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Several European and North American countries have started releasing the Japanese knotweed psyllid, Aphalara itadori (Shinji) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), to control the Japanese knotweed, Reynoutria japonica Houtt. (Polygonaceae), and its relatives, which are among the worst invasive exotic plants. However, establishing populations of the currently released strains in the field has not been successful, desiring newly collected lineages. Moreover, little is known about the microbiome of the current strains, which potentially impacts properties as biocontrol agents. Hence, this study analyzed the microbiota of an A. itadori strain newly collected on Honshu Island, Japan, along with related species of the family Aphalaridae, using amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. The localization of symbionts identified in A. itadori was further analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The results demonstrated that the A. itadori bacteriome, a specialized organ for microbial symbiosis, maintains a dual symbiotic system with the primary symbiont "Candidatus Carsonella ruddii" (Gammaproteobacteria: Oceanospirillales: Halomonadaceae) and the secondary symbiont Sodalis sp. (Gammaproteobacteria: Enterobacterales: Pectobacteriaceae), suggesting that they are evolutionarily stable obligate mutualists for A. itadori. The central area of the bacteriome containing Sodalis comprised uninucleate bacteriocytes with nuclei larger than those of bacteriocytes harboring Carsonella. This observation contrasted previous reports on various psyllid lineages in which secondary symbionts are housed in a central syncytium with nuclei smaller than those of bacteriocytes for Carsonella. No known plant pathogens or parasitic manipulators of insect reproduction were identified in the analyzed A. itadori strain, indicating its suitability as a biocontrol agent, posing a minimum risk to the ecosystem. Besides distinct Carsonella lineages, Sodalis independently acquired by Craspedolepta miyatakeai Klimaszewski and an ambiguous Enterobacterales symbiont in Epheloscyta kalopanacis Loginova were identified. Only Carsonella was found in Togepsylla matsumurana Kuwayama. These results indicate repeated infections and replacements of bacterial symbionts during the evolution of Psylloidea, providing deeper insights into the microbe‐psyllid interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past two decades have witnessed a rapid increase in the genomic sequencing of parasitoid wasps, amassing a rich dataset for detailed studies. Genome size variability in parasitoid wasps is linked to the dynamic evolution of transposable elements. Genomic studies have discovered that a number of genomic changes may be linked to key traits in parasitoid wasps, such as reduced body size, host range shift, and sex determination. The genomic data provide robust support for studying the diversity and evolution of parasitic effectors, including venoms and polydnaviruses. Deeper genomic research is poised to provide insights into the evolution of parasitoid diversity, and the genomic knowledge obtained could be used for enhancing the application of parasitoid wasps in biological control. Parasitoid wasps represent a group of parasitic insects with high species diversity that have played a pivotal role in biological control and evolutionary studies. Over the past 20 years, developments in genomics have greatly enhanced our understanding of the biology of these species. Technological leaps in sequencing have facilitated the improvement of genome quality and quantity, leading to the availability of hundreds of parasitoid wasp genomes. Here, we summarize recent progress in parasitoid wasp genomics, focusing on the evolution of genome size (GS) and the genomic basis of several key traits. We also discuss the contributions of genomics in studying venom evolution and endogenization of viruses. Finally, we advocate for increased sequencing and functional research to better understand parasitoid biology and enhance biological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the population dynamics of whitefly Bemisia tabaci and its natural enemies on cotton cultivars. The study examines the population of whitefly adults and maximum parasitization of whitefly nymphs in Desi, American and Bt cotton cultivars, as well as its natural enemies, predators like coccinellids and spiders. It evaluates the influence of weather patterns including maximum and minimum temperature and wind velocity on whitefly buildup.

Soybeans are a valuable crop in many countries of the world. To obtain stable yields, it is necessary to consider the activities of arthropods, both beneficial and destructive. The results of this study indicate high biodiversity. Most of the insects that feed on soy are polyphagous. In the years favorable for their development, omnivorous pests pose a serious threat to soybeans. The species composition of arthropods on soybeans of the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories of the Russian Federation during the years of the study was represented by 212 species (210 species of insects and 2 species of mites), including 101 species of phytophagous insects, which accounted for 48.5% of the total fauna and 109 species of entomophagous insects (51.7%). Most of the entomophages were parasitic Hymenoptera belonging to such families as Ichneumonidae, Braconidae, Aphidiidae, Eurytomidae, Ormyridae, Pteromalidae, Encyrtidae, Eupelmidae, Eulophidae, Elasmidae, Scelionidae, Platygastridae, and Chrysididae. The most numerous phytophagous insects damaging soybeans belonged to the Hemiptera order (34 out of 101 species of phytophages). The Lepidoptera order in the soybean agrocenosis was represented by 28 species (13.4% of the total fauna and 28.0% of the destructive fauna). