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Multitrophic interactions are common in nature and play a major role in modulating life‐history traits in predatory insects. The sequestration of chemicals and the transfer of nutrients from one trophic level to a higher trophic level have been reported previously. However, the effect of cannibalism, which is prevalent in the food chain, has not been explored yet. In this study, we hypothesised that the varying nutritional condition of the victim would significantly influence the life‐history traits of adult Menochilus sexmaculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). To test this hypothesis, we provided fourth‐instar individuals with first‐instar victims of varying nutritional quality for cannibalism. To create victims of varying nutritional quality, first‐instar victims were fed on high‐quality aphids [Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae)], low‐quality aphids (Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe) and conspecific eggs. The cannibalistic groups were tested against the control group, in which the fourth instars were provided with their natural prey, A. craccivora. Our results revealed a significant difference in the consumption of prey by the fourth instars between the diet groups, with the control group consuming the most prey. The developmental duration of fourth instars was not significantly influenced by the victims' diet or the amount of victims cannibalised. Furthermore, neither the victims' diet nor the amount of victims cannibalised affected the mating (time to commence mating and copulation duration) and reproductive parameters (egg viability and fecundity) in M. sexmaculatus. Cannibalism here might have compensated for the low‐quality victims, resulting in insignificant effects on the life‐history traits of M. sexmaculatus. Otherwise, given the short duration of the first instars and their potentially limited ability to sequester significant amounts of plant allelochemicals, it is possible that their diet did not affect the development, mating and reproductive attributes of the cannibals. Thus, the use of higher instars as victims may yield substantially different outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Paederus fuscipes belongs to the Coleoptera order, Staphylinidae family, and Paederus genus, and has a wide distribution. It is a predatory insect and serves as a predatory natural enemy of agricultural and forestry pests. Additionally, it acts as a vector for Paederus dermatitis in most tropical and subtropical countries worldwide. In this study, we utilized the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS software to predict the current and future suitable habitat distribution of P. fuscipes, considering known distribution information, and climate and environmental factors. The results indicate that high suitability areas for P. fuscipes in China are mainly concentrated in the Shandong Hills, the North China Plain, and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Plain. Predictions based on future climate change scenarios show a significant decrease in high and low suitability areas while the moderately suitable area increases (except for the SSP2-4.5 scenario in the 2090s). This study promotes the use of P. fuscipes as a biological control agent against other pests and provides essential references for its application in agricultural and forestry pest control. Paederus fuscipes Curtis, 1826, belongs to the Coleoptera order, Staphylinidae family, and Paederus genus (Fabricius, 1775). It has a wide distribution and strong invasive and environmental adaptation capabilities. As a predatory natural enemy of agricultural and forestry pests, understanding its suitable habitat is crucial for the control of other pests. This study, for the first time, uses the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS software, combining known distribution information of P. fuscipes and climate environmental factors to predict the current and future suitable habitat distribution of this insect. The key environmental variables affecting the distribution of P. fuscipes have been identified as mean diurnal range (mean of monthly (max temp-min temp)) (bio2), isothermality (Bio2/Bio7) (*100) (bio3), minimum temperature of the coldest month (bio6), temperature annual range (bio5-bio6) (bio7), mean temperature of the driest quarter (bio9), mean temperature of the coldest quarter (bio11), precipitation of the wettest month (bio13), precipitation of the driest month (bio14), and precipitation seasonality (coefficient of variation) (bio15). The highly suitable areas for P. fuscipes in China are mainly distributed in the hilly regions of Shandong, the North China Plain, and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Plain, with a total suitable area of 118.96 × 104 km2, accounting for 12.35% of China's total area. According to future climate change scenarios, it is predicted that the area of highly and lowly suitable regions will significantly decrease, while moderately suitable regions will increase (except for the 2090s, SSP2-4.5 scenario). These research findings provide important theoretical support for pest control and ecological conservation applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the practice of biological control, it is often necessary to store predatory insects for a long period of time. The plant bug Macrolophus pygmaeus is as predatory species, mass-reared and widely used for the biological control of insect and mite pests in greenhouses. The purpose of the current study was to determine which conditions are optimal for the long-term low-temperature storage of this species and how long its nymphs can be stored. We evaluated the impact of different periods of storage (0–120 days) at different temperatures (3, 6, 9, and 12 °C) on third instar nymphs of M. pygmaeus (with or without access to food) on their survival, as well as on adult emergence and female fecundity. When nymphs did not have access to food, their longevity decreased with an increase in temperature during the storage period. At temperature 3 °C, the maximum longevity was about 40 days. However, at 9 °C, the longest longevity of nymphs fed on eggs of the grain moth Sitotroga cerealella was about 150 days. We concluded that third instar nymphs of M. pygmaeus fed with eggs of the grain moth could be stored at 9 °C for 30 days with a moderate (10–20%) decrease in survival and fecundity, whereas survival of starved nymphs decreased by half after 10 days of storage at 3 °C. Long-term storage is an important component of insect mass-rearing systems, prolonging the shelf life of biocontrol agents during a low-demand period or a temporary lack of suitable food. Macrolophus pygmaeus is a predatory heteropteran, mass-reared and widely used for the biological control of arthropod pests in greenhouses. With the aim to determine the optimal conditions and acceptable duration of cold storage, we evaluated the impact of different periods of storage of fed and starved third instar nymphs of M. pygmaeus at different temperatures on nymphal survival, adult emergence, and female fecundity. Four storage temperatures (3, 6, 9, and 12 °C) were tested. The longevity of starved nymphs decreased with an increase in the storage temperature, with a maximum of about 40 days at 3 °C, whereas the longest lifetime of nymphs fed on eggs of the grain moth Sitotroga cerealella (about 150 days) was observed at 9 °C. Further experiments demonstrated that the third instar nymphs of M. pygmaeus fed with eggs of the grain moth can be stored at 9 °C for 30 days, with a moderate (10–20%) decrease in survival and fecundity, whereas the survival of starved nymphs decreased by half after 10 days of storage at 3 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant diversity aboveground can exert top‐down pressure on herbivores by attracting predatory insects, while organic soil amendments rich in beneficial microbes can limit herbivores from the bottom‐up by enhancing plant defensive chemistry. Aboveground and belowground forces always operate simultaneously to shape herbivore pressure, but understanding how they interact is a longstanding and persistent challenge.Here, we examine how organic composts mediate the effects of plant diversity across trophic levels, using zucchini plants (Cucurbita pepo) as a study system. Over two field seasons, we manipulated vermicompost treatments in 18 experiments in school gardens that varied in surrounding plant and floral resource diversity and measured responses of insect herbivores and their natural enemies.Vermicompost strengthened a positive relationship between flower richness and foliar‐feeding omnivores, suggesting that robust reservoirs of omnivores at flower‐rich sites mounted stronger responses to compost‐treated host plants.Predators increased with flower richness, but were not affected by vermicompost.Net outcomes of vermicompost and plant diversity were neutral for herbivores.Synthesis and applications. Altogether, our results reveal that bottom‐up factors protecting plants are modified by their environmental context, and may more effectively attract natural enemies in landscapes with diverse floral resources. Therefore, we recommend augmentation of biodiversity aboveground (i.e. floral resources) together with biodiversity belowground (organic soil amendments) to strengthen crop protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation caused by human activities represent one of the greatest causes of biodiversity loss. However, the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation are not felt equally among species. Here, we examined how habitat loss influenced the diversity and abundance of species from different trophic levels, with different traits, by taking advantage of an inadvertent experiment that created habitat islands from a once continuous forest via the creation of the Thousand Island Lake, a large reservoir in China. On 28 of these islands with more than a 9000‐fold difference in their area (0.12–1154 ha), we sampled plants, herbivorous insects, and predatory insects using effort‐controlled sampling and analyses. This allowed us to discern whether any observed differences in species diversity were due to passive sampling alone or to demographic effects that disproportionately influenced some species relative to others. We found that while most metrics of sampling effort‐controlled diversity increased with island area, the strength of the effect was exacerbated for species in higher trophic levels. When we more explicitly examined differences in species composition among islands, we found that the pairwise difference in species composition among islands was dominated by species turnover but that nestedness increased with differences in island area, indicating that some species are more likely to be absent from smaller islands. Furthermore, by examining trends of several dispersal‐related traits of species, we found that species with lower dispersal propensity tended to be those that were lost from smaller islands, which was observed for herbivorous and predatory insects. Our results emphasize the importance of incorporating within‐patch demographic effects, as well as the taxa and traits of species when understanding the influence of habitat loss on biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ischnura senegalensis, a beneficial insect predator in the paddy fields, is perilously confronted with the survival challenges posed by insecticide application. In this study, we delved into the toxicity of indoxacarb on the larvae of I. senegalensis. Through behavioral experiments and transcriptome analyses, we uncovered that indoxacarb caused abnormal body movements and locomotory impairments, thereby posing a threat to larval survival. Notably, genes related to muscle function were significantly impacted. While lower concentrations of indoxacarb may be mitigated by the cytochrome P450 gene, higher concentrations significantly diminished the larvae's sensory abilities and hampered toxicity degradation. Our findings highlight the importance of meticulously considering the impact of insecticides on non-target predatory insects before their widespread application. Ischnura senegalensis, which widely spreads in paddy fields, has the potential to be used as a natural predator of insect pests. However, the application of insecticides in the field could pose a threat to the survival of I. senegalensis. Among these pesticides, indoxacarb, an oxadiazine insecticide, is renowned for its broad-spectrum efficacy against numerous insect pests. In this study, we examined the toxicity of indoxacarb towards the larvae of I. senegalensis. Behavioral experiments and transcriptome analyses were conducted under indoxacarb treatments. Results revealed that indoxacarb induced abnormal body gestures and significant locomotory impairments, which could ultimately reduce the survival rate of the larvae in their natural habitat. Moreover, transcriptome analyses indicated that genes related to muscle function were significantly affected. Interestingly, at lower concentrations of indoxacarb (0.004 mg/L), the larvae seem to detoxify the indoxacarb with the aid of the cytochrome P450 gene. However, under higher concentrations (0.4 mg/L), the sensory abilities of the larvae were significantly diminished, and they were unable to degrade the toxicity of indoxacarb. Our study underscores the importance of carefully evaluating the impact of insecticides on non-target predatory insects before their widespread application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) is an important predatory insect, primarily preying on aphids. The effective control of diapause in A. aphidimyza is a crucial practical issue in the field of biological pest control and large-scale artificial insect breeding. Previous research has shown that, in the European strain of A. aphidimyza, diapause occurs during the larval stage in the cocoon, it has a day-long response, and it enters diapause when the day length decreases. In this study, we evaluated the effects of photoperiod and temperature on the incidence of diapause in A. aphidimyza. We found that the diapause occurs in the cocooning larvae stage, and the highest diapause rate was recorded at under 15 °C and 10L:14D photoperiod conditions. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the glucose metabolism pathway. The aphidophagous gall midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a dominant natural enemy of aphids, has been used as a biological control agent in many countries to control aphids in greenhouses. To identify key factors that induce diapause in A. aphidimyza, we evaluated the effects of photoperiod and temperature on the incidence of diapause in A. aphidimyza under laboratory conditions. The results showed that temperature and photoperiod had significant impacts on development and diapause in A. aphidimyza. Low temperatures and a short photoperiod inhibited development, while high temperatures and a long photoperiod promoted development. Temperatures above 20 °C and a photoperiod greater than 14 h prevented diapause in A. aphidimyza. However, the highest diapause rate was recorded at under 15 °C and 10L:14D photoperiod conditions. At 15 °C, the first to third larvae were sensitive to a short photoperiod at any stage, and a short photoperiod had a cumulative effect on diapause induction. The longer the larvae received short light exposure, the higher the diapause rate appeared to be. Transcriptome sequencing analysis at different stages of diapause showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the glucose metabolism pathway. Physiological and biochemical analyses showed that diapausing A. aphidimyza reduced water content; accumulated glycogen, trehalose, sorbitol, and triglycerides; and gradually reduced trehalose and triglyceride contents in the body with the extension of diapause time. Glycogen may be used as a source of energy, but sorbitol is usually used as a cryoprotectant. This study provided results on aspects of diapause in A. aphidimyza, providing data and theoretical support for promoting its commercial breeding and in-depth research on the molecular mechanisms underlying diapause regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme global warming and environmental changes associated with the Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE, ~183 Mya) profoundly impacted marine organisms and terrestrial plants. Despite the exceptionally elevated abundances of fossil insects from strata of this age, only assemblages from Germany and Luxembourg have been studied in detail. Here, we focus on the insect assemblage found in strata recording the T-OAE at Alderton Hill, Gloucestershire, UK, where <15% of specimens have previously been described. We located all known fossil insects (n = 370) from Alderton Hill, and used these to create the first comprehensive taxonomic and taphonomic analysis of the entire assemblage. We show that a diverse palaeoentomofaunal assemblage is preserved, comprising 12 orders, 21 families, 23 genera and 21 species. Fossil disarticulation is consistent with insect decay studies. The number of orders is comparable with present-day assemblages from similar latitudes (30°–40°N), including the Azores, and suggests that the palaeoentomofauna reflects a life assemblage. At Alderton, Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Orthoptera are the commonest (56.1%) orders. The high abundance of Hemiptera (22.1%) and Orthoptera (13.4%) indicates well-vegetated islands, while floral changes related to the T-OAE may be responsible for hemipteran diversification. Predatory insects are relatively abundant (~10% of the total assemblage) and we hypothesise that the co-occurrence of fish and insects within the T-OAE represents a jubilee-like event. The marginally higher proportion of sclerotised taxa compared to present-day insect assemblages possibly indicates adaptation to environmental conditions or taphonomic bias. The coeval palaeoentomofauna from Strawberry Bank, Somerset is less diverse (9 orders, 12 families, 6 genera, 3 species) and is taphonomically biased. The Alderton Hill palaeoentomofauna is interpreted to be the best-preserved and most representative insect assemblage from Toarcian strata in the UK. This study provides an essential first step towards understanding the likely influence of the T-OAE on insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants and herbivorous insects as well as their natural enemies, such as predatory and parasitoid insects, are united by intricate relationships. During the long period of co-evolution with insects, plants developed a wide diversity of features to defence against herbivores and to attract pollinators and herbivores' natural enemies. The chemical basis of insect-plant interactions is established and many examples are studied, where feeding and oviposition site selection of phytophagous insects are dependent on the plant's secondary chemistry. However, often overlooked mechanical interactions between insects and plants can be rather crucial. In the context of mechanoecology, the evolution of plant surfaces and insect adhesive pads is an interesting example of competition between insect attachment systems and plant anti-attachment surfaces. The present review is focused on mechanical insect-plant interactions of some important pest species, such as the polyphagous Southern Green Stinkbug Nezara viridula and two frugivorous pest species, the polyphagous Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata and the monophagous olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae. Their ability to attach to plant surfaces characterised by different features such as waxes and trichomes is discussed. Some attention is paid also to Coccinellidae, whose interaction with plant leaf surfaces is substantial across all developmental stages in both phytophagous and predatory species that feed on herbivorous insects. Finally, the role of different kinds of anti-adhesive nanomaterials is discussed. They can reduce the attachment ability of insect pests to natural and artificial surfaces, potentially representing environmental friendly alternative methods to reduce insect pest impact in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chrysoperla nipponensis (Okamoto) is an important predatory insect, primarily preying on various agricultural pests such as aphids. The green lacewing exhibits facultative diapause, which is primarily influenced by the photoperiod. Although previous research has shown the physiological phenotypic responses of diapause-sensitive and pre-diapause periods to photoperiods in C. nipponensis, the corresponding regulatory mechanisms underlying its diapause remain somewhat unclear. In this study, transcriptome sequencing was performed to explore the molecular basis for diapause, and dsRNA-mediated knockdown was used to elucidate the role of juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase 1 (Jhamt1) in regulating diapause in C. nipponensis. Our findings not only provide insights into the transcriptional regulation processes of genes within diapause-sensitive and pre-diapause periods but also unveil the key genes responsible for regulating diapause in C. nipponensis during the pre-diapause phase. Chrysoperla nipponensis (Okamoto) displays typical adult reproductive diapause under short photoperiods; however, our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying photoperiod-sensitive reproduction remains limited. In this study, we performed transcriptome profiling of four treatments (the diapause-sensitive stage and pre-diapause phase under long and short photoperiods) of C. nipponensis using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). A total of 71,654 unigenes were obtained from the samples. Enrichment analysis showed that fatty acid metabolism-related pathways were altered under a short photoperiod. Moreover, β-oxidation-related gene expression was active during the diapause-sensitive period under a short photoperiod. The knockdown of juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase 1 (Jhamt1) prolonged the pre-oviposition period but did not affect the reproductive ability of female individuals in C. nipponensis. These findings provided us with a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of photoperiod-sensitive diapause and show that groundwork is crucial for bolstering the long-term storage and biocontrol potential of C. nipponensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Garden plants provide habitat for pests as well as the predatory insects that eat them. In rural agriculture, structurally complex vegetation that includes diverse plant species can help attract predators and enhance pest control, while dense plantings of a single plant species are often associated with pest outbreaks. However, the vegetation composition that best supports predators and pest control in urban agriculture is not yet fully understood. In this study, we measured vegetation cover, diversity, and connectivity (distance between plants) in community garden plots to better understand how vegetation complexity influences the abundance and diversity of pest and predator species and pest control. Gardens with more vegetation cover had the most abundant and diverse predators, while gardens with more diverse vegetation had fewer predators. Further, gardens with abundant predators had higher pest control, whereas gardens with more predator species had lower pest control, possibly due to antagonistic interactions between competing predator species. Our results suggest that gardens with high vegetation cover can help support more predators, which can promote higher pest control. However, pest control benefits may be limited in gardens with diverse and antagonistic predator communities. In urban community gardens, cultivated vegetation provides variable levels of habitat complexity, which can suppress pests by promoting predator diversity and improving pest control. In this study, we examine three components of the structural complexity of garden vegetation (cover, diversity, and connectivity) to investigate whether higher garden vegetation complexity leads to fewer herbivores, more predators, and higher predation. We worked in eight community gardens where we quantified vegetation complexity, sampled the arthropod community, and measured predation on corn earworm eggs. We found that plots with high vegetation cover supported higher species richness and greater abundance of predatory insects. High vegetation cover also supported a greater abundance and species richness of spiders. In contrast, high vegetation diversity was negatively associated with predator abundance. While high predator abundance was positively associated with egg predation, greater predator species richness had a negative impact on egg predation, suggesting that antagonism between predators may limit biological control. Community gardeners may thus manipulate vegetation cover and diversity to promote higher predator abundance and diversity in their plots. However, the species composition of predators and the prevalence of interspecific antagonism may ultimately determine subsequent impacts on biological pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damsel bugs (Hemiptera, Nabidae) are predatory insects belonging to the order of Hemiptera. During the spring-summer of 2021-2022, nabid specimens were collected from Guilan province and adjacent areas. In this study, three species (four subspecies) belonging to two genera were collected and identified: Himacerus mirmicoides (O.Costa, 1834); Nabis viridulus Spinola, 1837; Nabis pseudoferus pseudoferus Remane, 1949 and Nabis pseudoferus orientarius Remane, 1962, furthermore, four species (four subspecies) belonging to two genera were examined from the insect collection of the Natural History Museum of the University of Guilan (UGNHM) including Himacerus major (A.Costa, 1842); Nabis pseudoferus transcaspicus Remane, 1962; Nabis punctatus punctatus A.Costa, 1847 and Nabis capsiformis Germar, 1838. In this paper, based on the morphological characteristics and genitalia of males, brief diagnostic descriptions, illustrated identification key and digital images of species habitus were provided to facilitate the identification of Nabidae of Guilan province and its adjacent areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Amerohelea Grogan & Wirth (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), Amerohelea robusta sp. nov., collected at light in the Amazon area of Peru is described and photographed. This new species, known only by males, is compared with Amerohelea xerophila Gaddi, Spinelli & Grogan from arid zones of Argentina. The later species mainly differs by the distinctly shorter distal portion of parameres, the Y-shaped aedeagus with basal arm recurved more than 90°, and the eyes broadly separated. Besides, Amerohelea fasciata Grogan & Wirth and Amerohelea galindoi Grogan & Wirth are firstly recorded from Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global use of pesticides, exceeding 4 million tons annually, poses substantial threats to public health and the environment. Numerous studies emphasize the correlation between pesticide exposure, genotoxicity, and neurobehavioral effects, which particularly impact children and agricultural workers. Recent research underscores the health risks associated with moderately toxic pesticides like chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos contamination in crops, a result of extensive pesticide use since the 1960s, raises significant concerns regarding human health and the environment. Given its potential atmospheric volatilization from crops, alternative detection methods are imperative. This study employs gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in MS/MS mode, focusing on detecting chlorpyrifos in Chilean lettuce, using insects as indicators. Two extraction methods, micro-QuEChERS and HEADSPACE-SPME, were compared, with HEADSPACE-SPME demonstrating superior sensitivity (6.77 ng/mg per sample vs. 3.99 ng/mg per sample) and offering time- and solvent-saving advantages. Additionally, HEADSPACE-SPME preserves samples for future research, enhancing its utility. The study confirms the presence of pesticide residues in insects from lettuce crops, with 52.3% displaying chlorpyrifos when the SPME method was used. Predatory and parasitoid insect families like Braconidae and Ichneumonidae show high pesticide loads. The findings of this study emphasize the widespread contamination of chlorpyrifos in lettuce crop insects and highlight the efficacy of SPME for detection, suggesting its broader applicability for evaluating pesticide residues in horticultural systems. This optimized method holds promise for advancing chlorpyrifos contamination detection in agroecosystems, contributing to environmental monitoring and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Apples are among the most heavily treated fruits against pests. Finding new, more environmentally friendly solutions for pest control is essential. Biological control is one of these, and can involve the use of predatory insects to eliminate pests. The earwig is one such predatory insect. We set out to determine whether earwigs had developed resistance mechanisms to the molecules to which they are exposed in orchards. A single population of earwigs was sampled in three types of orchard (organic, conventional and integrated pest management) and compared with each other. Mutations and higher expression levels in genes known to confer resistance were identified. These results highlight the effect of pesticide use on beneficial organisms and the resulting effect on the biodiversity of natural enemies in orchards. To date, apple orchards are among the most treated crops in Europe with up to 35 chemical treatments per year. Combining control methods that reduce the number of pesticide treatments is essential for agriculture and more respectful of the environment, and the use of predatory insects such as earwigs may be valuable to achieve this goal. European earwigs, Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) are considered beneficial insects in apple orchards where they can feed on many pests like aphids. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of orchards' insecticide treatments on resistance-associated molecular processes in natural populations of earwigs. Because very few molecular data are presently available on earwigs, our first goal was to identify earwig resistance-associated genes and potential mutations. Using earwigs from organic, integrated pest management or conventional orchards, we identified mutations in acetylcholinesterase 2, α1 and β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. In addition, the expression level of these targets and of some essential detoxification genes were monitored using RT-qPCR. Unexpectedly, earwigs collected in organic orchards showed the highest expression for acetylcholinesterase 2. Four cytochromes P450, one esterase and one glutathione S-transferases were over-expressed in earwigs exposed to various management strategies in orchards. This first study on resistance-associated genes in Forficula auricularia paves the way for future experimental studies aimed at better understanding the potential competition between natural enemies in apple orchards in order to optimize the efficiency of biocontrol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anurans have diverse reproductive modes, and some species of the austral forests of Patagonia have become specialized in terrestrial reproduction. Batrachyla taeniata is one of these species: it inhabits wetlands, lays its eggs during late summer and fall in terrestrial conditions, and has overwintering tadpoles. We studied a population of B. taeniata that breeds in wet meadows surrounded by native Patagonian forest and described its life cycle parameters (breeding phenology, egg development, and coexistence with other anurans) over two different years with contrasting hydroperiods. We also analyzed the effect of predatory insects on tadpole survival. Embryo development occurred in wet soil, which may be exposed to the sun or not, and took from 48 to 63 days to hatch. Free-swimming larvae overwintered in the wetland and coexisted in spring with pond-breeding anurans that varied in composition and abundance according to the wetland hydroperiod. The survivorship of B. taeniata tadpoles was significantly greater than that of P. thaul tadpoles when both were exposed to a free belostomatid predator. We consider that the terrestrial reproductive mode and life cycle of B. taeniata enable this species to survive in the variable biotic conditions determined by hydroperiod length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects have developed dormancy mechanisms to survive coldness in winters. The specific forms of winter dormancy, however, vary among different geographical and climatic zones and species. While there is extensive research on winter dormancy in insect pests and parasitoids in temperate zones, our understanding of how predatory insects, such as predatory stink bugs in subtropical regions, cope with cold winters and the specific forms of dormancy they undergo remains limited. The effects of winter temperatures on the population dynamics, development, and reproduction of the predatory stink bug Eocanthecona furcellata in the subtropics were investigated through greenhouse and laboratory experiments. E. furcellata exhibits two distinct peaks in population distribution throughout the year: one in April–May and another in October–November. Interestingly, the proportions of adults show an opposite pattern to the population dynamics, with the highest proportions of adults observed during the winter and summer seasons, when temperatures are the lowest and the highest, respectively. Laboratory studies showed that E. furcellata reared at lower temperatures (16 °C, 18 °C, and 20 °C) experienced prolonged development and higher mortality rates for eggs and nymphs compared to higher temperatures (22 °C and 26 °C). Further experiments observed that E. furcellata adults reared at 16 °C, 18 °C, and 20 °C entered into winter dormancy, where ovarian development was either completely halted or slowed down. The observed high proportion of E. furcellata adults and low proportion of nymphs during the cold winter months align well with the dormancy period. This study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms driving the population dynamics of E. furcellata during the subtropical winter. These findings have significant implications in accurately predicting the population dynamics of E. furcellata, implementing effective field release strategies, and optimizing cold storage techniques in the context of biological control programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mantodea is a predatory insect group, its members occupying a diverse array of widely distributed habitats. Praying mantis species utilize hunting strategies including remarkable mimicry and unique camouflage for hiding from natural enemies while catching their prey. The emergence of a "cyclopean ear" in mantises is thought to be a morphological innovation of the group, and an "arms race" with echolocating bats is one of the hypotheses put forward to account for the emergence of the mantis ear from a coevolutionary perspective. However, this hypothesis has not been rigorously tested because of a lack of robust higher‐level phylogeny and a detailed chronogram of Mantodea. Previous phylogenetic studies found an incongruence between traditional classification and molecular phylogenetics due to the convergent evolution of various ecomorphic strategies of the lineage. Here, we performed a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Mantodea based on data from 61 mitogenomes. Our analyses showed that the monophyly of Acanthopidae, Haaniidae, Nanomantidae, Miomantidae and Mantidea was supported. The newly updated Gonypetidae were paraphyletic, whereas Eremiaphilidae, Deroplatyidae and Toxoderidae were polyphyletic. Our molecular dating analyses inferred that Spinomantodea originated at ca. 149 Ma (Late Jurassic), whereas the origin of hearing mantises (Cernomantodea) was inferred as Early Cretaceous (119 Ma, 95% CI: 110–129 Ma). The molecular dating results indicated that the hearing organ in mantises did not arise in response to bat predation. Our study provides a robust framework for further evolutionary comparative studies of mantises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across many organisms, there is clear evidence that there are traits associated with successful establishment after being moved to new regions by human activities. Among predatory and parasitoid insects that have been, for decades, intentionally imported to combat insect pests, there is little clear evidence that any particular traits influence their success as biological control agents. We argue this is not due to traits having no influence on success but more likely to the insufficiency of existing data and consequent constraints on analyses used. We provide a roadmap towards improved predictions of how traits, and combinations of traits, affect natural enemy suitability as biological control agents. More accurate forecasting of outcomes of biological control introductions would aid importation decisions based on potential risks and benefits of such interventions. Identifying traits that are associated with success of introduced natural enemies in establishing and controlling pest insects has occupied researchers and biological control practitioners for decades. Unfortunately, consistent general relationships have been difficult to detect, preventing a priori ranking of candidate biological control agents based on their traits. We summarise previous efforts and propose a series of potential explanations for the lack of clear patterns. We argue that the quality of current datasets is insufficient to detect complex trait–efficacy relationships and suggest several measures by which current limitations may be overcome. We conclude that efforts to address this elusive issue have not yet been exhausted and that further explorations are likely to be worthwhile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The eumenine wasps of the genus Rhynchium Spinola, 1806; Allorhynchium van der Vecht, 1963; Anterhynchium de Saussure, 1863; and Pararrhynchium de Saussure, 1855 are related and sometimes hard to tell apart from each other. In this study, we first reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of these genera based on universal single-copy orthologs and ultraconserved elements extracted from 10 newly sequenced low-coverage whole genomes. The results showed that Allorhynchium and Lissodynerus are distinct from the other four taxa. The genus Rhynchium was recovered as monophyletic, whereas Anterhynchium was recovered as paraphyletic, with Anterhynchium (Dirhynchium) as a sister to Rhynchium and hence deserving a separate genus Dirhynchium; and within the genus Pararrhynchium, P. septemfasciatus feanus and P. venkataramani were separated, not clustered on a branch. It is suggested that the genus Lissodynerus should be restituted as a valid genus, not a synonym of the Pararrhynchium. The results are consistent with previous eumenine mitochondrial genome phylogenetic analyses. This paper confirms the feasibility of low-coverage whole genome eumenine wasp phylogenetics and provides a reference for subsequent research in Eumeninae. The subfamily Eumeninae is a large group of fierce predatory insects that prey mainly on the larvae of Lepidoptera pests. Because of the highly similar morphologies of the genus Rhynchium and its related genera in the subfamily, including Rhynchium Spinola, Allorhynchium van der Vecht, Anterhynchium de Saussure, Pararrhynchium de Saussure, it is essential to delineate their relationships. A previous phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial genomes suggested the inconsistent relationships of these genera under traditional classification based on morphological characters. In this study, we first used single-copy orthologs [USCO] and ultraconserved elements [UCE] extracted from 10 newly sequenced low-coverage whole genomes to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of the above genera. The newly sequenced genomes are 152.99 Mb to 211.49 Mb in size with high completeness (BUSCO complete: 91.5–95.6%) and G + C content (36.31–38.76%). Based on extracted 5811 USCOs and 2312 UCEs, the phylogenetic relationships of Rhynchium and its related genera were: ((Allorhynchium + Lissodynerus) + (Pararrhynchium + (Anterhynchium + (Dirhynchium + Rhynchium)))), which was consistent with the mitochondrial genome results. The results supported the genus Rhynchium as monophyletic, whereas Anterhynchium was recovered as paraphyletic, with Anterhynchium (Dirhynchium) as a sister to Rhynchium and hence deserving generic status; In addition, in the genus Pararrhynchium, P. septemfasciatus feanus and P. venkataramani were separated, not clustered on a branch, just as P. septemfasciatus feanus was not together with P. striatum based on mitochondrial genomes. Since Lissodynerus septemfasciatus, the type species of the genus Lissodynerus, was transferred to Pararrhynchium, it is considered that the genus Lissodynerus should be restituted as a valid genus, not a synonym of Pararrhynchium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the population dynamics of the backswimmer Notonecta maculata and its interaction with damselflies in a garden pond over two years. In 2022, the study reveals significant changes in the abundance, life cycles, and behavior of both species, including cannibalism among nymphs and reduced predation on adult damselflies. It mentions that the study also documents the presence of other aquatic insects and vertebrate predators in the pond ecosystem.

