be recommended for A. tubercularis management as part of integrated pest management

The Efficacy of Selected Synthetic Insecticides and Botanicals against Fall Armyworm, <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>, in Maize

Fall armyworm (FAW) was reported for the first time in Africa in 2016. FAW is widely distributed in Ethiopia, causing significant damage to maize. Nine synthetic insecticides belonging to different chemical groups and 11 pesticidal plants (botanicals) were tested for their efficacy against FAW under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. In the laboratory, Radiant, Tracer, Karate, and Ampligo caused over 90% larval mortality 72 h after application. Malathion had moderate activity, causing 51.7% mortality 72 h after application, while Carbaryl was less effective, causing 28% mortality 72 h after application. In the greenhouse experiment, all synthetic insecticides reduced foliar damage to maize compared to the untreated control. Chemical sprays did not affect plant height, stem thickness, or leaf number. The highest fresh weight (471 g) was obtained from plants treated with Radiant. Among the botanicals tested, Azadirachta indica, Schinnus molle, and Phytolacca dodecandra resulted in the highest percentage larval mortality (&gt;95%) 72 h after application. In the field, non-treated control plants showed extensive leaf injury compared to the synthetic insecticide- and botanical-treated plants. The synthetic insecticides and botanicals that showed high efficacy against FAW larvae can be used as components for integrated pest management (IPM) plans for FAW under smallholder farmer conditions in Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa