A cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the distribution of lumpy skin disease (LSD) and associated risk factors in three main agro-climatic zones of Ethiopia. A total of 330 questionnaire surveys were collected from 44 peasant associations (PA) distributed in 15 districts. Across agro-climate zones, herd-level LSD prevalence in the midland agro-climate was significantly higher 55·2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 47·5–62·6] than in highland and lowland agro-climate zones. Overall observed LSD prevalence at animal-level was 8·1% (95% CI 7·3–8·9) and observed mortality was 2·12% (95% CI 1·73–2·6). The odds ratio (OR) of LSD occurrence in midland vs. highland and lowland vs. highland zones was 3·86 (95% CI 2·61–5·11) and 4·85 (95% CI 2·59–7·1), respectively. Significantly high risk of LSD occurrence was associated with communal grazing and watering management (OR 4·1, 95% CI 2·02–6·18) and introduction of new cattle (OR 8·5, 95% CI 6·0–11·0). Our findings describe the distribution of LSD in different agro-climates in Ethiopia along with associated risk factors, and can help shed light on the epidemiology of LSD in other African countries suffering from the disease.

A pheromone trap network was used to study the temporal and spatial variations in the abundance of the pod borer, Helicoverpa (= Heliothis) armigera (Hubner) in India. The pattern of pheromone trap catches of Helicoverpa armigera was similar within any given agroclimatic zone but there were also obvious changes with latitude in patterns of trap catches. The catches were generally higher and had more sharply defined peaks, at northern locations than at southern locations. The catches at the eastern locations were lower than those elsewhere. The practical applications of this information for pest control are discussed.