Insects' development can be significantly impacted by various environmental factors, including temperature. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of temperature on the predatory thrips, Scolothrips longicornis Priesner (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), which feeds on the strawberry spider mite, Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov and Nikolski (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae). Under laboratory conditions (16:8 L:D, 75 ± 5% RH), the impact of various temperature regimens (15–37.5°C) on the development, population parameters, and mass production of S. longicornis was assessed. Additionally, an age-stage, two-sex life table of the species was constructed. The study revealed that S. longicornis' pre-adult developmental period decreased as temperature increased until 35°C, after which the developmental period increased. The longevity of both males and females displayed significant differences across the temperature range, with the longest lifespan observed at 15°C and the shortest at 37.5°C. At 26°C, the mean total fecundity of S. longicornis was significantly higher (53.52 eggs per female) than the fecundity observed at other temperature regimens. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) demonstrated the highest values at 35°C. While R0 increased as the temperature rose from 15 to 30°C, it rapidly decreased at 35 and 37.5°C. The findings of this study suggest that temperature plays a crucial role in enhancing the rate of development and reproduction of S. longicornis, and a temperature range of 26–30°C could be considered optimal for rearing and mass production of S. longicornis.

The canopy of forests as the ‘last biotic frontier’ has often been neglected in insect biodiversity studies because it is harder to access compared to the understorey, even in relatively well-known temperate ecosystems. We investigated the diversity, abundance, and body size patterns of macromoths (Lepidoptera) in the canopy and understorey in a central European deciduous forest. We collected moths at two sites during 19 trapping nights and three lunar phases between July and September 2021 using a weak ultraviolet light emitting diode (LED) lamp (LepiLED mini). Overall, we captured 4368 individuals (165 species) from 11 families. Based on a number of metrics, richness and diversity was significantly lower in the canopy than in the understorey. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordinations show that communities largely overlap, but the proportion of species that only occur in the understorey was higher. While Noctuidae and Erebidae species were abundant in both strata, Geometridae species were most frequently observed in the understorey. We identified 16 indicator species for the understorey but only three for the canopy. Forewing length of moths in the canopy was on average 1.7 mm longer than of those in the understorey. Overall, the understorey is far more important for moths than the canopy in a temperate forest. The canopy is dominated by fewer and larger species and probably has a higher proportion of dispersers.

Understanding the interactive effects of temperature and diet on insect life cycles is crucial for effective pest management. Here, the influence of different temperatures and diets on the life cycle of Conogethes punctiferalis was investigated using the age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. The results support the hypothesis that temperature and diets (maize, apple, and artificial diet) significantly influence the entire life cycle performance of C. punctiferalis. The duration of larval development was significantly prolonged, whereas adult lifespan was shortened and showed lower reproductive capacity on apple and artificial diet than maize. The total pre-oviposition period was longer on apples than on maize and artificial diet at both temperatures (20, 26°C). The highest r (0.113 d−1), λ (1.128 d−1), R0 (57.213), and GRR (75.54) of C. punctiferalis were found on maize at 26°C, while the highest T (45.062) was found on apples. Similar results were obtained in the age-specific survival curves (sxj), fecundity (mx), maternity (lxmx), and reproductive value (vxj) of YPM on different host plants when exposed to 20°C. These findings highlight the need for further research into the complex interactions between temperature, diet, and insect life history traits to develop effective pest management strategies and enhance our understanding of insect ecology in agroecosystems.

The effect of Wolbachia on the viability and antimicrobial activity of the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor was evaluated in laboratory experiments. Two lines of the parasitoid, Wolbachia-infected (W+) and Wolbachia-free (W−), were used. Parasitoid larvae were fed with a host orally infected with a sublethal dose of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and on the host uninfected with Bt. Parasitoid survival was assessed at developmental stages from second-instar larvae to adults. At all developmental stages, there were no statistically significant differences in survival between lines W+ and W−, regardless of host Bt infection. In both W+ and W− lines, the expression of lysozyme-like proteins, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and Hsp70 genes was analysed in fourth-instar larvae fed with an infected and uninfected host. In addition, lysozyme-like activity and antibacterial activity were evaluated. The expression of AMPs was significantly higher in W− larvae and did not get induced during the feeding on the Bt-infected host. mRNA expression of lysozyme-like proteins and lysozyme activity were significantly higher in W+ larvae than in W− larvae and did not get induced when the larvae were fed with the infected host. In whole-body homogenates of H. hebetor larvae fed with the uninfected host, antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis) was significantly higher in the W+ line and did not get induced during the feeding with the Bt-infected host. Therefore, there is no obvious immunostimulatory effect of Wolbachia in H. hebetor larvae when they feed on a host infected with an entomopathogenic bacterium.

