The Danube Clouded Yellow () has experienced one of the most dramatic declines among European butterflies. To estimate genetic diversity in the last population in Poland that has survived in the Knyszyn Forest (KF), we analyzed mitochondrial () and nuclear () polymorphisms in individuals sampled in 2014 and 2022. The results were compared with genetic data obtained in 2014 from a recently extirpated nearby population (Czerwony Bór, CB). Because mtDNA polymorphisms in insects can be modulated by endosymbionts, the samples were screened for . The polymorphism of indicated that diversity was gradually decreasing. The KF experienced rapid demographic processes, manifested by a significant change in allele frequency. The small differentiation in nuclear markers between the KF and CB in 2014 suggests that the regional population used to be genetically uniform. Four haplotypes that were identified in this study probably belong to two different haplogroups. was detected only in individuals with one specific haplotype, and the prevalence was female-biased, suggesting the induction of two reproductive manipulations. The most common haplotype found in Poland was the same as that reported from other parts of Europe, not only for but also These results allow us to question the distinctiveness of each taxa.

The Red Palm Weevil (RPW, ) is a destructive pest of palm plants that can cause the death of the entire plant when infested. To enhance the efficiency of RPW control, a novel detection and tracking algorithm based on the joint YOLOv5-DeepSort algorithm is proposed. Firstly, the original YOLOv5 is improved by adding a small object detection layer and an attention mechanism. At the same time, the detector of the original DeepSort is changed to the improved YOLOv5. Then, a historical frame data module is introduced into DeepSort to reduce the number of target identity (ID) switches while maintaining detection and tracking accuracy. Finally, an experiment is conducted to evaluate the joint YOLOv5-DeepSort detection and tracking algorithm. The experimental results show that, in terms of detectors, the improved YOLOv5 model achieves a mean average precision (mAP@.5) of 90.1% and a precision (P) of 93.8%. In terms of tracking performance, the joint YOLOv5-DeepSort algorithm achieves a Multiple Object Tracking Accuracy (MOTA) of 94.3%, a Multiple Object Tracking Precision (MOTP) of 90.14%, reduces ID switches by 33.3%, and realizes a count accuracy of 94.1%. These results demonstrate that the improved algorithm meets the practical requirements for RPW field detection and tracking.

(Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is widely distributed in China and is polyphorous, being a major pest to cash crops, such as corn, cotton, and millet. Given the increasing severity of the greenhouse effect in recent years, we aimed to investigate the adaptability of adults to varying temperatures. In this study, we assessed the survival, longevity, fecundity, feeding capacity, and antioxidant capacity of leaf beetle adults under laboratory conditions at 25-34 °C. Elevated temperatures (i.e., 31 and 34 °C) had (negative) impacts on adults' survival and reproduction. Similarly, the temperature negatively affected the feeding capacity of adults, with the impact becoming more pronounced as the temperature increased. Under the same treatment time, the SOD and CAT activity levels increased with the increase in treatment temperature. The GST activity levels showed a decreasing trend. The POD activity showed a biphasic response to increasing temperatures, first decreasing and then increasing. The above indicates that different antioxidant enzymes of adults have different levels of sensitivity to high temperatures. In the laboratory, our work analyzes the response of adults to temperature from ecological and physiological research perspectives and provides strategies for strengthening its subsequent integrated pest management (IPM) under conditions of global warming or extreme weather events.

Amylase activity is a critical biomarker for assessing the freshness of honey. Historically, bees have been considered the sole source of honey amylase. However, recent studies suggest that may also contribute to amylase production in the honey sac of .

