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Arthropods are hosts to a variety of parasitic fungi, including those within the order of Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniomycetes). Species in the genus Hesperomyces are specialized in growing on ladybirds (Coccinellidae). Recent studies have uncovered multiple cryptic species within the Hesperomyces virescens species complex. They found that these species are segregated not only by host, but also by a geographic component. Here, we describe two new species in this species complex, based on morphological, molecular phylogenetic, ecological, and geographical evidence: Hesperomyces chilocori-bipustulati sp. nov. on Chilocorus bipustulatus from the Mediterranean region, and He. coccinellae-transversalis sp. nov. on Coccinella transversalis from Peninsular Malaysia. Hesperomyces chilocori-bipustulati is the second species known to associate with a representative of the genus Chilocorus, after He. virescens sensu stricto which was described from Ch. stigma from the USA. The findings of this paper contribute to our understanding of the diversity, host specificity, and biogeographical distribution within the Hesperomyces virescens species complex and highlight the need for further integrative taxonomy approaches in Laboulbeniales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the attachment ability of harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), focusing on the synergic action of opposite legs, the anisotropy of adhesive organs and sexual dimorphism. Contrary to expectations, experiments showed that beetles with fewer legs sometimes exhibited higher attachment forces, challenging the hypothesis that collective leg action enhances attachment. This result is attributed to differences in experimental set‐ups, where our centrifugal method highlighted the importance of pad orientation relative to external forces. The anisotropy of adhesive pads, characterized by the directional dependence of adhesion and friction, significantly influenced attachment performance. Results demonstrated that inward‐oriented legs enhanced attachment due to lower peeling angles, whereas outward orientation reduced effectiveness. Sexual dimorphism was evident in the structure of adhesive pads, with males possessing discoidal setae on fore‐ and midlegs. No significant difference in attachment was observed between intact males and females on smooth surfaces, although ablated males sometimes showed higher forces due to the presence of discoidal setae. These findings underscore that attachment strength in H. axyridis is not solely dependent on pad area but also on the orientation and anisotropic properties of adhesive organs, as well as the specific role of sexual dimorphism in leg morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larch woolly adelgid Adelges laricis Vallot (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) infests spruce Picea spp. and larch Larix spp. in the Northern Hemisphere. The present field and laboratory research embraced the hitherto unknown aspects of the biology and ecology of A. laricis on its secondary host, the European larch Larix decidua Mill. in Poland. The study showed that the A. laricis population on L. decidua was represented by exulis sistens females at dwarf stem bases, exulis progrediens mobile 1st instar nymphs (crawlers) on needles, exulis progrediens sessile "woolly" nymphs and "woolly" adults on needles, and winged sexupara females. The maximum abundance of the A. laricis population occurred from the end of April until mid-May, which coincided with the predomination of crawlers in the age structure of the population. The most important limiting weather component was high rainfall, affecting mainly the crawlers. Eight species of Coccinellidae were recorded on adelgid-infested larch trees and Exochomus quadripustulatus (L.) was the dominant species. The main differences in food consumption strategies among adelgid developmental stages were related to the duration of phloem sap ingestion. While the total duration of sap consumption at a given time was similar in all adelgid instars studied, the individual bouts of sap ingestion were much shorter in crawlers than in the sessile forms. The specific probing behavior of the mobile nymphs probably reflects the crawlers' strategy to evaluate plant sap quality in different phloem vessels. It is likely that such strategy is a behavioral preadaptation for finding abundant food sources for permanent settling before crawlers develop into sessile nymphs and adult females. The feeding strategy of crawlers promotes the rapid dispersal of the population. Therefore, the control of A. laricis on L. decidua should focus on the early stages of the population development, which would most effectively reduce the final damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The sorghum aphid is an invasive pest of grain sorghum grown in North America that was first observed in 2013 along the Gulf Coastal Plains ecoregion of Texas, Louisiana (USA), and Mexico. In the decade since its invasion, results point to increasing suppression of the sorghum aphid as most likely attributable to a native complex of predators and parasitoids that have shifted spatially and temporally. Indicators of increased suppression observed across six years and five locations from south to north Texas were as follows: (1) aphid abundances trending downwards across the years, (2) overall natural enemy abundances trending upwards during the same time period, and (3) a key parasitoid and coccinellid species increasing in dominance. In light of these findings, the importance of monitoring and stewarding natural enemies of invasive insect pests is discussed as part of a comprehensive strategy to measure and reduce the impact of a pest invasion in large-scale agroecosystems. Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), commonly called the sorghum aphid, is an invasive pest of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) (L.) in North America. It was first observed in 2013 along the Gulf Coastal Plains ecoregion of Texas, Louisiana (USA), and Mexico, where it quickly established itself as an economically important pest within a few years. This ecoregion contains an established complex of aphid natural enemies, including both predators and parasitoids. In the decade since its invasion, indicators of increased suppression observed across six years and five locations from south to north Texas were as follows: (1) aphid abundances trending downwards across the years, (2) overall natural enemy abundances trending upwards during the same time period, and (3) a key parasitoid and coccinellid species increasing in dominance. Two key taxa, Aphelinus nigritus (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and six species of coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were likely responsible for the majority of the pest's suppression. In light of these findings, the importance of monitoring and stewarding natural enemies of invasive insect pests is discussed as part of a comprehensive strategy to measure and reduce the impact of a pest invasion in large-scale agroecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mimics are under selection from a community of predators possessing different perception abilities and modes of prey capture, yet the efficacy of Batesian/Müllerian mimicry in a mimetic complex has typically been tested using a single predator. The males of Eresus spiders appear to mimic black-and-red colored insects and in particular ladybird beetles. Here, we tested the hypothesis of defensive mimicry in this species using 3 co-occurring visually oriented predators: mantids, lizards, and birds, possessing different visual abilities (di- and tetrachromatic vision). We compared 2 salient traits (movement and coloration) of Eresus males and 3 putative co-mimics (Coccinella septempunctata , Graphosoma italicum , Pyrrhocoris apterus). We found that Eresus spiders are far more mobile than the co-mimics, and this could make them unprofitable due to efficient evasion. According to visual models, all 3 predators should not be able to distinguish the coloration of Eresus from that of 2 co-mimics. The natural diet of the green lizard revealed that lizards captured on average Eresus spiders as frequently as co-mimics. In predation trials, mantises captured Eresus males at greater latency but with similar frequency as co-mimics. In the predation experiment, both hand-reared and wild-caught great tits captured Eresus males far more frequently than Coccinella beetles. Eresus males were palatable to all 3 predators consistent with the Batesian form of mimicry, but