Insects

2025

Jump to: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

24 pages, 2558 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Age-Dependent Variation in Longevity, Fecundity and Fertility of Gamma-Irradiated Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Insights for a Sustainable SIT Program

by Alessandra Paolini, Sergio Musmeci, Chiara E. Mainardi, Chiara Peccerillo, Alessia Cemmi, Ilaria Di Sarcina, Francesca Marini, René F. H. Sforza and Massimo Cristofaro

Insects 2025, 16(4), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040408 - 13 Apr 2025

Viewed by 366

Abstract

Bagrada hilaris is an invasive stink bug causing important yield losses in Brassica crops. It originates from India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South Africa and is reported as invasive in several southwestern US states, Hawaii, Mexico, Chile and in the Mediterranean [...] Read more.

Bagrada hilaris is an invasive stink bug causing important yield losses in Brassica crops. It originates from India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South Africa and is reported as invasive in several southwestern US states, Hawaii, Mexico, Chile and in the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Pantelleria (Italy). In this study, we tested the effects of gamma rays on the longevity, fecundity and fertility of bagrada bugs. We irradiated them at two different stages of their life cycle (fifth-instar nymphs and two-week-old adults). Irradiation at the nymphal stage had a strong impact on female fecundity, with egg numbers approaching zero at a dose of 80 Gy. Similarly, a full suppression of female fertility was achieved at 80 Gy when they were mated with males irradiated as nymphs or as mature adults. For longevity, gamma rays had only a slight impact on adult male and female life span. Due to the evidence of a gregarious phase during the autumn, these results suggest that small-scale SIT-localized applications by massive collections of bagrada bugs at various stages of development during autumn, followed by irradiation and reintroduction to the field, might be a safe and economically sound approach of control. Research is currently underway to evaluate the fitness of sterile males and mating patterns. Further studies in confined-field conditions will be needed. Full article

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18 pages, 6082 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Delineation of Management Zones of the Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Population Based on Its Spatiotemporal Distribution for Precision Agriculture Purposes

by Vasileios Liakos, Eleni I. Koutsogeorgiou, Sofia Charouli, Ioannis E. Navrozidis, Georgios Proias and Stefanos S. Andreadis

Insects 2025, 16(4), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040336 - 22 Mar 2025

Viewed by 513

Abstract

Precision Agriculture is an agricultural management strategy that aims to increase farmers’ profit, maximize crop productivity and sustainability, and protect the environment by applying inputs in optimum rates based on plant needs. The delineation of site-specific management zones is a crucial step at [...] Read more.

Precision Agriculture is an agricultural management strategy that aims to increase farmers’ profit, maximize crop productivity and sustainability, and protect the environment by applying inputs in optimum rates based on plant needs. The delineation of site-specific management zones is a crucial step at the application of Precision Agriculture. However, the procedure of delineating management zones for pest management is difficult since pest populations are dynamic and change spatially and temporally throughout a growing season. The objectives of this work is to study kiwi canopy characteristics, to correlate them with Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) populations and delineate management zones for pesticide applications in variable rates. To achieve this, four kiwi orchards in total were selected in the regions of Pieria and Imathia in Greece. Τen traps were installed from early May to late October within each selected kiwi orchard: two types of traps at every side of the orchards and the center. The installed traps were examined weekly, and the number of the captured H. halys was recorded. During the same days, sentinel satellite images were analyzed to calculate the indices: NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index). The collected data were combined in a GIS software to delineate management zones using a K means algorithm and unsupervised classification. The results of this three-year study showed population variability within the kiwi orchards since the population of H. halys was higher in field regions where NDVI and NDWI values were high. The delineation of management zones revealed that there are spatio-temporal stable zones in each field where there is high, medium, and low risk to develop H. halys populations. The benefits of the proposed strategy are multiple since it is expected that farmers will be able to reduce the production expenses of kiwifruits and environmental protection while increasing profit. Full article

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13 pages, 1245 KiB

Open AccessReview

Establishing an IPM System for Tarnished Plant Bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) in North Carolina

by Dominic Reisig and Anders Huseth

Insects 2025, 16(2), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020164 - 5 Feb 2025

Viewed by 662

Abstract

Prior to 2010, Lygus lineolaris Palisot de Beauvois was a minor pest in North Carolina cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., but became one of the top pests by 2017. This insect was already a persistent pest in other US cotton-producing regions. Initial work focused [...] Read more.

Prior to 2010, Lygus lineolaris Palisot de Beauvois was a minor pest in North Carolina cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., but became one of the top pests by 2017. This insect was already a persistent pest in other US cotton-producing regions. Initial work focused on addressing near-term management needs and documenting locally relevant ecology and population dynamics of the pest in North Carolina. Landscape factors were found that correlated with tarnished plant bug incidence. Adult numbers tended to be higher in fragmented fields (more field edges) and nymph numbers were higher near field edges. The minimum required sample for estimating tarnished plant bug populations was studied. Thresholds developed in the Midsouth were proven to be useful in a study between both southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Furthermore, an insecticide application sequence was recommended based on efficacy trials, number of expected insecticides, and preserving beneficial insects early in the season. These were evaluated in a study investigating IPM systems approaches. Finally, new management tactics for tarnished plant bug, such as ThryvOn cotton, are being evaluated. As new management strategies and tactics are developed, they will need to be evaluated for their fit in this IPM system. Full article

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2024

Jump to: 2025, 2023, 2022, 2021

12 pages, 4585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Myrmecophilous Aphid Species (Hemiptera, Aphididae) Feeding on Mycoheterotrophic Monotropa hypophegea (Ericales, Ericaceae)

by Bartosz Bielecki, Patryk Długosz, Miłosz Morawski and Łukasz Depa

Insects 2025, 16(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16010019 - 28 Dec 2024

Viewed by 714

Abstract

The paper presents the first report and morphological description of aphids feeding on the mycoheterotrophic plant Monotropa hypophegea Wallr. of the family Ericaceae. This is the first known case of aphids feeding on a mycoheterotrophic plant, additionally involved in mutualistic relation with ants [...] Read more.

