Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables. The high level of production in the world is often offset by numerous losses that occur during production in the field or in the post-production stages. Preservation in its fresh form is a challenge, particularly [...] Read more.

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables. The high level of production in the world is often offset by numerous losses that occur during production in the field or in the post-production stages. Preservation in its fresh form is a challenge, particularly due to pest attacks on stored food. A promising natural and inexpensive solution to protect against pests is the use of chitosan (CH), which can be associated with essential oils (EOs) with repellent effects. In previous studies, some protective effects have been demonstrated using chitosan films coated with EOs. In this study, we tested CH-EOs associations on tomato fruits to evaluate their efficacy against attacks by the pestSpodoptera littoralis (Boisduval, 1833), taking into account parameters such as age and body mass of the larvae and the effect over time (10 days) of the treatments. Our study highlights the potential of the combination of CH and cinnamon EO as an environmentally friendly solution to protect tomatoes fromS. littoralis attack. Here we found a repellent effect of cinnamon EO combined with CH onS.littoralis larvae, with no effect on larval attractiveness or repellence for CH alone and the four other EOs tested. The main compound in cinnamon EO, (E)-cinnamaldehyde, had no overall repellent effect on larvae, but had specific effects when larval age, body mass, and post-treatment time were taken into account.Full article

Priophorus fulvostigmatus, a species of leaf-cutter wasp, is an important leaf-feeding pest on strawberries. We investigated the effects of temperature and soil moisture content on key life cycle parameters ofP. fulvostigmatus. The development time, survival, fecundity, and life table parameters [...] Read more.

Priophorus fulvostigmatus, a species of leaf-cutter wasp, is an important leaf-feeding pest on strawberries. We investigated the effects of temperature and soil moisture content on key life cycle parameters ofP. fulvostigmatus. The development time, survival, fecundity, and life table parameters ofP. fulvostigmatus were observed at five temperatures. Pupal development and survival under five moisture contents (8%, 12%, 16%, 20%, and 24%) and four durations of water immersion (0, 1, 3, and 5 d) were recorded.P. fulvostigmatus could complete its life cycle at a constant temperature range of 16–28 °C. The duration of the immature stage first decreased and then increased with rising temperature, being longest at 16 °C and shortest at 25 °C. Female longevity and female fecundity did not differ between the temperature range of 16–25 °C. However, survival rates at all developmental stages decreased with increasing temperature. At 28 °C, both fecundity and survival rates ofP. fulvostigmatus were significantly reduced compared to other temperatures. Compared with that at the constant temperature of 22 °C, the developmental duration of each stage was similar at a fluctuating temperature of 22 °C. The number of eggs laid per female, the longevity of male adults, and the eclosion rate were all significantly reduced. The net reproductive rate (R₀) under constant temperature conditions was significantly higher than under fluctuating temperature conditions, and the mean generation period (T), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) differed significantly. The soil moisture content significantly impacted the pupation and eclosion ofP. fulvostigmatus. Differences in soil moisture content had no significant effect on the duration of development; a moisture content of 8–16% was more suitable for their pupation and eclosion. Pupal development differed significantly between different periods of water immersion after the mature larvae were immersed in the soil. The longer the larvae remained in the soil, the lower their emergence rate after immersion. Thus, environmental temperature affected the growth, reproduction, and survival ofP. fulvostigmatus. The optimal soil moisture for pupation of mature larvae was 12% to 16%. After the larvae were immersed in soil, the emergence rate was significantly reduced. These findings expand our understanding of the biological characteristics ofP. fulvostigmatus and can facilitate the development of prevention and control strategies.Full article

Spalangia endius Walker, a pupal parasitoid of the alien invasive pestZeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), causes 33% host mortality. This study assessed whether combiningS. endius with insecticides (abamectin, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, emamectin benzoate, or beta-cypermethrin)—all effective againstZ. cucurbitae—could enhance control efficacy. Among [...] Read more.

