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ABSTRACT The polyphagous tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), inflicts substantial damage to strawberries and to several other valuable crops, impacting both yield quantity and quality. Effective control strategies are crucial to mitigate these losses. This study aimed to elucidate TPB host preferences and reproductive behaviours under various integrated pest management approaches. Experimental arenas with strawberry plants included treatments involving the predator Nabis americoferus (Carayon) (Hemiptera: Nabidae) and trap crops. In each arena, 30 adult TPBs were exposed to different configurations: (i) three strawberry plants, (ii) three strawberry plants with predators, (iii) one strawberry plant alongside two trap crop plants (buckwheat and canola), and (iv) one strawberry plant with the two trap crops and predators. TPB distribution among the arena, plant species and plant sites (flower, stem and adaxial and abaxial leaves) were monitored over 72 h. One week later, adults were removed and the number of emerged first instar nymphs (L1) was recorded three times postexperiment. The results indicate a preference shift in TPB behaviour influenced by plant diversity and predator presence. TPBs exhibited a reduced presence on strawberries when trap crops were introduced, with canola as a preferred plant. This preference for canola was supported by higher TPB offspring counts. Conversely, buckwheat, although less preferred, contributed to diluting TPB populations across plant species. The introduction of N. americoferus showed dual effects: While reducing TPB oviposition on canola, it increased TPB presence on strawberries, highlighting the importance of nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) of predators in agroecosystems. Nonetheless, the combination of canola as a trap crop and N. americoferus as a predator effectively reduces TPB presence on strawberry flowers, essential for fruit development. This approach shows promise when integrated with other strategies, such as vacuuming and pheromone‐enhanced coloured traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tegolophus guavae (Boczek), Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes), and Tetranychus urticae Koch are plant-feeding mite pests that cause severe damage to the foliage and fruits of guava trees in Egypt. The phytoseiid mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), was released at three densities (100, 200, and 300 predators/tree). The results indicated that the efficiency of N. californicus was significantly influenced by the release rate. The highest mean reduction percentage after six months of release for T. guavae, B. phoenicis, and T. urticae was, respectively, at 300 predators/tree (64.90, 81.15, and 81.11%) in 2021 and (74.89, 83.76, and 83.07%) in 2022. The mean fruit yields (kg/treatment) in the released plots were substantially greater than those in the control (ranging from 8–16%). The current result suggests that releasing N. californicus is a viable option for biological guava mite pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peucetia viridans (Hentz), commonly called the lynx spider, is an important predator with a diet that encompasses a wide variety of insects and arachnids, including cannibalism. Although several studies that address aspects related to its ecology and behaviour have been carried out, there is a notable lack of studies focused on the recording of its prey and hosts. This information gap is particularly evident regarding the interaction of the spider with beetles belonging to the family Scarabaeidae. To contribute to the knowledge of the feeding habits and host preferences of P. viridans, observations were made in two localities of the Valles Centrales region of Oaxaca, Mexico. Lynx spiders were observed on Croton ciliatoglandulifer Ortega, Lantana camara Linnaeus, Solanum mitlense Dunal, and Wigandia urens (Ruiz and Pav.) Kunth. Spiders utilise these plants as shelter and to ambush their prey, thereby reducing herbivore populations and protecting the plants. In return, the plants provide the spiders with prey and floral and extrafloral nectaries as food sources. Therefore, spiders and plants have a facultative mutualistic relationship, whereas the relationship between spiders and herbivores is antagonistic. For the first time Diplotaxis trapezifera Bates, Macrodactylus fulvescens Bates, Paranomala discoidalis (Bates), Strigoderma costulipennis Bates, Strigoderma sulcipennis Burmeister, and Euphoria pulchella (Gory and Percheron) as prey, and Wigandia urens, Lantana camara and Solanum mitlense as host plants are recorded. A checklist of host plants for P. viridans is given. Overall, these new observations highlight the importance that tritrophic interactions (plant–herbivore–natural enemy) have in wild systems, which are essential for maintaining ecological balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cardiac conduction system in large carnivores, such as the African lion (Panthera leo), represents a significant knowledge gap in both veterinary science and in cardiac electrophysiology. Short QT intervals have been reported from zoo‐kept, anaesthetized lions, and our goal was to record the first ECGs from wild, conscious lions roaming freely, and compare them to zoo‐kept lions under the hypothesis that short QT is unique to zoo‐kept lions. Macroscopic and histological examinations were performed on heart tissue removed from nine healthy zoo lions. ECGs were recorded from the nine anaesthetized zoo‐kept lions, and from 15 anaesthetized and conscious wild lions in Africa. Our histological and topographical description of the lion's heart matched what has previously been published. In conscious lions, the ECG recordings revealed a mean heart rate of 70 ± 4 beats/min, with faster heart rates during the night. PQ and QT intervals were heart rate dependent in the conscious lions. Interestingly, QT intervals recorded in wild lions were markedly longer than QT intervals from zoo lions (398 ± 40 vs. 297 ± 9 ms, respectively; P < 0.0001). Anaesthesia or heart rate did not account for this difference. We provide a comprehensive description of the cardiac anatomy and electrophysiology of wild and zoo‐kept lions. QT intervals were significantly shorter in zoo lions, suggesting functional disparities in cardiac electrophysiology between wild and zoo‐kept lions, potentially related to physical fitness. These findings underscore the plasticity of cardiac electrophysiology and may be of value when reintroducing endangered species into the wild and when managing lions in human care. What is the central question of this study?How do electrocardiograms from zoo lions and free‐roaming wild lions compare?What is the main finding and its importance?QT intervals in zoo lions are shorter compared to wild lions, which may be relevant for our understanding of animals in human care and may influence conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the diet of the Jaguarundi are scarce; it feeds on small mammals, birds, and, to a lesser extent, fruits, reptiles, arthropods, and fish. We report eight food items for the species based on a review of the stomach contents of a female roadkill. We found the records of the snake Drymobius margaritiferus, the lizard Sceloporus sp., the rodent Sigmodon toltecus (two individuals), Passeriformes birds (three), and another snake belonging to Colubridae. A review of 11 other studies of jaguarundi food habits in Mexico and Brazil documents 120 food items, 59% of which are mammals, and most items reflect the diurnal behavior of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalization has spread thousands of invasive insect species into new world regions, 1,2,3 causing severe losses in ecosystem services. Previous work proposed that plant invasions facilitate insect invasions through the creation of niches for non-native herbivores. 