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Insects
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Lepidoptera: Behavior, Ecology, and Biology
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Lepidoptera: Behavior, Ecology, and Biology

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2026) | Viewed by 5942

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Tomás Cabello-Garcia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Agribusiness Biotechnology Research, University of Almería, La Cañada de S. Urbano, s/n, ES-04120 Almería, Spain
Interests: biological control; pest management; mathematical modelling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The order Lepidoptera includes more than 180,000 species, constituting one of the most diverse and intriguing groups of insects. The co-evolution between Lepidoptera and plants is a fascinating aspect of their biology and ecology. Numerous plant species have evolved specific traits to attract Lepidopteran pollinators, while others have adapted to exploit other plant resources, resulting in intricate ecological relationships. Thus, there are species that are economically significant pests affecting agriculture and forestry because of their feeding habits. Studying and understanding their biology, behavior, and ecology is crucial for developing effective management strategies to mitigate negative effects while preserving ecological functions. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in research on this group of insects, exploring their ecological importance, evolutionary adaptations, and the complex interactions that define their existence. We hope to foster multidisciplinary approaches to gain a deeper appreciation of these remarkable insects and their contributions to biodiversity.

Prof. Dr. Tomás Cabello-Garcia
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

  • Lepidoptera
  • behavior
  • ecology
  • biology
  • lepidopteran pests
  • monitoring
  • integrated pest management
  • insecticide resistance
  • biodiversity

