Announcements
19 September 2023
Insects | Invitation to Read Selected Papers in 2022 in the Section “Insect Molecular Biology and Genomics”
1. “Characterization of Two Aldehyde Oxidases from the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella Linnaeus. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) with Potential Role as Odorant-Degrading Enzymes”
by Ricardo Godoy, Ignacio Arias, Herbert Venthur, Andrés Quiroz and Ana Mutis
Insects 2022, 13(12), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13121143
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/12/1143
2. “Meta-Analysis of the Public RNA-Seq Data of the Western Honeybee Apis mellifera to Construct Reference Transcriptome Data”
by Kakeru Yokoi, Takeshi Wakamiya and Hidemasa Bono
Insects 2022, 13(10), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100931
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/10/931
3. “A Non-Destructive High-Speed Procedure to Obtain DNA Barcodes from Soft-Bodied Insect Samples with a Focus on the Dipteran Section of Schizophora”
by Frederik Stein, Stefan Wagner, Nadine Bräsicke, Oliver Gailing, Carina C. M. Moura and Monika Götz
Insects 2022, 13(8), 679; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13080679
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/8/679
4.“REDfly: An Integrated Knowledgebase for Insect Regulatory Genomics”
by Soile V. E. Keränen, Angel Villahoz-Baleta, Andrew E. Bruno and Marc S. Halfon
Insects 2022, 13(7), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070618
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/7/618
5. “Comparative Cytogenetics of Lace Bugs (Tingidae, Heteroptera): New Data and a Brief Overview”
by Natalia V. Golub, Viktor B. Golub, Boris A. Anokhin and Valentina G. Kuznetsova
Insects 2022, 13(7), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070608
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/7/608
6. “Systematic Functional Annotation Workflow for Insects”
by Hidemasa Bono, Takuma Sakamoto, Takeya Kasukawa and Hiroko Tabunoki
Insects 2022, 13(7), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070586
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/7/586
7. “Phenotypic Plasticity: What Has DNA Methylation Got to Do with It?”
by Elizabeth J. Duncan, Christopher B. Cunningham and Peter K. Dearden
Insects 2022, 13(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13020110
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/2/110
8. “The Genomics and Population Genomics of the Light Brown Apple Moth, Epiphyas postvittana, an Invasive Tortricid Pest of Horticulture”
by Amali H. Thrimawithana, Chen Wu, John T. Christeller, Robert M. Simpson, Elena Hilario, Leah K. Tooman, Doreen Begum, Melissa D. Jordan, Ross Crowhurst, Richard D. Newcomb et al.
Insects 2022, 13(3), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13030264
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/3/264
13 September 2023
Insects | Invitation to Read Selected Review Papers in 2022 in the Section “Insect Physiology, Reproduction and Development”
1. “Insect Rearing Techniques for Biological Control Programs, a Component of Sustainable Agriculture in Brazil”
by José Roberto Postali Parra and Aloisio Coelho, Jr.
Insects 2022, 13(1), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13010105
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/1/105
2. “Enantiomeric Discrimination in Insects: The Role of OBPs and ORs”
by Cassie Sims, Michael A. Birkett and David M. Withall
Insects 2022, 13(4), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13040368
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/4/368
3. “Multimodal Information Processing and Associative Learning in the Insect Brain”
by Devasena Thiagarajan and Silke Sachse
Insects 2022, 13(4), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13040332
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/4/332
4. “Effects of Mating on Gene Expression in Female Insects: Unifying the Field”
by Ferdinand Nanfack-Minkeu and Laura King Sirot
Insects 2022, 13(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13010069
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/1/69
5. “Olfactory Strategies in the Defensive Behaviour of Insects”
by Kavitha Kannan, C. Giovanni Galizia and Morgane Nouvian
Insects 2022, 13(5), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050470
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/5/470
6. “The Fallacy of Year-Round Breeding in Polyphagous Tropical Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae): Evidence for a Seasonal Reproductive Arrestment in Bactrocera Species”
by Anthony R. Clarke, Peter Leach and Penelope F. Measham
Insects 2022, 13(10), 882; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100882
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/10/882
7. “From Mosquito Ovaries to Ecdysone; from Ecdysone to Wolbachia: One Woman’s Career in Insect Biology”
by Ann M. Fallon
Insects 2022, 13(8), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13080756
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/8/756
6 September 2023
Recap of Awards Granted to Scholars in 2022
30 August 2023
MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter #3 - Sustainability and Co-opetition
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
Our Commitment to Sustainability
As a pioneer in academic open access publishing since 1996, MDPI has always been dedicated to facilitating scientific exchange across all disciplines. Our approach to open science is guided by principles such as Open Access (OA), Timeliness and Efficiency, Simplicity, High-Quality Service, Flexibility, and a commitment to Sustainability. This commitment involves preserving published papers for the long term and supporting the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.
