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Captive breeding can be a useful tool for the management of threatened species, but such programs often begin with a bottleneck which may lower reproductive fitness by increasing inbreeding and allowing deleterious alleles to increase in frequency by reducing effective population size. Dryococelus australis, the Lord Howe Island stick insect, is a critically endangered insect that has been bred at the Melbourne Zoo in Melbourne, Australia, since shortly after the species was rediscovered in 2001. We analysed a long‐term dataset of phenotypic measurements from this captive breeding program to determine whether reproductive fitness has declined in captivity. We found a clear signal of decline in direct (egg hatching success) and indirect (egg and nymph size) fitness indicators over time. We compared a captive line descended from the original program founders to a new hybrid line that has recent wild ancestry. The hybrid line showed an immediate improvement in egg hatch rate, suggesting the potential for genetic rescue. Egg and nymph size did not show as dramatic a change, although this line had only existed for just over a single generation at the time of data collection. These results argue strongly for the regular sourcing of new genetic material from the wild D. australis population to counteract fitness declines in captivity. Aside from benefiting the captive population, this would also improve the prospects of establishing new wild populations in the future, using individuals sourced from captivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A standardised monitoring is indispensable to identify trends of insect populations. However, until recently, a systematic monitoring of insects in Germany was missing. Therefore, the German federal ministry for the environment funded the conceptualisation of an insect monitoring scheme. Here, we inform about the general concept and structure of the German insect monitoring scheme (GIMS) and the steps taken and still to be taken for the implementation of the scheme. A first step was the development of the objectives, general concept und structure of the GIMS in close collaboration with the nature conservation authorities at the national and federal state levels, as the latter are responsible for the implementation of nature conservation-related monitoring schemes. The GIMS is structured into two sections: section 1 'Monitoring of common insects' and section 2 'Monitoring of rare insects'. Both sections contain modules that focus on selected aspects of insect diversity. In section 1, insect communities of the wider countryside will be monitored. Section 2 focuses on insect communities in rare habitats and species of high conservation value (e.g. threatened species). The next step was to develop standardised sampling methods for the modules in collaboration with experts and the nature conservation authorities. Wherever appropriate, synergies with other monitoring schemes were created, e.g. for combined analyses with environmental variables. Parallel to the development of the concept, several federal states have already implemented selected modules of the GIMS. Furthermore, the module 'Grasshoppers in grasslands' was tested during a pilot phase. By using the data from the pilot phase and the High Nature Value Farmland Monitoring scheme the relationship between high nature value farmland and grasshopper diversity was evaluated. This indicated the great potential of using synergies among monitoring schemes for joint data analyses and showed that it is worth exploring such approaches in greater depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects are the major pollination vectors for angiosperms, and insects native to a given habitat can play an irreplaceable ecological role in food webs and plant reproduction. With precipitous declines in insect species over the last decades, it is urgent to document insect assemblages in native plant communities to support conservation efforts. Identifying pollinators and their pollination activity is challenging; however, emerging technological methods are providing new monitoring capabilities. In this study, we compare the accuracy of two different methods of monitoring to assess the flower‐visiting insect assemblage and likely pollinators of Encinitas baccharis (Baccharis vanessae): focal observations and video recordings from camera traps. B. vanessae is a rare, endemic species found in Coastal Sage Scrub communities in San Diego County. This federally listed species is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, which may also be affecting the availability of its insect pollinators. Results indicate that B. vanessae supports and is supported by a variety of flower‐visiting insect groups. The diversity of insect visitors at male and female plants were similar across all diversity measurements. The insect vectors identified were as expected given B. vanessae pollination syndrome. This syndrome also aligns with wind as a pollination vector, providing evidence of ambophily. While focal observations underreported insect activity by approximately half, the proportions of common diurnal visitors were similar with both methods. Camera traps were unable to provide sufficient detail to discern visually similar groups, but were able to record nocturnal insect activity, which was dominated by moths (Lepidoptera, 82%). While collection protocol in this study did not record the time an insect spent interacting with a flower, we anecdotally observed moths spent notably longer periods in contact with flowers than most diurnal insects. This study has implications for effective monitoring and conservation of endangered plant species and their affiliated pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: An endangered giant water bug species, Diplonychus esakii, is one of the top predators in Korean freshwater ecosystems. This study investigates D. esakii populations in South Korea, a species potentially endemic to this region, and identifies 11 haplotypes with a haplotype diversity value of 0.623 out of 318 individuals across 27 sites. Through AMOVA (analysis of molecular variance) and FST analyses, we discovered significant genetic differentiation among populations and limited gene flow, indicating potential vulnerability to environmental changes. Consequently, we emphasize the need for conservation efforts to protect D. esakii. We also highlight the value of the Upo Wetland and Jeju Island populations as important conservation units to conserve the genetic diversity of Korean D. esakii. We also suggest an evaluation of the conservation status of D. esakii compared to the level of genetic diversity known from other endangered insect species. The genetic information in this study will provide valuable data for developing effective conservation strategies. Diplonychus esakii, a water bug from the family Belostomatidae, plays an important role in freshwater ecosystems as one of the top predators. