Chemical parameters and bacterial communities associated with larval habitats of Anopheles, Culex and Aedes mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in western Kenya

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Journal of Applied Entomology

Publication Date

7-1-2011

Abstract

Two mitotypes of Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) named KI and KII, co-exist in Kenya. Individuals of KII are more widely distributed than those of KI. The present study assessed whether this was due to differences in their reproductive potential and/or in their resistance to the braconid Cotesia sesamiae Cameron, which is the most common larval parasitoid of B. fusca in the region. Two populations of the parasitoid, one from the coastal and one from the inland regions of Kenya, which differ in their ability to develop in B. fusca, were tested. Virgin KII females started to call sooner during the night than KI females. Female fecundity and egg viability were significantly lower for the heterogamous than the homogamous crosses. Cotesia sesamiae from the inland produced larger progeny in KI than in KII host. Cotesia sesamiae from the coast did not develop in either host. Despite their long time co-existence in the same geographical area, KII and KI conserved biological differences in terms of time of calling, fecundity, fertility and resistance against the larval parasitoid, C. sesamiae. This might explain the wider distribution of KII as compared to KI in Kenya. © 2010 Blackwell Verlag, GmbH.

Keywords

Africa, Braconidae, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Maize, Noctuidae, Population genetics, Stemborer

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