Spalangia endius Walker, a pupal parasitoid of the alien invasive pestZeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), causes 33% host mortality. This study assessed whether combiningS. endius with insecticides (abamectin, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, emamectin benzoate, or beta-cypermethrin)—all effective againstZ. cucurbitae—could enhance control efficacy. Among these, abamectin was the least toxic to adultS. endius. Surface contact treatments with 12 and 15 mg a.i./kg of abamectin did not significantly increaseS. endius mortality. However, mixing 12 mg a.i./kg of abamectin into a honey solution to encourage ingestion decreased the survival, parasitism, and fecundity ofS. endius. In olfactometer assays,S. endius adults avoided abamectin-treated host pupae, though prior exposure to abamectin mitigated this avoidance. The timing of abamectin soil application relative to host pupation andS. endius release affects host mortality. The most effective timing is spraying abamectin before host pupation (to exposeZ. cucurbitae larvae) and then releasingS. endius. Field trials confirmed that combining abamectin (12 mg a.i./kg) withS. endius increased host mortality more than either treatment alone. In conclusion, abamectin (12 mg a.i./kg) is a suitable insecticide for combination withS. endius to controlZ. cucurbitae. The application sequence should be spraying abamectin before hosts pupate and, only after that, releasing the parasitoid.Full article

The spotted wing drosophila,Drosophila suzukii is an injurious polyphagous pest threatening worldwide soft fruit production. Its high adaptability to new colonized environments, short life cycle, and wide host range are supporting its rapid spread. The most common techniques to reduce its significant [...] Read more.

The spotted wing drosophila,Drosophila suzukii is an injurious polyphagous pest threatening worldwide soft fruit production. Its high adaptability to new colonized environments, short life cycle, and wide host range are supporting its rapid spread. The most common techniques to reduce its significant economic damage are based on multiple insecticides applications per season, even prior to the harvest, which reduces agroecosystem biodiversity and affects human and animal health. Environmental concerns and regulatory restrictions on insecticide use are driving the need for studies on alternative biological control strategies. This study aimed to assess the effect ofT. drosphilae in controllingD. suzukii infestations and its interaction withP. vindemiae, a secondary parasitoid naturally present in Apulia (South Italy). Field experiments were carried out in organic cherry orchards in Gioia del Colle (Bari, Italy) to test the efficacy and adaptability ofT. drosphilae following weekly releases of artificially reared individuals. Additionally, the interaction betweenP. vindemiae andT. drosphilae was studied under laboratory conditions. Results from field experiments showed thatD. suzukii populations were significantly lower when both parasitoids were present. However,T. drosophilae was less prone to adaptation, so its presence and parasitism were limited to the post-release period. Laboratory experiments, instead, confirmed the high reduction ofD. suzukii populations when both parasitoids are present. However, the co-existence of the two parasitoids resulted in a reduced parasitism rate and offspring production, notably forT. drosophilae. This competitive disadvantage may explain its poor establishment in field conditions. These findings suggest that the field release of the two natural enemies should be carried out with reference to their natural population abundance to not generate competition effects.Full article

This article proposes a new Flower Patch Nectar Sensor to address the problem of detecting and measuring nectar in artificial flowers used in experiments on pollinator behavior. Traditional methods have focused mainly on recording the visits of pollinators to the flowers, without addressing [...] Read more.

This article proposes a new Flower Patch Nectar Sensor to address the problem of detecting and measuring nectar in artificial flowers used in experiments on pollinator behavior. Traditional methods have focused mainly on recording the visits of pollinators to the flowers, without addressing the dynamic variations in nectar in terms of volume and concentration. The proposed approach provides more detailed information about the nectar consumption by bees and allows for the determination of the optimal time to refill the flowers. This study introduces an innovative method that uses electrodes and an oscillator circuit to measure the volume of nectar present in the flower. The system correlates the concentration of nectar with a frequency signal that can be processed by a microcontroller. It was evaluated using initial volumes ranging from 1$\mathsf{\mu }$L to 4$\mathsf{\mu }$L, demonstrating its ability to accurately detect variations in nectar, even up to the point where the frequency approaches zero. The results confirm that this method allows us to identify how the reward offered to pollinators (represented by nectar) varies over time, in terms of concentration, under both controlled and natural conditions. Additionally, graphs are presented that show the relationship between an initial volume of 4$\mathsf{\mu }$L and variations in the frequency signal over a period of 25 min, highlighting the influence of these factors on nectar dynamics. This work not only introduces an innovative approach for the dynamic monitoring of nectar in artificial flowers but also lays the groundwork for future studies on the physical and chemical modeling of nectar in response to environmental conditions.Full article