when considering evasion abilities, they could be classified as quasi-Batesian mimics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insect collection of the Museum of Entomology is one of the most complete the Republic of Moldova, with about 15 thousand insect species. Research on ladybirds in the Republic of Moldova started at the beginning of the 20th century. The inventory of the collection of Coccinellidae housed in the Museum of Entomology allowed to reveal 1037 specimens belonging to 36 species. The specimens were collected between 1949 and 2005, from the forest and agricultural fields of the Republic of Moldova, as well as from 7 other countries: Australia, Cuba, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Russia. The paper includes the list of species, localities, countries, and some ecology of ladybirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the age-stage specific functional response of fourth instars and adult females of Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson) was evaluated. Our results showed a type II functional response for predation toward adult Gossyparia spuria Modeer at four constant temperatures (23, 27, 31, and 35 °C). The estimated maximum a' by a single E. nigripennis larva was 0.0317, 0.1404, 0.0656, and 0.0039 h−1, at 23, 27, 31, and 35 °C, respectively. Likewise, Th of E. nigripennis larvae significantly reduced as temperature elevated from 23 to 31 °C, and then increased at 35 °C. The a' and Th of females at different temperatures followed the same pattern as larvae. Adult females and males consumed significantly more G. spuria than larvae at a prey density of 150 nymphs. Because of the large effect of temperature on the predation rate of G. spuria by E. nigripennis and the Type II functional response for fourth instar larvae and adults of this predator, temperature during inundative application of E. nigripennis against G. spuria in the field should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding causes of insect population declines is essential for the development of successful conservation plans, but data limitations restrict assessment across spatial and temporal scales. Museum records represent a source of historical data that can be leveraged to investigate temporal trends in insect communities. Native lady beetle decline has been attributed to competition with established alien species and landscape change, but the relative importance of these drivers is difficult to measure with short‐term field‐based studies. We assessed distribution patterns for native lady beetles over 12 decades using museum records, and evaluated the relative importance of alien species and landscape change as factors contributing to changes in communities. We compiled occurrence records for 28 lady beetle species collected in Ohio, USA, from 1900 to 2018. Taxonomic beta‐diversity was used to evaluate changes in lady beetle community composition over time. To evaluate the relative influence of temporal, spatial, landscape, and community factors on the captures of native species, we constructed negative binomial generalized additive models. We report evidence of declines in captures for several native species. Importantly, the timing, severity, and drivers of these documented declines were species‐specific. Land cover change was associated with declines in captures, particularly for Coccinella novemnotata which declined prior to the arrival of alien species. Following the establishment and spread of alien lady beetles, processes of species loss/gain and turnover shifted communities toward the dominance of a few alien species beginning in the 1980s. Because factors associated with declines in captures were highly species‐specific, this emphasizes that mechanisms driving population losses cannot be generalized even among closely related native species. These findings also indicate the importance of museum holdings and the analysis of species‐level data when studying temporal trends in insect populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study explores the diversity of ladybird beetles on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos Archipelago. We found nineteen species, including four already known and nine new ones reported for the first time on the island. Our research showed that endemic species, unique to the Galápagos, are rare and primarily found in native forests, highlighting their need for protection. The native species Cycloneda sanguinea was the most common and adaptable. Non-native species, like Cheilomenes sexmaculata, were found across all disturbed areas, including urban and agricultural zonas, and may be spreading into natural habitats. This information is crucial for conserving the Galápagos' delicate ecosystems by emphasising the importance of monitoring and managing native and non-native insect species to preserve local biodiversity and prevent adverse environmental impacts. This study investigates the species richness and distribution of ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) across various habitats on San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador. Through extensive field surveys, we catalogued nineteen species, including four previously known species (two endemics, Psyllobora bisigma and Scymnobius scalesius, and two natives, Cycloneda sanguinea and Tenuisvalvae bromelicola). We also identified nine possibly native species reported for the first time in the Galapagos islands in this study or correspond to the first voucher specimens for the island. We collected three previously reported non-native species: Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Novius cardinalis, and Paraneda guticollis. Three species belonging to the genera Stethorus, Calloeneis, and Delphastus remain undetermined, pending further taxonomic analyses. Our findings reveal a rich and complex community with notable differences in species abundance and habitat preference. Endemic species were found to be particularly scarce and restricted mainly to crops undergoing forest regeneration and deciduous forests, emphasising their vulnerability and specialised habitat requirements. The native Cycloneda sanguinea emerged as the most prevalent species, exhibiting broad ecological adaptability. Non-native species, like Cheilomenes sexmaculata, were predominantly found in disturbed habitats, with some showing early signs of spreading into more natural environments, raising concerns about their potential impact on local biodiversity. These findings contribute valuable knowledge to understanding Coccinellidae diversity on San Cristóbal Island and highlight the importance of continued monitoring, particularly in the face of ongoing environmental change and the introduction of non-native species. This study underscores the need for targeted conservation efforts to protect the unique and fragile ecosystems of the Galápagos Archipelago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In aphidophagous ladybird beetles, amputation of limbs in the larval stage leads to limb regeneration in adults. Regeneration is an energetically expensive phenomenon, and altering prey species may have profound consequences on this process. Therefore, we hypothesised that the quality of prey species will impact the ability to regenerate the lost limbs in Cheilomenes sexmaculata. For this experiment, we reared the larvae of C. sexmaculata on two aphid prey species: Aphis craccivora, which is the most preferred good-quality aphid, and A. nerii, which is the least preferred, poor-quality aphid. Although regeneration occurred in both dietary regimes, the extent of regeneration was higher in the beetles fed on A. craccivora. The length of the regenerated legs was shorter than the control/unamputated beetles, and it was further reduced when the prey species was of poor-quality indicating additional utilisation of resources for tissue repair and regeneration. Regeneration delayed pupal duration, post-amputation developmental duration and relative growth rate (RGR). Poor diet negatively affected developmental durations and RGR. Our results indicate prey dependency on regeneration and highlight energetic demands of regeneration and its associated developmental allocation costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eukaryotic genomes exhibit a dynamic interplay between single-copy sequences and repetitive DNA elements, with satellite DNA (satDNA) representing a substantial portion, mainly situated at telomeric and centromeric chromosomal regions. We utilized Illumina next-generation sequencing data from Adalia bipunctata to investigate its satellitome. Cytogenetic mapping via fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed for the most abundant satDNA families. In silico localization of satDNAs was carried out using the CHRISMAPP (Chromosome In Silico Mapping) pipeline on the high-fidelity chromosome-level assembly already available for this species, enabling a meticulous characterization and localization of multiple satDNA families. Additionally, we analyzed the conservation of the satellitome at an interspecific scale. Specifically, we employed the CHRISMAPP pipeline to map the satDNAs of A. bipunctata onto the genome of Adalia decempunctata, which has also been sequenced and assembled at the chromosome level. This analysis, along with the creation of a synteny map between the two species, suggests a rapid turnover of centromeric satDNA between these species and the potential occurrence of chromosomal rearrangements, despite the considerable conservation of their satellitomes. Specific satDNA families in the sex chromosomes of both species suggest a role in sex chromosome differentiation. Our interspecific comparative study can provide a significant advance in the understanding of the repeat genome organization and evolution in beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This 4‐year study (2018–2021) aimed at investigating the effects of flowering areas inserted at the margin of soft wheat fields (Triticum aestivum L.) in comparison with spontaneous field margins. The action formed part of a multidisciplinary initiative promoted by the Barilla food company, aimed at promoting the sustainable production of soft wheat.Specific aims were to study the effects of flowering areas on (i) the abundance and species richness of insect pollinators, including wild bees, syrphids and butterflies; (ii) the levels of wheat aphid and bug infestations and (iii) the assemblages of biological control agents of aphids (coccinellids and aphid mummies as a result of parasitization).Insect surveys were carried out on 61 wheat‐growing farms located in Northern Italy. Insect pollinators were sampled on all farms, whereas wheat aphids, wheat bugs and aphid biological control agents were investigated in a sub‐sample of 20 farms.Results generally indicated a positive impact of flowering areas on multiple taxa in comparison with spontaneous field margins. The abundance of pollinators and coccinellids was significantly enhanced by the flowering areas. Aphid mummies showed an interaction between strategies and distances with more mummies at 5 m in wheat plots close to flowering areas and at 50 m in the plots close to spontaneous field margin (control).Flowering areas were validated as an important tool for promoting beneficial taxa in agro‐ecosystems. However, the successful establishment of this ecological infrastructure was suggested to rely on several factors, which included both the selection of suitable flowering plant species and the implementation of appropriate management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the period 2021-2022, a study was carried out with the aim of determining the population dynamics spread of the bioagents Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis Pallas from family Coccinellidae in the agrocenosis of oriental tobacco ecotype Dupnitsa (variety Dupnitsa 733). Predatory ladybirds were identified in different numbers and densities in both study years. In 2021, the established representatives of C. septempunctata were 35, and in 2022 – 15, while the reported representatives of H. axyridis in 2021 were 22, and in 2022 – 11. The results showed that the sevenspotted ladybug (C. septempunctata) is found permanently in the tobacco cenosis, and its distribution depends on the peak of aphid’s multiplication. The multicolored ladybird (H. axyridis) was reported with: later appearing, earlier disappearing, but greater prevalence at the aphids' peak compared to the seven spotted ladybird (C. septempunctata). The results show a sharp increase in the density of the multicolored ladybird compared to sevenspotted ladybird. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Simple Summary: Laboratory and field observations were used to evaluate the compatibility of yellow sticky cards with augmentative releases of T. dendrolimi for control of orchard pests, particularly C. sasakii and G. molesta. Female T. dendrolimi showed stronger attraction to yellow and white than to red, green or blue. Yellow sticky cards trapped significant numbers of T. dendrolimi in the field, reducing biological control of C. sasakii as well as the number of lacewings naturally recruited to the orchard. Judicious use of yellow sticky cards in orchards is therefore recommended to avoid disruption of biological control, specifically removing them in May before peak flights of moth pests require releases of egg parasitoids. Integrated pest management relies upon mutual compatibility among pest control tactics. The fruit-boring moths Carposina sasakii and Grapholita molesta can be devastating pests of pome and stone fruit production. Trichogramma dendrolimi parasitizes the eggs of these pests, preventing their eclosion, but its efficacy can be reduced by other pest control tactics. We tested T. dendrolimi attraction to five colors, and moth attraction to six colors, in laboratory choice tests, and thereafter deployed yellow sticky cards in tandem with releases of T. dendrolimi in field trials in a pear orchard. Yellow sticky cards deployed at high density trapped T. dendrolimi and reduced their numbers post-release. They also trapped adult G. molesta, which appeared to compensate for reduced egg parasitism on this species, but not on C. sasakii, which had higher abundance in plots with yellow sticky cards. The cards also captured adult lacewings, likely reducing their numbers in the field, but did not capture large numbers of lady beetles. The results suggest that yellow sticky cards can be used at high density to control aphids, psyllids and leafhoppers in early spring (March and April) when natural enemies are in low numbers, then removed in May so as not to interfere with augmentative releases of T. dendrolimi that must be timed to coincide with peak flights of fruit-boring moths. This strategy should enhance the compatibility of yellow sticky cards with egg parasitoid releases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are important biocontrol agents that are considered generalist predators, although some tribes, such as Scymnini, are specialized in predation of sucking pests, such as mealybugs, aphids, and whiteflies. However, prey preference or pre‐imaginal conditioning may occur as coccinellids are subjected to large‐scale rearing. Thus, predator–prey interaction may be an outcome of conditioning to prey stimuli. To evaluate possible pre‐imaginal conditioning, population lines were created for the lady beetles Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant and Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant), each fed for at least eight generations the mealybugs Ferrisia dasylirii (Cockrell) or Planococcus citri Risso (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Next, the behavioral response of these coccinellids was measured in arenas treated with prey volatiles or footprints, regarding walking time, walking speed, walking distance, and residence time. Finally, food preference between prey species was measured in laboratory and semi‐field conditions on infested cotton plants. Conditioned coccinellids responded similarly to volatiles released by either prey species offered. Furthermore, there were no changes in predator behavior towards footprints of either prey species. Both predator species consumed more P. citri in all tests, regardless of rearing prey indicating no pre‐imaginal conditioning. These results suggest that rearing prey may not affect the predator behavior, and both coccinellid species are effective in the biological control of mealybugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predatory ladybirds are key natural enemies of a diversity of crop pests. Conserving ladybirds in agroecosystems to benefit from their biocontrol potential requires to understand the ecological interactions between them and functional plants. A diversity of functional plants is known to offer resources improving ladybirds' fitness and pest control effects. Yet, there is a lack of knowledge on the relationship between a diversity of functional plants found at the field scale and the dynamic of ladybird population. In this study conducted over three consecutive years, we investigated from early May to mid-August, the weekly abundance of predatory ladybirds on 15 functional plants and peach trees (Prunus persica) in a peach orchard agroecosystem in the Beijing