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of D. esakii by analyzing 318 specimens across 27 sites in South Korea. We found that the populations of D. esakii possess 11 haplotypes with a haplotype diversity of 0.623. This represents a relatively low level of genetic diversity compared to other known belostomatids and endangered species. AMOVA and FST analyses revealed significant genetic differentiation among populations, with most populations harboring only 1–2 haplotypes, suggesting restricted gene flow between populations and a low level of genetic diversity. This low genetic diversity and limited gene flow suggest a potential vulnerability to environmental changes and an increased risk of extinction, indicating that D. esakii should be designated as a protected species in South Korea as part of future conservation efforts. Based on the results of this study, Upo Wetland, which maintains relatively high levels of genetic diversity and Jeju Island, which, despite its lower genetic diversity compared to the mainland, does not share haplotypes with other regions, should be considered key conservation units for this species. This study highlights the importance of incorporating genetic information into conservation status assessments under the Red List Categories and Criteria and also emphasizes the need to evaluate this species on the Korean Red List. The data provided here will serve as essential baseline information and valuable resources for the development of effective conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the transpacific crossings of beetle borer at several sugar transplantations in Hawaii. Topics mentioned include a description of beetle borer's parasitoid called tachinid fly, the history of sugar, the physical and socioecological geographies of the Pacific Ocean, the examination of insects as coconsumers and coproducers, and the birth of the Hawaiian sugarcane.

A robust understanding of an organism's behavioural and ecological characteristics is an integral part of conservation; unfortunately, many of New Zealand's native insect fauna still show a degree of data deficiency in these areas. Predator avoidance behaviours are one such area, and where there are colour morphs in New Zealand native and threatened insects, potential differences in the behaviour of these morphs can often be under investigated. The mountain stone wētā (Hemideina maori) possesses two distinct colour morphs, melanic and yellow, though the reason for this distinction is unclear. This study uses laboratory based assays to compare the behaviour of the morphs, including activity, refuge seeking, cohabitation, emergence and defensive behaviour. We observed emergence and cohabitation regularly, used video recordings to assay activity and refuge seeking behaviours, and measured defensive behaviours by probing individuals until a defensive response was displayed. Differences in all tested behaviours between colour morphs were non-significant; however, there were significant differences in defensive behaviour between sexes. We also discuss how defensive behaviours of H. maori compare with another tree wētā. Overall, the colour morphs in H. maori are similar in their predator responses and there may be a driving factor for melanism other than predation pressure. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D54E864D-844F-4619-84E6-44BBAC1DE4E5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plecoptera is a small order of aquatic insects that is considered one of the most endangered groups of insects due to increasingly altered freshwater ecosystems. Plecoptera nymphs can be challenging to identify at the species level because diagnostic characters for most species are lacking, while adults can be difficult to collect routinely given their short life span. Species identification by DNA barcoding is increasingly used as an alternative to morphological identification, but gaps and inaccuracies in reference databases needed for taxonomic assignment can undermine the utility of barcoding in real case studies. Here we aim to: i) quantify the number of Italian species of Plecoptera with barcodes from specimens collected worldwide and from Italy; ii) perform a regional assessment of DNA barcoding coverage; iii) calculate the intraspecific distance among available sequences to evaluate the potential presence of errors and cryptic species. As reference databases, we used both a non-curated database (BOLD) and a curated database (MIDORI2) to test the effect of sequence selection on the availability of reference sequences. We found that 67.6% and 51.8% of the Italian Plecoptera species were represented in BOLD and MIDORI2. Most of the available sequences were obtained from specimens collected outside Italy, with only 21.8% and 13.5% of the Italian species having sequences from specimens collected in Italy. Endemisms were poorly represented, and intraspecific distances for some species were high, which suggest cryptic diversity or erroneous assignments. Our results support the growing need to increase international cooperation among barcode initiatives and to promote the integration between molecular biologists and zoologists to exploit the full potential of DNA barcoding to protect biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental management plans are commonly implemented to manage and monitor the potential impacts of an action on environmental values. This paper examines the results of monitoring the potential impacts of construction and operation of a new highway bypass (the project) on southern pink underwing moth Phyllodes imperialis smithersi, a threatened insect, and lessons learned through the process of implementing an adaptive Threatened Invertebrates Management Plan (TIMP) for this species. The project had no direct impact on breeding habitat but its proximity to known breeding habitat meant indirect impacts from light spill, noise, dust during construction and weeds were possible. The monitoring program in the TIMP focused on using ripe banana baits to attract adult moths at night and searching the foliage of the species' only larval food plant for egg and larval stages at both impact and control sites prior to construction, during construction and the first three years of operation of the highway. The monitoring of banana baits failed to detect any adult moths but searching larval food plants was highly effective in monitoring the abundance of eggs and larvae; the monitoring approach was therefore adjusted to focus on the latter. The monitoring found no indirect impact of the project on breeding habitat and the relative abundance of the larval stage of southern pink underwing moth. Recommendations for the design and implementation of monitoring for this species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is expected to cause major impacts on the spatial distribution of insects, yet limited analyses are available for assessing the impact of climate change on the distribution of rare Neotropical insects. Oxeoschistus hilara, O. tauropolis, and Viloriodes napaea are narrowly-distributed satyrine butterflies associated to mountain cloud forests in the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot. We investigate the habitat condition and occupancy of the study butterflies at local breeding sites in southern Mexico. We used distribution data to build potential spatial distribution models for the butterflies and host plants (Chusquea spp.), and to examine the potential favorable areas for both the butterfly species and Chusquea hostplants under current and future climate scenarios (RCP 2.6 and RCP 4.5). Habitat surveys indicated that the distribution of Chusquea longifolia was a good predictor of the satyrine distributions at the local scale. Climate projections indicated that both temperature and precipitation have a significant impact on the potential distribution areas for the butterflies and their Chusquea spp. hostplants. In both climate change scenarios, we estimated a significant contraction (between 30 and 56% for RCP 2.6, and between 46 and 82% for the RCP 4.5) in suitable climatic area for the study butterfly species. Projected joint distributions of butterfly species and Chusquea hostplants suggested an increasing overlap in potential climatic distributions of 15% for Chusquea