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Seed treatments with insecticides are important tools for managing corn stunting disease complex (CSDC) transmitted byDalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) by reducing the initial leafhoppers’ population and, consequently, the risk of pathogen transmission. We evaluated the effect of insecticides used in seed treatment [...] Read more.

Seed treatments with insecticides are important tools for managing corn stunting disease complex (CSDC) transmitted byDalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) by reducing the initial leafhoppers’ population and, consequently, the risk of pathogen transmission. We evaluated the effect of insecticides used in seed treatment on both healthy and spiroplasma-infected leafhoppers, the persistence of the seed treatment effect on disease symptom severity, and its impact on corn productivity. At the V2 stage, imidacloprid/thiodicarb was the most effective, resulting in 100% mortality of healthy leafhoppers and 85.7% mortality of infective ones, thus preventing spiroplasma transmission. Thiamethoxam and methomyl + fipronil/thiamethoxam showed a high total mortality after 72 h, but only for the infective leafhoppers, with a total mortality of healthy leafhoppers around 40%, reducing the number of plants with symptoms by 80% and 90%, respectively. Our results prove that there is a difference between the chemical molecules and that the infected leafhoppers are more susceptible. Insecticide seed treatment was effective until the V2 growth stage, and imidacloprid/thiodicarb was the most effective product tested. Infective leafhoppers were more susceptible to insecticide seed treatments, and the infestation by the corn leafhopper carrying spiroplasma in the early stages of plant development heavily reduced corn yield.Full article

Araucaria araucana is one of the longest-living Chilean trees. Recently, Araucaria Leaf Damage disease, which causes damage to branches and crowns, was detected.Sinophloeus porteri, a bark beetle affectingA. araucana, could be associated with foliar damage. However, little is known [...] Read more.

Araucaria araucana is one of the longest-living Chilean trees. Recently, Araucaria Leaf Damage disease, which causes damage to branches and crowns, was detected.Sinophloeus porteri, a bark beetle affectingA. araucana, could be associated with foliar damage. However, little is known about their ecological and chemical interactions. This study examined the olfactory response ofS. porteri to volatiles emitted fromA. araucana. Branches and weevils were collected from a national park, and volatiles were trapped from both healthy and unhealthy branches. Thirty terpenes were identified, some of which were reported for the first time inA. araucana. Healthy branches emitted large amounts of myrcene (>360 ng g⁻¹ day⁻¹), and unhealthy branches showed high hibaene emanations (>140 ng g⁻¹ day⁻¹). Olfactory assays verified thatS. porteri was attracted to the volatile blends of branches, regardless of the health condition of the branches, but preferred the blend of unhealthy branches. Moreover, myrcene was repellent to these weevils, and hibaene acted as an attractant, suggesting thatA. araucana might use myrcene for defense againstS. porteri, and hibaene could stimulate host selection by beetles.Full article

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Insects are often associated with diverse microorganisms that enhance their metabolism and nutrient assimilation. These microorganisms, residing in the insect’s gut, play a crucial role in breaking down complex molecules into simpler compounds essential for the host’s growth. This study investigates the diversity [...] Read more.

