{"title":"Linking Functional Traits to Anthropogenic Stress: A Dung Beetle Case Study in a Degraded Habitat.","authors":"Bruna Raiary, Hernani Alves Almeida, Wallace Beiroz, Yasmine Antonini","doi":"10.1007/s13744-026-01414-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-026-01414-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anthropogenic disturbances, such as extensive topsoil removal, pose severe threats to ecosystem integrity, and consequently restoration outcomes depend heavily on biotic interactions that sustain ecosystem functions. Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) act as bioindicators and ecosystem engineers, notably by mediating secondary seed dispersal and promoting soil bioturbation. We investigated taxonomic and functional attributes of dung beetle communities and quantified seed-removal rates in a severely degraded site (topsoil removal for dam construction) and in an adjacent, less-disturbed reference area within the Brazilian Cerrado. Contrary to our initial predictions, in the degraded site hosted higher species richness (27 vs. 26 species), greater abundance (5371 vs. 1142), and higher functional richness (FRic), whereas functional divergence (FDiv) was greater in the reference area. Community-weighted means (CWMs) for traits associated with excavation and rolling (pronotum volume, front-leg area, and hind-to-front leg length ratio) were significantly elevated in the degraded area, despite a lower mean body mass. Seed-removal rates were also significantly higher in the degraded site. Across the dataset, seed removal correlated positively with FRic, abundance, pronotum volume, front-leg area, and hind/front leg ratio, and negatively with FDiv and body mass; however, these relationships were context-dependent and largely vanished when habitats were analysed separately. Our results indicate that the dung beetle assemblage colonizing the degraded site is dominated by abundant, morphologically specialized species that can sustain high rates of seed removal despite low functional divergence. We discuss implications for restoration: the presence of functionally competent, abundant dung beetles can facilitate secondary seed dispersal in heavily degraded landscapes, but reliance on a few trait-dominant species may render this service vulnerable to further perturbation.</p>","PeriodicalId":19071,"journal":{"name":"Neotropical Entomology","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13473256/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148762308","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}
María Cecilia Martínez, Freddy Burgos Gallardo, José Antonio Marin Fernandes, Luiz Alexandre Campos
{"title":"Rotundedessa gen. n., a New Edessinae Genus with the Description of Two New Species from Argentina (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).","authors":"María Cecilia Martínez, Freddy Burgos Gallardo, José Antonio Marin Fernandes, Luiz Alexandre Campos","doi":"10.1007/s13744-026-01417-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13744-026-01417-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Edessinae is a Neotropical subfamily of Pentatomidae comprising hundreds of species in 20 genera. The nominal genus Edessa Fabricius, 1803 includes most of this diversity with approximately 350 nominal species, and can be considered a \"depot taxon.\" Studying small groups of morphologically similar species is an efficient approach to deal with the taxonomic diversity in Edessa and has led to the description of several new genera. The viridula group comprises five species and is characterized by short metasternal processes, wrinkled ventrolateral areas, and pygophore with several unique features. Following the current standards in the taxonomy of Edessinae, we consider these characteristics distinctive enough to propose a new genus to the species included in the viridula group. The new genus is herein described and new combinations for the five species formerly placed in the viridula group are proposed. Additionally, two new species from Argentina are described, and a key to the species of the new genus is given.</p>","PeriodicalId":19071,"journal":{"name":"Neotropical Entomology","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13437665/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148670185","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}
Iara Beatriz Andrade de Sousa, Marco Aurélio Louveira Areco, Gabrielle Lopes Noia, Anibal Salinas Junior, Kamily Fagundes Pussi, Jhoy Alves Leite, George Tadeu Nunes Diniz, Paulo Silva de Almeida, Manoel Sebastião da Costa Lima Junior, Herintha Coeto Neitzke-Abreu
{"title":"Leishmania spp. DNA in Sand Flies in a Transition Area of the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.","authors":"Iara Beatriz Andrade de Sousa, Marco Aurélio Louveira Areco, Gabrielle Lopes Noia, Anibal Salinas Junior, Kamily Fagundes Pussi, Jhoy Alves Leite, George Tadeu Nunes Diniz, Paulo Silva de Almeida, Manoel Sebastião da Costa Lima Junior, Herintha Coeto Neitzke-Abreu","doi":"10.1007/s13744-026-01424-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13744-026-01424-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leishmaniases are infectious diseases whose vectors are female sand flies that depend on the blood of vertebrates for egg maturation. In this study, we investigated the sand fly species and DNA from Leishmania spp. This entomological/epidemiological study was conducted in a rural area in Nova Andradina, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. From March 2019 to February 2020, five modified Falcão light traps were installed at night once a month. The collected insects were separated by sex into pools of 10 specimens. A sample was used for species identification via microscopic analysis, and another sample was used to detect the DNA of Leishmania in females via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 