Search

Our understanding on the interplay between gene functionality and gene arrangement at different chromosome scales relies on a few Diptera and the honeybee, species with quality-reference genome assemblies, accurate gene annotations, and abundant transcriptome data. Using recently generated 'omics resources in the monarch butterfly D. plexippus, a species with many more and smaller chromosomes relative to Drosophila species and the honeybee, we examined the organization of genes preferentially expressed at broadly defined developmental stages (larva, pupa, adult males, and adult females) at both fine and whole-chromosome scales. We found that developmental stage-regulated genes do not form more clusters, but do form larger clusters, than expected by chance, a pattern consistent across the gene categories examined. Notably, out of the thirty chromosomes in the monarch genome, twelve of them, plus the fraction of the chromosome Z that corresponds to the ancestral Z in other Lepidoptera, were found enriched for developmental stage-regulated genes. These two levels of nonrandom gene organization are not independent as enriched chromosomes for developmental stage-regulated genes tend to harbor disproportionately large clusters of these genes. Further, although paralogous genes were overrepresented in gene clusters, their presence is not enough to explain two-thirds of the documented cases of whole-chromosome enrichment. The composition of the largest clusters often included paralogs from more than one multigene family as well as unrelated single-copy genes. Our results reveal intriguing patterns at the whole-chromosome scale in D. plexippus while shedding light on the interplay between gene expression and chromosome organization beyond Diptera and Hymenoptera.

What psychological mechanisms underlie aesthetic judgements? An influential account known as the Hedonic Marking of Fluency, later developed into a Processing Fluency Theory of Aesthetic Pleasure, posits that ease of processing elicits positive feelings and thus enhances stimulus evaluations. However, the theory faces empirical and conceptual challenges. In this paper, we extend it by integrating insights from predictive processing frameworks (PPF) and the epistemic motivation model (EMM). We propose four extensions. First, fluency of a stimulus depends on perceivers expectations-their internal model of the world. Second, perceivers also form expectations about fluency itself and thus can experience surprising fluency. These expectations can come from the individuals history, their current task and their environment. Third, perceivers can value fluency but also disfluency, reflecting their non-directional epistemic goals. Fourth, perceivers also have directional epistemic goals, preferring specific conclusions or belief content. Consequently, affective reactions depend on whether the stimulus satisfies those goals. These directional epistemic goals may override concerns about fluency or change the value of fluency associated with specific content. We review supporting evidence and introduce novel predictions. By integrating insights from PPF and EMM, our framework can better capture established fluency effects and highlights their limitations and extensions. This article is part of the theme issue Art, aesthetics and predictive processing: theoretical and empirical perspectives.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a highly destructive agricultural pest. The ability of S. frugiperda to survive and reproduce is widely recognized, but it is also important to consider the role of larval cannibalism as a significant biological trait. Understanding the cannibalistic habits of pests helps to explore the dynamics and evolution of their populations and facilitates the monitoring of insect outbreaks. Therefore, the stages, densities, and intensity of cannibalism in S. frugiperda larvae, as well as the consequences for their development, were investigated under laboratory conditions. Spodoptera frugiperda larvae showed obvious cannibalism after the third instar even in the presence of maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae) leaves; cannibalism was not observed in first instars. In the case of only one cannibal, the percentage of prey consumed by cannibalism decreased with higher prey density, and the predatory functional responses of fourth‐ to sixth‐instar predators to first‐ to third‐instar preys were fitted using the Holling II model. Compared with larvae feeding on maize only, larvae feeding on a diet of maize supplemented with third‐instar conspecifics had a longer developmental duration and a higher body weight, with no significant differences in larval survival, pupation, or eclosion rates. Larvae supplied with conspecifics only, in the absence of maize leaves, generally had a lower body weight than larvae supplied with maize only, although developmental duration was still longer, and longevity and fecundity rates were lower for these larvae. Overall, consuming a small quantity of conspecifics in addition to maize leaves prolonged the developmental duration of larvae and pupae to some extent, increased the body weight, and did not impact the longevity or reproduction of S. frugiperda. However, cannibalism only, without access to maize leaves, had a detrimental effect on adult longevity and reproduction. These findings could serve as a valuable reference for studying the life history of insects that consume agricultural crops and may have potential applications for biological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nymphalidae family of butterflies represents a captivating mosaic of species, not only captivating in their appearance but also serving as vital indicators of ecosystem health and biodiversity. In this study, we present an updated checklist of the Nymphalidae species inhabiting Uttar Pradesh State, India, encompassing a total of 58 species. Notably, we report four previously unrecorded species in the Uttar Pradesh region: Charaxes bharata C. and R. Felder; Charaxes agrarius Swinhoe; Athyma perius Linnaeus and Athyma inara Westwood. This study illustrates the importance of continued monitoring and conservation efforts to safeguard the rich biodiversity of butterflies in Uttar Pradesh and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cricula trifenestrata Helfer (commonly known as Amphutukoni muga/Cricula silkworm), a wild sericigenous insect produces golden yellow silk similar to Antheraea assamensis (muga silkworm), with significant potential as a natural fiber and biomaterial. Cricula is considered as a pest as it competes for food with muga, which produces the prized golden silk. This study focuses on decoding the mitochondrial genome of C. trifenestrata using next-generation sequencing technology and includes comparative analysis with Bombycoids and other lepidopteran insects. We found that the Cricula mitogenome spans 15 425 bp and exhibits typical gene content and arrangement consistent with other Saturniids and lepidopterans. All protein-coding genes were found to undergo purifying selection, with the highest and lowest conservation observed in the cox1 and atp8 gene, respectively, indicating their potential role in future evolutionary events. We identified two types of mismatches: 23 "G–U" and 6 "U–U" pairs, similar to those found in Actias selene among the Saturniids. Additionally, our study uncovered the presence of two 33 bp repeat units and a "TTAGA" motif in the control region, in contrast to the typical "ATAGA" motif, suggesting functional similarity with evolving sequences. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis supports the close relationship of Cricula with other species within the Saturniidae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic pheromones formulated for Acossus centerensis Lintner, 1877 led to the discovery of a new taxonomically cryptic species, Acossus boreocryptus Schmidt & Jaeger sp. nov. Adult males were active only during the daytime, exceptional among cossid moths, and the first documented case of diurnality in New World Cossidae. Males were attracted to lures baited with (E,E) 3,5-tetradecadienyl acetate (EE-TDDA). The larval host plant of A. boreocryptus is trembling aspen, Populus tremuloides Michx., but the immature stages remain undescribed. Acossus boreocryptus is the smallest species in the genus, distinguished from its sister species A. centerensis by adult morphology, mtDNA barcode, male diurnal activity, and seasonal phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assisted migration consists of the introduction of a species to previously inhabited areas or to new suitable regions. Such introductions have been touted as a viable tool for conserving the earth's biodiversity. However, both the likely success of assisted migrations and the impacts on local communities are hotly debated. Empirical data on the local impacts of assisted migration are particularly lacking. We