Insects最新文献 - Book学术

Effect of Supplementing Lysine and Isoleucine as Limiting Amino Acids on Growth Performance and Amino Acid Deposition of Tenebrio molitor Larvae Reared on a Cereal-Based Substrate. 补充赖氨酸和异亮氨酸作为限制性氨基酸对谷类基质饲养黄粉拟黄虫幼虫生长性能和氨基酸沉积的影响

IF 2.9 2区农林科学

Insects Pub Date : 2025-09-22 DOI: 10.3390/insects16090989

Guillermo Fondevila, Habib Fatmi, Pilar Fernando, Carlos Dapoza, Manuel Fondevila

{"title":"Effect of Supplementing Lysine and Isoleucine as Limiting Amino Acids on Growth Performance and Amino Acid Deposition of Tenebrio molitor Larvae Reared on a Cereal-Based Substrate.","authors":"Guillermo Fondevila, Habib Fatmi, Pilar Fernando, Carlos Dapoza, Manuel Fondevila","doi":"10.3390/insects16090989","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16090989","url":null,"abstract":"The effects of Lys and Ile supplementation in a barley-based substrate on growth performance and nutrient deposition in Tenebrio molitor larvae were evaluated. Six trays per treatment containing sixty larvae were assigned to five treatments in two 21-day periods: barley (B); an 85% barley and 15% soybean meal mixture (BS) and B supplemented with synthetic Lys (BL), Ile (BI) or a combination of both (BLI), as potential limiting amino acids (AA) for larval growth. Supplementing AAs was provided in agar cubes twice per week. Larval performance was measured, and larvae were analyzed for nutrient content and AA profile. Final larval weight increased (p = 0.042) in BS and BL compared to B, with intermediate values for BI and BLI. Larval contents (mg/larva) in total AAs and seven key AAs (sum of Lys, Met, Cys, Thr, Trp, Val and Ile) were higher in BS-fed larvae than in BL and BLI, with the lowest values for BI and B (p < 0.001). Barley supplementation with Lys improved larval AA content, although the levels remained lower than those observed with BS. Conversely, Ile supplementation had no apparent effect on overall AA deposition compared to Lys alone, suggesting the presence of additional limiting AAs for optimal larval growth.","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12471055/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145174910","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}

引用次数: 0

Improvement and Quantification of Extraction Methods for Annual Bluegrass Weevil Larval Populations. 蓝草象鼻虫年幼虫种群提取方法的改进与定量研究。

IF 2.9 2区农林科学

Insects Pub Date : 2025-09-22 DOI: 10.3390/insects16090986

Albrecht M Koppenhöfer, Olga S Kostromytska, Ana Luiza Sousa

{"title":"Improvement and Quantification of Extraction Methods for Annual Bluegrass Weevil Larval Populations.","authors":"Albrecht M Koppenhöfer, Olga S Kostromytska, Ana Luiza Sousa","doi":"10.3390/insects16090986","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16090986","url":null,"abstract":"The annual bluegrass weevil (ABW), Listronotus maculicollis (Kirby), is a significant pest of short-mown turfgrass in eastern North America. Proper monitoring of this pest may reduce insecticide applications. We investigated the extraction rate and labor involved in modifications of the two currently available methods for sampling ABW larvae: submersion of turf cores in saturated saline solution and heat extraction of cores on modified Berlese funnels. Using 5.7 cm diameter cores, submersion extracted 1.8× more larvae in saline solution than in water. Among the salt extraction variants, splitting the cores into four pieces before submersion was the best compromise between extraction rate and time requirement. Using intact cores extracted 40% fewer larvae while taking 18% less time, whereas destructive searching cores before submersion extracted 24% more larvae but required 64% more time. Using smaller cores (3.5 cm diam) took 18% less time and extracted 23% more larvae, but required more time sampling in the field. Larval stage averages did not differ significantly between salt extraction variants. Heat extraction, including destructively searching the desiccated core, extracted 60% more larvae but required 87% more time than four-piece salt extraction. Excluding the desiccated core, heat extracted as many larvae as four-piece salt extraction and required 16% less time. However, heat extraction requires three to four days and space that can be kept at around 32 °C. The method of choice for ABW larval extractions depends on whether the sampler prefers a high extraction rate, less labor, or quicker results, and whether space for heat extractions is available.","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470267/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145174973","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}

