Lepidopteran stemborers are among the most destructive pests of maize, sorghum, and sugarcane in Africa. Yet, data on their species composition and host range in Rwanda remain limited. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of stemborer diversity, seasonal dynamics, and altitudinal distribution across eastern (low altitude), central (mid-altitude), and northern (high altitude) Rwanda. Surveys were conducted during both the rainy (maize growing) and dry seasons of 2023-2024, targeting infested maize fields and surrounding wild vegetation. A total of 2691 stemborer individuals were recovered from nine host plants, with 1474 (54.8%) from wild and fodder vegetation and 1217 (45.2%) from maize plantations. Species richness was highest in the mid-altitude zone, while overall abundance peaked at low altitudes. Busseola fusca was the most abundant in the high-altitude zone, Chilo partellus in the low altitude, and Sesamia spp. was concentrated in the mid-altitude. Seasonal variation significantly influenced population dynamic, with the highest abundance (1251; 46.4%) recorded during the dry season. Notably, Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass) hosted 1156 (42.9%) of all specimens, highlighting its role as a key refugium during maize off-seasons. These findings underscore the ecological importance of wild vegetation in sustaining stemborer populations and suggest that wild vegetation, altitudinal, and seasonal factors must be considered in designing integrated lepidopteran stemborer pest management strategies.