The paper presents the first report and morphological description of aphids feeding on the mycoheterotrophic plant Monotropa hypophegea Wallr. of the family Ericaceae. This is the first known case of aphids feeding on a mycoheterotrophic plant, additionally involved in mutualistic relation with ants Lasius niger (Hymenoptera, Formicinae). This observation took place on an overgrown, postmining spoil tip in southern Poland (Europe). Barcode COI sequencing and morphological examination indicated that the collected specimens of aphids belong to A. fabae s. lat., a group of closely related species. The discussion focuses on taxonomic issues concerning the species identity of the collected aphids and the ecological interactions between insects, plants, and fungi involved in the observed association. The presence of ants attending aphids indicates the possibility of ants serving as pollinators of M. hypophegea. Full article

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18 pages, 4346 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Patterns of Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in Eastern Hemlock Stands: Implications for Sampling and Management

by Sunghoon Baek and Yong-Lak Park

Insects 2024, 15(10), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15100751 - 28 Sep 2024

Viewed by 854

Abstract

Understanding the spatial patterns of insect pests and their associations with their environments is crucial for developing effective sampling and management plans. This study was conducted to identify optimal sampling units for the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) and to [...] Read more.

Understanding the spatial patterns of insect pests and their associations with their environments is crucial for developing effective sampling and management plans. This study was conducted to identify optimal sampling units for the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) and to characterize its spatial distribution patterns in hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière) stands in West Virginia, USA. To determine the optimal sampling unit, we randomly selected 24 branches from each of 46 A. tsugae-infested hemlock trees. The locations and number of A. tsugae ovisacs on each branch were recorded and the coefficient of variation was used to choose the optimal sampling units. To determine the spatial patterns of A. tsugae, each of the three 1-ha hemlock stands was divided into 100 grids, and ovisac counts were taken from the center of each grid. Semivariograms and spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) were used to analyze the spatial patterns of A. tsugae. In addition, various environmental and biological factors were measured to explore their spatial associations with A. tsugae. The results of this study revealed that the A. tsugae ovisacs exhibited spatial aggregation within branches, predominantly at the tips, and a 50 cm branch approximately 3 m above the ground was the optimal sampling unit. The spatial aggregation of A. tsugae in the hemlock stands was evident, and positive spatial associations were found between A. tsugae populations and factors including the aspect, tree diameter at breast height, and tree height. These findings offer valuable insights for the sampling and management of A. tsugae. Full article

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11 pages, 2082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Storing up Treasures: Storage Potential of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) Nymphs for Application in Biological Control

by Irina M. Pazyuk, Margarita Y. Dolgovskaya, Sergey Y. Reznik and Dmitrii L. Musolin

Insects 2024, 15(6), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15060414 - 4 Jun 2024

Viewed by 817

Abstract

Long-term storage is an important component of insect mass-rearing systems, prolonging the shelf life of biocontrol agents during a low-demand period or a temporary lack of suitable food. Macrolophus pygmaeus is a predatory heteropteran, mass-reared and widely used for the biological control of [...] Read more.

Long-term storage is an important component of insect mass-rearing systems, prolonging the shelf life of biocontrol agents during a low-demand period or a temporary lack of suitable food. Macrolophus pygmaeus is a predatory heteropteran, mass-reared and widely used for the biological control of arthropod pests in greenhouses. With the aim to determine the optimal conditions and acceptable duration of cold storage, we evaluated the impact of different periods of storage of fed and starved third instar nymphs of M. pygmaeus at different temperatures on nymphal survival, adult emergence, and female fecundity. Four storage temperatures (3, 6, 9, and 12 °C) were tested. The longevity of starved nymphs decreased with an increase in the storage temperature, with a maximum of about 40 days at 3 °C, whereas the longest lifetime of nymphs fed on eggs of the grain moth Sitotroga cerealella (about 150 days) was observed at 9 °C. Further experiments demonstrated that the third instar nymphs of M. pygmaeus fed with eggs of the grain moth can be stored at 9 °C for 30 days, with a moderate (10–20%) decrease in survival and fecundity, whereas the survival of starved nymphs decreased by half after 10 days of storage at 3 °C. Full article

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9 pages, 871 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibacterial Activity of Defensive Secretions from the Lace Bug Stephanitis svensoni (Drake) (Hemiptera: Tingidae)

by Nobuhiro Shimizu, Chihiro Takahara and Hiroki Ogami

Insects 2024, 15(4), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15040257 - 8 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1555

Abstract

Nymphs of Stephanitis svensoni (Drake) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) have numerous glandular setae on their dorsal abdomens. Chemical analysis of the exudates from these setae revealed the presence of 11 compounds, including aliphatic aldehydes, aliphatic ketones, and aromatic polyketides. Among them, 3-oxododecanal, 5-hydroxy-2-heptylchromanone, and 5-hydroxy-2-undecanylchromanone [...] Read more.

