Frontiers in insect science最新文献

{"title":"Performance of different spatial repellents (spatial emanators) against vector mosquito species in Mali, West Africa: a field trial using a non-human test method.","authors":"Edita E Revay, Karen McKenzie, Amy Junnila, Kristine Styer, Alexey M Prozorov, Mohamed M Traore, Liwang Cui, Roman V Yakovlev, Aidas Saldaitis, Sekou F Traore, Abdoul Habib Beavogui, Tatiana A Prozorova, Gergely Petrányi, Ursula Benz, Rui-De Xue, Günter C Müller","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1811511","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1811511","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Spatial repellents (also called spatial emanators) are widely marketed for personal protection against mosquito bites, yet their real‑world performance varies substantially and is rarely evaluated under standardized field conditions. This study quantified the protective efficacy of six consumer‑available repellent devices at paired urban (<i>Aedes</i>-dominated) and rural (<i>Anopheles</i>-dominated) field sites in Mali, West Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Products included a Dynatrap® Mosquito Repellent electronic device with an 8.83% transfluthrin-containing replaceable heat-activated cartridge, a Thermacell<sup>®</sup> E90 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller electronic device with a 5.5% transfluthrin-containing replaceable heat-activated cartridge, two mosquito coils (Hassana containing 0.08% meperfluthrin and PIC<sup>®</sup> containing 0.6% pyrethrins), a Cutter<sup>®</sup> CitroGuard<sup>®</sup> Candle containing 3% citronella oil, and an Isotronic mosquito repellent device with an oscillating frequency technology. Each product was tested in wind‑controlled V‑shaped field plots using three CO<sub>2</sub>‑baited CDC‑UV traps, positioned 14 ft from the device, to quantify spatial protection.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across both sites, the heat-activated volatile pyrethroid devices achieved the strongest and most consistent reductions in mosquito captures. At the urban site, the Dynatrap<sup>®</sup> and Thermacell devices lowered mean <i>Aedes</i> counts from all traps in all replicates 14.33 ± 2.05 in the control to 0.96 ± 0.27 and 0.88 ± 0.26, respectively, and reduced mean <i>Culex</i> counts from 8.83 ± 1.40 to 0.50 ± 0.21 and 1.00 ± 0.29, respectively. At the rural site, where <i>Anopheles</i> were predominant, these same devices decreased mean captures from 34.96 ± 7.20 in the control to 1.63 ± 0.49 (Dynatrap<sup>®</sup>) and 2.50 ± 0.63 (Thermacell<sup>®</sup>). <i>Culex</i> were reduced from 15.79 ± 2.91 to 2.63 ± 0.61 (Dynatrap<sup>®</sup>) and 4.00 ±0.69 (Thermacell<sup>®</sup>) at the same site. Dunnett's multiple comparisons confirmed that these were the only treatments to produce significant reductions across multiple genera at both sites. Mosquito coils offered moderate but inconsistent protection, while the citronella candle and ultrasonic device showed minimal or no measurable effect, aligning with previous findings that citronella‑based products provide little field efficacy. This characterization of \"inconsistent\" reflects the night‑to‑night fluctuations in percent reduction, which are evident in the raw data (not shown) and already conveyed in the reported means and confidence intervals.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Together, these results demonstrate that heat‑activated volatile pyrethroid devices can deliver strong, broad‑spectrum spatial protection across ecologically varied environments. The study emphasizes the need for standardized, wind‑controlled field testing and hi","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1811511"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13140856/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147848365","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":"Coexistence and distribution patterns of <i>Anastrepha dentata</i> and <i>Anastrepha pallens</i> (Diptera: Tephritidae) associated with fruits of <i>Sideroxylon celastrinum</i> (Sapotaceae) along an altitudinal gradient in East-central Mexico.","authors":"Maurilio López-Ortega, Jaime C Piñero, Diego M Gómez-González, Armando J Martínez, Vicente Hernández-Ortiz","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1806523","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1806523","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We present the first confirmed host-plant association of <i>Anastrepha dentata</i> (Stone) (Diptera: Tephritidae) with <i>Sideroxylon celastrinum</i> (Sapotaceae) and provide new insights into its coexistence and altitudinal segregation with <i>Anastrepha pallens</i> (Coquillett) in central Veracruz, Mexico. Multi-year surveys across elevations ranging from 270 to 720 m revealed consistent partitioning, with <i>A. dentata</i> dominating higher elevations and <i>A. pallens</i> prevailing in lowland areas, while both species co-occurred at intermediate elevations. Laboratory rearing demonstrated a strict one-larva-per-fruit pattern and species-specific differences in fruit selection. Canonical discriminant analysis showed that fruit length (not fruit weight), was the primary morphological trait associated with infestation by <i>A. pallens</i>, a novel pattern not previously