The genus Sciomesa Tams & Bowden (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Apameini: Sesamiina) is a predominantly Afrotropical group of stemborer moths whose convoluted taxonomic history needs to be clarified. In this study, a comprehensive examination of specimens in collections was carried out in a complementary manner with molecular analyses, resulting in the following changes: (i) 12 new Sciomesa species are described: S. lalokeli n. sp. and S. metiminko n. sp. from Ethiopia; S. elgonensis n. sp., S. nigra n. sp. and S. simillima n. sp. from Kenya; S. umvoti n. sp. from South Africa; S. iboya n. sp., S. lilomwi n. sp., S. makete n. sp., S. njombe n. sp. and S. tanganyika n. sp. from Tanzania; S. kalinzu n. sp. from Uganda; (ii) four species are reinstated as valid species: three of them, S. constantini Laporte stat. rev., S. etchecopari Laporte stat. rev. and S. mirifica Laporte stat. rev., were previously synonymized with S. mesophaea (Hampson) while S. congitae (Laporte) stat. rev. was previously synonymized with S. boulardi (Laporte); (iii) two species are synonymized: S. minuscula (Laporte) n. syn., which was previously synonymized with S. boulardi, is a synonym of S. congitae, and S. franciscae Laporte n. syn. is a synonym of S. mesophaea; (iv) one species, Sesamia punctipennis Kr & uuml;ger stat. rev., which was transferred to the Sciomesa genus, is removed from the genus Sciomesa and temporarily reinstated to the genus Sesamia Guen & eacute;e pending a new combination. A supplemental description for 12 previously described species is also provided: S. boulardi, S. bua Moyal et al., S. constantini, S. etchecopari, S. excelsa (Laporte), S. gnosia Moyal et al., S. mesophaea, S. congitae, S. mirifica, S. renibifida Berio, S. scotochroa (Hampson) and S. venata Fletcher. Host-plant records are provided for 10 Sciomesa species, confirming a pattern of phylogenetic niche conservatism on Poales plants in the Cyperaceae family. Phylogenetic and molecular species delimitation analyses were carried out on a multimarker (four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes) molecular dataset encompassing 63 Sciomesa specimens, 24 species belonging to other genera of Sesamiina, and one representative of the sister subtribe Apameina. This sampling also includes the three Malagasy species (S. betschi Viette, S. janthina Viette and S. oberthueri Viette) whose status is debated. The resulting phylogenetic framework provides the most complete picture of the evolutionary relationships of the genus Sciomesa, and results of topological tests provide further support for removing S. betschi and S. janthina from the genus Sciomesa pending new combinations. The results of molecular species delimitation analyses also overwhelmingly support the species status of the Sciomesa species sampled, even for S. mesophaea, a species with a very wide range in the Afrotropics. These analyses also reveal the existence of up to three potential new species, whose status cannot be ascertained because the sequenced individuals were either extracted at a larval stage or correspond to specimens whose genitalia were not studied when their legs were collected. R & eacute;vision du genre Sciomesa (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae : Apameini : Sesamiina) : taxonomie, phylog & eacute;nie et & eacute;cologie, avec la description de 12 nouvelles esp & egrave;ces. Le genre Sciomesa Tams & Bowden (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae : Noctuinae : Apameini : Sesamiina) est un groupe principalement afrotropical de papillons de nuit foreurs de tige, dont l'histoire taxonomique complexe doit & ecirc;tre clarifi & eacute;e. Dans cette & eacute;tude, l'examen d & eacute;taill & eacute; de nombreux sp & eacute;cimens de collections a & eacute;t & eacute; effectu & eacute; de fa & ccedil;on compl & eacute;mentaire & agrave; des analyses mol & eacute;culaires, ce qui a conduit aux changements suivants : (i) 12 nouvelles esp & egrave;ces de Sciomesa sont d & eacute;crites : S. lalokeli n. sp. et S. metiminko n. sp. d'& Eacute;thiopie ; S. elgonensis n. sp., S. nigra n. sp. et S. simillima n. sp. du Kenya ; S. kalinzu n. sp. d'Ouganda ; S. umvoti n. sp. d'Afrique du Sud ; S. iboya n. sp., S. lilomwi n. sp., S. makete n. sp., S. njombe n. sp. et S. tanganyika n. sp. de Tanzanie; (ii) quatre esp & egrave;ces sont r & eacute;tablies comme esp & egrave;ces valides : trois d'entre elles, S. constantini Laporte stat. rev., S. etchecopari Laporte stat. rev. et S. mirifica Laporte stat. rev. & eacute;taient pr & eacute;c & eacute;demment synonymes de S. mesophaea (Hampson) tandis que S. congitae (Laporte) stat. rev. & eacute;tait pr & eacute;c & eacute;demment synonyme de S. boulardi (Laporte); (iii) deux esp & egrave;ces sont mises en synonymie : Sciomesa minuscula n. syn., qui & eacute;tait pr & eacute;c & eacute;demment synonyme de S. boulardi, est un synonyme de S. congitae, et S. franciscae Laporte n. syn. est un synonyme de S. mesophaea ; (iv) une esp & egrave;ce, Sesamia punctipennis Kr & uuml;ger stat. rev., qui avait & eacute;t & eacute; transf & eacute;r & eacute;e dans le genre Sciomesa, en est retir & eacute;e et temporairement r & eacute;int & eacute;gr & eacute;e dans le genre Sesamia Guen & eacute;e en attendant une nouvelle combinaison. Une description suppl & eacute;mentaire de 12 esp & egrave;ces pr & eacute;c & eacute;demment d & eacute;crites est & eacute;galement fournie : S. boulardi, S. bua Moyal et al., S. constantini, S. etchecopari, S. excelsa (Laporte), S. gnosia Moyal et al., S. mesophaea, S. congitae, S. mirifica, S. renibifida Berio, S. scotochroa (Hampson) et S. venata Fletcher. Des relev & eacute;s de plantes-h & ocirc;tes sont fournis pour dix esp & egrave;ces de Sciomesa, confirmant un mod & egrave;le de conservatisme de niche phylog & eacute;n & eacute;tique sur les plantes Poales de la famille des Cyperaceae. Des analyses phylog & eacute;n & eacute;tiques et mol & eacute;culaires de d & eacute;limitation des esp & egrave;ces ont & eacute;t & eacute; effectu & eacute;es sur un ensemble de donn & eacute;es mol & eacute;culaires multimarqueurs (quatre g & egrave;nes mitochondriaux et deux g & egrave;nes nucl & eacute;aires) comprenant 63 sp & eacute;cimens de Sciomesa, 24 esp & egrave;ces appartenant & agrave; d'autres genres de Sesamiina et un repr & eacute;sentant dans la sous-tribu des Apameina. Cet & eacute;chantillonnage englobe & eacute;galement des repr & eacute;sentants des trois esp & egrave;ces malgache (S. betschi Viette, S. janthina Viette et S. oberthueri Viette) dont l'appartenance au genre Sciomesa a & eacute;t & eacute; pr & eacute;c & eacute;demment remise en qu janthina au genre Sciomesa. Les r & eacute;sultats des analyses de d & eacute;limitation mol & eacute;culaire d'esp & egrave;ces soutiennent tr & egrave;s largement le statut d'esp & egrave;ce des taxa de Sciomesa & eacute;chantillonn & eacute;s, y compris pour S. mesophaea, l'esp & egrave;ce pr & eacute;sentant l'aire de r & eacute;partition la plus & eacute;tendue. Ces analyses r & eacute;v & egrave;lent & eacute;galement l'existence de trois potentielles nouvelles esp & egrave;ces, dont on ne peut pr & eacute;ciser le statut car les sp & eacute;cimens s & eacute;quenc & eacute;s l'ont & eacute;t & eacute; soit & agrave; un stade larvaire ou correspondent & agrave; des sp & eacute;cimens dont les genitalia n'ont pas & eacute;t & eacute; & eacute;tudi & eacute;s lors du pr & eacute;l & egrave;vement de leurs pattes.

