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The house fly, Musca domestica, is a cosmopolitan species known for its pestiferous nature and potential to mechanically vector numerous human and animal pathogens. Control of adult house flies often relies on insecticides formulated into food baits. However, due to the overuse of these baits, insecticide resistance has developed to all insecticide classes currently registered for use in the United States. Field populations of house flies have developed resistance to imidacloprid, the most widely used neonicotinoid insecticide for fly control, through both physiological and behavioral resistance mechanisms. In the current study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the inheritance and dominance of behavioral resistance to imidacloprid in a lab-selected behaviorally resistant house fly strain. Additionally, we conducted feeding preference assays to assess the feeding responses of genetic cross progeny to imidacloprid. Our results confirmed that behavioral resistance to imidacloprid is inherited as a polygenic trait, though it is inherited differently between male and female flies. We also demonstrated that feeding preference assays can be instrumental in future genetic inheritance studies as they provide direct insight into the behavior of different strains under controlled conditions that reveal, interactions between the organism and the insecticide. The findings of this study carry significant implications for pest management and underscore the need for integrated pest control approaches that consider genetic and ecological factors contributing to resistance.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of partially substituting fish meal (FM) and soybean meal (SBM) in the diet with fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on growth, feeding preference, protease activity, and their correlation with gastric evacuation in giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. A 55-day feeding trial was conducted with eight isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets, followed by a gastric emptying experiment. The results showed that the control group (containing 30% FM and 18% SBM) exhibited the highest feeding preference index, and the SBM-free group (almost devoid of soybean antigen proteins) showed the lowest preference index. Moreover, all diets displayed an initial decrease in preference index followed by an increase and subsequent decline with increasing levels of supplemental fermented soybean meal. This pattern was also observed in terms of digestive enzymes and stomach emptying rates. Notably, there was the same tendency in feeding preference before and after short-term domestication (55 days), and it was consistent with the trend of feeding rate. All the presented findings indicated that the inclusion of fish meal is a crucial factor influencing the feeding preference of M. rosenbergii. The substitution of fish meal and soybean meal in feed with fermented soybean meal would induce feed aversion in M. rosenbergii, which significantly contributes to the decline in growth rate. However, when fermented soybean meal replaced fish meal and soybean meal, the individual action or interaction between antigenic proteins and other anti-nutritional factors resulted in varying changes in digestive enzyme activity and gastric evacuation dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the progress in scaling vector control interventions in Ethiopia, malaria is still a major health problem in the country. Monitoring of the local vector populations and the effectiveness of vector control strategies is necessary to guide programme decisions to optimize malaria prevention efforts. This study investigated the feeding preference, the biting behaviour and resting behaviours of Anopheles mosquitoes in selected localities of Dembiya District. Methods: Adult Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled indoors and outdoors from June 2018 to May 2019 using CDC light traps, pyrethrum spray catches, artificial pit shelters, and mouth aspirators at both Guramba Bata and Arebiya study sites. Anopheles mosquitoes were identified to the species level. Their blood meal source and Plasmodium sporozoite infections were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Anopheles mosquitoes belonging to 11 species were identified from 2,055 collected mosquito specimens. Anopheles pharoensis was the predominant species at both the Guramba Bata (46.5%) and Arebiya (46.2%) study sites. The CDC light traps caught the highest number of Anopheles mosquitoes in both study sites. In Guramba Bata the density of outdoor host-seeking and resting Anopheles mosquitoes were higher than indoors (P ≤ 0.05). The human blood indexes (HBI) of indoor and outdoor host-seeking Anopheles arabiensis were 17.4% and 15.3%, respectively. The entomological inoculation rate (EIR) of outdoor host-seeking An. arabiensis was 4.7 infective bites/person/year. Additionally, the outdoor EIR of host-seeking Anopheles coustani was 25.7ib/p/year. Conclusions: Anopheles mosquitoes in Dembiya district were more likely to seek a host and rest outdoors than indoors. A reevaluation of vector control strategies is needed to ensure Ethiopia remains on the path to malaria elimination. The detection of Plasmodium circumsporozoite protein in potential secondary vectors, such as An. coustani requires further investigation to substantiate their role in malaria transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The house fly, Musca domestica, is a cosmopolitan species known for its pestiferous nature and potential to mechanically vector numerous human and animal pathogens. Control of adult house flies often relies on insecticides formulated into food baits. However, due to the overuse of these baits, insecticide resistance has developed to all insecticide classes currently registered for use in the United States. Field populations of house flies have developed resistance to imidacloprid, the most widely used neonicotinoid insecticide for fly control, through both physiological and behavioral resistance mechanisms. In the current study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the inheritance and dominance of behavioral resistance to imidacloprid in a lab‐selected behaviorally resistant house fly strain. Additionally, we conducted feeding preference assays to assess the feeding responses of genetic cross progeny to imidacloprid. Our results confirmed that behavioral resistance to imidacloprid is inherited as a polygenic trait, though it is inherited differently between male and female flies. We also demonstrated that feeding preference assays can be instrumental in future genetic inheritance studies as they provide direct insight into the behavior of different strains under controlled conditions that reveal, interactions between the organism and the insecticide. The findings of this study carry significant implications for pest management and underscore the need for integrated pest control approaches that consider genetic and ecological factors contributing to resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Despite the progress in scaling vector control interventions in Ethiopia, malaria is still a major health problem in the country. Monitoring of the local vector populations and the effectiveness of vector control strategies is necessary to guide programme decisions to optimize malaria prevention efforts. This study investigated the feeding preference, the biting behaviour and resting behaviours of Anopheles mosquitoes in selected localities of Dembiya District. Methods Adult Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled indoors and outdoors from June 2018 to May 2019 using CDC light traps, pyrethrum spray catches, artificial pit shelters, and mouth aspirators at both Guramba Bata and Arebiya study sites. Anopheles mosquitoes were identified to the species level. Their blood meal source and Plasmodium sporozoite infections were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Anopheles mosquitoes belonging to 11 species were identified from 2,055 collected mosquito specimens. Anopheles pharoensis was the predominant species at both the Guramba Bata (46.5%) and Arebiya (46.2%) study sites. The CDC light traps caught the highest number of Anopheles mosquitoes in both study sites. In Guramba Bata the density of outdoor host-seeking and resting Anopheles mosquitoes were higher than indoors (P ≤ 0.05). The human blood indexes (HBI) of indoor and outdoor host-seeking Anopheles arabiensis were 17.4% and 15.3%, respectively. The entomological inoculation rate (EIR) of outdoor host-seeking An. arabiensis was 4.7 infective bites/person/year. Additionally, the outdoor EIR of host-seeking Anopheles coustani was 25.7ib/p/year. Conclusions Anopheles mosquitoes in Dembiya district were more likely to seek a host and rest outdoors than indoors. A reevaluation of vector control strategies is needed to ensure Ethiopia remains on the path to malaria elimination. The detection of Plasmodium circumsporozoite protein in potential secondary vectors, such as An. coustani requires further investigation to substantiate their role in malaria transmission.

