Neonicotinoid insecticides have been widely used in agriculture due to their broad insecticidal spectrum and high biological activity. However, the inefficiency of traditional pesticide formulations causes significant potential environmental risks. Microencapsulation technology is crucial in sustainable agriculture by enhancing bioactivity, extending duration, and reducing the impact on non-target organisms. In this study, Zn-sodium alginate-chitosan microcapsules loaded with thiacloprid (Thi@Zn-SA-CS) were prepared by emulsification-cross-linking method, using sodium alginate and chitosan as wall materials and Zn2 + as crosslinking agent. Thi@Zn-SA-CS exhibited a loading of 61.50% and an encapsulation efficiency of 85.99%. The morphology and structure of Thi@Zn-SA-CS were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The pot experiments demonstrated that Thi@Zn-SA-CS exhibited superior control efficacy and longer duration against Aphis gossypii, and revealed the great potential of Zn-SA-CS as a high-efficiency zinc fertilizer for cotton. The biosafety assessment indicated that Thi@Zn-SA-CS had no adverse effects on cotton seed germination, alleviated thiacloprid-induced chemical stress on cotton plants, and reduced acute toxicity to earthworms. The results confirm that Thi@Zn-SA-CS can improve pesticide utilization, alleviate chemical stress, and reduce risks to non-target organisms. This study provides a viable approach for developing sustainable, environmentally friendly, and highly effective pesticide formulations.

The widespread application of mulch film has led to the presence of large amounts of microplastics, which has altered physicochemical, enzyme activity, and deterioration of microbial communities. Biochar is considered to be a potential soil improvement material due to its porous structure and adsorption properties. The ameliorative effect of biochar on soil physicochemical, microorganisms and enzyme-active in garlic and greenhouse vegetable fields produced by mulching for many years was studied. Biochar reduced the organic carbon content of soil by up to 10.9%, and increased soil NO3--N by 24.7%- 29.3%. In addition, 0.5% biochar treatment improved electrical conductivity stability by 11.8%. Biochar treatment altered the composition and diversity of soil microbial communities, increased the relative abundance of bacterial taxa previously associated with plastic degradation and those contributing to soil fertility and element cycling. In addition, biochar increased the activity of urease and beta-glucosidase (by up to 49.4%-54.4%). Further correlation analysis revealed that significant associations were observed among soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and enzyme activities. These results advance the feasibility of using biochar in the remediation of residual film pollution through field applications.

BACKGROUND:Concerns about neonicotinoids are growing due to their potential toxicity to non-target organisms. The toxic effects of trace residues in the environment may reveal the causes of their toxicity to non-target organisms. RESULTS:In this study, the toxicity of sublethal dose of thiacloprid to silkworm was studied, and the potential mechanism of toxicity was analyzed from the four dimensions of intestinal electron microscopy structure, microbe, enzyme activity changes, and gene expression. Firstly, sublethal doses of thiacloprid inhibited the weight growth of silkworms by 40.9% and reduced the pre-pupation survival rate by 14.3%. Meanwhile, it caused structural damage to the midgut cells of silkworms. Exposure also altered the microbial community structure of the intestinal tract, increasing species richness while reducing species diversity and uniformity. The proportion of beneficial bacteria with anti-stress functions, such as Firmicutes (from 39.44% to 16.47%) and Staphylococcus (from 38.85% to 1.27%), was greatly reduced. Conversely, the proportions of pathogenic bacteria, including Tyzzerella (from 0.01% to 14.07%) and Achromobacter (from 2.76% to 7.16%), increased markedly. In addition, exposure significantly inhibited the gene expression and enzyme activity of digestion-related enzymes (amylase, lipase, and trypsin), among which the inhibition of lipase was particularly significant; it significantly activated the gene expression and enzyme activity of detoxification-related enzymes (P450, GST, and CarE). CONCLUSIONS:In summary, these findings offer significant insights into the toxicity mechanisms of non-target organisms exposed to neonicotinoids at sublethal doses. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a globally significant agricultural pest that has developed varying degrees of resistance to numerous classes of insecticides. Studies on the plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride (DPC) indicate that direct exposure inhibits development and reduces the reproductive capacity of A. gossypii. However, the effects of combining DPC with insecticides on the development and population dynamics of A. gossypii remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of DPC in conjunction with sublethal doses of imidacloprid (IMI-LC30) and sulfoxaflor (SUL-LC30) on the toxicity and sublethal effects of A. gossypii, using life table parameters and qPCR analysis. The results showed that the combination of DPC with IMI or SUL did not enhance the toxicity of either IMI or SUL. Compared to treatments with IMI-LC30 or SUL-LC30 alone, the combination treatments showed no significant differences in longevity, fecundity, and population parameters of the F0 generation. However, the fecundity of the F1 generation was significantly reduced, and population parameters also exhibited a decreasing trend. Moreover, exposure of A. gossypii to IMI-LC30 or SUL-LC30 resulted in the upregulation of reproduction-related genes Vg and VgR in the F1 generation. This effect was suppressed when either IMI-LC30 or SUL-LC30 was co-applied with DPC. These findings demonstrate that combining DPC, in combination with IMI or SUL, can suppress the population resurgence of A. gossypii induced by sublethal exposure to these insecticides on their own. This research provides insights for the effective use of DPC and insecticides.