42,933 insects were collected, 77.6% (n = 33,313) of which were female. A total of 4,993 (11.6%) insects were identified, most were Nyssomyia neivai (n = 4,839; 96.9%). For PCR, 4,130 (9.6%) insects were analyzed, and four pools were positive for Leishmania spp. (with a natural infection rate of 0.1%). When the number of sand flies collected and the climatic variables were correlated, a significant difference was detected when precipitation > 60 mm (p = 0.0314) and relative humidity ≤ 60% (p = 0.0201). The analyzed area is inhabited by one of the main vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil, and we also found that some specimens were infected with Leishmania DNA, which might favor the occurrence of the disease in the region. This information is essential for understanding the dissemination of leishmaniasis and planning actions to prevent in the municipality.</p>","PeriodicalId":19071,"journal":{"name":"Neotropical Entomology","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13427917/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148631034","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}
Andressa Santoro, Talita Aparecida Tódora Santana, Wingly Santos Beltrame, Nathalia Rodrigues da Silva de Carvalho, Larissa Eduarda de Oliveira Garcia, Fernanda Giovana Martins de Oliveira, Giovana Natiele Machado Esquissato, Vagner de Alencar Arnaut de Toledo, Daiani Rodrigues Moreira, Adriana Aparecida Sinópolis Gigliolli, Maria Claudia Colla Ruvolo Takasusuki
{"title":"Toxicity and Morphological Alterations Caused By Azadirachtin in the Stingless Bee Nannotrigona testaceicornis Lepeletier, 1836 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini.","authors":"Andressa Santoro, Talita Aparecida Tódora Santana, Wingly Santos Beltrame, Nathalia Rodrigues da Silva de Carvalho, Larissa Eduarda de Oliveira Garcia, Fernanda Giovana Martins de Oliveira, Giovana Natiele Machado Esquissato, Vagner de Alencar Arnaut de Toledo, Daiani Rodrigues Moreira, Adriana Aparecida Sinópolis Gigliolli, Maria Claudia Colla Ruvolo Takasusuki","doi":"10.1007/s13744-026-01421-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13744-026-01421-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nannotrigona testaceicornis are essential pollinators for biodiversity maintenance and agricultural production. However, during foraging in agroecosystems, they may be exposed to residues of bioinsecticides used for pest management. Thus, this study evaluated the toxicity of the commercial product AzaMax® (azadirachtin) to the stingless bee N. testaceicornis. Adult worker bees were exposed to this bioinsecticide by contact and ingestion at concentrations recommended for strawberry crops, and mortality was assessed after 24, 48, and 72 h. Morphological alterations of the midgut and changes in chromatin structure in brain cells were evaluated in the surviving stingless bees. Exposure resulted in low mortality, precluding the estimation of the LC₅₀, but revealed significant sublethal effects, such as disorganization of the midgut epithelium, loss of digestive cells, reduction of regenerative cells, and disappearance of the peritrophic membrane. An increase in chromatin condensation was detected at different exposure times and concentrations, suggesting disruption of gene regulatory processes. These findings indicate that although azadirachtin does not induce immediate lethality in N. testaceicornis, it may compromise digestive physiology and genomic integrity, potentially affecting individual performance and long-term colony maintenance. The results highlight the importance of considering sublethal parameters in bioinsecticide risk assessments, as they may reveal hidden and ecologically relevant impacts that are not detected by mortality alone. By incorporating both lethal and sublethal endpoints, this research contributes to the development of safer agricultural practices and supports the conservation of stingless bees, which are key pollinators in tropical ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":19071,"journal":{"name":"Neotropical Entomology","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13424554/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148620804","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":"Potential Distribution of Invasive Insect Ferrisia virgata (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Under Climate Change with Implications for Management.","authors":"Xianwen Yang, Jiaqi Feng, Zhihao Xie, Fang Wang","doi":"10.1007/s13744-026-01420-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13744-026-01420-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The striped mealybug, Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell), is a destructive invasive pest infesting more than 234 genera across 83 families and established in over 122 countries, posing serious threats to agriculture and forestry. To clarify the drivers governing the distribution and future dispersal risk, this study employed a Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model to conduct its global potential distribution under current and future climate scenarios, incorporating climate and topographic variables. The established models demonstrated strong reliability and accuracy, with an average AUC of 0.903, a mean TSS of 0.705, and only 17.08% of the total suitable habitats classified as extrapolation areas. The temperature-related variables (85.2%) were the dominant variables shaping the current potential distribution model, followed by precipitation-related variables (13.5%), while the contribution of elevation contributed only 1.3%. The current potential distribution of this pest mainly concentrated in North America, South America, Africa, Oceania, and Asia. Under future climate scenarios, the suitable habitats of F. virgata exhibited divergent invasion risks, and low-emission climate pathways could constrain the pest's long-term suitable ranges. We put forward three targeted strategies for prevention and control, existing-area governance, forward-looking early warning, and cross-regional coordinated prevention. Our findings clarify the key role of thermal conditions in driving the dispersal of F. virgata and propose targeted control strategies, thereby offering a scientific basis for the early warning and precise management of congeneric invasive insects.