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pyrethroids are natural organic compounds extracted from flowers of pyrethrums and commonly used as domestic and commercial insecticides. Although it is effective in insect and parasitic control, its associated toxicity, including spermotoxicity, remains a challenge globally. Currently, the available reports on the effect of pyrethroids on semen quality are conflicting, hence an evaluation of its detrimental effect is pertinent. This study conducts a detailed systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of pyrethroids on sperm quality. Materials and methods: The present study was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Using a pre-defined strategic protocol, an internet search was done using combined text words. The criteria for eligibility were selected based on Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, and Study Designs (PECO) framework, and relevant data were collected. Appraisal was done using The Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool for the evaluation of the Risk of Bias and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group guidelines for the certainty of evidence. A quantitative meta-analysis was conducted with the Review Manager (RevMan). Results: Only 12 out of the 4, 050 studies screened were eligible for inclusion in this study. The eligible studies were from China (4), Japan (3), Poland (3), and United States (2). All the eligible studies were cross-sectional. A total of 2, 050 male subjects were included in the meta-analysis. Pyrethroid exposure significantly reduced sperm motility. Region-stratified subgroup analyses revealed that pyrethroid significantly reduced sperm motility among men in Poland and United States, and decreased sperm count among men in Japan. Pyrethroid exposure also reduced sperm concentration among men in Poland but increased sperm concentration among men in the United States. Conclusion: Although the study revealed inconsistent evidence on the detrimental effect of pyrethroids on semen quality, the findings showed that pyrethroids have deleterious potentials on sperm motility, count, and concentration. Studies focusing on the assessment of semen quality in pyrethroid-exposed men, especially at specific varying levels of exposure, and employing prospective cohort studies or controlled cross-sectional designs are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Innate immune responses can be activated by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), danger signals released by damaged tissues, or the absence of self-molecules that inhibit immunity. As PAMPs are typically conserved across broad groups of pathogens but absent from the host, it is unclear whether they allow hosts to recognize parasites that are phylogenetically similar to themselves, such as parasitoid wasps infecting insects. Results: Parasitoids must penetrate the cuticle of Drosophila larvae to inject their eggs. In line with previous results, we found that the danger signal of wounding triggers the differentiation of specialized immune cells called lamellocytes. However, using oil droplets to mimic infection by a parasitoid wasp egg, we found that this does not activate the melanization response. This aspect of the immune response also requires exposure to parasite molecules. The unidentified factor enhances the transcriptional response in hemocytes and induces a specific response in the fat body. Conclusions: We conclude that a combination of danger signals and the recognition of nonself molecules is required to activate Drosophila's immune response against parasitic insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic studies of nematodes have been dominated by Caenorhabditis elegans as a model species. A lack of genomic resources has limited the expansion of genetic research to other groups of nematodes. Here, we report a draft genome assembly of a mermithid nematode, Mermis nigrescens. Mermithidae are insect parasitic nematodes with hosts including a wide range of terrestrial arthropods. We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the whole genome of M. nigrescens using nanopore long reads and 10X Chromium link reads. The assembly is 524 Mb in size consisting of 867 scaffolds. The N50 value is 2.42 Mb, and half of the assembly is in the 30 longest scaffolds. The assembly BUSCO score from the eukaryotic database (eukaryota_odb10) indicates that the genome is 86.7% complete and 5.1% partial. The genome has a high level of heterozygosity (6.6%) with a repeat content of 83.98%. mRNA-seq reads from different sized nematodes (≤2 cm, 3.5–7 cm, and >7 cm body length) representing different developmental stages were also generated and used for the genome annotation. Using ab initio and evidence-based gene model predictions, 12,313 protein-coding genes and 24,186 mRNAs were annotated. These genomic resources will help researchers investigate the various aspects of the biology and host–parasite interactions of mermithid nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, multiple studies have suggested that the secondary metabolites produced by plants against herbivorous insects could be used as biopesticides. However, as the molecular mechanism of action of these compounds remains unknown, it is difficult to predict how they would affect non-target insects; thus, their innocuity needs to be clarified. Here, we investigate, from the molecular level to the organism, the responses of a useful parasitic insect Nasonia vitripennis (Walker, 1836) being exposed at the pupae stage for 48 h (up to 6 days) to sublethal doses (5 µg/L and 500 µg/L) of 2-Dodecanone. 2-Dodecanone altered the gene expression of genes related to ecdysone-related pathways, biotransformation, and cell homeostasis. A significant induction of ecdysone response-genes (EcR, usp, E78, Hr4, Hr38) was detected, despite no significant differences in ecdysteroid levels. Regarding the cell homeostasis processes, the gene l(2)efl was differentially altered in both experimental conditions, and a dose-dependent induction of hex81 was observed. 