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The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region lies between the Mongolia-Xinjiang Zoogeographic Region and the Central China Zoogeographic Region in China, harboring relatively rich biodiversity. This study specifically examined the species diversity, richness and endemic areas of beetles in this area. By analyzing 5965 detailed distribution records of 2047 beetle species in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, the species richness maps were created with a grid size of 0.5°. Additionally, two methods, parsimony analysis of endemism (PAE) and endemicity analysis (EA) were applied to detect areas of endemism (AOEs) with different grid sizes (0.1°, 0.25° and 0.5°), resulting in the identification of three AOEs in the southern mountainous areas of the Taihang Mountains, Yanshan Mountains, and Xiaowutai Mountains. It also verified that AOEs are consistent with the hypothesis that endemic areas are predominantly located in mountain ranges, as proposed by previous related studies. These findings highlight the importance of complex topography and stable climate in shaping AOEs and conserving biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beetles represent the most diverse group of living organisms on Earth, yet there has been very little in the way of using beetle distributions in bioregionalization exercises. Here, we combine several small data sets for beetle distributions in South Africa to produce a list of morphospecies and to analyze their presence within twenty geographic units spanning the entire country. We find a diversity of fine scale assemblages in the east, but also a disjunction between the western arid/winter-rainfall and eastern summer-rainfall half of the country, which is in line with several previous studies based on diverse groups of animals and plants. We recommend the use of the increasing citizen science data sets in studying biogeographic patterns in groups such as beetles, which have so far received limited attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomy underpins biological research because names are needed for comparative analysis, conservation status, and public communication. Despite this, many species remain undescribed and are therefore vulnerable and unprotected, particularly in the tropics. Neotropical Staphylinidae beetles (Coleoptera) are among the insect groups most likely to contain significant unknown and/or cryptic diversity. Here we used an integrative taxonomic framework to conduct a preliminary review of one particularly diverse genus of Staphylinidae (Anotylus) in Área de Conservaciόn Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica. We began by DNA barcoding novel collections and using Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) as an estimate of taxonomic diversity; we found 18 provisional new species. We augmented this genetic analysis with a morphometric analysis of adult morphological characters and found that we could differentiate most provisional species by external morphology as well as by elevation of collection. All the most abundant species could be differentiated from each other by differences in body size. One BIN included slight (~1%) genetic variation that corresponded with some morphological differentiation suggesting the existence of two species within a DNA BIN. Our results support the efficacy of DNA barcoding collections of tropical insects as an effective biodiversity estimator, one that can be used as a primer for integrative taxonomic studies using BINs as species hypotheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomala Samouelle, 1819 is one of the specious genera of Coleoptera, with over 1000 known species, and includes some of the most destructive pests of crops or forests. Morphological convergence is a common phenomenon within this genus, making the identification of closely related species very difficult. To explore the phylogenetic placement of Anomalini and provide a basis for the classification and identification of Anomala, we comparatively analyzed the complete mitogenome of three Anomala species (A. exoleta, A. perplexa diana, and A. praecoxalis). Based on all accessible mitogenome data, we performed comparative mitochondrial genomics analysis of this genus and reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of Scarabaeidae based on two datasets (protein-coding genes and amino acids) and two methods (Bayesian approach and maximum likelihood). The phylogenetic relationships found in this study highly support that the groups of Aphodiinae, Cetoniinae, Dynastinae, Rutelinae and Scarabaeinae are monophyletic. Interestingly, the phylogenetic clustering relationship was highly consistent with the Scarabaeidae diet, indicating that the herbivorous species and dung-eating species are clustered separately. The phylogenetic tree showed that the subfamily Melolonthinae and the genus Anomala are not monophyletic, suggesting that these two groups should be further revised with more data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the maxillary mouthparts of longicorn beetles, four types of bionic cutters were designed in this research to address the prevalent issues of high cutting resistance and severe stubble damage encountered during alfalfa harvesting. Finite element simulation was utilized to assess the structural integrity and cutting performance of these bionic cutters. Additionally, bench tests were conducted on a homemade stem-cutting force measurement and control rig to evaluate their effectiveness. The results indicated: (1) the bionic cutters achieved a reduction in maximum equivalent force ranging from 20.9% to 49.2% and a decrease in maximum deformation from 31.4% to 64.1% compared to conventional cutters; (2) the maximum cutting resistance of alfalfa stems was reduced by 28.6%, 43.9%, 52.4%, and 38.6%, significantly enhancing the flatness of the cut surfaces; (3) orthogonal bench tests demonstrated that the type of cutter and the slip-cutting angle significantly influenced the maximum cutting resistance of the stems (p < 0.01), with the optimal configuration being bionic cutter c, a slip-cutting angle of 10°, and a rotational speed of 2600 rpm. In conclusion, bionic cutters demonstrate substantial advantages in reducing maximum cutting resistance and improving the flatness of alfalfa stubble, suggesting their potential for widespread application and adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The family Lampyridae, commonly known as fireflies, is a cosmopolitan group comprising approximately 100 genera and 2200 species. Oculogryphus Jeng, Engel & Yang, 2007 is a small firefly genus endemic to Asia with only four known species and the phylogenetic position of it remains unresolved. It has been considered enigmatic because of its characteristic morphology intermingling different subfamilies, while its systematic status has never been rigorously tested due to a lack of molecular data. In this study, we obtained a large series of O. chenghoiyanae Yiu & Jeng, 2018 from southeastern China. We successfully sequenced and annotated its complete mitochondrial genome and clarified the systematic status of Oculogryphus. The firefly genus Oculogryphus Jeng, Engel & Yang, 2007 is a rare-species group endemic to Asia. Since its establishment, its position has been controversial but never rigorously tested. To address this perplexing issue, we are the first to present the complete mitochondrial sequence of Oculogryphus, using the material of O. chenghoiyanae Yiu & Jeng, 2018 determined through a comprehensive morphological identification. Our analyses demonstrate that its mitogenome exhibits similar characteristics to that of Stenocladius, including a rearranged gene order between trnC and trnW, and a long intergenic spacer (702 bp) between the two rearranged genes, within which six remnants (29 bp) of trnW were identified. Further, we incorporated this sequence into phylogenetic analyses of Lampyridae based on different molecular markers and datasets using ML and BI analyses. The results consistently place Oculogryphus within the same clade as Stenocladius in all topologies, and the gene rearrangement is a synapomorphy for this clade. It suggests that Oculogryphus should be classified together with Stenocladius in the subfamily Ototretinae at the moment. This study provides molecular evidence confirming the close relationship between Oculogryphus and Stenocladius and discovers a new phylogenetic marker helpful in clarifying the monophyly of Ototretinae, which also sheds a new light on firefly evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brevinasia gen. n., a new genus of edaphic weevils with 14 species from the South African provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo, is described. The genus is described and illustrated, its taxonomic placement is discussed, and a key to the species is given. The specimens are usually associated with leaf litter in forest habitats and were generally sampled by sifting forest soil. Its type species, B. brevicollis (Voss, 1974), is redescribed, and 13 new species are described: B. albonigra sp. n. (type locality: Hills east of Stilbaai); B. bulirschi sp. n. (type locality: Marloth Nature Reserve); B. inconspicua sp. n. (type locality: Robinson's Pass); B. janaki sp. n. (type locality: Hawequas); B. leleupi sp. n. (type locality: Humansdorp); B. limpopoensis sp. n. (type locality: Kruger National Park); B. litoralis sp. n. (type locality: West Gouritsmond); B. longiseta sp. n. (type locality: Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve); B. maior sp. n. (type locality: Salem); B. micros sp. n. (type locality: Royal Natal National Park); B. nigritarsis sp. n. (type locality: Olifantsbos); B. rotundipennis sp. n. (type locality: Mkhambati Nature Reserve); B. wanati sp. n. (type locality: Lillyvlei Nature Reserve). COI sequences of B. brevicollis, B. nigritarsis, and B. wanati were deposited on GenBank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beetle, of the order Coleoptera, possesses outstanding flight capabilities. After completing flight, they can fold their hindwings under the elytra and swiftly unfold them again when they take off. This sophisticated hindwing structure is a result of biological evolution, showcasing the strong environmental adaptability of this species. The beetle's hindwings can provide biomimetic inspiration for the design of flapping-wing micro air vehicles (FWMAVs). In this study, the Asian ladybird (Harmonia axyridis Pallas) was chosen as the bionic research object. Various kinematic parameters of its flapping flight were analyzed, including the flight characteristics of the hindwings, wing tip motion trajectories, and aerodynamic characteristics. Based on these results, a flapping kinematic model of the Asian ladybird was established. Then, three bionic deployable wing models were designed and their structural mechanical properties were analyzed. The results show that the structure of wing vein bars determined the mechanical properties of the bionic wing. This study can provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for further bionic wing design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deployable hind wings of beetles led to a bio-inspired idea to design deployable micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) to meet the requirement of miniaturization. In this paper, a bionic deployable wing (BD-W) model is designed based on the folding mechanism and elliptical wing vein structure of the Protaetia brevitarsis hindwing, and its structural static and aerodynamic characteristics are analyzed by using ANSYS Workbench. Finally, the 3D-printed bionic deployable wing was tested in a wind tunnel and compared with simulation experiments to explore the effects of different incoming velocity, flapping