examined the short and long time‐scale effects of herbivory on Lonicera involucrata (Richards) Banks ex. Spreng (Caprifoliaceae) after an introduction of Euphydryas gillettii Barnes (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Melitaeini) to Gunnison County, Colorado, USA, via an assisted migration in 1977. The plant is the primary larval host plant for the butterfly. We quantified plant seed production, plant survival, and population stage structure in two sets of observational experiments. We found that herbivory by E. gillettii increased L. involucrata reproduction on an annual time scale, independent of plant size and local microhabitat characteristics. Over the time since the butterfly's introduction, herbivory by E. gillettii resulted in a plant population structure biased toward smaller plants in the butterfly introduction and satellite sites compared with sites without the butterfly. Our results highlight the importance of studying the effects of assisted migrations on native populations at different temporal scales. As assisted migration becomes an indispensable tool for species conservation, our work adds to the understanding of the multi‐trophic impacts of assisted introductions on local populations and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary generalist herbivorous insects are widespread and often occur in a variety of environments. Across their geographic range, herbivorous insects may encounter variable plant traits as they feed on high‐quality or low‐quality plants. Herbivorous insect larvae experience both bottom‐up (host plant) and top‐down (parasitoid) factors that affect survival. Host plant quality may affect larval growth and survival in that larvae feeding on low‐quality plants often suffer reduced fitness. However, herbivores on different host plants are also subject to different levels of parasitism. High‐quality plants confer stronger larval performance (higher survival, more offspring), but larvae may also face higher parasitism. In some herbivore species, diet mediates larval immune response. The generalist insect herbivore fall webworm (FW), Hyphantria cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is a moth native to North America, and its larvae have considerable variance in their performance when reared on different host plants. We investigated whether diet affects the immune response in FW larvae when they are reared on different host plant species known to vary in food quality. We measured immune response by melanization of a nylon filament. We found significant differences in immune response across host plants, indicating that diet mediates immune response in FW larvae. Our study helps elucidate the factors that cause variation in immune response in a generalist herbivore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Factors that mediate insect herbivore sabotaging behaviour of host plant latex defences remain under debate. The most prominent hypothesis suggests that the anatomy of the host plant's laticifers determines trenching or vein‐cutting behaviour, but there are inconsistencies in the literature. In addition to latex, other plant defences have been shown to affect plant natural enemies, but experimental studies comparing the effects of multiple defences on herbivore performance and behaviour are scarce. In this study, we investigated the anatomy of the laticifers of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton (Apocynaceae), an exotic milkweed of southeastern Brazil, as well as the sabotaging behaviour of larvae of southern monarch, Danaus erippus (Cramer), and queen butterfly, Danaus gilippus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) on this host plant. We also reviewed the sabotaging behaviour of larvae reared on the native milkweed Asclepias curassavica L. (Apocynaceae) from previous studies, as well as the description of the anatomy of its laticifers. As we found no correspondence between sabotaging behaviour of southern monarchs and queens and the anatomy of the host plants' laticifers, we tested whether structural defences of C. procera leaves (latex, waxes and trichomes) affected sabotaging behaviour and larval performance of southern monarch larvae. The structural barriers of this well‐defended host affected larvae in different ways: Southern monarchs developed more slowly on control leaves than on leaves from which wax had been removed, and only latex removal reduced the frequency of sabotaging behaviour. Regardless of the defence removal treatment, frequencies of trenching behaviour decreased and vein‐cutting behaviour increased as larvae developed. Overall, our results show that several factors in addition to the anatomy of laticifers affect sabotaging behaviour of southern monarchs and queens, including larval ontogeny, danaine species and latex outflow. This evidence suggests a behavioural plasticity in the sabotaging behaviour of larvae of both southern monarchs and queens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field‐collected specimens were used to obtain nine high‐quality genome assemblies from a total of 10 insect species native to prairies and savannas of central Illinois (USA): Mellilla xanthometata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), Stenolophus ochropezus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Forcipata loca (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Coelinius sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Thaumatomyia glabra (Diptera: Chloropidae), Brachynemurus abdominalus (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), Catonia carolina (Hemiptera: Achilidae), Oncometopia orbona (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Flexamia atlantica (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and Stictocephala bisonia (Hemiptera: Membracidae). Sequencing library preparation from single specimens was successful despite extremely small DNA yields (<0.1 μg) for some samples. Additional sequencing and assembly workflows were adapted to each sample depending on the initial DNA yield. PacBio circular consensus (CCS/HiFi) or continuous long reads (CLR) libraries were used to sequence DNA fragments up to 50 kb in length, with Illumina sequenced linked‐reads (TellSeq libraries) and Omni‐C libraries used for scaffolding and gap‐filling. Assembled genome sizes ranged from 135 MB to 3.2 GB. The number of assembled scaffolds ranged from 47 to >13,000, with the longest scaffold per assembly ranging from ~23 to 439 Mb. Genome completeness was high, with BUSCO scores ranging from 85.5% completeness for the largest genome (Stictocephala bisonia) to 98.8% completeness for the smallest genome (Coelinius sp.). The unique content was estimated using RepeatMasker and GenomeScope2, which ranged from 50.7% to 75.8% and roughly decreased with increasing genome size. Structural annotation predicted a range of 19,281–72,469 protein models for sequenced species. Sequencing costs per genome at the time ranged from US$3–5k, averaged ~1600 CPU‐hours on a high‐performance cluster and required approximately 14 h of bioinformatics analyses with samples using PacBio HiFi data. Most assemblies would benefit from further manual curation to correct possible scaffold misjoins and translocations suggested by off‐diagonal or depleted signals in Omni‐C contact maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects and plants share a close relationship; plants provide feeding opportunities, ecological niches, and shelters for insects, while insects, in turn, facilitate pollination for plants. Management actions might positively or negatively affect insect species richness and/or abundance, in particular, forest practices can significantly influence insect communities. In this study, we investigated the effects on plant and moth communities following the realization of an ecological corridor (composed of 10 clearings) in forest in NW of Italy. Specifically, through plant surveys and moth light traps, we investigated plant and moth communities and their relationship in newly shaped clearings and their surrounding forest. We found that plants responded quickly to clearing formation, presenting differentiated plant communities between xero-thermophile clearings, mesophile clearings and forest. These differences reflected on moth communities as well, allowing to find indicator species for each ecosystem. Structural variables (i.e. openness) and topography (i.e. elevation) were key factors affecting the differentiation of moth communities. On the other hand, plants explained most of the variance in moth communities, so, through plants, we differentiated moth communities into those typical of xero-thermophile clearings, mesophile clearings and forest. In conclusion, forest management significantly affects plant and moth communities. Newly shaped clearings support higher species richness (including specialist species) and abundance than closed canopy forest. To increase species richness and abundance for both plants and moths, we suggest conservation measures that include creating open habitats within forests at medium elevation (650–950 m a.s.l.