Nigeria Journal of Entomology最新文献

{"title":"Occurrence and Levels of Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Maize Samples from Open Markets and Stores in Ile-Ife and Ondo, Southwestern Nigeria","authors":"M. B. Sosan, J. Oyekunle, G. O. Odewale","doi":"10.36108/nje/8102/43(0140)","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36108/nje/8102/43(0140)","url":null,"abstract":"The levels of organochlorine (OC) pesticide residues in maize grains obtained from open markets and stores in Ile-Ife and Ondo were evaluated and compared with established safety limits. The pretreated samples were Soxhlet extracted and the extracts obtained were analysed for their OCPs content using a Gas Chromatograph coupled with an Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD). A total of 17 OCPs and their residues were detected in most of the samples with the percentage occurrence ranging between 20 and 100%, and the levels found exceeding their Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). The mean concentration of -HCH, Endosulfan II and Endrin aldehyde were 0.118, 0.592 and 1.039 mg kg, respectively for maize samples obtained from open markets in Ile-Ife. However, maize samples from Ondo had higher levels of Heptachlor epoxide with a mean concentrations of 13.622 and 18.642 mg kg for open markets and stores, respectively. Amounts of OC pesticide residues detected in the maize samples indicated that samples from stores had higher residue levels than those from open markets. The level of OC pesticides contamination of the analysed maize samples portends both shortand long-term public health concerns, calling for regular monitoring of pesticide residues in maize grains and other food items to ensure higher food quality and safety.","PeriodicalId":321932,"journal":{"name":"Nigeria Journal of Entomology","volume":"87 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121874244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of Maize Varieties and Lambdacot 500EC Concentrations on the Control of Maize Stem Borer (Busseola fusca Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)","authors":"M. M. Degri, A. Samaila, D. Mailafiya, J. Mshelia","doi":"10.36108/NJE/8102/43(0110)","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36108/NJE/8102/43(0110)","url":null,"abstract":"The efficacy of maize varieties and Lambdacot 500EC concentrations were assessed on the damage caused by maize stem borer (Busseola fusca Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize during 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons. The experiment was a split-plot design with Lambdacot 500EC concentrations (0.5 , 1.0 and 1.5 l/ha) as the main plots and three maize varieties (SAMMAZ 14, DMR-LSR-Y and BR9943-DMRSR-W) as the sub-plots on a plot size of 3.0 m x 4.0 m replicated three times. Maize plants were sprayed with the different Lambdacot 500 EC concentrations at 4 and 6 weeks after planting (WAP) The results obtained showed that lowest number of maize plants with leaf sheath pin-holes, dead hearts, and stem tunnels and cobs damage by larvae were recorded on SAMMAZ 14 and DMR-LSR-Y while BR9943-DMR-SR-W had the highest. Maize plants treated with Lambdacot 500EC at 1.0 l/ha and 1.5 l/ha had lowest leaf sheath pinholes, dead hearts, stem tunnels and cob damage while untreated maize plants had the highest damage. The highest maize grain yields was recorded on SAMMAZ 14 and DMR-LSR-Y on 1.0 l/ha and 1.5 l/ha concentrations. This study recommended SAMMAZ 14 and DMR-LSR-Y obtained from IAR treated with Lambdacot 500 EC at 1.0 l/ha and 1.5 l/ha concentrations to maize farmers in the study area.","PeriodicalId":321932,"journal":{"name":"Nigeria Journal of Entomology","volume":"20 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121753097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Repellent and Insecticidal Efficacy of Leaf and Stem Powders of Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauvalle (Mimosaceae) Against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).","authors":"O. Uyi, J. Samugana","doi":"10.36108/nje/8102/43(0111)","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36108/nje/8102/43(0111)","url":null,"abstract":"Studies on the repellent and insecticidal potential of the invasive alien plant, Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauvalle (Mimosaceae) (commonly known as the giant sensitive plant) are non-existent, hence this study evaluated the repellent and insecticidal activities of the leaf and stem powders of the against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) under laboratory conditions. Maize grains infested with the adults of S. zeamais were exposed to three concentrations viz. 