引用次数: 0

Overcoming Obstacles: Perspective on How Mediterranean Oaks Defend Their Acorns from Insect Seed Predators. 克服障碍：地中海橡树如何保护它们的橡子免受昆虫种子捕食者的侵害。

IF 2.9 2区农林科学

Insects Pub Date : 2025-09-22 DOI: 10.3390/insects16090990

David A Oropesa-Olmedo, Enrique Andivia, Michał Reut, Pablo Cisneros, Raúl Bonal

{"title":"Overcoming Obstacles: Perspective on How Mediterranean Oaks Defend Their Acorns from Insect Seed Predators.","authors":"David A Oropesa-Olmedo, Enrique Andivia, Michał Reut, Pablo Cisneros, Raúl Bonal","doi":"10.3390/insects16090990","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16090990","url":null,"abstract":"Insect pre-dispersal seed predators attack a large proportion of the acorn crops in oak forests worldwide. Oaks (Quercus spp.) have evolved several strategies, including physical barriers, chemical defenses (e.g., tannins), and/or phenological predator avoidance, to reduce infestation rates. This study examines how four Mediterranean oak species cope with acorn-feeding insects. Nearly 4000 acorns were collected from five sites at two time points during the maturation period: in mid-September and mid-October. Infestation rates were higher in mid-September, when the pericarp is softer and easier to drill, but at that time, the cotyledon tannin content was higher. Q. coccifera acorns had the highest tannin concentration, which, we experimentally discovered, hampered weevil development (with longer development and a lower final larval mass). Infested acorn abscission was also more effective in Q. coccifera. Due to the smaller size and later maturation phenology of its acorns, insects depleted the cotyledons and suffered food shortages more frequently. In the end, Q. coccifera showed the lowest acorn infestation rates, although its strategy would have costs in further stages of the regeneration cycle. Tannins deter acorn dispersers, and their production is costly. Such trade-offs would favor the co-existence of different strategies evolved by Quercus spp. against pre-dispersal insect predators.","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470601/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145174927","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}

引用次数: 0

Predation Pressure on Invertebrate Sentinel Prey Depends on Distance to Forest Edge and Seasonality in Kenyan Tea (Camellia sinensis) Plantations. 肯尼亚茶（Camellia sinensis）种植园无脊椎动物哨兵猎物的捕食压力取决于与森林边缘的距离和季节。

IF 2.9 2区农林科学

Insects Pub Date : 2025-09-22 DOI: 10.3390/insects16090988

Titus S Imboma, Alfredo Venturo, Gábor L Lövei

{"title":"Predation Pressure on Invertebrate Sentinel Prey Depends on Distance to Forest Edge and Seasonality in Kenyan Tea (Camellia sinensis) Plantations.","authors":"Titus S Imboma, Alfredo Venturo, Gábor L Lövei","doi":"10.3390/insects16090988","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16090988","url":null,"abstract":"Tea is a global commodity, and due to its way of preparation pesticide residues cannot be tolerated. This underlines the importance of non-chemical pest control. Kenya is the third largest global tea producer but the potential of natural enemies against tea pests is unknown. We used artificial caterpillars made of non-drying green plasticine to quantify attack rates by predators on tea canopies at different distances from plantation edges and in the nearby native forest during the wet and dry seasons in three tea-growing mountain regions of Kenya, Kericho, Gatamaiyu and Kakamega. The artificial sentinel caterpillars were readily attacked by arthropods, birds, and sporadically by small mammals. During an exposure time of 24 h, the overall attack rate was 25.0%d-1. Natural enemy activity was higher in the dry (35.3%d-1) than in the wet (16.7%d-1) season. The highest predation pressure was measured in the native forest (41.7%d-1) and gradually decreased with increasing distances into the tea plantation (to 8.3%d-1 at 40 m from the edge). The rate of decrease from the forest edge towards the centre of the tea plantation was steeper for birds than for arthropods, indicating that birds were more reluctant to use this habitat. The potential for natural pest control in Kenyan tea plantations is high, but planting native trees is recommended especially if bird activity inside tea plantations is to be encouraged.","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12471070/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145174952","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}

引用次数: 0

The Molecular Drivers of Honey Robbing in Apis mellifera L.: Morphological Divergence and Oxidative-Immune Regulation Mechanisms Based on Proteomic Analysis. 蜜蜂采蜜的分子驱动因素：基于蛋白质组学分析的形态分化和氧化免疫调控机制。

