The parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the important parasitoids used for the biological control of larval stages of moths such as Pyralidae and Noctuidae, which include major agricultural, orchard, and stored product pests. This wasp species is widely utilised in biological control programmes targeting these economically significant lepidopteran pests. In this study, the sublethal effects of four insecticides (tetranelypyrole, flupyradifurone, flubendiamide, and spirotetramat) on the biological parameters of the parasitoid wasp H. hebetor were investigated using demographic toxicology methods. The parasitoid wasp was reared on larvae VI of the Mediterranean flour moth in a growth chamber (27 ± 2°C, 65 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (light:dark) hours). The estimated LC25 values from the bioassay experiments on the adult stage of the wasp were used. The estimated LC25 values were 30.8, 130.8, 807, and 34.2 µg ai/L for tetraniliprole, flupyradifurone, flubendiamide, and spirotetramat pesticides, respectively. The results showed that the net reproductive rates (R0) due to treatment by tetraniliprole, flupyradifurone, flubendiamide, spirotetramat, and control were 50.25, 50.66, 64.72, 57.49, and 71.33 females per generation, respectively. The intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) was 0.226, 0.240, 0.242, 0.238, and 0.259 females/female/generation for tetraniliprole, flupyradifurone, flubendiamide, spirotetramat, and control, respectively. The population parameters calculated included the age-stage age-specific survival rate (lx) and age-specific fecundity of the total population (mx). The demographic toxicology analysis showed that tetraniliprole had the highest toxicity, while flubendiamide had the lowest toxicity to adult wasps. In case of conducting additional field tests and confirming the laboratory results, it can be concluded that the insecticides flupyradifurone and flubendaimide may be suitable options for integrated pest management programs.

Steinernema carpocapsae is an entomopathogenic nematode with established efficacy against various agricultural pests. However, its impact on key lepidopteran pests, including Ostrinia furnacalis, Mythimna separata, and Spodoptera litura, remains underexplored, particularly at the pupal stage. This study evaluates the efficacy of the nematode through a combination of choice-based attraction assays, non-choice infection performance bioassays involving direct application to specific pupal body parts, and assessments of sublethal effects on adult survival and oviposition following pupal-stage exposure. S. carpocapsae exhibited a clear preference for pupae of all three pests over blank controls and for previously infected pupae over healthy pupae. When presented with different pupal genders, S. carpocapsae preferred female M. separata over males but showed no gender preference for O. furnacalis and S. litura. Infection performance varied by body part, with a higher infection performance on the abdomen and thorax compared to the head for O. furnacalis and S. litura, and on the abdomen over the thorax and head for M. separata. Adult survival probability was significantly lower when pupae were infected, and female oviposition was reduced when either member of a mating pair had been infected. These findings highlight the efficacy of S. carpocapsae as a promising biological control agent against these lepidopteran pests, particularly when targeting the pupal stage.

To investigate the effects of activating/inhibiting AmelSmo on the olfactory genes and signalling pathways of Apis mellifera ligustica, as well as the potential regulatory mechanisms involved. Transcriptomic sequencing was performed on Apis mellifera ligustica antennae using Illumina HiSeq platform following administration of cyclopamine (inhibitor) and purmorphamine (agonist). Differential gene expression analysis, coupled with GO and KEGG pathway annotations, facilitated the identification of olfactory receptor genes. The reliability of transcriptome data was subsequently validated through quantitative real–time–polymerase chain reaction analysis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 12,356 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between inhibitor and control groups, with 276 genes showing significant differential expression. Similarly, 12,356 DEGs were identified between the agonist and control groups, among which 672 genes exhibited significant differential expression. The GO annotation revealed that the DEGs in the inhibitor group and the agonist group were mainly enriched in the biological process such as cellular process, metabolic process, and biological regulation; in cellular component, enrichment was mainly observed in cell, cell part, and organelle; and in molecular function, the main enrichment was in binding and catalytic activity. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that DEGs from both groups were primarily enriched in signal transduction pathways. Among the DEGs, three olfactory receptor genes were identified in the inhibitor group: odorant receptor 19, odorant receptor 22, and odorant receptor 5. The agonist group exhibited two olfactory receptor genes: odorant receptor 109 and odorant receptor 26. All these olfactory receptor genes demonstrated downregulated expression patterns. Transcriptomic sequencing analysis identified five olfactory receptor genes. The changes in gene expression levels suggest that the activation or inhibition of AmelSmo may regulate the expression of olfactory receptors via the Hedgehog signalling pathway. It is speculated that AmelSmo may play a regulatory role in the olfactory system of bees.

