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Insects
Special Issues
Advances on Conservation of Biodiversity, Monitoring Programs and Trend Assessment
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Advances on Conservation of Biodiversity, Monitoring Programs and Trend Assessment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 6107

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Simone Bergonzoli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria (CREA), Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari, Via della Pascolare 15, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
Interests: harvesting logistics; energy crops; crop by-products; agroforestry; agricultural engineering
Dr. Antonio Scarfone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, Via della Pascolare, 16, Monterotondo, Rome, 00015, Italy
Interests: Hemp; harvesting systems; seeds; biomass
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A strong decline in insect biodiversity has been observed in past decades, related to intensive agricultural practices and the reduction in natural habitats, with consequences on ecosystem functions worldwide. Particular attention has been paid to environmental and biological threats to pollinators and the resulting impact on the ecosystem services they provide. Monitoring programs are important to understanding changes in species occurrence and richness that could be attributed to habitat destruction, intensified agriculture, invasive organisms, and climate change. Furthermore, new technologies and AI systems may provide significant support in finding new strategies to reduce adverse impacts on biodiversity.

Therefore, this Special Issue of Insects welcomes original research and/or review articles related to insect (soil and flying) biodiversity assessment, the application of new technologies, and AI systems to increase insect (including pollinators) health and biodiversity. The goal is to find new strategies across diverse landscapes to increase insect health and biodiversity, as well as to assess the effects of habitat destruction, intensified agriculture, invasive organisms, and climate change on insect populations worldwide.

Dr. Simone Bergonzoli
Dr. Antonio Scarfone
Guest Editors

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

  • insect biodiversity
  • soil and flying
  • habitat destruction
  • insect populations
  • invasive pests
  • monitoring