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butterflies and plant species are widely used as model systems in biodiversity and conservation research. However, little is known about spatial patterns of butterfly diversity linked to plant communities across coastal dune ecotones. We explored the relation between butterfly and vegetation diversity in a Mediterranean protected dune system in Central Italy. We sampled butterfly and plant communities on shifting and fixed dunes and investigated their distribution patterns by diversity indexes and Species Abundance Diversity models (SADs). We also computed species beta-diversity and analyzed the relation between butterfly communities and vegetation by correlation analyses. Cross-taxon congruence in species richness, composition and abundance was assessed using Mantel correlation tests. Both butterfly and plant diversity were higher on the fixed dunes than on the shifting dunes. In both communities, SADs were adequately described by the geometric series model, which is typical of harsh environments with simple communities dominated by few species. Among both butterflies and plants, we identified species found only on either the shifting or the fixed dunes. Correlation between plant and butterfly diversity was higher for entomophilous plant species than for the more abundant anemophilous ones. Our results indicate that both plant and butterfly communities respond to the sea-inland environmental gradient, forming distinct communities with specialized taxa. Our findings also provide evidence of the importance of butterfly-plant relations for preserving biological diversity and ecosystem functioning in Mediterranean coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plutella xylostella is considered the main pest of cabbage in Brazil and the world, causing damage of up to 100%. Thus, this study evaluated the insecticidal activity of extracts obtained from the fruits, seeds, bark, leaves, and flowers of Handroanthus impetiginosus against the diamondback moth, P. xylostella larvae. The seed extract showed the highest mortality (97.0%) compared to the control treatment. The LC50 values indicated that the seed and flower extracts (0.01003 and 0.01288 mg/L respectively) assumed the highest toxicity to P. xylostella larvae after 24 h of exposure. The results of this study indicated that the seeds extract is the most promising toxic extract, with measured mortality of approximately 97.0% for P. xylostella larvae after 144 h of exposure in kale plants. Seed extract showed the best insecticidal activity. Thus, this extract can be applied to develop an insecticide based on H. impetiginosus seed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the effects of local landscape factors on functional species composition and phenology of butterflies across multiple spatial scales, a study was carried out in a tropical dry forest of the northern highlands of the Eastern Ghats of India from November 2016 to October 2017. A total of 3343 individuals of 88 species of butterflies were recorded, under 62 genera, 18 subfamilies, and six families in three different forest types (open, riparian, dense). Butterfly species richness showed no significant deviations, but diversity patterns varied across transects. Beta diversity indicated differences in common species populations, likely due to uneven resource distribution in study site forests. The contribution of β transect to gamma diversity was greater than that of β elevation, except for specialists. Specialists were favoured by landscape attributes over forest type. Butterfly abundance peaks in April for open and dense forests and May for riparian forests. Results show variation in seasonal patterns across different forest types (F = 15.92, P < 0.001). Generalists and versatilists are more prevalent in April and February, while specialists are more abundant from October to November. Relative humidity, shrub density, and temperature were the major contributors (40.2%) for richness, whereas relative humidity and shrub density contributed 26.3% for abundance. The relative humidity was predominant over temperature for species richness and is a major predictor for assemblages of generalist species. Elevation-dependent resource utilization is crucial for habitat specialists, underscoring the significance of spatial elevation zones in effective conservation planning strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ghost moths are an unusual family of primitive moths (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) known for their large body size and crepuscular adult activity. These moths represent an ancient lineage, frequently have soil dwelling larvae, and are adapted to high elevations, deserts, and other extreme environments. Despite being rather speciose with more than 700 species, there is a dearth of genomic resources for the family. Here, we present the first high quality, publicly available hepialid genome, generated from an Andean species of ghost moth, Druceiella hillmani. Our genome assembly has a length of 2,586 Mbp with contig N50 of 28.1 Mb and N50 of 29, and BUSCO completeness of 97.1%, making it one of the largest genomes in the order Lepidoptera. Our assembly is a vital resource for future research on ghost moth genomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic fungi have been widely used as the main mycoinsecticide for controlling agricultural and forest pests. The effector molecules of these mycopathogens have evolved to adapt to their hosts. The role of fungal effectors in evading the host immune system in insects remains mainly unclear. We characterized the widely distributed fungal effector necrosis‐inducing‐like secreted protein 1 (NLS1) in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. Our findings revealed the presence of M. robertsii NLS1 (MrNLS1) in host hemocytes during the early stage of hemocoel infection. MrNLS1 knock down (ΔMrNLS1) reduced fungal pathogenicity during infection and altered the expression of host immune genes. The molecular docking results and the yeast 2‐hybrid assay confirmed that MrNLS1 interacts with the host defense protein Hdd11. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that Hdd11 is conserved across a broad range of Lepidoptera species. Knock down of hdd11 in Helicoverpa armigera, Bombyx mori, and Galleria mellonella markedly suppressed their immune responses against M. robertsii. However, no significant difference was observed in the mean lethal time between hdd11‐knockdown Lepidoptera species infected with ΔMrNLS1 and those infected with wild‐type M. robertsii. Therefore, in Lepidoptera insects, Hdd11 is essential for fungal defense. In conclusion, M. robertsii infects Lepidoptera insects by targeting host Hdd11 through its protein MrNLS1, thereby suppressing the host immune response. Our findings clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying fungal infection pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Pyralidae is a large and important group within the superfamily Pyraloidea, consisting of more than 5,900 described species. The rice moth Corcyra cephalonica is a noteworthy pest affecting stored grains and products. However, the absence of high-quality genomes hinders our comprehension of the ecology of C. cephalonica. Herein, we propose a chromosome-level genome of C. cephalonica achieved through integrating Nanopore, Illumina, and Hi-C reads. The genome of 453.37 Mb in size consists of 98 scaffolds and 154 contigs, with a scaffold N50 size of 16.67 Mb. The majority of contigs (99.36%, 450.45 Mb) were effectively anchored to 29 chromosomes. The BUSCO analysis of the assembly revealed a completeness of 99.0% (n = 1,367), identifying 98.6% single-copy BUSCO genes and 0.4% duplicated BUSCO genes. Furthermore, the genome contains 48.74% (220.96 Mb) repeat elements and encompasses 14,135 predicted protein-coding genes. This study offers a valuable genomic foundation for advancing our comprehension of the biology of C. cephalonica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-induced environmental change and globalization facilitate biological invasions, which can lead to the displacement of native species by non-native ones. 1,2,3,4 Analogously, biodiversity loss may occur within species when habitat modifications facilitate the expansion of a specific population's range, leading to genetic admixture with native local populations. We demonstrate such intraspecific loss in population-level diversity in the Southern Small White (Pieris mannii), an originally sedentary butterfly 5 that recently expanded its range across Central Europe due to urbanization. 