ISSN : 2765-2203
The subfamily Dynastinae generally exhibits strong dimorphism among males. However, until recently, studies on dimorphism and allometry were limited to horns. Lycomedes is a neotropic genus that belongs to the subfamily Dynastinae and is restricted to the Andean region of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Among the Colombian Lycomedes species, this study focuses on the L. reichei and allied species, which have been designated here as the L. reichei species group, that displays a dramatic allometry. Here, various orphological characteristics of the L. reichei species group were analyzed and an allometry was proven.
The study investigated species diversity, relative abundance, and decline of flying insects and plants within a fragmented forest in the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Nigeria. It is known that habitat fragmentation can reduce biodiversity. Thus, it is important to perform comprehensive assessments to understand implications of the habitat fragmentation for flora and fauna. Species richness and abundance of flying insects and plants across fragmented forest patches were quantified using field surveys and taxonomic identification. This study revealed shifts in species diversity, with fragmented areas exhibiting reduced biodiversity compared to contiguous forest ecosystems. Flying insects crucial for ecosystem functioning and pollination services demonstrated decreased species richness and relative abundance within fragmented habitats. This decline was attributed to habitat loss, altered microclimates, and limited movement pathways known to hinder insect dispersal. Similarly, plant species richness and abundance showed decline in fragmented forest due to disrupted mutualistic interactions with pollinators, altered nutrient cycling, and increased competition among plant species. This study underscores the importance of maintaining intact forest habitats to sustain healthy ecosystems and preserve biodiversity. Effective conservation strategies should focus on habitat connectivity, reforestation efforts, and protection of essential ecological corridors to mitigate effects of fragmentation. In conclusion, this investigation provides empirical evidence for effects of habitat fragmentation on flying insects and plants in a forest ecosystem in FUTA Akure, Nigeria. Findings emphasize an urgency of adopting conservation measures to safeguard these invaluable components of biodiversity and ecosystem stability in the face of ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation.
Harmful pet insects, if not controlled, can negatively affect people, plants and their surrounding environment. In Vietnam, all crops are regularly impacted by pest insects. In serious cases, crops can be totally destroyed by insect pests. Harmful insects that damage crops often grow fast and increase rapidly. Therefore, research on insects is crucial for managing pests, protecting crops, and forecasting pest situation in the following years. This study aimed to collect data regarding changes of pests on rice and corn as two main crops in four provinces in Red River Delta of Vietnam, including Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, and Hung Yen, from 2018 to 2022. Primary data were collected from reports of government agencies and official statistics. Based on these data, this study evaluated changes of pest insects in five years, discussed reasons for such changes and response methods, and forecasted pest’s behavior in the following years. Significant findings of this study include the fact that Vietnam has to face many difficulties to develop its agricultural sector. For insect management, an essential action is to do ground surveys to gather all related data including weather data, pesticide data, crop yield, and product quality. This information is meaningful for finding out causes of changes, understanding relationships between insects and surrounding factors, and predicting the situation in the following years.
Effect of climate change on the agricultural sector has been predicted and studied, including its effects on coffee cultivation. Climate change can directly impact coffee production or indirectly influence it through its effects on coffee pests. In Indonesia, coffee is a critical export commodity. Climate change can have a large effect on many farmers if it is not addressed appropriately. This study summarizes several studies and data on how climate change affects coffee production and the coffee berry borer (CBB; Hypothenemus hampei) pest in Indonesia. Adaptation plans that can be employed to mitigate impacts of climate change are also summarized.