Announcements

We recently invited Dr. Gabriel Z. Laporta to share the story behind his paper, “Global Distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in a Climate Change Scenario of Regional Rivalry”, one of the papers that won the Insects 2023 Best Paper Award. Below are the author’s insights into this research.

“We aimed to understand the effects of regional rivalry. The scenario of regional rivalry highlights how poorly countries across the globe are prepared to address climate change mitigation. Regional conflicts mean that global health challenges are not only ignored but often dismissed as lacking credible importance. This perspective has serious consequences. In this paper, we illustrate them by examining the global spatial distribution of arboviral disease vectors and projecting the implications for the current century.

Our work is grounded in the strong institutional foundations built over the years in both Brazil and the Americas. We acknowledge the invaluable contribution of VectorMap, maintained by the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, for its meticulous curation of specimen records following museum-based standards, and for digitizing these records to make them publicly available, ensuring accurate, comprehensive, and reliable information. We also recognize Brazilian institutions that have steadily improved the quality of their scientific output, including the FMABC University Center for its outreach program, which enables the transfer of knowledge and technology to less-resourced institutions in Brazil, including those in the Amazon.

The findings reveal several points for further reflection. The impacts of climate change will not be evenly distributed. Some regions will experience stronger and more disruptive effects than others. These effects will also differ in nature. We show that the spatial distribution of both vectors is likely to expand in Europe and the United States. Although the Southern Hemisphere shows reduced risk in our projections, this may not be positive. The underlying mechanism for this reduction is linked to a drier climate, which could harm biodiversity more broadly, threatening, for instance, the preservation of the Amazon forest in Brazil.

A note of caution is that no one can truly predict the future. The scenarios presented are simplifications of possible outcomes. Our intention is to demonstrate that regional rivalry can have direct consequences for the climate crisis, which in turn may shape the transmission risks of dengue, chikungunya, or Zika in specific and potentially severe ways for certain regions. Some of these consequences are already unfolding, and awareness is critical to ensure timely and proportional action. Without it, conditions in some areas may deteriorate before effective measures are taken to reverse the threats described.

Take care, stay safe, and never lose hope.”

1. “Global Distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in a Climate Change Scenario of Regional Rivalry”
by Gabriel Z. Laporta, Alexander M. Potter, Janeide F. A. Oliveira, Brian P. Bourke, David B. Pecor and Yvonne-Marie Linton
Insects 2023, 14(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010049
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/1/49

2. “Maize-YOLO: A New High-Precision and Real-Time Method for Maize Pest Detection”
by Shuai Yang, Ziyao Xing, Hengbin Wang, Xinrui Dong, Xiang Gao, Zhe Liu, Xiaodong Zhang, Shaoming Li and Yuanyuan Zhao
Insects 2023, 14(3), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030278
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/3/278

3. “Mosquito-Borne Diseases and Their Control Strategies: An Overview Focused on Green Synthesized Plant-Based Metallic Nanoparticles”
by Hudson Onen, Miryam M. Luzala, Stephen Kigozi, Rebecca M. Sikumbili, Claude-Josué K. Muanga, Eunice N. Zola, Sébastien N. Wendji, Aristote B. Buya, Aiste Balciunaitiene, Jonas Viškelis et al.
Insects 2023, 14(3), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030221
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/3/221

4. “Edible Insects: A Historical and Cultural Perspective on Entomophagy with a Focus on Western Societies”
by Marianna Olivadese and Maria Luisa Dindo
Insects 2023, 14(8), 690; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14080690
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/8/690

5. “Dynamic Roles of Insect Carboxyl/Cholinesterases in Chemical Adaptation”
by Casey Cruse, Timothy Walter Moural and Fang Zhu
Insects 2023, 14(2), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020194
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/2/194

6. “Influence of Dietary Protein Content on the Nutritional Composition of Mealworm Larvae (Tenebrio molitor L.)”
by Nina Kröncke and Rainer Benning
Insects 2023, 14(3), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030261
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/3/261