IF 2.9 2区农林科学

Insects Pub Date : 2025-09-22 DOI: 10.3390/insects16090987

Xinyu Wang, Xijie Li, Zhanfeng Yan, Mengjuan Hao, Xiao Cui, Zhenxing Liu, Jun Guo, Yazhou Zhao

{"title":"The Molecular Drivers of Honey Robbing in Apis mellifera L.: Morphological Divergence and Oxidative-Immune Regulation Mechanisms Based on Proteomic Analysis.","authors":"Xinyu Wang, Xijie Li, Zhanfeng Yan, Mengjuan Hao, Xiao Cui, Zhenxing Liu, Jun Guo, Yazhou Zhao","doi":"10.3390/insects16090987","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16090987","url":null,"abstract":"Honey robbing, as an extreme adaptive response of honey bee colonies to resource scarcity, poses devastating threats to apiaries, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We compared morphological traits and survival rates between robber bees and normal foragers and conducted proteomic sequencing of bee head samples. The results demonstrated that robber bees exhibited darker tergite coloration and significantly shortened lifespan. Proteomic analysis revealed that the darker coloration was primarily attributed to enhanced cuticular melanin deposition mediated by upregulated laccase-5, while the shortened lifespan mainly resulted from oxidative stress and immune suppression: the downregulation of heat shock protein 75 kDa and glutathione transferase weakened antioxidant capacity, and despite compensatory upregulation of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, flavin-containing monooxygenases and other enzymes, oxidative damage continued to accumulate. Concurrently, downregulation of Defense protein 3 and C-type lectin 5 caused immune deficiency in robber bees. The results also showed metabolic and protein synthesis reprogramming in robber bees, specifically manifested by upregulated key enzymes in nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway, and nucleotide metabolism, along with activation of protein synthesis-transport-export systems. We found that robber bees employ a \"metabolic-synthetic co-enhancement\" physiological strategy to boost short-term foraging efficiency, but this strategy simultaneously induces oxidative damage and immune suppression, ultimately shortening their lifespan. This study provides the first proteomic evidence revealing the physiological trade-offs underlying this behavior at the molecular level, offering novel insights into the physiological costs of behavioral adaptation in animals.","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12471248/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145175088","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}

引用次数: 0

The Compensatory Response of Photosystem II Photochemistry to Short-Term Insect Herbivory Is Suppressed Under Water Deficit. 水分亏缺条件下，光系统II光化学对昆虫短期食草性的补偿反应被抑制。

IF 2.9 2区农林科学

Insects Pub Date : 2025-09-21 DOI: 10.3390/insects16090984

Julietta Moustaka, Ilektra Sperdouli, Stefanos S Andreadis, Nikoletta Stoikou, Kleoniki Giannousi, Catherine Dendrinou-Samara, Michael Moustakas

{"title":"The Compensatory Response of Photosystem II Photochemistry to Short-Term Insect Herbivory Is Suppressed Under Water Deficit.","authors":"Julietta Moustaka, Ilektra Sperdouli, Stefanos S Andreadis, Nikoletta Stoikou, Kleoniki Giannousi, Catherine Dendrinou-Samara, Michael Moustakas","doi":"10.3390/insects16090984","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16090984","url":null,"abstract":"Photosystem II (PSII) is very sensitive to both biotic and abiotic stress conditions, mirroring global climate changes. Crop production worldwide faces rising hazards from the increased duration, frequency, and intensity of drought stress episodes as a result of climate change, and its effects, when combined with biotic stress, are becoming more noticeable. In the present work, we examined PSII responses of well-watered (WW) tomato plants or mildly drought-stressed (MDS) plants to 20 min of Tuta absoluta larvae feeding. The effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII) of the whole leaf in WW plants, after 20 min of larvae feeding, compensated for the reduction in ΦPSII observed at the feeding area. In contrast, the reduced ΦPSII at the feeding areas of MDS plants, after 20 min of larvae feeding, was not compensated at the whole-leaf level because of the drought stress. The increased ΦPSII and electron transport rate (ETR) at the whole-leaf level in WW plants was attributed to the increased fraction of open PSII reaction centers (qp), since there was no difference in the efficiency of the open PSII reaction centers (Fv'/Fm') before and after feeding. Therefore, the response of PSII photochemistry in WW plants to short-term biotic stress resulted in an overcompensation reaction, which developed a whole-leaf photosynthetic enhancement. However, short-term biotic stress in combination with mild abiotic stress resulted in decreased PSII photochemistry. It is concluded that increased crop damage is likely to occur due to the global climate-change-induced drought episodes, influencing insect herbivory.","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470949/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145175152","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}