frequency, and angle of attack on its aerodynamic characteristics, which resulted in the optimal combination of the tested parameters, among which, the incoming velocity is 3 m/s, the flapping frequency is 10 Hz, the angle of attack is 15°, and the lift-to-drag ratio of this parameter combination is 4.91. The results provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the further development of bionic flapping wing for MAV applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cleopus Dejean, 1821, a genus belonging to the tribe Cionini Schoenherr, 1825 of the large subfamily Curculioninae and the family Curculionidae, is distributed in the Oriental and Palaearctic regions. This paper reviews all valid species of the genus based on morphological characters for the first time. Five already known species are redescribed, and thirteen species new to the science are described. This is the fourth part of the revision of the tribe Cionini after three revisions of Palaearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental species of the genus Cionus Clairville, 1798. Beside detailed descriptions and redescriptions, illustrations of habitus and male genitalia, diagnoses, remarks and comparative notes, biological notes, distribution, lists of examined specimens, and a key to all valid species are given. The genus Cleopus Dejean, 1821 is herein revised for the first time. Based on adult morphological characteristics, 18 species are recognized as valid. Thirteen species, all distributed in the Eastern Palaearctis or Oriental region, are described as new: C. aduncirostris sp. n.; C. cognatus sp. n.; C. confusus sp. n.; C. dohertyi sp. n.; C. hajeki sp. n.; C. lirenae sp. n.; C. longitarsis sp. n.; C. minutus sp. n.; C. pallidisquamosus sp. n.; C. parvidentatus sp. n.; C. philippinensis sp. n.; C. simillimus sp. n.; and C. subaequalis sp. n. Lectotypes of following two valid species and three synonyms were designated: Curculio solani Fabricius, 1792; Curculio pulchellus Herbst, 1795; Cionus setiger Germar, 1821; Curculio immunis Marsham, 1802; and Cleopus pulchellus rigidus Stephens, 1831. Neotypes of Curculio perpensus Rossi, 1792 and Cleopus pulchellus flavus Stephens, 1832 were designated. The following new synonyms of Cleopus pulchellus (Herbst, 1795) were established: Cleopus pulchellus var. flavus Stephens, 1831 syn. n. and C. pulchellus var. rigidus Stephens, 1831 syn. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Currently, the optimization of mass rearing conditions for insects is a matter of highly applied and fundamental relevance since insects can be used as a source of protein in feed and feed supplements for farm animals as well as a source of antibacterial compounds for drug development and various insect research activities in laboratory conditions. The quantity and quality of the consumed feed has an effect on insect growth rate, duration of development, body weight, ability to spread, and survival, as well as on the mating success rate and total egg production of females. Suboptimal nutrition, growth, and development can affect beetle viability. We developed an artificial fungi-based diet for rearing an insect group adapted to life in wood and using it as one of their food sources and tested the effect of this diet on various parameters of the insects' development and their immunity. Zophobas atratus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) was chosen as a model species (representative of this group of insects). Based on the parameters of development at all stages of Z. atratus and screening of hemolymph antibacterial activity of their larvae, we showed that the cultivation method we developed shortens the development time of beetles and strengthens their immunity. The rearing of saproxylic insects in laboratory conditions is an important task for studying the biology of insects. Through understanding nutritional needs, it is possible to optimize beetle rearing in laboratory conditions. In this study, an artificial fungi-based diet (FD) was developed for the cultivation of the darkling beetle Zophobas atratus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in laboratory conditions as a model object for studying the biology of saproxylophagous beetles. To assess the influence of the diet, a number of physiological parameters were measured, including development time, body size, and weight of all stages of the beetle's life cycle, as well as its immune status. The immune status of Z. atratus was assessed on the basis of larval hemolymph antibacterial activity against six different bacterial strains assessed using disk-diffusion and photometric tests. Our findings show that the FD reduces development time and boosts the immune status as compared to beetles reared on a standard diet (SD). Samples from FD-reared larvae had pronounced antibacterial activity as compared to samples from SD-reared larvae. This work is of fundamental importance for understanding the correlations between nutrition and development of saproxylic Coleoptera and is the first report on immune status regulation in this group of insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Apoderus dimidiatus (Coleoptera: Attelabidae), a widely distributed weevil species in China, feeds on leaves and creates compact leaf rolls for spawning. Its offspring complete a series of developmental stages within these structures before emerging as mature insects. In this study, we assembled a high-quality genome of A. dimidiatus at the chromosome level. We found the expanded gene family of A. dimidiatus is associated with functions such as the regulation of skin water loss, sebaceous gland development, and water balance in multicellular organisms, which are essential for the species' survival within leaf rolls. On the other hand, the contracted gene family is primarily associated with protease activity and solute transmembrane transport, contributing to the decline in egg production and the low survival rate of offspring. This situation forces female adults to develop the unique behavior of leaf rolling. Overall, our findings shed light on the evolutionary relationship between A. dimidiatus and other species and elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind their unique leaf rolling behavior. Attelabidae insects have attracted much attention due to their unique leaf rolling behavior before oviposition. However, the lack of genomic data makes it difficult to understand the molecular mechanism behind their behavior and their evolutionary relationship with other species. To address this gap, we utilized Illumina and Nanopore sequencing platforms along with Hi-C technology to establish a highly accurate whole genome of A. dimidiatus at the chromosome level. The resulting genome size was determined to be 619.26 Mb, with a contig N50 of 50.89 Mb and GC content of 33.89%. Moreover, a total of 12,572 genes were identified, with 82.59% being functionally annotated, and 64.78% designated as repeat sequences. Our subsequent phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that Attelabidae's divergence from Curculionidae occurred approximately 161.52 million years ago. Furthermore, the genome of A. dimidiatus contained 334 expanded gene families and 1718 contracted gene families. In addition, using Phylogenetic Analysis by Maximum Likelihood (PAML), we identified 106 rapidly evolved genes exhibiting significant signals and 540 positively selected genes. Our research endeavors to serve as an invaluable genomic data resource for the study of Attelabidae, offering fresh perspectives for the exploration of its leaf rolling behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study presents an analysis of the Coleoptera fauna in the forests of the Euro-pean Russia in 2022 and 2023, after a fire. Insects were sampled from burned plots (9) in 2010 and 2021, as well as unburned (control) plots (2), and alpha diversity was compared. After processing the material, we examined a total of 12,218 Coleoptera specimens from 38 families and identified 194 species. The families Nitidulidae, Cerambycidae, Elateridae, and Scarabaeidae were the most abundant across all plots. Cerambycidae, Elateridae, Nitidulidae, Staphylinidae, Coccinellidae, and Scarabaeidae exhibited the greatest species diversity. In total, 17 species were found on all plots. Only five species exhibited preferences for some certain plots. Maximum abundance and species diversity were observed on unburned (control) plots. The plots where fires occurred in 2010 and 2021 had the lowest total abundance values for Coleoptera. These fires destroyed almost all potential sites for beetle settlement, feeding, breeding, and shelter. Fires can significantly impact forest ecosystems. However, studies on the effects of fires on insect communities in post-fire plots in natural forests are rare. This study presents an analysis of the Coleoptera fauna in the forests of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve (European Russia) in 2022 and 2023 after a fire. Insects were sampled from burned plots (9) in 2010 and 2021, as well as unburned (control) plots (2), and alpha diversity was compared. After processing the material, we examined a total of 12,218 Coleoptera specimens from 38 families and identified 194 species. The families Nitidulidae, Cerambycidae, Elateridae, and Scarabaeidae were the most abundant across all plots. Cerambycidae, Elateridae, Nitidulidae, Staphylinidae, Coccinellidae, and Scarabaeidae exhibited the greatest species diversity. In total, 17 species were found on all plots, including Cetonia aurata, Protaetia cuprea volhyniensis, Trogoderma glabrum, Carpophilus hemipterus, Epuraea biguttata, Glischrochilus grandis, Glischrochilus hortensis, Glischrochilus quadripunctatus, Soronia grisea, Pediacus depressus, Chrysanthia geniculata, Anastrangalia reyi, Leptura quadrifasciata, Leptura thoracica, Lepturalia nigripes, Rhagium mordax, and Anisandrus dispar. Only five species exhibited preferences for certain plots. Maximum abundance and species diversity were observed on unburned (control) plots. The plots where fires occurred in 2010 and 2021 had the lowest total abundance values for Coleoptera. These fires destroyed almost all potential sites for beetle settlement, feeding, breeding, and shelter. Traps recorded a higher abundance of Coleoptera in the first year after fires compared to the second year. The Coleoptera fauna showed the greatest similarity on the control plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larvae of some lampyrid beetles are highly specialized predators of snails. They have been observed to climb on the shells of their prey and use this exposed position to bite and inject secretions potentially originating from the midgut. Besides serving the purpose of extra-oral digestion (EOD), injected compounds also seem to have a paralyzing effect. Up to now, the toxins causing this paralyzing activity have not been identified. In the current study, we provide a first compositional analysis of the midgut secretion from lampyrid larvae, with a focus on identifying putative neurotoxins causing the observed paralyzing effect. For this purpose, we utilized a combined proteo-transcriptomic approach to characterize the compounds present in the midgut secretion of larval stages of Lampyris noctiluca. In terms of the absolute numbers of identified compounds, the midgut secretion is dominated by hydrolyzing enzymes comprising peptidases, carboxylesterases, and glycosidases. However, when considering expression levels, a few rather short cysteine-rich peptides exceed all other compounds. Some of these compounds show moderate similarity to putative neurotoxins identified in the venom of other arthropods and could be responsible for paralyzing effects. In addition to these potential toxins, we provide a list of peptides typical of the midgut secretion of