Description of mitochondrial genomes and phylogenetic analysis of Megophthalminae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).

To elucidate phylogenetic relationships within the leafhopper's subfamily Megophthalminae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), mitogenomes of 12 species of the subfamily were sequenced and assembled. These were added to the mitogenomes of the eight other species that are currently available. Mitogenome size ranged from 15,193 bp in Onukigallia onukii (Matsumura, 1912) to 15,986 bp in Multinervis guangxiensis (Li and Li, 2013), they all contained 37 genes, and gene order was similar to that in other leafhoppers.

Pesticide use in integrated pest and pollinator management framework to protect pollinator health.

Agricultural pesticides have historically been a critical tool in controlling pests and diseases, preventing widespread suffering and crop losses that led to catastrophes such as the Great Irish Famine (1845-1852) and the Cotton Boll Weevil Infestation (1915-1916). However, their usage has brought challenges, including resistance development, secondary pest outbreaks, harm to non-target organisms like pollinators, and environmental contamination. In response to these concerns, integrated pest management (IPM) has emerged as a comprehensive approach, emphasizing non-chemical pest control methods such as cultural practices, biological control, and crop rotation, with pesticides as the last resort.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of a stored-product psocid, Liposcelis tricolor (Psocodea: Liposcelididae).

Liposcelis tricolor (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) is a significant pest affecting stored products globally. However, due to the lack of a detailed genomic reference, the mechanisms of sex determination, stress resistance, and potential control methods for this booklouse remain poorly understood. In this study, the chromosome-level genome of L.

Antiviral Potential of (L.) Hitchc. Plant Extracts Against and Viruses.

Chikungunya and Mayaro fevers are viral infectious diseases characterized by fever and arthralgia, for which there are currently no effective vaccines or treatments. The urgent need for novel antiviral agents against Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Mayaro virus (MAYV) has led to interest in plant-based compounds that can disrupt the viral replication cycle. (L.

Female contact sex pheromone recognition in the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is mediated by two male antennae-enriched sensory neuron membrane proteins.

Background: The German cockroach Blattella germanica is a notorious urban health pest that has developed resistance to multiple pesticides. Thus, novel non-lethal pest control agents are urgently needed. Olfaction interference via disruption of sex pheromone recognition-related genes offers a promising approach.

Advances on polymeric nanocarriers for sustainable agriculture: Enhancing dsRNA/siRNA delivery to combat agricultural pests.

The application of exogenous RNA for gene-silencing strategies has gained significant traction in agriculture, offering a highly efficient and eco-friendly alternative to conventional plant protection methods. This success has been driven by advances in biotechnology, from the design of long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules to the development of nanocarrier systems that address the challenge of RNA delivery into plant cells. In particular, polymer-based nanocarriers have emerged as a promising solution for enhancing the stability and delivery efficiency of RNA molecules.

Crucial role of a takeout protein in white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) orientation towards its host rice plants.

The takeout (TO) gene family impacts diverse physiological and behavioral functions in insects, yet specific olfactory-associated roles for the family have yet to be fully elucidated. To provide insights into TO function in rice planthoppers, the genomes of three rice planthoppers (white-backed planthopper, brown planthopper and small brown planthopper) were searched for TO homologs and their degree of conservation assessed via chromosomal localization, exon-intron boundaries, phylogenetic relationships and protein domains/motifs. We performed a tissue-specific expression analysis of the 20 TO genes in the white-backed planthopper (WBPH, Sogatella furcifera) and found that SfTO17 is enriched in adult antennae.

RNAi of nuclear receptor E78 inhibits the cuticle formation in the molting process of spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.

Background: The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is an important pest mite in agriculture worldwide. E78, as a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and a downstream responsive gene of ecdysteroids, plays a crucial role in regulating physiological behaviors such as development and reproduction in insects. However, its function in mites remains unclear.

A long cold storage protocol for Anisopteromalus calandrae based on promoting prepupal development and arresting early pupal growth under low temperature.

Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) shows great promise as an ectoparasitoid for controlling various coleopteran pests in warehouses. However, for a large-scale release, it is crucial to establish an ample supply of A. calandrae while carefully maintaining their quality and effectiveness.

Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated ebony gene editing in the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella.

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae), is a major bee pest that inflicts considerable harm on beehives, leading to economic losses. It also serves as a valuable resource insect and a model organism. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system plays a crucial role in improving economic insect breeding and developing efficient agricultural pest management systems in Lepidoptera.