引用次数: 0

Duplex PCR Detection and Differentiation of Insect DNA Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio in Various Types of Food. 不同种类食物中昆虫DNA的双链PCR检测与分化

IF 2.9 2区农林科学

Insects Pub Date : 2025-09-21 DOI: 10.3390/insects16090983

Dagmar Stehlíková, Veronika Müllerová, Anna Adámková, Pavel Beran, Martin Adámek, Vladislav Čurn, Soňa Škrovánková, Jiří Mlček

{"title":"Duplex PCR Detection and Differentiation of Insect DNA Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio in Various Types of Food.","authors":"Dagmar Stehlíková, Veronika Müllerová, Anna Adámková, Pavel Beran, Martin Adámek, Vladislav Čurn, Soňa Škrovánková, Jiří Mlček","doi":"10.3390/insects16090983","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16090983","url":null,"abstract":"Edible insects, particularly Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus) (mealworm) and Zophobas morio (Fabricius) (superworm), have drawn increasing attention as alternative protein sources. This study aims to develop an accurate molecular detection method for T. molitor, an EU-approved food species, and to differentiate it from Z. morio, which remains unapproved for human consumption in the EU. The process enables precise and sensitive identification methods by optimizing singleplex and duplex PCR techniques targeting 16S rRNA and COI gene regions. The DNA of T. molitor was detected in various food matrices, including pastries, chocolate, and porridge, while avoiding cross-reactivity with Z. morio, Gryllus asimilis, and Locusta migratoria. The detection limit for both singleplex and duplex PCR was 10 pg of DNA, ensuring robustness against inhibitory effects from complex food matrices. The developed approach ensures reliable detection and compliance with EU regulations regarding insect-based foods, providing a critical tool for food authentication and preventing adulteration. The key advancements of this approach lie in its improved specificity and sensitivity, allowing for the ability to detect complex food matrices. An applied perspective was evaluated using real commercial food products.","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470904/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145174471","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}

引用次数: 0

Mouthparts and Alimentary Tract of Flower-Visiting Monkey Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Hopliini): Insights into Feeding Preferences. 访花猴甲虫（鞘翅目：金龟子总科：金龟子）的口器和消化道：对取食偏好的见解。

IF 2.9 2区农林科学

Insects Pub Date : 2025-09-21 DOI: 10.3390/insects16090985

Michael Neulinger, Florian Karolyi, Jonathan F Colville, Myriam E Widmann, Jonas Kristl, Harald W Krenn

{"title":"Mouthparts and Alimentary Tract of Flower-Visiting Monkey Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Hopliini): Insights into Feeding Preferences.","authors":"Michael Neulinger, Florian Karolyi, Jonathan F Colville, Myriam E Widmann, Jonas Kristl, Harald W Krenn","doi":"10.3390/insects16090985","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16090985","url":null,"abstract":"Monkey beetles (Hopliini, Scarabaeoidea) are a species-rich group of flower-visiting insects that are specialized to feed on floral tissue, pollen and/or nectar. We studied ten South African species, examining morphological features associated with their specific feeding preferences. This is the first attempt in a limited number of beetle species to comparatively investigate both the mouthparts and the alimentary tract in relation to ingested food. Using light microscopy, we found cutting edges on the mandibles and galea teeth in flower tissue-feeding species. Pollen feeders have numerous bristles on the maxillae and a prominent mola on the mandibles that are likely used for gathering and grinding pollen. The elongate heads and mouthparts of the nectar feeders are considered an adaptation that enable these species to mop up nectar while probing flowers. Using µCT imaging and reconstructions of the entire alimentary tract, our morphometric results suggest that food preferences are not related to total relative gut length, although the ratio of foregut to body length was greater in pollen- and nectar-feeding monkey beetles than in floral tissue-feeders. The midgut of females tends to be longer relative to body size compared to males. Our work serves as a basis for generating hypotheses for future research that includes gut morphology in flower-visiting insects.","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470976/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145174487","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}

引用次数: 0

Development of an LNA-Based qPCR Assay for Detecting Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell, 1897) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Insect and Honeydew DNA. 从昆虫和蜜露DNA中检测细小图梅耶氏菌（Cockerell, 1897）（半翅目：球虫科）的qPCR方法的建立。

