Soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) cause substantial economic losses in fruit orchards and ornamental plantings worldwide through direct feeding damage and honeydew-mediated sooty mould. We present the first comprehensive faunistic and pest management assessment of Coccidae in the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan — a Central Asian agricultural region dominated by Rosaceae-based fruit cultivation. Systematic surveys at 347 sites across Andijan, Namangan and Fergana provinces (2022–2025; 300–1000 m a.s.l.) covered commercial orchards, private gardens, natural biotopes and greenhouses. Seventeen Coccidae species in eleven genera are reported from the Fergana Valley, of which thirteen species were collected during the present surveys with full voucher documentation, and four additional species are included on the basis of historical literature records. Recently published Uzbek records of Saissetia oleae, Pulvinaria floccifera and Pulvinaria kuwacola (Sobirov et al., 2025) and Parasaissetia nigra (Sobirov et al., 2026) are integrated here with full Material examined data, expanded ecological context and quantitative occurrence frequencies. The recently established taxonomic synonymy of Pulvinaria hydrangeae under Pulvinaria kuwacola (Tanaka, 2021) is applied. Community diversity (Shannon H' = 2.31; Simpson D = 0.88) ranks among the highest in Uzbekistan. Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché) was the dominant pest (85
Exallomochlus hispidus (Morrison) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) has not previously been formally recorded from India despite historical quarantine interception records at the US ports of entry in samples originating from India, suggesting its presence in India. In the present study, the species was documented from a quarantine interception of mangosteen imported from Thailand in 2016 and, subsequently, from fruits purchased in a local market in Maharashtra in 2025, providing independent evidence of its previously overlooked occurrence in India. Surveys of marketed mangosteen fruits conducted between 2025 and 2026 further revealed five additional mealybug taxa, namely Planococcus minor (Maskell), Pseudococcus baliteus Lit, Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell), Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley and an unidentified species of Pseudococcus Westwood. Planococcus minor and F. virgata were recorded for the first time from Garcinia mangostana L., while repeated collections of Ps. baliteus confirm its association with this host. A field survey in Kerala revealed the presence of Pl. minor infestation in a few fruits. The study demonstrates that fruit markets, together with quarantine interceptions, represent valuable complementary sources of material for documenting overlooked distributions, new host associations and the diversity of mealybug fauna occupying cryptic habitats.
Thrips parvispinus (Karny), a polyphagous thrips species, has recently emerged as an important pest threatening horticultural and agricultural crop production in several regions worldwide. Owing to its invasive nature, this species has expanded rapidly across different geographic regions and is now recognized as a serious pest affecting a wide range of crops in many countries. The successful establishment and spread of T. parvispinus have been associated with several factors, including its broad host range, high reproductive potential, reduced effectiveness of insecticidal control, limited natural enemy complexes, and dispersal facilitated through international trade and movement of plant materials. Although several studies have investigated different aspects of the biology, ecology, and management of this pest, consolidated information on T. parvispinus remains scarce in the available literature. A clear understanding of its biology, ecological adaptability, damage potential, and available management options is essential for developing effective preventive and curative strategies against this emerging pest in the future. This review synthesizes information on the taxonomy, global distribution, bioecology, host range, economic importance, preferred habitats, and environmental factors that influence the occurrence and population dynamics of T. parvispinus. By synthesizing existing knowledge, this review offers a clearer perspective on the challenges of managing these pests. This highlights the importance of integrated and sustainable management strategies for effective control.
The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), a major rice pest, has severe neonicotinoid resistance. Flupyrimin, a novel nAChR-targeting insecticide, is promising but its metabolic resistance mechanisms are unclear. We elucidated P450-mediated flupyrimin resistance and differential profiles. After 20 generations of selection, flupyrimin resistance evolved slower (51.32-fold) than dinotefuran and clothianidin, with low cross-resistance. Field populations had low flupyrimin resistance (2.35–2.94-fold) but high neonicotinoid resistance (40.57–242.25-fold). P450 was the key detoxifying enzyme (synergistic ratio 2.84); GSTs and carboxylesterases were not involved. NlCYP6FL4 was specifically upregulated in flupyrimin and triflumezopyrim resistant strains, while NlCYP6ER1 drove neonicotinoid resistance, with P450 activity positively correlated with expression. Field tests verified their expression linked to resistance. Docking showed flupyrimin bound NlCYP6FL4 with highest affinity (ΔG = − 8.8 kcal/mol) via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. This reveals P450 functional differentiation, aiding resistance management.
Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae) is attacked by mite species that can damage date palm production. This review focuses on the main date palm-associated mites, including the Old World date mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor), the Banks grass mite, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), Eutetranychus palmatus Attiah (Tetranychidae), and Raoiella indica Hirst (Tenuipalpidae). Among them, O. afrasiaticus is the most damaging and best-documented fruit-infesting species in the Middle East and North Africa, whereas O. pratensis is mainly important in North American date production. Reported losses caused by O. afrasiaticus may reach 30–100
Poplar plantations are increasingly threatened by the defoliator Clostera cupreata, necessitating the identification of resistant planting material for sustainable pest management. In this study, 23 poplar clones and two reference checks (the resistant clone G-48 and the susceptible clone D-82) were evaluated for their effects on insect development, feeding performance, and biochemical defense traits. Developmental parameters varied significantly among clones, with larval duration being longest on G-48 (14.80 ± 0.17 days) and shortest on D-82 (11.15 ± 0.08 days), indicating delayed insect development on resistant clones. Fecundity ranged from 120.8 to 223.2 eggs ♀⁻1, while survival varied from 52.4
Cocoa yields in African producing countries remain consistently low despite substantial investments and interventions over the past decade. This persistent yield gap suggests that neglected or underestimated factors such as termite infestations may play a more critical role than previously recognized. Yet, the extent to which termites affect cocoa tree growth, pod formation, and overall yield in agroforestry systems remains insufficiently understood. We hypothesized that termite infestations, both aboveground and belowground, significantly reduce cocoa tree growth, impair pod formation, and lower marketable yield. We further hypothesized that shaded agroforestry systems would be more resilient to termite damage, thereby sustaining higher yields. To test these hypotheses, we evaluated the relationships among termite infestations, cocoa tree growth, flowering, fruiting, and marketable yield across a gradient of shade management regimes, from rustic to full sun–like cocoa systems. Our findings confirm that termite-infested cocoa trees were markedly smaller in height and diameter than healthy trees. Infested trees produced significantly fewer flowers and pods. Termite damage reduced pod weight by approximately 6.5
Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an invasive and highly polyphagous mealybug that causes substantial economic losses in agricultural and horticultural crops. Understanding how predator performance varies with prey developmental stage and prey density is important for assessing the biological control potential of natural enemies. This study investigated stage-specific predation by Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben-Petersen) against different developmental stages of P. solenopsis under laboratory conditions using no-choice and free-choice feeding assays together with functional response analysis. Under no-choice conditions, prey consumption increased progressively with predator development and was highest during the third larval instar. Throughout the larval period, a single predator consumed an average of 1311.60 eggs, 785.80 first-instar nymphs, 25.25 s-instar nymphs and 7.50 third-instar nymphs. Under free-choice conditions, predator larvae exhibited a marked preference for mealybug eggs, followed by first-instar nymphs, whereas second-instar nymphs were consumed only in negligible numbers. Functional response analysis of third-instar larvae revealed a Type III response to both eggs and first-instar nymphs, indicating density-dependent predation. Eggs supported higher prey consumption, attack ratios and rates of discovery than first-instar nymphs, indicating greater predator performance on the earliest developmental stage of the mealybug. These findings demonstrate that C. zastrowi sillemi preferentially exploits the most susceptible developmental stages of P. solenopsis and exhibits density-dependent predation, supporting its potential as a biological control agent for incorporation into integrated pest management programmes. Further evaluation under greenhouse and field conditions is required to validate its effectiveness under practical crop production systems.
Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski and Amitai) is a common predator in Egypt. This species is a successful eliminator to some insects and mite pests. Fortunately, the rearing of C. negevi on alternative foods has proven effectively. So, the potential mass production of a predatory mite on more economical and alternative food (e.g., pollen) might increase the attention in that predator for using in biological control programs. In the present study, the suitability of some non-prey diets as alternative food diets for C. negevi by conducting biological and life table study was assessed. Our results revealed that individuals of C. negevi successfully completed their pre-adult stages on all diets tested, with the exception of beebread. Females of C. negevi matured after raised on beebread + dry milk failed to lay eggs. Generally, maize pollen, castor bean pollen + dry milk, and maize pollen + dry milk was superior to the other tested diets in terms of biological parameters. The total fecundity of C. negevi females was superior on maize pollen + dry milk (42.05 eggs/female), followed by females given castor bean pollen + dry milk (39.43 eggs/female), and it was lowest on clover pollen (10.48 eggs/female). The estimated growth parameter revealed that the values of r and λ of C. negevi were higher when it was maintained on castor bean pollen + dry milk, maize pollen, and maize pollen + dry milk than on any other diet tested. Accordingly, our results showed that both maize and castor bean pollens either alone or in a combination with dry milk may be described as promising candidate diets for further evaluation in mass-rearing or conservation programs.
