ABSTRACT Three parasitoid species Aphidius colemani, Aphidius matricariae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Aphelinus abdominalis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) were evaluated concerning their parasitism potential in two aphid species, Aphis glycines and Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The feeding of these two aphid species, even at low sums, can significantly damage photosynthesis and is found to transmit many kinds of plant viruses, which impact potential adverse effects on the plants. The overall parasitization on all nymphal ages in As. glycines was accomplished by Ad. colemani (60.50%), Ad. matricariae (49.16%) and Al. abdominalis (40%), while in As. gossypii parasitism exhibited by Ad. colemani (79.48%), Ad. matricariae (65.33%) and Al. abdominalis (58.83%). Aphelinus abdominalis exhibited the lowest parasitism in both given species as hosts. Significant differences in parasitism of different parasitoids and host species were observed. Concerning the preference of nymphal instars, we found that parasitoids species prefer to parasitize 1st- 4th instars in As. gossypii while in As. glycines 2nd, 1st, 3rd and 4th. Our results showed that the parasitism increases with the increase of parasitoid numbers and hosts densities.

Abstract Vector monitoring is a fundamental tool for mosquito control activities and assembles information on the relative population size, species composition and advantages in dengue disease prevention. Investigations have been initiated for the exploration of relative abundance and biology of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) mosquito to provide baseline information for effective vector control and dengue prevention strategies. The studies were conducted for two years (2018-2019) from January to December focusing on the developmental stages of mosquitoes. The results revealed that seasonal densities of Ae. Aegypti undergoes considerable variations throughout the year. The population dynamics of the vector exhibited well-defined increasing populations during the post-monsoon season. Consequently, observations found a rapid decline in its abundance during the months of December to February until it reached the next peak in March and April. Datasets exhibited that the vector population gradually decreased to a lower level from May to June and there was a population increase in July and August of the years. The developmental stages of Ae. aegypti (egg to adult) revealed that three days after the female mosquitoes had taken blood food of Balb/C mouse began to lay eggs. The egg stage lasted for 3 days and after hatching, the four larval instars; first, second, third and fourth earmarked about 1.3, 1.1, 1.2 and 2.4 days, respectively to develop into pupae. The pupal stage developed into adults in 2 days. The entire life cycle was completed within about 11 days including female longevity 28 and male longevity 21 days, respectively.

Abstract In this era, various traditional medicinal herbs were researched for their toxicological and safety aspects. The present study focused on using Nigella sativa fixed (NSFO) and essential oil (NSEO) to mitigate the adverse consequences of oxidative stress. For the purpose, oxidative stress was induced in Sprague Dawley rats using potassium bromate injection. The effect of NSFO and NSEO on indices of serum chemistry and hematology were studied. The results indicated that potassium bromate imparted drastic changes in serum chemistry and hematology e.g. it increased the blood cholesterol and blood glucose along with decreasing the insulin secretion. Oxidative stress also influenced the hematological attributes negatively but experimental diets were slightly successful in normalizing the values. The experimental diets especially essential oil that contains significant quantities of thymoquinone modulated the adverse consequences of oxidative stress with special reference to hematology and serological attributes. In the nutshell, NSFO and NSEO hold potential to mitigate the oxidative stress, and improved various serological and hematological attributes.