The endogenous protein complex myrosinase and glucosinolates form a defense system in cruciferous plants against insect pests. Transgenic ablation of myrosin cells produced MINELESS seeds of Brassica napus used to investigate plant–aphid interactions. In the present study, we conducted a non-choice experiment to test the performance and fecundity of the aphids Brevicoryne brassicae (specialist) and Lipaphis erysimi (generalist) on MINELESS transgenic seedlings and the wild-type cultivar Westar. Feeding preference showed that B. brassicae preferred wild-type seedlings and L. erysimi preferred MINELESS. Progeny of generalist and specialist aphids establish and affect wild-type and MINELESS seedlings differently. Glucosinolate hydrolysis products were higher under the influence of B. brassicae in both wild-type and MINELESS seedlings. In addition, allyl isothiocyanate decreased under the influence of L. erysimi, except 3,4 -epithiobutane nitrile. Infestation by L. erysimi induced the reduction of glucosinolates, whereas B. brassicae had an opposite effect. In conclusion, the present study showed that myrosin cells affected the preference of aphid species for Brassica napus plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the northeastern edge of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, the Gray‐backed Shrike, a shrubland bird species of the plateau, confronts harsh living conditions. The impact of such an environment on their reproductive strategies has long intrigued us. This study reveals significant environmental effects on the investment of the Gray‐backed Shrike during their nestling‐rearing and egg‐laying stages. (1) Based on measurements of 215 shrike eggs from 2017 to 2021, we found that under the cold alpine climate, Gray‐backed Shrikes opt for a strategy of larger clutches and bigger eggs as average rainfall decreases. Concurrently, parents display a decreasing hatching order strategy, resulting in significant weight differences among newly hatched nestlings. (2) Marginal and core offspring exhibited no significant differences in fledging conditions. Core offspring generally have a slightly larger physique than marginal ones. However, marginal offspring exhibit the highest growth rate, with similar survival rates across different offspring categories. Parental rearing adopts a nest survival strategy. (3) The food provisioning rate by parents correlates strongly with the number of nestlings, the age of the nestling, and the nest's sex ratio. Differences exist between female and male provisioning rates based on begging intensity and average temperature; higher average temperatures lead to more food, with males providing more food. (4) Factors like nest sex ratio, offspring category, nestling age, and nestling sex influence the feeding preferences of parents. When overall nestling ratios skew towards either male or female, parental feeding preferences align with the actual nest sex ratio. Male and female parental feeding preferences differ based on average temperature and nestling sex. Males consistently exhibit a stronger preference for feeding male nestlings, regardless of the nest's sex ratio. In contrast, females don't show a clear preference, leading to differences in survival rates for different nestling sex under male feeding preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen commonly grown potato varieties in Meghalaya, consisting of nine local and six commercial varieties, were screened for their susceptibility against potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella. Based on four parameters, oviposition preference, feeding preference, percentage of survival and number of mines, the varieties were categorised into highly susceptible (HS), moderately susceptible (MS), slightly susceptible (SS), and slightly resistant (SR). Among the 15 varieties, two varieties, Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Megha, were highly susceptible (HS) and only one variety, Lah Ksain, was slightly resistant (SR) based on all the tested parameters. Number of eggs laid had a significantly positive correlation with number of eyes and number of mines. The varieties preferred for feeding had more mines compared to the less preferred ones as indicated by the high positive value of the correlation coefficient between penetrating larvae percentage and number of mines. Overall, the results indicated that the local varieties performed comparatively better than the commercial varieties in terms of the parameters studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of twenty species of beetles across six families and fourteen genera found living within the hives of the western honey bee Apis mellifera, only the small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, displays attributes characteristic of an integrated parasitic lifestyle. This species is a pest that can cause severe damage to weakened hives. SHB adults tend to disperse over long distances after they eclose and appear to rely on food odors to locate beehives to infest. Thus, we hypothesized that the floral sources of nectars processed into honey stored in hives may influence SHB orientation toward hives and dietary preferences within hives. We carried out preference assays of individual SHB in an arena with several protein patty substitute diets, each of which was prepared with one of three monofloral honeys (white tupelo Nyssa ogeche, black locust Robinia pseudoacacia, and buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum) or a phytochemical-free control. Male and female beetles displayed different responses to food choices. Female SHB preferred monofloral honey diets (74%) over the phytochemical-free control, and, among the three monofloral honeys, exhibited a strong preference for the white tupelo honey diet over control diets. In contrast, 41% of male SHB in individual assays preferred the control diet over diets containing monofloral honeys. These findings suggest that for males the ability to detect sugar sources is the primary determinant of preference, whereas, based presumably on nutritional requirements in support of oviposition, female SHB may be responsive to a broader range of food-related cues to increase the likelihood of identifying well-provisioned hives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

【Objective】To reveal the effects of host plant metabolites on the feeding intake and preference of Galeruca daurica.【Methods】6 metabolites of the host plant of G. daurica (including 3 secondary metabolites, namely isoquercitrin, isoflavone and rutin, respectively, and 3 primary metabolites, namely D-galactose, β-D-glucose and L-rhamnose)were selected, and soaked in 10% DMSO solution to prepare 6 metabolite treatment solutions of 0.01 mmol/L (low concentration), 0.10 mmol/L (medium concentration), and 1.00 mmol/L (high concentration) in chives, to feed G. daurica. The treatment soaked in 10% DMSO solution in chives was used as the control group. The food intake of different host metabolites by G. daurica (larvae, adults) was measured. The binomial leaf dish selection method was used to study the feeding preference on different host plant metabolites and different concentration treatment groups.【Results】The food intake of larvae on the high concentration isoquercetin treatment was significantly less than control (P<0.05), whereas the food intakes of larvae on the middle and high concentration L-rhamnose treatments were significantly more than control (P<0.05). The food intakes of adults on the low and middle concentration isoflavone, and low and high concentration L-rhamnose treatments were significantly more than control (P<0.05). The feeding preference of larvae on the middle and high concentration isoflavone, high concentration rutin, and low concentration β-D-glucose treatments were significantly less than control (P<0.05), whereas the feeding preference of larvae on the low concentration L-rhamnose treatment was extremely significantly more than control (P<0.01). The feeding preference of adults on the high concentration isoquercetin treatment group was extremely significantly more than control (P<0.01), whereas the feeding preference indices of adults on the high concentration isoflavone, rutin and D-galactose treatments were much significantly less than control (P<0.01).【Conclusion】Effects of host plant metabolites on feeding by G. daurica depend on their kinds, contents, and developmental stages of G. daurica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bean leaf beetles (BLBs) are significant pests in Uganda, damaging crops such as beans and cowpeas, leading to substantial yield losses. They exhibit preferential feeding behaviour, targeting specific crops over others. Understanding these preferences can form the basis for identifying a potential trap crop that can be used to manage the pest at a low cost in a sustainable manner. A field study was conducted to determine the feeding preference of BLBs on various host crops among those commonly cultivated in Uganda, across different locations and seasons. This study was conducted in Arua and Lira districts in the first and second rainy seasons of 2018. Seven BLB host crops, i.e., common bean, cowpea, greengram, soybean, groundnuts, okra and roselle (locally known as malakwang), were selected for the study. The results showed that cowpea exhibited the highest abundance of BLBs among all crops and it had a high amount of foliar damage as well. Thus, it was selected as the most preferred host crop and can be recommended as a trap crop for managing Ootheca spp. With respect to locations and seasons, the pest was more abundant in Arua than in Lira and more abundant in 2018A than 2018B across all locations. The bean leaf beetle (BLB) (Ootheca spp.) is a polyphagous pest causing significant yield losses in Uganda, particularly in the Northern and Eastern regions on various hosts plants. Despite its polyphagous behaviour, the BLB exhibits preferential feeding, offering an opportunity for targeted pest management. This study explored its feeding preferences across seven crops: common bean, cowpea, greengram, okra, roselle (malakwang), groundnuts, and soybean. This study was conducted in Arua and Lira districts using a randomized complete block design for two rainy seasons (2018A and 2018B). The results showed significant differences in BLB abundance and foliar damage among host crops, locations, days after planting and seasons. Cowpea was the most preferred crop while groundnuts was the least preferred. Therefore, cowpea can be recommended for use as a trap for managing Ootheca spp. in gardens where it is not the main crop. There was a higher pest abundance in Arua than in Lira. There was also a higher pest abundance in 2018A than in 2018B. These findings highlight the importance of understanding BLB's feeding preferences for implementing effective IPM strategies, emphasizing the potential role of trap cropping, especially with cowpea, to minimize BLB damage in resource-constrained agricultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Invasive Anoplophora glabripennis recently became established in Japan and has caused heavy damage to several street-tree species. Overseas, A. glabripennis infests trees of the genera Acer and Populus as common host plants, and Malus, Pyrus, and Prunus (Rosaceae), including apple, pear, and plum trees; it therefore poses a potential risk to the production of economically valuable fruits in Japan. Fruit farms in areas already invaded by A. glabripennis are now threatened with tree infestation. We aimed to determine the potential damage to major fruit species in Japan. In the laboratory, we determined if the adult beetle is attracted to the odor of each of these tree species’ branches; two confirmed host plant species and five Rosaceae fruit species, as well as its feeding preferences among branches of one host plant and the five fruit trees and its oviposition preferences among them. Among the fruit species, cherry branch had the highest rate of odor orientation by males. The feeding-preference assay showed that, besides the host plant, Japanese pear was the most consumed among the fruit trees. The potential risk of A. glabripennis laying eggs on fruit-tree branches was high for Japanese pear and above zero for plum, apple, and cherry branches.

