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During the last decade, the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, has spread from eastern Asia to the Americas, Europe, and Africa. This fly attacks many species of cultivated and wild fruits with soft, thin skins, where its serrated ovipositor allows it to lay eggs in undamaged fruit. Parasitoids from the native range of D. suzukii may provide sustainable management of this polyphagous pest. Among these parasitoids, host-specificity testing has revealed a lineage of Ganaspis near brasiliensis, referred to in this paper as G1, that appears to be a cryptic species more host-specific to D. suzukii than other parasitoids. Differentiation among cryptic species is critical for introduction and subsequent evaluation of their impact on D. suzukii. Here, we present results on divergence in genomic sequences and architecture and reproductive isolation between lineages of Ganaspis near brasiliensis that appear to be cryptic species. We studied five populations, two from China, two from Japan, and one from Canada, identified as the G1 vs G3 lineages based on differences in cytochrome oxidase l sequences. We assembled and annotated the genomes of these populations and analyzed divergences in sequence and genome architecture between them. We also report results from crosses to test reproductive compatibility between the G3 lineage from China and the G1 lineage from Japan. The combined results on sequence divergence, differences in genome architectures, ortholog divergence, reproductive incompatibility, differences in host ranges and microhabitat preferences, and differences in morphology show that these lineages are different species. Thus, the decision to evaluate the lineages separately and only import and introduce the more host-specific lineage to North America and Europe was appropriate.

Background: Mitochondrial genes and nuclear genes cooperate closely to maintain the functions of mitochondria, especially in the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. However, mitochondrial genes among arthropod lineages have dramatic evolutionary rate differences. Haplodiploid arthropods often show fast-evolving mitochondrial genes. One hypothesis predicts that the small effective population size of haplodiploid species could enhance the effect of genetic drift leading to higher substitution rates in mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Alternatively, positive selection or compensatory changes in nuclear OXPHOS genes could lead to the fast-evolving mitochondrial genes. However, due to the limited number of arthropod genomes, the rates of evolution for nuclear genes in haplodiploid species, besides hymenopterans, are largely unknown. To test these hypotheses, we used data from 76 arthropod genomes, including 5 independently evolved haplodiploid lineages, to estimate the evolutionary rates and patterns of gene family turnover of mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Results: We show that five haplodiploid lineages tested here have fast-evolving mitochondrial genes and fast-evolving nuclear genes related to mitochondrial functions, while nuclear genes not related to mitochondrion showed no significant evolutionary rate differences. Among hymenopterans, bees and ants show faster rates of molecular evolution in mitochondrial genes and mitochondrion-related nuclear genes than sawflies and wasps. With genome data, we also find gene family expansions and contractions in mitochondrion-related genes of bees and ants. Conclusions: Our results reject the small population size hypothesis in haplodiploid species. A combination of positive selection and compensatory changes could lead to the observed patterns in haplodiploid species. The elevated evolutionary rates in OXPHOS complex 2 genes of bees and ants suggest a unique evolutionary history of social hymenopterans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAimsMethodsResultsConclusionAquatic plants can reproduce through abiotic or biotic pollination. In Cyperaceae anemophily is plesiomorphic, but studies have registered floral visitors in some genera, including Eleocharis. Wind and insects, therefore, can act together in the pollination, characterising ambophily. However, so far there has been no evidence that water could also be a pollen vector in this family.Expand understanding of the pollination mechanisms in Cyperaceae.We analysed the floral biology, pollen to ovule ratio, floral visitors, performed pollen vector exclusion experiments, characterised the floral colour in the models of insect vision and analysed the chemical composition of floral scent of Eleocharis geniculata and E. mutata.Both species have anemophilous attributes. In Eleocharis mutata, wind was an effective pollen vector, increasing the fruit set. Individuals of E. geniculata exposed to water were more likely to produce fruits (p < 0.01). Eight species of insects were recorded as floral visitors of E. mutata, among which an Ephydroidea fly acting as the main pollinator. Flowers of both species had the same scent as the vegetative parts, and were shown to be visible and distinguishable from the background in both Hymenoptera and Diptera vision models.Our results suggest a new pollination strategy (hydrophily in E. geniculata), and another case of ambophily in Cyperaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allometric analysis provides an insight into the function and diversifi cation mechanisms of body parts in organisms. The allometry and variability in size of various body parts of three hymenopteran species, Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard), Anisopteromalus quinarius Gokhman & Baur, and Heterospilus prosopidis Viereck, which are solitary ectoparasitoids of storedproduct insect pests, were studied. The relationship between many of the traits measured and body size is negatively allometric, others were isometric, and none were positively allometric. The two species of Anisopteromalus were less variable in size than H. prosopidis and there were intersexual diff erences in both species of Anisopteromalus. Although the patterns in these diff erences are complex and diffi cult to interpret from an ecological perspective, based on information on their behaviour it is hypothesized that stabilizing selection is associated with the negative allometry of two traits: ovipositor length in at least two species and male leg length in both species of Anisopteromalus. This hypothesis is supported by the lower variability in the size of these body parts compared to other body parts examined in this study, which is typical of traits subject to stabilizing selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing restrictions on commercial toxic baits for controlling leaf‐cutting ants have started a "gold rush" for alternative compounds, with agroecological extracts emerging as a promising option. Here, we tested for the first time the repellent effects of concentrated and diluted ant extracts and cow urine solution on laboratory colonies of Acromyrmex subterraneus (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The agroecological extracts preparation and application followed the information provided by peasants from the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra in Brazil who carry out agroecology. First, we applied the agroecological extracts in the middle segment of the upper path of a foraging trail to determine whether they act as a chemical barrier. All agroecological extracts induced the deviation of the foraging flow from the upper path to the lateral path. However, only the concentrated ant extract reduced the leaf delivery rate. Also, we applied the agroecological extracts directly on the leaf disks and conducted a paired selection test. The proportion of transported leaf disks with concentrated ant extract and cow urine solution was lower than that of control disks. We suggest that the observed repellent efficacy of the concentrated ant extract may stem from its content of chemical compounds belonging to the same chemical group as the alarm pheromones found by other Acromyrmex species. As for the cow urine solution, we attribute its repellent effect to the presence of urea. Our findings highlight a significant repellent potential of the concentrated ant extract and cow urine solution for leaf‐cutting ants, which may be applied both on foraging trails and on leaves of cultivated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the brief and cryptic nature of predatory behavior, sentinel prey has been widely adopted as an indirect way to identify predators and understand trophic interactions. However, sentinel prey presents only static visual cues, potentially biasing toward visually oriented predators while ignoring those that utilize other sensory cues for foraging. Despite this, the effectiveness of sentinel prey has rarely been tested. In this study, we focused on the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a keystone predator widespread in the Asian and Australian tropics. As this species has large eyes and is known to visually navigate in its arboreal habitats, we hypothesized that it relies on visual cues to forage and that its predatory behavior will be captured by caterpillar‐shaped sentinel prey. Ants were collected as colonies, and preference trials on baits were conducted using combinations of olfactory and static visual cues, including the caterpillar shape. Surprisingly, O. smaragdina showed little or no preference for baits in the absence of olfactory cues and did not differentiate the shapes of baits regardless of olfactory cues. Our results indicate that O. smaragdina is likely to make predatory decisions based primarily on olfactory cues, whereas visual cues might be used for other behaviors. Furthermore, O. smaragdina is likely to be left out by the predation studies using sentinel prey models, which is particularly alarming considering the dominant role of this species in the trophic interactions of tropical rainforests. Our study demonstrates that morphological characteristics, arboreal habitats, and visually oriented behavior do not necessarily suggest the use of static visual cues for predatory decisions. We suggest that sentinel prey models should not be used alone when the dominant predators are unlikely to use visual cues to make predatory decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichogramma spp. wasps are egg parasitoids with a long history of mass rearing for augmentation biocontrol programs in field crop and orchard landscapes. Supplementary nutrition can improve the longevity, fecundity, and biocontrol efficacy of parasitoids. To improve the production efficiency and parasitism performance of Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), the present study screened and examined the potential supplementary nutrients for this biological control agent. Dietary supplementation with a 10% sucrose solution significantly increased wasp longevity and parasitism potential of T. dendrolimi on host eggs, but provision of pollen did not provide additional benefits. Laboratory and greenhouse cage tests demonstrated that wasp access to soybean aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) honeydew, comprised primarily of melezitose and trehalose, improved T. dendrolimi longevity and parasitism. In conclusion, provision of a 10% sucrose solution to adult wasps will enhance the mass-rearing efficiency of T. dendrolimi ; furthermore, field release of T. dendrolimi by plant vectors bearing honeydew-producing aphids holds promise for improving the biocontrol efficacy of T. dendrolimi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predatory gall midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani), and tobacco aphid cocoon wasp, Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead, are important natural enemies of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Predation by A. aphidimyza and A. gifuensis can regulate M. persicae ; however, how interspecific interference competition affects their foraging efficiency is unknown. Here, we investigated the consumption and parasitization abilities of A. aphidimyza 3rd instar larva and A. gifuensis adults under various conditions. Consumption of parasitized aphids by A. aphidimyza 3rd instar larvae was significantly lower than that of nonparasitized controls, with a substantial increase in handling time. The presence of A. gifuensis adults did not significantly affect the predation capacity of A. aphidimyza larvae. Relative to controls, A. aphidimyza larvae predation trace (PT) and imago activity significantly decreased A. gifuensis parasitism rates at different aphid densities. Further, A. aphidimyza larvae PT increased the A. gifuensis handling time of M. persicae , whereas the presence of A. aphidimyza adults had the opposite effect. Coexistence with heterospecific natural enemies reduced the parasitic capacity of A. gifuensis , whereas A. aphidimyza larvae predation capability was influenced to a lesser extent. Our results demonstrate that intraguild interactions strongly influence the predatory and parasitic efficacy of A. aphidimyza and A. gifuensis , although the effect on A. gifuensis was more pronounced. For effective biological control of M. persicae using A. aphidimyza and A. gifuensis , we recommend releasing A. aphidimyza first to mitigate intraguild predation and enhance the overall success of the pest control program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aprostocetus hagenowii (Ratzeburg) is a parasitoid wasp that parasitizes the oothecae of peridomestic pest cockroaches. A. hagenowii has been used in integrated pest management (IPM) programs for cockroach control but little is known about how this parasitoid responds to the insecticides commonly used for cockroach management. Five insecticidal gel bait products containing indoxacarb, clothianidin, fipronil, dinotefuran, or abamectin B1 were tested for their toxicity towards A. hagenowii and the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.; Blattodea: Blattidae), a host of A. hagenowii and a common pest. All baits were tested as fresh and 1-d aged deposits. Indoxacarb was the only active ingredient that did not cause significant (P  < 0.05) A. hagenowii mortality compared to the control in both the fresh and aged gel experiments (Median survival time [MST]s: 168 h fresh, 72 h aged). Clothianidin caused the lowest A. hagenowii MSTs across experiments (24 h, fresh and aged). All baits caused significant P. americana mortality as fresh and 1-d aged deposits (P  < 0.05). Indoxacarb appears most compatible with A. hagenowii in cockroach IPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the biology and ecology of parasitoids can have direct implications for their evaluation as biological control agents, as well as for the development and implementation of mass-rearing techniques. Nonetheless, our current knowledge of the possible influence of lateralized displays (i.e. the asymmetric expression of cognitive functions) on their reproductive behavior is scarce. Herein, we characterized the behavioral elements involved in courtship, and quantified the durations of 2 important aphid parasitoids, Aphidius ervi Haliday and Aphidius matricariae Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae). We quantified the main indicators of copulation and examined the occurrence of lateralized traits at population level. Results indicated that A. matricariae exhibited longer durations of wing fanning, antennal tapping, pre-copula and copula phases compared to A. ervi. Postcopulatory behavior was observed only in A. matricariae. Unlike other parasitoid species, the duration of wing fanning, chasing, and antennal tapping did not affect the success of the mating of male A. ervi and A. matricariae. Both species exhibited a right-biased female kicking behavior at the population level during the pre-copula. Our study provides insights into the fundamental biology of aphidiine parasitoids and reports the presence of population-level lateralized mating displays, which can serve as useful benchmarks to evaluate the quality of mass-rearing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of the brown stink bug, Euschistus heros Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), which is one of the main pests in soybean crops in Brazil, based on applied biological control programs, depends on detailed knowledge of the biological, behavioral parameters and capacity dispersion of control agents in agroecosystems. Only after approval of the reference forecast by the Ministry of Agriculture, livestock and supply for registration, a mandatory process in Brazil, is it possible to commercialize the biological agent. From this stage onwards, it is expected that studies will improve the optimization of technological packages to guarantee the efficiency and suitability of a macrobiological agent. This is the case of the egg parasitoid of pentatomids, Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). As a consequence of the use without technical and successive positioning of chemical insecticides to control stink bugs in soybean crops, the evolution of resistant populations of this pest may occur in Brazil. Therefore, the mass release of T. podisi in large areas has been seen as a promising and relevant management technique for reducing stink bugs, as