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The Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis, (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a significant threat to corn crops, necessitates comprehensive research on its populations, across multiple clades. This study addresses the efficacy of various diets, such as an antibiotic mixed diet of amoxicillin mixed with artificial diet, wheat germ flour artificial diet and fresh corn leaves, for the successful mass rearing of three clades of O. furnacalis, and investigates variations among the insects reared under laboratory conditions. We validate these findings for O. furnacalis clades using biological attributes. Notably, clade III demonstrated enhanced biological characteristics with an antibiotic mixed diet, in contrast to clades I and II, with higher growth indexes observed during mass rearing. Through revealing a suitable diet for the clade, this research advances our understanding of O. furnacalis dynamics and offers valuable insights for practical applications in an integrated pest management program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeydew, a sugary excretion produced by sap‐feeding insects, plays a pivotal role in shaping intricate interactions between insects and plants. This review explains the multifaceted aspects of honeydew, beginning with an overview of its production mechanisms and factors influencing its variability across insect species and plant hosts. Exploring its composition, we examine the chemical components and nutritional aspects, highlighting variations based on insect species and plant sources. The impact of honeydew on microbial communities is explored, shedding light on its role in influencing the diversity and abundance of microorganisms. Furthermore, the review investigates how honeydew affects pest behaviour and population dynamics, elucidating plant responses to honeydew deposition. In the realm of biocontrol, we examine the intricate relationships between honeydew and natural enemies, considering potential implications for integrated pest management. Beyond these individual components, the paper discusses the broader ecological consequences of honeydew in ecosystems, emphasizing the interconnected relationships between insects, plants and microorganisms. The review concludes by identifying research gaps and suggesting future directions, recognizing the need for further investigation into areas with potential applications for agriculture and ecology. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the current understanding of honeydew's significance in insect–plant interactions, offering insights for both researchers and practitioners in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acacia honey is characterized by high nutritional, antioxidant, antibacterial and immuno-modulatory values. This work investigated the presence of short and cyclic peptides in Acacia and Ziziphus honey samples. Acacia honey samples (Acacia tortilis and Acacia hamulosa) and three Ziziphus honeys (Ziziphus spina-christi) were screened for their short and cyclic peptide contents using the LC-MS and the chemical structure databases. Moreover, the total protein content was determined using the Bradford method. The A. tortilis honey contained three short peptides; HWCC, DSST, and ECH, and the A. hamulosa honey sample contained five short peptides and one cyclic peptide. The short peptides of the A. hamulosa honey were Ac-GMGHG-OH (Ac-MGGHG-OH), Boc-R(Aloc)2-C(Pal)-OH, H-C (1)-NEt2·H-C (1)-NEt2, APAP (AAPP), and GAFQ (deamino-2-pyrid-4-yl-glycyl-dl-alanyl-dl-norvalyl-dl-asparagine). The cyclic peptide of the A. hamulosa honey was cyclo[Aad-RGD-d-F] (cyclo[Aad-Arg-Gly-Asp-d-Phe]). The Ziziphus honey was characterized by the presence of either Almiramide B or Auristatin-6-AQ. A. tortilis, A. hamulosa, and Ziziphus honeys are characterized by the presence of short and cyclic peptides which may contribute to their medicinal values.

