Frontiers in insect science最新文献

{"title":"Cumulative adult production and aerobic culture-dependent recovery of gut-associated bacteria in <i>Galleria mellonella</i> maintained on polymer-containing diets.","authors":"Stephany Eileen Keferstein-Borges, Gabriela Alcalá-Gómez, Claudia Ivette Cisneros-Reyes, Jaime Alcalá-Gómez","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1960793","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1960793","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Growing interest in insects capable of developing in the presence of synthetic polymers has created new opportunities to investigate host responses alongside cultivable gut microorganisms. This study evaluated cumulative adult production in <i>Galleria mellonella</i> maintained on a control diet or diets containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), or polyethylene (PE), together with the recovery of bacteria from the larval gut. Four dietary treatments control, PET, PS, and PE were established, each with five replicates of 15 initial larvae. Each experimental colony remained on its assigned diet until the initial cohort completed its life cycle and produced a second generation. Larvae from this offspring generation were selected for bacterial isolation, while the remaining individuals continued development for measurement of cumulative adult production. The isolates were characterized by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and comparison using BLASTn, followed by genus-level taxonomic assignment. Cumulative adult production in the second generation differed among treatments (P = 0.0194). The control produced the highest mean number of adults (122.0 ± 56.3), whereas PET produced the lowest (41.8 ± 19.1) and was the only treatment significantly lower than the control. Fourteen bacterial isolates, selected as representatives of visually distinct colony morphotypes, were characterized; these isolates were not assumed to represent 14 distinct taxa or strains. Thirteen were assigned to <i>Bacillus</i> and one to <i>Psychrobacillus</i>. Overall, the dietary formulations evaluated were associated with variation in cumulative adult production and yielded an initial collection of cultivable gut-associated bacteria for subsequent bioprospecting studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1960793"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13683644/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149241092","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":"Molecular identification of <i>Comstockaspis perniciosa</i> and its associated <i>Aphytis</i> parasitoid in apple orchards of Kazakhstan.","authors":"Alibek Makhambetov, Valeriya Kostyukova, Gulnur Zholdasbek, Zarina Dairbekova, Bakyt Dulat, Alexandr Pozharskiy, Gulshariya Kairova, Dilyara Gritsenko","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1960516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1960516","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Comstockaspis perniciosa</i> (Comstock, 1881) is one of the most destructive quarantine pests of fruit crops, posing a serious threat to commercial orchards and natural populations of wild apple trees. Despite its widespread distribution, information on the molecular genetic characteristics of this species in Central Asia remains limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The aim of this study was to characterize <i>C. perniciosa</i> collected from commercial orchards in southeastern Kazakhstan based on external morphological observations and molecular data, determine the phylogenetic position of the examined specimens using 28S rRNA gene sequences, and detect associated parasitoids using high-throughput sequencing technologies. During the growing season in 2025, surveys were conducted in ten commercial orchards, including sites located near natural populations of wild apple trees.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Species-level identification of the collected specimens was confirmed by analysis of the 28S rRNA gene. All sequences clustered with reference <i>C. perniciosa</i> sequences, confirming species identity. Analysis of the high-throughput sequencing data additionally revealed sequences of parasitoids belonging to the genus <i>Aphytis</i> (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in ten samples, indicating the presence of natural enemies associated with <i>C. perniciosa</i>.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings expand current knowledge of the molecular characteristics of <i>C. perniciosa</i> in Central Asia and demonstrate the potential of NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) technologies for the simultaneous detection of quarantine pests and their associated entomophagous natural enemies within phytosanitary monitoring programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1960516"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13683778/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149241141","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":"Diet-associated variation in the midgut bacterial communities of <i>Loxostege sticticalis</i> larvae fed botanically distinct host plants.","authors":"Dong Li, Jianyu Wang, Dandan Zhang, Weichan Cui, Haijun Xiao","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1949678","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1949678","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Gut microbiota can influence insect physiology and ecological interactions, but how botanically distinct host plants affect gut bacterial communities in polyphagous insects remains poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We investigated the midgut bacterial communities of <i>Loxostege sticticalis</i> larvae fed three host plants from different genera or an artificial diet using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacterial diversity, community composition, differential taxa, and predicted functional profiles were compared among dietary treatments.