6,7,8 Using genome-wide markers from historical museum specimens and contemporary samples, we identify a distinct population initiating this expansion and reveal the genetic homogenization of native local populations by admixture with the expansive one. Our study illustrates how human-made environmental change can simultaneously benefit a species by permitting range expansion and drive cryptic biodiversity loss through the genetic homogenization of conspecific populations. • Range expansion in Pieris mannii butterflies is driven by a distinct population • This population now mixes with formerly isolated local populations • Population mixing causes loss of evolutionary distinctiveness within this species The butterfly Pieris mannii recently expanded its range across Central Europe in response to urbanization. Comparing DNA sequence data from museum and contemporary specimens, Blattner et al. show that this expansion is driven by a distinct lineage and that the mixing of this lineage with local ones results in within-species genetic homogenization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cirina butyrospermi Vuillet (Lepidoptera: Attacidae) is an insect whose larvae feed only on shea leaves [Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn. (Sapotaceae)]. The last larval stages (L4 and L5) of this insect are harvested and used as food and in a lesser extent, as feed in Southwest of Burkina Faso. However, the distribution and density of C. butyrospermi edible caterpillar have not yet been investigated in Southwest of Burkina Faso. The objective of this work is to evaluate the density and damage of shea caterpillars in the shea parklands located along the Koumbia-Dano environmental and ethnical transect, during three consecutive shea caterpillar seasons (2020, 2021 and 2022). The density of individuals/square meter of shea leaves of each of the five larval stages, including dead larvae, was evaluated on the sampled shea trees. The infestation rate and the severity of defoliation were also investigated. The density of edible larval stages (L4 and L5) ranged from 2.95 ± 3.35 to 29.50 ± 25.49 individuals/m2 of shea leaves according to the study sites and the year. The percentage of shea tree infested with caterpillars and the attack severity varied from 35.57 to 57.50% and from 8.71 to 25.50%, respectively, depending on the study sites and the year. Further investigation is necessary to determine the cause of the larvae mortality and the reasons for the heterogeneous distribution of C. butyrospermi along the transect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of the attract-and-kill (A&K) technique in controlling the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in open-field tomato growing areas in the Meram district of Konya province (Türkiye) in 2020 and 2021. Three pheromone-treated and three untreated control fields were used in both years. The A&K pheromone (MalEx™) was homogeneously applied by hand to the tomato plant at a dose of 3000 droplets/ha, while no pheromone application was made in the untreated control plots. Delta traps were installed both in untreated control and pheromone-treated plots to monitor T. absoluta populations. The number of males captured in Delta traps and the infestation rates of tomato plants by T. absoluta populations were recorded weekly. In pheromone-treated plots, the mean number of males captured/trap/week in 2020 and 2021 was recorded as 271.06 ± 25.19 and 264.81 ± 23.06, respectively, while it was recorded in untreated control plots as 647.80 ± 58.71 and 668.96 ± 42.02, respectively. The mean infestation rate (%) of T. absoluta in A&K pheromone-treated plots was recorded as 3.83 ± 0.39% and 3.76 ± 0.34%, while it was recorded as 10.18 ± 0.93% and 10.96 ± 0.91% in untreated control plots in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The results of the present study showed that the A&K formulation was successful in the control of T. absoluta in tomatoes grown in open-field conditions of Konya province, Türkiye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the most important pest on maize (Zea mays L.) crops in Mexico and can cause substantial economic losses if left unmanaged. Commonly, growers carry out some control strategies when observe damage caused by S. frugiperda in their crops without considering whether the level of damage is sufficient to warrant any action. Some authors suggest considering as reference a level damage of 20% or more. Nevertheless, the Sinaloa growers lack of a practical method to estimate such damage. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop a sequential sampling method that can determine the most appropriate time to initiate a control strategy and that can be applied by the producers of Sinaloa, Mexico. Three trials were established during the 2019–2020 fall-winter planting cycle in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico in regions of the state where maize is commercially grown to evaluate six different sequential sampling methods. The results indicate the best option was a sequential sampling plan based on the Taylor method, performing the regression analysis with Log10, with a maximum of 50 sampling units per plot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study offers a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Ophiorrhabda Diakonoff, 1966 with detailed redescriptions of four Indian species: O. cellifera (Meyrick, 1912), O. mormopa (Meyrick, 1906), O. harmonica (Meyrick, 1905) and O. philocompsa (Meyrick, 1921). Notably, O. harmonica and O. philocompsa represent new records for the Indian fauna. This work includes illustrative documentation of the Indian species of Ophiorrhabda, accompanied by identification keys. Furthermore, an updated checklist of fifteen globally recognized species within the genus Ophiorrhabda is provided, encompassing comprehensive information on type localities, synonyms, distribution, and host plants. This study significantly enhances the current understanding of Ophiorrhabda species diversity and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae), Eldana saccharina (Walker) (Pyralidae), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Noctuidae), Sesamia calamistis (Hampson) (Noctuidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Noctuidae) are six of the most important insect pests of sugarcane, sorghum and maize in Africa. Suitable artificial diets are needed for the continuous rearing of these species in sufficient numbers to support research on Bt protein-incorporated artificial diet bioassays, screening for host plant resistance, as well as for monitoring of insecticide and Cry-protein resistance evolution in pest populations. This study evaluated diet protocols for rearing of these species. Different noctuid and crambid diets were evaluated and the following life history parameters were recorded: larval survival and mass, larval duration, pupation rate, pupal mass, duration of pupal period and sex ratio. Chilo partellus, E. saccharina and H. armigera excelled on a sugarcane-incorporated diet with high larval survival and mass, pupation and the quickest development to adults. Busseola fusca, S. calamistis and S. frugiperda performed better on a maize leaf-incorporated diet. These two diets are considered optimal for the respective species and are recommended for use in rearing of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus of satyrine butterflies, Nivaliodes gen. nov. is described for three species, all new: Nivaliodes negrobueno sp. nov. Nivaliodes viracocha sp. nov. and Nivaliodes puriq sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), with the support of molecular data and adult morphology. A target enrichment-based phylogeny indicates that Nivaliodes gen. nov. is sister to the genus Pherepedaliodes within an extremely diverse Pedaliodes clade of the predominantly Andean subtribe Pronophilina. Although an overwhelming majority of species of this group occur in tropical montane forests, N. negrobueno sp. nov. was discovered in a central Peruvian desert puna at some 4600–4800 m a.s.l. the highest elevation reported for any species of the Pronophilina. Individuals were observed overflying rocky slopes and resting directly on snow-covered surfaces, which is an exceptionally unusual behaviour among butterflies. The other two species of the new genus were found at lower elevations, some 3300–4200 m a.s.l. at the timberline and in puna grassland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) have a heterogametic sex chromosome system with females carrying ZW chromosomes and males ZZ. The lack of W chromosomes in early-diverging lepidopteran lineages has led to the suggestion of an ancestral Z0 system in this clade and a B chromosome origin of the W. This contrasts with the canonical model of W chromosome evolution in which the W would have originated from the same homologous autosomal pair as the Z chromosome. Despite the distinct models proposed, the rapid evolution of the W chromosome has hindered the elucidation of its origin. Here, we present high-quality, chromosome-level genome assemblies of 2 Hypolimnas