Search Results (1,213)

Oropouche fever (OF), caused by Oropouche virus (OROV), has expanded beyond its Amazonian range into Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil, raising concern about transmission in extra-Amazonian Atlantic Forest landscapes. Critical gaps persist regarding Culicoides vector communities, anthropophily, and climate-sensitive transmission risk in these newly affected regions. We conducted targeted entomological surveys outbreak-driven by human OF cases, standardized across five MG communities using CDC light traps and Protected Human Attraction (PHA) to characterize Culicoides composition. Females of Culicoides underwent RT-qPCR for OROV (n = 819) and physiological assessment (n = 312). We developed an entomological alert framework that integrates blood-fed abundance, minimum infection rate (MIR) upper confidence bounds, and environmental drivers (i.e., mean temperature, relative humidity and precipitation) via generalized additive mixed models, which explained 68% of the variability in Culicoides abundance and the alert index across communities. We collected 1171 Culicoides individuals representing five species (C. leopoldoi, C. paraensis, C. pusillus, C. foxi, and C. limai). C. leopoldoi (79.1%) and C. paraensis (20.3%) were the predominant species; notably, C. paraensis is recognized as the primary vector of OROV in the Americas. C. paraensis was documented for the first time in all five outbreak areas and dominated PHA captures (90%), suggesting anthropophily. Although no specimens tested OROV-positive (consistent with expected field infection rates of 0.01–1%), MIR upper bounds reached 132/1000 in low-sample settings and humidity and temperature strongly modulated abundance. This operational baseline and alert index transform virologically negative, sparse surveillance data into prioritized targets for intensified sampling and vector control during early, low-prevalence phases, when containment of OROV’s extra-Amazonian spread is still achievable. Full article

Spinosad is a naturally derived insecticide obtained from a soil-dwelling bacterium and is widely used against various agricultural and public-health pests. Although resistance to spinosad has been reported in several pest groups—including thrips, fruit flies, beetles, lepidopterans, and even mosquitoes—no study to date has evaluated its resistance status in the house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). The present study provides the first field-based assessment of spinosad resistance in larvae of M. domestica, based on field-collected populations from Türkiye, and offers the first baseline data on larval susceptibility for this species. House fly larvae collected from seven provinces were exposed to a series of spinosad doses, and LD₅₀ values were calculated using probit analysis. According to the results, LD₅₀ values showed variability of up to approximately 18-fold, ranging from 0.002 g a.i./m² in the Adana population to 0.036 g a.i./m² in the Şanlıurfa population. The corresponding resistance ratio (RR₅₀) values calculated based on the most susceptible population (Adana) ranged from 1.0 to 18.0, indicating low-to-moderate variation in baseline tolerance among the tested field populations. Despite these differences at low doses, the minimum operational dose of 0.25 g a.i./m² consistently produced 97–100% emergence inhibition in all populations. Overall, no high or very high resistance levels were detected across the tested populations. These findings indicate that, despite detectable differences in baseline tolerance, spinosad remains a highly effective larvicide for house fly management. The establishment of these baseline data is essential for future resistance-monitoring programs, and continued surveillance is strongly recommended to detect early shifts in susceptibility before operational resistance emerges. Full article

Starvation resistance is a critical fitness trait for the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), influencing survival and reproductive success in fluctuating environments. This study investigates how age (15, 30, and 45 days), diet (full vs. restricted), and mating status (virgin vs. mated) affect the species’ capacity to withstand food deprivation. A multifactorial experiment was conducted on 3600 adults, with survival data analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves, Log-Rank tests, and Tukey’s HSD. The findings indicate that 15-day-old individuals generally exhibit superior starvation resistance compared to older cohorts. However, these patterns vary by sex and nutritional history. In virgin males on a restricted diet, resistance does not decline linearly with age, while in mated males on a full diet, age has no significant influence on survival. Conversely, in mated females on a full diet, a significant decline in resistance is observed only between the ages of 15 and 45 days. Additionally, for mated adults on a restricted diet, age was found to have a significant influence on survival. These results suggest that starvation resistance in B. oleae is not merely a function of chronological age but emerges from complex resource allocation trade-offs between somatic maintenance and reproductive investment. Full article

