Research Article
Investigating the Defensive Mechanisms of Stingless Bees, Meliponula beccarii L., Against Ants (Dorylus fulvus)
Etenesh Mekonnen*
,
Alemayehu Gela
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
1-5
Received:
13 December 2024
Accepted:
27 December 2024
Published:
17 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.aje.20250901.11
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Abstract: Stingless bees (&) have developed many approaches to control nests from their enemies/pest and predators/. Defensive behavior of & was not conducted by physical body. Despite lacking a sting, stingless bees are active in defending their enemies possess numerous defensive mechanisms. The study was conducted at Holeta Bee Research Center, stingless bee (&) apiary site to investigate three defensive mechanisms (dyadic (one to one), Group interaction and colony interaction or defensive behavior). The objective of study was to conduct the defensive mechanism of stingless bees (&) against ants (&). Defensive behavior between & and & was observed by different numbers of workers of ants and stingless bees in each group. Dyadic encounter a defensive between single worker of & and &, Group Interaction: Defensive between thirty two workers from each group and Colony interaction between a mass of colonies defensive were observed. In Colony interaction defensive behavior aggressive interaction between the & and & was freely observed when a part of stingless bee nest with brood and adults were placed near the ground close to the & nest. The interaction between ants and stingless bees in dyadic and group interaction were overpowered by ants where as in colony interaction deter by stingless bees. This is may explain why stingless bees living in free environment without attack of ants though they share the same ecology. Therefore, identifying these ant-deterrent and exploring for the development of ant protection for other is suggested.
Abstract: Stingless bees (&) have developed many approaches to control nests from their enemies/pest and predators/. Defensive behavior of & was not conducted by physical body. Despite lacking a sting, stingless bees are active in defending their enemies possess numerous defensive mechanisms. The study was conducted at Holeta Bee Research Center, stingless b...
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Review Article
Population Dynamics, Yield Loss and Management of Major Insect Pests of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Crop: A Review
Esuyawkal Demis*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
6-14
Received:
7 December 2024
Accepted:
30 December 2024
Published:
17 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.aje.20250901.12
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Abstract: Rice insect pests are a major biological constraint in rice production. They affect every part of the rice plant throughout all growth stages, leading to decreased productivity, yield, and grain quality. Over 100 species of insect pests target rice crops at different growth stages. From these insect pests around 15 to 20 cause economic damage to the rice crop. Some of the insect pests that can lead to considerable yield losses are grasshoppers, plant hoppers, leaf hoppers, leaf folder, stem borer, gall midge, rice hispa, whorl maggot, grain-sucking bugs, rice gundhi bugs, and green stink bugs. The yield loss of rice varies from one production season to another and from one area to another due to the fluctuating populations of insect pests. The population dynamics of insect pests fluctuate along with the varying conditions of the environmental (abiotic) factors. The development of sustainable rice crop protection strategies, along with an understanding of insect pest population dynamics and the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on pest incidence, is crucial for the timely adoption of different management practices. Therefore, understanding rice insect pest population dynamics regarding abiotic factors is essential and can be used in cultural, biological, host plant resistance, chemical, and integrated pest management approaches. The dynamic population of rice insect pests is varied, and their damaging stage is also different. It is recommended that appropriate control methods for insect pests during the rice crop growing season should be taken to reduce the yield loss of rice.
Abstract: Rice insect pests are a major biological constraint in rice production. They affect every part of the rice plant throughout all growth stages, leading to decreased productivity, yield, and grain quality. Over 100 species of insect pests target rice crops at different growth stages. From these insect pests around 15 to 20 cause economic damage to th...
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Research/Technical Note
Termite Diversity, Abundance, Distribution and Level of Damage on Bean Crop (Phaseolus Vulgaris) and on Housing Structure in Yem District, Central Ethiopia, Regional State
Addisu Shewaye Mengesha*,
Delenasaw Yewahalaw
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
15-27
Received:
6 December 2024
Accepted:
23 December 2024
Published:
21 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.aje.20250901.13
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Abstract: Background: Termites are destructive pests that threaten agriculture and housing, especially in tropical regions. In Ethiopia, they significantly impact rural communities that depend on farming and traditional housing. This study in Yem Special District, SNNPR, aimed to evaluate the impact of termites on bean crops (Phaseolus vulgaris) and housing, focusing on their abundance, distribution, and economic effects on the community. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two kebeles, Melaka and Angery, with 180 participants selected from 666 households using proportional random sampling. The study surveyed 180 houses and 12 bean fields to identify termite genera and measure infestation. Data on housing and crop impacts were analyzed using SPSS, with chi-square tests assessing correlations between infestation and factors such as topography, season, and construction materials. Results: Two termite families comprising four sub-families and ten genera were identified, with Amitermes, Eremotermes, and Odontotermes being predominant (12%). Termite infestation affected 7.29% of 4804 bean stalks, causing a 0.07% yield loss. Housing structures built with untreated wood or in low-lying areas were more prone to infestation, with 36.7% of infested houses lasting under ten years. Indigenous preventive measures were reported but were largely ineffective. Termite infestation was significantly linked to construction materials, topography, and season (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Termites significantly impact bean crop yields and housing durability in Yem Special District, leading to economic strain on the community. Traditional preventive methods were inadequate, highlighting the need for modern termite management strategies, improved construction materials, and enhanced pest control measures to protect agricultural productivity and housing stability.
