Jacinta D. Kong, Émile Vadboncoeur, Susan M. Bertram, Heath A. MacMillan
{"title":"Temperature-dependence of life history in an edible cricket: Implications for optimising mass-rearing","authors":"Jacinta D. Kong, Émile Vadboncoeur, Susan M. Bertram, Heath A. MacMillan","doi":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100109","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100109","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Optimisation of life history and organismal performance underlies success in insect mass-rearing. Rearing schedules, resource use and production yield depend on many aspects of insect fitness and performance within and across generations, such as growth, development, longevity, and fecundity, which are all temperature dependent. Despite this general understanding, we often lack species-specific information needed to make informed decisions about manipulating rearing temperatures to optimise insect growth and development. Here, we characterise the effects of rearing temperature on nymph to adult development and lifespan (20 – 38 °C), and reproductive output (30 – 38 °C) in a farmed cricket (<em>Gryllodes sigillatus</em>). Crickets grew larger and reached adulthood sooner at higher developmental temperatures at the expense of longevity. Reproductive output was similar across a range of temperatures but decreased at 38 °C. Therefore, while temperature control is necessary to maximise production rates, temperature is unlikely to affect production yield in a fixed harvest cycle provided it is maintained within the narrow range enabling both fast growth and stable reproduction (32 – 36 °C). Our study provides a fundamental basis for further optimisation of insect rearing operations and a deeper understanding of the thermal biology of this commonly farmed species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34629,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Insect Science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100109"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143579973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara Zuluaga , Geysson Javier Fernandez , Ana María Mejía-Jaramillo , Carl Lowenberger , Omar Triana-Chavez
{"title":"Exploring novel pyrethroid resistance mechanisms through RNA-seq in Triatoma dimidiata from Colombia","authors":"Sara Zuluaga , Geysson Javier Fernandez , Ana María Mejía-Jaramillo , Carl Lowenberger , Omar Triana-Chavez","doi":"10.1016/j.cris.2024.100103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cris.2024.100103","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pyrethroids are the most widely used insecticides for controlling insect vectors carrying medically and economically significant pathogens. In Colombia, studies on triatomine insecticide resistance are limited. Due to the increasing challenge of insecticide resistance, this work focuses on determining resistance to different pyrethroid insecticides in populations of <em>Triatoma dimidiata</em> from Colombia. To define the possible causes of resistance, three potential molecular mechanisms were explored: 1) mutations in the coding region of the voltage-gated sodium channel gene (<em>vgsc</em>), the insecticide target site; 2) modulation of enzymatic activity associated with metabolic resistance; and 3) changes in the mRNA profiles using RNA-seq. The results showed that the field population of <em>T. dimidiata</em> was resistant to lambda-cyhalothrin and deltamethrin insecticides. Insects surviving sublethal doses of insecticides did not exhibit the classical mutations in the <em>vgsc</em> gene. Transcriptomic profile analyses of <em>T. dimidiata</em> revealed differentially regulated genes in field and laboratory populations under selective pressure with lambda-cyhalothrin. Gene enrichment analysis showed the positive regulation of transcripts related to detoxifying enzymes and mitochondrial proteins, which could play a significant role in insecticide resistance. This comprehensive investigation is crucial for providing insights into resistance mechanisms and generating strategies to manage these critical vector species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34629,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Insect Science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100103"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11696854/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142932734","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Wesley Robinson , Abigail T. Bechard , Ariel K. Frame , Micah R. Evans , Angeline-Claudia Atheby , Shaunik Sharma , Hakeem O. Lawal , Anne F. Simon
{"title":"The Drosophila adult brain: short overview of structure, function, and resources Graphical Review Paper","authors":"J. Wesley Robinson , Abigail T. Bechard , Ariel K. Frame , Micah R. Evans , Angeline-Claudia Atheby , Shaunik Sharma , Hakeem O. Lawal , Anne F. Simon","doi":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100113","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100113","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This short review is targeted at researchers new to the Drosophila model (thereafter: a Drosophilist) in the field of neuroscience. We aim to provide an introductory overview of our current understanding of the adult <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em> (thereafter: Drosophila) brain, its structures, circuitry, and associated behaviours, as well as links to additional resources for more in-depth information. Throughout this overview, we mostly provide references to seminal review articles instead of the original research articles that are thoroughly provided within each review. We do not claim to present an exhaustive exploration of this rapidly expanding field, or of its history. Rather, the field currently lacks a short and simple up-to-date guide to the adult Drosophila brain. Finally, even though connectomes for the full larval brain and the adult ventral nerve cord have recently been made available, we are restricting our focus to the adult brain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34629,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Insect Science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100113"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144131436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Melise C. Lecheta , Chad Nielson , B. Wade French , Emily A.W. Nadeau , Nicholas M. Teets
