Temperature is an important factor to determine the activity of insects. We tested the performance of the non-native larval parasitoid Leptopilina japonica (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) under realistic climatic conditions to improve understanding about its ongoing spread and seasonal abundance. Our results show that the wasp does not benefit from hot temperatures and that offspring production is increased, when temperatures are lower. We discuss implications for natural control of the fruit pest Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae).

This study investigates the laboratory biology and morphology of the parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae, which targets Drosophila flies, including the invasive Drosophila suzukii. Key findings include a detailed description of the parasitoid's egg, three larval instars, and pupal stage, as well as unique behaviors such as siblicide and encapsulation in cases of superparasitism. The paper also provides morphological distinctions between T. drosophilae and related species, contributing to its identification and aiding future studies on its role in biological control.

This field mesocosm study examined the top-down effects of hyperparasitoids, parasitoids and aphids on plant growth and fitness. Parasitoids reduced aphid populations, but this effect was attenuated by hyperparasitoids. However, these multitrophic interactions did not affect plant traits and reproduction, likely due to the plant's fast life cycle and high tolerance to herbivory.

To assess the biocontrol potential on the main arthropod pests of clementine orchards in Corsica, laboratory experiments were carried out using five potential predators. Their prey range and voracity were tested on three pest species. Then, a global predation rate index was calculated at the scale of the entire community of insect predators. There was no major effect of the type of management of the orchards; only the contributor was different, and their abundances varied between each orchard.

Predation methods vary widely in their ability to quantify biological control. Estimating predation rates (the number of prey killed per predator per time unit) is crucial. Combining predation rates…

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF2) in ovaries of Rhipicephalus microplus partially engorged females. Ovaries from females at different feeding stages were used to detect IGF2.

We reported the first evidence of cannibalism in Earias insulana (Lepidoptera: Nolidae), a significant pest of okra and other crops. Laboratory and field observations showed that cannibalism was frequent, especially under crowded conditions, but did not improve survival or reproductive performance. Larvae preferred diets containing conspecific material, suggesting chemical cues influence feeding. Field data suggested behavioral avoidance of conspecifics. Generally, cannibalism in E. insulana appears to provide little direct benefit but may help regulate population density and reduce predation risk.

Vine proliferation is a widespread consequence of tropical forest disturbance, yet its effects on ground-level predator–prey interactions remain poorly understood. Using plasticine caterpillars deployed on the rainforest floor in north Queensland, Australia, we show that overall predation rates were unaffected by vine-to-tree ratio. Instead, fine-scale habitat features including litter depth and coarse woody debris shaped taxon-specific predation by arthropods and small mammals, highlighting the importance of ground-floor structural complexity over broad canopy-level metrics.

A comparative evaluation of three pollination strategies in Diplotaxis tenuifolia is presented herein. The eristalini hoverflies Eristalis tenax and Eristalinus aeneus were found to be superior polli...

We present a bumblebee colony monitoring system, BumbleBEEP. The system is fitted with thermometers and a custom weight sensor. These record data up to every 15 min, recording bumblebee brood nest temperature, environmental ambient temperature, and colony growth. These data can be used to assess bumblebee colony fitness responses to environmental stressors. For example, bumblebee colony thermoregulatory ability can be an indicator of colony health, and we demonstrate that colony growth has a lagged response to ambient temperature.

We examined how pupal age (1–7 days) and cold storage at 8°C (7–28 days) affect the aphid predator Aphidoletes aphidimyza. Pupae aged 3–5 days stored for ≤ 14 days maintained > 80% eclosion, normal adult longevity and fecundity, and preserved progeny larval predation capacity. Storage beyond 21 days severely reduced eclosion and reproduction, especially in older pupae. Using 3–5-day-old pupae with ≤ 14 days of cold storage ensures high quality for biological control.

We present an end-to-end deep learning framework for automated geographic classification of honey bee populations based on wing morphology. A dataset of 1040 wing images from seven regions was analyzed using four CNN architectures with transfer learning. EfficientNetB0 achieved the highest performance, while Grad-CAM revealed region-specific venation patterns driving classification decisions. The proposed approach eliminates manual landmark annotation and provides a scalable, reproducible, and explainable tool for biodiversity monitoring.

Encarsia parasitoids suppress Aleurodicus dispersus through species-specific efficiency influenced by seasonal dynamics and functional traits. Field evaluation across cassava and eggplant demonstrated that Encarsia guadeloupae achieved the highest pest reduction and lowest cumulative population (AUPPC), with enhanced suppression following repeated releases. Seasonal parasitism peaked during March–April, aligning with improved field performance. Morphometric differences, particularly larger body size in E. guadeloupae, may contribute to superior host exploitation. Integrating field efficacy, seasonal dynamics, and morphometric traits provides a framework for optimizing parasitoid-based biological control strategies.