2-Dodecanone also triggered an induction of Cyp6aQ5 activity. Finally, 2-Dodecanone exposure had a significant effect on neither development time, energy reserves, nor egg-laying capacity; no potential genotoxicity was detected. For the first time, this study shows evidence that 2-Dodecanone can modulate gene expression and interfere with the ecdysone signalling pathway in N. vitripennis. This could lead to potential endocrine alterations and highlight the suitability of this organism to improve our general understanding of the molecular effects of plant defences in insects. Our findings provide new insights into the toxicity of 2-Dodecanone that could potentially be explored in other species and under field conditions for plant protection and pest management as a means to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybeans are a valuable crop in many countries of the world. To obtain stable yields, it is necessary to consider the activities of arthropods, both beneficial and destructive. The results of this study indicate high biodiversity. Most of the insects that feed on soy are polyphagous. In the years favorable for their development, omnivorous pests pose a serious threat to soybeans. The species composition of arthropods on soybeans of the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories of the Russian Federation during the years of the study was represented by 212 species (210 species of insects and 2 species of mites), including 101 species of phytophagous insects, which accounted for 48.5% of the total fauna and 109 species of entomophagous insects (51.7%). Most of the entomophages were parasitic Hymenoptera belonging to such families as Ichneumonidae, Braconidae, Aphidiidae, Eurytomidae, Ormyridae, Pteromalidae, Encyrtidae, Eupelmidae, Eulophidae, Elasmidae, Scelionidae, Platygastridae, and Chrysididae. The most numerous phytophagous insects damaging soybeans belonged to the Hemiptera order (34 out of 101 species of phytophages). The Lepidoptera order in the soybean agrocenosis was represented by 28 species (13.4% of the total fauna and 28.0% of the destructive fauna).

Simple Summary: In a glasshouse experiment, the effects of wireworm-damaged lettuce roots on the antioxidative defense system and movement of insect/slug parasitic nematodes were studied. Lettuce seedlings were grown with or without wireworms, and antioxidants and photosynthetic pigments were analyzed. Volatile organic compounds emitted from lettuce roots were investigated, and certain compounds were selected for a chemotaxis assay with nematodes. Results showed that wireworm-damaged roots negatively affected photosynthetic pigment contents and induced reactive oxygen species even before visible symptoms appeared. The ascorbate–glutathione system was identified as a redox hub in defense response against wireworms. Entomopathogenic nematodes were found to be more mobile than slug parasitic nematodes towards chemotaxis compounds, and 2,4-nonadienal repelled all tested nematodes. The study highlights the importance of understanding belowground tritrophic interactions for pest management in agricultural systems. The effect of wireworm-damaged lettuce roots on the antioxidative defense system (ascorbate–glutathione cycle, photosynthetic pigments) and movement of insect/slug parasitic nematodes towards determined root exudates was studied in a glasshouse experiment. Lettuce seedlings were grown in a substrate soil in the absence/presence of wireworms (Elateridae). The ascorbate–glutathione system and photosynthetic pigments were analyzed by HPLC, while volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted by lettuce roots were investigated by GC-MS. Herbivore-induced root compounds, namely 2,4-nonadienal, glutathione, and ascorbic acid, were selected for a chemotaxis assay with nematodes Steinernema feltiae, S. carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Phasmarhabditis papillosa, and Oscheius myriophilus. Root pests had a negative effect on the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of infested plants, indicating that they reacted to the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Using lettuce as a model plant, we recognized the ascorbate–glutathione system as a redox hub in defense response against wireworms and analyzed its role in root-exudate-mediated chemotaxis of nematodes. Infected plants also demonstrated increased levels of volatile 2,4-nonadienal. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs, S. feltiae, S. carpocapsae, and H. bacteriophora) proved to be more mobile than parasitic nematodes O. myriophilus and P. papillosa towards chemotaxis compounds. Among them, 2,4-nonadienal repelled all tested nematodes. Most exudates that are involved in belowground tritrophic interactions remain unknown, but an increasing effort is being made in this field of research. Understanding more of these complex interactions would not only allow a better understanding of the rhizosphere but could also offer ecologically sound alternatives in the pest management of agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Species that exhibit very peculiar ecological traits combined with limited dispersal ability pose a challenge to our understanding of ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. This is especially true when they have managed to spread over long distances, overcome physical barriers, and colonize large areas. Climate and landscape changes, trophic web relations, as well as life history all interact to shape migration routes and present‐day species distributions and their population genetic structures. Here we analyzed the post‐glacial colonization of northern Europe by the gall midge Contarinia vincetoxici, which is a monophagous parasite on the perennial herb White swallowwort (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria). This insect not only has a narrow feeding niche but also limited dispersal ability and an exceptionally long dormancy. Gall midge larvae (n = 329) were collected from 16 sites along its distribution range in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. Using microsatellite loci and knowledge of the species and the regions' history, we investigated the role of landscape change, host plant distribution, insect population dynamics, and life history in shaping the population genetic structure of the insect. We devoted particular interest to the role of the insect's presumed poor dispersal capacity in combination with its exceptionally extended diapause. We found significant levels of local inbreeding (95% highest posterior density interval = 0.42–0.47), low‐level within‐population heterozygosity (mean HE = 0.45, range 0.20–0.61) with private alleles in all populations except two. We also found significant (p <.001) regional isolation‐by‐distance patterns, suggesting regularly recurring mainly short‐distance dispersal. According to approximate Bayesian computations, C. vincetoxici appears to have colonized the study area via wind‐aided flights from remote areas approximately 4600–700 years before present when the land has gradually risen above the sea level. Extremely long dormancy periods have allowed the species to "disperse in time", thereby aiding population persistence despite generally low census population sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Parasites sometimes manipulate host behavior to effectively