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Seeds of Ocimum americanum L. display an absolute light requirement for germination. The minimal length of the daily photoperiod required to induce a high germination decreased with increasing seed age, but the length of the photoperiod under potential control of terminal far‐red light inhibition remained unchanged. There was a gradual escape from the far‐red inhibition with increase in the length of the photoperiod. Seeds developed flash photosensitivity after the first 13 h photoperiod. Scarification treatment did not allow the seeds to bypass the light requirement, but it enhanced the germination considerably. Under conditions of natural day length in the field, weakening of the testa by sand may abolish the need for a second exposure to light for most of the seed population, thus rendering them non‐photoperiodic.

Agama agama (L.) is a native of tropical Africa and is found in every conceivable habitats, i.e., agricultural, forest and human residential areas. Practically one is all the time in the company of this lizard. The food of this animal is 100% insects and ants (Hymenoptera) alone contributing 70% of it. Some of the major insect orders represented in the diet were Hymenoptera, Isoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. Rainbow lizard consumed 9 major pests of 21 plant species of economic importance. The population of this lizard was quite high in the agroecosystem and ranged between 67 ± 8.2 in January to 115 ± 4.4 per acre in June. Both males and females showed a definite preference for tailor ants (Oecophylla smaragdina F.) as compared to termites (Macrotermes sp.), mosquitoes (Culex pipiens L.) and house fly (Musca domestica L.). Zusammenfassung Zur Bedeutung von Agama agama (Squamata, Agamidae) als natürlicher Feind von Schadinsekten Die Eidechse Agama agama bewohnt das tropische Afrika in allen erdenklichen Habitats der landwirtschaftlichen und forstlichen Areale sowie menschlichen Siedlungen. Ihre Nahrung besteht 100%ig aus Insekten, wobei Ameisen ca. 70% ausmachen. In der Hauptsache gehören die Beuteinsekten den Ordnungen Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, Isoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera und Diptera an. Die Regenbogeneidechse verzehrte 9 Insektenarten, die an zahlreichen Kulturpflanzen erheblich schädlich sind. Die Populationsdichte des Reptils war in Agroökosystemen besonders hoch, wo sie zwischen 67 (Januar) und 115 (Juni) Tieren pro Acre betrug. Bei Fütterungsversuchen zeigten beide Geschlechter eine Vorliebe für Weberameisen (Oecophylla smaragdina F.), verglichen mit Termiten, Stechmücken und Hausfliegen.