Province of China. Seven plant species hosted 90% of the ladybird population throughout the study period. Through them, two abundance peaks of ladybirds were observed, with Vitex negundo and Prunus persica supporting the ladybirds in the first peak, Artemisia sieversiana, Vigna unguiculata, Cosmos bipinnata, Zea mays and Helianthus annuus playing a major role in the second peak. The plant species were either at their seedling, blooming or fructification stage when hosting the ladybirds, suggesting that these lasts used the diversity of resources (prey, nectar and pollen of flowers and extra-floral nectar) offered at the agroecosystem level. The present results enrich the screening of functional plants supporting predatory ladybirds in perennial agroecosystems and emphasize the need to pay attention to the long-standing plants in the surrounding habitats. It suggests that maintaining and managing a diversity of functional plants at the field scale is needed to offer a spatial and temporal continuity of resources to ladybirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 2016 and 2022, the ladybird (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fauna was surveyed on seven main islands of the Canary Islands archipelago. Adult specimens were collected and screened for thalli of Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota: Laboulbeniomycetes). Altogether, 9,807 ladybird specimens belonging to 39 species were screened, of which 103, representing 10 species, were infected by Laboulbeniales of the genus Hesperomyces. Morphological and molecular examination allowed to distinguish at least seven host-specific Hesperomyces species belonging to three groups: He. virescens species complex (associated with Adalia decempunctata, Harmonia axyridis, Hyperaspis vinciguerrae, Novius cruentatus, Parexochomus nigripennis, and P. quadriplagiatus), He. coccinelloides species complex (Scymnus nubilus, Sc. subvillosus durantae, and Stethorus tenerifensis), and a species (on Nephus flavopictus) that cannot be assigned to either of the above species complexes or the currently described species in the genus. The most widespread and abundant species was Hesperomyces ex St. tenerifensis; it was recorded on all seven islands with prevalence rates ranging between 0.04 and 0.19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizen science is an increasingly powerful tool to gather large quantities of biological data and to engage the public. The number of citizen science initiatives has rapidly increased in the last 15 years. Invasive alien species such as the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), provide a particularly good opportunity for broad-scale use of such initiatives. Harmonia axyridis is parasitized by a fungus, Hesperomyces harmoniae (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniales), that can be found throughout the range of its host. Here we present Beetlehangers.org, a website and data repository where we combine observations of He. harmoniae from literature, online databases, and citizen science initiatives, including new records of both Ha. axyridis and He. harmoniae. Whereas Ha. axyridis is now present in 86 countries across six continents (including seven new country records), the distribution of its parasite He. harmoniae comprises 33 countries in five continents (including two new country records since its description in 2022). We explore spatiotemporal trends of He. harmoniae in light of these records. Finally, we discuss challenges and new opportunities for citizen science in relation to species interactions such as these and provide future perspectives for the website as a home for future Laboulbeniales research and outreach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Botanical insecticides and soaps are frequently considered environmentally friendly and compatible with the biological control of pests because of their purported higher selectivity towards beneficial insects when compared with synthetic insecticides. These claims are, however, only partially backed up by the scientific literature, thus justifying a case-by-case evaluation of botanical insecticides. Here, we tested the efficacy of five botanical insecticides and soaps belonging to different categories (pyrethrins, essential oils, crude plant extracts and insecticidal soaps) on the important aphid pest Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and their selectivity towards two of its biological control agents, the ladybird beetle Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) and the parasitoid Aphidius colemani (Dalman). The pyrethrin-based product was the most effective against aphids but more detrimental to ladybird beetle larvae when compared to the alternatives. Some detrimental effects on ladybird beetles were also caused by white thyme essential oil, sweet orange essential oil and Marseille soap. Additionally, although pyrethrins have a broader spectrum of insecticidal activity compared to most botanical insecticides, they had no significant adverse effect on adult ladybird beetles and parasitoids within aphid mummies, similar to most of the other tested natural products. Botanical insecticides and soaps are frequently proposed as environmentally safer alternatives to synthetic insecticides. However, the efficacy and selectivity of these products are often only partially supported by empirical evidence. Here, we tested the effectiveness of five botanical insecticides, belonging to different categories, on the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and their selectivity towards two natural enemies, the ladybird beetle Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) and the parasitoid Aphidius colemani (Dalman). White thyme essential oil (EO), sweet orange EO, crude garlic extract and Marseille soap were tested and compared with a pyrethrin-based commercial product. Both direct spray assays and residual contact assays on treated cabbage leaf disks were carried out. The tested products had low efficacy against aphids when compared to pyrethrins but were in general less detrimental to ladybird beetle larvae, meaning that if applied against other pests, they have a lower chance of harming this agent of aphid biocontrol. Some of the products (soap, orange EO) did, however, show direct exposure toxicity toward ladybird larvae, and thyme EO had extensive phytotoxic effects on cabbage leaves, possibly indirectly leading to higher mortality in ladybird adults. These results underline the necessity for case-by-case evaluations of botanical insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Long‐term experiments are critical for understanding ecological processes, but their management comes with unique challenges. As time passes, projects may encounter unavoidable changes due to external factors, like availability of materials, affecting aspects of their research methodology. At the Kellogg Biological Station Long‐Term Ecological Research Site, one of the many National Science Foundation‐funded long‐term research stations, a three‐decade project recently experienced a supply‐chain‐induced change in insect sampling methodology in their lady beetle observation study. Since 1989, lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) have been sampled weekly over the growing season using yellow sticky cards. In 2021, the original sticky traps were discontinued by the manufacturer and replaced with a similar, but not identical trap. We conducted a 3‐year study while the new traps were phased in to examine how the trap change would impact the observed biodiversity patterns at the site. We examined community metrics and individual taxa captures to examine within‐year and between‐year differences in performance between the card types. Overall, we noted several small but statistically detectable differences in capture patterns between the two trap types. After accounting for other sources of variation, we observed a difference in Shannon diversity of insects captured on the two card types, but not richness or abundance, for the overall insect community. Yet, these differences were dwarfed by the magnitude of difference observed between years within card types. For individual taxa, similar patterns held: between trap differences could be detected statistically, but the number of differences in capture rate between trap types was less than the number of differences observed for the same trap, between years. Thus, we conclude that while subtle changes in methodology could impact data produced in long‐term experiments; in this case, the magnitude of this change is smaller than other factors such as time and plant treatment. However, if sustained