Spodoptera exigua (H & uuml;bner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major pest that impacts numerous agricultural crops worldwide. However, the management of S. exigua is complicated by its ability to develop resistance to various insecticides. Previous study has demonstrated that the combination of Cry1Ca protein and phoxim (Cry1Ca & thorn; phoxim) improves the effectiveness of controlling S. exigua. Nevertheless, the effects of Cry1Ca & thorn; phoxim on the bacterial communities within S. exigua larvae remain unclear. High-throughput sequencing technology was used in this research to compare the effects of Cry1Ca, phoxim, and Cry1Ca & thorn; phoxim on the symbiotic bacteria in S. exigua. The results indicated that larvae treated with Cry1Ca & thorn; phoxim exhibited a decrease in bacterial community evenness, resulting in a significant drop in the relative abundance of Firmicutes and a rise in Actinobacteria within the gut microbiota of S. exigua larvae. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the abundance of Rhodococcus in the treatment with Cry1Ca & thorn; phoxim. The results indicate that Rhodococcus could influence the toxicity of Cry1Ca and phoxim on S. exigua, providing novel insights and strategies for pest management.

The hydrophobic waxy layer on grass leaves poses challenges for herbicide application by impeding wetting and deposition. The inclusion of appropriate tank-mix adjuvants with herbicides can overcome these problems. This study systematically evaluated the influence of five tank-mix adjuvants (Infiltrator, A-200, GY-Tmax, Velezia Pro, and Coerce) on the physicochemical properties, evaporation performance, and weed control efficacy of the herbicide fluazifop-p-butyl (FPB) against grass weeds, including Echinochloa crus-galli, Setaria viridis, and Digitaria sanguinalis. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of each adjuvant were identified by measuring the relationship between the surface tension of the solution and its concentration. At 2 CMC, the surface tension and contact angle reached their minimum values. A-200 demonstrated the best adhesion and wetting performance, followed by Coerce, GY-Tmax, Velezia Pro, and Infiltrator. Compared to the control without adjuvants, the wetting areas of A-200 and Coerce increased by 6.96- and 1.74-fold, respectively. At 25 degrees C, all adjuvants inhibited the evaporation of the solution. Even under a 20% reduction in herbicide, adjuvants such as A-200, Infiltrator, and GY-Tmax significantly enhanced the efficacy of FPB against weeds, achieving weed control effects comparable to those of the full herbicide dosage. This study demonstrates that appropriate adjuvants can improve the bioavailability of FPB, providing a theoretical basis for lowering herbicide application rates.

