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Spiders are natural predators of many insect pests and preferred as they are carnivores. In the present study we identified the cursorial spiders of different families using DNA barcoding as it is very helpful in identifying species where morphological identifications can be difficult e.g., delimitation of juvenile stages. Standard barcode region of CO1 gene of 64 samples was amplified. The sequences of 658 base pairs were recovered from 62 samples, representing 7 families, 20 genera and 27 species. Araneidae was the most dominant family followed by Salticidae, Oxyopidae, Clubionidae, Tetragnathida, Thomisidae, Mitergidae and Lycosidae. The interspecific value of divergence was more than the intraspecific value of divergence for all seven families which described a clear barcode gap. No overlap was recorded in intraspecific and interspecific divergence value. Furthermore, distance to NN was higher than the maximum intraspecific value for all species. A barcode reference library of the cursorial spiders of Punjab University, Lahore and Soon Sakeser Valley Punjab was also established. It is concluded that CO1 has potentially enough information for fast and accurate identification of spiders. Although, morphological studies alone are working satisfactory for the identification of spiders, still its efficiency increased when combined with DNA barcoding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work was designed to evaluate the effect of garlic (Allium sativum) as a natural feed ingredient on growth performance and immune response in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A total of 150 juvenile's tilapia were taken randomly and divided into five experimental units (10 fishes per unit) with three replicates. Fish was hand feeded containing five different levels of garlic (T1, control) 2.5 (T2), 5.0 (T3), 7.5 (T4), and 10g/500g (T5) in powdered form. Fish were fed at 6% of body weight twice, daily. Feed utilization was estimated in terms of feed conversion ratio (FCR). The growth was measured in terms of total weight gain (TWG) and length of the body was calculated. At the end of the trial, immune response monitored in terms of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Average mean weight gain (11.03±0.8g) and average mean length (7.8±0.4cm) was observed maximum in T4 as compared to other dietary treatments. There observed a significant difference (P<0.05) in FCR among all the dietary treatments with highest in T4 (0.59±0.32). Dietary treatment T5 (10/500g) showed significance difference (P<0.05) in red blood cells (RBC) count (2.82±0.33), white blood cells (WBC) count (6.56±0.83), hemoglobin (24.89±2.67) and hematocrit (37.27±3.83) as compared to other treatment groups including control. The results of our study showed that dietary treatment T4 (7.5g/500g) showed maximum growth and FCR while dietary treatment T5 (10/500g) showed better immune response in tilapia over other dietary treatments. So, it is concluded that garlic can be used as immunity stimulant and to enhance growth performance in Nile tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study the foraging activities of two common scorpions i.e., Hottentotta tumulus (Fabricius, 1798) and Odontobuthus odonturus (Pocock, 1897) of Sargodha Division, Punjab, Pakistan were recorded in both the laboratory and field. Six different prey types were collected from the field and subjected to choice and no choice feeding experiments in the laboratory. Feeding activities of both scorpion species were also recoded directly in the field. Both scorpion species consumed significantly higher number of flies i.e., Musca domestica (Linnaeus, 1758) than other prey types (i.e., grasshopper nymphs, grasshopper adults, lycosid spiders, moths and house crickets) during no choice feeding experiment. However, in choice feeding experiment both scorpion species preferred grasshopper nymphs. Scorpions consumed only soft body parts of the larger sized prey but, consumed the whole body of small sized prey. Prey consumption of both scorpion species increased with temperature. However, consumption rate of studied species was found to be negatively correlated with the humidity level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onion, Allium cepa (L.) is very important and highly valuable vegetable crop all over the world. Amongst the insect pests, onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Linedman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) has been proved to be the most important factor for onion yield reduction. In the present study effects of intercropping and plant spacing were recorded in onion field plots as a management tool against T. tabaci. For this purpose, four intercrops (chili, tomato, okra and cotton) and five plant spacings (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 cm) were used in onion field crop. Minimum thrips density per plant was recorded in onion plots intercropped with cotton during the study period of two years. The maximum thrips density was recorded in control plots (26.19±5.67), F4,250= 7.79; P< 0.001. Onion plots intercropped with cotton gained the highest bulb weight and yielded maximum onion/plot followed by tomato, chilli and