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The family Pyralidae is a large and important group within the superfamily Pyraloidea, consisting of more than 5,900 described species. The rice moth Corcyra cephalonica is a noteworthy pest affecting stored grains and products. However, the absence of high-quality genomes hinders our comprehension of the ecology of C. cephalonica. Herein, we propose a chromosome-level genome of C. cephalonica achieved through integrating Nanopore, Illumina, and Hi-C reads. The genome of 453.37 Mb in size consists of 98 scaffolds and 154 contigs, with a scaffold N50 size of 16.67 Mb. The majority of contigs (99.36%, 450.45 Mb) were effectively anchored to 29 chromosomes. The BUSCO analysis of the assembly revealed a completeness of 99.0% (n = 1,367), identifying 98.6% single-copy BUSCO genes and 0.4% duplicated BUSCO genes. Furthermore, the genome contains 48.74% (220.96 Mb) repeat elements and encompasses 14,135 predicted protein-coding genes. This study offers a valuable genomic foundation for advancing our comprehension of the biology of C. cephalonica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepidopteran silk is a complex mixture of proteins, consisting mainly of fibroins and sericins. Sericins are a small family of highly divergent proteins that serve as adhesives and coatings for silk fibers. So far, five genes encoding sericin proteins have been identified in Bombyx mori. Having previously identified sericin protein 150 (SP150) as a major sericin-like protein in the cocoons of the pyralid moths Galleria mellonella and Ephestia kuehniella, we describe the identification of its homolog in B. mori. Our refined gene model shows that it consists of four exons and a long open reading frame with a conserved motif, CXCXCX, at the C-terminus, reminiscent of the structure observed in a class of mucin proteins. Notably, despite a similar expression pattern, both mRNA and protein levels of B. mori SP150 were significantly lower than those of its pyralid counterpart. We also discuss the synteny of homologous genes on corresponding chromosomes in different moth species and the possible phylogenetic relationships between SP150 and certain mucin-like proteins. Our results improve our understanding of silk structure and the evolutionary relationships between adhesion proteins in the silk of different lepidopteran species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia is the property of Sociedad Hispano-Luso-Americana de Lepidopterologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: This study investigates the biodegradation of polyethylene (PE) by Galleria mellonella larvae, exploring the impact of co-diet supplementation. Polyethylene, a prevalent plastic, poses significant environmental pollution due to its resistance to natural degradation. This research evaluates the larvae's efficiency in consuming PE of various densities with and without co-diets like beeswax and wheat germ + honey. The findings indicate that the larvae consumed more PE when the density was lower, with 1 mm thickness showing the highest consumption and minimal weight loss when beeswax was added. The larvae demonstrated higher biodegradation rates within 24 h compared to within 48 and 72 h. The co-diet supplementation, particularly with beeswax, enhanced PE consumption, aligning with the larvae's natural diet. This research underscores the potential of using G. mellonella larvae for the environmentally friendly biodegradation of PE, suggesting further exploration of the larvae's digestive mechanisms to develop sustainable solutions for plastic pollution. Pollution coming from plastic polymers, particularly polyethylene (PE), poses a serious threat to both humans and animals. The biodegradation of plastics facilitated by insects is a crucial and eco-friendly approach that can be employed to combat this global concern. Recently, the larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella (L.) have been recognized as avid 'plastivores'. The current study was aimed at evaluating the feeding efficiency of G. mellonella larvae on PEs of various densities with a co-diet supplementation of wheat germ + honey and beeswax. The results reveal that maximum PE consumption (9.98 ± 1.25 mg) was recorded in the case of 1.0 mm thick PE after a 24 h interval; however, the same scenario also achieved the greatest reduction in larval weight (27.79 ± 2.02 mg). A significant reduction in PE mass (5.87 ± 1.44 mg) was also observed in 1.0 mm PE when fed beeswax; however, the larvae experienced minimal weight loss (9.59 ± 3.81 mg). The larvae exhibited a higher PE consumption in 1.0 mm PE, indicating that the lower the density of PE, the greater the consumed area. Moreover, the biodegradation levels were notably higher within the 24 h interval. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the density of PEs and the supplementation of the co-diet have an impact on PE biodegradation. Additionally, the utilization of G. mellonella for the biodegradation of PE proves effective when combined with beeswax, resulting in minimal weight loss of the larvae. Our findings offer initial insights into how Galleria mellonella larvae biodegrade polyethylene (PE) of four different densities, along with co-diet supplementation. This approach helps us evaluate how varying densities affect degradation rates and provides a better understanding of the larvae's capabilities. Additionally, our observations at three specific time intervals (24, 48, and 72 h) allow us to identify the time required for achieving degradation rates. Through examining these time points, our method offers valuable insights into the initial phases of plastic consumption and biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arab Journal of Plant Protection is the property of Arab Society for Plant Protection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A new species, Prorophora mirra sp. n., is described from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (in the nominotypical subgenus). Te species is close to P. albidogilvella Roesler, 1970 in the structure of genitalia, but it is similar in appearance to some other congeners. New combination, Prorophora ammobia (Falkovitsh, 1999), comb. n., is established for Christophia ammobia Falkovitsh, 1999. A hitherto unknown female of the latter species is described.