Identification and molecular detection of the pathogen of leaf yellowing through genome analysis.

Moth orchids ( spp.) are globally popular ornamental flowers. However, effective management strategies for leaf yellowing remain elusive, making the disease a challenging obstacle affecting moth orchids at various growth stages.

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome and Phylogenetic Analysis of (Matsumura, 1909) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) (Matsumura, 1909), an endemic moth species in Taiwan, was sequenced and analyzed. The complete circular mitogenome of is 15,303 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and an AT-rich control region. The mitogenome has an overall nucleotide composition of 41.

Dimethyl sulfoxide, an alternative for control of Nosema ceranae infection in honey bees (Apis mellifera).

Nosema ceranae is a microsporidian parasite that threatens current apiculture. N. ceranae-infected honey bees (Apis mellifera) exhibit morbid physiological impairments and reduced honey production, malnutrition, shorter life span, and higher mortality than healthy honey bees.

Monitoring the Season-Prevalence Relationship of in Honey Bees () over One Year and the Primary Assessment of Probiotic Treatment in Taichung, Taiwan.

Microsporidiosis, which is caused by the pathogen , is a prevalent disease in the honey bee () and might lead to significant adult honey bee mortality. In this study, we conducted an annual survey of the mature spore load of in the guts of nurse bees and forager bees in the apiary of National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) in Taiwan. The results indicated that, on average, honey bees hosted approximately 2.

Assessment of Aphidicidal Effect of Entomopathogenic Fungi against Parthenogenetic Insect, Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.).

The mustard aphid (L. erysimi) is a pest that infests various cruciferous crops and transmits plant viruses. To achieve eco-friendly pest management, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are potential microbial control agents for controlling this pest.

Investigation of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) gut microbiome and entomopathogenic fungus-induced pathobiome.

The gut microflora plays an important role in insect development and physiology. The gut bacterial microbiome of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, in both cornfield and laboratory-reared populations was investigated using a 16S metagenomic approach. The alpha- and beta-diversity of the cornfield FAW populations varied among sampling sites and were higher than those of the laboratory-reared FAW population, indicating that different diets and environments influence the gut bacterial composition.

Whole-genome DNA methylome analysis of different developmental stages of the entomopathogenic fungus NCHU-157 by nanopore sequencing.

The entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), is an important and commonly used EPF for microbial control. However, the role of DNA methylation has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the whole genomic DNA methylome of one promising EPF isolate, NCHU-157 (Bb-NCHU-157), was investigated by Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT).

Evaluation of the Potential Entomopathogenic Fungi and for Biological Control of (Shiraki).

(Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is a nuisance blood-sucking pest to humans in Taiwan. An bite causes itching and redness and usually causes serious harassment to human outdoor activity. In terms of control, chemical pesticides are ineffective.

Transcriptome of and Upregulated Microsporidia Genes during Its Infection of Western Honey Bee ().

is one of the fungal parasites of . It causes physical and behavioral effects in honey bees. However, only a few studies have reported on gene expression profiling during infection.

A Novel Application of 3D Printing Technology Facilitating Shell Wound Healing of Freshwater Turtle.

Numerous cases and a shortage of resources usually limit wild animal rescue. New technology might save these severely injured wild animals from euthanasia by easing the requirement of intensive medication. Three-dimensional (3D) technologies provide precise and accurate results that improve the quality of medical applications.

Low-Level Fluvalinate Treatment in the Larval Stage Induces Impaired Olfactory Associative Behavior of Honey Bee Workers in the Field.

Fluvalinate is a widely used insecticide for varroa mite control in apiculture. While most beekeepers have ignored the effects of low levels of fluvalinate on bees, this study aims to demonstrate its effects at very low concentrations. We first used fluvalinate doses ranging from 0.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Villiard, 1969 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of (Villiard, 1969) is 15,280 bp in length, with the typical gene content and arrangement usually observed in Insecta. It contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one AT-rich region. The overall nucleotide composition of the mitogenome was 39.

Sacbrood viruses cross-infection between Apis cerana and Apis mellifera: Rapid detection, viral dynamics, evolution and spillover risk assessment.

Recent outbreaks of sacbrood virus (SBV) have caused serious epizootic disease in Apis cerana populations across Asia including Taiwan. Earlier phylogenetic analyses showed that cross-infection of AcSBV and AmSBV in both A. cerana and A.