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Dietary treatments were associated with differences in gut bacterial community structure. The MS group exhibited higher bacterial richness and diversity, whereas the CA group showed a relatively simplified bacterial community. Bray-Curtis-based PCoA and PERMANOVA indicated significant overall variation in community composition among dietary treatments, although exact pairwise PERMANOVA tests were not significant. Bacillota and Pseudomonadota were dominant across treatments, while the MS group showed increased representation of Actinomycetota-associated taxa. LEfSe identified Actinomycetota-related taxa as characteristic features of the MS group and Bacillota-related taxa as features of the AD group. PICRUSt2 suggested differences in predicted functional potential among dietary treatments, including pathways related to amino acid metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The results demonstrate diet-associated variation in the gut bacterial communities of <i>L. sticticalis</i> and provide a descriptive basis for further investigation of diet-microbiota interactions. Because the study included only three pooled biological replicates per treatment and did not characterize plant-associated microbiota or plant chemistry, the observed associations and predicted functions should not be interpreted as evidence of specific microbial mechanisms or host adaptation.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1949678"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13655065/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149170104","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":"Fermented fruit waste extract-loaded sodium alginate beads for the sustainable management of <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> (Diptera: Drosophilidae).","authors":"Kannan Swathy, Perumal Vivekanandhan, Patcharin Krutmuang","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1933666","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1933666","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction: &lt;/strong&gt;This study developed an eco-friendly attractant from fermented fruit waste juices for &lt;i&gt;Drosophila melanogaster&lt;/i&gt; (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a model dipteran species, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 15 (Life on Land) through sustainable waste valorization and reduced reliance on synthetic pesticides.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Multi-choice bioassays were conducted to evaluate the attraction of &lt;i&gt;D. melanogaster&lt;/i&gt; to fruit waste juices subjected to different fermentation durations. The microorganisms present in the most effective fermented banana juice were identified using morphological and molecular approaches. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to characterize the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of fresh and fermented juices. To develop a greenhouse-deployable formulation, sodium alginate-carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) beads loaded with fresh and fermented banana juice were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Molecular docking analysis was performed against the odorant-binding protein dmelOBP28a (PDB ID: 6QQ4) to assess the predicted binding interactions of selected VOCs with the target protein.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Fermentation duration significantly enhanced insect attraction across all tested substrates, with banana juice (&lt;i&gt;Musa acuminata&lt;/i&gt;) fermented for seven days eliciting the highest attraction rate (34.07%; F&lt;sub&gt;(5,12)&lt;/sub&gt; = 121.331; p &lt; 0.001). The microorganisms present in the more effective fermented banana juice were identified as &lt;i&gt;Saccharomyces cerevisiae&lt;/i&gt; (PX986379.1), &lt;i&gt;Lactiplantibacillus&lt;/i&gt; plantarum (PX986372.1), and &lt;i&gt;Acetobacter aceti&lt;/i&gt; (PX986373.1). GC-MS analysis showed that fermentation substantially diversified the VOC profile, yielding elevated levels of D-limonene, phenolic derivatives, esters, and organic acids that correlated with increased attraction. Under greenhouse conditions, sodium alginate-CMC beads loaded with seven-day fermented juice achieved a higher attraction rate (82.96%; F(2,6) = 358.183; p &lt; 0.001) than those loaded with fresh juice, confirming the effectiveness of the controlled-release delivery system. Molecular docking analysis indicated that 2-Propenoic acid, 6-methylheptyl ester and D-limonene exhibited the strongest predicted binding affinities to dmelOBP28a, with docking scores of -6.7 and -6.5 kcal/mol, respectively.