spp. and O. tauropolis and of 4% for Chusquea spp. and O. hilara, and a decreasing concordance of 2% for Chusquea spp. and V. napaea, compared to current joint distributions. Implications for conservation: Considering significant reductions of suitable climatic area for the three butterfly species and their hostplants, we suggest that conservation efforts should be implemented in and around the high-suitability climatic areas to reduce population extinction risks. We also suggest reinforcing population-monitoring protocols at key butterfly locations to assess long-term variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further range expansion of invasive animal species can be prevented by controlling their behavior. Acoustic repellent is a promising approach to deter problematic animals from ecologically sensitive areas. To develop an acoustic repellent system for a green anole that was introduced to the Ogasawara islands in Japan, this study evaluated the deterrent effect of (1) a pattern sound of machine noise and (2) a mixture of artificial and biologically relevant sounds. We created a sound level gradient inside a small experimental cage in a laboratory setting and measured whether green anoles avoided the vicinity of a speaker. In approximately 80% of cases, both the pattern machine sound and the mixture sounds prevented green anoles from stepping into the vicinity of a speaker (<24 cm). The mixture sounds maintained the deterrent effect at a middle distance from a speaker (<72 cm), whereas the pattern machine sound did not work as a strong acoustic repellent at this distance. These results imply that the mixing of biotic and abiotic sounds can improve the effective range of acoustic repellent for green anoles. However, several shortcomings of the acoustic repellent system were also highlighted. Since a green anole is an insectivore predator, our findings will contribute to protecting endangered native insect fauna from the predation of non‐native lizard species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A market‐based approach for biodiversity conservation can promote sustainable food production, but little is known about how consumers perceive rice and organisms conserved through biodiversity‐friendly farming (BFF). To address this gap, we conducted a web survey of 600 Japanese respondents to investigate their visual preferences for 20 photographs of organisms and landscapes found in paddy field areas and their willingness to pay (WTP) for BFF rice. Our results showed that paddy field landscapes were most preferred, followed by plants and birds, while insects and an endangered frog were the least preferred. Lowland flat and mountainous terraced paddy landscapes were most often selected as package photographs for BFF rice. Most respondents were willing to pay a premium of 0%–30% for BFF rice. Interest in biodiversity conservation was a common respondent characteristic, and it had a relatively strong influence on image preferences and WTP. Presence of children in certain age groups, sex, age, and experience with living near farmlands or conservation activities also affected the image preference or WTP answers, but to a lesser extent. These findings reveal consumer perceptions of BFF and the importance of effective eco‐labeling strategies for communicating conservation activities and improving promotion of sales to consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the characteristics and behaviors of stick insects, also known as phasmids. These insects are known for their ability to camouflage themselves as vegetation, such as sticks, leaves, and twigs. They are inconspicuous and often hide in plain sight to avoid detection by predators. The article also mentions the limited research on phasmids and their genital morphology, as well as their popularity in popular culture and the pet trade. It highlights specific incidents involving stick insects, including their use in protests and their conservation efforts. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Maize fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a highly migratory polyphagous insect pest that has posed itself as a very threatened insect invaded India since May 2018 and devastated the maize crop. This insect pest caused 62.5% damage on maize plants in Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. Surveys were undertaken in different parts of the country to assess the natural occurrences of all three categories of entomopathogens (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) associated with fall armyworm. Maximum occurrence of infection of entomopathogens (15.13%) was recorded from Chikkaballapura, Karnataka, followed by 12.23% from Hassan, Karnataka. Results: Totally 13 isolates of S. frugiperda nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpfrNPV) were collected from 13 locations of the country. Electron microscopy studies clearly showed the tetrahedral shaped occlusion bodies of SpfrNPV with the size of 1.48–1.68 µm. The identity of highly virulent SpfrNPV NBAIR1 (Chikkaballapura isolate) was confirmed using conserved polyhedrin gene-specific primers and NCBI GenBank accession number was obtained (MT422725). Bioassay studies revealed that the SpfrNPV NBAIR1 Chikkaballapura isolate was highly virulent with the highest larval mortality (95.50%) and the lowest LC50 value of 2.11 × 103 OBs/ml. SpfrNPV is exclusively host specific and did not infect any other insect species other than S. frugiperda tested in this present study. Conclusions: Among 13 isolates of SpfrNPV, SpfrNPV NBAIR1 Chikkaballapura isolate was highly virulent with respect to the larval mortality. Hence SpfrNPV NBAIR1 Chikkaballapura isolate is having a great potential to play in the management of maize fall armyworm S. frugiperda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The giant water bug Kirkaldyia deyrolli is one of the most well‐known endangered aquatic insects in Japan. The population of this species in Kyushu, one of the four major islands of the Japanese Archipelago, is extremely limited. In the present study, we identified a new population of K. deyrolli and undertook population genetic structure analyses based on genome‐wide nuclear DNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We collected samples using a nonlethal sampling method and obtained 59,279 SNPs. The results of our study confirm that sufficient SNP data for population genetic structure analysis can be obtained through nonlethal sampling. We determined that the newly identified population is genetically differentiated from a previously identified population on Kyushu. Therefore, this population is considered highly important for the conservation of K. deyrolli in Kyushu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fireflies (Coleoptera, Lampyridae) are a globally threatened group of insects due to habitat loss and fragmentation, light pollution, climate change and pesticides. However, against all odds, some firefly populations persist in urbanized environments where all four of these factors are present simultaneously. In this work, we compiled several data sources to document the diversity of fireflies in the urbanized area of Morelia, characterize their current habitats, and determine the main stressors affecting these bioluminescent insects. We found seven genera and 26 species of fireflies (19 nocturnal, seven diurnal) associated with 32 urban, peri-urban and extra-urban areas; at least, 14 are new records for Michoacán, and the list for the state now includes nine genera and 41 species. Five additional sites were documented as extinction sites. We compared the characteristics of these