Insects are often associated with diverse microorganisms that enhance their metabolism and nutrient assimilation. These microorganisms, residing in the insect’s gut, play a crucial role in breaking down complex molecules into simpler compounds essential for the host’s growth. This study investigates the diversity and functional potential of symbiotic bacteria in the gut ofArsenura armida (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) larvae, an edible insect from southeastern Mexico, using culture-dependent and metagenomic approaches. Bacterial strains were isolated from different gut sections (foregut, midgut, and hindgut) and cultured on general-purpose media. Isolates were identified through 16SrRNA gene sequencing and genomic fingerprinting. Metagenomics revealed the bacterial community structure and diversity, along with their functional potential. A total of 96 bacterial strains were isolated, predominantly Gram-negative bacilli. Rapidly growing colonies exhibited enzymatic activity, cellulose degradation, and sugar production. Phylogenetic analysis identified eight genera, includingAcinetobacter,Bacillus,Enterobacter,Pseudomonas, and others, with significant cellulose-degrading capabilities. Metagenomics confirmed Bacillota as the most abundant phylum. These complementary methods revealed abundant symbiotic bacteria with key metabolic roles inA. armida, offering promising biotechnological applications in enzymatic bioconversion and cellulose degradation.Full article

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Representatives of Dermestidae (skin, larder, and carpet beetles) play a crucial role as decomposers in global ecosystems, facilitating the recycling of animal and plant biomass to sustain nutrient cycling. Despite their widespread ecological presence and functional importance, the fossil record of their larval [...] Read more.

Representatives of Dermestidae (skin, larder, and carpet beetles) play a crucial role as decomposers in global ecosystems, facilitating the recycling of animal and plant biomass to sustain nutrient cycling. Despite their widespread ecological presence and functional importance, the fossil record of their larval stages has remained sparse, with previous documentation limited to occasional discoveries. This study significantly expands the larval fossil record by identifying 36 amber-preserved specimens from the Cretaceous, Eocene, and Miocene time slices, obtained from deposits distributed globally. By challenging the historical view of larval fossil rarity, we reveal morphological changes in defensive setae over geological time, demonstrating that Cretaceous and later fossil larvae possess significantly longer absolute and relative setal lengths compared to their extant counterparts. These findings, bolstered by quantitative comparisons of setal and body dimensions across fossil and extant representatives, indicate evolutionary adaptations in defensive structures dating back at least 100 million years. Our results offer new insights into the paleobiology of the group Dermestidae, highlighting how the morphology of larvae potentially reflects historical ecological pressures and resources availability. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating fossil evidence with comparative morphology to elucidate the evolutionary trajectories and functional roles of larvae in ancient terrestrial ecosystems.Full article

A mutation affecting eye color was discovered inMacrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae). This species is an important biological control agent used to manage whiteflies and other arthropod pests in greenhouse crops. Typically, these predators exhibit a dark eye coloration, ranging from garnet [...] Read more.

A mutation affecting eye color was discovered inMacrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae). This species is an important biological control agent used to manage whiteflies and other arthropod pests in greenhouse crops. Typically, these predators exhibit a dark eye coloration, ranging from garnet to black. However, individuals with bright red eyes have been identified within wild populations, making them easily distinguishable. The objective of this study was to study the mode of inheritance of the red eye color mutation observed. Additionally, a comparative analysis of key biological traits was conducted between individuals carrying the mutation and those from a wild-type population. From these specimens, a population carrying this eye color mutation, referred to asruby, was established. Genetic analyses revealed that the red coloration is controlled by a single recessive allele located on an autosomal chromosome. Red-eyed individuals exhibited superior performance in biological traits, including greater body size in both males and females, as well as increased fecundity and longevity in females. The utilization of this red-eyed variant could be valuable as a visual marker in ecological and biological studies of population dynamics.Full article

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Parasitoid wasps are vital for biological control, and while new species continue to be discovered, evaluating their biological characteristics is crucial for realizing their potential for pest management.Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a well-studied parasitoid of dipteran pests, whileTrichomalopsis ovigastra [...] Read more.

