Background: Accurate identification of the larval stages of Wohlfahrtia nuba, a flesh fly species within the Sarcophagidae family, is crucial in forensic and medical entomology. This species may contribute to estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) and is associated with causing myiasis in livestock and humans. The insufficient data regarding the morphology of the immature stages of W. nuba hinders the taxonomic identification of this species&rsquo; larvae in carcasses without raising adults. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive examination of the morphological characteristics of three instars of W. nuba larvae using light microscopy. 
 
Methods: It includes an examination of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, pseudocephalon, antennal complex, oral ridges, anterior spiracles and their papillae number and arrangement, thorax and abdomen spinulation, number and distribution of papillae around the entrance of the spiracular cavity and posterior spiracles. 
 
Result: The present study&rsquo;s findings demonstrate the distinct morphological characteristics that differentiate the three larval instars, facilitating accurate identification and developmental staging. The three larval stages have two curved mouth hooks. A large median hook is absent. The labrum is a reduced structure exhibiting four highly sclerotized teeth between the mouth hooks. The dorsal arch is short, curved and does not extend to the parastomal sclerite. The anterior spiracles, located laterally on the first thoracic segment, exhibited variability in the number of papillae across the three instar larvae. The first larval instar exhibited a total of eight papillae, which increased to 10 in the second instar and reached 11 in the third instar. These papillae are arranged in a row resembling an arch. The spines encircling the cephalic collar are thin and set into 6-7 rows, separating the first segments of the thorax. The posterior spiracle contains two incomplete peritremes hidden in a deep cavity. It is characterized by a single aperture divided at its upper section and shielded by thin hair-like structures during the first larval instar. Each incomplete peritreme contained two slits for the second larval instar and three slits for the third larval instar. The peritreme lacks a ventral arch and the button is not easily noticeable. A ring of 12 cuticular papillae encircles the anal cavity. These data add new morphological features to differentiate between W. nuba larvae in clinical and forensic contexts. This will help with taxonomic and forensic species identification studies and benefit farmers and veterinarians. 
&nbsp;

Morphological Description of the Three Larval Instars of Wohlfahrtia nuba (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

<div>Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is cultivated in almost all parts of world covering more than 50 countries spread over Asia, Africa Europe, Australia, north America and South America countries and is the second most important food legumes crop after common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Chickpea has played a major role in realization of pulse Revolution in india making the country near self-sufficient in pluses. Gram is extensively grow in india. Due to its high nutritional value and its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, its more widely cultivated rabi pulse crop. The gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) is most important pest of chickpea. Many pesticides were so far tested against this pest but due to over use of these pesticides resistance, residue and resurgence problems arises, beside destruction of natural enemies.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: To determination of per cent pod damage and yield of chickpea due to different larval density of H. armigera is an important tool to reduce the cost of cultivation by avoiding the unnecessary use of pesticides. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted in arranged in a completed randomized design with four replications. The pots were placed under natural field conditions and take observation at Research farm, Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur during 2015-16 and 2016-17. 
 
Result: The results revealed that least per cent pod damage (29.05, 24.78%) was recorded when the larval population was one per plant, while the maximum pod damage (64.55 and 67.76%) was recorded during 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. The simple liner correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant positive correlation (r= 0.989 and 0.999) between the larval density and per cent pod damage. Further, a significant correlation was noticed between larval density and number of healthy pods per plant, reduction in yield, yield per plant, total number of pod and damaged pods were -0.964, -0.976; 0.98, 0.986; -0.98, -0.986; 0.117, 0.126 and; 0.985 and 0.992, respectively during 2015-16 and 2016-17.</div>

Effect of Larval Density of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on Pod Damage and Yield of Chickpea

<div>Background: Microalgae have several potential applications in early stages especially in the hatchery phase of several fish, mollusc and crustacean species. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris at different concentrations on larval performances of Macrobrachium rosenbergii.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Freshly hatched larvae were reared until the metamorphosis of first post larval (PL) stage in plastic aquaria (5 liter, 12ppt and 12L:12D) with a density of 10 larvae/liter under five randomly arranged treatment groups in 3 replicates such as, 0&times;105 (T1, control) and four different concentrations of C. vulgaris 5&times;105 (T2), 10&times;105 (T3), 15&times;105 (T4) and 20&times;105 (T5) cells/ml. Larvae were fed Artemia (6 nauplii/ml) six times daily.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results revealed that the addition of microalgae in rearing system significantly enhanced (P&lt;0.05) the larval survival and developments than without microalgae. The highest larval survival and faster appearance of PL (in days) was observed in T3 group (60.83%, 24.67 days) followed by T4 (56.91%, 28.33 days) T2 (48.39%, 31.33 days) T5 (40.93%, 32.33 days) and T1 (30.65%, 39 days), respectively. Larvae reared at moderate concentrations of microalgae (T3 and T4) resulted in high dry weight that of extreme low (T2) or high (T5) concentrations of microalgae. This study identified the best concentration of Chlorella vulgaris for the rearing of M. rosenbergii larval and could be applicable for the mass larval production of this species commercially.</div>

