Search

Monitoring pollinating arthropods in crop systems can provide important information about pollinator populations and potential yield but can be hampered by accessibility to flowers in some systems, or by the timing of flowering and pollinator visits. This is particularly the case in oil palm, the world's leading source of vegetable oil, where flowering is discontinuous, inflorescences are sometimes many metres off the ground, and pollination is largely dependent on a single insect species—the specialist weevil, Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). We used oil palm as a case study system to trial a new trap design to selectively survey flower‐visitors of insect‐pollinated crops. The trap consisted of a pan trap baited with half a male oil palm inflorescence. To assess effectiveness of the trap across different environments, we set pairs of baited and non‐baited control pan traps in a variety of habitats in industrial oil palm plantations in Riau, Indonesia. We identified all arthropods collected to order level, with ants separated from other Hymenoptera owing to their distinct ecology, and E. kamerunicus identified to species level. We found a higher abundance of arthropods trapped by baited versus unbaited traps across all habitat types and across all taxa except Orthoptera, with the greatest differences found in E. kamerunicus, non‐E. kamerunicus Coleoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera. The age of inflorescences used in baited traps affected abundances of certain taxa, with 8% reduction in E. kamerunicus abundance, 1% reduction in other Coleoptera and 4% reduction in Lepidoptera with each 1% increase in inflorescence openness beyond 40% open. Most taxa were found in higher numbers in the baited traps. The baited pan traps worked across a range of habitats and present an effective and inexpensive survey method for assessing populations of flower‐visiting arthropods and could collect a wider range of flower‐visitors than traps baited with more specific attractants, such as estragole, a volatile component emitted by oil palm inflorescences. Similar approaches could be trialled in other insect‐pollinated crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hylurgini tribe (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) comprises commercially significant bark beetles, including invasive species within the genera Dendroctonus and Hylurgus. These invasive species coexist with native Tomicus species of Hylurgini and cooperatively infest host trees in China. However, we lack sufficient mitochondrial genome data of Hylurgini to conduct phylogenetic studies, clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the above species, and improve the understanding of niche divergence and common hazards. Here, we sequenced and analyzed the mitochondrial genomes of seven Hylurgini species, including Dendroctonus valens, Hylurgus ligniperda, Hylurgus micklitzi, Tomicus piniperda, Tomicus brevipilosus, Tomicus minor and Tomicus yunnanensis. All sequenced mitochondrial genomes ranged from 15,339 bp to 17,545 bp in length, and their AT contents ranged from 73.24% to 78.81%. The structure of the seven mitochondrial genomes was consistent with that of ancestral insects. Based on 13 protein-coding genes from the reported mitochondrial genomes of 29 species of bark beetles, we constructed phylogenetic trees using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The topology of the two phylogenetic trees was almost consistent. The findings elucidated the taxonomy classification of Hylurgini and the evolutionary connections of its sister taxa within the Scolytinae. This study offers insights for examining the evolutionary connections between invasive and native bark beetles, as well as the molecular identification and detection of newly invading species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cucujiformia, with remarkable morphological, ecological, and behavioral diversity, is the most evolutionarily successful group within Coleoptera. However, the phylogenetic relationships among superfamilies within Cucujiformia remain elusive. To address the issues, we conducted a transcriptome‐based macro‐evolutionary study of this lineage. We sequenced the genomes and transcriptomes of three species from the superfamily Curculionoidea (two from Curculionidae and one from Brentidae), and obtained a data set of more than 569 990 amino acid alignments from 143 species of Cucujiformia. With the most complete collection of whole genomes and transcriptomes so far, we compared the performance of different data matrices with universal‐single‐copy orthologs (USCO). The resultant trees based on different data sets were consistent for the majority of deep nodes. Two USCO amino acid matrices (i.e., USCO75 and USCO750‐abs80) provided well‐resolved topology. The analyses confirm that Cucujoidea sensu Robertson et al. 2015 is a nonmonophyletic group, consisting of Erotyloidea, Nitiduloidea, and Cucujoidea sensu Cai et al. 2022. Moreover, Erotyloidea is the early‐diverging group, followed by the clade Nitiduloidea. The preferred topologies supported a "basal" split of Coccinelloidea from the remaining superfamilies, and Cleroidea formed the second splitting group. The following phylogeny was supported at the superfamily level in Cucujiformia: (Coccinelloidea, (Cleroidea, ((Lymexyloidea, Tenebrionoidea), (Erotyloidea, (Nitiduloidea, (Cucujoidea, (Chrysomeloidea, Curculionoidea))))))). Our comprehensive analyses recovered well‐resolved higher‐level phylogenetic relationships within the Cucujiformia, providing a stable framework for comprehending its evolutionary history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Diversity in pea plant germplasm is crucial in breeding programmes to select highly yielding varieties resistant to Bruchid damage. At the Institute of Forage Crops in Pleven, Bulgaria, nine field pea accessions underwent evaluation for resistance to the pea weevil Bruchus pisorum L. The study identified a relationship between the damage inflicted by the weevils and certain phenological and morphological characteristics. Earlier flowering and formatting pod accessions had a lower sum of the effective temperatures and were characterised by low weevil density. Accessions with a low percentage of damaged seeds with Bruchid emergence holes were distinguished by high seed weight and higher‐damaged ones with parasitoid emergence holes. The large seeds had low weight loss from weevil larvae, too. Parasitoid Triaspis thoracica reduced weevil larvae when the larvae in damaged seeds were in early instars and can be a successful biological agent of B. pisorum in earlier and shorter flowering and pod formation cultivars. Also, a mechanical barrier, such as the thickness of the pod wall, can limit larvae penetration in the pod and reduce weevil damage. Line 5/04‐8 and L 5/01‐3 were classified as resistant to B. pisorum and could be used in future breeding programmes such as resistant sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infestations of ambrosia beetles in the tribe Xyleborini (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) are associated with economic losses to horticultural trees due to branch die‐back and tree death. Ethanol is a key attractant used for monitoring flight activity.Trapping experiments were conducted in woodlots in Ohio, USA, and Veneto, Italy, to characterize the effect of ethanol release rate on captures of Anisandrus maiche, Xyleborinus saxesenii, Xylosandrus crassiusculus and Xylosandrus germanus. In Ohio (2019, 2020 and 2021) and Italy (2021), traps were baited with centrifuge tubes that were modified to achieve ethanol release rates of 0.1–13.2 g/day. In Ohio (2022), traps were baited with varying quantities of manufactured lures to achieve release rates of 0.02–1.4 g/day.There was no consistent relationship between ethanol release rate and trap captures for the modified centrifuge tubes. In nine of sixteen analyses, traps baited with the centrifuge tubes releasing ethanol at 1.1 g/day or higher collected more A. maiche, X. saxesenii, X. crassiusculus and X. germanus than traps baited with centrifuge tubes releasing 0.1 g/day. In contrast, the manufactured lures releasing 0.1–1.4 g/day attracted more A. maiche, X. saxesenii, X. crassiusculus and X. germanus than lures releasing 0.02–0.05 g/day.This comprehensive study provides important insights into monitoring tactics for ambrosia beetles along with implications for optimizing ethanol‐baited traps as part of a 'push‐pull' strategy whereby repellents are used to 'push' beetles away from vulnerable trees and attractants are used to 'pull' them into annihilative traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To be effective, a biocontrol agent must survive and persist in the same habitat as the target species and reduce target population growth. When multiple biocontrol agents are used against a single invasive species, they may each perform better under a subset of the habitat in which the target lives. This complementarity allows for a more consistent level of control and a higher resilience to environmental variability. Two species that feed on the same plant tissues would compete, but niche partitioning in the native range may be replicated when both species are introduced to the invasive range. When biocontrol agents are released, they may self‐sort to perform best in their respective niches. We hypothesized that two biocontrol agents—Scotch broom seed beetle, Bruchidius villosus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Scotch broom seed weevil, Exapion fuscirostre (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Brentidae)—that both feed on seeds of the invasive legume Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius L. Link (Fabaceae), would be impacted differently by different weather conditions and plant traits, and would show different success rates at field sites with different conditions. We used a 5‐year study to reveal that the two biocontrol agents are not uniformly distributed in the field and that weather and plant factors influence their success. We confirmed that weather conditions of the previous year influenced biocontrol agent attack rate and found that weather patterns at a field site may predict the impact of each biocontrol agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental 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.)