3,4,5,6 Despite the impact of insect invasions, a comprehensive understanding is lacking on how invasion success varies among insect feeding groups. We therefore compiled the predominant larval trophic groups (herbivores, predators, parasites, detritivores, and brood-carers) for 5,839 non-native insect species in nine world regions to compare (1) proportions of species in each group between non-native species and the world's fauna, (2) how invasion success for each trophic group has changed over the last three centuries, and (3) how historical herbivore invasions are related to plant invasions over time and parasite invasions are related to herbivores. We find that herbivores represent a significantly larger proportion (52.4%) among non-native insects compared with the world fauna (38.4%), whereas proportions of non-native detritivores (including fungivores), predators, and brood-carers are significantly lower; parasite proportions do not significantly differ. Predators and detritivores dominated among invasions in the 18th century but subsequently diminished, likely due to changing invasion pathways, whereas proportions of herbivores, parasites, and brood-carers increased over time. We found herbivore invasions to lag 80 years behind plant invasions, whereas parasitoids appear to co-invade with their herbivore hosts. The dominance of herbivores among non-native insects and their strong cross-correlation with plant invasions further strengthens the hypothesis that plant invasions drive the global rise in numbers of non-native insects. • Herbivores are over-represented among non-native insects worldwide • Predator and detritivore invasion proportions declined since the 18th century • Herbivore invasion rates are related to historical lagged plant invasions Among non-native insects, herbivores are over-represented compared to the world fauna, and proportions are increasing. In contrast, non-native detritivores and predators are under-represented, with proportions declining. These results are consistent with a mechanism of plant invasions facilitating insect herbivore invasions via niche creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is listed as "vulnerable" due to significant population declines across mainland Asia. Despite existing ecological research, the understanding of the species' habitat suitability, fragmentation, and corridor connectivity remains limited. The present investigation recognizes that, in addition to habitat suitability within its current extent, the species' historical ranges also encompass a significant proportion of suitable habitats. Climate change is expected to exacerbate habitat loss, intensifying fragmentation and reducing the number of viable habitat patches. This study highlights the importance of several transboundary biological corridors, with Southeast Asia predicted to experience the most pronounced connectivity declines, while Bhutan, Nepal, and India are projected to retain more robust ecological networks. To address these challenges, a coordinated conservation strategy is crucial, focusing on mitigating habitat loss and fragmentation as well as addressing the species' shrinking range and increased vulnerability to inbreeding. This study provides critical insights into potential translocation and reintroduction sites, laying the groundwork for a targeted conservation plan designed to protect the clouded leopard across South and Southeast Asia in response to climate change. Terrestrial carnivores, such as the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), are 'vulnerable' and experiencing significant population declines in mainland Asia. Considering the assessed threats, the IUCN has repetitively revised the range of this felid and now characterized it into four distinct categories (extant, possibly extant, possibly extinct, and extinct). Although several ecological works have been accomplished on this enigmatic carnivore, the overall view of its habitat suitability, fragmentation, and corridor connectivity in both present and historical ranges is lacking. Thus, achieving this ecological information under present and future climate scenarios is crucial. The model identified merely 44,033 sq. km falling within the extant range (representing 31.66%) and 20,034 sq. km (8.13%) in the possibly extant range. Fascinatingly, within the historical ranges, an additional 15,264 sq. km (6.58%) has been identified as suitable habitat in the possibly extinct range and 14,022 sq. km (2.38%) in the extinct range. Notably, a total of 25,614 sq. km of suitable habitat is found within designated protected areas across the entire range. Nevertheless, climate change is expected to drive habitat loss of up to 41% (overall IUCN range) for N. nebulosa in both present and historical extent, with habitat patches becoming increasingly fragmented. This is reflected in a projected decline in the number of viable habitat patches (NP) by up to 23.29% in the future. This study also identified 18 transboundary biological corridors for N. nebulosa, with Southeast Asian countries expected to experience the most significant declines in corridor connectivity. In contrast, the South Asian countries (Bhutan, Nepal, and India) are projected to maintain relatively higher connectivity in the future. Nevertheless, a substantial decline in overall mean corridor connectivity is projected in the near future due to the impacts of climate change. This study underscores the urgent need for a coordinated and multifaceted conservation strategy for N. nebulosa, focusing on mitigating habitat loss and fragmentation. Practical measures must be implemented to protect the species' shrinking range, considering its declining corridor networks and heightened vulnerability to inbreeding depression. Moreover, the assessment of habitat suitability both within and beyond the extant range, alongside corridor connectivity measures, provides valuable insights into potential translocation and reintroduction sites for this species. These findings provide a critical foundation for developing a strategic conservation plan tailored to the specific needs of this felid species across South and Southeast Asia, ensuring enhanced climate resilience and mitigating associated threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal personality traits and individual behavioral plasticity can lead to individual differences in ecosystem roles and biotic interactions. The ecosystem-level consequences of individual variation are likely particularly important for large, apex predators who can strongly influence community interactions, yet are understudied. Human activities may favor certain traits within populations and the displacement or loss of certain phenotypes may alter the structure of food webs and reduce ecosystem resilience. We provide a framework for identifying these traits and individual plasticity in wild predators. The outcomes should allow for an exploration of how behavioral diversity can translate to individualized ecosystem roles. Individual behavioral plasticity enables animals to adjust to different scenarios. Yet, personality traits limit this flexibility, leading to consistent interindividual differences in behavior. These individual behavioral traits have the potential to govern community interactions, although testing this is difficult in complex natural systems. For large predators who often exert strong effects on ecosystem functioning, this behavioral diversity may be especially important and lead to individualized ecosystem roles. We present a framework for quantifying individual behavioral plasticity and personality traits of large wild predators, revealing the extent to which certain natural behaviors are governed by these latent traits. The outcomes will reveal how the innate characteristics of wildlife can scale up to affect community interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research evaluated the effect of six temperatures and the duration of exposure to hydration on the embryonic development and egg viability of Salpingogaster nigra Schiner, 1868 and analyzed an artificial diet suitable for adults of this predator. The viability was significantly lower at 10 °C and stabilised significantly from 20 °C upward, fitting to a quadratic equation. The mean embryonic development was 10.31, 8.44, 3.86, 2.18, and 2.04 days and was significantly less at 25 and 30 °C. The lower threshold temperature and the thermal constant were 7.4 °C and 44.2 d degree, respectively. Eggs were unable to complete development without a daily hydration regime. Adults fed with only honey yielded a lower total number of eggs compared to other diets (yeast + honey or inflorescences + honey). The offered diets did not alter the viability of the eggs or the longevity of adults of S. nigra. The results of this study indicated S. nigra egg development and viability was adequately maintained between 20-30 °C and with a daily hydration regime, and an artificial diet of yeast + honey was suitable for adults. This information will improve the efficacy of mass rearing techniques for the different stages of S. nigra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The declining population of otter species in Malaysia, including the Asian small‐clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), smooth‐coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) and hairy‐nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), is primarily attributed to habitat changes. Understanding the ecological aspects of otters, including their diets, is crucial for formulating effective conservation management strategies. To address this knowledge gap, we employed Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) as an alternative approach to enhance our understanding of the species' food chain. Specifically, this study investigated the diets of Asian small‐clawed otters and smooth‐coated otters by analysing an ~130 bp segment of the Cytochrome b (Cytb) gene using Illumina Miniseq platform. The analysis successfully generated 572,311 reads, identifying four families, nine genera and 11 food species consumed by both otter species. Smooth‐coated otters primarily consumed fish (96%) and frogs (4%), whereas Asian small‐clawed otters exclusively fed on fish (100%), with the genus Esomus being the predominant fish genus found in the spraints. The diversity analysis of their diets revealed significant differences between two species (p < 0.05). As a result, DNA metabarcoding provides