Journal of Applied Entomology最新文献

{"title":"Ecological Dynamics of Two Seed Predators, Araecerus levipennis and Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus, on Leucaena leucocephala","authors":"Dong-Yan Lu,&nbsp;Yi-Chen Chen,&nbsp;Pei-Ting Chen,&nbsp;Wen-Jer Wu,&nbsp;Chiao-Ping Wang,&nbsp;Hsuan-Wu Chen,&nbsp;Li-Hsin Wu","doi":"10.1111/jen.70054","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jen.70054","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Two seed predators, <i>Araecerus levipennis</i> Jordan and <i>Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus</i> (Schaeffer), exist in the invasive tree <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i> (Lam.) de Wit. This study aimed to understand interactions among <i>Ar. levipennis</i>, <i>A. macrophthalmus</i> and <i>L. leucocephala</i> in the invaded ecosystem. Bagging treatments were used to differentiate niches between the two seed predators. Results indicated niche partitioning between these seed predators as a guild; <i>Ar. levipennis</i> preferred early-stage pods while <i>A. macrophthalmus</i> preferred late maturity stage pods. Logistic regression analysis of 401 pod samples with 64.3% single-species occupation showed negative effects between species occurrence and heterospecific abundance (<i>Ar. levipennis</i> from 67% to 35% and <i>A. macrophthalmus</i> from 50% to 0%), suggesting interspecific competition. <i>Ar. levipennis</i> demonstrated priority effects, preempting resources at early maturity stages and competitively excluding <i>A. macrophthalmus</i>. Furthermore, early-stage pods attacked by <i>Ar. levipennis</i> inhibited seed dispersal, triggering <i>L. leucocephala</i> to produce resin as a defence response. To understand the germination of predator-attacked seeds, damaged seeds were collected to test germination and seedling survival. Seeds damaged by <i>Ar. levipennis</i> and <i>A. macrophthalmus</i> effectively reduced germination and seedling survival in the laboratory, but field observations revealed that <i>L. leucocephala</i> compensates through prolific seed production. This is the first comprehensive study documenting <i>Ar. levipennis</i> as a seed predator in the <i>L. leucocephala</i> system, highlighting the complex interactions between invasive plants and their seed predators. These findings demonstrate that single-agent biocontrol is insufficient for effective management and highlight the necessity of biological control strategies that combine multiple control agents.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":14987,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Entomology","volume":"150 4","pages":"487-496"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147684078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Symbiont-Driven Adaptations of Aphid to Climate Change: Towards a Context-Dependent Perspective","authors":"Jhih-Rong Liao,&nbsp;Chia-Chun Chan,&nbsp;Mei-Hwa Kuo,&nbsp;Ming-Chih Chiu","doi":"10.1111/jen.70047","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jen.70047","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The adaptability of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to climate change, which affects both ecosystems and agriculture, is strongly influenced by their symbiotic microorganisms. Recent evidence highlights pronounced geographic and strain-level variation in facultative symbionts, reflecting local adaptation and shaping aphid ecological interactions. Symbiont diversity allows redundancy and functional flexibility, enabling aphids to cope with fluctuating thermal regimes, but may also constrain adaptability if symbiont functionality is compromised. However, how these partnerships govern aphid resilience under climate change remains incompletely resolved. We synthesise evidence that symbionts act as both levers and limits of climate resilience in a context-dependent manner. Key priorities are (1) to identify climatic thresholds that determine failure and recovery of symbiont-mediated provisioning and (2) to document how strain-level variation in symbionts shapes aphid-symbiont interactions across climatic gradients, revealing patterns of resilience and vulnerability. Future research should test how symbionts coexist under climatic stress, including warming effects on symbiont diversity. It should also examine how symbionts modulate interactions with plants, natural enemies and mutualists, while accounting for trade-offs, stability and host-specific outcomes. These goals require climate-gradient field sampling, controlled laboratory experiments and multi-omics to resolve genetic and functional variation, paired with high-resolution measurements of aphid performance under ecologically realistic thermal regimes. Together, these insights define a mechanistic basis for prediction and a research programme linking laboratory evidence to climate-smart integrated pest management.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":14987,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Entomology","volume":"150 4","pages":"454-458"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Foraging Behaviour of Floral Visitors as an Indicator of Pollination Potential in Sweet Cherry Orchards","authors":"Justine Rivers-Moore,&nbsp;Maureen Murúa,&nbsp;Tania Zaviezo","doi":"10.1111/jen.70050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.70050","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sweet cherry production relies heavily on managed and wild insect pollinators. Pollination success depends not only on the presence of flower visitors but also on their behaviour and traits. Although Chile is among the world's leading cherry producers, information on the diversity and pollination roles of insect visitors in its orchards remains scarce. In this study, we used video monitoring to assess the foraging behaviour of floral visitors in 16 conventional orchards in central Chile. In 2023, we recorded 