The alfalfa weevil Hypera postica Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most destructive alfalfa pests in the world, resulting in substantial economic losses. However, the amount of damage can be reduced by larval parasitoids of the genus Bathyplectes Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) as a conservation biological control strategy. Parasitoids are currently identified by morphological body characteristics, cocoon morphology, and/or DNA analysis, but geometric morphometrics (GM) applied to the wing vein arrangement may also reveal differences between specimens. We distinguished 61 B. anurus (Thomson) and 41 B. curculionis (Thomson) specimens, based on the appearance of the cocoon. GM revealed statistically significant differences in wing vein patterns and fore wing shapes between species, but not between sexes within the same species. The 1 M + 1R1 cell, also known as the horsehead cell, was revealed to be an easy and reliable morphological character for species differentiation. Despite the New World literature, this is the first European report providing a visual method to differentiate B. anurus from B. curculionis. This study highlights the importance of precise species identification methods, such as geometric morphometry. It can contribute to a better implementation of biological control strategies against the alfalfa weevil in Spain and other Mediterranean countries.

American silk moth, Antheraea polyphemus Cramer 1775 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), native to North America, has potential significance in sericulture for food consumption and silk production. To date, the phylogenetic relationship and divergence time of A. polyphemus with its Asian relatives remain unknown. To end these issues, two mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of A. polyphemus from the USA and Canada respectively were determined. The mitogenomes of A. polyphemus from the USA and Canada were 15,346 and 15,345 bp in size, respectively, with only two transitions and five indels. The two mitogenomes both encoded typical mitochondrial 37 genes. No tandem repeat elements were identified in the A+T-rich region of A. polyphemus. The mitogenome-based phylogenetic analyses supported the placement of A. polyphemus within the genus Antheraea, and revealed the presence of two clades for eight Antheraea species used: one included A. polyphemus, A. assamensis Helfer, A. formosana Sonan and the other contained A. mylitta Drury, A. frithi Bouvier, A. yamamai Guérin-Méneville, A. proylei Jolly, and A. pernyi Guérin-Méneville. Mitogenome-based divergence time estimation further suggested that the dispersal of A. polyphemus from Asia into North America might have occurred during the Miocene Epoch (18.18 million years ago) across the Berling land bridge. This study reports the mitogenome of A. polyphemus that provides new insights into the phylogenetic relationship among Antheraea species and the origin of A. polyphemus.

Panonychus citri is a significant pest of Rutaceae plants. Chitin deacetylase is a key gene in chitin metabolism and the insect molting process. In this study, The PcCDA1 and PcCDA2 genes of P. citri were cloned and identified. The expression of PcCDA1 was higher during the egg stage, while PcCDA2 exhibited the highest expression during the larval stage, with their expression levels showing a clear periodicity. Using RNAi technology to silence the expression of the PcCDA1 and PcCDA2 genes in the mite, the results indicated that only 20.85% successfully molted, while the deformity rates were 78.81% and 85.44%, respectively. HE staining and microscopic observation revealed that silencing PcCDA1 and PcCDA2 caused an increase in the epidermal thickness of P. citri by 1.87 μm and 5.706 μm, respectively. Additionally, silencing PcCDA also significantly reduced the relative mRNA expression levels of chitin synthesis genes (PcCHS1 and PcCHS2) and degradation genes (PcCHT1, PcCHT2, and PcCHT4). These results suggest that the PcCDA gene is crucial for normal molting and epidermal development, providing new scientific evidence for molecular target-based green pest control strategies.