Background: Swallowwort (Cynanchum acutum subsp. sibiricum) poses significant challenges in cotton fields and orchards across northwest China. Objective: Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of various abiotic factors on seed germination of swallowwort. Methods: Seed germination and seedling emergence of freshly harvested seed (FS) and seed stored for six months (SS) were investigated under different temperatures, osmotic potentials, saline stresses, and burial depths. Results: The optimal germination temperature of FS was 30 to 35 degrees C, while that for SS was extended to 15 to 35 degrees C. Freshly harvested seeds germinated under alternating temperature regimes from 20/10 to 45/35 degrees C, but seed germination could reach to 60% at 15/5 degrees C after six months of storage. No germination of FS was observed at <=-1.0 MPa. However, seed germination remained at 44.6% at-1.0 MPa after storage. Saline stress reduced seed germination, with no germination observed at NaCl concentrations of >= 400 mM for the FS or >= 500 mM for the SS. However, pH values ranging from 5 to 10 had no significant impact on seed germination. The maximum seedling emergence (71%) was observed at the soil surface and no emergence at 10-cm burial depth. Conclusions: Six months of storage enhanced seed tolerance to sub-optimal temperature, drought and salt stress conditions, comparing with FS. This made swallowwort more adaptable to harsh environments such as drought and salinity. Therefore, timely weed control is necessary to prevent seed production.

Although fosthiazate (FOS) is a novel chiral organophosphorus nematicide, its enantioselective toxicity to Bombyx mori remains inadequately characterized. This study systematically evaluated the acute and developmental toxicity of FOS stereoisomers by determining LC50 values and assessing enzyme activity, oxidative stress biomarkers, growth metrics, and silk gland histopathology. Acute toxicity assays revealed profound stereoselectivity; specifically, (1S,3R)-fosthiazate (SR-FOS) and (1S,3S)-fosthiazate (SS-FOS) exhibited toxicity more than 10-fold higher than the other stereoisomers. Following sublethal exposure (8.54 mg/L), SR-FOS and SS-FOS significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, upregulated the expression of ace1 and ace2 genes by 2.46- to 7.35-fold, and induced severe oxidative stress, marked by a 38.02-62.61 % increase in ROS, a 28.75-65.18 % increase in SOD activity, a 34.96-110.93 % increase in CAT activity, and a 1.91- to 3.88-fold elevation in MDA levels. In addition, developmental toxicity also varied significantly among stereoisomers. SR-FOS and SS-FOS reduced pupal weight by 16.82-17.76 % and cocoon shell weight by 21.88-28.13 %. These stereoisomers also caused severe damage to the silk glands, accompanied by a 1.21- to 6.45-fold downregulation of genes encoding fibroin (Fib-H, Fib-L), sericin (Ser1, Ser2, Ser3), and the silk gland factor 1 (SGF1), indicating that disrupted silk synthesis is a key mechanism of chronic toxicity. Furthermore, UPLC-MS/MS results showed that the residues of the four stereoisomers in silkworm excrement also showed significant differences (RS/RR-FOS > SR/SS-FOS). These findings establish critical structure-activity relationships for FOS, which are essential for the risk assessment of chiral pesticides.

Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) causes considerable damage to crop yields globally. Solanum nigrum (Solanales: Solanaceae), an annual malignant weed, serves as a crucial weed host for A. gossypii. However, the potential mechanisms by which A. gossypii adapts to different hosts during the transition between crops, such as Gossypium hirsutum (Malvales: Malvaceae) and S. nigrum remain elusive. We calculated the life table parameters of A. gossypii after rearing on S. nigrum for ten generations. The fifth generation of A. gossypii (T5) exhibited the strongest adaptability to S. nigrum, demonstrating notably higher values of r (intrinsic rate of increase), λ (finite rate of increase), and fecundity compared to the first generation of A. gossypii (T1). Upon retransferring T1, T5, and the tenth generation of A. gossypii (T10) were retransferred to G. hirsutum (designated as T1-M, T5-M, and T10-M, respectively), the T5-M showed superior r, λ, and fecundity compared to both T1-M and T10-M. 16S rRNA sequencing and qPCR analyses indicated a significant decrease in the diversity of the symbiotic bacterial community in both T5 and T10. Notably, Buchnera and Arsenophonus were two dominant symbiotic bacteria related to metabolism and host adaptability in A. gossypii. The relative abundance of Buchnera in T5 and T10 significantly increased compared to M and T, while the relative abundance of Arsenophonus decreased markedly. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) function prediction analysis suggested that the roles of symbiotic bacteria in A. gossypii are primarily linked to metabolic processes. Therefore, the adaptation of A. gossypii to S. nigrum enhances its population expansion on G. hirsutum, potentially involving the metabolic functions of Buchnera and Arsenophonus. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the scientific management of A. gossypii and S. nigrum in the fields.

Some neonicotinoids have been restricted in outdoor environments due to their risks to pollinating insects, yet their safety for non-target organisms in greenhouses is still unknown. This study investigates the deposition, degradation, and metabolic dynamics of thiacloprid on greenhouse-grown tomato and assesses its toxicity risk to pollinating bumblebees from spatial and temporal perspectives. Spatially, thiacloprid initially concentrated in leaves (71 %) and flowers (23 %), with deposition in the upper plant being 1.5 times that of the lower sections. The compound's half-life varied by plant tissue: flowers (3.28 days), fruits (4.04 days), stems (4.13 days), and leaves (10.37 days), with the upper sections 1.05-1.75 times higher than in the lower sections of the same organ. Five primary metabolites were identified in tomato tissues, peaking in leaves and flowers 5-7 days. Additionally, greenhouse thiacloprid exposure affected bumblebee body weight, mortality, and pollinated fruit weight. The risk quotient index further proves that thiacloprid residues in leaves and flowers posed an exposure risk to bumblebees, with risk levels subsiding below threshold values after 5 days in flowers and 21 days in leaves. The findings provide an important reference for the exposure risk and safe use supervision of neonicotinoid insecticides to pollinating insects in greenhouse scenarios.

The improper use of pesticide has escalated the challenge of managing Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a serious agricultural pest. While mepiquat chloride (DPC), a plant growth regulator, has been shown to reduce the reproductive capacity of A. gossypii when the aphids feed on DPC-treated cotton leaves (Gossypium hirsutum L), its direct effects on A. gossypii remain unclear. In this context we used multigeneration life table and transcriptome sequencing to investigate both the direct and transgenerational effects of DPC (directly applied to the F0 generation) on the population dynamics of A. gossypii. Results showed that DPC, although lacking direct contact biological activity, reduced population growth parameters and affected multiple generations (F0-F2). By contrast, the effects on the F3-F5 generations were relatively minor. Transcriptome analysis revealed generation-specific changes in differentially expressed genes (DEGs), particularly those related to the reproduction of A. gossypii. Notably, the expression levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-1B-like (Ag4E-1B-like) and juvenile hormone acid O-methyltransferase-like (AgJHAMT-like) were down-regulated to varying degrees. After RNA interference knockdown of Ag4E-1B-like and AgJHAMT-like, the longevity, fecundity, and survival rates of A. gossypii were reduced. These results deepen our comprehension of the potential consequences of DPC on reproductive inhibition in A. gossypii and provide valuable guidance for usage of pesticides.