documented for this host-fruit fly system. Developmental timing also differed between species, with <i>A. dentata</i> exhibiting slower development at cooler, high-elevation sites and <i>A. pallens</i> developing more rapidly in warm lowland environments. Parasitism was minimal, indicating little parasitoid impact on either fly species. Together, these results highlight the combined influence of environmental filtering, fruit morphological traits, and microclimatic variation in structuring the distribution and coexistence of these species. This work expands the natural history of <i>A. dentata</i> and <i>A. pallens</i> and advances our understanding of ecological differentiation within Neotropical fruit fly communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1806523"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13137440/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147848434","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":"Responses of cotton jassid (<i>Amrasca biguttula</i>) to synthetic insecticides recommended in Tanzania.","authors":"Joseph Elias Nyesse, Gration Mutashoberwa Rwegasira, Luseko Amos Chilagane","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1774983","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1774983","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Cotton jassids (<i>Amrasca biguttula</i>) have emerged as the most damaging sucking pest in cotton production in Tanzania, causing yield losses of up to 50% when unmanaged. Control has largely depended on synthetic insecticides; however, their effectiveness has been questioned by growers. It remains unclear whether this reduced efficacy is due to inherent properties of the insecticides or to external factors such as application rate, timing, and method.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Replicated field experiments were conducted at three locations within the Western and Eastern Cotton Growing Areas (WCGA and ECGA) of Tanzania during the 2024-2025 growing season. Four commonly recommended insecticides: Lambda-cyhalothrin, Chlorpyrifos, Imidacloprid, and Profenofos were evaluated alongside an untreated control using a randomised complete block design (RCBD). Applications were based on the economic threshold level (ETL = 1-2 jassids per plant) at 10 -14 day intervals. Mortality was assessed at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-application, and population reduction was calculated using Abbott's formula. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), with means separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 95% confidence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All tested insecticides significantly reduced both nymph and adult jassid populations compared to the control, although their efficacy varied. Imidacloprid was the most effective, achieving mean reductions of 67.59% (nymphs) and 66.31% (adults), followed by profenofos with reductions of 52.75% (nymphs) and 55.83% (adults).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The results demonstrate that insecticide effectiveness varies considerably, with Imidacloprid showing superior performance under field conditions. These findings suggest that its inclusion in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes could improve jassid control. However, optimisation of application practices remains essential to enhance overall efficacy and sustainability.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1774983"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13136150/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147848429","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":"Integrative transcriptomic and microbiome analyses reveal thermal adaptation mechanisms in green and red color morphs of <i>Myzus persicae</i> (Hemiptera: Aphididae).","authors":"Yan Pang, Yifan Wang, Quan Deng, Xinwei Wang, Jitao Wang, Wenxin Xue","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1780864","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1780864","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Under global warming, the frequency and severity of agricultural pest outbreaks have intensified, posing serious threats to agriculture. The green peach aphid (<i>Myzus persicae</i> (Hemiptera: Aphididae)), an important agricultural pest, exhibits green and red color morphs and differentiated thermal tolerance, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, based on transcriptome and 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing, we analyzed the gene expression patterns and microbial community dynamics of green and red morphs of <i>M. persicae</i> under high-temperature stresses (30 °C and 35 °C) and across different exposure durations, comparing their similarities and differences in heat-response processes. Principal component analysis of transcriptomic data indicated that temperature had a greater influence on the physiological responses of <i>M. persicae</i> than body color, with a more pronounced effect observed at 35 °C. Differential gene expression analysis revealed overlap in temperature-responsive genes but different response patterns between the two morphs, suggesting activation of divergent molecular response mechanisms. Genes encoding heat shock proteins, detoxification-related enzymes, ribosomal protein