BACKGROUND:Globally restricted high-toxic chemical nematicides have triggered an urgent demand for ecologically compatible biocontrol alternatives. Antagonistic microbes and their bioactive metabolites serve as eco-friendly candidates to manage Meloidogyne incognita. This study aimed to screen rhizosphere antagonistic bacteria, characterize their primary nematicidal metabolite, and validate their nematicidal efficacy. RESULTS:Strain Pseudomonas nicosulfuronedens MiC45, isolated from the rhizosphere soil of healthy pepper in nematode-infested fields, exhibited potent nematicidal activity, yielding a corrected second-stage juvenile mortality rate of 89.54% at 48 h post-treatment. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis identified azelaic acid as the critical bioactive constituent within its ethyl acetate fermentation extract, with a detected concentration of 505.73 μg/mL. In vitro tests showed that azelaic acid exhibited dose-dependent lethal activity against M. incognita. At 500 μg/mL, the nematodes mortality reached 84.22%, surpassing the positive control abamectin (76.75%). In addition, concentrations ≥ 300 μg/mL greatly suppressed nematode egg hatching, with an inhibition index of 98.71% at 500 μg/mL after 11 days. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging revealed cuticle disruption and ultrastructural damage in treated nematodes. Azelaic acid also induced dose-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation within nematodes. Pot experiments demonstrated that both MiC45 fermentation broth and azelaic acid significantly reduced root gall numbers and nematode invasion, while the fermentation broth simultaneously enhanced pepper biomass. CONCLUSION:Azelaic acid from strain MiC45 suppresses M. incognita by destroying body structures and triggering oxidative stress. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for developing novel biopesticides for pepper production and offer a solid basis for environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional chemical nematicides. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:Prothioconazole (PTC) is one of the most widely used triazole fungicides worldwide, while its major metabolite, prothioconazole-desthio (dPTC), exhibits enhanced toxicological potential. However, the metabolic perturbations induced by chronic PTC exposure and sensitive biomarkers for exposure monitoring remain poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the metabolic toxicity mechanisms of PTC and identify reliable biomarkers using integrated in vitro and in vivo metabolomics. RESULTS:Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated significant differences in the toxicity of eight representative pesticides toward L-02 hepatocytes, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 102.8 and 167.3 μmol L-1 for PTC and dPTC, respectively. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that PTC exposure significantly disturbed lipid metabolism, nicotinate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and mitochondrial energy homeostasis. Corticosterone, equol, and uric acid exhibited excellent discriminatory performance (area under the curve (AUC) > 0.95) and were identified as potential cellular biomarkers of exposure. In C57BL/6J mice, chronic PTC exposure for 28 days induced systemic metabolic disturbances involving the tricarboxylic acid cycle, lysine degradation, and host-microbiota co-metabolism. Targeted metabolomics further validated significant increases in succinic acid, heptanedioic acid, and 2-oxohexanedioic acid, together with a marked decrease in indole-3-propionic acid, consistent with the untargeted metabolomics results. These metabolites demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for discriminating PTC exposure. CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates that chronic PTC exposure disrupts mitochondrial energy metabolism and multiple metabolic pathways, leading to systemic metabolic dysfunction. The identified metabolic biomarkers provide promising tools for pesticide biomonitoring and mechanistic toxicity assessment, improving exposure surveillance and health risk evaluation of triazole fungicides. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:The discovery of lead compounds is critical for the development of new herbicides. To obtain novel potential lead compounds, herbicidal activities of a series of benzothiazole derivatives were evaluated in this study. Mechanistic investigation and structural optimization were subsequently conducted for the most active compound. RESULTS:5-fluorobenzothiazol-2-amine (C25) exhibited the most potent inhibition effect against root (IC50 = 4.50 μg mL-1) and shoot growth (IC50 = 11.13 μg mL-1) of Bidens pilosa L. seedlings among all tested compounds. It also showed good crop selectivity, with no significant inhibitory effect on the growth of maize seedlings. Compound C25 treatment caused severe damage in the root tip of B. pilosa, including cell viability decrease and cell membrane integrity loss due to the excessive reactive oxygen species accumulation. Transcriptomic