Asian corn borer (ACB), Guenee (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and the rice moth (RM), Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are economically significant insect pests that threaten the agricultural products worldwide. parasitoids are successfully mass-reared using artificial host eggs, RM, and are often managed by economically important lepidopterous pests, such as ACB in China. Pang and Chen (To) and Matsumura (Td) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are two important parasitoids of ACB. To determine the influence of interspecific competition between To and Td on their offspring's emergence. We determine the emergence of wasp progeny from two distinct hosts (ACB and RM eggs) of varying densities (10, 20, 30, and 100) by examining the effect of three distinct oviposition sequences (To-Td, Td-To, and To+Td) by two species. We discovered that the progeny emergence rate of To and Td from the host was substantially influenced by the parasitoid types, host types, oviposition sequences, and host densities, and their two-, three-, and four-factor interactions while investigating the ACB and RM eggs after oviposition. Additionally, the progeny of Td emerged from 10, 20, and 30 ACB host eggs under three oviposition sequences, which was significantly higher than that of ACB eggs of 100 densities. Nevertheless, the optimum emergence rate of Td progeny was also observed in ACB eggs with a density of 100 under all oviposition sequences. The most suitable oviposition sequences for both wasp species are To-Td and Td-To, as they have the highest rate of progeny emergence. The progeny emergence of both species from RM eggs of varying densities was observed to be significantly different. Nevertheless, the most influential density is 100 RM eggs, as a result of the maximal emergence rate of To and Td. Overall, it is concluded that host eggs with a density of 100 are adequate to meet the oviposition requirements of both wasps in all oviposition orders, thereby limiting their interspecific competition. These findings provide insights into optimizing host density and oviposition strategies for mass-rearing species, which can enhance their efficacy in biological control programs. Future research should explore field-level applications to validate these laboratory findings under natural conditions.

Conservation biological control (CBC) is the application of agricultural practices that utilize insectary plants to conserve and enhance natural enemies, thereby increasing their efficiency to suppress pests. Most of the insectary plants used in CBC are non-native invasive insectary plants, which are costly and pose threats to the local ecosystems and biodiversity. Alternative to non-native insectary plants, the use of native plants is proposed. Hence, the aim of this study is to identify native plant species that can be used as alternatives to non-native insectary plants to conserve and promote indigenous natural enemies (INEs) for sustainable pest management. To achieve this, first, we bio-prospected the surrounding habitats of organic fields in the western region of Japan (i.e., Hiroshima Prefecture) to identify native plant species as prospective native insectary plants. As a result, among various Japanese native plants surveyed, Polygonaceae plant species seem to host a variety of INEs, showing potential as a native insectary plant. We then conducted open field experiments to test the role of Polygonaceae plants in promoting INEs, thereby indirectly suppressing pest densities on vegetable crops such as eggplants. Results show that significantly high densities of INEs (green lacewing, = 0.024; spp., = 0.001: GLM) were observed on eggplants with Polygonaceae plants compared to eggplants without Polygonaceae plants, leading to a significant reduction in pest densities (thrips, = 0.000; whiteflies, = 0.002: GLM) on the eggplants with Polygonaceae plants. Furthermore, molecular analysis revealed that spp., as a representative INE in this study, migrated from Polygonaceae plants to eggplants, suggesting that Polygonaceae plants may conserve and promote INEs to vegetable crops, resulting in pest suppression. Here, we discuss the roles of Polygonaceae plants (and other native plants) in regulating pest densities on crops.

The Belostomatidae is a family of aquatic Heteropteran insects that normally inhabit swamps of tropical, subtropical and temperate regions where they naturally feed on a large range of prey, mainly fish, amphibians and reptiles. However, these arthropods can occasionally bite humans when provoked, causing pain. The only species of giant water bug known to be found in Europe is (L.) . We reported the finding of a specimen of female in Southern Italy. The arthropod was collected by a tourist on his body while he lying down on a beach close to a nature reserve. To finalize the giant water bug identification, both morphological and molecular tools were used for the first time in our country. Herein, information on cases of patients bitten by giant water bugs belonging to the Belostomatidae family are reported, and circumstances involving their contact with humans are also discussed.

Western flower thrips (WFTs) are significant pests affecting various crops globally. Developing sustainable strategies for managing WFTs is essential for improving thrips management. Ethological control methods, particularly those employing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants to influence insect behavior, have emerged as a promising avenue for pest management. Natural hosts such as provide an intriguing yet underexplored opportunity for developing attractants tailored to WFT management. This study examined the behavioral preferences of WFTs towards flowers of four commercial cultivars, focusing on variations in VOC profiles. Using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), VOCs were captured in vivo from cultivars with contrasting levels of WFT infestation. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to analyze the VOCs, with linear retention indices aiding compound identification. An untargeted volatile profiling-based comparative analysis revealed key VOCs that differed among cultivars, shedding light on their potential correlation with WFT behavior. Behavioral assays identified three specific VOCs-butyl butyrate, 1-methylnaphthalene, and citronellyl acetate-as influential in attracting WFTs. Attraction responses were concentration-dependent, with two tested concentrations eliciting significant behavioral effects. These findings highlight the potential of these active VOCs as components of novel attractants for WFT management. The results direct future research and the development of tools to integrate ethological strategies into sustainable pest management practices for crops.