</p>","PeriodicalId":19071,"journal":{"name":"Neotropical Entomology","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148620793","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":"Caenocentron Schmid, 1982 (Trichoptera: Xiphocentronidae), a New Species from Mexico, Genetic Diversity, and an Updated Identification Key.","authors":"María Razo-González, Albane Vilarino, Yokomi Nisei Lozano-Sardaneta, Silvio Shigueo Nihei, Atilano Contreras-Ramos","doi":"10.1007/s13744-026-01409-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13744-026-01409-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Caenocentron Schmid, 1982 is a small net-tube caddisfly genus distributed in the southern Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Two species were previously recorded in Mexico: Caenocentron trilineatum (Mosely 1934) and Caenocentron ideolus Schmid, 1982. In this study, Caenocentron chinantecum Razo-González and Vilarino, sp. nov. is described from Oaxaca, Mexico, which is similar to C. carlosdelarosai Vilarino, Dias and Bispo, 2022 from Costa Rica, with main differences observed in the shape of inferior appendage, position of its spine, and the paraproct lateral spine-like setae and asymmetrical dorsal processes. COI barcode of the new species and congeners was compared and the intra and interspecific distances were assessed. Minimum interspecific differences in the genus were around 5%, which may serve as a threshold for species delimitation. ASAP, PTP, TCS, and ABGD species delimitation models were used, but only the last one was congruent with morphological species criteria. Maximum likelihood analysis placed the new species closely related to C. carlosdelarosai. The haplotype structure of the species showed 26 haplotypes. Caenocentron carlosdelarosai showed eight haplotypes, clustering in two main groups with a high genetic distance (4.6%) but without morphological differences. An updated identification key for Caenocentron species is provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":19071,"journal":{"name":"Neotropical Entomology","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13415274/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148605444","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":"Benefits and Risks of Native and Exotic Biological Control Agents Used in Latin America and the Caribbean: Performance of 1099 Arthropod Natural Enemies.","authors":"Joop C van Lenteren, Vanda H P Bueno","doi":"10.1007/s13744-026-01412-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13744-026-01412-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The risks of negative non-target effects caused by the use of biological control agents to control pests have been a hotly debated issue since the 1980s. However, these discussions are often limited to a few specific case studies. Large-scale region-wide evaluations of risks and benefits of releases of natural enemies are rare. We tracked the names of 1099 biocontrol agents used in arthropod biocontrol in Latin America and the Caribbean, and ranked them according to origin (native or exotic), to their role in pest reduction (significant or not) and negative non-target effects. About 40% of the agents used in this region were of exotic origin. Depending on the type of programme-natural, conservation, classical or augmentative biocontrol-the percentages of natural enemies attaining significant pest reduction were 40 up to 100. Hence, many natural enemies provided benefits in the form of healthy, sustainable and environmentally friendly pest management. The documented risk associated with the use of exotic natural enemies appears to be low, although minor or poorly monitored non-target effects may have gone undetected. In order to limit occurrence of negative non-target effects in the future, first an inventory should be made of native natural enemies including an assessment of whether one or more of these species are able to sufficiently reduce pest populations. Only if effective native biocontrol agents are not found, the use of an exotic natural enemy should be considered after performing an environmental impact assessment indicating a low risk for negative side effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":19071,"journal":{"name":"Neotropical Entomology","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13415494/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148605474","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}
Ana Luisa Rodrigues-Silva, Letícia Pereira Silva, Rosangela Cristina Marucci
{"title":"Doru luteipes (Dermaptera: Forficulidae): Life History, Predatory Potential, and Rearing Method of Earwigs.","authors":"Ana Luisa Rodrigues-Silva, Letícia Pereira Silva, Rosangela Cristina Marucci","doi":"10.1007/s13744-026-01415-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13744-026-01415-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The earwig Doru luteipes (Scudder) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) is recognized as the most frequently encountered predatory insect species in maize agroecosystems across maize-producing regions of Brazil and other South American countries. For over three decades, the earwig has been extensively investigated through both field surveys and controlled laboratory studies aiming at biological control of insect pests. Although augmentative biological control strategies involving the release of D. luteipes have been