okra, respectively. No difference in mean bulb weight of control and onion plot intercropped with okra was recorded in the current study. However, bulb weight of onion in both of these plots was significantly lower as compared to onion plots intercropped with cotton. Minimum thrips density per plant was recorded in onion plots in which plant to plant space was 30 cm followed by 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm and 10 cm plant spacing during both experimental years. The thrips density was increased with the decrease of plant to plant spacing. Further, single bulb weight with 30 cm plant spacing was significantly higher as compared to lowest plant spacing (10 cm). In both years, onion plots with minimum plant spacing (10 cm) produced more yield/plot but with lowest bulb weight and vice versa. Therefore, it was concluded that cotton should be intercropped with onion as a trap crop and medium onion plant spacing should be practiced for reducing thrips infestation and suitable bulb size with optimum yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the present study was to extract venom from common buthid scorpions of eastern Punjab, Pakistan and to optimize the conditions to get maximum yield of venom via electric stimulation. We also recorded surveillance of scorpions without food in laboratory. We found that current intensity of 25V is the best suitable for venom extraction. When current was applied at the base of telson we obtained 5.214±0.36, 7.17±1.20 and 4.90±0.31 (μl) venom from Odontobuthus odonturus, Androctonus finitimus and Mesobuthus famulus, respectively. There was significant difference in the quantity of venom yielded from studied species. A. finitimus produced maximum quantity of venom followed by O. odonturus and M. famulus. It is also evident from study that M. tamulus is more resistant to hunger as compared to O. odonturus and A. finitimus. M. tamulus can survive for more than 3 months without food while O. odonturus and A. finitimus are less tolerant to starvation. It is concluded from the study that extracting venom from living scorpion by electric stimulation of telson is a convenient method as it is least harmful for scorpion and most efficient in venom recovery. Furthermore, keeping of scorpions in the laboratory for investigatory studies is very easy and need less maintenance care and efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiders are important insect predators and being used as model organisms in various investigatory studies however, work on this group is difficult due to the constrains in their species level identification. DNA-barcoding is a promising approach to minimize the difficulties of taxonomists to delimit species. Current study was designed to provide first barcode record of some common spiders from Punjab, Pakistan. The standard barcode region (658 base pairs of Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I), in multiple specimens of all species, was sequenced. DNA based data corresponded the morphological study, confirming the presence of five species i.e., Clubiona analis Thorell, 1895, Cyrtophora citricola (Forskål, 1775), Leucauge decorata (Blackwall, 1864), Neoscona theisi (Walckenaer, 1841) and Oxyopes javanus Thorell, 1887. There was clear gap in intraspecific and interspecific values of genetic distances. For every species, the maximum interaspecific divergence was less than the minimum distance to its nearest-neighbour. The divergence values within and between species ranged from 0-1.6% and 17.6-23.7%, respectively. Five species were also clearly separated based on parsimony analysis. It is concluded that DNA barcoding is a reliable tool to delimit studied spider species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus leaf miner, citrus whitefly and citrus psylla are the major insect pests of citrus orchards in district Sargodha, Pakistan. Spiders, being natural predators are helpful to keep the insect pest populations below economic enjoy level. The diversity and guild structure of spiders in the citrus orchards was recorded in the study. Seasonal dynamics of spiders and insect pests and predator-pest (spider-pest) relationships were also studied. In total, 2665 spiders belonging to 12 families, 23 genera and 43 species were captured. Species and family composition of spiders varied on the foliage and ground. Abundance of spiders among sites differed significantly. However, nonsignificant difference was observed in the richness, diversity and evenness among sites. Abundance and infestation of pest was found to synchronize with the abundance of spiders. Maximum infestation of citrus leaf miner, citrus whitefly and citrus psylla was recorded in March, 2014 supporting maximum spider abundance in this month. There was strong positive correlation between abundance of insect pests and predators (spiders) which suggested that spiders could effectively control insect pest populations in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out at experimental area of Vegetable Research Institute, (AARI) Faisalabad to test the resistant/susceptibility responses of 25 genotypes of okra against fruit borer under field condition during 2013. From the preliminary screening trial, nine genotypes of okra including three comparatively