In this edition of the CEO Letter, I will delve into MDPI’s various sustainability initiatives. As a leader in OA publishing, we are able to provide the public with a significant amount of environment-related content at no cost.
MDPI and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In 2020, the SDG Publishers Compact was launched to accelerate implementation of the SDGs by promoting content that informs, develops, and inspires action. MDPI joined this initiative in 2021 and subsequently launched the MDPI SDG Hub in 2022, offering free access to recent research within the scope of each of the 17 SDGs. We also support authors from underrepresented communities by waiving publication charges for selected SDG-related papers. Detailed sustainability practices and supported publications are available in the report under each Goal page.
“More than 80% of MDPI articles and reviews published in 2022 relate to the Sustainable Development Goals.” [source: InCites, Accessed on 21.08.2023]
As at August 2023, MDPI boasts 14 journals dedicated to sustainability-related topics. Our first journal in this area, Sustainability, has published over 29,000 articles on the SDGs, accumulating over 240,000 citations (source: InCites, as at 1 January 2023). These journals serve as vital platforms for researchers to share insights and address environmental challenges. In addition:
MDPI journals specializing in sustainability-related topics:
- 2009: Sustainability
- 2012: Resources
- 2013: Climate
- 2014: Environments
- 2016: Recycling
- 2019: Clean Technologies
- 2020: Sustainable Chemistry
- 2021: Wind, Biomass, Conservation, Pollutants, Solar
- 2022: Waste, Microplastics
Read more:
Impactful Research
Highly Cited Articles in Sustainability
In 2022, content published in Sustainability and indexed in Journal Citation Reports (JCR) received nearly 190,000 citations. This highlights the fact that Sustainability publishes highly cited research articles related to environmental sciences and SDG-related topics such as climate action.
We are pleased to share that Sustainability received a 2022 CiteScore of 5.8, marking a 16% increase from the 2021 metric. Specifically, the CiteScore positions Sustainability as follows: Q1 (27 out of 163) in the “Environmental Science (miscellaneous)” category, and Q1 (101 out of 779) in the “Geography Planning and Development” category. For additional journal statistics, please visit here.
“Sustainability received a 2022 CiteScore of 5.8”
While MDPI journals such as Climate and Atmosphere have a distinct focus on atmosphere pollution and its impact on climate processes, journals like Sustainability, Environments, Water, Remote Sensing, and IJERPH publish content related to climate change. These journals have published over 32,300 articles related to SDG 13: Climate Action.
Highly Cited Papers in Sustainability
Below are several highly cited papers published in Sustainability over the past three years. Citation metrics are current as at 15 August 2023.
1. “A Global Assessment: Can Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050?”Authors: Jerry L. Holechek, Hatim M. E. Geli, Mohammed N. Sawalhah, and Raul Valdez
Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4792; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084792
Citations: Crossref (97), Scopus (91), Web of Science (82), Google Scholar (125)
This paper addresses one of the most significant challenges of climate change – achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050. The meta-analysis suggests that while difficult, this transition is possible through the concerted application of pathways, lifestyle changes, and global cooperation.
