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Insects
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Corn Insect Pests: From Biology to Control Technology
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Corn Insect Pests: From Biology to Control Technology

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 3664

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tiantao Zhang

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Guest Editor
Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: corn; insect; pests

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This topic focuses on arthropods (insecta or arthropods) in corn planting regions, including, but not limited to, the following: the biology, ecology, or molecular biology and the monitoring and management of corn pests; the interaction of arthropods with corn or other host plants, natural enemies, or microorganisms; and cropping patterns, variety diversity, and functional plants for pest management. Therefore, we are pleased to invite submissions of research and review articles to this Special Issue of Insects. Papers that consider the effects of the above factors on beneficial arthropods (e.g., predators, parasitoids, and pollinators) are welcome.

Dr. Tiantao Zhang
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • corn pest management
  • biology
  • monitoring and early warning
  • ecology
  • sex pheromone

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 1307 KiB  
Article
Differential Characterization of Midgut Microbiota Between Bt-Resistant and Bt-Susceptible Populations of Ostrinia furnacalis
by Juntao Zhang, Ziwen Zhou, Xiaobei Liu, Yongjun Zhang and Tiantao Zhang
Insects 2025, 16(5), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050532 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 117
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an efficacious biocontrol bacterium known for producing various toxins, such as crystal toxins, which disrupt the midgut epithelium of pest larvae, leading to larval mortality. However, the development of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis in pests poses a significant threat [...] Read more.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an efficacious biocontrol bacterium known for producing various toxins, such as crystal toxins, which disrupt the midgut epithelium of pest larvae, leading to larval mortality. However, the development of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis in pests poses a significant threat to the widespread application of Bt corn. Consequently, we employed high-throughput sequencing of the midgut bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA to characterize the midgut bacteria in four Bt-resistant strains. Specifically, Bt-resistant strains (ACB-FR and ACB-AcR) exhibited lower bacterial diversity compared to ACB-AbR and ACB-IeR. Multivariate analyses and statistical evaluations further demonstrated that the microbiota communities in Bt-resistant pests (AbR, AcR, IeR, and FR) were distinct from those in Bt-susceptible strains. Notably, the genus Klebsiella predominated in BtS, whereas Enterococcus was the genus with peak enrichment in AbR, AcR, IeR, and FR. Bioassays subsequently revealed that Enterococcus enhances the Cry1Ab resistance of ACB larvae. Our investigations indicate that treatment with Bt protein alters the midgut microbiota community of O. furnacalis, and these microbiota differences may potentially modulate the Bt-induced lethality mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corn Insect Pests: From Biology to Control Technology)
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10 pages, 215 KiB  
Article
Dual Role of Sitophilus zeamais: A Maize Storage Pest and a Potential Edible Protein Source
by Soledad Mora Vásquez and Silverio García-Lara
Insects 2025, 16(5), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050531 - 16 May 2025
Viewed by 40
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays) is a critical staple crop whose post-harvest losses, predominantly due to infestations by the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, threaten food security. This study explores the possibility of utilizing S. zeamais, traditionally known as a pest, as [...] Read more.
Maize (Zea mays) is a critical staple crop whose post-harvest losses, predominantly due to infestations by the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, threaten food security. This study explores the possibility of utilizing S. zeamais, traditionally known as a pest, as an alternative protein source by assessing its nutritional profile and food safety attributes. Cultured under controlled conditions, S. zeamais specimens were processed into flour, which was subsequently analyzed for microbiological safety, protein content, and amino acid composition. Microbiological assays confirmed that the flour met established food safety standards, with aerobic mesophilic bacteria, fungi, and yeast present at negligible levels and no detection of coliforms, Salmonella spp., or Escherichia coli. Protein quantification revealed a high total protein content (48.1 ± 0.3%), although the salt-soluble fraction constituted only 13.7% of the total. The amino acid profile exhibited elevated levels of isoleucine, valine, and threonine, while deficiencies in leucine, lysine, sulfur amino acids, and tryptophan were noted. These findings suggest that, despite certain limitations, S. zeamais flour represents a viable protein source. Integrating targeted insect harvesting for protein into pest management strategies could help reduce post-harvest losses and contribute to improved food security and nutritional availability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corn Insect Pests: From Biology to Control Technology)
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9 pages, 1796 KiB  
Communication
Hydrogen Stable Isotopes Indicate Reverse Migration of Fall Armyworm in North America
by Eduardo S. Calixto and Silvana V. Paula-Moraes
Insects 2025, 16(5), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050471 - 29 Apr 2025
Viewed by 324
Abstract
Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major pest in the U.S. and has spread globally, causing severe agricultural losses in different countries. Due to its high mobility and potential for long-distance dispersal, understanding FAW migration is [...] Read more.
Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major pest in the U.S. and has spread globally, causing severe agricultural losses in different countries. Due to its high mobility and potential for long-distance dispersal, understanding FAW migration is a key tool for forecasting outbreaks and implementing timely management measures. Recent studies using stable hydrogen isotopes indicated reverse (southward) migration of Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Here, we tested the reverse migration hypothesis for FAW in North America. Estimation of the hydrogen isotopic ratio on 324 samples collected in Florida, an intermixing zone at the edge of the continental U.S., indicated evidence of reverse migration in samples of FAW moths. They showed a high probability of origin from the U.S. Corn Belt, with a greater probability of origin in Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas and Wisconsin. This southward movement provides new insights into the risk of spreading pesticide resistance alleles in this species to southern regions and contributes to the improvement of integrated pest management and insect resistance management programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corn Insect Pests: From Biology to Control Technology)
