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Insects
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Insect Signals
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Insect Signals

A topical collection in Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This collection belongs to the section "Insect Behavior and Pathology".

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Editors

Dr. J. Joe Hull

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land AgriculturalResearch Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA
Interests: signal transduction; RNAi; transcriptomics; peptide signaling; GPCR
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Shinji Nagata

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
Interests: insect; feeding behavior; hormone; sterol

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this Topical Collection, we will focus on the role signals, both intrinsic and extrinsic, and their associated downstream pathways have on insect biology and behavior. The recent advances in sequencing methods and gene editing/silencing techniques have significantly advanced our understanding of how diverse signals (hormonal, peptidal, pheromonal, environmental, and/or dietary-based) influence insect behavior. Here, we seek to highlight various aspects of insect signaling systems and welcome papers dealing with any aspect of those systems including structural elucidation, functional characterization of a gene(s), and/or responses triggered at the cellular or organismal levels by a signal. In case of doubt as to whether your manuscript might fall within the scope of this Topical Collection, please send either of us an abstract.

Dr. J. Joe Hull
Prof. Shinji Nagata
Collection 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 collection 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

  • Peptide signaling
  • RNAi
  • transcriptomic
  • hormonal
  • cellular signaling

Published Papers (6 papers)

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2024

Jump to: 2022, 2021

12 pages, 3539 KiB  
Article
Expression and Functional Analysis of the Smo Protein in Apis mellifera
by Lina Guo, Jue Wang, Diandian Yu, Yu Zhang, Huiman Zhang and Yuan Guo
Insects 2024, 15(7), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15070555 - 22 Jul 2024
Viewed by 788
Abstract
Smoothened (Smo) is a critical component regulating the Hedgehog signaling pathway. However, whether Smo is associated with the modulation of olfactory recognition capabilities of bees remains unclear. In this study, we amplified Smo from Apis mellifera. The coding sequence of Smo [...] Read more.
Smoothened (Smo) is a critical component regulating the Hedgehog signaling pathway. However, whether Smo is associated with the modulation of olfactory recognition capabilities of bees remains unclear. In this study, we amplified Smo from Apis mellifera. The coding sequence of Smo was 2952 bp long, encoded 983 amino acids. Smo was most highly expressed in the antennae. Cyclopamine (200 μg/mL) significantly reduced but purmorphamine (800 μg/mL) significantly increased Smo expression (p < 0.05). OR152 and OR2 expression in the cyclopamine group significantly decreased, whereas OR152 expression in the purmorphamine group significantly increased (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in the relative values of electroantennography was observed in the cyclopamine group exposed to neral. Behavioral tests indicated a significant decrease in the attractive rates of neral, VUAA1, linalool, and methyl heptenone in the cyclopamine group. Conversely, the selection rates of linalool and methyl heptenone in the purmorphamine group significantly increased. Our findings indicate that Smo may play a role in modulating olfactory receptors in bees. Full article
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14 pages, 2861 KiB  
Article
Spotted Lanternflies Respond to Natural Pheromone Lures for Mate-Finding and Oviposition
by Miriam F. Cooperband and Kelly M. Murman
Insects 2024, 15(6), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15060447 - 13 Jun 2024
Viewed by 933
Abstract
Using semiochemicals collected from spotted lanternflies Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) (SLF) and deployed in the field with circle traps, we demonstrated that SLF responded to SLF pheromones: in particular, this was the case for males while seeking mates and for females while ovipositing. [...] Read more.
Using semiochemicals collected from spotted lanternflies Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) (SLF) and deployed in the field with circle traps, we demonstrated that SLF responded to SLF pheromones: in particular, this was the case for males while seeking mates and for females while ovipositing. The attractants consisted of SLF body extract emitted from diffuser lures and SLF honeydew on burlap ribbons, collected from heavily infested locations. Traps with attractants were deployed in field sites with very light SLF infestations to avoid competing signals of pre-existing aggregations. The number of SLF equivalents emitted by each diffuser per trapping period was used in a dose–response analysis. Three trees per block received either (1) a control hexane lure and a clean ribbon, (2) a lure containing SLF extract and a clean ribbon, or (3) a lure containing SLF extract and a honeydew-laden ribbon. Ten blocks were sampled three times per week for twelve weeks. We found a significant positive dose–response by males to SLF body extract only in the presence of SLF honeydew, indicating a synergistic effect between honeydew volatiles and body volatiles. This dose–response occurred for five weeks after mating started, after which males no longer responded. Subsequently, females had a significant positive dose–response to SLF extract only in the presence of honeydew when oviposition was their primary activity, continuing for two weeks, suggesting that females may use pheromones to aggregate for oviposition. The extract in the absence of honeydew did not result in a positive dose–response, nor did the hexane control. These findings suggest that SLF respond synergistically to the combination of pheromones present in both SLF honeydew and SLF bodies. Thus, combining key components from both sources may aid the development of semiochemical lures for SLF. Full article
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12 pages, 1801 KiB  
Article
Deceptive Seduction by Femme Fatale Fireflies and Its Avoidance by Males of a Synchronous Firefly Species (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)
by Yara Maquitico, Jazmín Coronado, Andrea Luna, Aldair Vergara and Carlos Cordero
Insects 2024, 15(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010078 - 22 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1465
Abstract
Photuris female fireflies attract males of different firefly species by responding to their flashing signals; then, they try to capture and feed on them. This aggressive mimicry is considered a major selective pressure on the communication systems of the fireflies of the American [...] Read more.
Photuris female fireflies attract males of different firefly species by responding to their flashing signals; then, they try to capture and feed on them. This aggressive mimicry is considered a major selective pressure on the communication systems of the fireflies of the American continent. The intensity of this selective pressure is a function of its efficiency in prey capture. In this study, the rates of attraction and capture of males of the synchronous firefly Photinus palaciosi by the predatory females of Photuris lugubris are reported. Although the females attract numerous males, their hunting success is low. This result is consistent with the few previous measurements published. In agreement with the predicted coevolutionary race between predator and prey, behaviors consistent with predation avoidance in P. palaciosi and increasing prey encounters and prey deception by P. lugubris were observed. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2024, 2021