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 5750 KiB  
Article
Management Diversification Increases Habitat Availability for Lepidoptera Papilionoidea in the Torretes Biological Station (Spain)
by Javier Quinto, Elena Espín and Eduardo Galante
Insects 2025, 16(7), 683; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16070683 (registering DOI) - 30 Jun 2025
Abstract
Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea), considered bioindicators of habitat conservation status, are one of the groups used to assess the impact of habitat management and improvement efforts in the Biological Station of Torretes (Ibi, Alicante, Spain). This area also houses the Botanical Garden of the [...] Read more.
Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea), considered bioindicators of habitat conservation status, are one of the groups used to assess the impact of habitat management and improvement efforts in the Biological Station of Torretes (Ibi, Alicante, Spain). This area also houses the Botanical Garden of the University of Alicante. The study was focused on the period from autumn 2022 to late spring 2023, and data on butterfly diversity and abundance from the current study were compared with historical data. Our results highlight that open spaces and the availability of trophic resources (nutritional plants) were key factors influencing the richness and abundance of Papilionoidea. The program for the creation and maintenance of new habitats at the biological station has increased spatial heterogeneity and the availability of trophic resources, which has led to a significant increase in the richness and abundance of butterflies in a short period. To support the conservation of Mediterranean ecosystems, and entomofauna in general, the Papilionidae are proposed as model groups for designing conservation projects based on traditional habitat management. These projects should promote spatial heterogeneity, include programs to enrich plant diversity, and be complemented by environmental education and outreach initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Conservation of Biodiversity, Monitoring Programs and Trend Assessment)
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13 pages, 1112 KiB  
Article
Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Driving Factors of Formicidae in Small Watersheds of Loess Hilly Regions
by Yu Tian, Fangfang Qiang, Guangquan Liu, Changhai Liu and Ning Ai
Insects 2025, 16(6), 630; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16060630 - 15 Jun 2025
Viewed by 409
Abstract
This study takes the Jinfoping Small Watershed in the Loess Hilly Region as the research area. Through field investigation and laboratory analysis, combined with methods such as spatial autocorrelation analysis, the ordinary least squares method (OLS), and the geographically weighted regression model (GWR), [...] Read more.
This study takes the Jinfoping Small Watershed in the Loess Hilly Region as the research area. Through field investigation and laboratory analysis, combined with methods such as spatial autocorrelation analysis, the ordinary least squares method (OLS), and the geographically weighted regression model (GWR), it deeply explores the spatial distribution characteristics and driving factors of Formicidae in the study area. The research results are as follows: (1) Spatial autocorrelation analysis indicates that the distribution of Formicidae is significantly regulated by spatial dependence and has significant spatial autocorrelation (global Moran’s I = 0.332; p < 0.01). (2) The spatial visualization analysis of the GWR model reveals that soil physical and chemical properties and topographic factors have local influences on the spatial distribution of Formicidae. Available phosphorus (AP) and slope (SLP) were significantly positively correlated with the number of ants. Hydrogen peroxidase (HP) and topographic relief (TR) were significantly negatively correlated with the number of ants. This study reveals the spatial distribution pattern of Formicidae in the Loess Hilly Region and its complex relationship with environmental factors, and clarifies the importance of considering spatial heterogeneity when analyzing ecosystem processes. The research results provide a scientific basis for the protection and management of soil ecosystems, and also offer new methods and ideas for future related research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Conservation of Biodiversity, Monitoring Programs and Trend Assessment)
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14 pages, 2768 KiB  
Article
Chemosterilant Potential of Insect Growth Regulators for Management of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae)
by Iqra Kainat, Shafqat Saeed, Muhammad Asif Farooq, Wafa A. H. Alkherb, Asim Abbasi, Farrukh Baig, Umer Liaqat, Fawad Zafar Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Irfan Akram, Muhammad Hasnain and Nazih Y. Rebouh
Insects 2025, 16(2), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020137 - 31 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1196
Abstract
The melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, is an important insect pest responsible for significant yield losses in vegetables. Conventional control methods, like pesticide applications, have certain limitations, including environmental contamination. This study evaluated the chemosterilant potential of five new insect growth regulators [...] Read more.
The melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, is an important insect pest responsible for significant yield losses in vegetables. Conventional control methods, like pesticide applications, have certain limitations, including environmental contamination. This study evaluated the chemosterilant potential of five new insect growth regulators (IGRs)—Pyriproxyfen; Novaluron; Lufenuron; Buprofezin; and Flubendiamide—at concentrations ranging from 50 to 300 ppm in a 5 mL diet against B. cucurbitae. Laboratory trials identified Lufenuron as the most effective IGR, which reduced fecundity by 68.4% and adult emergence by 70.97% at a 300 ppm concentration. Other IGRs, Pyriproxyfen; Novaluron; Buprofezin; and Flubendiamide, also significantly reduced fecundity and adult emergence at higher concentrations. Based on laboratory performance, Lufenuron was selected for field trials using six bait traps per 0.4 hectares. The field trials demonstrated a higher number of B. cucurbitae adult captures in Lufenuron-based bait traps compared to the control and reductions in crop damage, with fruit fly damage decreasing by 7.01% in August and 4.25% in September. This study highlights the potential of chemosterilant baited traps as a promising approach for integrated fruit fly management programs in cucurbitaceous vegetables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Conservation of Biodiversity, Monitoring Programs and Trend Assessment)
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13 pages, 1331 KiB  
Article
An AI-Based Digital Scanner for Varroa destructor Detection in Beekeeping
by Daniela Scutaru, Simone Bergonzoli, Corrado Costa, Simona Violino, Cecilia Costa, Sergio Albertazzi, Vittorio Capano, Marko M. Kostić and Antonio Scarfone
Insects 2025, 16(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16010075 - 14 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1811
Abstract
Beekeeping is a crucial agricultural practice that significantly enhances environmental health and food production through effective pollination by honey bees. However, honey bees face numerous threats, including exotic parasites, large-scale transportation, and common agricultural practices that may increase the risk of parasite and [...] Read more.
Beekeeping is a crucial agricultural practice that significantly enhances environmental health and food production through effective pollination by honey bees. However, honey bees face numerous threats, including exotic parasites, large-scale transportation, and common agricultural practices that may increase the risk of parasite and pathogen transmission. A major threat is the Varroa destructor mite, which feeds on honey bee fat bodies and transmits viruses, leading to significant colony losses. Detecting the parasite and defining the intervention thresholds for effective treatment is a difficult and time-consuming task; different detection methods exist, but they are mainly based on human eye observations, resulting in low accuracy. This study introduces a digital portable scanner coupled with an AI algorithm (BeeVS) used to detect Varroa mites. The device works through image analysis of a sticky sheet previously placed under the beehive for some days, intercepting the Varroa mites that naturally fall. In this study, the scanner was tested for 17 weeks, receiving sheets from 5 beehives every week, and checking the accuracy, reliability, and speed of the method compared to conventional human visual inspection. The results highlighted the high repeatability of the measurements (R2 ≥ 0.998) and the high accuracy of the BeeVS device; when at least 10 mites per sheet were present, the device showed a cumulative percentage error below 1%, compared to approximately 20% for human visual observation. Given its repeatability and reliability, the device can be considered a valid tool for beekeepers and scientists, offering the opportunity to monitor many beehives in a short time, unlike visual counting, which is done on a sample basis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Conservation of Biodiversity, Monitoring Programs and Trend Assessment)
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Review