{"title":"Molecular mechanisms and comparative transcriptomics of diapause in two corn rootworm species (Diabrotica spp.)","authors":"Melise C. Lecheta , Chad Nielson , B. Wade French , Emily A.W. Nadeau , Nicholas M. Teets","doi":"10.1016/j.cris.2024.100104","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cris.2024.100104","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diapause is a programmed developmental arrest that can occur at any developmental stage depending on species, but the mechanisms that underscore embryonic diapause are poorly understood. Here, we identified molecular mechanisms underscoring distinct phases of diapause in the <em>Diabrotica</em> spp. complex. This species complex includes economically significant agricultural pests, notably the western corn rootworm (WCR) and northern corn rootworm (NCR), which cause major losses in maize production. Rootworms undergo an obligate embryonic diapause to synchronize their life cycles with host plants, and we sequenced transcriptomes from both species at five time points (pre-diapause, diapause initiation, diapause maintenance, diapause termination, and post-diapause). Our results indicate that transcriptional regulation is dynamic during diapause. Diapause initiation involves shutdown of the cell cycle by downregulating cyclin-related genes, downregulation of aerobic metabolism, with concurrent upregulation of stress-related genes, especially heat shock proteins, the proteasome, and immune-related genes. During post-diapause development, there is a dramatic activation cellular respiration, which may be controlled by insulin signaling. Comparative transcriptomic analyses between WCR and NCR indicated that while many gene expression changes were conserved across species, overall gene expression profiles were distinct, indicating that many transcriptional changes are species-specific, despite the close phylogenetic relationship and phenotypic similarity between these species. This study sheds light on the suite of mechanisms that allow some organisms to pause the symphony of cellular events that occur during embryonic development and persist for several months as a tiny egg. Further, the mechanisms identified here may contribute to further research and pest management efforts in this economically important pest group.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34629,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Insect Science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100104"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11786089/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A model that integrates the different piRNA biogenesis pathways based on studies in silkworm BmN4 cells","authors":"Thomas-Wolf Verdonckt , Luc Swevers , Dulce Santos","doi":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100108","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100108","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>PIWI-interacting (pi) RNAs play an essential role in protecting the genomic integrity of germ cells from the disruptive transpositions of selfish genetic elements. One of the most important model systems for studying piRNA biogenesis is the ovary derived BmN4 cell line of the silkworm Bombyx mori. In recent years, many steps and components of the pathways involved in this process have been unraveled. However, a holistic description of piRNA biogenesis in BmN4 cells is still unavailable. In this paper, we review the state of the art and propose a novel model for piRNA biogenesis in BmN4 cells. This model was built considering the latest published data and will empower researchers to plan future experiments and interpret experimental results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34629,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Insect Science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100108"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143471418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cristina Cameirão , José Alberto Pereira , Rui Tavares , Teresa Lino-Neto , Paula Baptista
{"title":"Bacterial dynamics and exchange in plant-insect interactions","authors":"Cristina Cameirão , José Alberto Pereira , Rui Tavares , Teresa Lino-Neto , Paula Baptista","doi":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100110","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100110","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In nature, plants and insects engage in intricate interactions. Despite the increasing knowledge of the microbiomes of plants and insects, the extent to which they exchange and alter each other's microbiomes remains unclear. In this work, the bacterial community associated with nymphs of <em>Philaenus spumarius</em> (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), the stems of <em>Coleostephus myconis</em> where the nymphs were feeding, and the foam produced by the nymphs, were studied by culture-dependent and -independent approaches, with an attempt to elucidate the exchange of bacteria between plants and insects. The