Parasitoid wasps are vital for biological control, and while new species continue to be discovered, evaluating their biological characteristics is crucial for realizing their potential for pest management.Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a well-studied parasitoid of dipteran pests, whileTrichomalopsis ovigastra Sureshan & Narendran (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) has been only morphologically described. To assess its biocontrol potential, we compared the biological traits ofT. ovigastra andP. vindemiae usingDrosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) andBactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) as hosts.T. ovigastra showed significantly higher parasitism rates, especially againstB. dorsalis, whereT. ovigastra achieved nearly 50% parasitism, compared to less than 0.3% byP. vindemiae. When usingD. melanogaster as the host, no significant differences were observed betweenT. ovigastra andP. vindemiae in offspring sex ratio or adult longevity; however,T. ovigastra exhibited a shorter developmental duration and greater tolerance to temperature extremes, starvation, and desiccation. Notably,B. dorsalis has expanded its range from southern to northern China; however, no native parasitoids of this pest have been reported in the newly invaded northern regions.T. ovigastra, collected from northern orchards and capable of parasitizingB. dorsalis, thus shows promise as a biocontrol agent. These findings highlight the potential of locally occurring parasitoids, although field validation is still required.Full article

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Springtails are adapted to life in the pore space of soil, where humidity in moist soil is close to saturation. Drought is the most important limiting factor for springtails; however, their molecular and physiological adaptations to low humidity are not well understood. The [...] Read more.

Springtails are adapted to life in the pore space of soil, where humidity in moist soil is close to saturation. Drought is the most important limiting factor for springtails; however, their molecular and physiological adaptations to low humidity are not well understood. The present study explored the global proteomic drought response of the springtail,Folsomia candida (Isotomidae, Collembola). In relatively dry soil (−360 kPa), adult springtails initially lost body water but re-established the normal body water content over the following two weeks. Nano LC–MS/MS analysis identified a total of 1729 unique proteins. Proteomic analysis and pathway enrichment found that the proteome generally did not show a dramatic induction of proteins in response to drought stress. After an initial down-regulation of pathways related to metabolism and growth, these pathways gradually returned to the same levels as in moist soil. Other pathways such as the cytoskeleton pathway, which is important in cell proliferation and differentiation, were predominantly down-regulated throughout the experiment in drought-exposed animals, which correlated with essentially no somatic growth of the springtails in dry soil. This study facilitates the understanding of the consequences of climate change on soil functioning and fertility.Full article

The efficacy of two selectedMetarhizium rileyi Mexican isolates (T9-21 and L8-22) againstSpodoptera frugiperda was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. To this end, a suspension (1 × 10⁸ conidia/mL) of these isolates was sprayed on maize plants previously infested with six second-instar [...] Read more.

The efficacy of two selectedMetarhizium rileyi Mexican isolates (T9-21 and L8-22) againstSpodoptera frugiperda was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. To this end, a suspension (1 × 10⁸ conidia/mL) of these isolates was sprayed on maize plants previously infested with six second-instar larvae. No significant differences were observed between the survival curves of the T9-21 and L8-22 isolates. Cadaver sporulation was significantly higher, and the lethal time was significantly lower with the T9-21 isolate compared with those of the L8-22 isolate (97% and 8 days vs. 70% and 10 days, respectively). Based on these results, a small-scale field trial on maize was performed to evaluate the degree of pest control achieved by the T9-21 isolate and compare it with the insecticide spinetoram, applied at a rate of 1 × 10¹³ conidia/ha and 75 mL/ha, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the proportion of larval mortality between the T9-21 isolate (0.49) and spinetoram (0.72). However, spinetoram significantly reduced natural enemies and phytophagous insect populations compared with the fungus and the control. In conclusion,M. rileyi T9-21 isolate could be a promising alternative for the control ofS. frugiperda larvae.Full article

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The circadian clock orchestrates behavioral and molecular processes such as eclosion. Understanding eclosion timing may offer insights into circadian mechanisms underlying migratory timing. Here, we characterize the diel and circadian patterns of eclosion and core clock gene expression in the fall armyworm (FAW), [...] Read more.

