Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) pose a threat to commercialisation of the horticulture industr... more Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) pose a threat to commercialisation of the horticulture industry in Uganda. They impair the quality and quantity of fruits produced, and limit access to lucrative regional and global markets. Here we explore past and present efforts, and future plans for research and management, of fruit flies in Uganda. Early research geared towards collection and identification of fruit flies recognised the pest status of many species and highlighted the need for establishing sustainable management strategies. Subsequently large-scale research initiatives have substantially increased knowledge on the biology and ecology of fruit flies in Uganda. Based on these studies, integrated pest management (IPM) options for fruit flies have been designed and piloted. Amongst the most promising options are the Male Annihilation Technique (MAT) in combination with the Bait Annihilation Technique (BAT) or Protein Food Bait (PFB) and Orchard Sanitation (OS). Fruit bagging is also receiving attention. It is now recommended that IPM options are combined and scaled up in an area-wide approach. The government of Uganda has demonstrated genuine commitment to eradication of fruit flies through three key project initiatives: (i) Gaining insight into the ecological and physiological factors influencing fruit fly populations and infestation rates in mango-growing regions of Uganda (NARO-MSI); (ii) Equipping key technical personnel at local and district levels with knowledge on identification and management of key fruit fly pest species (NAADS); (iii) Promotion and adoption of IPM practices for fruit fly management (NARO-ATAAS). These initiatives will ensure the long-term sustainability of management options.
Mango production and trade is a major source of employment, food and income in Sub Saharan Africa... more Mango production and trade is a major source of employment, food and income in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Most of its production in SSA is under smallholder farming with a few commercial farms undertaking production. Fruits are traded both locally and some exported, with improved exotic varieties being preferred by consumers. However, mango export which is more lucrative to most exporters in terms of foreign currency exchange earnings, is currently faced with serious quarantine restrictions because of the invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. Since its invasion in Africa, yield losses of up to 100 % have been recorded. In addition, loss of export due to restrictions has resulted in loss of potential revenue from lucrative markets such as the European Union. This study aimed at determining postharvest disinfestation parameters for B. dorsalis using hot-water treatments. To attain this, the development of B. dorsalis in the mango cultivar Tommy Atkins was determined. This information was used to treat different immature life stages at 46.1 °C for 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 min. Mortality of the different life stages over the different duration of treatments was determined. There was an increase in mortality with increasing duration of treatment for all life stages. The egg and first instar life stages were the most heat susceptible stages followed by the second instar larvae. The third instar was the most heat tolerant life stage evaluated and required treatment at 46.1 °C for 86.7 min (95 % CL (77.830–99.880)) to achieve 100 % mortality. Validation experiments at this temperature and treatment duration resulted in no survivors from the 41 542 third instar larvae treated in Tommy Atkins weighing 500–700 g. These results provide an effective treatment protocol which can be adopted by exporters in re-accessing currently inaccessible lucrative export markets in the U.S.A. and Europe.
House construction is rapidly modernizing across Africa but the potential benefits for human heal... more House construction is rapidly modernizing across Africa but the potential benefits for human health are poorly understood. We hypothesised that improvements to housing would be associated with reductions in malaria, acute respiratory infection (ARI) and gastrointestinal illness in an area of low malaria endemicity in Uganda. Data were analysed from a cohort study of male and female child and adult residents (n = 531) of 80 randomly-selected households in Nagongera sub-county, followed for 24 months (October 4, 2017 to October 31, 2019). Houses were classified as modern (brick walls, metal roof and closed eaves) or traditional (all other homes). Light trap collections of mosquitoes were done every two weeks in all sleeping rooms. Every four weeks, we measured malaria infection (using microscopy and qPCR to detect malaria parasites), incidence of malaria, ARI and gastrointestinal illness. We collected 15,780 adult female Anopheles over 7,631 nights. We collected 13,277 blood samples o...
The data presented here is a portion of the Lepidoptera collection housed in the Zoology Museum a... more The data presented here is a portion of the Lepidoptera collection housed in the Zoology Museum at Makerere University. It presents the species of Hesperiidae (skipper butterflies) that occur in selected forest reserves, including three national parks, of Uganda.