(1) Background: The mycophagous mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, was found to feed on entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in our previous experiments, which seriously impacted the culture and preservation of fungal strains. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the biological characteristics of the occurrence and damage to EPF. (2) Methods: The mite's growth and development and feeding preference were surveyed by comparative culture and observation; also, optical and electronic microscopies were employed. (3) Results: T. putrescentiae could survive normally after being fed on seven EPF species, including Purpureocillium lilacinum, Marquandii marquandii, Cordyceps fumosorosea, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium flavoviride, Lecanicillium dimorphum, and Metacordyceps chlamydosporia. The first four fungi were the mite's favorites with their greater feeding amount and shorter developmental duration. Interestingly, the mite could also feed on Metarhizium anisopliae and Metarhizium robertsii, but this led to the mite's death. After feeding on M. anisopliae and M. robertsii, the mites began to die after 24 h, and the mortality rate reached 100% by 72 h. Observation under optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the conidia of M. anisopliae and M. robertsii adhered to the mite's surface, but there was no evidence of penetration or invasion. However, dissection observation indicated that the two Metarhizium species germinate and grow within the mite's digestive tract, which implies that Metarhizium generalists with broad-spectrum hosts and the production of destruxins have acaricidal activity toward the mycophagous mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Galaxaura divaricata is a partially calcified macroalga that hampers coral recruitment, growth, and recovery via the excretion of allelopathic secondary metabolites. Herbivorous fishes are not major consumers of Galaxaura spp. and there is a need to understand feeding preferences for Galaxaura divaricata in other macroherbivores, like sea urchins and green sea turtles that could act as potential controlling agents. Under certain environmental conditions, G. divaricata can proliferate and overgrow degraded reefs for several years, as documented for several coral patch reefs in the lagoon of Dongsha Atoll, South China Sea. This study aimed to experimentally test the feeding preferences of five species of sea urchin and two individual green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, for G. divaricata. Specifically, we quantified and compared the consumption rates of the allelopathic G. divaricata with Gracilaria edulis, a nonallelopathic, fleshy red alga, known to be highly favored by herbivores. Results showed that the five urchin species fed on both G. edulis and G. divaricata. However, urchins consumed 2–8 times less wet weight of G. divaricata (range 0.3–3.1 g urchin−1 24 h−1) compared to G. edulis (range 0.6–18 g urchin−1 24 h−1), suggesting that urchin grazing may exert some control on G. divaricata abundance but is likely ineffective for a large‐scale removal of the alga. Further, both green sea turtles avoided G. divaricata and selectively fed on G. edulis. More experiments are needed to test the potential role of herbivores in controlling the overgrowth of coral competitive and allelopathic macroalgae, like Galaxaura on coral reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous rise of the sea cucumber aquaculture industry in China, the tropical sea cucumber aquaculture industry is also improving. However, research on the gut microorganisms of tropical sea cucumbers in captivity is scarce. In this study, high-throughput sequencing methods were used to analyze the gut microbial composition of Stichopus monotuberculatus and Holothuria scabra in the dry season and wet season of artificial environments. The results showed that 66 phyla were obtained in all samples, of which 59 phyla were obtained in the dry season, and 45 phyla were obtained in the wet season. The Tax4Fun analysis showed that certain gut bacterial communities affect the daily metabolism of two sea cucumber species and are involved in maintaining gut microecological balance in the gut of two sea cucumber species. In addition, compared with differences between species, PCoA and UPGMA clustering analysis showed the gut prokaryotes of the same sea cucumber species varied more in different seasons, indicating that the influence of environment was higher than the feeding choices of sea cucumbers under relatively closed conditions. These results revealed the gut bacterial community composition of S. monotuberculatus and H. scabra and the differences in gut bacterial structure between two sea cucumber species in different seasons were compared, which would provide the foundation for tropical sea cucumber aquaculture in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Abstract In the northeastern edge of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, the Gray‐backed Shrike, a shrubland bird species of the plateau, confronts harsh living conditions. The impact of such an environment on their reproductive strategies has long intrigued us. This study reveals significant environmental effects on the investment of the Gray‐backed Shrike during their nestling‐rearing and egg‐laying stages. (1) Based on measurements of 215 shrike eggs from 2017 to 2021, we found that under the cold alpine climate, Gray‐backed Shrikes opt for a strategy of larger clutches and bigger eggs as average rainfall decreases. Concurrently, parents display a decreasing hatching order strategy, resulting in significant weight differences among newly hatched nestlings. (2) Marginal and core offspring exhibited no significant differences in fledging conditions. Core offspring generally have a slightly larger physique than marginal ones. However, marginal offspring exhibit the highest growth rate, with similar survival rates across different offspring categories. Parental rearing adopts a nest survival strategy. (3) The food provisioning rate by parents correlates strongly with the number of nestlings, the age of the nestling, and the nest's sex ratio. Differences exist between female and male provisioning rates based on begging intensity and average temperature; higher average temperatures lead to more food, with males providing more food. (4) Factors like nest sex ratio, offspring category, nestling age, and nestling sex influence the feeding preferences of parents. When overall nestling ratios skew towards either male or female, parental feeding preferences align with the actual nest sex ratio. Male and female parental feeding preferences differ based on average temperature and nestling sex. Males consistently exhibit a stronger preference for feeding male nestlings, regardless of the nest's sex ratio. In contrast, females don't show a clear preference, leading to differences in survival rates for different nestling sex under male feeding preferences.

The house fly (Musca domestica L.) is a cosmopolitan and synanthropic pest fly commonly associated with confined animal facilities, known to mechanically vector numerous disease-causing pathogens. Control of adult house flies often relies on insecticides formulated into insecticidal baits, though many baits have failed due to insecticide resistance. House fly resistance to imidacloprid, the most widely used neonicotinoid insecticide available for fly control, has evolved through physiological and behavioral mechanisms in field populations. Behavioral resistance to imidacloprid was documented in field populations of flies from southern California dairies. Lab colonies of these flies were established and behavioral resistance to imidacloprid was selected over several generations. The current study examined the ability of these lab-selected flies to feed on varying concentrations of imidacloprid formulated in sucrose, and if these flies would demonstrate a feeding preference for different concentrations of imidacloprid when exposed in bioassays. Behaviorally resistant flies preferred to feed on untreated sucrose as opposed to treated sucrose at concentrations greater than 25 µg/g imidacloprid when provided sucrose treated with and without imidacloprid. When provisioned with only sucrose treated with a low and high imidacloprid concentration, flies fed on the low concentrations (≤100 µg/g) imidacloprid but reduced feeding on either treatment when concentrations were >100 µg/g imidacloprid. The current study extends the body of knowledge on house fly behavioral resistance to imidacloprid, which could provide insights into future failures of granular fly baits.