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22 pages, 1192 KiB  
Review
Harnessing Electrostatic Forces: A Review of Bees as Bioindicators for Particulate Matter Detection
by Simone Meacci, Lorenzo Corsi, Eleonora Santecchia and Sara Ruschioni
Insects 2025, 16(4), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040373 - 1 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1045
Abstract
Bees (Hymenoptera, Anthophila) are widely recognized for their essential ecological roles, including pollination and biodiversity maintenance. Recently, their ability to collect environmental particulate matter through electrostatic forces has been explored for biomonitoring purposes. This review integrates knowledge on electrostatic pollen adhesion with emerging [...] Read more.
Bees (Hymenoptera, Anthophila) are widely recognized for their essential ecological roles, including pollination and biodiversity maintenance. Recently, their ability to collect environmental particulate matter through electrostatic forces has been explored for biomonitoring purposes. This review integrates knowledge on electrostatic pollen adhesion with emerging insights into particulate matter adhesion to bees, emphasizing their potential as bioindicators. The mechanisms of electrostatic adhesion, influenced by factors such as the physicochemical properties of particulate matter and bee morphology, are discussed in detail. Additionally, the study evaluates the adhesion efficiency of pollutants, including heavy metals, microplastics, nanoplastics, pathogens, pesticides, radionuclides, and volatile organic compounds. This multidisciplinary approach underscores the role of bees in advancing environmental monitoring methodologies and offers innovative tools for assessing ecosystem health while addressing the drivers of bee decline. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Conservation of Biodiversity, Monitoring Programs and Trend Assessment)
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Other

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7 pages, 1025 KiB  
Brief Report
Nontarget Catches of Green and Brown Lacewings (Insecta: Neuroptera: Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae) Collected by Light- and Volatile-Baited Traps in the Transcarpathian Lowland (W Ukraine)
by Kálmán Szanyi, Antal Nagy, Aletta Ősz, Levente Ábrahám, Attila Molnár, Miklós Tóth and Szabolcs Szanyi
Insects 2025, 16(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16010074 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1143
Abstract
Distribution data on the lacewing fauna of the data-deficient Transcarpathian Lowland (West Ukraine) were provided. The attractivity of phenylacetaldehyde-(FLO) and isoamyl alcohol-based (SBL) lures designed for trapping lepidopteran pests to lacewings was also studied and compared to the efficiency of light traps traditionally [...] Read more.
Distribution data on the lacewing fauna of the data-deficient Transcarpathian Lowland (West Ukraine) were provided. The attractivity of phenylacetaldehyde-(FLO) and isoamyl alcohol-based (SBL) lures designed for trapping lepidopteran pests to lacewings was also studied and compared to the efficiency of light traps traditionally used in studies on neuropterans. In the three-year study, 374 individuals of 10 species were caught. Although the light trap was the most efficient method, the efficiency of the tested lures could also be proved. Regarding abundances, FLO was significantly more efficient than the SBL lure. The lures could supplement the checklist of the fauna with two species and attracted an especially high number of Chrysoperla species. In the case of parallel use with light traps, they serve as an efficient standardised combined method for trapping lacewings, both in faunistic studies and plant protection applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Conservation of Biodiversity, Monitoring Programs and Trend Assessment)
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