<div>Effects of Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris Density on the Larval Performances of Fresh Water Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879)</div>

Background: Mediterranean shrub species cover more than 70% of the total area in Tunisia and in summer when the herbaceous species have wilted, they constitute feeding resource for livestock. The use of tanniniferous shrubs seems to be a good alternative to control gastrointestinal nematodes infections in small ruminants. This study evaluated the in vitro anthelmintic (AH) effect of Ceratonia siliqua (C. siliqua), Periploca angustifolia Labill. (P. angustifolia) and Medicago arborea (M. arborea) against Haemonchus contortus third stage larvae (L3). 
 
Methods: The larval exsheathment assay (LEA) was used to determine the proportions (%) of exsheathment of five acetonic extracts at different concentrations (1200, 600, 300, 150 &mu;g/ml). To confirm the role of tannins in the AH effects of extracts, polyvinyl polypyrolidone (PVPP) was used as deactivating chemical tannins. 
 
Result: The highest % L3 exsheathed was recorded for M. arborea (55.01%) and the lowest value was founded for C. siliqua and P. angustifolia leaves (16.26%). Our results were concentration-dependent (P&lt;0.001). The % of exsheathment increased as the time of incubation increased (P&lt;0.001). P. angustifolia pods recorded the lowest EC50 value (P&lt;0.05). After PVPP addition, all the acetonic extracts showed a restoration of L3 exsheathment values similar to control values (P&lt;0.001).

Effect of Five Mediterranean Shrubs Extracts on Larval Exsheathment of Haemonchus contortus

<div style="text-align: justify;">Y-tube olfactometer study was carried out to observe the orientation response of egg-larval parasitoid Chelonus blackburni Cameron towards various concentrations of volatile cues emitted from three potato varieties and Phthorimaea operculella Zeller. Volatile cues were subjected to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling to identify the signaling molecules present in the pool of volatile cues. Out of 16 selected volatile cues concentrations obtained from plant and host insect sources, 10 cues acted as significant attractant for C. blackburni. Volatile cues emitted from Kufri Surya in vegetative stage were able to generate highest stimulation in C. blackburni. Among volatiles obtained from larval and adult stage of P. operculella, adult cues were found to be more efficient in the alteration of foraging behaviour of targeted parasitoid. GC-MS of targeted cues revealed the presence of fifteen saturated hydrocarbons ranging from C12 to C54; varying in concentrations. Study specified that C. blackburni preferred cues could be exploited to enhance the host searching efficacy during Integrated Pest Management releases.</div>

Impact of volatile cues on foraging response of egg larval parasitoid, Chelonus blackburni Cameron

Climate change is likely to affect the insect host and the activity and abundance of biological control agents. Therefore, the present studies were conducted to understand the seasonal abundance of larval parasitoid, Campoletis chlorideae on chickpea at Pantnagar during the cropping season 2010-11 and 2011-12 revealed that the larval parasitoid exhibited its marked first appearance in 3rd standard meteorological week (SMW) and attained peak population in 7th (85.80%) and 8th (87.65%) SMW, respectively. Statistical analysis between the weather parameters and the population of the larval parasitoid showed a significant negative correlation with maximum temperature (r= - 0.698* and r= - 0.705*) and minimum temperature (r= - 0.706* and r= - 0.790*) whereas significant positive correlation with maximum relative humidity (r= 0.800** and r = 0.824**) and minimum relative humidity (r= 0.636* and r= 0.254) during 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively. The results indicated that changes in weather factors as a result of climate change would have considerable influence on survival and development of C.chlorideae.&nbsp;

Seasonal abundance of Campoletis chlorideae Uchida (Hymenoptera:Ichneumonidae), A larval parasitoid of Helicoverpa armigera&nbsp;(Hubner) hardwick in chickpea&nbsp;

<div>Background: Porcine cysticercosis, caused by Cysticercus cellulosae a larval stage of adult Taenia solium, is a zoonotic parasitic disease where pigs harbour intermediate stage&nbsp; and human being acts as a definite host. The people of north eastern region of India are mostly non-vegetarian and consumption of pork is very much preferred by the people of this region. Hence,it is essential to detect C. cellulosae infections in pork. But traditional method of detection of C. cellulosae by post mortem examination of pork has disadvantages like need of expert and may be over lookedin case of light infections. Molecular diagnosis have been reported to be highly specific and sensitive for its diagnosis. Keeping in view of the above, the present study on molecular detection of&nbsp; larval cestode C. cellulosae of pigs was undertaken. A study on phylogenetic relation of C. cellulosae of pigs or human Taenae solium of this region was done to know its relation with other parts of the world, as not yet done so far.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A total of 654 pig carcasses in 17 market places of three prime districts of state Arunachal Pradesh, India were examined to detect Cysticercus cellulosae of pigs. The cysticerci samples were obtained manually from the infected muscles and organs of the infected pigs that were preserved in phosphate buffer saline until DNA extraction. Stool samples of human patients who attended out-patient department (OPD) of Community Health Centers, Nursing homes and District etc. of study area of Aunachal Pradesh, India were collected randomly and examined by salt flotation technique for the presence of T. solium eggs. The segments of tapeworm voided by patientswere then identified for species identification and T. solium segments were collected in normal saline solutions (NSS) after clearing the debris and faecal materials. Genomic DNA extraction from 3-4 numbers of cysticerci and T. solium segments collected from affected human being were extractedusing a spin column kit (D Neasy tissue kit: QUIGEN).The technique polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with published primers were used for molecular detection of C. cellulosae and to get molecular (PCR) products of T. solium for further study. The mitochondrial gene cytochrome b oxidase subunit was amplified by PCR. The PCR products were purified, sequenced and phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining method. 
 
