The presence of substantial genetic diversity for heat tolerance provides valuable opportunities to develop thermotolerant commercial silkworm hybrids. A total of 15 silkworm lines were evaluated in the spring of 2023. These lines belonged to two groups including 7 Chinese-shaped lines (IRA2, IRA4, IRA8, IRA10, 32, 104, and 154) and 8 Japanese-shaped lines (IRA3, IRA7, IRA9, IRA11, 31, 103, 151, and 153). The larvae in the heat treatment group were subjected to long-term heat stress (38°C for 8 h) starting from the fifth instar. Survivability was assessed by larval mortality during the feeding period (LM1), the spinning period (LM2), and total mortality (TM). The larval and cocoon weights were recorded to measure productivity traits. The expression of some important heat shock proteins (HSPs) was assessed in the selected susceptible and tolerant silkworm lines. The results showed that the spinning stage is more sensitive to thermal stress than the feeding stage. Lines IRA2, IRA7, IRA8, IRA10, 104, and 153, which had better thermotolerance, also had higher cocoon weights. According to the survivability and performance traits, the most susceptible lines were 32 and IRA3, while the most tolerant were IRA2 and IRA7. The gene expression of sHSP19.9, sHSP20.4, HSP70, and HSP90 showed that sHSP20.4 expression was different among the parental lines. All HSP genes were upregulated in the susceptible lines. Therefore, the expression of HSPs may serve as a biomarker to select thermotolerant lines. The introduced heat-tolerant lines can be recommended for sericulture in semiarid climates or under climate change scenarios.
We measured wingtip speed, as an indicator of angular velocity, during the single downstroke that lifts butterflies and moths from the ground to flight. High-speed analysis captured 745 takeoff events across 131 lepidopteran species. Wingtip speed showed no correlation with forewing length, a proxy for the Reynolds number and wingtip speed. In contrast, wing loading (& wcirc;, Nm-2) correlated strongly with wingtip speed (U, ms-1) (correlation coefficient = 0.76, R2 = 0.57), following lnU = 0.442 + 0.261 center dot & wcirc; - 0.015 center dot & wcirc;2. Using this relationship in quasi-steady element blade theory predicts peak lift forces that are 3-6 times the weight of the butterflies and moths. We also present evidence that wing loading determined wingtip speed may be valid for any lift-generating downstroke. Biologically, this indicates that butterflies and moths of widely varying size and mass achieve precisely tuned lift force by modulating wingtip speed during the initial downstroke.
Spermophagus niger L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is the main insect pest of Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds (Malvales: Malvaceae) during storage, with initial infestations occurring in the field. This study presents the first assessment of S. niger development on Hibiscus asper seeds (Malvales: Malvaceae), a wild and underutilized species widely distributed across tropical Africa and Madagascar. The aim was to evaluate its potential role in the ecological management of H. sabdariffa seed infestations. Twenty pairs of less than 24 h-old S. niger adults were individually placed in Petri dishes (9 cm diameter & times; 1.5 cm height), each in contact with 30 healthy H. asper seeds, under controlled conditions (32 degrees C +/- 0.1; 43 +/- 1% r.h.) in total darkness. The seeds were renewed daily until the insects died. The results showed that S. niger completes its developmental cycle on H. asper seeds. However, its reproductive success was significantly lower than that of the H. sabdariffa varieties. This study suggests that H. asper could play a strategic role in reducing initial infestation pressure and could be incorporated into sustainable pest management strategies for H. sabdariffa cultivation.
Dermestes maculatus, commonly known as the hide beetle, is a species of dermestid beetle notorious for its destructive behavior, making it a threat to wool fabrics, leather, and other animal-based materials often found in museum collections. The use of chemical insecticides requires that the individual get in contact with the treated substrate, with the undesirable potential consequence of the previous irreversible damage. So, the use of repellents is a convenient approach to avoid insect feeding. By contact, the synthetic N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) (64.5%) and the natural oils citronella (65.5%) and Manuka (71.4%) elicited significant repellent response (p=0<0.001). However, the synthetic IR3535 (52.64%) did not demonstrate a significant repellency effect at the same concentrations. In spatial repellency evaluation, DEET (62.1%), citronella oil (81.4%), and IR3535 (64.8%) demonstrate effective repellent effect properties (p=0<0.001); in contrast, Manuka oil (46.5%) shows no notable effect. For practical applications, essential oils have significant volatilities and must be formulated in slow-release polymers that modulate their release rate for long periods of time. The lack of correlation between repellency and locomotor activity suggests that repellents primarily trigger sensory-mediated avoidance rather than generalized agitation or neurotoxicity. The divergence in repellent performance underscores the need for context-specific applications, that is, contact-active repellents (DEET, citronella, and Manuka oil) are ideal for direct treatment of vulnerable materials (e.g., wool and leather) where larval feeding occurs while vapor-active repellents (DEET, citronella, and IR3535) are better suited for area-wide protection. In all cases, the repellents must be formulated in order not only to prevent their fast evaporation but also to avoid direct contact of harmful liquids with valuable wood or leather goods.