a reliable method for verifying otter dietary information and can serve as a valuable tool in assessing fish diversity, thus contributing significantly to the management and conservation of otter populations, particularly in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally held that microbes exert primary control over nitrogen availability in temperate forests. Yet the role of soil and litter‐dwelling invertebrates to provide additional control via the breakdown of organic matter is an area of current exploration. Through trophic interactions within soil food webs, predators may indirectly affect prey with cascading effects on litter breakdown and nitrogen availability. The importance of these interactions, however, may be context‐dependent, varying with the stage of forest development and associated decomposer species composition given that young and old forests have vast differences in nitrogen availability, vegetation litter, soil properties and invertebrate functional groups. We examined ground beetle control over soil nitrogen and soil properties using a 68‐day mesocosm experiment that manipulated trophic structure (omnivore + predator beetles, predator beetles, and no beetles) in a young and old forest stand in the northeastern United States. In the young forest, net nitrogen mineralization decreased under predator + omnivore and the bulk soil C:N ratio in the old forest. However, we found no response in either forest context to the predator only treatment. Our study demonstrates the potential for ground beetles to strongly impact nitrogen availability and soil properties in forest ecosystems. Therefore, animal trophic interactions and their contexts must be included in our paradigm of nutrient cycles in temperate forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gvozdarus svetovidovi (Nototheniidae) is the rarest notothenioid fish, represented by only two specimens collected in 1970 and 1988. As it is little known, we present aspects of the cranial osteology of this species and use this, and other features of its morphology, to infer fundamental aspects of its biology. As in other pelagic nototheniids, G. svetovidovi has an elongated neurocranium and jaws but it does not have a paedomorphic skeleton. Although not unique to G. svetovidovi, the bones of the skull have some well-developed ridges for support and possibly for containment of subcutaneous fat. The skeleton is most similar to that of Dissostichus. G. svetovidovi has a high fat content, primarily within the trunk musculature and in a layer over the skull. It is probably neutrally buoyant in mesopelagic waters, where it has been captured at 295–550 m depth north of the Antarctic Slope Front (approximately the shelf break) and south of the southern boundary of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. It likely relies on vision and mechanosensation to detect its prey, including bioluminescent, energy-dense myctophids and krill in this resource-rich area of the Southern Ocean. Strays near shelf waters feed on Pleuragramma antarcticum. G. svetovidovi is unlike all other notothenioids in fundamental aspects of its biology including its habitat, diet and distribution. Although it may be on the path to extinction, if our postulated life history of G. svetovidovi is accurate, it expands the current perception of the bounds of the notothenioid radiation into a locality in the Southern Ocean not previously known to be occupied by this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are already experiencing the rapid pace of environmental perturbation in the Anthropocene, necessitating the development of new tools and techniques for measuring changes in ecosystem dynamics. Sentinel species, from birds to invertebrates, have been used to provide insights into ecosystem function, as leading indicators of risk to human health and as harbingers of future change, with implications for ecosystem structure and function. Here, we offer an update to previous research identifying marine top predators as indicators of ecosystem shifts and examine terrestrial sentinels and the latest research on sentinels of pollution and human health. Using ecosystem sentinels enables rapid response and adaptation to ecosystem variability and environmental change in part because they may be easier to observe and in part because they may serve as leading indicators of ecosystem disruption. While there may not be a given taxon that is best suited as sentinels, we highlight how to select the most effective sentinels, including examples of when sentinel species have been incorporated into management. Choosing a suite of appropriate sentinels both will give insight into ecosystem processes and can help manage changing ecosystems into the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tomato potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, is an invasive pest in Australia, which can cause severe economic loss in the production of Solanaceous crops. As an invasive pest, B. cockerelli may also modify biotic interactions in Australian agricultural and native ecosystems. Resident generalist predators in an area may have the ability to utilize invasive pest species as prey but this will depend on their specific predatory behavior. The extent to which generalist predators learn from their previous dietary experience (i.e., whether they have used a particular species as prey before) and how this impacts subsequent prey choice will influence predator and prey population dynamics after invasion. In this study, one nonnative resident ladybird, Hippodamia variegata, and one native ladybird, Coccinella transversalis, were investigated. Dietary experience with B. cockerelli as a prey species significantly increased preference for the psyllid in a short term (6 h) Petri dish study where a choice of prey was given. Greater suppression of B. cockerelli populations by experienced ladybirds was also observed on glasshouse grown tomato plants. This was presumably due to altered prey recognition by experience. The result of this study suggest the potential to improve the impact of biological control agents on invasive pests by providing early life experience consuming the target species. It may prove valuable for developing improved augmentative release strategies for ladybirds to manage specific insect pest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphids, the important global agricultural pests, harbor abundant resources of symbionts that can improve the host adaptability to environmental conditions, also control the interactions between host aphid and natural enemy, resulting in a significant decrease in efficiency of biological control. The facultative symbiont Serratia symbiotica has a strong symbiotic association with its aphid hosts, a relationship that is known to interfere with host–parasitoid interactions. We hypothesized that Serratia may also influence other trophic interactions by interfering with the physiology and behavior of major predators to provide host aphid defense. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of Serratia on the host aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum and its predator, the ladybeetle Propylaea japonica. First, the prevalence of Serratia in different A. pisum colonies was confirmed by amplicon sequencing. We then showed that harboring Serratia improved host aphid growth and fecundity but reduced longevity. Finally, our research demonstrated that Serratia defends aphids against P. japonica by impeding the predator's development and predation capacity, and modulating its foraging behavior. Our findings reveal that facultative symbiont Serratia improves aphid fitness by disrupting the predation strategy of ladybeetle larvae, offering new insight into the interactions between aphids and their predators, and providing the basis of a new biological control strategy for aphid pests involving the targeting of endosymbionts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most organisms are at risk of being consumed by a predator or getting infected by a parasite at some point in their life. Theoretical constructs such as the landscape of fear (perception of risk) and nonconsumptive effects (NCEs, costly responses sans predation or infection) have been proposed to describe and quantify antipredator and antiparasite responses. How prey/host species identify and respond to these risks determines their survival, reproductive success and, ultimately, fitness. Most studies to date have focused on either predator–prey or parasite–host interactions, yet habitats and ecosystems contain both parasitic and/or predatory species that represent a complex and heterogenous mosaic of risk factors. Here, we experimentally investigated the behavioral responses of a cactophilic fruit fly, Drosophila nigrospiracula, exposed to a range of species that include parasites (ectoparasitic mite), predators (jumping spiders), as well as harmless heterospecifics (nonparasitic mites, ants, and weevils). We demonstrate that D. nigrospiracula can differentiate between threat and non‐threat species, increase erratic movements and decrease velocity in the presence of parasites, but decrease erratic movements and time spent grooming