analysis results revealed that the expression level of key genes in auxin signal transduction pathway, including members of the AUX/IAA, ARF, GH3, and SAUR families, were significantly altered in seedlings of C25-treated group. Molecular docking further identified that auxin influx carrier 1 (AUX1) is a possible target protein. Finally, a series of C25 derivatives were designed and synthesized, and part of the derivatives also exhibited marked herbicidal activity. CONCLUSION:Compound C25 is a new potential lead compound for the development of novel pre-emergence herbicides with potent activity, good selectivity, synthetic accessibility and structural modifiability. It may inhibit weed seedling growth through a unique dual mechanism including the induction of excessive oxidative stress and the disruption of IAA signal transduction pathway. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:The diamide chlorantraniliprole stands out for its high performance in controlling agricultural pests, with high selectivity and reduced environmental impact. In coffee cultivation, this insecticide has been widely employed for the management of the coffee leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Méneville, 1842). However, intensive use has favored the selection of resistant populations, compromising control efficacy and intensifying biotic stress in plants. This study aimed to evaluate the morphophysiological effects of chlorantraniliprole on coffee seedlings (Coffea arabica L., cv. IAC144-Catuaí Vermelho) infested by L. coffeella populations with different resistance levels. A total of 12 treatments (six insecticide concentrations applied to two populations: susceptible and resistant) with 12 replicates were conducted. Physiological assessments (transpiration, stomatal conductance, assimilation, and internal carbon dioxide concentration) were performed at 0, 20, and 105 days after application (DAA). Growth traits (number of leaves, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and biomass), along with Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) index and leaf miner infestation index, were quantified at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 105 DAA. RESULTS:Indicated a positive effect of chlorantraniliprole on the number of leaves, leaf area, and both fresh and dry shoot biomass in plants infested with the susceptible population. In plants exposed to the resistant population, increasing insecticide concentration and plant age promoted stem diameter growth, which may represent a compensatory response to continuous stress caused by persistent infestation. CONCLUSION:Besides being effective in controlling susceptible L. coffeella, chlorantraniliprole may also act as a plant bioactivator, representing a strategic tool in integrated pest management. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:Chemical spray-based pest and disease control in mountainous citrus orchards presents operational challenges. Although aerial application technologies have been widely studied, the spray performance of manned helicopters under complex terrain, particularly during the post-harvest orchard sanitation period, remains insufficiently applied. Furthermore, citrus tree shape may considerably influence droplet deposition. Therefore, a field experimental study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and operational stability of manned helicopter spraying in mountainous citrus orchards. RESULTS:Droplet deposition exhibited a clear spatial pattern of top mountain (TM) > bottom mountain (BM) > middle mountain (MM), with significantly higher deposition at TM than at MM (P < 0.05). Flight altitude significantly affected droplet deposition, and T2 (flight altitude of 10 m) achieved the best deposition uniformity, outperforming T1 (7 m) and T3 (13 m). Within the TM area, open-center (OC) trees consistently showed higher droplet coverage than round-head (RH) trees, with maximum values up to 1.49 times greater, whereas RH trees exhibited higher coverage in the BM area. Frequency distribution analysis further indicated a more concentrated droplet deposition distribution within OC canopies. CONCLUSION:Maintaining the flight altitude of approximately 10 m above the canopy can improve the spraying effectiveness of manned helicopters in mountainous citrus orchards during post-harvest sanitation. Moreover, optimizing trees according to hillside position may further enhance droplet deposition, with OC shapes better suited for TM and RH shapes more favorable for BM. This study can provide practical guidance for precise and efficient helicopter-based sanitation spraying in mountainous citrus orchards. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:Fungal natural products offer significant advantages, including novel modes-of-action (MoAs), high environmental compatibility, safety to nontarget organisms and low resistance risk, making them valuable resources for developing eco-friendly and effective herbicides. This study evaluated the herbicidal activity of aureonitol, a compound derived from Chaetomium coarctatum NEAU-Z3, and elucidated its molecular mode-of-action. These findings provide a promising compound and theoretical foundation for developing novel and highly effective herbicides. RESULTS:Aureonitol exhibited significant herbicidal activity, with median inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.170, 0.122, 0.200 and 0.176 mg mL-1 for shoot growth of Portulaca oleracea L., Echinochloa crus-galli, Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv, respectively, and 0.130, 0.138, 0.186 and 0.106 mg mL-1 for root growth. Postemergence, treated with 0.3 mg mL-1, significantly reduced weed height and fresh weight by >50%, with P. oleracea showing the highest inhibition (71.93%). Meanwhile, aureonitol induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and disrupted redox homeostasis in P. oleracea and E. crus-galli, thereby inhibited weed growth. Crop safety evaluations confirmed good safety for maize, wheat and rice. Transcriptomic analysis further elucidated the molecular MoA, revealing that aureonitol affects several key metabolic pathways in E. crus-galli, including diterpenoid biosynthesis and plant hormone signalling, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, cell-wall metabolism, and phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis and metabolism. CONCLUSION:These findings confirm aureonitol's herbicidal activity and modes-of-action, highlighting its potential as a compound for developing novel and highly effective herbicides for agricultural weed management and crop protection. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:The soybean bud borer, Crocidosema sp., evolved field resistance to Cry1Ac soybean in Brazil, raising concerns regarding the durability of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) soybean technologies and potential evolution of resistance to additional Bt proteins. Here, a Cry2Ab2-resistant strain of Crocidosema sp. was selected and characterized to investigate resistance inheritance, cross-resistance to Cry1 proteins, and fitness costs. RESULTS:Laboratory selection with leaves of Cry2Ab2 soybean generated a resistant strain of Crocidosema sp. exhibiting > 15 000-fold resistance relative to a susceptible strain. Reciprocal crosses showed resistance ratios of 8.46- and 30.17-fold, suggesting autosomal inheritance, although a maternal effect could not be completely excluded. Effective dominance (DML) indicated incompletely recessive resistance under exposure to Cry2Ab2 in diet-overlay bioassays (DML = 0.08-0.25) and on Cry2Ab2 soybean (DML = 0.16-0.26). Backcross analyses indicated a major-gene contribution, with potential involvement of additional genetic factors. Bioassays with Cry1Ac and Cry1A.105 proteins and Bt soybean revealed no cross-resistance between Cry2Ab2 and these Cry1 proteins. Fitness assessments indicated no apparent cost of resistance, with a higher intrinsic rate of population increase (rₘ) in the resistant than susceptible strain (0.112 versus 0.098) and a relative fitness of 1.14. CONCLUSIONS:Resistance to Cry2Ab2 in Crocidosema sp. appears to be autosomal and incompletely recessive, with a major-gene contribution to the resistance phenotype. Cry2Ab2 resistance did not confer cross-resistance to Cry1Ac or Cry1A.105, supporting Cry2Ab2 as an additional mode of action in Bt soybean technologies. The lack of an apparent fitness cost may favor the persistence of resistance alleles in the field, reinforcing the need for effective resistance management. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:Plant fungal diseases cause significant agricultural losses, and Streptomyces-derived antifungal compounds offer a promising biocontrol strategy. This study aimed to isolate and characterize bioactive metabolites from Streptomyces syringium LZ036 and evaluate their activity and mechanism of action against Botrytis cinerea. RESULTS:A strain LZ036 with broad-spectrum antifungal activity was identified as Streptomyces syringium. The 3-(oxazole-5-yl) indole compound NL3 isolated from this strain exhibited potent broad-spectrum antifungal activity, especially against Botrytis cinerea. Compound NL3 inhibited fungal growth and development by inducing severe oxidative damage and membrane disruption. And it could trigger jasmonic acid (JA)-dependent induced systemic resistance (ISR) in plants. Transcriptomic analysis of compound NL3-treated Botrytis cinerea revealed genome-wide transcriptional alterations, including disruption of energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. Key genes related to mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway down-regulated significantly, among which the catalytic S_TKc domain of Bcste7 exhibited a predicted interaction with compound NL3 through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. CONCLUSION:The Streptomyces syringium-derived compound NL3 shows high potential as a green fungicide, acting through multiple mechanisms. These findings advance the development of Streptomyces-based antifungal agents. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:Herbicides that disrupt microtubules have historically been classified by the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) into microtubule assembly inhibitors (Group 3) and microtubule organization inhibitors (Group 23); however, this classification may not fully reflect their underlying modes of action. RESULTS:Using a unified approach combining subcellular phenotyping in Nicotiana tabacum cv. Bright Yellow 2 (BY-2) cells and resistance profiling in Eleusine indica and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we show that all tested herbicides produce indistinguishable, dose-dependent subcellular effects, including microtubule depolymerization, multipolar spindle formation, mitotic arrest, and multinucleation. At the resistance level, the α-tubulin T239I mutation confers strong resistance to all microtubule-inhibiting herbicides except the carbamates and propyzamide, whereas several β-tubulin mutations confer resistance to propyzamide. CONCLUSION:These findings reveal distinct sites of action across chemical classes and demonstrate that resistance profiles - rather than subcellular phenotypes - provide a more robust basis for classification. Our results support redefining Group 3 as α-tubulin binders and relocating propyzamide to Group 23, now described as microtubule-interference herbicides with an unresolved site of action, strengthening the mechanistic foundation for improved classification and resistance-management strategies. © 2026 BASF Agricultural Solutions Deutschland GmbH. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a destructive pest in the global fruit and vegetable industry. Current management relies heavily on synthetic chemical insecticides, which leads to resistance and environmental risks. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are regarded as promising alternatives to chemical pesticides, but their use against B. dorsalis is constrained by stage-dependent efficacy and poor UV persistence. RESULTS:Twelve fungal isolates were screened against mature larvae, pupae and adults of B. dorsalis. Metarhizium guizhouense WN_M2 showed the most consistent virulence across the three stages, with corrected mortality of 70.2%, 43.6% and 100%, respectively. Three lead isolates, M. guizhouense WN_M1 and WN_M2 and Beauveria bassiana DF_B1, were selected for binary combination assays. Binary combinations enhanced efficacy against subterranean stages. At 1 × 108 conidia mL-1, DF_B1 + WN_M2 caused 92.86% corrected mortality in mature larvae and 75.31% in pupae. Among the UV-protective additives tested, potassium humate (HA-K) was the most effective, maintaining 86.9% conidial germination at 24 h after 6 h UV-B exposure, compared with 34.6% in the unprotected UV-B control. HA-K also helped preserve fungal pathogenicity against adults under UV-B stress. CONCLUSION:Binary combinations enhanced fungal virulence against subterranean stages, and HA-K improved conidial UV tolerance. These findings provide a promising basis for the further development of fungal biocontrol strategies to sustainably manage this pest. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
The root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita is one of the most important plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) worldwide. M. incognita secretes a large number of effector proteins that play major roles in parasitism by modulating host susceptibility. In this study, we functionally characterized the M. incognita Minc3s00280g09294 (Minc09294) gene as a putative effector using a host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) approach in transgenic plants. Quantitative expression analyses showed that the Minc09294 gene is weakly expressed from eggs through the J4 stage, but is strongly induced in adult females during plant parasitism, indicating a role in the sedentary feeding phase. In silico domain prediction revealed that the encoded Minc09294 protein contains four galectin/galactose-binding lectin domains, an N-terminal signal peptide for extracellular secretion, a non-cytoplasmic region, and no predicted transmembrane domain, consistent with secretion into host tissues. Minc09294 silencing in host plants significantly decreased the number of galls (92.9%), egg masses (93.5%), eggs (79.0%), and the nematode reproduction factor (90.5%) in Minc09294-RNAi lines compared to wild-type plants. Histological analyses further revealed smaller galls and poorly developed giant cells in the Minc09294-RNAi lines. Since the homologous gene ME_e1834_066g0351951 in Meloidogyne enterolobii shares high sequence similarity with Minc09294, and consequently with the RNAi target sequence, we also challenged the Minc09294-RNAi lines with M. enterolobii. These Minc09294-RNAi lines exhibited a substantial reduction in the number of galls (up to 53.7%) and egg masses (up to 53.3%), whereas the effects on egg number and reproduction factor were less pronounced. Collectively, these data indicate that the Minc09294 in M. incognita and its homolog ME_e1834_066g0351951 in M. enterolobi are required for successful parasitism and represent promising effector targets for durable, RNAi-based control of RKNs. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:Maternally transmitted endosymbionts like Wolbachia and Cardinium are common in arthropods including many pest species. By inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), they can support sustainable pest management via population-suppression or replacement strategies. However, models underlying these approaches often neglect female remating and the pre- and post-copulatory mechanisms that influence sperm use and compatibility. In many species, females mate multiple times and may encounter both compatible and incompatible males, potentially altering CI expression and endosymbiont spread. We therefore tested how remating and mating order affect CI and reproductive fitness in Kelly's citrus thrips, Pezothrips kellyanus, a haplodiploid citrus pest naturally carrying either Cardinium alone (C) or both Cardinium and Wolbachia (CW). RESULTS:We found that CI depended strongly on mating history. When a C female first mated with an incompatible CW male, CI was strong, and a second mating with a compatible C male only restored approximately 21% of female offspring production. Conversely, when a C female first mated with a compatible C male and then with an incompatible CW male, CI was substantially weaker, consistent with first-male sperm precedence. Female fitness also varied with mating history; C females mated twice with CW males had the lowest fecundity, highest embryonic and post-embryonic mortality, and shortest survival. CONCLUSION:First-male sperm precedence limits restoration of female offspring production by a compatible mating following an incompatible mating. This may increase the fitness costs of accepting incompatible males in hosts with pre-copulatory mate discrimination. More broadly, remating and mate sequence can alter CI strength, affecting models of endosymbiont spread and endosymbiont-based pest management. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
The ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAR) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor in the insect central nervous system and a proven target for multiple classes of insecticides. The recent discovery of the NAM binding site located at the transmembrane subunit interface has revitalized interest in this classic target, leading to the development of two novel classes of insecticides-isoxazolines and meta-diamides-that offer potent efficacy and lack cross-resistance with conventional agents. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular basis of insect GABARs, including subunit composition, gating mechanisms, and the structural pharmacology of distinct binding sites, with an emphasis on the NAM site. We highlight key advances in understanding the mode of action, resistance mechanisms, and structure-activity relationships of NAM inhibitors, and critically evaluate their future potential. A central challenge for this class of insecticides remains their generally high toxicity to honeybee pollinators, which we argue is an inherent consequence of the high sequence conservation of the RDL subunit between pests and beneficial insects. Strategies for mitigating bee toxicity while retaining insecticidal potency are discussed. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa armigera are destructive noctuid pests resistant to multiple pesticides. This study quantified predatory performance, functional response, searching efficiency, and prey preference across developmental stages of Euagoras plagiatus against second-instar larvae of both pests under laboratory conditions. RESULTS:All developmental stages of E. plagiatus successfully preyed on both species, with functional responses conforming to the Holling Type II model in most developmental stages. Maximum daily consumption increased significantly with predator development (S. frugiperda: F(5, 24) = 76.40, P < 0.01; H. armigera: F(5, 24) = 76.68, P < 0.01). Fifth-instar nymphs achieved the highest consumption of S. frugiperda (131.58 prey/day), while females consumed the most H. armigera (131.58 prey/day). Both stages also exhibited superior control efficiency (a/Th = 124.95 for nymphs against S. frugiperda; a/Th = 124.99 for females against H. armigera), indicating pronounced stage-dependent predatory capacity. Searching efficiency in fifth-instar nymphs and adults declined with increasing prey density, whereas preference assays revealed E. plagiatus preferentially attacked H. armigera when offered equal densities of both species. CONCLUSION:Fifth-instar nymphs and adults of E. plagiatus demonstrate substantial potential as biological control agents against second-instar noctuid larvae. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:Glyphosate resistance in Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum (Italian ryegrass), a major weed in temperate cropping systems, threatens effective weed control and crop productivity. This study characterized the glyphosate response and target-site glyphosate resistance mechanisms in three biotypes (PA, MG and HE) from northwest Pampas region. RESULTS:The resistant biotypes exhibited significantly higher glyphosate median lethal dose (LD50) and dose to reduce growth rate by 50% (GR50) values, with resistance indices ranging from 5.5 to 9.3. Both resistant biotypes (MG and HE) displayed hormesis, showing growth stimulation at sublethal glyphosate doses. Shikimic acid accumulation assays confirmed reduced glyphosate sensitivity in resistant biotypes, consistent with lower levels of EPSPS inhibition. Partial EPSPS gene sequencing revealed distinct Pro-106 substitutions: Pro-106-Ser in HE, and Pro-106-Thr in PA and MG, both previously associated with reduced glyphosate binding while maintaining enzyme activity. These results suggested at least two independent evolutionary origins of this resistance. Quantitative PCR revealed significantly increased EPSPS transcript levels in resistant biotypes without evidence of gene copy number amplification, indicating that elevated EPSPS expression may contribute to resistance in combination with target-site mutations. CONCLUSION:Glyphosate resistance in Italian ryegrass is primarily associated with target-site EPSPS mutations (Pro-106-Ser and Pro-106-Thr), whereas increased EPSPS expression may further contribute to the resistant phenotype. Hormesis in some resistant biotypes adds complexity to the resistance dynamics. Together, these findings highlight the adaptive potential of this species under recurrent glyphosate selection and underscore the need for integrated weed management strategies to delay the evolution and spread of herbicide resistance. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:Apriona swainsoni is a wood-boring pest whose larvae feed on recalcitrant plant xylem and occupy diverse niches. Gut microbiota play a vital role in assisting the host to degrade lignocellulose for nutrient acquisition. However, the compartment-specific mechanism of microbial lignocellulose degradation in different intestinal regions remains unclear. RESULTS:Using multi-omics analyses, we identified six cellulase genes three with corresponding protein expression), 21 hemicellulase genes (six with corresponding protein expression), and 40 lignin-degrading enzyme genes (12 with corresponding protein expression) encoded by the larval gut microbiota. PCoA revealed highly significant spatial divergence of lignocellulolytic proteins across discrete gut compartments (P = 0.001). Metabolomic data further validated a sequential, stepwise lignocellulose degradation cascade proceeding from foregut (FG) to midgut (MG), anterior hindgut (AHG), and posterior hindgut (PHG), where lignin undergoes thorough breakdown mainly in the AHG and PHG. Taxonomic annotation confirmed genera including Enterobacter (relative abundance, 2.35E-04), Gibbsiella (1.14E-04), Raoultella (1.00E-04) and Klebsiella (1.09E-05) dominate lignin degradation. Enzymatic assays demonstrated peak activities in Klebsiella oxytoca A3 for lignin peroxidase (3.75 ± 0.25 U/mL), manganese peroxidase (0.85 ± 0.09 U/mL), and neutral xylanase (1.47 ± 0.00 U/mL), while Raoultella terrigena A2 exhibited the maximum laccase activity (0.75 ± 0.06 nmol/min/L). CONCLUSION:This study reveals that larvae of A. swainsoni perform compartmentalized lignocellulose degradation by selectively enriching functional gut symbionts. Efficient lignin depolymerization acts as the core adaptive trait that allows this beetle to occupy unique wood-feeding niches. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:Temperature fluctuations threaten the efficacy of parasitoid wasps used in biological control. Understanding the metabolic basis of thermal adaptation can guide optimized rearing and field release strategies. This study integrated behavioral ecology with untargeted metabolomics (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)) to investigate how Chouioia cunea, a pupal parasitoid of the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea, copes with temperature stress. RESULTS:Behavioral assays revealed a distinct thermal preference for 21.3-24.2 °C. Low temperature (18 °C) prolonged development (42.6 days) but increased offspring per host (49 000 wasps), whereas high temperature (29 °C) accelerated development (13.7 days) at the cost of reduced adult longevity. Metabolomic profiling showed directionally specific reprogramming: cold induced depletion of amino acids and membrane lipids; heat triggered accumulation of thermoprotectants (trehalose, mannitol, dulcitol) and specific amino acids (arginine, threonine). Pathway enrichment identified the aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis pathway as a core conserved response under both stresses. CONCLUSION:Chouioia cunea employs distinct metabolic strategies: resource conservation under cold and thermoprotection under heat. These strategies underpin the temperature-dependent life-history trade-offs observed in this study. From a pest management perspective, maintaining rearing temperatures within 23-25 °C balances colony productivity and wasp quality; prolonged exposure above 28 °C should be avoided; and low-temperature rearing can be used strategically for colony expansion. The identified stress-responsive metabolites may serve as early quality markers for mass-reared colonies. These findings advance our understanding of metabolic plasticity in beneficial insects and support climate-smart biological control. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, exhibits wing dimorphism, a phenotypic plasticity crucial for its dispersal and population dynamics. While the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS)-FoxO pathway regulates organ growth, its upstream modulators in BPH wing dimorphism remain poorly defined. RESULTS:Among the four calcium signaling genes (NlITPR, NlRyr, NlStim1, and NlOrai1), NlOrai1 exhibited the highest expression under both high- and low-density conditions, and was significantly up-regulated under high-density compared with low-density conditions. Compared with low-density conditions, NlOrai1 expression was significantly elevated during the third to fifth instars under high-density conditions, with particularly high levels in the head and wingbud tissues. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of NlOrai1 reduced expression by 75% and induced severely reduced wings compared to dsGFP controls, elicited molecular changes characterized by down-regulation of NlInR1, and NlVg alongside up-regulation of NlFoxO. Co-knockdown of NlOrai1 and NlFoxO effectively rescued the wing reduction phenotype, knockdown of NlOrai1 and NlInR2 did not compared with NlOrai1 and GFP control groups. Western bolt analysis demonstrated that NlOrai1 knockdown suppressed NlFoxO phosphorylation. CONCLUSION:NlOrai1 acts as a key upstream regulator linking population density cues to the Akt-FoxO signaling axis, controlling wing morph determination in BPH. This functional interaction provides a mechanistic framework for understanding density-dependent polyphenism and offers potential molecular targets for disrupting pest dispersal capabilities. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:The rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, poses a serious threat to global rice production. Cell cycle and polarized growth are two essential processes for host infection of M. oryzae; however, the association of them remains largely unknown. RESULTS:MoHym1, a homolog of yeast RAM (regulation of Ace2 and morphogenesis) network component, was identified as a key regulator for fungal development and pathogenicity in M. oryzae. Deletion of MoHYM1 resulted in severe defects in vegetative growth, conidiation, polarized growth, cell wall integrity, surface hydrophobicity, and secretion of virulence-associated enzymes, which are essential prerequisites for effective host infection. Furthermore, disruption of MoHYM1 led to abnormal nuclear division and disrupted cell cycle progression while also increasing resistance to DNA-damaging agents hydroxyurea and bleomycin. Yeast-two-hybrid screening revealed interactions with proteins related to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. CONCLUSION:These results position MoHym1 as a multifunctional coordinator of development, cell cycle, and virulence, thereby providing a new target for the control of rice blast. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND:The persistent proliferation of bacterial phytopathogens presents a significant threat to global food security and agricultural sustainability. Among these pathogens, species belonging to the genus Xanthomonas are particularly destructive. Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the causal agent of bacterial leaf blight in rice, is recognized as one of the most devastating phytopathogens. This strongly indicates that there is an urgent need to create green small-molecule pesticides specifically targeting Xoo. RESULTS:Herein, we designed and synthesized 20 oxime ether derivatives containing piperazine fragments and systematically evaluated their antibacterial activity. Bioassay results revealed that compound L1 exhibited notable antibacterial efficacy, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 7.32 μg mL-1, significantly outperforming control agents such as thiodiazole-copper (96.90 μg mL-1) and bismerthiazol (47.20 μg mL-1). The underlying mechanism of action was investigated using an integrated approach involving molecular docking, morphological observation, three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship modeling, and transcriptome profiling. In addition, the phytotoxicity study results indicate that compound L1 exhibits low toxicity towards plants. The findings of this research provide theoretical insights and experimental guidance for designing novel, potent, and environment-friendly small-molecule antibacterial agents. CONCLUSION:Compound L1 represents a promising class of antibacterial agents with potent activity against Xoo. It possesses the dual advantages of high bactericidal efficacy and ecological friendliness, demonstrating great potential to replace traditional agricultural chemicals and promote green prevention and control of plant diseases. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