five sites with those of the sites with extant populations. We found that in Morelia, fireflies are mainly associated with areas that have high to moderate proportions of vegetation cover, are near water bodies, have very gentle to moderate slopes, and are exposed to low levels of light pollution. In contrast, the extinction sites showed high proportions of artificial surfaces and high levels of light pollution. Because some fireflies are considered bioindicators of ecosystem integrity as they are associated to specific habitats, are highly diverse and due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, we consider that sites from Morelia's urban core and extinction sites show the highest levels of environmental degradation, threatening most fireflies and other insects living in the urban core with local extinction. At the same time, our results also suggest that implementing conservation strategies and sustainable planning for the urban development of Morelia in the short term could allow fireflies and other vital elements of the city's insect communities to persist for future generations. Restoration and conservation of green areas and nighttime environments are essential for biodiversity and human health, especially in intra-urban zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Members of the order Phasmida are popularly known as walking stick insects. They have remarkable camouflage, resembling moss, sticks, and leaves. Cladomorphus phyllinus is a giant stick insect from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Described in 1835 by George Robert Gray, the species is widely distributed in the wild, but several aspects of its biology and ecology remain to be studied. An inedited description of the first instar nymphs of C. phyllinus is presented, showing clear sexual dimorphism in the thorax and distinct abdominal sternites. A sex-specific suture was identified in the metanotum of males but was absent in females. Differentiation of the last three abdominal segments, which are already shaped to form the copulatory apparatus in both sexes, was also recorded and illustrated. Such sexual dimorphism is rare in first instar insect nymphs. Therefore, this study uncovered new characteristics that allow more precise data generation from samples collected in the field for conducting experiments, recording specimens in entomological collections, and improving the species concept and knowledge of sexual dimorphism in C. phyllinus. The first instar nymphs, both male and female, of the giant stick insect Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray, 1835 were carefully described and measured, revealing a remarkable sexual dimorphism that is considered rare among insects and is poorly explored in the order Phasmida. The studied F1 nymphs originated in captivity from eggs laid by a coupled female specimen collected in the Atlantic Forest in the vicinity of Petrópolis city, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The first instar nymphs of C. phyllinus were measured and illustrated in high-resolution photographs to show the general aspects and details of sexually dimorphic traits, making clear the phenotypic differences in the sexes. A total of 100 nymphs were kept alive until morphological sexual dimorphism was confirmed and quantified. All recently hatched first instar nymphs were separated based on the presumed male and female characteristics, i.e., the presence and absence of the suture in the metanotum in the males and females, respectively, had their sexes confirmed in 100% of the specimens as previously assigned. These results confirm this new morphological trait, which here is named "alar suture" as sex-specific in the first instar nymphs, a novelty in this stage of development of sexual differentiation. In addition, the distinct conformations of the last three abdominal sternites of both sexes were recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent polyploidization occurred in the evolutionary history of most Eukaryota. However, how neopolyploid detriment (sterility, gigantism, gene dosage imbalances) has been overcome and even been bridged to evolutionary advantage (gene network diversification, mass radiation, range expansion) is largely unknown, particularly for animals. We used the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis, a rare insect system with heritable polyploidy, to begin addressing this knowledge gap. In Hymenoptera the sexes have different ploidies (haploid males, diploid females) and neopolyploids (diploid males, triploid females) occur for various species. Although such polyploids are usually sterile, those of N. vitripennis are reproductively capable and can even establish stable polyploid lines. To assess the effects of polyploidization, we compared a long-established polyploid line, the Whiting polyploid line (WPL) and a newly generated transformer knockdown line (tKDL) for fitness traits, absolute gene expression, and cell size and number. WPL polyploids have high male fitness and low female fecundity, while tKDL polyploids have poor male mate competition ability and high fertility. WPL has larger cells and cell number reduction, but the tKDL does not differ in this respect. Expression analyses of two housekeeping genes indicated that gene dosage is linked to sex irrespective of ploidy. Our study suggests that polyploid phenotypic variation may explain why some polyploid lineages thrive and others die out; a commonly proposed but difficult-to-test hypothesis. This documentation of diploid males (tKDL) with impaired competitive mating ability; triploid females with high fitness variation; and hymenopteran sexual dosage compensation (despite the lack of sex chromosomes) all challenges general assumptions on hymenopteran biology. We conclude that polyploidization is dependent on the duplicated genome characteristics and that genomes of different lines are unequally suited to survive diploidization. These results demonstrate the utility of N. vitripennis for delineating mechanisms of animal polyploid evolution, analogous to more advanced polyploid plant models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fugitive dust emissions play an important role in urban air quality. Much research on fugitive dust's effects has focused on human health and societal impacts, with limited work investigating effects on other species. The endangered Apodemia mormo langei butterfly is endemic to the Antioch Dunes, a small area on the south bank of the San Joaquin River in northern California, largely protected as a National Wildlife Refuge. Between the two protected portions of the dunes is a gypsum processing facility. Deposition of gypsum dust may adversely affect endangered insects, especially in their vulnerable larval life stage. Persistent westerly winds blow from the western section of the refuge, across the industrial facility, to the eastern protected dune area. Ambient particulate matter (PM) was collected at 30 sites in both sections of the refuge using passive samplers deployed at times matching the butterfly life cycle. The prevailing wind maintained upwind-downwind sampling orientation throughout the study. PM samples were analyzed for total mass, and elemental composition via X-ray fluorescence. Downwind concentrations of gypsum-related elements were between 4 (strontium) and 12 (sulfur) times higher than upwind loadings, suggesting deposition of PM from the gypsum facility. The effect of fugitive emissions was strongest at the industrial facility's fenceline, closest to a conveyor belt that loads gypsum. Combined with documented reductions in insect larval longevity when exposed to gypsum