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Research Article
Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
111-123
Received:
14 July 2025
Accepted:
28 July 2025
Published:
10 October 2025
Abstract: A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach nymphs (10th-14th instars) were allotted randomly to the diets and rearing periods and replicated five (5) times in buckets. Data on feed intake, growth performance, survival rates, number of ootheca and cost components were recorded and analysed. Samples of the feed ingredients, diets and cockroach meal were collected and analysed for nutritional values using standard methods. Diet D1 was a well-balanced commercial broiler starter, whereas diets D2 was made from three organic wastes and D3 being made from various organic wastes with fortification of minerals and vitamins. The cumulative feed intake by the cockroaches on diet D2 (45.26 g) was higher (p<0.05) than that of diets D1 (26.8 g) and D3 (37.74 g). Cockroaches fed on diet D2 had higher weight gain (7.4 g) than diets D1 (5.9 g) and D2 (4.1 g). Similarly, cockroaches reared for 90 days had higher weight gain (7.6 g) than those reared for 30 (2.5 g), 60 (5.7 g) and 120 (7.3 g) days. The number of ootheca produced were higher (P<0.05) on diet D2 (35) than on diet D1 (13) and D3 (12). The higher (P<0.05) mean survival rate was observed in cockroaches reared for 30 days (91.3%) and 90 days (81.4%) than those reared for 60 days (67.8%) and 120 days (54.9%) periods. The average crude protein content of the cockroach meal was higher at 90 days (720.4 g/kg) and 60 days (716.8 g/kg) than other periods. In conclusion, rearing cockroach nymphs on diet D2 for 90 days was found to be the most effective way of producing cockroaches with relatively low production costs. Further study is recommended on evaluation of the produced cockroach meal as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chicken.
Abstract: A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach ...
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Research Article
Termite Damage to Buildings in Benue State, Nigeria: Termite Diversity and Nature of Attacks, Economic Cost of Maintenance and Residents’ Perception and Control
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
124-137
Received:
13 September 2025
Accepted:
25 September 2025
Published:
18 October 2025
Abstract: Globally, the annual economic cost of termite damage and termite prevention in the housing sector is estimated in the billions. However, in sub-Saharan countries in Africa data on damage and cost of termite-related maintenance are scarce. This study was designed to investigate termite damage to public and residential buildings, quantify the financial cost of termite-related building maintenance with the intent of building the capacity of home owners to deploy cost-effective prevention and control measures in Benue state, Nigeria. Four Local Government Areas (LGAs) in all were selected, Makurdi and Otukpo representing urban LGAs while Ushongo and Ogbadibo represented the rural LGAs. Termite infestation was based on visual observation of signs such as termite mud tunnels on walls, pores in walls, damaged parts such as roofs, windows and door frames, and wooden furniture among others. Questionnaires administration and household inspection were conducted concurrently across all four locations. Through purposive sampling techniques, residents and home owners experiencing perceived termite-related challenges within the communities were randomly recruited until 400 participants were enlisted. The termites attacking each house were collected in a vial with 70% ethanol and labeled with the house ID number and relevant data. The overall termite infestation rate in all four locations was high with 71.4% of inspected house having evidences of termite infestation. The rural settlements had higher infestation rates but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05) (χ2=7.783; P=0.100). Macrotermes bellicosus and M. malacensis were the most predominant termite species infesting buildings. Infestation rate was significantly higher in older buildings with building above 50 and 60 years having 29.0% and 23.3% infestations rate respectively (P < 0.05) (χ2=6.31 P=0.177). The overall knowledge about termites, source of infestation and effective control measures is poor at all study locations, with 151 (37.8%) of home owners not having any idea of sources of termite infestation while 128 (32.0%) believed that termites infested their buildings from neigbouring apartments. This perception was not significantly different for both urban and rural locations (P > 0.05). A total of 167 (41.8%) of home owners whose house were infested expressed the desire to abandon their apartments if they had alternatives. These desires were stronger in rural settlements with Ogbadibo and Ushongo having 34.7% and 25.1% respectively. This study revealed that home owners do not have sufficient knowledge regarding termite control. This poor knowledge could be a hurdle in the effective management of termites. Building the capacity of communities to identify and deploy effective termite control strategies through training is vital.
Abstract: Globally, the annual economic cost of termite damage and termite prevention in the housing sector is estimated in the billions. However, in sub-Saharan countries in Africa data on damage and cost of termite-related maintenance are scarce. This study was designed to investigate termite damage to public and residential buildings, quantify the financi...
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Research Article
Termite Damage to Economic Trees in Benue State, Nigeria: Termite Diversity and Nature of Attacks, Economic Cost of Control and Plantation Owners’ Knowledge and Perception
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
138-153
Received:
21 October 2025
Accepted:
3 November 2025
Published:
9 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.aje.20250904.13
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Abstract: The emerging economic losses in orange, palm fruits, mango and cashew production due to termite infestation is threatening food and social security in communities in Nigeria where these crops are major cash crops and significant income earner. This study was therefore designed to identify farming practices that create ideal conditions for termite proliferation, evaluate the species diversity and abundance of termites affecting economic trees, determine the financial cost of termite infestation on economic trees in order to develop an integrated strategies for their management. Kwande, Ushongo, Ogbadibo and Oju Local Government Areas which are termite hotspots and fruit-producing Local Government Areas in Benue State were purposively selected. A total of 120 orchards were selected and trees were randomly inspected for physical evidence of termites’ infestation. A structured questionnaire to investigate plantation owners’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices in relation to termite infestation was administered to 402 plantation owners and farmers. Focus Group Discussions, direct field observations, were also conducted in each community and termite samples were collected from infested trees. A total of 2,458 economic trees were inspected across the four study locations, 572 (23.7%) showed visible signs of termite infestation. Cashew trees had highest infestation rate with 37.1% showing evidence of termite infestation. The Genus Macrotermes were the most predominant termites infesting trees with M. bellicosus and M. malaccensis. Orange and mango were predominantly cultivated in Kwande and Ushongo, palm trees were the major economic trees in Ogbadibo. There was a significant association between location of study and types of economic trees (χ2 = 218.323; p = 0.000). There was no significant association between signs of termite infestation and location of plantations (χ2 = 30.107; p = 0.090). There was a significant difference in pesticide application compared to other control methods (χ2 = 33.565; p = 0.014). Farmers termite-related perceptions are significantly influenced by local experience and indigenous knowledge resulting to ineffective control efforts. Our finding justifies the need to build the capacity of farmers and deploy more effective integration of termite control options to mitigate the impact of termite-related fruit production losses in Benue State, Nigeria.
Abstract: The emerging economic losses in orange, palm fruits, mango and cashew production due to termite infestation is threatening food and social security in communities in Nigeria where these crops are major cash crops and significant income earner. This study was therefore designed to identify farming practices that create ideal conditions for termite p...
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,
Martin John Martin