resistant (Sabz pari, Green wonder and Super star), three genotypes with intermediate response (Lakshami-24, Cok-1418 and Ikra anamika) and three comparatively susceptible genotypes (Pusa sawani, Ikra-2 and Okra-3) were selected for final screening trial during 2014. During preliminary and final screening trials genotype Pusa sawani proved susceptible genotype, while Sabz pari was found comparatively resistant genotype. Maximum Host Plant Susceptibility Indices (HPSI) was observed in Pusa sawani i.e. 16% and was found susceptible, while minimum HPSI i.e., 6% was recorded in Sabz pari and found to be comparatively resistant genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpion envenomation represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in many countries. Odontobuthus odonturus is a medically important scorpion that inhibits sandy areas. In the present study we evaluated the in-vivo toxic effects of O. odonturus venom on male albino mice. Scorpions were collected from undisturbed sandy areas of district Sargodha (Punjab), Pakistan. We extracted the venom and injected intraperitoneally into healthy albino mice. Haemato-pathological effects of the venom were studied on different blood parameters i.e., total leucocyte count (TLC), neutrophil count, RBC's count and platelet count, lymphocytes, eosinophils and monocytes. The venom of O. odonturus caused drastic change in blood physiology of treated animals. We observed a significant decrease in RBC's, platelets and lymphocyts of treated animals. However, treated animals showed marked increased in neutrophils, hemoglobin and TLC count. There was no difference in the count of monocytes and eosinophils between treated and control animals. It is concluded from the study that venom of O. odonturus is potentially harmful to mammals as it badly affects the blood physiology which may ultimately leads towards many disorders in the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of Confidor and Buctril-M on two dominant spiders of wheat ecosystem of Punjab, Pakistan i.e., Lycosa terrestris Butt, Anwar & Tahir, 2006 and Oxyopes javanus Thorell, 1887. Residual toxicity of pesticides on these spiders in the laboratory and in the fields was also studied. Buctril-M was found less toxic compared to Confidor for both species. Mortality of both spider species declined with the increase of post sprayed time for both pesticides. Altogether we captured 2260 individuals of L. terrestris (707 from treated field and 1553 from control field) -. Similarly, in total of 637 individuals of Oxyopes javanus were collected (212 from treated and 425 from control) from the studied plots. It is concluded that toxicity of Confidor is higher than Buctril-M. Moverover, Confodor remains active for longer time in the field compared to Buctril-M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was designed to test the effectiveness of different concentrations of crude venom of Odontobuthus odonturus Pocock, 1897 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) against Rhopalosiphum erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Scorpions were collected from Sargodha district of Punjab (Pakistan) using portable ultra-violet (UV) lamps. The venom of the scorpions was collected in 1.5 ml plastic collection tubes and frozen at -20°C. The bioassay tests were performed against 0.5, 0.75 and 1 dose of scorpion venom in the laboratory. The percent mortality aftei 12 h was 68.3, 71.65 and 83.3 against 0.5, 0.75 and 1 pi concentrations, respectively. The mortality was significantly higher in the treated groups compared to the control. The LT50 and LT95 values were decreased as the venom concentrations were increased. The calculated LD50 and TD95 values for R. erysimi were 0.44 µ and 1.31 µ, respectively. It is concluded that venom of O. odonturus contains toxins which could be used as potential bio-pesticidc candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpion venom contains various neurotoxic and haemato-pathological peptides with versatile binding affinity of ion channels and transmembrane receptors. Therefore, scorpion toxins have been vital to investigate for researchers. Odontobuthus odonturus is one of the common scorpions in sandy areas of Punjab, Pakistan. In the present study, we evaluated the toxic effect of O. odonturus on sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions by introducing venom in Mus musculus. Animals were treated with different doses (i.e., 120, 170, 200 and 250pL) of scorpion venom orally and intraperitoneally. Results showed marked decline in potassium ions of treated groups in both treatment types. However, non-significant effect on sodium ions was recorded. The venom proved to be toxic because noticeable arrythmia, paralysis, congestion and frequent fecal discharge was noticed in treated groups and at 250 µL dose all the animals were found dead after 18th hour of intraperitoneal treatment. We concluded that venom of O. odonturus contains peptides which are selective against K+ channels which may exhibit fetal effects on nerve impulse transmission and homeostatic balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plexippus paykulli (Savigay et Audouin, 1827) is a jumping spider that has great potential to suppress insect