Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi have been used for over four decades as Eichhorniae crassipes classical biological control agents globally. Despite the success of bio-control against the water hyacinth gl...Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi have been used for over four decades as Eichhorniae crassipes classical biological control agents globally. Despite the success of bio-control against the water hyacinth globally at different levels and environmental sustainability, biological control against water hyacinth seems to have overlooked the socio-economic sustainability in assisting the ravaged communities, gain resilience and adapt to the challenges of the invasive alien species. This manuscript evaluates the potential to draw out more from biological control of the water hyacinth by evaluating the potential to utilize Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi as feed. The live insects of the two species were collected from the water hyacinth marts in the nearby L. Victoria in Siaya county, Kenya. Where they were then transferred for semi-cultivation in localized ponds for reproduction and closer monitoring. The ponds having been set up in completely randomized design while in the open within the same climatic region mimicked the water quality and most abiotic conditions of the lake necessary for the insects’ and host plant acclimatization and reproduction. The samples for proximate analysis were collected from these ponds as per the research and experimental design. The chemical compositions of the Neochetina bruchi, N. eichhorniae and their larvae composite, satisfactorily compared to basic fish feed requirements, specifically as a protein source having crude protein (CP) percentage per DM of 55.0350 ± 0.025, 54.4350 ± 0.035 and 62.2750 ± 0.025 respectively.展开更多
Black ant, Carebara vidua (Smith) is an edible insect of critical value in nutrition. The population abundance of black ants has reduced drastically and they have become scarce in all the agro ecological zones in West...Black ant, Carebara vidua (Smith) is an edible insect of critical value in nutrition. The population abundance of black ants has reduced drastically and they have become scarce in all the agro ecological zones in Western Kenya. Understanding factors influencing the distribution and abundance of C. vidua remains a challenge as C. vidua is an endangered species in many parts of Country Kenya. The decline in the insect population is worrying since black ants are an important source of food across the world. Our study aimed at determining the eco-climatic conditions influencing the distribution of black ants. Several factors and conditions have contributed to the decline in the population of black ants. The study was carried out in different agro ecological zones of Kisumu, Siaya, and Homabay Counties. The research presumed a cross-sectional approach to community representation. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the population for the qualitative study. Data was collected through Focused Group Discussion and Key Informant Interviews to get in-depth knowledge on the factors contributing to the change in the distribution of back ants. Verbatim transcription was done to the audio recorded data then data was translated into English. Thematic analysis was done using ATLAS.ti software version 7.5. The results showed various factors that led to the change in distribution and reduction of the population of black ants emerging across the lower midland zones, the factors include;climate change, advancement in agricultural equipment, land degradation, and habitat destruction. These factors made the emergence of the insect unpredictable. Over the years across the Lower midland zones, there have been changes in the distribution of C. vidua and the population of insects emerging has reduced hence the insect is disappearing.展开更多
文摘Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi have been used for over four decades as Eichhorniae crassipes classical biological control agents globally. Despite the success of bio-control against the water hyacinth globally at different levels and environmental sustainability, biological control against water hyacinth seems to have overlooked the socio-economic sustainability in assisting the ravaged communities, gain resilience and adapt to the challenges of the invasive alien species. This manuscript evaluates the potential to draw out more from biological control of the water hyacinth by evaluating the potential to utilize Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi as feed. The live insects of the two species were collected from the water hyacinth marts in the nearby L. Victoria in Siaya county, Kenya. Where they were then transferred for semi-cultivation in localized ponds for reproduction and closer monitoring. The ponds having been set up in completely randomized design while in the open within the same climatic region mimicked the water quality and most abiotic conditions of the lake necessary for the insects’ and host plant acclimatization and reproduction. The samples for proximate analysis were collected from these ponds as per the research and experimental design. The chemical compositions of the Neochetina bruchi, N. eichhorniae and their larvae composite, satisfactorily compared to basic fish feed requirements, specifically as a protein source having crude protein (CP) percentage per DM of 55.0350 ± 0.025, 54.4350 ± 0.035 and 62.2750 ± 0.025 respectively.
文摘Black ant, Carebara vidua (Smith) is an edible insect of critical value in nutrition. The population abundance of black ants has reduced drastically and they have become scarce in all the agro ecological zones in Western Kenya. Understanding factors influencing the distribution and abundance of C. vidua remains a challenge as C. vidua is an endangered species in many parts of Country Kenya. The decline in the insect population is worrying since black ants are an important source of food across the world. Our study aimed at determining the eco-climatic conditions influencing the distribution of black ants. Several factors and conditions have contributed to the decline in the population of black ants. The study was carried out in different agro ecological zones of Kisumu, Siaya, and Homabay Counties. The research presumed a cross-sectional approach to community representation. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the population for the qualitative study. Data was collected through Focused Group Discussion and Key Informant Interviews to get in-depth knowledge on the factors contributing to the change in the distribution of back ants. Verbatim transcription was done to the audio recorded data then data was translated into English. Thematic analysis was done using ATLAS.ti software version 7.5. The results showed various factors that led to the change in distribution and reduction of the population of black ants emerging across the lower midland zones, the factors include;climate change, advancement in agricultural equipment, land degradation, and habitat destruction. These factors made the emergence of the insect unpredictable. Over the years across the Lower midland zones, there have been changes in the distribution of C. vidua and the population of insects emerging has reduced hence the insect is disappearing.