The degradation and non-target risks of neonicotinoids under greenhouse scenarios remain poorly understood. Thiacloprid' deposition, dissipation, metabolism and honey bee exposure risk on greenhouse-grown cowpea, cucumber and melon were analyzed using a rapid detection method for thiacloprid and five metabolites. The initial concentration ratios and half-lives in plant tissues were highest in leaves (67.8 % and 3.13 days), followed by flowers (19.8 % and 1.17 days), stems (9.2 % and 2.07 days) and fruits (3.1 % and 2.40 days). Except for flower part, cowpea exhibited the most robust initial deposition values-1.40, 13.54, and 1.06 mg kg(-1) (stem, leaf, fruit)-outstripping other crops corresponding tissues by a staggering 1.18-15.20 times. In the 12-24 h following application, a surge in thiacloprid content within the fruits of cowpea, cucumber, and muskmelon was observed, escalating by 31.6 % (0.33 mg kg(-1)), 46.0 % (0.13 mg kg(-1)), and 105.4 % (0.07 mg kg(-1)), respectively. In addition to M31, four thiacloprid metabolites were identified, with peak concentrations occurring in 1-7 days. Metabolite concentration ratios were highest in fruits (33.9 %), followed by leaves (26.9 %), stems (24.3 %), and flowers (14.9 %). 20.3 % of the time and space sampling was higher than the exposure risk concern value (HQ > 50), and 46.43 % was higher than the oral risk concern value (HQ > 50). Leaves and flowers were identified as high-risk tissues, requiring 2-20 days to reach low-risk levels for pollinator exposure. The research provides insights into the environmental behavior of neonicotinoids and the associated risks to pollinating bees in greenhouse scenarios.

Knowledge of the critical periods of crop–weed competition is crucial for designing weed management strategies in cropping systems. In the Lower Yangtze Valley, China, field experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to study the effect of interference from mixed natural weed populations on cotton growth and yield and to determine the critical period for weed control (CPWC) in direct-seeded cotton. Two treatments were applied: allowing weeds to infest the crop or keeping plots weed-free for increasing periods (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 20 wk) after crop emergence. The results show that mixed natural weed infestations led to 35- to 55-cm shorter cotton plants with stem diameters 10 to 13 mm smaller throughout the season, fitting well with modified Gompertz and logistic models, respectively. Season-long competition with weeds reduced the number of fruit branches per plant by 65% to 82%, decreasing boll number per plant by 86% to 96% and single boll weight by approximately 24%. Weed-free seed cotton yields ranged from 2,900 to 3,130 kg ha−1, while yield loss increased with the duration of weed infestation, reaching up to 83% to 96% compared with permanent weed-free plots. Modified Gompertz and logistic models were used to analyze the impact of increasing weed control duration and weed interference on relative seed cotton yield (percentage of season-long weed-free cotton), respectively. Based on a 5% yield loss threshold, the CPWC was found to be from 145 to 994 growing degree days (GDD), corresponding to 14 to 85 d after emergence (DAE). These findings emphasize the importance of implementing effective weed control measures from 14 to 85 DAE in the Lower Yangtze Valley to prevent crop losses exceeding a 5% yield loss threshold.

Glyphosate, the most prevalent pesticide and widely used herbicide globally, has seen much research on its potential ecological toxicity. Glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) is directly sprayed in the field, exposing predators to the chemical through contaminated prey or direct contact. While the consequences of ingesting glyphosate have been explored, the specific impact of GBH spraying on Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) remains unclear. In this study, life tables were constructed to evaluate the potential effects of different stages of exposure to GBH on both the parents (F 0 ) and offspring (F 1 ) of C. pallens , and the expression of genes related to the insulin signalling pathway and vitellogenin ( Vg1 ) was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that medium (10 mL/L) and high (20 mL/L) concentrations of GBH adversely affected the development and longevity of the F 0 and F 1 generation of C. pallens larvae. Notably, high concentrations of GBH significantly reduced the fecundity of the F 0 and suppressed Vg1 transcription at both medium and high concentrations. While GBH treatment of C. pallens adults showed no harmful effects on the longevity, fecundity, population parameters, and the transcription levels of genes involved in insulin signalling and Vg1 in the F 0 . Nevertheless, it altered the developmental duration of the F 1 . Therefore, spraying GBH may lead to reduced fecundity and inhibit the Vg1 transcription, posing potential risks to both parental and offspring generations of C. pallens . These findings offer valuable insights into the proper utilisation of GBH.

Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) poses significant threats to global agriculture, necessitating the management of resistance through sustainable alternatives such as Insect growth regulators (IGRs), including Methoxyfenozide (MET) and Lufenuron (LUF). This study elucidates the potential regulatory mechanisms between 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and immune signaling under IGR exposure. Sublethal doses of MET, LUF, and their mixture (MML) significantly downregulated the 20E titer by upregulating SeShd and SeCYP18A1. Silencing SeShd decreased 20E, whereas knockdown SeCYP18A1 increased 20E; both delayed development and increased susceptibility to IGRs. Furthermore, IGRs activated immune pathways (Toll/IMD), elevating SeDif and SePGRP-LB (SePLB) expression while simultaneously suppressing 20E. Silencing SeDif and SePLB stimulated 20E biosynthesis and heightened susceptibility to IGRs. These findings offer novel insights into the intricate interplay between 20E biosynthesis and the immune response to IGRs. Our work enhances the understanding of the IGRs' molecular mechanism and offers actionable strategies for combating resistance in S. exigua.

Pesticides and microplastics (MPs) derived from mulch film in agricultural soil can independently impact soil ecology, yet the consequences of their combined exposure remain unclear. Therefore, the effects of simultaneous exposure to commonly used pesticides (imidacloprid and flumioxazin) and aged mulch film-derived MPs on soil microorganisms and element cycles in cotton fields were investigated. The combined exposure influenced soil microorganisms, alongside processes related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles, exhibiting effects that were either neutralized or enhanced compared to individual exposures. The impact of pesticides in combined exposure was notably more significant and played a dominant role than that of MPs. Specifically, combined exposure intensified changes in soil bacterial community and symbiotic networks. The combined exposure neutralized NH4+, NO3- , DOC, and A-P contents, shifting from 0.33 % and 40.23 % increase in MPs and pesticides individually to a 40.24 % increase. Moreover, combined exposure resulted in the neutralization or amplification of the nitrogen-fixing gene nifH, nitrifying genes (amoA and amoB), and denitrifying genes (nirS and nirK), the carbon cycle gene cbbLG and the phosphorus cycle gene phoD from 0.48 and 2.57 -fold increase to a 2.99 -fold increase. The combined exposure also led to the neutralization or enhancement of carbon and nitrogen cycle functional microorganisms, shifting from a 1.53 -fold inhibition and 10.52 -fold increase to a 6.39 -fold increase. These findings provide additional insights into the potential risks associated with combined pesticide exposure and MPs, particularly concerning soil microbial communities and elemental cycling processes.

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is critical global pest threatening crops and leading to agricultural losses. Wolbachia is an intracellular symbiotic bacterium in insects, which can regulate the growth and development of the host through various ways. In a prior study, Wolbachia was found to be transferred to whitefly and induce fitness changes. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of host-Wolbachia interactions in B. tabaci. In this study, a Wolbachia strain wStri was isolated from the small brown planthopper, Laodelphex striatellus, and transferred to B. tabaci. The distribution of Wolbachia in whiteflies was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Reciprocal crossing experiments demonstrated that wStri did not induce cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotypes in B. tabaci, but prolonged the developmental duration of the offspring. We performed transcriptomic analysis of Wolbachia-infected female and male adults using Illumina-based RNA-Seq. A total of 843 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in infected females, among them 141 were significantly up-regulated and 702 were down-regulated by Wolbachia infection. In infected males, of 511 gene sets, 279 host genes were significantly up-regulated, and 232 were down-regulated by Wolbachia infection. KEGG analysis of DEGs demonstrated significant differences in gene pathway distribution between up-regulated and downregulated genes. These genes are involved in various biological processes, including, but not limited to, detoxification, oxidation-reduction, metabolic processes, and immunity. The transcriptomic profiling of this study offers valuable information on the differential expression of genes in whiteflies following Wolbachia infection, and enhances our understanding of this host-symbiotic interaction.