Ulomoides dermestoides, a member of the Tenebrionidae family, is known by various common names such as Chinese beetle, Chinese weevil, peanut beetle, cancer beetle, or asthma beetle. Despite its origin in Asia, it has achieved global distribution owing to its perceived medicinal properties. In this study, we employed a combination of Illumina short-read, PacBio long-read, and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) sequencing technologies to produce a high-quality, chromosome-scale genome assembly of U. dermestoides. The assembled genome spans 253.38 Mb across 11 chromosomes, including the two sex chromosomes, X and Y. Key metrics include contig and scaffold N50 values of 9.83 Mb and 28.62 Mb, respectively, with an estimated genome completeness of 99.62%. Annotation efforts identified 15,553 protein-coding genes and revealed that 48.11% of the genome comprises repetitive sequences. This meticulously assembled genome serves as a pivotal resource for elucidating the genetic determinants underlying the species' ecological habits and potential medicinal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cycas is the second-largest genus of cycads in Australia and the sole cycad genus in Papua New Guinea. In contrast to the other Australian cycads, which are mainly pollinated by weevils of the Tranes group of Molytinae, the Australian Cycas species are pollinated by tiny weevils belonging to the subfamily Cossoninae but representing an unnamed genus. This study evaluates the taxonomic status of these weevils by combining morphological examination with molecular phylogenetic analyses and species delineation based on mitochondrial DNA. The results reveal that the Cycas -pollinating weevils in Australia comprise only one species, here described as Zimmiodes australis gen. et sp. nov. with another species in Papua New Guinea, described as Zimmiodes papuanus sp. nov. The phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparison reveal that Zimmiodes belongs in the tribe Pentarthrini of Cossoninae and that the related Tychiodes group includes not only Tychiodes Wollaston, Tychiosoma Wollaston and Nanoplaxes Heller but also Tyrpetes Heller and is also assignable to Pentarthrini. The conspecificity of Zimmiodes weevils from all Australian Cycas species sampled suggests the likely taxonomic oversplitting of the Australian Cycas species and thus provides new insights into the taxonomy of the Australian cycads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitin, the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose, is an important resource for biosourced materials. The global demand for chitin is rapidly increasing, however, the majority of industrial chitin is sourced from crustacean shells, which may be less accessible in regions without seafood waste. Therefore, it is crucial to explore alternative chitin sources, such as those derived from beetles and other arthropods. This study investigated chitin extraction from nine species of Curculionidae (true weevils), which are recognized as crop pests. The extraction process and yields were described, and the isolated chitin was characterized by SEM, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, XRD, and ash and water content measurements. This work highlights the potential of Curculionidae as an alternative chitin source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Canary Island palm, Phoenix canariensis H. Wildpret, is a resource of great economic and scenic value in the Canary Islands, whose natural palm groves are priority habitats and protected by law. The palms are being severely affected by a small weevil, Diocalandra frumenti, whose larvae burrow galleries in the leaves, causing their premature drying and collapse, especially in urban environments. This study focuses on developing an effective trap to capture D. frumenti, evaluating several factors such as type, design, colour, height, distance and location of the traps with respect to the palm trees to determine the most efficient configuration. The resulting trap, a green, uncovered Econex® moth trap (Sanidad Agrícola Econex S.L., Murcia, Spain) with ventilation holes and baited with sugar cane and water, proved to be effective in capturing D. frumenti. The combination of this trap with a D. frumenti-specific pheromone will provide a valuable tool for early detection in areas free of the pest, as well as for monitoring and mass trapping in affected areas. The results of this research will have a significant impact on the protection of the valuable natural palm groves of the islands, benefiting both the economy and the landscape of the Canary Islands. Diocalandra frumenti (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) is a weevil present in the Canary Islands, affecting economically important palms such as Phoenix canariensis H. Wildpret and its hybrids, for which there were no trapping tools. The larvae cause the main damage by burrowing galleries in the rachis of the leaves, causing premature drying and collapse. To develop an effective trap, six trials were carried out to evaluate the effect of trap type, design, colour, height, distance and location of the trap in relation to the palm tree on D. frumenti captures. This study confirms that the Econex® trap, green in colour, without a cover and with two ventilation holes of 2.5 cm in diameter, diametrically opposite each other and at 1 cm from the top of the base of the trap, baited with sugar cane and water, and placed between the first and second ring of green leaves of the palm canopy, is efficient in capturing D. frumenti. These results establish a basis for future research focused on the development of a specific trapping system based on semiochemicals to serve as a tool for detection, monitoring and mass trapping of D. frumenti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A molecular tool has been developed for the molecular identification of Ips sexdentatus (Börner 1776) (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytidae), the well-known six thooted bark beetle, widely distributed in Eurasia, where it infests several species of the genus Pinus and occasionally a few conifer species of the genera Abies, Larix and Picea. The developed test can be useful both in countries where I. sexdentatus is handled as a quarantine species and, to greater reason, in Europe to discriminate biological traces of this commonly found beetle from those produced by regulated pests. The protocol is based on real-time PCR with TaqMan probe technology and has been developed on whole insect bodies (adults) as well as on artificial frass contaminated by DNA of the beetle. The molecular test developed here for both direct and indirect identification of I. sexdentatus has proven effective in terms of analytical specificity, analytical sensitivity, reliability and reproducibility. The recommended protocol is a practical diagnostic tool allowing a rapid identification of the six toothed bark beetle in the presence of any biological trace of other xylophagous pests collected at points of entry during phytosanitary surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there are benefits to being a generalist, the majority of herbivorous insects are diet specialists. This raises the question whether the ability to reproduce on various host plants hides an unknown ecological optimum. Our study investigated the existence of such an ecological optimum in the fungus‐farming ambrosia beetle, Xyleborinus saxesenii Ratzeburg (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).We hypothesised that X. saxesenii may exhibit higher fitness in specific hosts that are particularly abundant in their respective regions. To test this hypothesis, we bred X. saxesenii from a broadleaved forest population in semi‐artificial media mimicking either a coniferous or a broadleaved host‐tree species. As trade‐offs between different traits can occur, we examined various aspects of the life history, social behaviour and fungal symbionts of X. saxesenii.We found that dispersing females did not exhibit any preference, and that the host tree did not have any impact on life history parameters or larval and adult behaviours. The fungal community associated with the species was made up of identical fungal species, albeit with different relative abundances between host trees. Our findings indicate that X. saxesenii does not exhibit a specific adaptation to the most abundant host trees in its native habitat. However, we identified significant effects of laboratory breeding on life history traits, social behaviour and adult dispersal.This generalism in host use in combination with inbreeding mating system may be the main drivers of the invasion success of the Eurasian X. saxesenii, which is currently among the most prevalent and widely distributed ambrosia beetle species worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceutorhynchinae Gistel are a diverse weevil subfamily of almost worldwide distribution and considerable economic importance. Nevertheless, the classification of Ceutorhynchinae and their phylogenetic relationships are not yet fully resolved. Here, we sequenced the mitogenomes of 54 