13 pages, 2116 KiB  
Article
CCHamide-2 Signaling Regulates Food Intake and Metabolism in Gryllus bimaculatus
by Zhen Zhu, Maho Tsuchimoto and Shinji Nagata
Insects 2022, 13(4), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13040324 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2551
Abstract
Neuropeptides play vital roles in energy homeostasis in insects and other animals. Although the importance of the regulatory network of neuropeptides in feeding and metabolism has been illuminated, a complete understanding of the mechanisms has not been addressed as many factors are involved [...] Read more.
Neuropeptides play vital roles in energy homeostasis in insects and other animals. Although the importance of the regulatory network of neuropeptides in feeding and metabolism has been illuminated, a complete understanding of the mechanisms has not been addressed as many factors are involved in the regulation. CCHamide-2 is a newly identified brain-gut neuropeptide that regulates feeding behavior in several insect species including Drosophila melanogaster. However, little is known about the mechanisms controlling the feeding-related behavior and metabolic functions modulated by CCHamide-2 in other insects. In this study, we addressed the functions of CCHamide-2 in the two-spotted cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, which was used as the experimental material to research the mechanisms of feeding and metabolism in this omnivorous insect species. Knockdown crickets by RNA interference against GbCCHamide-2R increased the amount of food intake, while injection of chemically synthetic GbCCHamide-2 peptide reduced the amount of food intake. Further, knockdown and peptide injection experiments revealed that GbCCHamide-2 signaling increased the concentrations of circulating lipids and carbohydrates, and the carbohydrate-rich diet increased the transcript levels of GbCCHa-2R. Moreover, GbCCHa-2 injection decreased the transcript level of Gbilp. By contrast, GbCCHamide-2 signaling did not affect nymphal growth or the transcript level of GbAKH, as well as feeding preferences. Taken together, CCHamide-2 signaling in G. bimaculatus regulates food intake associated with alterations in lipid and carbohydrate levels in hemolymph. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2024, 2022