utilize their hosts. The parasitism of host-manipulating parasites of hornets (Vespa spp.) was examined for baited or hand-collected hosts. There, two groups of endoparasites that sterilize their hosts, a nematode species, Sphaerularia vespae, and two species of parasitic insects, Xenos spp., were recovered during the survey. Although the nematode parasitism was scarcely observed (4 out of 1641 host hornets), the parasitism of Xenos spp. varied among host species between 0 and 17%. Interestingly, the rate of hornets parasitized by Xenos spp. was higher in baited individuals than in hand-collected ones. Because the bait trap attracts feeding (not foraging for colony) individuals, the parasitism manipulates the host to visit a feeding site, and the result is in good accordance with previous observations; i.e., parasitized hosts frequently visit and stay at feeding sites instead of foraging and reproducing. The present study could be the first case to quantify the Vespa host manipulation of Xenos spp. Genetically, both the Xenos spp. had four haplotypes in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, and these were close to Japanese and some other East Asian genotypes. The parasitism of two groups of host-manipulating parasites of hornets was examined in Kyoto, Japan. Vespa mandarinia (661 individuals), V. simillima (303), V. analis (457), V. ducalis (158), V. crabro (57), and V. dybowskii (4) were collected either by bait trap or hand collection with an insect net, and examined for their parasites. An endoparasitic nematode, Sphaerularia vespae was isolated from three overwintered gynes of V. mandarinia and a gyne of V. ducalis. While endoparasitic insects, Xenos spp., were recovered from 13 V. mandarinia, 77 V. analis, two V. ducalis, and three V. crabro, and those recovered from V. analis and others were molecularly identified as X. oxyodontes and X. moutoni, respectively. Comparing Xenos parasitism level and capturing methods, the parasitism level was significantly higher in trapped hosts than in hand-collected ones, suggesting that stylopized hosts are more strongly attracted to the food source (bait trap) compared with unparasitized hosts. The genotypes of S. vespae were identical to each other, and near identical to its type population. While each of the two Xenos spp. showed four mitochondrial DNA haplotypes. A phylogenetic comparison suggested that Xenos haplotypes found in the present study are close to those previously reported from Japan and other Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minute insects such as parasitic micro-wasps have high basic and applied importance for their widespread use as biocontrol agents. Their dispersal is a phenotype of particular interest. Classically, it is evaluated using field releases, but those are time consuming, costly, and their results highly variable, preventing high-throughput and repeatability. Alternatively, dispersal can be studied using small-scale assays, but those neglect important higher-scale processes. Consequently, proper evaluation of dispersal is often complicated or lacking in academic studies and biocontrol breeding programs. Here we introduce a new method, the double-spiral maze, that allows the study of spatial propagation of groups of micro-wasps at relevant scales (several hours and meters), retaining high throughput and experimental power. The method records the location of every individual at every time, enabling accurate estimates of diffusion coefficients or other dispersal metrics. We describe this affordable, scalable, and easy-to-implement method, and illustrate its application with a species of agricultural interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The New World screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is widely distributed across South America. This parasitic insect is a significant cause of primary myiasis in animals, including dogs. There is an urgent need for a rapid and efficient treatment to improve the recovery of affected animals. In the present study we evaluated the potential of lotilaner for the treatment of myiasis caused by C. hominivorax larvae in naturally infested dogs. Lotilaner belongs to the isoxazoline class of chemical compounds and is marketed as Credelio™ for use against ticks and fleas in dogs and cats. Methods: Eleven dogs with naturally acquired myiasis were enrolled in this study based on the severity of lesions and the number of identified larvae. All animals received a single oral administration of lotilaner at a minimum dose of 20.5 mg/kg body weight. After treatment, the number of expelled larvae, live or dead, was determined at 2, 6 and 24 h, and the larval expulsion rate, larvicidal effect and overall efficacy were calculated. After 24 h, the remaining larvae were removed, counted and identified. The lesions were cleaned, and palliative treatment was administered when necessary, according to the animal's health status. Results: All larvae were identified as C. hominivorax. The larval expulsion rate was 80.5% and 93.0% at 2 and 6 h post-treatment, respectively. Lotilaner showed an overall efficacy of 100% at 24 h post-treatment. Conclusions: Lotilaner demonstrated a rapid onset of action and a high efficacy against C. hominivorax. We therefore recommend lotilaner for the effective treatment of myiasis in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olfaction is an important means by which insects perceive external environmental cues, and odorant receptors are key proteins for detecting and recognizing odor molecules. The Hymenoptera is comprised of social, parasitic and predatory species, and have a correspondingly diverse range of odorant receptors. The number of hymenopteran odorant receptor genes differs significantly among species. Generally, eusocial insects have more odorant receptor genes, but a few solitary species also have relatively high numbers of these genes. There is currently no universally accepted explanation for this. As in other insect orders, most hymenopteran odorant receptor genes are highly expressed in adult antennae. In addition, the expression of odorant receptor genes differs among different grades and subgrades of social insects, and is affected by host insects and plants in parasitic insects. Some receptors respond to plant volatiles, others to compounds involved in social behavior or host insect chemicals. Research on the Hymenoptera has increased understanding of insect odorant receptors. However, the