Longhorn beetles are generally considered minor pests in fruit orchards; however, some species can cause substantial economic losses. Cerambyx dux (Faldermann, 1837) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a major pest of stone and pome fruit crops in the Eastern Mediterranean. This study aimed to (i) characterize the seasonal activity of C. dux, (ii) evaluate the potential of seismic sensors for detecting larval activity, and (iii) analyze the spatial distribution of infestations. The study was conducted in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) orchards in Israel. Seasonal development was assessed using field observations, grower reports, and published data. Infestation levels were evaluated using frass discharge and seismic sensor recordings from tree stems and compared with visual damage indices. Sensor recordings indicated that larval activity peaked in late summer, corresponding to the onset of xylem boring by fourth-instar larvae. Spatial analyses revealed that infestations formed expanding clusters, with infestation frequency declining with increasing distance from infested trees. Although visual inspection provides reliable assessments, it is labor-intensive and impractical for large-scale monitoring. Seismic sensors enable the detection of concealed larval activity and therefore represent a promising tool for monitoring C. dux, particularly under conditions of reduced pesticide use and increasing climate stress, which may favor the resurgence of this pest.
The yellowstriped armyworm, Spodoptera ornithogalli (Guenée, 1852) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is distributed throughout the Americas, with the exception of Chile. Its polyphagous larvae are significant pests, damaging major annual crops, vegetables, ornamentals, and plant nurserie. This study evaluates the biotic potential and reproductive parameters of this species under controlled conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10
Anthracnose, a major postharvest disease in bananas, impacts economic and nutritional production. Secondary metabolites offer a biotechnological solution to reduce the incidence of phytopathogens and extend storage protection. This study focused on the extraction and characterization of Piper macedoi Yunk essential oil (EORPM) from roots and of aqueous extract (AELPM) from leaves, and on the development of a stable oil-in-water emulsion. EORPM was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography, revealing dillapiol (53.9
The invasive rugose spiralling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) has emerged as a serious threat to coconut and other crops in Bangladesh. Although the species was first recorded in 2019 based on limited morphological evidence, its molecular confirmation and population genetic structure remained unexplored. The present study provides molecular validation of RSW alongside detailed morphological characterization, and the first nationwide assessment of genetic diversity, using samples collected from infested coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) across all thirty agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Bangladesh. Species identity was confirmed through detailed morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene. Morphological examination confirmed key diagnostic features of A. rugioperculatus, including triangular or pointed lingula, compound pore with dagger-like projections and an irregular operculum surface, clearly distinguishing it from the morphologically similar species, A. dispersus. The morphological identification was further validated through mtCOI gene sequencing which showed 99–100
Evaluation the efficiency of salicylic acid and garlic extract as natural stimulants was attempt in this study to control the harmful effects of cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis). Through a series of physiological, biological, and morphological studies using scanning electron microscopy and biochemical effects. Additionally, the study also compared the effects of both natural materials with one of the well-known recommended insecticides (Scorch® (10
Laureliopsis philippiana (Looser) Schodde commonly known as “Tepa”, is an aromatic evergreen tree from Patagonia considered a valuable timber resource due to its versatility. The essential oil (EO) from the leaves and bark of L. philippiana exhibits strong insecticidal activity against pests of agricultural interest. However, their use in integrated pest management (IPM) should take into account their potential toxicity to pollinating insects. Therefore, this study evaluated the tixicity of L. philippiana EO and its nanoemulsion (NE) formulation on the non-target pollinator Bombus terrestris L. The EO was chemically characterized by GC–MS, identifying linalool (38.1
Weed menace in vegetable peas (Pisum sativum var. hortense Neilr.) production is one of the predominant yield limiting factor. We assessed the efficiency and sustainability of diverse weed management approaches in vegetable peas (Pisum sativum var. hortense Neilr.) cultivation, with a focus on weed dynamics, yield enhancement, soil health and herbicide residues. The present investigation compares a combination of mechanical weeding and herbicides, including pendimethalin, metribuzin, clodinafop, and quizalofop, as well as integrated treatments like pendimethalin followed by (fb) mulching fb metribuzin + clodinafop. These integrated approaches achieved a substantial reduction in weed population and weed dry matter accumulation 73.9
Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), one of the most destructive diseases of citrus, is caused by the phloem-limited, uncultured α-proteobacteria of the genus Candidatus Liberibacter (predominantly Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, CLas) and is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid and by grafting. Because no curative treatment exists, disease management is critically dependent on rapid, sensitive and field-deployable detection so that infected trees can be removed before they serve as new inoculum sources. However, prevailing detection workflows, including visual scouting, PCR-based methods, ELISA and emerging biosensing platforms, still face unresolved trade-offs among sensitivity, specificity, throughput, cost, and operability under realistic orchard conditions. Most existing reviews on this topic predate the rapid expansion of imaging-, spectroscopy-, volatile-organic-compound- and deep-learning-based approaches. This review therefore concentrates specifically on HLB detection technologies. We (i) systematically compare traditional, molecular, VOC-based, spectral/imaging, microfluidic and deep-learning methods in terms of sensitivity, specificity, time-to-result, hardware cost and field applicability; (ii) examine practical bottlenecks such as orchard environmental robustness, cost-per-tree and accessibility for smallholder growers; and (iii) outline future directions including multimodal detection platforms, portable biosensors, edge-computing for in-field deployment, and the integration of effector-protein, VOC, imaging and molecular signals into unified diagnostic frameworks. The goal is to provide a focused, analytically rigorous reference for the design of next-generation real-time HLB monitoring systems.
Optimizing maize–Brachiaria intercropping requires effective weed management with selective maize herbicides. This study evaluated the spray performance and efficacy of atrazine + nicosulfuron for weed management in maize–Brachiaria intercropping, focusing on how droplet classes and spray volumes affect maize growth and yield. The deposition experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design with six replications. Field experiments were conducted during two seasons [2021 early season—ES (rainy season) and 2022 late season—LS (dry season) in a randomized block design and a 4 × 2 factorial (fine, medium, coarse, and very coarse droplet classes × spray volumes of 77 and 144 L ha−1) plus four controls treatments: Maize + Brachiaria without weed control, Maize + Brachiaria manually weeding, Brachiaria manually weeding, and Maize manually weeding. The study revealed that droplet class and spray volume significantly influence droplet deposition. Treatments spraying fine droplets at 144 L ha−1 exhibited higher coverage and droplet density levels. Intercropping maize with Brachiaria grass can be achieved without significant yield losses in the ES. However, the intercropping system reduced maize yield by approximately 17
Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a major pest affecting various cultivated plants, including castor (Ricinus communis L.). While chemical control remains the primary management strategy, host plant resistance offers an eco-friendly alternative, particularly as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This study aimed to assess resistance mechanisms (antixenosis and antibiosis) in five resistant and five susceptible castor genotypes against C. punctiferalis under laboratory conditions using no-choice and multi-choice assays. Significant differences were observed among genotypes in oviposition, larval development time, survival rate, larval and pupal weight, pupal duration, adult emergence, and adult longevity. The genotypes RG-2466, RG-1930, and RG-2774 exhibited antixenosis based on reduced oviposition, whereas DPC-9 showed notable antibiosis (reduced larval survival, prolonged development, and lower larval and pupal weights). Genotype 48–1 expressed both mechanisms. These genotypes may serve as valuable genetic resources for breeding capsule borer-resistant castor varieties.
Three parasitoid wasps associated with the cerambycid beetle Xylotrechus stebbingi were recorded from the Kashmir Himalayas: the doryctine braconids Neurocrassus palliatus and Parallorhogas pallidiceps, and the ichneumonid Xorides xylotrechi. Clear temporal segregation in oviposition behaviour was observed, with N. palliatus exhibiting exclusively nocturnal activity, whereas X. xylotrechi and P. pallidiceps were diurnal. Host size preferences differed significantly among parasitoids, with P. pallidiceps attacking smaller hosts (13.4 ± 4.07 mm) compared with X. xylotrechi (20.5 ± 1.45 mm) and N. palliatus (21.9 ± 2.77 mm). Reproductive strategies also differed: X. xylotrechi was solitary (one egg per host), whereas N. palliatus and P. pallidiceps were gregarious. In the gregarious species, host larval size was strongly positively correlated with clutch size (r > 0.90), with a steeper clutch size increase in N. palliatus (1.63 eggs mm⁻1 host size) than in P. pallidiceps (1.00 eggs mm⁻1). All species exhibited significantly female-biased sex ratios (76.2–86.0