We evaluated the lethal and sublethal effects of two novel Betaproteobacteria-based insecticides (Burkholderia spp. strain A396 as Venerate® XC; Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 as Grandevo® WDG) and two neem-based insecticides (1.2% azadirachtin A and B as Azatrol and 3% azadiractin as Molt-X) on the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, and its natural enemy, Coccinella septempunctata. Aphids were given both residual and direct treatments, i.e. exposed to residues applied by leaf dipping, or by spraying the insects and foliage, while the predator was treated directly with insecticides. Well-established spirotetramat (Movento® 240 SC) was used as standard due to its effectiveness against a wide range of pests, its unique mode of action, and its systemic properties. All insecticides were effective against aphid mostly in concentration-dependent manner, as do exposure time, but at different magnitudes. Spirotetramat and Azatrol induced the highest toxicity to adult aphids, while spirotetramat and Molt-X were more noxious to aphid nymphs. C. subtsugae and Burkholderia were less effective, inducing only moderate levels of aphid mortality. Azatrol and spirotetramat were more detrimental to the fecundity of aphid compared to other products. Insecticides significantly increased the development time of nymphs surviving exposure to insecticides, except Burkholderia. Azatrol were more destructive to eggs, larvae and adult of Coccinella septempunctata, together with spirotetramat for young larvae and adults, relative to other treatment. The development time of predator larvae remained unaffected by treatment. New Betaproteobacteria- and neem-based insecticides except Azatrol seem to be a promising tool to suppress population of Aphis gossypii and integrate pest management programmes.

Parasitoids employ diverse oviposition strategies to enhance offspring survival and maximise fitness gains from hosts. Ladybird parasitoids, significant natural enemies of ladybirds, have the potential to disrupt biocontrol efforts, yet their biology and ecology remain poorly understood. This study investigated the host–parasitoid interaction among three sympatric larval endoparasitoids of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): Homalotylus hemipterinus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), Nothoserphus mirabilis (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupidae) and Oomyzus scaposus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Our objective was to understand host instar preferences from five perspectives related to host profitability, handling difficulty or parasitism decision-making, and to examine the occupation rates of each parasitoid in different host instars. Host profitability was determined by development time, adult offspring dry mass, sex ratio, brood size, parasitism success rate and host handling time. Host handling difficulty was evaluated through host defensive behaviour and handling time. Parasitism decision-making was evaluated through acceptance rate and preference score that considered the first reaction of female wasp to the host. Results showed that each parasitoid responded differently to the host from various perspectives. However, the first two suitable hosts of these parasitoids overlap on the third instar host, with first to third instar hosts being ideal for H. hemipterinus, and third to fourth instar hosts being ideal for N. mirabilis and O. scaposus. In the field, the occupation rate of each parasitoid in third instar host was influenced by the population of N. mirabilis, implying its superior competitiveness. This study reveals the host instar preferences of ladybird parasitoids and highlights the potential for interspecific competition.