The circadian clock orchestrates behavioral and molecular processes such as eclosion. Understanding eclosion timing may offer insights into circadian mechanisms underlying migratory timing. Here, we characterize the diel and circadian patterns of eclosion and core clock gene expression in the fall armyworm (FAW),Spodoptera frugiperda, a globally distributed migratory moth. Using a custom-designed eclosion monitoring system under 14 h light: 10 h dark (L14: D10) and constant darkness (DD) conditions, we observed robust diel eclosion rhythms peaking shortly after lights-off under L14: D10, which became delayed and damped over three consecutive days in DD. Males showed a tendency toward more dispersed emergence patterns and exhibited statistically distinguishable eclosion distributions from females under both conditions. Expression of five canonical clock genes (cyc,clk,tim,per,cry2) displayed significant 24 h rhythmicity, with generally higher mesors in males. However, sex-specific differences in amplitude and phase were detected only forclk andcyc under L14: D10, not in DD. These findings suggest that sex-specific differences in circadian regulation are limited. Nonetheless, subtle variations in clock gene output and emergence timing in the FAW population established in China may contribute to sex-specific ecological strategies in the novel migratory arena.Full article

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The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) represents one of the most destructive agricultural pests globally, renowned for its ability to form massive swarms that can devastate crops and threaten food security across vast regions. Despite the widespread application of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing [...] Read more.

The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) represents one of the most destructive agricultural pests globally, renowned for its ability to form massive swarms that can devastate crops and threaten food security across vast regions. Despite the widespread application of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system in several insect orders, its utilization in locusts, particularly in the desert locust, has remained relatively unexplored. We established a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene-editing workflow for the desert locust using gene encoding for neuropeptide corazonin (Crz) as a target. We also analyzed the phenotypic and physiological characteristics of the mutant using paraffin sectioning, HE staining, and chitin staining techniques. Our findings revealed that whileCrz knockout desert locusts were viable and maintained normal fertility, they exhibited striking phenotypic alterations, including albinism and a significant reduction in cuticle thickness. These observations not only highlight the functional role of Crz in pigmentation and cuticle development but also underscore the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 as a powerful tool for dissecting gene function in locusts. Furthermore, the successful application of CRISPR/Cas9 in desert locusts also paves the way for similar genetic studies in other non-model insects, expanding the scope of functional genomics in entomology.Full article

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Insects and their endosymbionts have a close mutualistic relationship. However, the precise nature of the bacterial endosymbiont-mediated interaction between host plants and whiteflyBemisia tabaci MEAM1 is still unclear. In the present study, six populations ofBemisia tabaci MEAM1 sharing the same genetic [...] Read more.

Insects and their endosymbionts have a close mutualistic relationship. However, the precise nature of the bacterial endosymbiont-mediated interaction between host plants and whiteflyBemisia tabaci MEAM1 is still unclear. In the present study, six populations ofBemisia tabaci MEAM1 sharing the same genetic background were established by rearing insects for ten generations on different host plants, including poinsettia, cabbage, cotton, tomato, and tobacco, and an additional population was reared on cotton and treated with antibiotics. The physiological and nutritional traits of the insects were found to be dependent on the host plant on which they had been reared. Systematic analysis was conducted on the endosymbiont titers, the amino acid molecules and contents, as well as developmental and oviposition changes in the MEAM1 populations reared on each host plant tested. The results indicate thatB. tabaci contained the primary symbiontPortiera and the secondary symbiontsHamiltonella andRickettsia. In addition, the titer of endosymbiotic bacteria in females is higher than that in males. Among the MEAM1 populations reared on each host plant, the variation pattern ofPortiera titer generally corresponded with changes in biological characteristics (body length, weight and fecundity) and AA contents. This suggests that changes in the amino acid contents and biological characteristics of differentB. tabaci populations may be due to changes in thePortiera content and the differences in the nutrition of the host plants themselves. Our findings were further confirmed by the reduction inPortiera with antibiotic treatment. The amino acids, body size, body weight, and fecundity ofB. tabaci were all reduced with the decrease in thePortiera titer after antibiotic treatment. In summary, our research revealed that host plants can affect the content of symbiotic bacteria, particularlyPortiera, and subsequently affect the nutrition (i.e., the essential amino acids content) of host insects, thus changing their biological characteristics.Full article

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Pre-, pro-, and post-biotics have been used with success in several commercially grown insect species to increase yields and improve health outcomes. However, few studies have been published evaluating the use of nutritional supplements inAcheta domesticus. For this study, we fed [...] Read more.