Nymphs of Stephanitis svensoni (Drake) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) have numerous glandular setae on their dorsal abdomens. Chemical analysis of the exudates from these setae revealed the presence of 11 compounds, including aliphatic aldehydes, aliphatic ketones, and aromatic polyketides. Among them, 3-oxododecanal, 5-hydroxy-2-heptylchromanone, and 5-hydroxy-2-undecanylchromanone were identified for the first time in the family Tingidae. Previous research has suggested that secretions from nymphs of the genus Stephanitis, belonging to the family Tingidae, function as defensive substances against predators. The exudates of S. svensoni showed antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Antibacterial tests conducted using preparations of the 10 identified compounds showed antibacterial activity in 3-oxododecanal, 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone, and 1-(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)dodecan-1-one. In addition, antibacterial tests against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli showed activity in 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone and 1-(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)dodecan-1-one. Therefore, 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone and 1-(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)dodecan-1-one exhibited a wide antibacterial spectrum. Particularly, 1-(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)dodecan-1-one, which showed antibacterial activity even at low concentrations, holds promise as lead drug compound. Full article

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9 pages, 1608 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Population Parameters of Haplaxius crudus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) under Semi-Controlled Conditions

by Ivette Johana Beltrán-Aldana, Anamaria Fernández-Sánchez and Anuar Morales-Rodriguez

Insects 2024, 15(2), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15020085 - 26 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1722

Abstract

The palm leafhopper, Haplaxius crudus, is a possible vector of the pathogen that causes the Lethal Wilt of oil palms in Colombia. This disease represents the biggest phytosanitary problem in the eastern palm zone. From 2010 to 2021, more than 7700 ha [...] Read more.

The palm leafhopper, Haplaxius crudus, is a possible vector of the pathogen that causes the Lethal Wilt of oil palms in Colombia. This disease represents the biggest phytosanitary problem in the eastern palm zone. From 2010 to 2021, more than 7700 ha have been eradicated, with economic losses exceeding 154 million USD. Therefore, knowing the biology of this insect and its population parameters is necessary for developing population control tools. To evaluate these parameters, a cohort of 100 eggs obtained from H. crudus adults from the breeding unit established in the Campo Experimental Palmar de las Corocoras de Cenipalma in Paratebueno, Cundinamarca, was monitored to record the life cycle and the population parameters using a life table under semi-controlled conditions in an oil palm plantation. The life cycle from egg to adult was 62.7 ± 15.5 days (26.1 ± 2.9 °C; HR: 89.8 ± 14.0%). The egg stage lasted 14.6 ± 0.6 days, the nymphal stage 48.1 ± 2.8 days through five instars, and the adult longevity was 14.8 ± 8.4 days. The specific mortality rate (qx) calculated in the life table was 0.14 (for the egg stage), 0.05 (for I instar), 0.05 (for II instar), 0.03 (for III instar), 0.04 (for IV instar), and 0.07 (for V instar). The population parameters’ values were as follows: net reproductive rate Ro = 10.96; generation time T = 62.3 days, intrinsic natural growth rate rm = 0.03, and finite growth rate λ = 1.03. These results help us to understand the population dynamics of this insect in the field and for the development of population control studies. Full article

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2023

Jump to: 2025, 2024, 2022, 2021

13 pages, 3046 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Habitat Temperatures of the Red Firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus: The Value of Small-Scale Climate Data Measurement

by Helmut Käfer, Helmut Kovac and Anton Stabentheiner

Insects 2023, 14(11), 843; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110843 - 30 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1840

Abstract

Ambient temperature is a main parameter that determines the thriving and propagation of ectothermic insects. It affects egg and larval development as well as adults’ survival and successful overwintering. Pyrrhocoris apterus is a herbivorous bug species almost ubiquitous in Eurasia. Its distribution extends [...] Read more.

Ambient temperature is a main parameter that determines the thriving and propagation of ectothermic insects. It affects egg and larval development as well as adults’ survival and successful overwintering. Pyrrhocoris apterus is a herbivorous bug species almost ubiquitous in Eurasia. Its distribution extends from the Atlantic Coast to Siberia, Northwest China and Mongolia. After introduction, it established successfully in the USA, Central America, India and Australia, which indicates a high invasive potential of this species. We determined the climatic conditions in Central Europe in a habitat where P. apterus has been continuously observed for decades. We conducted temperature measurements in the habitat and in the microhabitats where individuals could be found during the year and set them against freely available climate data commonly used to characterize habitat climate. Our temperature measurements were also compared to thermal limits (critical thermal minima and maxima). Although ambient temperatures outside the thermal boundaries of P. apterus can and do occur in the habitat, the bugs thrive and propagate. Microhabitat measurement in winter showed that individuals sought areas with favorable temperatures for hibernation. In particular, these areas are not (always) represented in large-scale climate tables, leading to possible misinterpretation of future patterns of spread of invasive species spread. Full article

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14 pages, 1335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Two Distinct Genotypes of Spissistilus festinus (Say, 1830) Reproduce and Differentially Transmit Grapevine Red Blotch Virus

by Madison T. Flasco and Marc F. Fuchs

Insects 2023, 14(10), 831; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14100831 - 23 Oct 2023

Viewed by 2205

Abstract

Two phenotypically similar but genetically distinct genotypes of Spissistilus festinus (Say, 1830) (Hemiptera: Membracidae), a pest of legume crops in Southern United States and a vector of grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) in California vineyards, exist. No information is available on whether the [...] Read more.