L. noctiluca, supplemented by the corresponding precursor sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serine peptidases (SPs) of the chymotrypsin S1A subfamily are an extensive group of enzymes found in all animal organisms, including insects. Here, we provide analysis of SPs in the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor transcriptomes and genomes datasets and profile their expression patterns at various stages of ontogeny. A total of 269 SPs were identified, including 137 with conserved catalytic triad residues, while 125 others lacking conservation were proposed as non-active serine peptidase homologs (SPHs). Seven deduced sequences exhibit a complex domain organization with two or three peptidase units (domains), predicted both as active or non-active. The largest group of 84 SPs and 102 SPHs had no regulatory domains in the propeptide, and the majority of them were expressed only in the feeding life stages, larvae and adults, presumably playing an important role in digestion. The remaining 53 SPs and 23 SPHs had different regulatory domains, showed constitutive or upregulated expression at eggs or/and pupae stages, participating in regulation of various physiological processes. The majority of polypeptidases were mainly expressed at the pupal and adult stages. The data obtained expand our knowledge on SPs/SPHs and provide the basis for further studies of the functions of proteins from the S1A subfamily in T. molitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian long-horn beetle (ALB) is a serious wood-boring insect. Continuous isolation of different fungal strains is vital for using fungi for the control of ALB. The virulence and pathological characteristics of a new Metarhizium anisopliae strain DES3 isolated from the desert afforestation stands against the larvae of ALB were assessed in this study. The corrected mortality reached 100% at the conidial concentration of 109 and 108 conidia/mL, and 91.11 ± 4.44% at 107 conidia/mL. Similarly, the LC/LT showed high virulence as well. Meanwhile, the virulence of a commercial M. anisopliae strain against the ALB larvae was evaluated. The corrected mortality was only 33.33% at 109 conidia/mL, and less than 10% at 108 conidia/mL. The pathological characteristics after infection by the M. anisopliae strain DES3 were evident, mainly embodied in the rupture of the adipose tissue, muscle tissue, and midgut. But there was no obvious change after infection by the commercial M. anisopliae strain. In conclusion, these results establish that the M. anisopliae strain DES3 has high virulence in a dosage-dependent manner against ALB larvae, indicating the potential of fungal strain DES3 to be developed as biopesticide for biocontrol of A. glabripennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate alternative methods to control longhorn beetle (Oberea linearis) infestations in walnut orchards. Wild isolates of entomopathogenic fungi obtained from soil samples from Greece and Cyprus were tested for their efficacy against adults and larvae of O. linearis. Insect populations were acquired from a heavily infested walnut orchard and individuals were placed in Petri dishes provided with ground walnut wood for larvae and fresh leaves for adults. The tested insects were subjected to 16 different wild isolates from the genera Beauveria, Cordyceps, Metarhizium, and Purpureocillium, where 108 conidia/mL were applied by spraying, and insects were monitored daily for 16 days. The results showed that all the tested fungi resulted in a mortality rate of 66–100%, with Cordyceps fumosorosea exhibiting the highest virulence, causing complete mortality to both larvae and adults. These findings suggest that the management of O. linearis, which has traditionally relied on chemical applications, could transition to an organic approach by utilizing entomopathogenic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The study presents the new species Scymnus (Pullus) cardi sp. nov. and provides its mitochondrial genome. We describe the distinguishing features of S. (P.) cardi when compared with related species and discuss its habitat and feeding preferences. Additionally, based on the mitochondrial genomic dataset, the phylogeny of Coccinellidae is analyzed. The results confirm the position of the new species, which is nested within the genus Scymnus, and recovered subfamilies as monophyletic groups (such as Coccinellinae and Microweiseinae). These findings contribute to the understanding of Coccinellidae evolution and highlight the need for further taxonomic and genetic studies within the family. In this study, a new species of the subgenus Pullus belonging to the Scymnus genus from Pakistan, Scymnus (Pullus) cardi sp. nov., was described and illustrated, with information on its distribution, host plants, and prey. Additionally, the completed mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the new species using high-throughput sequencing technology was obtained. The genome contains the typical 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs) and a non-coding control region, and is arranged in the same order as that of the putative ancestor of beetles. The AT content of the mitogenome is approximately 85.1%, with AT skew and GC skew of 0.05 and −0.43, respectively. The calculated values of relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) determine that the codon UUA (L) has the highest frequency. Furthermore, we explored the phylogenetic relationship among 59 representatives of the Coccinellidae using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, the results of which strongly support the monophyly of Coccinellinae. The phylogenetic results positioned Scymnus (Pullus) cardi in a well-supported clade with Scymnus (Pullus) loewii and Scymnus (Pullus) rubricaudus within the genus Scymnus and the tribe Scymnini. The mitochondrial sequence of S. (P.) cardi will contribute to the mitochondrial genome database and provide helpful information for the identification and phylogeny of Coccinellidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: On the modern climate agenda, drained peatlands are considered 'hotspots' that are responsible for a significant share of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The solution to this problem is usually associated with peatland rewetting, which aims to restore natural mire communities and their peat accumulation functions. The process of habitat recovery on both drained and rewetted peatlands requires the monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem structures, with particular attention being paid to specific groups of organisms that may have an indicator value. Among these, some groups of beetles (Coleoptera)—as this order is the most species-rich on Earth—can be relatively indicative of specific environmental conditions, including different peatland habitats. Our studies provide baseline data on the beetle fauna of a drained peatland in the Kaliningrad region of Russia, designated for rewetting as part of the Carbon Measurement Supersite Programme. The recorded assemblage of 281 beetle species from 41 families differs significantly from the natural raised bog fauna. An analysis of the species composition enabled us to classify the beetle assemblage into specific groups according to their ecological relationships and peat bog biotope fidelity. Based on these results, we have identified the beetle indicator species for further monitoring the environmental changes during peatland rewetting. A total of 281 coleopteran species from 41 families were recorded from different sites of an abandoned cut-over peatland designated as the Carbon Measurement Supersite in Kaliningrad Oblast. This beetle assemblage is considered a baseline (pre-impact) faunal assemblage for further investigations during the 'before–after' (BA) or 'before–after control-impact' (BACI) study on a peatland that is planned to be rewetted. The spontaneously revegetated peatland has a less specialised beetle assemblage than at an intact raised bog. Tyrphobiontic species are completely absent from the peatland, while some tyrphophiles (5.3% of the total beetle fauna) are still found as remnants of the former raised bog communities. The predominant coenotic coleopteran group is tyrphoneutral generalists from various non-bog habitats (72.9%). The species composition is associated with the vegetation structure of the disturbed peatland (fragmentary Sphagnum cover, lack of open habitats, and widespread birch coppice or tree stand), which does not correspond to that of a typical European raised bog. The sampled coleopteran assemblage is divided into several relative ecological groups, whose composition and peculiarities are discussed separately. Possible responses to the rewetting measurements in different coleopteran groups are predicted and briefly discussed. A complex assemblage of stenotopic peatland-specialised tyrphophiles (15 spp.) and the most abundant tyrphoneutral generalists (31 spp.) were assigned as indicators for the environmental monitoring of peatland development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Natural insecticides are currently given high priority in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols. To this end, diatomaceous earth (DE) has gained a lot of attention as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional insecticides that can successfully repel and control a diverse variety of the most important stored-product insect pests, such as the species Sitophilus, Rhyzopertha, Tribolium, and others. However, most published research about the DEs' insecticidal efficacy has been conducted in simplistic short-term laboratory experiments, excluding the evaluation of the persistence of such ingredients in grain applications. In this study, we evaluated two different DE formulations derived from a single deposit from Greece, when applied in wheat and maize against two primary stored-product insect pests, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae). Based on the results, the DE application was effective and persistent as a grain protectant against major stored-product insects for a storage period of six months. This study provides more evidence for the successful utilization of these natural insecticides for long-term protection of stored products from insect infestations, as an alternative to residual insecticides and fumigants that are commonly used in stored-grain protection systems or as part of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. We evaluated the persistence and efficacy of two different, in granulometry and content of diatoms, diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations (i.e., DE5 and DE6), against two major beetle species of stored products, i.e., Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae). The formulations were applied as powders in soft wheat and maize in two doses of 500 and 1000 mg kg−1 (ppm). Samples of the treated grains were taken on the day of application and every 30 days until completion of the six-month period of storage. Adults of S. oryzae and R. dominica were exposed to the treated grains at 25 °C and 55% relative humidity, and the mortality was measured after 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure. Rhyzopertha dominica survival was not affected by any combination of DE formulation, dose, and commodity. Contrariwise, the DEs caused significant adult mortality of S. oryzae, in most of the cases tested. We observed that DE6 was equally effective in both wheat and maize, and no considerable variations were observed in S. oryzae mortality during the 6-month experimental period. Furthermore, DE6 was more effective against S. oryzae than DE5, a difference that could have potentially contributed to the variations in the diatom granulometry between these two DEs. Thus, a DE treatment of 1000 ppm was shown to provide