The predation of the booklouse, Liposcelis entomophila (Enderlein) (Psocoptera; Liposcelidae) by the mite Blattisocius dentriticus (Berlese) (Acari; Ascidae) was studied in a series of laboratory experiments. Known numbers of mites and booklice were placed together in small tubes and counted after various durations. Fewer booklice were found in mite-infested tubes and it was possible to rear the mite on booklice, which supports the view that the mite is a natural predator of L. entomophila. Comparative susceptibility of the mite and booklouse to deltamethrin and fenitrothion was assessed by exposing both arthropod species to deposits of the two insecticides. The mite was found to be very susceptible to both deltamethrin and fenitrothion whereas the booklouse was only susceptible to the latter. The increased prevalence of L. entomophila in tobacco storage and grading buildings in recent years may therefore be attributed, at least in part, to the use of deltamethrin which suppresses its natural enemies.

The red locust, Nomadacris septemfasciata (Serville) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), is a threat to agricultural productivity in Malawi. The country has a single known red locust outbreak area, the Lake Chilwa flood plains in southern Malawi, in addition to several other areas where the locust occasionally breeds. Activities of the red locust in Malawi during the period 1988 to 1998 are discussed. Four major outbreaks occurred during the period—in 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Control of these outbreaks was conducted by air except for the 1995 outbreak in Mpatsanjoka River Valley which was controlled by spot treatment on the ground. The use of both a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft, where the helicopter locates locust swarms and their concentrations and guides the spray aircraft, appears to be the most efficient and effective strategy for controlling locust outbreaks in Malawi.

Both sublethal and lethal doses of fenitrothion treatment caused positive temperature toxicity relationship in three lepidopteran fifth instar larvae, Achaea Janata, Mythimna separata and Bombyx mori.

The LD50 value was very low at 30°C compared to 28 and 18°C. In all the three species, the insecticide caused greater rate of regurgitation of body fluid at higher temperature. It is believed that the loss of body fluid causes desiccation and enhances the poisoning effects of fenitrothion.

Laboratory evaluations were conducted for 94 weeks to compare, under static conditions, residue levels maintained in water treated with three polyvinyl chloride pellet formulations of fenitrothion. The results showed that foamed formulation (polyvinyl chloride + dioctyl phthalate + Triton X-100 + ammonium carbonate + citric acid + water + fenitrothion) gave the highest rates in the percentage of fenitrothion released followed by expanded formulation (polyvinyl chloride + dioctyl phthalate + Triton X-100 + fenitrothion), while non-expanded formulation (polyvinyl chloride + dioctyl phthalate + fenitrothion) gave the least.

The records indicated that increasing both the exposure time of formulations tested into the water and the percentage of active ingredient in the present formulations increased the amount of fenitrothion released from these formulations. However, all tested formulations gave low-initial rate of release.

The results showed that there were two rates of release of fenitrothion. In the first step, the non-expanded formulation gave a slow rate of release, expanded formulation gave a moderate rate of release, and foamed formulation gave a fast release. In the second step, the release rate of fenitrothion was slow for all tested formulations.