Mango is a delicious tropical fruit with high economic value worldwide. The Forest-Savanna Transition zone of Ghana contributes significantly to the production of mangoes for both local and international markets. The zone is plagued with the fruit fly ‘menace’ like all mango-producing areas in Ghana. Not much has been done in terms of species monitoring. A 24- month fruit fly monitoring survey was conducted in eight mango orchards, to assess the composition of fruit flies associated with Mango and their damage levels. Four para-pheromone attractants (Methyl Eugenol, Terpinyl Acetate, Trimedlure, and Cuelure) were used to monitor fruit flies. Eight improvised water bottle traps (two per lure) were purposefully deployed in each orchard. A total of 18 tephritid species belonging to five genera were recorded. Bactrocera (one species), Ceratitis (six species), Dacus (eight species), Zeugodacus (one species) and Xanthaciura (two species). Bactrocera dorsalis was the most abundant species (90% of the collected samples), while the native mango fly, C. cosyra constituted 0.5%. Dacus fuscovittatus and Dacus pleuralis were for the first time captured and identified in Ghana. Dacus langi, Dacus carnesi, Dacus (diastatus?), Ceratitis silvestrii and C. quinaria were recorded for the first time in the zone. The zone recorded a diversity index of 0.41. Damage levels ranged from 41–91%. Ten out of the 18 species, are of economic importance on mango and must be watched. Periodic updates on seasonal fluctuations, species composition and new arrivals are key to the successful implementation of any management strategy.

Juvenile hormone (JH) regulates multiple physiological functions in insects including growth, metamorphosis, and reproduction. Juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) and juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) are degradative enzymes that metabolise JH, and JH receptor (methoprene-tolerant, Met) functions in the regulation of female reproduction and vitellogenesis. In this study, JH titres in Coccinella septempunctata adult females were determined using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry; the JH titres ranged from 0.03 to 0.16 ng g−1 in 5- to 30-day-old female adults. JHEH, JHE, and Met expression were studied in different reproductive stages of C. septempunctata females by quantitative real-time PCR. JHEH transcription levels were highest in 25-day-old female adults and were 1.93-fold higher than expression levels in 5-day-old adults. JHEH and JHE expression levels were inhibited by the addition of JH to the artificial diet. Met expression in C. septempunctata supplied with 3 μl JH in artificial diet was similar to Met transcription in females supplied with an aphid diet, and the results showed that supplementation with 3 μl JH in 582.2 g of artificial diet was the most suitable for reproductive regulation of C. septempunctata. The results of this study provide important insights for the improvement of C. septempunctata artificial diets.

Significant differences in life-history traits between the southern population (S) and northern (N) population of the cabbage beetle Colaphellus bowringi make it an excellent model for studying inheritance in this insect. In the present study, we observed the life-history traits of pure strains, F1, reciprocal backcross and reciprocal F2 progeny under a photoperiod of L:D 15:9 h at 22 °C. The S population had shorter larval development time, longer pupal time, higher body weight, growth rate and weight loss compared with the N population. In the F1 testing, the larval development time and body weight in hybrid populations were intermediate between the parents, and the paternal parents played a greater role in determining the larval development time, while the maternal parents exhibited a greater role in determining the body weight. The pupal time of hybrid populations was significantly shorter than that of the parents. In the reciprocal backcross testing, both father and grandfather affected the larval development time, while both mother and grandmother affected the body weight. Consistently, in the reciprocal F2 cross testing, the grandfather was more influential in determining the larval development time, and grandmother was more important in determining the body weight. In all tested populations, females had greater body weight, higher growth rate and weight loss than males. Hybridization pattern did not affect sex dimorphism and sex ratio. Overall, these findings suggest that different pathways (maternal or paternal effects) were involved in the inheritance of various life-history traits in C. bowringi.

Rhopalosiphum padi is an important grain pest, causing severe losses during crop production. As a systemic insecticide, flonicamid can control piercing-sucking pests efficiently. In our study, the lethal effects of flonicamid on the biological traits of R. padi were investigated via a life table approach. Flonicamid is highly efficiently toxic to R. padi, with an LC50 of 9.068 mg L−1. The adult longevity and fecundity of the R. padi F0 generation were markedly reduced under the LC25 and LC50 concentrations of flonicamid exposure. In addition, negative transgenerational effects on R. padi were observed under exposure to lethal concentrations of flonicamid, with noticeable decreases in the reproductive period, adult longevity, total longevity, and total fecundity of the F1 generation under the LC25 concentration of flonicamid. Furthermore, the third nymph stage (N3), preadult stage, duration of the adult pre-reproductive period, duration of the total pre-reproductive period, reproductive period, adult longevity, total longevity, and total fecundity of the F1 generation were significantly lower under treatment with the LC50 concentration of flonicamid. The life table parameters were subsequently analysed, revealing that the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and the net reproductive rate (R0) were significantly lower but that the finite rate of increase (λ) and the mean generation time (T) were not significantly different under the LC25 and LC50 concentrations of flonicamid. These data are beneficial for grain aphid control and are critical for exploring the role of flonicamid in the integrated management of this key pest.