Background: We investigated the biting patterns and seasonal abundances of Anopheles gambiae s.l.... more Background: We investigated the biting patterns and seasonal abundances of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus mosquitoes in Kamuli District, Uganda. Methods: Hourly indoor and outdoor catches of human biting mosquitoes were sampled from 19.00 to 07.00 hours for four consecutive nights each month using bed net traps in forty-eight houses randomly selected from Bugabula county where insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) had been used for at least five years and Budiope county where ITNs had not been used. The indoor and outdoor human-biting fractions, time of biting of the anophelines and climatic data were recorded from January to December 2010. Data were analysed using Multi-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-wallis rank sum test and Pearson correlation. The number of mosquitoes caught biting humans and resting indoors, the indoor and outdoor human biting densities and biting rates during different hours of the night, and mosquito abundances for a twelve-month sampling period in b...
Occurrence records of three families of nectar feeding Lepidoptera (Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Sp... more Occurrence records of three families of nectar feeding Lepidoptera (Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Sphingidae) sampled from Mabira central forest reserve between 2018 and 2019 by the Lepidoptera Pollinator Diversity Project in Uganda,. Whole preserved specimens are housed in the Zoology museum, Makerere University, Uganda.
The effects of two neem insecticide formulations (an oil-free powder formulation and an oil formu... more The effects of two neem insecticide formulations (an oil-free powder formulation and an oil formulation) on field parasitism of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), larvae and, on the longevity and foraging behaviour of Diadegma mollipla (Holmgren), were evaluated in field and laboratory tests. Overall, larval parasitism in plots sprayed with the oil-free neem formulation was not significantly different from that in the water-sprayed plots over the entire observational period, but parasitism in plots receiving the oil formulation was significantly lower during two weeks. Field parasitism by two individual parasitoid species, D. mollipla and Oomyzus sokolowskii (Kurdjumov) showed substantial differences in their relative response to the neem treatments. In laboratory tests, longevity and foraging behaviour of D. mollipla was not affected by contact with the neem insecticide sprays. The results indicate that the neem products may be relatively safe to larval parasitoids of the ...
Background Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying of insecticide (IR... more Background Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying of insecticide (IRS) are widely recommended for the prevention of malaria in endemic regions. Data from human landing catches provide information on the impact of vector control on vector populations. Here, malaria transmission indoors and outdoors, before and after mass deployment of LLINs and IRS in Uganda was compared. Methods The study took place in Tororo district, a historically high transmission area where universal LLIN distribution was conducted in November 2013 and May 2017 and 6 rounds of IRS implemented from December 2014 to July 2018. Human landing catches were performed in 8 houses monthly from October 2011 to September 2012 (pre-intervention period) and every 4 weeks from November 2017 to October 2018 (post-intervention period). Mosquitoes were collected outdoors from 18:00 to 22:00 h and indoors from 18:00 to 06:00 h. Female Anopheles were tested for the presence of Plasmodium falciparum s...
We paid particular attention to (1) multiple stakeholders and their different interests in ecosys... more We paid particular attention to (1) multiple stakeholders and their different interests in ecosystem services, (2) the ways in which interventions lead to different claims about justices and injustices and (3) the mechanisms of ecosystem management that most clearly impact on justice claims. Ecosystem management based on ecosystem services analytical approach typically produces both justices and injustices, across different stakeholders and scales.
Malaria is among the leading causes of death in Uganda, and Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.... more Malaria is among the leading causes of death in Uganda, and Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) is the predominant vector. Although current vector control interventions have greatly reduced the malaria burden, the disease persists. New interventions are needed in order to eradicate them. Evaluation of new tools will require the availability of well-characterized test vector populations. Juvenile An. gambiae s.s. from Kibbuye and Kayonjo-derived populations were characterized under semi-field and laboratory conditions, given that various vector traits, including abundance and fitness are dependent on development profiles at this life stage. Ten replicates comprising 30 first instar larvae each were profiled for various life-history attributes (egg hatching, larval development time, larval survivorship, pupal weight and pupation rate). All parameters were similar for the two sites under laboratory conditions. However, the similarities or differences between field and laboratory dev...
