InsectsPub Date : 2025-06-10DOI: 10.3390/insects16060610
Fuyan Sun, Zhizhong Guan, Zongwang Lyu, Shanshan Liu
{"title":"High-Precision Stored-Grain Insect Pest Detection Method Based on PDA-YOLO.","authors":"Fuyan Sun, Zhizhong Guan, Zongwang Lyu, Shanshan Liu","doi":"10.3390/insects16060610","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16060610","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Effective stored-grain insect pest detection is crucial in grain storage management to prevent economic losses and ensure food security throughout production and supply chains. Existing detection methods suffer from issues such as high labor costs, environmental interference, high equipment costs, and inconsistent performance. To address these limitations, we proposed PDA-YOLO, an improved stored-grain insect pest detection algorithm based on YOLO11n which integrates three key modules: PoolFormer_C3k2 (PF_C3k2) for efficient local feature extraction, Attention-based Intra-Scale Feature Interaction (AIFI) for enhanced global context awareness, and Dynamic Multi-scale Aware Edge (DMAE) for precise boundary detection of small targets. Trained and tested on 6200 images covering five common stored-grain insect pests (Lesser Grain Borer, Red Flour Beetle, Indian Meal Moth, Maize Weevil, and Angoumois Grain Moth), PDA-YOLO achieved an mAP@0.5 of 96.6%, mAP@0.5:0.95 of 60.4%, and <i>F</i>1 score of 93.5%, with a computational cost of only 6.9 G and mean detection time of 9.9 ms per image. These results demonstrate the advantages over mainstream detection algorithms, balancing accuracy, computational efficiency, and real-time performance. PDA-YOLO provides a reference for pest detection in intelligent grain storage management.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12193345/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484258","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":"Laboratory Test Indirectly Reveals the Unreliability of RNA-Dependent 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequences in Detecting the Gut Bacterial Diversity of <i>Delia antiqua</i>.","authors":"Miaomiao Li, Xin Cao, Linfeng Xu, Luyao Lin, Xiaoqing Wu, Susu Fan, Xinjian Zhang, Fangyuan Zhou","doi":"10.3390/insects16060611","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16060611","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In insect-microbe symbiosis, understanding the diversity of associated bacteria is crucial. DNA-dependent sequence methods are widely used to assess microbial diversity in insects, but they cannot distinguish between live and dead microbes. In contrast, RNA-dependent sequencing can identify alive bacterial communities, making them more suitable for evaluating alive microbiota diversity. However, its practical reliability in insect-microbe symbiosis remains poorly validated. This study investigated larval gut bacteria diversity of <i>Delia antiqua</i>, a major pest of Liliaceae crops, by employing both DNA- and RNA-dependent 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The reliability of both sequencing methods was evaluated by comparing the effects of synthetic communities (SynComs, constructed according to DNA- or RNA-dependent sequencing) and bacterial communities from wild larvae on axenic larvae. Results revealed significant differences in bacterial community between DNA- and RNA-dependent sequence samples. Compared to bacterial communities from wild larvae, the SynCom constructed based on RNA-dependent sequencing exhibited inhibition effects on <i>D. antiqua</i> larvae survival and body weight, while DNA-dependent SynCom did not, suggesting that DNA-dependent methods were superior for assessing symbiotic microbiota in <i>D. antiqua</i>. This work will provide insights into microbial diversity detection in <i>D. antiqua</i> and offer a framework for other insect-microbe studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12193304/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484278","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}
InsectsPub Date : 2025-06-10DOI: 10.3390/insects16060613
Abraham Sanchez-Cruz, Patricia Villa-Ayala, Alfredo Jiménez-Pérez
{"title":"Mating Behavior of <i>Cyclocephala barrerai</i> Martínez (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae).","authors":"Abraham Sanchez-Cruz, Patricia Villa-Ayala, Alfredo Jiménez-Pérez","doi":"10.3390/insects16060613","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16060613","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Our study aimed to characterize mating behavior in virgin and once-mated males and females of <i>Cyclocephala barrerai</i>. We reared the specimens under laboratory conditions and recorded the age at which the organisms began their reproductive activity and the time they remained active. We characterized behavioral acts during mating in two groups-virgin and once-mated organisms. Transitions between behaviors were analyzed using Markov chains and the generated ethograms. The duration of behaviors and the percentage of transitions were compared between the two groups. To characterize the mating behavior of <i>C. barrerai</i>, we adopted a framework commonly used in the literature, dividing mating behavior into three phases: premating, mating, and postmating. (A) Premating: Males search for females and mount and stimulate them, which the females resist through fighting behaviors. (B) Mating: The male mounts the female, which moves around and then stops; the male performs specific movements of the antennae and head and inserts his aedeagus into the female. (C) Postmating: Males exhibit guarding behavior over females. Although differences in pre- and postmating behaviors were observed between virgin and once-mated organisms, the duration of the acts did not show significant differences. These results provide key information on the reproductive behavior of <i>C. barrerai</i>, contributing to a better understanding of their biology and sexual interaction patterns.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12193539/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484219","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}