large number of hymenopteran species and odorant receptors, as well as the complexity of insect olfaction, means that further research is needed to fully understand the role of these genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Praying mantids (class Insecta, order Mantodea) are a group of predatory insects comprising approximately 2500 described species, that occur across all continents except Antarctica, with the greatest species diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Mantids predominantly prey on other invertebrates but are known to feed on small vertebrates. During April and May 2021, we observed mantid feeding events in Manujan County, Kerman Province in southern Iran. Two distinct feeding events were observed where female European Mantids (Mantis religiosa) preyed on Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) and Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) nestlings. In addition, we collated information from online searches of mantids feeding on nestlings elsewhere in the world, revealing two more observations. In Taiwan, a Giant Asian Mantid (Hierodula patellifera) was recorded preying on a nestling Warbling White‐eye (Zosterops japonicus) and in Brazil, a mantid (Stagmatoptera sp.) was recorded feeding on a nestling White‐throated Seedeater (Sporophila albogularis). To date, the only existing scientific evidence of praying mantids feeding on passerine nestlings was recorded in 1922. We propose two potential explanations for the observed trophic interactions between mantids and passerine nestlings: (1) during egg production female mantids, especially those in poor physical condition, may opportunistically feed on nestlings in order to increase fecundity via nutrient gain and (2) mantids may initially be attracted toward the nest by parasitic or coprophagous insects, as a result of poor nest sanitation, and subsequently prey on nestlings after detecting movements. Our unusual observations represent the first records of praying mantids feeding on nestling passerines in nearly 100 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photorhabdus luminescens is an enterobacterium, a symbiont of beneficial nematodes with broad-spectrum insecticidal potential against various important pests of crops. Nowadays these bacteria are largely exploited to decipher their antagonistic nature against plant parasitic nematodes and insects. The complete genome analysis confirmed the isolate TNAU1 as P. luminescens with a circular genome of 5,247,491 bp (5.2 Mb) length and 42.57 % GC content. The genome annotation revealed the presence of 5221 coding sequences (CDS) genes, 68 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 3 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene clusters in the genome of TNAU1 included Minimycin, Kolossin, luminmycin A, prepiscibactin, xenocoumacin 1, mevalagmapeptide A, Xenematide, Tolassin, luminmide B, putrebactin and Ririwpeptode B. Moreover, genome assemblies also exhibited the presence of 10 homologs corresponding to nematode virulence and 15 homologs of insect-virulent proteases. These proteins make P. luminescens a promising model for studying symbiosis and host-pathogen interactions through removing competitors, host colonization, invasion, and bioconversion of the insect cadaver. To identify its antagonistic ability against nematodes and insect pests, P. luminescens TNAU1 was evaluated against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. The results exhibited that P. luminescens inhibited the egg hatching (98.92 %) and mortality of juveniles (94.19 %) of M. incognita over control under in vitro conditions and similarly, 78.3 % insect mortality was observed with LC50 of 684.2 ppm against S. frugiperda. The current study emphasizes the importance of exploiting the P. luminescens to manage important pests and nematodes in crops. • Photorhabdus luminescens is a beneficial symbiont with broad insecticidal potential. • The bacterial symbiont had a circular genome of 5.2 Mb length and 42.57 % GC content. • The genome of P. luminescens had 10 nematode and 15 insect-virulent proteases. • Bioassays confirmed their efficacy against root-knot nematodes and fall armyworm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural communities and crop production are negatively impacted by invasive species, with the effects of pathogenic fungi, parasitic insects and weedy plants being well studied. Mammals and birds are also recognized as impacting crops, but reptiles, such as non-native green iguanas (Iguana iguana), are typically not considered agricultural pests. Research on non-native green iguanas has largely focused on the lizard's interactions with native species with little attention given to its impact in the agricultural landscape. We conducted semi-structured interviews with farmers from 20 farms in Puerto Rico to explore the effect of the invasive green iguana on the production of crops and how farmers manage impacts, if any. A total of 34 of 55 crop species reported by farmers were negatively affected by the green iguana. We found that green iguanas were absent from 20% of farms, did not consume crops in 10% of the farms and caused negative impacts in 70% of the remaining farms. Negative impacts included crop loss and infrastructural damage, which had behavioral, emotional, and economic effects on farmers. Specific outcomes of these effects were revenue loss, refurbishing costs, changes in crop selection, management costs and emotional stress. Farmers considered management strategies as mitigation measures that needed to be constant to produce any positive effects on crop yield. They reported use of mesh fencing, hunting, and domestic animals as attempts to reduce negative effects of green iguanas on crop production. Recognition of this species as an agricultural pest is warranted in Puerto Rico and perhaps elsewhere in its introduced range. Agricultural extension agents should consider providing guidance on strategies to reduce negative impacts of green iguanas including cultivating less susceptible crops when possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: host gut microbiota; parasitoids; host-parasite-microbe interactions; host regulation EN host gut microbiota parasitoids host-parasite-microbe interactions host regulation N.PAG N.PAG 13 09/27/22 20220901 NES 220901 1. To explore whether the host-gut microbiota is involved in the interaction between host and parasite, 16S rDNA sequencing and traditional isolation and culture methods were performed to study the changes in the diversity and potential functions of gut microbiota in I P. xylostella i larvae when parasitized by I C. vestalis i . As previously demonstrated for I C. flavipes i , whereas alpha-diversity analysis revealed changes in the richness of gut microbiota at different stages (1, 5, and 9 "days after parasitization, DAP") of I D. saccharalis i parasitization by I C. flavipes i , the beta-diversity analysis revealed that the parasitoid influenced the host-gut microbiota only on 5 DAP [[13]]. In conclusion, our results provide a framework of interactions among I P. xylostella i , its symbionts, and its parasitic enemy, I C. vestalis i , wherein regulation of the host by the parasitic wasp is associated with host-gut bacteria, which could help in understanding the regulation of host by parasitic wasp associated with host-gut bacteria. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Bursaphelenchus trypophloei is a common wood nematode associated with the poplar bark beetle, Trypophloeus asperatus , in European aspen, Populus tremula. The nematode develops and reproduces in larval galleries of T. asperatus and is transmitted to new breeding trees by adult beetles during their flight and oviposition. Its dispersal third-stage juveniles (DJIII) are unique because of their exceptionally early penetration into the haemocoel of the second- or third-larval stage of the future vector/host and long-term (up to 10 months) occupation of this environment. Detailed morphological/anatomical, and bionomic study revealed that while living in the vector's haemocoel the nematode dispersal/dauer juveniles pass through a series of intermittent changes with three distinct developmental phases. The sequence of these phases corresponded to the process of diapause observed in many plant and animal parasites. Throughout the period of living in the haemocoel, the nematodes remained at their dispersal juvenile stage (DJIII) but clearly increased in size and changed their morphometrics and shape of such anatomical/morphological characters as the metacorpus and tail terminus. Moreover, the juveniles apparently ingested the food from the vector's haemolymph. Specifically, in the insect haemocoel, the body of dispersal/parasitic juveniles became less transparent with most organs being obscured by an increasing amount of refractive nutrient storage granules. After penetration into the insect the process of diapause was irreversible, irrespective of the availability of food (i.e. , Leptographium spp. fungus). The nematodes could resume their further development only after the natural emergence from the vector beetle to its new galleries or a few days earlier, when mature third phase DJ (DJIII-3) juveniles were dissected from the beetle and transferred to a fresh fungal culture. The data indicate that B. trypophloei is exclusively mycetophagous when free-living in the larval galleries of its insect vector, T. asperatus , and parasitic in the haemocoel of this insect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-produced volatile compounds play important roles in plant signaling and in the communication of plants with other organisms. Many plants emit green leaf volatiles (GLVs) in response to damage or attack, which serve to warn neighboring plants or attract predatory or parasitic insects to help defend against insect pests. GLVs include aldehydes, esters, and alcohols of 6-carbon compounds that are released rapidly following wounding. One GLV produced by maize (Zea mays) is the volatile (Z)-3-hexenal; this volatile is produced from the cleavage of (9Z,11E,15Z)-octadecatrienoic acid by hydroperoxide lyases (HPLs) of the cytochrome P450 CYP74B family. The specific HPL in maize involved in (Z)-3-hexenal production had not been determined. In this study, we used phylogenetics with known HPLs from other species to identify a candidate HPL from maize (ZmHPL). To test the ability of the putative HPL to produce (Z)-3-hexenal, we constitutively expressed the gene in Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Columbia-0 that contains a natural loss-of-function mutant in AtHPL and examined the transgenic plants for restored (Z)-3-hexenal production. Volatile analysis of leaves from these transgenic plants showed that they did produce (Z)-3-hexenal, confirming that ZmHPL can produce (Z)-3-hexenal in vivo. Furthermore, we used gene expression analysis to show that expression of ZmHPL is induced in maize in response to both wounding and the insect pests Spodoptera frugiperda and Spodoptera exigua. Our study demonstrates that ZmHPL can produce GLVs and highlights its likely role in (Z)-3-hexenal production in response to mechanical damage and herbivory in maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given a decreasing area of Bt cotton in the Huanghe and Yangtze River valleys of China, the strategy of wide area management of cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) across Bt cotton crops needs to be revisited. We argue that the role of Bt cotton as a primary production crop can be transformed to that of a companion crop that attracts moths to oviposit and kills larvae, thereby protecting nearby primary crops such as soybean and peanut. In other words, Bt cotton could serve as a “dead-end-trap crop” (DETC) when planted surrounding or alongside the non-cotton crops in different landscapes. This is particularly practical and feasible for the small-holder farming systems in China. At the same time, such unsprayed DETC could foster larger populations of cotton aphids and become a source crop for predatory and parasitic beneficial insects of aphids. This, ‘killing of two birds with one stone’, or multi-functionality of DETC means they could serve as a way of reducing H. armigera at a landscape level and promote biological control services for various aphid pests in target crops. Having DETC across a landscape could also mitigate the development of H. armigera resistance to Bt toxins in the transgenic crop by minimizing Bt selection pressure. Such an approach may be more acceptable to farmers by reducing control costs and losses, benefit the environment health, enhance farmers wellbeing in China, and perhaps in other parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Simple Summary: Heterostigmatic mites are globally very diverse, and many are generally phoretic or parasitic on insects. However, the