Forest types and complex vegetation structures are key factors in promoting butterfly diversity. While considerable studies represent the checklists of butterfly species across various forest types in Bangladesh, the influence of different forest types on butterfly species diversity remains unexplored. To explore this, we conducted the study from April 2020 to October 2023, aiming to observe the butterfly species diversity across two forest types (mixed evergreen and deciduous) in Bangladesh. We recorded 253 butterfly species (6 families) in both forest types with mixed evergreen forest: 238, and deciduous forest: 145. The mixed evergreen forest showed higher species diversity (H ' = 5.28) compared to the deciduous forest (H ' = 4.55). A generalized linear model unveiled that forest type significantly influences species diversity (p < 0.001), where mixed evergreen forests exhibit higher diversity. The Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index (ss diversity = 0.32) revealed a low level of variability in species composition between forest types that was corroborated by the analysis of similarities, indicating no significant differences (p = 1.0). As both forest types support a substantial butterfly species, protection of the forests is required to maintain butterfly diversity within the highly modified land covers in Bangladesh.
The crape myrtle aphid, Sarucallis kahawaluokalani, a pest native to Southeast Asia, infests Lagerstroemia spp. and can cause growth stunting, black sooty mold, and reduced photosynthesis. Despite its ecological and economic impact, this species has not been previously reported in Bangladesh, highlighting a regional knowledge gap. This study reports the first occurrence of S. kahawaluokalani in Dhaka, Bangladesh, identified using morphological traits and confirmed via DNA barcoding of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene revealed six endosymbionts—one obligate symbiont Buchnera aphidicola and five facultative symbionts Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica, Regiella insecticola, Serratia symbiotica, Spiroplasma spp., and Rickettsia spp.—with Hamiltonella defensa absent. Interestingly, the absence of the defensive symbiont Hamiltonella defensa in S. kahawaluokalani populations may be associated with the minimal or no occurrence of parasitoid wasps observed in the study area, suggesting limited parasitoid pressure. The finding highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and further research into the aphid’s biology, symbiont interactions, spread, and control measures to mitigate potential threats to ornamental plants in urban ecosystems.
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), despite its nutritional importance, is a neglected and underutilized species in Benin due to numerous constraints, including storage insect infestation by Sitophilus oryzae L. Identifying effective control methods, such as varietal resistance, is necessary to prevent the use of chemical insecticides that harm human and animal health. The effect of seven physical characteristics of the grain (seed shape, colour, texture, coat thickness, length, width and mass of 1000-grain weight) and three secondary metabolites (condensed tannins, flavonoids and total phenolics) on the susceptibility of seven pearl millet landraces to S. oryzae was evaluated in the laboratory. The influence of the examined traits on the resistance parameters in S. oryzae was assessed through correlation, regression and path coefficient analysis. Based on the Dobie susceptibility index, only Somna and Sowaya landraces were classified as resistant to S. oryzae, while Zokpera, Amala koup & egrave;t & egrave;, Gbe & iuml; and Henni-tchir & eacute; were classified as moderately resistant and the white seeded landrace Amala kouhloum & egrave; was classified as susceptible. The adult emergence and damage caused by S. oryzae were negatively and significantly correlated with the flavonoids and total phenol content of the grains. The oviposition of S. oryzae females was strongly (R = 0.828) influenced by the biochemical characteristics of pearl millet seeds. The direct positive influence of seed width on pearl millet resistance to S. oryzae suggests its importance in improving pearl millet seed resistance.
