Insects最新文献

{"title":"Diflubenzuron Did Not Affect the Abilities of the Backswimmer <i>Buenoa tarsalis</i> to Survive and Prey Upon Larvae of <i>Aedes aegypti</i>.","authors":"Sabrina H C Araujo, Luis G Salinas Jimenez, Maria J M Corrêa, Viviana L Bohorquez Zapata, Monalisa S S Oliveira, Joshua S Fernandes, Jônatas M Gomes, Raimundo W S Aguiar, Gil R Santos, Wilson R Valbon, Eugênio E Oliveira","doi":"10.3390/insects16040435","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040435","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The management of mosquitoes that transmit human diseases such as Zika, dengue fever, and chikungunya relies mainly on the abatement of immature stages by larvicidal insecticides [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12028109/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144010373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphology of External Genitalia in the Genus <i>Acanthoponera</i> Mayr, with Redescription of <i>A. mucronata</i> (Roger) Male (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae).","authors":"Stefano Cantone, Andrea Di Giulio","doi":"10.3390/insects16040436","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040436","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy, we give a detailed description of the <i>Acanthoponera mucronata</i> male, supplementing the former male-based genus diagnoses. In particular, we described for the first time the following characters: the morphology of the external genitalia, the peculiar antennal cleaning and the absence of the metapleural gland orifice. In addition, we show the pretarsal claws and the ventral excavation in the gaster that represent diagnostic male features of all <i>Acanthoponera</i> species, never imaged before. The use of modern taxonomic standards is particularly important in order to make these data available to future comparative analyses.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12027556/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143963473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Bacillus velezensis</i> as a Novel Species for Mosquito Control: Impacts of Exposure on Key Life History Traits of <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i>.","authors":"Abdullah A Alomar","doi":"10.3390/insects16040434","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040434","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Bacillus velezensis</i> is a promising mosquito vector biocontrol agent due to its potent larvicidal properties. This study investigated the lethal and sublethal effects of exposure to crude toxin of <i>B. velezensis</i> strain WHk23 on <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i>. Toxicity bioassays showed a median lethal concentration of 28.30 µg/mL for third instar larvae. In addition to direct larval mortality, sublethal exposures resulted in concentration-dependent decreases in survival, fecundity, and fertility. Exposure to different concentrations was found to accelerate larval development, resulting in larger females, yet those females exhibited lower lifespan and diminished reproductive success. These results suggest that exposure to <i>B. velezensis</i> not only reduces mosquito populations but also has lasting effects on important life history parameters, ultimately lowering vectorial capacity and disease transmission risk. This study provides valuable insights into the lethal and sublethal consequences of <i>B. velezensis</i> exposure. Given its potent larvicidal properties, <i>B. velezensis</i> represents a promising biocontrol agent for mosquito vectors.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12028121/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143985425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"β-1,3-Glucan Recognition Protein Can Inhibit the Proliferation of <i>Bombyx mori</i> Cytoplasmic Polyhedrosis Virus.","authors":"Yinong Zhang, Jiming Yan, Yukai Xie, Xiong Wang, Feifei Ren, Haixu Bian, Jingchen Sun","doi":"10.3390/insects16040431","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040431","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Insects detect pathogens through their germ-line encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Among these, β-1,3-glucan recognition protein (βGRP) is a crucial PRR that specifically identifies pathogenic microorganisms and triggers innate immune signaling cascades. However, it remains unclear whether βGRP can detect viruses and protect the host from viral threats. In this study, using high-throughput sequencing technology, we observed a significant suppression of βGRP-3 in <i>Bombyx mori</i> during infection with the <i>Bombyx mori</i> cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV). Moreover, overexpression of βGRP-3 in BmN cell lines resulted in a reduction of BmCPV proliferation, whereas knockdown of βGRP-3 in BmN cells promoted BmCPV proliferation. These findings suggest that the βGRP family functions not only as anti-bacterial, antifungal, and anti-yeast PRRs but also as protectors against various harmful viruses in insects.