Insects最新文献

{"title":"Roles of Vitellogenin and Its Receptor Genes in Female Reproduction of the Cigarette Beetle, <i>Lasioderma serricorne</i>.","authors":"Qian Guo, Mingxun Zu, Deqian Liu, Yi Yan, Wenjia Yang, Kangkang Xu","doi":"10.3390/insects16020175","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16020175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vitellogenin (Vg) and the vitellogenin receptor (VgR) play essential roles in insect reproductive development. However, the functions of <i>Vg</i> and <i>VgR</i> genes in <i>Lasioderma serricorne</i>, an important insect pest of stored products, are unknown. We identified and characterized these two genes, designated <i>LsVg</i> and <i>LsVgR</i>, in <i>L. serricorne</i>. The open reading frames of <i>LsVg</i> and <i>LsVgR</i> were 5232 and 5529 bp, encoding 1743 and 1842 amino acid residues, respectively. Both <i>LsVg</i> and <i>LsVgR</i> were predominantly expressed in female adults and exhibited the highest expression in ovaries. The RNAi-mediated silencing of <i>LsVg</i> or <i>LsVgR</i> significantly decreased the average length of ovarian tubes and oocytes and severely affected ovarian development. The Knockdown of <i>LsVg</i> or <i>LsVgR</i> significantly reduced the oviposition period, the number of eggs laid, and the egg hatching rate. Females injected with ds<i>LsVg</i> and ds<i>LsVg + VgR</i> were found to had decreased vitellogenin content. The co-silencing of <i>LsVg</i> and <i>LsVgR</i> had a more pronounced effect on reducing the oviposition period and female fecundity in <i>L. serricorne</i>. This study revealed the importance of <i>LsVg</i> and <i>LsVgR</i> in regulating female reproduction and shows their potential as targets for RNAi-based control of <i>L. serricorne</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857020/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500869","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":"COI Insights into Diversity and Species Delimitation of Immature Stages of Non-Biting Midges (Diptera: Chironomidae).","authors":"Laurynas Stasiukynas, Jekaterina Havelka, Fabio Laurindo da Silva, Maria Fernanda Torres Jimenez, Sigitas Podėnas, Aistė Lekoveckaitė","doi":"10.3390/insects16020174","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16020174","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The diversity of non-biting midges (Chironomidae, Diptera) remains an unresolved topic, with estimates of species numbers ranging from 6000 to 15,000 according to various authors. To assess Chironomidae diversity in Lithuania, we evaluate the effectiveness of COI gene-based species delimitation methods for providing rapid diversity estimates. Nevertheless, differences between tree-based and distance-based approaches can result in varying group classifications, which may cause species numbers to be overestimated or underestimated. For our study, we analyzed a dataset of 109 specimens sampled from six Lithuanian streams. By applying multiple methods, such as Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP), Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), the generalized mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC) model, and the Bayesian implementation of the Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP) model, we found that species estimates ranged from 28 to 58. Among these methods, ASAP proved to be the most effective for our dataset, identifying 58 putative species. These results reinforce our assumption that the current understanding of Chironomidae species diversity is incomplete.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11856256/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500715","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":"Programmable LED Array for Evaluating Artificial Light Sources to Improve Insect Trapping.","authors":"Mohsen Paryavi, Keith Weiser, Michael Melzer, Damon Crook, Chandrika Ramadugu, Daniel M Jenkins","doi":"10.3390/insects16020170","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16020170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We developed a programmable LED array to evaluate different wavelength illumination (UV, blue, green, yellow, amber, and red) and modulation schemes to improve catch rates in insect traps. The device can communicate through Bluetooth^® with a simple Android app to update the operational settings to facilitate field experiments, including which LEDs to operate, when to operate (always, night only, or predefined intervals after sunset and/or before sunrise), and to change the LED intensities/modulation during operation. We used the devices to evaluate different wavelengths to improve catches in traps for coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB; <i>Oryctes rhinoceros</i> Linnaeus) in the field, as well as to evaluate lighting preferences of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP; <i>Diaphorina citri</i> Kuwayama). In both cases, insects were most strongly attracted to constant UV illumination. However, CRB avoided traps with any \"visible\" wavelength LEDs placed in panels of traps, while ACP was moderately attracted to blue, yellow, and amber. For CRB, UV illumination of cups at the bottom of panel traps reduced catch rates compared to UV illumination higher in the panels of traps, consistent with observations of dorsal orientation towards light observed by other researchers in nocturnal beetles and moths. Finally, we provide some hardware design recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of similar devices for more widespread deployment in insect traps and for controlling the LEDs to evaluate the effects of intensity and modulation with minimal pulsing, which our observations suggest may result in insects avoiding traps.