long-term protection of wheat and maize against S. oryzae, but this is strongly dependent on the DE formulation, commodity, and insect species. Overall, such natural resource-based inert silicaceous deposits could be used with success in stored-product protection with only some minor modifications, such as sieving and drying of the raw deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Privets (Ligustrum spp.) are popular hedge shrubs that escape from gardens and cause negative impacts by invading forests in the United States. The narrow host specificity of the seed-feeding weevil, Ochyromera ligustri, suggests that this weevil could be considered a fortuitous biological control agent of privets. To find out the host range of this weevil, time-consuming experiments involving rearing and dissections are often conducted. Herein, we developed PCR primers to rapidly and accurately detect the presence of the weevil in privet fruits. We confirmed that the novel PCR primers specifically work for O. ligustri even with a small quantity of DNA, which was 0.01 ng. Using the newly developed PCR-based detection saves time and labor in research related to the detection and impact of this weevil. Ligustrum spp. (Oleaceae) have become invasive species in the US and negatively affect native plant diversity and richness in forests. Ochyromera ligustri (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is considered a potential biological control agent in the US because adults feed on the foliage and larvae are seed-feeders of Ligustrum spp. To discover the relationships between O. ligustri and Ligustrum spp., fruit dissections or rearing and field observations are required. In the current research project, novel PCR primers were developed to rapidly detect the DNA of O. ligustri in molecular analyses without rearing and observation. The developed PCR primers worked even with 0.01 ng of DNA and did not amplify the DNA of the other five curculionid species tested. When the novel primers were tested with three Ligustrum spp. species common in the southeastern US, the DNA of O. ligustri was detected from all three species. We expect that the novel primers will be utilized to find out the presence and impact of O. ligustri on Ligustrum spp rapidly and accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Water colour is an important physicochemical property of water that affects aquatic communities. Land-use change has led to water colour darkening in lotic habitats, such as streams and rivers. Here, I evaluate whether urban land-use change affects water colour in urban ponds, a type of lentic habitats, and how diving beetles (Dytiscidae) respond to the water colour gradient in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland. The results show that urbanisation may not drive water darkening in urban ponds, possibly because urban ponds are often not connected to stormwater pipes. Diving beetles responded to the increasing pond water colour differently in the presence or absence of fish. Diving beetle species richness and abundance significantly increased along the water colour gradient in ponds with fish, but not in ponds without fish. Some species, such as the great diving beetle (Dytiscus marginalis), appear tolerant to brown water, whereas some species, such as the cherrystone beetle (Hyphydrus ovatus), prefer clear water. This study highlights that not all species benefit from increasing water colour. It is important to provide ponds with a gradient of water colour from clear to brown water in the landscape to meet the habitat requirements of different species for urban biodiversity conservation. Dramatic land-use changes in urban landscapes can drive water colour darkening by washing compounds, such as organic matter and iron, from terrestrial ecosystems into urban blue space, consequentially affecting aquatic communities. Here, I studied how pond water colour changes along an urban gradient and how diving beetles (Dytiscidae) respond to the water colour gradient in 11 ponds with fish and 15 ponds without fish in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland. I found that the pond water colour exhibited a non-significant decreasing pattern along the urban gradient, indicating that urbanisation may not necessarily drive brownification in urban ponds. Dytiscid species richness and abundance exhibited significant positive correlations with increasing water colour in ponds with fish but no significant correlation in ponds without fish. Some species, such as Agabus spp. and Dytiscus spp., appeared tolerant to highly coloured water, whereas some species, such as Hyphydrus ovatus and Hygrotus spp., tended to occur in clear water, indicating that brown water may provide dytiscids with prey refuges, but some species are intolerant to brown water. The study highlights the importance of urban pondscape heterogeneity to meet the needs of aquatic invertebrates that prefer different water colours and for the multifunctioning of urban ponds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study aimed to elucidate the factors contributing to the limited presence of Cheilotoma musciformis in Poland, with a specific focus on soil characteristics affecting both vegetation and insect populations. It examined how soil enzyme activity influences the occurrence of Ch. musciformis in the xerothermic grasslands of Southern Poland. Sites inhabited by the beetle were typically subject to extensive grazing by farm animals or recent bush clearance, contrasting with control plots situated on unused or overgrazed xerothermic grasslands. Soils in beetle-inhabited sites exhibited significantly higher levels of enzyme activity, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen, along with lower pHKCl compared to control sites. These findings suggest the beetle's reliance on extensively grazed xerothermic grasslands. Given that grazing practices influence the behavior of preferred host plant species, effective protection planning for Ch. musciformis-inhabited grasslands should carefully consider changes in soil biochemical properties and vegetation structure. This work attempts to find the reasons for the rather limited range of occurrence of Cheilotoma musciformis in Poland, based on soil properties, which affects both the plant cover and the entomofauna. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of soil enzyme activity on the occurrence of Ch. musciformis in xerothermic grasslands in Southern Poland. The sites inhabited by the beetle were most often extensively grazed by farm animals or had recently been cleared of bushes. The control plots were in wasteland. The soils of most sites with Ch. musciformis were characterized by significantly higher activity of the tested enzymes and higher content of total organic carbon and total nitrogen, as well as lower pHKCl compared to the control sites. The higher enzymatic activity of soils in sites with the beetle than in the control sites may indicate the dependence of the occurrence of this beetle on the presence of patches of extensively grazed xerothermic grasslands. Grazing influences the behavior of preferred host plant species. Therefore, when planning active protection of xerothermic grasslands inhabited by Ch. musciformis, changes in the biochemical properties of the soil and vegetation structure should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Coleomegilla maculata lengi is an important insect predator in North American agroecosystems. Collection records reveal that the reputed range for C. maculata lengi has been substantially underestimated. New records indicate an expanded geographic range, including the recent expansion of C. maculata lengi in central North America and a new state record for Wyoming, USA. The expanding geographic range of C. maculata lengi contrasts with that of several species of lady beetles native to North America. Several species of lady beetle native to North America have declined in abundance in the last few decades, often accompanied by contractions in their geographic ranges. Coleomegilla maculata lengi is a lady beetle native to North America that is an important predator of pests in various agroecosystems. Its reported range spans the eastern half of the USA, with no sustained decline in abundance or contraction of its range reported. Indeed, we recently collected several individuals of this lady beetle in central USA roughly 500 km beyond the western edge of its reputed range. We hypothesized that new records could indicate either that previous range characterization failed to include pre-existing collection records further west or that C. maculata lengi has recently expanded its geographic range. To test these hypotheses, we searched several institutional insect collections and digital databases for records and found many earlier records of C. maculata lengi beyond its reputed geographic range, clearly showing that the previous characterization of its geographic distribution in North America was substantially underestimated. In addition, we report a new state record of C. maculata lengi from Wyoming, USA, that further indicates its geographic range expansion in North America. We discuss new records of C. maculata lengi in light of declines in native coccinelline lady beetle species in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of artificial snags, so-called high stumps, within forest management operations is a recently established tool to enrich standing deadwood as a habitat for saproxylic species. In this study, we analysed the impact of active high stump management on saproxylic beetle species. We selected 63 high stumps in six Bavarian forest districts (Germany), which were felled and subjected to close examination, focusing on beetle (Coleoptera) colonization. We identified 63 emerged coleopteran species belonging to 29 families; a further 10 taxa were identified only at the genus or family level, respectively. Moreover, 17% of the obtained taxa are listed in the German Red List of Coleoptera. Furthermore, 32% of the examined high stump trunks, predominantly broad-leaved tree species, harboured Red List beetle taxa. In particular, trembling aspen (Populus tremula) showed a disproportionately high number of Red List beetle species. The total species richness of beetles was independent of the height, diameter and decay stage of the snags. High stumps (snags) containing Red List beetle species tended to have higher amounts of deadwood in their surroundings, but the difference was not significant. According to the results of our study, actively creating high stumps proved to be a suitable method for creating habitats and serve as stepping-stones for endangered saproxylic species. Proactive high stump management during harvest can be a valuable component of deadwood management and biodiversity protection in forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve performance in terms of overshoot and motor response speed when a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) with a proportional–integral (PI) controller is subjected to external disturbances, this paper proposes a speed control strategy based on an enhanced Beetle Antennae Search algorithm, which allows for adjustable parameters of the PI controller within a certain range. Firstly, to enhance the global and local search capabilities of each individual beetle, the step size was improved by linearly decreasing it. Secondly, a simulation model of a PMSM closed-loop control system was built to verify the effectiveness of the improved Beetle Antennae Search (BAS) algorithm. Finally, a linear feedback shift register model that generates four random numbers was developed on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The improved BAS algorithm for the PMSM control system was implemented on an FPGA using the Verilog hardware description language, and the feasibility of the system was verified through hardware simulation. Additionally, the hardware resource consumption on different FPGA platforms was analyzed. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed new speed control strategy can reduce the overshoot and improve the motor response speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The repellent capacity against Sitophilus zeamais and the in vitro inhibition on AChE of 11 essential oils, isolated from six plants of the northern region of Colombia, were assessed using a modified tunnel-type device and the Ellman colorimetric method, respectively. The results were as follows: (i) the degree of repellency (DR) of the EOs against S. zeamais was 20–68% (2 h) and 28–74% (4 h); (ii) the IC50 values on AChE were 5–36 µg/mL; likewise, the %inh. on AChE (1 µg/cm3 per EO) did not show any effect in 91% of the EO tested; (iii) six EOs (Bursera graveolens—bark, B. graveolens—leaves, B. simaruba—bark, Peperomia pellucida—leaves, Piper holtonii (1b*)—leaves, and P. reticulatum—leaves) exhibited a DR (53–74%) ≥ C+ (chlorpyrifos—61%), while all EOs were less active (8–60-fold) on AChE compared to chlorpyrifos (IC50 of 0.59 µg/mL). Based on the ANOVA/linear regression and multivariate analysis of data, some differences/similarities could be established, as well as identifying the most active EOs (five: B. simaruba—bark, Pep. Pellucida—leaves, P. holtonii (1b*)—leaves, B. graveolens—bark, and B. graveolens—leaves). Finally, these EOs were constituted by spathulenol (24%)/β-selinene (18%)/caryophyllene oxide (10%)—B. simaruba; carotol (44%)/dillapiole (21%)—Pep. pellucida; dillapiole (81% confirmed by 1H-/13C-NMR)—P. holtonii; mint furanone derivative (14%)/mint furanone (14%)—B. graveolens—bark; limonene (17%)/carvone (10%)—B. graveolens—leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During choriogenesis in insects, chorion (eggshell) is formed by surrounding follicular epithelial cells in ovarioles. However, the regulatory endocrine factor(s) activating choriogenesis and the effect of chemical components on eggshell deserve further exploration. In two representative coleopterans, a coccinellid Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata and a chrysomelid Leptinotarsa decemlineata, genes encoding the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) receptor heterodimer, ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP), and two chitin biosynthesis enzymes UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP) and chitin synthase (ChS1), were highly expressed in ovaries of the young females. RNA interference (RNAi)-aided knockdown of either HvEcR or Hvusp in H. vigintioctopunctata inhibited oviposition, suppressed the expression of HvChS1, and lessened the positive signal of Calcofluor staining on the chorions, which suggests the reduction of a chitin-like substance (CLS) deposited on eggshells. Similarly, RNAi of LdEcR or Ldusp in L. decemlineata constrained oviposition, decreased the expression of LdUAP1 and LdChS1, and reduced CLS contents in the resultant ovaries. Knockdown of LdUAP1 or LdChS1 caused similar defective phenotypes, i.e., reduced oviposition and CLS contents in the L. decemlineata ovaries. These results, for the first time, indicate that 20E signaling activates choriogenesis in two coleopteran species. Moreover, our findings suggest the deposition of a CLS on the chorions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllotreta striolata, the striped flea beetle, is one of the most destructive pests in Brassicaceae plants worldwide. Given the drawbacks associated with long-term use of chemical insecticides, green strategies based on chemical ecology are an effective alternative for beetle control. However, the lack of information on beetle ecology has hindered the development of effective biocontrol strategies. In this report, we identified two odorants, (S)-cis-verbenol and (−)-verbenone, which displayed significant attraction for P. striolata (p < 0.05), indicating their great potential for P. striolata management. Using the Drosophila "empty neuron" system, an antenna-biased odorant receptor, PstrOR17, was identified as responsible for the detection of (−)-verbenone and (S)-cis-verbenol. Furthermore, the interactions between PstrOR17 and (−)-verbenone or (S)-cis-verbenol were predicted via modeling and molecular docking. Finally, we used RNAi to confirm that PstrOR17 is essential for the detection of (−)-verbenone and (S)-cis-verbenol to elicit an attraction effect. Our results not only lay a foundation for the development of new and effective nonchemical insecticide strategies based on (S)-cis-verbenol and (−)-verbenone, but also provide new insight into the molecular basis of odorant recognition in P. striolata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Both larvae and adults of the Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) can feed on potato, tomato, and eggplant leaves, though potatoes serve as the most suitable host for the H. vigintioctopunctata. Owing to the differing planting times of potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants, H. vigintioctopunctata adults must migrate to tomato or eggplant leaves for feeding to ensure continuous food availability. Therefore, under wild field conditions, host transfer between larvae and adults of the H. vigintioctopunctata is a normal phenomenon. Generally, the feeding experiences of both larval and adult hosts influence the survival and reproduction of the adult ladybird beetle. To ascertain the impact of larval and adult hosts on the performance and preference of adults, we allow H. vigintioctopunctata larvae and adults to either continue or change their feeding experience on potato, tomato, and eggplant leaves. Our results indicate that the adult feeding host dictates the fecundity and preferences of the adult, independent of the larval feeding experience. While host switching between larval and adult stages yields fewer benefits for H. vigintioctopunctata performance compared to a consistent potato leaf diet, it facilitates food access for H. vigintioctopunctata. Hence, under wild field conditions, we can adjust the planting intervals between eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes to prevent host switching between larva and adult H. vigintioctopunctata, thereby ecologically controlling the populations of H. vigintioctopunctata. Both larvae and adults of the Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata feed on leaves of potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. Given the variation in planting times of host plants in the Jianghan Plain, host switching between larvae and adults of H. vigintioctopunctata is inevitable to ensure continuous food availability. We evaluated the effect of consistent versus diverse larval and adult host plant feeding experience on growth performance, fecundity, longevity, and feeding preferences of H. vigintioctopunctata through match-mismatch experiments. Host plant quality significantly influences larval development and adult reproduction. Potatoes are identified as the optimal host plant for H. vigintioctopunctata, whereas eggplants significantly negatively affect the adult fecundity. Adult stage host feeding experience determines the fecundity of H. vigintioctopunctata, irrespective of the larval feeding experience. The fecundity of H. vigintioctopunctata adults on eggplant leaves remains significantly lower than that observed on potato leaves. Similarly, adult H. vigintioctopunctata demonstrate a preference for consuming potato leaves, irrespective of the larval feeding experience. Although host switching between larval and adult stages offers lesser benefits for the performance of herbivorous insects compared to a consistent diet with potato leaves, it maintains H. vigintioctopunctata population continuity amidst shortages of high-quality potato hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is a major problem for palm plantations worldwide. While chemical pesticides are known to be effective, their environmental impact and insecticide resistance pose serious concerns. Biological control approaches, such as employing entomopathogenic nematodes, can mitigate these challenges by focusing on pests while avoiding harm to the environment or non-target organisms. Our findings show that indigenous and commercial EPNs have the ability to manage red palm weevils. As a result, alternate methods, such as the use of entomopathogenic nematodes, are critical for the sustainable control of red palm weevils. The red palm weevil (RPW) is a significant threat to date palms. Conventional pest control has been ineffective. This study aims to evaluate entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) indigenous to Saudi Arabia and commercial against RPW. We used 33 soil samples collected from four areas of Saudi Arabia. The indigenous EPNs were isolated and cultured using an insect baiting method to obtain infective juveniles. Pathogenicity bioassays were conducted against different stages of RPW, including eggs, larvae, and adults. The bioassay was performed using all the isolates at 1 × 106 IJ/mL. Distilled water was used as a control. The results revealed that only 9.09% of soil samples contained positive EPNs. Through DNA sequencing analysis, the positive samples were identified as indigenous isolates belonging to Heterorhabditis indica and Steinernema carpocapsae EPN species. In pathogenicity tests, 90% mortality of RPW eggs was observed after five days. Similar mortality trends were seen in RPW larvae and adults, with 90% mortality recorded after ten days for all the EPN treatments. Mortality increased with the duration of post-EPN inoculation exposure. The 1 × 106 IJ/mL concentrations of EPN effectively killed various stages of RPW in the laboratory. More research is needed to test EPNs against RPW in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Our study evaluated the impact of verbenone, a common bark beetle aggregation inhibitor, on several saproxylic beetles in a pine forest in Tuscany (Italy). Verbenone pouches were added to traps baited with bark beetle pheromones, and we compared the captures from these traps with those of pheromone-only traps in spring–summer 2023. The captures contained 9440 beetles from 32 families and 57 species, with 80% being bark beetles. Predator beetles, beneficial insects which naturally control pest populations, made up 17%, including species not previously studied in combination with verbenone. While captures of some species were reduced in pheromone plus verbenone traps (including some pests), others showed no change, and some increased (including a few predators). Verbenone notably increased saproxylic beetle diversity when it was present in traps, implying potential implications of its use in limiting the aggregation of bark beetle pests on susceptible trees. In our study, we assessed the effects of verbenone, the most widely studied bark beetle aggregation inhibitor, on saproxylic beetles in a Mediterranean pine forest in Tuscany. Verbenone pouches were devised in the laboratory and then applied to Ips sexdentatus pheromone traps so that their catches could be compared to those of traps containing just the pheromone. The trial was carried out in spring–summer 2023, and insect catches were collected every two weeks. A total of 9440 beetles were collected that belonged to 32 different families and 57 species. About 80% of the captures were bark beetles, mainly Orthotomicus erosus. Beetle predators accounted for about 17% of the captures, with a total of 12 species. Some of these predator species had not yet been studied in relation to verbenone effects, like other saproxylic beetles recorded in this study. A significant reduction in captures was recorded for some beetles (e.g., I. sexdentatus and O. erosus), while for other species, no differences