The data presented here is a portion of the Lepidoptera collection housed in the Zoology Museum o... more The data presented here is a portion of the Lepidoptera collection housed in the Zoology Museum of Makerere University. It presents the species of Papilionidae (swallowtail butterflies) that occur in selected forest reserves, including three national parks, of Uganda
Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) pose a threat to commercialisation of the horticulture industr... more Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) pose a threat to commercialisation of the horticulture industry in Uganda. They impair the quality and quantity of fruits produced, and limit access to lucrative regional and global markets. Here we explore past and present efforts, and future plans for research and management, of fruit flies in Uganda. Early research geared towards collection and identification of fruit flies recognised the pest status of many species and highlighted the need for establishing sustainable management strategies. Subsequently large-scale research initiatives have substantially increased knowledge on the biology and ecology of fruit flies in Uganda. Based on these studies, integrated pest management (IPM) options for fruit flies have been designed and piloted. Amongst the most promising options are the Male Annihilation Technique (MAT) in combination with the Bait Annihilation Technique (BAT) or Protein Food Bait (PFB) and Orchard Sanitation (OS). Fruit bagging is also receiving attention. It is now recommended that IPM options are combined and scaled up in an area-wide approach. The government of Uganda has demonstrated genuine commitment to eradication of fruit flies through three key project initiatives: (i) Gaining insight into the ecological and physiological factors influencing fruit fly populations and infestation rates in mango-growing regions of Uganda (NARO-MSI); (ii) Equipping key technical personnel at local and district levels with knowledge on identification and management of key fruit fly pest species (NAADS); (iii) Promotion and adoption of IPM practices for fruit fly management (NARO-ATAAS). These initiatives will ensure the long-term sustainability of management options.
Mango production and trade is a major source of employment, food and income in Sub Saharan Africa... more Mango production and trade is a major source of employment, food and income in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Most of its production in SSA is under smallholder farming with a few commercial farms undertaking production. Fruits are traded both locally and some exported, with improved exotic varieties being preferred by consumers. However, mango export which is more lucrative to most exporters in terms of foreign currency exchange earnings, is currently faced with serious quarantine restrictions because of the invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. Since its invasion in Africa, yield losses of up to 100 % have been recorded. In addition, loss of export due to restrictions has resulted in loss of potential revenue from lucrative markets such as the European Union. This study aimed at determining postharvest disinfestation parameters for B. dorsalis using hot-water treatments. To attain this, the development of B. dorsalis in the mango cultivar Tommy Atkins was determined. This information was used to treat different immature life stages at 46.1 °C for 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 min. Mortality of the different life stages over the different duration of treatments was determined. There was an increase in mortality with increasing duration of treatment for all life stages. The egg and first instar life stages were the most heat susceptible stages followed by the second instar larvae. The third instar was the most heat tolerant life stage evaluated and required treatment at 46.1 °C for 86.7 min (95 % CL (77.830–99.880)) to achieve 100 % mortality. Validation experiments at this temperature and treatment duration resulted in no survivors from the 41 542 third instar larvae treated in Tommy Atkins weighing 500–700 g. These results provide an effective treatment protocol which can be adopted by exporters in re-accessing currently inaccessible lucrative export markets in the U.S.A. and Europe.
House construction is rapidly modernizing across Africa but the potential benefits for human heal... more House construction is rapidly modernizing across Africa but the potential benefits for human health are poorly understood. We hypothesised that improvements to housing would be associated with reductions in malaria, acute respiratory infection (ARI) and gastrointestinal illness in an area of low malaria endemicity in Uganda. Data were analysed from a cohort study of male and female child and adult residents (n = 531) of 80 randomly-selected households in Nagongera sub-county, followed for 24 months (October 4, 2017 to October 31, 2019). Houses were classified as modern (brick walls, metal roof and closed eaves) or traditional (all other homes). Light trap collections of mosquitoes were done every two weeks in all sleeping rooms. Every four weeks, we measured malaria infection (using microscopy and qPCR to detect malaria parasites), incidence of malaria, ARI and gastrointestinal illness. We collected 15,780 adult female Anopheles over 7,631 nights. We collected 13,277 blood samples o...
The data presented here is a portion of the Lepidoptera collection housed in the Zoology Museum a... more The data presented here is a portion of the Lepidoptera collection housed in the Zoology Museum at Makerere University. It presents the species of Hesperiidae (skipper butterflies) that occur in selected forest reserves, including three national parks, of Uganda.