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11856566/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500744","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":"PxDorsal Regulates the Expression of Antimicrobial Peptides and Affects the Bt Susceptibility of <i>Plutella xylostella</i>.","authors":"Yan Sun, Haoqi Wen, Wenrui Xue, Xiaofeng Xia","doi":"10.3390/insects16020163","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16020163","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The insect NF-κB pathway is primarily constituted by nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and the inhibitor of κB (IκB), which plays a crucial role in the innate immune response. Dorsal and Cactus, as NF-κB and IκB factors, are important downstream regulators of the Toll pathway in <i>Plutella xylostella</i>. In this study, the <i>PxDorsal</i> and <i>PxCactus</i> genes of <i>P. xylostella</i> were cloned, and the molecular docking demonstrated that PxDorsal and PxCactus can interact with each other. RT-qPCR results indicated that <i>PxDorsal</i> and <i>PxCactus</i> were expressed in all stages, and the expression of <i>PxDorsal</i>, <i>PxCactus</i>, and antimicrobial peptides <i>PxGloverin</i>2, <i>PxMoricin</i>3, and <i>PxLysozyme</i>2 were significantly down-regulated under <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> (Bt8010) infection. Interestingly, silencing the <i>PxDorsal</i> gene by RNA interference (RNAi) significantly down-regulated the expression of <i>PxGloverin</i>2 and <i>PxMoricin</i>3 and increased the epidermis melanization of <i>P. xylostella</i> larvae fed with Bt8010. Our findings indicate that PxDorsal and PxCactus may interact with each other, and silencing <i>PxDorsal</i> inhibits the expression of downstream antimicrobial peptides, thereby enhance the susceptibility of <i>P. xylostella</i> to Bt8010. This study contributes a theoretical basis for further research on the Toll pathway of <i>P. xylostella</i> to pathogens and offers insights for screening effective biological control targets from the perspective of the immune system.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11855926/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500852","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":"Influence of Hyperthermia Treatment on Varroa Infestation, Viral Infections, and Honey Bee Health in Beehives.","authors":"Xinjian Xu, Shujing Zhou, Jinrong Huang, Fa Geng, Xiangjie Zhu, Hossam F Abou-Shaara","doi":"10.3390/insects16020168","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16020168","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The mite <i>Varroa destructor</i> is widely acknowledged as the most destructive threat to honey bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) colonies on a global scale. Varroa mite infestations in bee colonies are intricately linked with viral infections, collaboratively leading to diminished bee populations and accelerated colony losses. Extensive research has firmly established the correlation between varroa mites and viruses, underscoring the mite's efficiency in spreading viruses among bees and colonies. The effective control of varroa mites is expected to result in a decrease in viral infections within bee colonies. Research suggests that thermal treatments (hyperthermia) present a viable approach to combat varroa mites, with studies demonstrating the role of heat stress in reducing viral infections in affected bees. This article examines the extant literature surrounding the utilization of hyperthermia as a potential method to ameliorate the adverse impacts of varroa mites and their associated viral infections on honey bee colonies. It also outlines the thermal characteristics of these stressors. Diverse devices can be used for subjecting colonies to hyperthermia treatment, targeting mites both within and outside of brood cells. The application of thermal treatments, typically ranging between 40 and 42 °C for 1.5-3 h, as a method to reduce varroa mites and viral infections, has shown promise. Notably, the precise effectiveness of hyperthermia treatment in comparison with alternative varroa mite control measures remains uncertain within the available literature. The potential deleterious repercussions of this control mechanism on immature and mature honey bees are evaluated. Concurrently, the detrimental implications of prolonged treatment durations on colonies are discussed. Regarding viral infections, hyperthermia treatment can impact them negatively by either reducing varroa mite infestations or by inducing the production of heat shock proteins that possess potential antiviral properties. Various factors are identified as influential on hyperthermia treatment efficacy within bee colonies, including the device type and treatment duration, necessitating further empirical investigations. Additionally, this article highlights the existing gaps in the knowledge and provides insights into the prospective directions of research concerning this control method.