in the presence of predators. Of particular importance, flies could distinguish between parasitic female mites and nonparasitic male mites of the same species, and respond accordingly. We also show that the direction of these NCEs differs when exposed to parasitic mites (i.e., risk of infection) versus spiders (i.e., risk of predation). Given the opposing effects of predation versus infection risk on fly behavior, we discuss potential trade‐offs between parasite and predator avoidance behaviors. Our findings illustrate the complexity of risk assessment in a landscape of fear and the fine‐tuned NCEs that arise in response. Moreover, this study is the first to examine these behavioral NCEs in a terrestrial system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predatory bug Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an important biological control agent for planthoppers, such as Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), and leafhoppers in rice fields (Oryza sativa L., Poaceae). In this study, the sublethal effects of azoxystrobin and difenoconazole, two fungicides extensively used in rice production, on this predatory bug were investigated. The results indicated that exposure to the two fungicides at the third instar had no influence on developmental duration, but difenoconazole resulted in a 25.2% decrease in the lifespan of adult males. When exposed as newly emerged adults, azoxystrobin caused a 33.5% decrease in female longevity. The pre‐oviposition period of azoxystrobin‐treated females mating with azoxystrobin‐treated males was shortened by 44.9%, compared with the control, whereas the pre‐oviposition period of difenoconazole‐treated females mating with control males was lengthened by 32.2% compared with the control group. However, the two fungicides had no effect on fecundity and egg hatchability. Furthermore, the two fungicides did not impact the average consumption of C. lividipennis of N. lugens individuals. They did stimulate the response of C. lividipennis males to rice plants infested by N. lugens in a two‐choice H‐shaped olfactometer test. Also, the predatory capacity of C. lividipennis males was increased after exposure to difenoconazole, whereas the predatory capacity of females was decreased after exposure to the two fungicides. Overall, our results indicated that azoxystrobin and difenoconazole pose no notable risk to C. lividipennis. These findings establish a foundation for the rational and coordinated utilization of fungicides and biological control agents in rice ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Fire-adapted species have evolved to exploit resources in heterogenous landscapes that presumably maximize energy acquisition and minimize energetic expenditure. However, limited empirical work exists demonstrating the explicit energetic mechanisms that drive such adaptive responses to fire across diverse landscapes. Objectives: The California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) appears to benefit from landscape heterogeneity and preferentially uses smaller patches of severely burned forest, a behavior that has been hypothesized as adaptive. Here, we investigate empirical support for this hypothesis. Methods: We leveraged high-resolution GPS tracking and nest video monitoring to examine the hunting success, movement, and nest provisioning of 34 spotted owls in the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mountains, California across burned and unburned landscapes. Results: Regardless of time since fire, individuals avoided foraging directly within moderately or severely burned patches. 1 to 2 years post-fire, individuals had more success capturing prey in unburned forest, and the energy individuals spent moving increased with the proportion of high-severity fire and decreased with the proportion unburned forest. Multiple years after a fire, individuals had more success capturing prey, spent less energy moving, and provisioned more energy to nests in landscapes with more low-severity fire. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that spotted owls are adapted to fire-prone landscapes and that disturbance events within this region’s natural range of variation can ultimately promote hunting and provisioning. As fires deviate from regional norms across the globe, the negative impacts of fire may become more extreme and long-term benefits of fire may degrade for animals in fire-prone landscapes. Examining the mechanistic impacts of disturbance can allow us to better understand animal responses to rapidly changing landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many animals bear conspicuous warning signals that advertise toxin-mediated unpalatability to predators; this is known as aposematism. Frogs in particular have evolved aposematism repeatedly. These so-called "poison frogs" sequester a diverse array of alkaloid toxins into their skin from their diet of small arthropods. The frogs secrete the alkaloids when faced with the threat of predation. Poison frogs are therefore ideal for asking about how unpalatability predicts the evolution of aposematic signals. To evolve alkaloid defenses, poison frogs must withstand the adverse effects of the alkaloids. The mechanisms underlying this alkaloid resistance remain poorly understood. In this review, we synthesize literature to theorize about how alkaloid resistance and aposematism might have evolved. We note goals for research on possible toxin resistance modes in poison frogs (target-site insensitivity, compartmentalization, and detoxification). While recent work exploring the co-evolution of single alkaloids and proteins that support resistance is important, examining the myriad interactions between poison-frog alkaloids and resistance-conferring proteins is essential for a more complete understanding. We conclude by pointing out how answering proximate questions about the molecular basis of poison-frog alkaloid resistance will allow us to answer ultimate questions fundamental to ecology and evolutionary biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The cardiac conduction system in large carnivores, such as the African lion (Panthera leo), represents a significant knowledge gap in both veterinary science and in cardiac electrophysiology. Short QT intervals have been reported from zoo‐kept, anaesthetized lions, and our goal was to record the first ECGs from wild, conscious lions roaming freely, and compare them to zoo‐kept lions under the hypothesis that short QT is unique to zoo‐kept lions. Macroscopic and histological examinations were performed on heart tissue removed from nine healthy zoo lions. ECGs were recorded from the nine anaesthetized zoo‐kept lions, and from 15 anaesthetized and conscious wild lions in Africa. Our histological and topographical description of the lion's heart matched what has previously been published. In conscious lions, the ECG recordings revealed a mean heart rate of 70 ± 4 beats/min, with faster heart rates during the night. PQ and QT intervals were heart rate dependent in the conscious lions. Interestingly, QT intervals recorded in wild lions were markedly longer than QT intervals from zoo lions (398 ± 40 vs. 297 ± 9 ms, respectively; P

Rompin has played an active role in Malaysia's rice production for several decades. However, it also faces a threat, particularly from the hemipteran insect pests. There is limited documentation on the abundance of these insects and their relationship with climatic factors. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the abundance of hemipterans in different growth stages and to understand the effects of climatic factors on their population in rice fields. The study was conducted in farmers' rice fields in Rompin, Pahang, Malaysia, during the main and off-season rice planting. Sweep nets, yellow sticky traps, and yellow pan traps were utilized in each plot. Trapped insects were identified based on the rice planting seasons and growth stages. The trends of climatic factors such as rainfall, temperature, light intensity, and wind speed were analysed and correlated with insect abundance. A total of 23,023 individuals belonging to eight families and eleven species of the hemipteran order were recorded. Nine of these species were pests, namely Leptocorisa oratorius, Recilia dorsalis, Nephotettix virescens, N. nigropictus, Amaurochrous dubius, Nilaparvata lugens, Sogatella furcifera, Nezara viridula, and Scotinophara coarctata. The remaining two species were predators, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis and Polytoxus fuscoviftatus. R. dorsalis, N. lugens, S. furcifera, and A. dubius were found in significantly higher numbers and exceptionally high during rice's late vegetative and early reproductive stages. The maximum temperature significantly increased during the main season, while wind speed increased dramatically during the off-season. Wind speed significantly correlated with N. virescens, S. furcifera, L. oratorius, and A. dubius. On the other hand, rainfall exhibited a significant correlation with L. oratorius. Various pest species and their high populations in this study pose a significant threat to plants due to their preferences for different plant parts and strata.