Maize–legume intercropping offers a promising approach to enhance soil fertility and mitigate production losses caused by insect pests. This study assessed the impact of Maize–legume intercropping on pest infestation and soil fertility improvements. The results showed that the maize–Desmodium intercrop had the lowest pest infestation (5.4%) compared to the maize monocrop (10.7%) while also achieving a higher maize grain yield (6.4 t ha−1) compared to the monocrop (5.7 t ha−1) in 2022. Similarly, in 2023, the maize–common bean–Desmodium intercrop recorded the lowest infestation (3.9%) compared to maize–Desmodium (9.1%), maize–common bean (10.9%), and maize monocrop (40.3%). In addition, the highest maize grain yield was observed in the maize–common bean–Desmodium intercrop (8.06 t ha−1), outperforming the monocrop (5.3 t ha−1), maize–common bean (6.78 t ha−1), and maize–Desmodium (7.1 t ha−1). The maize–common bean– Desmodium intercrop also increased soil organic carbon (3.3%), organic matter (4.2%), total nitrogen (0.31%), and available nitrogen (5.8%). These findings suggest that maize–common bean–Desmodium intercropping can serve as an effective strategy to reduce insect pest pressure, enhance soil fertility, and improve productivity without intensifying interspecific competition with maize crops.
Ephestia cautella W. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is an insect pest associated with shea kernels that causes significant damage to stored products. In Burkina Faso, no study has been conducted to assess the biological effects on E. cautella after exposure to shea kernels, and therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate this. The tests were conducted at the Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Entomology at the "Universit & eacute; Joseph KI-ZERBO," where the average temperature and humidity were 27.5 degrees C and 46.7%, respectively. Thirty pairs from zero to one-day-old E. cautella were evaluated to determine the reproductive potential of the females and to assess the developmental time of the species on shea kernels. Mated females had an average weight of 16 mg and length of 11.1 mm and lived 8.9 days. Males had an average weight of 9.3 mg and length of 8.7 mm and lived 16.9 days. Each female laid around 155 eggs in 4 days for a hatching rate of 94.6% and an emergence rate of 56.7% (80.7 individuals/female). The first-generation offspring was composed of 61.2% females and 38.8% males. The egg incubation period was 4 days, the larval development period was 55 days, and the pupal period was 12 days for a total average of 71 days. The population of E. cautella doubles in size in 6.8 days for a generation time of 76.3 days. The knowledge of the biological parameters of this moth represents a major asset in the development of a control strategy.
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a vital staple crop in tropical and subtropical regions. Using cassava both as human food and as feed for eri-silkworms (Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval) offers a sustainable way to increase income and optimize cassava use. This study evaluated the adaptability, leaf productivity, and silk yield of 10 cassava genotypes in Southwest Ethiopia to identify their suitability as eri-silkworm feed. Significant variations were observed among the genotypes in terms of plant height, leaf traits, stem diameter, and dry matter (DM) yield, all of which influenced eri-silkworm growth. Genotype 16301 had the tallest plants, while M94/0117 was the shortest. Eri-silkworm performance, including larval weight, survival, hatchability, and effective rate of rearing (ERR), varied by genotype, likely reflecting differences in leaf nutrition. Notably, genotype Umbure achieved the highest ERR (95.8%), survival rate (94.8%), cocoon weight (1.7 g), pupal weight (1.6 g), shell weight (0.3 g), and silk ratio (14.6%). Umbure's leaves also had superior nutritional qualities, including high crude protein (28.6%), high in vitro dry matter digestibility, and low fiber content (32.4%), making them an excellent protein source for eri-silkworms. Furthermore, Umbure produced the most tubers per plant and the highest total fresh and DM yields per hectare over 2 years, with Qulle having the greatest tuber count and Umbure producing the longest tubers. These results indicate that genotype Umbure is the most promising cassava variety for silk production due to its nutritional value and favorable traits for eri-silkworm rearing. This study highlights the potential of cassava-eri-silkworm integration to improve farmer income and promote sustainable cassava production. Future research and extension efforts should focus on supporting the adoption of this practice.
Dengue fever remains a significant public health concern with over 100 million cases globally each year. Thailand is a hotspot experiencing dengue outbreaks in all regions, especially northeastern Thailand. Within this hyperendemic region, five border provinces, Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, and Mukdahan, serve as critical dengue hotspots with historically high incidence and national surveillance alerts, underscoring their importance in regional disease control. This study analyzed 53,241 dengue cases across five border provinces from 2014 to 2023. Ubon Ratchathani province reported the highest caseload, while Khong Chiam district had the highest incidence rate. Children and adolescents were disproportionately affected, with a concerning rise in severe disease among older children. Occupational and demographic factors influenced disease burden, with students, males, and infants at increased risk. Localized outbreaks and varying disease patterns highlight the complexity of dengue in this region. Amnat Charoen province saw a significant increase in dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases, from 25.78% in 2015 to 97.77% in 2023. Crucially, the extreme vulnerability of newborns was starkly evident, with a total of 15 newborn dengue cases (DF and DHF combined) identified in this study across the entire 10-year period. A substantial 12 cases (7 DF and 5 DHF) were reported in Mukdahan province’s border district, all occurring in 2023 alone. Notably, all five newborn DHF cases identified throughout the entire study period were concentrated in this single district in 2023. This highly localized clustering of severe dengue in the most vulnerable age group highlights a significant, acute outbreak in that area, potentially linked to vertical transmission, and underscores the urgent need for targeted maternal–child health interventions. This study underscores the substantial dengue burden in northeastern Thailand’s border provinces. To effectively mitigate dengue’s impact and inform robust prevention and control strategies, further research is imperative to elucidate the underlying factors driving these trends. The study was conducted without external funding.