changes in the capture rates of focal taxa are observed, future data users may use our observations to specifically quantify and correct for these shifting patterns related to the protocol change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilies are being increasingly favored worldwide, with an increasing growing area. As limited information is available about the population dynamic of arthropod communities in chilies under field conditions, the aim of our survey was to observe aphids and their natural enemies under various agrotechnological factors to improve IPM for chilies. The Yellow Scotch Bonnet (YSB) and Trinidad Scorpion Butch T (TSBT) chili varieties were investigated. Two plant spacings (30 vs. 40 and 40 vs. 60 cm in YSB and TSBT, respectively) and two watering rates (40 min/day; 20 min every second day) were applied with three replicates. Ten plants per plot/date were checked visually from July to September each year. In 2019, significantly more Chrysopidae eggs and significantly fewer Coccinellidae eggs were found under less watering. The number of Chrysopidae larvae and Coccinellidae pupae and larvae was significantly higher, whereas that of Chrysopidae eggs and Thomisidae individuals was significantly lower in the less-irrigated plots in 2021. In the same year, significantly more Coccinellidae adults were detected in the TSBT cultivar, and the number of Chrysopidae eggs and larvae and Coccinellidae pupae was significantly lower under decreased plant spacing. Predators preferred plots with an increased plant distance and plants with higher aphid pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccinellids (Coleoptera) are important natural enemies of pests in agroecosystems. However, worldwide, native species face several threats, including landscape simplification, biological invasions, and climate change. In Central Chile, one of the global biodiversity hotspots, coccinellid communities are very diverse and are composed mostly of native species, which are most common in less disturbed habitats. In alfalfa fields, native coccinellids play a crucial role in the biological control of aphids, even when they are less abundant than exotics. However, in the last 2 decades, native species in this crop have declined in abundance and diversity. Our long‐lasting field and laboratory studies have shown that this decline is associated with: (1) the invasion of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), which has superior competitive abilities and escapes more from parasitism; (2) the simplification of agricultural landscapes, loss of natural habitats, and urbanization; and (3) increasing environmental temperatures and decreasing precipitation. The decline in native coccinellid populations has resulted in a loss of taxonomic and functional diversity of assemblages, which may jeopardize biological control. Alfalfa fields and natural and semi‐natural habitats may offer an opportunity for the conservation of native coccinellids in agricultural landscapes. Such conservation might be achieved with better management of alfalfa fields and surrounding areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brachycaudus divaricatae Shaposhnikov has spread in many European countries over the last decades, where it causes intensive damage to Prunus cerasifera. Forty P. cerasifera trees were monitored in 2013 at Dārziņi, on the outskirts of Riga city (Latvia), to obtain data on seasonal dynamics of an exotic aphid species, B. divaricatae. Brachycaudus divaricatae was predominant on its only known host plant species, P. cerasifera. Other aphid species were found on monitored trees: Brachycaudus sp., Hyalopterus pruni (Geoffroy) and Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae (L.). The target species, B. divaricatae was the most abundant, followed by H. pruni, but only B. divaricatae reached the highest infestation level. The latest date of registered B. divaricatae colonies was 31 October 2013. Many predatory arthropods belonging to Acari, Araneae, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Neuroptera were registered in B. divaricatae colonies. The most abundant predators were dipteran larvae from the families Cecidomyiidae and Syrphidae. Predatory dipterans most abundant were only at the beginning of the season (June). Later in the season, the number of spiders increased in aphid colonies, and of 365 spiders, 43.8% were members of the Linyphiidae family. Five ant species were caught in B. divaricatae colonies, and Formica cinerea Mayr was the most abundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccinellidae is a diverse and species-rich family that includes predaceous, phytophagous and mycophagous insects, which are significant to agriculture. This study aimed to estimate the diversity of coccinellids and document their associated prey in agricultural fields of northern Kerala, India and to generate DNA barcodes for the species collected during the study. Twenty-seven species under seven tribes were reported in this study, which includes three phytophagous, two mycophagous and 22 predaceous beetles. The information on prey species and/or host plants of the beetles are given furnished. Diversity indices of coccinellids across different agroecological zones and crops of northern Kerala were estimated. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences of 18 species were generated and phylogenetic analysis was carried out. Coccinellini was recorded as the predominant tribe of Coccinellidae in northern Kerala. High hills were found to be the most diverse agroecological zone for Coccinellidae, whereas plantation crops and vegetables were the most diverse crop ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The study presents the new species Scymnus (Pullus) cardi sp. nov. and provides its mitochondrial genome. We describe the distinguishing features of S. (P.) cardi when compared with related species and discuss its habitat and feeding preferences. Additionally, based on the mitochondrial genomic dataset, the phylogeny of Coccinellidae is analyzed. The results confirm the position of the new species, which is nested within the genus Scymnus, and recovered subfamilies as monophyletic groups (such as Coccinellinae and Microweiseinae). These findings contribute to the understanding of Coccinellidae evolution and highlight the need for further taxonomic and genetic studies within the family. In this study, a new species of the subgenus Pullus belonging to the Scymnus genus from Pakistan, Scymnus (Pullus) cardi sp. nov., was described and illustrated, with information on its distribution, host plants, and prey. Additionally, the completed mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the new species using high-throughput sequencing technology was obtained. The genome contains the typical 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs) and a non-coding control region, and is arranged in the same order as that of the putative ancestor of beetles. The AT content of the mitogenome is approximately 85.1%, with AT skew and GC skew of 0.05 and −0.43, respectively. The calculated values of relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) determine that the codon UUA (L) has the highest frequency. Furthermore, we explored the phylogenetic relationship among 59 representatives of the Coccinellidae using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, the results of which strongly support the monophyly of Coccinellinae. The phylogenetic results positioned Scymnus (Pullus) cardi in a well-supported clade with Scymnus (Pullus) loewii and Scymnus (Pullus) rubricaudus within the genus Scymnus and the tribe Scymnini. The mitochondrial sequence of S. (P.) cardi will contribute to the mitochondrial genome database and provide helpful information for the identification and phylogeny of Coccinellidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regeneration has been a topic of interest across a range of taxa for centuries, and arthropods are no exception. Trade‐offs associated with regeneration are likely to involve the reallocation of resources away from other metabolic activities such as growth, development or reproduction. This might be reflected in costs to some developmental traits of the organism, despite regeneration being advantageous. These associated costs might also differ with the stage of injury or amputation. Here, we hypothesise that the extent of regeneration and trade‐offs associated with it may be stage‐specific. To test this hypothesis, the right forelimb of four larval stages of the ladybird beetle Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was amputated. Amputated individuals were reared until