Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.6
2.9
Journals
Insects
Special Issues
Selected Papers from the Second International Electronic Conference on Entomology
share announcement

Selected Papers from the Second International Electronic Conference on Entomology

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 8010

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Nickolas G. Kavallieratos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Attica, Greece
Interests: aphid parasitoids; stored-product pest biology; ecology; management; trapping and sampling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is being launched in cooperation with the Second International Electronic Conference on Entomology (IECE), organized by Insects (Impact Factor 2.9; Q1 in Entomology) from 19 to 21 May 2025 on the MDPI Sciforum platform. We welcome submissions from those participating in this conference.

All conference contributors, whether they have contributed to oral or poster sessions, are encouraged to submit a full paper related to their contribution to this Special Issue of Insects via this link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/insects; a 20% article processing charge discount will be provided if accepted. The submission of manuscripts to Insects will follow the standard peer-review process. The lengths of full manuscripts should accurately meet the publication standards of Insects. For more information, please visit this link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/insects/instructions.

The Special Issue of Insects will maintain the topical subdivisions of the conference by covering the following seven fields:

  • Morphology and systematics;
  • Biochemistry, biotechnology, genetics, and genomics;
  • Behavior, biology, and physiology;
  • Biodiversity, climate change, conservation, ecology, and evolution;
  • Pest management, pesticide resistance, and toxicology;
  • Forest and urban entomology;
  • Social insects, medical and veterinary entomology.

We look forward to your novel work.

Prof. Dr. Nickolas G. Kavallieratos
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biology
  • ecology
  • biodiversity
  • taxonomy
  • genetics
  • genomics
  • management
  • insects that affect public health
  • insects that affect forests
  • climate change