well as being a strategy for managing resistance. In this context, concepts and studies on bioecological aspects, parameters inherent to the development of a quality control for mass rearing, dispersion, and mass release of T. podisi inside integrated soybean pest management programs were explored. The knowledge contained in the literature specifically on the use of T. podisi in the field is still relatively scarce. However, it provides solid bases for the development of more assertive research in the near future and highlights gaps that need attention and clarification in the optimization of mass releases of egg parasitoids in widely cultivated crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of convergent phenotypes is of major interest in biology because of their omnipresence and ability to inform the study of evolutionary novelty and constraint. Convergent phenotypes can be combinations of traits that evolve concertedly, called syndromes, and these can be shaped by a common environmental pressure. Parasitoid wasps which use a wide variety of arthropod hosts have also repeatedly and convergently switched host use across their evolutionary history. They thus represent a natural laboratory for the evolution of trait syndromes that are associated with parasitism of specific hosts and host substrates. In this study, we tested the evolution of co-evolving characters in the highly diverse family Ichneumonidae associated with ovipositing in a specific and well-defined substrate: wood. Using a newly constructed phylogeny and an existing morphological dataset, we identified six traits correlated with the wood-boring lifestyle that demonstrate convergent evolution. At least one trait, the presence of teeth on the ovipositor, typically preceded the evolution of other traits and possibly the switch to parasitism of wood-boring hosts. For each trait, we provide a historical review of their associations with wood-boring parasitoids, reevaluate the function of some characters, and suggest future coding improvements. Overall, we demonstrate the convergent evolution of multiple traits associated with parasitism of woodboring hosts and propose a syndrome in a hyper diverse lineage of parasitoid wasps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communication is essential for social organisms. In eusocial insects, olfaction facilitates communication and recognition between nestmates. The study of certain model organisms has led to the hypothesis that odorant receptors are expanded in eusocial Hymenoptera. This has become a widely mentioned idea in the literature, albeit with conflicting reports, and has not been tested with a broad comparative analysis. Here we combined existing genomic and new neuroanatomical data, including from an approximately 100 Myr old fossil ant, across a phylogenetically broad sample of hymenopteran lineages. We find no evidence that variation in the size and evolutionary tempo of odorant receptor repertoires is related to eusociality. Post hoc exploration of our data hinted at loss of flight as a possible factor shaping some of the variation in OR repertoires in Hymenoptera. Nevertheless, our analyses revealed a complex pattern of evolutionary variation, and raise new questions about the ecological, behavioural and social factors that shape olfactory abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Main Location Taxon Methods Results Conclusions Animals not only forage for abundant and nearby resources, but their diets can also be influenced by abiotic and geographic factors. This often results in non‐random interactions among species. We investigate how seed density, distance from nest, abiotic (e.g., climate stability, temperature, precipitation) and geographic factors (e.g., latitude, elevation and continental hemisphere) influence the removal of food items (i.e., seeds and dead arthropods) by Pogonomyrmex species.South and North America, from Patagonia to the Rocky Mountains.Genus Pogonomyrmex (Formicidae: Hymenoptera).Conducting standardised experiments, we performed a seed removal experiment and an assessment of the items retrieved by ant workers of 160 nests from eight Pogonomyrmex spp. at 16 sites extending the American continent.Pogonomyrmex ants native to North America removed more seeds than their South American counterpart. In general, results align with optimal foraging theory, indicating a higher probability of seed removal near ant nests. High climate stability correlated with lower seed predation rates, emphasising seed consumption's significance in historically arid environments. Increased precipitation and temperature led to reduced removal of food resources, suggesting reduced water availability and lower mean temperatures increases the consumption of seeds by harvester ants.Overall, Pogonomyrmex ants' food resource use is influenced by a combination of factors such as region, distance from the nest and climate. This study underscores harvester ants' potential impact on plant distribution over large spatial scales consuming seeds from the immediate proximity of their nest and preventing establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a cosmopolitan species that causes economic damage to grapevines, especially in Mediterranean countries, South Africa, North and South America and Europe. In this study, the co-parasitization effect of Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) and Coccidoxenoides perminutus Girault (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) on the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and their intrinsic interspecific larval competition were investigated under laboratory conditions. Results: In non-choice experiments, the highest parasitism value (11.75 ± 0.87) was obtained on 2nd instar mealybug nymphs in containers with only C. perminutus, while the highest parasitism value (11.20 ± 0.59) in choice experiments was obtained on female mealybugs in containers with both parasitoids. It was determined that C. perminutus parasitized the 1st, 2nd and 3rd nymph stages, while A. pseudococci parasitized the 2nd, 3rd nymph and female stages of vine mealybug. These mean that mealybug populations can be controlled more effectively by parasitizing all mealybug stages in the environment when parasitoids are together. In intrinsic interspecific larval competition experiments on the mealybugs 2nd and 3rd nymph stages, where both parasitoids can parasitize, it was determined that C. perminutus generally won the competition, even though A. pseudococci had a three-day parasitism priority. The highest A. pseudococci emergence rate in competition trials occurred on 2nd instar mealybug nymphs when A. pseudococci had 72 h parasitism priority (36.09%). In addition, head capsule width and tibia lengths of A. pseudococci and C. perminutus adults obtained from intrinsic interspecific larval competition were measured, and it was determined that the head capsule width and tibia length of adult parasitoids generally increased as the host period progressed. In addition, it has been determined that there may be some differences in the measured characteristics of the adult parasitoids obtained due to intrinsic interspecific competition compared to the control. Conclusions: Using these two parasitoids together in the biological control of vine mealybugs will allow parasitizing all mealybug nymph stages and females in the environment and provide more effective pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternally-inherited symbionts can induce pre-mating and/or post-mating reproductive isolation between sympatric host lineages, and speciation, by modifying host reproductive phenotypes. The large parasitoid wasp genus Cotesia (Braconidae) includes a diversity of cryptic species, each specialized in parasitizing one to few related Lepidoptera host species. Here, we characterized the infection status of an assemblage of 21 Cotesia species from 15 countries by several microbial symbionts, as a first step toward investigating whether symbionts may provide a barrier to gene flow between these parasitoid host lineages. Results: The symbiotic microbes Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Microsporidium and Spiroplasma were not detected in the Cotesia wasps. However, the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia was present in at least eight Cotesia species, and hence we concentrated on it upon screening additional DNA extracts and SRAs from NCBI. Some of the closely related Cotesia species carry similar Wolbachia strains, but most Wolbachia strains showed patterns of horizontal transfer between phylogenetically distant host lineages. Conclusions: The lack of co-phylogenetic signal between Wolbachia