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Discussion: &lt;/strong&gt;These findings demonstrate that fermented fruit waste, particularly banana waste, can be developed into an affordable and environmentally friendly fruit fly attractant by combining microbial fermentation, chemical ecology, and controlled-release formulation techniques. The favorable predicted interactions of 2-Propenoic acid, 6-methylheptyl ester and D-limonene with dmelOBP28a suggest that these compounds may contribute to odor-mediated attraction in &lt;i&gt;D. mel","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1933666"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13655138/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149170743","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":"Divergent range dynamics among non-native Coleoptera: climate drivers and poleward expansion in multiple species.","authors":"Stella M Januario, Carmen P Silva, Daniela N López, Sergio A Estay","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1917683","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1917683","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The expansion and contraction of species ranges result from population dynamics, species interactions, and environmental responses. As temperatures rise at high latitudes, some temperate species may be shifting poleward. As non-native species expand in range they threaten native biodiversity and disrupt ecosystem functioning, making range dynamics critical to understand for effective control programs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study examined the dynamics of the southern geographic limit of non-native Coleoptera species in Chile. Using occurrence data from 25 species recorded between 2007 to 2022, we evaluated how the southern range limit of each species responds to environmental variables, and whether the observed southward displacements are consistent with the regional climate trends.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Model outputs provide significant evidence that the southern range limit dynamics of at least 11 species are linked to seasonal and annual fluctuations in temperature and precipitation. In addition, nine species already showed significant southward expansion, with displacements ranging from 200 to 1400 km between the minimum and maximum recorded southern limits.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The results shed light on the range dynamics of non-native species in the southern cone of South America and can help design containment strategies that minimize the impacts of these non-native species on austral, more pristine ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1917683"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13627314/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149121841","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":"Building the parasitic wasp <i>Encarsia</i>: a tale of three tails.","authors":"Francesco Nugnes, Antonio P Garonna, Paolo A Pedata, Donato Mancini","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1861915","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1861915","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Embryonic development in hymenopteran parasitoids exhibits remarkable diversity, often associated with shifts in life history strategies such as the transition from ecto- to endoparasitoidism. In particular, reduction or loss of yolk has been linked to profound modifications of early developmental processes, including cleavage patterns and the formation of extra-embryonic membranes (EEMs). In this study, the embryogenesis of <i>Encarsia lutea</i> (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a common whitefly parasitoid, was investigated using light and fluorescence microscopy. Eggs and developing embryos were collected at defined time intervals following oviposition, stained for F-actin and nuclei, and analyzed to characterize cleavage dynamics, blastoderm formation and the origin of extra-embryonic membranes. Observations were interpreted in a comparative framework with previously described congeneric species. The egg of <i>E. lutea</i> is oligolecithal and exhibits hydropic behavior requiring the uptake of fluids from the host haemocoel. Early development follows a predominantly peripheral cleavage pattern but is characterized by the precocious segregation of an apical blastomere at the eight-nuclei stage. Subsequently, a large portion of the blastoderm differentiate, giving rise to an extra-embryonic membrane that, together with the apical lineage, surrounds the embryo and later dissociates into numerous teratocytes. Comparative analysis reveals that <i>E. lutea</i> displays a combination of traits observed in two congeneric species, <i>Encarsia formosa</i> and <i>Encarsia pergandiella</i>, but follows a distinct developmental trajectory. In particular, the origin and formation of the EEM differ markedly among species, highlighting alternative solutions to similar functional constraints. These findings provide further evidence that early embryogenesis in parasitoid wasps is evolutionarily labile, even at low taxonomic levels, and suggest that developmental diversification within the genus <i>Encarsia</i> is shaped by a complex interplay between nutritional strategies, life history, and genetic flexibility.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1861915"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13624162/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149121814","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":"Evaluation of silver nanoparticles for controlling <i>Lipaphis erysimi</i> and <i>Alternaria brassicicola</i> and assessing their effects on Chinese kale growth and soil properties.","authors":"Sarayut Pittarate, Perumal Vivekanandhan, Kannan Swathy, Thanandon Siripan, Sukanya Haituk, Rapeephun Dangtungee, Patcharin Krutmuang","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1911760","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1911760","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Chinese kale (<i>Brassica oleracea</i> var. alboglabra) is an important leafy vegetable that is highly susceptible to the mustard aphid, <i>Lipaphis erysimi</i>, and the fungal pathogen <i>Alternaria brassicicola</i>, which can reduce crop yield and quality. This study evaluated the efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against <i>L. erysimi</i> and <i>A. brassicicola</i> and assessed their effects on plant physiological characteristics and soil nutrient status.