Background: We investigated the biting patterns and seasonal abundances of Anopheles gambiae s.l.... more Background: We investigated the biting patterns and seasonal abundances of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus mosquitoes in Kamuli District, Uganda. Methods: Hourly indoor and outdoor catches of human biting mosquitoes were sampled from 19.00 to 07.00 hours for four consecutive nights each month using bed net traps in forty-eight houses randomly selected from Bugabula county where insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) had been used for at least five years and Budiope county where ITNs had not been used. The indoor and outdoor human-biting fractions, time of biting of the anophelines and climatic data were recorded from January to December 2010. Data were analysed using Multi-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-wallis rank sum test and Pearson correlation. The number of mosquitoes caught biting humans and resting indoors, the indoor and outdoor human biting densities and biting rates during different hours of the night, and mosquito abundances for a twelve-month sampling period in b...
Occurrence records of three families of nectar feeding Lepidoptera (Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Sp... more Occurrence records of three families of nectar feeding Lepidoptera (Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Sphingidae) sampled from Mabira central forest reserve between 2018 and 2019 by the Lepidoptera Pollinator Diversity Project in Uganda,. Whole preserved specimens are housed in the Zoology museum, Makerere University, Uganda.
The effects of two neem insecticide formulations (an oil-free powder formulation and an oil formu... more The effects of two neem insecticide formulations (an oil-free powder formulation and an oil formulation) on field parasitism of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), larvae and, on the longevity and foraging behaviour of Diadegma mollipla (Holmgren), were evaluated in field and laboratory tests. Overall, larval parasitism in plots sprayed with the oil-free neem formulation was not significantly different from that in the water-sprayed plots over the entire observational period, but parasitism in plots receiving the oil formulation was significantly lower during two weeks. Field parasitism by two individual parasitoid species, D. mollipla and Oomyzus sokolowskii (Kurdjumov) showed substantial differences in their relative response to the neem treatments. In laboratory tests, longevity and foraging behaviour of D. mollipla was not affected by contact with the neem insecticide sprays. The results indicate that the neem products may be relatively safe to larval parasitoids of the ...
Background Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying of insecticide (IR... more Background Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying of insecticide (IRS) are widely recommended for the prevention of malaria in endemic regions. Data from human landing catches provide information on the impact of vector control on vector populations. Here, malaria transmission indoors and outdoors, before and after mass deployment of LLINs and IRS in Uganda was compared. Methods The study took place in Tororo district, a historically high transmission area where universal LLIN distribution was conducted in November 2013 and May 2017 and 6 rounds of IRS implemented from December 2014 to July 2018. Human landing catches were performed in 8 houses monthly from October 2011 to September 2012 (pre-intervention period) and every 4 weeks from November 2017 to October 2018 (post-intervention period). Mosquitoes were collected outdoors from 18:00 to 22:00 h and indoors from 18:00 to 06:00 h. Female Anopheles were tested for the presence of Plasmodium falciparum s...
We paid particular attention to (1) multiple stakeholders and their different interests in ecosys... more We paid particular attention to (1) multiple stakeholders and their different interests in ecosystem services, (2) the ways in which interventions lead to different claims about justices and injustices and (3) the mechanisms of ecosystem management that most clearly impact on justice claims. Ecosystem management based on ecosystem services analytical approach typically produces both justices and injustices, across different stakeholders and scales.
Malaria is among the leading causes of death in Uganda, and Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.... more Malaria is among the leading causes of death in Uganda, and Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) is the predominant vector. Although current vector control interventions have greatly reduced the malaria burden, the disease persists. New interventions are needed in order to eradicate them. Evaluation of new tools will require the availability of well-characterized test vector populations. Juvenile An. gambiae s.s. from Kibbuye and Kayonjo-derived populations were characterized under semi-field and laboratory conditions, given that various vector traits, including abundance and fitness are dependent on development profiles at this life stage. Ten replicates comprising 30 first instar larvae each were profiled for various life-history attributes (egg hatching, larval development time, larval survivorship, pupal weight and pupation rate). All parameters were similar for the two sites under laboratory conditions. However, the similarities or differences between field and laboratory dev...
The data presented here is a portion of the Lepidoptera collection housed in the Zoology Museum o... more The data presented here is a portion of the Lepidoptera collection housed in the Zoology Museum of Makerere University. It presents the species of Papilionidae (swallowtail butterflies) that occur in selected forest reserves, including three national parks, of Uganda
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