and Cotesia suggests that the symbiont and hosts have not coevolved to an extent that would drive species divergence between the Cotesia host lineages. However, as the most common facultative symbiont of Cotesia species, Wolbachia may still function as a key-player in the biology of the parasitoid wasps. Its precise role in the evolution of this complex clade of cryptic species remains to be experimentally investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower colour polymorphisms are uncommon but widespread among angiosperms and can be maintained by a variety of balancing selection mechanisms. Anemone palmata is mostly yellow‐flowered, but white‐flowered plants coexist in some populations. We analysed the distribution of colour morphs of A. palmata across its range. We also characterised their colours and compared their vegetative and sexual reproductive traits, pollinator attention and fitness. The range of A. palmata is limited to the Western Mediterranean, while white‐flowered plants are restricted to Portugal and SW Spain, where they occur at low proportions. Yellow flowers have a characteristic UV pattern, with a UV‐absorbing centre and UV‐reflecting periphery, which is absent in the white morph. Colour features of both morphs were highly delineated, making it easy for pollinators to distinguish them. Both morphs were protogynous, with the same duration of sexual stages, and the main floral traits related to pollinator attraction, apart from flower colour, were similar. Hymenoptera and Diptera were the main pollinators, showing preference for the yellow morph, clear partitioning of pollinator groups between the two colour morphs and a marked constancy to flower colour during foraging. Both morphs combined clonal propagation with sexual reproduction, but sexual reproductive potential was lower in white‐flowered plants. Finally, female fitness was higher in the yellow morph. Pollinator partitioning and colour constancy could maintain this polymorphism, despite the lower visitation rate and fitness of white‐flowered plants, which could facilitate their clonal propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent changes to the generic classification of Megachilini necessitate several nomenclatural changes for species of the tribe. Four specific epithets were considered junior homonyms in a retrograde classification of Megachile Latreille and were therefore renamed. These epithets are resurrected as they are no longer congeneric with their senior homonyms (ICZN: Art. 59.4), and their former replacements are now considered junior synonyms: Callomegachile (Callomegachile) elegans (Cheesman) (= Chalicodoma (Callomegachile) cheesmanae Michener, new synonymy), Callomegachile (Callomegachile) gigas (Wu) (= Megachile (Callomegachile) parornata Chatthanabun, Warrit, and Ascher, new synonymy), Chelostomoides (Chelostomoides) pedalis Raw (= Megachile (Chelostomoides) rawi Engel, new synonymy), Megachile (Creightonella) aurantiaca Rebmann (= Megachile (Creightonella) taftanica Engel, new synonymy). In addition, four replacement names (nomina nova) are established: Megachile (Chelostomoda) zyzzyx Engel (for Megachile (Chelostomoda) indica (Gupta)), M. (Eurymella) bakololo Engel (for Megachile (Eurymella) zambesica Pasteels), Coelioxys silaneg Engel (for Coelioxys genalis Pasteels), and Coelioxys qi Engel (for Coelioxys brevicaudatus Friese). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of bumblebees (Bombus) has been widely used for phylogenetic studies, but its evolution is still underexplored. Here we report a comprehensive analysis of 60 bumblebee mitogenomes, including 40 newly assembled ones, to investigate bumblebee mtDNA structure, composition, and informativeness under a phylogenetic framework. Our mtDNA dataset supports the monophyly of Bombus and its subgenera, although we found a high degree of tree discordance in deeper nodes when using different inference methods or matrix composition. Concerning mitogenome structure, our results show that tRNA genes were often rearranged, with unique rearrangements indicating shared ancestry across bumblebee subgenera, illustrating their potential for subgeneric classification. Our results also challenge the notion that faster evolving mtDNA exhibits higher gene rearrangement rates. Finally, we explicitly assessed shifts in selection constraints of mtDNA genes in obligate social parasites of subgenus Psithyrus and found that their mtDNA evolved under relaxed selective constraints. Our findings show the utility of mtDNA in providing insights into bumblebee phylogenetics, evolution, and genome trait diversification. We also highlight the potential for comparative mitogenomics to uncover previously unknown aspects of bumblebee evolution, offering exciting opportunities for future research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ants are highly adaptable insects that thrive in a variety of climates and habitats worldwide. This study examines how climate and habitat influence the morphological traits of the ant species Camponotus japonicus across 22 sites in mainland China. These sites represent three climate zones and three habitat types. Our analysis shows that both climate and habitat significantly shape the ants' morphological traits. Specifically, ants in mid-temperate farmlands exhibit more constrained morphological traits, while those in sparse woodlands show greater variation. Urban parks present a stable environment with less morphological variation. Temperature, precipitation, humidity, and altitude were found to be closely linked to these morphological traits. This research enhances our understanding of how ants adapt to environmental changes through morphological variation and underscores their critical ecological roles in various ecosystems. Ants are a highly adaptable group of insects that have globally established themselves in diverse climates and habitats. This study investigates the influence of climate and habitat on the morphological traits of Camponotus japonicus across 22 sites in mainland China. These sites span three climate zones (mid-temperate, warm temperate, and subtropical) and three habitat types (urban parks, farmlands, and sparse woodlands). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the principal axis of morphological variation, while hypervolume analysis and centroid distance calculation were used to verify the environmental filtering hypothesis and the optimal transfer hypothesis. The results support both hypotheses showing that climate and habitat significantly affect the morphological space of C. japonicus workers. In particular, the morphological space is more constrained in mid-temperate farmlands, while workers in sparse woodlands exhibit greater morphological variation. In contrast, urban parks are characterized by higher stability and reduced morphological differences. Additionally, robust regression analysis reveals that environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and altitude are closely linked to the morphological traits of the workers. Understanding how ant morphology responds to external environmental changes enhances our understanding of their adaptability and their essential ecological roles across various ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ants are a widespread and highly abundant group of animals in almost all terrestrial ecosystems. Nesting sites are important for ants, as the nest protects them against predators and can ensure optimal conditions for the brood development. We studied the nest site selection by Temnothorax crassispinus ant colonies, which typically inhabit empty acorns. During this study, we used artificial nest sites with slits in the nest wall, mimicking the cracks in acorns under natural conditions. We found that the ant colonies preferred artificial nest sites without these slits. The absence of cracks in acorns could be an indication of the durability of potential nest sites; thus, we propose that choosing acorns without such damage could be beneficial for the ant colonies. For ants, nests provide a refuge against predators and protection from environmental factors. Thus, choosing a good nest site is important for an ant colony, but nest sites are limited resources. Ants of the genus Temnothorax inhabit small cavities in, e.g., acorns, twigs and under rocks. Earlier, it was shown that the ants are able to choose a superior site. In this study, using binary choice tests, we studied the nest site selection by Temnothorax crassispinus ant colonies that typically inhabit empty acorns. For this purpose, we used artificial nest sites without and with an additional slit in the nest wall, mimicking the cracks in potential