Microplastics (MPs) are a growing issue because they endanger both aquatic organisms and humans. Studies have indicated that wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are one of the major contributors to MPs in the environment. However, studies on the abundance of MP contamination in WWTPs and its transmission into aquatic organisms are still scarce, especially in Egypt. The goal of this study was to examine the temporal fluctuations in the distribution of MPs in surface water and the dominant macroinvertebrate fauna (Culex sp. larvae) in a fixed wastewater basin in Sohag Governorate, Egypt. The average of MPs in the surface water was 3.01 ± 0.9 particles/L. The results indicated to seasonal variation of MP abundance in the wastewater basin that was significantly higher in winter than in the other seasons. The risk index for polymers (H), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (RI) were used to assess the degree of MP contamination. The basin has moderate H values (<1000) because of the presence of polymers with moderate hazard scores such as polyester (PES), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). According to the PLI values, surface water is extremely contaminated with MPs (PLI: 88 to 120). The RI values of surface water showed higher ecological risk (level V). MPs in Culex sp. larvae were seasonally changed with an 85% detection rate, and an abundance average of 0.24 ± 0.65 particles/ind, MP concentration in Culex sp. larvae was influenced by the MP characters (shape, color, and polymer). The larvae of Culex sp. showed a greater preference for black and red fibrous polyester (PES) with sizes (<1000 μm) of MPs. These findings suggest that Culex sp. larvae prefer ingesting MPs that resemble their food. It is possible to overestimate Culex sp.'s preference for lower sizes because of their catabolism of MPs. To better understand the preferences of Culex sp. larvae for MPs, further controlled trials should be conducted. Practitioner Points: Wastewater is highly contaminated with microplastics (MPs) in the different seasons.First report of detection of the seasonal abundance of MP in Culex sp. larvae.Culex sp. larvae showed a stronger feeding preference for MPs with specific characteristics.Smaller size and blue polyester fibers were the dominant characteristics of MPs in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascia monuste orseis Godart, stands out as a pest insect in brassica crops. Among control strategies, the use of pesticides is the most common, however, continuous and indiscriminate use poses problems for the environment and human health. Botanical insecticides are a promising alternative. Thisvstudy investigated the stimulus-response of the hydroalcoholic crude extract of Ocimum campechianum Mill. (Lamiaceae) and its dichloromethane (DCM) fraction on the toxicity, feeding preference, and development of A. monuste orseis caterpillars. Toxicity, feeding preference (choice and no-choice tests), and development of the caterpillars to the pupa stage were evaluated. In the development and feeding preference tests, sublethal concentrations were used based on the toxicity test: 10.00 and 2.50 mg mL-1 for the "crude extract" and its "DCM fraction," respectively. Eight replicates with five caterpillars each were used. It was observed that the crude extract and the DCM fraction of O. campechianum were toxic and reduced the feeding of three-day-old caterpillars (days after hatching), with LC50 values of 52.95 and 20.90 mg mL-1, respectively. However, they did not affect the insects development. Therefore, the crude extract and its DCM fraction from O. campechianum show potential for alternative control of A. monuste orseis caterpillars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Aglais urticae (Lepidoptera, Nymphalid) is a common butterfly distributed in temperate regions worldwide. The nettle Urtica cannabina (Urticaceae) is key to the survival of the small tortoiseshell, which provides its primary food source. This species is also a toxic plant listed in the Chinese Flora Atlas database, as it has poisonous roots and leaves. However, the phytophagous insect has evolved different adaptations against the plant′s defense system. This study aims to identify the genes linked to feeding strategies and adaptations of Aglais urticae's larval feeding preference and detoxifying mechanism, and it may serve as an approach to help us understand the molecular process of its in vivo detoxification and find its related genes. Overall, these results provide the basis for future work on the detoxification and development of phytophagous insects by identifying the detoxification mechanism of A. urticae and their development-related genes in holometabolous insects. Herbivorous insects and host plants have developed a close and complex relationship over a long period of co-evolution. Some plants provide nutrients for insects, but plants' secondary metabolites also influence their growth and development. Urtica cannabina roots and leaves are poisonous, yet Aglais urticae larvae feed on them, so we aimed to clarify the mechanism enabling this interaction. At present, studies on the detoxification mechanism of the A. urticae are rare. In our study, first, we used the A. urticae larval odor selection behavior bioassay and choice feeding preference assay to analyze the feeding preferences of A. urticae on its host plant, U. cannabina. Next, we used transcriptome sequencing to obtain the unigenes annotated and classified by various databases, such as KEGG and GO. In this study, we found that U. cannabina could attract A. urticae larvae to feed via scent, and the feeding preference assay confirmed that larvae preferred U. cannabina leaves over three other plants: Cirsium japonicum, Cannabis sativa, and Arctium lappa. The activity of detoxifying enzymes GST and CarE changed in larvae that had consumed U. cannabina. Furthermore, through transcriptomic sequencing analysis, 77,624 unigenes were assembled from raw reads. The numbers of differentially expressed genes were calculated using pairwise comparisons of all life stages; the expression of detoxification enzyme genes was substantially higher in larvae than in the pupal and adult stages. Finally, we identified and summarized 34 genes associated with detoxification enzymes, such as UDP-glucose 4-epimerase gene, 5 Glutathione S-transferase genes, 4 Carboxylesterase genes, 4 Cytochrome P450 genes, 10 ATP-binding cassette genes, 4 Superoxide dismutase, and Peroxidase. Moreover, we identified 28 genes associated with the development of A. urticae. The qRT-PCR results were nearly consistent with the transcriptomic data, showing an increased expression level of four genes in larvae. Taken together, this study examines the correlation between A. urticae and host plants U. cannabina, uncovering a pronounced preference for A. urticae larvae toward host plants. Consistent with RNA-seq, we investigated the mechanism of A. urticae's interaction with host plants and identified detoxification-related genes. The present study provides theoretical support for studying insect adaptation mechanisms and biological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess how the different seasons of the year impact the botanical composition, availability, and quality of forage in the caatinga, as well as the frequency of ingestion and ingestive behavior of goats in a semi-arid region. The experiment used four crossbred castrated males, with an average weight of 30.2 ± 4.76 kg and an average age of 20 months. The experimental period lasted for 12 months, encompassing two rainy seasons and one dry season within this timeframe, with three replications (data collection) per season. All collected forage was categorized based on its stratum (herbaceous, woody, and litter), and a chemical composition analysis was conducted. The goats’ behavior was assessed by observing variables such as feeding time, idleness, rumination, displacement, social interaction, and water intake. The findings revealed clear seasonality in both availability and quality of forage, consequently influencing the botanical composition of the goats’ diet and their ingestive behavior. In addition, during the grazing period, the goats showed a shift grazing habit, in which idle and feeding peaks were alternated with increased displacement during the morning and rumination in the afternoon. The seasons of the year strongly impact the availability and nutritional quality of forage in the caatinga biome, consequently influencing the ingestive behavior and dietary composition of goats in this ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Galaxaura divaricata is a partially calcified macroalga that hampers coral recruitment, growth, and recovery via the excretion of allelopathic secondary metabolites. Herbivorous fishes are not major consumers of Galaxaura spp. and there is a need to understand feeding preferences for Galaxaura divaricata in other macroherbivores, like sea urchins and green sea turtles that could act as potential controlling agents. Under certain environmental conditions, G. divaricata can proliferate and overgrow degraded reefs for several years, as documented for several coral patch reefs in the lagoon of Dongsha Atoll, South China Sea. This study aimed to experimentally test the feeding preferences of five species of sea urchin and two individual green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, for G. divaricata. Specifically, we quantified and compared the consumption rates of the allelopathic G. divaricata with Gracilaria edulis, a nonallelopathic, fleshy red alga, known to be highly favored by herbivores. Results showed that the five urchin species fed on both G. edulis and G. divaricata. However, urchins consumed 2–8 times less wet weight of G. divaricata (range 0.3–3.1 g urchin−1 24 h−1) compared to G. edulis (range 0.6–18 g urchin−1 24 h−1), suggesting that urchin grazing may exert some control on G. divaricata abundance but is likely ineffective for a large‐scale removal of the alga. Further, both green sea turtles avoided G. divaricata and selectively fed on G. edulis. More experiments are needed to test the potential role of herbivores in controlling the overgrowth of coral competitive and allelopathic macroalgae, like Galaxaura on coral reefs.

Female mosquitoes require both sugar and blood for feeding. They show distinct host preferences depending on behavioral, ecological, and physiological factors. Knowledge of the feeding behavior of Aedes albopictus, one of the primary vectors of Dengue, is critical in disease prevention measures. This study was aimed to determine the preference of Ae. albopictus on human blood groups (ABO) and their effects on female fecundity. Laboratory colonies of these mosquitoes were offered O, A, B, and AB blood via artificial membrane feeders, and blood meal preferences were identified using multiplex allelespecific PCR. Fertility was assessed by the mean number of eggs laid. Results showed that Ae. albopictus species significantly preferred the O blood group compared to others and blood type choice did not affect the fertility of the mosquitoes. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing blood feeding choice of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes directly using human blood, hereby reducing the effects of factors such as odor when using human participants. The results of this study provide a new perspective on the still partially unknown ABO blood group host selection of mosquitoes, promoting the personal protection of individuals in at-risk populations.