emerged, and in some cases, captures increased significantly when verbenone was present in the traps (i.e., Hylurgus ligniperda, Corticeus pini, and Aulonium ruficorne). The diversity of caught saproxylic beetles increased significantly in the verbenone traps, highlighting possible implications of the use of verbenone when managing bark beetle outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The leaf beetle Diorhabda rybakowi Weise poses a severe threat to desert grasslands in Northwest China with its third instar larvae and adults, and even to the local ecological environment, attributed to its outbreak. Green-control attractants or repellents have become popular in recent years, but the olfactory mechanism of D. rybakowi is still unclear. Therefore, we preliminarily screened the best reference genes under different conditions and determined the bioinformatics characteristics and tissue expression profiles of D. rybakowi olfactory target genes. The recommended reference genes, RPL13a and RPS18 for tissues and RPL19 and RPS18 for sexes, were determined. Notably, the transcriptional levels of DrybOBP3, DrybOBP6, DrybOBP7, DrybOBP10, DrybOBP11, DrybCSP2, and DrybCSP5 among eleven odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and six chemosensory proteins (CSPs) were significantly higher in the antenna. In summary, our study provides a strong basis for deepening the research of olfaction molecular mechanisms in D. rybakowi. Diorhabda rybakowi Weise is one of the dominant pests feeding on Nitraria spp., a pioneer plant used for windbreaking and sand fixation purposes, and poses a threat to local livestock and ecosystems. To clarify the key olfactory genes of D. rybakowi and provide a theoretical basis for attractant and repellent development, the optimal reference genes under two different conditions (tissue and sex) were identified, and the bioinformatics and characterization of the tissue expression profiles of two categories of soluble olfactory proteins (OBPs and CSPs) were investigated. The results showed that the best reference genes were RPL13a and RPS18 for comparison among tissues, and RPL19 and RPS18 for comparison between sexes. Strong expressions of DrybOBP3, DrybOBP6, DrybOBP7, DrybOBP10, DrybOBP11, DrybCSP2, and DrybCSP5 were found in antennae, the most important olfactory organ for D. rybakowi. These findings not only provide a basis for further in-depth research on the olfactory molecular mechanisms of host-specialized pests but also provide a theoretical basis for the future development of new chemical attractants or repellents using volatiles to control D. rybakowi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There is increasing interest in the study of how the ongoing climate change is affecting insect populations. However, most research has been focused on a limited number of groups that are particularly charismatic or expected to respond more clearly to climate change. Moreover, most research has been developed in a few areas (especially northern and central European countries), while others (such as the Mediterranean basin) have been largely overlooked. Therefore, more empirical research is needed, particularly on less charismatic species, groups that are expected to react less dramatically to climatic change, and key areas that are still poorly investigated. This study investigates changes in distributional and activity patterns in a common, ecologically tolerant, forest tenebrionid beetle in a region (central Italy) within the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, an area strongly subjected to the ongoing climate change, but for which research is still limited. By analyzing changes in elevation, latitude, longitude, and seasonal activity between 1900–1980 and 1981–2022, the results provided insights into the potential effects of climate change on this species. The beetle's average values of elevation and latitude were found to have been increased in the second period. In response to rising temperatures, the species became more frequent at higher elevation and in northern places. No strong evidence was found for an earlier species seasonal activity, but this could be due to the inclusion in the analysis of likely overwintering individuals. The findings suggest that even thermally tolerant species can undergo distributional shifts in elevation and latitude, even at a relatively small scale. There is an increasing volume of literature on the impact of climate change on insects. However, there is an urgent need for more empirical research on underrepresented groups in key areas, including species for which the effects of climatic change may seem less evident. The present paper illustrates the results of a study on a common forest tenebrionid beetle, Accanthopus velikensis (Piller and Mitterpacher, 1783), at a regional scale within the Mediterranean basin. Using a large set of records from Latium (central Italy), changes in the median values of elevation, latitude, longitude, and phenology between two periods (1900–1980 vs. 1981–2022) were tested. Records of A. velikensis in the period 1981–2022 showed median values of elevation and latitude higher than those recorded in the first period. Thus, in response to rising temperatures, the species became more frequent at higher elevation and in northern places. By contrast, A. velikensis does not seem to have changed its activity pattern in response to increased temperatures, but this might be an artifact due to the inclusion of likely overwintering individuals. The results obtained for A. velikensis indicate that even thermally euryoecious species can show changes in their elevational and latitudinal distribution, and that poleward shifts can be apparent even within a small latitudinal gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) is a widely distributed predatory natural enemy insect in North China but its application is limited in greenhouses owing to a low daily average temperature from December to February of next year in greenhouses and the facultative diapause of adult H. axyridis. Owing to the sensitivity of H. axyridis to photoperiod, it is of great importance to explore the feasibility of using the photoperiod to regulate the life parameters and predation ability of this ladybird in greenhouses during the winter, but the effects of photoperiods on life parameters and predation by H. axyridis are not well understood so far. In this study, development, reproduction, and population parameters were studied by constructing two-sex life tables, and effects of photoperiod on predation were tested by predation experiments in both laboratory and greenhouse settings. The results from this article may provide a basis for utilizing H. axyridis in greenhouses during the winter. To explore the feasibility of adjusting the photoperiod to regulate the life parameters and predation ability of Harmonia axyridis Pallas in greenhouses during the winter, life tables were constructed for H. axyridis under the three following photoperiods: 9L:15D (light/dark), 12L:12D, and 16L:8D at 15 °C, an average greenhouse temperature during the winter when aphids severely damage vegetables. The effects of photoperiods on predation by this ladybird were tested in both laboratory and greenhouse settings. The results showed that increased illumination promoted the development and reproduction of H. axyridis; under medium and long photoperiods, the pre-adult periods were 3.61 days and 4.34 days shorter than that under the short photoperiod, respectively, and the fecundity increased by 1.78 and 2.41 times. Population parameters r, λ, and R0 increased as illumination time increased, whereas T decreased. Increased illumination also increased the predation by third- and fourth-instar larvae and adults. The amounts of predation by fourth-instar larvae and adults increased by 22.16% and 75.09% under the medium photoperiod, and those under the long photoperiod increased by 71.96% and 89.64%, respectively. The numbers of Myzus persicae Sulzer predated by H. axyridis under the long photoperiod were higher than those under the short photoperiod in a greenhouse, and the predation parameters were influenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American burying beetle, Nicrophorus americanus Olivier (Coleoptera: Siliphidae), is a federally threatened species in the United States, occurring in less than 10% of its historic range. The continued monitoring of extant populations found in South Dakota, the northernmost edge of its confirmed range, is imperative to future conservation efforts, especially with the predicted loss of the species in southern regions because of climate change. Proposed strategies to preserve the species include the reintroduction or translocation of individuals from habitats that have become unsuitable. Beyond adequate habitat and carrion resource requirements, community-level silphid interactions may challenge these efforts because of competition. From 2018 to 2020, we used 80 carrion-baited pitfall traps per year to conduct two 5-day surveys in June and August. A total of 25,923 Silphidae belonging to 15 species were collected in 1200 trap nights. Cumulatively, 1150 N. americanus were captured and marked with 263 recaptures. Like past findings, N. americanus was concentrated in western Tripp County with limited occurrence in Gregory and Todd Counties, suggesting no expansion of their known range in the past decade. Generalized linear mixed-effects models indicated N. americanus abundance was significantly predicted by the co-occurrence of the carrion beetles Oieceoptoma inaequale F. and Oiceoptoma noveboracense Forster, whereas pitfall trap catches dominated by the burying beetle Nicrophorus marginatus F. had predictively less N. americanus. Collectively, these data provide insights into the existing, northernmost N. americanus population dynamics and silphid beetle communities. Concurrent with monitoring extant populations, the characterization of silphid communities that co-occur with N. americanus may provide much-needed information for managed relocation opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevation gradients provide a wealth of habitats for a wide variety of organisms. The southern Appalachian Mountains in eastern United States are known for their high biodiversity and rates of endemism in arthropods, including in high-elevation leaf-litter taxa that are often found nowhere else on earth. Trechus Clairville (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is a genus of litter inhabitants with a near-global distribution and over 50 Appalachian species. These span two subgenera, Trechus s. str. and Microtrechus Jeannel, largely restricted to north and south of the Asheville basin, respectively. Understanding the diversification of these 3–5 mm flightless beetles through geological time can provide insights into how the litter-arthropod community has responded to historical environments, and how they may react to current and future climate change. We identified beetles morphologically and sequenced six genes to reconstruct a phylogeny of the Appalachian Trechus. We confirmed the Asheville Basin as a biogeographical barrier with a split between the north and south occurring towards the end of the Pliocene. Finer scale biogeography, including mountain-range occupancy, was not a reliable indication of relatedness, with group ranges overlapping and many instances of species-, species group-, and subgeneric sympatry. This may be because of the recent divergence between modern species and species groups. Extensive taxonomic revision of the group is required for Trechus to be useful as a bioindicator, but their high population density and speciose nature make them worth additional time and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on our own field data and using modeling of modern potential ranges (in the