adulthood, and all developmental transitions were recorded. Regenerated legs in all the treatments were smaller than the controls, which did not experience the amputation, and the regenerative potency of early larval stages was higher than that of late larval stages. Limb regeneration caused delays in post‐amputation developmental duration in all the treatments, increasing their total developmental period. The length of the unamputated left foreleg as well as the wing and antenna size were also reduced in regenerated beetles, showing some internal trade‐off. However, there were no significant differences observed between regenerated and control adults in their fresh body weight and body size. Thus, limb regeneration depends upon the stage of larval development at which the amputation was performed. Amputation also affects the development of other appendages. The delay in normal beetle development might have been observed because of extra resource requirement, their allocation as well as reprogramming of the expression of some genes during regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The niche variation hypothesis states that the population niche width expands with increasing interindividual differences in prey utilization (i.e., individual dietary specialization). The main ecological drivers forming this relationship include a) ecological opportunity, b) food limitation and exploitative competition, and c) intraguild interference. Only a limited number of empirical studies have tested the impact of these drivers on the niche variation–width relationship and focused only on vertebrates. Using molecular gut content analysis, we investigated how prey diversity (proxy for ecological opportunity), prey abundance (proxy for exploitative competition / food-limitation), and activity density of guild members (proxy for intraguild interference) affect the short-term individual dietary specialization and consequently the population niche width in local communities of 13 species of predatory beetles and spiders. The study took place in 10 spring barley fields in Sweden in 2011. We found that the niche variation and consequently the average population niche width of the species in the predator community decreased with prey abundance but increased with activity density of guild members. The results indicate that intraguild interference and exploitative competition / food limitation increased dietary variation. The increased diet variation led to the observed population diet expansion. Our results support the niche variation hypothesis and, in contrast to the traditional view, show that negative intraguild interactions may act as a diversifying force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding of functional responses (i.e., changes in predator feeding rates with prey density) of key predators to different crop pest stages is critical to strengthening biological control, particularly in view of climate change and temperature variation. We investigated prey preferences of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) to egg and larval stages of a key brassicaceous pest of canola (Brassica napus L., Brassicaceae), the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). First, laboratory choice and no‐choice bioassays tested the hypotheses that C. septempunctata accepts and differentially prefers two prey developmental stages (eggs and larvae). Then, C. septempunctata larvae and adults were exposed to six densities of P. xylostella eggs over 24 h in functional response bioassays that determined the number of eggs consumed. Finally, the functional response bioassays were repeated with larval prey and extended with three temperature regimes: 10, 22 and 32 °C. In both choice and no‐choice assays, C. septempunctata adults and larvae consumed more P. xylostella larvae than eggs. The functional response of C. septempunctata depended on predator developmental stage and temperature, with reduced handling time and increased attack rates and consumption under warmer conditions. At 10 and 22 °C, the functional responses of both C. septempunctata larvae and adults were of Type II, i.e., rates of prey consumption increase at decelerating rates and then plateau with increasing prey density. Our study demonstrates that both larvae and adults of C. septempunctata can consume high numbers of eggs and early instar P. xylostella larvae; these responses are temperature‐dependent with increased consumption rates at higher temperatures. This may lead to improvements in management of P. xylostella in canola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Long‐term experiments are critical for understanding ecological processes, but their management comes with unique challenges. As time passes, projects may encounter unavoidable changes due to external factors, like availability of materials, affecting aspects of their research methodology. At the Kellogg Biological Station Long‐Term Ecological Research Site, one of the many National Science Foundation‐funded long‐term research stations, a three‐decade project recently experienced a supply‐chain‐induced change in insect sampling methodology in their lady beetle observation study. Since 1989, lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) have been sampled weekly over the growing season using yellow sticky cards. In 2021, the original sticky traps were discontinued by the manufacturer and replaced with a similar, but not identical trap. We conducted a 3‐year study while the new traps were phased in to examine how the trap change would impact the observed biodiversity patterns at the site. We examined community metrics and individual taxa captures to examine within‐year and between‐year differences in performance between the card types. Overall, we noted several small but statistically detectable differences in capture patterns between the two trap types. After accounting for other sources of variation, we observed a difference in Shannon diversity of insects captured on the two card types, but not richness or abundance, for the overall insect community. Yet, these differences were dwarfed by the magnitude of difference observed between years within card types. For individual taxa, similar patterns held: between trap differences could be detected statistically, but the number of differences in capture rate between trap types was less than the number of differences observed for the same trap, between years. Thus, we conclude that while subtle changes in methodology could impact data produced in long‐term experiments; in this case, the magnitude of this change is smaller than other factors such as time and plant treatment. However, if sustained changes in the capture rates of focal taxa are observed, future data users may use our observations to specifically quantify and correct for these shifting patterns related to the protocol change.

Diomus guilavoguii Duverger, 1994, an adventive species, is recorded from Guangzhou (Guangdong Province), China for the first time. Larvae of D. guilavoguii were collected in association with an invasive mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink, 1992, infesting papayas, cassava and several ornamental plants. However, little has been known about the biology of D. guilavoguii, especially the morphology of their larvae since their original descriptions.Diomus guilavoguii Duverger, 1994, native to Conakry, Guinea (Africa), is recorded as established in Guangdong Province for the first time. However, it is unclear when and how D. guilavoguii spread from Africa to Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Both the adult and larva feed on the invasive mealybug Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) that infests papaya and ornamental plants. In this paper, the external morphology and male genitalia of adults are re-described. The detailed descriptions of larva and pupa are also provided for the first time. The status of D. guilavoguii and D. hennessyi Fürsch, 1987 are discussed.

Three ladybird (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) species, Coccinella septempunctata L., C. undecimpunctata L. and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), were recorded as hosts of Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank, 1802) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the Iranian provinces of Khuzestan and Kurdistan. Coccinella undecimpunctata is a new host of this parasitoid in the country and both provinces are its new distribution records. The rates of emergence of D. coccinellae from field-collected C. septempunctata and H. variegata were very low (below 1%), while C. undecimpunctata was parasitized to a much higher degree (26.7%).