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Locastra muscosalis (Walker, 1866) was sequenced and characterized in this study, which was the first reported complete mitogenome of the genus Locastra. The mitogenome of L. muscosalis has a total length of 15,177 bp, encompassing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), and an A-T rich region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that L. muscosalis is closely associated with Orthaga euadrusalis. These data will serve as a valuable foundation for future investigations into the Epipaschiinae and Pyralidae evolutionary history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flight behavior is an important component to understand in the context of pest management. However, because of their small size, little is known about the flight capacity of most stored-product insects, and when a flight has been assessed, it usually consists of a propensity for initiating flight. Despite a priori expectations of the importance of flight for moths, there are no data about the flight capacity and little on the flight behavior of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). As a result, the objective of the current study was to (i) characterize the baseline flight capacity of E. kuehniella and (ii) determine how flight capacity is affected by the presence of kairomonal, pheromonal, or no stimuli. We found adult E. kuehniella flew a mean of 24–34 km in a 24-h period, and the distance flown per bout increased from 91 to 207 m in the presence of pheromones but decreased to 41 m when food was nearby compared to a negative control. The total number of flight bouts was 1.6-fold higher in the presence of pheromone compared to the negative control, but E. kuehniella flew significantly slower with pheromone and food cues present, suggesting they may be exhibiting an optimal foraging strategy. Our data on flight capacity results in qualitatively and quantitatively different conclusions about flight than those conclusions formed if only flight initiation is considered. Overall, this novel information is useful for understanding the spread within facilities and in the landscape (between facilities), as well as parameterizing ecological modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton, 1866) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is the common factitious host for mass culturing of several natural enemies due to its ease of mass production, adaptability to a variety of rearing conditions and its beneficial impact on reared insects. Our study aimed to determine the effect of various diets on the morphometric of C. cephalonica in different life stages. Based on pooled data of both the generations, longest (0.019 and 0.014 mm) morphometric dimension of eggs measured on D5 - Maize (48.5%) + Sorghum (48.5%) + Groundnut (3%) and D7 - Bajra (32.33%) + Maize (32.33%) + Wheat (32.33%) + Sugar (3%) were at par in both the diets, however shortest (0.014 and 0.009 mm) on D3 - Wheat (100%) diet. The respective values for maximum length and breadth of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th larval, pre-pupal, pupal instars and adults female and male were (1.07 and 0.21 mm), (4.51 and 0.82 mm), (7.12 and 1.34 mm), (10.39 and 1.65 mm) and (12.98 and 2.14 mm), (9.94 and 2.51 mm), (10.32 and 2.79 mm), (10.53 and 2.46 mm) and (8.82 and 1.91 mm) on D5 diet whereas minimum (0.86 and 0.16 mm), (3.33 and 0.55 mm), (5.41 and 0.89 mm), (8.66 and 1.28 mm) and (11.14 and 1.37 mm), (9.46 and 2.25 mm), (7.76 and 2.19 mm), (8.28 and 1.50 mm) and (7.26 and 1.44 mm) were measured on D3 diet. From the present findings, it is concluded that D5 was the best diet for the rearing of C. cephalonica. Therefore, it can be optimized for mass production programmes for raising a variety of biocontrol agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadra cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a pest in barn, and its eggs are often utilized as an alternative prey or as hosts for mass production of insect predators and parasitoids. To aid in developing a mass-rearing system for C. castella, the suitability of using an artificial diet based on brown rice flour and whole brown rice was compared using the age-stage, 2-sex life table. Compared with those reared on brown rice, the insects reared on an artificial diet had a shorter preadult period (32.08 vs 37.38 d), higher fecundity (468.14 vs 356.20 eggs/female), greater intrinsic rate of increase (0.1509 vs 0.1145 d−1), and higher net reproductive rate (199.28 vs 103.52 offspring). Small populations were required to rear the moth on an artificial diet to achieve the same daily production of C. cautella. Still, the food expense was only 60.2% of that of C. cautella reared on brown rice. Approximately 99.44% of the eggs in each rearing procedure could be supplied as alternative prey for predators, with the remainder served to maintain the colonies for subsequent batches. Only eggs laid within 6 d would be utilized to ensure the high quality of alternative prey for the mass production of predacious bugs. Additionally, a multifunctional device was designed for moth rearing and egg collection, reducing labor input and minimizing health risks for workers coping with inhaled scales. To encourage the production of natural enemies, a cost-effective diet for maintaining a sustainable colony, and a system for daily egg-harvesting of alternative prey were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, laboratory assays were performed to appraise the biocontrol potential of Metarhabditis amsactae, a Rhabditid nematode, against fifth instar larvae of Corcyra cephalonica. Virulence was tested at four different doses, i.e. 20, 40, 80 and 160 IJs/L (infective juveniles per larva) and mortality was documented from 24 up to 96 h of nematode treatment. Concentration and time-based enhancement in larval mortality was observed with 100% mortality recorded at 160 IJs/L after 96 h. Even at 20 IJs/L concentration, 60% and 76.7% larval mortality was recorded after 72 and 96 h, respectively. At 80 IJs/L, the mortality increased from 33.3% at 48 h to more than 90% at 96 h of nematode inoculation. Whereas, at 40 IJs/L, it enhanced from 16.7% at 48 h to 83.3% at 96 h. The effect of M. amsactae infection on the immune system of C. cephalonica was also evaluated at a dose of 100 IJs/L after 12, 24, 36 and 48 h time intervals. Insect larvae displayed augmented levels of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. The peak activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, phenol oxidase and glutathione-S-transferase in infected larvae were observed after 36 h, whereas acetylcholine esterase levels peaked after 48 h, as compared to control. Malondialdehyde content was also increased post nematode infection. Thus the current study is the first report that depicts the significant bioefficacy and immunomodulatory effects of M. amsactae against C. cephalonica under laboratory conditions. However, further research to assess its efficiency under field conditions is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) represent a threat to wine production in Mediterranean countries. In recent years, the development of new formulations promoted the spread of pheromone-based mating disruption (MD) as an effective tool for the management of several insect pests in different agricultural contexts. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of an experimental dispenser designed for simultaneous MD of these two pests. The biodegradable double-tube dispenser (Isonet® L CG-BIOX235) was tested for two years in two Italian wine-growing sites, the first in Apulia (Southern Italy), and the second in Tuscany (Central Italy). Isonet® L CG-BIOX235 efficacy was evaluated by testing different doses (i.e., 300, 400, and 500 dispensers/ha), on different varieties (i.e., Aglianico, Syrah, and Viognier), and comparing it with an untreated control. The MD performed using this dispenser significantly reduced the infestation of both L. botrana (i.e., percentage of infested bunches and number of nests per bunch) and C. gnidiella compared to the untreated control, although the occurrence of the latter fluctuated throughout the two-year trials. Overall, although our results underline the possibility of combining the pheromones of the two pests in a single dispenser for their simultaneous MD, they also highlight the need for further studies on some aspects of C. gnidiella biology and consequently improve the MD efficacy against this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the ability of internal‐ and external‐infesting stored product insects to vector microbes is important for estimating the relative risk that insects pose to postharvest commodities as they move between habitat patches and in the landscape. Thus, the aim of the current study was to evaluate and compare the microbial growth in novel food patches at different dispersal periods by different populations of Sitophilus oryzae (e.g., internal‐infesting) and Lasioderma serricorne (e.g., external‐infesting). Adults of both species collected from laboratory colonies or field‐captured populations were either placed immediately in a novel food patch, or given a dispersal period of 24 or 72 h in a sterilized environment before entering a surrogate food patch. Vectored microbes in new food patches were imaged after 3 or 5 days of foraging, and microbial growth was processed using ImageJ while fungal species were identified through sequencing the ITS4/5 ribosomal subunit. We found that increasing dispersal time resulted in multiple‐fold reductions in microbial growth surrogate food patches by L. serricorne but not S. oryzae. This was likely attributable to higher mobility by S. oryzae than L. serricorne. A total of 20 morphospecies were identified from 13 genera among the 59 sequences, with a total of 23% and 16% classified as Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. Our data suggest that there is a persistent risk of microbial contamination by both species, which has important food safety implications at food facilities. The study investigated how Sitophilus oryzae and Lasioderma serricorne, two types of stored product insects (internal‐ and external‐infesting), affect microbial growth in new food patches over varying dispersal periods. We found that longer dispersal times led to a significant reduction in microbial growth in food patches for L. serricorne but not for S. oryzae, likely due to differences in mobility between the two species. This suggests an ongoing risk of microbial contamination from both insect types, with implications for food safety in storage facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia is the property of Sociedad Hispano-Luso-Americana de Lepidopterologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia is the property of Sociedad Hispano-Luso-Americana de Lepidopterologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M‐2020‐0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for Acrobasis pirivorella is published and available online in the EFSA Pest Survey Card gallery at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/acrobasis-pirivorella [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing parasitoids for augmentative biological control frequently depends on the physiological state of the parasitoids and the pest population density at the time of release. Trichogramma chilonis Ishii (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is commonly used as an egg parasitoid for biological insect pest control via augmentation and field release. A crucial component of mass production programmes is the host's nutritional compatibility. So, the investigations were carried out to study the effect of diet composition of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on developmental and reproductive parameters of Trichogramma chilonis Ishii. The T. chilonis was reared on Corcyra cephalonica fed on different diets (D1-D7) in the laboratory at 25°C±1°C with 75±5% RH. Based on pooled data of two generations T. chilonis had shown significantly highest parasitization of 85.80%, adult emergence percentage 75.00% and sex-ratio 1.62:1 on rice moth eggs obtained from Maize (48.5%) + Sorghum (48.5%) + Groundnut (3%) diet (D5). Trichogramma adult's emergence was observed earlier (3.10 days) on the host's eggs reared on the Bajra (100%) diet (D1). In case of adult longevity, the maximum longevity of 7.70 days was recorded on the host's egg obtained from the D5 diet over the others. These findings may help to improve the developmental and reproductive performance of T. chilonis and an optimized D5 diet may be useful for mass rearing of this egg parasitoid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although chromosomes of only 20 members of Pteromalidae sensu lato (s.l.), which belong to the families Pteromalidae sensu stricto (hence Pteromalidae) and Spalangiidae, are studied up to now, the accumulated cytogenetic information has important implications for taxonomic and evolutionary studies of these parasitoids. Within the former family, which includes the overwhelming majority of karyotypically studied species of Pteromalidae s.l., the known haploid chromosome number (n) can vary from 4 to 7 in Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) and Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard), respectively, with a clear mode at n = 5. Among these parasitoids, Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) is the most thoroughly studied species in terms of modern cytogenetic techniques. On the contrary, chromosomes of only two members of Spalangiidae are known, both belonging to the Spalangia endius Walker complex, with n = 4 and 6. A few cosmopolitan cryptic species of the family Pteromalidae were studied using cytogenetic approaches. Specifically, Anisopteromalus quinarius Gokhman et Baur, a newly described parasitoid of stored‐product pests with n = 5, was initially separated from A. calandrae based on its different chromosome number. Another pteromalid with a similar biology, Lariophagus distinguendus (Förster), was also found to harbor two cryptic species with n = 5 and 6. Moreover, a morphometric study of these karyotypes suggested that the largest chromosome in the set with n = 5 has resulted from a fusion of two particular chromosomes in the karyotype with n = 6, and this hypothesis was confirmed using microdissection and whole‐chromosome painting. Recent cytogenetic and bioinformatic research also showed that N. vitripennis, Nasonia longicornis Darling, Nasonia giraulti Darling, Nasonia oneida Raychouhury et Desjardins, Muscidifurax uniraptor Kogan et Legner, and Trichomalopsis sarcophagae (Gahan) (all Pteromalidae) share the TTATTGGG telomeric motif with most other Chalcidoidea. Perspectives of the chromosome study of Pteromalidae s.l. are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first report of Euzophera vinnulella Neunzig (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) feeding on the bark of fig trees, Ficus carica (Moraceae), in northern California. We describe the immature stages, and provide images of the larva, pupal exoskeleton, and male genitalia from the reared adults. The immatures of E. vinnulella (and the genus Euzophera Zeller) are compared to those of Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller, or the carob moth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bethylid wasp Goniozus omanensis has been identified as a key natural enemy of Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae), an important pest of date palm. Efficient rearing of natural enemies can be an important part of biological pest control programmes but cultures of G. omanensis are challenging to maintain on B. amydraula. We evaluate two readily available species of Pyralid moths, Corcyra cephalonica and Galleria mellonella, as potential factitious hosts. We find that G. omanensis can develop on the larvae of either species, but the probability of failure is circa 75% overall. Both trialled host species were approximately equally suitable, but failures were typically during the early stages of brood production when presented with C. cephalonica and during the later stages when presented with G. mellonella. This suggests that C. cephalonica larvae may be more difficult to suppress and that G. mellonella larvae may be of lower nutritional value. The average production of adult parasitoids per host provided was approximately 1 and, given the observed female biased sex ratio, the average number of females was around 0.8. We suggest potential routes to improving the efficiency of rearing G. omanensis on these factitious hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous comprehensive survey in the Mediterranean and Southeastern regions of Türkiye investigating the natural egg parasitism of lepidopteran maize pests, Sesamia spp, (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe; Lepidoptera: Crambidae) by Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) yielded successful establishment of laboratory cultures of six strains molecularly clustering into two main groups. In this study, the functional response and adult longevity of the strains reared and tested on a factitious host, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were investigated to provide insights into their potential as candidate biocontrol agents under constant laboratory conditions. The functional response modelling process consisted of two main sequential steps: model selection using polynomial logistic regression and parameter estimation using an iterative maximum likelihood estimation method. The functional response of two strains showed negative linear parameters (type II): HAP068M and HAP268S. Although their attack rate did not differ, the handling time of HAP268S was longer than that of HAP068M. In contrast, four strains had positive linear and negative quadratic parameters (type III) in their functional response: HAP044S, HAP070S, HAP210S, and HAP258M. The strains exhibiting type III functional response did not differ in their handling time, while HAP044S had a higher attack coefficient than HAP070S, HAP210S, and HAP258M. The longevity of both female and male adults significantly differed between strains. More importantly, the females belonging to strains exhibiting type II functional response presented a shorter longevity, compared to those with type III functional response. Males also showed a similar trend in their longevity. This paper discusses the differences in functional response types and estimated parameters of the strains in relation to their relevance for biological control programs and reveals a link between their functional response and longevity as potential reciprocal predictors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

G. mellonella is a promising species for use in the biodegradation of plastics. It is easy to breed and has high resistance to diverse climatic conditions, which is particularly valuable when considering its potential application in the decomposition of plastics. Thus, it demonstrated the capacity for biodegradation of the most common types of plastics, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). However, reports on whether consumed plastics or their decomposition products will adversely affect the structure and functioning of the internal organs are rather poor. The studies aimed to determine whether the consumption of PP by a greater wax moth larvae caused any ultrastructural changes in the organs of the animal's body, evaluate the survival rate of the animals, and describe their reproduction. Thus, this study provided an understanding of histological and ultrastructural changes caused, or not caused, by the PP diet. We investigated three organs – midgut, silk gland, and fat body – under PP consumption by G. mellonella caterpillars (7th instar larvae). The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in selected organs, as well as the ability of larvae to survive and undergo metamorphosis were also examined. The animals were divided into four groups: G0-C, G0-S, G0-24, and G0-48. The research used transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. Our study showed that a diet containing PP did not affect internal organs at the ultrastructural level. Cells in the analyzed organs – midgut, silk gland, and fat body – showed no degenerative changes. An increase in the intensity of autophagy and cell vacuolization was noted, but they probably act as a survival pathway. These observations suggest that the final larval stage of the greater wax moth can potentially be applied in PP biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among insect pests infesting stored dates, Plodia interpunctella Hubner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is highly destructive in packinghouses or storages, leading to substantial losses. This study assessed the nutritional performances, digestive enzymes activity, and energy reserves of P. interpunctella larvae fed on various date fruits, including Dayri, Estemaran, Fersi, Halavi, and Zahedi varieties. Additionally, date fruits were analyzed to ascertain their secondary metabolite contents. Food digestibility (AD) showed a negative correlation with the efficiency of conversion of ingested (ECI) and digested food (ECD). Conversely, positive correlations were identified between food digestibility and relative growth (RGR), consumption rate (RCR), food consumed, and larval and pupal weight. The lowest RGR and RCR values were noted in P. interpunctella larvae fed on Estemaran and Fersi varieties, indicating the reduced suitability of these host plants for larval development. According to our findings, larvae fed on the Zahedi variety exhibited the highest larval, frass, and pupal weight, as well as food consumption. The lowest amylolytic and proteolytic activity was observed in P. interpunctella larvae fed on the Estemaran variety. Amylolytic activity in P. interpunctella showed a positive correlation with protein and glycogen contents, while a significant positive correlation was found between proteolytic activity and larval protein content. The low protein content in larvae fed on the Estemaran variety suggests its unsuitability for P. interpunctella feeding and growth. Conversely, the Dayri variety had the lowest phenolic content, indicating its suitability for larval development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses that the Pyralidae family of moths encountered in Spain and the Portuguese Algarve, discussing species like Endotricha flammealis, Hypsopygia costalis and Pyralis farinalis. Topics discussed include their distribution; flight periods; larval food sources; observations from the author's moth trap; and also highlighting variations in flight periods and local abundance.