IF 2.9 2区农林科学

Insects Pub Date : 2025-09-20 DOI: 10.3390/insects16090982

Domenico Rizzo, Alice Downes, Claudia Gabriela Zubieta, Michela Moriconi, Chiara Ranaldi, Bruno Palmigiano, Antonio Aronadio, Linda Bartolini, Edson Bolige, Antonio P Garonna, Elia Russo

{"title":"Development of an LNA-Based qPCR Assay for Detecting Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell, 1897) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Insect and Honeydew DNA.","authors":"Domenico Rizzo, Alice Downes, Claudia Gabriela Zubieta, Michela Moriconi, Chiara Ranaldi, Bruno Palmigiano, Antonio Aronadio, Linda Bartolini, Edson Bolige, Antonio P Garonna, Elia Russo","doi":"10.3390/insects16090982","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16090982","url":null,"abstract":"The invasive sap-feeding pest Toumeyella parvicornis (pine tortoise scale) is rapidly spreading across Europe, threatening pine ecosystems, particularly in forest-urban areas of Italy. In this scenario, early detection and monitoring strategies are critical to prevent new outbreaks and mitigate impacts in infested regions. Current surveillance is challenged by the lack of rapid, sensitive tools for indirect detection of this cryptic, canopy-dwelling pest, despite advancements in molecular diagnostics and environmental DNA (eDNA). Here, we established a highly specific qPCR assay using LNA probe chemistry for detecting T. parvicornis DNA from both adult insects and their excreted honeydew. DNA was successfully isolated/quantified from all tested matrices. We recorded average Cq values of 20.9 for insect specimens and 30.3 for collected honeydew samples. Targeting the COI barcoding region, the assay demonstrated excellent specificity in both in silico and in vitro tests, showing no cross-reactivity to other pine-associated taxa. The limit of detection for DNA isolated from insect was 64 fg/µL. This is the first diagnostic protocol to use honeydew as a matrix for indirect detection of T. parvicornis. Optimized for routine application by Plant Health Services, this eDNA-based tool offers a valuable approach for future monitoring of sap-sucking hemipterans in multiple environments.","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470656/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145175086","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}

引用次数: 0

Relative Effectiveness of Amorphous Silica, Malathion, and Pirimiphos Methyl in Controlling Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum and Their Long-Term Effects on Stored Wheat Under Laboratory Conditions. 实验室条件下，无定形二氧化硅、马拉硫磷和甲基吡磷对储藏小麦的相对防治效果及其长期影响

IF 2.9 2区农林科学

Insects Pub Date : 2025-09-19 DOI: 10.3390/insects16090981

Nawal Abdulaziz Alfuhaid, Mohamed S Shawir

{"title":"Relative Effectiveness of Amorphous Silica, Malathion, and Pirimiphos Methyl in Controlling Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum and Their Long-Term Effects on Stored Wheat Under Laboratory Conditions.","authors":"Nawal Abdulaziz Alfuhaid, Mohamed S Shawir","doi":"10.3390/insects16090981","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16090981","url":null,"abstract":"The relative efficacy of amorphous silica dusts, malathion, and pirimiphos methyl was assessed against S. oryzae and T. castaneum in stored wheat under laboratory conditions. Insecticidal performance was influenced by physical properties such as particle size, surface area, bulk density, and oil/water adsorption capacity. Fumed silicas showed the highest toxicity, particularly Wacker HDK H20 (LC50 = 19.4 mg/100 g at 12% moisture). Precipitated silica, Sipernat 22, though less potent (LC50 = 46.6 mg/100 g), displayed consistent efficacy across different moisture levels, making it a suitable inert carrier. Increasing grain moisture to 15% significantly reduced the effectiveness of all dusts. When insecticides were combined with silica, their toxicity increased markedly. Malathion on silica (0.2%) reduced LC50 values to 21.5 and 23.3 µg a.i./100 g for T. castaneum and S. oryzae, respectively, compared to 52.3 and 84.7 µg a.i./100 g on talc. Pirimiphos methyl on silica (0.1%) was the most effective, achieving LC50 values of 13.4 and 15.5 µg a.i./100 g. Long-term bioassays over 25 weeks showed declining mortality rates, particularly at 15% moisture. However, pirimiphos methyl on silica maintained over 90% mortality at 12% moisture throughout the period, indicating strong residual efficacy. The results highlight the synergistic potential of combining silica with chemical insecticides and the crucial role of environmental humidity in stored grain pest management.","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470828/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145174961","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}

引用次数: 0