7. “Bioconversion of Different Waste Streams of Animal and Vegetal Origin and Manure by Black Soldier Fly Larvae Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)”
by Somaya Naser El Deen, Klaas van Rozen, Hellen Elissen, Piet van Wikselaar, Istvan Fodor, Rommie van der Weide, Elise Federica Hoek-van den Hil, Arya Rezaei Far and Teun Veldkamp
Insects 2023, 14(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020204
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/2/204

8. “A Review of Insect Pest Management in Vegetable Crop Production in Nigeria”
by Thomas I. Ofuya, Adeyela I. Okunlola and George N. Mbata
Insects 2023, 14(2), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020111
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/2/111

9. “Global Trends in Climate Suitability of Bees: Ups and Downs in a Warming World”
by Ehsan Rahimi and Chuleui Jung
Insects 2024, 15(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15020127
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/2/127

10. “Larval Frass of Hermetia illucens as Organic Fertilizer: Composition and Beneficial Effects on Different Crops”
by Giovanni Lomonaco, Antonio Franco, Jeroen De Smet, Carmen Scieuzo, Rosanna Salvia and Patrizia Falabella
Insects 2024, 15(4), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15040293
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/4/293

11. “Impact of Abiotic and Biotic Environmental Conditions on the Development and Infectivity of Entomopathogenic Nematodes in Agricultural Soils”
by Joanna Matuska-Łyżwa, Sandra Duda, Dominika Nowak and Wiesław Kaca
Insects 2024, 15(6), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15060421
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/6/421

12. “Effects of RDL GABA Receptor Point Mutants on Susceptibility to Meta-Diamide and Isoxazoline Insecticides in Drosophila melanogaster”
by Tianhao Zhou, Weiping Wu, Suhan Ma, Jie Chen, Jia Huang and Xiaomu Qiao
Insects 2024, 15(5), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15050334
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/5/334

13. “Assessment of Lambda-Cyhalothrin and Spinetoram Toxicity and Their Effects on the Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes and Acetylcholinesterase in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Larvae”
by Ji-Yeong Choi, Kyongmi Chon, Juyeong Kim, Bala Murali Krishna Vasamsetti, Bo-Seon Kim, Chang-Young Yoon, Sojeong Hwang, Kyeong-Hun Park and Ji-Hoon Lee
Insects 2024, 15(8), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15080587
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/8/587

14. “Diversity, Distribution and Host Blood Meal Analysis of Adult Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Thailand”
by Bhuvadol Gomontean, Waraporn Jumpato, Komgrit Wongpakam, Ubon Tangkawanit, Wannachai Wannasingha, Isara Thanee, Zubaidah Ya’cob and Pairot Pramual
Insects 2024, 15(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010074
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/1/74

15. “A Systematic Review of Fumagillin Field Trials for the Treatment of Nosema Disease in Honeybee Colonies”
by Michael Peirson and Stephen F. Pernal
Insects 2024, 15(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010029
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/1/29

16. “Nutritional Value of the Larvae of the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) and the House Fly (Musca domestica) as a Food Alternative for Farm Animals—A Systematic Review”
by Welligton Conceição da-Silva, Éder Bruno Rebelo da Silva, Jamile Andréa Rodrigues da Silva, Lucieta Guerreiro Martorano, Tatiane Silva Belo, Carlos Eduardo Lima Sousa, Raimundo Nonato Colares Camargo-Júnior, Rubens Lima Andrade, Ana Gizela de Souza Santos, Katarina Cardoso de Carvalho et al.
Insects 2024, 15(8), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15080619
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/8/619

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Insects 2023 Best Paper Award. All papers published from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 in the Insects (ISSN: 2075-4450) were considered for this award. After a thorough evaluation of the originality and significance of the papers and number of citations and downloads, five winners were selected, as seen below. 