Effects of flowering period on floral traits, pollinator behavior and seed production of David's mountain laurel ().

is a cross-pollinated plant with important ecological protection and medicinal value in China, but its seed yield is low due to backward and nonstandard production technology. Therefore, we divide the flowering period of into initial, full and final flowering period, measuring the floral morphology, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, nectar volume and nectar concentration, foraging behavior of pollinators, fertilization physiology, seed yield and quality through field observation and indoor testing to explore whether the flowering period affects the floral traits, pollinator behavior and seed production of plants. Our results revealed that the nectar volume, nectar concentration, pollen viability and stigma receptivity at full flowering period were the highest.

Chromosome-level genome assembly and sex chromosome identification of the pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the most notorious pest insects of rice and maize crops in the world. Here, we generated a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of S. inferens, using a combination of Illumina, PacBio HiFi and Hi-C technologies.

HcGr76 responds to fructose and chlorogenic acid and is involved in regulation of peptide expression in the midgut of Hyphantria cunea larvae.

Background: Sensing dietary components in the gut is important to ensure an appropriate hormonal response and metabolic regulation after food intake. The fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea, is a major invasive pest in China and has led to significant economic losses and ecosystem disruption. The larvae's broad host range and voracious appetite for leaves make H.

A Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Synthase Gene Is Expressed in Fat Body Regulates Cantharidin Synthesis in Male Blister Beetle.

Blister beetles of have attracted attention because they contain a large amount of cantharidin (CTD). To date, however, the synthesis and transfer of CTD in adults of are largely unknown. Here, we showed that the larvae are capable of synthesizing CTD and they consume CTD during pupation.

Proactive resistance management for sustaining the efficacy of RNA interference for pest control.

Biopesticides based on RNA interference (RNAi) took a major step forward with the first registration of a sprayable RNAi product, which targets the world's most damaging potato pest. Proactive resistance management is needed to delay the evolution of resistance by pests and sustain the efficacy of RNAi biopesticides.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of a male accessory glands-specific gene takeout1 decreases the fecundity of Zeugodacus cucurbitae female.

Background: The melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), is an invasive Tephritidae pest with robust fertility. The male accessory glands (MAGs) form a vital organ that ensures insect reproductive efficiency. Most of the secreted proteins by MAGs exhibit a male bias expression.

RNAi of yellow-y, required for normal cuticle pigmentation, impairs courtship behavior and oviposition in the German cockroach (Blattella germanica).

The insect cuticle plays a key role in maintaining the insect's physiological function and behavior. Herein, the yellow-y protein is required to produce black melanin, and is expressed in a pattern that correlates with the distribution of this pigment. However, yellow-y can also have other functions, for instance, in insect behavior, but not much is known.

A comparative genomic analysis of Fructobacillus evanidus sp. nov. from bumble bees.

The increase in studies on bee microbiomes is prompted by concerns over global pollinator declines. Bumble bees host core and non-core microbiota which may contribute to increased lifetime fitness. The presence of Fructobacillus in the gut microbiomes of bumble bee workers, or the replacement of core symbionts with Fructobacillus bacteria, has been considered a marker of dysbiosis.

Decoding epitranscriptomic regulation of viral infection: mapping of RNA N-methyladenosine by advanced sequencing technologies.

Elucidating the intricate interactions between viral pathogens and host cellular machinery during infection is paramount for understanding pathogenic mechanisms and identifying potential therapeutic targets. The RNA modification N-methyladenosine (mA) has emerged as a significant factor influencing the trajectory of viral infections. Hence, the precise and quantitative mapping of mA modifications in both host and viral RNA is pivotal to understanding its role during viral infection.

Colony performance of three native bumblebee species from South China and association with their gut microbiome.

Bumblebees play an important ecological economic role as pollinators in nature and agriculture. For reasons of biosecurity, many countries promote the cultivation of native bumblebee species for crop pollination instead of importing "alien" species. In South China, a few bumblebee species are considered useful in this way, particularly, Bombus atripes, Bombus bicoloratus and Bombus breviceps.

A narrow host-range and lack of persistence in two non-target insect species of a bacterial symbiont exploited to deliver insecticidal RNAi in Western Flower Thrips.

Introduction: Insecticidal RNAi is a targeted pest insect population control measure. The specificity of insecticidal RNAi can theoretically be enhanced by using symbiotic bacteria with a narrow host range to deliver RNAi, an approach termed symbiont-mediated RNAi (SMR), a technology we have previously demonstrated in the globally-invasive pest species Western Flower Thrips (WFT).

Methods: Here we examine distribution of the two predominant bacterial symbionts of WFT, BFo1 and BFo2, among genome-sequenced insects.