species (Hypolimnas misippus and Hypolimnas bolina) and use the H. misippus assembly to explore the evolution of W chromosomes in butterflies and moths. We show that in H. misippus , the W chromosome has higher similarity to the Z chromosome than any other chromosome, which could suggest a possible origin from the same homologous autosome pair as the Z chromosome. However, using genome assemblies of closely related species (ditrysian lineages) containing assembled W chromosomes, we present contrasting evidence suggesting that the W chromosome might have evolved from a B chromosome instead. Crucially, by using a synteny analysis to infer homology, we show that W chromosomes are likely to share a common evolutionary origin in Lepidoptera. This study highlights the difficulty of studying the evolution of W chromosomes and contributes to better understanding its evolutionary origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Noctuidae represents the majority of moth species attracted to light traps at night, with approximately 12,000 species identified worldwide. In Egypt, Noctuidae is represented by 206 species, many of which are pests affecting field crops, fruit trees, and ornamental plants. This study is concerned with 25 species of noctuid moths from family Noctuidae (Lepidoptera). The specimens were collected by light trap operated at the experimental research station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, at Abis district (31.21743, 29.98271). The adults of each species were spread and pinned to help in recording the general appearance. Additionally, some specimens were dissected to prepare slides of male and female genitalia, while wing patterns were also examined as critical taxonomic features these species were classified into eight subfamilies (Amphyprinae, Agrotinae, Hadeninae, Heliothinae, Acontinae, Plusiinae, Catocalinae and Chleophorinae). Taxonomical keys were restricted on the male and female genitalia. These moths are: Spodoptera littoralis, S. latebrosa, S. exigua, Sesamia nonagriodes, S. cretica, Athetis atriluna, Hopolodrina ambigua, Agrotis spinifera, A. segetum, A.ipsilon, Noctua pronuba, Leucania unipuncta, L. loreyi, Polia hepatica, Heliothis peltigera, Acontia lucida, Autographa gamma, Thysanoplusia orichalcea, Chrysodeixis chalcetes, Cornutiplusia circumflexa, Thysanoplusia daubei, Syngrapha interrogationis, Grammodes bifasciata, Dysgonia torrida and Earias insulana [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study extended the use of Track 3D trajectory instruments to investigate the previously unobserved nocturnal activities of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a species of moth Noctuidae. The results indicate that flying and wing flapping are the most common activities, with observed flight patterns including parabolic, circular, and zigzag trajectories. Spodoptera frugiperda, also known as the fall armyworm (FAW), is classified by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as a major agricultural pest. By gaining a more nuanced understanding of the fall armyworm's courtship behavior, simpler and more environmentally friendly methods of controlling this pest can be developed. This study used the Track 3D system to meticulously record and describe the activity characteristics and patterns of adult males and females during courtship. The results show that adult FAWs engaged in a variety of activities during courtship that were either discrete (flying, flapping, moving, and crawling), continuous (flapping + flying, flapping + crawling, and flying + crawling), or combined (flapping + touching + flapping; flying + touching + flying). Flying and flapping were the most common activities, with observed flight patterns consisting of parabolic, circular, and zigzag trajectories. The peak activity times for adult FAWs are mainly concentrated at 11:00 p.m., 3:00 a.m., and 5:00 a.m., providing fundamental data for the precise attraction and control of adult FAWs at later stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study examines the oviposition preferences (egg-laying) of Eriogaster catax L., an endangered moth found in warmer parts of Europe, typically in semi-natural areas within agricultural landscapes. Although legally protected in Europe, limited information is available on the species' specific ecological needs for egg-laying. Our six-year research in Romania reveals that E. catax selects blackthorn and hawthorn (Prunus spinosa L. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) shrubs for egg-laying at an average height of 80 cm, with most eggs positioned between 41 and 80 cm above ground. Each cluster typically contains around 186 eggs. The study also provides essential data on the preferred shape and structure of host plants, which serve as a critical food source for larvae and influence the way eggs are laid. This low oviposition height leaves E. catax vulnerable to human activities like shrub trimming, burning, and grazing, which can damage or destroy egg sites. These findings support the development of targeted conservation strategies that consider these specific oviposition preferences and highlight the importance of community awareness to protect endangered species and sustain biodiversity. This study provides new insights into the oviposition strategy of Eriogaster catax (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae), an endangered species of moth found in semi-natural habitats within agricultural landscapes. Protected under various European directives and listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN, E. catax inhabits warmer regions of the Western Palearctic. Despite noted geographic variations in its ecological preferences, few studies have statistically significant data on its ecology. Our six-year study, conducted within the largest known population of E. catax. in Romania, reveals critical data on its oviposition preferences, including the species' tendency to utilize Prunus spinosa L. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq. shrubs at an average height of 80.48 ± 34.3 cm, with most nests placed within the 41–80 cm range and containing an average of 186 ± 22 eggs. The study also addresses the species' vulnerability to human activities such as bush trimming, agricultural burning, and uncontrolled grazing, particularly due to its low oviposition height. These findings underscore the negative impact of overgrazing and burning practices, particularly when conducted on a large scale, on the conservation of E. catax. The detailed ecological requirements identified in this study are essential for developing effective conservation strategies and habitat management practices. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of local community involvement and public education in raising awareness about biodiversity and the conservation of endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Heortia vitessoides (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larvae usually form large aggregates during young instars, but their gregariousness is reduced during the late instar. Our study shows that hexane extract of second-instar H. vitessoides larvae triggered the aggregation preference of the conspecific larvae, whereas the hexane extract of later-instar larvae was no longer attractive. In addition, acetone extracts of both second- and fifth-instar H. vitessoides larvae repelled the conspecific larvae. Heortia vitessoides (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a severe pest of Aquilaria plants, which produce high-priced agarwood. The larval stage of this pest is gregarious, usually forming large aggregates during young instars and becoming solitary during the fifth instar. We hypothesize that the cuticle chemicals of young-instar H. vitessoides larvae could promote larval aggregating, whereas the cuticle chemicals of late-instar larvae would no longer attract young-instar larvae. In this study, two-choice tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of cuticle extracts of second- and fifth-instar H. vitessoides larvae on the aggregation preference of second-instar larvae. Results show that significantly more larvae aggregated on the leaves treated with the hexane extract of second-instar H. vitessoides larvae than on untreated leaves. However, the hexane extract of fifth-instar larvae had no significant effect on the aggregation preference of the second-instar conspecific larvae. Interestingly, acetone extracts of both second- and fifth-instar H. vitessoides larvae repelled the second-instar conspecific larvae throughout the 8 h experiment. Our study shows that cuticle chemicals of H. vitessoides larvae may play a role in the group dynamics of this pest, which may contribute to screening novel attractants and repellents for H. vitessoides. Detailed chemical analyses of the extracts and identification of the compounds involved in larval attracting and repelling would be valuable