• “Global Distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in a Climate Change Scenario of Regional Rivalry”
  by Gabriel Z. Laporta, Alexander M. Potter, Janeide F. A. Oliveira, Brian P. Bourke, David B. Pecor and Yvonne-Marie Linton
  Insects 2023, 14(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010049
  Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/1/49
• “Mosquito-Borne Diseases and Their Control Strategies: An Overview Focused on Green Synthesized Plant-Based Metallic Nanoparticles”
  by Hudson Onen, Miryam M. Luzala, Stephen Kigozi, Rebecca M. Sikumbili, Claude-Josué K. Muanga, Eunice N. Zola, Sébastien N. Wendji, Aristote B. Buya, Aiste Balciunaitiene, Jonas Viškelis et al.
  Insects 2023, 14(3), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030221
  Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/3/221
• “Dynamic Roles of Insect Carboxyl/Cholinesterases in Chemical Adaptation”
  by Casey Cruse, Timothy Walter Moural and Fang Zhu
  Insects 2023, 14(2), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020194
  Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/2/194
• “Bioconversion of Different Waste Streams of Animal and Vegetal Origin and Manure by Black Soldier Fly Larvae Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)”
  by Somaya Naser El Deen, Klaas van Rozen, Hellen Elissen, Piet van Wikselaar, Istvan Fodor, Rommie van der Weide, Elise Federica Hoek-van den Hil, Arya Rezaei Far and Teun Veldkamp
  Insects 2023, 14(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020204
  Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/2/204
• “Isolation and Identification of Antioxidant Peptides Derived from Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) Protein Fractions”
  by Olumide Oluwatoyosi Fashakin, Pipat Tangjaidee, Kridsada Unban, Wannaporn Klangpetch, Tabkrich Khumsap, Korawan Sringarm, Saroat Rawdkuen and Suphat Phongthai
  Insects 2023, 14(8), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14080674
  Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/8/674

Please join us in congratulating the winners of the Insects 2023 Best Paper Award. We would additionally like to thank all of our authors for their continued support of Insects.

We recently invited Dr. Kit Stasia Prendergast to share the story behind her paper, “Bee Hotels as a Tool for Post-Fire Recovery of Cavity-Nesting Native Bees”, featured as the Cover Story in Volume 16, Issue 7 of Insects (ISSN: 2075-4450). Through an email interview, she generously provided the following insights into her research, challenges, and personal journey.

1. Could you briefly introduce your paper?
This research was a world-first trial of using bee hotels—artificial nesting structures—as a tool to monitor recolonization of post-bushfire habitats by cavity-nesting bees, and by providing them with extra nesting structures, help with boosting their populations and aiding in their recovery after fires. I installed 1000 bee hotels of two different designs at five sites in the Jarrah Forest of southwest Western Australia that had been burnt in the Black Summer bushfires and monitored them from September to March. By the end of the monitoring period, over 830 nests were occupied. I additionally found that there were fewer native bees foraging at sites where I didn’t install bee hotels than the sites where I had. In addition, higher densities of the introduced European honeybee reduced the number of native bees foraging, and nests occupied. This research provides a proof-of-concept that bee hotels, when designed correctly, can aid in bushfire recovery of solitary cavity-nesting native bees, and that we need to exclude honeybees from habitats that have been subjected to fires to ensure that the recovery of native bees is not jeopardized.

2. How did you choose this topic?
I have dedicated my life to conserving native bees and identifying, through evidence, ways we can better conserve them. I had been increasingly concerned at how fires impact native bees in Australia. After the Black Summer Bushfires, the Federal Government put out grants for projects that would assist in the recovery of fauna and flora. To date, most bushfire recovery efforts focused on vertebrates and plants. I wanted to trial using bee hotels as a way to see if we could both assess the ability of native bees to recolonize areas after fires and help boost their populations by providing them with nesting substrates that can be predicted to be in short supply after fires.

3. Were there any challenges?
There are always challenges for native bee conservation, with the primary one being a lack of funding. I am very grateful that my Dad is a fantastic carpenter and helped me create custom designed bee hotels—the cheap ones sold in stores do more harm than good!