Lepidopteran species richness and composition are influenced by complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors that operate on different spatial scales. This study investigated the diversity and population structure of sugarcane stemborers across three phenotypically distinct sugarcane varieties: green, red, and white-powdery (CO 421) within the Nyabugogo Tropical Wetland ecosystem. Additionally, seasonal variation and the effects of gradual removal of older leaves-an important sanitation practice on stemborer population dynamics were evaluated between May and November 2023. During the investigation, 899 stemborer individuals were recorded from 601 infested stems out of 5400 examined stems. The results revealed that Eldana saccharina Walker (1865) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was the predominant species. Infestation levels were highest during the dry season, accounting for 31.4

The African armyworm Spodoptera exempta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a significant pest that affects cereal crops and pasture grasses in sub-Saharan Africa. This migratory pest causes extensive defoliation, which can result in significant yield losses, particularly in maize. This review focuses on the recent outbreaks of the African armyworm and identifies key factors contributing to its success across sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective and sustainable pest management strategies. This review emphasizes the importance of innovative technologies and data-driven approaches in managing pest outbreaks and underscores the need to implement technology-enabled integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to control the African armyworm effectively.

In this study, we reassess the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Sesamia Guenée, 1852 and examine in more detail the members of the nonagrioides species group, for which three distinct species complexes are identified. The calamistis subgroup comprises eight species, of which four new species are described: Sesamia kabirara Le Ru sp. nov., Sesamia kalale Le Ru sp. nov., Sesamia mapalense Le Ru sp. nov. and Sesamia teke Le Ru sp. nov. The incerta subgroup consists of 11 species, of which four new species are described: Sesamia kamba Le Ru sp. nov., Sesamia lalaci Le Ru sp. nov., Sesamia lusese Le Ru sp. nov. and Sesamia msowero Le Ru sp. nov. The nonagrioides subgroup comprises ten species of which two new species are described: Sesamia libode Le Ru sp. nov. and Sesamia satauensis Le Ru sp. nov. Phylogenetic and molecular species delimitation analyses of a multi-marker molecular dataset allow us to investigate and clarify the status of Sesamia species and species complexes. Our results yield a well-supported phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus, which supports the monophyletic nature of all but one species subgroup. The results of 16 distinct molecular species delimitation analyses show some levels of incongruence and, overall, a tendency towards over-splitting. We also present an updated list of species for the genus Sesamia and provide morphological keys based on male and female genitalia to determine the species group of any Sesamia species and to identify all species belonging to the nonagrioides species group.