Pre-, pro-, and post-biotics have been used with success in several commercially grown insect species to increase yields and improve health outcomes. However, few studies have been published evaluating the use of nutritional supplements inAcheta domesticus. For this study, we fed day-old, farm-raised,A. domesticus aSaccharomyces cerevisiae postbiotic product at one of three different inclusion rates (0, 0.25, and 0.5%) for 32 days. Crickets were analyzed for differences in average weights, total biomass, percent survival, nutritional analyses, viral qPCR, and 16S/18S microbiomes. Crickets receiving the 0.5% inclusion feed trended towards having a higher total biomass (F = 3.823,p = 0.052) and a higher percent survival per bin (F = 3.667,p = 0.057) than the crickets receiving lower inclusion feeds. No significant differences were found in viral prevalences or loads. Significant changes to the microbiomes were mostly defined by increased abundances of presumed beneficial bacteria (Akkermansia,Catenibacillus, andOdoribacter) in the groups receiving postbiotics rather than by losses of harmful bacteria. For the 18S results, there was an increased abundance of a Gregarian apicomplexan,Leidyana erratica in the treatment groups. Overall, the 0.5% inclusion feed appeared to be beneficial and further study investigating other forms of feed additives is warranted.Full article

Sclerodermus sichuanensis, a parasitic wasp, plays a significant role in wood-boring forest pest control in China. Research has shown that the photoperiod significantly affects the development and reproduction of parasitic wasps. However, the effects of the photoperiod onS. sichuanensis have not [...] Read more.

Sclerodermus sichuanensis, a parasitic wasp, plays a significant role in wood-boring forest pest control in China. Research has shown that the photoperiod significantly affects the development and reproduction of parasitic wasps. However, the effects of the photoperiod onS. sichuanensis have not yet been reported. This study investigates the impact of different photoperiods on the developmental duration and reproduction ofS. sichuanensis. The wasps were reared under four photoperiod conditions: 0L:24D, 8L:16D, 16L:8D, and 24L:0D. The results show that increased light duration shortened the egg, larval, and pupal stages, with the total developmental period decreasing by up to 17 days. The number of offspring was highest in the 8L:16D and 16L:8D treatments, while constant light (24L:0D) led to a significant decrease in offspring numbers. The parasitism rate and pre-oviposition period were also affected by light exposure, with the longest pre-oviposition period observed in complete darkness. These findings indicate that the photoperiod plays a crucial role in regulating the development and reproductive efficiency ofS. sichuanensis, suggesting that appropriate light conditions could enhance the efficiency of its use in pest control.Full article

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The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata, CPB) is a major pest in potato crops, notorious for its rapid dispersal and insecticide resistance, which are enabled by its robust elytra and flight-capable hindwings. TheMiniature (Mi) gene, encoding a protein [...] Read more.

The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata, CPB) is a major pest in potato crops, notorious for its rapid dispersal and insecticide resistance, which are enabled by its robust elytra and flight-capable hindwings. TheMiniature (Mi) gene, encoding a protein with a zona pellucida (ZP) domain, is involved in wing development and cuticle integrity, yet its functional role in beetles remains underexplored. In this study, we cloned and characterized theLdMi gene in the CPB and investigated its function using RNA interference (RNAi), morphological analyses, and spectroscopy.LdMi encodes a 146.35 kDa transmembrane protein with a conserved ZP domain, clusters with coleopteran homologs, and exhibits relative conservation across insect species. Expression profiling showed highLdMi transcript levels in the hindwings, the elytra, and the pupal stages. RNAi knockdown in fourth-instar larvae resulted in severe eclosion defects, including malformed wings and reduced adult weight. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed disrupted elytral patterns and deformed hindwing veins in knockdown individuals. Spectroscopic analyses using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy indicated a reduction in protein–chitin crosslinking and diminished hydrogen bonding, suggesting compromised cuticular integrity. These results highlight the essential role ofLdMi in cuticle formation and the surface morphology of the elytra and hindwings, offering new insights into ZP domain proteins in insects.Full article