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>AgNPs at different concentrations were evaluated for their toxicity against <i>L. erysimi</i> and their inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth and spore germination of <i>A. brassicicola</i>. The effects of AgNPs on Chinese kale growth, chlorophyll content, and selected soil chemical properties were also assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>AgNPs exhibited significant dose- and time-dependent toxicity against <i>L. erysimi</i>, with LC₅₀ values decreasing from 43.109 ppm at 24 h to 19.343 ppm at 48 h. Aphid populations were reduced by 88.33% following treatment with 100 ppm AgNPs for 48 h. AgNPs at 80-100 ppm also significantly inhibited the mycelial growth and spore germination of <i>A. brassicicola</i>. However, higher AgNP concentrations reduced chlorophyll content and adversely affected fresh weight and leaf development. Soil analysis showed slight increases in pH and organic matter, whereas available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium decreased following AgNP application.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings indicate that AgNPs have potential as a component of integrated pest and disease management for Chinese kale. However, optimization of application rates is necessary to balance pest and disease suppression with potential adverse effects on plant growth and soil properties. Further studies under field conditions are needed to determine appropriate application rates and evaluate their long-term environmental effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1911760"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612450/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149066042","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":"Effects of <i>Pholiota microspora</i> basal stipe powder on growth and development of <i>Tenebrio molitor</i>.","authors":"Tong Mu, Ziyan Jiang, Honghong Hu, Yi Wang, Yikun Jia, ZhiHong Sun, Xiaolong He","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1916272","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1916272","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong><i>Pholiota microspora</i> basal stipe powder is a major by-product of mushroom harvesting and is rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, making it a potential alternative feed ingredient for insect production. However, its effects on the growth and development of <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>five experimental diets were formulated by replacing wheat bran with <i>P.microspora</i> basal stipe powder at substitution levels of 0%, 25%,50%, 75%, and 100%. Growth and developmental parameters were assessed throughout the larval, pupal, and adult stages.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Larval body length, width, and weight increased with instar in all groups, and body length was strongly correlated with body width (r=0.93-0.94). The control group generally exhibited the greatest larval body size and weight, whereas the 100% substitution group showed the lowest values. Differences among treatments were minimal during the 6th-8th instars. From the 9th to 15th instars, larval growth in the 25% substitution group was comparable to that in the control group but significantly greater than that in the 50%, 75%, and 100% substitution groups (<i>P</i><0.05). Larval duration increased significantly with substitution level (<i>P</i><0.05), with the 100% substitution group requiring 34 more days to complete larval development than the control group. No significant differences were observed among groups in larval mortality, pupation rate, pupal duration, sex ratio, and eclosion rate (<i>P</i>>0.05). Pupal weight decreased as the substitution level increased. Although pupal weight in the 25% substitution group was significantly lower than that in the control group, it was significantly higher than that in the 50%, 75%, and 100% substitution groups (<i>P</i><0. 05). Adult body weight was significantly lower in all substitution groups than in the control group (<i>P</i><0.05).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Replacing up to 25% of wheat bran with <i>P. microspora</i> basal stipe powder had minimal effects on T.molitor growth and development, whereas higher levels impaired larval growth and reduced pupal and adult weights. Therefore, a 25% substitution level appears to be the most suitable among the tested levels for incorporating <i>P.microspora</i> basal stipe powder into <i>T.molitor</i> diets.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1916272"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13601258/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149043171","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":"Semiochemical inhibitors for protecting conifers from bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Western United States: research, development, and application.","authors":"Christopher J Fettig, Jackson P Audley","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1939049","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1939049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the western U.S., the research, development and application (RD&A) of semiochemical inhibitors for protecting conifers from bark beetles has focused on antiaggregation pheromones and, to a lesser extent, nonhost volatiles. The sequence begins with identifying potential inhibitors by searching relevant literature; sampling the volatile profiles of bark beetle extracts, frass, infested host materials, hosts, nonhosts, and the forest environment; and/or conducting gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection analyses of bark beetle antennae. Promising inhibitors are then evaluated for levels of