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 8768 KB  
Article
DHX8 Plays a Critical Role in Larval Development in Lepidopteran Bombyx mori
by Ling Ding, Cexin Xu, Yunxiao Zhang, Yuanbo Wang, Yong Hou, Guanwang Shen, Ping Lin, Qingyou Xia, Ping Zhao and Zhiqing Li
Insects 2026, 17(3), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17030236 - 25 Feb 2026
Viewed by 503
Abstract
DHX8 encodes a DEAH-box RNA helicase, an ATP-dependent enzyme that plays essential roles in RNA metabolism, including pre-mRNA splicing, transcription, and mRNA decay. Although DHX8 dysfunction has been linked with developmental abnormalities and disease pathogenesis in multiple model organisms, its biological functions in [...] Read more.
DHX8 encodes a DEAH-box RNA helicase, an ATP-dependent enzyme that plays essential roles in RNA metabolism, including pre-mRNA splicing, transcription, and mRNA decay. Although DHX8 dysfunction has been linked with developmental abnormalities and disease pathogenesis in multiple model organisms, its biological functions in Lepidoptera, particularly in the silkworm Bombyx mori, remain unknown. To investigate the developmental role of B. mori DHX8 (BmDHX8), we generated knockout mutants using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Genome sequencing confirmed frameshift mutations in the BmDHX8 locus. BmDHX8 mutants exhibited severe developmental defects such as dramatically reduced body size and premature lethality of silkworm larvae. Molecular characterization suggested systemic dysregulation, as evidenced by decreased triglyceride accumulation, impaired mTOR signaling activity, and increased aberrant splicing events. Therefore, these results indicate that loss of BmDHX8 is associated with aberrant splicing and alterations in lipid homeostasis and mTOR signaling pathways, potentially contributing to developmental defects. Taken together, our study offers an initial functional knockout analysis of BmDHX8 in regulating larval development in silkworms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lepidoptera: Behavior, Ecology, and Biology)
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14 pages, 2654 KB  
Article
Population Dynamics and Biological Control of Leucoptera malifoliella in Apple Orchards in Hebei Province, China
by Jia-Qiang Zhao, Hong-Wei Zhang, Qi Gao, Sheng-Ping Zhang, Shi-Hang Zhao, Jian-Ming Li, Han Chang, Zhao-Hui Yang and Guo-Liang Xu
Insects 2026, 17(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17020171 - 5 Feb 2026
Viewed by 600
Abstract
Leucoptera malifoliella has become a severe leaf-mining pest in Chinese apple orchards, especially under expanding organic and green cultivation practices, with effective management hindered by insufficient contemporary ecological data. To fill this gap, this 2023–2025 study conducted in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, combined field monitoring, [...] Read more.
Leucoptera malifoliella has become a severe leaf-mining pest in Chinese apple orchards, especially under expanding organic and green cultivation practices, with effective management hindered by insufficient contemporary ecological data. To fill this gap, this 2023–2025 study conducted in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, combined field monitoring, morphological analysis, flight mill assays, and parasitoid release trials to clarify the moth’s phenology, develop rapid pupal sexing methods, quantify adult flight capacity, and assess Trichogramma dendrolimi biocontrol potential. The results showed five annual generations (overwintering as pupae), peak damage in July–August, and marked generational overlap. A reliable pupal sexing method was established via genital opening morphology. Adult flight peaked at 3 days post-emergence (max distance: 1.223 km), with no sexual dimorphism. Timely T. dendrolimi releases boosted parasitism rates, achieving 23.4–49.6% control efficacy during peak damage, with the parasitism rate positively correlated with efficacy. This study confirms the moth’s potential for generational increase under climate warming and medium-distance dispersal capacity, validating Trichogramma’s utility and laying a scientific foundation for precise, regionally coordinated ecological management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lepidoptera: Behavior, Ecology, and Biology)
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13 pages, 629 KB  
Article
Pheromone Race Composition of Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Larval Co-Occurrence with Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Maize in Central-Eastern Italy
by Maria Chiara Battistelli, Diego Palpacelli, Giorgio Sperandio, Matteo Pacella, Fabio Ramilli, Sara Ruschioni, Abdalhadi M. A. Abulebda and Paola Riolo
Insects 2025, 16(12), 1267; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16121267 - 13 Dec 2025
Viewed by 736
Abstract
Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are major maize pests in the central-eastern Mediterranean area, responsible for both quantitative and qualitative yield losses. This study investigated the corn borer species present in central-eastern Italy, the presence and prevalence of O. [...] Read more.
Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are major maize pests in the central-eastern Mediterranean area, responsible for both quantitative and qualitative yield losses. This study investigated the corn borer species present in central-eastern Italy, the presence and prevalence of O. nubilalis pheromone races, and the within-plant larval distribution. Traps baited with E, Z, or E/Z pheromone lures were used to investigate O. nubilalis pheromone races, while 596 maize plants were sampled at harvest and dissected to determine species composition, relative abundance, and larval distribution across three plant sections (lower and upper stalk and ear). Males were captured in traps baited with each pheromone lure, with no significant differences among catches. Larval sampling revealed the co-occurrence of O. nubilalis and S. nonagrioides, with O. nubilalis being the prevalent species. For both species, larvae were significantly more abundant in the lower plant section, and co-occurrence did not appear to influence their within-plant distribution. Comparing the species-specific larval distribution, a significantly higher proportion of S. nonagrioides occurred in the lower plant section, whereas O. nubilalis was significantly more frequent in the ears. However, the presence of both species in the ears highlights the need to consider both pests in management. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring activities in the area, using traps baited with each pheromone lure for O. nubilalis. Knowledge of the co-occurrence between the two species can be considered fundamental for developing Integrated Pest Management strategies, as it can influence the timing and effectiveness of control methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lepidoptera: Behavior, Ecology, and Biology)
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14 pages, 1584 KB  
Article
Starvation During the Larval Stage Driving Population Decline in the Butterfly Specialist Luehdorfia chinensis Leech, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
by Wenjing Yang, Qi Zhu, Yunhao Zou, Chao Yang, Wenguo Wu, Qin Zou and Juping Zeng
Insects 2025, 16(10), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16100995 - 24 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1197
Abstract
Host plant limitation poses a major threat to the endangered specialist butterfly Luehdorfia chinensis Leech, 1893, whose larvae are oligophagous at the species level on Asarum spp., while local populations often appear monophagous, depending on the host plants (A. sieboldii Miq. or [...] Read more.
Host plant limitation poses a major threat to the endangered specialist butterfly Luehdorfia chinensis Leech, 1893, whose larvae are oligophagous at the species level on Asarum spp., while local populations often appear monophagous, depending on the host plants (A. sieboldii Miq. or A. forbesii Maxim.) available in their habitat. To simulate natural starvation caused by host plant scarcity, third- to fifth-instar larvae were subjected to a three-day deprivation treatment, and the effects on individual fitness traits—including larval development, pupal duration, and adult fecundity—were assessed, along with population dynamics. Starvation significantly prolonged larval development, shortened the pupal stage, reduced female fecundity, and markedly decreased key population parameters, such as the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and the net reproductive rate (R0). Population projections further indicated that repeated starvation stress could reduce population size by more than 83% within two years, potentially intensifying genetic drift, inbreeding depression, and demographic instability, ultimately increasing the risk of extinction. These findings provide direct evidence that host plant limitation drives population decline in L. chinensis, contribute to the broader understanding of global butterfly declines, and underscore the critical importance of conserving and restoring essential habitat resources. Moreover, they highlight the relevance of the resource-based habitat concept for the effective protection of specialist species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lepidoptera: Behavior, Ecology, and Biology)
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15 pages, 3136 KB  
Article
Evolutionary Dynamics of Glycoside Hydrolase Family 1 Provide Insights into Insect–Plant Interactions in Lepidoptera
by Yanping Yuan, Xidan Zhang, Jinyu Wu, Jun Li, Zhengbo He, Wenbo Fu, Amrita Chakraborty and Shulin He
Insects 2025, 16(7), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16070727 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1902
Abstract
Glycoside hydrolase family 1 (GH1) enzymes are essential for plant cell wall digestion and the detoxification of plant metabolites in insects, yet their evolutionary history in Lepidoptera remains unresolved. This study systematically identified GH1 genes across 61 Lepidopteran genomes and analyzed their evolutionary [...] Read more.
Glycoside hydrolase family 1 (GH1) enzymes are essential for plant cell wall digestion and the detoxification of plant metabolites in insects, yet their evolutionary history in Lepidoptera remains unresolved. This study systematically identified GH1 genes across 61 Lepidopteran genomes and analyzed their evolutionary dynamics. In addition, the expression profiles of GH1 genes in the silkworm (Bombyx mori) across various developmental stages and tissues were related to their evolutionary histories. A total of 996 GH1 genes were annotated and classified into 11 groups, with each showing distinct species diversity. Gene duplication and loss analysis revealed frequent duplications and losses during Lepidoptera evolution; these duplications primarily originated through tandem and dispersed duplications and were located in syntenic regions. Transcriptomic analysis of the silkworm revealed that the groups and duplications of GH1 genes were correlated to their expression patterns, with high expression in the larval midgut and fat body. These findings suggest that GH1 gene duplications and losses and expression have played a significant role in Lepidopteran adaptation to diverse host plants. Overall, this study provides comprehensive insights into the evolutionary trajectories of GH1 genes, highlighting their potential contribution to insect–plant interactions in Lepidoptera. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lepidoptera: Behavior, Ecology, and Biology)
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