Dactylopius spp. produce carminic acid as part of defence against predation. The average carminic acid concentration varies depending on the species, e.g., for prickly pear cochineal, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell), and cochineal, Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), it is 3–5 and 19–25%, respectively. Generalist predators such as Laetilia coccidivora Comstock (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and specialist predators such as Leucopis bellula Williston (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae) and Hyperaspis trifurcata Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) require detoxification mechanisms, which could be provided by gut bacteria. We determined the diversity of gut‐associated cultivable bacteria in these three predators and their ability to metabolize carminic acid. The bacteria were identified morphologically and by partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. In vitro assays were done to determine their ability to metabolize carminic acid. The greatest culturable bacterial diversity was found in L. coccidivora larvae and H. trifurcata adults, followed by H. trifurcata larvae. The lowest diversity was found in L. bellula larvae. DNA sequencing revealed the presence of Bacillus cereus Frankland & Frankland, Enterococcus gallinarum (Bridge & Sneath) Collins et al., and Enterococcus casseliflavus Collins et al. in L. coccidivora larvae, Enterobacter spec. in larvae of H. trifurcata, Lactococcus lactis (Lister) Schleifer in adults of H. trifurcata, and Staphylococcus spec. in larvae and adults of H. trifurcata. Bacillus pumilus Meyer & Gottheil was only found in L. bellula larvae. In vitro assays showed that all isolates evaluated could metabolize carminic acid, suggesting they play an important role in the predators' ability to metabolize carminic acid. Presence of E. gallinarum, which had the most efficient metabolism of carminic acid, might allow L. coccidivora to feed on the two Dactylopius species regardless of carminic acid concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Divergent host specialization by phytophagous insects is often detected as local adaptation and is thought to have played an important role in their diversification even within an ecological specialist. The phytophagous ladybird beetle Henosepilachna niponica Lewis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) predominantly depends on thistles (Cirsium spp., Asteraceae). The distribution of H. niponica occupies multiple areas dominated by different thistle species. This implies the possibility of the occurrence of host‐associated divergent specialization of H. niponica. In this study, we investigated the pattern of host‐use ability of three allopatric H. niponica populations (Aomori, Iwate, and Yamagata) on three thistle species – Cirsium alpicola Nakai, Cirsium nipponicum (Maxim.) Makino, and Cirsium tonense Nakai – under laboratory conditions. The results displayed asymmetric local adaptation by the beetles. The adults and larvae of the Aomori population showed sufficient acceptance and performance on C. nipponicum and C. tonense, the hosts of the Iwate and Yamagata populations, respectively. On the other hand, the Iwate and Yamagata populations fed small amounts of and performed poorly on C. alpicola, the host of the Aomori population. In contrast, the adults from all the populations clearly preferred feeding on C. nipponicum or C. tonense to C. alpicola. We concluded that the small but significant population differentiation and asymmetric local adaptation by beetles to congeneric host plant species could be a sign of the earliest stage of population divergence by divergent natural selection, given that these divergences will act as 'immigrant inviability' and 'habitat isolation' at least asymmetrically when these populations come into contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biodiversity conservation is an important goal of most ecosystem management efforts. Therefore, proper monitoring of biodiversity requires constant attention. Coleoptera should be monitored as an essential part of the overall biodiversity. Special monitoring is needed for families that are active as predators (e.g. Coccinellidae) or are saproxylic species (e.g. Elateridae and Cerambycidae). The aim of the research is to describe the fauna of seven families of Coleoptera (Elateridae, Drilidae, Lycidae, Lampyridae, Cantharidae, Coccinellidae and Cerambycidae) of the Republic of Mordovia (the centre of the European part of Russia). The results are based on faunistic research, the main part of which was carried out in April-October 2007-2023 and on material from museum collections. The collecting was made using several different methods (by hand, light trapping, on different lures, into pitfall traps etc.). GPS coordinates are given for each faunistic record. New information: The dataset contains information on seven species new to the region: Malthodes flavoguttatus Kiesenwetter, 1852, Malthodes minimus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cantharidae); Scymnus rubromaculatus (Goeze, 1777) (Coccinellidae); Anoplodera rufipes ventralis Heyden, 1886, Tragosoma depsarium (Linnaeus, 1767), Xylotrechus arvicola (Olivier, 1795) and Xylotrechus ibex (Gebler, 1825) (Cerambycidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toumeyella parvicornis, native to the Nearctic regions, represents an increasing threat to pine forests worldwide. Severe infestations of this invasive scale have long been present in the Caribbean Islands of Turks and Caicos (TCI), and recently in Europe (Italy and France). Classical biological control could represent the most promising method for the long-term management of To. parvicornis in newly invaded areas. This study, based on an entomological expedition to Turks and Caicos Islands, allowed the discovery and selection of the coccinellid predator Thalassa montezumae as a potential biological control agent. This predator was never recorded before on TCI and was probably introduced from the area of origin of To. parvicornis. Here, the rate of infestation was evaluated and the pest suppression impact of Th. montezumae was investigated, both in the field and under laboratory conditions. Given the promising results of field studies and predation tests, the predator was imported into Italy, under quarantine conditions, to carry out a preliminary risk assessment to evaluate its potential impact on non-target species. Predation tests were conducted on different developmental stages of various scales and other Hemiptera (e.g., Aphididae, Aleyrodidae) common in Europe. The results reveal that Th. montezumae predates only scales, mainly at juvenile stages, but with a rate of predation significantly higher for To. parvicornis. Further studies are needed to mitigate the risk of underestimating environmental impacts in the use of Th. montezumae as a biological control agent for To. parvicornis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synona melanopepla (Mulsant, 1850) is a ladybird beetle belonging to the subfamily Coccinellinae of the family Coccinellidae. This species has been confirmed for the first time from Nepal through this study. A single specimen of this species was collected from Ranibari Community Forest, Kathmandu, Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic study of the tribe Epilachnini was carried out in the district Fatehabad, Haryana from 2022 to 2023. This study revealed the presence of two species in Coccinellidae i.e., Epilachna chrysomelina (Fabricius), and Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius). Both the species are re-described as no taxonomic work has been done on this tribe from this region. This paper provides a detailed taxonomy of all the species identified during the present study based on the morphology of adults as well as other taxonomic features like coxal lines, mandibles, antennae, male genitalia and female genital plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The