Australian fauna of phoretic heterostigmatic mites is almost unexplored. Here, we describe two new species of Allopygmephorus and Archidispus (Acari: Prostigmata: Heterostigmata) found phoretic on semiaquatic beetles. Our findings report both genera for the first time from Australia. Many heterostigmatic mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Heterostigmata) display a wide range of symbiotic interactions, from phoresy to parasitism, with a variety of insects. Australia is expected to harbour a rich diversity of heterostigmatic mites; however, its phoretic fauna and its host associations remain mainly unexplored. We conducted a short exploration of Australian insect-associated phoretic mites in summer 2020 and found two new phoretic heterostigmatic species on a semiaquatic hydrophilid beetle species, Coelostoma fabricii (Montrouzier, 1860) (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae). Here, we describe these two new species, Allopygmephorus coelostomus sp. nov. (Neopygmephoridae) and Archidispus hydrophilus sp. nov. (Scutacaridae), which both belong to the superfamily Pygmephoroidea. Both species are distinct from their congeners, with a plesiomorphic character, bearing a median genital sclerite (mgs). Our study reports both genera for the first time from Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect pests, particularly seed‐feeding flies, can cause serious damage to the fruits of many wild orchid species. Evidence of fly damage has been observed in 55 orchid species, belonging to 25 genera, distributed throughout Japan. Although some authors suggested that the observed increase in fly damage to orchids in recent years is related to the introduction of exotic species, the timing and route of spread remain unclear. We examined herbarium specimens of seven orchid species, collected between 1923 and 2016, to collect coarctate pupae and empty puparia, with minimal damage to the specimens. Genomic DNA was then extracted from the insect tissue and species were identified using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 barcode regions. Long amplicons (660 base pairs [bp]) were obtained from 45.2% of samples and short amplicons (162 bp) were obtained from 90.3% of samples. In total, 51 of 62 samples had nucleotide sequences homologous to Japanagromyza tokunagai, with specimens distributed across collection years and geographic locations. Therefore, the severe damage to Japanese orchids observed in recent years is not related to the recent introduction of an exotic species; it may be related to a rapid increase in a native species. This work highlights the value of herbaria as important resources for elucidating the history and distribution of parasitic insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Several recent reappraisals of supposed generalist parasite species have revealed hidden complexes of species, each with considerably narrower host ranges. Parasitic wasps that attack gall-forming insects on plants have life history strategies that are thought to promote specialization, and though many species are indeed highly specialized, others have been described as generalist parasites. Ormyrus labotus Walker (Hymenoptera: Ormyridae) is one such apparent generalist, with rearing records spanning more than 65 host galls associated with a diverse set of oak tree species and plant tissues. We pair a molecular approach with morphology, host ecology, and phenological data from across a wide geographic sample to test the hypothesis that this supposed generalist is actually a complex of several more specialized species. We find 16–18 putative species within the morphological species O. labotus , each reared from only 1–6 host gall types, though we identify no single unifying axis of specialization. We also find cryptic habitat specialists within two other named Ormyrus species. Our study suggests that caution should be applied when considering host ranges of parasitic insects described solely by morphological traits, particularly given their importance as biocontrol organisms and their role in biodiversity and evolutionary studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key to understanding life's great diversity is discerning how competing organisms divide limiting resources to coexist in diverse communities. While temporal resource partitioning has long been hypothesized to reduce the negative effects of interspecific competition, empirical evidence suggests that time may not often be an axis along which animal species routinely subdivide resources. Here, we present evidence to the contrary in the world's most biodiverse group of animals: insect parasites (parasitoids). Specifically, we conducted a meta‐analysis of 64 studies from 41 publications to determine if temporal resource partitioning via variation in the timing of a key life‐history trait, egg deposition (oviposition), mitigates interspecific competition between species pairs sharing the same insect host. When competing species were manipulated to oviposit at (or near) the same time in or on a single host in the laboratory, competition was common, and one species was typically inherently superior (i.e. survived to adulthood a greater proportion of the time). In most cases, however, the inferior competitor could gain a survivorship advantage by ovipositing earlier (or in a smaller number of cases later) into shared hosts. Moreover, this positive (or in a few cases negative) priority advantage gained by the inferior competitor increased as the interval between oviposition times became greater. The results from manipulative experiments were also correlated with patterns of life‐history timing and demography in nature: the more inherently competitively inferior a species was in the laboratory, the greater the interval between oviposition times of taxa in co‐occurring populations. Additionally, the larger the interval between oviposition times of competing taxa, the more abundant the inferior species was in populations where competitors were known to coexist. Overall, our findings suggest that temporal resource partitioning via variation in oviposition timing may help to facilitate species coexistence and structures diverse insect communities by altering demographic measures of species success. We argue that the lack of evidence for a more prominent role of temporal resource partitioning in promoting species coexistence may reflect taxonomic differences, with a bias towards