InsectsPub Date : 2025-06-10DOI: 10.3390/insects16060614
Tao Lin, Xiaoyu Chen, Ying Chen, Ting Chen, Xueyi Liang, Hui Wei, Guang Yang
{"title":"Effects of Orally Delivered Double-Stranded RNA of <i>Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase</i> on the Population of <i>Frankliniella occidentalis</i>.","authors":"Tao Lin, Xiaoyu Chen, Ying Chen, Ting Chen, Xueyi Liang, Hui Wei, Guang Yang","doi":"10.3390/insects16060614","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16060614","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The invasive pest <i>Frankliniella occidentalis</i> (western flower thrip, WFT) severely impacts agricultural production. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a viable alternative to chemical control methods. Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) is an important enzyme for the synthesis of trehalose in insects. The <i>TPS</i> gene is a potential target for RNAi-based pest control; however, its efficacy against WFTs remains unclear. Feeding with the synthesized dsFoTPS to WFT significantly increased the mortalities of first- and second-instar nymphs and adults and significantly decreased the number of eggs laid by adults within 72 h; the expression of <i>FoTPS</i> was significantly down-regulated in 24, 48, and 72 h. Ingestion of WFTs on <i>Escherichia coli</i> expressing dsFoTPS led to a marked increase in the total pre-reproductive period; reductions in survival rate, adult longevity, oviposition days, fecundity, peak reproduction value, the intrinsic rate of increase, the finite rate of increase, and the net reproductive rate; and an extension of the mean generation time. <i>TPS</i> gene expression was significantly down-regulated on days 7 and 28. A population simulation of WFTs fed with <i>E. coli</i> expressing dsFoTPS indicated that the population suppression was reduced to 1/34 of the control in 100 d. Oral delivery of <i>E. coli</i> expressing dsFoTPS effectively inhibited the survival, fecundity, and population growth of WFTs, offering a novel approach and rationale for the prevention and control of WFTs.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12193368/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484217","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":"Overview and Recent Advances in Bioassays to Evaluate the Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Ambrosia Beetles.","authors":"Jesús Enrique Castrejón-Antonio, Patricia Tamez-Guerra","doi":"10.3390/insects16060615","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16060615","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ambrosia beetles, known for their symbiotic relationship with fungi cultivated within the tissues of host trees, have become significant pests, particularly when they serve as vectors for pathogenic fungi such as <i>Raffaelea lauricola</i>. Given the regulatory and environmental constraints for chemical application as a tool for their control, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) represent a promising pest management alternative. This review presents an overview of bioassays assessing the pathogenicity and virulence of EPF against ambrosia beetles. Most studies have been performed in vivo (artificial diet) under laboratory conditions, focusing on exotic species and testing EPF genera such as <i>Beauveria</i>, <i>Metarhizium</i>, <i>Isaria</i>, and <i>Purpureocillium</i>. However, variations in inoculation methods, environmental conditions, and fungal formulations, have led to diverse results. In addition, the complex biology of these insects, particularly their dependence on symbiotic fungi, represents significant methodological challenges. Field trials (in situ bioassays) are still scarce, and there is a need to move toward standardized protocols and more objective experimental models that consider not only insects' behavior but also ecological factors. Bridging this gap is essential for successfully implementing EPF-based strategies to assess ambrosia beetles' biocontrol.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12193583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484227","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}
InsectsPub Date : 2025-06-10DOI: 10.3390/insects16060612
Jacob B Pithan, Brooke L Kohler, Arun Rajamohan, Kendra J Greenlee