ceutorhynchine species. Phylogenetic analyses by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference were performed on a dataset of 13 protein‐coding and two ribosomal genes. All analyses recovered three well supported clades A–C. A principal component analysis shows that codon usage differs considerably between these clades, indicating a compositional asymmetry in ceutorhynchine mitogenomes. This increased the challenge of resolving the early relationships among the three clades. The resolution of the later diversification was more robust, and the resulting topologies were largely compatible with each other and with the current taxonomic classification. Exceptions are the genera Micrelus Thomson, which is transferred from the tribe Ceutorhynchini to Egriini Pajni and Kohli (new position) and Amalus Schoenherr, which is transferred to Phytobiini Gistel (new position). Amalini Wagner 1936 is a junior synonym of Phytobiini Gistel 1848 (syn. n.). Coeliodini Lacordaire (new status), a tribe previously regarded as junior synonym of Ceutorhynchini, is re‐established. Our analyses also clarified the difficult assignments of taxa to the tribes Scleropterini Schultze and Phytobiini. All taxa with the ability to jump as adult beetles belong to clade B, which comprises the tribes Cnemogonini Colonnelli, Hypurini Schultze, Mecysmoderini Wagner and Phytobiini. With dense taxon sampling and appropriate analytical methods, mitogenome data provide a phylogeny well suited to improve the traditional classification of this neglected and species‐rich taxon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-flowering congeneric plant species may either experience competition for the services of shared pollinators or facilitation when together, they attract a higher number and diversity of pollinators. In this study, we evaluate whether temporal segregation in flowering time and temporal partition of shared pollinators operate among sympatric Anthurium species as mechanisms to reduce competition to attract potential pollinators. We investigated flowering phenology, the intra-e interspecific synchrony, and the composition of the flower visitor community of seven coexisting Anthurium species biweekly for a whole year in Native and Pine forests. We also analyzed the structure of Anthurium -flower visitor networks and the functional role of species. Flowering was continuous thorough the year for most Anthurium species, but their flowering peaks were segregated significantly in time. Although the flowering periods of these species overlapped, flower visitor communities were very dissimilar among Anthurium species, sharing only a tiny fraction of insects that function as connectors among species in the network. The partition of potential pollinators in a fine temporal scale occurred through the rewiring of shared flower visitors to the most abundant flowering Anthurium species. On the other hand, a high number of inflorescences attracted larger abundance and richness of insect visitors. Facilitation occurred almost throughout the year, while competition occurred during the flowering peak, where a particular species was the best competitor increasing the constancy of pollinators. This study highlights the role of facilitation and competition as mechanisms that together shape the use of potential pollinator resources between sympatric congeneric plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a key pest in Southeastern peach production by infesting fruit and decreasing yield. In Northeastern apples, plum curculio was found to have an "edge effect," where more plum curculio are present next to a forested border than in the center of an orchard, and their propensity to fly or walk depended on air temperature. We conducted field studies over 3 seasons (2019–2021) to investigate whether plum curculio in small Southeastern peach plots exhibits the edge effect and to determine its primary mode of movement (flying or walking). Our results revealed that plum curculio did not exhibit the edge effect in Southeastern peaches. Thus, unlike Northeastern apples where plum curculio exhibits the edge effect, the reduced-input application program where insecticide sprays mainly target a few perimeter-row trees instead of the whole orchard for plum curculio management is not recommended for Southeastern peaches. Additionally, we observed that plum curculio in Southeastern peaches did not exhibit a primary mode of movement, and in most of the sampling weeks, the numbers of flying and walking plum curculio were not significantly correlated in the field. These results emphasize that using plum curculio sampling tools that only capture flying or walking plum curculio is not ideal for monitoring plum curculio activity in the Southeast. Overall, our findings indicate that plum curculio in Southeastern small peach plots and Northeastern apples does not exhibit the same behavior (i.e. edge effect and propensity to fly or walk). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogenic secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) can be formed from the oxidation of plant volatiles in the atmosphere. Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) can elicit plant defenses, but whether such ecological functions persist after they form SOAs was previously unknown. Here we show that Scots pine seedlings damaged by large pine weevils feeding on their roots release HIPVs that trigger defenses in neighboring conspecific plants. The biological activity persisted after HIPVs had been oxidized to form SOAs, which was indicated by receivers displaying enhanced photosynthesis, primed volatile defenses, and reduced weevil damage. The elemental composition and quantity of SOAs likely determines their biological functions. This work demonstrates that plant-derived SOAs can mediate interactions between plants, highlighting their ecological significance in ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The white grub, Diaprepes abbreviatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a significant pest of yam tubers and the second cause of tuber rot in Haiti. Larval feeding inflicts severe damage to tubers, leading to notable losses due to decreased tuber quality, reduced marketability and increased susceptibility to secondary parasites and pathogens. This study examined the influence of planting and harvesting dates on the vulnerability of yam tubers to white grub infestation and the resulting tuber quality across 24 farmers' fields. At harvest, we assessed the level of tuber infestation, white grub density and the tuber quality index. The results indicated that 85% of grub populations were found in fields planted on the traditional date. In addition, 69.5% of tuber damage occurred in early‐planted fields with fewer tubers damaged (30%) when harvested early. In contrast, in fields planted 30 days after the traditional date, the harvest date did not affect tuber infestation and damage by the pest. Overall, both planting and harvest dates impacted the quality grade of yam tubers. Delayed planting by 30 days and early harvesting (34th–38th week after planting) improved the marketability of yams. These findings highlight the importance of optimising planting and harvest schedules to better manage white grub infestation and enhance the marketability of yam tubers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heilipus lauri Boheman, the avocado seed weevil, is recorded for the first time in the Mixe Zone of Oaxaca, Mexico. This insect is already found in avocado orchards in other locations of Oaxaca, such as Santa María Alotepec and Santa María Tepantlali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of the black twig borer Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is recorded in the region of Soconusco, Chiapas, Mexico associated with Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex Frohener). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichapion aurichalceum is reported from bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) pods in the municipalities of Toluca and Temoya, State of Mexico. Oviposition occurred in the pod apex, which affected 3.1 pods/plant. The larvae exhibited gregarious habits, with 58±29 larvae/pod. They fed on the developing grains at the pod apex. They built cocoons inside the pod and remained until they became adults. On average, each pod had 59±41 adults. Trichapion aurichalceum infested the bean pods from the flowering period to when the pods dried from July to October. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ambrosia beetles Xylosandrus germanus (Blanford) and Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) are nonnative pests in orchards and nurseries in North America. They construct galleries in the sapwood of stressed woody hosts and culture a symbiotic fungus as food for their offspring. Preventing attacks is preferred but a better understanding of their biology may elucidate additional avenues for control. Recent phenological studies are lacking for X. germanus that is common in New York, and biological information on brood and gallery development is lacking for the less abundant X. crassiusculus. We conducted both outdoor rearing and laboratory studies to better understand the timing of key events in the maturation of their galleries, particularly associated with the symbiotic fungi. Two and a partial third summer generation were consistently observed over 2 yr for X. germanus ; and thus, 3 flights of adult females (foundresses) occurred each summer from mid-April to late September. In both the field and laboratory, initial growth of the symbiotic fungus occurs within a few days of gallery initiation. The rapid development of the reproductive tract and oviposition by X. germanus appears to be stimulated by the presence of the fungus. Fungal, reproductive, and brood development are similar for the related X. crassiusculus in laboratory studies; the 2 species mainly appear to differ in size. The lag between beetle colonization and reproduction currently seems too brief to be exploited for management. Disruption of other stages in gallery development should also be explored to minimize the beetle damage if attacks cannot be prevented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heilipus lauri is a specialist avocado seed feeding weevil native to parts of México and is an invasive pest in Colombia. This weevil is considered an incursion risk because possible unintended introductions into areas outside of its native range can result in establishment, which threatens avocado production in invaded regions. Despite being a well-recognized pest of avocados, relatively little is known about oviposition biology, behavior, and cultivar preferences of this weevil. Field studies in commercial Hass avocado orchards in México and laboratory studies in a quarantine facility in California (USA) indicated that H. lauri prefers to oviposit into middle and bottom thirds of fruit. In the laboratory, an average of 1.7 eggs (range 1–6 eggs) are laid over a 24-h period in oviposition chambers by individual females. Conspecifics add eggs to these clutches, with up to 17 eggs being recorded in 1 oviposition chamber. This finding suggests that H. lauri does not use an oviposition deterring pheromone. Female weevils readily oviposit in artificial holes representing mechanical wounds on fruit. In comparison to the commercially dominant Hass variety, fruit from Lamb Hass and G22, a native Guatemalan variety, and to a lesser extent Gem, may be less preferred for oviposition when females have a choice of fruit in which to oviposit. Videography studies indicated that H. lauri exhibits predominantly diurnal activity with respect to oviposition behaviors, feeding, and walking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although classical biological control makes use of natural enemies from the native range of an invasive alien species, there are occurrences in which species in the invaded range expand their host range and form new associations with the invader. Bagous longulus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a South African native weevil hosted by the native water lilies Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. and Nymphaea lotus L. (family Nymphaeaceae), and it has formed a new association with the invasive alien water lily Nymphaea mexicana Zuccarini. Host range expansions of more-specialist native herbivores on alien invasive plant species occur relatively infrequently; therefore, we investigated the potential of this weevil as another means of managing N. mexicana in South Africa through augmentative biological control. Field surveys were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to determine the distribution of the weevil, and host-specificity tests were conducted under greenhouse conditions to understand its preference for its natural host as compared with N. mexicana and an exotic Nymphaea hybrid. The weevil was widely distributed at 31 surveyed sites across the country but was found feeding and completing lifecycles on only Nymphaea species, including the native hosts and the alien invasive N. mexicana. Additionally, there were no major differences in feeding preference for its natural host when compared with N. mexicana, but the Nymphaea hybrid tested was less preferred. The narrow host range of this weevil, its presence and impact on N. mexicana at three invaded sites, and the fact that a classical biological control agent has not yet been approved, all suggest a potential for B. longulus to be released augmentatively to manage N. mexicana in South Africa. Even so, possible risks such as increased herbivory on native Nymphaea species with augmented populations of its natural enemy should be carefully considered and tested before implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a highly destructive pest, causing severe damage to palm trees and significantly reducing their productivity. This paper aims to develop and analyze a mathematical model that captures the interactions between palm trees, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, and entomopathogenic nematodes as a means of integrated control. We identify the equilibrium points of the system and perform a stability analysis to assess the system's behavior. Additionally, we design a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) to limit the spread of the red palm weevil within a locally linearized framework. The feedback control law, which is both straightforward and immediately implementable, is employed to avoid the need for complex cost calculations, thus simplifying the solution to the optimal control problem. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed control strategy is effective in reducing the number of infected palm trees. The results indicate that increasing the population of entomopathogenic nematodes can significantly decrease the red palm weevil population, offering a promising approach to mitigating this pest's impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) represent an important insect group including many significant pest species, but in some cases, the distribution and ecology of many bark beetles are still not well known. Maple bark beetle Scolytus koenigi Schyverew, 1890 is one of the mentioned group of species. The following study presents i) the first data of the occurrence of S. koenigi in Bohemia, ii) the first data of the species occurrence in an urban environment (large cities – Prague and Brno), iii) the distribution of the species in the Czech Republic since its first record (in 2013), and iv) new data about the bionomy of the species (i.e. a new host tree – Acer pseudoplatanus L. and refinement of the colonized substrate range diameter). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil and the aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Pelargonium graveolens cultivated in Morocco were studied for their antioxidant and insecticidal activity against rice weevils (Sitophylus oryzae). The total phenolic content of the extracts was determined by a spectrophotometric method and the phenolic compounds were extensively characterized by HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS. To evaluate antioxidant potential, three in vitro assays were used. In the DPPH test, the ethanolic extract was the most active, followed by the aqueous extract and the essential oil. In the reducing power assay, excellent activity was highlighted for both extracts, while in the Fe2+ chelating activity assay, weak activity was observed for both the essential oil and the ethanolic extract and no activity for the aqueous extract. Concerning insecticide activity, the toxicity of the essential oil and the extracts was tested against rice weevils; the lethal concentrations LC50 and LC99 were determined, as well as the lethal time required for the death of 50% (LT50) and 99% (LT99) of the weevils. The essential oil had the highest activity; 100% mortality of S. oryzae was observed around 5, 9, and 8 days for the essential oil and the aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) beetle, Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), and its phytopathogenic fungal symbiont (Fusarium euwallaceae Freeman et al.) threaten commercial and urban tree species worldwide. This pest–fungus complex has been newly discovered in the commercial deciduous fruit industry (Western Cape, South Africa), where its effect is still unknown. This study explored the impact of PSHB infestation on fruit quality and plant water‐use efficiency (WUE) – as indicated by carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios – of commercially cultivated Packham's Triumph pear trees within the first year of invasion, as well as changes in phenotypic plasticity (trait expression range). The impact of PSHB infestation is currently most evident in fruit quality traits, with a clear distinction between the control and most densely attacked tree categories. Fruit and leaf traits showed high variation and a significant change in phenotypic plasticity. Increased PSHB attack density was associated with smaller, duller‐toned, sweeter fruit at the time of harvest and data tended towards reduced plant WUE. Producers can expect significant variation in fruit quality and plant WUE even in hosts without branch dieback, visible plant stress or extensive beetle breeding, especially in orchards where infestations persist beyond the first year. These findings necessitate additional research to describe the long‐term impact, examine the threat to other deciduous fruit crops and cultivars and assess the need for adapted management or harvesting methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Death feigning is hypothesized to be an anti-predator behavior in which prey is temporarily immobilized in response to external stimuli. While death feigning may be an effective predator-defense strategy, there may be trade-offs in terms of energy and time for finding food and/or mating. The duration of death feigning is regulated by the balance of various selection pressures, and its duration is influenced by many internal and environmental factors. However, little is known about the factors that influence arousal from death-feigning behavior. Sex pheromones are important semiochemicals that affect reproductive success and may influence the duration of death-feigning behavior. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of sex pheromones on the death-feigning behavior of the sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius) by conducting laboratory experiments. The results showed that males had a significantly shorter death-feigning duration in the presence of sex pheromones because it aroused them from their death-feigning behavior, but females were unaffected. This is the first study to show that sex pheromones alter death-feigning behavior. The results of this study elucidate the factors influencing predator-avoidance behavior and reveal the impact of death-feigning behavior on prey reproduction under predation pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Americas, the palm weevils Rhynchophorus palmarum and Dynamis borassi are two of the most economically important palm pests, attacking crops including oil palms, coconut palms, Canary Islands date palms and peach palms. Mass trapping with aggregation pheromone‐baited traps has been used for several decades as the main way to monitor and manage palm weevil populations worldwide. Given that several species of palm weevils have the same main aggregation pheromone and that one species can be attracted to the aggregation pheromones of other species, it is important to compare the efficacy of multiple pheromone lures on several species of palm weevils. Here, we tested the commercial pheromone lure Dynalure (ferruginol) independently, and the lures Rhyncolure (rhynchophorol) and Metalure (89% ferruginol and 11% 2‐methyl‐4‐heptanol) jointly, for their efficacy at attracting R. palmarum and D. borassi in a palm growing area of Tumaco, Colombia. We found that Dynalure and Rhyncolure are effective at attracting both species, but traps with Dynalure attract more D. borassi, while traps with Rhyncolure attract more R. palmarum. Metalure had a repellent effect for both species, highlighting the importance of minor components in pheromone lures. For R. palmarum, captures were female‐biased in traps with the lures Rhyncolure and Metalure, while for D. borassi captures were male‐biased with all lures tested. While both species showed similar numbers of captures per trap at the beginning of the experiment, at the end of the 14‐month observation period, R. palmarum was the most abundant species captured in traps. Our results highlight the importance of evaluating the field efficacy of lures with different aggregation pheromones for mass trapping of palm weevils and to consider the effect of minor components in the lures, especially with the potential invasion of the red palm weevil to the Americas, and the urgent need to develop an integrated pest management programme that covers multiple species of sympatric palm weevils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Protection & Pathology is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) 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 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.)

For over a century, the role of acoustic communication in the sensory ecology of bark beetles (Scolytinae) has been recognized. However, their 'world of sound' remains largely unexplored. Here, we review 153 years of bark beetle bioacoustics publications to summarize current knowledge, identify gaps and suggest future research directions. Our survey identified 117 publications covering 170 species. Morphological reports revealed five stridulatory organs across 125 species, with elytro‐tergal, gular‐prosternal and vertex‐pronotum mechanisms being the most prevalent for sound production. However, confirmed sound recordings exist for only 40 species. Acoustic signalling in adults is proposed to function in avoiding enemies, pair formation, sexual selection and spacing, while in juveniles, vibratory communication is proposed for gallery spacing. However, experimental evidence supporting these functions is lacking. Acoustic sensory organs remain unidentified, and comprehension of signal transmission—whether through airborne sounds or solid‐borne vibrations (or both)—is limited. Bioacoustic technologies have emerged as tools for potential management practices and are also discussed. Based on these findings, we recommend three directions for future research: (1) characterize acoustic morphology and behaviours in more species, particularly unrepresented taxa, with recordings in various contexts, preferably under natural conditions; (2) test hypotheses to explain the functions of acoustic communication through experimental and comparative phylogenetic methods and (3) investigate how sounds or vibrations are transmitted and received through behavioural and neurophysiological experiments. Advancements in bark beetle acoustic sensing and communication research will enhance our understanding of their sensory ecology and facilitate potential control measures of these fascinating insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pepper weevil Anthonomus eugenii (Cano) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an economically important pest of both field and greenhouse pepper crops, Capsicum annuum Linnaeus (Solanaceae) in North America. Among its natural enemies is the parasitoid wasp Jaliscoa (= Catolaccus) hunteri (Crawford) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), whose potential control of A. eugenii appears promising but is currently unclear. We conducted controlled environment trials to quantify A. eugenii offspring emergence following exposure to J. hunteri, examining how parasitoid exposure period, weevil host life stage, pepper cultivar, fruit size and abscission status affect weevil-natural enemy dynamics. In pepper cultivar comparison trials, we identified a significant reduction in weevil offspring emergence from three different cultivars of ornamental peppers infested by A. eugenii, but no difference among them. In trials comparing wasp exposure period and weevil larval instar, pepper plants of one cultivar (Blaze) were exposed to A. eugenii adults, and subsequently to J. hunteri wasps for either three or seven days, when offspring weevils were either at the L1 or L3 instar. Offspring emergence was significantly reduced up to 62% when L3 but not L1 weevils were exposed to wasps for 7 days. Following this longer exposure period, significantly greater weevil suppression occurred in small (71.7%) versus large fruit (62.5%), with an additional 15.1% weevil suppression resulting from attached relative to abscised fruit. These results highlight the potential for J. hunteri as a biological control agent of A. eugenii on pepper crops, with particular value in commercial greenhouse production where wasp retention rates can be high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi is an endoparasitic nematode of the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei. The nematode has only been recorded across a limited geographical range in coffee-growing areas of southeastern Mexico. Because of its confined geographical distribution, the effect of altitude, temperature, and mean annual precipitation on M. hypothenemi's presence/absence in the Soconusco region of Mexico was investigated. The geographical distribution of this parasite was predicted based on current data, using geographical information systems (GIS), the MaxEnt algorithm, and historical data to improve the prediction accuracy for other Neotropical regions. In Soconusco, the presence of this parasite is directly related to annual precipitation, especially in the areas with the highest annual rainfall (4000 – 4700 mm/year). Four species distribution models were generated for the Neotropical region with environmental variables for sites with parasite presence data, predicting a range of possible distribution with a high probability of occurrence in southeastern Mexico and southwestern Guatemala and a low probability in areas of Central and South America. Characterization of the abiotic habitat conditions suitable for M. hypothenemi development allows us to predict its distribution in the Neotropics and contributes to our understanding of its ecological relationship with environmental variables.

