Biological Sciences

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    An ecological survey of the termites (Isoptera) of Lochinvar National Park, Zambia
    (Journal of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa, 1986) Nkunika, Phillip Obed Yobe
    As a follow up to investigations already carried out for certain vertebrates, this article presents the first record of the Isoptera of Lochinvar National Park. 23 species have been collected there from three different ecosystems, including periodically flooded plains. Characteristics of habitat, nests and feeding behav¬iour of the termites and their place in the ecological niche is briefly discussed. Quantitative ecological research on the termite fauna of this National Park remains to be done.
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    Resistance status of ticks (Acari; Ixodidae) to amitraz and cypermethrin acaricides in Isoka District, Zambia
    (University of Zambia, 2015-08) Muyobela, Jackson; Nkunika, Phillip Obed Yobe; Mwase, Enala Tembo
    This study was designed to obtain data on the farmer’s approach to tick control and to determine whether Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neuman, Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius), and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) were resistant to amitraz and cypermethrin acaricides, in Isoka District, Zambia. Prevailing tick control practices were documented by administering a semi-structured questionnaire to 80 randomly selected smallholder livestock farmers from four agricultural camps (Longwe, Kantenshya, Kapililonga, and Ndeke) in Isoka District. Modified larval packet test (LPT) bioassay experiments were used to determine the resistance status of the common tick species against amitraz and cypermethrin acaricides. Fifty percent of respondents practiced chemical tick control with amitraz (27 %) and cypermethrin (23 %) being the acaricides in use, and were applied with knapsack sprayers. Less than 3 l of spray wash per animal was used which was considerably lower than the recommended delivery rate of 10 l of spray wash per animal. No significant susceptibility change to amitraz at 95 % confidence level was observed in R. appendiculatus and A. variegatum against amitraz. However, a significant change in the susceptibility of R. (Bo.) microplus tested with amitraz was detected at 95 % confidence. The test population had a lower susceptibility (LD50 0.014 %; LD90 0.023 %) than the reference population (LD50 0.013 %; LD90 0.020 %). The results indicated that resistance to amitraz was developing in R. (Bo.) microplus. For cypermethrin, no significant susceptibility change at 95 % confidence was observed in any of the three species and thus resistance to this chemical was not observed. Keywords Acaricide resistance . Tick control . Bioassay . Susceptibility .Amitraz . Cypermethrin
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    Termite Identification,Damage and Control options in Southern Province, Zambia
    (Republic of Zambia,Ministry of Agriculture,Food and Fisheries., 1998) Nkunika, Phillip Obed Yobe
    This is a pilot diagnostic survey carried out in Choma,Kalomo district,Southern province to identify the major termite pests attacking plantations ,fruit trees and crops.
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    Termite Identification,Damage and Control options in Southern Province, Zambia
    (Republic of Zambia,Ministry of Agriculture,Food and Fisheries., 1998) Nkunika, Phillip Obed Yobe
    This is a pilot survey carried out in southern province Zambia Kalomo District to identify the major termite pests attacking plantations,fruit trees and crops
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    Termite management in tropical agroforestry
    (University of Zambia Press, 2013) Nkunika, Philip Obed Yobe
    This book is intended to be used as a guide to management of termites in agroforestry and farmsteads where termites pose serious problems. Emphasis is placed on tropical agroforestry and more specifically in Africa. However, it is also hoped that the book will be of use in other continents where termites pose problems. It has been written in response to the growing need to improve understanding of termite problems and taking appropriate action based on such knowledge. In the past, blanket recommendations for termite control have resulted in inefficient and unsustainable use of resources and have had negative impacts on the environment. Control practices have often been initiated on anecdotal information rather than on sound scientific inquiry into the biology and ecology of the local termite species and their true impact on crops or trees. It is important to note that there is no single method that can be universally recommended for termite control because several species may be found in an area and each species has a unique biology and ecology. Therefore, the level of control depends on the knowledge of the termite species, the tree or crop species, climatic conditions and other environmental factors. Our aim is to promote a more sustainable management of termites, i.e., an approach that ensures (1) control of the pest species without causing ecological damage and loss of the ecosystem services provided by termites, (2) conservation of the non-pest termite species, and (3) utilisation of termites and associated resources without exhausting them. This can be achieved through adequate understanding of termite biology and application of control measures based on ecological principles. The intended users of this manual are farmers (subsistence as well as commercial), extension officers, researchers, pest control operators and students. The aim is to provide basic information on termites and help people to take more informed actions to manage termites in agroforestry. This book is presented in six chapters. Chapter one introduces the concept of agroforestry, agroforestry practices, different types of agroforestry, advantages of agroforestry and introduces the subject of termite management in agroforestry. Chapter two provides a description of the biology of termites including their social organisation, life cycle, nesting behaviour, classification and food. Chapter three provides a summary of the beneficial aspects of termites. Chapter four provides a brief discussion on common pestiferous termites and the damage they cause to crops and trees. Chapter five focuses on principles that should be followed for sustainable management of pestiferous termites in agroforestry with less emphasis on control and Chapter six ends with concluding remarks and prods scholars to do further research in this much neglected, but very important area.
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    Termite-induced heterogeneity in African savanna vegetation: mechanisms and patterns
    (Wiley online, 2010-07-08) Sileshi, Gudeta W.; Arshad, M. A.; Konaté, Souleymane; Nkunika, Philip O.Y.
    Objectives: To (1) assess the strength of evidence for the role of termites in vegetation heterogeneity in African savannas, and (2) identify the mechanisms by which termites induce such heterogeneity. Location: African savannas. Methods: We conducted a review of the literature, a meta-analysis and qualitative systems analysis to identify mechanisms to explain the observed patterns. Results: The review provided evidence for termite-induced heterogeneity in floristic composition and vegetation patterning in savannas across Africa. Termites induced vegetation heterogeneity directly or indirectly through their nest-building and foraging activities, associated nutrient cycling and their interaction with mammalian herbivores and fire. The literature reviewed indicated that termite mounds essentially act as islands of fertility, which are responsible for ecosystem-level spatial heterogeneity in savannas. This was supported by the meta-analysis, which demonstrated that mounds of Ancistrotermes, Macrotermes, Odontotermes (family Macrotermitinae), Cubitermes (family Termitinae) and Trinervitermes (Nasutitermitinae) are significantly enriched in clay (75%), carbon (16%), total nitrogen (42%), calcium (232%), potassium (306%) and magnesium (154%) compared to the surrounding savanna soil. Conclusions: Termite activity is one of the major factors that induce vegetation patterning in African savannas. The implications of this are discussed and research questions for future studies and modelling efforts are indicated.