Result: The present study recorded a PCR amplification of cytochrome b oxidase genes with a definite product size of 1068 bp from DNA extracted from C. cellulosae and T. solium. The product size obtained from C. cellulosae will be helpful for meat inspection by molecular detection of&nbsp; C. cellulosae infections in pork. The present finding signifies that the same genomic isolate of both the larval cestode and adult parasite of T. solium is prevailing in the study areas. The neighbors-joining phylogenic tree shows close similarity of the present isolates with that prevailing in other South East Asian countries and thus it can be assumed from the present finding that the same genotypic isolate of T. solium parasite is prevalent in the whole of South East Asian region.</div>

​Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Genotype of Larval Cestode Cysticercus cellulosae of Pigs and Taenia solium of Man

<div style="text-align: justify;">The study describes, for the first time, captive breeding, embryonic and larval development of Barilius bendelisis. The captive breeding trial was carried out in April, in fish farm of Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR), Bhimtal, India using differnet doses of &nbsp;ovatide. The most appropriate dose of ovatide was reported to be 0.3 ml/kg body weight to males and 0.6 ml/kg body weight to females. Fertilized eggs measuring 1.4-1.7 mm were spherical, demersal, and transparent with dark yellow coloured yolk. Hatching occurred 140 -160 hours after fertilization at 19.09&deg;C &plusmn; 0.395. &nbsp;Newly hatched larvae were transparent with yellowish yolk reserve, measuring 5.57 - 6.71 mm in total length and characterized by pigmented eye and yolk sac which completely absorbed in 72 hours.&nbsp;</div>

First attempt of captive breeding, embryonic and larval development of Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton 1807)&nbsp;

<div>Background: Performing all the diagnostic tools before subjecting animals for designed experimental study is time consuming and economically not feasible. Furthermore, it may divert the researchers from original planned work to other areas. But these factors not acceptable to compromise in the assessment of effect of different regenerative agents, drugs and herbal preparation on liver. This is important to prevent any diversions in the actual results of the research due to the prior infection caused by Strobilocercus fasciolaris the lab animals. The study aimed to detect Strobilocercus fasciolaris infected Wistar albino rats using biochemical parameters as a diagnostic marker before subjecting the animals to any designed experimental study.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study mainly utilizes abdominal exploration, morphological examination of the larvae, histopathological examination of liver and finally the biochemical parameters changes in the concerned animal. 192 animals used for this study in that 32 had single to multiple cysts in the liver on abdominal exploration. Characteristic Strobilocercus larval morphology, histopathological alterations on liver and serological biomarkers was studied. 
 
Result: Our results showed that the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, gamma glutamyl transferase, blood urea nitrogen, and total protein can be used as indicators to measure the severity of Strobilocercus fasciolaris larva infection in rats.</div>

The Larval Stage of Taenia taeniaeformis in Wistar Albino Rats with an Illustration of Biochemical and Histopathological Changes

<div>Background: Papaya leaves produce several metabolites that may be toxic to an insect pest. In East Java, it is easy to find two cultivars in the yard, plantation, and moors, such as Thailand and local papaya. However, information about their utilization as bio-pesticides remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between those papaya cultivars and the effect of their extracts on Spodoptera litura larvae. 
 
Methods: The Thailand papaya cultivar (TPC) and Indonesian papaya cultivar (IPC) leaves were obtained from the medium and lowlands and were macerated with methanol until obtained a papaya leaves extract (PLE). The S. litura larvae on the instar phase 2 (n= 630) were used for treatment. The Ricinus communis leaves were sprayed with PLE concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% and fed to S. litura larvae.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Based on the secondary metabolites, the papaya cultivars form two clusters associated with its origin. The 40 and 50% concentrations of PLE significantly affect the mortality and head-capsule width of S. litura indicated with broken pupae and failure to transform to imago. This result signifies the potential of papaya leaves extract as bioinsecticide for S. litura larvae.</div>

The Bio-Insecticidal Activity of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Leaves Extract against Spodoptera litura Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larval Growth