3012 insect visits. Bees comprised 65% of visits, with honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) alone accounting for 64% and fewer than 1% for wild bees. Besides, 33% of the visits were attributed to flies—mainly <i>Dilophus</i> sp. (Bibionidae) and several syrphid species—and 2% to beetles. Bees spent the shortest time per flower, exhibited greater inter-floral movement and contacted the stigma most frequently, behaviours associated with high pollination potential. In contrast, flies and beetles typically remained longer on flowers, moved little between them and often consumed floral resources without making contact with the stigma. These behavioural patterns suggest that hymenopterans are the most effective pollinators in these systems. Nevertheless, the high abundance of flies in the orchards may partly compensate for their limited pollination efficiency. Additionally, we found a significant positive relationship between body size and the likelihood of stigma contact, highlighting a key morphological trait associated with pollination effectiveness. The overall low diversity and small size of floral visitors in these conventional cherry orchards may explain why few of the species present have the potential to be effective pollinators. Promoting practices that enhance bee floral visitor diversity could increase the presence of alternative pollinators, reduce reliance on managed honeybees and contribute to more stable cherry yields.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":14987,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Entomology","volume":"150 4","pages":"475-486"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HaJAK2/STAT5B Mediate the Post-Mating Switch of Reproductive Behaviour in Helicoverpa armigera Female","authors":"Yilin Wang,&nbsp;Zhixian Zhang,&nbsp;Xueyi Ruan,&nbsp;Xiaoxia Liu,&nbsp;Songdou Zhang","doi":"10.1111/jen.70058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.70058","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Mated female moths display behavioural and physiological changes such as oviposition initiation, reduced receptivity and shortened lifespan. The behavioural transition in post-mating female insects constitutes a critical adaptive strategy for optimising reproductive success, but little is known about the detailed regulatory molecules. The JAK/STAT signalling pathway has been confirmed to play an important role in insect cell growth, immunity and reproductive processes, but its potential role in post-mating behavioural transformation is still unclear. In this study, we initially identified core components of the JAK/STAT signalling pathway, <i>HaJAK2</i> and <i>HaSTAT5B</i>, in <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> through screening of the NCBI database and transcriptomic data. Then phylogenetic analysis and multiple amino acid sequence alignment revealed high homology of HaJAK2 and HaSTAT5B with homologues of <i>Spodoptera litura</i> and <i>Helicoverpa zea</i>, respectively. QRT-PCR analysis demonstrated tissue-specific expression patterns of <i>HaJAK2</i> and <i>HaSTAT5B</i>, showing predominant expression in the spermathecae/parovaria tissue. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated gene knockdown experiments indicated that suppressing <i>HaJAK2</i> and <i>HaSTAT5B</i> expression altered post-mating behaviours, including reduced oviposition, extended longevity and diminished re-mating propensity. Finally, we revealed that the transcription factor <i>HaGATAa</i> dynamically regulates the expression of <i>HaJAK2</i> and <i>HaSTAT5B</i>. In conclusion, this study reveals that the GATAa-JAK/STAT axis governs reproductive state-dependent behavioural transitions in lepidopteran post-mating processes, advancing our understanding of insect reproductive strategies and identifying the JAK/STAT cascade as a potential target for novel pest control interventions to disrupt key reproductive behaviours in agricultural pests.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":14987,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Entomology","volume":"150 4","pages":"506-515"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147682969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dose-Dependent Effect of Plant Volatiles on the Oviposition Preference of the Corn Leafhopper Dalbulus maidis","authors":"Tatiane Cristina Barbosa Cândido,&nbsp;Enggel Beatriz Silva Carmo,&nbsp;Vinícius Xavier Nogueira dos Reis,&nbsp;M. Fernanda G. V. Peñaflor","doi":"10.1111/jen.70051","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jen.70051","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) is a major annual crop cultivated worldwide. In the Americas, the corn leafhopper <i>Dalbulus maidis</i> (DeLong) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is a key pest of this crop, causing direct damage to plants through phloem feeding and indirect damage by transmitting phytopathogens. Despite extensive efforts, effective management and control of this pest remain challenging. In this study, we assessed the effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—myrcene, linalool and methyl salicylate (MeSA), which are emitted by maize either constitutively or in response to herbivory plants—and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a compound detectable in the volatile emissions of some maize genotypes. Dual-choice assays consisted of releasing female leafhoppers into cages containing a pair of maize plants: one associated with a dispenser loaded with the tested VOC at one of the three concentrations (2, 20 or 200 ng μ L⁻¹) and the other with a dispenser containing only the solvent (paraffin oil). Myrcene at 20 ng μ L⁻¹ significantly reduced oviposition, whereas MeSA at 2 ng μ L⁻¹, myrcene at 200 ng μ L⁻¹ and linalool at 200 ng μ L⁻¹ significantly increased the number of eggs laid on maize plants. MeJA, at any concentration, had no effect on oviposition preference of <i>D. maidis</i>. These results demonstrate a dose-dependent behavioural response of <i>D. maidis</i> to specific VOCs, with myrcene acting as a repellent at moderate dose and MeSA, myrcene (high dose) and linalool functioning as attractants. Such responses underscore the potential of these synthetic compounds for integration into semiochemical-based strategies aimed at manipulating <i>D. maidis</i> oviposition, either by deterring or attracting females, depending on the dose and compound used.