Developmental Response of <i>Pieris brassicae</i>(L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) on Different Cauliflower Cultivars under Laboratory Conditions

Cauliflower is popular vegetable in Pakistan and it is severely attacked by Pieris brassicae (L). There are different cauliflower cultivars available in this area. The aim of this study was to determine the developmental response of Pieris brassicae on ten cauliflower cultivars. An experiment was conducted during 2012-13 at the Entomology section of the Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab Peshawar under laboratory conditions of 20&degC ± 2&degC, 50% ± 5% RH and 12:12h photoperiod. Pieris brassicae eggs were collected from a cauliflower field ARI Tarnab and the larvae placed after hatching on fresh leaves often cauliflower cultivars. The results showed that the larval development of P. brassicae was short (35 days), longer larval length (32.41 mm), larval mortality was low (6.6%) and pupal weight was high (0.50 g) on Clima cultivar. On the other hand, a longer larval developmental period (37 days), higher larval mortality (86.66%), shorter larval length (24.55 mm) and lower pupal weight (0.42 g) were recorded on cultivar AX-2034.

Evaluation of different formulations of IGRs against Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus(Diptera:Culicidae)

Objective: To test the relative efficacy of pyriproxyfen and methoprene on mortality,deformity, inhibition and emergence to adult stages of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus.Methods: Serial dilutions(0.01–0.05 mg/L) of methoprene, pyriproxyfen 0.5 water dispersible granules(WDG) and pyriproxyfen 1.0 WDG were used to assess mortality and inhibition of 3rd instar larvae of Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus. Each concentration and control was replicated four times in completely randomized design.Data on larval mortality, growth inhibition, deformities and adult's emergence was recorded weekly. On the basis of best comparative performance, the efficacy of pyriproxyfen 1.0 WDG at 0.1 g/m3 was also tested in the field by collecting treated water samples monthly for 1–6 months after field application. Twenty five 3rd instar larvae of Aedes and Culex spp. of the same cohorts were used for bioassays and compared with larvae in control cups containing 1 L of untreated tap water.Results: Results revealed variations in fatality of different insect growth regulators(IGRs) to the 3rd instar larvae of Culex and Aedes mosquitoes. Among the IGRs, pyriproxyfen 1.0 WDG was found best that exhibited significantly high emergence inhibition against Culex and Aedes spp. Based on the results, the IGRs were classified in terms of the tested parameters in order of pyriproxyfen 1.0 WDG > pyriproxyfen 0.5WDG > methoprene. In case of field studies, pyriproxyfen 1.0 WDG, pool data of the entire target treated sites showed minimum adult emergence from water sampled of habitats treated with 0.1 g/m3 of pyriproxyfen 1.0 WDG.Conclusions: It is thus concluded that IGRs can be utilized as environment friendly control measures for Culex and Aedes spp. of mosquitoes on small and large scale. This will reduce the use of conventional insecticides by the public health authorities and help in reducing selection pressure of insecticides.

PAIgG and PAIgM levels in secondary dengue virus infections lead to thrombocytopenia in patients from KP, Pakistan

Objective: To understand the impact of platelet associated immunoglobulin G(PAIg G)/platelet associated immunoglobulin M(PAIg M) on severity of dengue virus infection leading to thrombocytopenia.Methods: In this study we examined a total of 52 patients who were having secondary infection of dengue in acute phase by using competitive ELISA.Results: A decrease in the platelet count was observed at the acute phase of infection while all along the recovery stage the count of platelet was significantly increased. A significant decrease was observed in PAIg G and PAIg M in these subjects. Inverse correlation was found between platelets count and PAIg G/PAIg M among the subjects studied. In the platelets elution from ten subjects, anti-dengue virus immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M were observed. PAIg G and PAIg M with inclined levels were higher in dengue hemorrhagic fever than the classical dengue fever. In the development of dengue hemorrhagic fever PAIg M inclined level was independently associated with high specificity, showing a possible indication of dengue hemorrhagic fever.Conclusions: This study suggests that in secondary dengue virus infection, the PAIg G and PAIg M levels, and the activity of anti-dengue virus play key roles, both in the development and severity of the disease.