This paper reviews entomophagy as practised in Africa within the context of food and nutritional security by providing an inventory various species insects that are consumed on continent suggests a research for development (R4D) agenda sustainable utilisation feed. Our survey showed over 470 eaten Africa. The Central African region remains most important hotspot having culture entomophagy. mostly dominated orders Lepidoptera, Orthoptera Coleoptera. Commonalities were observed across majority...

In East Africa, honey bees (Apis mellifera) provide critical pollination services and income for small-holder farmers rural families. While bee populations in North America Europe are decline, little is known about the status of Africa. We initiated a nationwide survey encompassing 24 locations across Kenya 2010 to evaluate numbers sizes colonies, assess presence parasites (Varroa mites Nosema microsporidia) viruses, identify quantify pesticide contaminants hives, assay levels hygienic...

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is among the most economically important legumes that provide more than 1/4 of food (for man) and animal feed. However, its yield comparatively low, especially under drought stress. The aim this study therefore was to assess ability Rhizobium spp. mycorrhizal fungi enhance yield, seed size fatty acid content soybean grown semi-arid environment. sp. strain R1 found possess nitrogen-fixing gene coniferyl aldehyde dehydrogenase function while cellulosilyticum R3 have...

Sugar feeding is critical for survival of malaria vectors and, although discriminative plant previously has been shown to occur in Anopheles gambiae s.s., little known about the cues mediating attraction these plants. In this study, we investigated role olfaction An. behaviour.Dual choice olfactometer assays were used study odour discrimination by three suspected host plants: Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae), Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae) and Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae). content...

Plant volatile signatures are often used as cues by herbivores to locate their preferred hosts. Here, we report on the organic compounds subterranean root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita for host location. We compared responses of infective second stage juveniles (J2s) root volatiles three cultivars and one accession solanaceous plant, Capsicum annum against moist sand in dual choice assays. J2s were more attracted than accession, relative controls. GC/MS analysis identified common...

Abstract Desert locust outbreak in East Africa is threatening livelihoods, food security, environment, and economic development the region. The current magnitude of desert invasion unprecedented has not been witnessed for more than 70 years. Identifying potential breeding sites pest essential to carry out cost-effective timely preventive measures before it inflicts significant damage. We accessed 9,134 occurrence records applied a machine-learning algorithm predict using key bio-climatic...

Globally, there is growing interest to integrate insect-derived ingredients into food products. Knowledge of consumer perception these products rapidly in the literature, but similar knowledge on use oils from African edible insects remains be established. In this study, we (1) compared chemistry two commonly consumed grasshoppers, desert locust Schistocerca gregaria and bush-cricket Ruspolia differens with those olive sesame oils; (2) proximate composition a baked product (cookie) prepared...

The global spread of vector-borne diseases remains a worrying public health threat, raising the need for development new combat strategies vector control. Knowledge ecology can be exploited in this regard, including plant feeding; critical resource that mosquitoes both sexes rely on survival and other metabolic processes. However, identity species feed nature largely unknown. By testing hypothesis about selectivity feeding, we employed DNA-based approach targeting trnH-psbA matK genes...

Significance Malaria elimination efforts are hindered by the prevalence of asymptomatic infections, which frequently go undetected and untreated. Consequently, there is a pressing need for improved diagnostic screening methods. Based on extensive collections skin odors from human populations in Kenya, we report broad consistent effects malaria infection volatile emissions. Furthermore, found that predictive models based machine learning algorithms reliably determined status biomarkers and,...

Root exudates of plants mediate interactions with a variety organisms in the rhizosphere, including root-knot nematodes (RKNs, Meloidogyne spp.) We investigated responses motile stage second-stage juveniles (J2s) incognita to non-volatile components identified root exudate tomato. Using stylet thrusting, chemotaxis assays, and chemical analysis, we specific metabolites that attract repel J2s. Liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis bioactive fractions...

New strategies are needed to manage malaria vector populations that resist insecticides and bite outdoors. This study describes a breakthrough in developing 'attract kill' targeting gravid females by identifying evaluating an oviposition attractant for Anopheles gambiae s.l. Previously, the authors found An. s.s. were two times more likely lay eggs lake water infused six days with soil from natural site western Kenya compared alone or same but autoclaved infusion. Here, volatile chemicals...

Abstract Mosquito oviposition site selection is essential for vector population dynamics and malaria epidemiology. Irrigated rice cultivations provide ideal larval habitats mosquitoes, which has resulted in increased prevalence of the vector, Anopheles arabiensis , sub-Saharan Africa. The nature origin cues regulating this behaviour are only now being elucidated. We show that gravid attracted oviposit response to odour present air surrounding rice. Furthermore, we identify a synthetic blend,...

The African malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae s.s., is known to feed selectively on certain plants for sugar sources. However, the adaptive significance of this behaviour especially how extracts such impact fitness vector has not been explored. This study determined toxicity and larvicidal activity from six selected found in Kenya two compounds identified Ricinus communis: 3-carbonitrile-4-methoxy-N-methyl-2-pyridone (ricinine), its carboxylic acid derivative...

Recently, there has been multi-agency promotion of entomophagy as an environmentally-friendly source food for the ever increasing human population especially in developing countries. However, quality and safety concerns must first be addressed this context. We these present study using edible stink bug Encosternum delegorguei, which is widely consumed southern Africa. analysed mycotoxins, health beneficials including antioxidants, amino acids essential fatty liquid chromatography coupled to...

Schistosomiasis is a severe neglected tropical disease caused by trematodes and transmitted freshwater snails. Snails are known to be highly tolerant agricultural pesticides. However, little attention has been paid the ecological consequences of pesticide pollution in areas endemic for schistosomiasis, where people live close contact with non-sanitized freshwaters. In complementary laboratory field studies on Kenyan inland along Lake Victoria, we show that major driver increasing occurrence...

Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) is an arbovirus with a multisegmented genome related to those of unsegmented flaviviruses. The first described in

Colony defense by honey bees, Apis mellifera , is associated with stinging and mass attack, fueled the release of alarm pheromones. Thus, pheromones are critically important to survival bee colonies. Here we report that in parasitic relationship between European small hive beetle, Aethina tumida bee's serve a negative function because they potent attractants for beetle. Furthermore, discovered beetles from both Africa United States vector strain Kodamaea ohmeri yeast, which produces these...

Insects are increasingly being recognized not only as a source of food to feed the ever growing world population but also potential sources new products and therapeutic agents, among which sterols. In this study, we sought profile sterols their derivatives present in desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, focusing on those with importance dietary components for humans. Using coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), analyzed compared quantities different sections gut tissues...

Most malaria vectors belong to species complexes. Sibling often exhibit divergent behaviors dictating the measures that can be deployed effectively in their control. Despite importance of Anopheles funestus complex transmission sub-Saharan Africa, sibling have rarely been identified past and vectoring potential remains understudied.We analyzed 1149 wild-caught An. (senso lato) specimens from 21 sites Kenya, covering major endemic areas including western, central coastal areas. Indoor outdoor...