Abstract: Background: Termites are destructive pests that threaten agriculture and housing, especially in tropical regions. In Ethiopia, they significantly impact rural communities that depend on farming and traditional housing. This study in Yem Special District, SNNPR, aimed to evaluate the impact of termites on bean crops (Phaseolus vulgaris) and housing,...
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Research Article
Diversity, Abundance and the Community Structure of the Flower-Visiting Insects on Sesamum indicum L. (1753) (Scrophulariales: Pedaliaceae) in Bilone (Obala-Cameroon)
Auguste Pharaon Mbianda,
Moukhtar Mohammadou,
Taïmanga,
Andrea Sarah Kenne,
Sedrick Junior Tsekane,
Alice Virginie Tchiaze Ifoue,
Xavier Arthur Nyoumi Ongolo,
Dounia Dounia,
Nadine Esther Otiobo Atibita,
Chantal Douka,
Joseph Blaise Pando,
Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem Fohouo,
Martin Kenne*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
28-54
Received:
12 December 2024
Accepted:
24 December 2024
Published:
21 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.aje.20250901.14
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Abstract: In order to identify flower-visiting insects on sesame plants and characterize the community structure, ecological survey was conducted in Bilone agroecological farm in 2022 and 2023, in 15 experimental plots (6x5.5 m each) each year, created in a 1,600 m² area. Insects were captured, stored in papillotes (Lepidoptera) or in vials containing 70° alcohol (other adults) and identified at the species level in laboratory. A total of 1,703 specimens were captured. They belonged to five orders, 12 families, 18 genera and 19 species. Hymenoptera was mostly collected order (91.5%) followed by Diptera (4.5%), Lepidoptera (1.8%), Neuroptera (0.9%) and Orthoptera (1.3%). Apidae was the most collected family (42.4%) followed by Formicidae (34.1%), Megachilidae (11.6%) while other families were rare: Acrididae (1.3%), Ascalapidae (0.9%), Calliphoridae (0.5%), Eumenidae (0.7%), Halictidae (2.2%), Muscidae (4.0%), Nymphalidae (1.3%), Pieridae (0.5%), and Vespidae (0.6%). Apis mellifera adansonii (Apidae: 30.6%) was the most recorded species, followed by Paratrechina longicornis (Formicidae: 12.3%), Pheidole megacephala (Formicidae: 9.4%), Myrmicanioa opaciventris (Formicidae: 8.9%), Megachile cincta (Megachilidae: 7.0%), Amegilla calens (Apidae: 6.2%), Xylocopa olivacea (Apidae: 5.6%), Megachile kamerunensis (Megachilidae: 4.6%), Musca domestica (Diptera: 4.0%), Camponotus maculatus (Formicidae: 3.65%), Lasioglossum hancocki (Halictidae: 2.2%), and Pteropera carnapi (Acrididae: 1.3%). Calliphora vicina (Calliphoridae) was recorded exclusively in 2022. Two exotic Diptera (Cl. vicina and Mu. domerstica) were myiasigenic species. The exotic Eumenidae Delta sp. and the afrotropical predator Ascalaphus africanus (Ascalapidae) were recorded as well as the phytophagous Acrididae Pe. carnapi. Potential pests (Nymphalidae, Pieridae and Acrididae) cumulatively represented 3.1% of the collection. The community was highly diversed and lowly dominated by a few species. Ca. maculatus was simply abundant in 2023. Amegilla calens, Ap. mellifera adansonii, Me. cincta, Me. kamerunensis, Mu. domestica, My. opaciventris, Pa. longicornis, Ph. megacephala and Xy. olivacea were simply abundant. Amegilla calens and Me. cincta, were co-dominants in 2022. Ca. maculatus and Me. kamerunensis were co-dominants in 2023. Apis mellifera adansonii, Pa. longicornis, Ph. megacephala, My. opaciventris and Xy. olivacea were co-dominants in each year. Ca. maculates and Cl. vicina were rare in 2022. Bicyclus dorothea (Nymphalidae), Delta sp. and La. hancocki were rare in 2023. Acraea acerata (Nymphalidae), Ascalaphus africanus (Ascalapidae), Catopsilia florella (Pieridae), Pteropera carnapi (Acrididae) and Synagris conuta (Vespidae) were rare. High value of Motomura constant (m=0.777 in 2022) and Preston constant (m=0.726 in 2023) suggested least evolved pioneer assemblages with species competition limited to the physical space. Overall, flower visiting insects exhibited a global positive net association.
Abstract: In order to identify flower-visiting insects on sesame plants and characterize the community structure, ecological survey was conducted in Bilone agroecological farm in 2022 and 2023, in 15 experimental plots (6x5.5 m each) each year, created in a 1,600 m² area. Insects were captured, stored in papillotes (Lepidoptera) or in vials containing 70° al...
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