family and so on were significantly up-regulated under high temperature, with a more pronounced induction in the green morph, indicating morph-specific regulatory strategies in response to thermal stress. Moreover, 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that the primary symbiont <i>Buchnera</i> displayed different relative abundance trends in the green and red morphs, remaining relatively stable in the red morph but declining markedly in the green morph under heat stress, potentially associated with their variation in thermal tolerance. Collectively, this study elucidates the molecular responses and microbe-mediated regulatory mechanisms underlying thermal tolerance in green and red morphs of <i>M. persicae</i>, providing novel insights into the thermal adaptation of aphids and a theoretical basis for developing pest management strategies under global warming.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1780864"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13133051/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147825633","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":"Establishing and sustaining mosquito colonies: insights into morphology, bionomics, and advances in the rearing of <i>Anopheles</i>, <i>Culex</i>, and <i>Aedes</i>.","authors":"Irrusappan Hari, Prajwal Gaikwad, Sanket Kumar Ray, Jose Antony Jenish, Tharani Priya P, Kalichamy Alagarasu, Balasubramanian Rathinam, Balachandar Vellingiri, Devakumar Dinesh, Kalpana Baruah","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1766919","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1766919","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mosquitoes of the genera <i>Anopheles</i>, <i>Culex</i>, and <i>Aedes</i> are of major medical importance as vectors of malaria, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Understanding their morphology and bionomics is fundamental for vector biology, ecological studies, and the design of effective control strategies. Laboratory colonies of mosquitoes serve as an indispensable resource for investigating mosquito genetics, physiology, and vector-pathogen interactions, while also enabling the evaluation of new interventions such as Wolbachia-based control and the sterile insect technique. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the morphology and bionomics of key mosquito vectors and outlines advances in colony establishment, rearing, and maintenance. Particular attention is given to larval and adult diet, environmental conditions, oviposition, blood-feeding methods, and strategies to minimize inbreeding and maintain microbial balance in colonies. Challenges including genetic drift, colony adaptation, and maintenance of representative field traits are discussed alongside emerging solutions. By integrating classical entomological knowledge with recent innovations in rearing technology, this review highlights the central role of sustainable mosquito colonies in strengthening basic research and supporting applied approaches for vector-borne disease control.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1766919"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13133682/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147825660","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":"<i>Sergentomyia</i> (<i>Neophlebotomus</i>) <i>chattiensis</i> n. sp.: morphological and molecular description of a new sand fly species from Himachal Pradesh, India.","authors":"Harish Kumar Shah, P A Fathima, Manju Rahi, Prasanta Saini","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1814368","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1814368","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Himachal Pradesh, an ecologically diverse state in northern India, has recently emerged as a focus of atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis. As part of a molecular xenomonitoring, systematic entomological surveillance of sand flies resulted in the reporting of a novel species, <i>Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) chattiensis</i> n. sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae), from Chatti village in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic cross-sectional entomological survey was carried out in the districts of Kinnaur, Kullu, Shimla, and Mandi during August 2022, employing standard sand-fly collection techniques. Molecular characterization was performed using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene-based DNA barcoding, followed by phylogenetic analysis of the generated sequences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study reports <i>Sergentomyia (Neo.) chattiensis</i> as a newly recorded sand fly species and discusses its taxonomic association with other members of the subgenus <i>Neophlebotomus</i>. COI-based phylogenetic assessment confirmed that the collected specimens form a single taxonomic unit with negligible intraspecific genetic variation, while a genetic divergence of 12.3% from its closest congener supports its designation as a distinct species.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Despite its diverse physiography, rich biodiversity, and ecological suitability for sand fly breeding, Himachal Pradesh has lacked systematic entomological surveillance. The present study contributes to bridging this gap by expanding the existing knowledge of sand fly fauna in the state and providing comprehensive morphological and molecular characterization of this newly described species.