results suggest that both approaches complement each other, as many bacterial genera identified by metabarcoding were not detected by culturing, and vice versa. Overall, stems and foam exhibited higher bacterial diversity than nymphs, with all the samples showing enrichment in bacteria known to provide diverse benefits to their host. Stems and foam were the most similar in bacterial composition, but <em>Burkholderiaceae</em> and <em>Moraxellaceae</em> dominated the stems, whereas <em>Rhizobiaceae</em> and <em>Sphingobacteriaceae</em> dominated the foam. Nymphs exhibit the most distinct bacterial composition, yet more similar to that found in the stem compared to the foam. Indeed, nymphs were enriched on endosymbiotic bacteria, mostly <em>Candidatus</em> Sulcia and <em>Sodalis</em>, not found in the stem and foam. Nevertheless, during feeding, nymphs appeared to exchange several bacteria genera with <em>C. myconis</em>, with a significant number being incorporated into the bacteriome of the nymph. The genera <em>Curvibacter, Cutibacterium, Methylobacterium, Pseudomonas</em> and <em>Rhizobium</em> are likely the most exchanged. Nymphs also appear to exchange bacteria to the foam, notably species from the <em>Enhydrobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium</em> and <em>Roseomonas</em> genera. More studies to infer the functions of the shared bacteria between <em>P. spumarius</em>-<em>C. myconis</em> are needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34629,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Insect Science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100110"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143738956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sophia Vermeulen , Anna M Forsman , Charissa de Bekker
{"title":"Consequences of “zombie-making” and generalist fungal pathogens on carpenter ant microbiota","authors":"Sophia Vermeulen , Anna M Forsman , Charissa de Bekker","doi":"10.1016/j.cris.2024.100102","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cris.2024.100102","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The bacterial microbiome of the ant <em>Camponotus floridanus</em> has been well characterized across body regions and maturation levels. However, potential effects of entomopathogens on the gut microbiome, and the fungal communities therein, are yet to be assessed. Additionally, the mycobiome remains often overlooked despite playing a vital role in gut ecology with potential implications for health and infection outcomes. We characterized the effects of two entomopathogens with different infection strategies on the gut micro- and mycobiota of <em>C. floridanus</em> over time; <em>Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani</em> and <em>Beauveria bassiana.</em> Specialist, ‘zombie-making’ <em>O. camponoti-floridani</em> fungi hijack the behavior of <em>C. floridanus</em> ants over three weeks, leading them to find an elevated position and fix themselves in place with their mandibles. This summiting behavior is adaptive to <em>Ophiocordyceps</em> as the ant transports the fungus to conditions that favor fruiting body development, spore production, dispersal, and transmission. In contrast, the generalist entomopathogen <em>B. bassiana</em> infects and kills the ant within a few days, without the induction of obvious fungus-adaptive behaviors. By comparing healthy ants with <em>Beauveria-</em> and <em>Ophiocordyceps-</em>infected ants we aimed to 1) describe the dynamics of the micro- and mycobiome of <em>C. floridanus</em> during infection<em>,</em> and 2) determine if the effects on gut microbiota are distinctive between fungi that have different infection strategies. While <em>Beauveria</em> did not measurably affect the ant host micro-and mycobiome, <em>Ophiocordyceps</em> did, especially for the mycobiome. Moreover, ants that were sampled during <em>Ophiocordyceps</em>-adaptive summiting behavior had a significantly different micro- and mycobiome composition compared to healthy controls and those sampled before and after manipulation took place. This suggests that the host microbiome might have a role to play in the manipulation strategy of <em>Ophiocordyceps</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34629,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Insect Science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100102"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11665668/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142885765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eliza I. Clark , Dan W. Bean , Ellyn V. Bitume , Amanda R. Stahlke , Paul A. Hohenlohe , Ruth A. Hufbauer
{"title":"Heritability of body size matches trait evolution in the range expansion of a biological control agent","authors":"Eliza I. Clark , Dan W. Bean , Ellyn V. Bitume , Amanda R. Stahlke , Paul A. Hohenlohe , Ruth A. Hufbauer","doi":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100112","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100112","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adaptive evolution requires both natural selection and genetic variation. In introduced species, the selective dynamics of range expansion are predicted by theory to lead to differences between the core and the leading edge, with edge individuals evolving to be more fecund (under <em>r</em>-selection) and have greater dispersal ability than core individuals. In arthropods, both fecundity and dispersal ability are often positively correlated with body size. Here, we quantify genetic variation available for evolution of body size in a beetle (<em>Diorhabda carinulata</em>) introduced into North America as a biological control agent. Previously, we found that females at the edge of the range expansion have evolved to be larger than those at the core as predicted by theory, while male body size has not clearly changed, despite the evolution of increased dispersal capacity. Using a half-sib mating design, we measure genetic variation in mass at eclosion and thorax width of female and male beetles from a single introduced population at the core of the range expansion. We find significant heritable genetic variation in females in both traits, but not in males. Thus, lack of genetic variation in body size may preclude evolution of size in males along this expansion front.