The green lacewing Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben–Peterson) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), a polyphagous predator, is an effective biocontrol agent against various aphid species. Its efficacy was assessed against Pterochloroides persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a major pest of peach and nectarine orchards. This study investigates the developmental biology, population growth parameters, host-kill dynamics, and aphid consumption by C. zastrowi sillemi when fed on P. persicae. The development of C. zastrowi sillemi stages was recorded, with egg, larval instar, and adult durations averaging 2.21, 3.71, 2.29, and 3.21 days, respectively. Adult longevity was 34.33 days for males and 42.12 days for females. The female pre-ovipositional period was 6.25 days, with a total ovipositional period of 21.88 days. Population growth parameters indicated a true generation time of 35.39 ± 0.322 days, intrinsic rate of increase of 0.110 and a net reproductive rate of 52.64. A total fecundity of 131.77 eggs per female was recorded. The consumption of P. persicae by the first, second and third larval instars of C. zastrowi sillemi was 18.36, 25.07, and 85.21 aphids, respectively, with the third instar being the most voracious. The net predation rate was 90.868 aphids per day, with a transformation rate of 1.84 aphids per offspring produced. These results highlight the probability of C. zastrowi sillemi as a potential biocontrol agent for P. persicae management in agro-ecosystems, offering insights into its predation behaviour, reproductive parameters and will be useful in conducting further field evaluations before formulating it in integrated pest management programme.

Parasitoid–host interactions are key drivers of insect community structure, and host concealment is known to influence both parasitoid diversity and parasitism rates. However, the effectiveness of different host defence strategies in mitigating parasitism remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we examined how the level of host concealment affects parasitoid communities and parasitism rates in two microlepidopteran species living on hops (Humulus lupulus L.): Caloptilia fidella, which employs a leaf-rolling strategy, and Cosmopterix zieglerella, a strict leaf-miner. We collected a total of 774 and 150 host-infested leaves for C. fidella and C. zieglerella, respectively. Parasitism rates were calculated as the proportion of leaves from which parasitoids emerged and were averaged across three years. We combined traditional morphological identification with molecular species delimitation based on ITS2 and CO1 markers, employing ASAP (Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning) and Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP) methods to refine parasitoid taxonomy and detect cryptic species. Our results showed that semi-concealed C. fidella larvae in leaf rolls experienced significantly higher parasitism rates than their mining stages, while fully concealed C. zieglerella larvae exhibited generally lower parasitism. Molecular analyses confirmed idiobiont strategies in several parasitoid species, including Sympiesis acalle, S. sericeicornis, and Elachertus fenestratus, and bPTP outperformed ASAP in detecting cryptic diversity. These findings suggest that, in the studied system, leaf-mining offers more effective protection from parasitoids than leaf-rolling. Additionally, the study highlights the value of molecular tools in species delimitation and underscores their importance for improving parasitoid taxonomy and advancing our understanding of host–parasitoid dynamics.

Understanding the circadian rhythms of bark and ambrosia beetles (Scolytinae) is crucial for assessing their dispersal strategies, trophic specialisation, and microhabitat preferences. This study investigated circadian rhythms in Scolytinae communities using flight interception traps in an oak forest in the southern part of Czechia. Ordination biplot revealed a flight activity gradient, with nocturnal dispersers distinct from diurnal species. Species richness gradually decreased from the 20:00–24:00 interval through to the 12:00–16:00 interval, with the most notable decline observed between the 08:00–12:00 and 12:00–16:00 intervals. A combination of fourth-corner and partial canonical correspondence analyses identified tribal affiliation, trophic specialisation, and microhabitat preference as key drivers of flight structuring. Members of the tribe Xyleborini showed negative association to the 16:00–20:00 interval. Xylomycetophagous species, such as Xyleborinus saxesenii exhibited multimodal activity peaks, with increased flight from nighttime to early morning. In contrast, species that feed in the phloem such as Scolytus intricatus showed no significant association with any specific time interval. Several species that utilise stumps as potential breeding substrates showed significantly reduced flight activity during the crepuscular period, which supports the hypothesis that microhabitat preference contributes to diel periodicity. Our findings show the complex interplay between abiotic and biotic factors in shaping circadian flight periodicity, which leads to distinct flight activity patterns between Scolytini bark and Xyleborini ambrosia beetles. These results emphasise the ecological significance of maintaining heterogeneous forest structures that provide a balance of shaded and sun-exposed deadwood habitats to support diverse assemblages.

Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly known as the fall armyworm (FAW), is an invasive pest known for its rapid migration, strong adaptability, and wide host range. Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) are a specific class of Hsps associated with the molecular mechanisms of insect growth and development and the response to abiotic stresses, such as extreme temperatures, ultraviolet (UV) rays, and pesticides. Herein, six sHsps, SfsHsp11.2, SfsHsp15.8, SfsHsp20.2, SfsHsp21.4, SfsHsp22, and SfsHsp26.6, were successfully cloned and identified from FAW. The six SfsHsps all have an α-crystallin domain in their amino acid sequences. Furthermore, we investigated the expression patterns of these six SfsHsps in different tissues and developmental stages of FAW using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Their expression levels in adult FAW were also analysed under extreme temperatures (36°C and 4°C) and UV-A stress for different durations (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min). Our findings revealed distinct expression profiles for the six SfsHsps in different FAW tissues and developmental stages. Notably, under temperature and UV-A stress, most SfsHsp genes were significantly upregulated in adults. Our findings strongly indicate that SfsHsps are crucial in the development and stress response of S. frugiperda.

Gene expression can be quantified using the sensitive technique of quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction. Inter-sample variances can be minimised through normalisation with an appropriate reference gene. Bemisia tabaci, a significant insect vector of the Begomovirus family, transmits the Tomato Leaf Curl Bangalore Virus, for which there is a dearth of information regarding appropriate reference genes for autophagy. The viral load surpasses the vector’s capacity when autophagy is activated, which is also detrimental to whiteflies, particularly concerning virus translocation. To mitigate this vector using a double-stranded RNA approach, a precise measurement of gene silencing is required. For this investigation, normalisation of housekeeping or internal control genes is necessary. The present work utilised software tools such as geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper to assess the suitability of five reference genes, namely, α-tubulin, β-tubulin, elongation factor, actin, and sucrose synthase, for gene expression studies in viruliferous and non-viruliferous B. tabaci. The analysis of the data showed that β-tubulin, which exhibits more stable expression, is the best-ranked reference gene. Furthermore, the reference genes were verified using the target gene expression of atg3 (an autophagy gene). The current findings enable precise measurement of gene expression in begomovirus-induced autophagy conditions of B. tabaci.

Spermophagus niger L. is a well-known pest of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seeds in West Africa and responsible of mostly damage. This study first reported the presence of S. niger Motschulsky in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seeds stored. Samples of kenaf seeds collected at four locations in Burkina Faso. In the laboratory, the seeds were incubated until adults’ insects emerged. The emerged insects were first identified morphologically and their biodemographic parameters studied under controlled conditions (32°C ± 0.1, 43% ± 1 r.h.). The results showed that S. niger (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was the only pest encountered on H. cannabinus seeds in storage and was able to complete its development cycle there. Over the course of its life, which lasts an average of 7 days, the female laid around 40 eggs, resulting in 24 individuals dominated by females. The embryonic and total development time were average 5 and 26 days, respectively. Spermophagus niger population doubled in 6 days, with an intrinsic rate of natural increase of 0.105. The finite rate of increase and the generation time averaged 1.11 and 31.86 days, respectively. This study pointed out for the first time that S. niger is able to evolve successfully on H. cannabinus seeds in storage conditions and therefore, could be a serious pest of this important crop. The data from this study could therefore be used as a basis for the post-harvest management of H. cannabinus seeds.