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The psyllid Cacopsylla chinensis (Yang & Li) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is a serious pest of pears in China. To determine and contrast the fitness of the psyllid on two endemic cultivars of Pyrus bretschneideri (i.e., BHXS and BSL) and two introduced cultivars of Pyrus communis (i.e., CB and CRB), we analyzed data on the development, survival, and fecundity from C. chinensis individuals reared on the four cultivars. The age-stage, two-sex life table theory was used in order to enable the inclusion of males in the analysis as well as a means of identifying the variation in developmental durations among individuals. Results indicated that C. chinensis can successfully develop and reproduce on all four pear cultivars. However, based on the lower preadult survival rate, longer preadult duration, longer total preoviposition period (TPOP), and lower fecundity that occurred on both cultivars of P. communis, these two cultivars are less favorable hosts for C. chinensis than the P. bretschneideri cultivars. The lower intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproduction rate (R0) on CB and CRB pears showed these two introduced cultivars are more resistant to C. chinensis than the endemic BHXS and BSL pears. These resistant cultivars would be appropriate candidates for managing C. chinensis. We used the bootstrap technique to estimate the uncertainty of the population parameters (r, λ, R0, etc.), while also demonstrating that it can be used for estimating the 0.025 and 0.975 percentile confidence intervals of the age of survival rate. Graphical Abstract Age-stage, two-sex life table can reveal the survial and stage differentiation for assessment of differences between treatments

Because life tables are capable of providing the most comprehensive description on the survival, stage differentiation, and the reproduction of animal populations, they can be considered as the bases of population ecology and pest management. Researchers concerned with studies involving life tables inevitably face the problem of describing the variabilities that occur in the survival, stage differentiation, and fecundity data. Finding a means to include these variabilities in population projections concerning pest management may be problematic. Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a pest of many plant species in Asia, including cultivated crops, ornamentals, and wild plants. The raw life history data (survival, stage differentiation, and fecundity) and consumption rate of both sexes of H. vigintioctopunctata reared on Solanum photeinocarpum Nakamura et Odashima (Solanales: Solanaceae) were collected in the laboratory and analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory.The intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ ), net reproductive rate (R0), mean generation time (T), and net consumption rate (C0) of H. vigintioctopunctata were 0.1312 d–1, 1.1402 d–1, 603.5 offspring, 48.8 d, and 77.8 cm2, respectively. By using the bootstrap technique with 100,000 samples, we demonstrated that the life tables constructed based on the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of R0 and λ can be used to describe the variabilities found in the survival and fecundity curves and to project the uncertainty of population growth.

Several lifestyle factors have been linked to risk for heart failure (HF) and premature mortality. The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of a healthy lifestyle on life expectancy with and without HF among men and women from a general population. This study was performed among 6113 participants (mean age 65.8 ± 9.7 years; 58.9% women) from the Rotterdam Study, a large prospective population-based cohort study. A continuous lifestyle score was created based on five lifestyle factors: smoking status, alcohol consumption, diet quality, physical activity and weight status (assessed 1995–2008). The lifestyle score was categorized into three levels: unhealthy (reference), intermediate and healthy. Gompertz regression and multistate life tables were used to estimate the effects of lifestyle on life expectancy with and without HF in men and women separately at ages 45, 65 and 85 years (follow-up until 2016). During an average follow-up of 11.3 years, 699 incident HF events and 2146 deaths occurred. At the age of 45 years, men in the healthy lifestyle category had a 4.4 (95% CI: 4.1–4.7) years longer total life expectancy than men in the unhealthy lifestyle category, and a 4.8 (95% CI: 4.4–5.1) years longer life expectancy free of HF. Among women, the difference in total life-expectancy at the age of 45 years was 3.4 (95% CI: 3.2–3.5) years and was 3.4 (95% CI: 3.3–3.6) years longer for life expectancy without HF. This effect persisted also at older ages. An overall healthy lifestyle can have a positive impact on total life expectancy and life expectancy free of HF.

Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a highly destructive pest in Asia, poses a significant threat to maize production by causing substantial yield losses. However, there is a lack of information regarding the impact of temperature variations on its population dynamics and the age-stage and two-sex life table. This study aimed to investigate the impact of 4 temperatures (20 °C, 24 °C, 28 °C, 32 °C) on the development, reproduction, and survival of O. furnacalis under controlled laboratory conditions. Our results revealed that O. furnacalis successfully developed, survived, and laid eggs across the tested temperatures (20–32 °C). The shortest developmental duration for all immature stages was observed at 32 °C. Conversely, increasing temperatures led to decreased longevity. Among the temperatures tested, 28 °C proved to be optimal for O. furnacalis, exhibiting the highest intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, and net reproductive rate. Our findings indicate that O. furnacalis thrives within a wide temperature range of 20–32 °C, with 28 °C being the most favorable for reproduction. These insights are crucial for predicting population dynamics under diverse climatic conditions and developing effective control strategies against O. furnacalis. This study enhances our understanding of O. furnacalis' life-history traits and provides valuable information for targeted pest management approaches.

To provide a comprehensive evaluation of walnut cultivar resistance to the dusky-veined walnut aphid, Panaphis juglandis (Goeze), we collected the life table data of this aphid reared on five cultivars of walnut (‘Akça I,’ ‘Chandler,’ ‘Fernette,’ ‘Fernor,’ and ‘Pedro’) under field conditions. The raw data of the developmental time, survival rate, and fecundity was analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table to account for the variable developmental rate and stage differentiation among individuals. Due to the species' longer immature developmental time, shorter adult longevity, shorter reproduction period, and lower fecundity, the net reproduction rate (R0=5.9 offspring), intrinsic rate of increase (r=0.0983 d-1), and finite rate (λ=1.1034 d-1) were the lowest when aphids were reared on the Fernor cultivar, while those reared on Akça I exhibited the highest population parameters (R0=18.0 offspring, r=0.2031 d-1, and λ=1.2252 d-1). Based on the population characteristics, Fernor is a less favorable cultivar for the development and reproduction of P. juglandis. We also demonstrated the advantages of using bootstrapping for the analysis of standard errors of developmental time, longevity, fecundity, and other parameters as well. Our results indicated that demographic analysis of pest development, survival, and reproduction based on the agestage, two-sex life table offers a comprehensive assessment of pest growth potential on different crop cultivars.

We collected developmental, survival, and reproduction data for Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae) reared on faba bean, Vicia faba L. ‘Sevilla’ at four constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30°C), 70% relative humidity, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.4347 d-1) and finite rate (λ = 1.5445 d-1) were observed at 25°C. The population projection based on the age-stage, two-sex life table quantitatively revealed the growth potential and stage structure of the aphid. We have included the following suggestions to aid researchers in life table studies: 1) The bootstrap method should be used to estimate the variance and SEs of developmental time, survival rate, fecundity, and population parameters. 2) The required number of bootstraps is dependent on the life table data—the higher the variation among individuals, the higher the number of bootstraps should be. In most cases, we suggest that 100,000 bootstraps should be used to obtain a stable estimate of variance and SEs. 3) Computer projection based on the age-stage, two-sex life table should be used to reveal the stage structure during population growth. 4) We used a simple equation based on the total fecundity, survival rate to adult stage, and first reproductive age to detect possible errors in life table parameters. 5) To assist readers in comprehending results, life table studies should include the cohort size, preadult survival rate, number of emerged female adults, mean fecundity, survival and fecundity curves, and population parameters.