</p>","PeriodicalId":14987,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Entomology","volume":"150 4","pages":"497-505"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jen.70051","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147684261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"TYLCV Infection Promotes Biological Fitness of Bemisia tabaci MED (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)","authors":"Xiaojie Wu,&nbsp;Buli Fu,&nbsp;Peng Liang,&nbsp;Xiangkai Mo,&nbsp;Zhaojiang Guo,&nbsp;Xin Yang,&nbsp;Youjun Zhang,&nbsp;Wen Xie","doi":"10.1111/jen.70045","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jen.70045","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Investigating the intricate interactions between plant viruses and insect vectors is crucial for pest management. The whitefly <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) (Gennadius), as a primary vector of <i>Tomato yellow leaf curl virus</i> (TYLCV), exhibits a symbiotic relationship with TYLCV that remains incompletely understood. Using the ‘two sex-age stage’ life table method, we investigated the effects of TYLCV infection on the biological performance of <i>B. tabaci</i> MED. Our results demonstrate that both direct TYLCV carriage and feeding on infected plants enhance biological fitness, as evidenced by prolonged female longevity, higher survival rates, extended oviposition periods and increased fecundity. Furthermore, net reproductive rate (<i>R</i>₀) calculations confirmed these reproductive advantages. Collectively, these findings indicate that TYLCV infection improves the overall biological fitness of <i>B. tabaci</i> MED primarily by enhancing female longevity and fecundity through a combination of direct viral manipulation and indirect plant-mediated effects. Elucidating the mutually beneficial interspecific relationship therefore holds significant value for improving prevention and control strategies against TYLCV and <i>B. tabaci</i> MED in agricultural systems.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":14987,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Entomology","volume":"150 3","pages":"376-387"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147568058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic Diversity and Population Genetic Structure From Different Host Populations of Spodoptera litura Based on Microsatellite Markers","authors":"Zhongwen Hu,&nbsp;Shimeng Zhang,&nbsp;Xiaofei Yu,&nbsp;Hong Yang,&nbsp;Deping Zhang,&nbsp;Maofa Yang","doi":"10.1111/jen.70041","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jen.70041","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Spodoptera litura</i> (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an agricultural pest with a wide distribution range and many host plants, which can cause serious economic losses. In this study, 157 samples were collected from eight hosts (tobacco, soybean, taro, peanut, chili, sweet potato, corn, and sorrel) in Fuli Town, Fuchuan County, Hezhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Seven microsatellite loci were used to analyse the genetic diversity, genetic structure and genetic differentiation of these populations. The results showed that the number of alleles (<i>N</i>a) among the eight populations ranged from 2.43 to 6.14, the average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.4574, the mean observed heterozygosity (<i>H</i>_O) and expected heterozygosity (<i>H</i>_E) were 0.4926 and 0.5693, respectively. The genetic diversity of different host populations was high. Bayesian clustering and the NJ phylogenetic tree showed that there were certain genetic structures among different host populations, which could be roughly divided into four genetic groups. The fixed coefficient (<i>F</i>_ST) between populations ranged from 0.010 to 0.208, with low to highly differentiated populations as a whole. This study is helpful to understand the occurrence regularity of <i>Spodoptera litura</i> from different host plants, and provides a theoretical foundation for rational crop layout adjustments and the establishment of an effective integrated control system.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":14987,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Entomology","volume":"150 3","pages":"388-394"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147568752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hermetia illucens: Multifaceted Advancements in Organic Waste Valorization From Sustainable Farming to Biomedical Innovation","authors":"Qiuqin Ma,&nbsp;Zhending Gan,&nbsp;Xiaomei Ye,&nbsp;Yonglan Xi,&nbsp;Ruju Zhang,&nbsp;Cong Wang,&nbsp;Xiangping Kong","doi":"10.1111/jen.70043","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jen.70043","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Tremendous amounts of organic waste are produced annually worldwide, and how to utilize this organic waste with low energy consumption and high efficiency without generating secondary pollution is a valuable research direction. Black soldier fly (BSF) has saprophytic characteristics in its larvae, and can effectively convert organic waste such as crop straw, feces and kitchen waste into insect nutrition (e.g., fat and protein). Therefore, the use of BSF as an alternative animal feed source is gaining attention. The ingestion of various organic wastes by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) reduces the