Rapana venosa is primarily distributed in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea of China, Japan, Korea, and Russia. In the natural sea area, the adult R. Venosa mostly inhabits the sand-mud bottom or the rocky bottom of the low intertidal zone up to 20 meters deep, and the young R. Venosa mostly inhabits the rocks near the coastal line. Its habitats are generally occupied by many other bivalves, such as Crassostrea gigas, Mactra chinensis, and Ruditapes philippinarum. The R. venosa is a large carnivorous Mollusca that mainly feeds on bivalves and other animal carcasses. R. venosa is often classified as an enemy of bivalve farming, but they can also be used to control fouling organisms, and it has potential for application in aquaculture and ocean engineering.In recent years, there have been some reports on the feeding selectivity of R. venosa, the effects of feed, temperature, and individual specifications on feeding, the effects of feed types, specifications, feeding amount, and breeding density on the survival and growth, the feeding preferences to different bivalves and the feeding cycle before and after reproduction. These studies mainly explored the effects of temperature, density, feed types, and specifications on its growth and development. The main purpose of these studies was to select suitable feed types and specifications for the temporary culture and breeding of R. venosa, to improve its growth and development speed, and increase economic benefits under artificial breeding conditions. However, the feeding selection and behavior process of R. venosa under natural conditions are not clear, and the feeding selection of R. venosa to C. gigas, Mytilus edulis and other fouling organisms was not clear under the environmental conditions of multiple bait bivalve habitats. Therefore, in this study, four kinds of bivalves (fixed type, attached type and buried type) were used as bait bivalves to understand the feeding selection. C. gigas and M. edulis are common fouling organisms in the habitat of R. venosa, while M. veneriformis and R. philippinarum are widely distributed in the habitat of R. venosa. The study attempts to simulate the habitat of R. venosa and different types of bait bivalves in the natural environment, to study its preference for bait bivalves species and feeding specifications, to compare and analyze the differences in feeding rates of different specifications of R. venosa, and further study its feeding rhythm and feeding process and to provide data reference for the feasibility of using R. venosa to control C. gigas, M. edulis and other bivalves fouling organisms, and improve the feeding habits of R. venosa.To achieve these objectives, three specifications of M. veneriformis, R. philippinarum, C. gigas, and M. edulis live baits were placed in the aquarium by simulating the natural environment. The feeding number, feeding weight, feeding specifications, feeding time, and feeding behavior process of three specifications of R. venosa to different baits were recorded. The experimental results showed that R. venosa fed on all four bivalves. The number and weight of R. venosa that fed on M. veneriformis with different specifications were significantly higher than those that fed on other bivalves (P < 0.05), and the feeding index was more than 50%, indicating its appetite. R. venosa fed normally on C. gigas and R. philippinarum, and only a small population of R. venosa fed on M. edulis with large specifications. In terms of the selection of feeding specifications, three specifications of R. venosa preferred large M. veneriformis and small C. gigas (P < 0.05). The feeding rate of the large specification R. venosa was 7.15%, which was significantly lower than that of the other two specifications (small specification, 10.98%; medium specification, 9.64%). Under the experimental conditions, the feeding cycle of R. venosa was apparent, feeding activities were carried out every three days, and the feeding time was 20:00–24:00 at night. The feeding process can be divided into four stages: Unfed stage, search stage, feeding stage, and feeding end. During the feeding process, the R. venosa actively searched for bivalves, removed them from the sand and wrapped them with their proleg, secreted mucus, and smacked them from the shell gap. After sucking the mollusks decomposed by digestive juice, the R. venosa dived into the sand or attached to the aquarium wall. The results showed that under the experimental conditions, R. venosa had a feeding preference for the species and specifications of bait bivalves. R. venosa preferred to eat M. veneriformis and rarely consumed M. edulis. Moreover, its feeding behavior was nocturnal and exhibited periodicity, feeding activity happened every three days in the first half of the night.

The bean leaf beetle (BLB) (Ootheca spp.) is a polyphagous pest causing significant yield losses in Uganda, particularly in the Northern and Eastern regions on various hosts plants. Despite its polyphagous behaviour, the BLB exhibits preferential feeding, offering an opportunity for targeted pest management. This study explored its feeding preferences across seven crops: common bean, cowpea, greengram, okra, roselle (malakwang), groundnuts, and soybean. This study was conducted in Arua and Lira districts using a randomized complete block design for two rainy seasons (2018A and 2018B). The results showed significant differences in BLB abundance and foliar damage among host crops, locations, days after planting and seasons. Cowpea was the most preferred crop while groundnuts was the least preferred. Therefore, cowpea can be recommended for use as a trap for managing Ootheca spp. in gardens where it is not the main crop. There was a higher pest abundance in Arua than in Lira. There was also a higher pest abundance in 2018A than in 2018B. These findings highlight the importance of understanding BLB’s feeding preferences for implementing effective IPM strategies, emphasizing the potential role of trap cropping, especially with cowpea, to minimize BLB damage in resource-constrained agricultural settings.

In Benin, the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the most important polyphagous noctuid pest. This study aimed to assess the impact of agricultural practices on the abundance of this pest and determine whether its feeding preference and larval development differ among four cereal types. First, we conducted a descriptive survey of 80 farmers randomly selected for farm visits and oral interviews using a structured questionnaire to ascertain their preferred agricultural practices for managing S. frugiperda. Secondly, rearing methods in the laboratory were used to assess the development of the S. frugiperda maize strain feeding on maize, millet, rice, and sorghum. Data were collected on the number of larval instars, pupae, and adults as well as their developmental times. Agricultural practices were found to influence the abundance of S. frugiperda in the farmers' fields. The number of larvae was higher in sampling fields treated with herbicides alone. S. frugiperda larvae were reported to be more abundant on young vegetative plants, while the highest mortality rate was obtained on rice. In addition, the development level of S. frugiperda was fastest in maize, followed by sorghum, millet, and rice. The Structural Equation Models (SEM) showed significant relationships between the crop types and the abundance of development stages. Conversely, these relationships were significantly negative across the different stages of insect development. This study allowed us to understand the development level of the pest according to the different farmer's agricultural practices and its feeding preference to its potential cereal host plants.

