A5029920907- Plant and animal studies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Agricultural pest management studies
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Plant pathogens and resistance mechanisms
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Allelopathy and phytotoxic interactions
- Tree Root and Stability Studies
- Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
- Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Botanical Research and Applications
University of Greenwich
2015-2024
Natural Resources Institute
2015-2024
Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
2020-2024
East Malling Research (United Kingdom)
2023-2024
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
2021-2023
Czech Academy of Sciences
2015
Queen Mary University of London
2007-2012
University of Cambridge
2006-2007
Woody stems comprise a large biological carbon fraction and determine water transport between roots leaves; their structure function can influence both hydrological cycles. While angiosperm wood anatomy density hydraulic conductivity mechanical strength, little is known about interrelations across many species. We compiled global data set comprising two anatomical traits for 3005 woody angiosperms: mean vessel lumen area (Ā) number per unit (N). From these, we calculated (F = ĀN) size to...
Background Flower colour is of great importance in various fields relating to floral biology and pollinator behaviour. However, subjective human judgements flower may be inaccurate are irrelevant the ecology vision flower's pollinators. For precise, detailed information about colours flowers, a full reflectance spectrum for interest should used rather than relying on such assessments. Methodology/Principal Findings The Floral Reflectance Database (FReD) has been developed make an extensive...
Abstract Our understanding and prevention of postharvest losses are critical if we to feed a growing global population. Insect infestation-related stored commodities typically considered only in terms quantitative, physical weight loss. infestation affects the nutritional value some components impacted more severely than others. We infested maize cowpea grain with commonly occurring product insect pests, mapped levels against composition over 4-to-6 month storage period analyse how relates...
Field margin and non-crop vegetation in agricultural systems are potential ecosystem services providers because they offer semi-natural habitats for both below above ground animal groups such as soil organisms, small mammals, birds arthropods that service supplying units. They considered a target area enhancing farm biodiversity.To explore the multiple benefits of these to identify research trends knowledge gaps globally, review was carried out following Preferred Reporting Items Systematic...
Background Most cases of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) start with a bite from one the subspecies Glossina fuscipes. Tsetse use range olfactory and visual stimuli to locate their hosts this response can be exploited lure tsetse insecticide-treated targets thereby reducing transmission. To provide rational basis for cost-effective designs target, we undertook studies identify optimal target colour. Methodology/Principal Findings On Chamaunga islands Lake Victoria , Kenya, were made...
Background and Aims Speciation in angiosperms can be accompanied by changes floral colour that may influence pollinator preference reproductive isolation. This study investigates whether accompany polyploid homoploid hybridization, important processes angiosperm evolution. Methods Spectral reflectance of corolla tissue was examined for 60 Nicotiana (Solanaceae) accessions (41 taxa) based on spectral shape (corresponding to pigmentation) as well bee hummingbird perception order assess...
Many crops are dependent on pollination by insects. Habitat management in agricultural landscapes can support pollinator services and even augment crop production. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important legume for the livelihoods of smallholder farmers many low-income countries, particularly so East Africa. While this autogamous, it frequently visited pollinating insects that could improve yields. However, value to common beans (Kariasii) yield not known.We carried out...
The development of large-scale monocropped agrisystems has facilitated increased problems with pests and diseases, perpetuating the reliance farmers on synthetic pesticides. economic success inputs has, however, been achieved at a high cost to environment through loss biodiversity, depletion soil quality, greenhouse gas emissions, disrupting ecosystem services that can otherwise help mitigate losses caused by diseases. Environmentally benign alternatives for pest disease management are...
Abstract BACKGROUND The tarnished plant bug Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) is considered the most damaging pest of cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) in mid‐southern United States. Previous studies have reported role different ratios volatile metathoracic gland components such as hexyl butyrate, E )‐2‐hexenyl butyrate and )‐4‐oxo‐2‐hexenal eliciting low‐level attraction L. . In this study, we tested visual cues (colored sticky cards) combination with olfactory (pheromone blends) to...
Caffeine is a widely occurring plant defence chemical that occurs in the nectar of some plants, e.g. Coffea or Citrus spp., where it may influence pollinator behaviour to enhance pollination. Previous laboratory work found inexperienced bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) located new food sources emitting learned floral odour more consistently if they had been fed caffeine association with and reward. Inexperienced bees primed also made initial visits target robotic flowers odour, compared...
Non-crop vegetation around farmland can be valuable habitats for enhancing ecosystem services but little is known of the importance field margins in supporting natural enemies insect pests tropical agriculture. This study was conducted smallholder bean fields three elevation zones to assess margin enemy populations and movement crop biological pest control. The were assessed using different coloured water pan traps (to ensure capture insects with colour preferences) interactions two...
Conservation biological control uses habitat management to enhance the survival and impact of arthropod natural enemies for pest control. Its advantages are that it relies on native or established invertebrate populations adapted local agricultural ecosystems conditions. We surveyed 300 farmers in three agro-ecological zones Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania assess farmers' knowledge enemies, insect pests pesticide use ways accessing information identify hurdles adoption conservation measures....
Abstract Beneficial insect communities on farms are influenced by site- and landscape-level factors, with pollinator natural enemy populations often associated semi-natural habitat remnants. They provide ecosystem services essential for all agroecosystems. For smallholders, pest regulation may be the only affordable available option to manage pests. We evaluated beneficial community smallholder bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) its relationship plant in field margins, including margin trees that...
Abstract Botanical insecticides offer an environmentally benign insect pest management option for field crops with reduced impacts on natural enemies of pests and pollinators while botanically rich margins can augment their abundance. Here, we evaluated the non‐target effects control efficacy bean aphids in Lablab three neem‐ pyrethrum‐based botanical (Pyerin75EC®, Nimbecidine® Pyeneem 20EC®) determine influence florally margin vegetation recovery beneficial insects after treatment. The were...
SUMMARY Patchy illumination presents foraging animals with a challenge, as the targets being sought may appear to vary in colour depending on illumination, compromising target identification. We explore how bumblebee Bombus terrestris copes tasks involving flower discrimination under patchy illumination. Light patches varied between unobscured daylight and leaf-shade, bee might encounter around woodland. Using flight arena coloured filters, well one or two different colours of artificial...