Two phenotypically similar but genetically distinct genotypes of Spissistilus festinus (Say, 1830) (Hemiptera: Membracidae), a pest of legume crops in Southern United States and a vector of grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) in California vineyards, exist. No information is available on whether the two S. festinus genotypes, i.e., California (CA) and Southeastern (SE), are sexually compatible or whether the SE genotype can transmit GRBV. In this study, we established mixed mating S. festinus pairs for which the F1 offspring varied phenotypically compared with the offspring of same genotype pairs but acquired GRBV isolate NY175 at similar rates (p = 0.96) and with a similar viral genome copy number (p = 0.34). Likewise, rates of GRBV acquisition were alike for the two parental CA (58%, 61/105) and SE (61%, 65/106) genotypes (p = 0.74), though the GRBV copy number in the salivary glands was overall significantly higher for SE than CA individuals (p = 0.02). Furthermore, the GRBV transmission rate was significantly higher for the SE genotype (89%, 16/18) than the CA genotype (50%, 8/16) (p = 0.04). These results revealed the existence of two sexually compatible S. festinus genotypes with distinct GRBV transmission abilities, suggesting the need to study GRBV ecology in Southeastern United States and areas where the two genotypes might co-exist. Full article

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13 pages, 1817 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Invasive Caucasian Populations of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) Rapidly Adapt Their Ecophysiological Traits to the Local Environmental Conditions

by Sergey Ya. Reznik, Margarita Yu. Dolgovskaya, Natalia N. Karpun, Vilena Ye. Zakharchenko, Aida Kh. Saulich and Dmitrii L. Musolin

Insects 2023, 14(5), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050424 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2109

Abstract

The ability to rapidly adapt to new environmental conditions is a crucial prerequisite for the wide-scale invasion of pests or intentional introduction of beneficial insects. A photoperiodically induced facultative winter diapause is an important adaptation ensuring synchronization of insect development and reproduction with [...] Read more.

The ability to rapidly adapt to new environmental conditions is a crucial prerequisite for the wide-scale invasion of pests or intentional introduction of beneficial insects. A photoperiodically induced facultative winter diapause is an important adaptation ensuring synchronization of insect development and reproduction with the local seasonal dynamics of environmental factors. We conducted a laboratory study aimed to compare photoperiodic responses of two invasive Caucasian populations of the brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), which recently invaded neighboring regions with subtropical (Sukhum, Abkhazia) and temperate (Abinsk, Russia) climates. Under the temperature of 25 °C and the near-critical photoperiods of L:D = 15:9 h and 15.5:8.5 h, the population from Abinsk showed a slower pre-adult development and a stronger tendency to enter winter adult (reproductive) diapause compared to the population from Sukhum. This finding agreed with the difference between the local dynamics of the autumnal temperature decrease. Similar adaptive interpopulation differences in the patterns of diapause-inducing responses are known in other insect species but our finding is distinguished by a very short adaptation time: H. halys was first recorded in Sukhum in 2015 and in Abinsk in 2018. Thus, the differences between the compared populations might have evolved over a relatively short span of several years. Full article

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14 pages, 2086 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Male Reproductive System of the Kissing Bug, Rhodnius prolixus Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae): Arrangements of the Muscles and the Myoactivity of the Selected Neuropeptides

by Angela B. Lange, Anika Kisana, Jimena Leyria and Ian Orchard

Insects 2023, 14(4), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14040324 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3601

Abstract

The gross anatomy of the male reproductive structures and their associated musculature are described in the blood-gorging vector of Chagas disease, Rhodnius prolixus. The male reproductive system is composed of muscular tissues each performing contractions that aid in the movement of sperm [...] Read more.

The gross anatomy of the male reproductive structures and their associated musculature are described in the blood-gorging vector of Chagas disease, Rhodnius prolixus. The male reproductive system is composed of muscular tissues each performing contractions that aid in the movement of sperm out of the testis into the vas deferens, seminal vesicle and then into the ejaculatory duct, along with proteins and lipids from the transparent and opaque accessory glands. Phalloidin staining shows the various patterns of muscle fiber layers, from thin circular to more complex crisscross patterns, implying subtle differences in the form of the contractions and movement of each of the structures, allowing for waves of contractions or twisting patterns. The transcripts for the receptors for proctolin, myosuppressin (RhoprMS) and for the extended FMRFamides are expressed in the various regions of the reproductive system, and the nerve processes extending over the reproductive structures are positive for FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity, as are neurosecretory cells lying on the nerves. Proctolin and AKDNFIRFamide are strong stimulators for the frequency of the contractions, and RhoprMS can inhibit the proctolin-induced contractions. Taken together, this work implicates these two families of peptides in coordinating the male reproductive structures for the successful transfer of sperm and the associated accessory gland fluid to the female during copulation. Full article

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14 pages, 2117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temperature-Dependent Life Table Parameters of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the United States

by Serhan Mermer, Erika A. Maslen, Daniel T. Dalton, Anne L. Nielsen, Ann Rucker, David Lowenstein, Nik Wiman, Mukesh Bhattarai, Alexander Soohoo-Hui, Edwin T. Harris, Ferdinand Pfab and Vaughn M. Walton

Insects 2023, 14(3), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030248 - 2 Mar 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3167

Abstract

Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a generalist pest that causes serious injury to a variety of crops around the world. After the first detection in the USA, H. halys became a serious threat to growers resulting in significant [...] Read more.

Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a generalist pest that causes serious injury to a variety of crops around the world. After the first detection in the USA, H. halys became a serious threat to growers resulting in significant crop damage. Understanding the effect of temperature on H. halys development will help to achieve successful control by predicting the phenological timing of the pest. Here, life table parameters (survival, development, reproduction, and daily mortality) of H. halys were evaluated for New Jersey and Oregon populations in the US. Parameters were determined from field-collected and laboratory-reared individuals. The results indicated that New Jersey populations had higher levels of egg-laying than Oregon populations and exhibited higher and earlier fecundity peaks. Survival levels were similar between populations. Linear and nonlinear fit were used to estimate the minimum (14.3 °C), optimal (27.8 °C), and maximum (35.9 °C) temperatures where development of H. halys can take place. An age-specific fecundity peak (M_x = 36.63) was recorded at 936 degree days for New Jersey populations, while maximum fecundity (M_x = 11.85) occurred at 1145 degree days in Oregon. No oviposition was recorded at the lowest (15 °C) or highest (35 °C) trialed temperatures. Developmental periods increased at temperatures above 30 °C, indicating that such higher temperatures are suboptimal for H. halys development. Altogether the most optimal temperatures for population increase (r_m) ranged from 25 to 30 °C. Survival rates of H. halys at suboptimal low temperatures of 8 °C (i.e., 61%) is comparable to previous reports. The present paper provides additional data and context from a range of experimental conditions and populations. Such temperature-related H. halys life table parameters can be used to provide determine the risk to susceptible crops. Full article

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2022

Jump to: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021

25 pages, 145307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Studies of Perianal Structures in Myrmecophilous Aphids (Hemiptera, Aphididae)

by Natalia Kaszyca-Taszakowska, Mariusz Kanturski and Łukasz Depa

Insects 2022, 13(12), 1160; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13121160 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2279

Abstract

There are three types of relationships between aphids and ants: non-myrmecophilous, obligatory and facultatively myrmecophilous. The degree of involvement in this mutualism is believed to be corelated with morphological adaptations of perianal structures. In this manuscript, we analyzed the differences of these structures [...] Read more.

There are three types of relationships between aphids and ants: non-myrmecophilous, obligatory and facultatively myrmecophilous. The degree of involvement in this mutualism is believed to be corelated with morphological adaptations of perianal structures. In this manuscript, we analyzed the differences of these structures in obligatorily (18 species) and facultatively (10 species) myrmecophilous aphids. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light stereoscopic microscopy (LSM) techniques were used for these studies. Comparison of structures showed no strict relationship between their morphology and the degree myrmecophily, with certain indication that the microsculpture of perianal cuticle may play role in protection of aphids against honeydew droplet in facultatively myrmecophilous aphids. Full article

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9 pages, 931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inheritance and Biological Characterization of an Orange-nymph Mutant in Orius laevigatus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

by Amador Rodríguez-Gómez, Alberto Donate, Isabel Sánchez-Martínez, Virginia Balanza, Ana Belén Abelaira, María del Carmen Reche and Pablo Bielza

Insects 2022, 13(11), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13110996 - 30 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4076

Abstract

A mutation showing a distinct orange color in the nymph stages was found in Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a key biological control agent in protected crops, used to control small pests, especially thrips. A laboratory strain carrying this body color mutation ambar [...] Read more.

A mutation showing a distinct orange color in the nymph stages was found in Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a key biological control agent in protected crops, used to control small pests, especially thrips. A laboratory strain carrying this body color mutation ambar was established. Genetic analysis determined that the mutation (ambar) was controlled by a single autosomal recessive allele. Some biological and ecological characteristics of this orange strain were compared to a normal population. Longevity, fecundity and fertility were similar in both populations, but immature survival, development rate, body size, starvation tolerance and predation capacity were inferior in the orange strain. The utility of the orange mutant as a visible marker for biological and ecological studies of this important biological control agent is discussed. Full article

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15 pages, 4400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

RNAi-Mediated Manipulation of Cuticle Coloration Genes in Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae)

by Colin S. Brent, Chan C. Heu, Roni J. Gross, Baochan Fan, Daniel Langhorst and J. Joe Hull

Insects 2022, 13(11), 986; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13110986 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2827

Abstract

Cuticle coloration in insects is a consequence of the accumulation of pigments in a species-specific pattern. Numerous genes are involved in regulating the underlying processes of melanization and sclerotization, and their manipulation can be used to create externally visible markers of successful gene [...] Read more.

Cuticle coloration in insects is a consequence of the accumulation of pigments in a species-specific pattern. Numerous genes are involved in regulating the underlying processes of melanization and sclerotization, and their manipulation can be used to create externally visible markers of successful gene editing. To clarify the roles for many of these genes and examine their suitability as phenotypic markers in Lygus hesperus Knight (western tarnished plant bug), transcriptomic data were screened for sequences exhibiting homology with the Drosophila melanogaster proteins. Complete open reading frames encoding putative homologs for six genes (aaNAT, black, ebony, pale, tan, and yellow) were identified, with two variants for black. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses supported preliminary annotations as cuticle pigmentation genes. In accord with observable difference in color patterning, expression varied for each gene by developmental stage, adult age, body part, and sex. Knockdown by injection of dsRNA for each gene produced varied effects in adults, ranging from the non-detectable (black 1, yellow), to moderate decreases (pale, tan) and increases (black 2, ebony) in darkness, to extreme melanization (aaNAT). Based solely on its expression profile and highly visible phenotype, aaNAT appears to be the best marker for tracking transgenic L. hesperus. Full article

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14 pages, 1061 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biological Parameters, Phenology and Temperature Requirements of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the Sub-Mediterranean Climate of Western Slovenia

by Mojca Rot, Lara Maistrello, Elena Costi and Stanislav Trdan

Insects 2022, 13(10), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100956 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3126

Abstract

In the last decade, the invasive brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys, native to East Asia, has become one of the most serious pests for agricultural crops worldwide. First detected in Europe (in Switzerland), the insect is now widely found across the [...] Read more.

In the last decade, the invasive brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys, native to East Asia, has become one of the most serious pests for agricultural crops worldwide. First detected in Europe (in Switzerland), the insect is now widely found across the European continent and many Eurasian countries. Since its first appearance in Slovenia in 2017 it has caused considerable damage to fruit and vegetable production. Understanding the biology and behavior in the local environmental conditions is of key importance for an effective pest management. Knowledge of the voltinism of the species is crucial to anticipate critical phases of pest development and for adapting control measures that target the vulnerable life stages of the pest. A 3-year study (2019–2021) of H. halys biological parameters was performed outdoors in Nova Gorica (western Slovenia), confirming that in the sub-Mediterranean climate this pest has two overlapping generations per year. The net reproductive rates observed in the studied period indicate growing populations. The highest population growth was recorded in 2019, when the net reproductive rate of increase (R₀) reached 14.84 for the summer generation and 5.64 for the overwintering generation. These findings match the current situation in Slovenia, where increasing populations of H. halys and severe crop damage have been observed since 2019. Full article

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27 pages, 488 KiB

Open AccessReview

Natural Enemies and Biological Control of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) in North America

by Blessing Ademokoya, Kacie Athey and John Ruberson

Insects 2022, 13(10), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100932 - 14 Oct 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6303

Abstract

Stink bugs comprise a significant and costly pest complex for numerous crops in the US, including row crops, vegetables, and tree fruits and nuts. Most management relies on the use of broad-spectrum and disruptive insecticides with high human and environmental risks associated with [...] Read more.

Stink bugs comprise a significant and costly pest complex for numerous crops in the US, including row crops, vegetables, and tree fruits and nuts. Most management relies on the use of broad-spectrum and disruptive insecticides with high human and environmental risks associated with them. Growing concerns about pesticide resistance in stink bugs are forcing pest managers to explore safer and more sustainable options. Here, we review the diverse suite of natural enemies of stink bugs in the US, noting that the egg and the late nymphal and adult stages of stink bugs are the most commonly attacked by parasitoids, whereas eggs and young nymphs are the stages most commonly attacked by predators. The effectiveness of stink bugs’ natural enemies varies widely with stink bug species and habitats, influencing the biological control of stink bugs across crops. Historically, biological control of stink bugs has focused on introduction of exotic natural enemies against exotic stink bugs. Conservation and augmentation methods of biological control have received less attention in the US, although there may be good opportunities to utilize these approaches. We identify some considerations for the current and future use of biological control for stink bugs, including the potential for area-wide management approaches. Full article

10 pages, 625 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Male Body Size on Female Reproduction in Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae)

by Alois Honek and Zdenka Martinkova

Insects 2022, 13(10), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100902 - 3 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2037

Abstract

Females and males of the abundant heteropteran species Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) mate with the larger of the available partners. The male benefits from copulation with a large female, which is more productive than a small female. However, the benefit to females from copulation [...] Read more.

Females and males of the abundant heteropteran species Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) mate with the larger of the available partners. The male benefits from copulation with a large female, which is more productive than a small female. However, the benefit to females from copulation with a large male has not yet been investigated. Overwintered sexually immature adults were transferred from the field to indoors for a long day at 25 °C and subsequently kept as female-male pairs with different partner size ratios. The female lays eggs in several successive clutches. We investigated the influence of male size on the number and weight of eggs in individual clutches and the time elapsed from the transfer to their deposition. These characteristics of reproduction were first regressed on female size, and residuals of this regression were then regressed on male size. The positive effect of increasing male size on the characteristics of female reproduction manifested as a significant value of the latter regressions. The expected positive effect of increasing male body size on female reproductive characteristics was not detected. Several reasons for this deficiency are discussed. Full article

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10 pages, 1965 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Females of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Experience a Facultative Reproductive Diapause in Northern Greece

by Eleni I. Koutsogeorgiou, Nikos A. Kouloussis, Dimitrios S. Koveos and Stefanos S. Andreadis

Insects 2022, 13(10), 866; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100866 - 23 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2239

Abstract

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a native pest of East Asia that overwinters as an adult in natural and human-made structures. Adult emergence from overwintering sites starts in spring, whereas females produce offspring in early summer on host plants, where most feeding [...] Read more.

