MSUIR Community:

An Analysis of Nyaradzo Funeral Service’s Tree Planting Programmes in Rural and Urban Areas: Insights from Zvishavane Urban and Chivi Rural Communities

2026-06-11T14:28:56Z

Title: An Analysis of Nyaradzo Funeral Service’s Tree Planting Programmes in Rural and Urban Areas: Insights from Zvishavane Urban and Chivi Rural Communities Authors: Muromo, Francis; Muromo, Beauty; Muyambo, Nkosinathi; Munyira, Ityai Abstract: The study sought to establish the perceptions of communities on tree donations, with specific reference to Zvishavane urban and Chivi rural areas. Through interviewing a sample of 60 households in Zvishavane Urban District and Chivi Rural District communities, this study analysed Nyaradzo Funeral Services’ (Friends of the environment-FOTE) tree planting programme. The study contends that despite the negative belief associated with tree planting by the deceased families, the practice is now being overwhelmingly endorsed by both rural and urban communities. Results from the study indicate that apart from the Environmental Agency of Zimbabwe (EMA), the FOTE Programme by Nyaradzo Funeral Services (NFS) has probably become the single largest private sector player in environmental issues and that NFS often give a tree to bereaved families as a symbolic gesture of condolence and remembrance. The study also established that NFS’s tree planting gesture is overwhelmingly positive. Many people in Zimbabwe view it as a thoughtful and meaningful way to honour the deceased, while also contributing to the wellbeing of the environment. Overall, the gesture is seen as a beautiful way to celebrate the life of the deceased while also giving back to the community and protecting the environment. In light of these findings the study recommends the expanding of tree species to cater for different environmental conditions and cultural preferences, community engagement to foster ownership and ensure long term sustainability. The study further recommends for the development of a system to regularly monitor and maintain the trees to ensure their health and survival.

Thermal tolerance in Spodoptera frugiperda: Influence of age, sex, and mating status

2026-06-11T14:12:14Z

Title: Thermal tolerance in Spodoptera frugiperda: Influence of age, sex, and mating status Authors: Mbande, Abongile; Mutamiswa, Reyard; Chidawanyika, Frank Abstract: Temperature plays a key role in shaping the physiology and behavior of ectotherms where responses can depend on age, sex and ontogeny. We investigated the effects of age, sex and mating status on thermal tolerance of Spodoptera frugiperda 3-, 6- and 9-days old adults heat shocked at adult, pupal and larval stages, at 40 °C for 2 h. Our results showed varied significant critical thermal maxima across mating status, age, sex and life stage in tested insects after heat shock. The virgin females CTmax increased with age while it fluctuated in males and 6 days old virgin females had higher CTmax than males. The 3 day old mated females had the highest heat tolerance while 6 days old virgin males the lowest heat tolerance. There was no significant difference in CTmax recorded between virgin males and females aged 3 and 9 days as well as 3, 6 and 9 day mated males and females. There was also no significant interaction between mating status and sex but there was a significant interaction effect between life stage and age. Mated males had higher CTmax than females across all heat shocked developmental stages. The results show a high level of fitness and survival in S. frugiperda females, which may be advantageous in invasion. This study also showed “carry over” effects in adults heat shocked at juvenile stage, with aged adults showing decline in CTmax. This study suggests that plasticity of thermal tolerance may be an important approach for S. frugiperda invasion.

Effects of Different Combinations of Sterile and Fertile Thaumatotibia leucotreta on Fruit Infestation and Population Growth Rate

2026-05-18T14:08:45Z

Title: Effects of Different Combinations of Sterile and Fertile Thaumatotibia leucotreta on Fruit Infestation and Population Growth Rate Authors: Michael M. Githae; Candice A. Coombes; Mutamiswa, Reyard; Sean D. Moore; Martin P. Hill Abstract: Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a key phytosanitary pest of citrus in South Africa. The pest damages fruit by burrowing and feeding on the pulp, thus causing yield losses and export rejections. There are several T. leucotreta management strategies, such as orchard sanitation, mating disruption, attract-and-kill, the use of biocontrol agents, and the sterile insect technique. A laboratory cage study was conducted to examine the impact of different combinations of treated (sterile) and untreated (fertile) T. leucotreta adults on fruit damage and reproduction rate. Thaumatotibia leucotreta adults were grouped into different combinations of treated (T) and untreated (U) male (M) and female (F): UM × UF (control), TM × UF, UM × TF, TM × TF, and UM × UF × TM × TF. These combinations were released into cages to mate and oviposit on the Navel oranges. Each treatment was replicated three times, and the experiment was repeated three times. After 4 weeks, the number of damaged fruit and larval entries per fruit per cage were recorded. Damaged fruit per treatment were then incubated until all emerging F1 progeny were collected and outcrossed with fertile T. leucotreta. Fecundity and fertility per treatment were recorded. Cages with sterile T. leucotreta had significantly fewer damaged fruit, larval entries, and emerged F1 adults compared to the control, except for UM × UF × TM × TF treatments. Similarly, control cages and UM × UF × TM × TF treatments had significantly higher fecundity and fertility compared to other treatments involving sterile T. leucotreta. The TM × UF combination exhibited the lowest rate of increase per generation (< 0.57× from the parental to F1 generation), demonstrating a reduction in the fertile population. The results demonstrated that the release of sterile T. leucotreta leads to sterile-fertile matings rather than fertile-fertile matings, thereby aiding in pest suppression in the T. leucotreta SIT programme.

Parallel concepts and future opportunities across the biological control and invasion sciences

2026-05-18T13:12:56Z

Title: Parallel concepts and future opportunities across the biological control and invasion sciences Authors: Ross N. Cuthbert; Nompumelelo Baso; Tressia Chikodza; Candice Coombes; Jane Doherty; Michael Githae; Tamzin C. Griffith; Marco R. Hernandez; Karla M. Jaschke; Michael D. Jukes; David Kinsler; Hugh J. MacIsaac; Hlumelo T. Mantshi; Pippa Muskett; Mutamiswa, Reyard; Anthony Ricciardi; Guy F. Sutton; Deric V. Tanka; Jaqui van Dyk; Clarke van Steenderen; Jaimie T.A. Dick; Julie Coetzee Abstract: The biological control and invasion sciences are long-standing research fields that have accrued enormous fundamental and applied interest. However, their theoretical and practical integration remains in its infancy. Utilizing an expert elicitation process with participants spanning these sciences, we identify conceptual parallels and future opportunities to strengthen links and address future challenges in both fields. We found that the biological control and invasion sciences face pervasive context-dependencies that must be understood to improve outcome predictions, including climatic changes, spatiotemporal scales, and ‘ecological surprises’. Both sciences would further benefit from terminological streamlining to improve communication, sharing of emerging technologies, and mitigation of the taxonomic decline. The two fields are strongly affected by social perceptions and awareness by decision makers, requiring more effective engagement and translation efforts. Our exercise promotes cross-cutting interdisciplinary advances to improve understanding of fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes, socio-ecological challenges, and management efficacy across the biological control and invasion sciences.