Tetranychus urticae Koch is a destructive herbivorous mite, yet its physiological and metabolic associations with medicinal plants remain poorly characterized. This study examined the progressive infestation of Acorus calamus by T. urticae under glasshouse conditions. Because infestation developed naturally, stages were not predetermined; early–progressive (20–30 days), progressive (50–60 days), and advanced (80–90 days after initial detection) phases were assigned from the observed progression of mite density, infestation severity, webbing intensity, and leaf damage. Quantitative assessment supported increasing infestation pressure: egg density rose from 24.54 ± 5.45 to 187.34 ± 21.56 eggs leaf⁻1, while leaf damage index increased from 8.57 ± 1.44
The nesting whitefly (NW), Paraleyrodes pseudonaranjae Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is an invasive and highly polyphagous species originating from the Neotropics that has recently expanded into Asia. Here, we report the first confirmed occurrence of P. pseudonaranjae in Bangladesh, detected on coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) in Mymensingh, a north-central district of the country. Species identity was confirmed based on morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene. Morphological examination confirmed key diagnostic features of P. pseudonaranjae, including “modified X-shaped” grey bands on the forewings and distinct male genitalia, clearly distinguishing it from the morphologically similar species, Paraleyrodes bondari. Molecular analysis of the mtCOI gene revealed 99–100
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) poses a major threat to maize production in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the importance of identifying durable sources and biochemical markers of host-plant resistance. This study investigated the constitutive metabolic basis of partial FAW resistance in tropical maize by integrating insect bioassays with complementary GC–MS and LC–Q-TOF–MS profiling. Whole-leaf tissues collected before infestation from three resistant (Mp716, CML71, and CKSBL10008) and three susceptible (CML370, CKSBL10025, and CML444) inbred lines were analyzed, and the same tissues were incorporated into artificial diets to evaluate larval growth and feeding preference. Diets derived from resistant genotypes consistently reduced larval relative growth rates and were less preferred by neonates than diets derived from susceptible lines, providing evidence that pre-existing leaf chemistry contributes to both antibiosis- and antixenosis-associated resistance. GC–MS detected approximately 800 analytical features and highlighted resistance-associated trends in amino-acid, nitrogen, and central-carbon metabolism. LC–Q-TOF–MS detected approximately 1,700 features, with 384 differing significantly between resistance classes after false-discovery-rate correction, revealing extensive remodeling of specialized metabolism. Resistant lines were characterized by higher relative abundances of several putative amino acids, purine-related metabolites, phytosterols, and putative defense-associated compounds, including a DIMBOA-hexoside-related feature. In contrast, susceptible lines generally contained higher levels of putative soluble sugars, central-carbon metabolites, and several flavonoid- and phenylpropanoid-related features. Pathway analysis identified 28 differentially abundant consolidated metabolites and significant enrichment of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, indicating selective metabolic reconfiguration rather than generalized accumulation of secondary metabolites. Together, these findings demonstrate that partial FAW resistance is associated with a coordinated constitutive metabolic signature integrating nutritional composition and specialized defense chemistry. Although targeted and spatially resolved validation is required to establish the functions of individual metabolites, the identified signatures provide promising biochemical candidates for resistance screening and metabolomics-assisted breeding of FAW-resistant maize.
The solanum fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel), is an important pest of solanaceous crops; however, information on its biology, population ecology, molecular identity, and natural enemies on red cherry pepper, a Geographical Indication (GI) tagged crop, in India is lacking. Hence, the current study documented the occurrence of B. latifrons infesting cherry pepper and investigated its biology, demographic parameters, molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationships, and parasitoid complex. Adults were identified using diagnostic morphology and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). Developmental and demographic characteristics were assessed under laboratory conditions at 22°C ± 2 °C and 70
Weed infestation is a major constraint to Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) production, causing substantial reductions in fodder yield and quality. A two-year field experiment evaluated the impact of three sowing dates (October 30, November 15, and November 30) and five weed management treatments on weed dynamics, crop growth, fodder productivity, and seed yield. Treatments included pyroxasulfone (125 g ha−1) applied as pre-emergence or early post-emergence, a tank mixture of oxyfluorfen (100 g ha−1) + imazethapyr (15 g ha−1) applied after the first cut and after both the first and second cuts, and an untreated control. While the interaction between sowing date and weed management was non-significant, both factors individually had substantial impacts. Sowing on 30th October recorded the lowest weed density and dry matter, yielding the highest green fodder (547.75 q ha−1), dry matter (65.73 q ha−1), seed (4.25 q ha−1), and haulm (26.59 q ha−1). Early sowing reduced weed interference during establishment, promoting better crop height and tiller development. Conversely, delayed sowing decreased crop growth and biomass despite lower weed pressure. Among weed management treatments, pre-emergence application of pyroxasulfone (125 g ha−1) provided the most effective weed suppression, completely preventing weed emergence 30 days after sowing, achieved 100