inhibition in trapping and tree protection assays under field conditions. Additional assays are required to refine inhibitors and to inform the spacing and distribution of release devices. Factors affecting levels of tree protection include (a) the population density of the target bark beetle species, (b) forest structure and composition, (c) variability in bark beetle responses to inhibitors, (d) the stereochemistry and chemical stability of inhibitors in the forest environment, (e) release rates of inhibitors, (f) strength of inhibition, (g) zone of inhibition, and (h) the presence of other stressors and disturbances. Once an inhibitor has been successfully developed, there are substantial costs and data requirements associated with registration. The commercial availability of inhibitors for protecting conifers from bark beetles is limited but evidence suggests there are favorable benefit-to-cost returns to be realized with additional investments in RD&A. Opportunities include (a) developing new (or better) inhibitors, inhibitory blends, and formulations, (b) automating (e.g., via unmanned aerial vehicles) and optimizing applications of inhibitors in the field, (c) developing cheaper and more efficient means of synthesizing inhibitors, (d) streamlining regulatory processes and incentivizing RD&A to expedite the commercial availability of products, and (e) integrating inhibitors with other management tactics. We review recent advances in the use of inhibitors for western pine beetle, <i>Dendroctonus brevicomis</i> LeConte, southwestern pine beetle, <i>D</i>. <i>barberi</i> Hopkins, mountain pine beetle, <i>D</i>. <i>ponderosae</i> Hopkins, Douglas-fir beetle, <i>D</i>. <i>pseudotsugae</i> Hopkins, spruce beetle, <i>D</i>. <i>rufipennis</i> (Kirby), northern spruce engraver, <i>Ips perturbatus</i> (Eichhoff), and pine engraver, <i>I</i>. <i>pini</i> (Say). Research on these and other bark beetles has informed the RD&A of inhibitors for other forest and agricultural pests.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1939049"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13601950/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149043236","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":"Larval diet-mediated morphological trait and <i>Wolbachia</i> density variation in <i>Wolbachia</i>-transinfected (<i>w</i>Mel and <i>w</i>AlbB) and <i>Wolbachia</i>-free <i>Aedes aegypti</i> mosquitoes.","authors":"Aravind Revi, Yazhini Gunasekaran, Vidhya Pachalil Thiruvoth, Amala Ramasamy, Waseema Arif, Manimaran Kuppusamy, Devi Venugopal, Kayalvizhi Ebinezar, Esther Bakianathan, Alosia Essoudasse, Pavithra Parandamane, Amrutha Vijayan, Tamilselvan Anbazhagan, Esther Nirmala Mary, Hemasankar Ramkumar, Ananganallur Nagarajan Shriram, Manju Rahi","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1887426","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1887426","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Larval diet plays a crucial role in mosquito development and fitness by influencing both larval and adult traits. During the aquatic stage, mosquitoes acquire essential nutrients required for successful metamorphosis and adult emergence. Interactions between larval nutrition and bacterial endosymbionts such as <i>Wolbachia</i> further influence mosquito development, with important implications for field-based vector control strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated the effects of four larval diets on fitness characteristics of <i>Wolbachia</i>-transinfected and uninfected <i>Ae. aegypti</i> strains. The diets tested were: LD1 (fish feed), LD2 (laboratory rodent diet), LD3 (mushroom powder), and LD4 (dog biscuit plus brewer's yeast). We assessed wing length and body weight in <i>Wolbachia</i>-transinfected strains (<i>w</i>Mel and <i>w</i>AlbB) and uninfected strains across two generations of <i>Ae. aegypti</i> reared under each larval diet regimen. Additionally, <i>Wolbachia</i> density was measured in the transinfected <i>Ae. aegypti</i> strains using real-time PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Female wing length was significantly influenced by the interaction between diet, <i>Wolbachia</i> strain, and generation (Diet × Strain × Generation: F = 3.98, P = 0.0044<b>),</b> together with significant Diet × Strain (F = 3.05, P = 0.0135. In contrast, male wing length was primarily affected by diet (F = 14.11, P < 0.001) and the Diet × Generation interaction (F = 5.58, P = 0.0019). Male body weight also showed a significant three-way interaction among diet, strain, and generation (F = 8.95, P < 0.001), indicating strain- and generation-specific dietary responses. Female body weight exhibited significant Diet × Strain (F = 3.43, P = 0.0069 and Strain × Generation (F = 7.79, P = 0.0012) interactions. Overall, larval diet was the primary determinant of mosquito fitness, with its effects modified by <i>Wolbachia</i> infection status and generation.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This study emphasizes that larval diet significantly influences the fitness of both <i>Wolbachia-</i>transinfected and uninfected <i>Aedes aegypti</i> strains. LD1 and LD4 showed improved wing development and fitness compared to LD2 and LD3, with sex-specific effects observed. Based on the analysis, LD1 is recommended for routine mass rearing of <i>Wolbachia</i> trans-infected mosquitoes. These findings highlight the need for future studies on cost-effective, locally available diet formulations to optimize mosquito fitness for vector control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1887426"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13582537/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148993514","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}