Uneven heating is the biggest obstacle to the application of radio frequency (RF) technology in insecticidal applications. Since many existing studies have focused on the RF heating uniformity of granular materials, few RF treatment solutions have been reported for leaf materials. To improve the RF heating uniformity of tobacco leaves, a combined RF-hot air treatment method was developed for disinfestation in this study. The experiments were conducted to determine the effects of three process parameters (electrode gap, sample thickness, and hot air temperature) on the RF heating rate and uniformity of tobacco leaves. The results showed that the heating rate of RF-hot air combined treatment increased with decreasing electrode gap but increased with increasing sample thickness and hot air temperature. The RF heating uniformity in tobacco leaves decreased with increasing heating rate but could be significantly improved with the conveyor movement. Considering the heating uniformity and heating rate, the material thickness of 60 mm and electrode gap of 110 mm were selected as optimal process parameters. The results of the study may provide a feasible method to improve the RF heating uniformity in tobacco leaves and potential applications for effective disinfestations.

The pepper weevil, Cano, 1894 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), poses a significant threat to pepper cultivation, causing extensive crop damage and economic losses. While numerous studies have addressed its occurrence, biology, and control methods, less attention has been given to how climate change might alter its distribution. This research utilized the optimized MaxEnt model to project the current and future habitat suitability of the pepper weevil under four distinct climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) for the periods spanning the 2030s to 2090s. Optimal model performance was achieved with a regularization multiplier of two and a feature combination of QHP, yielding high predictive accuracy with mean testing AUC values of 0.921. The analysis identified annual mean temperature (Bio1) and precipitation of the coldest quarter (Bio19) as the primary environmental factors influencing the pest's distribution. Currently, in China, suitable habitats for encompass an area of 273.74 × 10 km or 28.47% of the nation's territory, predominantly located in central, eastern, southern, and southwestern regions. Future projections suggest that suitable areas are expected to shrink across various scenarios, barring increases in specific instances like SSP126-2050s, SSP245-2070s, and SSP370-2050s, with shifts towards southwestern regions. This investigation deepens our comprehension of agricultural pest dynamics under climate change and supports the formulation of preemptive management strategies to safeguard agricultural productivity.

The insect order Lepidoptera contains many species that are considered to be agricultural pests. Specific double-stranded RNA-degrading enzymes in some moth species decrease the efficiency of RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi refers to the efficient and specific degradation of homologous mRNA induced by highly conserved, double-stranded RNA during evolution. The dsRNase enzymes can specifically recognize exogenous dsRNA, and bind to and degrade dsRNA, resulting in the inability of dsRNA to play its role. Although dsRNases play an important role in dsRNA degradation, there has been limited research on these enzymes. In this study, we successfully identified four genes related to dsRNases (named , , and ) from the genome of . To overcome the rapid degradation of dsRNA in the midgut of , we combined nanotechnology with biology and developed a new strategy to administer RNAi to insect pests. This binding block directed contact between the dsRNA and SeRNases to improve the efficiency of RNAi in suppressing gene expression. We demonstrate the potential of using nanotechnology to provide a novel RNAi delivery method for pest control.

Grape phylloxera, (Fitch), is an economically significant pest of grapevines. Identification of phylloxera genotypes is an important aspect of management as genotypes differ in virulence and susceptibility to control using resistant rootstocks. Microsatellite markers developed on polyacrylamide gel systems have been the most widely used molecular method for phylloxera genotype identification, but this approach has been superseded by fluorescent capillary-based genotyping. The current study presents new laboratory methods for amplifying a standard set of eight phylloxera microsatellite markers using PCR-incorporated fluorescently labelled primers, genotyped on an ABI capillary platform. Comparison of allele size data scored on (i) polyacrylamide, (ii) capillary, and (iii) high-throughput sequencing (HTS) platforms revealed that the capillary genotyping most closely matched the HTS allele sizes, while alleles of loci originally scored on a polyacrylamide platform differ in size by up to three base pairs, mostly due to the presence of previously uncharacterised DNA sequence indels. Seven common clonal lineages of phylloxera known from Australia are proposed as reference samples for use in calibrating genotyping systems between platforms and laboratories to ensure universal scoring of allele sizes, providing a critical link for accurately matching previous phylloxera genotype studies with current research.