In the present study, we examined the effect of extreme temperatures on different life stages of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The individuals were exposed to different temperatures ranging between 5 and −18 °C for cold treatment, and between 30 and 55 °C for heat treatment, and different exposure intervals, ranging from minutes to days. Complete control was achieved at −10 and −15 °C for cold treatment and 50 and 55 °C for heat treatment at all exposure intervals. Considering the efficacy of extreme temperatures for the control of E. kuehniella, our study provides specific temperature exposure modules that can be effective for the control of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet sagewort (Artemisia annua) is a species that has been used for many years to treat high fever due to its artemycin content. Artemycin is the active ingredient in antimalarial drugs. Additionally, the plant's leaves are consumed as tea or aqueous extract. Invertebrate model organism Galleria mellonella is preferred in immune studies due to its ease of administration, natural immunity shared with mammals, including humans, and rapid determination of results. In this research, we systematically assessed the impact of A. annua extract on the immune system of animals by employing the G. mellonella model organism. We meticulously examined key facets of innate immune responses, including total hemocyte count, encapsulation-melanization, and phenoloxidase activity. Furthermore, we delved into the effects on antioxidant enzyme activity, specifically superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lipid peroxidase. The hemocyte count showed a statistically significant decrease across all given doses of the A. annua extract when compared to the control groups. The A. annua extract had no effect on the catalase activity, malondialdehyde amount, phenoloxidase activity, or melanization response of G. mellonella larvae, according to the findings of our study. Nonetheless, it enhanced SOD activity. In comparison to the control groups, it decreased the strong encapsulation response, which is a cell-mediated immune response, at all doses. While the A. annua extract had little effect on enzymatic processes in animals, it reduced cell-mediated immune responses by altering cell behaviours and count with cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first faunal list of Pyraloidea of Belgorod Region, including 60 species of 46 genera, belonging to two families. Phycita roborella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775), Euzophera pinguis (Haworth, 1811), Cadra furcatella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1849), Cadra figulilella (Gregson, 1871), Pediasia contaminella (Hübner, 1796), Schoenobius gigantella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) have been recorded for European Central Black Earth region for the first time. We collected the invasive boxwood pest Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) already registered in the territory of Belgorod region in 2022. In addition the results of testing traps with synthetic sex pheromone of Ephestia elutella (Hübner, 1796), including components (Z, E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate and (Z, E)-9,12-tetradecadienol, are presented. 7 species of the Phycitini tribe attracted by this pheromone in the observed locality were recorded.

The article discusses two new insect species found in Britain. The first is Tischeria ekebladella, a leaf miner that was discovered on a Lucombe oak tree in Shropshire. This is an unusual food choice for the species, and further research is needed to determine if it uses this tree more widely. The second species is Hypsopygia nostralis, a pyralid moth that was found in London. This species has a wide distribution in the southeastern USA and has been introduced to various other locations worldwide. The moth was likely brought to Britain through importation, and its larvae feed on dried organic material, including thatching material made from Sabal Palm leaves. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents the results of studying the fauna of Lepidoptera in the North Kazakhstan region in the field season of 2023. An annotated check-list includes 162 species from the families Psychidae, Plutellidae, Depressariidae, Autostichidae, Gelechiidae, Pterophoridae, Pyralidae, Crambidae, Tortricidae, Cossidae, Sesiidae, Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Satyridae, Drepanidae, Geometridae, Lasiocampidae, Lemoniidae, Endromididae, Sphingidae, Notodontidae, Arctiidae, Erebidae, Noctuidae. 47 species reported from the North Kazakhstan region for the first time.

Simple Summary: The present study investigated the effects of different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) on the growth and development of Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Ephestia elutella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae. Habrobracon hebetor could complete growth and development when E. elutella larvae were used as hosts, and the developmental duration decreased with increasing temperature at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C. Taking into account factors such as the total number of eggs laid, egg hatchability, the number of emerged adults, emergence ratio, percentage of female offspring, innate rate of increase, and net reproductive rate, the optimal temperature for rearing of H. hebetor is 30 °C. Augmentative release of parasitoids has been an important component of integrated insect management for stored product protection. Understanding the effect of different temperatures on the growth and development of parasitoids is in favor of mass rearing of parasitoids. Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a highly cosmopolitan, gregarious ecto-parasitoid of a variety of Lepidopterous larvae. Thus, the growth and development of H. hebetor reared on Ephestia elutella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae were investigated at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C. Habrobracon hebetor could complete growth and development, and the developmental duration decreased with increasing temperature at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C. The development threshold temperatures of H. hebetor eggs, larvae, pupae, and egg-to-adult stages were 13.89, 6.39, 9.24, and 9.29 °C, and the effective accumulated temperatures were 23.33, 46.40, 142.68, and 240.31 °C·d, respectively. The total number of eggs laid by H. hebetor, the hatching rate of H. hebetor eggs, and the percentage of female offspring reached the maximum of 192.39, 83.89%, and 74.04% at 30 °C, respectively. There was no significant difference in pupal survival rate in the temperature range of 15 °C to 35 °C. At 30 °C, the pre-oviposition duration of H. hebetor was the shortest (0.87 d). Therefore, the optimal rearing temperature of H. hebetor was 30 °C. The present results are useful for the large-scale