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 g of M. diplotricha leaf and stem powders for 3 hours after which percentage repellency was calculated. Also, adult weevils were exposed to grains treated separately with three different concentrations (1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 g) of the leaf and stem powders of M. diplotricha at different exposure periods. Percentage survival was recorded every 24 hours over a 120-hour period. The leaf and stem powders of M. diplotricha exhibited some degrees of repellency against S. zeamais, although, the repellent activity was a function of both concentration and exposure time. Following a 3-hour exposure period, the 3.5 g of the leaf (53%) and stem (58%) powders exhibited the highest repellent activity against S. zeamais. Although, the leaf and stem powders of M. diplotricha plants exhibited some degrees of mortality against S. zeamais, it was observed to be concentration and exposure time dependent. At the highest concentration (3.5 g), the leaf and stem powders of M. diplotricha accounted for only 28% mortality (72% survival) of S. zeamais after a 120-hour exposure period. This study reports the repellent and insecticidal activities of the leaf and stem powders of M. diplotricha against S. zeamais, for the first time, it however, suggests that the phytochemical constituents of the plant be analyzed first before further use.","PeriodicalId":321932,"journal":{"name":"Nigeria Journal of Entomology","volume":"331 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121251252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Survey of Aquatic and Terrestrial Arthropods in Hawan Kibo, Plateau State, Nigeria","authors":"P. Ubulom, G. Imandeh, I. A. Umohata, D. Oboho","doi":"10.36108/nje/8102/43(0190)","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36108/nje/8102/43(0190)","url":null,"abstract":"Arthropods by their abundance and diversity have greatly attracted the attention of entomologists worldwide. This study was carried out to identify arthropod taxa in Hawan Kibo, Plateau State, Nigeria. Surveys of both the aquatic and terrestrial habitats of the study area were conducted from January to June, on a monthly basis. Hydrobiological nets were used for aquatic surveys while sticky traps, pit fall traps and a sweep net were used for the terrestrial surveys. A total number of 1,538 arthropods were collected (1,232 from aquatic habitats and 306 from terrestrial habitats). Arthropods collected were members of the classes Arachnida, Crustacea and Insecta. The class Insecta had the highest number of specimens (1461) and they were members of the orders Hymenoptera, Diptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, Homoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Plecoptera, Odonota, Ephemeroptera, Anoplura and the arthropod group Collembola. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using t-test. In both the aquatic and terrestrial habitats there was significant difference (p<0.05) in intra as well as inter season abundance of arthropods. Hawan Kibo provides suitable habitat for diverse arthropod taxa, some of which are of public health and agricultural importance.","PeriodicalId":321932,"journal":{"name":"Nigeria Journal of Entomology","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115815551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of Two Food-based Attractants and Methyl eugenol for Mass trapping of African invader fly, Bactrocera invadens (Diptera:Tephritidae) on Bush mango in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria","authors":"J. A. Ugwu, A. Omoloye, A. O. Ogunfumilayo","doi":"10.36108/nje/8102/43(0160)","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36108/nje/8102/43(0160)","url":null,"abstract":"The African Invader fly, Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta and White is a quarantine pest of Asian origin infesting various commercial fruit crops in tropical Africa. Mass trapping has proven to be a potent tool in its management. This study evaluated the effectiveness of two food attractants (orange juice, pineapple juice) and methyl eugenol for mass trapping of B. invadens on bush mango (Irvingia garbonensis) in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria during the 2015 fruiting season. The treatments were orange juice (20 ml/trap), pineapple juice 20ml/ trap), Methyl eugenol (5ml/trap) and control (water) using Lynfield traps. The traps were hung on Irvingia trees at height of between 4-5 m from the ground level (within the tree canopies). Using three sites, the distance between each tree was 20 m and traps were replicated three times in each site. Incidences of B. invadens on Irvingia were observed in all the sites. Methyl eugenol significantly (P<0.05) trapped higher B. invadens than other attractants. The percentage trapped flies after 12 weeks range from 81.06%-82.97% (Methyl eugenol), 9.48%-10.17% ( orange juice), 6.60%8.48% (pineapple juice) and 0.24 -0.39% (control) on the sites. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the populations of flies trapped on the food attractants, although orange juice trapped more flies than pineapple juice. However, the two food attractants significantly (P<0.05) trapped higher flies than the control. Orange juice and pineapple juice are promising attractants for trapping B. invadens on Irvingia in Nigeria, hence increased dosage could be considered for mass trapping.","PeriodicalId":321932,"journal":{"name":"Nigeria Journal of Entomology","volume":"36 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115341007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Influence of Food Type on the Response of Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to Cypermethrin","authors":"E. Oyeniyi, O. Gbaye, D. J. Boboye","doi":"10.36108/nje/8102/43(0141)","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36108/nje/8102/43(0141)","url":null,"abstract":"The effect of food type on the response of maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) to cypermethrin was investigated. Weevils were reared on maize, wheat and sorghum at ambient temperature (28±2oC) and relative humidity (75±6%). Twenty grams of each food type was doused with one millilitre of different concentrations (0.00001-0.1%) of cypermethrin. Twenty emerged weevils from each food were then exposed to each pre-treated food type. Two control experiments were also set up (one with neither cypermethrin nor methanol and the other with only methanol). The mortality was assessed after 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours posttreatment. Weevil mortality varied with host food, cypermethrin concentration and exposure time. All weevils exposed to cypermethrin treated maize and sorghum grains, respectively exhibited complete (100%) mortality at 0.1% after 24 hours’ exposure while there was incomplete mortality (96.88%) in weevils exposed to 0.1% cypermethrin after 24 hours’ exposure. The lethal concentration values also showed that susceptibility of S. zeamais to cypermethrin was least in wheat-reared weevils (LC 75 : 0.052 g ml-1and LC 95 : 275.890 g ml-1) while highest susceptibility was observed in maize-reared weevils (LC 75 : 0.009g ml-1; LC 95 : 0.813 g ml-1). The sorghum-reared weevils however showed the median susceptibility (LC 75 : 0.018g ml-1; LC 95 : 106.530 g ml-1) to this pyrethroid. Also, irrespective of the host food, there was significant reduction and inhibition (p<0.05) in the adult emergence and developmental period of S. zeamais in treated grains when compared to that of untreated and solvent-treated grains. Similarly, weight loss in the treated maize grains was also significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of untreated and solvent-treated grains. This study reveals that the host food on which weevil developed influenced considerably the degree of tolerance to cypermethrin. It could therefore be recommended that crop merchants, peasant farmers and pest control managers should be mindful of host food on which S. zeamais is found when controlling them using cypermethrin insecticide. This will help to prevent the problem of pest resistance that is currently associated with other synthetic insecticides.","PeriodicalId":321932,"journal":{"name":"Nigeria Journal of Entomology","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129975324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"\"Biological Efficacy of Two Plant Powders as Mothcidal Agents Against Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier, 1789) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Infesting Paddy Rice.","authors":"E. Oyeniyi","doi":"10.36108/nje/8102/43(0120)","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36108/nje/8102/43(0120)","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigated the mothcidal efficacy of powders of Alstonia boonei (De wild) stem bark and Acalypha godseffienna (Muell Arg.) leaf at ambient temperature (28±3oC) and relative humidity (75±6%) against adult Sitotroga cerealella infesting paddy rice. Adult Sitotroga cerealella were exposed to both botanical powders using contact toxicity test at 1-5g/20g of paddy rice and mortality was assessed after 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours post-treatment respectively. The control experiment was also set-up for each botanical. Generally, both botanical powders significantly (p<0.05) evoked higher moth mortality when compared to control. But, none of both plant