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12028182/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143999529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Abundance, Diversity and Distribution of Mosquito Species and Molecular Detection of Its Associated Hepatitis C Virus in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.","authors":"Tharwat A Selim, Sanad H Ragab, Saber A Riad, Randa I Eltaly, Shaimaa H Mohammed, Somia Eissa Sharawi, Naser Ahmed Alkenani, Ruoa Saleh Almahallawi, Hayat S Al-Rashidi, Mohamed A M El-Tabakh","doi":"10.3390/insects16040433","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040433","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The presence of mosquitoes in a certain area is sufficient evidence of the transmission of diseases, in addition to the inconvenience and harassment they cause to the population. In order for mosquito control to be successful, there must be sufficient reports and information about the extent of the distribution and spread of the mosquito in this area. This study was conducted seasonally to calculate the distribution and abundance of mosquitoes and to initially detect hepatitis C virus in the most abundant species collected in some localities: Kafr Saqr (Hanot, El-Kodah, Abo Shokok, El-Hagarsa); Abo Kebeer (Manshat Radwan, Bane Aiat, Al-Rahmania, Horbat); Diarb Negm (Safor, El-Asaied, Karmot Sahbara, Saft Zreka); and El-Zakazik (Om El-Zein, Bany Amer, Al-Zankalon, Shanbrt El-Mimona) along Sharkia Governorate. According to the results, 12 mosquito species belonging to two genera were recorded in four stations (16 sites). The species <i>Culex pipiens</i> was found to be the most abundant across the majority of locations. It is reaching its peak in Al-Zankalon with a maximum count of 139 ± 7.61 individuals. <i>C. antennatus</i> exhibited a significant level of abundance (<i>p</i> < 0.001), especially in Al-Rahmania (82.5 ± 4.3). Species such as <i>C. perexiguus</i> and <i>An. pharoensis</i> were found in moderate-to-low numbers. The prevailing species is <i>C. pipiens</i> in all locations and seasons, especially during the summer. Other species like <i>C. antennatus</i> and <i>An. pharoensis</i> are also important, although their significance is somewhat less pronounced. Clusters of sites with similar features indicate that specific locations or species exhibit consistent patterns of activity or abundance throughout several seasons. These clusters represent groups of locations that share similar characteristics, as determined by the principal components. The findings of detecting hepatitis C virus in <i>C. pipiens</i> (the most abundant species) collected samples showed negative results for the presence of HCV during the summer season in Sharkia Governorate.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12028199/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143984873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Genus <i>Psenulus</i> Kohl, 1897 (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) in China, with Two New Species and Two New Country Records.","authors":"Huifen Jiang, Qiang Li, Li Ma","doi":"10.3390/insects16040432","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040432","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The genus <i>Psenulus</i> from China is reviewed and two new species are described: <i>Psenulus carinitibialis</i> Jiang & Ma and <i>Psenulus clypeoconvexus</i> Jiang & Ma; two species are newly recorded from China: <i>Psenulus bicinctus</i> Turner, 1912 and <i>Psenulus orinus</i> van Lith, 1973. Additionally, the intraspecific morphological variations are clarified and discussed. An identification key to the Chinese species is provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12028237/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144021772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differences in Morphology of Rural vs. Urban Individuals of the Flightless Ground Beetle, <i>Carabus convexus</i>.","authors":"Tibor Magura, Roland Horváth, Szabolcs Mizser, Mária Tóth, Gábor L Lövei","doi":"10.3390/insects16040430","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040430","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urbanization causes significant environmental and structural changes in habitats, one of them being increased fragmentation. Traits associated with increased locomotory capacity may be advantageous in such situations, as individuals with those traits may expand their home range or have a chance to escape the patch where conditions threaten their survival. Individuals of the forest specialist, flightless ground beetle <i>Carabus convexus</i> in urban habitats may respond to urbanization by increasing their locomotory capacity (increased muscle mass) with respect to their conspecifics in rural habitats. In order to test this hypothesis, morphological traits standardized for body size were assessed using linear mixed-effects models. Pronotum volume (as a proxy for muscle mass) showed no significant difference between urban and rural individuals. The size of the tibia and femur of the front, middle, and hind legs (a proxy for leg muscle mass) significantly differed between sexes, with males having significantly larger tibiae and femora than females. Furthermore, urban males had significantly larger hind tibiae than rural conspecifics. Sex-specific differences in tibia and femur size is expected because males usually have higher locomotory activity than females. Larger tibiae of urban males can be advantageous to extend their home range, ensuring that males find mating partners even in low-density urban populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12027500/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144011298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Suitability of Artificial Diets Containing Various Types of Pollen Grains to <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> (Hübner, 1808): Nutritional Performance and Digestive Enzyme Response.","authors":"Fatemeh Kefayat, Seyed Ali Hemmati, Arash Rasekh, Fatemeh Nasernakhaei, Lukasz L Stelinski","doi":"10.3390/insects16040429","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040429","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The development of an effective artificial diet is essential for the mass rearing of insects used in pest management programs, including augmentative biological control, insecticide resistance monitoring, and