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1814368"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13106566/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147793790","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":"Phylogenetic insights into the diversification of cutting strategies in leaf-cutting ants.","authors":"Andrés F Sánchez-Restrepo, Viviana A Confalonieri, Luis A Calcaterra","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1778418","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1778418","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leaf-cutting ants are dominant herbivores in Neotropical ecosystems, yet the evolutionary origins of their cutting preferences remains unresolved. We investigated whether grass-cutting specialization emerged from a single evolutionary innovation or multiple independent origins. We compiled the predominant cutting behavior of each leaf-cutting ant species and classified them as dicot, grass, or grass-dicot cutters. Integrating these data into a time-calibrated phylogenetic framework allowed us to reconstruct the evolutionary history and diversification of leaf-cutting behavior in these ants. Divergence-time analyses date the origin of leaf-cutting ants to the early Miocene, major crown clades diversified during the late Miocene to early Pliocene, a period of increasing climatic seasonality and landscape openness in South America. The evolutionary history of these ants is strongly influenced by large-scale climatic and geological processes, as evidenced by their origin and major diversification events in close association with Miocene-Pliocene environmental changes. Phylogenetic analyses clarify the contrasting diversification dynamics of <i>Acromyrmex</i>, <i>Amoimyrmex</i> and <i>Atta</i>. <i>Acromyrmex</i> traces back to ~15 Ma and is structured into at least four major clades, with a distinct grass cutting clade. In contrast, <i>Atta</i> is a younger lineage characterized by rapid diversification during the Pliocene. <i>Amoimyrmex</i> occupies an early diverging position, indicating an independent origin of grass cutting within the group. Ancestral state reconstructions consistently indicate that dicot cutting is the ancestral condition, with grass and mixed dicot-grass cutting evolving independently multiple times. These repeated transitions coincide with the temporal expansion of open, grass-dominated habitats and likely reflect adaptive responses to new ecological opportunities. The convergent evolution of grass-cutting strategies, despite the mechanical and ecological challenges posed by silica-rich grasses, suggests that cutting preferences are evolutionarily flexible yet functionally constrained traits. Together, our results suggest that grass-cutting is not phylogenetically conserved, but rather represents a recurring adaptive response to environmental change. This highlights how major landscape transformations during the Miocene-Pliocene period promoted repeated ecological innovation in socially complex herbivores.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1778418"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13095832/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147793813","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 essential oils on foulbrood bacteria and honey bee workers (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) under laboratory conditions.","authors":"Cinzia Marianelli, Laura Narciso","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1787016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1787016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>American and European foulbrood diseases (AFB and EFB, respectively) result in considerable economic losses for beekeepers. Currently, no satisfactory methods are available for the treatment of either disease. There has been a recent surge of interest in the use of natural substances, such as essential oils (EOs), as a means of combating infections in apiaries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the <i>in vitro</i> antimicrobial activity of a number of EOs against the causative agents of AFB and EFB, namely <i>Paenibacillus larvae</i> and <i>Melissococcus plutonius</i>, respectively, and their safety towards bees.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The antimicrobial activity of 18 EOs was initially assessed <i>in vitro</i> against the two foulbrood bacteria by the spot-on-agar test, where the EOs were deposited directly onto the agar surface. The EOs demonstrating the most significant antimicrobial activity against one or both of the bacterial pathogens were then selected for further assessment of their toxicity towards the foulbrood bacteria by the resuzurin-based microdilution method and towards adult bees using the vapor exposure bioassay at one and three hours.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed that oregano, juniper, sage, thyme, cinnamon, cumin, clove and black pepper were the most effective against the foulbrood bacteria. The results of the exposure bioassays demonstrated that bees exposed to those EOs exhibited greater tolerance to the vapor of cinnamon and oregano after one hour of exposure than the other EOs. As the duration of exposure increased to a period of three hours, an escalation in toxicity was observed.