{"title":"Reproductive Senescence in the Pollinator, <i>Megachile rotundata</i>.","authors":"Jacob B Pithan, Brooke L Kohler, Arun Rajamohan, Kendra J Greenlee","doi":"10.3390/insects16060612","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16060612","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The disposable soma theory posits that organisms allocate limited resources between reproduction, maintenance, and growth, resulting in trade-offs, particularly as they age. In this study, we examined age-related reproductive senescence in <i>Megachile rotundata</i>, a solitary bee and important agricultural pollinator. We hypothesized that, similarly to social bees, aging females would show declines in foraging behavior and reproductive fitness. Contrary to this hypothesis, we found no evidence of reproductive senescence in <i>M. rotundata</i> within the timeframe observed. Instead, older females increased their foraging rate, leading to larger provisions and offspring. We also observed that older bees exhibited improved foraging efficiency, likely due to learning and muscle physiology changes. Furthermore, ovarian development showed no decline with age, indicating that reproductive capacity remains stable throughout the observed timeframe. Our results challenge conventional assumptions about reproductive senescence in solitary bees and suggest that older <i>M. rotundata</i> may contribute to more efficient pollination, with implications for pollinator management. This study provides new insights into the aging process in solitary bees, emphasizing the need for further research into the mechanisms behind age-related behavioral and reproductive changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12194715/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484235","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}
InsectsPub Date : 2025-06-09DOI: 10.3390/insects16060607
Shi-Hang Zhao, Yang Yue, Qi Gao, Rui-Tao Yu, Zhao-Hui Yang, Nan Zhou, Guo-Liang Xu
{"title":"Identification and Expression Profiles of Chemosensory Genes in the Antennal Transcriptome of <i>Protaetia brevitarsis</i> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).","authors":"Shi-Hang Zhao, Yang Yue, Qi Gao, Rui-Tao Yu, Zhao-Hui Yang, Nan Zhou, Guo-Liang Xu","doi":"10.3390/insects16060607","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16060607","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chemosensory systems play a pivotal role in insect survival and reproduction by mediating the detection of volatile organic compounds in the environment. <i>Protaetia brevitarsis</i> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a phytophagous pest widely distributed across East Asia, poses a significant threat to agro-horticultural systems through crop damage. We conducted antennal transcriptome sequencing of adult beetles and identified 117 chemosensory-related genes, including 66 odorant receptors (ORs), 20 ionotropic receptors, 10 gustatory receptors, 13 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), four chemosensory proteins, and four sensory neuron membrane proteins. Tissue-specific expression profiling revealed the antennal enrichment of five PbreOBP genes and twenty-three ORs. Notably, sexual dimorphism was observed in OR expression patterns. <i>PbreOR1/6/17/18/21/22/30/32</i> exhibited male-biased antennal expression, whereas <i>PbreOR25/26/29/38/41/44/61</i> demonstrated female-biased antennal expression, indicating their potential involvement in sex-specific behaviors, such as pheromone detection and oviposition site selection. A comprehensive description of the antenna chemosensory-related genes of <i>P. brevitarsis</i> has deepened our understanding of the olfactory mechanisms in coleopteran insects. This study also provides a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying olfaction in <i>P. brevitarsis</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12193510/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484270","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}
InsectsPub Date : 2025-06-09DOI: 10.3390/insects16060608
Hang Zhou, Ziqi Cheng, Jiejing Tang, Yueqi Lu, Yang Mei, Xi Chen
{"title":"Adaptive Evolution and Transcriptomic Specialization of P450 Detoxification Genes in the Colorado Potato Beetle Across Developmental Stages and Tissues.","authors":"Hang Zhou, Ziqi Cheng, Jiejing Tang, Yueqi Lu, Yang Mei, Xi Chen","doi":"10.3390/insects16060608","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16060608","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Colorado potato beetle is a notorious agricultural pest with remarkable adaptability and insecticide resistance. This study conducted comprehensive transcriptome analysis across multiple developmental stages and tissues, focusing on the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase gene family. Using RNA-seq data from 65 datasets, we identified significant transcriptional reprogramming during key developmental transitions, particularly from egg to first instar larva and from third instar larva to adult, reflecting critical biological processes, including feeding initiation and metamorphosis. We identified 3616 tissue-specific genes, with the testis exhibiting the highest transcriptional specialization (1182 genes). Genome-wide screening revealed 78 P450 genes distributed across four major clans with an uneven chromosomal distribution. Expression analysis demonstrated six distinct clusters with tissue and developmental stage-specific patterns. Evolutionary analysis identified five P450 genes under strong positive selection. Analysis of mRNA sequence polymorphisms revealed developmental stage and tissue-dependent patterns, with elevated mutation frequencies in early developmental stages and specific tissues. These distinct tissue and developmental stage-specific mutation patterns in P450 transcripts highlight the dynamic regulation of detoxification genes. Our findings advance the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the beetle's ecological success and provide valuable targets for developing novel pest management strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12193396/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484191","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}