4. What do you consider the key innovation?
The only research in Australia on helping native bees recover after bushfires has been for Xylocopa aerata on Kangaroo Island (another very important project). Native bees, however, as is typical, are neglected from most conservation actions. The key innovation was using bee hotels, that I had already demonstrated will be colonized by native bees, and installing them at a large scale to test recolonization and recovery in post-fire landscapes. How honeybees impact native bees in postfire landscapes has also not been studied.

5. How did you collect and analyze the data?
I drove at least 4 hours each day to each site in the Jarrah Forest to first install the 1000 bee hotels and then monitor them monthly from September until March. It is a beautiful landscape, even when charred by fires. I recorded how many holes in the bee hotels were occupied each month, and by what organisms. I also spent 2 hours recording native bees and honeybees on the recovering flowering plants around the sites, and at three sites within the same biogeographic region that were burnt, but I did not install bee hotels.

6. How long did the writing process take?
I had a strict deadline for the report to the Federal Government and submitted the report in July 2022. However, turning a report into a peer-reviewed publication takes much longer, and as the grant did not include funding for this component, it meant it had to take a back-seat, unfortunately, and I just had to chip away whenever I had “spare time” (ha!). Hence why I was not ready to submit the publication to Insects until this year (2025).

7. Tools/software helpful during the research and writing stages?
Just your standard Microsoft Word and R statistical program.

8. How do you manage your time between research and daily life?
That is the biggest challenge! I gave birth to my daughter Sapphire, a preemie baby, on Boxing Day 2024, and so my life has become even more busy (but in a beautiful way)! I also have, in addition to my “job” as a postdoc, many other projects on the side, including managing the Facebook group “The Buzz on Wild Bees”, SciComm on my Instagram account @bee.babette_performer, looking after my pets, performing circus acts, and spending time with my fiancé Matt. I’m very grateful I have such a supportive partner who will look after our baby for a few hours in the evening so I can do some solid work. Bees are both my research, and my “life”, so they are very much on my mind at all times! Do something that you love, follow your passions, and whilst there are certainly some aspects of research life that are trying (responding to Reviewer 2 haha!), it means you can fill your life with purpose, but always make sure that you have time for the things that really matter (family, keeping fit, spending time in nature).