MaxEnt program), an assessment of the spatial distribution of the rare representative of the longhorn beetle family, Callipogon (Eoxenus) relictus Semenov 1899, was conducted in northeast Asia (220 geographic locations). The generated maps of the potential range of C. relictus demonstrate a high likelihood of the species' presence in the upland areas of southern far east Russia, the provinces of northeastern China, and the Korean Peninsula. Field data also indicate the extensive association of the species with undisturbed broadleaf and coniferous–broadleaf forests in northeast Asia. Maps of the potential distribution of C. relictus in northeast Asia have been compiled based on four climate change scenarios from the present time to 2070. Under all of the climate scenarios used, it is shown that suitable habitats for the species will persist in certain areas of Primorsky Krai, as well as neighboring provinces of the People's Republic of China and a small enclave on the Korean Peninsula in Gangwon-do province. Significant reduction in suitable conditions for the rare longhorn beetle will occur in the rest of its distribution range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study concentrates on assessing the insecticidal attributes of the γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles derived from the remnants of Mentha pulegium, which include essential oil, ethanolic extract, and plant waste. The synthesis of the γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles was executed using a direct sol-gel procedure, affirming the crystal structure according to extensive physicochemical analyses such as UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, and SEM. Evaluation of the insecticidal activity in vitro was conducted against Xylosandrus crassiusculus, a pest that infests carob wood, utilizing strains from diverse forests in the Khenifra region, situated in the Moroccan Middle Atlas. The lethal doses 50 ranged from 40 mg/g to 68 mg/g, indicating moderate effectiveness compared to the commercial insecticide Permethrin. Optimization of the conditions for the efficiency of the γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles was determined using experimental plans, revealing that time, humidity, and temperature were influential factors in the lethal dose 50 of these nanomaterials. Moreover, this study encompasses the establishment of correlations using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Ascending Hierarchical Classification (AHC) among various geographic, biological, and physical data, amalgamating geographic altitude and γ-Al2O3 nanoparticle insecticide parameters, as well as the attributes of the mechanical tests conducted on the carob wood affected by insects. The correlations highlight the close connections between the effectiveness of the insecticide, mountain altitude, and the mechanical parameters that were examined. Ultimately, these nanoparticles demonstrate promising potential as alternative insecticides, thus opening up encouraging prospects for safeguarding against carob wood pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Holarctic ground beetle genus Trechus Clairville, 1806, is highly diverse in the Ethiopian highlands, both in terms of species numbers and morphology. Particularly noteworthy are the extraordinarily large species of the subgenus Abyssinotus Quéinnec and Ollivier, 2021, with a body length up to 8.5 mm, that occur on Mt. Choke in northern Ethiopia. Recent, intensive field work on Mt. Choke resulted in a significantly large number of specimens that are the basis for our taxonomic revision of the species related to the giant species, T. dimorphicus Pawłowski, 2001 and T. gigas Pawłowski, 2001. We describe three new species and one new subspecies and discuss a likely interspecific hybrid that combines morphological character states of representatives of the dimorphicus and gigas subgroups of Abyssinotus. An iconography of males and females as well as photographs of the aedeagi of all the considered species are presented. The distributions of the species are detailed and knowledge of the species-specific habitat preferences is summarized. Based on the distributions and habitat specificity, a threat assessment based on the current land use pattern at Mt. Choke is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest fires represent a natural element in the dynamics of forest ecosystems. This study investigated the impact of a large-scale forest fire in 2022 (ca. 1300 ha) on epigeic ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). The research was conducted in coniferous forests at six pairwise study sites: burnt and unburnt dead spruce from bark beetles, burnt and unburnt clear cut, and burnt and unburnt healthy sites. Each site was replicated in four plots, with two pitfall traps deployed within each plot. In total, 48 pitfall traps (6 × 4 × 2) were installed in April 2023. It was tested how individual sites affected the similarity of ground beetle communities, whether they contained similar life guilds, and how significantly large-scale fire affects the abundance of pyrophilous ground beetles. A total of 5952 individuals and 63 species were recorded. We observed a significant decline in abundance at clear-cut and dead spruce burnt sites (73% and 77.5%, respectively) compared to the unburnt sites. Conversely, abundance increased by 88% at the burnt healthy site compared to the unburnt healthy site. Additionally, significant differences in the number of species per trap and species richness diversity (q = 0, q = 1, q = 2) were found only between burnt and unburnt healthy sites. In general, the highest species richness in the comparison of all study sites was at unburnt clear-cut and burnt healthy sites. Communities of ground beetles responded considerably to the fire, differing significantly from unburnt sites, and demonstrating a high degree of similarity. The original healthy spruce stands had highly homogeneous communities. On the contrary, any disturbance (bark beetle calamity, clear-cut) resulted in an increase in the alpha, beta, and gamma diversities of the ground beetle communities. Burnt sites attracted pyrophilous species (Sericoda quadripunctata, Pterostichus quadrifoveolatus) at very low abundances, with the highest activity in the second half of the season. In conclusion, ground beetles demonstrated a strong short-term response to large-scale fire, forming specific communities. However, pyrophilous ground beetles were unable to occupy a large-scale fire area due to the initial low abundance. Understanding post-fire processes can provide important guidance for management in areas designated for biodiversity enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire injury stresses Douglas-fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii) that survive a wildfire event, allowing subsequent Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae) infection to kill trees that may have otherwise survived. This study aimed to determine how fire injury, stand, and tree characteristics drive Douglas-fir beetle host tree selection five years post-fire. We paired 28 adjacent beetle-infected and uninfected stands (infected N = 14) and 140 Douglas-fir trees (infected N = 70) within the 416 Fire burn area in Southwest Colorado. We found no statistically significant differences between infected and uninfected stand characteristics. Individual tree height, DBH, and bark char severity index were significantly higher in infected versus uninfected trees. We created a regression decision tree model to determine the influence of fire injury and tree characteristics on the probability of infection. Trees with a height ≥ 27 m, bark char height < 2.3 m, and DBH < 80 cm had the greatest probability of attack (100%). Trees with a height < 27 m, bark char severity index < 5.5, and DBH < 49 cm had the lowest probability of attack (3.7%). Understanding the influence of fire on Douglas-fir beetle host selection allows land managers to model potential epidemic outbreaks and guide proactive management actions that may reduce beetle outbreak severity or preserve high-value trees not killed by fire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We studied the flight dispersal of two congeneric beetle species (Ochthebius quadricollis and Ochthebius lejolisii) living in Mediterranean coastal rockpools; temporary and fragmented habitats with extreme environmental conditions (high salinity, high temperature, and strong desiccation). We used a multi-approach (experimental flying assays, wing morphology, and genetic markers) to measure flight capacity. We found that both species had similar flight behaviour, with most individuals flying when water was heated. Females had larger body sizes and wing areas and lower wing loading than males, which suggested higher dispersal capacity. The wing shape of both species was also shown to be an efficient adaptation to flight. However, the molecular data point to passive dispersal assisted by wind at small-to-medium spatial scales (<100 km). Flight dispersal is ecologically relevant for the survival of supratidal rockpool insects. Dispersal has important consequences for colonisation, gene flow, and evolutionary divergence. Here, we compared the flight dispersal capacity of two congeneric beetle species (Ochthebius quadricollis and Ochthebius lejolisii) that exclusively inhabit these temporary, fragmented, and extreme habitats. We estimated flight capacity and inferred dispersal in both species using different approaches: experimental flying assays, examination of wing morphology, and comparison of microsatellite markers between species. Our findings revealed that both species exhibited similar flight behaviour, with 60 to 80% of the individuals flying under water heating conditions. Notably, females of both species had larger body sizes and wing areas, along with lower wing loading, than males in O. quadricollis. These morphological traits are related to higher dispersal capacity and more energetically efficient flight, which could indicate a female-biassed dispersal pattern. The wing shapes of both species are characterised by relatively larger and narrower wings in relation to other species of the genus, suggesting high flight capacity at short distances. Molecular data revealed in both species low genetic divergences between neighbouring populations, non-significant differences between species, and no isolation by distance effect at the study scale (<100 km). These results point to passive dispersal assisted by wind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the impact of various pressures on the functional composition of OCH (Odonata, Coleoptera, and Heteroptera) in streams within the northwest Rif region of Morocco. We examined how OCH traits respond to human-induced pressures in selected stream sites in Morocco's northwestern Rif region. OCH specimens were collected from 36 sites using a Surber sampler with dimension of 20 × 20 cm and mesh size of 500 µm over the course of two years, from 2021 to 2023. We measured physico-chemical and hydraulic parameters such as temperature, pH, DO, and NO-3. Sixty-seven trait attributes from 11 trait classes were assigned to the collected OCH taxa at the family level. Following the delineation of sites along the gradient of impacts in the study area, we categorized 7 sites as slightly impacted sites (SISs), 19 sites as moderately impacted sites (MISs), and 10 sites as heavily impacted sites (HISs). We successfully identified and categorized the traits as either vulnerable or tolerant based on RLQ models. Traits such as reproductive cycles per year and tegument respiration, which were positively correlated with SISs in the RLQ model and also positively correlated with depth and chlorine, were identified as vulnerable traits. Crawling locomotion and full water swimming were