dust, the results suggest that gypsum deposition may be affecting the ecosystem and endangered species in the downwind unit of the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. Implications: Fugitive dust has impacts not only on humans, but on other organisms. The Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (ADNWR) in California, set aside to protect the endangered Apodemia mormo langei butterfly, consists of two land units separated by a gypsum processing facility in between them. In this study, we demonstrate fugitive gypsum dust deposition on the downwind unit of the ADNWR, which may impact the endangered butterfly and its ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect venom allergy is the most frequent cause of anaphylaxis in Europe and possibly worldwide. The majority of systemic allergic reactions after insect stings are caused by Hymenoptera, and among these, vespid genera induce most of the systemic sting reactions (SSR). Honey bees are the second leading cause of SSR. Depending on the global region, other Hymenoptera such as different ant genera are responsible for SSR. Widely distributed hornets and bumblebees or local vespid or bee genera rarely induce SSR. Hematophagous insects such as mosquitoes and horse flies usually cause (large) local reactions while SSR occasionally occur. This position paper aimed to identify either rare or locally important insects causing SSR as well as rarely occurring SSR after stings or bites of widely distributed insects. We summarized relevant venom or saliva allergens and intended to identify possible cross‐reactivities between the insect allergens. Moreover, we aimed to locate diagnostic tests for research and routine diagnosis, which are sometimes only regionally available. Finally, we gathered information on available immunotherapies. Major allergens of most insects were identified, and cross‐reactivity between insects was frequently observed. While some diagnostics and immunotherapies are locally available, standardized skin tests and immunotherapies are generally lacking in rare insect allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss proposals to extend the list of protected insect species in Great Britain and question whether existing species protection measures are appropriate for insects whose ecology is substantially unknown. We highlight the practicalities of applying such measures to very poorly known taxa, whose identification depends upon highly experienced specialists and a tiny pool of relevant expertise. We propose a seven-point plan that would strengthen invertebrate conservation in Great Britain. Our proposals could be applied to other countries with a protected sites network and a desire to improve habitat-based insect conservation measures. Implications for insect conservation: Our analysis suggests that insect conservation will not be improved by legislation that restricts the potential for adhoc surveillance that currently provides almost all the data used to monitor rare and threatened insects. We highlight the need for Improvements in the understanding of insect micro-habitat requirements amongst conservation managers. Our proposed seven-point plan provides a structured approach to insect conservation that should improve identification of important insect sites, site management and landscape-scale conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although biparental care is thought to be rare among insects, it has evolved independently numerous times resulting in diverse forms and varying levels of parental involvement. Several theoretical studies address potential factors promoting biparental care in beetles; however, empirical studies target principally only species of Scarabaeidae and Silphidae families. Here, we investigated the behavioural repertoire of the breeding pairs in two natural populations of a geotrupid beetle Lethrus apterus with parental care. Changes in female care as a response to the male's absence were also investigated by experimentally removing males from pairs. We found that males spend the majority of their time at the nest entrance, while females leave their nest and collect leaves at a significantly higher rate than males. We also showed that males often desert their nests and were usually replaced by new males in a short time. The desertion of males, however, does not seem to influence females' behaviour. These findings indicate that L. apterus may have a dynamic mating system with typically short‐term mate fidelity. Furthermore, our results have advanced our understanding of parental roles and nesting behaviour and contributed to the description of the distinct roles of parents in different phases of nesting events in L. apterus beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sporadic outbreak of the rare lepidopteran insect pest Coconympha iriarcha Meyrick (Gelechiidae: Lepidoptera) was recorded on the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) (Arecales: Arecaceae). The larvae of these can be differentiated from the larvae of Opisina arenosella, the black headed caterpillar, by its size and colour. The former is with yellowish cream body with a pale brown head and is small (< 4 mm); latter is with a greenish body with red dorsal lines and a black head, and >11 mm long. In this study, reoccurrence of C. iriarcha is documented and it is redescribed with illustrations and damage symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The spatial patterns of species are highly relevant to the contemporary environment and its topographical factors. It has been predicted that climate warming has the greatest impact on habitat selection and the expansion and contraction of geographic ranges for insects, as their physiological functions are strongly influenced by external environmental conditions. However, few studies focus on how the distribution pattern and range of the insects has or will change in response to long-term climate change. Under the background of climate warming, it is urgent for us to understand how the species distribution pattern is expected to change, in order to take some protection actions at the moment, particularly for those rare insect taxa. An old and Northern-Hemisphere-distributed beetle group Osphya is considered as an ideal candidate to conduct this aspect. In this study, we analyzed the distribution pattern and predicted the suitable habitats of Osphya under different climate scenarios (LGM, MID, Current, 2050s and 2070s) using ArcGIS techniques and MaxEnt modelling. The obtained results made us better understand how climate change affects the distribution pattern of the long-lived insects distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and provide guidance of the exploration and protection of the relict insects there such as Osphya. Exploring the development of species distribution patterns under climate change is the basis of biogeography and macroecology. However, under the background of global climate change, few studies focus on how the distribution pattern and the range of insects have or will change in response to long-term climate change. An old but small, Northern-Hemisphere-distributed beetle group Osphya is an ideal subject to conduct the study in this aspect. Here, based on a comprehensive geographic dataset, we analyzed the global distribution pattern of Osphya using ArcGIS techniques, which declared a discontinuous and uneven distribution pattern across the USA, Europe, and Asia. Furthermore, we predicted the suitable habitats of Osphya under different climate scenarios via the MaxEnt model. The results showed that the high suitability areas were always concentrated in the