Plant Extracts as an Alternative to Control Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

We evaluated the effects of crude extracts from the plantain Plantago lanceolata and the bitter gourd Momordica charantia on the oviposition preference and development of the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Mèneville & Perrottet under laboratory and/or greenhouse conditions. The ovicidal effects of these extracts were also studied in a greenhouse. Plantago lanceolata and M. charantia extracts also underwent fractionation directed by oviposition tests with the coffee leaf miner. The extracts of both plants reduced L. coffeella oviposition and egg hatching, apparently as a result of action of plant metabolites on the embryo. Adults originating from eggs treated with the extracts exhibited similar survival rates, but a higher female/male ratio. Fecundity was reduced for females obtained from eggs treated with the M. charantia extract. Partial chemical analysis indicated that both extracts produced polar fractions that reduced the oviposition of L. coffeella on coffee leaves under laboratory conditions. The extracts of P. lanceolata and M. charantia have potential for use in the development of new products to control the coffee leaf miner.

Resection of large petroclival meningiomas by the simple retrosigmoid route.

The operative treatment of petroclival meningiomas has shown considerable improvement in recent years due at least in part to new developments in skull base techniques, including the introduction of the modern transpetrosal approaches. Increased tumour resection and improved postoperative outcomes have been reported with the use of the transpetrosal approaches. Extensive experience in managing these tumours has shown, however, that in a subgroup of patients the transpetrosal approaches may not be indicated: either because of the increased surgical complications related to this approach, or because of the unnecessarily large exposure in the individual cases. The authors report a recent experience dealing with 70 petroclival meningiomas, 24 of which have been resected by the simple retrosigmoid approach. The indication for the retrosigmoid route in the surgical management of the petroclival meningiomas, and its advantages and disadvantages compared to the transpetrosal method are discussed. Copyright 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.