Mohamed Habib

Ethnobotany in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique: Use of Medicinal Plants

Communities in Cabo Delgado have a long tradition of using medicinal plants. In Mozambique, rural populations in general are highly dependent on natural resources. One example is the use of surrounding vegetation by people from Cabo Delgado. They use plants for food, handicrafts, construction, as a primary energy source and even for medicine purposes. In this survey, we examined the diversity of plant usage for medicinal purposes by 146 individuals, including adults and youth living in the Cabo Delgado province. This community quoted 16 species of plants, belonging to 13 families. Utilisation by different categories of people based on sex and age was compared and differences were found among some groups. In general, older people show a deeper knowledge of medicinal plants than younger people. Men and women show similar knowledge of medicinal plants.

Effect of three larval diets on the development of the armyworm, Spodoptera latifascia Walker, 1856 (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera)

Some biological effects of feeding larvae of the armyworm Spodoptera latifascia with leaves of three plant species (cotton, soybean and lettuce) have been studied. Some indicative measurements were utilized to determine the host suitability of these three plant species. Cotton leaves (Gossypium hirsutum) were found to be better than soybean (Glycine max) for the development and growth of this insect. Lettuce leaves (Lactuca sativa) were incapable of sustaining this insect. Moreover, the stress of the latter diet was associated with a latent microbial disease, a mixed infection caused by Vairimorpha sp. and a nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV). Cotton leaves can be recommended as a suitable diet for mass rearing of this insect species. Due to recent outbreks of S. latifascia observed in the States of Sao Paulo, Santa Catarina and Parana and because of the frequent applications of wide spectrum chemical insecticides, it can be expected that this insect will soon become one of the important pests threatening cotton and other economic plantations in Brazil.

Evidence that mass trapping suppresses pink bollworm populations in cotton fields

Mass trapping was used to control pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), populations in cotton fields in Brazil. Oil traps containing lures with a high dose of pheromone, installed at a density of 20 traps per ha soon after the occurrence of the first cotton fruits (or bolls), suppressed PBW populations below detection levels using Delta traps and manual examination of 100 green cotton bolls per ha. Pheromone sources of 0.2 g (approximately 150 NoMate® fibers) were effective in attracting PBW male moths to oil traps for at least three weeks. Trap captures showed that PBW males located the high concentration pheromone plumes, oriented upwind, and landed on or inside the traps. The long life of the pheromone sources and the long lasting viscosity of the oil surface ensured low trap maintenance, thus rendering mass trapping viable as an alternative technique for the control of P. gossypiella populations in commercial cotton fields. We discuss probable mechanisms promoting suppression of PBW populations in fields with mass trapping control.

Biological studies on Campoletis flavicincta (Ashmead, 1890) (Hym., Ichneumonidae), an endoparasite of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Abbot & Smith, 1797) (Lepid., Noctuidae)

Biological data revealed that the egg stage of Campoletis flavicincta lasted from 2 to 4 days and the larval stage comprised 4 instars. The larval and pupal stages lasted 7.14 ±0.05 and 8.24 ±0.44 days, respectively. The longevity among laboratory culture females was shorter than those originated from field collected pupae. The sex ratio was largely affected by host size. The life cycle averaged approximately 23 days. During the oviposition period, the female was able to deposit an average of 146 eggs. This ichneumonid, normally solitary endoparasite, was able to deposit 2 to 4 eggs/larva when host population densities were low, but without any successful development.

Protozoosis caused by Vairimorpha necatrix (Microsporia, Nosematidae) in larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

Vairimorpha necatrix was detected among laboratory cultured and field collected Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. Weak infections were not always fatal. In the case of fatal infections among diseased larvae, white patches were formed by agglomerations of adipose tissue beneath the transparent integument. The mid-gut of S. frugiperda larvae presented the first site of histological alterations caused by V. necatrix. The migration of the pathogen, probably occured in the form of agglomerations, from the epithelial cells to the body cavity. Adipose tissue appears to be the principal site for the pathogen development. The nerve ganglia, muscle fibres and epidermis also presented histological alterations due to the pathogen propagation.

P-435 - Muslim women who live in brazil: challenges for the development of a culturally sensitive medicine

The aim of this study was to understand the universe of a group of Muslim women, focusing their experiences in a western society, their perception of cultural differences and the repercussion of these factors mental health. For such, we applied the qualitative method using the semidirected interview in eight Muslim women who live in Brazil. The sample was constructed using the snow-ball technique, closed according to the criterion of saturation of data. The emergent categories starting from the statements were analyzed and explained in the light of psychosocial theories. The interviewers showed great interest in bringing up visibility to the religious questions which permeate the life of the Muslim people, emphasizing the lack of knowledge of the Western world concerning these issues. They say they are discriminated in several aspects, especially in relation to their clothes; they questioned the Western idea of the subdued woman, introducing as counterpoint the submission to the rigid patterns of beauty and health which permeate the female western universe. General aspects of Islam were also dealt with, including sexuality, marriage, raising children and the relations with the people of a country with habits and traditions different from their own. The impact of September 11 th on the lives of these women was evident, promoting fear and social exclusion. As these issues are closely related to mental health, the study of the religious and ethnic minorities aiming the comprehension of mental disease through a culturally sensitive medicine is urgent.

Development of Microcharops anticarsiae Gupta (Hym., Ichneumonidae), an endoparasitoid of the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lep., Noctuidae) and morphology of its immature stages

Abstract: Microcharops anticarsiae Gupta, a solitary larval endoparasitoid, is an efficient enemy of its natural host, Anticarsia gemmatalis, as well as some other lepidopterous pests. Development and behaviour of this insect species, as well as morphology of immature stages were studied in the present work. As an oviposition site, most of the parasitoid females preferred the posterior region of the host body. During the embryonic development the eggs increased in size. The larval stage consisted of four instars. The morphometric measurements of the head and mandibles were determined. The first instar larva is caudate‐mandibulate type. During each successive molt it turns more and more cylindrical with reduced tail length. Among the fourth instar larvae, rudiments of legs, spiracles and of genital openings are visible. Under laboratory conditions the duration time of the total immature stages lasted an average of 18.48 ± 0.13 days. While male adult longevity was on average 18.7 ± 1.5 days, that of the female extended for 21.9 ± 1.6 days. The total life cycle of males and females lasted 41.6 ± 1.7 and 45.9 ± 0.26 days, respectively.