European Mediterranean and the western coast of USA, while a low suitability exhibited in Asia. Moreover, by integrating the analyses of biogeography and habitat suitability, we inferred that the Osphya species conservatively prefer a warm, stable, and rainy climate, and they tend to expand towards higher latitude in response to the climate warming from the past to future. These results are helpful in exploring the species diversity and protection of Osphya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature dependence of infection reflects changes in performance of parasites and hosts. High temperatures often mitigate infection by favoring heat-tolerant hosts over heat-sensitive parasites. Honey bees exhibit endothermic thermoregulation—rare among insects—that can favor resistance to parasites. However, viruses are heavily host-dependent, suggesting that viral infection could be supported—not threatened—by optimum host function. To understand how temperature-driven changes in performance of viruses and hosts shape infection, we compared the temperature dependence of isolated viral enzyme activity, three honey bee traits, and infection of honey bee pupae. Viral enzyme activity varied <2-fold over a > 30 °C interval spanning temperatures typical of ectothermic insects and honey bees. In contrast, honey bee performance peaked at high (≥ 35 °C) temperatures and was highly temperature-sensitive. Although these results suggested that increasing temperature would favor hosts over viruses, the temperature dependence of pupal infection matched that of pupal development, falling only near pupae's upper thermal limits. Our results reflect the host-dependent nature of viruses, suggesting that infection is accelerated—not curtailed—by optimum host function, contradicting predictions based on relative performance of parasites and hosts, and suggesting tradeoffs between infection resistance and host survival that limit the viability of bee 'fever'. Deformed Wing Virus best infects honey bee pupae at temperatures optimal for pupal development—not for viral enzymes—suggesting host facilitation of virus replication, and tradeoffs between infection resistance and bee survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dnipropetrovsk Region is situated in the steppe zone of Ukraine, in conditions of insufficient moisture. Forest vegetation covers only 5.1% of the region. Over 80% of the region’s area is used for agricultural purposes. A total of 281 species of ground beetles is known for the region, of which this article gives the data on biology and distribution of 82 species that need protection: Cephalota atrata, C. besseri, C. elegans, Cicindela maritima, C. soluta, Cylindera arenaria, Leistus terminatus, Notiophilus rufipes, Calosoma sycophanta, C. denticolle, C. investigator, Carabus stscheglowi, C. clathratus, C. excellens, C. hungaricus, C. besseri, C. estreicheri, C. sibiricus, Blethisa multipunctata, Elaphrus uliginosus, Scarites terricola, Dyschirius chalceus, Dyschirius obscurus, Blemus discus, Epaphius secalis, Bembidion ephippium, B. aspericolle, Pogonus cumanus, Pogonistes convexicollis, Patrobus atrorufus, Stomis pumicatus, Pedius inquinatus, Pterostichus chamaeleon, P. elongatus, P. macer, P. melas, Taphoxenus gigas, Laemostenus terricola, Agonum impressum, A. marginatum, A. monachum, A. sexpunctatum, A. viridicupreum, Olisthopus sturmii, Synuchus vivalis, Amara chaudoiri, A. crenata, A. equestris, A. fulva, A. sabulosa, Curtonotus convexiusсulus, Anisodastylus poeciloides, Diachromus germanus, Acupalpus interstitialis, A. suturalis, Stenolophus discophorus, Daptus vittatus, Harpalus cephalotes, H. dispar, H. hirtipes, Н. laeviceps, H. luteicornis, H. melancholicus, H. steveni, H. subcylindricus, Microderes brachypus, Ophonus diffinis, Dixus eremita, Panagaeus bipustulatus, Callistus lunatus, Dinodes decipiens, Chlaenius alutaceus, Ch. festivus, Licinus cassideus, Badister dorsiger, Masoreus wetterhalli, Lebia humeralis, Demetrias imperialis, Cymindis axillaris, Polystichus connexus, Brachinus ejaculans, B. hamatus, Mastax thermarum. To formalize the data on each species, the article provides characteristics of its ecological niche: thermal preferendum, hygro-preferendum, biotopical characteristic, biogeohorizon, trophic preferences, practical significance and protection measures. The main factors of decline in diversity of the fauna of ground beetles in Dnipropetrovsk Region are arable farming, chemical treatment of agricultural land, unregulated cattle grazing, recreational loading, large scale construction in floodplain areas.

Ash (Fraxinus spp.) is in rapid decline across the northeastern USA due to the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire). Three recently co-occurring confamilial species may serve as alternative larval host plants for ash-reliant Lepidoptera. These prospective hosts are nonnative shrubs often planted in managed suburban landscapes and are sometimes invasive or naturalized in North America. Given the imminent decline of ash trees, we considered potential downstream effects on insect herbivores historically specialized on ash foliage. We measured the performance of three ash-specialist hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) on native white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) and alternative host plants: common lilac (Syringa vulgaris L.), weeping forsythia [ Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl], and European privet (Ligustrum vulgare L.). We found the nonnative host plants provided varied support for larval survival to pupation, with biomass and growth rate affected differently by both plant and insect identity. Nearly all caterpillars reared on one alternative host, European privet, exhibited distinct malformations of the wing buds at pupation. Given caterpillar presence on privet in the field, privet may constitute an ecological trap (i.e. when female moths select a sub-optimal host, offspring survival and fitness are reduced). This work demonstrates how performance testing can reveal species-specific effects of host plant loss on mono- or oligophagous insects. For some ash specialists, alternative nonnative host plants may be suboptimal, but some cultivated host plants may be able to support certain specialist insects during native host decline. We suggest that landscaping decisions can be tailored to support threatened insect species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the contribution of rare biological groups to functional diversity, especially in systems impacted by land use, is fundamental to comprehend the biodiversity patterns and establish more efficient conservation strategies. This study mainly aimed to identify the contribution of rare aquatic insects to functional diversity in environments of the forest, logging, and pasture. A total of 7517 immature insects were collected from 32 streams in the Amazon forest: the rare genera were classified by a rarity index and represented just over 2% of the sampled individuals. The results showed that there was a difference in the composition of aquatic insects among the land use. In streams of logging, there was greater functional dispersion and the rare genera presented functional characteristics sensitive to water temperature increase and channel width. The contribution of rare and common insects in the forest, pasture and areas of logging was equal. This study highlights the necessity for long-term studies since the loss or replacement of rare taxa is, among other factors, driven by environmental filters, which tend to simplify communities and reduce the functionality of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the