The evolutionary factors affecting testis size are well documented, with sperm competition being of major importance. However, the factors affecting sperm length are not well understood; there are no clear theoretical predictions and the empirical evidence is inconsistent. Recently, maternal effects have been implicated in sperm length variation, a finding that may offer insights into its evolu...

Early body condition may be important for adult behavior and fitness, and is impacted by a number of environmental conditions and biotic interactions. Reduced fecundity of adult females exposed to larval competition may be caused by reduced body condition or shifts in relative body composition, yet these mechanisms have not been well researched. Here, body mass, body size, scaled body mass inde...

It is recorded the occurrence of Pyemotes tritici (Lagréze-Fossat & Montagné) on Cathartus quadricollis (Guérin-Méneville) and Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius), reducing insect’s populations in laboratory conditions. This mite was observed feeding on larvae and pupae of C. quadricollis, and adults of C. maculatus. The mite toxin quickly paralyzed larvae and adults attacked. The mite P. trit...

A set of 14 plant lectins was screened in a binary choice bioassay for inhibitory activity on cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) oviposition. Coating of chickpea seeds (Cicer arietinum L.) with a 0.05% (w/v) solution of plant lectins caused a significant reduction in egg laying. Control experiments with heat inactivated lectin and BSA indicated that the observed deterrent effects are s...

Plants extracted substances can constitute the best alternative to synthetic chemical insecticides and a good preservation of environment because they are biodegradables. The leaves Plectranthus glandulosus were with hexane, acetone methanol, then fractionated tested on adults Sitophilus zeamais Callosobruchus maculatus. Corn cowpea seeds each administered three (3) different doses (1, 5 10 g/k...

Entomochoric spore dispersal is well-documented for most ophiostomatoid fungal genera, most of which are associated with bark or ambrosia beetles. Gondwanamyces spp. are unusual members of this group that were first discovered in the flower heads of the primitive angiosperm genus Protea, that is mostly restricted to the Cape Floristic region of Africa. In this study, we present the discovery of...

Curcuma longa Linn. (Turmeric) is a perennial herb known for its medicinal properties and common ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine, used the prevention treatment of several health disorders. Turmeric also as product traditional pest management practices India. As pertinent problems associated with long-time exposure to chemical insecticides are becoming well known, search more eco-friendly alter...