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi contaminating various food and feed crops. Exposure to mycotoxins has been associated with mycotoxicosis, which accounts for a high percentage of diseases in developing countries where methods of food handling and storage are inadequate. For the first time, this study determined the diversity, prevalence and co-occurrence of mycotoxins across the beans value chain in Eswatini. A total of 226 beans samples received between 2001 and 2021 by mycotoxin laboratory at Malkerns research were analysed and more than 59.3% of the samples were found contaminated with mycotoxins. Results confirmed that aflatoxins (AFs) and Zearalenone (ZEN) were the main contaminating mycotoxins in beans. These mycotoxins occurred singly and co-occurred as mixtures in the samples analysed. Considerable differences regarding the prevalence of these mycotoxins were observed between samples from different beans value chain actors and between sampling years. Implications of the results on the pre and postharvest handling of beans in Eswatini and the health hazard that mycotoxins pose to humans and animals were discussed. The importance of clear and enforceable regulations on levels of mycotoxin in beans and other dietary products is emphasised and the need for research on the deleterious effects of mycotoxins and their metabolites on animal and human health is underlined.

Mycotoxin contamination of maize results in heavy economic loss and a potential risk for human being. The Eswatini population depends heavily on maize for nu-tritional needs. This commodity requires continuous monitoring and care from its site of production by smallholder maize producers and importers through to consumers along the marketing chains. Maize produced locally and imported from neighbouring countries is often contaminated with Mycotoxin, which, after ingestion, pose serious health hazard to the consumers. Mycotoxin can contribute to the causation of liver cancers, immune system disorders, and growth-related issues in children. Moreover, deaths in both humans and animals have also been reported after ingestion of Mycotoxin contaminated food. Studies have shown contamination of food and feed ingredients with Mycotoxin. This study places the maize value chain into context, summarizes results of laboratory analyses of maize grain samples for Mycotoxin in the years between 2001 and 2021 and presents the prevalence and diversity of Mycotoxin and discusses the present legislative regulation of maize quality implemented in Eswatini. There is a need to improve maize production and postharvest handling practices, which are the sources of Mycotoxin so prevalent in the maize marketed to the consumers in Eswatini.

SummaryIn this study, 31 species of noctuid stemborers belonging to the genus Sesamia Guenée, 1852 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Apameini: Sesamiina) are reviewed. All these species are assigned to the Sesamia cretica group sensu Tams & Bowden (1953). Based on genitalic characters, several subgroups are hereby defined. Nine species belong to a species complex defined as the Sesamia albivena Hampson, 1902 subgroup; it consists of S. albivena, S. mocoensis Tams & Bowden, 1953, n. stat., S. sudanensis Tams & Bowden, 1953, n. stat. S. taenioleuca (Wallengren, 1863), and five new species that are described (S. aethiopica Le Ru n. sp. from Ethiopia, S. kafulo Le Ru n. sp. from Botswana and Zambia, S. kavirondo Le Ru n. sp. from Kenya and Uganda, S. maloukou Le Ru n. sp. from Republic of Congo, and S. soyema Le Ru n. sp. from Ethiopia). Four species belong to a species complex defined as the Sesamia cretica subgroup; this encompasses S. cretica, S. rufescens Hampson, 1910, and two new species that are described (S. ihambane Le Ru n. sp. from Mozambique and Tanzania and S. kikuyuensis Le Ru n. sp. from Kenya); two new synonyms are introduced for Sesamia cretica: Nonagria uniformis Dudgeon, 1905 n. syn. and Sesamia griselda Warren, 1913, n. syn. Ten species belong to a species complex defined as the Sesamia fuscifrontia Hampson, 1914 subgroup; this includes S. fuscifrontia, S. geyri (Strand, 1915) and eight new species that are described (S. babati Le Ru n. sp. from Tanzania, S. babessi Le Ru n. sp. from Cameroon and Zambia, S. mabira Le Ru n. sp. from Uganda, S. nangaensis Le Ru n. sp. from Cameroon and Republic of Congo, S. rungwa Le Ru n. sp. from Tanzania, S. simillima Le Ru n. sp. from Benin, Cameroon, Kenya and Uganda, S. taveta Le Ru n. sp. from Kenya and S. ulaukae Le Ru n. sp. from Ethiopia). One species belongs to a species complex defined as the Sesamia salama Le Ru n. sp. subgroup; this consists of S. salama Le Ru n. sp. from Kenya and another undescribed Sesamia species from South Africa. One species belongs to a species complex defined as the Sesamia viettei Rungs, 1954 subgroup. Six species belong to a species complex defined as the Sesamia wiltshirei Rungs, 1963 subgroup; this groups S. wiltshirei and five new species that are described (S. djenoensis Le Ru n. sp. from Republic of Congo, S. inexpectata Le Ru n. sp. from South Africa and Zambia, S. lefini Le Ru n. sp. from Republic of Congo, S. echinochloa Le Ru n. sp. from Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia and S. rindini Le Ru n. sp. from Tanzania). A supplemental description of the previously described species is also provided. Novel host plant records are also provided for 11 species of the S. cretica group. To complement the morphological study, both phylogenetic and molecular species delimitation analyses were carried out on a multimarker (four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes) molecular dataset encompassing 144 specimens representing 35 species (including 25 species from the S. cretica group). Molecular analyses provide a well-supported phylogenetic framework for the species of interest, which are all recovered monophyletic. Molecular species delimitation analyses also support the species status of almost all sampled species. Interestingly, the inferred tree indicates that the S. cretica group and the S. fuscifrontia subgroup are both paraphyletic; this indicates that, while highly informative, the chosen genitalic characters in Sesamia are not all synapomorphies.