module "Species Knowledge and Taxonomy" of the Master's program in Integrative Zoology at the University of Rostock, field work was conducted on the coast and its hinterland of the southern Lübeck Bay in northwestern Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and on the Priwall peninsula (Schleswig-Holstein), from July 10 to 14, 2023. Species from different arthropod groups were recorded in the field or caught using different collecting methods and then identified with the help of experts in the respective species groups. A total of 379 arthropod species were identified and listed in this report, and the locations examined are briefly presented using characteristic species. Occurrences of some faunistically particularly interesting and endangered species of insects have been encountered, especially of ground and rove beetles (Carabidae, Staphylinidae), aculeates (Aculeta) and nocturnal butterflies (Lepidoptera). The results show that a teaching excursion focusing on species knowledge and biodiversity recording can provide valuable contributions to an exploration of local fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2000 to 2013, an inventory was conducted by introductory entomology classes from the College of Marin (COM) with the twin goals of describing this insect community and enhancing students' educational experiences. General collecting was the main method, supplemented by rearing of immature stages and by light, pitfall, and pan trapping. After specimens were processed and identified, literature review provided information on five key life history traits of the species: area of origin, range, habitat, feeding habit, and dietary specificity. Four-hundred ninety species or morphospecies were recorded from 12 orders and 133 families. Diptera was the order with the most species. For 449 species with information available, 45% were plant feeders, 21% were predators, and 17% were parasites. For 274 species with information on dietary breadth, 57% were generalists and 43% were specialists. One species and four distinctive populations of other species were endemic to the site. Thirty-nine species had distributions likely restricted to the sand dunes of the immediate Pacific Coastal slope. Groups of species shared with adjacent habitats were also important components of the community. Findings are compared with the information available from other sand dune faunas. The diversity and uniqueness of this community warrant continued conservation efforts, especially the removal of invasive plant species. Students received benefits beyond those expected from the standard introductory course. Recommendations are made for improvement of the description of this community and for the more efficient integration of inventory of local insect faunas into general entomology classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osmoderma eremita and Cerambyx cerdo are saproxylic beetle species, included in the IUCN Red List and in the EU/92 Habitats Directive. Their occurrence has been recorded, through appropriate traps, in several localities in Italy, including urban and peri-urban parks, mostly associated with veteran trees. In this study, traps were tested over 17 veteran oak trees in the Castelporziano Presidential Estate (Latium, Rome province, central Italy) and the abundance of sampled saproxylic beetles was related to the growing stock volume (GSV) and the abundance of microhabitats. Moreover, we compared three different trapping methods: a trap designed to monitor C. cerdo (CC), and two traps designed for monitoring O. eremita, i.e., the Black Cross Window Trap (BCWT) and the Black Bottle Traps (BBT). We found that larger trees hosted a great variety of microhabitats, in particular cavities, which abundance was correlated with the number of specimens sampled, especially O. eremita species. Both classic traps (i.e., CC traps and BCWT) and the herein-introduced BBT variants were effective for capturing large saproxylic beetles. In this work, we underline the importance of the preservation of veteran trees to the occurrence of threatened saproxylic beetles, and we contributed to (i) extending general knowledge of the habitat preferences of saproxylic beetles and (ii) improving new cost-effective trapping system variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Long-term breeding of mealworms leads to in inbreeding weakness, such as decreased egg production, decreased survival rate, and increased growth period. In this study, we isolated and freezed germ cells from the superior brown mealworm. Male and female adult brown mealworms were distinguished according to the presence or absence of protrusion at the tip of the five segments from the abdomen. We observed sperm and ovarioles in anatomically isolated testes and ovaries. The mechanical and enzymatic (collagenase I) methods were used to isolate ovarioles from adult female brown mealworms. In the enzymatic method, most were torn and burst as the membrane of the ovarioles was damaged by collagenase I, unlike the mechanical method. We also cryopreserved the ovaries of female brown mealworms using slow freezing and vitrification. We found that the yolk sac was completely damaged in the ovaries after slow freezing. However, only partial damage was achieved in the vitrification group compared to the control group (no freezing). The newly developed vitrification method with alginate-encapsulated ovarioles maintained the yolk sac in the ovarioles but was evenly distributed. This study provides basic data for reproductive studies of other useful insects. This study aimed to isolate and freeze germ cells from the superior brown mealworm. Styrofoam diet changes were observed for 20 days to determine whether mealworms were useful insects for decomposing Styrofoam. The average weight of mealworms before the Styrofoam diet was 500 mg, which decreased to 336 mg at D20 after their diet. To preserve mealworms with excellent Styrofoam-degrading ability, we first isolated the reproductive organs of mealworms, testes, ovaries, sperms, and ovarioles. Morphologically, male and female adult brown mealworms were distinguished according to the presence or absence of a protrusion at the tip of the fifth segment of the abdomen. Sperms and ovarioles were observed in anatomically isolated testes and ovaries. We compared mechanical and enzymatic (collagenase I) methods to effectively isolate ovarioles from adult female brown mealworms. For the enzymatic method, most were torn and burst as the membrane of the ovarioles was damaged by collagenase I, unlike the mechanical method. To preserve the superior genetic resources of mealworms, we cryopreserved the ovaries of female brown mealworms using slow-freezing and vitrification. Histological analysis showed that the yolk sac was completely damaged in the ovaries after slow-freezing. However, only partial damage was achieved in the vitrification group compared to the control group (no freezing). The newly developed vitrification method with alginate-encapsulated ovarioles maintained the yolk sac in the ovarioles but was evenly distributed. These results provide basic data for reproductive studies of other useful insects and contribute to the biobanking and fertility preservation of superior mealworm germ cells and endangered insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Willows serve as a keystone host-plant genus for insect herbivores. The diversity of insect herbivore assemblages harboured by willows is typically affected by the diversity of specialised metabolites that willows produce. Here, we studied three small, shrubby willow species (Salix