Post-harvest treatments are very critical in accepting the exported dates. However, stored dates are attacked by a wide range of stored pests causing serious damage to yield. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of treating stored dates variety Siwi with vapour heat on almond moth Ephestia cautella (Walker), the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), the saw-toothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis Linnaeus, the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and the drugstore beetle Stegobium paniceum (L.) of stored dates. Additionally, the effects of vapour heat on the quality and microbial load of treated dates were examined. The tested insects were infested and randomly distributed to eight positions inside a vapour heat chamber at 46.5°C and 95% relative humidity for 30 min. The results showed that a 120 cm height from the vapour heat source led 100% mortality in all tested insects. Furthermore, the treatment of vapour heat had a great efficacy to eliminate infestations. Meanwhile, the vapour heat treatment slightly reduced the microbial load of stored dates, and non-significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected the chemical and physical characteristics of the stored dates. Therefore, vapour heat is a safe and environmentally friendly insect pest control alternative for exported dates.

The relationships between the Japanese beetle (JB) Popillia japonica Newman, 1841 and the grapevine agroecosystem were investigated in Piedmont in 2020 and 2021, to assess the impact of the species and its distribution within vineyards in relation to the proximity of environmental risk factors. Grubs were sampled by soil coring in the inter-rows of vineyards, whereas both adult beetles and defoliation were counted directly on grapevine plants. The presence of spatial autocorrelation was assessed and the influence of environmental variables (distance from woodlands, meadows and the margin of the vineyard, soil parameters, year of sampling, and year of first detection of the JB) was evaluated through generalized linear mixed models. Beetles and defoliation were more clustered at the edges of vineyards, whereas grubs were localized in few hot spots, generally close to meadows. Spatial autocorrelation was weaker for grubs with respect to adults and defoliation. Grub density depended on distance from meadows, and partially on soil features. Adults abundance was influenced by the proximity to meadows, woodlands, and their presence was clustered at the margin of vineyards. The JBs seem to rely on grapevine mainly as a food source rather than a reproductive site, preferring meadows for egg-laying: therefore, pest management in vineyards should be more focused on adult beetles rather than larvae in the vineyard inter-rows.

Mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, pose significant public health risks by transmitting diseases like dengue, zika and chikungunya. Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (BTI) is a crucial larvicide targeting mosquitoes while sparing other organisms and the environment. This study evaluated the effects of sublethal BTI doses on Ae. aegypti larvae regarding mortality, development, adult emergence and size, using a wide-area spray application in an urban neighbourhood. Laboratory experiments with four BTI concentrations (0, 0.008, 0.02 and 0.04 ppm) assessed compensatory and over compensatory responses. The spray achieved over 90% larval mortality within 48 h, but accumulating sublethal doses could trigger compensatory and over compensatory effects, enhancing the fitness of survivors. A dose–response relationship was evident, with higher BTI concentrations leading to increased mortality, reduced longevity and fewer pupae. BTI exposure also skewed the sex ratio towards males and altered adult sizes, potentially affecting population dynamics and vectorial capacity. These findings highlight the effectiveness of BTI in Ae. aegypti control and the importance of understanding compensation, overcompensation and density-dependent effects. While wide-area BTI applications can reach inaccessible breeding sites and offer potent mosquito control, careful consideration of ecological and evolutionary consequences is crucial.

The present study describes the feeding effects of Neoseiulus cucumeris Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). In addition, daily and total predation capacity, preference, and prey switching potential of this predator were studied on both pest species. WFT had a boosting effect on the biological parameters of N. cucumeris, primarily resulting in shorter developmental time, higher fecundity, and higher population growth potential than TSSM. Although immatures and males of N. cucumeris consumed significantly more TSSM than WFT, there was no significant difference in net predation rate, stable and finite predation rates of the predator between two prey species. We found an average of 10.58 and 7.93 TSSM and WFT are required to produce a single predator egg, respectively. WFT is preferred over TSSM by the predator. Negative switching behaviour was seen in N. cucumeris as it switched from the abundant prey to the rare prey. Both prey species were suitable for N. cucumeris, being able to develop successfully on them. The predator performed optimally on WFT compared with TSSM owing to its enhanced biological parameters as well as its preference, indicating that thrips are a more relevant resource than spider mites.

