Explore the vast range of titles available.

Thyrinteina arnobia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is a native American species. Despite its historical importance as an insect pest in Eucalyptus plantations, more information is needed regarding the population diversity, demography, and climatic variables associated with its distribution in different regions of Brazil. We used a phylogeographic approach to infer the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and demographic parameters of T. arnobia . We also conducted an ecological niche modeling (ENM) to predict suitable areas for T. arnobia occurrence in Brazil and other countries worldwide. Although T. arnobia populations have low genetic diversity in Brazil, we identified mitochondrial haplogroups predominating in different Brazilian regions and high Ф ST and Ф CT values in AMOVA, suggesting a low frequency of insect movement among these regions. These results indicate that outbreaks of T. arnobia in Eucalyptus areas in different regions of Brazil are associated with local or regional populations, with no significant contribution from long-distance dispersal from different regions or biomes, suggesting that pest management strategies would be implemented on a regional scale. In Brazil, the demographic and spatial expansion signals of T. arnobia seem to be associated with the history of geographical expansion of Eucalyptus plantations, a new sustainable host for this species. ENM indicated that isothermality and annual rainfall are critical climatic factors for the occurrence of T. arnobia in tropical and subtropical areas in the Americas. ENM also suggested that T. arnobia is a potential pest in Eucalyptus areas in all Brazilian territory and in regions from Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Abstract The beet webworm (BWW), Loxostege sticticalis (L.), is a notorious migratory agriculture pest of crops and fodder plants, inducing sudden outbreaks and huge losses of food and forage production. Quantifying its spatiotemporal patterns and possible dynamics under future climate scenarios may have significant implications for management policies and practices against this destructive agriculture pest. In this paper, a database containing nearly 7,000 occurrence records for the spatiotemporal distribution of BWW in China was established and its possible dynamics under future climate scenarios predicted using Maxent. We found that BWW could affect a vast geographic range of Northern China, about one third of the country’s land area. The beet webworm overwintered in most of its distribution regions. Maxent model found a northward movement and distribution reduction for BWW in China under future climate scenarios. The occurrence and overwintering regions will move northward about 0.3°N–0.9°N under warming climate scenarios, and about 40%–70% of the suitable habitat and overwintering habitat will disappear by 2100. Most of the northward movement and suitable area reduction likely will happen in 2 decades. Given the vast affected area, the abrupt outbreaks, the diverse host plants, the sensitivity to climate change, as well as their long-distance migration capacity, global scale research, and monitoring the population dynamics of BWW are essential for developing effective management strategies and mitigating its impact on agriculture and ecosystems.

With over 300 species, the genus Eumerus Meigen, 1822 is one of the largest in the Syrphidae family. Regarding its immature stages, information is scarce, since they are described for only 22 species. The known larvae of Eumerus can be phytophagous on the underground parts of live plants or saprophagous in decaying plant materials of many sorts. Eumerus vestitus Bezzi, 1912 is a widely distributed species with records in the Afrotropical, Oriental, and Palearctic Regions. In the Palaearctic, E. vestitus is present in the Arabian Peninsula, Cyprus, Greece, Israel/Palestinian Authority, North Africa, and Syria. It is listed as an endangered species in the IUCN European Red List of Hoverflies due to the destruction of its habitat. Several puparia of E. vestitus were obtained from larvae collected in supermarket plums in Israel. In this work, the E. vestitus puparium is described in detail using a scanning electron microscope and stereomicroscope and compared with those of other members of the Eumerus obliquus (Fabricius, 1805) group, which E. vestitus belongs, and with members of other species groups. Our work also confirms a long-standing and broad occurrence of E. vestitus in Israel and records plum fruit as a new host plant for the species.

European badgers (Meles meles) represent an ideal model for studies on conflict resolution between pest control and conservation management. From the farmers’ perspective, badgers are considered agricultural pests, mainly owing to crop damages. From a veterinary and public health point of view, they are implicated in disease spread to livestock and humans. Nevertheless, at the same time, the European badger operates as an ecosystem engineer by creating new microhabitats. The scope of the present study is to evaluate the role, behavior, and public health importance of the European badger in an intensive agricultural area, in Galatas, western Greece. We used camera traps to collect ecological and behavioral data in correlation to seasonal occurrence of badgers. Furthermore, we collected badger feces samples to investigate any potential parasite load using both microscopic and molecular analyses. Lastly, we assessed farmers’ opinions regarding the occurrence of this animal on their properties, as well as any imputed damage. Interestingly, farmers’ opinion was in line with camera observations. Parasitological and molecular analyses revealed the presence of four parasites in badger feces, namely Strongyloides procyonis, Ancylostoma caninum and Perostrongylus falciformis, and a member of the family Strongyloididae. Overall, our results demonstrate the controversial role of Meles meles as an ecosystem engineer and a pest simultaneously, highlighting the value of effective monitoring preceding any control practice.