2. “Anxiety and the Ecological Crisis: An Analysis of Eco-Anxiety and Climate Anxiety”Author: Panu Pihkala
Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 7836; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197836
Citations: Crossref (144), Scopus (121), Web of Science (159), Google Scholar (382)
This paper has received substantial media attention, including coverage by The Guardian, BBC, Vice, and CNBC. An interview with Dr. Panu Pihkala, a leading interdisciplinary researcher on the topic, can be found on MDPI’s podcast: Insight Faster, Episode 1.
3. “Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Its Mitigation Strategies: A Review”Authors: Gurdeep Singh Malhi, Manpreet Kaur, and Prashant Kaushik
Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1318; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031318
Citations: Crossref (207), Scopus (221), Web of Science (186), Google Scholar (355)
This paper reviews literature on climate change, addressing its causes, future projections, impact on agriculture, including plant physiology, growth, productivity, pest infestation, and the economic implications of mitigation strategies.
4. “Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions”Authors: Rakesh Kumar, Anurag Verma, Arkajyoti Shome, Rama Sinha, Srishti Sinha, Prakash Kumar Jha, Ritesh Kumar, Pawan Kumar, Shubham, Shreyas Das, Prabhakar Sharma, and P. V. Vara Prasad
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9963; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179963
Citations: Crossref (134), Scopus (136), Web of Science (113), Google Scholar (184)
This review aims to assess the adverse effects of plastic pollution on ecosystems, link the management of plastic with the SDGs, and propose policy measures using transdisciplinary approaches. Empowering communities to reduce plastic use is crucial. Addressing global plastic pollution is a priority.
Sustainability is an international, cross-disciplinary, open access journal that explores environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings. It provides a forward-looking platform for research on sustainability and sustainable development, and is published semi-monthly online by MDPI. Sustainability is affiliated with The Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) and The International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB).
Read more:
- Testimonials: See what our editors and authors say about Sustainability.
Inside MDPI
President of Ireland Authors Editorial in MDPI Journal Sustainability
It’s a very special occasion when the president of a country takes the initiative to write an editorial for a journal. Michael D. Higgins, President of the Republic of Ireland, has contributed his insights to a forthcoming Special Issue in Sustainability:
This Special Issue, focusing on “making sustainable development happen” at grassroots levels, allows for perspectives from, and on, the major world faiths, exploring how challenges have been conceptualised and addressed, in addition to case studies of faith-based sustainability initiatives in practice.
The experience of faith institutions and communities in translating theological and moral commitments to sustainable development into action is now a topic we must examine with urgency; one on which I am so glad this Special Issue focuses.
As President of Ireland, I very much support this Special Issue of Sustainability. It is my great hope that the contents of the papers contained herein will assist in making sustainable development happen at grassroots levels across the world so that we can cooperate together, people of faith and of none, to ensure a just, inclusive and sustainable future for all on our fragile planet.
Read the completed editorial here:
Special Issue “Faith and Sustainable Development: Exploring Practice, Progress and Challenges among Faith Communities and Institutions”: Foreword by the President of Ireland
Author: Michael D. Higgins
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9683; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129683
Coming Together for Science
The World Sustainability Forum 2023
The World Sustainability Forum (WSF) is a biennial MDPI event focused on sustainability. WSF 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the conference series, taking place on 14 September. For the first time, the event will be hosted as a 24-hour conference across three locations – Singapore, Basel in Switzerland, and Toronto in Canada – alongside virtual streaming.
This unique format allows us to span three time zones, providing live coverage of critical sustainability-related topics throughout the day:
- The Singapore Hub, chaired by Professor Horn Mun Cheah and Associate Professor Renee Tan, will explore “Sustainability for Social and Community Impact”.
- The Basel Hub, chaired by Prof. Dr. Anet Režek Jambrak and Dr. Lela Mélon, will delve into “Sustainability in the industry, and at university and corporate settings”.
- The Toronto Hub, led by Dr. Umberto Berardi, will discuss “The Sustainable Built Environment”.
MDPI Sustainability Foundation: Recognizing Excellence in Sustainability Research
The MDPI Sustainability Foundation supports researchers through two sustainability-focused awards:
- The World Sustainability Award, amounting to USD 100,000, is given to senior researchers.