rearing of H. hebetor using E. elutella larvae as hosts and effectively implementing the biological control of stored-product insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poplars (Populus spp.) are of significant ecological and economic importance. Long-term breeding efforts were aimed mainly at obtaining fast-growing and productive plants and less considered resistance to pests. This study aimed to identify patterns of susceptibility or resistance to Saperda carcharias (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) infestation among clones of Populus hybrids and pure species, focusing on the influence of their placement, seasonal development, stem diameter, height increment, and crossing combinations. Among 34 clones of poplar species and hybrids of Ukrainian and foreign selection, in 2019–2023 S. carcharias infested 14 clones every year. Six clones ('Ivantiivska', 'Kytaiska × pyramidalna', 'Volosystoplidna', 'Novoberlinska-3', 'Robusta', and 'Lada') were the most susceptible to the infestation by S. carcharias. The clones of all presented poplar sections and their crossing combinations, except the Tacamahaca and Leucoides cross, were infested. Greater height increment promoted the infestation by S. carcharias. Ambiguous results were obtained regarding the susceptibility of Populus hybrids compared to pure species to S. carcharias infestations. Considering infestation by S. carcharias and plant placement in the site, it can be concluded that the clones 'Sakrau45-51', 'Deltopodibna', 'Rosijska', 'Slava Ukrayiny', 'Lubenska', 'Rohanska', and 'Nocturne' are resistant to this pest. Selecting native species clones or creating mixed clone plantations could enhance the resilience of poplar plantations to pest threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the College Of Basic Education is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The inadequate disposal of organic waste generated in insect biofactories breeding biological agents may become a potential environmental problem. The use of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) may play an important role in the circular economy of this process, transforming waste into high‐quality biomass. Therefore, this work aims to analyse the degradation of organic residues of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) production using the black soldier fly. Four types of waste from the moth breeding process were evaluated: residues of the meal diet when moth larvae were in the last instar; residues of the meal diet when completing the cycle; residues formed by webs in the pupation process mixed with residual exoskeleton, and residues of dead adults. These residues were tested in isolation and in mixtures of 50%, using as control a standard diet composed of chicken feed. Survival rate, development time, emerged adults, weight, size, residue reduction, and bioconversion were evaluated. The residue used in diets affected the total development time of H. illucens. The mean number of survivors differed from 87% to 74% for larvae that reached the pre‐pupal stage. The viability of pre‐pupae to adult stage ranged from 54% to 6% for residue treatments and 97% for the control. Differences in the growth and weight gain of larvae were significantly different. The rate of residue reduction from 54% to 80% and bioconversion into larval biomass were satisfactory. However, regarding adult emergence, the numbers show variations, indicating that certain residues are not suitable for the maintenance of fly breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphodes pyloalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is the main pest of mulberry leaves and causes great losses to the sericultural industry in China. Chlorfenapyr is a new type of arylpyrrole insecticide in mulberry fields. Uridine diphosphate–glycosyltransferase (UGT) is the major phase II metabolizing enzymes that play important roles in detoxifying the toxic substances in insects. However, the roles of UGT genes against chemical insecticides in lepidopteran pests still receive less attention. To better understand the mechanism of insecticide tolerance in G. pyloalis, a LC50 of chlorfenapyr to the fourth‐instar larvae was firstly determined. Subsequently, 24 UGT genes were identified from the previous constructed larvae transcriptome of G. pyloalis. Among these, 23 contained full‐length ORFs and shared high homology with Ostrinia furnacalis and Chilo suppressalis. qRT‐PCR validation revealed that four GpylUGTs (GpUGT33AQ1, GpUGT33AS1, GpUGT50A14, and GpUGT40AV1) were significantly upregulated after 24 h of chlorfenapyr treatment. Three GpylUGTs (GpUGT33AS1, GpUGT40AM4, and GpUGT40AK7) were upregulated after 48 h of chlorfenapyr treatment compared to the control groups. To further explore the functions of UGT genes, GpUGT33AS1 was selected and knocked down, which resulted in the decline of UGT expression and significantly increased the mortality of G. pyloalis larvae under LC30 chlorfenapyr exposure. This study revealed that UGTs in G. pyloalis contributed to the tolerance towards chlorfenapyr and provided basic insight into the insecticide detoxification mechanism in lepidopteran pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest health is being challenged worldwide due to changing disturbance regimes. These changes could promote the abundance and diversity of secondary forest pests, like the Agrilinae (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) borers, which are frequently involved in oak decline in Europe. We assessed the contribution of environmental factors to local abundance and temporal dynamics of oak-dwelling borers in France. We set up green multi-funnel traps in oak stands exhibiting a gradient of decline across six forests in 2021 and monitored the traps for six consecutive years in one forest. The community of borers was homogeneous among the forests and included several Mediterranean species. Increasing severity of decline at the plot and stand scales enhanced the abundance and species richness of the borers and influenced the composition of their community. Tree density, longitude and spring temperature also influenced the abundance of several species and of the community. Our multi-year survey indicated that inter-annual fluctuations in decline level weakly correlated with those of borer species. Most of the species experienced a major crash in 2017, suggesting that extreme climate events such as a warm early spring followed by a late frost can decimate borer populations. This may explain why borer damage has recently been relatively limited in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia is the property of Sociedad Hispano-Luso-Americana de Lepidopterologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We present the faunal list of Pyraloidea (Lepidoptera) of Azerbaijan, including 222 species of 114 genera, belonging to two families. Forty eight species of Pyraloidea Moths are reported for Azerbaijan for the first time.