myrtilloides, S. repens and S. rosmarinifolia) that primarily occur at sites of high conservation value in the Czech Republic. We explored if associated insect communities reflect the specialised chemistry in these uncommon host plants. We measured the three willow species for overall metabolomic profiles and salicinoids using non-targeted metabolomics and sampled them for caterpillars, leaf-chewing beetles (adults and larvae), sawfly larvae, and sap-sucking Hemiptera. We detected 2,067 metabolites across the three willow species. Most of them were shared by S. repens and S. rosmarinifolia, while S. myrtilloides showed a distinct chemical profile. Salix repens and S. rosmarinifolia also had significantly higher concentration and richness of salicinoids than S. myrtilloides. The abundance of all insect species and generalists that also feed on host-plants outside Salicaceae was higher on S. myrtilloides than on S. rosmarinifolia or S. repens. The abundance of Salicaceae specialists did not differ among the three willow species. Insect community composition, in contrast, did not show pronounced differences among the three willows. Our results suggest that salicinoids may be responsible for the low abundance of generalist herbivores. Furthermore, our study indicates that herbivore community composition does not reflect the specialised chemistry in the three willows we studied. Therefore, we hypothesise that the presence of some of the insect species is primarily determined by other factors, such as the habitat type where the respective willow species occur. Although the studied willows possess some characteristic specialised chemistry, we conclude that their importance as hosts of specific and sometimes threatened insect fauna may be mediated by willow habitat preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern alpine bush cricket, Anonconotus italoaustriacus Nadig, 1987, is a grassland species historically present in a few disjunct ranges in north‐eastern Italy and High Tauern in Austria. The species has recently been included in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species with a decreasing population trend.Information regarding the genetic structure of endangered insect populations and the delineation of evolutionary significant units (ESUs) are nowadays a useful and integral component of many conservation plans. The genetic differentiation of A. italoaustriacus populations was studied through the analysis of four fragments of the mitochondrial DNA in five disjunct populations, covering the entire Italian geographical distribution known for this taxon and partially the Austrian distribution.Results revealed a strong geographical structure among populations and complete absence of gene flow suggesting the need to protect these evolutionary distinct lineages. Divergence time estimation analyses suggested that an ancient separation of bush‐cricket populations occurred approximately 1–1.5 Mya.Since the A. italoaustriacus populations represented genetically differentiated entities, conservation efforts should consider each population as a management unit. Conservation actions, preceded by detailed ecological studies and focused on monitoring, preserving and enlarging the existing habitat patches are thus proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both of these ambrosia beetle species were more abundant in oak-dominated forests with a high canopy closure rate, indicative of a stable and humid environment suitable for the growth of ambrosia fungi, compared to oak forests with a low canopy closure level. It is true that many insect species, including the European spruce bark beetle, create specific conditions since their feeding galleries are microhabitats colonised, e.g., by several dozen fungal species and over 100 mite species. An example in this respect may be provided by the red-haired pine bark beetle I Hylurgus ligniperda i , which is a well-known forest insect that colonizes the phloem of pine species and which can attack stumps, freshly cut logs and stored timber. When we ponder or discuss present-day challenges faced by entomology, we focus first of all on climate change, since the warming climate contributes to a dramatic extension in the ranges of many invertebrate species. [Extracted from the article]

Ge et al. [[24]] summarized five rearrangement patterns of genes from 13 species in the Hydropsychidae, and they found that the gene clusters " I trnI i to I trnM i ", " I trnT i I trnP i " and " I ND1 i to I srRNA i " were the "hot spot" regions of gene rearrangement in Hydropsychidae. Firstly, the gene tandem duplication occurs in the gene cluster " I trnM i to I ND4L i " and generates two sets of the same gene region. Keywords: mitochondrial genome; gene rearrangement; Potamyia; phylogeny EN mitochondrial genome gene rearrangement Potamyia phylogeny N.PAG N.PAG 14 09/27/22 20220901 NES 220901 1. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Ancient Woods, Trees and Forests: Ecology, History and Management" edited by Alper H. Çolak, Simay Kirca, and Ian D. Rotherham explores the ecological and management history of treescapes in Central Europe and Turkey. The authors use multidisciplinary approaches and case studies to understand the origins and dynamics of woodlands. They highlight the importance of ancient trees and the cultural and natural value they hold, emphasizing the need for ad hoc planning and active management to conserve these unique landscapes. The book also discusses the challenges of conserving cultural treescapes and the overlooked conservation of ancient trees in national and international legislations. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Plant gall-inducing insects can be attacked by a diverse and unique assemblage of predatory and parasitic insects. We surveyed the insect fauna associated with galls induced by the fly Urophora cardui L. on Canada thistle, a perennial weed. We found that the thistle gall fly and its primary parasitoid wasp, Pteromalus elevatus (Walker), were widespread throughout the study area. In addition, we recovered a checkered beetle, Isohydnocera tabida (LeConte), from a subset of galls, which is a new host record and provides vital information on the little-known immatures of this predatory species. This study adds to the taxonomic literature of gall-inhabiting insect species and I. tabida. We surveyed the insect fauna associated with Urophora cardui L. (Diptera: Tephritidae) galls on Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense L. (Asterales, Asteraceae), in parts of the northern Great Plains, U.S., by field-collecting galls and rearing or dissecting out the insects. We also examined the relationships between gall biomass and insect density and biomass. Urophora cardui were widespread, and the gall biomass was positively correlated with fly density and fly biomass. We recovered Isohydnocera tabida (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) from galls in two counties, which represents a new host record and provides vital information on the little-known immatures of this predatory species. Pteromalus elevatus (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was the dominant parasitoid that emerged from the U. cardui galls. Individual galls typically only had one insect species, and occasionally both U. cardui and P. elevatus were present, but it was rare for other insects to be present in galls housing I. tabida. This study adds to the taxonomic literature of gall-inhabiting insect species and provides new information on the predators of U. cardui, specifically a little-known clerid beetle species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]