sterile insect release. This study evaluated the consumption, utilization, and enzymatic responses of the polyphagous pest <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> (Hübner, 1808) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) when reared on meridic diets supplemented with different pollen grains. The control diet followed a well-established meridic formulation, while the eight experimental diets incorporated pollen from the honey bee, rapeseed, maize, sunflower, hollyhock, glossy shower, saffron, and date palm. The findings indicate that pollen supplementation enhances the quality of artificial diets for <i>H. armigera</i>. Larvae fed on the date palm pollen-supplemented diet exhibited significantly higher weight gain, efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD), and relative growth rate (RGR) compared to those fed on the control diet. The highest relative consumption rate (RCR) was observed in larvae fed on the sunflower pollen-supplemented diet. Additionally, pollen-supplemented diets influenced the amylolytic and proteolytic enzyme activities of <i>H. armigera</i> larvae in a diet-dependent manner. Nutritional analysis of the pollen types revealed significant variations in the sugar, lipid, and protein contents. Cluster analysis further identified the date palm pollen-supplemented diet as the most nutritionally beneficial, suggesting its potential application in the large-scale production of <i>H. armigera</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12027717/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143999267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Farmers' Perception of Fall Armyworm (<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>) as an Invasive Pest and Its Management.","authors":"Waseem Akbar, Sumaira Yousaf, Muhammad Farhan Saeed, Wafa A H Alkherb, Asim Abbasi, Nazih Y Rebouh, Nazia Suleman","doi":"10.3390/insects16040427","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040427","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study was carried out with the aim of understanding how farmers perceive and deal with fall armyworm (FAW) infestations in maize crops. Data based on a questionnaire were collected across nine districts of the Punjab province in Pakistan. Findings revealed that about 38% of farmers had medium-sized landholdings and had been cultivating maize crop for the last 11-20 years. Hybrid maize seed was used by 55% of the farmers, and 60% of the maize grown was used as fodder, as well as a cash crop. Surprisingly, only 39% of farmers were able to correctly identify FAW; however, the majority (72%) recognized the larvae as the most damaging stage. Although most of the farmers (71%) grew maize crops during both seasons, only 34% of the farmers recognized autumn as the peak infestation period of FAW. However, despite limited awareness, a high percentage (86%) of farmers managed FAW effectively using various chemical treatments. This study also highlighted the influence of some factors on farmers' perception of FAW such as: age, farming experience, and maize cultivation practices. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for increased awareness of the basic biology and targeted management strategies for FAW to safeguard maize crops in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12027892/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143999060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Life Table Parameters and Digestive Enzyme Activity of <i>Araecerus fasciculatus</i> (Coleoptera: Anthribidae) Feeding on Different Stored Products.","authors":"Lingyan Jian, Yuping Yang, Songhai Xie, Yibin Lou, Ling Chen, Fanglian Dai, Paraskevi Agrafioti, Yu Cao, Christos G Athanassiou, Can Li","doi":"10.3390/insects16040428","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040428","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Araecerus fasciculatus</i> (De Geer, 1775) is an important stored-product pest worldwide. In this study, the development time, survival rate, oviposition, and digestive enzyme (<i>α</i>-amylase, cellulase, pepsin, and lipase) activities of <i>A. fasciculatus</i> fed on five commodities (coffee, jujube, maize, wheat, and kansui) were investigated. Our results showed that the developmental duration of <i>A. fasciculatus</i> from egg to adult was shortest on coffee beans (51.41 days) and longest on kansui (69.65 days). The survival rate of <i>A. fasciculatus</i> adults was lowest on kansui (42.22%) and highest on coffee beans (63.33%). Significant differences in fecundity were also observed, with the greatest number on coffee beans (80.78 eggs/female) and the lowest on kansui (50.43 eggs/female). <i>Araecerus fasciculatus</i> showed the greatest intrinsic rate of natural increase (<i>r</i>_m) on coffee beans (0.141), followed by jujube (0.129), maize (0.117), wheat (0.105), and kansui (0.097). The net productive rate (<i>R</i>₀) showed a similar trend to <i>r</i>_m, with values of 48.42, 42.53, 35.39, 27.53, and 21.47, respectively, on these stored products. Although no significant differences were observed in the lipase activities when <i>A. fasciculatus</i> was fed on different stored products, activities of <i>α</i>-amylase, pepsin, and cellulase were highest on coffee beans and lowest on kansui. The variation in the population development of <i>A. fasciculatus</i> associated with different foods may be related to its digestive enzyme performance. These results indicated that coffee beans were the most suitable host food, while kansui was the least suitable for the development of <i>A. fasciculatus</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12027550/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143970567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}