- The Emerging Sustainability Leader Award, valued at USD 20,000, sponsored by the journal Sustainability, is presented to early-career researchers.
The winners of the Sustainability Foundation will be formally awarded during the WSF2023 on 14 September. Interviews with the award winners and finalists are available below.
2023 World Sustainability Award Winners
Interviews with 2023 Emerging Sustainability Leader Award Finalists
- Dr. Bahareh Kamranzad
- Dr. Youjin Kim
- Dr. Julia Lohmann
As a hybrid event, WSF23 provides scholars with the option to attend in person at one of the conference sites or, for a more sustainable approach, virtually. All sessions will be recorded and archived for future access. Registration is open until 3 September 2023, with in-person and virtual tickets available here.
Read more:
Closing Thoughts
“Co-opetition”: Collaboration Plus Healthy Competition – A Visit to Elsevier
I firmly believe in fostering collaboration and at the same time promoting healthy competition within the academic publishing industry. The market offers ample room for publishers and related companies to provide valuable services and products that enrich the academic community. While MDPI is recognized for its efficient and streamlined processes –thanks to our over 6,000 colleagues, in-house tools, and initiatives that support the author journey – our ethos has always involved learning from and collaborating with other organizations.
MDPI’s Interaction with Elsevier
In January 2023, I had a brief conversation with Judy Verses, President of Global Academic and Government Markets at Elsevier, following her participation in a panel discussion at the Academic Publishers Europe event in Berlin. One of the highlights for me was Judy’s insight into the impact of research, particularly her emphasis on the role of collaboration, including policy and showing the impact of research to influence on funding decisions.
“Such collaborations drive forward-looking strategies to elevate our support for the scholarly community”
Judy and I resumed our discussion in August, when I visited Elsevier's office to review current projects, such as our recent agreement with Science Direct and the continued indexing of MDPI journals in Scopus (indexing database owned by Elsevier). We also explored possible opportunities for the future, including a potential collaboration to expand MDPI’s Scilit data infrastructure. This endeavour aims to aggregate and provide access to scholarly metadata encompassing journal articles, conference papers, books, preprints, and more. While these discussions are ongoing, the underlying principle remains that such collaborations drive forward-looking strategies to elevate our services and support for the scholarly community.
It was great that Judy and I acknowledged the merits of 'co-opetition,' a concept based of the belief that fostering cooperation alongside healthy competition can lead to shared advancements for both individual companies and the industry at large.
‘Fully OA’ Organizations Dedicated to Open Access
MDPI proudly aligns with the ‘Fully OA’ group, a collaborative initiative comprising nine organizations dedicated to Open Access. Our monthly meetings, including an OASPA representative, serve as platforms to share non-confidential information, resources, and projects. These gatherings also facilitate discussions on topics relevant to fully OA organizations. Occasionally, joint actions spring from these interactions, such as collaborative blog posts on pertinent subjects and joint statements, such as a recent response to the House Appropriations Committee.
This display of cooperation among competing entities forms a strategic alliance focused on nurturing the best interests of the OA publishing model.
As I wrap up this third edition of the CEO Letter, I encourage you to seize opportunities for collaboration and contribute to advancing our shared academic culture. As the African proverb has it, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
30 August 2023
Insects | Selected Papers in 2022 in the Section “Insect Ecology, Diversity and Conservation”
1. “The Early Season Community of Flower-Visiting Arthropods in a High-Altitude Alpine Environment”
by Marco Bonelli, Elena Eustacchio, Daniele Avesani, Verner Michelsen, Mattia Falaschi, Marco Caccianiga, Mauro Gobbi and Morena Casartelli
Insects 2022, 13(4), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13040393
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/4/393
2. “Impacts of Wildflower Interventions on Beneficial Insects in Fruit Crops: A Review”
by Michelle T. Fountain
Insects 2022, 13(3), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13030304
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/3/304
3. “Intraspecific Relationships and Nest Mound Shape Are Affected by Habitat Features in Introduced Populations of the Red Wood Ant Formica paralugubris”
by Filippo Frizzi, Alberto Masoni, Margherita Santedicola, Martina Servini, Nicola Simoncini, Jessica Palmieri and Giacomo Santini
Insects 2022, 13(2), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13020198
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/2/198
4. “Changes in Alpine Butterfly Communities during the Last 40 Years”
by Simona Bonelli, Cristiana Cerrato, Francesca Barbero, Maria Virginia Boiani, Giorgio Buffa, Luca Pietro Casacci, Lorenzo Fracastoro, Antonello Provenzale, Enrico Rivella, Michele Zaccagno et al.