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a native pest of East Asia that overwinters as an adult in natural and human-made structures. Adult emergence from overwintering sites starts in spring, whereas females produce offspring in early summer on host plants, where most feeding occurs. In this study, we investigated the reproductive physiology of overwintering females of H. halys in Northern Greece, by determining the duration of the preoviposition period and fecundity of individuals that were left to overwinter in natural conditions and were subsequently transferred to chambers with standard conditions monthly, from December 2020 to March 2021. According to our results, overwintering H. halys females do not initiate egg laying once they emerge from overwintering sites, but rather need some additional time to exit diapause and mature reproductively. The mean preoviposition period of overwintering females that were transferred from their overwintering sites to the chambers in December 2020 was 29.0 days, which was significantly longer by 8.3 days than that of females that overwintered until March 2021, and by 13.2 days than the control (26 °C, 60% RH and a 16:8 h light: dark photoperiod). No significant difference among the average number of eggs per egg mass laid by overwintering individuals brought in the chambers in different time intervals and the laboratory colony was observed. However, females that were left to overwinter until March laid a significantly higher number of eggs in total, compared to the ones whose overwintering was disrupted in February. Based on our findings, overwintering females of H. halys experience a facultative reproductive diapause in Northern Greece. Our study was the first to determine the occurrence of diapause of H. halys in N. Greece and our findings could be very valuable for assessing the damage of this pest to early-season crops and designing successful management practices. Full article

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10 pages, 1128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Parental Age and Mating Status on Reproductive Performance of Orius laevigatus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

by Amador Rodríguez-Gómez, Virginia Balanza, Alberto Donate, Ana Belén Abelaira, María del Carmen Reche, Isabel Sánchez-Martínez and Pablo Bielza

Insects 2022, 13(9), 827; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13090827 - 12 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2095

Abstract

The reproductive potential of biological control agents (BCAs) is crucial for efficient mass-rearing and field performance, and it all begins with mating. Fecundity can be strongly influenced by intrinsic conditions, such as female age and, often neglected, male age and mating status. However, [...] Read more.

The reproductive potential of biological control agents (BCAs) is crucial for efficient mass-rearing and field performance, and it all begins with mating. Fecundity can be strongly influenced by intrinsic conditions, such as female age and, often neglected, male age and mating status. However, little is known about the impact of parental status at mating on female reproductive outcomes in BCAs. Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is widely used to control thrips in protected crops. We evaluated how many consecutive females a male could successfully mate and the effect on a female’s reproductive output. In addition, we studied the effects of male and female age on mating. In the multiple mating experiment, the males showed a high capacity to fertilize females successively, not reducing fecundity until the sixth mated female. In the delayed mating experiment, copulation duration and fecundity increased with male age but decreased with female age. In contrast, fertility followed an opposite pattern, increasing with female age but decreasing with male age. However, fecundity gains outweighed fertility declines in both sexes. Therefore, reproductive capacity is increased when mating newly emerged females with males a few days old. The implications of our results for mass rearing and field performance are discussed. Full article

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14 pages, 2671 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Spatial Distribution of Three Major Leptocorisa (Hemiptera: Alydidae) Pests Using MaxEnt Model

by Jeong Ho Hwang, Se-Hyun Kim, Sunhee Yoon, Sunghoon Jung, Dong Hee Kim and Wang-Hee Lee

Insects 2022, 13(8), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13080750 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3750

Abstract

We targeted three major Leptocorisa species (L. chinensis, L. acuta, and L. oratoria) and evaluated their potential distributions using MaxEnt. The results showed that most Asian countries and northern Australia would be suitable for at least one of these [...] Read more.

We targeted three major Leptocorisa species (L. chinensis, L. acuta, and L. oratoria) and evaluated their potential distributions using MaxEnt. The results showed that most Asian countries and northern Australia would be suitable for at least one of these pest species, and climate change will expand their habitat northward. All of the developed models were evaluated to be excellent with AUC, TSS, and OR10%. Most of the recorded regions of the Leptocorisa species are consistent with the result of potential distributions predicted in this study. The results confirmed that the minimum temperature of the coldest month mainly influences the three Leptocorisa species distributions. The potential distributions of the three species cover major rice cultivation areas regardless of climate change, suggesting that it would be necessary to establish a sustainable control strategy for the pests. Full article

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29 pages, 9246 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Records and Updated Checklist of the Pentatomoidea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) of Greece

by Antonios Tsagkarakis, Zoi Thanou, Aikaterini Chaldeou, Ioanna Moschou, Argyro Kalaitzaki and Sakis Drosopoulos

Insects 2022, 13(8), 749; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13080749 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2649

Abstract

Eight species of the superfamily Pentatomoidea are recorded from Greece for the first time: Aelia germari Küster 1852, Eurygaster hottentotta (Fabricius 1775), Eysarcoris aeneus (Scopoli 1763), Neottiglossa lineolata (Herrich-Schaeffer 1830), Neottiglossa pusilla (Gallen 1789), Picromerus bidens (Linnaeus 1758), Podops (Podops) inunctus (Fabricius 1775) [...] Read more.

Eight species of the superfamily Pentatomoidea are recorded from Greece for the first time: Aelia germari Küster 1852, Eurygaster hottentotta (Fabricius 1775), Eysarcoris aeneus (Scopoli 1763), Neottiglossa lineolata (Herrich-Schaeffer 1830), Neottiglossa pusilla (Gallen 1789), Picromerus bidens (Linnaeus 1758), Podops (Podops) inunctus (Fabricius 1775) and Tarisa pallescens (Jakovlev 1871). A complete updated species checklist with distributional data notes for all the new species for Greece are provided. Full article

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17 pages, 4199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

To Every Thing There Is a Season: Phenology and Photoperiodic Control of Seasonal Development in the Invasive Caucasian Population of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

by Sergey Ya. Reznik, Natalia N. Karpun, Vilena Ye. Zakharchenko, Yelena I. Shoshina, Margarita Yu. Dolgovskaya, Aida Kh. Saulich and Dmitry L. Musolin

Insects 2022, 13(7), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070580 - 25 Jun 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2606

Abstract

Studies on the phenology of local populations of invasive insects are necessary for monitoring and predicting their dispersion. We investigated the phenology of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, in the Sochi region (Krasnodar Territory, Russia) from 2018 to 2021 by [...] Read more.

Studies on the phenology of local populations of invasive insects are necessary for monitoring and predicting their dispersion. We investigated the phenology of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, in the Sochi region (Krasnodar Territory, Russia) from 2018 to 2021 by regular field sampling and dissecting. The results of the sampling suggest that H. halys is at least partially bivoltine in the studied region: the main period of mass oviposition (by the overwintered females) occurs from June to July; the second, much shorter period of egg-laying (by females of the new, i.e., the first generation) occurs in August. Reproductively active individuals (i.e., females with developed ovaries and filled spermatheca and males with filled ectodermal sac) were recorded from the end of May to the beginning of September. Such a seasonal pattern correlated with day length: when the natural photoperiod decreased below the experimentally determined critical day length (15.0–15.5 h), the proportions of females with fully developed ovaries sharply dropped to zero. Both the rate of H. halys pre-adult development and the timing of the induction of winter adult diapause observed under natural conditions fully agreed with the earlier predictions that had been based on the results of laboratory experiments. Full article

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15 pages, 3248 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flying over Eurasia: Geographic Variation of Photoperiodic Control of Nymphal Development and Adult Diapause Induction in Native and Invasive Populations of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

by Dmitry L. Musolin, Margarita Yu. Dolgovskaya, Vilena Ye. Zakharchenko, Natalia N. Karpun, Tim Haye, Aida Kh. Saulich and Sergey Ya. Reznik

Insects 2022, 13(6), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13060522 - 4 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2770

Abstract

Facultative winter adult diapause in Halyomorpha halys is regulated by a long-day photoperiodic response. Day length also influences nymphal development, which slows down at the critical (near-threshold) day lengths. We compared the photoperiodic responses of one native (Andong, South Korea) and three invasive [...] Read more.

Facultative winter adult diapause in Halyomorpha halys is regulated by a long-day photoperiodic response. Day length also influences nymphal development, which slows down at the critical (near-threshold) day lengths. We compared the photoperiodic responses of one native (Andong, South Korea) and three invasive (Torino, Italy; Basel, Switzerland; and Sochi, Russia) populations in a laboratory common-garden experiment. Nymphs developed and emerging adults were reared at 24 °C in a range of photoperiods with day lengths of 14.0, 14.5, 15.0, 15.5, and 16.0 h. The critical day lengths of the photoperiodic responses of both sexes fell between 14.5 and 15.0 h in the native Korean population and between 15.0 and 15.5 h in three invasive European populations. The differences between the three invasive populations were not significant, despite their distant origins. Moreover, the difference between the Korean and European populations was much smaller than was expected. The microevolution was possibly ‘too slow to keep up’ with the rapid spread of the invader across Eurasia. It is expected that soon the critical day length of the invasive H. halys populations will gradually change to adapt better to local conditions. At present, the critical day length for diapause induction of 15 h 15 min can be used to model the phenology, further spread, and response to climate change for all European populations of the pest. Full article

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2021

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14 pages, 1905 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification and Characterization Analysis of Transient Receptor Potential Mucolipin Protein of Laodelphax striatellus Fallén

by Haitao Wang, Yan Dong, Baijie Wan, Yinghua Ji and Qiufang Xu

Insects 2021, 12(12), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12121107 - 12 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2767

Abstract

Transient receptor potential mucolipin (TRPML) protein in flies plays a pivotal role in Ca²⁺ ions release, resulting in membrane trafficking, autophagy and ion homeostasis. However, to date, the characterization of TRPML in agricultural pests remains unknown. Here, we firstly reported the TRPML [...] Read more.

Transient receptor potential mucolipin (TRPML) protein in flies plays a pivotal role in Ca²⁺ ions release, resulting in membrane trafficking, autophagy and ion homeostasis. However, to date, the characterization of TRPML in agricultural pests remains unknown. Here, we firstly reported the TRPML of a destructive pest of gramineous crops, Laodelphax striatellus. The L. striatellus TRPML (Ls-TRPML) has a 1818 bp open reading frame, encoding 605 amino acid. TRPML in agricultural pests is evolutionarily conserved, and the expression of Ls-TRPML is predominately higher in the ovary than in other organs of L. striatellus at the transcript and protein level. The Bac–Bac system showed that Ls-TRPML localized in the plasma membrane, nuclear membrane and nucleus and co-localized with lysosome in Spodoptera frugiperda cells. The immunofluorescence microscopy analysis showed that Ls-TRPML localized in the cytoplasm and around the nuclei of the intestine cells or ovary follicular cells of L. striatellus. The results from the lipid-binding assay revealed that Ls-TRPML strongly bound to phosphatidylinositol-3,5-bisphosphate, as compared with other phosphoinositides. Overall, our results helped is identify and characterize the TRPML protein of L. striatellus, shedding light on the function of TRPML in multiple cellular processes in agricultural pests. Full article

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