The assessment of the comparative performance of technologies, especially, those identified as alternatives, under smallholder farmers' conditions, can enhance the sustainable dissemination and adoption of improved agricultural technologies.To this end, the performance of a genetically modified (GM) stacked-trait herbicide and insect resistant Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize hybrid was compared to a GM herbicide tolerant hybrid, a non-GM hybrid and an open pollinated variety (OPV).The trials were conducted in three localities under natural stem borer infestation in irrigated and nonirrigated (dryland) fields.No stem borer infestation was observed on Bt maize plants from the seedling to the flowering stages in all fields at all trial sites.Stem borer infestation was higher under irrigation compared to dryland conditions.The stem borer complex on non-Bt maize plants under irrigation was dominated by Chilo partellus whilst only Busseola fusca larvae were recorded under dryland conditions.The yield of the Bt maize variety under irrigation was significantly higher than that of the OPV but not different (P>0.05) from that of the non-Bt hybrids.No significant (P>0.05)difference in yield was observed between Bt and non-Bt maize varieties under dryland conditions.The results highlight the need to base dissemination and adoption decisions of relatively expensive agricultural technologies such as GM maize on the results of context specific field trials.

SummaryWith a species count reaching almost 100 species, the genus Acrapex is the most diverse genus of sesamiine stemborers (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Apameini: Sesamiina). Acrapex species are mostly distributed in the Afrotropics and consist of several large clades corresponding to distinct species complexes. In this study, 45 morphologically similar species of Acrapex from sub-Saharan Africa are reviewed, including 22 new species that are described: Acrapex alemura n. sp., A. barnsi n. sp., A. capelongo n. sp., A. congoensis n. sp., A. elgona n. sp., A. elisabethiana n. sp., A. eucantha n. sp., A. grandis n. sp., A. igominyi n. sp., A. inexpectata n. sp., A. ketoma n. sp., A. lilomwi n. sp., A. mafinga n. sp., A. makete n. sp., A. marungu n. sp., A. mazoe n. sp., A. mlanje n. sp., Acrapex muchinga n. sp., A. ngorongoro n. sp., A. obscura n. sp., A. ruiru n. sp. and A. wittei n. sp. Supplemental descriptions for previously described species are provided as well. These 45 species are assigned to the newly defined Acrapex aenigma species group. We also conduct molecular phylogenetic analyses and molecular species delimitation analyses on a multi-marker (four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes) molecular dataset encompassing 304 specimens (including 256 Acrapex specimens from 54 species of which 16 species belong to the A. aenigma group). Molecular phylogenetics analyses recover well-supported relationships within Acrapex and support the monophyly of the newly defined group. Results of molecular species delimitation analyses are mostly congruent and tend to corroborate the status of the sampled Acrapex species. Consistent with what has been previously found in other studies, the comparison of results from distinct methods and settings for molecular species delimitation analyses allows us to assess species boundaries with more confidence.