Insects 2022, 13(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13010043
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/1/43
5. “Response of Common and Rare Beetle Species to Tree Species and Vertical Stratification in a Floodplain Forest”
by Nora Haack, Paulo A. V. Borges, Annegret Grimm-Seyfarth, Martin Schlegel, Christian Wirth, Detlef Bernhard, Ingo Brunk, Klaus Henle and Henrique M. Pereira
Insects 2022, 13(2), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13020161
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/2/161
6. “Predatory and Parasitic Insects Associated with Urophora cardui L. (Diptera: Tephritidae) Galls on Canada Thistle, Cirsium arvense L. (Asterales, Asteraceae) in North Dakota”
by Stephanie J. Swenson, Jonathan Bell-Clement, Sarah Schroeder and Deirdre A. Prischmann-Voldseth
Insects 2022, 13(7), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070646
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/7/646
18 August 2023
Meet Us at the XII European Congress of Entomology (ECE 2023), 16–20 October 2023, Crete, Greece
17 August 2023
Insects | Invitation to Read Selected Review Papers in 2022 in the Section “Insect Pest and Vector Management”
1. “Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle in Samoa: Review of a Century-Old Invasion and Prospects for Control in a Changing Future”
by Sulav Paudel, Sean D. G. Marshall, Nicola K. Richards, George Hazelman, Pueata Tanielu and Trevor A. Jackson
Insects 2022, 13(5), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050487
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/5/487
2. “Assessing the Impact of Insecticide Resistance on Vector Competence: A Review”
by Alan E. Juache-Villagrana, Victoria Pando-Robles, Selene M. Garcia-Luna, Gustavo Ponce-Garcia, Ildefonso Fernandez-Salas, Beatriz Lopez-Monroy, Iram P. Rodriguez-Sanchez and Adriana E. Flores
Insects 2022, 13(4), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13040377
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/4/377
3. “Ecology and Evolutionary History of Diabrotica Beetles—Overview and Update”
by Astrid Eben
Insects 2022, 13(2), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13020156
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/2/156
4. “Improving Natural Enemy Selection in Biological Control through Greater Attention to Chemical Ecology and Host-Associated Differentiation of Target Arthropod Pests”
by Morgan N. Thompson, Raul F. Medina, Anjel M. Helms and Julio S. Bernal
Insects 2022, 13(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13020160
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/2/160
5. “Synanthropic Flies—A Review Including How They Obtain Nutrients, along with Pathogens, Store Them in the Crop and Mechanisms of Transmission”
by John G. Stoffolano, Jr.
Insects 2022, 13(9), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13090776
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/9/776
6. “Competition: A Missing Component of Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Risk Assessment and Planning”
by Anthony R. Clarke and Penelope F. Measham
Insects 2022, 13(11), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13111065
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/11/1065
7. “The Symbiotic Fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Möller) Singer (Agaricales, Agaricaceae) as a Target Organism to Control Leaf-Cutting Ants”
by Sean Araújo, Janaína Seibert, Ana Ruani, Ricardo Alcántara-de la Cruz, Artur Cruz, Alana Pereira, Doraí Zandonai, Moacir Forim, Maria Fátima Silva, Odair Bueno et al.
Insects 2022, 13(4), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13040359
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/4/359
14 August 2023
MDPI’s 2022 Young Investigator Awards in Biology and Life Sciences—Winners Announced
14 August 2023
MDPI’s 2022 Travel Awards in Biology and Life Sciences—Winners Announced
14 August 2023
MDPI’s 2022 Outstanding Reviewer Awards in Biology and Life Sciences—Winners Announced