1. “Life Table Study of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Three Host Plants under Laboratory Conditions”
   by Wen-Hua Chen, Brandon Itza, Lekhnath Kafle and Tsui-Ying Chang
   Insects 2023, 14(4), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14040329
   Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/4/329
2. “High and Low Temperatures Differentially Affect Survival, Reproduction, and Gene Transcription in Male and Female Moths of Spodoptera frugiperda”
   by Yi-Dong Tao, Yu Liu, Xiao-Shuang Wan, Jin Xu, Da-Ying Fu and Jun-Zhong Zhang
   Insects 2023, 14(12), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14120958
   Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/12/958
3. “Virulence of Metarhizium rileyi Is Determined by Its Growth and Antioxidant Stress and the Protective and Detoxifying Enzymes of Spodoptera frugiperda”
   by Jixin Pang, Yuejin Peng, Teng Di, Guangzu Du and Bin Chen
   Insects 2023, 14(3), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030260
   Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/3/260
4. “Transgenerational Sublethal Effects of Chlorantraniliprole and Emamectin Benzoate on the Development and Reproduction of Spodoptera frugiperda”
   by Xuecong Zhang, Chaoxing Hu, Lihong Wu and Wenlong Chen
   Insects 2023, 14(6), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060537
   Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/6/537
5. “Mating-Induced Common and Sex-Specific Behavioral, Transcriptional Changes in the Moth Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) in Laboratory”
   by Ting Wu, Da-Hu Cao, Yu Liu, Hong Yu, Da-Ying Fu, Hui Ye and Jin Xu
   Insects 2023, 14(2), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020209
   Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/2/209
6. “Oviposition Preference and Age-Stage, Two-Sex Life Table Analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Different Maize Varieties”
   by Qiang-Yan Zhang, Yan-Lei Zhang, Peter Quandahor, Yu-Ping Gou, Chun-Chun Li, Ke-Xin Zhang and Chang-Zhong Liu
   Insects 2023, 14(5), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050413
   Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/5/413
7. “Host Transcriptome Analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda Larvae Parasitized by Microplitis manilae”
   by Ahamaijiang Gulinuer, Binglin Xing and Lei Yang
   Insects 2023, 14(2), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020100
   Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/2/100
8. “Association of a Global Invasive Pest Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) with Local Parasitoids: Prospects for a New Approach in Selecting Biological Control Agents”
   by Ihsan Nurkomar, Ichsan Luqmana Indra Putra, Damayanti Buchori and Fajar Setiawan
   Insects 2024, 15(3), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15030205
   Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/3/205
9. “Discovery of Novel Potential Insecticide-Resistance Mutations in Spodoptera frugiperda”
   by Yuhao Cai, Huilin Chen, Mengfan Hu, Xuegui Wang and Lei Zhang
   Insects 2024, 15(3), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15030186
   Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/3/186
10. “Field Control Effect of Telenomus remus Nixon and Trichogramma chilonis Ishii Compound Parasitoid Balls against Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)”
    by Xi Yuan, Yi Guo and Dunsong Li
    Insects 2024, 15(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010028
    Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/1/28
11. “Spodoptera frugiperda Uses Specific Volatiles to Assess Maize Development for Optimal Offspring Survival”
    by Hanbing Li, Peng Wan, Zhihui Zhu, Dong Xu, Shengbo Cong, Min Xu and Haichen Yin
    Insects 2025, 16(6), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16060592
    Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/6/592
12. “First Report of a Migratory Pest, the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) from Bulgaria”
    by Szabolcs Szanyi, Marek Barta, Dimitar Velchev, Stoyan Beshkov, Stephen Mumford, Ivaylo Todorov, Antal Nagy, Zoltán Varga, Miklós Tóth and Teodora Toshova
    Insects 2025, 16(2), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020134
    Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/2/134
13. “The Effects of Three Phenolic Substances on the Growth and Digestive Physiology of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)”
    by Jin-Yan Lv, Ya-Nan Deng, Xiao-Rong Liu, Dan Niu and Wan-Shu Zhang
    Insects 2025, 16(7), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16070669
    Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/669
14. “Susceptibility of Spodoptera frugiperda to Commercial Entomopathogenic Fungi Formulations in South Africa”
    by Simoné Louw, Vongai M. Paradza, Johnnie van den Berg and Hannalene du Plessis
    Insects 2025, 16(7), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16070656
    Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/656
15. “Invasion Dynamics and Migration Patterns of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Shaanxi, China”
    by Zhanfeng Yan, Xiaojun Feng, Xing Wang, Xiangqun Yuan, Yongjun Zhang, Daibin Yang, Kanglai He, Feizhou Xie, Zhenying Wang and Yiping Li
    Insects 2025, 16(6), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16060620
    Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/6/620

To advance cutting-edge research in entomology and related fields, and to promote academic exchange and collaboration among scientists worldwide, the International Congress on Insect Science in 2025 (ICIS 2025), alongside the 6th International Conference of Insect Genomics and the 9th International Symposium on Insect Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, will be grandly held in Kaifeng, a historically and culturally significant city in China, from 7 to 11 August 2025. As one of the most influential international academic events in the field of entomology, the conference will be themed “Entomologists Advancing Global Innovation and Sustainability”. The event aims to provide a platform for top global scholars to communicate and exchange ideas, and to promote research innovation and sustainable development in entomology. The conference will include plenary lectures, parallel sessions, poster presentations, and a young scholars' forum. We warmly invite experts in the field of entomology from all over the world to join us in Kaifeng for this exciting event.