nest sites under natural conditions. We found that the ant colonies preferred artificial nest sites without these slits. However, no difference in the number of colonies inhabited nest sites with a slit vs. those without a slit was found when the slits were closed using transparent food foil, which prevented the air flow while keeping an inflow of light. What is more, additional light through the hole in the red filter covering the artificial nest sites had no influence on the nest site selection. The results of this study suggest that the air flow through a slit in the nest site wall, rather than additional light, influences the nest site selection. The absence of cracks, e.g., in acorns, could be an indication of the durability of potential nest sites. Thus, choosing a cavity without such damage could be beneficial for the ant colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In June 2023 several primary nests of the Asian hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax Buysson, 1905 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) were found in Landen, a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant. Later, during October and November, secondary nests were found 300 m from the primary nests, the larvae and pupae of which were examined microscopically. A part of their anatomical structure, in particular the head, is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeatable macroevolutionary patterns provide hope for rules in biology, especially when we can decipher the underlying mechanisms. Here we synthesize natural history, genetic adaptations, and toxin sequestration in herbivorous insects that specialize on plants with cardiac glycoside defenses. Work on the monarch butterfly provided a model for evolution of the "sequestering specialist syndrome," where specific amino acid substitutions in the insect's Na+/K+-ATPase are associated with (1) high toxin resistance (target site insensitivity [TSI]), (2) sequestration of toxins, and (3) aposematic coloration. We evaluate convergence for these traits within and between Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera, encompassing hundreds of toxin-adapted species. Using new and existing data on ∼28 origins of specialization, we show that the monarch model evolved independently in five taxonomic orders (but not Diptera). An additional syndrome occurs in five orders (all but Hymenoptera): aposematic sequesterers with modest to medium TSI. Indeed, all sequestering species were aposematic, and all but one had at least modest TSI. Additionally, several species were aposematic nonsequesterers (potential Batesian mimics), and this combination evolved in species with a range of TSI levels. Finally, we identified some biases among these strategies within taxonomic orders. Biodiversity in this microcosm of life evolved repeatedly with a high degree of similarity across six taxonomic orders, yet we identified alternative trait combinations as well as lineage-specific outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chalcidid wasps are a diverse group of insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera and family Chalcididae. They are natural biocontrol agents for many agricultural and forestry pests. The present study was undertaken from 2021 to 2023. The objective of this study was to document the Chalcididae diversity from the Chhattisgarh region. Based on this study, the first checklist of chalcidid wasps from Chhattisgarh state is prepared. In total, 71 species of chalcidid wasps were collected from 11 genera falling under four subfamilies. The chalcidid wasps identified belonged to the subfamilies, Chalcidinae, Dirhininae, Epitraninae and Haltichellinae of which, subfamily Haltichellinae was found to be most predominant. The results of this preliminary study shed light on the hidden biodiversity of chalcidid wasps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, motivated by widespread declines in wild bees, ecologists have prioritized learning about patterns of wild bee communities across the landscape at the expense of learning about the population‐level mechanisms driving those patterns. In this essay, we seek to revitalize the tradition of studying wild bee populations in a way that both contributes key knowledge for bee conservation and builds a strong conceptual understanding of the processes underpinning bee populations. We address two widespread concerns about investing in population‐level research. First, that population‐level studies are too conceptually narrow to provide broad inference. If population‐level studies are couched in general ecological theory, then findings from a single species can be generalized to many. We highlight how wild bees would make excellent candidates for exploring five areas of general ideas in population ecology, including nutritional ecology, drivers of vital rates, phenology and voltinism, habitat selection, and movement. Second, we address the concern that methods for studying bees at the population level are too difficult to implement. Methods for conducting population‐level studies of bees—specifically, identifying living bees in the field and studying individuals throughout their life cycles—are feasible to implement at the scales appropriate for answering population‐level questions, for example, a few species at a few sites. To facilitate adoption of these ideas, we developed an online field guide (www.watchingbees.com) and a detailed methods manual. More generally, we emphasize the value of linking data‐rich pattern‐oriented approaches in ecology with an understanding of the basic biology and mechanisms that generate those patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of visit of pollinator insect(Chalicodoma cincta) on the production of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, Rose variety), were studied at Sarh in September 2021 and 2022. The experiments were made on four treatments. The activity behavior of Chalicodoma cincta on the flower were appreciated to determinate is impact on the yield. Results indicate that among seven insect species recorded on flowers, C. cincta ranked first (31.41%) and harvested nectar. Throughout the importance of the flower visit, this insect provoked a significant increase of the podding rate (30.45 %), the mean number of seeds per pod (22.42 %) and the percentage of normal seeds (32.81%). The conservation and installation of C. cincta nests close the plantation fields is recommended to improve pod production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is a significant pest in livestock farms and a major concern for both humans and farmed animals due to its ability to transmit over 200 pathogens. The use of pupal parasitoids is a sustainable strategy for controlling this pest. Spalangia cameroni Perkins (Hymenoptera: Spalangiidae) and Muscidifurax zaraptor Girault & Sanders (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) are commonly used as biocontrol agents for M. domestica. The objective of this study was to determine the oviposition peak of female parasitoids in relation to their age and the sex ratio of the adult progeny. For both species, 20 fresh M. domestica pupae (24–48 h old) were provided daily to each fertilised female for 14 days, after which the pupae were checked for parasitoid emergence. A control group of 20 pupae without female parasitoids was maintained. The results showed that S. cameroni had a higher overall percentage of parasitisation (57.7%) compared with M. zaraptor (32.4%). The parasitisation ratio of S. cameroni remained almost constant throughout the 14‐day period, whereas that of M. zaraptor decreased drastically after Day 11. Peak oviposition for S. cameroni was on Day 5 with 13 parasitised pupae per female, whereas M. zaraptor parasitised eight pupae per day on 4 days during its peak oviposition period (between Days 3 and 8). The newly emerged parasitoids had a skewed sex ratio towards females: 81% for S. cameroni and 66% for M. zaraptor. The presence of these parasitoid species resulted in fewer new house fly emergences than in the control group, where natural pupal mortality was lower in the absence of parasitoids. These findings may be useful for optimising the mass production and time‐use of the two parasitoid species for the management of house flies in livestock farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphidius platensis Brèthes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a parasitoid of cereal aphids. Its foraging, recognition, and host acceptance processes may be related to chemical cues inherited from the host during development. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the maternal host, that is, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Rp), Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Sg) (from the Aphidini tribe), Metopolophium dirhodum Walker (Md), and Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (from the Macrosiphini tribe) (all Hemiptera: Aphididae) on parasitism and chemotactic responses of A. platensis. Parasitism by A. platensis was investigated in non‐choice bioassays along four generations, as well as in choice bioassays. Females originating from a S. graminum laboratory colony (SgLab) were reared for four generations on all four aphid species. Chemotaxis experiments were conducted in a four‐armed olfactometer with two A. platensis strains: one originated from SgLab and another after three generations on Rp (RpF4), both exposed to the four aphid species simultaneously. The highest SgLab A. platensis parasitism rates, in both choice and non‐choice tests, were observed on S. graminum, followed by R. padi and S. avenae. No parasitized hosts were found in M. dirhodum. Furthermore, SgLab A. platensis exhibited a stronger attraction to the odors emitted by S. graminum. However, after the third generation on R. padi (RpF4), A. platensis behavior altered, displaying a preference for R. padi over S. graminum, both in terms of parasitism and chemotactic responses. In conclusion, A. platensis showed a preference for hosts within the Aphidini tribe, indicating innate affinities. Nevertheless, its preference can be modified within this tribe based on the chemical cues inherited from the host during development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nesting and mating behaviours and the development time of Ammophila clavus (Fabricius), Ammophila globifrontalis Q.Li & Ch.Yang, and Ammophila laevigata F.Smith from Vietnam are presented. All three dig their nests in the ground. The nest entrance is round. The nest burrow is nearly vertical and ends with an elliptical cell. The cell contains 1–2 caterpillars. The egg is usually glued on the third abdominal segment of prey. The three wasps temporarily close their nest burrows just below the entrance when provisioning, but permanently close them above or at the nest cells when full provision is complete. As the last stage of nest construction, the nest entrance is camouflaged with small sticks and several pebbles. Males of both Ammophila clavus and Ammophila laevigata patrol nesting areas, pursue females searching for their nest sites, pounce upon them, and mate with them on the ground. The development time from egg to the emergence of adult wasps is more than one month, males always emerging before females. The nesting behaviour of the three Ammophila species is compared and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diomorus aiolomorphi Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) is an inquiline of gall maker Aiolomorphus rhopaloides Walker (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae). They are of significant economic significance and predominantly inhabit bamboo forest. So far, only four scaffold-level genomes have been published for the family Torymidae. In this study, we present a high-quality genome assembly of D. aiolomorphi at the chromosome level, achieved through the integration of Nanopore (ONT) long-read, Illumina pair-end DNA short-read, and High-through Chromosome Conformation Capture (Hi-C) sequencing methods. The final assembly was 1,084.56 Mb in genome size, with 1,083.41 Mb (99.89%) assigned to five pseudochromosomes. The scaffold N50 length reached 224.87 Mb, and the complete Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) score was 97.3%. The genome contained 762.12 Mb of repetitive elements, accounting for 70.27% of the total genome size. A total of 18,011 protein-coding genes were predicted, with 17,829 genes being functionally annotated. The high-quality genome assembly of D. aiolomorphi presented in this study will serve as a valuable genomic resource for future research on parasitoid wasps. The results of this study may also contribute to the development of biological control strategies for pest management in bamboo forests, enhancing ecological balance and economic sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing is a co-/post-transcriptional modification introducing A-to-G variations in RNAs. There is extensive discussion on whether the flexibility of RNA editing exerts a proteomic diversification role, or it just acts like hardwired mutations to correct the genomic allele. Eusocial insects evolved the ability to generate phenotypically differentiated individuals with the same genome, indicating the involvement of epigenetic/transcriptomic regulation. Methods: We obtained the genomes of 104 Hymenoptera insects and the transcriptomes of representative species. Comparative genomic analysis was performed to parse the evolutionary trajectory of a regulatory Ile > Met auto-recoding site in Adar gene. Results: At genome level, the pre-editing Ile codon is conserved across a node containing all eusocial hymenopterans. At RNA level, the editing events are confirmed in representative species and shows considerable condition-specificity. Compared to random expectation, the editable Ile codon avoids genomic substitutions to Met or to uneditable Ile codons, but does not avoid mutations to other unrelated amino acids. Conclusions: The flexibility of Adar auto-recoding site in Hymenoptera is selectively maintained, supporting the flexible RNA editing hypothesis. We proposed a new angle to view the adaptation of RNA editing, providing another layer to explain the great phenotypical plasticity of eusocial insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ants are ubiquitous and eusocial insects that exhibit frequent physical contact among colony members, thereby increasing their susceptibility to diseases. Some species are often found in beehives and in their surroundings, where they exploit the food resources of honey bees. This intricate relationship may facilitate the interspecific transmission of honey bee pathogens to ants, although ants themselves may contribute to spillback phenomena. The objective of this study was to assess the presence and abundance of honey bee pathogens in ants sampled from Italian apiaries. A total of 37 colonies within 24 apiaries across 7 regions were monitored. In total, 6 pathogens were detected in adult ants and 3 in the brood. In particular, the study revealed a high prevalence of honey bee pathogens in ants, with DWV, BQCV, and CBPV being the most commonly encountered. The brood also tested positive for the same viruses. Notably, all analyzed viruses were found to be replicative in both adult ants and ant broods. Furthermore, co‐infections were prevalent, suggesting complex pathogen interactions within ant populations. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences in pathogen prevalence and abundance among ant species and sample types. The findings highlight active infection in both the ants and the brood, suggesting a potential role of ants as reservoir hosts and vectors of honey bee pathogens emphasizing the need for further research to understand the implications of interspecific pathogen transmission on ant and bee health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is an updated overview of the New World (Western Hemisphere) members of the subfamily Agathidinae, including Greenland and the Caribbean Islands. It is a revision of the keys by Sharkey (1997) and Sharkey et al. (2021). It includes a key to the New World genera and a synopsis of each genus. The synopses include the following sections: diagnosis, biology, diversity, distribution, publications, and notes. There are 27 genera in the New World and about twice that number worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to collect Chalcidoidea in Bingöl province in eastern Türkiye between 2019 and 2023. Four additional records were found in three families within the superfamily Chalcidoidea: Eurytoma rosae Nees, 1834 (Eurytomidae); Ormyrus gratiosus (Förster, 1860) and O. orientalis Walker, 1871 (Ormyridae) and Perilampus ruficornis (Fabricius, 1793) (Perilampidae). Furthermore, distribution maps, collecting locations, and images of the species that have been documented were provided. Finally, a revised checklist is given for Turkish Eurytomidae, Ormyridae, and Perilampidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Pachyneuron Walker are most often reported as hyperparasitoids of aphids, coccids and psyllids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha). On the other hand, quite many reports concern hyperparasitism in the predators of Sternorrhyncha, mainly ladybird beetles. In this paper we report on the association