Characterization of an Ecdysone Oxidase from (L.) and Its Role in Bt Cry1Ac Resistance.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying insect resistance to (Bt) pesticidal proteins is crucial for sustainable pest management. Here, we found that downregulation of the ecdysone oxidase gene () in the normal feeding stages contributes to increased 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) titer and mediates resistance to the Bt Cry1Ac toxin. The gene was cloned and its expression was significantly downregulated in the midgut of Bt-resistant and Cry1Ac-selected .

Flipping indirect defense: chemical cues from natural enemies mediate multitrophic interactions.

Plants and invertebrates use chemical signals and cues to construct information about their environment. It is well reviewed that chemical signals play key roles in interactions between conspecific insects, such as sex pheromones for finding mates, and that plants transmit chemical signals to recruit natural enemies that kill herbivores. However, it is also known that chemicals emitted by natural enemies can influence insect herbivore physiology and behavior.

Assessing radiation-induced enzyme activation in Aedes aegypti: Potential challenges for SIT-based vector management.

This study characterizes the Aedes aegypti population from Fernando de Noronha Island, Pernambuco, Brazil, prior to implementing the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). The main objective was to assess changes in glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme activity, previously linked to cypermethrin resistance in this population, in 2010. GST activity was measured in both male and female mosquitoes, masse produced in lab, after exposure to ionizing radiation.

A low cost and labor-efficient method for rearing an invasive beetle, Carpophilus truncatus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae).

The carpophilus beetle, Carpophilus truncatus Murray, 1864 (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is an invasive pest recently detected in California's tree nut crop orchards. Here we report a simple, labor-saving, and cost-effective rearing system for C. truncatus utilizing banana and industrial sand components.

Synthesis, in vivo evaluation, and in silico molecular docking of benzo[h]quinoline derivatives as potential Culex pipiens L. larvicides.

A new series of benzo[h]quinoline-containing heterocycles was synthesized via reactions of benzo[h]quinolinyl-2(3H)-furanone with some nitrogen bidentate nucleophiles, leading to the formation of pyridazinone, pyrrolinone, benzimidazole, and benzoxazinone derivatives. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their insecticidal activity against Culex pipiens L. larvae.

Managing Friends and Foes: Sanctioning Mutualists in Mixed-Infection Nodules Trades off With Defense Against Antagonists.

Successful plant growth requires plants to minimize harm from antagonists and maximize benefit from mutualists. However, these outcomes may be difficult to achieve simultaneously, since plant defenses activated in response to antagonists can compromise mutualism function, and plant resources allocated to defense may trade off with resources allocated to managing mutualists. Here, we investigate how antagonist attack affects plant ability to manage mutualists with sanctions, in which a plant rewards cooperative mutualists and/or punishes uncooperative mutualists.

Temperature effect on the efficacy of 3 entomopathogenic nematode isolates against larvae of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

The lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), an important insect pest of stored-product commodities and poultry production systems, is regarded among the most difficult species to control. It has developed resistance to many chemical insecticides, and though various cultural and biological methods have been assessed and identified as possible factors for its control, none are currently implemented. Entomopathogenic nematodes are often successfully employed as alternative to chemicals biocontrol agents of various insect species, including pests of stored products; nevertheless, their evaluation as potential biocontrol factors of the lesser mealworm is not efficiently scrutinized.

Understanding the genetics of sex determination in insects and its relevance to genetic pest management.

Sex determination pathways regulate male and female-specific development and differentiation and offer potential targets for genetic pest management methods. Insect sex determination pathways are comprised of primary signals, relay genes and terminal genes. Primary signals of coleopteran, dipteran, hymenopteran and lepidopteran species are highly diverse and regulate the sex-specific splicing of relay genes based on the primary signal dosage, amino acid composition or the interaction with paternally inherited genes.

Insights into adult worker foraging dynamics within a Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colony.

Bombus terrestris, an important eusocial insect, plays a vital role in providing pollination services for both wild plants and greenhouse crops. For the development of the colonies, the workers must leave the hives to collect nectar and pollen. However, limited findings about the foraging behavior of B.

A scoping review of applied tick control research in North America: funding, implementation, and advancement.

Geographic ranges of ticks and tick-borne pathogens within North America are shifting due to environmental changes and human-driven activities, with species of public health concern presenting a multifaceted risk to human health. Innovative strategies and continued collaboration to control tick populations are needed to combat this growing threat. We conducted a scoping review of the literature to describe the nature of applied tick control research conducted in North America (Canada, Mexico, and the United States) to date, with the goal of describing key concepts and identifying gaps in this research area.