Helicoverpa armigera Hübner, 1808 (Noctuidae; Lepidoptera) is one of the major pest problems causing production constraints in both conventional and organic agricultural systems. Chemical and semichemical, along with biotechnological approaches, like the sterile insect technique, are used to manage pest populations. However, these methods raise environmental concerns. Therefore, the current study was undertaken to assess the biocontrol potential of the entomopathogenic fungal strains Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Akanthomyces lecanii, and Purpureocillium lilacinus against H. armigera. These strains, identified through morphological and molecular techniques, were evaluated for their effectiveness in controlling H. armigera. A total of eight fungal strains were identified as entomopathogens, including B. bassiana (Bb01, Bb02, Bb03, and Bb04), Purpureocillium lilacinus (Pl01, Pl02), M. anisopliae (Ma01), and A. lecanii (Vl01). The plate pathogenicity assay revealed that B. bassiana (Bb04) inflicted the highest mortality to H. armigera among all the entomopathogenic fungi studied. B. bassiana (Bb04) was selected for further studies based on its pathogenicity. BLAST analysis revealed a high similarity (99%–100%) between the internal transcribed spacer regions of the studied isolates. The total dry weight of mycelia was significantly higher than the control for 1% starch concentrated medium, followed by 1% sucrose, 1% dextrose, and 1% lactose, respectively. The results confirmed that the use of B. bassiana (Bb04) was an eco-friendly and sustainable approach that could replace chemical insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytohormones, pivotal regulators of plant growth and development, are increasingly recognized for their multifaceted roles in enhancing crop resilience against environmental stresses. In this review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of current research on utilizing phytohormones to enhance crop productivity and fortify their defence mechanisms. Initially, we introduce the significance of phytohormones in orchestrating plant growth, followed by their potential utilization in bolstering crop defences against diverse environmental stressors. Our focus then shifts to an in‐depth exploration of phytohormones and their pivotal roles in mediating plant defence responses against biotic stressors, particularly insect pests. Furthermore, we highlight the potential impact of phytohormones on agricultural production while underscoring the existing research gaps and limitations hindering their widespread implementation in agricultural practices. Despite the accumulating body of research in this field, the integration of phytohormones into agriculture remains limited. To address this discrepancy, we propose a comprehensive framework for investigating the intricate interplay between phytohormones and sustainable agriculture. This framework advocates for the adoption of novel technologies and methodologies to facilitate the effective deployment of phytohormones in agricultural settings and also emphasizes the need to address existing research limitations through rigorous field studies. By outlining a roadmap for advancing the utilization of phytohormones in agriculture, this review aims to catalyse transformative changes in agricultural practices, fostering sustainability and resilience in agricultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the genomic characterization of bZIP genes and their involvement in the cellular response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. These studies have provided valuable insights into the coordinated cellular response to ER stress, which is mediated by bZIP transcription factors (TFs). However, a comprehensive and systematic investigations regarding the role of bZIP genes and their involvement in ER stress response in pak choi is currently lacking in the existing literature. To address this knowledge gap, the current study was initiated to elucidate the genomic characteristics of bZIP genes, gain insight into their expression patterns during ER stress in pak choi, and investigate the protein-to-protein interaction of bZIP genes with the ER chaperone BiP. In total, 112 members of the BcbZIP genes were identified through a comprehensive genome-wide analysis. Based on an analysis of sequence similarity, gene structure, conserved domains, and responsive motifs, the identified BcbZIP genes were categorized into 10 distinct subfamilies through phylogenetic analysis. Chromosomal location and duplication events provided insight into their genomic context and evolutionary history. Divergence analysis estimated their evolutionary history with a predicted divergence time ranging from 0.73 to 80.71 million years ago (MYA). Promoter regions of the BcbZIP genes were discovered to exhibit a wide variety of cis-elements, including light, hormone, and stress-responsive elements. GO enrichment analysis further confirmed their roles in the ER unfolded protein response (UPR), while co-expression network analysis showed a strong relationship of BcbZIP genes with ER-stress-responsive genes. Moreover, gene expression profiles and protein–protein interaction with ER chaperone BiP further confirmed their roles and capacity to respond to ER stress in pak choi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Caputo sense, the goal of this paper is to develop a thorough analysis for the Nipah virus sickness under piecewise equations with fractional order derivative. Here, we take into account a SIRD-type model with classes for susceptible, infected, recovered, and dead individuals. We evaluate the solution's viability using the notion of fractional order derivative. The fundamental reproduction number is also calculated. Here, we offer sufficient requirements for the Ulam–Hyers (UH) stability and the existence theory of the solution. We also give some numerical simulations for several compartments using the RK4 approach. In order to deepen our investigation, we therefore investigate the aforementioned disease's transmission process using some novel fractional calculus notions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]