The "Genetics, Phylogeny, and Evolution of Insects" Special Issue in the journal Genes features 11 original research articles that explore various advancements in insect genetics and evolution. The articles cover a range of topics, including the sequencing and analysis of mitochondrial genomes in different insect orders such as Diptera, Hemiptera, and Coleoptera. The research provides valuable insights into the taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic makeup of these insects. Additionally, the Special Issue includes studies on genetic diversity, migration patterns, transcriptomic analysis, and endosymbiont research, which contribute to our understanding of insect biology and ecology. The findings presented in this Special Issue have practical implications for pest management, conservation, and biodiversity studies. [Extracted from the article]

The eggs of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) remain mixed with insect scales and broken insect body parts in the oviposition containers while doing mass rearing in the insectaries, which necessitate its cleaning. An innovative mechanical device was invented, developed and standardized for cleaning of Corcyra eggs and to maintain a hygienic environment in the insectaries. This device consists of a tubular column, a specialized funnel, and it is operated with the help of a vacuum cleaner. The device offers a clean and efficient method of collection and cleaning of eggs, obviating health hazards to workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia is the property of Sociedad Hispano-Luso-Americana de Lepidopterologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Entomopathogenic nematodes from the genus Steinernema (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) are capable of causing the rapid killing of insect hosts, facilitated by their association with symbiotic Gram-negative bacteria in the genus Xenorhabdus (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae), positioning them as interesting candidate tools for the control of insect pests. In spite of this, only a limited number of species from this bacterial genus have been identified from their nematode hosts and their insecticidal properties documented. This study aimed to perform the genome sequence analysis of fourteen Xenorhabdus strains that were isolated from Steinernema nematodes in Argentina. All of the strains were found to be able of killing 7th instar larvae of Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Their sequenced genomes harbour 110 putative insecticidal proteins including Tc, Txp, Mcf, Pra/Prb and App homologs, plus other virulence factors such as putative nematocidal proteins, chitinases and secondary metabolite gene clusters for the synthesis of different bioactive compounds. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis plus average nucleotide identity calculations strongly suggested that three strains should be considered novel species. The species name for strains PSL and Reich (same species according to % ANI) is proposed as Xenorhabdus littoralis sp. nov., whereas strain 12 is proposed as Xenorhabdus santafensis sp. nov. In this work, we present a dual insight into the biocidal potential and diversity of the Xenorhabdus genus, demonstrated by different numbers of putative insecticidal genes and biosynthetic gene clusters, along with a fresh exploration of the species within this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dactylopius spp. produce carminic acid as part of defence against predation. The average carminic acid concentration varies depending on the species, e.g., for prickly pear cochineal, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell), and cochineal, Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), it is 3–5 and 19–25%, respectively. Generalist predators such as Laetilia coccidivora Comstock (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and specialist predators such as Leucopis bellula Williston (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae) and Hyperaspis trifurcata Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) require detoxification mechanisms, which could be provided by gut bacteria. We determined the diversity of gut‐associated cultivable bacteria in these three predators and their ability to metabolize carminic acid. The bacteria were identified morphologically and by partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. In vitro assays were done to determine their ability to metabolize carminic acid. The greatest culturable bacterial diversity was found in L. coccidivora larvae and H. trifurcata adults, followed by H. trifurcata larvae. The lowest diversity was found in L. bellula larvae. DNA sequencing revealed the presence of Bacillus cereus Frankland & Frankland, Enterococcus gallinarum (Bridge & Sneath) Collins et al., and Enterococcus casseliflavus Collins et al. in L. coccidivora larvae, Enterobacter spec. in larvae of H. trifurcata, Lactococcus lactis (Lister) Schleifer in adults of H. trifurcata, and Staphylococcus spec. in larvae and adults of H. trifurcata. Bacillus pumilus Meyer & Gottheil was only found in L. bellula larvae. In vitro assays showed that all isolates evaluated could metabolize carminic acid, suggesting they play an important role in the predators' ability to metabolize carminic acid. Presence of E. gallinarum, which had the most efficient metabolism of carminic acid, might allow L. coccidivora to feed on the two Dactylopius species regardless of carminic acid concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the cactus moth, is native to South America with a widespread distribution in Argentina. The larvae consume the interior of Opuntia spp. (Cactaceae) plants. The moth was used as a biocontrol agent against invasive non-native Opuntia spp. in many countries around the world. The cactus moth arrived unintentionally in Florida, USA, expanded its range and threatened Opuntia -based agriculture and natural ecosystems in southern North America. The insect is also a pest of cultivated O. ficus-indica L. in Argentina. An endemic South American parasitoid, Goniozus legneri Gordth (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), is used in inundative biological control programmes against lepidopteran pests. The goal of this work was to evaluate G. legneri as a biocontrol agent to be used in inundative releases against C. cactorum. Mortality of C. cactorum by G. legneri was assessed at different spatial scales, as well as the interactions with Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a common Argentine natural enemy of C. cactorum. The ability of G. legneri to paralyse, parasitise and kill C. cactorum was confirmed. The paralysis inflicted on C. cactorum larvae reduced larval damage to the plants by 85%. Using two parasitoid species increased the mortality of C. cactorum larvae, but it was highly dependent on the order of their arrival. The combined mortality caused by both parasitoids was higher than a single one, in particular when G. legneri arrived first (56 ± 1%), suggesting asymmetric competition due to the preference of G. legneri attacking previously parasitised larvae. Goniozus legneri has potential as an inundative biocontrol agent of C. cactorum , but its interaction with the classical biocontrol agent A. opuntiarum needs to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first record of the microlepidopteran Plodia interpunctella beyond the South Shetland Islands at the Chilean Yelcho scientific station (64°52′33.1428″ S; 63°35′1.9572″ W), Doumer Island, close to the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is notable that P. interpunctella, a globally distributed stored product pest species, exhibits a remarkable capacity for prolonged viability within food storage facilities. The dual challenges of food transportation and storage in the context of Antarctica's challenging operational conditions may have facilitated P. interpunctella's initial arrival to the Antarctic region. Non‐perishable food items, such as grains, flour and rice, provide practical options for the bulk food transportation and storage required in the long‐term operation of Antarctic research stations. The presence of P. interpunctella in Antarctica, even if restricted to synanthropic environments within buildings, is a clear threat to Antarctic biodiversity, not only through being an invasive species itself but also as a potential vector for other non‐native species (bacteria, acari, between others.), which could carry diseases to the native