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 542 KB  
Article
Initial Sublethal Exposure to an Argentine Bacillus thuringiensis Strain Induces Chronic Toxicity and Delayed Mortality in Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
by Gisele Ivonne Antonuccio, Lucas Candás and Diego Herman Sauka
Insects 2026, 17(2), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17020213 - 18 Feb 2026
Viewed by 701
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis is the most extensively studied entomopathogenic bacterium worldwide; however, its sublethal effects on beetles remain poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of a previously selected Argentine strain of B. thuringiensis on second-instar Alphitobius diaperinus larvae [...] Read more.
Bacillus thuringiensis is the most extensively studied entomopathogenic bacterium worldwide; however, its sublethal effects on beetles remain poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of a previously selected Argentine strain of B. thuringiensis on second-instar Alphitobius diaperinus larvae during an initial 14 days of exposure, and to assess its effects at day 14 and throughout the remainder of the life cycle until death. Three treatments were applied: control, LC30, and LC50. Larval, pupal, and adult weight and body surface area were recorded, and nutritional composition was quantified using colorimetric methods. Insect status was monitored every 48–72 h over a total period of 540 days, until the death of the last individual. Among the evaluated variables, statistically significant differences between control and treatment groups were detected in larval area and weight, in the survival analysis and in two nutritional components: total protein and lipid content per larva. Overall, the results demonstrate that initial sublethal exposure to B. thuringiensis induces chronic lethal effects with delayed mortality in A. diaperinus, indicating irreversible physiological damage. This provides valuable information not only for understanding the biology of this insect but also for stakeholders involved in the productive scaling of beetle-targeted bioinputs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the Second International Electronic Conference on Entomology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 12175 KB  
Article
Deciphering Morphological Variability: Addressing Taxonomic Ambiguities in Contemporary Species Delimitation (Hymenoptera, Figitidae)
by Mar Ferrer-Suay, George E. Heimpel, Ehsan Rakhshani and Jesús Selfa
Insects 2026, 17(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17010054 - 1 Jan 2026
Viewed by 685
Abstract
Species delimitation in Charipinae hyperparasitoids (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) is notoriously difficult due to their minute size and limited morphological variability. Traditional diagnostic characters sometimes show intraspecific variation, raising concerns about their reliability. Here, we applied an integrative taxonomic framework to evaluate species boundaries among [...] Read more.
Species delimitation in Charipinae hyperparasitoids (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) is notoriously difficult due to their minute size and limited morphological variability. Traditional diagnostic characters sometimes show intraspecific variation, raising concerns about their reliability. Here, we applied an integrative taxonomic framework to evaluate species boundaries among six species of Alloxysta Förster and four species of Phaenoglyphis Förster. We combined a morphological dataset of 53 characters with data from three molecular markers (COI, ITS2, and 16S rRNA) and reconstructed phylogenies under maximum-likelihood criteria. Phylogenies consistently recovered morphologically defined taxa as well-supported clades, confirming the overall reliability of traditional characters (pronotal and propodeal carinae, radial cell shape, and flagellomere proportions). On the other hand, molecular evidence refined certain species limits and highlighted cases of potential cryptic variation. Our results demonstrate that morphology still provides a strong baseline for Charipinae taxonomy, but integration with molecular data yields more robust and stable classifications. This study underscores the value of multi-locus approaches for resolving taxonomic ambiguities and provides a framework for future ecological and evolutionary research on these hyperparasitoid wasps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the Second International Electronic Conference on Entomology)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 8711 KB  
Article
Phylogenetic and Morphological Analysis of Wing Base Articulation in Vespidae (Hymenoptera): A Cladistic Approach
by Hasin Ullah, Xiaojuan Huang, Yao Zhang, Jia Li, Danyang Zhu, Chenlu Yang, Yuan Hua, Lian-Xi Xing and Jiangli Tan
Insects 2026, 17(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17010039 - 27 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1061
Abstract
Insect wing base sclerites are crucial to wing function and evolution, yet their diversity beyond order-level comparisons remains poorly understood. We examine variation in wing base sclerites across Vespidae, focusing on the axillary sclerites (1Ax, 2Ax, and 3Ax), the shoulder sclerite, and associated [...] Read more.
Insect wing base sclerites are crucial to wing function and evolution, yet their diversity beyond order-level comparisons remains poorly understood. We examine variation in wing base sclerites across Vespidae, focusing on the axillary sclerites (1Ax, 2Ax, and 3Ax), the shoulder sclerite, and associated structures. The first axillary sclerite shows distinct regional differentiation and bears a well-sclerotized knob that influences wing articulation. Additionally, 2Ax in Vespidae is a single, triangular structure with three attachment points, distinct from the two-part composition in some other wasps, which facilitates high-frequency wing vibrations. Our findings also highlight variable fusion patterns in 3Ax and its interaction with 2Ax, contributing to wing flexibility. The basiradial bridge, connecting the subcostal and radial veins, reinforces wing stability and articulation. Phylogenetic analysis based on wing-base morphology does not support the monophyly of Vespidae and differs from molecular hypotheses, but it refines previous morphological interpretations. The well-supported subfamily relationships confirm Vespinae as a monophyletic group and reveal a close association among Polistinae, Stenogastrinae, and Eumeninae, as represented by Polistes, Eustenogaster, and Oreumenes, respectively, suggesting evolutionary transitions in social behavior within the family Vespidae. The absence of a fourth axillary sclerite challenges earlier hypotheses, providing new insights into Hymenopteran wing base evolution. Two articulation models are proposed for forewings and hindwings, supported by three-dimensional reconstructions of axillary sclerites, indirect and direct flight muscles, and their attachment sites. These results refine interpretations of wasp wing mechanics, evolution, and morphological diversification across taxa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the Second International Electronic Conference on Entomology)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 2437 KB  
Article
Intake of Pyriproxyfen Through Contaminated Food by the Predator Ceraeochrysa claveri Navás, 1911 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): Evaluation of Long-Term Effects on Testes via Transcriptome Analysis
by Jefferson Fogaça Tomacheski, Ana Silvia Gimenes Garcia, Rafael Takahiro Nakajima, Fábio Malta de Sá Patroni, Elton Luiz Scudeler, Rafael Henrique Nóbrega and Daniela Carvalho dos Santos
Insects 2025, 16(6), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16060567 - 28 May 2025
Viewed by 1464
Abstract
Understanding the sublethal effects of insecticides on non-target insects is essential for integrated pest management (IPM). This study aimed to evaluate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the testes of Ceraeochrysa claveri adults exposed to pyriproxyfen during the larval stage. Larvae (0–12 h) [...] Read more.
Understanding the sublethal effects of insecticides on non-target insects is essential for integrated pest management (IPM). This study aimed to evaluate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the testes of Ceraeochrysa claveri adults exposed to pyriproxyfen during the larval stage. Larvae (0–12 h) were fed Diatraea saccharalis eggs treated with pyriproxyfen (50 and 100 mg a.i. L−1) for 10 days. After this exposure, the larvae were fed untreated eggs until pupation. The testes from the adults were extracted for RNA extraction, library construction, and sequencing. The reads were de novo assembled, and the genes annotated based on their ORF homology. A total of 46 DEGs were identified for the 50 mg a.i. L−1 vs. control, 47 DEGs for the 100 mg a.i. L−1 vs. control, and 64 DEGs for 50 mg vs. 100 mg a.i. L−1 treatments. To validate the DEGs through RT-qPCR, the genes BPHL, Large2, MLX, and Talin-1 were selected. The results indicate that the exposure of C. claveri larvae to pyriproxyfen could alter the gene expression and lead to delayed effects in adults. This study provided a novel approach for assessing the sublethal effects of pyriproxyfen C. claveri and contributed valuable information to enhance IPM strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the Second International Electronic Conference on Entomology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 272 KB  
Article
Efficacy of the Combination of λ-Cyhalothrin and Chlorantraniliprole Against Four Key Storage Pests
by Waqas Wakil, Nickolas G. Kavallieratos, Aqsa Naeem, Hamza Jamil, Demeter Lorentha S. Gidari and Maria C. Boukouvala
Insects 2025, 16(4), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040387 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 2319
Abstract
With over 1000 species of pests causing losses in both the quantity and quality of stored food, insect contamination poses significant challenges. The present study assesses the efficacy of the combination of λ-cyhalothrin and chlorantraniliprole against four key storage pests—Trogoderma granarium, [...] Read more.
With over 1000 species of pests causing losses in both the quantity and quality of stored food, insect contamination poses significant challenges. The present study assesses the efficacy of the combination of λ-cyhalothrin and chlorantraniliprole against four key storage pests—Trogoderma granarium, Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica, and Tribolium castaneum. Laboratory bioassays demonstrated species-dependent mortality, with S. oryzae and R. dominica suffering 100% mortality in several tested scenarios. A 90-day persistence trial revealed decreased efficacy over time, especially for T. granarium (32.0–71.4% at 0 days and 0.0–7.5% at 90 days) and T. castaneum (38.8–82.7% at 0 days and 0.0–12.7% at 90 days) vs. S. oryzae and R. dominica. Progeny production of S. oryzae and R. dominica was almost suppressed in persistence trials (0.4 individuals per vial and 1 individual per vial, respectively) after 30 days of storage at the dose of 5 mg/kg wheat. The results highlight the variability in insecticidal performance based on species, dose, exposure, and commodity type, emphasizing the need for tailored pest management strategies in the storage environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the Second International Electronic Conference on Entomology)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop