DOI: 10.18474/JES23-72 Abstract The fruit fly Neoceratitis asiatica (Becker) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a monophagous pest that damages only wolfberry, Lycium barbarum L. The odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) of insects are part of the initial steps of the olfactory signal transduction cascade involved in solubilizing and transporting chemical signals to the olfactory receptors. We studied the OBP genes of N. asiatica by using data from RNA-seq cDNA libraries of adult flies. Seventeen putative OBP sequences in N. asiatica were identified, corresponding to 13 OBPs of Drosophila melanogaster (Megen) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Thirteen of the N. asiatica genes belong to the classic subfamily, four are in the minus-C subfamily, and none were members of the plus-C and dimer subfamilies. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to elucidate the evolutionary relationship between N. asiatica and other related species. This investigation of OBP evolution in monophagous, oligophagous, and polyphagous fruit flies revealed that the OBPs in N. asiatica are more oligo and conserved. These findings lay a foundation for uncovering the relationships between monophagous insects and their OBPs.

Three species of the genus Phyllomyza Fallén from Yintiaoling National Nature Reserve are described as new to science: P. fuscusagenis sp. nov., P. hirtipes sp. nov. and P. obtususa sp. nov. An updated key to the species of Phyllomyza from China is presented. The specimens are deposited in the Insect Collection of Henan Agricultural University.

The druid fly genus Clusia was firstly recorded from China, including two new species: C. luteimacula sp. nov. from Yintiaoling Nature Reserve of Chongqing and C. sinensis sp. nov. from Wanglang of Sichuan and Mt. Taibai of Shaanxi. A key to all species of Clusia globally is presented.

Low-cost sodium superionic conductor (NASICON) solid electrolytes featuring high ionic conductivity and high safety characteristics are regarded as one of the best choices to replace liquid electrolytes in energy-intensive lithium (Li)-metal batteries. However, the conventional NASICON electrolytes prepared by pressureless sintering generally exhibit low density and poor fracture toughness, largely limiting their wide practical application. In this work, borosilicate glass (BG) as the second phase was added to Li-1.4 Al0.4Ti1.6(PO4)(3) (LATP) during the sintering process and a strong and tough ceramic electrolyte. The results showed that after BG was added, the fracture strength of the obtained ceramic electrolytes reached 74 MPa, which was 2.38 times that of pure LATP. The activation energy showed a reduction of 14.3% to 0.3 eV compared with pure LATP, and the relative density reached 97.17%, attaining a high level under pressureless sintering conditions. In addition, the all-solid-state batteries with LiFePO4 (LFP) as the cathode and Li metal as the anode exhibited good cycling stability after surface modification and a discharge specific capacity of 154.5 mA.h-g(-1) at 25 degrees C and 0.1 C. After 100 cycles, the Coulombic efficiency was close to 100%. This method provides a feasible avenue for preparing ceramic electrolytes with high mechanical strength and high ionic conductivity.