Abstract Background Chemoreception is crucial for insect fitness, underlying for instance food-, host-, and mate finding. Chemicals in the environment are detected by receptors from three divergent gene families: odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), and ionotropic receptors (IRs). However, how the chemoreceptor gene families evolve in parallel with ecological specializations remains poorly understood, especially in the order Coleoptera. Hence, we sequenced the genome and annotated the chemoreceptor genes of the specialised ambrosia beetle Trypodendron lineatum (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and compared its chemoreceptor gene repertoires with those of other scolytines with different ecological adaptations, as well as a polyphagous cerambycid species. Results We identified 67 ORs, 38 GRs, and 44 IRs in T. lineatum (‘Tlin’). Across gene families, T. lineatum has fewer chemoreceptors compared to related scolytines, the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei and the mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae, and clearly fewer receptors than the polyphagous cerambycid Anoplophora glabripennis. The comparatively low number of chemoreceptors is largely explained by the scarcity of large receptor lineage radiations, especially among the bitter taste GRs and the ‘divergent’ IRs, and the absence of alternatively spliced GR genes. Only one non-fructose sugar receptor was found, suggesting several sugar receptors have been lost. Also, we found no orthologue in the ‘GR215 clade’, which is widely conserved across Coleoptera. Two TlinORs are orthologous to ORs that are functionally conserved across curculionids, responding to 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) and green leaf volatiles (GLVs), respectively. Conclusions Trypodendron lineatum reproduces inside the xylem of decaying conifers where it feeds on its obligate fungal mutualist Phialophoropsis ferruginea. Like previous studies, our results suggest that stenophagy correlates with small chemoreceptor numbers in wood-boring beetles; indeed, the few GRs may be due to its restricted fungal diet. The presence of TlinORs orthologous to those detecting 2-PE and GLVs in other species suggests these compounds are important for T. lineatum. Future functional studies should test this prediction, and chemoreceptor annotations should be conducted on additional ambrosia beetle species to investigate whether few chemoreceptors is a general trait in this specialized group of beetles.

Introduction: Pollinating flower-consuming mutualisms are considered exemplary models for studying coevolution due to their rarity. Visual cues are considered to have a major role in facilitating the evolution of floral patterns in these systems. We present a new specialized pollinating flower-consuming mutualism from the plant Wurfbainia villosa, which is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, by a pollinating weevil, Xenysmoderes sp. Methods: In this study, We utilized monochrome plates for binary-choice tests to determine weevil color preferences, conducted behavioral choice experiments, using trackballs, photographed flowers and weevils, and employed blue sticky boards to attract weevils in the field. Results: Tests were conducted using colorpreferring weevils in both indoor and outdoor field systems, and validation experiments were performed. Behavioral tests were conducted to investigate the role of the visual cues in the pollinator attraction of W. villosa, which is a selfcompatible insect-pollinated plant that relies primarily on the Xenysmoderes sp. weevil for pollination due to its specialized gynandrium-like structure. Behavioral tests demonstrated that a blue color wavelength of 480 nm and the blue color system, as along with the UV-style pattern of the flowers, particularly the parts with specialized gynandrium-like structures in the labellum, were significantly attractive to both male and female weevils. These results were further confirmed through the field blue sticky board trap method. Discussion: These findings indicated that the interaction between W. villosa and Xenysmoderes sp. weevil was a novel symbiotic relationship involving pollinator flower consumption. Additionally, Wurfbainia villosa flowers developed specific visual cues of UV patterns and specialized structures that played a crucial role in attracting pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemoreception is crucial for insect fitness, underlying for instance food-, host-, and mate finding. Chemicals in the environment are detected by receptors from three divergent gene families: odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), and ionotropic receptors (IRs). However, how the chemoreceptor gene families evolve in parallel with ecological specializations remains poorly understood, especially in the order Coleoptera. Hence, we sequenced the genome and annotated the chemoreceptor genes of the specialised ambrosia beetle Trypodendron lineatum (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and compared its chemoreceptor gene repertoires with those of other scolytines with different ecological adaptations, as well as a polyphagous cerambycid species. Results: We identified 67 ORs, 38 GRs, and 44 IRs in T. lineatum ('Tlin'). Across gene families, T. lineatum has fewer chemoreceptors compared to related scolytines, the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei and the mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae, and clearly fewer receptors than the polyphagous cerambycid Anoplophora glabripennis. The comparatively low number of chemoreceptors is largely explained by the scarcity of large receptor lineage radiations, especially among the bitter taste GRs and the 'divergent' IRs, and the absence of alternatively spliced GR genes. Only one non-fructose sugar receptor was found, suggesting several sugar receptors have been lost. Also, we found no orthologue in the 'GR215 clade', which is widely conserved across Coleoptera. Two TlinORs are orthologous to ORs that are functionally conserved across curculionids, responding to 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) and green leaf volatiles (GLVs), respectively. Conclusions: Trypodendron lineatum reproduces inside the xylem of decaying conifers where it feeds on its obligate fungal mutualist Phialophoropsis ferruginea. Like previous studies, our results suggest that stenophagy correlates with small chemoreceptor numbers in wood-boring beetles; indeed, the few GRs may be due to its restricted fungal diet. The presence of TlinORs orthologous to those detecting 2-PE and GLVs in other species suggests these compounds are important for T. lineatum. Future functional studies should test this prediction, and chemoreceptor annotations should be conducted on additional ambrosia beetle species to investigate whether few chemoreceptors is a general trait in this specialized group of beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with the field application of lure traps for trapping of the adult red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) at the date palm orchard of Sindh, Pakistan. The pheromone traps, were installed at the date palm orchard under the field conditions such as aggregation pheromone dosage, food material (molasses), ester (isoamyl acetate) and trap density. During the field trials, it was observed that the 3 mg/trap dose of aggregation pheromone along with the 500 g of molasses and 4 mg/trap of ester trapped maximum female adult insects. The 10 traps/ha was the optimized trap density. Moreover, the higher number of insects were trapped in March and the minimum catches were observed in the month of November, December, January and February. The total male and female adult weevils captured were (N=18 females 60% and N=12 males 40%) and the sex ratio was 2:3 male and female, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated morphological differences in the African palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) from Kenya (Busia and Kwale) and Uganda using a LEICA EZ4HD stereo microscope and an absolute digimatic caliper. Ten pronotal colour patterns were recorded, of which two (brown with two black spots and black with/without very faint brown bands of variable lengths and