A scheme updating that of Dethier et al. (1960) (J. Econ. Entomol. 53: 134-136) for chemicals influencing insect locomotor behavior is introduced. Attractant, repellent, and arrestant retain their previous definitions. However, attractants or repellents are now recognized to operate both by kinetic and tactic mechanisms. Locomotor initiator is a new term for stimuli that activate normal levels of kinetic locomotion. Locomotor stimulant is reserved for activation of abnormally high kinetic locomotion, like that arising upon sublethal exposure to certain insecticides. The new terms engagent and disengagent apply to chemicals that, by their effects on locomotion, increase or decrease interaction with the source of stimulation, respectively. With these clarifications, insect behavioral terms unique to medical entomology but contradicting Dethier et al.'s classical scheme can be reconciled with the vocabulary of formal behavioral science.

Insects such as the black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) are currently being promoted as an alternative protein source for animals and organic waste management agents. To play the dual roles sustainably, there is need to reduce reliance on wild BSF and develop an appropriate farming methodology for the insect. This study aimed at improving larvae production in a black soldier fly colony previously established from the wild in Kenya. The study explored the effect of four locally available organic wastes as feedstocks for production the black soldier fly larvae. Separate feeding trials on faecal sludge (FS), banana peelings (BP), brewer’s waste (BW) and restaurant food waste (FR) was done and their effect on BSF larvae growth rate, larvae weight, total prepupal yield in grams, crude protein and lipid (ether extract) content analysed. The efficiency of the BSF larvae to consume and therefore reduce the waste load of the different substrates was also evaluated. Results showed that BSF larvae fed on FR had significantly higher (P<0.05) total mean yield and average individual weight of 196.9±4.0 g and 0.101±0.002 g, respectively, followed by BW (154.8±6.5 g, 0.078±0.02 g), FS (138.7±5.0 g, 0.070±0.001 g) and with BP the lowest (108.9±5.6 g, 0.055±0.002 g). The harvested BSF larvae crude protein was significantly higher for FS and BW at 45.4±0.1% and 43.0±1.0%, respectively. However, ether extract content was variable and dependent on feedstock used with lower values reported for FS and BW (18.1±0.3% and 27.2%, respectively), and highest for food remains prepupa (36%). Dry matter reduction ranged between 50.3-81.8% with corresponding bioconversion and feed conversion rates ranging from 14.9-20.8% and 2.6-4.5, respectively, was achieved for the substrates used. These results indicated the potential of utilising BSF composting in valorisation of the local organic wastes for their bioremediation from the environment. Due to their availability in large quantities and their low cost, these organic wastes can form important feedstock resources for the sustainable production of BSF larvae as a future alternative protein source for both animal feeds at farm level and industrial scale. In conclusion, embracing nutrient recycling through BSF technology by resource-constrained farmers in Kenya will contribute to food security through supply of proteins for production of poultry and fish.

The utilisation of insect as ingredients for animal feeds has gained considerable interest recently. For example, the potential of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens; BSF) larvae as a cheap alternative protein source for animal feeds seems to show promising perspectives, especially for poultry and aquaculture feeds. In the present study, we sought to establish the wild availability of BSF in Bondo area of Western Kenya, and to develop appropriate methods for larvae farming for utilisation in smallholder farming systems using organic waste substrates. Using an open system involving a larvae feeding structure, study results showed that BSF is native to the study area with higher production observed on substrates of plant origin compared to those of animal origin. Proximate, mineral and vitamin analysis showed that wild BSF larvae contained: 40% crude protein, 33% crude fat, 15% ash, 12% crude fibre, 0.56% manganese, 3.07% sodium, 0.57% iron, 2.27% potassium, 0.24 mg/100 g thiamin, 2.2 mg/100 g riboflavin and 1.3 mg/100 g vitamin E. This nutritional profile of the wild BSF larvae indicates its potential to serve as a cheap and sustainable substitute protein source. We therefore recommend small-scale poultry and fish farmers to adopt the identified methods for its cultivation as a way of lowering production costs and also contributing to environmental hygiene and sanitation.

Background Understanding the interactions between increased insecticide resistance and resting behaviour patterns of malaria mosquitoes is important for planning of adequate vector control. This study was designed to investigate the resting behavior, host preference and rates of Plasmodium falciparum infection in relation to insecticide resistance of malaria vectors in different ecologies of western Kenya. Methods Anopheles mosquito collections were carried out during the dry and rainy seasons in Kisian (lowland site) and Bungoma (highland site), both in western Kenya using pyrethrum spray catches (PSC), mechanical aspiration (Prokopack) for indoor collections, clay pots, pit shelter and Prokopack for outdoor collections. WHO tube bioassay was used to determine levels of phenotypic resistance of indoor and outdoor collected mosquitoes to deltamethrin. PCRbased molecular diagnostics were used for mosquito speciation, genotype for knockdown resistance mutations (1014S and 1014F) and to determine specific host blood meal origins. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to determine mosquito sporozoite infections. Results Anopheles gambiae s.l. was the most predominant species (75%, n = 2706) followed by An. funestus s.l. (25%, n = 860). An. gambiae s.s hereafter (An. gambiae) accounted for 91% (95% CI: 89-93) and An. arabiensis 8% (95% CI: 6-9) in Bungoma, while in Kisian, An. arabiensis composition was 60% (95% CI: 55-66) and An. gambiae 39% (95% CI: 34-44). The

The dual roles of efficient degradation and bioconversion of a wide range of organic wastes into valuable animal protein and organic fertiliser, has led to increased interest in black soldier fly (BSF) technology as a highly promising tool for sustainable waste management and alternative protein production. The current study investigated the potential application of BSF technology in the valorisation of faecal sludge (FS), a common organic waste in the urban informal settlements in low and middle-income countries. We evaluated the effect of different feeding rates (100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/larva/day), different feeding regimen and supplementation with other waste feedstock (food remains, FR; brewers waste, BW; and banana peelings, BP) on BSF larvae (BSFL) growth rates/yield and FS reduction efficiency. Results showed significantly (P<0.01) higher prepupal yield (179±3.3 and 190±1.2 g) and shorter larval development time (16.7 and 15 days) when reared on 200 and 250 mg/larva/day FS, respectively. However, different feeding regimes of FS did not significantly affect larval growth rate and prepupal yield (P=0.56). Supplementation of FS with other organic substrates resulted in significantly increased BSFL biomass production and substrate reduction, and shortened larval development time; with the effect was more pronounced when FS was supplemented with FR and at 30% supplementation. Protein:fat ratios for BSFL reared on FS, FS:FR, FS:BW were significantly (P<0.05) higher (2.51, 2.53, and 2.44, respectively) compared to FS:BP mixture (1.99). These results demonstrated that supplementation of FS with locally available organic waste can be used to improve its suitability as feedstock for BSF production and organic waste bioremediation from the environment. In conclusion, a daily feeding strategy of substrate containing FS supplemented with 30% organic waste co-substrate at feeding rate of 200 mg/larva/day can be used as a guideline for BSFL mass production and bioremediation of FS both at small- and large-scale level.