Conference: International Congress on Insect Science 2025 (ICIS 2025)
Date: 7–11 August 2025
Location: Kaifeng, China

The following MDPI journals will be represented at ICIS 2025:

• Insects;
• Agronomy;
• Taxonomy;
• Plants;
• Diversity.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to stop by our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://icis2025.scievent.com/.

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative—the Insects Special Issue Mentor Program.

This program enables early career researchers (who must hold a PhD in a related field) to gain experience in editing a Special Issue in MDPI Journals under the mentorship of our experienced Editorial Board Members or other experienced scientists. The mentor program provides an excellent opportunity for early career scientists to gain editorial experience and to cultivate their ability to edit scientific research. It is important to note that, within this program, the mentor will hold the title of Guest Editor (GE), while the mentee will be recognized as the Guest Editor Assistant (GEA).

The mentee’s responsibilities include:

• Proposing a Special Issue title and assisting the mentor to prepare a summary (around 200–400 words) and 3–10 keywords describing the background, importance, and goal of the Special Issue;
• Writing a brief promotion plan for the Special Issue;
• Preparing a list of scholars that may be interested in the Special Issue and personally e-mailing the invitations on behalf of the GEs;
• Writing an editorial for the online Special Issue together with mentor;
• Providing opinions and suggestions to the GE mentor to assist them with making their final decisions (they cannot make decisions during paper processing, and the mentee will not be listed in the published papers as an Academic Editor). 

The mentor’s responsibilities include:

• Conducting a final check before the Special Issue is published online;
• Performing editorial control of the Special issue and quality control of the publications in a timely manner;
• Providing suggestions to the mentee if they have any doubts or concerns regarding submissions;
• Regularly organizing video calls with the mentee and the Editorial Office to discuss problems and suggestions for improvement for the Special Issue;
• Making and submitting decisions for the submissions with the assistance of the mentees.

Certificates and awards:

After the Special Issue closes, the Editorial Office will provide official certificates for all the mentors and mentees.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your Special Issue proposal to the Insects Editorial Office, and we will discuss the process (i.e., mentor collaboration, Special Issue topic feasibility analysis, etc.) in further detail. 

In addition to the new Special Issue Mentor Program, Insects (ISSN: 2075-4450) will continue to welcome all Special Issue proposals focusing on hot research topics.

Six new journals covering a range of subjects launched their inaugural issues in June 2025. We are excited to be able to share with you the newest research rooted in the value of open access. We are pleased to present the latest research and to make it accessible to all.

We extend our sincere thanks to all the Editorial Board Members for their commitment and expertise. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

Journal	Founding Editor-in-Chief	Journal Topics (Selected)
	Prof. Dr. Chang-Pu Sun, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing, China; Computational Science Research Center, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	quantum information and phenomena; condensed matter physics and statistical physics; atomic, molecular, and optical physics; computational physics and mathematical methods View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Hualiang Lin, Sun Yat-sen University, China; Prof. Dr. Jose L. Domingo, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain Editorial | View inaugural issue	green and organic food; green infrastructures; green exercise; environmental impact of the healthcare sector; effects of climate change on human health | View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Francesco Veglio, University of L’Aquila, Italy Editorial | View inaugural issue	ultra-pure substances; water purification; air purification; gas purification; inorganic chemical purification; purification technologies View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Junxing Zheng, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	computer-aided design and engineering; artificial intelligence and machine learning; building information modeling (BIM) and digital twins; robotics and automation in construction; smart sensors and Internet of Things (IoT); intelligent control systems and facilities management View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Assunta Di Vaio, University of Naples Parthenope, Italy Editorial | View inaugural issue	sustainability, managerial, and biodiversity accounting; carbon management accounting; corporate social responsibility; artificial intelligence and disclosure View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Changjun Liu, Sichuan University, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	bioeffects of electromagnetic waves; electromagnetic science and engineering; microwave, millimeter-wave, and terahertz technologies; metamaterials and metasurfaces; communication, sensing, and networks; energy, power, and sustainable applications; quantum and emerging technologies; artificial intelligence and advanced fabrication View journal scope | Submit an article