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16 pages, 19344 KiB  
Article
Influence of Temperature, Humidity, and Photophase on the Developmental Stages of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Prediction of Its Population Dynamics
by Chun Fu, Zhiqian Liu, Danping Xu, Tingjiang Gan, Xinqi Deng, Honghua Zhang and Zhihang Zhuo
Insects 2025, 16(4), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040355 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 490
Abstract
Spodoptera litura (Fabricius, 1775) is a major agricultural pest that primarily targets vegetables, cash crops, peanuts, and sugarcane. It causes damage to leaves, flower buds, and fruits, leading to significant reductions in crop yields. Global climate change may profoundly affect the population dynamics [...] Read more.
Spodoptera litura (Fabricius, 1775) is a major agricultural pest that primarily targets vegetables, cash crops, peanuts, and sugarcane. It causes damage to leaves, flower buds, and fruits, leading to significant reductions in crop yields. Global climate change may profoundly affect the population dynamics and biological traits of this pest. This research employs a meta-analysis to systematically investigate the impact of temperature variation on the developmental parameters of S. litura. A detailed review of 17 relevant studies reveals that within an optimal temperature range (30 °C to 35 °C), higher temperatures expedite the developmental processes of S. litura, shorten its life cycle, and enhance the reproductive potential of female adults. In contrast, temperatures exceeding 35 °C slow down its development, increase mortality rates, and markedly reduce the egg-laying capacity of females, highlighting the adverse effects of heat stress on growth and reproduction. Furthermore, different life stages of S. litura exhibit varying degrees of temperature sensitivity, with the larval stage being particularly vulnerable to high temperatures, while extreme heat significantly suppresses adult survival. These meta-analysis findings shed light on the biological responses of S. litura to climate change and provide a scientific basis for developing future pest management strategies. As global temperatures rise, moderate warming may facilitate the spread of S. litura populations, exacerbating their threat to crop production, whereas extreme heat conditions could constrain their growth. Consequently, pest control strategies must be more region-specific and aligned with local climatic trends. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corn Insect Pests: From Biology to Control Technology)
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15 pages, 6174 KiB  
Article
Impact of Temperature Variation on the Biological Traits and Lifecycle of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): A Meta-Analysis Approach
by Honghua Zhang, Danping Xu, Xingqi Deng, Zhiqian Liu, Zhipeng He, Junhao Wu and Zhihang Zhuo
Insects 2025, 16(2), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020155 - 3 Feb 2025
Viewed by 864
Abstract
Spodoptera exigua is a pest of considerable economic importance; however, detailed research into its ecological adaptability in newly invaded habitats is limited. This research performed a comprehensive analysis of the life history characteristics of S. exigua under varying temperature, photoperiod, and humidity conditions. [...] Read more.
Spodoptera exigua is a pest of considerable economic importance; however, detailed research into its ecological adaptability in newly invaded habitats is limited. This research performed a comprehensive analysis of the life history characteristics of S. exigua under varying temperature, photoperiod, and humidity conditions. A total of 264 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis, and the data were examined using random-effects model, fixed-effects model, and meta-regression analysis techniques. The findings reveal that when temperatures exceed 20 °C, several biological parameters of S. exigua significantly increase, with the highest biological activity observed at 33 °C. As temperature rises, the duration of each developmental phase significantly decreases, accompanied by a reduction in the average number of eggs produced by females and a shorter pre-oviposition period. In addition, the pupal development period is shortened, resulting in a longer adult lifespan. By considering environmental variables such as temperature, photoperiod, and relative humidity, we identified the optimal conditions for the survival of each developmental stage of S. exigua. These results provide a foundation for predicting the population dynamics of this pest and contribute to the development of more effective pest control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corn Insect Pests: From Biology to Control Technology)
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15 pages, 1526 KiB  
Article
Bt Trait Efficacy Against Corn Earworm, Helicoverpa zea, (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for Preserving Grain Yield and Reducing Mycotoxin Contamination of Field Corn
by William Yancey Barton, George David Buntin and Micheal D. Toews
Insects 2024, 15(12), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15120914 - 22 Nov 2024
Viewed by 930
Abstract
The corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), causes persistent ear damage to corn grown in the southeastern United States region. Increased levels of ear damage have been associated with mycotoxin contamination in addition to yield loss. Corn hybrids expressing proteins from the Bacillus thuringiensis [...] Read more.
The corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), causes persistent ear damage to corn grown in the southeastern United States region. Increased levels of ear damage have been associated with mycotoxin contamination in addition to yield loss. Corn hybrids expressing proteins from the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) may provide corn earworm control. A selection of hybrids expressing various Bt traits were evaluated in field experiments across Georgia over two years to assess their efficacy for corn earworm control, grain yield and quality protection, and grain mycotoxin mitigation. Ear damage was significantly reduced only by Bt hybrids expressing the Vip3Aa20 protein. The remaining Bt hybrids expressing Cry proteins provided only marginal control. Ear damage had a variable effect on grain yield and was not correlated with grain aflatoxin contamination. In contrast, grain fumonisin contamination was positively associated with earworm damage. These results indicate Bt hybrids that effectively reduce corn earworm damage may also assist in reducing fumonisin contamination and possibly yield loss. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corn Insect Pests: From Biology to Control Technology)
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