Estimating the minimum post-mortem interval (PMI-min) is crucial in criminal investigations for identifying victims and the circumstances surrounding their death. Traditional post-mortem indicators are reliable only within the first 48-72 h post-mortem. This study explored forensic entomology as an alternative method for PMI estimation, focusing on three cases in Busan, South Korea. Forensic cases involving insect specimens collected from bodies found in Busan from 2022 were examined. Personal and photographic data were documented, and insect specimens were collected, preserved, and identified based on both their morphological characteristics and DNA sequences. To enhance the estimation accuracy, corrected death scene temperatures were calculated using an electronic thermo-hygrometer and meteorological data, applying both quadratic regression and the Support Vector Machine (SVM) model. The PMI-min was estimated using growth models and developmental data from established studies. (Meigen) at different life-cycle stages were discovered in all of the cases, whereas (Fabricius) was found in only two out of the three cases. In each case, the estimated time of death based on the necrophagous flies differed from the deceased's last known activity by approximately one-two days. These discrepancies may arise from the pre-colonization interval (PCI), a critical but often overlooked factor for accurate PMI-min estimation. Additional factors, including weather conditions, oviposition timing, mixed fly populations, and maggot-generated heat, further contribute to the uncertainty of PMI-min estimates. Future research should integrate these variables and employ advanced technologies such as machine learning to improve the accuracy of these estimates.

The fall armyworm (FAW), , is one of the major agricultural pests that has invaded China. The FAW is a polyphagous insect with the gramineous crop sorghum being a key host plant. However, the basis of sorghum's chemical defense against FAW feeding is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the potential defensive mechanism of sorghum against this insect species. It was found that FAW larvae preferred maize over sorghum, the selection and damage rates for sorghum plants by larvae were significantly lower than those of maize plants, and feeding on sorghum restricted larval weight. The non-target metabolomics revealed that the feeding of FAW larvae altered the plant secondary metabolite spectra in maize and sorghum, resulting in species-specific differential secondary metabolites (DSMs). Of these, 19 DSMs were specific in maize, and 51 in sorghum, and only 6 were found in both species. Two-choice and no-choice feeding assays found that gambogenic acid and chimonanthine, two DSMs unique to sorghum, were found to deter larval feeding and decrease the larval weight. These findings reveal that the defense of sorghum against FAW is regulated by changing the response spectra of secondary metabolites and that the induced metabolites have a defensive function by acting as antifeedants, which provides new insights into employing bioactive plant compounds against polyphagous insects.

The brown planthopper () is an insect pest of rice, which mainly feeds on the phloem sap of the leaf sheath. RNA interference (RNAi) has application prospects in pest control, but it is necessary to select target genes and design suitable dsRNA fragments for RNAi so that it can achieve effective pest control and avoid risks to non-target organisms. NlAtg3 is a key protein in the autophagy pathway of . Three kinds of dsRNA fragments of the gene (ds474×1, ds-138×3 and ds-47×10) were designed to compare the RNAi efficiency and specificity against the target insect and non-target organisms through microinjection. The results showed that the fragment ds474×1 showed strong inhibitory effects on the survival of , which resulted in the survival rate decreasing to zero on the fifth day, while the survival rate of a closely related species, , dropped to 2.22%. In contrast, ds-47×10 specifically designed against only showed slight or no inhibitory effects on and other non-target organisms such as , but still showed good lethal effects against , with the survival rate dropping to 18.89% on the ninth day. In addition, after being fed injected with ds-47×10 fragments, the survival rate of the natural enemies and did not show significant change, compared with those treated with the ds control. Our results suggest that the gene can serve as a potential target for controlling . Moreover, by designing suitable RNAi fragments, it is possible to avoid harm to non-target organisms while effectively inhibiting the target insect .

The species of the genus Spinola are important natural insect control resources and widespread in the Old World. Due to the various color patterns of several species in China, it is difficulty to accurately classify and identify the genus. We combined their morphology with population genetic differentiation, phylogenetic relationship and geographical distribution to delimitate the species of from China. Within the genus, more than 600 pinned specimens were examined and a total of 37 whole genomes were analyzed, of which 35 were newly sequenced. Firstly, sequences, 13 PCGs and 2 rRNAs sequences of the mitochondrial genomes, USCO nucleotide matrix of 90% completeness (USCO90_fna), and USCO amino acid matrix of 90% completeness (USCO90_faa) were extracted from the whole-genome data. Then, genetic distances were calculated using the sequences, and ABGD species delimitation analysis identified three valid species. By integrating the four phylogenetic trees inferred from the four datasets and morphological analysis, the specimens of from China were recognized as (newly recorded), , and ; the last is the most widely distributed in China, while the remaining two only occur in Hainan and Yunnan, respectively, markedly different from previous records. Finally, it is interesting that color patterns of the species seem to closely relate to the geographical distribution, embodying two different modes in the South and the North of China, as well as a transitional state in the middle. The roles of the color patterns are still not resolved and their underlying evolutionary mechanisms need further exploration.