Sewage sludge can be used as the fertilizer of plants in the recovery of degraded areas. Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindales: Sapindaceae) is a medicinal species native of America that lacks studies associated with its entomofauna. The objective was to determine, during 24 months, abundance, diversity, species richness and interactions of sap-sucking insects, leaf miners, phytophagous mites, predatory insects and spiders, and tending ants in S. saponaria saplings fertilized with or without with dehydrated sewage sludge. The hypotheses tested were: i) the numbers of phytophagous arthropods and some indices (e.g., diversity) are higher on fertilized saplings, which leads to an increase in the number of their natural enemies and tending ants, ii) groups of phytophagous arthropods compete with each other, and iii) phytophagous hemipterans are positively correlated with tending ants. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with two treatments (with and without dehydrated sewage sludge) and 24 replications, each with a S. saponaria sapling. Sapindus saponaria saplings fertilized with sewage sludge showed higher numbers of phytophagous arthropods Aleyrodidae (Hemiptera), and Lyriomyza sp. (Agromyzidae), abundance and species richness of phytophagous Hemiptera, tending ants Brachymyrmex sp., Ectatoma sp., Pheidole sp. and Pseudomyrmex termitarius Smith (Hymenoptera; Formicidae), spiders and greater abundance and species richness of predatory Sternorryncha (Hemiptera). Number of tending ants may have reduced those of Lyriomyza sp. and Cycloneda sanguinea (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Number of Aleyrodidae and Phenacoccus sp. were negatively correlated with those of C. sanguinea and Dolichopodidae and Chrysoperla sp., respectively. The number of Polybia sp. was positivelly correlated with that of Lyriomyza sp. mines. Diversity and species richness of phytophagous Hemiptera, tending ants and Sternorryncha predators were higher on S. saponaria saplings fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge. The findings in this work demonstrate a greater balance between the different groups of arthropods on S. saponaria saplings fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge, which can be very beneficial for biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, is one of the most harmful pests to greenhouse tomato crops in the Mediterranean. The biological control of this pest is based on parasitoid and predator insects. However, it may be worthwhile to measure whether the pest is part of the diet of domestic and synanthropic vertebrates like birds, bats, and lizards. We carried out our research in Southern Spain, an area well-known for its extensive tomato farming. TaqMan real-time PCR was used to find T. absoluta in domestic and synanthropic vertebrate feces. The efficiencies of three different DNA extraction methods were also compared. Our research demonstrates that in addition to domestic birds, bats, lizards, and insectivorous birds also consume T. absoluta and may offer an ecosystem service that merits further study. The ecology of greenhouse pests generally involves parasitoid or predatory insects. However, we investigated whether the leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is part of the diet of domestic and synanthropic vertebrate animals, such as birds, reptiles, and mammals, and that take part in an ecosystem that contains a high density of tomato greenhouses. Feces from domesticated partridges, common quails, and chickens, as well as from wild lizards were collected within tomato greenhouses, and fecal pellets from bats, swallows, common swifts, and house martins living in the vicinity of tomato greenhouses were collected outside. The efficiencies of three different DNA extraction methods were compared on bird, reptile, and mammal stool samples, and the DNA extracts were analyzed using probe real-time PCR for the presence of T. absoluta DNA. The results showed that bats fed on the pest, which was also part of the diet of several bird species: partridges and common quails kept within tomato greenhouses and swallows and common swifts living outside but in the vicinity of tomato greenhouses. In addition, fecal samples of three lizard species living near tomato crops also tested positive for T. absoluta DNA. The results suggest that aerial foraging bats and insectivorous birds are part of ecosystems that involve leaf miners and tomato greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic factors strongly influence ecological interactions and the spatial distribution of organisms. Despite the essential role of barometric pressure, its influence on insect behaviour remains poorly understood, particularly in predators. The effect of barometric pressure variation can significantly impact biological control programs involving entomophagous insects, as they must efficiently allocate time and energy to search for prey in challenging environments. We investigated how predatory insects from different taxonomic groups (Coleoptera, Dermaptera and Neuroptera) adapt their foraging behaviour in response to variations in barometric pressure (low, medium and high). We also examined the response of different life stages to changes in pressure regimes during foraging activities. Our results showed that the searching time of Doru luteipes (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) was faster in a favourable high‐pressure regime, whereas Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) had similar searching times under varying pressure regimes. Although no differences in prey feeding time were observed among the studied species, the consumption rate was influenced by low barometric pressure leading to a decrease in the number of preyed eggs. Moreover, we provide novel insights into how hemimetabolous (D. luteipes) and holometabolous (E. connexa) species at different life stages respond to barometric pressure. Doru luteipes nymphs and adults had similar consumption rates across all pressure regimes tested, whereas E. connexa larvae consumed fewer eggs under low barometric pressure, but adults were unaffected. This highlights the importance of investigating how abiotic factors affect insects foraging efficiency and predator–prey interactions. Such studies are especially relevant in the current context of climate change, as even subtle changes in abiotic factors can have strong effects on insect behaviour. Barometric pressure is a key meteorological variable that serve as a warning signal for insects to seek shelter and avoid exposure to weather events that could potentially increase their mortality. Understanding the effects of barometric pressure on predatory insects' behaviour can help us develop more effective pest management strategies and promote the resilience of agroecosystems. We provide new insights into the complex relationship between barometric pressure and predator–prey interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitex cymosa Bert. ex Spreng. (Lamiaceae) is a native species of tropical and subtropical Central and South America. Its medicinal, antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial properties are noteworthy and widely studied. This study aims to contribute towards the knowledge of the reproductive biology of V. cymosa, through: the determination of the reproductive system; the description of reproductive morphological attributes (flower, fruit, pollen and nectary), attractants and floral phases, as well as the record and function of floral visitors. Vitex cymosa presents melitophilic floral traits: diurnal anthesis, bluish coloration, bilabiate structural type, presence of visual guides in the corolla indicating the location of the reward (nectar), and a soft, sweet and pleasant aroma to humans. The pollen has pollenkit and is deposited nototribically on the pollinators. The nectary is of gynoecial origin, the nectar is released through nectarostomes located on the apex of the ovary, remaining available even after corolla abscition, as a post-floral nectary; such zone is distinguished by a purple coloration, different from that of the rest of this organ, which grows basipetally as the fruit develops. The reproductive system of V. cymosa is mixed, resulting in more than 75% of fructification, through both allogamy mediated by pollinators and spontaneous self-pollination, presenting a slight hercogamy that would contribute to cross-pollination. Eleven species of floral visitors were recorded, all belonging to the Class Insecta. Among these floral visitors, Apis mellifera was the most frequent species, and along with other species of native bees (of the genera Bombus, Centris, Plebeia, Tetragonisca, Trigona), wasps and butterflies, they would be pollinators when they visit legitimately (in the case of the hymenopterans, as some of them thieve pollen). Despite this visitor assembly, the most important pollinators are the bees, which coincides with the melitophilic characteristics of the flowers. The nectar exposed in flowers where the corolla has already fallen, more accessible to some bees and to the wasps, would contribute to greater attraction to pollinators, as well as predatory insects of herbivores of the developing fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Plants have evolved various defences against herbivores, including direct chemical and structural defences and co-opted biological defences by predatory insects. However, the effects of abiotic habitat conditions on the quantitative expression of defence traits of spiny species have not been elucidated. Methods Here, we investigated whether a spiny deciduous tree, Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. changes its defence expression across light and nutrient gradients. We measured allocation to spines and C-based secondary metabolites (condensed tannins and total phenols) on A. elata plants growing across light and nutrient gradients in situ in natural landscapes in Japan. Second, we examined the effects of light and soil nutrient condition on allocation to shoot organs, spines and chemical defences of juveniles of two genotypes of the species, respectively spiny (mainland population) and non-spiny (island population), grown in a glasshouse. Key Results In the field investigation, absolute spine mass, spine mass fraction, total phenols and condensed tannins all responded positively to canopy openness. Total phenol content was also negatively related to soil N. In the glasshouse, spiny genotype individuals had less total biomass, had lower stem allocation and were shorter than non-spiny genotype individuals. In spiny genotype trees, both spine