Aim: Many studies demonstrate that climate limits invertebrates along tropical elevational gradients, but we have only a rudimentary understanding of the role of nutrient limitation and climatic seasonality. Here we examined the relationships between ant community structure, nutrient use and season along three undisturbed elevational gradients, each from a different continent. Location: Ecuador (South America), Papua New Guinea (PNG: Oceania), Tanzania (Africa). Time period: 2011–2014. Major taxa studied: Ants. Methods: Along each of the three gradients, we placed six distinct nutrient types (amino acid, sucrose, sucrose + amino acid, lipid, NaCl, H2O). In total, we distributed 2370 baits at 38 sites from 203 m to 3972 m. We used generalized linear models to test for the effects of elevation and season on ant species richness and activity and relative nutrient use. We also tested if changes in ant trophic guilds corresponded to changes in the use of particular nutrients. Results: Both species richness and activity decreased with elevation along each gradient. However, there were significant interaction effects among elevation, region and season, as ant activity in the dry season was higher in Ecuador and Tanzania but lower in PNG. Relative nutrient use varied among regions: ant preference for some nutrients changed with increasing elevation in Ecuador (decrease in lipid use) and Tanzania (decrease in amino acid and H2O use), while season affected nutrient use in PNG. There were common trends in trophic guilds along the three elevational gradients (e.g. proportional increase of predators), but these did not explain most of the nutrient use patterns. Main conclusion: While the structure of ant communities changed similarly with elevation, both the seasonal and elevational effects on nutrient use by ants differed between continents. We argue that regional differences in climate and nutrient availability rather than ant functional composition shape nutrient use by ants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female mosquitoes require both sugar and blood for feeding. They show distinct host preferences depending on behavioral, ecological, and physiological factors. Knowledge of the feeding behavior of Aedes albopictus, one of the primary vectors of Dengue, is critical in disease prevention measures. This study was aimed to determine the preference of Ae. albopictus on human blood groups (ABO) and their effects on female fecundity. Laboratory colonies of these mosquitoes were offered O, A, B, and AB blood via artificial membrane feeders, and blood meal preferences were identified using multiplex allelespecific PCR. Fertility was assessed by the mean number of eggs laid. Results showed that Ae. albopictus species significantly preferred the O blood group compared to others and blood type choice did not affect the fertility of the mosquitoes. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing blood feeding choice of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes directly using human blood, hereby reducing the effects of factors such as odor when using human participants. The results of this study provide a new perspective on the still partially unknown ABO blood group host selection of mosquitoes, promoting the personal protection of individuals in at-risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Tuta absoluta is an exotic species and a major pest of tomato crops in Europe. Macrolophus pygmaeus and Trichogramma achaeae are two biocontrol agents widely used in integrated pest management programs of the South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta. In this study, we evaluated under laboratory conditions the (i) voracity of M. pygmaeus females fed on single diets of Tuta absoluta eggs parasitized or unparasitized by Trichogramma achaeae, (ii) voracity and feeding preference of M. pygmaeus females provided with mixed diets of Tuta absoluta eggs unparasitized and parasitized by Trichogramma achaeae and (iii) effect of competitive and intraguild interactions between M. pygmaeus and Trichogramma achaeae on the number of Tuta absoluta eggs consumed and/or parasitized. Lastly, we assessed under field conditions the effect of interspecific and intraspecific interactions between natural enemies on the number of Tuta absoluta eggs consumed and/or parasitized. RESULTS: Macrolophus pygmaeus consumed more unparasitized than parasitized eggs of Tuta absoluta. Under mixed diet regimes, Manly indices revealed a feeding preference for unparasitized eggs, and a decrease in the total number of eggs consumed, as the proportion of available parasitized eggs increased, whereas the unparasitized eggs were consumed in direct proportion to their availability. Conspecific interactions between M. pygmaeus, in contrast to Trichogramma achaeae, revealed the possible occurrence of intraspecific competition. For intraguild heterospecific interactions, the number of Tuta absoluta eggs consumed by M. pygmaeus and parasitized by Trichogramma achaeae was lower than that predicted for additive and non‐interactive scenarios. Under field conditions, a significant difference between the conspecific treatment and heterospecific treatments revealed a slightly higher success rate in controlling Tuta absoluta when both M. pygmaeus and Trichogramma achaeae were used simultaneously. CONCLUSION: Macrolophus pygmaeus prefers unparasitized eggs of Tuta absoluta but inflicts intraguild predation on Trichogramma achaeae. In conspecific experiments, mutual interference between M. pygmaeus predators intensifies as the number of individuals increases, but for Trichogramma achaeae, it occurs in an unpredictable manner. Adding Trichogramma achaeae could significantly increase the level of control of Tuta absoluta compared to what could be achieved when only M. pygmaeus is present in glasshouse tomatoes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of polyphenol reduction in a feed formulated with Eisenia arborea and its effect on the feeding preference of the abalone Haliotis fulgens through multiple selection tests. Two feeds were formulated: one without polyphenol reduction (EA01) and one with polyphenol reduction (EA02). Rehydrated E. arborea (ER03) was used as the control feed. The polyphenol content was quantified in EA01 and EA02, and the stability and hardness of all three feeds were measured at 24 h after immersion. Feed preference was evaluated through attraction and consumption tests on day 1, 6, and 12. The polyphenol concentration was reduced by 41% in EA02 (13.9 mg GAE g−1) compared to that of EA01 (33.3 mg GAE g−1). Both formulated feeds showed 88% stability and hardness values > 680 g cm−2, which were greater than those of the control (ER03, 66% and 285 g cm−2, respectively). Abalone were more attracted to EA02 and ER03 on day 1, 6, and 12 than to EA01 on the same days. A similar trend was observed with consumption. EA02 and ER03 were the most consumed feeds (> 6 g day−1) throughout the experiment, and no significant differences in consumption were observed between these feeds. On the other hand, juvenile H. fulgens showed a greater attraction to and consumption of EA02 (reduced polyphenol content) than EA01 (no reduction in polyphenol content). This allows us to conclude that EA02 can replace rehydrated algae as a suitable feed source for juvenile H. fulgens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucalyptus species are among the most planted trees in forestry production, an ever-increasing commercial activity worldwide. Forestry expansion demands a continuous search for preventive and sanitary measures against pests and diseases. Massive application of phytosanitary products is incompatible with the forestry sector, so forest health management must be based on other principles. In this context, studies on insect plant relationships mediated by plant metabolites may contribute information relevant to plant resistance and genotype selection. In this study, we analyzed the leaf metabolome of four Eucalyptus species commonly planted in southern South America, to correlate this chemical information with feeding preference of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae), an important pest of eucalypt plantations. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analyses were performed on polar and non-polar leaf extracts from Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus robusta, and Eucalyptus tereticornis (Myrtaceae). Feeding preferences were assessed in two-choice laboratory bioassays resulting in a preference gradient of the four plant species. Moreover, a performance bioassay where we contrasted survival and development time between the most and least preferred plants, showed a clear correlation with preference both in survival and developmental time of the most susceptible nymph instar. We found that species with high or low feeding preferences differ significantly in several foliar metabolites, which may be acting as feeding stimulants or deterrents for T. peregrinus. These findings may provide useful criteria for choosing Eucalyptus genotypes when planting in bronze bug infested areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, is a highly valued and industrially important aquaculture species with growing demands of the expanding abalone aquaculture industry. To explore the feasibility of using the brown alga, Sargassum horneri, as a potential substitute for abalone feed, it is important to identify the feed preference and attractant effect of S. horneri on Pacific abalone. Our experiments indicated that the feeding-associated movement of abalone could be detected using a video tracking system under indirect illumination with dim red light. To further analyze the attraction potentials of various test materials, preference analysis was performed using Avicel-coated glass plates with ground powders of various seaweeds (e.g., S. horneri, Saccharina japonica, and Undaria pinnatifida) and commercial abalone feed, together with coffee waste. Heat map analysis indicated greater attraction by the kelp S. japonica than by S. horneri and commercial feed, which showed similar preference levels. Feeding preference based on the area of Avicel eaten by abalone showed a significant preference for U. pinnatifida over S. horneri (feeding area: 68.6 ± 20.1% vs. 37.5 ± 22.4%, p < 0.05). Additionally, the feeding area was significantly greater for plates with S. ja-ponica than for plates with S. horneri (44.0 ± 16.6% vs. 22.6 ± 15.4%, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in feeding area between commercial feed and S. horneri (31.7 ± 11.6% vs. 31.6 ± 20.2%, p > 0.05). The methanol extracts attracted abalone in the following order: U. pinnatifida > S. horneri > S. japonica > commercial feed > coffee waste. To determine the attractive effects of the components of methanol extracts, mixtures of methanol extracts of commercial feed with increasing amounts of S. horneri were examined. The results showed a significant increase in feeding preference upon addition of S. horneri up to 50% and 75%, suggesting its potential for use as an appetite-enhancing feed additive. This study identified conditions that can be successfully used to monitor the movement of Pacific abalone; the results of preference analysis confirmed that abalone exhibited similar attraction and feeding preference for S. horneri, compared with commercial feed.