in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volicitin [N-(17-hydroxylinolenoyl)-L-glutamine] and N-linolenoyl-L-glutamine were originally identified in the regurgitant of Spodoptera exigua larvae. These fatty acid amino acid conjugates (FACs) are known to be elicitors that induce plants to release volatile compounds which in turn attract natural enemies of the larvae such as parasitic wasps. FAC concentrations are regulated by enzymatic biosynthesis and hydrolysis in the intestine of Lepidoptera larvae. It has been proposed that FAC metabolism activates glutamine synthetase and plays an important role in nitrogen metabolism in larvae. In this study, we identified candidate genes encoding a FACs hydrolase in Spodoptera litura using genomic information of various related lepidopteran species in which FACs hydrolases have been reported. We analyzed the importance of FAC hydrolysis on caterpillar performance with CRISPR/Cas9 knock outs. Larvae of strains with an inactive FACs hydrolase excreted FACs in their feces. They absorbed 30% less nitrogen from the diet compared to WT caterpillars resulting in a reduction of their body weight of up to 40% compared to wild type caterpillars. These results suggest that the hydrolysis of FACs is an important metabolism for insects and that FACs are important for larval growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gregarious lifestyle of lepidopteran larvae is diverse and shaped by a complex interplay of ecological and evolutionary factors. Our review showed that the larval‐aggregation behavior has been reported in 23 lepidopteran families, indicating multiple evolution of this behavior. Some larvae live in sibling groups throughout all larval instars and even pupation stages, which may result from the kin‐selection. In contrast, group fusion may occur among different sibling or foraging groups of larvae and form larger aggregates, and the gregariousness of these species might be driven by the group‐selection. While group size and foraging patterns vary greatly across species, it is generally associated with improved larval survivorship and accelerated development. However, the advantages of group living, such as facilitating feeding activities, adjusting the temperature, and defending natural enemies, may diminish along with development, with strong intraspecific competition occurring at later instars, even when food is abundant. Therefore, the group sizes and fission–fusion dynamics of certain gregarious lepidopteran larvae may be a consequence of their cost–benefit balance depending on various biotic and abiotic factors. Trail and aggregation pheromones, silk trails, or body contact contribute to collective movement and group cohesion of gregarious lepidopteran larvae. However, frequent contact among group members may cause the horizontal transmission of pathogens and pesticides, which may bring an integrated pest management strategy controlling gregarious lepidopteran pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study we have described four new species of Eucosmini (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae) namely Blastesthia umngotana sp. n., Rhopaltriplasia umiamensis sp. n., Zeiraphera mussoorieana sp. n. and Zeiraphera almoraensis sp. n. from India. The genera Blastesthia Obraztsov, 1960, Zeiraphera Treitschke, 1829 and Rhopaltriplasia Diakonoff 1973 are recorded for the first time from India. Descriptions and photographic illustrations of adult habitus, wing venation and genitalia are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a vital crop with enormous economic and nutritional importance in Nepal and worldwide. The yellow stem borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a monophagous severe pest that poses a substantial threat to rice crops, causing significant yield losses by its larva feeding on stems and tillers. This review covers the life cycle, distribution, damage, and management and control strategies of YSB. YSB primarily targets rice plants, causing symptoms like dead hearts and whiteheads. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are crucial for effective YSB control. Cultural practices include selecting resistant rice varieties, using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) incorporated transgenic rice plants, synchronizing planting to reduce generations, and promoting natural enemies by conserving their habitats. Mechanical methods involve pheromone and light traps to disrupt mating and reduce adult populations. Biological control methods utilize natural predators like beetles and spiders and parasitoids such as Cotesia flavipes and Trichogramma spp. In contrast, chemical control involves targeted insecticide application when pest populations reach economic threshold levels that is when 5–10% dead hearts are seen. The article emphasizes the importance of IPM techniques in reducing YSB infestation and fostering sustainable rice production. These approaches not only help to lower the YSB population but also contribute to environmental preservation and long-term agricultural viability. As rice is a staple food for millions, effective management of YSB becomes crucial for guaranteeing food security and livelihoods across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Efficient mitigation of the biodiversity crisis requires targeted conservation actions in locations with high species richness, the presence of endangered species and unique species communities. However, prioritising sites remains challenging because of sparse knowledge on biodiversity, limiting the possibility of communicating efficiently with local decision makers. We examine easy‐to‐replicate, yet robust, methods to identify areas with high conservation values on large spatial scales using data filtering and complementary biodiversity indicators based on species records from a biodiversity information facility. Location: Finland, Europe. Methods: We illustrate the protocol by focusing on Lepidoptera in Finnish municipal districts. We mobilised over 3 million species records on 878 native Lepidoptera (2001–2020) from the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility. We estimated the richness of overall and endangered species using species accumulation curves, as well as the uniqueness of species communities, using measures of local contribution to beta diversity (LCBD). After testing for multiple thresholds and their effect on indicator accuracy, 97 districts with >5000 records were included in the analyses. Results: Estimated overall species richness was highest on the southern coast and significantly decreased in the North, following a known pattern with Lepidoptera in Finland. Species richness was not the highest in the districts with the greatest number of records and the ranking differed from the raw data, demonstrating the importance of correcting for sampling intensity. The estimated number of endangered species correlated with overall species richness, except in northernmost districts, where the proportion of endangered species was exceptionally high. High LCBD replacement (i.e. unique species communities) was concentrated in the Southwest (hemi‐boreal) and North (northern boreal) of the country. Main Conclusions: We provided an example and interpretations of how scalable biodiversity indicators based on accumulation curves and LCBD analyses, and careful data filtering (thresholds) can be used to identify sites with conservation priorities from multi‐sourced species records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitin is the most abundant biopolymer group after cellulose and forms the exoskeleton of arthropods, the largest animal group. The morphology of chitin differs between and within species. In this study, we determined the physicochemical and biological activity of chitin samples obtained from different body parts of the boxwood moth Cydalima perspectalis for its application as a biotechnological material. The collected chitin samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and elemental analysis. FTIR confirms that the isolation of chitin is successful. The SEM results showed that the surface morphology of the obtained chitins was both fibrous and porous and had a rough surface. As a result of the elemental analysis, the %N values of chitins were calculated as 6.60 on average, and the values were shown to be close to each other. We also investigated the biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties of these chitin samples. We used L929 (mouse fibroblast) cells to perform indirect cytotoxicity experiments and investigated their viability by performing the MTT assay. Our findings showed that the samples had no cytotoxic effect on the L929 cells at 24, 48, and 72 h. The cytotoxic study showed that Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and Candida albican fungi adhered to chitin surfaces regarding biofilm production. The chitin contents were determined as 21.02% for the head, 5.74% for the body, 32.22% for the wing, 33.53% for the legs, and 2.65% for the pupal shell. Chitin is a material with high potential for use in various fields. Our findings suggested that Cydalima perspectalis can be used as an alternative source of chitin in biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Florfenicol (FF) is a new antibiotic commonly used in sericulture. This study aimed to examine the effects of low (LC: 0.06 g/L), medium (MC: 0.12 g/L), and high (HC: 1.2 g/L) concentrations of FF on the midgut physiological functions of the silkworm, Bombyx mori (L.) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae). The results showed that the body weight and the whole cocoon weight of silkworms decreased and the development duration of the fifth instar was prolonged in the HC group. The structure of intestinal microbiota of silkworm larvae was changed by high FF exposure. Specifically, the abundance of conditional pathogens (Curtobacterium, Sanguibater, etc.) was significantly increased, whereas the abundance of Pseudomonas and Pedobacter was decreased significantly. Additionally, the intestinal reactive oxygen species level at 72 h was significantly elevated, and the muscle layer had become loose, together with the appearance of gut goblet cell atrophy. We observed that the increase in Lactobacillus abundance led to a reduction in intestinal fluid pH, resulting in decreased α‐amylase and protease activities, whereas lipase activity exhibited an elevation. The results demonstrated that the accumulation of peroxides induced by exposure to 1.2 g/L FF caused intestinal damage, and the decrease in pH resulting from alterations in microbial composition and structure affected digestive enzyme activity, collectively leading to physiological impairment of the silkworm midgut. These findings provide a valuable reference for the safe use of FF in sericulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni (Tams, 1926) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is one of the most harmful species that causes destruction in pine ecosystems and also causes critical skin reactions in humans and animals due to its urticating hairs. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different strains [Bti ATCC 35646 (wild-type strain), Bti pHT315, and Bti pHTppk (mutant strain)] of Diptera-targeted Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) and toxins (spore/crystal mixtures) obtained from these strains against the 4th larval stage of T. wilkinsoni under laboratory conditions. T. wilkinsoni eggs were collected from pine trees at Ondokuz Mayıs University in Samsun, Turkey, in 2022. Pine needles were contaminated with bacterial strains of different concentrations (1 × 107, 1 × 108, 1 × 109 cfu/mL) in 5 mL and toxins in different concentrations (0.15, 0.3, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/mL) in 2 mL. Larvae were placed in containers with 30 larvae in each group and were observed for 25 days. As a result of the study, Bti ATCC 35646 with 63.4% mortality and the lowest LC50 value of 1.2 × 109 cfu/mL among the three strains of Bti and Bti pHTppk with 76.7% mortality and the lowest LC50 value of 1.2 mL among the toxins from the Bti strains had found to be virulent for T. wilkinsoni. The results obtained from our study suggest that Diptera-targeted Bti is virulent to T. wilkinsoni and that this strain and spore/crystal mixture can be used in the biological control of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to understand the role of various morphological features of pollen grains in attachment with moth proboscides. To test the hypothesis, moth samples are collected from 11 sites in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal, North East India. Pollen of 18 angiosperm families are isolated from the proboscides of 16 moth species in four families. We selected proboscides for the isolation of pollen because it is the most important organ of moths which interacts with flowers during moth visitation. The isolated pollen is studied for various morphological characters like pollen shape, unit, exine ornamentation, thickness, aperture numbers, and aperture types along with specialized structures i.e., viscin thread and pollenkitt, and analyzed for their attachment on the proboscides. The present study revealed the significant role of pollen shape, unit, exine characters, viscin thread, and pollenkitt in attachment with proboscides. Whereas, the aperture numbers and aperture types are found insignificant in the process of pollen attachment. Studies on the formation of viscin thread and pollenkitt may be established as an important tool to understand the specialized and generalized interactions between moths and angiosperms. The present study will open up a new horizon in pollination ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many unique high‐altitude mountain ecosystems have been declining due to climate change, posing a threat to flora and fauna that have adapted to these ecosystems. This study explores the evolution of high‐altitude adaptations, focusing on female flightlessness and diel activity, in geometrid moths (Lepidoptera: Ennominae, Gnophini) within the European Alps. We constructed a phylogeny of Gnophini moths using a dataset of 157 taxa, with up to seven genetic markers and traced the evolutionary history of diel activity and wing length reduction in females. Analysis of divergence times suggested that female flightlessness has evolved at least three times independently between the early and late Miocene. The evolution of wing length reduction is likely correlated with elevation, indicating adaptations to cold and windy conditions in high altitude. The evolutionary events leading to shifts in adult diel activity, from ancestral nocturnality to diurnality, have occurred independently at least three times and may also be a consequence of adaptations at high elevations. Strikingly, among diurnal Sciadia, two species have evolved further to become nocturnal like their ancestors. Our findings highlight how phylogenies can provide new insights into evolutionary patterns in moths. We provided a robust basis for resolving taxonomic ambiguities in Alpine Gnophini, leading us to propose 10 changes to the current classification: Scrupodes Lee & Sihvonen gen. n., Elophos Boisduval (type species Geometra operaria Hübner) is considered a junior synonym of Sciadia Hübner syn. n., Yezognophos dilucidaria (Denis & Schiffermüller) and Y. sproengertsi (Püngeler) are transferred to Parietaria Leraut comb. n., Yezognophos serotinaria (Denis & Schiffermüller) is transferred to Scrupeus Lee & Sihvonen comb. n., Elophos caelibaria (Heydenreich), E. zirbitzensis (Pieszcek), E. operaria (Hübner) and E. andereggaria (De La Harpe) are transferred to Sciadia Hübner comb. n. and Dichrognophos Wehrli (type species Gnophos orthogonia Wehrli) is transferred from Ennominae: Cassymini to Ennominae: Gnophini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridisation and introgression are increasingly seen as important drivers of the evolution of organisms, particularly in Lepidoptera. One group that is gaining attention due to recently published cases of interspecific gene flow is the genus Melitaea Fabricius (Nymphalidae). In this study, we used genomics to investigate the role of hybridisation in the evolution of the western Palearctic species of the Melitaea phoebe group M. ornata Christoph, the recently described M. pseudornata Muñoz Sariot & Sánchez Mesa, M. phoebe (Denis & Schiffermüller), M. punica Oberthür, and M. telona (Fruhstorfer). We provide evidence of asymmetric gene flow from M. phoebe to both M. ornata and M. pseudornata. Gene flow from M. phoebe to M. pseudornata was very high (25.0%–31.9%), widespread throughout the distribution of the latter, and not equally distributed along the genome. The Z chromosome showed patterns compatible with the large‐Z effect, which were mimicked by two autosomes. Melitaea pseudornata endured massive introgression while remaining a separate entity from M. phoebe, although gene flow may have altered its phenotype, including its voltinism and the morphology of the adults and caterpillars. These findings suggest that hybridisation may be pervasive in this genus and highlight its key role in the evolution of butterflies, emphasising the need for further research on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of R.A.R.E - Association Roussillonnaise d'Entomologie is the property of Association Roussillonnaise d Entomologie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of R.A.R.E - Association Roussillonnaise d'Entomologie is the property of Association Roussillonnaise d Entomologie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of R.A.R.E - Association Roussillonnaise d'Entomologie is the property of Association Roussillonnaise d Entomologie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Parotis chlorochroalis was sequenced, revaeling a length of 15239 bp with 37 genes and