pests of agricultural crops. In the present study effects of Thiodan (insecticide) on the survival locomotion, insecticide avoidance behaviour and prédation rate of P. paykulli were investigated. Thiodan caused 40% mortality at the recommended field rate concentration (5μl of insecticide/400 μl of water). P. paykulli did not avoid the surface treated with the Thiodan (1/4th of recommended field rate). Calculated LD50 value was 8.23 μl (SE± 2.01). There was also no difference in resting time of Thiodan treated and control spiders. However, prédation rate of Thiodan treated spiders was significantly reduced (up to70%) compared to the control spiders. We also observed change in the locomotory pattern and speed of the treated spiders. It is concluded that Thiodan affect locomotory pattern and reduces the predatory performance of studied species, so before recommending this insecticide for the IPM programme in the study area, its affects on the other beneficial organisms should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aedes albopictus is a vector of dengue and Chikungunya. In present study we recorded the adult density of A. albopictus in four different cities in Pakistan (Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Abbotabad and Mansehra). The highest adult density of A. albopictus was observed at Shakarparian (Rawalpindi). We found a negative correlation between density of A. albopictus and elevation. However, there was a strong positive correlation between adult densities of A. albopictus and human population, vegetation thickness, temperature and rain fall. Present study is the first report on A. albopictus density in the study areas. This study will be helpful for mosquito researchers and public health professionals and agencies to understand the ecology and distribution of A. albopictus and aid in developing better strategies for the control of this mosquito species in the above mentioned study areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which monitors the adult density, abdominal status and resting habit of Culex quinquefasciatus, which is responsible of the spread of diseases worldwide. The study showed weak positive correlation between the temperature and density of mosquitoes, but humidity negatively affects the density of adult mosquitoes. It says that walls were the most preferable site for female mosquitoes. The study suggests that proper steps should be made before the month of April to reduce the spread of C. quinquefasciatus.

Four orb weaving spider species i.e., Argiope trifasciata (Forsskál, 1775), Neoscona theisi (Walckenaer, 1841) of family Araneidae and Leucauge decorata (Blackwall, 1864), Tetragnatha javana (Thorell, 1890) of family Tetragnathidae co-exist in the rice agro-ecosystem of Punjab, Pakistan. In the present study we investigated how four species segregate the available resources among themselves to reduce the competition and to make their co-existence possible. The studied species differed significantly in their web architecture and body size. All studied species showed low overall niche overlap values. The four orb weaving species also differed in the frequency with which they captured the different types of prey and prey size. The results of the present study suggested that differences in the selection of prey according to their own body size and construction of webs at different heights (spatial segregation) minimize competition and promote co-existence of studied species in sympatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discusses a study that determined the species composition and population dynamics of spiders in Trifolium and Brassica crops at Shorkot, district Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. The spiders were collected during November 2009 through April 2010 using pitfall traps. A total of 545 specimens were collected during the study, with Lycosidae as the most dominant family comprising 47 percent of the total catch. The most abundant species include Pardosa sumatrana, Evippa banarensis, and Neoscona theisi. The spider was low from November through January, compared to February through April.

The article discusses study that surveyed spider fauna from eight collecting sites in the district of Sargodha in Pakistan from September 2008 to April 2009. A total of 810 specimens were collected, with 56 species belonging to 16 families and 34 genera recorded during the study. Fifty-four species from District Sargodha were recorded for the first time, but all species were already recorded from Pakistan. A preliminary checklist of spiders, along with their material examined and collecting sites, is presented.

The article discusses a research that attempts to record the prevalence of ABO and Rh blood groups among the graduate and post graduate students of the University of Sargodha in Punjab, Pakistan. Around 1,341 students were screened for blood group testing. In both sexes, the most common blood type was B, while the least common was AB. Around 90% of students were Rh positive. The frequencies of ABO and Rh blood groups are reportedly similar with those reported from other regions of Punjab. The results of the study are expected to assist health planners, blood banks and blood donating organizations in the area.