(1) Background: The mycophagous mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, was found to feed on entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in our previous experiments, which seriously impacted the culture and preservation of fungal strains. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the biological characteristics of the occurrence and damage to EPF. (2) Methods: The mite’s growth and development and feeding preference were surveyed by comparative culture and observation; also, optical and electronic microscopies were employed. (3) Results: T. putrescentiae could survive normally after being fed on seven EPF species, including Purpureocillium lilacinum, Marquandii marquandii, Cordyceps fumosorosea, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium flavoviride, Lecanicillium dimorphum, and Metacordyceps chlamydosporia. The first four fungi were the mite’s favorites with their greater feeding amount and shorter developmental duration. Interestingly, the mite could also feed on Metarhizium anisopliae and Metarhizium robertsii, but this led to the mite’s death. After feeding on M. anisopliae and M. robertsii, the mites began to die after 24 h, and the mortality rate reached 100% by 72 h. Observation under optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the conidia of M. anisopliae and M. robertsii adhered to the mite’s surface, but there was no evidence of penetration or invasion. However, dissection observation indicated that the two Metarhizium species germinate and grow within the mite’s digestive tract, which implies that Metarhizium generalists with broad-spectrum hosts and the production of destruxins have acaricidal activity toward the mycophagous mites.

The West Indian drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae), is a well-known invasive pest of timber, responsible for substantial damage, control, and prevention costs across many countries. Although it has likely been present in Australia since the 1940s, Queensland remains the only state in which the termite is confirmed as established, though detections have occurred elsewhere. The Queensland state government has spent millions of dollars since the 1960s to manage the termite, but with the cessation of this program in 2021, the risk of its spread within Queensland, and to other states, is likely to increase. As such, further research into the biology of C. brevis is needed to help understand and combat this pest. In particular, there are knowledge gaps about which Australian timbers are susceptible to C. brevis infestation, and the mechanisms underlying their ability to access nutrients available in dry wood. Here, I describe my research assessing the susceptibility of different timbers to C. brevis feeding to identify the most vulnerable host species in Australia. Meta-barcoding investigations of the gut microbiome, including changes that occur when feeding on different timber species, will examine the adaptive ability of endosymbionts within this system to different food sources. Finally, chemical analysis of frass will investigate how the termites modify the wood during digestion to extract nutrients, aiding in an understanding of how wood species affect feeding ability and digestion. All of these results will help us formulate better strategies for managing this invasive pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between earwigs and entomopathogens, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), are still poorly understood. This study tested whether Bt-based bioinsecticides have any effect on the predation of Euborellia annulipes (Lucas) (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae) on Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), one of the pests with the largest number of cases of use and resistance to Bt. Fourth instar larvae were Bt infected by feeding on collard green leaves treated with Dipel®WG and XenTari®WG at the manufacturer-recommended doses. We used one no-choice condition, in which the predator had access to uninfected or Bt-infected larvae separately, and four free-choice conditions: uninfected vs Dipel®-infected larvae, uninfected vs XenTari®-infected larvae, Dipel®-infected vs XenTari®-infected larvae, and uninfected vs Bt-infected larvae with both bioinsecticides. Uninfected larvae were less consumed than those infected by both Bt-bioinsecticides in the no-choice condition. There was a higher consumption of uninfected over Dipel®-infected larvae in the free-choice condition. Overall, uninfected larvae were preferred over both Bt-based bioinsecticides infected larvae. We also used six different prey densities. The ringlegged earwig's predation rate enhanced as the prey population density increased, but the functional response was not affected by Bt-infection, being type II. The predator invested a low amount of handling time on Bt-fed prey and increased the maximum predation rate. Bt-based bioinsecticides cause effects on E. annulipes predation by altering their feeding preference and some aspects of its predatory behavior. The results of our study provide an important background for understanding interactions between earwigs and Bt. In addition, they can be used for decision making during approaches to integrated P. xylostella management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African egg‐eating snakes (genus Dasypeltis) are medium‐sized obligate egg‐eating species capable of swallowing large eggs compared to facultative egg‐eating snakes of the same size. Dasypeltis have numerous adaptations for swallowing then crushing eggs to extract the content. Being dependent on an egg diet, it could be predicted that Dasypeltis have the ability to assess the quality of an egg then decide whether to reject or swallow it. For example, a small egg provides less food and takes less time to swallow than a large egg but swallowing a large egg could leave the snake more vulnerable to predation. Despite the possibility of Dasypeltis exhibiting egg preference, little research has addressed this. This study examined egg preference by five species of Dasypeltis in two laboratory experiments. In the first, five species of snakes were given a choice of the widest size range of eggs available from one order of birds. These included nine species of gallinaceous birds ranging from small, soft‐shelled king quail eggs to large, hard‐shelled turkey eggs. In the second experiment, snakes were given a choice of four eggs representing three genera of birds that occur in Africa represented by two galliform and two columbiform species. These eggs varied in volume, color, and hardness of shell. The results show Dasypeltis preferred certain eggs. Large snakes eat eggs of all sizes with preference for the largest, hardest eggs, while the smallest snakes ate only the smallest eggs. Snakes preferred columbiform eggs (dove and pigeon) over galliform eggs (king quail and Japanese quail). This study demonstrated that Dasypeltis in captivity do exhibit preferences for types and sizes of eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By understanding how assemblages segregate according to food types, it is possible to depict and understand species distribution and exploitation of similar food resources. Although it is well known that dung beetles may feed on carrion, but the attractiveness of different carrion types for these beetles is still poorly understood. In this study, we compared the dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) diversity attracted to two carrion types in different habitats in an Amazonian landscape. Dung beetles were captured by using pitfall traps baited with decaying cattle beef and cattle liver in native forest, peach palm plantation, teak plantation and exotic pasture. Overall, we captured 582 dung beetles of 43 species, where Canthidium aff. lentum was classified as a specialist of cattle beef, Deltochilum sp. One was considered specialist of liver carrion, 11 were considered generalists and for the 30 remaining species, it was not possible to determine their carrion preference due to the low number. Abundance, but not species richness, was affected by carrion type, and a higher number of beetles was recorded in beef‐baited traps compared to liver‐baited traps. According to functional groups, endocoprid beetles were more abundant in traps baited with decaying beef, while paracoprid and telecoprid beetles did not show preference for any carrion type. This study suggests a novel scenario of intra‐resource segregation, where species vary their preferences depending to the part of the dead corpse being exploited. The amount of food resource, the maintenance of stable populations and trophic preference mediated by chemical cues are some mechanisms that may explain the segregation of dung beetles among carrion types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster spp., hereafter COTS), the most destructive predator of corals, selectively consume specific corals. However, their feeding selectivity varies among reef regions and differs from their feeding preferences in laboratory experiments. Aims: In this study, the impacts of selective feeding of Acanthaster sp. on the coral community in the South China Sea were explored. Methods: COTS predation on 701 coral colonies and 24 coral genera during 2018−2019 was evaluated. Key results: Montipora had a greater scar cover (57%) than did Pocillopora (27%) because of COTS predation. Additionally, the relative abundance of encrusting Montipora (heat-tolerant corals) decreased from 40 to 14%, whereas that of branching Pocillopora (less heat-tolerant corals) increased from 40 to 60%. Moreover, the rare genera Millepora and Astreopora had the greatest scar cover (from 78 to ~100%) and feeding electivity values (from 0.66 to ~0.98), and were thus positively selected by COTS for predation. Further regional comparisons showed four types of feeding selection worldwide. Conclusions: Less heat-tolerant coral became predominant in the coral community owing to selective feeding of COTS. COTS could consume rare, less-preferred corals by changing feeding selections. Implications: These findings suggest that COTS not only directly consume coral individuals but also indirectly change the coral community composition, which is potentially related to the vulnerability of the coral community to global warming. Field surveys found that the selective feeding of crown-of-thorns starfish on coral reefs of the South China Sea differed from that in other coral reef regions worldwide. The dominant genera, Montipora and Pocillopora , have differing damages because of the selective feeding, leading to an altered coral community that is likely to be vulnerable to ocean warming. This case study suggests that crown-of-thorns starfish not only directly consume coral individuals but also may indirectly affect the vulnerability of the coral community to climate warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil food webs are extremely complex as they contain diverse organisms. Feeding preference, also known as prey selection, is an important determinant of soil community compositions. However, the feeding preferences of nematodes are commonly ignored in ecology research. In this paper, the population dynamics and feeding preferences of three bacterial-feeding nematodes (i.e., Caenorhabditis elegans, Protorhabditis spp., and Acrobeloides spp.) for eight bacterial prey species were evaluated. Protorhabditis and Acrobeloides were isolated from a paddy soil in subtropical China. C. elegans, the most common model system for biological research, was used as a control in this study, and it was revealed that C. elegans could feed on all the eight bacteria strains. Protorhabditis could only survive when fed E. coli and Bacillus thuringiensis. Acrobeloides could only survive when fed E. coli and B. aryabhattai. During 10 days of culture, C. elegans populations reached the maximum in 5–7 days, and most C. elegans populations exceeded 10,000 individuals. The two Protorhabditis populations on E. coli and Bacillus thuringiensis included less than 800 individuals during 10 days of culture. Acrobeloides population on B. aryabhattai reached the maximum (7799 individuals) on day 8, while on E. coli was its population included less than 500 individuals. These results indicate that different nematode species indeed have distinct feeding preferences. In addition, the population dynamics of the two soil nematodes isolated from soil could not fully match with their inferred life-history strategies (i.e., cp values, and a 1-5 colonizer-p-ersister series that range from r-strategists to K-strategists). Our findings highlights the existing deficiencies in the understanding of the feeding behavior and the life-history strategies of soil nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study compared the feeding behavior of Riptortus pedestris and Halyomorpha halys on six soybean cultivars. In addition, the damage caused by R. pedestris and H. halys was field-surveyed. The non-penetration waveform was the shortest in Pungsannamul and the longest in Daepung-2ho. In the case of feeding waveforms of the xylem and phloem, it was the longest in Pungsannamul and the shortest in Daepung-2ho, respectively. When six soybean cultivars were planted in two fields, and the seed damage caused by hemipterans was investigated; in both fields, the proportions of damage type B and damage type C were the highest in Pungsannamul and the lowest in Daepung-2ho. The above results will be used as basic information in the control of hemipteran insect pests. Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) and Halyomorpha halys (Stål) are the major pests that feed on soybean pods, seeds, and fruits. Higher populations and damage occur during the soybean maturity stages (podding to harvest). To compare the feeding behavior of R. pedestris and H. halys, we used the six most cultivated cultivars (Daepung-2ho, Daechan, Pungsannamul, Daewon, Seonpung, and Seoritae) in Korea using the electropenetrography (EPG) technique. Both R. pedestris and H. halys, the NP (non-penetration), a non-probing waveform, was the shortest in the Pungsannamul (298 and 268 min) and the longest in the Daepung-2ho (334 and 339 min), respectively. The feeding waveforms Pb (phloem feeding: E1-Salivation and E2-Sap feeding) and G (xylem feeding) were the longest in Pungsannamul and the shortest in Daepung-2ho. In addition, as a result of investigating the damage rate by planting six cultivars of beans in the field, as expected, the proportions of damage types B and C were highest in Pungsannamul and lowest in Daepung-2ho. These results reveal that both bug species ingest xylem sap from leaflets and stems using a salivary sheath strategy to acquire water and nutrients from soybean pods/seeds with cell-rupture tactics. This study provides perceptive information to understand the feeding behavior, field occurrence, and damage patterns of R. pedestris and H. halys, which may have key implications for the management of hemipteran pests by determining the specificity and susceptibility of host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbivorous insects and host plants have developed a close and complex relationship over a long period of co-evolution. Some plants provide nutrients for insects, but plants’ secondary metabolites also influence their growth and development. Urtica cannabina roots and leaves are poisonous, yet Aglais urticae larvae feed on them, so we aimed to clarify the mechanism enabling this interaction. At present, studies on the detoxification mechanism of the A. urticae are rare. In our study, first, we used the A. urticae larval odor selection behavior bioassay and choice feeding preference assay to analyze the feeding preferences of A. urticae on its host plant, U. cannabina. Next, we used transcriptome sequencing to obtain the unigenes annotated and classified by various databases, such as KEGG and GO. In this study, we found that U. cannabina could attract A. urticae larvae to feed via scent, and the feeding preference assay confirmed that larvae preferred U. cannabina leaves over three other plants: Cirsium japonicum, Cannabis sativa, and Arctium lappa. The activity of detoxifying enzymes GST and CarE changed in larvae that had consumed U. cannabina. Furthermore, through transcriptomic sequencing analysis, 77,624 unigenes were assembled from raw reads. The numbers of differentially expressed genes were calculated using pairwise comparisons of all life stages; the expression of detoxification enzyme genes was substantially higher in larvae than in the pupal and adult stages. Finally, we identified and summarized 34 genes associated with detoxification enzymes, such as UDP-glucose 4-epimerase gene, 5 Glutathione S-transferase genes, 4 Carboxylesterase genes, 4 Cytochrome P450 genes, 10 ATP-binding cassette genes, 4 Superoxide dismutase, and Peroxidase. Moreover, we identified 28 genes associated with the development of A. urticae. The qRT-PCR results were nearly consistent with the transcriptomic data, showing an increased expression level of four genes in larvae. Taken together, this study examines the correlation between A. urticae and host plants U. cannabina, uncovering a pronounced preference for A. urticae larvae toward host plants. Consistent with RNA-seq, we investigated the mechanism of A. urticae’s interaction with host plants and identified detoxification-related genes. The present study provides theoretical support for studying insect adaptation mechanisms and biological control.

Increasing crop biodiversity, such as by adjacent managed crops, is recognized as an effective biological control measure. However, few studies have focused on the mechanisms involved in how adjacent managed crops increase natural enemy populations, leading to reduced pest numbers. This study investigated the hypothesis that cotton grown adjacent to sorghum would positively influence the feeding and oviposition preferences of the ladybug Propylaea japonica, which predates cotton aphids, leading to enhanced pest control. The populations of Aphis gossypii were significantly lower and those of P. japonica were significantly higher in cotton grown adjacent to sorghum compared with monoculture cotton fields. Regardless of diet on which the larva of P. japonica were reared (Melanaphis sacchari, A. gossypii, and 50% M. sacchari + 50% A. gossypii), the adults always consumed significantly more M. sacchari compared with A. gossypii. P. japonica also showed significantly higher feeding and oviposition preferences for host plants bearing aphids to only host plants. P. japonica fed M. sacchari preferred to lay eggs on cotton, whereas those fed A. gossypii preferred to lay eggs on sorghum. These results suggest that the habitat of natural enemies can be expanded by influencing their feeding and oviposition preferences to achieve pest control in adjacent cropping systems. This research, which incorporates field and laboratory studies, suggests an approach for the successful conservation and biological control of cotton aphids using adjacent managed cotton and sorghum crops.

Silicon occupies an important position in the nutrient requirements of wheat. It has been reported that silicon enhances plant resistance to phytophagous insects. However, only limited research has been carried out on the effects of silicon application to wheat and Sitobion avenae populations. In this study, three silicon fertilizer concentrations were treated for potted wheat seedlings, including 0 g/L, 1 g/L, and 2 g/L of water-soluble silicon fertilizer solution. The effect of silicon application on the developmental period, longevity, reproduction, wing pattern differentiation, and other vital life table parameters of the S. avenae were determined. The cage method and the Petri dish isolated leaf method were used to determine the effect of silicon application on the feeding preference of the winged and wingless aphid. The results showed silicon application had no significant effect on the aphid instar of 1–4; although, 2 g/L silicon fertilizer prolonged the nymph stage and 1 and 2 g/L of silicon application all shortened the adult stage and reduced the longevity and fertility of the aphid. Two instances of silicon application reduced the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), and finite rate of increase (λ) of the aphid. A 2 g/L silicon application prolonged the population doubling time (td), significantly reduced the mean generation time (T), and increased the proportion of winged aphids. The results also demonstrated that the selection ratio of winged aphids in wheat leaves treated with 1 g/L and 2 g/L silicon was reduced by 8.61% and 17.88%, respectively. The number of aphids on leaves treated with 2 g/L silicon was significantly reduced at 48 and 72 h of aphids released, and the application of silicon to wheat was detrimental to the feeding preference of S. avenae. Therefore, the application of silicon at 2 g/L to wheat has an inhibitory effect on the life parameters and feeding preference of S. avenae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]