Journal of economic entomology最新文献

Population-level variation in thermal and photoperiodic responses of Pryeria sinica (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae): a comparative study of Korean and Japanese populations. 中国黑麦草（鳞翅目：刺槐科）热和光周期响应的种群水平变化：韩国和日本种群的比较研究。

Journal of economic entomology Pub Date : 2025-10-08 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf215

Ji Yun Yeo, Min-Woo Lee, Il-Kwon Park

{"title":"Population-level variation in thermal and photoperiodic responses of Pryeria sinica (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae): a comparative study of Korean and Japanese populations.","authors":"Ji Yun Yeo, Min-Woo Lee, Il-Kwon Park","doi":"10.1093/jee/toaf215","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf215","url":null,"abstract":"Pryeria sinica Moore is a leaf-feeding pest of ornamental Euonymus species, with a broad distribution across East Asia, as well as parts of Europe and North America. Despite its ecological and economic impact, little is known about its biological characteristics in Korea. This study investigated the developmental biology of the Korean population of P. sinica and compared it with the Japanese population to evaluate adaptive traits related to temperature and photoperiod. Larval development, pupal period, emergence rate, and adult longevity were examined under various controlled thermal and photoperiodic conditions. The Korean population showed optimal larval development at 15 °C, whereas the Japanese population exhibited higher mortality at 15 °C during early instars but better adaptation at 15 and 20 °C in later stages. While both populations showed photoperiod-dependent changes in pupal duration, the Japanese population exhibited more pronounced reductions under short-day conditions, suggesting relatively stronger photoperiod sensitivity than the Korean population. Adult longevity declined significantly with increasing temperature in both populations, with females consistently outliving males. These findings highlight population-level variation in thermal tolerance and photoperiodic response, reflecting ecological adaptations to local environments. The biological characteristics observed in the Korean population offer essential baseline data for improving pest prediction and developing region-specific management strategies. Additionally, the results provide valuable insights into the species' potential for range expansion under future climate change scenarios.","PeriodicalId":94077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of economic entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145254323","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}

引用次数: 0

Assessment of the pathogenicity of oil-based formulation of Cordyceps fumosorosea combined with thiamethoxam against Diaphorina citri. 冬虫夏草油基制剂联合噻虫嗪对柑橘地虱的致病性评价。

Journal of economic entomology Pub Date : 2025-10-07 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf252

Xiaoge Nian, Shujie Wu, Feng Huang, Yurong He, Xiaobing Song, Songdou Zhang

{"title":"Assessment of the pathogenicity of oil-based formulation of Cordyceps fumosorosea combined with thiamethoxam against Diaphorina citri.","authors":"Xiaoge Nian, Shujie Wu, Feng Huang, Yurong He, Xiaobing Song, Songdou Zhang","doi":"10.1093/jee/toaf252","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf252","url":null,"abstract":"Mycopesticides are crucial for integrated management of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP, Diaphorina Citri), yet highly virulent formulations remain inadequately studied. This study aimed to optimize an oil-based formul ation of Cordyceps fumosorosea strain SCAU-CFDC01-selected for its high pathogenicity against ACP-and evaluate its synergistic potential with thiamethoxam. Key optimized parameters included corn germ oil, Tween 80 (12%), carboxymethylcellulose sodium (6%), organoclay (2%), and UV-531 (4%). Compared to unformulated conidia, the oil-based formulation of C. fumosorosea significantly increased virulence against both ACP fifth-instar nymphs and 6-d-old adult females, as indicated by increased mortality rates and decreased LT50 values. Furthermore, sublethal concentrations (LC25) of thiamethoxam synergistically enhanced mortality induced by the oil-based formulation in both life stages. Combined treatment of thiamethoxam LC25 with the oil-based formulation (1 × 106 conidia ml-1) also significantly reduced female longevity and fecundity. Lastly, molecular analysis revealed downregualtion of key genes associated with juvenile hormone signaling (Met, Kr-h1) which is a crucial reproductive regulator, and other 3 reproductive related genes (DcVg1-like, DcVgA1-like, and DcVgR) after treatments with thiamethoxam LC25 and oil-based formulation (1 × 106 conidia ml-1). These results demonstrate the synergistic potential of combining C. fumosorosea oil-based formulation with thiamethoxam for effective ACP control, offering a promising integrated pest management strategy.","PeriodicalId":94077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of economic entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240607","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}

引用次数: 0

Ants' semiochemicals deters Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) activity on olive trees. 蚂蚁的半化学物质可抑制橄榄树上刺蚜（半翅目：蚜科）的活性。

Journal of economic entomology Pub Date : 2025-10-07 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf250

Stefania Smargiassi, Alberto Masoni, Federico Cappa, Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi, Filippo Chisci, Paride Balzani, Filippo Frizzi, Giovanni Benelli, Enrico Palchetti, Angelo Canale, Giacomo Santini