Cherry slugworm is an important species that is harmful to the leaves of fruit species such as cherry, sour cherry, pear, etc. Its larvae cause damage by feeding on the upper epidermis of the leaf. A key aspect of pest management is identifying the natural enemies of these species. To date, no parasitoid or predator species of this pest have been identified in Türkiye. This study was carried out to identify the natural enemies of the pest that may be present in the natural environment. Studies were carried out in 2021–2023 during the vegetation period (between March and October) in areas of intensive cherry and sour cherry cultivation in the East and Southeast Anatolia regions of Türkiye. As a result of the study, generalist predator species such as Coccinella septempunctata, Oenopia conglobata, Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Episyrphus balteatus (Diptera: Syrphidae) and Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) were detected in the orchards. It was also found that C. carnea larvae feed on those of the cherry slugworm. This study is the first in the world to show C. carnea as a predator of the cherry slugworm. In the future, more research on the natural enemies of this pest is needed to understand the damage caused by Caliroa cerasi and to identify new management strategies, assessing their scientific accuracy and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, we examine the consequences of a predator-prey model that includes a constant harvesting technique in a population of susceptible prey. A particular kind of flipping functional approach is present in our proposed prey-predator system; in this response, the predator consumes on susceptible and sick prey, however it shifts its attention to a new sort of prey when its supply of that kind of prey decreases. By employing boundedness, positivity, equilibrium analysis and stability analysis, the essential mathematical characteristics of the model are explored. Attention is directed on the prey refuge in further explorations of the Hopf bifurcation close to the coexistence equilibrium point. This paper's unique contribution is that it examines the dynamics of predator-prey systems from an eco-epidemiological perspective while simultaneously considering the impacts of prey refuge and constant-rate harvesting. To ascertain the critical values of the bifurcation parameters, if present, and to validate the primary findings, numerical simulations are executed. Our numerical simulations reveal that the presence of prey refuge increases the severity of sickness, which is how the three-species eco-epidemiological system creates chaos. However, we find that both the prey refuge and harvesting can manage the resulting chaotic dynamics.

Here we report the presence of Cybocephalus nipponicus Endrödy-Younga, 1971 from Iran, which has been collected on mulberry in Gilan province, as well as on bitter orange and Japanese spindle in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. The specimens were collected while feeding on scale insects, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti, 1886), Unaspis euonymi (Comstock, 1881) and Lepidosaphes gloveri (Packard, 1869) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Photos of habitus and genitalia with some taxonomic comments are presented.

Abstract Background Assessing the historical dynamics of key food web components is crucial to understand how climate change impacts the structure of Arctic marine ecosystems. Most retrospective stable isotopic studies to date assessed potential ecosystem shifts in the Arctic using vertebrate top predators and filter-feeding invertebrates as proxies. However, due to long life histories and specific ecologies, ecosystem shifts are not always detectable when using these taxa. Moreover, there are currently no retrospective stable isotopic studies on various other ecological and taxonomic groups of Arctic biota. To test whether climate-driven shifts in marine ecosystems are reflected in the ecology of short-living mesopredators, ontogenetic changes in stable isotope signatures in chitinous hard body structures were analysed in two abundant squids (Gonatus fabricii and Todarodes sagittatus) from the low latitude Arctic and adjacent waters, collected between 1844 and 2023. Results We detected a temporal increase in diet and habitat-use generalism (= opportunistic choice rather than specialization), trophic position and niche width in G. fabricii from the low latitude Arctic waters. These shifts in trophic ecology matched with the Atlantification of the Arctic ecosystems, which includes increased generalization of food webs and higher primary production, and the influx of boreal species from the North Atlantic as a result of climate change. The Atlantification is especially marked since the late 1990s/early 2000s. The temporal patterns we found in G. fabricii’s trophic ecology were largely unreported in previous Arctic retrospective isotopic ecology studies. Accordingly, T. sagittatus that occur nowadays in the high latitude North Atlantic have a more generalist diet than in the XIXth century. Conclusions Our results suggest that abundant opportunistic mesopredators with short life cycles (such as squids) are good candidates for retrospective ecology studies in the marine ecosystems, and to identify ecosystem shifts driven by climate change. Enhanced generalization of Arctic food webs is reflected in increased diet generalism and niche width in squids, while increased abundance of boreal piscivorous fishes is reflected in squids’ increased trophic position. These findings support opportunism and adaptability in squids, which renders them as potential winners of short-term shifts in Arctic ecosystems.

Orthetrum sabina is one of the most common dragonflies found in Nepal, but its feeding behavior has not often been reported from there. An example of this species preying on Neurothemis tullia is reported from Maidi Lake, Nepal. This observation was made during a field survey of Odonata using direct observation along transects around the lake. It adds to our knowledge of the species' feeding behavior, elaborating the previous findings and providing scope for further ecological studies on Odonata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Small copepods (<2 mm) compose an important constituent of the Arctic marine food web, but their trophic interactions remain largely unexplored, partly due to methodological limitations. Methods We here characterize the prey of the abundant cyclopoid Oithona similis , harpacticoid Microsetella norvegica and calanoid Microcalanus spp. from the Arctic Barents Sea and Nansen Basin during four seasons using brute force prey metabarcoding of the 18S rRNA gene. Key findings Chaetognaths were unexpectedly the most consistently identified taxa and composed 47% of all prey reads. Some taxa were seasonally important, including diatoms in April–May (43%), dinoflagellates in December (15%) and March (17%), and urochordates in August (20%). Compositional differences among species were also discernible, and the M. norvegica diet was significantly different from both O. similis and Microcalanus spp. The diets varied nevertheless more with season than species despite the inherent trophic traits that distinguish the ambush-predator O. similis , chemosensoric particle-chaser M. norvegica and current-feeding Microcalanus spp. Conclusions Our results thus indicate that dietary plasticity is common in small Arctic copepods, regardless of their behaviors or strategies for finding sustenance. We further hypothesize that such plasticity is an important adaptation in systems where prey availability is highly seasonal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obscure mealybug, Pseudococcus viburni, is a serious agricultural pest worldwide. The biological control in commercial fields of P. viburni relies on predators and parasitoids, in particular the generalist coccidophagous ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and the specific parasitoid Acerophagus flavidulus. However, these two natural enemies can establish an intraguild predation interaction, reducing the efficiency of biological control. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri may negatively impact the population dynamics of A. flavidulus if it feeds indifferently on healthy and parasitized mealybugs. With the aim of improving the biological control of P. viburni, in this work, we studied the feeding behavior of C. montrouzieri in the absence or presence of A. flavidulus larvae of different age within mealybugs, in laboratory conditions. Subsequently, with the data obtained, we mathematically modeled the dynamics of P. viburni to study the impact on P. viburni control of different field implementation schedules for the release of ladybird and parasitoid populations. The ladybird fed on parasitized P. viburni but reduced its consumption when they were infested by parasitoids aged of 4 days or more. Modeling results suggest that these feeding preferences of predators may have a positive impact on pest control, that releasing predators and parasitoids together is in general more effective than releasing them independently, and that releasing highly effective predators alone could be the best choice. Modeling results also provide information on different release schedules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is one of the most important coffee pests, and is present in almost all countries producing this crop, causing annual losses of US$350 million. Natural factors regulate H. hampei populations in coffee crops. Ecological life table analysis is a robust tool that allows the estimation of the mortality caused by these factors. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the critical stage and the key mortality factors affecting H. hampei in the field. Data for constructing life tables were collected over 2 years in six coffee plantations in the regions of Paula Cândido and Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The average mortality of H. hampei was 75.34% ± 5.85%. The mortality at each developmental stage was 24.32% ± 2.83% (eggs), 7.29% ± 1.01% (first instar), 11.58% ± 1.46% (second instar), 9.68% ± 1.10% (third instar), 7.45% ± 1.01% (pupa), and 15.02% ± 1.29% (adult; n = 124). The mortality factors observed and quantified in this study were parasitism by Prorops nasuta (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), predation by ants (Crematogaster spp., Pheidole spp. and Solenopsis spp.), physiological disorders and fungal infection by Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. The critical mortality stage of H. hampei was the adult stage. The key factors for mortality of H. hampei adults were predatory ants, followed by B. bassiana and malformations (these insects had deformities in the head, wings, legs, or abdomen). This information is essential to conserve the activities of natural enemies and, thus maintain H. hampei natural mortality factors in coffee plantations, reducing damage to the crops and the need for excessive insecticide interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compound effects of anthropogenic disturbances on wildlife emerge through a complex network of direct responses and species interactions. Land‐use changes driven by energy and forestry industries are known to disrupt predator–prey dynamics in boreal ecosystems, yet how these disturbance effects propagate across mammal communities remains uncertain. Using structural equation modeling, we tested disturbance‐mediated pathways governing the spatial structure of multipredator multiprey boreal mammal networks across a landscape‐scale disturbance gradient within Canada's Athabasca oil sands region. Linear disturbances had pervasive direct effects, increasing site use for all focal species, except black bears and threatened caribou, in at least one landscape. Conversely, block (polygonal) disturbance effects were negative but less common. Indirect disturbance effects were widespread and mediated by caribou avoidance of wolves, tracking of primary prey by subordinate predators, and intraguild dependencies among predators and large prey. Context‐dependent responses to linear disturbances were most common among prey and within the landscape with intermediate disturbance. Our research suggests that industrial disturbances directly affect a suite of boreal mammals by altering forage availability and movement, leading to indirect effects across a range of interacting predators and prey, including the keystone snowshoe hare. The complexity of network‐level direct and indirect disturbance effects reinforces calls for increased investment in addressing habitat degradation as the root cause of threatened species declines and broader ecosystem change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Bottom-up and top-down controls regulate the structure and function of ecosystems through trophic resources and consumption pressure, respectively. The relative contributions of both controls over tropical sponges have been documented; however, it remains unknown how these controls regulate sponge populations in temperate environments. We focused on the globally distributed sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis inhabiting two tidal channels in San Antonio Bay (Argentine Patagonia) with different anthropogenic nutrient loads and experimentally tested the relative contribution of spongivores (i.e., sponge consumers) and trophic resources (i.e., dissolved inorganic nutrients and POC proxies) in sponge growth. The presence of spongivores was evaluated, as well as the relevance of trophic resource concentrations in the sponge abundance pattern. Hymeniacidon perlevis was more abundant (5.42% vs. 1.29% in cover), grew more (39.6% vs. −10.9% in volume, 89.5% vs 13.9% in surface area), and experienced less biomass reduction (−19.9% vs. −46.2% in dry weight) in the channel with the highest concentration of trophic resources compared to the non-enriched channel, while spongivores had a negligible effect. Among trophic resources, nitrate concentration was the one that best explained the abundance pattern of H. perlevis, with sponge cover changing by 1.02% for each µmol L− change in nitrate concentration. Overall, our results show that the population of H. perlevis is mostly bottom-up controlled. The role of a microbial symbiotic pathway in the fulfillment of the nutritional requirements of H. perlevis is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study plant bugs fauna, investigations were carried out during 2021-2023 in hazelnut orchards in Guilan province, Iran. Insect samples were collected by using an insect net by hitting the branches of hazelnut trees and sweeping the host plants grown at the base of hazelnut trees in hazelnut orchards. A total of 23 species from the subfamilies Mirinae (13 species), Orthotylinae (5 species), Phylinae (3 species) and Deraeocorinae (2 species) were collected and identified. Among collected species, 9 species are herbivores (39%), 12 species predators (52%), and 2 species have dual predator/herbivory behavior (9%). The following identified species has been listed based on subfamilies. They are reported for the first time from the hazelnut orchards of Guilan province. In order to facilitate the identifications, a brief description and digital images of the dorsal habitus of each species were prepared. This study has been conducted for the first time in Iran’s hazelnut cultivation areas. Deraeocorinae Douglas & Scott, 1865: Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens (Schilling, 1837), Deraeocoris (Camptobrochis) serenus (Douglas & Scott, 1868), Mirinae Hahn, 1833: Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze, 1778), Adelphocoris ticinensis (Meyer-Dür, 1843), Charagochilus gyllenhali (Fallén, 1807), Closterotomus costae (Reuter, 1888), Megaloceroea recticornis (Geoffroy, 1785), Mermitelocerus schmidtii (Fieber, 1836), Miris persicus (Reuter 1876), Phytocoris (Ktenocoris) varipes Boheman, 1852, Phytocoris (Ktenocoris) insignis Reuter, 1876, Phytocoris (Exophytocoris) scitulus scitulus Reuter, 1908, Stenodema (Brachystira) calcarata (Fallén, 1807), Stenodema (Stenodema) laevigata (Linnaeus, 1758), Stenotus binotatus (Fabricius, 1794), Orthotylinae Van Duzee, 1916: Globiceps (Globiceps) coryli Putshkov, 1970, Blepharidopterus angulatus (Fallén, 1807), Blepharidopterus diaphanus (Kirschbaum, 1856), Malacocoris chlorizans (Panzer, 1794), Reuteria kiritshenkoi Muminov, 1964, Phylinae Douglas & Scott, 1865: Orthonotus rufifrons (Fallén, 1807), Pilophorus confusus (Kirschbaum, 1856), Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) fulvipennis (Kirschbaum, 1856). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The jujube lace bug, Monosteira alticarinata Ghauri is one of the important pests of jujube in South Khorasan province which gained great economic importance in recent years. To study the seasonal population fluctuations of M. alticarinata and its natural enemies, sampling was done weekly from the start to the end of the cropping season during 2020-2021. Jujube leaf was selected as sampling unit. Ten jujube trees were selected, at each sampling time200 leaves (20 leaves from each tree) were collected from different geographical directions and the number of different biological stages of the jujube lace bug as well as its natural enemies were counted using a stereomicroscope. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between lace bug density and temperature and relative humidity as variables. The highest population density of egg, nymph, and adult lace bug stages were 394.3±69.09, 114.4±20.5, and 42.4±6.92 on August 15th, September 5th, and August 1st, respectively in 2020 and 434.9±75.31, 126±20.43, and 40±11.50 on August 9th, August 30th, and September 20th, respectively in 2021. In both years, a positive and significant correlation was observed between jujube lace bug total population density (r2020= 0.603, P2020=0.0001 and r2021= 0.475, P2021=0.08) with temperature, however the correlation was negative and non-significant for relative humidity (r2020=-0.265, P2020=0.175 and r2021= -0.349, P2021=0.059). In total, seven ladybird species, one lacewing species, and one parasitic mite species were collected and identified as natural enemies of the jujube lace bug in Birjand. The results of present study can be used in the integrated management of the jujube lace bug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes are known to choose oviposition habitats actively based on their suitability for survival of their offspring. They thus avoid laying eggs in dangerous habitats with aquatic predators through detection of their cues. Visual, tactile, and chemical cues emitted by certain predators have been shown to reduce oviposition in some mosquitoes, which in turn may affect their adult population sizes. However, those tests tend to be limited to species from temperate regions. Moreover, mosquito oviposition response to predator cues have been shown to be predator specific, but this has not been investigated for many potential predators worldwide. In the African subtropics, temporary ponds can be important mosquito breeding habitats and the same habitats are also used by a group of specialized killifish that can survive dry periods using drought resistant