identified as tolerant traits. The distribution patterns of the OCH taxa revealed a robust correlation between the taxa and the sampling sites. Notably, taxa such as Nepidae, Naucoridae, and Corixidae exhibited widespread distribution and a strong association with the SISs. On the other hand, traits related to living macroinvertebrate food sources and reproduction in vegetation, specifically clutches, exhibited a negative correlation with total dissolved solids. Incorporating OCH functional traits into biomonitoring programs allows for a more comprehensive assessment of river ecosystems. This approach provides a nuanced understanding of how different stressors impact the community composition and overall ecological health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on renewable biotechnology for renewable biofuel applications has reached new heights. This is highlighted by extensive biomining for novel enzymes to reduce the production costs from animal and insect gut microbiomes. This study explored the diversity and composition of hemicellulolytic fungi in the gut microbiota from dung beetles of the family Scarabaeidae (Pachylomerus femoralis, Anachalcos convexus and Euoniticellus intermedius). Two hundred and twenty-two filamentous fungi were isolated, purified and identified using rDNA sequencing of the ITS and D1/D2 regions. The fungal isolates were assigned to 12 genera and 25 species. Fungi associated with the genus Aspergillus was in abundance, with Hypocrea lixii predominantly isolated. Isolates that produced more than 3 U/mL of xylanase activity were evaluated further. The highest xylanase activity was of 23.6 and 23.5 U/mL for L1XYL9 (E. intermedius larvae) and Hypocrea lixii AB2A3 (A. convexus), respectively. Phylogeny of the fungal strains with xylanolytic activity was analysed using ITS rDNA sequences and revealed close genetic relatedness between isolates from the different dung beetle species. Fungal genera commonly found in the gut of both adult beetles and larvae included Aspergillus, Hypocrea, Talaromyces and Penicillium. The results obtained in this study suggest that the gut of Scarabaeidae dung beetles in South Africa is a rich source of xylanolytic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timely detection of insect infestation (or other disturbance) in a forest is vital for an adequate response plan to be developed. To determine the status of an active infestation of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) in the Bienville National Forest, WorldView-2 imagery was utilized. Principal components analysis (PCA) was performed and correlated with spectral reflectance bands to assess differences between the classification of spectral reflectance bands and principal components. Unsupervised classification of combinations of principal components (e.g., combining principal components 1 and 2, principal component 1 alone, and principal component 2 alone) was performed and compared with combinations of principal component correlations with spectral reflectance bands (e.g., all bands, bands 1–5, bands 6–8, and bands 2, 4, and 5). Combining principal components 1 and 2 was more accurate than other methods, closely followed by spectral bands 1–5. Employing PCA will aid resource managers in quickly detecting areas of active insect infestation and allow them to deploy adequate response measures to prevent or mitigate continued outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Pheromones, such as sex pheromones, aggregation pheromones, and alarm pheromones, are the basis for insect aggregation, mating, and other behaviors. Compared with the structures of sex pheromones, those of aggregation pheromones are more complex, especially in cucujoid grain beetles, which produce macrocyclic lactones as aggregation pheromones. So far, there is limited research studying the biosynthesis of macrocyclic lactones at the molecular level. Two aggregation pheromone components of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, have been identified to be biosynthesized via the mevalonate (MVA) pathway and fatty acid synthesis (FAS) pathway, with their productions affected by starvation. Therefore, we conducted a comparative transcriptomics analysis of hypothetical pheromone production sites in C. ferrugineus under starvation stress. Additionally, significantly enriched metabolic pathways and down-regulated genes directly involved in the biosynthesis and regulation of aggregation pheromones via the MVA and FAS pathways, respectively, were identified, as well as some juvenile hormone (JH)- and insulin-related genes, which are of great significance for elucidating the synthesis and regulatory mechanisms of cucujoid grain beetle pheromones. Pheromones are the basis of insect aggregation, mating, and other behaviors. Cucujoid grain beetles produce macrocyclic lactones as aggregation pheromones, yet research on their biosynthesis at the molecular level remains limited. The rusty grain beetle, C. ferrugineus, is an important economic species in China. Although two aggregation pheromone components have been identified, their suspected biosynthesis via the MVA pathway and the FAS pathway lacks molecular elucidation. Previous evidence supports that starvation affects the production of aggregation pheromones. Therefore, we constructed comparative transcriptome libraries of pheromone production sites in C. ferrugineus under starvation stress and identified genes related to pheromone biosynthesis and hormone regulation. A total of 2665 genes were significantly differentially expressed, of which 2029 genes were down-regulated in starved beetles. Putative C. ferrugineus genes directly involved in pheromone biosynthesis were identified, as well as some genes related to the juvenile hormone (JH) pathway and the insulin pathway, both of which were depressed in the starved beetles, suggesting possible functions in pheromone biosynthesis and regulation. The identification of genes involved in macrolide lactone biosynthesis in vivo holds great significance, aiding in the elucidation of the synthesis and regulatory mechanisms of cucujoid grain beetle pheromones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The genus Oides belongs to the subfamily Galerucinae and is widely distributed in the Old World. In this study, Chinese species of the genus Oides were revised based on comparative morphological characteristics. In total, seven new species and a new record in China are described. A key to all the Chinese Oides species is provided. In this study, 25 species of Oides Weber from China were reviewed. Among them, the following seven new species are described: Oides angustasp. nov., O. cystoprocessasp. nov., O. paraborerisp. nov., O. parabowringiisp. nov., O. parathibettanasp. nov., O. shimenensissp. nov., and O. yunnanensissp. nov.; Oides innocua Gahan has been recorded in China for the first time. A key to all the Chinese Oides species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Whirligig beetles inhabit both fresh and brackish waters and possess a pair of split compound eyes. The dorsal eyes are situated above the water surface, whereas the ventral eyes are submerged beneath the water. Due to the difference in optical environments between water and air, we expected a difference in visual features and signal processing between the dorsal and ventral eyes. Using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and microcomputed tomography, we investigated the functional modifications of different features of the split compound eyes of Dineutus mellyi (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae). Both dorsal and ventral parts of the split compound eyes of D. mellyi are the superposition type, with the ommatidium of dorsal and ventral eyes comprised of a laminated corneal lens, bullet-shaped crystalline cone, upper distal rhabdom, a clear zone and lower distal rhabdom, a basal rhabdom, and an eight retinular cell just above the basement membrane. In contrast to the dorsal eyes, ventral eyes are characterized by a higher field of vision but exhibit similar spatial resolution. The functional anatomy of the split compound eyes of whirligig beetles Dineutus mellyi (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae) was examined by advanced microscopy and microcomputed tomography. We report the first 3D visualization and analysis of the split compound eyes. On average, the dorsal and ventral eyes contain 1913 ± 44.5 facets and 3099 ± 86.2 facets, respectively. The larger area of ventral eyes ensures a higher field of vision underwater. The ommatidium of the split compound eyes is made up of laminated cornea lenses that offer protection against mechanical injuries, bullet-shaped crystalline cones that guide light to the photoreceptive regions, and screening pigments that ensure directional light passage. The photoreceptive elements, made up of eight retinular cells, exhibit a tri-tiered rhabdom structure, including the upper distal rhabdom, a clear zone that ensures maximum light passage, and an enlarged lower distal rhabdom that ensures optimal photon capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Curculio chinensis is a phytophagous pest that feeds on oil-tea Camellia in South and Southwest China. This pest is highly dependent on its hosts and habitats. The genetic basis of this pest in various hosts, which could enrich our understanding of whether host-specificity existed and how the population is structured, is poorly explored. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, and phylogenetic structure of C. chinensis in 2 major host species, Camellia meiocarpa Hu and Camellia oleifera Abel, using 1083 mitochondrial COI. Structural differentiation was observed among populations in monoculture plantations of Camellia meiocarpa and Camellia oleifera. The mean genetic distance between Haplogroup 1 and Haplogroup 2 was significantly lower than that between C. chinensis and its related species. Two haplogroups have recently undergone a demographic expansion, and a significant asymmetrical effective migration was observed from C. chinensis populations in Cam. meiocarpa to populations in Cam. oleifera in comparison to migrating back, which is likely due to the increased cultivation of oil-tea Camellia in Jiangxi. Our findings can serve as a guide for future genomic research to improve prediction and facilitate control strategies for C. chinensis. The Camellia weevil, Curculio chinensis (Chevrolat, 1978), is a dominant oligophagous pest that bores into the fruit of oil-tea Camellia. Genetic differentiation among populations in various hosts can easily occur, which hinders research on pest management. In this study, the genetic structure, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic structure of local C. chinensis populations were examined using 147 individuals (from 6 localities in Jiangxi), based on 2 mitochondrial COI markers. Results indicated that the C. chinensis population in Jiangxi exhibits a high haplotype diversity, especially for the populations from Cam. meiocarpa plantations. Structural differentiation was observed between Haplogroup 1 (73 individuals from Ganzhou, Jian, and Pingxiang) in the monoculture plantations of Cam. meiocarpa and Haplogroup 2 (75 individuals from Pingxiang and Jiujiang) in Cam. oleifera. Two haplogroups have recently undergone a demographic expansion, and Haplogroup 1 has shown a higher number of effective migrants than Haplogroup 2. This suggests that C. chinensis has been spreading from Cam. meiocarpa plantations to other oil-tea Camellia, such as Cam. oleifera. The increased cultivation of oil-tea Camellia in Jiangxi has contributed to a unique genetic structure within the C. chinensis population. This has, in turn, expanded the distribution of C. chinensis and increased migration between populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]