powders elicit complete moth mortality (100%) at all the experimental dosage and exposure time. Lower dosage of A. boonei was however required to achieve 50% (24 hours: 0.672; 72 hours: 0.006) mortality in S. cerealella when compared to that of A. godseffienna (24 hours: 1.546; 72 hours: 0.238). Also, A. boonei at all experimental dosage significantly reduced (p<0.05) emergence of S. cerealella when compared to control while A. godseffiana applied only at 2-5g/20g of paddy rice significantly reduced (P<0.05) adult emergence when compared to control. The effect of A. boonei on the percentage inhibition rate of S. cerealella was significant (F 4,15 = 6.69; P = 0.003) while that of A. godseffiana was not significant (F 4,15 = 1.65; P = 0.213). It could therefore be concluded that powders of both botanicals could help in the management of S. cerealella infesting rice grains in Nigeria.","PeriodicalId":321932,"journal":{"name":"Nigeria Journal of Entomology","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130291568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relative abundance, distribution and diversity of Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquito species in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria","authors":"H. Amao, E. Idowu, T. Oyeniyim, O. Otubanjo, T. S. Awolola","doi":"10.36108/nje/8102/43(0150)","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36108/nje/8102/43(0150)","url":null,"abstract":"Culex mosquitoes are nuisance bitters and vectors of public and veterinary health importance. Information on the abundance and distribution of this species is critical in understanding the risk factors associated with the diseases transmitted by these vectors. A longitudinal survey was conducted from May 2015 to October 2016 to determine the abundance, distribution and species diversity of Culex mosquitoes in water drainage channels in Kosofe, Ojo, Epe and Eti-Osa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos State. Culex larvae were collected using standard dipper, counted and reared to adults. Samples collected were identified morphologically while members of Culex pipiens complex were further identified into subspecies using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays. A total of 12,367 Culex larvae were collected, of which 64.4% and 35.6% were collected in canals and gutters respectively. Culex larvae were predominant at the end of wet season and beginning of the dry season with the highest population recorded in November. Kosofe LGA had the highest number of Culex immature stages (34.47%) followed by Ojo (31.13%), Eti-Osa (18.56%) and Epe (15.84%). Six species; Culex pipiens sensu lato (49.35%), Cx nebulosus Theobald (20.71%), Cx moucheti Evans (6.89%), Cx cinereus Theobald (10.43%), Cx decens Theobald (8.75%) and Cx tigripes Grandpre and Charmoy (3.87%) were identified. The abundance of members of Cx pipiens complex was significantly higher than that of the other five species (F = 7.760; df = 5; P<0.05). PCR assays of Cx. pipiens complex revealed the presence of Cx. pipiens quinquefasciatus as the only member of the group. Species dominance structure showed Cx quinquefasciatus as the only eudominant species in all the study locations. Diversity indices for the study areas varied from 1.220 to 1.643 for Shannon-Weiner (H’) and from 0.2104 to 0.4132 for the Simpson index (D).The wide range of Culex species encountered highlight the need for the mosquito surveillance and control in Lagos state because of their potential role in disease transmission.","PeriodicalId":321932,"journal":{"name":"Nigeria Journal of Entomology","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114308885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Characterization and Insecticide Susceptibility Status of Anopheles gambiae Complex (Giles, 1902) in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria","authors":"M. Adeleke, J. Adeyemi, K. Fasasi, L. C. Oforka, A. Adeogun, G. O. Olatunde","doi":"10.36108/NJE/8102/43(0180)","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36108/NJE/8102/43(0180)","url":null,"abstract":"A major challenge facing malaria control today is the high spate of insecticide resistance in mosquito populations. The present study was designed to investigate the susceptibility of An. gambiaes.l. to Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Deltamethrin, and determine the sibling species at selected locations in Osun State, Nigeria. Larvae of An. gambiae complex were collected from Ibokun, Ife, Ede, Osogbo, Okuku and Iwo representing the three geopolitical zones in Osun State. Two to three day old unfed female mosquitoes were subjected to bioassays using papers impregnated with 0.05% Deltametrin (pyrethroid) and 4% DDT (organochlorine) in accordance with WHO protocols. Knock down was recorded every 10 minutes for one hour and mortality measured after 24 hours. The mosquitoes were then identified using morphological keys and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay. The results of the knockdown effects of the insecticides ranged from 40-70% in mosquitoes exposed for Deltamethrin and 15-45% for DDT across all locations. The post-exposure mortality caused by the two insecticides varied significantly; and mortality recorded in mosquitoes exposed to Deltamethrin was significantly higher than DDT (p<0.05) in all the study locations. All the mosquitoes exposed were highly resistant to DDT across all locations (0%-66.7% mortality). However, mosquitoes from Ede were susceptible to deltamethrin (100% mortality), and those from Ife and Osogbo were suspected to be resistant to deltamethrin with 95% and 90% mortalities respectively while the Anopheles mosquitoes from Okuku and Ibokun were resistant to the insecticide (with 79% and 75.6% mortalities respectively). Molecular identification showed that An. gambiae s.s was the only species found across all localities except for Osogbo and Ibokun where An. Arabiensis and An. gambiae s.s were detected. The high resistance of the mosquito populations to DDT and the suspected resistance to Deltametrin indicate that DDT may not be suitable for vector control activities in Osun State while close monitoring of deltamethrin resistance is required to inform vector control interventions in the state.","PeriodicalId":321932,"journal":{"name":"Nigeria Journal of Entomology","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116297162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chemical composition and Growth Rate of Blowfly Maggot from Poisoned Cadavers in Awka, Nigeria.","authors":"M. C. Abajue, S. C. Ewuim","doi":"10.36108/nje/8102/43(0131)","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36108/nje/8102/43(0131)","url":null,"abstract":"Forensic entomology is the study that uses insects found on a decomposing cadaver to estimate the time of death of the animal. However, such estimation may not be incorrect if the body was altered before or after death. One of these alterations is if the victim died of induced poison which is capable of delaying insect infestation and may therefore, increase or decrease the rate of the maggots that will be used to estimate the time of the animal’s death. Therefore, a study was carried out to assess the growth rate of blowfly maggots recovered from decomposing poisoned pig cadavers. A total of 16 healthy pigs (Sus scrofa Linn.) with mean weight of 22.3 ± 1.9 kg were used for the study. Eight of the pigs were sacrificed with zinc phosphide poison through their food. The remaining eight pigs were sacrificed by asphyxiation. Their bodies were deposited in a building (6152 18.063 N and 7062 41.373 E) and in a forest (6152 15.323 N and 7062 40.223 E) to mimic indoor and outdoor decompositions respectively at Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. The effects of the rodenticide on the cadaver decomposition and growth rate of the blowfly maggots found on them were studied. The blowfly maggots collected from the poisoned and the asphyxiated pig cadavers were killed with hot water and preserved in 80% ethanol and their linear growths on daily basis measured with metre rule. Assessment of the rodenticide on the maggots recovered from the poisoned cadavers was performed with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) to assess zinc and phosphorus which were the active ingredients of the poison. Analysis of variance result showed that there was significant difference between the daily mean growths of the maggots while students’t-test result showed that no significant difference exists between the mean lengths of the maggots recovered from the poisoned and the asphyxiated cadavers. The AAS detected zinc only on the maggot tissues while phosphorus was not detected. The study showed that heavy metals such as zinc in rodenticides can be detected in maggots recovered from a badly decomposed cadaver. The toxicity of the rodenticide did not affect the growth rates of maggots recovered on the poisoned cadaver as compared with the maggots recovered on the asphyxiated cadaver. Other implications related to toxicological studies on cadaveric insects as a novel approach in forensic entomology and serving as alternative matrices in forensic toxicology in questionable deaths were also highlighted.","PeriodicalId":321932,"journal":{"name":"Nigeria Journal of Entomology","volume":"19 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116422923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}