<div>Background: Hairy senna is an edible weed grown for both its vegetables and as a hedge plant in farms and backyard gardens in Calabar. Senna hirsuta leaf samples showing virus-like symptoms were collected in the growing seasons of between 2018 and 2020 from backyard gardens and farms in Calabar and the surrounding area.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The virus was isolated and transmitted by mechanical inoculation for host range studies. Seed transmissibility and transmission by aphids were further used for detection. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers specific to the cylindrical inclusion protein gene (CI) of potyviruses followed by sequencing was used for molecular identification. The neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree was constructed to determine the relationship of the Calabar isolate with those from other parts of the world.&nbsp; 
 
Result: For the host range studies, four species belonging to the Fabaceae family were infected by the isolate, indicating a narrow host range. The virus was found to be seed transmissible and could be vectored by both Aphis craccivora and Aphis spiraecola. Obtained DNA fragments with the expected size of~700 bp were amplified and a pairwise comparison with other potyviruses revealed a 94-95.87% similarity with complete sequence of YBMV (JN190431). Phylogenetic analysis placed the senna isolate in the same clade as the Brazilian isolates (MK825543 and MK825544) and JN190431. On the basis of this, the virus is adjudged to be the Nigerian strain of YBMV (JN190431).&nbsp;</div>

Detection of a New Strain of the Yambean mosaic virus in Senna hirsuta (Irwin and Barneby) in Calabar, Southern Nigeria

<div>Background: Cassia angustifolia Vahl, senna, known for medicinal properties belongs to family fabacea is a hardy plant, suitable for saline and rainfed conditions serving as a host for caterpillars of Catopsilia pyranthe L. butterflies suffering up to 90 per cent defoliation. An attempt was made to record butterfly migrations due to an outbreak of the lepidopteron pest on senna which is the first report on butterfly migration in western arid region. 
 
Methods: Surveys made in different districts for accurate quantification of butterflies passing within 5 minute through a 10 meter wide strip. For diurnal pattern, observations were taken on hourly basis. Correlation of butterfly density with weather parameters was worked out. 
 
Result: Migration was mainly in South West direction in a steady line connecting Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pali, Sirohi and Ajmer. The highest density (1360 butterflies/10m/5 minute) accounting for 16,320.0 butterflies/10m/hour and 97,920.0 butterflies/10m/day recorded in Keru (Jodhpur) representing bell shape curve of diurnal movement with a maximum activity between &nbsp;12.00 noon and 1.00 PM.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Outbreak of Catopsilia pyranthe L. on Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl) and Migration in Western Arid Region of India</div>