ABSTRACT
Insect monitoring is pivotal for assessing biodiversity and informing conservation strategies. This study delves into the complex realm of insect monitoring in the Global South-world developing and least-developed countries as identified by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development-highlighting challenges and proposing strategic solutions. An analysis of publications from 1990 to 2024 reveals an imbalance in research contributions between the Global North and South, highlighting disparities in entomological research and the scarcity of taxonomic expertise in the Global South. We discuss the socio-economic factors that exacerbate the issues, including funding disparities, challenges in collaboration, infrastructure deficits, information technology obstacles and the impact of local currency devaluation. In addition, we emphasize the crucial role of environmental factors in shaping insect diversity, particularly in tropical regions facing multiple challenges including climate change, urbanization, pollution and various anthropogenic activities. We also stress the need for entomologists to advocate for ecosystem services provided by insects in addressing environmental issues. To enhance monitoring capacity, we propose strategies such as community engagement, outreach programmes and cultural activities to instill biodiversity appreciation. Further, language inclusivity and social media use are emphasized for effective communication. More collaborations with Global North counterparts, particularly in areas of molecular biology and remote sensing, are suggested for technological advancements. In conclusion, advocating for these strategies-global collaborations, a diverse entomological community and the integration of transverse disciplines-aims to address challenges and foster inclusive, sustainable insect monitoring in the Global South, contributing significantly to biodiversity conservation and overall ecosystem health. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.
Subject(s)
Biodiversity , Insecta , Insecta/physiology , Animals , Conservation of Natural Resources/methods , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Developing Countries , Entomology/methods , Ecosystem , Climate ChangeABSTRACT
Background: Ants are one of the most ubiquitous, widespread and abundant groups of animals on Earth. They are eusocial and are well noted for their important ecosystem services such as nutrient recycling, seed dispersal, engaging in mutualistic associations with other organisms, as well as serving as predators and scavengers. Although Africa has been recognised as a global hotspot for ant diversity, African ant genera are not as well-known when compared with other regions. The last checklist of Nigerian ants was compiled and published in the 1970s. To contribute to new knowledge on West African ant genera and Nigeria in particular, we conducted a review of the ant species of Nigeria using 132 scientific publications mostly compiled in the database www.antmaps.org, along with a survey of ant species of Lagos and Oyo States in Nigeria which was conducted between 2018 and 2020. The study aimed to ascertain the diversity of Nigerian ant genera, as well as to confirm the presence of previously recorded species and add new species to the current checklist of Nigerian ants, based on the 1970 survey. New information: As many as 106 species were recorded from the survey in the current study, of which 28 are new to Nigeria and additional 28 are identified to the morphospecies level. In total, 317 species from 10 subfamilies and 64 genera are now recorded from Nigeria, including 11 invasive ants, of which six are new to Nigeria. The following eleven species that were included in the 1970 checklist were excluded from the current list, mostly due to previous misidentifications: Aenictusrotundatus Mayr, 1901; Anochetusjonesi Arnold, 1926; Camponotusbarbarossamicipsa Wheeler, 1992; Camponotusforaminosusdorsalis Santschi, 1926; Camponotusrufoglaucus (Jerdon, 1851); Cardiocondylazoserka Bolton, 1982; Messorbarbarus (Linnaeus, 1767); Odontomachushaematodus (Linnaeus, 1758); Technomyrmexalbipes (Smith, 1861); Tetramoriumdecem Forel, 1913 and Tetraponerapenzigi (Mayr, 1907).
ABSTRACT
The use of herbicides for increased food production may pose risk to non-target organisms. This study evaluated the acute toxicity, genotoxic, biochemical, and histological biomarkers of subacute concentrations of paraquat and glyphosate in Oreochromis niloticus (Nile Tilapia) for 28 days following standard methods. Glyphosate (96 hLC50 value-1.23 mg/L) was 9x more toxic than paraquat (96 hLC50 value-11.20 mg/L) against O. niloticus. Average micronucleated cells were significantly higher in the erythrocytes of O. niloticus exposed to the higher (1.12 mg/L) concentration of paraquat at day 14, both subacute concentrations of paraquat at day 28, and lower concentration (0.01 mg/L) of glyphosate at days 14 and 28 compared to the other treatments and controls. Biochemical biomarkers (MDA and GST) activities were significantly higher at both subacute concentrations of the herbicides in the exposed fish compared to the controls at day 28 only. GSH activity was significantly higher in the 0.11 mg/L paraquat concentration while SOD activity was significantly lower at both subacute concentrations of glyphosate in exposed fish compared to controls at day 28. Histological alterations observed were mild to severe shortening of the gill primary lamellar and hepatic portal inflammation of exposed fish compared to the controls. This study demonstrates the risk to non-target organisms due to herbicides' run-off from agricultural farmlands into aquatic ecosystems at environmentally relevant or subacute concentrations. Sensitization on the responsible use of pesticides is recommended to promote responsible consumption and production and sustain life below water (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 14 respectively).
ABSTRACT
Indoxacarb gel bait was evaluated for its efficacy in the laboratory and field against American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.), and German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.). Advion 0.6% indoxacarb gel bait was toxic to both P. americana and B. germanica. There were no significant differences in the LT50 (h) values for treatment levels of 0.25 g, 0.5 g, and 1.0 g gel applied against P. americana, whereas gel applied at 0.5 g to B. germanica had a significantly greater LT50 (h) in the laboratory than the gel treatments on P. americana. The LT50 for both cockroach species ranged from 40.65 to 145.60 h. There was no control mortality in the laboratory bioassays. In the field, 55 houses were treated with 0.5 g of 6-8 spots of indoxacarb gel bait per kitchen of two or three bedroom bungalows from three Local Government Areas of Lagos State, comprising Surulere (22), Alimosho (12), and Shomolu (21). Mean reduction in cockroach populations varied from location to location based on the level of infestations. Percentage reductions in the indoxacarb gel-treated units ranged from 3.5% at 1 d after treatment to 99.8% at 14 d at Surulere, while reductions ranged from 8.9% at 1 d after treatment to 99.7% at 14 d at Shomolu; a similar trend was observed for Alimosho. Indoxacarb gel bait was highly effective in the control of cockroaches.