discharge and accumulation of organic waste and provides various usable substances for human life. For instance, fatty acids, chitin, melanin and antimicrobial peptides in BSF are important resources in biology, medicine and the chemical industry. Hence, BSF represents a promising candidate for future biotechnological applications, with far-reaching implications for sustainable development and future human life. Currently, much progress has been made in the application of BSF in animal feed and health products. However, literature reviews summarizing the applications of BSF in the breeding and biomedicine industries are still lacking. This review not only highlights the role of BSF in organic waste valorization but also emphasizes its significant potential in enhancing animal growth performance, as well as its promising applications in biomedicine and cosmetic industries. Moreover, this review analyzes the current problems encountered in the application of BSF and future research directions to provide reference and potential targets for the development and utilization of BSF.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":14987,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Entomology","volume":"150 3","pages":"395-406"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147569034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nocturnal Lepidopterans as Essential Pollinators of Aspidosperma pyrifolium (Apocynaceae), a Keystone Tree in the Caatinga Dry Forest","authors":"Joel A. Queiroz,&nbsp;Arthur Domingos-Melo,&nbsp;Zelma G. M. Quirino,&nbsp;Isabel C. S. Machado","doi":"10.1111/jen.70036","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jen.70036","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Pollination is a key ecosystem service, yet most studies focus on diurnal interactions, often overlooking nocturnal pollinators such as hawkmoths and settling moths. In arid environments, nocturnal pollination plays a crucial role in maintaining native plant species of high biocultural value, as seen in the Caatinga dry forest. In this study, we investigated the pollination biology of <i>Aspidosperma pyrifolium</i> (Apocynaceae), pereiro tree, a species of significant economic and cultural importance, recognized for its biotechnological potential and as a dominant keystone species in regenerating areas. We examined its reproductive phenology, floral biology, primary pollinators, and assessed its mating system, dependency on pollinators for reproductive success, and overall reproductive performance under natural conditions. Our results indicate that the flowering and pollination dynamics of <i>A. pyrifolium</i> are consistent with a well-adapted sphingophilous–phalenophilous system within the Caatinga dry forest. The species' reliance mainly on nocturnal lepidopterans for effective pollination (i.e., especially settling moths and hawkmoths) underscores the critical role of nocturnal pollinators in ensuring reproductive success. Furthermore, the presence of a late-acting self-incompatibility mechanism reinforces the importance of outcrossing. This study highlights the ecological significance of nocturnal lepidopterans pollination in sustaining species with essential cultural and environmental roles in semi-arid ecosystems. As these pollinators face increasing threats, understanding their interactions with key plant species becomes vital for conservation strategies and ecosystem resilience.</p>","PeriodicalId":14987,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Entomology","volume":"150 3","pages":"351-363"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jen.70036","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147567479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Determining Terminal Velocities of Selected Insects and Substitute Materials to Develop Future Test Procedures for Insect-Friendly Mowing Technology","authors":"Jonas Frank,&nbsp;Manuela Sann,&nbsp;Lea von Berg,&nbsp;Stefanie Erhardt,&nbsp;Johannes L. M. Steidle,&nbsp;Oliver Betz,&nbsp;Stefan Böttinger","doi":"10.1111/jen.70032","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jen.70032","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Agricultural grasslands are vital habitats for insects that provide key ecosystem services. However, conventional rotary mowers are proposed to cause significant insect mortality due to the high rotational speed of their blades and the resulting airflow. Therefore, innovative insect-friendly mowers with modified airflows are developed to reduce the suction effect on grassland arthropods. However, no standardised and cost-effective testing methods are currently available for these technologies. Here, we present a promising approach for future testing of insect-friendly mowers. We determined the terminal velocities of grassland insects as well as materials that could potentially replace insects in standardised tests. In a comparative analysis of the terminal velocities of 15 insect species and nine substitute materials, we identified several substitutes with terminal velocities closely matching those of the tested insects. These materials are highly suitable for laboratory testing of insect-friendly mowing techniques, particularly for evaluating the airflow and suction effects of the blades. Although substitute materials cannot replicate the natural responses of living insects to airflow, they provide a possible solution for standardised and scalable testing. This approach paves the way for a broader adoption of insect-friendly mowing technologies, ensuring a balance between agricultural productivity and insect conservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":14987,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Entomology","volume":"150 3","pages":"310-320"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jen.70032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147565859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}