larger‐sized animals. For smaller species like parasitic insects that are specialized to attack one or a group of closely related hosts, have short adult lifespans and discrete generation times, compete directly for limited resources in small, closed arenas and have life histories constrained by host phenology, temporal resource subdivision via variation in life history may play a critical role in allowing species to coexist by alleviating the negative effects of interspecific competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Formicoccus Takahashi (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) collected from the holoparasitic plant Balanophora fungosa J. R. & G. Forst (Balanophoraceae), on Ishigaki Island, Japan, is described as Formicoccus yoshinoi Tanaka, sp. nov. based on the morphology of adult females. This species is similar to F. formicarius (1900) and F. erythrinae Williams, 2004, but differs from them by having fewer than six cerarii, and only one type of ventral oral collar tubular duct distributed on the medial area of the posterior abdominal segments. Keys to the Oriental species of the genus Formicoccus are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hirsutella are globally distributed entomopathogenic fungi that offer important economic applications in biological control and biomedicine. Hirsutella was suppressed in favour of Ophiocordyceps affected by the ending of dual nomenclature for pleomorphic fungi in 2011. Currently, Hirsutella has been resurrected as a genus under Ophiocordycipitaceae. In this study, we introduce two new species of Hirsutella, based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses. Hirsutella flava and H. kuankuoshuiensis are pathogenic on different species of larval Lepidoptera in China. Hirsutella flava primarily differs from related species by its awl-shaped base; long and narrow neck, 24-40.8 × 2.2-2.5 µm; long and narrow cymbiform or fusoid conidia, 6.5-10 × 2.1-4.3 µm. Hirsutella kuankuoshuiensis has two types of phialides and distinctive 9.9-12.6 × 2.7-4.5 µm, clavate or botuliform conidia. The distinctions amongst the new species and phylogenetic relationships with other Hirsutella species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metarhizium anisopliae is a parasitic fungus on insects, and thus called entomopathogenic fungus. This fungus is used as a biological control agent for insect pests. Fungal propagation can be done using a variety of media. The purpose of this study was to analyze the growth of M. anisopliae on four types of media, with conidial density and viability as the growth parameters. This research was conducted at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Universitas Negeri Semarang. This study was an experimental research used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with one factor and four treatments: Control (PDA/Potato Dextrose Agar medium), Treatment I (ELSA/Extract Larvae Sucrose Agar medium), Treatment II (CWSA/Coconut Water Sucrose Agar medium), Treatment III (CWELSA/Coconut Water and Extract Larvae Sucrose Agar medium). The and results showed that there was an effect of growth media on the density and viability of M. anisopliae conidia. CWELSA media had the highest conidial density (2.91 x 108 cfu/mL) and viability (97.17%). CWSA media had 2.82 x 108 cfu/mL and 95.33%. PDA media had 2.25 x 108 cfu/mL and 92.83%. ELSA media had 1.64 x 108 cfu/mL and 90.83%. The high conidial density and viability of M. anisopliae is CWELSA medium. This study is as an alternative growth medium to improve the quality of M. anisopliae propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Plant volatiles (z)‑3‑hexenol and carvone exhibited strong attraction to Steinernema carpocapsae IJs. • Transcriptome analysis revealed 721 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between carvone-treated and control groups, and the responsive DEGs to carvone attraction were mainly involved in locomotion, localization, behavior, response to stimulus, and olfactory transduction. • Four upregulated genes of chemoreceptor and response to stimulus that were involved in the response of IJs to carvone attraction. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) use the chemical cues emitted by insects and insect-damaged plants to locate their hosts. Steinernema carpocapsae , a species of EPN, is an established biocontrol agent used against insect pests. Despite its promising potential, the molecular mechanisms underlying its ability to detect plant volatiles remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the response of S. carpocapsae infective juveniles (IJs) to 8 different plant volatiles. Among these, carvone was found to be the most attractive volatile compound. To understand the molecular basis of the response of IJs to carvone, we used RNA-Seq technology to identify gene expression changes in response to carvone treatment. Transcriptome analysis revealed 721 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between carvone-treated and control groups, with 403 genes being significantly upregulated and 318 genes downregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the responsive DEGs to carvone attraction were mainly involved in locomotion, localization, behavior, response to stimulus, and olfactory transduction. We also identified four upregulated genes of chemoreceptor and response to stimulus that were involved in the response of IJs to carvone attraction. Our results provide insights into the potential transcriptional mechanisms underlying the response of S. carpocapsae to carvone, which can be utilized to develop environmentally friendly strategies for attracting EPNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We can create landscapes that host thousands of caterpillars and dozens of bird species without ugly defoliation, because those birds will eat hundreds of caterpillars every day, as will the dozens of species of predatory and parasitic insects and spiders that will be attracted to such landscapes. If we want to create landscapes that permit wildlife such as birds to reproduce, we must choose plants that host caterpillars, because caterpillars dominate nestling diets in the vast majority of North American bird species. First and foremost, we must landscape with plants that support local food webs, for it is the transfer of energy from plants to animals that enables the animals that run our ecosystems to exist. [Extracted from the article]