Insect immunology represents a critical component of circulatory physiology research. Considering the ecological significance of mantids and their predatory roles, this study investigated the types of hemocytes and their modulation by starvation, prey quality, and temperature in Hierodula tenuidentata and Empusa fasciata. This study also documents the presence of these two species in Semnan province, Iran for the first time, expanding our knowledge of their distribution. Field-collected oothecae were incubated under controlled conditions (temperature 25±1°C, relative humidity 50%, and a photoperiod of 14:10 light:dark hours) until nymphal emergence. Following hemolymph extraction and staining with Giemsa solution, four hemocyte types - prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, and oenocytoids - were identified in both species; spherulocytes appeared exclusively in adult H. tenuidentata under a light microscope. Differential hemocyte counts revealed granulocytes as predominant in H. tenuidentata, whereas both granulocytes and plasmatocytes were abundant in E. fasciata across developmental stages. Prohemocytes were more abundant in the early-instar nymphs than in the late-instar nymphs of both mantids. Hemocyte density declined progressively with prolonged starvation, reaching a minimum after 4days. The highest hemocyte concentrations were observed in mantids fed grasshoppers after 1week, whereas markedly lower counts occurred with low-quality prey, such as Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) and Lycaena sp. (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Heat stress significantly elevated hemocyte density, whereas cold exposure induced substantial reductions in hemocyte density. Hemocyte fluctuations were more pronounced after 48hours than after 24hours. These findings suggest that short-term dietary deprivation, prey type, and thermal stress may rapidly alter immune profiles in H. tenuidentata and E. fasciata.

The blue gum chalcid (Leptocybe invasa) is a serious invasive, galling insect pest of eucalypts grown outside Australia. Variability in resistance of species and genotypes of Eucalyptus to the pest is widely reported but without consideration of the influence of silviculture on the severity of galling. We assessed the variability of gall expression by 29 genotypes of E. camaldulensis by L. invasa in common nursery experiments and in 5 common garden arboreta planted in diverse climatic zones and soil types around Kenya. We quantified variation in growth and the concentrations of defensive chemical compounds (namely polyphenolic compounds) to assess possible genotype×environment interactions which we also relate to the climate of the parent seed trees in Australia. Generally, genotypes endemic to low latitude regions of Australia were more resistant to the pest while the concentration of quinic acid derivatives (QUIN) exhibited an interaction with arboretum location in Kenya. The concentration of QUIN in potted plants did not vary significantly with nitrogen supplementation. However, growth rates and total polyphenolic concentrations varied with arboretum location. Since QUIN, which have been previously shown to confer resistance against L. invasa, did not vary in different arboreta, resistant subspecies and genotypes of E. camaldulensis can be deployed in novel habitats and will not be galled. Our findings support the critical need to plant stock of known genotype(s) rather than planting stock grown from locally collected seed. This will require the establishment of eucalypt seed orchards if clonal production of planting stock is not possible.

The quarantine pest, Opisina arenosella Walker, poses a significant threat to 34 palm plant species, including economically vital coconut trees. Its adaptability and rapid spread raise concerns about global tree invasion and potential economic and environmental impacts. Utilising advanced sequencing technology, this study aims to analyse O. arenosella mitochondrial genome, comparing it with three Lepidoptera families to explore its phylogenetic status. The complete mitochondrial genome (15,389 bp) was sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq platform, with tRNA genes validated using tRNAScan-SE and MITOS WebServer. Comparative analysis involved 13 protein-coding genes and 2 ribosomal RNA genes, comparing them with outgroup species like Agapanthia amurensis. The results revealed that O. arenosella genome's nucleotide composition is 39.24% A, 41.33% T, 12.02% C, and 7.41% G. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. Interestingly, in the BI analysis, (O. arenosella+Ripeacma umbellate) clustered together with ((Promalactis suzukiella+Promalactis odaiensis)+(Stathmopoda auriferella+Casmara patrona)), forming a clade with high node support, while ML lacked high node support. Additionally, both methods indicated a monophyletic clade with high node support for Comparmustilia, Oberthueria, Pseudandraca, and Andraca. This research provides valuable mitochondrial genome data, contributing to phylogenetics and taxonomy studies, establishing a foundation for future research in this field.

This study presents the first record of Miyalachnus sorini Kanturski & Lee, 2024 (Aphididae: Lachninae) in South Korea, thereby extending its known distribution beyond Japan and identifying a new host plant, Prunus sargentii (Rosaceae). We describe diagnostic morphological traits across multiple life stages and compare them with those of Japanese populations. Comparative analyses with Japanese populations demonstrated consistent morphological differentiation, notably elevated ratios of the ultimate rostral segment to antennal segments across multiple morphs in the Korean population, indicating potential ecological adaptation. DNA barcoding using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene revealed low intraspecific divergence (average 0.2%) and interspecific divergence (average 10.5%) between Miyalachnus sp. and M. sorini. Haplotype analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between host plants and cryptic genetic diversity. These findings enhance our understanding of the morphological and genetic diversity of M. sorini and underscore the importance of monitoring its spread for informed pest management strategies.

Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larvae feed on Buxus. It is considered to be the most critical pest of boxwood trees. This study investigated whether different strains of Trichoderma harzianum had an effect on the biocontrol of larvae feeding on boxwood leaves whose nitrogen content was varied by fertilisation. Larvae were collected while feeding on boxwood seedlings in Rize parks and gardens in June 2021. In addition, G1 (no fertilisation), G2 (1.55%), and G5 (1.67%) leaves with different nitrogen concentrations obtained by nitrogen fertilisation were also used as food. As biocontrol agents, ID11D and YP1A strains of T. harzianum were applied in three doses: 50, 100, and 200 μL per water. In total, 21 different groups were created. The nutritional indices of the larvae belonging to the different groups were calculated. In addition, the activities of phenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were measured by taking haemolymph samples. In both strains, the enzyme activities increased with the dose applied. However, it was found that the enzyme activities of the ID11D strain applied were higher than those of the YP1A strain. It can be said that the ID11D strain is effective in controlling C. perspectalis larvae feeding on fertilised boxwood and the YP1A strain is effective in controlling larvae feeding on unfertilised boxwood.

Oenopia sauzeti (Mulsant) (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) is a highly efficient predator of sap-sucking insect pests due to its high feeding capacity and broad prey range. The present investigation was carried out to find out the feeding potential and functional response of O. sauzeti fed on different densities of Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Aphididae: Hemiptera) nymphs in the in vitro condition with the overarching objective of appraising the ladybird beetle's potential as a distinguished biological control agent. The newly emerged coccinellid grubs of a particular stage were reared individually on Petri plates with a known number of M. euphorbiae nymphs of a particular stage. The single individual of O. sauzeti consumed 1104.53, 936.53, 634.07, and 473.20 aphids in one generation when reared on the first, second, third, and fourth instars of M. euphorbiae, respectively. The female adult of predator recorded as a more voracious feeder compared to the male adult. O. sauzeti exhibits a type II functional response against potato aphid, and a significantly negative linear coefficient was obtained after logistic regression analysis for the proportion of prey consumed (Na/N) as a function of initial prey density (N). The functional response parameters, i.e. attack rate and handling time, were estimated by applying Roger's random predator equation. The attack rate increased, and handling time decreased with the advancement of the development stage of the predator. The voracious nature of both adults and grubs of the ladybird beetle makes this effective biocontrol agent to be used in the Integrated Pest Management Programme against the potato aphid.

There is interest in exploring biodegradable chemicals, e.g. sex pheromones, in behaviour manipulation to control the polyphagous mirid species Helopeltis bakeri Poppius. Understanding this insect pest's reproductive behaviour is critical for identifying and isolating semiochemicals. H. bakeri rate of sexual maturation was determined by identifying the time the winged adult changed colour after the 5th and final nymphal form. We verified that there was no significant difference in the rate of colour change for both sexes. Copulation lasted an average of 167.0 ± 77.1 min and was observed on mating pairs >72 h old from the time of final molt. Close-range copulation behaviour of H. bakeri was recorded using the Behavioral Observation Research Interactive Software, and sequential behaviour analysis was performed by creating adjacency matrices. The ethograms revealed the absence of specific calling behaviour from either of the sexes. However, the male's active pursuit of the female may indicate the latter's role in releasing sex attractants. Using a wind tunnel, it was observed that the number of male visitations of 96-h to 120-h-old females significantly differed from the attraction in younger females (p < 0.05) and peaked from 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM. This supports the crepuscular nature of this mirid species. The difference in the sex maturation age and maximum male attraction implies that the secretion of sex attractant could happen after the completion of development, i.e. the exhibition of colour dimorphism.

Data from three and half years' nightly light-trap catches of 25 Afrotropical ant species were examined by Fourier analysis. Between 8 and 72 % of the seven-day-moving-average logarithmically transformed catches were accounted for by two to four terms. All 25 species showed significant annual periodicity and all, but Dorylus fulvus and Camponotus foraminosus, six monthly. Four species had wavelengths of between two and four years, and Tapinoma melanocephalum of 289 days. Twenty-three species showed two peak catches annually, contemporaneous with the two rainy seasons, with the higher peak corresponding with the main rains for 21 of them, while D. fulvus and C. foraminosus had single annual peaks during the main rains. Catches of 14 species with lunar periodicities were lowest around full moon and highest near new moon, contrasting with Hypoponera dulcis and Plagiolepis brunni whose catches were highest at full moon, and near the first quarter, respectively. Gynes and males of eight species were sufficiently numerous for comparisons of their separate responses to lunar illuminance. Catches of males peaked ca. six and three days later than gynes for Tapinoma cf. carininotum and Tetramorium aculeatum, respectively; whereas males of Crematogaster africana, Cr. depressa, Tetramorium sericeiventre, Oecophylla longinoda, Tapinoma melanocephalum, and Technomyrmex andrei peaked from ca. one to six days earlier than their respective gynes.

C-type lectins (CTLs), a diverse family of pattern recognition receptors, are essential for immune recognition and pathogen clearance in invertebrates. TcCTL17 contains one carbohydrate recognition domain and three scavenger receptor Cys-rich domains. Spatial and temporal expression analysis revealed that TcCTL17 is highly expressed in early pupa, early adult stages, and the larval gut at 20days. The recombinant TcCTL17 exhibited dose-dependent binding to lipopolysaccharides and peptidoglycans, Ca2+-dependent binding and agglutination of bacteria in vitro. Knocking down TcCTL17 before bacterial exposure reduced survival rates and increased bacterial loads in T. castaneum larvae, accompanied by decreased antimicrobial peptide expression and haemolymph phenoloxidase activity. Additionally, TcCTL17 RNA interference caused developmental abnormalities, affecting metamorphosis and fecundity, possibly by influencing the 20E, JH, and vitellogenin pathways. These findings underscore dual functions of TcCTL17 in immunity and development, making it a potential target for pest management.