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci is a cryptic species complex in which one member, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) has invaded globally. After invading large countries like Australia, China, and the USA, MEAM1 spread rapidly across each country. In contrast, our analysis of MEAM1 in India showed a very different pattern. Despite the detection of MEAM1 being contemporaneous with invasions in Australia, the USA, and China, MEAM1 has not spread widely and instead remains restricted to the southern regions. An assessment of Indian MEAM1 genetic diversity showed a level of diversity equivalent to that found in its presumed home range and significantly higher than that expected across the invaded range. The high level of diversity and restricted distribution raises the prospect that its home range extends into India. Similarly, while the levels of diversity in Australia and the USA conformed to that expected for the invaded range, China did not. It suggests that China may also be part of its home range. We also observed that diversity across the invaded range was primarily accounted for by a single haplotype, Hap1, which accounted for 79.8% of all records. It was only the invasion of Hap1 that enabled outbreaks to occur and MEAM1’s discovery.

Multiple mating is a behaviour observed across various polyandrous insect species. It is suggested that, in ladybirds, this strategy of multiple copulations is used to enhance fecundity and fertility through sperm replenishment. Studies on sperm depletion need to correlate fertility with the presence of spermatozoa in the spermatheca. This study investigates the role of sperm replenishment in the ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. We hypothesised that females of this species exhibit fecundity and fertility rates proportional to the number of sperm replenishment opportunities (constant, periodic or absent). We observed oviposition behaviour and hatching rates over 30 days, and simultaneously tested for sperm depletion in females that copulated once. We dissected the spermathecae at four post-copulation moments to count spermatozoa under a microscope. Our results indicate that a single copulation suffices to maintain fertility for at least 30 days. Females with constant replenishment opportunities exhibited higher fecundity but lower fertility and increased mortality, suggesting a reproductive cost associated with frequent mating. Females with no replenishment during the experiment, exhibited the highest hatchability rate and lowest oviposition. Periodic copulation resulted in optimal female mating rate, with average fertility and fecundity. A plausible hypothesis would be that paired females choose to fertilise fewer eggs from a single male but are unable to control the effects of the oviposition stimulus induced by the male's presence. These findings have implications for the management and rearing of C. montrouzieri in biological control programmes, optimizing mating strategies for mass production.

Coccygidium luteum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a solitary larval parasitoid, is associated with the fall armyworm (FAW), in Africa. However, there is very limited information on reproductive biology, and other biological parameters that influence its life strategies. We conducted laboratory experiments to gain new insights into the biology of C. luteum reared on FAW as the host. Host age preference, reproductive biology, lifetime fecundity, life cycle, and adult longevity were studied under laboratory conditions of 28 ± 1°C and 70 ± 3% relative humidity. This study revealed that C. luteum prefer early (1st–3rd) instars of FAW for oviposition. The maximum parasitism rate was 80% at second instar larvae. A mean pre-oviposition period of 0.38 ± 0.51 days, oviposition period of 5.13 ± 0.64 days, and no post-oviposition period were observed. The mean lifetime parasitism rate of FAW larvae by female C. luteum was 49 ± 24. Longevity of unmated C. luteum was 14.44 ± 1.43 days for males and 12.83 ± 1.12 days for females. Mated ovipositing females lived for 7 days. Mean female and male progenies per adult female C. luteum was 28.11 ± 8.18 and 39.89 ± 4.76 respectively, with an overall sex ratio of 1.42 at 28 ± 1°C using second instar larvae. Total life cycle from oviposition to adult emergence was 23 ± 1 days. This study provides the basic information about C. luteum that could be utilised for mass rearing of this parasitoid under an augmentative biological control of FAW programme.

