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The chitosan was cross linked with ethylene diamine and trepthaldehyde (CM-Chitosan) through Schiff base reaction. The chitosan was successfully cross linked as confirmed by FT-IR spectrometer. The morphological analysis illustrated that CM-Chitosan surface is porous/rough than neat chitosan. The CM-Chitosan and Chitosan were employed as an adsorbent for the elimination of Cu+2 and Pb+2 ions from aqueous solution. The CM-chitosan adsorbed 8.96 and 2.09 mmol/g while neat chitosan removed 6.71 and 1.58 mmol/g of Cu+2 and Pb+2 ions, respectively. The adsorption data was also best fitted to Freundlich and Temkin model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work entimind weevils, an ignored group of class Insecta in Pakistan was explored. For this, comprehensive surveys were undertaken in Pothohar plateau of Punjab province. Results revealed three new to country records viz. Ptochus assamensis, P. ovulum and P. limbatus. The species were recorded from walnut (Juglans regia) trees and Khabbal Grass (Cyanodon dactylon), which highlight their importance. Keeping in view topographic gradients, ecological complex in Pothohar plateau and pest status of curculionid weevils, further surveys are suggested to unveil more important records from the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brood ectoparasitic mites, Tropilaelaps clareae is causing greater damage to Apis mellifera colonies and major economic losses (a serious threat) to beekeeping industry in Pakistan. Seven treatments including five essential oils of basil (Ocimum basilicum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), oregano (Origanium vulgare), lemon (Citrus lemon) and thyme (Thymus linearus), formic acid at three different concentrations of 25%, 50% and 100% and control were used against T. clareae in naturally infested honey bee, A. mellifera colonies in Honeybee Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan. The percentage of infestation by T. clareae on worker brood, number of dead/fallen mites per hive/week on white formica sheet, percent mite mortality and honey yield per colony was determined before and after the treatments in the experimental colonies. The results revealed that formic acid and the highest concentrations (100%) of tested essential oils caused effective control of Tropilaelaps mites, whereas the infestation reduction percentage with formic acid, lemongrass, thyme, lemon, basil and oregano oils was recorded more than 96% after the end of treatments on worker brood. The highest total number of dead T. clareae mites (761) fallen on the sheet was recorded by formic acid followed by lemongrass (445), thyme (349), lemon (298), basil (283) and oregano (250) respectively. The hives treated with essential oils and formic acid also showed good persistence with over all mean percent mite mortality ranging from 64.37 to 84.33% up to fourth application of treatment. High mean value for honey yield (9.3 kg) was recorded by formic acid, followed by lemongrass (8.8 kg), thyme (8.5 kg), lemon (8.5 kg), basil (7.7 kg) and oregano (7.6 kg) per colony as compared with control colonies (3.8 kg) per colony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]