mass fraction and total phenols decreased under low light conditions. Nutrient additions had negative effects on spine mass fraction and total phenols, but no effect on absolute spine mass. Conclusions These results suggest that development of spines is costly for A. elata and receives greater allocation when carbohydrate supply is more plentiful. Thus, light is a more important determinant of spine allocation than soil nutrients for A. elata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Predation has significant impacts on a prey's ecology and evolution. In many species, maternal effects can improve offspring survival in response to predation by altering resource allocation to young and reproducing larger offspring. While the perception of predation risk can vary according to a prey's life stage, whether maternally experienced intraguild predation (IGP) risk during different life stages affects the maternal effects of predatory insects remains unknown. This study examined the influence of exposure to intraguild predators (Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)) during the larval and/or adult stages on reproductive decisions and offspring growth in Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius). Although the exposure of M. sexmaculatus larvae and/or adults to IGP risk did not influence egg size, it increased offspring body size in IGP environments; however, their exposure to IGP risk increased trophic egg production. Because IGP is commonly observed in M. sexmaculatus and favours relatively larger protagonists, the IGP risk perceived by different stages of M. sexmaculatus induces maternal effects; this can be an adaptive survival strategy to defend against H. axyridis. This study is an essential step towards understanding the role of maternal effects on the survival of M. sexmaculatus in IGP scenarios and furthers our understanding of M. sexmaculatus population dynamics in the field. Maternal effects can reduce offspring susceptibility to predators by altering resource allocation to young and reproducing larger offspring. While the perception of predation risk can vary according to a prey's life stage, it is unclear whether maternally experienced intraguild predation (IGP) risk during different life stages influences the maternal effects of predatory insects. We investigated the influence of exposure to intraguild predators (Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)) during the larval and/or adult stages on reproductive decisions and offspring growth in Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius). Independent of the life stage, when M. sexmaculatus females experienced IGP risk, their body weight and fecundity decreased, but the proportion of trophic eggs produced increased. However, egg mass, egg clutch number, and egg clutch size were not influenced by the treatment. Next, when offspring encountered H. axyridis, mothers experiencing IGP risk during the larval and/or adult stages could increase their offspring's weight. Moreover, offspring in IGP environments reached a similar size as those with no-IGP environments when mothers experienced IGP risk during the larval and/or adult stages. Overall, M. sexmaculatus larval and/or adult exposure to IGP risk had no influence on egg size, but increased offspring body size when faced with H. axyridis. Additionally, mothers experiencing IGP risk during different life stages showed increased production of trophic eggs. Because IGP is frequently observed on M. sexmaculatus and favours relatively larger individuals, different stages of M. sexmaculatus express threat-sensitively to IGP risk; inducing maternal effects can be an adaptive survival strategy to defend against H. axyridis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their name, Wardian Cases were I not i invented by Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward. Keogh shows how widely the cases were used and concludes that the French "with the help of the Wardian case...had transformed their colonies" (p. 178). [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses Cormac Farrell, an experienced botanist and beekeeper who manages the apiaries at Australian Parliament House as the head beekeeper. It also mentions the different hives and beekeeping strategies used at Parliament House and emphasizes the importance of sustainability in beekeeping and its positive impact on the environment and gardens surrounding Parliament House.

Using artificial intelligence (AI) and the IoT (Internet of Things) is a primary focus of applied engineering research to improve agricultural efficiency. This review paper summarizes the engagement of artificial intelligence models and IoT techniques in detecting, classifying, and counting cotton insect pests and corresponding beneficial insects. The effectiveness and limitations of AI and IoT techniques in various cotton agricultural settings were comprehensively reviewed. This review indicates that insects can be detected with an accuracy of between 70 and 98% using camera/microphone sensors and enhanced deep learning algorithms. However, despite the numerous pests and beneficial insects, only a few species were targeted for detection and classification by AI and IoT systems. Not surprisingly, due to the challenges of identifying immature and predatory insects, few studies have designed systems to detect and characterize them. The location of the insects, sufficient data size, concentrated insects on the image, and similarity in species appearance are major obstacles when implementing AI. Similarly, IoT is constrained by a lack of effective field distance between sensors when targeting insects according to their estimated population size. Based on this study, the number of pest species monitored by AI and IoT technologies should be increased while improving the system's detection accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: RNA interference (RNAi)‐based technologies are starting to be commercialized as a new approach for agricultural pest control. Horizontally transferred genes (HTGs), which have been transferred into insect genomes from viruses, bacteria, fungi or plants, are attractive targets for RNAi‐mediated pest control. HTGs are often unique to a specific insect family or even genus, making it unlikely that RNAi constructs targeting such genes will have negative effects on ladybugs, lacewings and other beneficial predatory insect species. In this study, we sequenced the genome of a red, tobacco‐adapted isolate of Myzus persicae (green peach aphid) and bioinformatically identified 30 HTGs. We then used plant‐mediated virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) to show that several HTGs of bacterial and plant origin are important for aphid growth and/or survival. Silencing the expression of fungal‐origin HTGs did not affect aphid survivorship but decreased aphid reproduction. Importantly, although there was uptake of plant‐expressed RNA by Coccinella septempunctata (seven‐spotted ladybugs) via the aphids that they consumed, we did not observe negative effects on ladybugs from aphid‐targeted VIGS constructs. To demonstrate that this approach is more broadly applicable, we also targeted five Bemisia tabaci (whitefly) HTGs using VIGS and demonstrated that knockdown of some of these genes affected whitefly survival. As functional HTGs have been identified in the genomes of numerous pest species, we propose that these HTGs should be explored further as efficient and safe targets for control of insect pests using plant‐mediated RNA interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

True water bugs (Nepomorpha) are mostly predacious insects that live in aquatic habitats. They use their piercing–sucking mouthparts to inject venomous saliva that facilitates the capture and extra-oral digestion of prey animals, but their venom can also be deployed for defence. In Central Europe, nepomorph species representing different families coexist in the same habitat. However, their feeding ecology, including venom composition and deployment, has not been investigated in detail. We used an integrated proteotranscriptomic and bioactivity-based approach to test whether venom composition and activity differ between four water bug species sharing the same habitat but occupying different ecological niches. We found considerable species-dependent differences in the composition of digestive enzymes and venom components that probably evolved as adaptations to particular food sources, foraging strategies and/or microhabitats. The venom of Corixa punctata differed substantially from that of the three strictly predatory species (Ilyocoris cimicoides, Notonecta glauca and Nepa cinerea), and the abundance of herbivory-associated proteins confirms a mostly plant-based diet. Our findings reveal independent adaptations of the digestive and defensive enzyme repertoires accompanied by the evolution of distinct feeding strategies in aquatic bugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect predators are general feeders of sucking insects especially mealybugs, aphids, thrips due to their polyphagous needs. Two insect predators like Cryptolaemus montrouzieri as adult and Chrysoperla carnea as larva are important ones especially for Planococcus citri. It is crucial to know their potential for different nymph densities of P. citri under controlled conditions. For this study five varying nymph densities of P. citri of each nymphal instar at 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 individuals for each predator were offered on daily basis to estimate their daily consumption. Mealybug individuals consumed and mortality of predatory insects was observed daily until instars changed to pupa in case of C. carnea and for period of five days in case of adult beetle. Results revealed that predation rate of both predators (C. carnea, C. montrouzieri) increased with increase in density of P. citri. The lowest number of P. citri of first instar (79, 111.45, 122.79) were devoured by first, second and third larval stages of C. carnea at the lowest density (8 P. citri/day). On other hand, the highest number of individuals (442, 637, 905 of P. citri) were consumed in high density treatment i.e., 128 P. citri/day) till pupation. Third larval stage of C. carnea exhibited higher predation rate (905 P. citri) than by first and second larval instars under the highest prey density (442, 637 P. citri). On other hand, C. montrouzieri adult devoured the least (2, 5, 4 P. citri of first, second and third instar) at the lowest density (8 P. citri/day), respectively but 39 of first, 29 of second and 8 of third instar were consumed at the highest density of 128 