Insect odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are the key proteins in insect olfactory perception and play an important role in the perception and discrimination of insects. Frankliniella occidentalis is a polyphagous pest and seriously harms the quality and yield of fruits, flowers and crops worldwide. Therefore, the discovery of OBPs has greatly improved the understanding of behavioural response that mediates the chemoreception of F. occidentalis. To identify the OBP gene of F. occidentalis and its sequence and expression, rapid amplification cDNA ends (RACE) and qRT-PCR reaction system were performed. The results showed that the sequence of FoccOBP9 gene was 846 bp and the reading frame was 558 bp, encoding 185 amino acid residues, a 3′ non-coding region of 195 bp and a 5′ non-coding region of 93 bp.The molecular weight of the protein was about 20.08 kDa, and the isoelectric point was 8.89. FoccOBP9 was similar to AtumGOBP and CnipOBP2 (30%), followed by BdorGOBP, DficGOBP, DsuzGOBP, AalbOBP38, CmarOBP6 and SexiOBP. Phylogenetic analysis of the FoccOBP9 demonstrated that the FoccOBP9 had a relatively close evolutionary relationship with SgreOBP1, AtumGOBP, HeleOBP3, CbowOBP17, CnipOBP2 and CpalOBP2. The prediction of secondary structure showed that FoccOBP9 protein contained 135 amino acid residues forming α-helix, 91 amino acid residues forming β-sheets and 24 amino acid residues forming β-turning. However, three-dimensional structure prediction showed that the FoccOBP9 protein skeleton was composed of six α-helices and the loops connecting these helices. Dynamic observation of the three-dimensional structure revealed that five α-helices (α1, α2, α4, α5, α6) were found in the structure. The expression profiles analysis revealed that FoccOBP9 are highly abundant in antenna significantly, followed by the head and belly, and almost no expression in the chest and foot. Therefore, the identification and analysis of OBP may be useful for monitoring and limiting the damage of F. occidentalis.

The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is a destructive migratory pest, posing great threat to over 60 countries globally. In the backdrop of climate change, the habitat suitability of desert locusts is poised to undergo alterations. Hence, investigating the shifting dynamics of desert locust habitats holds profound significance in ensuring global agricultural resilience and food security. In this study, we combined the maximum entropy modelling and geographic information system technology to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the impact of climate change on the distribution patterns and habitat adaptability of desert locusts. The results indicate that the suitable areas for desert locusts (0.2976 × 108 km2) are concentrated in northern Africa and southwestern Asia, accounting for 19.97% of the total global land area. Key environmental variables affecting the desert locust distribution include temperature annual range, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, average temperature of February, and precipitation of the driest month. Under the SSP1–2.6 and SSP5–8.5 climate scenarios, potential suitable areas for desert locusts are estimated to increase from 2030 (2021–2040) to 2090 (2081–2100). By 2090, highly suitable areas for SSP1–2.6 and SSP5–8.5 are projected to be 0.0606 × 108 and 0.0891 × 108 km2, respectively, reflecting an expansion of 1.84 and 2.77% compared to existing ones. These research findings provide a theoretical basis for adopting prevention and control strategies for desert locusts.

Asexual queen succession (AQS) species produce queens via thelytokous parthenogenesis, which significantly impacts their social life history. For the first time, we discovered that Reticulitermes aculabialis exhibits the phenomenon of parthenogenesis under experimental conditions, and we also investigated the genetic structure of wild colonies of this species using polymorphic microsatellite loci. Our genetic analysis revealed that 93.2% of the secondary queens in the wild colonies were homozygous at all loci, indicating parthenogenesis in these secondary queens, while workers (2.5%), soldiers (0%), nymphs (0%), and alates (6.7%) had low rates. Genetic analysis revealed that the mean number of alleles per group (Na) ranged from 2.000 ± 0.000 to 2.500 ± 0.428, with 83.3% polymorphic loci (PPL). The observed heterozygosity (Ho) varied from 0.467 ± 0.141 to 0.583 ± 0.098, indicating significant genetic diversity among workers and soldiers. In contrast, soldiers and nymph develop predominantly through sexual reproduction than alates and workers. The occurrence of AQS in R. aculabialis suggests a different mechanism of ploidy restoration, highlighting the diversity of reproductive mechanisms across various lineages of the Termitidae and non-Termitidae termites.