Understanding predator-prey and predator-predator interactions is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of biocontrol agents and developing efficient pest management strategies. This study investigates the effects of prey species, predator life stage, and predator density on the predatory efficiency of the generalist predator (Fabricius) under semi-field conditions. Both the nymphs and adults of consumed significantly more second-instar larvae of than larvae of or . Notably, fifth-instar nymphs and adults exhibited higher predation capacity (11.75 ± 0.37 and 10.90 ± 0.40 larvae) than fourth-instar nymphs (9.05 ± 0.29 larvae) on . demonstrated a Type II functional response at all developmental stages toward each prey species, and fifth-instar nymphs revealed higher attack rates ( = 1.5205 ± 0.0544) on ; additionally, the handling time did not significantly differ among three prey species. It suggests that this predator may be more effective at controlling noctuid populations at low prey densities. As predator age and density increased, intraspecific competition among also intensified. In a multi-prey system, showed a marked preference for over the other two prey species. These findings indicate that the fifth-instar nymphs and adults of are particularly effective in suppressing early-instar larvae of the three noctuid pests, especially , at low densities. This study enhances our understanding of the predation capacity and prey preference of towards the three noctuid pests and provides a foundation for the development of more targeted and efficient pest management strategies using this predator.

Forensic entomology is concerned with the study of arthropods that assist in criminal investigations. Among them, necrophagous beetles (Coleoptera) play a crucial role as they are found in all stages of decomposition of corpses, which makes them valuable for forensic analysis. Accurate species identification is crucial for the effective use of entomological evidence. Efficient, cost-effective, and rapid methods are essential for this purpose. In the present study, we developed a novel assay that enables simple, inexpensive, and rapid identification of necrophagous beetle species. Using two primer sets targeting the cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene and analyzing the resulting SYBR Green I melting curves, we were able to identify fourteen beetle species: (Goeze, 1777), (Scriba, 1791), (Linnaeus, 1758), (Brahm, 1790), (Linnaeus, 1758), (Fabricius, 1775), (Linnaeus, 1758), (Zetterstedt, 1824), (Linnaeus, 1758), (Linnaeus, 1758), (Stephens, 1832), (Motschulsky, 1849), (Illiger, 1798), and (Linnaeus, 1758). Data on the melting temperature of the amplicon can be obtained within 60-90 min after DNA extraction. This study expands the understanding of the species composition of necrophagous Coleoptera, which is crucial for forensic entomology methods based on insect succession. Furthermore, it provides the first comprehensive data on necrophagous beetles in the vicinity of Kampinos National Park.

The taxonomy of genus Westwood, 1847 from China is reviewed based on analysis of wing morphology, male and female genitalia and phylogenetic relationships derived from DNA barcodes. A new species, sp. nov. is described from NW Yunnan, China. A male of the rare species, from Yintiaoling Nature Reserve, Chongqing, China is examined and its male genitalia illustrated for the first time. Two taxa are newly recorded from China, from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, and from Pingbian, Yunnan. Distribution maps, biological notes, and ecological records are also given.

The European grapevine moth (), a significant pest in viticulture, impacts grape quality and yield through larval feeding and secondary infections. This study examined the impact of on two grape varieties, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese, while also investigating cultivar-specific traits. Field trials were conducted in central Italy to assess infestation levels, female population abundance, and cultivar-specific morphological traits. The results revealed significantly lower larval infestation levels, but higher female abundance in Petit Verdot compared to Sangiovese. Bunch density and bunch compactness were also significantly lower in Petit Verdot than in Sangiovese. Morphological traits, such as a greater canopy thickness and higher leaf layer number in Petit Verdot, did not correspond to increased infestation levels, challenging existing findings regarding the impact of sun exposure on female oviposition and larval settlement. The seasonal dynamics of indicated three major adult flight peaks and a partial fourth peak, potentially influenced by local weather patterns. These findings highlight the critical role of cultivar-specific traits in shaping pest infestation dynamics and provide essential insights for optimizing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, particularly in cultivar selection and monitoring protocols for sustainable viticulture.

In the original publication [...].