eggs. Although they are reported as mosquito predators, it is unknown whether mosquitoes actively avoid laying eggs in ponds with annual killifish. We investigated this using the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the free and caged killifish Nothobranchius neumanni in the outdoor mesocosm experiments in Tanzania. We found that Cx. quinquefasciatus had 71% lower oviposition in mesocosms with free swimming killifish and 68% lower oviposition in mesocosms with caged killifish. We conclude that predator-released chemical cues alone are enough to explain the observed responses. If the cues can be isolated and chemically identified can be developed into a biological mosquito control strategy and used to safeguard public health in areas where mosquito borne diseases are endemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Natural predators such as the chrysopid Chrysoperla lucasina occur in agroecosystems, where they naturally contribute to containing pest populations. Their biological properties can be leveraged by mass rearing in the laboratory and releasing them in the field, where they can express their predatory potential against pest species. To ensure the preservation of these beneficial species, plant protection products should be harmless to them. Accordingly, the use of biopesticides based on microbial entomopathogens, such as the fungus Beauveria bassiana strain ATCC 74040, is promoted as they are generally regarded as safe to non-target species. However, such safety should be demonstrated case by case. In addition, safety should be ensured for both the wild species and those released for biological control. This study involved experiments including laboratory-reared and wild C. lucasina larvae and determined only slight or no effects of B. bassiana on their survival, immature development, adult emergence, and reproductive potential. These findings highlight the compatibility of the predator and this strain of B. bassiana, emphasising the opportunity for their combined use in environmentally friendly pest management strategies. The need to reduce the impact of plant protection products on agroecosystems fosters the use of augmentative biological control involving the release of beneficial species into the field, the employment of entomopathogenic microbials, and the protection of naturally occurring biocontrol agents. This study aimed to investigate the compatibility of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana with the generalist insect predator Chrysoperla lucasina, in comparative experiments involving a laboratory-reared and a wild chrysopid strain. The larvae of the predators were exposed to different concentrations of fungal conidia up to a concentration of 107 conidia/mL by contact and ingestion. The treated insects showed only slight differences in terms of survival and immature development time compared to the untreated control insects. A significant decrease in the proportion of the male adults of C. lucasina that emerged from the laboratory-reared larvae that were exposed to higher concentrations of the fungus suggested a potentially different susceptibility between the sexes. A slightly lower adult emergence rate was observed in the wild strain, while no significant differences were recorded in the adult reproductive performance. These findings indicate that the B. bassiana strain ATCC 74040, at concentrations commonly used in the field, did not pose a significant risk to C. lucasina and can be safely used in combination with this predator for sustainable pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of domestic animals in the wilderness has a negative effect on wildlife populationsor; for instance, in addition to habitat loss, urbanization, and coastal light pollution, sea turtles also suffer from another threat: the predation of their eggs, hatchlings, and even female nesters by domestic, feral, and/or wild animals. Domestic dogs are a considerable concern for turtles in nesting areas, due to their free-ranging lifestyle and the absence of predators. This study sought to evaluate the nest density and rates of sea turtle predation caused mainly by canids: foxes (native predator) and dogs (introduced predator) in the nesting areas of Southern Bahia, Brazil. Predation data was collected during field surveys and by using camera traps and hair traps installed in nests. During the sampling period, an average of 46 nests were laid by three sea turtle species: Caretta caretta, Eretmochelys imbricata, and Lepidochelys olivacea; 46.4% were lost due to predation or inundation caused by the tides. Canine populations on the island have an evident impact on sea turtle nests. Thus, it is crucial to design and implement environmental education programs and management plans with the local community to help reduce human-made and natural loss of nests and safeguard sea turtle populations and their habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2009, we determined the effects of the enantiomeric composition of the kairomone, α-pinene, on trap catches of arboreal beetles (Coleoptera) in stands of eastern pine trees with resin dominated by (+)-α-pinene. We hypothesized that the responses of beetles would correlate with the predominant enantiomer of α-pinene found in host pines. Lures of (+)-, racemic (±), and (−)-α-pinene were added separately to ethanol-baited multiple-funnel traps. Species such as Monarthrum mali (Fitch), Dendroctonus terebrans (Olivier), Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff), and Pachylobius picivorus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) showed a preference for traps co-baited with (–)-α-pinene. α-Pinene enhanced attraction of Hylastes salebrosus Eichhoff, Hylastes porculus Erickson and Hylastes tenuis Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to ethanol-baited traps with no effects from enantiomeric composition of α-pinene. The attraction of the ambrosia beetles, Xyleborinus saxesenii (Ratzeburg) and Dryoxylon onoharaense (Murayama) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to ethanol-baited traps was interrupted by the addition of α-pinene, regardless of enantiomeric composition. Species such as Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford), Cnestus mutilatus (Blandford) and Stenoscelis brevis (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were unaffected by the presence of α-pinene. Trap catches of some species of longhorn beetles and bark beetle predators (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Cleridae, Elateridae, Histeridae, and Trogossitidae) were increased by the addition of α-pinene, although results varied by location. Platysoma spp. (Coleoptera: Histeridae) showed a marked preference for traps co-baited with (+)-α-pinene in Florida and Georgia. In summary, we found that the enantiomeric composition of α-pinene in hosts was not a good predictor of enantiomeric preferences by beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eurypterids—Palaeozoic marine and freshwater arthropods commonly known as sea scorpions—repeatedly evolved to remarkable sizes (over 0.5 m in length) and colonized continental aquatic habitats multiple times. We compiled data on the majority of eurypterid species and explored several previously proposed explanations for the evolution of giant size in the group, including the potential role of habitat, sea surface temperature and dissolved sea surface oxygen levels, using a phylogenetic comparative approach with a new tip-dated tree. There is no compelling evidence that the evolution of giant size was driven by temperature or oxygen levels, nor that it was coupled with the invasion of continental aquatic environments, latitude or local faunal diversity. Eurypterid body size evolution is best characterized by rapid bursts of change that occurred independently of habitat or environmental conditions. Intrinsic factors played a major role in determining the convergent origin of gigantism in eurypterids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus) is a large, apex predator found in temperate waters around the world. Yet data on their distribution are limited, with reports of species occurrence typically restricted to specific bays or estuaries where they have been historically observed in high seasonal abundances. The Puget Sound is located in the southern portion of the Salish Sea, a large estuary spanning the border between northwestern Washington state, USA and southwestern British Columbia, Canada, and serves as an economic, cultural, and ecological hub. Until recently, there was only one verified record of broadnose sevengill sharks in the Salish Sea and none in the Puget Sound. However, our recent multi-agency collaborative effort revealed the presence of adult and sub-adult broadnose sevengill sharks in South Puget Sound, extending their previously known range hundreds of kilometers and into a new ecosystem. This work represents the first evidence of a significant presence of these apex sharks within the Salish Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal occurrence of color variations of Harmonia axyridis (3582 heads in total) were studied from the Horqin district, Tongliao City in 2018 and 2019. A total of 105 color variations were found, including 96 non-melanic variations and 9 melanic variations, among of them 78 new record color variations for this place. From the perspective of seasonal distribution, there were 49 color variations in summer and 87 in autumn. The types and individual number of 19- spot variation were the largest among all variations. The proportion of high spot type (16-19 spot) of non-melanic variations was significantly higher than that