Despite its broad host range, the spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula (White), is known to have a marked preference for Ailanthus altissima. However, whether this polyphagous phloem feeder can complete its life cycle in the absence of A. altissima is unknown. We examined the performance of L. delicatula with and without access to A. altissima by tracking development, survival, host tree species association, and oviposition in large enclosures planted with Salix babylonica and Acer saccharinum along with either A. altissima or Betula nigra. We monitored enclosures from late May 2019 through June 2020. Lycorma delicatula survival was slightly higher in enclosures with A. altissima and 50% of individuals in A. altissima enclosures reached the adult stage ~6.5 d earlier than in enclosures without A. altissima. In the presence of A. altissima, nymphs were most frequently observed on this host while adults were found at similar frequencies on A. altissima and A. saccharinum. In the absence of A. altissima, nymphs were most frequently associated with S. babylonica and A. saccharinum, while adults were most often found on A. saccharinum. Females laid a total of 46 and 6 egg masses in enclosures with and without A. altissima, respectively, before freezing temperatures killed the remaining adults. The proportion of eggs that hatched per egg mass did not differ between treatments. Although L. delicatula can complete development and reproduce on other host species without access to A. altissima, fitness was reduced. These findings have implications for management that relies exclusively on treatment of A. altissima.

Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence regarding which specific interventions are effective in reducing pesticide exposure and associated risks to human health and ecology. The overall goal of the African Pesticide Intervention Project (APsent) study is to better understand ongoing research and public health activities related to interventions in Africa through the implementation of suitable target-specific situations or use contexts. A systematic review of the scientific literature on pesticide intervention studies with a focus on Africa was conducted. This was followed by a qualitative survey among stakeholders involved in pesticide research or management in the African region to learn about barriers to and promoters of successful interventions. The project was concluded with an international workshop in November 2021, where a broad range of topics relevant to occupational and environmental health risks were discussed such as acute poisoning, street pesticides, switching to alternatives, or disposal of empty pesticide containers. Key areas of improvement identified were training on pesticide usage techniques, research on the effectiveness of interventions targeted at exposure reduction and/or behavioral changes, awareness raising, implementation of adequate policies, and enforcement of regulations and processes.

Despite the cornucopia of agricultural, economic and ecological ramifications of invasive alien plant species (IAPs) in sub-Saharan Africa, studies on their potential use as bio-insecticides have not received adequate attention compared to the burgeoning plethora of literature on their use in ethnomedicine. In the current study, we review the existing, but scattered literature on the insecticidal activity of different parts of some IAPs; specifically those invasive in sub-Saharan Africa but with published literature from Africa and elsewhere. From our literature survey, we found that 69 studies from four continents (Africa, Asia, North America and South America) reported the insecticidal activity of 23 plant species from 13 families (Asteraceae = 6 species; Solanaceae = 3 species; Apocynacee, Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae 2 species each; Araceae, Bignoniaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Meliaceae, Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae, Papaveraceae, and Verbenaceae = 1 species each) that are invasive in, and alien to Africa. The highest number of published case studies were from India (n= 19) and Nigeria (n= 15). We found that varying concentrations of extracts or powders from different plant parts caused 50–100% mortality against a myriad of insect pests of agriculture and environmental importance. Our review discussed the prospects for exploiting IAPs as pesticidal plants in African countries especially among resource-poor small-holder farmers and locals to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Finally, we highlighted safety concerns and challenges of using IAPs as bio-insecticides in Africa and formulates appropriate recommendations for future research.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by opportunistic pathogens are among the leading health challenges globally. Most available treatment options are failing as a result of antibiotic resistance and adverse effects. Natural sources such as plants may serve as promising alternatives. Methods: Compounds were isolated from the South African weed Chromolaena odorata through column chromatography. Purified compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity using the p-iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) colorimetric method, against uropathogenic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans. Anti-biofilm, anti-adhesion and metabolic inhibition activities were investigated against selected strains. Safety of the compounds was determined against Vero monkey kidney, C3A human liver and colon (Caco2) cells. Results: Four compounds identified as pectolinaringenin (1), (±)-4′,5,7-trimethoxy flavanone (2), 5-hydroxy-3,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone (3) and 3,5,7-trihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone) (4) were isolated. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) varied between 0.016 and 0.25 mg/mL. Compounds 2 and 3 showed promising antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. fumigatus and C. neoformans with MIC between 0.016 and 0.125 mg/mL, comparable to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and amphotericin B used as positive controls. Compounds 2 and 3 showed good anti-biofilm and metabolic inhibition activities against E. coli and S. aureus but weak anti-adhesion activity against the organisms. Low toxicity with selectivity indexes between 1 and 12.625 were recorded with the compounds, indicating that the compounds were rather toxic to the microbial strains and not to the human and animal cells. Conclusion: Pharmacological activities displayed by compounds 2 and 3 isolated from C. odorata and low toxicity recorded credits it as a potential lead for the development of useful prophylactic treatments and anti-infective drugs against UTIs. Although known compounds, this is the first time these compounds have been isolated from the South African weed C. odorata and tested for antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, metabolic inhibition and anti-adhesion activities.

Access to potable water is a major problem confronting most developing nations particularly with the overwhelming health burden posed by polluted water and its sources. In this review, studies on the level of contamination of drinking water sources in different geopolitical zones in Nigeria were assessed. The anthropogenic activities eliciting the pollutions were extensively discussed. Overall, the level of Nigeria preparedness in meeting the sustainable development goal number 6 (SDG no 6: to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) was evaluated. Cogent methods that could enhance the achievement of SDG no. 6 were suggested. From our analysis of published literature, pre- and post- SDG implementation in Nigeria, it is clear that no significant progress has been made in providing potable water for all in Nigeria. All implementing partners must therefore rejig the process to ensure the availability of potable water, in order to achieve the sustainable development goal six.