{"title":"Ants' semiochemicals deters Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) activity on olive trees.","authors":"Stefania Smargiassi, Alberto Masoni, Federico Cappa, Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi, Filippo Chisci, Paride Balzani, Filippo Frizzi, Giovanni Benelli, Enrico Palchetti, Angelo Canale, Giacomo Santini","doi":"10.1093/jee/toaf250","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf250","url":null,"abstract":"The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) (L.), is the primary vector of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae) (Wells et al.), which causes a severe vascular disease leading to significant economic losses in olive production in southern Italy. In this study, we investigated the deterrent effect of ant scent on the behavior and activity of P. spumarius on olive twigs. Using binary choice experiments, we found that the compounds released by Crematogaster scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (Olivier) ants significantly reduced the time spent by spittlebugs on the olive twigs. Chemical analysis of ant cuticular composition, and of ant-scented and control olive leaves identified a mixture of specific compounds, which include octadecanal, triacontane, nepetalactol, and pelargonic acid, presumably involved in this interaction. Our findings contribute to the understanding of trait-mediated indirect interactions in agroecosystems and suggest further studies focused on behavioral bioassay-based experiments to evaluate the potential role of ants' chemical cues in P. spumarius control to preserve olive groves.","PeriodicalId":94077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of economic entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240546","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}

引用次数: 0

Distribution overlap and comparative genomics of two invasive gelechiid moths, Tuta absoluta and Phthorimaea operculella, under climate change. 气候变化下两种侵入性球蛾的分布重叠及比较基因组学研究

Journal of economic entomology Pub Date : 2025-10-06 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf246

Yan Zhao, Yu Zhang, Lin Huang, Tao Yang, Sheng-Yen Wu, Shanglin Li, Youming Hou

{"title":"Distribution overlap and comparative genomics of two invasive gelechiid moths, Tuta absoluta and Phthorimaea operculella, under climate change.","authors":"Yan Zhao, Yu Zhang, Lin Huang, Tao Yang, Sheng-Yen Wu, Shanglin Li, Youming Hou","doi":"10.1093/jee/toaf246","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf246","url":null,"abstract":"The tomato leafminer moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), and the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), are closely related gelechiid species that have rapidly invaded tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean regions worldwide, causing severe damage to solanaceous crops. We used the optimized MaxEnt model combined with 19 bioclimatic variables to comprehensively predict their potential distributions under current and future climate scenarios. While the distribution areas of the species overlapped significantly, our models predicted T. absoluta could potentially establish into high-latitude and arid areas. To further explore their adaptive mechanisms, we conducted comparative genomics based on the genomes of both species and 20 other insect species. Despite their close relationship, T. absoluta possessed 5.5 times more unique gene families than P. operculella, along with significantly expanded gene families associated with pesticide resistance (P450s: 92 vs. 86), extreme temperature tolerance (heat shock proteins [HSPs]: 62 vs. 58), and desiccation stress tolerance (aquaporins [AQP]: 12 vs. 9). These genomic features suggest that T. absoluta will adapt faster to environmental challenges and has greater potential to invade new areas compared to P. operculella. This study elucidates the patterns of potential distribution and genome evolution for T. absoluta and P. operculella, highlighting their distinct invasion and adaptation strategies. The findings provide both a novel perspective on the habitat suitability of these invasive pests and a scientific basis for climate-adaptive management strategies.","PeriodicalId":94077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of economic entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240614","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}

引用次数: 0

Sterile insect technique reduces cabbage maggot (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) infestation in root crucifers in Canada. 昆虫不育技术减少了加拿大十字花科植物中白菜蛆（双翅目：花蝇科）的侵害。

Journal of economic entomology Pub Date : 2025-10-01 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf255

Anne-Marie Fortier, Allen Bush-Beaupré, Jade Savage

引用次数: 0

Degradation and residual efficacy of insecticides in Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) differ from traditional citrus orchard. 保护网下柑桔园杀虫剂的降解和残留效果与传统柑桔园不同。

Journal of economic entomology Pub Date : 2025-10-01 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf253