of low spot (0-7 spot) and medium spot (8-15 spot) in summer and autumn. The proportions of low and medium spot were significantly higher in summer, while the proportion of high spot type was significantly higher in autumn in the same type. The occurrence frequencies of each spot on elytra was higher in autumn than in summer, but the order of probability was roughly the same in summer and autumn, with the highest probability of spot 3 and the lowest probability of spot 1/2 in non-melanic variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agroecosystems, arthropod communities may be influenced by bottom-up forces induced by environmental variations (e.g., fertilization) through the modification of plant traits. The way bottom-up forces affect the second trophic level is well documented, but how these effects cascade to the third trophic level is less understood. We aimed to understand: 1) how bottom-up effects vary between natural enemies with contrasted ecology, i.e., parasitoids and predators; and 2) how the diet regime of the predators affected the intensity of bottom-up effects. We set-up a lab experiment measuring the effects of reduced fertilization (from standard rates to no fertilization) on tri-trophic systems in tomato. The selected herbivores are frequent pests on tomato systems (Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Bemisia tabaci and Tuta absoluta). The respective parasitoids were Aphidius ervi and Encarsia formosa, and the respective predators Adalia bipunctata (carnivorous), Macrolophus pygmaeus (omnivorous), Dicyphus errans (omnivorous) and Chrysoperla carnea (carnivorous). We recorded plant growth and leaf carbon and nitrogen content, herbivore fecundity as well as various parasitoid/predator traits including development, longevity, reproduction and biocontrol efficacy. We found evidence of diluted bottom-up forces through trophic levels depending on the herbivore types, with variable but overall marginally positive effects of reducing fertilization from high to intermediate levels on host quality and biocontrol efficacy. Parasitoids were overall less affected than predators. This work offers perspectives in the framework of Integrated Pest Management where reduced fertilization may help better control pest populations without significant impacts on plant growth and thus yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in biological pest control using ants in agroforestry and agricultural systems has increased in recent decades due to the diversity and abundance of these insects in different ecosystems. Biological pest control has emerged as an alternative to reduce the impact of production on agroecosystems, and ants play a crucial role in this context. Therefore, this study aimed, based on an extensive and rigorous literature review, to describe the potential of ants as biological control agents, as well as the pests that have been targeted by this control. The search was carried out between July and November 2023, using databases such as Lilacs, Scielo, and Google Scholar. The selected descriptors were "Predatory ants", "Natural enemy ants", and "Chemical defense ants", used in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. These terms were used in isolation and with the Boolean operator "AND". A total of 47 articles published between 1976 and 2023 were reviewed. The results showed that 34 genera and 70 species of ants have potential for use in biological control. Among the most notable genera are Camponotus, Crematogaster, Oecophylla, Pheidole, Solenopsis, and Wasmannia. Their role as biological control agents can be complementary, contributing to the maintenance and balance of agroecosystems through pest predation, which can reach 100% efficiency. The predatory potential of ants has been verified, with an emphasis on biological control against invertebrate pests of cultivated plants. Among the pests potentially controlled by ants are mites, coleopterans, fruit flies, bedbugs, lepidopterans, thrips, mollusks, and other ants. The scientific literature already contains robust evidence proving the potential of ants as biological control agents, especially for invertebrate pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Food security and environmental sustainability are two hot topics nowadays. Chemical pesticides used with no discretion threaten human health and ecosystem functioning and, thus, ecological alternatives for herbivorous pest control are required. An environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides is biological control—the use of natural enemies to control pest populations. Ladybirds (known as ladybugs in North America) are iconic biological control agents used against several herbivorous pests, such as aphids and scale insects, among others. However, small-sized ladybirds such as Scymnus are still poorly studied, and there is only one case of a biological control program using species in this genus. In the Azores archipelago (Portugal), 30% of ladybird species are small, but present in high population densities; therefore, despite their size, their ability to help to regulate prey population densities is expected to be important. In this work, we studied the life cycle of Scymnus nubilus on two new prey species: aphids that attack agricultural and forestry plants. The biological performance of the ladybird predator on the new prey tested was the best obtained to date. Our results agree with other studies focusing on the use of Scymnus ladybirds as biocontrol agents and suggest that the predator can contribute to the control of aphid pests. Life tables are an important tool to forecast the performance of biological control agents used in pest management programs, and they are often assessed in terms of population growth. In the present study, the suitability of the aphids Aphis fabae Scopoli and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) for the ladybird predator Scymnus nubilus Mulsant was assessed for the first time. For this, we evaluated and compared the life history traits of immature individuals and adults of the predator fed single-aphid diets and the consequences of the single-aphid diets for the demographic parameters. Scymnus nubilus that were fed A. fabae were significantly more fecund and presented a shorter immature development time than those fed M. persicae. The predators fed A. fabae had a significantly higher net reproductive rate, an intrinsic and finite rate of increase, while their doubling time was significantly lower than that of those fed M. persicae. The aphid species used in this study are new additions to the essential prey list of the ladybird, with the predator presenting a better biological performance than that found on the previously known essential prey species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The predatory insects Macrolophus pygmaeus Ramber (Heteroptera: Miridae) and Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) are important biological control agents used commercially for the control of main pests in greenhouses, such as Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). In this study, we investigated the predation efficacy of young and old females and males of the two mirid bugs, M. pygmaeus and N. tenuis, when feeding on eggs of T. absoluta on tomato leaves. Young females of M. pygmaeus exhibited a higher predation efficiency compared to old ones, whereas males displayed a consistently low efficiency of predation irrespective of their age. Both young females and males of N. tenuis displayed a similarly high predation efficiency, although the old females exhibited a higher efficiency of predation compared to their male counterparts, but lower than the efficacy of the M. pygmaeus individuals. Our findings indicate that the two predatory species have different functional response characteristics to their prey depending mainly on their sex and age which may influence their efficacy as biological control agents. The predatory mirids Macrolophus pygmaeus Ramber (Heteroptera: Miridae) and Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) are used for the biological control of Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and other pests in tomato greenhouses. The functional response of 1-day-old (young) and 10-day-old (old) adult females and males of M. pygmaeus and N. tenuis on eggs of T. absoluta was determined on tomato at two temperatures (20 °C and 25 °C) and LD 16:8. Females of M. pygmaeus exhibited higher predation efficiency than males at both tested temperatures. Young M. pygmaeus females had a higher efficiency than old ones, whereas males had a low efficiency irrespective of age. The predation efficiency of N. tenuis was high (but lower than M. pygmaeus) in both young females and males, although old females had a higher efficiency than the respective males. Our results show that the two predatory species have different functional response characteristics to their prey depending mainly on sex and age, which may affect their role as biological control agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report the presence of Cybocephalus nipponicus Endrödy-Younga, 1971 from Iran, which has been collected on mulberry in Gilan province, as well as on bitter orange and Japanese spindle in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. The specimens were collected while feeding on scale insects, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti, 1886), Unaspis euonymi (Comstock, 1881) and Lepidosaphes gloveri (Packard, 1869) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Photos of habitus and genitalia with some taxonomic comments are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]