Sublethal exposure to malathion and beta-cyfluthrin impairs aggregation pheromone perception in both sexes of Anthonomus grandis grandis, with effects persisting for at least 96 hours. Despite…

Microbial endosymbionts present in the thrips influence the thrips' biology and vector competence. These can be effectively used for thrips management.

In this study, we investigated the combined effect of SIT and entomopathogenic fungi on the reproductive performance of Ceratitis capitata. At a 10:1 sterile: fertile male ratio, competing for mating...

Understanding the oviposition behavior of insect pests is crucial for improving pest management and laboratory rearing. This study focuses on Helopeltis bakeri Poppius, a key cacao pest in the Philip...

EPNs have broader metabolic modulation. Energy reserves (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) and transaminases decreased; detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes increased; and digestive enzymes, immune....

The Smith Lab at Mississippi State University studies diversification using genomic data, with a focus on terrestrial snails and slugs.

Arrhenotoky and haplodiploidy represent two key genetic features of the insect order Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps and sawflies), but transitions to thelytoky occur across different clades. Sex dete...

Lund University welcomes applicants with different backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities and diversity are fundamental principles in all parts of the University’s activit

Accurate sex identification of the biological control agent Pseudophilothrips ichini Hood (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is a useful tool for colony management and experimental applications in biological control. Destructive methods of sex identification limit specimen usage, prompting the need for a sex identification method for live thrips. We propose an alternative, live-sexing protocol that represents a practical alternative to the destructive method of sex identification and offers promise for adaptation to other species of thrips.

We studied predatory soil mites that control the thrips Frankliniella occidentalis. Thrips densities were significantly reduced by the predator Cosmolaelaps sabelisi. It presumably feeds on prepupae and pupae in the soil and on larvae aboveground.

Yponomeuta padella is an important pest in both global and Iranian forest ecosystems, with its population expanding in the northern and western forests of Iran. The fungal isolates used in this study (Beauveria bassiana, Isaria farinosae and Aspergillus sp.) not only induced larval mortality but also significantly affected the biological parameters of Y. padella. cellular immune responses in Y. padella larvae against all fungal isolates were activated within 3–6 h post-injection. The activities of PO and detoxifying enzymes—including GST, and EST—increased significantly between 24 and 48 h post-injection. Our finding could be a basis for broader integrated pest management approaches targeting this species.

We examined how ambient temperature influences the chemical communication channels employed by the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) and the longevity of pheromone lures used to monitor maize weevil populations. Despite increased mortality at supra-optimal temperatures, maize weevils emitted aggregation pheromone at similar rates across temperature. Likewise, monitoring lures remained effective over the time period examined in the study, despite declines in emission rate. These observations suggest that maize weevil communication and monitoring efforts are robust to deviations in temperature.

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri exhibits strong potential as a biological control agent against the invasive papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus. Using the age-stage, two-sex life table and predation models, we determined high demographic performance (R0 = 38.5 offspring, r = 0.1116 day⁻1, λ = 1.1181 day⁻1) and substantial predatory capacity (net predation rate C0 = 245.2 preys, finite predation rate ω = 24.9 day⁻1). Population projections revealed rapid growth and significant cumulative predation over generations, supporting its efficacy for integrated pest management strategies.

This study reveals that silencing two G6PDH genes in Myzus persicae suppresses enzyme activity and Vg/VgR expression, induces developmental abnormalities, and significantly reduces nymph production (with the maximum reduction 51.5%) and population establishment (with the maximum reduction 45%), demonstrating that G6PDH is a key regulator of insect reproduction and a promising molecular target for green pest control.

Exploitative competition boosts population-level fitness in the egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis, as the presence of conspecifics enhances resource utilisation and, under conditions of low host density, superparasitism paradoxically promotes juvenile survival.

The infant formula-based diet (F), the whole powder milk diet (P), and dry-cured ham (H) were evaluated for rearing Piophila casei. H accelerated development, promoted earlier reproduction, and achieved the highest demographic performance but showed practical limitations linked to substrate deterioration. F enhanced larval survival and adult longevity, with reproductive output comparable to H and better performance than P. Overall, F emerged as the most suitable artificial diet for stable, continuous mass rearing of P. casei.

Systematic review of dipteran pollinators associated with crop production in the Neotropical region. More than 72 morphospecies representing 27 dipteran families were recorded visiting or…

We evaluated micro-environmental variation and thermal plasticity through CVE measured in males and females reared at different temperatures in lines derived from different populations. The analyses showed differences between populations, traits, and sexual dimorphism in CVE variation and between traits and sexual dimorphism for thermal plasticity. In all cases, the pattern observed was similar in the populations evaluated. Our study suggests that micro-environmental canalization operates at the organismal rather than trait-specific level.