19 pages, 3062 KiB  
Article
Molecular and Functional Characterization of Pyrokinin-Like Peptides in the Western Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae)
by J. Joe Hull, Colin S. Brent, Man-Yeon Choi, Zsanett Mikó, József Fodor and Adrien Fónagy
Insects 2021, 12(10), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12100914 - 6 Oct 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2561
Abstract
The pyrokinin (PK) family of insect neuropeptides, characterized by C termini consisting of either WFGPRLamide (i.e., PK1) or FXPRLamide (i.e., PK2), are encoded on the capa and pk genes. Although implicated in diverse biological functions, characterization of PKs in hemipteran pests has been [...] Read more.
The pyrokinin (PK) family of insect neuropeptides, characterized by C termini consisting of either WFGPRLamide (i.e., PK1) or FXPRLamide (i.e., PK2), are encoded on the capa and pk genes. Although implicated in diverse biological functions, characterization of PKs in hemipteran pests has been largely limited to genomic, transcriptomic, and/or peptidomic datasets. The Lygus hesperus (western tarnished plant bug) PK transcript encodes a prepropeptide predicted to yield three PK2 FXPRLamide-like peptides with C-terminal sequences characterized by FQPRSamide (LyghePKa), FAPRLamide (LyghePKb), and a non-amidated YSPRF. The transcript is expressed throughout L. hesperus development with greatest abundance in adult heads. PRXamide-like immunoreactivity, which recognizes both pk- and capa-derived peptides, is localized to cells in the cerebral ganglia, gnathal ganglia/suboesophageal ganglion, thoracic ganglia, and abdominal ganglia. Immunoreactivity in the abdominal ganglia is largely consistent with capa-derived peptide expression, whereas the atypical fourth pair of immunoreactive cells may reflect pk-based expression. In vitro activation of a PK receptor heterologously expressed in cultured insect cells was only observed in response to LyghePKb, while no effects were observed with LyghePKa. Similarly, in vivo pheromonotropic effects were only observed following LyghePKb injections. Comparison of PK2 prepropeptides from multiple hemipterans suggests mirid-specific diversification of the pk gene. Full article
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13 pages, 1559 KiB  
Article
Identification and Characterization of 24-Dehydrocholesterol Reductase (DHCR24) in the Two-Spotted Cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus
by Yin Shan Isa Mack, Masatoshi Dehari, Nobukatsu Morooka and Shinji Nagata
Insects 2021, 12(9), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12090782 - 1 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3123
Abstract
Arthropods, including insects, convert sterols into cholesterol due to the inability to synthesise cholesterol de novo. 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) plays an important role in the conversion. Not only involving the cholesterol biosynthesis in vertebrates, DHCR24 is required for the conversion of desmosterol into [...] Read more.
Arthropods, including insects, convert sterols into cholesterol due to the inability to synthesise cholesterol de novo. 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) plays an important role in the conversion. Not only involving the cholesterol biosynthesis in vertebrates, DHCR24 is required for the conversion of desmosterol into cholesterol in phytophagous insects. The current study extensively examined DHCR24 in omnivorous insects, which feed on both plants and animals, using Gryllus bimaculatus as the experimental model. We identified cDNAs encoding two homologues of DHCR24 from G. bimaculatus, which were designated as GbDHCR24-1 and GbDHCR24-2. Both homologues contained the flavin adenine dinucleotide binding domain, which is a feature of DHCR24. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that among tissues of adult crickets, fat body and anterior midgut expressed high levels of GbDHCR24s. Both fat body and anterior midgut demonstrated DHCR24 activities in which one of the functions is the conversion of desmosterol into cholesterol in vitro. Knockdown of GbDHCR24-1 significantly reduced the conversion activity in the anterior midgut while knockdown of the GbDHCR24-2 did not. Additionally, the accumulation of desmosterol was detected in a feeding experiment with a specific DHCR24 inhibitor, azacosterol. We finally concluded that GbDHCR24-1 is the major enzyme that facilitates the desmosterol-to-cholesterol-conversion in crickets. Full article
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