The genus Neoperlops Banks, 1939, is redescribed here. Neoperlops obscuripennis Banks, 1939, N. huanghuye (Chen, 2020), and N. gressitti Banks, 1939 (the type species), are newly synonymized with Neoperlops cheni (Wu, 1938). The genus now comprises only three valid species. An identification key and distribution map with biogeographic analysis of the genus are also provided.
Grasshoppers are essential components of terrestrial ecosystems, playing major roles in biodiversity and ecological balance. Assessing grasshopper diversity in specific regions is crucial for understanding species coexistence, supporting sustainable agriculture, and informing conservation efforts. Reliable and standardized survey methods are fundamental to this field. Sweep net sampling is widely recognized as the fastest and most commonly used method globally. This study presents the comparative assessment of three sampling methods for estimating grasshopper assemblages in African rainforests: 30 min of random net sweeping, 1 m2 open quadrat sampling, and pitfall trapping. These methods were evaluated across two distinct ecological zones, fallow land, and forest. Results show that net sampling is the most effective method for estimating grasshopper diversity in these environments. However, incorporating quadrat sampling and pitfall trapping enhances species diversity assessment. Net sweeping is particularly efficient for collecting winged species in short vegetation, while quadrat sampling and pitfall trapping are better suited for species dwelling in the undergrowth and forest litter. A combine approach incorporating multiple sampling methods provides a more comprehensive assessment of grasshopper diversity, overcoming the limitations of sweeping alone.
Tortistilus wickhami is widely distributed across North America. Previously reported from Canada to South California, it is now documented for the first time in the vineyards of Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. This treehopper is of economic significance, as it is a suspected candidate for the transmission of grapevine red blotch virus, raising concerns about its potential role in the spread of plant pathogens and its impact on grapevine health and production. Specimens of T. wickhami were collected between May and July 2023 on grapevines (Vitis vinifera) cv. Cabernet Sauvignon across four sites in “Valle de Guadalupe” vineyards and identified with morphological criteria and DNA barcoding. This is the first record of this species in the region, as well as in Mexico, expanding its known distribution southward to the Baja California Peninsula.
Panama’s rich butterfly diversity, owing to its position as a biological bridge between North America and South America, remains insufficiently documented. To contribute faunistic data from this region, we conducted a noninvasive modified Pollard walk survey of adult butterflies over 20 days, between May 20 and June 14, 2023, focusing on central Panama: Panama City (high urbanization, low elevation), Cerro Azul (moderate urbanization, high elevation), and Gamboa (low urbanization, low elevation). A total of 310 taxa representing 308 species were identified from all papilionoid families except Hedylidae, comprising 1803 individuals. The relatively low abundance observed during the study period may be attributed to the El Niño conditions that coincided with the surveys. Panama City yielded 137 taxa and 474 individuals (8 days), Cerro Azul yielded 58 taxa and 221 individuals (4 days), and Gamboa yielded 220 taxa and 1108 individuals (8 days). Rarefaction and extrapolation analyses, which account for uneven sampling efforts, revealed that Gamboa exhibited the highest butterfly diversity across all diversity orders, including species richness ( q = 0), Shannon diversity ( q = 1), and Simpson’s diversity ( q = 2), followed by Panama City and Cerro Azul. These results emphasize that species diversity tends to be greater at lower elevations and in less urbanized areas. This study provides valuable insights into the butterfly fauna of central Panama, contributing to understanding biodiversity and highlighting the need for long‐term research to enable comprehensive analysis and conservation efforts in this understudied ecoregion.
