Pericardin and Lonely heart, which are components of the cardiac extracellular matrix, influence the direction in which the heart of mosquitoes propels hemolymph (blood).

Sericulture is the practice of rearing silkworms on specific host plants for the production of natural silk. It has been carried out since ancient times. Among the various silkworms, the fully domesticated mulberry (Bombyx mori), the semi-domesticated Eri (Samia ricini) and the wild species or vanya silkworms- Muga (Antheraea assamensis) and Tasar (Antheraea mylitta) represent the major sources of commercial silk in India. Each species has distinct physiological and anatomical features that determine its feeding behaviour, silk production and adaptability to environmental conditions. Although their ecology, host plants, silk characteristics and rearing practices differ among these species, the internal anatomy of these silkworms follows a conserved lepidopteran pattern. In the present study, comparative analysis of internal organs and other external structures of all four different silkworm species were examined using a stereo zoom microscope. The major internal organ includes a digestive tract, tracheal system, circulatory system, nervous system, excretory system, silk gland and reproduction system. Observations revealed species-specific differences in tracheal coloration, silk gland development, fat-body texture and reproductive morphology, influenced by their ecological adaptation and host-plant specialization. External features such as true legs, pseudo-legs, spiracles, eyes and antennal structures of adult moths are also documented to provide integrated anatomical profiles. Such comparative analyses have helped to elucidate functional adaptations concerning feeding habits, cocoon formation, spinning behaviour and environmental tolerance.

Immunity & Ageing - Global environmental temperatures are rising, which is increasing the body temperature of mosquitoes. This increase in body temperature is accelerating senescence, thereby...

Infection induces the aggregation of hemocytes on the dorsal vessel of mosquitoes. These hemocytes, called periostial hemocytes, phagocytose pathogens and produce immune factors on the abdominal porti...

After concluding her term as associate dean for academic affairs for the Graduate School, Terrah Akard will return to her role as professor of nursing in the School of Nursing. Julián Hillyer, Centenn...

To reproduce, most female mosquitoes must ingest blood to obtain nutrients for viable eggs. Global warming is increasing mosquito body temperature and hamper...

This study explores histaminergic and serotonergic signaling-dependent diel locomotor activity and visual sensitivity in the highly invasive malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. Histamine and 5-HT bloo...

Dry conditions increase blood feeding in mosquitoes, but it is unknown if dehydration-induced bloodmeals are increased beyond what is necessary for re…

Pantothenate (Pan), or vitamin B5, is essential for the synthesis of co-enzyme A (CoA), acetyl-CoA, and numerous downstream physiological processes. We previously demonstrated that Pan is not only ess...

Background Most insects are poikilotherms and ectotherms, so their body temperature is predicated by environmental temperature. With climate change, insect body temperature is rising, which affects ho...

Summary: Higher temperature causes an aging-dependent decline in antimicrobial activity following infection, accelerating the onset of immune senescence.

Author summary Climate change is increasing global temperatures, and this is altering the ecosystems that organisms inhabit. Insects are particularly susceptible to temperature changes because their b...

Background Most insects are poikilotherms and ectotherms, so their body temperature is predicated by environmental temperature. With climate change, insect body temperature is rising, which affects ho...

Malaria predisposes to concomitant bacteremia, resulting in increased mortality risk. Previous studies indicated that malaria causes structural changes in the intestine, induces tolerogenic immune responses, inhibits neutrophil recruitment, suppresses innate synthesis of IFN-γ, dysregulates mast cells (MCs) and basophils, and induces Th2-type immune responses. These can reduce parasite control while increasing enteropathogenic dissemination. Moreover, there is growing evidence that Th2 immunity, while protecting the host from overwhelming inflammation, may also contribute to increased parasite transmission. This review explores the roles of the regulatory immune response in bacterial coinfections and parasite transmission in malaria.

Aedes aegypti are indoor-dwelling vectors of many arboviruses, including Zika (ZIKV) and chikungunya (CHIKV). The dynamics of these viruses within the mosquito are known to be temperature-dependent, a...