of Pachyneuron muscarum (L.) with a ladybird Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) that was detected during a survey of parasitoids of ladybird larvae in Kermanshah (Iran). We bred P. muscarum wasps from two field collected H. variegata larvae. A single male P. muscarum emerged from one larva, parasitized by a primary parasitoid of the genus Homalotylus Mayr (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and a female P. muscarum emerged from the other larva, parasitized by a parasitoid other than Homalotylus. Previously, P. muscarum was reported from Iran in association with several species of coccids and psyllids, as well as predatory lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and ladybird larvae. A worldwide literature review indicates that at least eight species of Pachyneuron have been reported as hyperparasitoids of ladybird larvae. It may be thus concluded that some Pachyneuron species, being principally hyperparasitoids of Sternorrhyncha, can also hyperparasitize Sternorrhyncha-preying ladybird larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many invertebrates and vertebrates secrete mucus from their body surface, which plays a crucial role in protecting themselves from attacks by microorganism or predators. This study reports on the potential functions of mucus secreted from the body surface of larvae of the moth Phauda flammans (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Phaudidae). We tested whether the mucus could inhibit the growth of the fungus Beauveria bassiana PfBb (Bals.‐Criv.) Vuill. (Hypocreales) and attract and/or deter predators such as the crazy ant, Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and the predatory bug Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Our results showed that de‐ and rehydrated mucus concentrations of 0.5–1.0 mg mL−1 had an inhibitory effect on the conidial germination and colony growth of B. bassiana PfBb; however, P. flammans mucus did not significantly affect fungal sporulation. Raw mucus and mucus concentrations of 1.0–4.0 mg mL−1 attracted P. longicornis workers in a Y‐tube olfactometer, whereas the physical viscosity of raw mucus hindered their foraging for food in a laboratory test. The E. furcellata adults did not display a preference for the odour of P. flammans mucus. Therefore, P. flammans mucus may inhibit pathogenic microorganisms and attract or repel predators, but the mucus does not act as a complete deterrent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continued use and development of new insecticides are seen as a necessary part of modern agriculture, but insecticides, even at sublethal levels, may also affect beneficial non‐target species, such as pollinators, predators, and parasitic wasps. Here, we studied sublethal effects of four insecticides – acetamiprid, dimethoate, flupyradifurone, and sulfoxaflor – all targeting cholinergic neurons in insects, on sexual communication and olfactory host finding in the parasitic wasp Lariophagus distinguendus (Förster) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). We found that all four insecticides reduced, at least at one of the tested sublethal doses, pheromone‐mediated courtship behaviour (wing fanning) in males and the mating frequency of treated wasps. Treated females no longer preferred host‐associated kairomones. This suggests that the olfactory sense of the wasps is hampered by sublethal insecticide doses. The lowest bioactive doses tested in the bioassays were 0.021 ng for sulfoxaflor and 0.105 ng for acetamiprid, dimethoate, and flupyradifurone. These low amounts are field realistic and might be taken up by the wasps, e.g., by feeding contaminated plant nectar. Exposure to these compounds likely compromises the important ecosystem service provided by parasitic wasps as natural enemies in terrestrial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sampling nests of yellow jackets, Vespula spp. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), represent a particular challenge due to the danger involved in working with live colonies of a potentially aggressive venomous super‐organism. Here, we report on sampling methods using a petrol‐driven leaf blower/vacuum and a battery‐powered vacuum to sample returning Vespula germanica (Fabricius) foragers at their nest entrance. These methods make the sampling of returning foragers at the nest more efficient and convenient and represent a low‐risk approach to sampling. Applications include prey analysis and genetic sampling that can be done destructively or non‐destructively depending on the geographic location. We sampled 15 nests using the two‐stroke vacuum apparatus and collected on average (±SD) 454 ± 271 wasps per nest. We believe that the petrol‐driven vacuum collection apparatus we designed is a useful method for collecting a large number of social wasp foragers returning to a single‐nest entrance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mimicry, that is, the imitation of any unpalatable or defensive species by another, has been of central interest to evolutionary research since Darwin's lifetime. Two ant species, Camponotus guanchus Santschi, 1908 and Crematogaster alluaudi Emery, 1893, endemic to the Canary Islands, occur in two color‐morphs: While the head of workers is always reddish and the gaster blackish, the mesosoma (inclusive waist) is either fully reddish or fully blackish. In addition to the obvious morphological and coloration similarities, we provide evidence of mimicry: (i) Ca. guanchus was found only within the area of Cr. alluaudi. (ii) Color morphs are geographically non‐randomly distributed: Workers of both species from 16 localities of syntopic occurrences shared in eight cases a blackish and in eight cases a reddish mesosoma. Hence, Ca. guanchus mimics both local color‐morphs of Cr. alluaudi. We consider a fascinating analogy with the Mediterranean mimicry system in Camponotus lateralis (Olivier, 1792) and its model species of the Crematogaster scutellaris (Olivier, 1792) group on an island scale. Additionally, we present two endemic bug species, Perenotus stysi (Ribes et al., 2008) and P. malobae Roca‐Cusachs & Goula, 2016, as mimics of those Cr. alluaudi workers having a reddish mesosoma. Our distribution, coloration, frequency, and behavioral data as well as the analogy with Ca. lateralis and the Cr. scutellaris group suggest a Batesian‐mimicry system in which Ca. guanchus, Perenotus stysi, and P. malobae mimic the unpalatable and aggressive Cr. alluaudi as an antipredator adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty‐two species of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were intercepted at South Korean points of entry on plants for planting imported from tropical and subtropical Asia from 1996 to 2023. Information on the number of interceptions, host plants, consignment origin and their years of interception is provided. Data on intercepted ant species were analysed to determine potential invasive species of ants that could cause damage not only to agricultural, forestry, and natural ecosystems but also to industry and that could endanger human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted on citrus and avocado trees in north‐western Morocco between February 2023 and April 2024 to detect scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) and their associated natural enemies. A total of 55 orchards in seven provinces were studied. The Florida red scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diaspididae) was found on leaves at two sites: a moderate infestation in one citrus orchard and one specimen on an avocado tree. This work is the first record of the scale insect on avocado in Morocco, and the first morphological description of C. aonidum from the country, based on 100 adult females mounted on microscope slides. Chrysomphalus aonidum is not causing economic damage in citrus or avocado orchards in Morocco. Two ectoparasitoid wasps (Aphytis melinus DeBach and Aphytis sp.; Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), and three predatory beetles (Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell, Chilocorus bipustulatus Linnaeus, and Clitostethus arcuatus Rosso; Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were found associated with C. aonidum on citrus leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In February 2024, the ficus whitefly Singhiella simplex (Singh, 1931) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was first reported in a tropical greenhouse and inside a private house in Northern Italy (Vertemate con Minoprio and Monza, respectively – Lombardy Region). The observed ficus whiteflies caused severe defoliation on