species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is an important pest of pistachio causing direct damage to nuts during ripening, and in storage. We examined the tritrophic effects of 5 pistachio cultivars, representing the full range of kernel suitability for E. ceratoniae , on 2 larval parasitoids, Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a gregarious, synovigenic, idiobiont, ectoparasitoid, and Venturia canescens Gravenhorst (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a solitary, pro-ovigenic, koinobiont, endoparasitoid. The suitability of pistachio cultivars for development and reproduction of the 2 parasitoids was closely correlated, despite their divergent lifestyles and developmental patterns, and paralleled variation in kernel suitability for host larvae. Although kernels of the most resistant cultivar reduced demographic parameters of the parasitoids, the potential impact on numerical responses was minor. Successful biological control of carob moth within the vulnerable period of nut ripening will likely depend on the functional responses of earlier generations of adult parasitoids emerging from other fruit and nut crops, or those released in an augmentation program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carob moth [Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)] is a significant pest infesting pomegranate orchards. The management of the pest is mainly reliant on pesticides; however, their adverse impacts necessitate alternative management strategies. Therefore, this study determined the efficacy of kaolin (Ka), diatomaceous earth (DE—'Turco 00'), and calcium polysulfide (CP) in suppressing carob moth infestation in pomegranate. Three doses of DE (i.e., 2, 4, and 6 kg), Ka (3, 5, and 7 kg), and CP (0.5, 1, and 1.5 L) per 100-L water, positive control (emamectin benzoate), and untreated negative control were included in the study. The doses of the tested materials were regarded as low, medium, and high. Data relating to fruit infestation rate, efficacy of the treatments in suppressing carob moth infestation and economic returns were collected. The low, medium, and high doses of DE resulted in 7.8%, 6.8%, and 4.3% fruit infestation rate, respectively. Similarly, low, medium, and high doses of Ka resulted in 10.5%, 9.5%, and 8.8% infestation rate, respectively. In the same way, 21.5%, 13.3%, and 9.5% infestation rate was noted for low, medium, and high doses of CP, respectively. The positive and negative control resulted in 9.5% and 32.5% infestation rate, respectively. The efficacy of low, medium, and high doses was 75.80%, 78.72%, and 87.23, respectively for DE, 67.28%, 70.42%, and 72.65% for Ka, 33.64%, 58.11%, and 70.20% for CP, and 70.42% for positive control. The DE, Ka, and CP applied at all doses resulted in low infestation rates of carob moth compared to negative control. Similarly, the application of all doses of DE, Ka, and CP significantly improved net economic returns. Overall, all doses of DE and high dose of Ka proved more effective than positive control in lowering carob moth infestation. Economic analysis revealed that all doses of DE resulted in higher net economic returns compared to all other treatments included in the study. Hence, it is recommended to use high doses of DE to reduce infestation rate of carob moth and improve net economic returns of pomegranate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural pests can be effectively controlled using microbes, providing an eco-friendly alternative to available synthetic pesticides. Suitable entomopathogenic bacterial strains were collected from agricultural fields and evaluated for their insecticidal potential against Cnaphalocrocis medinalis. In the four tested entomopathogenic bacteria (W1, Yc1, S1, EB01), the larval mortality ranged from 38 to 74%. Among these isolates, Bacillus subtilis (EB01) induced the highest mortality (74%). In greenhouse conditions, the tests confirm that the results were dosage-dependent: B. subtilis infection considerably delayed the overall development period, reduced pupal conversion, and decreased adult emergence with induced morphological deformities. Larvae fed B. subtilis-treated leaves initiate bacterial infection and broadly damage the midgut tissue, including the epithelial and peritrophic layers. The bacterial growth in the C. medinalis hemolymph considerably increases the activity of enzymes like α and β esterase (85.14 and 44% at 96 h) compared to the control. The isolate B. subtilis-treated diet significantly reduced the larval digestive α and β galactosidase enzyme activity (88.17 and 91.88% at 96 h). Furthermore, germination bioassay with strain EB01 in rice varieties (TN1 and ASD16) significantly increased both varieties' germination and biomass index. This study shows that the B. subtilis EB01 strain potentially inhibited the biological activity of C. medinalis and improved the rice seeds' germination index. It can be a potential biocontrol agent in sustainable pest-management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Siberian moth, Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetv., 1908 (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) is a conifer pest that causes unprecedented forest mortality in Northern Asia, leading to enormous ecological and economic losses. This is the first study summarizing data on the parasitoid diversity and parasitism of this pest over the last 118 years (1905–2022). Based on 860 specimens of freshly reared and archival parasitoids, 16 species from two orders (Hymenoptera and Diptera) were identified morphologically and/or with the use of DNA barcoding. For all of them, data on distribution and hosts and images of parasitoid adults are provided. Among them, the braconid species, Meteorus versicolor (Wesmael, 1835), was documented as a parasitoid of D. sibiricus for the first time. The eastern Palaearctic form, Aleiodes esenbeckii (Hartig, 1838) dendrolimi (Matsumura, 1926), status nov., was resurrected from synonymy as a valid subspecies, and a key for its differentiation from the western Palaearctic subspecies Aleiodes esenbeckii ssp. esenbecki is provided. DNA barcodes of 11 parasitoid species from Siberia, i.e., nine hymenopterans and two dipterans, represented novel records and can be used for accurate molecular genetic identification of species. An exhaustive checklist of parasitoids accounting for 93 species associated with D. sibirisus in northern Asia was compiled. Finally, the literature and original data on parasitism in D. sibiricus populations for the last 83 years (1940–2022) were analysed taking into account the pest population dynamics (i.e., growth, outbreak, decline, and depression phases). A gradual time-lagged increase in egg and pupal parasitism in D. sibiricus populations was detected, with a peak in the pest decline phase. According to long-term observations, the following species are able to cause significant mortality of D. sibiricus in Northern Asia: the hymenopteran egg parasitoids Telenomus tetratomus and Ooencyrtus pinicolus; the larval parasitoids Aleiodes esenbeckii sp. dendrolimi, Cotesia spp., and Glyptapanteles liparidis; and the dipteran pupal parasitoids Masicera sphingivora, Tachina sp., and Blepharipa sp. Their potential should be further explored in order to develop biocontrol programs for this important forest pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botanical based-insecticides are presently recognized to interfere behavioral and physiological performances of herbivorous insects. In the current study, the insecticidal properties of Pimpinella anisum, Foeniculum vulgare and Heracleum persicum essential oils (EOs), and their main component, trans-anethole, were studied on a destructive pest of mulberry leaves, Glyphodes pyloalis Walker. The effect of essential oils (EOs) on the larval feeding was evaluated by the leaf-dipping method and demonstrated the highest insecticidal and antifeedant activities of F. vulgare and H. persicum. Apart from negative effects on feeding indices, feeding treatment with the EOs significantly inhibited the activities of digestive enzymes and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). At nearly, all the tested compounds increased the activities of detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes. Thus, these EOs demonstrate potential as new control products to combat G. pyloalis, and they may function as an insecticide, antifeedant, or inhibitor of physiological performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]