Emilie Demard, Rhonda Schumann, Edzard van Santen, Lauren Diepenbrock

{"title":"Degradation and residual efficacy of insecticides in Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) differ from traditional citrus orchard.","authors":"Emilie Demard, Rhonda Schumann, Edzard van Santen, Lauren Diepenbrock","doi":"10.1093/jee/toaf253","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf253","url":null,"abstract":"Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) protects trees from huanglongbing (HLB) by excluding the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), the vector of the bacteria responsible for the disease. Nevertheless, small arthropods such as crawlers of the hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a newly invasive pest in citrus, can enter the structure and infest trees. Environmental conditions in CUPS are different compared to open citrus groves with lower solar radiation and higher maximum temperatures which can influence insecticide breakdown and efficacy. From June to December 2024, the residual activity and degradation of 4 foliar insecticide applications in CUPS and open orchards were evaluated. Hibiscus mealybugs were exposed to treated leaves for 14 d on samples collected on different days after treatment (DAT). Mortality of the hibiscus mealybug was higher in CUPS than in the open orchard for all sprays except the last one containing fenpropathrin, abamectin, and tolfenpyrad. For cyantraniliprole and thiamethoxam, leaf residues were higher in CUPS for up to 14 d suggesting that photodegradation could be reduced in this system. Abamectin also appears to degrade more slowly in CUPS, although due to its short half-life and low residue levels, this trend was only observed for the first 3 d following application. For malathion, residues were consistently higher in the open orchard, indicating that thermodegradation could be potentially increased in CUPS due to higher temperatures, specifically during summer. Combined with further studies, these results will be used to tailor IPM programs in CUPS.","PeriodicalId":94077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of economic entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145208763","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}

引用次数: 0

Improved qPCR diagnosis of Ovavesicula popilliae (Microsporidia) infection of Japanese beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) for monitoring pathogen establishment. 改进了日本甲虫（鞘翅目：金龟科）微孢子虫感染的qPCR诊断方法，以监测病原菌的建立。

Journal of economic entomology Pub Date : 2025-10-01 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf258

David Smitley, Erica Hotchkiss, Phil Lewis, Yoshiko Nomura, Carrie Deans, Mandy Kauffman, Vera Krischik

{"title":"Improved qPCR diagnosis of Ovavesicula popilliae (Microsporidia) infection of Japanese beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) for monitoring pathogen establishment.","authors":"David Smitley, Erica Hotchkiss, Phil Lewis, Yoshiko Nomura, Carrie Deans, Mandy Kauffman, Vera Krischik","doi":"10.1093/jee/toaf258","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf258","url":null,"abstract":"Based on reports of Japanese beetle (JB), Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), population decline in Michigan following establishment of Ovavesicula popilliae Andreadis and Hanula (Microsporidia: Ovavesiculidae), USDA APHIS initiated a project to inoculate runway fields at major Midwest USA airports with O. popilliae, as part of a long-term plan to decrease JB populations at airports and thereby minimize its spread by cargo aircraft to quarantined states. The initial step is to evaluate the presence or absence of O. popilliae at major cargo airports. To accomplish this, improvements are needed in a previously validated qPCR diagnosis of O. popilliae infections of JB. In this study, the accuracy of qPCR diagnosis, which can be used for pooled samples of JB, is improved by minimizing PCR inhibition, then determining the Ct value for O. popilliae DNA that best distinguishes infected from healthy individuals based on microscopic diagnosis of the same individuals. This approach is validated in a second way by correlating the Ct value for O. popilliae DNA to the concentration of O. popilliae spore vesicles in the same samples of blended and filtered JB. Time efficiency of qPCR diagnosis is improved by combining rough homogenate from a pooled sample of 8 JB before DNA purification and qPCR analysis. Pooled samples can be used to accurately estimate percent infection at inoculated sites where less than 15% of the JB are infected. These new methods are used to detect O. popilliae infections of JB at a major airport in each of 8 different states.","PeriodicalId":94077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of economic entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145208748","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}

引用次数: 0

The potential of the small big-headed ant (Pheidole parva) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as a biocontrol agent for the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). 小大头蚁（膜翅目：蚁科）防治柑桔木虱的潜力。

Journal of economic entomology Pub Date : 2025-10-01 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf241

Rong-Yue Hu, Yu-Yang Huang, Zhao-Xia Feng, Tao-Ming Yang, Jun-Rong Tao, Si-Yu Wang, Jun-Hong Qiu, Li-He Zhang, Bao-Li Qiu, Da Ou

{"title":"The potential of the small big-headed ant (Pheidole parva) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as a biocontrol agent for the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae).","authors":"Rong-Yue Hu, Yu-Yang Huang, Zhao-Xia Feng, Tao-Ming Yang, Jun-Rong Tao, Si-Yu Wang, Jun-Hong Qiu, Li-He Zhang, Bao-Li Qiu, Da Ou","doi":"10.1093/jee/toaf241","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf241","url":null,"abstract":"Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), the Asian citrus psyllid, threatens global citrus production by transmitting Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal agent of Huanglongbing (HLB), a destructive disease causing severe yield losses. This study evaluated the ant species Pheidole parva Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as a biological control agent against D. citri. Using morphological identification and mitochondrial COI gene sequencing, P. parva was confirmed as a dominant psyllid predator. Behavioral observations revealed a preference for preying on early nymphal instars (first to third) over late nymphs and adults. Functional response modeling showed a Holling Type II pattern, where predation rate increased with prey density but plateaued due to handling time constraints. Additionally, search efficiency decreased with rising ant density, aligning with the Hassell-Varley model and indicating intraspecific foraging interference. These findings highlight P. parva's efficacy in suppressing D. citri populations, particularly HLB-transmission-critical nymphs. By elucidating ant-psyllid interaction dynamics via ecological models, this research supported integrating P. parva into sustainable pest management. Further studies on field deployment and ecological compatibility are recommended to maximize its predatory potential, mitigate HLB impacts, and enhance citrus production resilience. The findings provided empirical support for using P. parva in integrated pest management programs against D. citri.","PeriodicalId":94077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of economic entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145208756","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}