positions) are reported for the first time. Pronota of most R. phoenicis from Busia and Uganda were black with/without very faint brown bands of variable lengths and positions. Samples of R. phoenicis from Kwale were dominated by four reddish brown and three black bands, which either ran through the pronotal length or the reddish-brown bands coalesced anteriorly. The following pronotal colour patterns were male-specific: (i) two reddish brown bands, approximately ¾ the pronotal length and coalescing anteriorly, (ii) two reddish brown bands running through the pronotal length but discontinuous towards the posterior end and (iii) a brown pronotum with two black spots. Only the females had (i) two faint reddish brown bands running through the pronotal length, fading posteriorly and (ii) four reddish brown and three black bands, two of the former on either halves coalescing posteriorly. Females had longer snouts and mesocoxal distance, and wider elytra than males. Males possessed a longer profemur than females. Morphometric polymorphism was not linked to the site of sample collection. These findings provide additional diagnostic features and improve sexing of P. phoenicis and open opportunities for further research on the mechanisms for polymorphism in the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii Cano, 1894) poses a significant threat to pepper crops worldwide in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Despite its importance, the spatial distribution of pepper weevil in fields using geospatial methods like SADIE, Moran's I, and Geary's C remains unexplored. Few studies have utilized mean-variance-based methods to assess pepper weevil distribution. This study aimed to elucidate the distribution of pepper weevil in seven pepper fields located in South Florida, Miami Dade County, while also discerning any differences across fields or similarities in distribution patterns. The results revealed an aggregated distribution of pepper weevil, which tended to become more regular towards the end of the season as fruits and plants matured. Importantly, this aggregated distribution pattern observed through the geospatial techniques aligns with findings from previous studies utilizing mean-variance-based methods. Additionally, our study highlights that infested fruit counts can serve as an effective indicator of pepper weevil distribution, reducing the time required for adult population assessment. Given the cryptic nature and small size of pepper weevil adults, visual detection on plants can be challenging, whereas infested fruits are readily observable. The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano, is an economically important pest of cultivated peppers (Capsicum annuum) in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This study aimed to ascertain the spatial distribution of pepper weevil infestation across various fields in Miami Dade County, South Florida. The spatio-temporal dynamics of pepper weevil were evaluated using 144 sample points within each of seven pepper fields. The data were analyzed using three different geospatial techniques, spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE), Moran's I, and Geary's C, to determine the spatial distribution of pepper weevil. The SADIE analysis revealed a significant aggregation distribution in 18 out of 30 sampling dates across all fields. The results from Geary's C and Moran's I indices indicated a positive spatial autocorrelation (spatial clustering/aggregation) of pepper weevil regardless of field or pepper types. Overall, the findings from this study depict an aggregated spatial distribution pattern of pepper weevil populations, characterized by a tendency for aggregation that transitions to a more uniform distribution as the season progresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The study investigated how aging affects the reproductive potential and embryonic development of the pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii Cano), a major pest causing significant damage to pepper crops. The objective was to assess the reproductive parameters (fecundity, hatching rates, and developmental times) of weevils at different ages: young (10 days), middle-aged (20 days), and old (30 days). The results show that the age of pepper weevils significantly affects their reproductive potential, with younger weevils being more prolific. These findings are valuable for researchers as they highlight the importance of considering weevil age in pest management strategies, potentially leading to more effective cultural practices that reduce weevil populations and protect pepper crops. The pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii Cano) is a devastating pest that inflicts severe damage to pepper crops, leading to substantial economic losses. This study investigated the impact of aging on the reproductive success of the pepper weevil. Pepper weevil-infested fruit were harvested from pepper fields and subsequently transferred into an insect cage to facilitate the emergence of adults. The emerged adults were housed in separate cages and allowed to mature until they reached specified ages: 10 days old (young), 20 days old (middle-aged), and 30 days old (old) individuals. Eggs laid by each age group were carefully collected and incubated under controlled laboratory conditions (28 ± 1.5 °C). Several reproductive variables including the number of eggs laid, the percentage of hatched eggs, and the egg incubation period were recorded for each age group. Embryonic development was also monitored daily using a VHX digital microscope at a magnification of 200×. Differences in developmental stages such as the blastoderm, germ band, gastrulation, segmentation, and appendage formation were observed, and the time span of every stage was recorded. The results show that the 10-day-old weevils laid the most eggs and had the highest hatching rate and the shortest developmental time. The 30-day-old weevils laid the fewest eggs and had the lowest hatching rate and longest developmental time. Thus, the pepper weevil age significantly influenced the fecundity, length of time for each embryonic development stage, hatching rate, and incubation period, and should be considered when studying the reproductive biology of this pest insect. This first report of the effect of aging on the reproductive potential of the pepper weevil should enable pepper growers to adopt cultural practices aimed at reducing the pepper weevil populations, thereby helping to protect their crop from this important pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexually selected weapons used to monopolize mating opportunities are predicted to trade-off with traits used in competition for fertilization. Yet, the limited size range typically found among adults of a species often precludes clear comparisons between population-level and individual-level relative trait investment. The jousting weevil, Brentus anchorago (Coleoptera: Brentidae), varies more than 26-fold in body mass, which is among the most extreme adult body size ranges of any solitary terrestrial species. We reveal a trade-off at a population level: hypermetric scaling in male weapons (slope = 1.59) and a closely mirrored reversal in allocation to postcopulatory traits (slope = 0.54). Yet, at the individual level, we find the opposite pattern; males that invest relatively more in weapons for their size class also invest more in postcopulatory traits. Across 36 dung beetle and 41 brentine weevil species, we find the allometric slope explains more trait variation at larger body size ranges; in brentines, population-level scaling patterns become more detectable in species with a larger range in adult body size. Our findings reveal that population-level allometries and individual-level trade-offs can both be important in shaping relative trait allocation; we highlight that the adult body size range is rarely examined but may be integral to gaining a deeper understanding of trade-offs in reproductive allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life history aspects of dormancy of the weevil Anthonomus rufipennis LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were studied a 57-month period in a seasonally dry tropical forest of central Mexico. Weevil populations and their