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34629,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Insect Science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100112"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143859200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Experimental adaptation to singular pathogen challenge reduces susceptibility to novel pathogens in Drosophila melanogaster","authors":"Aparajita Singh, Aabeer Basu , Biswajit Shit , Tejashwini Hegde , Nitin Bansal , Nagaraj Guru Prasad","doi":"10.1016/j.cris.2024.100105","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cris.2024.100105","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hosts often encounter and must respond to novel pathogens in the wild, that is pathogens that they have not encountered in recent evolutionary history, and therefore are not adapted to. How hosts respond to these novel pathogens and the outcome of such infections can be shaped by the host's evolutionary history, especially by how well adapted the host is to its native pathogens, that is pathogens they have evolved with. Host adaptation to one pathogen can either increase its susceptibility to a novel pathogen, due to specialization of immune defenses and trade-offs between different arms of the immune system, or can decrease susceptibility to novel pathogens by virtue of cross-resistance. Using laboratory <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em> populations, we explore if hosts experimentally adapted to surviving infection challenges by a single bacterial pathogen are also better at surviving infection challenges by novel bacterial pathogens. We found that such hosts can survive infection challenges by multiple novel pathogens, with the expanse of cross-resistance determined by the identity of the native pathogen and sex of the host. Therefore, we have demonstrated that cross-resistance can evolve in host populations by virtue of adaptation to a single pathogen. This observation has important ecological consequences, especially in the modern era where spillover of novel pathogens is a common occurrence due to various factors, including climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34629,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Insect Science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100105"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11757221/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143048094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rossella Tiritelli , Giovanni Cilia , Tamara Gómez-Moracho
{"title":"The trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites in bees: A review on their environmental circulation, impacts and implications","authors":"Rossella Tiritelli , Giovanni Cilia , Tamara Gómez-Moracho","doi":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100106","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cris.2025.100106","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Trypanosomatids, obligate parasites capable of impacting insects' hindgut, have recently obtained considerable attention, especially about their effects on bees. While <em>Crithidia mellificae</em> and <em>C. bombi</em> were initially discovered and studied in honey bees and bumblebees, respectively, molecular techniques revealed <em>Lotmaria passim</em> as the predominant trypanosomatid in honey bees globally. New species like <em>C. expoeki</em> and <em>C. acanthocephali</em> have also been identified. These parasites have complex life cycles involving various host developmental stages and are transmitted horizontally within and outside colonies through direct contact, oral interactions, and contaminating flowers with infected faeces. The impact of trypanosomatids on honey bee colony health remains uncertain. In bumblebees, studies highlighted the widespread presence of <em>C. bombi</em>, affecting colony and individual fitness, development, and foraging behaviour. Bee trypanosomatids have been detected in various species, including other insects, and mammals, suggesting diverse epidemiological pathways and potential effects that warrant further investigation. Biotic factors, including co-infections, gut microbiota, food contamination, and abiotic factors like environmental conditions, pesticides, and urbanization, play crucial roles in infection dynamics. This review aimed to summarise key research on trypanosomatid transmission and infection in both managed and wild bees, focusing on the influence of biotic and abiotic factors. The work highlights significant gaps in current knowledge and provides a valuable foundation for future studies. Understanding the pathogenicity and infection dynamics of trypanosomatids, along with the impact of environmental factors, is essential for developing effective conservation strategies that support pollinator health and overall ecosystem resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34629,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Insect Science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100106"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143150074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}