Insects are a megadiverse group of organisms, which makes them difficult to survey without large, lethal collections. At the same time, we have increasing concerns about declines in insect biomass and diversity, which could have serious implications for ecosystem functioning. Current methods of insect monitoring are high in cost and labor and expertise intensive, often requiring large amounts of physical storage space that must be maintained indefinitely, making them difficult to sustain to the degree and extent that would be required to track population level changes in insect species at local or regional scales. Traditional methods can also be slow, sometimes requiring years to process and identify all the specimens collected. Moreover, there are concerns about the potential role of destructive sampling methods in exacerbating already declining groups of insects. Due to this, nonlethal, sustainable, rapid, and low-cost methods of monitoring and surveying are needed. I combined modern technological methods, including photographic vouchers and community science programs (i.e., iNaturalist), and surveys of insect roadkill to test as a potential nonlethal method of monitoring insect populations. I repeated these surveys on a weekly basis under appropriate weather conditions along a highway bridge for the duration of a year and recorded 4917 specimens with 3061 specimens (62.2%) identified to 152 species, and an additional 1506 (30.6%) to 111 genera. I found this method promising for nonlethal monitoring because photographic vouchers required less time and space to use and maintain, and using the expertise of community scientists lowered initial barriers to participation. This method also had a rapid turnaround time and was straightforward to repeat without adding significant bias. The roadkill surveys avoided additional insect mortality as they involved insects that had already been killed by vehicular traffic.
Dengue fever and other mosquito‐borne diseases pose significant public health threats, often exacerbated by limitations in traditional control methods. This study introduces a novel, low‐cost, and easy‐to‐manage all‐life‐cycle ovitrap (ALO), designed specifically for Aedes aegypti control, offering a sustainable, pesticide‐free alternative to chemical spraying. The ALO features a self‐replicating design for local production and requires minimal maintenance for long‐term mosquito surveillance. Comparing the ALO to standard ovitraps (SOs) and larval traps (LVTs) in field tests, the ALO demonstrated comparable attractiveness to gravid females as the SO, significantly outperforming the LVT. Two ALO models, F9 and F14, utilizing 9 cm and 14 cm funnels, respectively, attracted 100% of gravid Ae. aegypti females, with F14 capturing 2.4 times more larvae than F9. Laboratory tests demonstrated high trapping efficacy of 98.94%–99.28% and a 21.71% reduction in larval populations compared to controls. Notably, a significant negative correlation was observed between rainfall and larvae counts, suggesting the ovitrap efficacy. These findings suggest the novel ovitraps offer a promising, effective approach for controlling Ae. aegypti populations, ultimately contributing to the reduction of Aedes ‐borne disease transmission.
Introduction: Myiasis is a condition characterized by the infestation of tissues and organs in humans and other vertebrates with the larvae of certain fly species. It poses a significant medical and public health concern for humans and is also an economic burden for a wide range of domestic and wild animals in tropical and subtropical regions. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the epidemiology of myiasis in Iran. Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a thorough search of international and local databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, ProQuest, SDI, Magiran, Barakat Knowledge Network System, and the Islamic World Science Citation Database (ISC) was conducted from the inception of the databases to November 21, 2021. Keywords related to myiasis, including myiases, maggot infestations, infestation of maggot, and prevalence, were used in the search. Results: The most prevalent types of myiasis in Iran were Oestrus ovis (29.63%), Chrysomya bezziana (18.52%), and Lucilia sericata (16.67%). Eristalis tenax was the most common causal agent in accidental myiasis (42.86% (9.9–81.59)), Lucilia sericata in facultative myiasis (64.71% (38.33–85.79)), and Oestrus ovis in obligatory myiasis (51.52% (33.54–69.2)). Nasopharyngeal myiasis, dermal myiasis, urogenital myiasis, and intestinal myiasis were the most frequent types of myiasis, with prevalence rates ranging from 1.9% (45.64–76.43) to 57.14% (18.41–90.1), 50% (15.7–84.3), and 60% (14.66–94.73). Common symptoms included pain and inflammation. Conclusion: The results of this systematic review indicate a higher prevalence of myiasis infestation in Iran and will help raise awareness and draw the attention of health staff to the importance as well as some of the symptoms and predisposing factors of myiasis that could serve as a reference to prevent and control myiasis in humans and animals in Iran and even worldwide.
We describe and illustrate Rhopalopsole shennongjia sp. nov. (Leuctridae: Plecoptera) from Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province of China. We performed genetic distance analysis through COI to match the male and female of the new species. Meanwhile, we have made a genetic distance analysis of Rhopalopsole. Moreover, we summarized the Leuctridae in Hubei Province and provide color plates of Rhopalopsole shaanxiensis Yang & Yang, 1994 (new record in Hubei), for its recognition. Finally, we provide a key to species of Rhopalopsole from Hubei, China.