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11856441/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500790","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":"Using Insect Larvae and Their Microbiota for Plastic Degradation.","authors":"Isabel Vital-Vilchis, Esther Karunakaran","doi":"10.3390/insects16020165","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16020165","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plastic pollution is one of the biggest current global threats to the environment given that petroleum-based plastic is recalcitrant and can stay in the environment for decades, even centuries, depending on the specific plastic type. Since less than 10% of all plastic made is recycled, and the other solutions (such as incineration or landfill storage) are pollutant methods, new, environmentally friendly solutions are needed. In this regard, the latest biotechnological discovery on this topic is the capability of insect larvae to use plastic polymers as carbon feedstock. This present review describes the most relevant information on the insect larvae capable of degrading plastic, mainly <i>Galleria mellonella</i> (Fabricius, 1798), <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> (Linnaeus, 1758), and <i>Zophobas atratus</i> (Fabricius, 1776), and also adds new information about other less commonly studied \"plastivore\" insects such as termites. This review covers the literature from the very first work describing plastic degradation by larvae published in 2014 all the way to the very latest research available (till June 2024), focusing on the identification of a wide variety of plastic-degrading microorganisms isolated from larvae guts and on the understanding of the potential molecular mechanisms present for degradation to take place. It also describes the latest discoveries, which include the identification of novel enzymes from waxworm saliva.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11856541/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500937","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":"An Evaluation of <i>Spodoptera littoralis</i> and <i>Spodoptera exigua</i> as Natural Prey for the Generalist Predator <i>Chrysoperla carnea</i>.","authors":"Agustín Garzón, Óscar Giovanni Gutiérrez-Cárdenas, Beatriz Dáder, Pilar Medina, Ángeles Adán","doi":"10.3390/insects16020167","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16020167","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Chrysoperla carnea</i> (Stephens) is a common generalist predator in agroecosystems, frequently used for the control of soft-bodied pests in augmentative releases. Better knowledge of its interactions with secondary natural prey is necessary to optimize field biocontrol performance. This work evaluates the eggs and early larvae of <i>Spodoptera exigua</i> (Hübner) and <i>Spodoptera littoralis</i> (Boisduval) as natural prey for the third larval instar of <i>C. carnea</i>, and the predator preferences for different prey stages under varying conditions, assessing the impact on its life cycle and reproduction, in comparison with commercial diets based on <i>Ephestia kuehniella</i> Zeller eggs. Prey choice results were uniform for each dual prey combination irrespective of previous predator conditions (larvae number or fasting). <i>Chrysoperla carnea</i> did not show preference for <i>Ephestia</i> or <i>Spodoptera</i> eggs, but preferred eggs prior to larvae of the natural prey. Diets based on the frozen eggs of natural and factitious prey species showed similar effects on the development and reproduction of predator, but when <i>C. carnea</i> fed on <i>S. exigua</i> larvae, several negative effects were assessed, such as longer preimaginal development, lower adult emergence, and a reduced fecundity. These results are helpful for improving the use of lacewings as biocontrol agents in pest control programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11855765/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500634","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":"Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Expression of Defense Pathways and Specific Protease Inhibitor Genes in <i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> in Response to Feeding by <i>Tuta absoluta</i>.","authors":"Yan Zhou, Yongyi Pan, Jia Liu, Wenjia Yang, Guangmao Shen","doi":"10.3390/insects16020166","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16020166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding plant-insect interactions can help control the harm of herbivorous pests. According to transcriptome data, transcripts of <i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> responding to feeding by <i>Tuta absoluta</i> were screened for important endopeptidase inhibitors. These genes were annotated as serine-type endopeptidase inhibitors from the potato inhibitor I family, potato type II proteinase inhibitor family, and soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) family. Based on the analysis of expression patterns, <i>Solyc09g084480.2</i>, <i>Solyc03g020080.2</i>, <i>Solyc03g098760.1</i>, and <i>Solyc01g009020.1</i> were identified as key genes in the defense system of <i>S. lycopersicum</i>. The major endopeptidase genes such as <i>Tabs008250</i>, <i>Tabs007396</i>, and <i>Tabs005701</i> in the larval stages of <i>T. absoluta</i> were also detected as potential targets of the plant endopeptidase inhibitors. The interaction mode between these endopeptidase and endopeptidase inhibitors was predicted based on the protein structure construction. This study aims to reveal the molecular response of <i>S. lycopersicum</i> to feeding by <i>T. absoluta</i> with high throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11855745/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500692","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":"Establishing an IPM System for Tarnished Plant Bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) in North Carolina.","authors":"Dominic Reisig, Anders Huseth","doi":"10.3390/insects16020164","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16020164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Prior to 2010, <i>Lygus lineolaris</i> Palisot de Beauvois was a minor pest in North Carolina cotton, <i>Gossypium hirsutum</i> L., but became one of the top pests by 2017. This insect was already a persistent pest in other US cotton-producing regions. Initial work focused on addressing near-term management needs and documenting locally relevant ecology and population dynamics of the pest in North Carolina. Landscape factors were found that correlated with tarnished plant bug incidence. Adult numbers tended to be higher in fragmented fields (more field edges) and nymph numbers were higher near field edges. The minimum required sample for estimating tarnished plant bug populations was studied. Thresholds developed in the Midsouth were proven to be useful in a study between both southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Furthermore, an insecticide application sequence was recommended based on efficacy trials, number of expected insecticides, and preserving beneficial insects early in the season. These were evaluated in a study investigating IPM systems approaches. Finally, new management tactics for tarnished plant bug, such as ThryvOn cotton, are being evaluated. As new management strategies and tactics are developed, they will need to be evaluated for their fit in this IPM system.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11856699/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500779","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":"New Records of <i>Phenacoccus solenopsis</i> Natural Enemies in Europe and Taxonomic Additions on <i>Anagyrus matritensis</i>.","authors":"Michele Ricupero, Emanuele Porcu, Agatino Russo, Lucia Zappalà, Gaetano Siscaro","doi":"10.3390/insects16020169","DOIUrl":"10.3390/insects16020169","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The cotton mealybug <i>Phenacoccus solenopsis</i> (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous invasive species native to America and considered one of the major cotton pests in Asia. It is currently threatening horticultural and ornamental protected crops in Mediterranean countries. Due to ecological and environmental concerns, the conventional chemical control of <i>P. solenopsis</i> in new areas of introduction is being replaced by exploring the potential of indigenous natural enemies as a sustainable biological control tool. After <i>P. solenopsis</i> introduction in Sicily (Italy), field surveys were conducted on native natural enemies attacking the mealybug to select promising biocontrol agents for field applications. For the first time, <i>Aenasius arizonensis</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was reported in Europe, and the native <i>Anagyrus matritensis</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was recorded in association with <i>P. solenopsis</i>. The two parasitoid species were identified by morphological features and molecularly using a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene. Because of missing information, additional morphological features were provided for the morphological identification of <i>A. matritensis</i>. In addition, the generalist predators <i>Cryptolaemus montrouzieri</i>, <i>Hippodamia variegata</i> and <i>Parexochomus nigripennis</i> (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were also recorded attacking the invasive mealybug.</p>","PeriodicalId":13642,"journal":{"name":"Insects","volume":"16 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11856743/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500846","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}