proposed, the currently available data on its predatory behavior and efficiency remain scarce and scattered, hindering definition of its true potential as a biocontrol agent. In this review, we present a comprehensive synthesis of the current scientific knowledge on the life history of D. luteipes, highlighting studies that indicate the potential of the earwig in regulating populations of insect pests and fungal structures, including photographic records of its predatory activity. In addition, we propose a standardized and replicable rearing protocol for D. luteipes, which involves the use of acrylic straws as oviposition substrates and shelters, corrugated cardboard as a structural refuge, and the provision of a nutritionally adequate artificial diet for both nymphs and adults. The described method indicates to be suitable not only for rearing D. luteipes but also for other species within the order Dermaptera. Finally, we outline key research gaps and propose future directions for experimental and applied investigations targeting this natural enemy species, whose ecological role and full potential as a biological control agent in diverse agricultural systems remain insufficiently explored and understood.</p>","PeriodicalId":19071,"journal":{"name":"Neotropical Entomology","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13391787/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148549973","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}
Pamela Estefania Andrade, Santiago Sebastian Bonilla, Alberto Macancela Herrera, Gissela De la Cadena Mendoza
{"title":"Canopy Weevil Diversity Across an Elevational Gradient in a Southern Ecuadorian Tropical Montane Forest.","authors":"Pamela Estefania Andrade, Santiago Sebastian Bonilla, Alberto Macancela Herrera, Gissela De la Cadena Mendoza","doi":"10.1007/s13744-026-01413-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13744-026-01413-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tropical montane forests (TMFs) harbor exceptional biodiversity, yet canopy insect assemblages remain critically understudied. Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are essential components of forest ecosystems, playing key roles in nutrient cycling and plant interactions. This study provides the first canopy-level assessment of Curculionidae diversity along an elevational gradient (520-1,000 m above sea level) in a southern Ecuadorian TMF using insecticidal fogging. We collected 1,178 individuals representing 223 morphospecies from 28 sampling units across three forest plots. Richness estimators indicated that sampling captured 36-81% of expected species, suggesting a vast undetected diversity and a non-asymptotic richness pattern. The highest α-diversity was recorded at 1,000 m a.s.l. Notably, Plot 2 (880 m a.s.l.) exhibited the lowest Shannon diversity (H' = 3.41) despite higher richness than the lowest site, driven by the extreme dominance of a single morphospecies (MSP 17), which accounted for 65.4% of individuals at that site. β-diversity analysis revealed high community dissimilarity (β<sub>SOR</sub> = 0.96), almost entirely attributable to species turnover (β<sub>SIM</sub> = 0.94), with only 6% of morphospecies shared across all sites, though these patterns should be interpreted as descriptive differences among sites given the single-plot design at each elevation. These results indicate intense community replacement across sites and suggest that local condition´s structure canopy assemblages within this piemontane ecotone. These findings underscore the ecological distinctiveness of Andean TMFs and highlight the importance of conserving continuous elevational corridors to maintain specialized insect diversity and buffer against climate-driven environmental change.</p>","PeriodicalId":19071,"journal":{"name":"Neotropical Entomology","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148549889","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}
Xiaoyun Jia, Shuo Peng, Mark Richard McNeill, John Huria Nderitu, Feng Gao, Zihua Zhao
{"title":"Excess Sucrose in the Larval Diet Alters Gut Microbiota and Reduces Body Size and Longevity of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel).","authors":"Xiaoyun Jia, Shuo Peng, Mark Richard McNeill, John Huria Nderitu, Feng Gao, Zihua Zhao","doi":"10.1007/s13744-026-01404-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13744-026-01404-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The oriental fruit fly is a global invasive pest that damages a wide range of fruits and vegetables. The sucrose content of host plants consumed during the larval stage has important influence on adult phenotypic traits. In this study, three sucrose concentration levels were established in the larval artificial diet to examine their effects on adult phenotypic traits and gut microbiota. The results showed that low-sucrose diet (3% (w/w)) led to a significant increase in the pupa length by 3.5% and weight by 27.7% compared to individuals from the control, whereas high-sucrose diet (22% (w/w)) resulted in a notable decrease in the pupa length by 4.2% and weight by 15.0% compared to individuals from the control. Moreover, low-sucrose diet led to larger ovaries and longer lifespans of adult flies compared to those in the control. For the composition of gut microbiota, 26 bacteria groups were significantly enriched in the LSD group, and 17 bacteria groups were significantly enriched in the HSD group. Our study demonstrates that dietary sucrose concentration has influence on biological traits in Bactrocera dorsalis, potentially in association with variation in gut microbiota composition, and provides a foundation for future investigations into host adaptation in this species.</p>","PeriodicalId":19071,"journal":{"name":"Neotropical Entomology","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148536486","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}