physiological status were monitored on both the reproductive host tree, Senna polyantha (Collad.) H.S: Irwin & Barneby (Fabales: Fabaceae) and the highly favored refuge host, Tillandsia recurvata L. (Poales: Bromeliaceae) or "ball moss." During the dry season, weevils were only found on the refuge host with a mean total density of 1.014 ± 2.532 individuals/ball moss (N  = 1,681). Weevil densities on T. recurvata between early and late dry seasons were not significantly different, suggesting that dry season survival was relatively high. Weevils collected during these seasons revealed little reproductive development and relatively high-fat accumulation in both sexes. During 5 of 6 yr, densities of the weevils in T. recurvata dropped significantly during the early rainy seasons, when the reproductive host trees leafed out and began producing oviposition sites (flower buds). At this time, more males than females initially moved to vegetative trees and showed significant signs of reproductive development. Recolonization of ball moss by weevils began during the late rainy season when oviposition sites (flower buds) were still available. A proportion of the weevils remained on the reproductive host, suggesting that A. rufipennis is facultatively multivoltine. The methodologies and results of the study can serve as a model system for future studies of the dormancy of other insects in dry tropical forests and provide insight into the dormancy of other anthonomine weevils of economic importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The four-eyed fir bark beetle Polygraphus proximus Blandford (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) has become an aggressive invader in Siberia's fir forests in recent decades. However, its spread in the invaded area is not yet complete; this species is absent so far in most of the Siberian fir Abies sibirica Ledeb. range. To predict this process, appropriate models are needed, including at the local level. One of the essential parameters for modeling is the flight characteristics of imago. To evaluate its flight potential, we placed slabs (sections of the bark with a thin sapwood layer) in an area without forests or with forests with an absence of fir at the end of May. The beetles overwintered under the bark in these slabs. We also placed short fir trap logs at distances ranging from 50 to 1500 m in the four cardinal directions from the release point to attract migrating beetles. After the beetles from the slabs had completed their migration, we evaluated the number of parental pairs (male and female) of the four-eyed fir bark beetle on the trap logs (p) and their number per dm2 (pS). The sole factor that affected the colonization of host objects in our experiment was the distance from the release point. The relationship between p and pS and the distance to the release point can be accurately represented by a negative exponential curve. This experiment established a flight distance of 1500 m, with calculated values of 4919 m for p and 2965 m for pS. However, an analysis of similar experiments and studies using flight mills suggests that these values may not be extreme in an environment with few and sparse host objects. In conditions of abundant food supply, the actual flight distance of P. proximus beetles is significantly less than the theoretically possible maximum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional variation in pheromone production and response has practical implications for the use of semiochemical lures to monitor and control bark beetle populations. We tested 4 lure formulations including 2 new formulations that reflect the pheromone production profiles of western and eastern populations of spruce beetles, Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), as well as 2 commercially available formulations (current Rocky Mountain lure and current Atlantic lure), in 2 locations in New Brunswick, Canada. In 2 separate years, the new eastern lure containing seudenol, MCOL, and spruce terpenes captured 4 times (2021) and 11 times (2022) more spruce beetles than the current Atlantic lure that consisted of frontalin, seudenol, and spruce terpenes. In 2021, we also captured more eastern larch beetles, Dendroctonus simplex LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with the new eastern lure, whereas in 2022, we captured the most D. simplex with the current Atlantic lure, suggesting that more research is needed on D. simplex pheromone production and response across its range. The bark beetle predator, Thanasimus dubius (Fabr.; Coleoptera: Cleridae), did not respond well to the new eastern blend that lacks frontalin, suggesting that response to frontalin is important in finding prey and might be conserved in predator populations. The reduced trap catch of T. dubius to the enhanced lure is beneficial because it does not inhibit natural population control by removing predators from the community. Our study reveals an improved trap lure for eastern populations of spruce beetles and highlights gaps and research needs in bark beetle pheromone ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are among the most devastating pests of orchards, nurseries, and forests. Improving trap design and ethanol lures for capturing ambrosia beetles is necessary to develop effective monitoring and management strategies. In this 2-year study, we assessed 4 trap designs and 3 commercially formulated ethanol lures to refine trapping methods tailored for orchard environments in the eastern United States. Our investigation included orchards in 2 regions, Georgia (pecan orchards) and New York (apple orchards), targeting major ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) pest species such as Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky), X. compactus (Eichhoff), X. germanus (Blandford), and Anisandrus maiche (Stark). Among the trap designs evaluated, clear sticky cards were most effective for capturing ambrosia beetles across orchard locations. Notably, in Georgia, sticky cards paired with specific low-release ethanol lures demonstrated enhanced capture of X. crassiusculus and X. compactus , 2 key ambrosia beetle pests found infesting young pecan trees. Similarly, in New York, sticky cards baited with low-release ethanol lures captured the highest rates of X. germanus and A. maiche , thus indicating its suitability for diverse ambrosia beetle populations. Overall, our study provides practical implications for tailoring trapping protocols to optimize ambrosia beetle management strategies in orchard settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hibiscus bud weevil (HBW), Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a significant threat to tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) in Florida, USA, since its invasion in 2017. As a regulated pest in the state, early detection is crucial. Based on the success of pheromone-based monitoring programs for other weevil pests, such as the boll weevil, cranberry weevil, and pepper weevil, this study explores the potential use of these pheromone lures for early detection of HBW. To account for differences in efficacy based on trap color, height, and design, different pheromone lure sizes (4 mm, 10 mm, full-size), trap types (Yellow sticky trap, Japanese beetle trap, Boll weevil trap), and heights (0 m, 1.1 m) were also tested in this study. In laboratory assays, males and females exhibited higher attraction to full-size cranberry weevil lure discs than other lure size-type combinations. In semi-field trials, yellow sticky traps baited with cranberry weevil lures captured more weevils than Japanese beetle or boll weevil traps baited with cranberry weevil lures, while trap height did not influence HBW capture. In semi-field, 4-choice bioassays, yellow sticky traps baited with cranberry weevil lures captured more HBW compared to yellow sticky traps baited with pepper weevil, boll weevil, or unbaited traps. Further research is required to thoroughly evaluate the cranberry weevil lure's efficacy in capturing HBW. Our study suggests the potential for utilizing yellow sticky traps baited with lures for early HBW detection and highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate lure, trap type, and height for optimal efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]