discovery of new and improved diets is necessary to mass rear predators of high quality to support the biological control of plant pests on crop plants. This study evaluated the black soldier fly (BSF) as an alternative food source for mass rearing of the pink-spotted lady beetle, which is a predator of aphids. The hypothesis that BSF larval powder supported the growth, development, and reproduction of the predator was tested in the laboratory. When compared to a standard in-house diet containing brine shrimp egg powder plus algae and myristic acid (BSE+CM), the BSF diet reduced immature growth and development. Immatures successfully reared to adults were smaller when reared on BSF or BSF+CM. Combining BSF with an artificial diet (AD) in a 50:50% ratio (i.e., BSF+AD) did not improve predator growth or development. Predator oviposition responses to BSF versus BSE+CM or BSF+AD versus BSE+CM did not differ significantly. In conclusion, BSF has the potential to be food that supports predator oviposition behavior. The discovery of new and improved factitious and artificial diets is necessary for cost-effective rearing of predatory arthropods. This study evaluated Hermetia illucens black soldier fly (BSF) as a suitable alternative food source for rearing the predatory coccinellid Coleomegilla maculata (Cmac). The hypothesis that BSF larval powder was suitable food to support the growth, development, and reproduction of Cmac was tested in the laboratory. When compared to a standard in-house diet containing brine shrimp egg powder plus Chlorella vulgaris green algae and myristic acid (BSE+CM), the BSF and BSF+CM diets reduced immature growth and development. Immatures successfully reared to teneral adults were smaller when fed BSF or BSF+CM rather than BSE+CM. Combining BSF with a powdered artificial diet (AD), i.e., BSF+AD, did not improve predator growth or development, compared to Cmac reared on BSE+CM. Cmac oviposition responses, i.e., egg clutch production, to BSF vs. BSE+CM or BSF+AD vs. BSE+CM did not differ significantly. In conclusion, BSF has the potential to be food that supports Cmac oviposition behavior. Future research is necessary to discover an ideal mixture of BSF, BSE+CM, or AD that supports Cmac growth, development, and reproduction over multiple generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exploration study found that 4 out of 11 predominant predator species of Bemisia tabaci in Indonesia belong to Order Coleoptera, family Coccinellidae, i.e., Menochilus sexmaculatus, Coccinella transversalis, Verania lineata, and Curinus coeruleus. The current study was conducted to further determine the most effective predator species among those coccinellids. The evaluation included three consecutive assays, i.e., predation, preference, and functional response assay. The experiments were conducted in 2019 under controlled conditions in West Java. Predation assay using B. tabaci as the prey showed that M. sexmaculatus, C. transversalis, and V. lineata had comparable predation capacity to consume 46-48 nymphs d-1 or 9 adults d-1, and the V. lineata preference to B. tabaci was higher compared to other predators. Further logistic regression analysis (linear coefficient P1 = -0.1006, X2 = 34.99) showed that V. lineata had type II functional response characteristics. The analysis using the Hollings disc equation for type II functional response (R2 = 0.9239) suggested that the searching rate (a) and the handling time (Th) of V. lineata to B. tabaci nymphs were 0.3522 h-1 and 0.151 h, respectively. These results indicate that V. lineata could be considered in pest management strategies and effectively regulate populations of B. tabaci in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutualism between ants and honeydew-producing hemipterans is a highly successful evolutionary innovation that attains the status of ecological keystone across many terrestrial ecosystems, involving a multitude of actors through direct or cascading effects. In these relationships, ants often protect their hemipteran partners against their arthropod natural enemies, sometimes interfering with the biological control of pest species. However, the dynamics of these interactions are highly variable based on the specific identity of all the actors involved, and baseline data remain scarce. We performed a field experiment exposing colonies of the walnut aphid Panaphis juglandis attended by five European ant species (Camponotus piceus , Ca. vagus , Crematogaster scutellaris , Dolichoderus quadripunctatus , Lasius emarginatus) to a native and an exotic lady beetle (Adalia bipunctata and Harmonia axyridis), documenting the behavioural interactions between these insects and the performance of ants in the protection of the aphids. Our results reveal a significant behavioural diversity among the ant species involved, with D. quadripunctatus and L. emarginatus being the most aggressive and having the best performance as aphid defenders, and Ca. piceus being least effective and often fleeing away. Cr. scutellaris displayed a rare rescue behaviour attempting to pull away the aphids that the lady beetles grabbed. On the other hand, behavioural responses to A. bipunctata and H. axyridis were similar. Further investigations are needed to understand the eco-ethological implications of these differences, while a better understanding of ant behavioural diversity may help refine biological control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilies are being increasingly favored worldwide, with an increasing growing area. As limited information is available about the population dynamic of arthropod communities in chilies under field conditions, the aim of our survey was to observe aphids and their natural enemies under various agrotechnological factors to improve IPM for chilies. The Yellow Scotch Bonnet (YSB) and Trinidad Scorpion Butch T (TSBT) chili varieties were investigated. Two plant spacings (30 vs. 40 and 40 vs. 60 cm in YSB and TSBT, respectively) and two watering rates (40 min/day; 20 min every second day) were applied with three replicates. Ten plants per plot/date were checked visually from July to September each year. In 2019, significantly more Chrysopidae eggs and significantly fewer Coccinellidae eggs were found under less watering. The number of Chrysopidae larvae and Coccinellidae pupae and larvae was significantly higher, whereas that of Chrysopidae eggs and Thomisidae individuals was significantly lower in the less-irrigated plots in 2021. In the same year, significantly more Coccinellidae adults were detected in the TSBT cultivar, and the number of Chrysopidae eggs and larvae and Coccinellidae pupae was significantly lower under decreased plant spacing. Predators preferred plots with an increased plant distance and plants with higher aphid pressure.

The present study reveals that Predatory ladybird beetles are being utilized for the application of biological control in many agricultural and horticultural fields globally. A comprehensive survey was carried out for the collection of ladybird beetles by different methods like handpicking, sweeping net, and beat tray method in the month of May and June 2023 in Gharana wetland conservation reserve and connected agricultural fields along the international border in the outskirts of Jammu. A total number of 12 species were collected. The collected specimens were identified up to the species level as Coccinella septumpunctata (Linnaeus), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Propylea dissecta (Mulsant), Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius), Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius), Brumoides suturalis (Fabricius), Oenopia sauzeti (Mulsant), Anegleis cardoni (Weise), Oenopia conglobata (Mulsant), Micraspis allardi (Mulsant), Platynaspidius saundersi (crotch), Harmonia eucharis (Mulsant). This study also shows the dominance of the two species i.e., Coccinella septumpunctata and Oenopia sauzeti occurring along the agricultural fields in the vicinity of this wetland.