Summary With a species count reaching almost 100 species, the genus Acrapex is the most diverse genus of sesamiine stemborers (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Apameini: Sesamiina). Acrapex species are mostly distributed in the Afrotropics and consist of several large clades corresponding to distinct species complexes. In this study, 45 morphologically similar species of Acrapex from sub-Saharan Africa are reviewed, including 22 new species that are described: Acrapex alemura n. sp., A. barnsi n. sp., A. capelongo n. sp., A. congoensis n. sp., A. elgona n. sp., A. elisabethiana n. sp., A. eucantha n. sp., A. grandis n. sp., A. igominyi n. sp., A. inexpectata n. sp., A. ketoma n. sp., A. lilomwi n. sp., A. mafinga n. sp., A. makete n. sp., A. marungu n. sp., A. mazoe n. sp., A. mlanje n. sp., Acrapex muchinga n. sp., A. ngorongoro n. sp., A. obscura n. sp., A. ruiru n. sp. and A. wittei n. sp. Supplemental descriptions for previously described species are provided as well. These 45 species are assigned to the newly defined Acrapex aenigma species group. We also conduct molecular phylogenetic analyses and molecular species delimitation analyses on a multi-marker (four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes) molecular dataset encompassing 304 specimens (including 256 Acrapex specimens from 54 species of which 16 species belong to the A. aenigma group). Molecular phylogenetics analyses recover well-supported relationships within Acrapex and support the monophyly of the newly defined group. Results of molecular species delimitation analyses are mostly congruent and tend to corroborate the status of the sampled Acrapex species. Consistent with what has been previously found in other studies, the comparison of results from distinct methods and settings for molecular species delimitation analyses allows us to assess species boundaries with more confidence.

Genetically modified (GM) crops are being promoted to ensure agricultural productivity and food security to keep pace with the ever-growing global population and food demand. In as much as agricultural technological advancements are crucial, there is need to strike a balance with agrobiodiversity for sustainable farming. Surveys were conducted in five municipal districts of the Eastern Cape Province to determine GM-technology adoption effects on maize cropping systems, agronomic practices and farmers’ perceptions of production constraints. Interviews of 232 farmers, independent (IF) 22.4% and government sponsored (GCP) 77.6%, revealed a wide variation in agronomic practices amongst them. Results indicate significant differences on the maize cropping systems practiced by the Eastern Cape small scale farmers. The majority (81.7%) of interviewed small scale GCP farmers produce maize as a monocrop, under dryland (91.7%) through conventional tillage practices (100%). In contrast, IF farmers practiced maize sole cropping (34.6%), under dryland (90.4%) through conventional tillage practices (86.5%). There were significant differences between the two farmers’ groups on crop mixture used (p=0.00), crop rotations (p=0.02), choice of maize varieties (p=0.00) and fertiliser use (p=0.00). Demographic and farm characteristics, type of land cultivation, production constraints, pest problems and pest management practices are discussed. The findings suggest the need to devise a system that will improve compatibility of GM-maize technology and traditional farming practices to ensure sustainable farming and food security for the resource poor farmers. The government support schemes seeking to enhance agricultural productivity need to equip farmers with the necessary versatile farming skills.