Sunny days and busy bees: Unveiling the weather-driven foraging patterns of Tetragonula iridipennis and their role in tomato pollination.

The present study focused on the impact of weather parameters over the foraging efficiency and pollination potential of stingless bees, Tetragonula iridipennis in tomato ecosystem which was located in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India. The maximum foraging activity (outgoing bees - 24.56/5 min, Pollen foragers - 8.

Exploration of bioactive molecules from Sesbania grandiflora (L.): identification of squalene as an effective compound against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, through molecular docking.

Two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch is a devastating polyphagous mite causing considerable economic loss. Acaricides are showered in crops to manage this pest. The pest is known for developing resistance to several classical acaricides.

Sublethal effects of chlorfenapyr and acequinocyl on the functional and numerical responses of the predatory mites Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae).

Tetranychus urticae Koch, commonly known as two spotted spider mites, is a major agricultural pest that causes significant economic loss. Predatory mites, such as Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) are important biological control agents for this pest. However, the efficacy of these predators can be compromised by pesticide application.

Molecular evidence of Wolbachia in bat-associated mite Periglischrus Iheringi Oudemans, 1902 (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae) from Brazil.

Wolbachia is an intracellular endosymbiont bacterium found in nematodes and arthopods. Regarding mites, the Wolbachia supergroup U has been described based on strains found in the genus Spinturnix. In this study, ten specimens of Periglischrus iheringi (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae), collected from Artibeus obscurus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Santa Catarina State, were found to be infected with Wolbachia.

Nutraceutical Potential of Wild Leafy Vegetables Commonly Consumed by Tribal Communities: Cassia tora (L.) Roxb., Acalypha fruiticosa Forssk. and Talinum portulacifolium (Forssk.) Asch. ex Schweinf.

Wide variety of consumable leafy vegetables are present in the nature but most of them are neither utilised nor scientifically investigated. Nutraceutical potential of these plants should be studied to enrich our knowledge, thus making them part of balanced diets. In view of this objective, three leafy vegetables were selected viz.

Harnessing microbes for heavy metal remediation: mechanisms and prospects.

Contamination by heavy metals (HMs) poses a significant threat to the ecosystem and its associated micro and macroorganisms, leading to ill effects on humans which necessitate the requirement of effective remediation strategies. Microbial remediation leverages the natural metabolic abilities of microbes to overcome heavy metal pollution effectively. Some of the mechanisms that aids in the removal of heavy metals includes bioaccumulation, biosorption, and biomineralization.

Predicting the potential distribution of stingless bee, Tetragonula iridipennis in India using MaxEnt and CMIP6 climate projections.

Tetragonula iridipennis Smith, commonly known as the stingless bee or 'dammer bee', is a key native species that pollinates a wide variety of horticultural crops, including onions, in India. Climate change significantly affects species distribution and habitat suitability. This study utilized Maximum Entropy Modeling (MaxEnt) to predict the current and future distribution of T.

Temporal evolution of insecticide resistance and bionomics in Anopheles funestus, a key malaria vector in Uganda.

Insecticide resistance escalation is decreasing the efficacy of vector control tools. Monitoring vector resistance is paramount in order to understand its evolution and devise effective counter-solutions. In this study, we monitored insecticide resistance patterns, vector population bionomics and genetic variants associated with resistance over 3 years from 2021 to 2023 in Uganda.

Doppler weather radars as a game changer in desert locust swarm tracking.

Desert locusts, notorious for their ruinous impact on agriculture, threaten over 20% of Earth's landmass, prompting billions in losses and global food scarcity concerns. With billions of these locusts invading agrarian lands, this is no longer a thing of the past. Recent invasions, such as those in India, where losses reached US$ 3 billion in 2019-20 alone, underscore the urgency of action.

Impact of Acacia-derived biochar to mitigate salinity stress in Zea mays L. by morpho-physiological and biochemical indices.

Climate change has caused many challenges to soil ecosystems, including soil salinity. Consequently, many strategies are advised to mitigate this issue. In this context, biochar is acknowledged as a useful addition that can alleviate the detrimental impacts of salt stress on plants.

Identifying the Knowledge and Capacity Gaps in Southeast Asian Insect Conservation.

Insects represent most of terrestrial animal biodiversity, and multiple reports suggest that their populations are declining globally due to anthropogenic impacts. Yet, a high proportion of insect species remain undescribed and limited data on their population dynamics hamper insect conservation efforts. This is particularly critical in tropical biodiversity hotspots such as Southeast Asia.