The article discusses a study which investigated the effects of tillage activity on the abundance of ground spiders in rice ecosystem in Pakistan. Spiders are known for consuming a wide range of prey species and for preventing economically importance outbreaks. Findings showed no difference in the number of species captured from the tilled and untilled fields. However, lower number of spiders was observed in the tilled field compared to the untilled field. The study indicates that tilled fields support less spiders, which reduces the impact of spiders' biological control in the fields.

The article presents a study that investigated the effects of Brassica strip cropping in wheat crop on the population of aphids and its predators in the wheat field. The study covered three different sites in district Sheikhupura, Pakistan and was conducted during cropping session 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. The study revealed difference in number of aphids per tillers among treatments. It showed higher number of aphids per tiller in control wheat plot and lowest in the Brassica strip of 3.65 by 67 meters.

The article presents a study on the importance of spiders in the citrus orchards in Lahore, Pakistan. The researchers performed the study at the citrus field of the University of the Punjab, wherein they used pitfall traps to collect the spiders. They brought the spiders gathered in every trapping session to the laboratory, where they were washed with alcohol and stored in a mixture of 20 percent glycerol and 80 percent alcohol. They found the presence of a rich spider fauna at the citrus field of the study area, which can effectively suppress the pest populations.

The article discusses a study aimed at recording the web characteristics and type of prey caught in webs of L. decorata, relationship of prey and predator size and the relationship between body measures of L. decorata to its various web characteristics and in helping evaluate the role of L. decorata as biological control agent for pests in agro-ecosystems. The experiment was conducted in September 2007 and 2008 at a basmati rice field in the village of Kirka in the district of Lahore, Pakistan. It concludes that L. decorata constructs webs of various sizes and at various heights but maintains the basic web architecture always.

The article presents a study on the various management practices and field margins of spiders in agroecosystems and other terrestrial ecosystems in Punjab, Pakistan. The study is designed to examine the impact of various management practices and field margins on the quantity pattern of spiders in rice ecosystems. The study focuses on four major areas such as reduced input field (RIF), organic field (ORF), herbicide treated field (HFT) and tilled field (TLF). After a thorough examination, canonical observation analysis depicts that active density of majority spider species are connected with ORF and RIF and with 0 meter distance field margin.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the association of some heavy metals with rheumatoid arthritis. The results indicated that concentration of Cu was significantly lower in the serum of RA +ve patients compared to RA -ve individuals. Non-significant relationship was observed between concentration of Zn, Co, Pb, and Ni with RA +ve patients. Similarly the concentration of these metals had no significant relationship with sex or age of RA +ve patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, susceptibility of field-collected adult Bactocera dorsalis to the insecticides, malathion, trichlorofon and λ-cyhalothrin, at fieldrecommended use rates was investigated in the laboratory. Adult fly mortality was assessed at pre-determined post-treatment time intervals. The exposed B. dorsalis population was found to be susceptible to all tested insecticides. There was no difference in mortality among male and female flies exposed to malathion or trichlorofon; however, λ-cyhalothrin-treated males died, in significantly less time, than the females. The calculated LD50 and LT50 values suggested that malathion was more toxic than trichlorofon and λ-cyhalothrin. The toxicity data suggests that the tested insecticides are effective against B. dorsalis in the field-collected sites and could be economically used in the field for population management of the fruit fly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to check the effect of chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) on Lycosa terrestris, the most dominant ground spider in the agroecosystem of Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose topical and residual bioassay tests were performed. Probate analysis showed that this insecticide is highly toxic for both sexes. The calculated LD50 values were less than field dose. Results of residual bioassay s showed that this insecticide is highly toxic to spiders even after one month of its exposure. Negative effects of this insecticide not only reduces the biological control potential of L. terrestris but also poses a serious threat to other natural predators of agroecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken to compare the activities of nonspecific esterases (i.e., a-esterases and (3-esterases) in chiorpyrifos-treated and control groups of Musca domestica. Higher activities of esterases were found in chiorpyrifos-treated flies, both for males and females as compared to the control flies. Higher activities of nonspecific esterases are reliable indicators for the future development of chlorpyrifos resistance in M. domestica in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]