Spider venoms are complex cocktails rich in peptides, proteins and organic molecules that collectively act to immobilize prey. Venoms of the primitive hunting spider, Plectreurys tristis, have numerous neurotoxic peptides called "plectoxins" (PLTX), a unique acylpolyamine called bis(agmatine)oxalamide, and larger unidentified protein components. These spiders also have unconventional multi-lobe...

Demographic parameters of the pink stem borer, Sesamia cretica Lederer (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were estimated on its two main host plants, maize and sugarcane. The present study was conducted under laboratory conditions at 27±1 ̊C, 50±10% Relative Humidity (RH %), and a photoperiod of 0:24 (L:D) hour for the larval stage and 16:8 (L:D) hour for the other life stages. The raw data were analyzed ...

Due to the importance of chitinolytic enzymes for insect, nematode and fungal growth, they are receiving attention concerning their development as biopesticides or chemical defense proteins in transgenic plants and as microbial biocontrol agents. Targeting chitin associated with the extracellular matrices or cell wall by insect chitinases may be an effective approach for controlling pest insect...

Maize production in Benin, especially in resource-poor farmers' fields, is constrained by stemborers among other factors. One of the major stemborers in southern Benin is Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). African farmers cannot afford to use commercial insecticides for controlling stemborers - they are expensive and unsuitable for durable pest management systems due to eco-to...