Isolation and Selection of Entomopathogenic Fungi from Soil Samples and Evaluation of Fungal Virulence against Insect Pests.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are one of the microbial control agents for integrated pest management. To control local or invasive pests, it is important to isolate and select indigenous EPF. Therefore, the soil bait method combined with the insect bait (mealworm, Tenebrio molitor) system was used in this study with some modifications.

Transcriptome-level assessment of the impact of deformed wing virus on honey bee larvae.

Deformed wing virus (DWV) prevalence is high in honey bee (Apis mellifera) populations. The virus infects honey bees through vertical and horizontal transmission, leading to behavioural changes, wing deformity, and early mortality. To better understand the impacts of viral infection in the larval stage of honey bees, artificially reared honey bee larvae were infected with DWV (1.

Diversity of Fungal DNA Methyltransferases and Their Association With DNA Methylation Patterns.

DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are a group of proteins that catalyze DNA methylation by transferring a methyl group to DNA. The genetic variation in DNMTs results in differential DNA methylation patterns associated with various biological processes. In fungal species, DNMTs and their DNA methylation profiles were found to be very diverse and have gained many research interests.

Genomic Sequencing and Comparison of Sacbrood Viruses from and in Taiwan.

Sacbrood virus (SBV) was the first identified bee virus and shown to cause serious epizootic infections in the population of in Taiwan in 2015. Herein, the whole genome sequences of SBVs in and were decoded and designated AcSBV-TW and AmSBV-TW, respectively. The whole genomes of AcSBV-TW and AmSBV-TW were 8776 and 8885 bp, respectively, and shared 90% identity.

Deformed Wing Virus in Two Widespread Invasive Ants: Geographical Distribution, Prevalence, and Phylogeny.

Spillover of honey bee viruses have posed a significant threat to pollination services, triggering substantial effort in determining the host range of the viruses as an attempt to understand the transmission dynamics. Previous studies have reported infection of honey bee viruses in ants, raising the concern of ants serving as a reservoir host. Most of these studies, however, are restricted to a single, local ant population.

Comparison of gut microbiota of healthy and diseased walking sticks, Phasmotaenia lanyuhensis.

Research on gut microbiota of phytophagous insects has shown to be important for the physiological functions of insect hosts; however, little is known about the changes in gut microbiota when they are suffering from environmental stress or pathogen infections. During rearing of Phasmotaenia lanyuhensis (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae), sluggish locomotion was usually followed by the death of the insect with a symptom of melanization in the front part of the abdomen. Therefore, the abnormal individuals were initially classified into moribund, light- and serious-symptom based on the level of abnormal physiological circumstances and melanization.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Putative RNA Virus, RiPV-2, from the Bean Bug Riptortus pedestris.

A novel putative single-stranded RNA virus was discovered from the transcriptome of a bean bug, , infected with the entomopathogenic fungus JEF-007. The complete genome sequence was 9,915 nucleotides long and encoded a 2,916-amino-acid polyprotein. This virus belonged to based on phylogenetic analysis and was named RiPV-2.

Screening of Differentially Expressed Microsporidia Genes from Infected Honey Bees by Suppression Subtractive Hybridization.

The microsporidium is a high prevalent parasite of the European honey bee (). This parasite is spreading across the world into its novel host. The developmental process, and some mechanisms of -infected honey bees, has been studied thoroughly; however, few studies have been carried out in the mechanism of gene expression in during the infection process.

Dynamics of Apis cerana Sacbrood Virus (AcSBV) Prevalence in Apis cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Northern Taiwan and Demonstration of its Infection in Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Since 2016, Apis cerana sacbrood virus (AcSBV) has been recorded in Taiwan. It is epizootic in Apis cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and causing serious loss of A. cerana.

Genomic sequencing of Troides aeacus nucleopolyhedrovirus (TraeNPV) from golden birdwing larvae (Troides aeacus formosanus) to reveal defective Autographa californica NPV genomic features.

Background: The golden birdwing butterfly (Troides aeacus formosanus) is a rarely observed species in Taiwan. Recently, a typical symptom of nuclear polyhedrosis was found in reared T. aeacus larvae.

Novel inspection of sugar residue and origin in honey based on the C/C isotopic ratio and protein content.

Regarding the honey industry, market prices are strongly affected by the origin and composition of products. In particular, the adulteration of honey can be divided into cases of honey being mixed with artificial syrup, the different origin of the adulteration and the presence of cane sugar residue. Unfortunately, recent studies mentioned that most honey is mixed with artificial syrups.