The Aulacophora beetles are pests closely associated with cucurbit plants. However, research on the fine‐scale population genetics of species within this genus remains limited. This study employed mitogenome data from 211 individuals (102 A. indica and 109 A. lewisii) to examine the population genetic patterns of these two common cucurbit pests, which exhibit distinct dietary preferences (A. indica and A. lewisii). Our analysis revealed that the polyphagous A. indica exhibited significantly higher genetic diversity than the oligophagous A. lewisii (p < 0.001). Populations of A. indica showed lower genetic differentiation (FST = 0.089) and higher gene flow (Nm = 212.901), with no correlation between genetic differentiation and geographic isolation (p = 0.587). In contrast, populations of A. lewisii displayed higher genetic differentiation (FST = 0.186) and lower gene flow (Nm = 62.860), consistent with the isolation by distance (IBD) model (p < 0.001). These significant differences suggest that dietary breadth may play a key role in shaping population genetic characteristics. Neutrality tests revealed signals consistent with either recent population expansion or positive selection in both species, suggesting that human‐mediated crop cultivation may have influenced their genetic diversity and structure. The study revealed that the polyphagous A. indica exhibits higher genetic diversity, lower differentiation, and higher gene flow than the oligophagous A. lewisii, with these differences attributed to their distinct dietary preferences. A. lewisii populations showed significant isolation‐by‐distance, whereas A. indica did not, indicating different evolutionary patterns. Neutrality tests revealed signals consistent with either recent population expansion or positive selection in both species, suggesting that human‐mediated crop cultivation may have influenced their genetic diversity and structure.

Insects, with over a million species, exhibit intricate associations with microorganisms, particularly in their gut microbiota. The insect gut microbiota, comprising bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, significantly influences nutrient digestion, metabolism and immune system modulation. From harmful parasites to beneficial mutualists, symbiotic associations impact insect development and adaptability, with specific microbial communities highlighted across various species. The composition of insect gut microbiomes, shaped by factors like insect development and ecological conditions. Additionally, insect gut microbes serve as taxonomic markers, aiding accurate species identification, even in challenging taxonomic groups. The potential of gut microbes in pest management is explored, spanning biopesticides, symbiotic relationships for pest suppression and microbial endophytes in plant defense. Advances in microbial genomics enable precision targeting within the insect gut microbiome, offering tailored interventions and emphasizing ecological considerations for sustainable deployment. In summary, this detailed understanding of insect-microbe interactions holds promise for innovative and sustainable pest management strategies, revolutionizing approaches to agriculture and ecological management. This review explores the diverse roles of midgut bacterial diversity in insect pest management, covering physiological aspects within the insect host and ecological implications for pest populations.

Nanotechnology’s ability to revolutionize the health-care, clothing, and materials’ industries, as well as information and communication technologies and oil, has been widely publicized. Traditional farming techniques such as advanced pest control are ineffective, and toxic pesticides like DDT have harmful consequences on livestock and humans in addition to reducing soil fertility. As a result, nanotechnology could have environmentally friendly and effective insect pest-control options in agriculture without causing damage to the environment. This study focuses on Nanotechnology Applications, Insect Pests Management Using Nanotechnology: As New Techniques, and Pest Detection Sensors.

The Florida predatory stink bug, Euthyrhynchus floridanus L. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a generalist predator native to North America that feeds on a broad range of lepidopterous and heteropterous key pests in a great diversity of crops and non-crop situations. Feeding tests conducted in the laboratory to determine the most susceptible stage of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), to third nymphal instar, and male and female E. floridanus, indicated that this predator has great potential for biological control of H. halys nymphs and adult stages.

This study delves into the potential insecticidal properties of Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus) against the cutworm Spodoptera litura L., a significant agricultural pest. Analysis of the chemical profile of N. nucifera revealed that the peak area was highest for 6a-. beta. -Aporphine, 1,2-dimethoxy- (33.79%), followed by n-Hexadecanoic acid (21.14%). Notably, larval mortality was most pronounced at the peak dosage of N. nucifera (2.5 mg/L) on the second (96%), third (87%), and fourth (85%) instars. Additionally, sub-lethal dosages of N. nucifera (1.5 milligrams per liter) significantly hindered the growth of S. litura by extending the larval and pupal durations while also reducing fecundity and Oviposition rates in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, exposure to sub-lethal dosages of N. nucifera led to both inhibition and upregulation of major enzymes (esterases, CYP450 and GST). Severe damage as well as dysregulation of midgut tissues were observed in fourth instars of S. litura exposed to N. nucifera (2.5 milligrams per liter). Moreover, our results indicate that N. nucifera extracts pose no harm to soil earthworms and beneficial honey bees, as confirmed through in vitro assays and in silico predictions, respectively. Overall, these findings offer promising prospects for the development of new bio-based agents for targeting and managing the lepidopteran pest S. litura .