different Ficus species including Ficus benjamina and Ficus retusa. Several third and fourth larval instars of Singhiella simplex were associated with the parasitoid wasp Encarsia hispida De Santis, 1948 (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Morphological and molecular analyses were performed to identify both S. simplex and E. hispida. Based on current knowledge, this is the first report of the ficus whitefly in Northern Italy as well as the first observation of its association with the parasitoid wasp E. hispida in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occidozyga martensii is widely distributed from southern China to Malaysia. However, there is a lack of data on the dietary ecology of this species. In this study, we investigated the diet of O. martensii from Ba Den Mountain Cultural and Historical Complex, Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. The stomach-flushing method was employed to obtain stomach contents of 112 individuals (including 48 males and 64 females) at three sites. We identified 26 prey categories from 308 food items, including 307 items of invertebrates and one amphibian. The food spectrum of O. martensii consists of 11 insect orders (Blattodea, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Thysanura, Orthoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Trichoptera, Hymenoptera), other invertebrate groups (Gastropoda, Araneae, Decapoda, Scolopendromorpha), and a small frog. The frequency of prey occurrence for these categories ranges from 1.16% to 20.93%. Coleoptera (20.93%), Hymenoptera (17.44%), Araneae (15.12%), Lepidoptera (13.95%), and Isoptera (11.63%) are the important prey categories in terms of occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common name 'Ferguson squathopper' is proposed for Messena sinuata Atkinson (Eurybrachidae). Cycas circinalis L. (Cycadaceae), Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae), Pongamia pinnata (L.) Merr. (= Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi), Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr.) (both Fabaceae), Terminalia catappa L., T. paniculata Roth (Combretaceae) and Tectona grandis L. f. (Verbenaceae) are newly recorded as host plants of M. sinuata. Messena albifasciata Distant is possibly a junior synonym of M. sinuata. Hymenopteran parasitoids Proleurocerus litoralis Hayat and Kazmi (Encyrtidae, Encyrtinae), Parachrysocharis malabarensis Narendran (Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae) and an unnamed Anastatus sp. (Eupelmidae: Eupelminae) (males only) are newly reported as egg parasitoids of M. sinuata. All parasitoids are described with illustrations. The hitherto unknown male of Parachrysocharis malabarensis is described. Notes on parasitisation are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social insects have developed different nest defence strategies; for example, social wasps use nonaggressive mechanisms or aggressiveness, including stinging. This subject has been widely examined in the literature, and it may help improve our understanding of wasps' ecology. The nesting behaviour of some genera is still poorly known. In this paper, we report new information on the nesting behaviour of the species Clypearia in different Brazilian biomes. We observed six nesting events in natural and anthropic environments of the Amazon rainforest, Atlantic forest, and Cerrado domains, sporadically from 2004 to 2022. From our observations, we suggest that Clypearia nest defence includes (i) preference for nest camouflage rather than aggressive behaviour; (ii) selection of nesting sites close to water sources in natural or anthropic environments, and eventually obtaining food from the substrate; (iii) nesting association with ants for mutual protection against predators; and (iv) variations in the nests' height. Our records suggest nest camouflage and association with ants are strategies for nest defence. These may have influenced nest height in relation to the ground, which may also vary according to the environment explored by the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 (Apidae: Xylocopini) Latreille includes efficient pollinating bees that visit a wide range of botanical species. Although several studies have investigated their interactions with plants in dune ecosystems, there is still a limited understanding of these bee communities in coastal environments. This study aimed to characterize the larval diet of Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) cearensis Ducke, 1910 by analyzing pollen from their nests to assess the presence of specialization or generalization in relation to botanical species. The research was carried out in coastal sandbanks of the Delta do Parnaíba Environmental Protection Area, Tutóia, Maranhão-BR, over a 12-month period. The natural nests were inventoried by active searches and, when possible, transported to the Federal University of Maranhão. Pollen samples were collected from 19 brood cells of 12 nests in total. All the nests were found on branches of Anacardium occidentale L. Using the acetolysis method, 21 types of pollen were recognized, representing 14 botanical families. Three of those types of pollen were considered to be Frequent pollen, Mouriri cearensis Huber (35.44%), Chamaecrista ramosa (Vogel) H. S. Irwin & Barneby (32.80%) and Myrcia multiflora (Lam.) DC (27.05%). Based on these results, X. cearensis can be characterized as a polylectic species that demonstrates adaptability. These floral resources serve as essential protein sources for the nutrition of their brood, highlighting the importance of these plant species in supporting their reproductive success. This study provides useful information that can serve as a reference for future research on other Xylocopa species in similar ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex pheromones are considered to play critical roles in partner communication of most parasitic Hymenoptera. However, the identification of sex pheromone components remains limited to a few families of parasitoid wasps. In this study, we functionally characterized a candidate sex pheromone component in Microplitis mediator (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a solitary parasitoid of Noctuidae insects. We found that the body surface extract from female wasps could significantly stimulate courtship behavior of males. Gas chromatography‐electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) analysis revealed that a candidate semiochemical from extract triggered significant electrophysiological response of antennae of males. By performing gas chromatography‐mass spectrometer (GC‐MS) measurement, GC‐EAD active compound was identified as n‐octyl acrylate, a candidate sex pheromone component in female M. mediator. In electroantennogram (EAG) tests, antennae of male wasps showed significantly higher electrophysiological responses to n‐octyl acrylate than those of females. Y‐tube olfactometer assays indicated that male wasps significantly chose n‐octyl acrylate compared with the control. Furthermore, male wasps showed a remarkable preference for n‐octyl acrylate in a simulated field condition behavioral trial; simultaneously, n‐octyl acrylate standard could also trigger significant courtship behavior in males. We propose that n‐octyl acrylate, as a candidate vital sex pheromone component, could be utilized to design behavioral regulators of M. mediator to implement the protection and utilization of natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ants can found colonies in different ways. One is by claustral colony foundation, when fertilized queens typically have enough nutrients reserved in their bodies to raise the first 'nanitic' worker generation without any foraging activity. This colony-foundation strategy evolved in response to selective pressures (e.g. predators), but it limits the number of nanitic workers. We, therefore, assumed that fed queens might initially rear more nanitic workers, although feeding might also be associated with risks and stress. In this study, we analysed the effects of stress and different diets during the colony-foundation period on the success of colony founding by claustral black garden ant Lasius niger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) queens. Our findings confirm that regularly fed claustral ant queens raise more pupae and workers, reflecting that limited brood size is a cost of safety behaviour for claustral ant queens. There is another notable aspect of our findings for laboratories: in order to maximize the size of the nanitic worker generation, they can feed claustral ant queens with crickets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]