Nanotechnology aligns with the requirements of sustainable development of agriculture, and nano-pesticides offer a promising approach to controlling agricultural pests and increasing productivity. Non-target predators also play a crucial role in pest controls and enhancing the efficacy of pesticide on target organisms. Reducing the toxicity of pesticides to non-target organisms is key to of coordinating chemical control and biological control methods. Therefore, it is essential to assess the toxicity of nano-pesticides on non-target predators. In this study, a carbon dots-doped mesoporous silica nano-delivery system (Thi@CD-MSN) was successfully developed using CD-MSN as carrier material and thiacloprid (Thi) as a model pesticide. The results demonstrated that the synthesized Thi@CD-MSN exhibited a relatively high loading efficiency (33.58%). Laboratory bioassay experiments revealed that Thi@CD-MSN demonstrated effective insecticidal activity (LC50 = 21.67 mg/L) in controlling Aphis gossypii Glover. Besides, the acute toxicity of Thi@CD-MSN on Chrysoperla pallens larvae was significantly lower than that of Thi, as was its toxicity to 4T1 cells. These findings suggest that CD-MSN can serve as an ecological safety carrier for pesticide delivery, improving the effective utilization of Thi while reducing the risks to non-target predators. These results are essential for comprehending the effects of nano-pesticides on non-target predators, providing informative data for implementing biological and chemical control strategies. It strengthens the safety evaluation of nano-pesticides.

Cyantraniliprole (CYA), widely recognized as a highly effective solution, is widely used in pest management. It has been broadly utilized to manage diverse pests, among which Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a prominent agricultural pest that leads to significant crop damage worldwide. Studies suggest that the sublethal effect of insecticides might contribute to the resurgence of A. gossypii. Therefore, in this study, A. gossypii were exposed to sublethal doses of CYA (LC15 and LC30 values of 1.43 and 2.93 mg/L, respectively) for 48 h then employed life table parameters and RT-qPCR were used to estimate the sublethal and cross-generational impacts. Treatments with sublethal doses of CYA notably reduced the survival and reproduction of the F0A. gossypii and CYA at LC30 significantly increased the fecundity and population growth parameters (R0, r, λ, and GRR) of F1 and reduced in the pre-adult stage. Furthermore, gene expression analysis indicated a significant downregulation of juvenile hormone-binding protein (JHBP) in F0. Conversely, the F1 generation exhibited an upregulation of vitellogenin (Vg), insulin receptor substrate 1 (InS1), ecdysone receptor (EcR), and ultraspiracle protein (USP). The funding not only enhance the comprehension of the sublethal effects of CYA on A. gossypii but also provide valuable guidance for the effective utilization of insecticides in managing the pest.

Although neonicotinoids are widely used and important insecticide, there are growing concerns about their effect on nontarget insects and other organisms. Moreover, the effects of nitenpyram (NIT), a second generation of neonicotinoid insecticides, on Chrysopa pallens are still unclear. Therefore, this study purposed to investigate the acute toxicity of NIT to C. pallens using the spotting method. To examine the potential effects of a sublethal dose of NIT (LD30 , 1.85 ng of active ingredient per insect) on C. pallens, we constructed the life tables and analyzed the transcriptome data. The life table results showed that the period of second instar larvae, adult pre-oviposition period and total pre-oviposition period were significantly prolonged after exposure to sublethal dose of NIT, but had no significant effects on the other instars, longevity, oviposition days, and fecundity. The population parameters, including the preadult survival rate, gross reproduction rate, net reproductive rate, the intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase, were not significantly affected, and only the mean generation time was significantly prolonged by NIT. Transcriptome analysis showed that there were 68 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 50 upregulated genes and 18 downregulated genes. Moreover, 13 DEGs related to heat shock protein, nose resistant to fluoxetine protein 6, and prophenoloxidas were upregulated. This study showed the potential effects of sublethal doses of NIT on C. pallens and provided a theoretical reference for the comprehensive application of chemical and biological control in integrated pest management.