A5046772769- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity
- Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Plant and animal studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Animal Diversity and Health Studies
- Helminth infection and control
- Livestock Management and Performance Improvement
- Innovation and Socioeconomic Development
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Heavy Metals in Plants
University of Pretoria
2022-2025
Botswana International University of Science and Technology
2017-2024
University of Zimbabwe
2017-2020
Abstract The future of the food system on planet is increasingly facing uncertainties that are attributable to population growth and a surge in demand for nutritious food. Traditional agricultural practices poised place strain production, as well natural resources ecosystem services provided, particularly under changing climate. Given their remarkable attributes, including low environmental footprint, high conversion ratio, rapid nutritional values, edible insects can play vital role global...
Invasive alien species (IAS) are a major biosecurity threat affecting globalisation and the international trade of agricultural products natural ecosystems. In recent decades, for example, field crop postharvest grain insect pests have independently accounted significant decline in food quantity quality. Nevertheless, how their interaction cumulative effects along ever-evolving production to continuum contribute towards insecurity remain scant literature. To address this within context...
Abstract The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith, is a significant global agricultural pest known for its rapid invasion and devastating impact on crops. While pesticides may be effective controlling the in short‐term, they cause several socioeconomic ecological costs that highlight need more sustainable management strategies. Telenomus remus (Nixon) promising egg parasitoid biological control. For to provide ecosystem services, it should able survive coexist within same niches...
Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), a major invasive pest of Solanaceous plants, was recently detected in Botswana. Abiotic and biotic factors, together with suite population demographic traits are likely key for species propensity invasion success. First, we determined the movement T. from its core detection centre to new areas using pheromone baiting established dispersal drivers. Second, measured thermal tolerance vis critical limits lower upper lethal determine how these shape establishment. We all...
Abstract Goats fulfil a central role in food and nutritional security across Africa with over half of households owning or rearing goats rural areas. However, goat performance is poor mortality high. This study assessed the quality commonly used feeds proposes feed-baskets to enhance nutrition health. Feeds were collected from 11 areas within Central District Botswana, macronutrient analyses conducted, including crude protein, fibre fractions, ash, metabolizable energy (ME). Forage was...
The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, is a global economic pest of brassicas whose status has been exacerbated by climate change and variability. Southern African small-scale farmers are battling to cope with increasing pressure from the due limited exposure sustainable control options. current paper critically analysed literature sustainability lens. results show that research in Africa (SA) remains largely constrained despite region’s long acquaintance insect pest. Dependency on...
While the impacts of extreme and rising mean temperatures are well documented, increased thermal variability associated with climate change may also threaten ectotherm fitness survival, but remains poorly explored. Using three wild collected coprophagic species Copris elphenor, Metacatharsius opacus Scarabaeus zambezianus, we explored effects amplitude around on tolerance. standardized protocols, measured traits high- (critical maxima [CTmax] heat knockdown time [HKDT]) -low temperature...
Abstract Although reports have documented loss of species diversity and ecological services caused by stressful temperature changes that result from climate change, some cope through behavioral compensation. As temperatures magnitudes extremes increase, animals should compensate to maintain fitness (such as temporary shifts in activity times). Appropriate timing helps avoid competition across species. coprophagic dung beetles exhibit species‐specific temporal times, it is unknown whether...
The tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an invasive insect pest of and other solanaceous plants which rapidly expanding its geographic range. It has a highly damaging effect on tomatoes potential threatening food production consequently national security. Here, we report the first detection T. in Botswana, consequences agriculture security, recommend management strategies. was observed feeding Solanum lycopersicum L. at Genesis farm, Matshelagabedi village northern...
Basal and plasticity of thermal tolerance determine abundance, biogeographical patterns activity insects over spatial temporal scales. For coexisting stemborer parasitoids, offering synergistic impact for biological control, mismatches in may influence their ultimate biocontrol programs under climate variability. Using laboratory-reared congeneric parasitoid species Cotesia sesamiae Cameron flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), we examined basal to understand potential variability on survival...
Smallholder households in arid environments keep goats for nutritional security and livelihood sustenance due to their climatic resilience portability as economic non-economic safety nets. Goat health performance are however often strongly limited by parasites, diseases poor nutrition. Infection parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes is rife costly anthelmintic drugs extension services. It difficult, however, quantify the impact of enhanced animal on resource-poor farmers' livelihoods...
Agricultural intensification is a major driver of biodiversity loss, but the majority studies highlighting these threats come from industrialised agriculture in temperate countries global North. However, more than 30% food production produced by smallholder farmers, particularly Africa. We know very little about impact farming practices on arthropod communities and associated ecosystems dryland agroecosystems. investigated trophic group composition (detritivorous, herbivorous, predatory &...
While Plutella xylostella (L.) is a cosmopolitan pest of brassica crops, little known about small-scale farmers' knowledge, perceptions and practices (KPPs) in response to the pest's increasing status. Using non-probability sampling method, face interviews were conducted based on structured questionnaire. Botswana farmers interviewed understand current KPPs. emerged as major challenge production with highest prevalence hot-dry spring season. Farmers relied 41 different hazardous synthetic...
Overuse of pesticides in vegetables and related fresh products raises serious public health concerns. However, the recognition assessment magnitude risk remains a low priority income African communities. Brassicas are cosmopolitan crop horticulture, equally so, is major economic pest, diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). In consequence, insecticide use on P. brassica production systems presents persistent pesticide overuse produce directly destined for consumption. Using quick easy...