引用次数: 0

Effects of ultralow oxygen treatments at low temperature on survival of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), in blueberries and sweet cherries. 低温超低氧处理对蓝莓和甜樱桃斑点翅果蝇、铃木果蝇（双翅目：果蝇科）存活的影响。

Journal of economic entomology Pub Date : 2025-09-26 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf259

Yong-Biao Liu

{"title":"Effects of ultralow oxygen treatments at low temperature on survival of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), in blueberries and sweet cherries.","authors":"Yong-Biao Liu","doi":"10.1093/jee/toaf259","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf259","url":null,"abstract":"Controlled atmosphere with ultralow oxygen (ULO) treatments were conducted to determine effects against eggs and larvae of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), in blueberries and cherries at 3 °C in 19 liter cylinder chambers. ULO treatments of 72 h with 500, 200, and 100 ppm O2 were conducted against eggs and larvae in blueberries and cherries. ULO treatments of 96 h with 500, 200, and 50 ppm O2 were conducted against eggs in blueberries and against eggs and larvae in cherries. ULO treatments were effective against eggs and larvae of spotted wing drosophila but did not result in complete mortality of all life stages. ULO treatments were more effective against larvae than against eggs. ULO treatments of 96 h resulted in significantly higher mortality of eggs and larvae in cherries than 72-h treatments. ULO treatments of 72 h with 200 and 100 ppm O2 resulted in 100% larval mortality in blueberries and over 95% larval mortality in cherries. The same treatments yielded over 80% mortality of eggs in blueberries and cherries. All three 96-h ULO treatments resulted in over 99% mortality of larvae in cherries. The same treatments resulted in 82.29% to 91.73% and 92.10% to 95.00% mortalities for eggs in blueberries and cherries, respectively. This study demonstrated that ULO treatments were effective against eggs and larvae of spotted wing drosophila in blueberries and cherries. However, efficacy did not meet phytosanitary requirement, and more research is needed to develop a more effective ULO treatment for phytosanitary applications.","PeriodicalId":94077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of economic entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145152504","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}

引用次数: 0

Colony density and breeding structure of underground-nesting fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Blattodea: Termitidae). 台湾地下筑巢型真菌白蚁的种群密度和繁殖结构。

Journal of economic entomology Pub Date : 2025-09-26 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf195

Wen-Jun Lin, Hsin-Ting Yeh, Hou-Feng Li

{"title":"Colony density and breeding structure of underground-nesting fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Blattodea: Termitidae).","authors":"Wen-Jun Lin, Hsin-Ting Yeh, Hou-Feng Li","doi":"10.1093/jee/toaf195","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf195","url":null,"abstract":"Fungus-growing termites both provide essential ecosystem services and are considered agricultural pests in Asia and Africa. Research on such termites has primarily focused on mound-building species; underground-nesting fungus-growing termites remain understudied because of their cryptic behavior. However, molecular tools, such as microsatellite markers, offer an effective means of investigating the ecology of these underground species. In this study, we employed 5 microsatellite markers to accurately identify laboratory-paired colonies of Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) (Blattodea: Termitidae) and to determine their breeding structures. Fieldwork was conducted through systematic wood-stake monitoring at the Xiaping Tropical Botanical Garden, where 40 termite colonies were identified across 4 research plots. Most colonies (92.5%) had a foraging distance of <10 m, although the maximum distance recorded was 40 m. The colony density was 16 to 80 colonies per hectare. Of the 40 colonies, 34 contained sufficient samples for breeding structure analysis, which revealed 14 (41.2%) mixed-family colonies and 20 (58.8%) simple-family colonies. The colonies exhibited low levels of inbreeding, with inbreeding coefficients indicating that the reproductives were largely unrelated. Although pleometrosis may enhance colony fitness, it can also reduce genetic heterozygosity, suggesting a trade-off in non-kin cooperation. This study provides key data regarding the colony density, foraging distance, and breeding structure of O. formosanus, offering insights for quantifying ecosystem services, understanding population dynamics, and improving pest management strategies.","PeriodicalId":94077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of economic entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145152478","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}

引用次数: 0