P. citri/day in five days. Predation rate of both predators decreased with increasing size of mealybugs. We suggest that both predators have significant predation potential to be utilized for the management of citrus mealybug in orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There are a number of reports on the dispersal of predatory mites on insects, although much less is known about their mutual interactions and possible relationships. While some mite species use insects only as means of transport, others also feed on them, significantly lowering the carriers' fitness. Blattisocius mali is a promising predatory mite for pest control, and a thorough understanding of its dispersal pathways in crops could be crucial for successful plant protection. So far, it has been reported as transported by several species of drosophilids. Our research indicates an ectoparasitic relationship between this species and drosophilid fruit flies. We used the flightless D. melanogaster and D. hydei commercially raised as live pet food. Female mites not only attached to flies but also fed on them, and their presence resulted in an increase in fly mortality. Although both fly species used similar defense tactics, mites had more difficulties getting onto D. hydei. Whether the wild D. hydei and D. melanogaster can also transport B. mali will be shown by further laboratory and field studies. Predatory mites dispersing by means of insects are often ectoparasites and may use various tactics to get onto the host, counteract its defenses, and diminish its survival. Blattisocius mali is a promising biological control agent which has been reported as transported by several drosophilid species. Our goal was to determine the type of relationship between this mite and fruit flies. We used flightless females of Drosophila melanogaster and D. hydei, which were commercially raised as live pet food. The predatory females mostly attacked the tarsi of the flies and then preferentially moved to the cervix or close to coxa III, where they eventually drilled their chelicerae and started feeding. Although both fly species used similar defensive tactics, more B. mali females did not attack D. hydei or did so with a delay, and a higher percentage of mites fell off the D. hydei tarsi during the first hour of observation. After 24 h, we noted the increased mortality of flies exposed to the presence of mites. Our study indicates the ectoparasitic relationship of B. mali with drosophilids. However, further research is needed to confirm the transport of this mite on wild D. hydei and D. melanogaster, both in the laboratory and under natural conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Kaolin application and bunch-zone leaf removal are two cultural practices that contribute to the control of main pests in vineyards, such as leafhoppers and the European grapevine moth. In the context of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a two-year study on the side effects of these practices on generalist predators was conducted in three vineyards of a grape-growing area in north-eastern Italy. This study provides the first data on the influence of kaolin and bunch-zone leaf removal on spiders and predatory insects occurring in vineyards. It was demonstrated that moderate use of kaolin has a negligible impact on generalist predatory arthropods in vineyards, while no negative effects were associated with bunch-zone leaf removal. Therefore, these practices were compatible with IPM strategies. In vineyards, kaolin application and bunch-zone leaf removal (LR) were effective in the control of leafhoppers and Lobesia botrana, but their side effects on generalist predators are still poorly understood. In north-eastern Italian vineyards, the impact of kaolin and LR on species and functional diversity of spiders, as well as the abundance of spiders and generalist predatory insects, was assessed in one vineyard for two consecutive years and in two vineyards for one year. The ecological indices of the spider community were never influenced by kaolin and only in one case were they influenced by LR. At the spider family level, kaolin reduced the abundance of Araneidae, Oxypidae and Salticidae, but only in single cases. In single cases, kaolin reduced the amount of Orius sp. anthocorids and increased that of Scymninae coccinellids, whereas LR increased the amount of Aeolothrips sp. The moderate use of kaolin and the application of LR had negligible and inconsistent impacts on generalist predatory arthropods in vineyards and were therefore, compatible with IPM strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: When weeds are left in mango farms, especially native wildflowers, there is a potential they may provide pollen and nectar to increase beneficial insect abundance and diversity. We examined how weed presence affects insects on mango trees as well as soil health. We found that weeds significantly increased pollinating and parasitoid (natural pest control agents) insect abundance and diversity. There was no difference in predatory insects between treatments, and slightly more herbivorous insects on weedy mango trees. Pollinators in mango flowers and spiders were also greater on weedy mango trees. Soil conditions were significantly improved in soil carbon and pH by the presence of weeds. These results show that a tolerable level of weed species may benefit insect, plant, and soil biodiversity in farms which oftentimes have very little life on them. This study examined if weeds could serve as insectary plants to increase beneficial insect abundance and diversity in mango cultivation in southern Florida. Additionally, we examined how weed presence affects mango tree soil health. We found that weeds significantly increased pollinating and parasitoid insect abundance and diversity. Eight insect orders and eighteen families were significantly more abundant on mango trees with weeds growing beneath them than those where weeds were removed. There was no difference in predatory insects between treatments, and slightly more herbivorous insects on weedy mango trees. Pollinating insects visiting mango flowers in the weed treatment were significantly greater, as well as spiders on weedy mango trees. However, there were more lacewings (Neuroptera) observed on the mango trees without weeds, and leaf chlorophyll in the old and new mango leaves was significantly greater, in the weed-free treatment. Soil conditions, however, significantly improved in soil carbon and a greater pH reduction in the presence of weeds, though weeds affected neither soil nitrogen, phosphorous, nor chlorophyll in productive green leaves. These results show that a tolerable level of selective weed species' presence may benefit insect, plant, and soil biodiversity in farms. This is important in increasing production, sustainability, and biodiversity in agriculture, which otherwise may be deficient in non-crop life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercial utilization of genetically modified crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal toxins requires careful assessment of the potential impact on non-target organisms. To assess the potential ecological impact of the Bt insect-resistant cotton variety A26-5 (expressing the Cry1Ac/1Ab protein), we tested whether there was transmission of Cry1Ac toxin through the food chain from cotton to the herbivorous prey Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) through to the non-target predatory insect Arma chinensis (Fallou). A small amount of Cry1Ac protein was detected in H. armigera and A. chinensis, indicating that Cry1Ac could be transmitted to A. chinensis. However, no differences were found in survival rate, development, or fecundity of A. chinensis after treatment with Bt-fed or Bt-free H. armigera. Cry1Ac exposure did not affect detoxification genes expression in A. chinensis, which is likely related to our finding that Cry1Ac could not bind to receptors in the midgut. Taken together, these results show that the Bt cotton A26-5 has few, if any, toxic effects on A. chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitoid wasps are important components of insect food chains and have played a central role in biological control programs for over a century. Although the vast majority of parasitoids exploit insect herbivores as hosts, others parasitize predatory insects and arthropods, such as ladybird beetles, hoverflies, lacewings, ground beetles, and spiders, or are hyperparasitoids. Much of the research on the biology and ecology of parasitoids of predators has focused on ladybird beetles, whose parasitoids may interfere with the control of insect pests like aphids by reducing ladybird abundance. Alternatively, parasitoids of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis may reduce its harmful impact on native ladybird populations. Different life stages of predatory insects and spiders are susceptible to parasitism to different degrees. Many parasitoids of predators exhibit intricate physiological interrelationships with their hosts, adaptively manipulating host behavior, biology, and ecology in ways that increase parasitoid survival and fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter canola (Brassica napus L.) is planted in late September through October in central Oklahoma and harvested in June. Three aphid species typically infest canola fields in central Oklahoma: cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L.; green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer); and turnip aphid, Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis). Predatory insects and spiders and hymenopteran parasitoids that prey on aphids are present in canola fields in central Oklahoma. We used a D-vac suction device to sample aphids and natural enemies in a total of 23 canola fields in central Oklahoma in early November and mid-March of three growing seasons. During the three growing seasons, 2.4 to 50.9 aphids were collected per 120 placements of the D-vac sampler per canola field. Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) was the most abundant parasitoid, with 0.04 to 5.1 individuals per 120 placements, while Araneae (spiders) were the most abundant predators ranging from 0.35 to 4.9 per 120 placements. Other predators were Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Nabidae, and Syrphidae, with relative density of most taxa increasing from November to March. Correlations of relative density of D. rapae and larval Coccinellidae to aphid relative density were positive and significant suggesting the taxa had a reproductive and/or aggregative numerical response to aphids in canola. D. rapae, Coccinellidae, and perhaps spiders killed the most aphids in central Oklahoma canola fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Praying mantids (class Insecta, order Mantodea) are a group of predatory insects comprising approximately 2500 described species, that occur across all continents except Antarctica, with the greatest species diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Mantids predominantly prey on other invertebrates but are known to feed on small vertebrates. During April and May 2021, we observed mantid feeding events in Manujan County, Kerman Province in southern Iran. Two distinct feeding events were observed where female European Mantids (Mantis religiosa) preyed on Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) and Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) nestlings. In addition, we collated information from online searches of mantids feeding on nestlings elsewhere in the world, revealing two more observations. In Taiwan, a Giant Asian Mantid (Hierodula patellifera) was recorded preying on a nestling Warbling White‐eye (Zosterops japonicus) and in Brazil, a mantid (Stagmatoptera sp.) was recorded feeding on a nestling White‐throated Seedeater (Sporophila albogularis). To date, the only existing scientific evidence of praying mantids feeding on passerine nestlings was recorded in 1922. We propose two potential explanations for the observed trophic interactions between mantids and passerine nestlings: (1) during egg production female mantids, especially those in poor physical condition, may opportunistically feed on nestlings in order to increase fecundity via nutrient gain and (2) mantids may initially be attracted toward the nest by parasitic or coprophagous insects, as a result of poor nest sanitation, and subsequently prey on nestlings after detecting movements. Our unusual observations represent the first records of praying mantids feeding on nestling passerines in nearly 100 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiaquatic bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerromorpha) are predatory insects that occupy a wide range of freshwater and marine habitats, with some secondary transitions to terrestrial life. They currently represent more than 2100 species distributed through all continents, except for Antarctica, and are especially rich in the Neotropical and Oriental regions. Although the fauna from the former region is relatively well known, some areas remain almost unexplored. Such is the case of French Guiana, where only a few species have been previously recorded, several of which based on collections made in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As a result of material recently collected in the territory, the descriptions of Rhagovelia depressa Rodrigues, Khila & Moreira, sp. nov., R. tantilloides Rodrigues, Khila & Moreira, sp. nov. and Steinovelia vittata Rodrigues, Khila & Moreira, sp. nov. (Veliidae) are presented here. New records for 28 species are also provided, of which Cylindrostethus hungerfordi Drake & Harris, 1934, Neogerris magnus (Kuitert, 1942), Rheumatobates mangrovensis (China, 1943), R. trinitatis (China, 1943), Ovatametra obesa Kenaga, 1942, Telmatometra fusca Kenaga, 1941, T. parva Kenaga, 1941 (Gerridae), Mesovelia amoena Uhler, 1894 (Mesoveliidae), Rhagovelia brunae Magalhães & Moreira, 2016, R. elegans Uhler, 1894, R. ephydros (Drake & Van Doesburg, 1966), R. equatoria D. Polhemus, 1997, R. evidis Bacon, 1948, R. guianana D. Polhemus, 1997, R. tenuipes Champion, 1898, Oiovelia cunucunumana (Drake & Maldonado-Capriles, 1952), Stridulivelia alia (Drake, 1957), S. stridulata (Hungerford, 1929), and S. tersa (Drake & Harris, 1941) (Veliidae) are reported from French Guiana for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying functional responses is a cornerstone in evaluating the predation efficiency of biological control agents such as predatory insects and mites. In this study, we investigate whether the efficiency of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in consuming prey is driven by intraspecific interactions. For this purpose, laboratory functional response experiments were conducted using one, two, three or four predators at several initial egg densities of the two‐spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae).The data fitted to the predator‐dependent Crowley–Martin model which accounts for intraspecific interactions. The results suggest that at high prey densities, i.e. the densities at which the predator is satiated, intraspecific interactions did not affect the predation potential of N. californicus, as the maximum number of T. urticae eggs that can be attacked by predator individuals did not differ between treatments (i.e., predator densities).However, at low prey densities and the highest predator density (i.e., four individuals), intraspecific interactions were detected, as revealed by the estimated attack rates, i.e. the per capita prey consumption at low prey densities. While mean attack rates did not differ significantly when one, two and three predators were exposed to prey, when predator density increased to four individuals, attack rate was considerable lower compared to the other predator densities.These results indicate that intraspecific interactions are more intense at low prey densities, where the predator is not satiated and therefore digestion breaks do not exist. In contrast, at high prey densities digestion breaks exist, so that may fully accommodate the cost of intraspecific interactions. These results also suggest that predator density should be considered when functional responses are measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creeping water bugs (Naucoridae) are predatory aquatic insects widely distributed in the Neotropical region. This study describes the structure of the male reproductive tract in two species, Limnocoris porphyros Nieser & Lopez Ruf, 2001 (Limnocorinae) and Pelocoris subflavus Montandon, 1898 (Naucorinae), under light microscopy. Both in L. porphyros and P. subflavus, the reproductive tract of sexually mature males consists of a pair of testes, efferent ducts, deferent ducts, seminal vesicles, two pairs of accessory glands, and an ejaculatory duct. Each testis has seven follicles. Deferent ducts were long with a dilation forming the seminal vesicle. Post‐vesicular deferent ducts were long, coiled, and contained spermatozoa. Characters derived from anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract in the two species, expand the knowledge on reproductive biology and provide new data that can enhance behavioural research and contribute to understand the evolutionary history of aquatic Heteroptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanopterans are spectacular, giant, predatory insects mainly known from the Triassic, but they are known from a few localities in Central Asia (including European Russia) and Australia. The Nampo Group is a nonmarine sequence, located on the southwestern Korean Peninsula, the age of which has remained controversial, due to lack of proper age-constraining fossils. Here, we report a new titanopteran Magnatitan jongheoni n. gen. n. sp. from the Amisan Formation, Nampo Group. The division of the radius anterior and radius posterior beyond the distal half of the fossil wing is a characteristic of the family Paratitanidae. This is the first discovery of a titanopteran fossil outside of Central Asia and Australia, suggesting a possible circum-Tethys oceanic distribution. Given the possibly widespread distribution of titanopterans, this group might have played a critical role as giant predatory insects in Triassic terrestrial ecology. Because titanopterans have never been found beyond the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, the occurrence of a titanopteran corroborates the Triassic age of the Nampo Group. UUID: http://zoobank.org/10177029-0044-424f-9816-e3fb057cfe85 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry B. bassiana Conidia Because the conidia that were suspended in water or oil were ineffective on the German cockroaches, we compared the infectivity of conidia suspended in water or oil with dry conidia that were deposited on a surface with both insects. Therefore, when exposed to dry aerial conidia, areas of different charges on the cockroach [[83]] and bed bug cuticle [[84]] allow for infective spores to be more readily picked up by the insects compared with conidia that are suspended in oil or water. Similar to the injection experiments with cockroaches, we observed a threshold effect, where low doses (<=4.4 × 10 SP 2 sp ) resulted in > 50% survivorship estimates after 14 days, whereas higher doses were much more effective at killing the bed bugs (MSTs: 8.8 × 10 SP 4 sp conidia = 2.93 ± 0.05 days, 1.3 × 10 SP 6 sp conidia = 2.2 ± 0.08 days; 4.4 × 10 SP 6 sp conidia = 2.03 ± 0.03 days; chi-square = 50.4, d.f. Topical Application of B. bassiana Conidia The topically applied conidia suspended in water were less effective on the bed bugs compared with the injected or ingested conidia. Therefore, as the German cockroach ingested conidia, its peritrophic membrane shielded the midgut from the conidia, and the conidia were ineffective even at the highest dose tested (4.4 × 10 SP 6 sp conidia). [Extracted from the article]

The Cuban laurel thrips, Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), is widely distributed to the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey and causing damage to Ficus microcarpa var. nitida plants. Biological control of G. ficorum has a crucial role to maintain the population density of this pest insect at an acceptable level on Ficus trees. For this reason, to determine the potential biological control agents of this pest, survey studies have been done in Adana and Mersin provinces. The Androthrips ramachandarai (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), and the Montandoniola indica Yamada (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) were reported for the first time in Turkey in 2020 on G. ficorum that damaging young leaves of the F. microcarpa. Brief diagnoses of G. ficorum and both predatory species were provided. A total of 249 adults of A. ramachandrai and 461 individuals of M. indica were detected in the galled leaves infested with G. ficorum. Moreover, 1959 adults, 1335 immatures and 11851 eggs of G. ficorum were also recorded. There was a positive relationship between pest eggs-A. ramachandrai adults and pest larvae-M. indica adults. Ratios of prey/predatory insects indicated that the predators might have the capability in suppressing the pest thrips on Ficus trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]