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The preliminary findings of the present study suggest EOs as potential candidates for the development of new natural antimicrobial treatments against foulbrood diseases. However, further <i>in vitro</i> larval bioassays and field trials are needed to validate their clinical effectiveness and safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1787016"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13079122/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147701364","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":"Enhancing the delivery and stability of lipid nanoparticle-dsRNA formulations in the RNAi-recalcitrant fall armyworm (<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>).","authors":"Marcel Kaarow, Leonie Graser, Eileen Knorr, Anton Windfelder, Pascal Geisler, Frank Steiniger, Markus Oberpaul, Andreas Vilcinskas, Christoph Hellmann","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1770055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1770055","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The fall armyworm (FAW, <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>) is an invasive lepidopteran pest of staple crops. Its broad host range, ability to spread rapidly, and increasing resistance to pesticides pose a major threat to global food security. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a sustainable and targeted alternative to broad-spectrum chemical pesticides, but its efficacy is limited in lepidopterans primarily by the rapid degradation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in the midgut and poor epithelial uptake. Here, we investigated lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as a delivery strategy to enhance dsRNA stability and uptake in FAW larvae. LNP-dsRNA complexes (40-50 nm, +39 to +56 mV) were generated by the microfluidic mixing of a ternary lipid blend. Encapsulation protected dsRNA from degradation by gut enzyme extracts for up to 1 h, even under highly alkaline conditions (pH 11.5). The analysis of larvae exposed to Cy3-labeled dsRNA by fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that LNPs improved internal distribution beyond the gut lumen, whereas unformulated dsRNA mainly accumulated at the peritrophic membrane. These results indicate that LNPs resist the gut environment and overcome limited systemic uptake, the two major physiological barriers to RNAi in lepidopterans, enabling the more efficient delivery of dsRNA. This study establishes a lipid nanoparticle-based dsRNA delivery platform that overcomes key physiological barriers in FAW, providing a prerequisite for future <i>in vivo</i> gene knockdown and efficacy studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1770055"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13062331/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147680044","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":"Proteomic analysis of dimorphic sperm in the cabbage white butterfly, <i>Pieris rapae</i>.","authors":"Melissa Plakke, Katherine McLaughlin, Timothy L Karr, James R Walters","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2026.1772436","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1772436","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sperm dimorphism, the production of two distinct sperm morphs by a single male, is a widespread but enigmatic reproductive phenomenon. In Lepidoptera, fertilizing eupyrene sperm coexist with anucleate apyrene sperm, which cannot fertilize eggs but are nevertheless required for successful reproduction. Despite the prevalence and presumed adaptive significance of sperm dimorphism, the molecular basis of this trait remains limited. Here, we characterize the proteome of dimorphic sperm in the Cabbage White butterfly, <i>Pieris rapae</i>, an emerging model for sexual selection and postcopulatory interactions. Using high-resolution, label-free mass spectrometry, we identified more than 1,600 proteins, nearly doubling the number of proteins previously reported for other lepidopteran species. Differential abundance analyses revealed eupyrene sperm were enriched for proteins linked to ion transport and vacuolar acidification, while apyrene sperm were enriched for mitochondrial and respiratory functions. Unexpectedly, comparative homology analyses with two other Lepidoptera, <i>Danaus plexippus</i> and <i>Manduca sexta</i>, showed <i>P. rapae</i> shared more homologous sperm proteins with <i>M. sexta</i> than with the more closely related <i>D. plexippus</i>, highlighting complex evolutionary dynamics of sperm proteomes. Together, these findings expand our understanding of sperm function and diversity in Lepidoptera, highlight the distinct roles of eupyrene and apyrene sperm, and provide a foundation for future studies of sperm evolution, sexual selection, and reproductive protein function.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"6 ","pages":"1772436"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13060016/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147648126","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}