InsectsPub Date : 2025-06-09DOI: 10.3390/insects16060609
Leidy J Nagles Galeano, Juliet A Prieto-Rodríguez, Oscar J Patiño-Ladino
{"title":"Synergistic Insecticidal Activity of Plant Volatile Compounds: Impact on Neurotransmission and Detoxification Enzymes in <i>Sitophilus zeamais</i>.","authors":"Leidy J Nagles Galeano, Juliet A Prieto-Rodríguez, Oscar J Patiño-Ladino","doi":"10.3390/insects16060609","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16060609","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Sitophilus zeamais</i>, a major pest of stored grains, causes significant post-harvest losses and challenges effective control. While synthetic insecticides pose risks of resistance and toxicity, essential oils (EOs) offer a safer alternative. However, the insecticidal potential of their individual volatile constituents (VCs) remains largely unexplored. This study evaluated the insecticidal activity of 51 EO-derived volatile compounds (VCs) against <i>S. zeamais</i>, identifying the most toxic ones, optimizing 15 synergistic mixtures, and assessing their effects on key insect enzymes. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis determined functional groups associated with insecticidal activity, while a cluster analysis pre-selected 29 ternary mixtures, later refined using response surface methodology (RSM). Additionally, enzymatic assays explored their impact on detoxification and nervous system enzymes, providing insights into potential mechanisms of action. Among the 51 VCs tested, 37 exhibited significant toxicity, with 11 acting as fumigants and 13 displaying contact toxicity. Monocyclic monoterpenoids with ketone or alcohol functional groups and exocyclic unsaturation demonstrated the highest insecticidal activity via both exposure routes. Notably, pulegone enantiomers were particularly effective (LC<sub>50</sub> < 0.1 mg/L, LD<sub>50</sub> < 7.5 µg/adult). Among the optimized mixtures, 10 displayed strong insecticidal effects, 8 were active through both routes, and 5 exhibited synergistic fumigant interactions. The most effective formulations were M2 (R-pulegone + S-pulegone + S-carvone, LC<sub>50</sub> 0.48 mg/L) and M20 (isopulegone + δ-3-carene, LC<sub>50</sub> 2.06 mg/L), showing the strongest fumigant and synergistic effects, respectively. Enzymatic assays revealed that while some compounds mildly inhibited GST and CAT, others, such as δ-3-carene (IC<sub>50</sub> 0.19 mg/L), significantly inhibited AChE. Five mixtures exhibited synergistic neurotoxicity, with M20 (IC<sub>50</sub> 0.61 mg/L) and M12 (IC<sub>50</sub> 0.81 mg/L) emerging as the most potent AChE inhibitors. These findings highlight the potential of plant-derived volatile compounds as bioinsecticides, leveraging synergistic interactions to enhance efficacy, disrupt enzymatic pathways, and mitigate resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12194779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484260","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}
InsectsPub Date : 2025-06-08DOI: 10.3390/insects16060606
Pilar Jurado-Angulo, Mario García-París, Natalia Rosas-Ramos
{"title":"Organic Farming Shapes Population Dynamics and Genetic Diversity of <i>Euborellia annulipes</i> in Banana Groves.","authors":"Pilar Jurado-Angulo, Mario García-París, Natalia Rosas-Ramos","doi":"10.3390/insects16060606","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16060606","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Organic farming can help mitigate the negative impacts of agriculture on biodiversity, but its effects remain controversial and poorly understood for many taxa, especially from a genetic perspective, where major knowledge gaps persist. This study investigates how the organic and conventional management of banana groves influences population dynamics (i.e., total abundance and abundance by sex and developmental stage) and mitochondrial genetic diversity (cytochrome b gene) of the earwig <i>Euborellia annulipes</i>, a natural biological control agent. The results revealed higher overall abundance, particularly of females, in organic groves. This could be due to females' more sedentary behaviour linked to parental care, increasing their vulnerability to local disturbances such as pesticide application. In contrast, males, being more mobile, did not respond to the farming system. Genetic analyses revealed similar haplotypic diversity across systems but higher nucleotide diversity in conventional orchards. This may suggest either pesticide-induced mutations associated with detoxification and resistance or increased gene flow driven by greater mobility in response to disturbance. Although the high genetic diversity observed raises questions about the introduced status of <i>E. annulipes</i>, its origin remains unresolved. These findings highlight the relevance of integrating ecological and genetic data when assessing the impacts of agricultural practices on beneficial arthropods.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12193639/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484226","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}