Life table data of the green pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) reared on four different resistant alfalfa varieties, i.e., 5S43,TG4 CW044026 (abbreviated asTG4),TG7 CW2883 (abbreviated asTG7), and Aurora were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table. A higher proportion of alate adults were observed on 5S43, TG7, and Aurora; while a higher proportion of apterous adults occurred on TG4. The contributions of alate aphids to the finite rate of increase (λ), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and net reproductive rate (R0) were higher than apterous aphids on 5S43,TG7, and Aurora, while apterous aphids contributed more to λ, r, and R0 onTG4. The highest population parameters were observed onTG4 (r = 0.208 d–1, λ = 1.231 d–1, and R0 = 18.8 offspring/individual), while the lowest values were onTG7 (r = 0.129 d–1, λ = 1.138 d–1, and R0 = 9.9 offspring/individual). Because the age-stage, two-sex life table is capable of describing the stage differentiation, it enables the calculation of the stable stage distribution (SSD). A higher proportion of adult A. pisum was observed in SSD than in fourth instar nymphs. Population simulation showed the stage structure will approach SSD. Because the R0 and the mean generation time (T) values do not reflect the population growth rate, their use as population fitness parameters should be avoided.These findings can be utilized in helping to select resistant alfalfa varieties to effectively manage the pea aphid.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is an invasive pest species that has recently increased its range in most African and Asian countries, causing significant losses to crop yields, especially corn. To develop effective management strategies, it is particularly important to study the biology of FAW in various crops. Here, we utilized the age-stage, two-sex life table to examine the development, survival, and reproduction rate of the corn strain FAW on three different host plants: corn, rice, and potato. The corn strain FAW successfully completed its life cycle in rice and potato, as well as corn plants. However, the growth, developmental time, survival, and reproduction rate differed among the three host plants. The preadult survival rates in corn, rice, and potato were 92%, 81%, and 77%, respectively. Similarly, mean generation time was significantly shorter in corn (35 days), followed by rice (41 days) and potato (42 days), indicating more generations in corn. Interestingly, the net reproduction rate varied greatly among the three host plants. In corn-fed FAW, the net reproduction rate was 472 offspring per individual, whereas, in rice and potato crops, the rates were only 213 and 86 offspring per individual, respectively. Our results suggest that alternative host plants, such as potato and rice, have more effect on reproduction than the growth of corn strain FAW. These results may be useful in predicting the population dynamics of FAW and understanding the potential damage to crops, thus contributing to an appropriate management strategy in the newly FAW-invaded agricultural ecosystems.

The citrus pest Cacopsylla citrisuga (Yang & Li), a vector for Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), exhibits distinct sensitivity to temperature variations. This study utilized an age-stage, 2-sex life table to evaluate the development and reproduction of C. citrisuga across 5 temperatures (17, 20, 25, 28, and 31 °C). The findings indicate that Cacopsylla citrisuga can complete its life cycle within the range of 17–28 °C, with optimal temperature at 20 °C, where the highest survival and fecundity rates in females were observed. An increase in temperature correlates with a decrease in developmental duration for all stages, with the shortest at 28 °C.The net reproductive rate (R0) peaked at 20 °C, while the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and the finite rate of increase (λ) increased with the increase of temperature. Conversely, the average generation time (T) decreased with the increase of temperature, underscoring the pivotal role of temperature in population dynamics. The developmental threshold temperature and effective accumulated temperature were determined for each stage, furnishing crucial parameters for pest management strategies. This research highlights the importance of temperature in dictating the distribution and prevalence of C. citrisuga, offering valuable insights for the development of targeted control measures against this HLB vector. Graphical Abstract

To check whether the reported waves of age-dependent changes in multiomics patterns in humans influence age-specific mortality, life-table aging rate (LAR) trajectories derived from Human Morality Database (HMD) data were modeled based on assumptions inherent in a generalized Gompertz-Makeham Law (gGML). The gGML implies that any changes in resistance to causes of death (CoD) and in exposure to CoD are translated into changes in mortality in an exponential and a linear way, respectively. Modeling suggests that undulations of LAR trajectories derived from HMD data on countries where life expectancy (LE) is above 83 years do not align with the reported waves of multiomics changes and are rather associated with changes in the exposure to CoD. As far as the exposure may be modifiable, it may be inferred from modeling that the contribution of the modifiable CoD to the total mortality is almost 100% at 25 years and reaches zero after ca. 90 years, which is no surprise. Unexpectedly, the contribution may increase by 20% at 55–65 years after the initial decrease, which reaches 30 to 70% at about 40 years. Reasons to revise approaches to attributing mortality to different CoD are discussed. Gains in LE possible upon eliminating all modifiable CoD are estimated. In the countries where LE currently exceeds 83 years, the estimates are 2.9–5.7 years for men and 1.2–2.5 for women. Thus, human LE may approach but hardly can ever exceed 90 years.