an A + T-rich region. All c13 PCGs begin with typical ATN codons, except COI gene, which starts with CGA. Eleven genes terminate with TAA, two with T–. All 22 tRNA genes exhibit typical cloverleaf structure except for trnS1 P. chlorochroalis has two relatively conserved intergenic regions and two relatively conserved overlapping regions. Phylogenetic analysis support P. chlorochroalis belongs to subfamily Spilomelinae, the topologies of Crambidae are highly congruent with previous studies. This newly sequences mitochondrial genome provides valuable resources for taxonomic inference and evolutionary studies of genus Parotis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has led to changes in the phenology of Lepidoptera species. While phenological shifts have been previously measured for moth species in England and Wales, the drivers of these shifts are not well known. Here, we use data from the National Moth Recording Scheme and the Garden Moth Scheme to investigate the drivers of phenology in 149 moth species over a 50 year period from 1970 to 2019. We investigate whether there have been phenological shifts in adult emergence using three phenology metrics: First Emergence (FE), Peak Emergence (PE), and Emergence Standard Deviation (ESD) in relation to life history traits and temperature. Overwintering stage had a significant impact on moth phenology, so we analysed species that spend the winter as eggs, larvae or pupae separately. Overall phenological changes were different depending on overwintering stage category and phenological measure, with the rate of phenological shifts increasing with later overwintering life stages in response to both temperature and year. The overwintering stage larva was the only one impacted by diet, with those that feed on woody hostplants emerging ~ 17 days later than species with herbaceous hostplants. These results indicate that species that either overwinter in earlier life stages or have woody hostplants may be less adaptable to climate change, and thus should be the targets of conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is set to become one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss worldwide, with extreme weather events projected to increase in frequency. Ectothermic animals such as insects are at particular risk, especially when they are isolated and unable to move through the landscape to track suitable climate. To protect such taxa, it is important to understand how they are impacted by extreme weather events and whether management could provide effective microclimate refuges. However, potential management interventions remain untested for many species. Here, we show that the extreme high temperatures experienced in the UK on 19th July 2022 resulted in a community of butterflies becoming inactive, but that shaded areas, including artificial slopes created as part of conservation management for climate change, provided a refuge during this period. Our results indicate that future high temperatures could force butterflies to shelter in the shade, potentially being unable to fly, feed or mate during these periods, with possible long-term impacts, particularly if multiple consecutive high temperature days are experienced. Implications for Insect Conservation: Producing artificial slopes and integrating patches of scrub within grassland could create an array of microclimates that allow butterflies and other invertebrates to thermoregulate, providing a refuge during extreme weather events. Our findings highlight the dramatic effect of extreme temperatures on insect communities, as well as simple management solutions that could be implemented widely and relatively easily by conservation managers, to counter some of the negative impacts of rising temperatures and extreme weather events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shifts over time (phenology) and space (latitude and elevation range) represent common ecological responses to climate change. However, the factors determining how changes in phenology and distribution interact, and the consequences for conservation, remain uncertain. Here, we assess how phenology responded to temperature over four decades of warming across the elevation ranges of 18 univoltine butterfly species in four mountain regions of Spain. Using count data from intermittent surveys in 166 sites between 1985 and 2022, we tested for (1) effects of monthly temperature and elevation on mean annual flight date; (2) changes to flight dates between 1985–2005 and 2017–2022; and (3) whether shifts in flight date were related to shifts in the average elevation occupied. Mean flight dates were later in years with cooler springs, and at higher sites, with a mean delay of nearly twenty days per km elevation increase. As conditions warmed over time, average flight date advanced for two thirds of species, especially those whose average elevation was stable over time. Species with stable flight dates showed greater indication of upward range shifts, although only one species showed a significant shift in average elevation. Implications for insect conservation: We show that spring temperatures influence mountain butterfly phenology, and that shifts in phenology and elevation range could compensate for each other in determining population exposure and responses to climate change. Monitoring these changes over time, including by employing evidence from historical surveys and scientific collections, can help to understand constraints on species adaptive capacity to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species often associate with specific habitat characteristics, resulting in patchy distributions, whereby they only occupy a proportion of available habitat. Understanding which characteristics species require is a valuable tool for informing conservation management. We investigated the associations of eleven species of day-flying Lepidoptera larvae and their foodplants with habitat characteristics within calcareous grassland reserves in Bedfordshire, UK, across two scales relevant to land managers and target species: the reserve (cardinal aspect, vegetation type) and foodplant patch scale (foodplant height and density). We investigated whether ecological traits (habitat specialism, as defined at a national-scale, and overwintering life stage) influenced the strength of associations. At the reserve scale, we found variation in associations with habitat characteristics across species, with species that overwinter at non-adult life stages having more restricted associations, indicating that they may be more vulnerable to environmental change. Associations were generally stronger with vegetation type than aspect, which can be manipulated more easily by land managers. Seven species had similar associations with habitat characteristics to their foodplants, implying that management to benefit foodplants will also benefit larvae. However, the remaining four species had different associations to their foodplants, and may require alternative management approaches. At the foodplant patch scale, four species were associated with foodplant characteristics, which could be used to inform effective fine-scale management. Implications for insect conservation: Implications for insect conservation: Diverse habitat associations imply that topographic and vegetation variation are valuable for supporting diverse assemblages of butterflies and their foodplants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tamaulipan thornscrub forests (thornforests) have high ecological and economic values, yet over 90% of these forests have been lost, and they remain threatened, making them a conservation hotspot. For decades, federal, state, NGO, and corporate entities have been acquiring land and actively or passively restoring these forests, but results have been mixed and seldom monitored. This study characterized and quantified faunal communities of restored thornforest habitats in south Texas and examined the relationships between restored faunal communities and key site characteristics and environmental factors. We surveyed and analyzed mammal, bird, Lepidoptera, and herptile communities within 12 restored sites in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of southernmost Texas, USA. The site and environmental factors that influenced animal community composition, richness, diversity, and abundance varied widely among taxa. Time since restoration began and method of restoration influenced many community metrics, whereas patch size and extent of isolation influenced few. Several aspects of restored plant communities were influential, especially ground layer diversity, and high invasive plant cover negatively impacted many animal community metrics. If actively restoring a site, efforts to control invasive plants, foster native plant diversity, and provide a nearby water source are likely the most effective ways to promote faunal recolonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]