Summary With a species count reaching almost 100 species, the genus Acrapex is the most diverse genus of sesamiine stemborers (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Apameini: Sesamiina). Acrapex species are mostly distributed in the Afrotropics and consist of several large clades corresponding to distinct species complexes. In this study, 45 morphologically similar species of Acrapex from sub-Saharan Africa are reviewed, including 22 new species that are described: Acrapex alemura n. sp., A. barnsi n. sp., A. capelongo n. sp., A. congoensis n. sp., A. elgona n. sp., A. elisabethiana n. sp., A. eucantha n. sp., A. grandis n. sp., A. igominyi n. sp., A. inexpectata n. sp., A. ketoma n. sp., A. lilomwi n. sp., A. mafinga n. sp., A. makete n. sp., A. marungu n. sp., A. mazoe n. sp., A. mlanje n. sp., Acrapex muchinga n. sp., A. ngorongoro n. sp., A. obscura n. sp., A. ruiru n. sp. and A. wittei n. sp. Supplemental descriptions for previously described species are provided as well. These 45 species are assigned to the newly defined Acrapex aenigma species group. We also conduct molecular phylogenetic analyses and molecular species delimitation analyses on a multi-marker (four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes) molecular dataset encompassing 304 specimens (including 256 Acrapex specimens from 54 species of which 16 species belong to the A. aenigma group). Molecular phylogenetics analyses recover well-supported relationships within Acrapex and support the monophyly of the newly defined group. Results of molecular species delimitation analyses are mostly congruent and tend to corroborate the status of the sampled Acrapex species. Consistent with what has been previously found in other studies, the comparison of results from distinct methods and settings for molecular species delimitation analyses allows us to assess species boundaries with more confidence.

Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefèbvre) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a widespread insect pest in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. However, its pest status varies across its distribution range. It is a major pest of maize in Europe and of sugarcane in Iran. In Africa, it is a major pest of maize in West Africa but not considered as a pest in East Africa. Recent surveys conducted in 2015 recorded S. nonagrioides to be a major pest of sugarcane in Ethiopia and reported the species for the first time in Botswana, outside its known geographic range. The genetic relationship of these records with the previously recorded population of S. nonagrioides was investigated using the cytochrome oxidase subunit I region of the mitochondrial genome. In total, 113 individuals across the geographic range of the species were analyzed and 63 haplotypes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis separated the populations into two clades with no distinct geographic distribution pattern. The genetic differentiation was also not associated with host plants and geographic distances. Results of the molecular analysis revealed the long-time establishment of S. nonagrioides population in Botswana and identified the newly recorded sugarcane population from Ethiopia as part of the wild host population in the country. The phylogeographic patterns observed among population of S. nonagrioides have probably been shaped by Pleistocene's climatic oscillations and geographic range expansions from different refugia with secondary contact and admixture. Possible reasons for the host-plant expansion by the Ethiopian population are discussed.

The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has emerged as a new cereal pest in Africa. In 2016, infestations have broken out suddenly in West Africa and spread rapidly to include many countries in central, eastern and southern Africa. This species has two morphologically similar strains and the strain that invaded southern Africa is not known. To determine the armyworm strain composition in the maize, a survey covering all regions of Swaziland was conducted during February to March 2017. Using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequencing, the fall army worm strain in Swaziland was identified as the rice strain. This is the first DNA-based characterization of S. frugiperda in southern Africa and a report of the rice strain from Swaziland. The dataset generated are valuable additions to the currently available fall armyworm taxonomy resources. The findings will help in rapid detection of fall armyworm invasion and decision making while considering chemical control, host plant resistant and biological control programs in the country and the rest of the continent.

The genus Acrapex Hampson, 1891 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Apameini, Sesamiina) constitutes a speciose group of noctuid stemborers mostly distributed in the Afrotropics. In this study nine new Acrapex species are described: Acrapex abyssinica n. sp., Acrapex dabaga n. sp., Acrapex jansei n. sp., Acrapex kifanya n. sp., Acrapex lusinga n. sp., Acrapex ngwenya n. sp., Acrapex njombea n. sp., Acrapex vetiveria n. sp. and Acrapex zima n. sp. All species are assigned to the A. albivena group with the exception of A. lusinga which is assigned to the A. stygiata group. We also provide supplemental descriptions for two previously described species of the A. albivena group, A. punctosa Berio, 1973 and A. sysciodes, Berio, 1973, and for one species belonging to the A. stygiata group: A. brunneella Le Ru, 2014. Host plants of three species are recorded; A. brunneella and Acrapex jansei were reared on Cymbopogon pospischilii (K. Schum.) C. E. Hubb and A. vetiveria on Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.). We also conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses (using both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood) on a multi-marker (four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes) molecular dataset encompassing 138 specimens (including 98 specimens from the A. albivena group and 23 specimens from the A. stygiata group) from 48 stemborer species. The results of the corresponding analyses support the monophyly of the two groups of interest and the species status of all newly described taxa, except for A. lusinga that was not sequenced. The phylogenetic analyses also unravel several evolutionary lineages whose precise status is pending because their DNA was extracted from larval stages.

Fine roots biomass of Erica trimera was investigated at three altitudinal levels, i.e. 3000, 3300, and 3500 masl across three depth classes (0-10, 10-20, and 20-40 cm) for each of the four seasons of Bale Mountains by using sequential soil coring. Soil chemical characteristics and moisture were analyzed for all of the three altitudinal levels and depth classes. The annual fine root production of the species was calculated based on min-max method. Fine root production increased markedly from 3270 kg. ha-1. yr-1 at 3000 masl and 2850 kg. ha-1. yr-1 at 3300 masl to 9987 kg. ha-1. yr-1 at 3500 masl. Total nitrogen, available phosphorous, organic carbon, moisture content and PH of the soil increased significantly as altitude increased. In the two lower altitudinal levels, 3000 and 3300masl, fine root mass and biomass decreased as depth increased, but at the higher altitude (3500 masl) fine root tended to more concentrated at the deeper depths while the availability of soil nutrient and soil acidity showed a tendency to decreased as depth increased at all of the three sites. The highest fine root mass and biomass was recorded at the major rainy season followed by the transition period, the small rainy and dry period, in that order. The highest fine root mass during the major rainy season and lowest fine root mass in the dry season indicated that soil moisture was critical factor in governing the pattern of root growth in this ecosystem.

The distribution and relative importance of lepidopteran stem borers attacking maize and sorghum were investigated in farmers' fields during the main cropping seasons of 2015 and 2016 across three main agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of eastern Ethiopia. Three stem borer species, namely Busseola fusca Fuller, Chilo partellus Swinhoe and Sesamia calamistis Hampson were found attacking these crops with different levels of distribution and abundance among ACZs. Busseola fusca was the only borer species in the highlands and dominant (67%) in the midhighland zones, while C. partellus was predominant (75%) in the lowlands. The abundance of S. calamistis was low across its distribution range. Across both years, mean plant infestation by B. fusca ranged from 20.38 in lowlands to 42.97% in highlands. Chilo partellus resulted in a mean infestation of 27.38% in the midaltitude to 68.24% in lowlands. Mean density of larvae per plant was higher for C. partellus (2.85), followed by B. fusca (1.41) and S. calamistis (0.46). Moreover, within each ACZs, variation in plant damage variables was observed between the study periods. These spatio-temporal differences in community structures of stem borers are discussed particularly in relation to agro-climatic requirements.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mechanical kneading and ‘absit’ preparation difference on the quality of tef injera, the staple food of Ethiopians. Standard methods were adopted to determine the starch fraction, total phenol, flavonoid, phytate and tannins of injera. Sensory injera quality was assessed using 9-point-hedonic scale. Change in kneading conditions (time/speed) did not significantly affect the free sugar (FSG), slowly digestible starch (SDS), resistant starch (RS), total starch(TS) and starch digestion rate index (SDRI). On the other hand, significant variation was observed in rapidly available glucose and rapidly digestible starch (RAG and RDS). Flavonoids, total phenolics and phytate contents varied significantly at different kneading time- speed combinations. Injera sensory quality was also significantly affected due to change in kneading conditions. Kneading condition 5 (3 min at speed 6) has the highest injera overall acceptability while kneading condition 9 (7 min at speed 12) had the lowest. In addition to kneading conditions, absit preparation (water to fermented dough ratio) was also found to affect the quality of tefinjera. Absit # 3 made from 100 ml of fermented dough and 900 ml of water had the highest injera overall acceptability while, the lowest was observed on Absit # 4 made from 300 ml of fermented dough and 100 ml of water. In conclusion, both kneading and absit preparation significantly influenced starch hydrolysis, flavonoids, total phenolics and phytate contents as well as sensory quality of injera.   Key words: Kneading, sensory quality, absit preparation, starch fractions.