Proximate visual cues play a crucial role for flies (Order: Diptera) in locating suitable foraging and oviposition sites. This study examined the behavioural responses of two sheep myiasis-causing blowfly species in Australia, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), to six different reflectance levels of green and yellow hues. Both species were influenced primarily by reflectance intensity and proximity to the light source. Lucilia cuprina displayed a nonsignificant preference for moderate yellow (p = 0.25), whereas Ch. rufifacies showed a significant attraction to moderate green (p = 0.004) when presented with a two-choice comparison between moderate green and yellow. When exposed to three reflectance levels under each hue, both species responded most strongly to mid-range intensities in green but not yellow, with no significant differences observed among light and dark shades (p > 0.05). Zonal analyses revealed a significant aggregation of individuals near the light source (Zone C; p < 0.05), indicating that spatial orientation cues may be stronger determinants of attraction. Overall, L. cuprina was more responsive to moderate yellow and Ch. rufifacies to moderate green, but both species were predominantly guided by light-related spatial and intensity cues. These findings provide valuable insight into the visual ecology of blowflies and may be useful in optimising colour and reflectance parameters in the design of future commercial fly traps. Full article

Phytotelmata are small, plant-held water pools that support unique assemblages of fauna and flora. Aquatic Diptera are a significant component of these microecosystems. Based on an exhaustive review of over 100 years of published literature, a global database of phytotelmata-associated aquatic Diptera with Bromeliaceae and Zingiberales (7 families) was compiled to explore diversity and ecology and identify gaps in the research. This database is designed to provide a valuable baseline and to serve as an objective, informed tool for future monitoring and research. A total of 4979 unique associations between aquatic Diptera larvae and 117 species in 26 genera of Bromeliaceae and 27 species in 10 genera across 6 families of Zingiberales were assembled in the database. These reported aquatic Diptera span 369 species, 80 genera, and 14 families, and include taxa with diverse ecological roles as detritivores, filter feeders, predators, and prey. Mosquitoes (Culicidae) had the greatest number of documented species (227), and non-biting midges (Chironomidae) had the greatest number of documented genera (26) in the dataset. Several mosquito vectors (e.g., Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex) also complete their life cycles in these habitats, although records of vector mosquitoes compose only 6% of the assembled data. Because phytotelmata provide year-round aquatic refugia, they sustain regional aquatic Diptera diversity yet are threatened by habitat loss and other anthropogenic pressures. Furthermore, despite the important role of phytotelmata in freshwater ecology, diversity in these ephemeral freshwater habitats remains under-documented. This comprehensive analysis of existing literature establishes the first global baseline for aquatic Diptera in phytotelmata and offers a foundation for biodiversity assessments, conservation strategies, and future ecological research. Full article

Background: Snake envenomation represents a significant health concern in some regions of the world, with fatal cases occasionally requiring forensic investigation to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI). However, the influence of venom on carrion decomposition dynamics and arthropod succession patterns remains poorly understood, potentially compromising postmortem interval (PMI) estimations in such cases. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of Naja haje and Cerastes cerastes venoms on decomposition progression and necrophagous arthropod succession. Methods: Fifteen rabbits were allocated into three experimental groups. Two groups received median lethal intravenous doses (LD₅₀) of N. haje or C. cerastes venom, whereas the control group received a saline injection followed by CO₂ euthanasia. The carcasses were subsequently placed under natural field conditions and monitored daily for 15 days. Results: The presence of venom significantly altered decomposition dynamics. C. cerastes venom accelerated early decomposition, shortening both the fresh stage (1 ± 0.22 days vs. 2 ± 0.31 days in controls,) and bloating stage (3 ± 0.35 days vs. 5 ± 0.35 days), while extending both the decay stage (6 ± 0.3 days vs. 6 ± 0.17 days) and the dried stage (5.0 ± 0.44 days vs. 2 ± 0.039 days). N. haje venom showed intermediate effects. Overall arthropod abundance peaked on day 5 and declined thereafter. Control carcasses exhibited significantly higher arthropod abundance than carcasses envenomed with C. cerastes or N. haje. Conclusions: Snake envenomation significantly influenced decomposition kinetics and arthropod colonization patterns. Envenomation with C. cerastes venom produced more pronounced alterations than envenomation with N. haje venom. Full article

This study enhances and improves the current knowledge of blackfly diversity in the mountainous regions of Eastern Andalusia, with a focus on how simuliid species are distributed through altitude. It provides an updated checklist of species recorded in the provinces of Almería, Granada, and Jaén, by integrating published data with new records from the field. This study identified 16 blackfly species based on morphological criteria, increasing the number of known simuliid species in the region from 25 to 28. Three species—Simulium brevidens (Rubtsov, 1956), Simulium quasidecolletum Crosskey, 1988, and Simulium trifasciatum Curtis, 1839—are reported in Granada for the first time. Most of the species were recorded within their previously known altitudinal range; however, Simulium equinum (Linnaeus, 1758) and Simulium lineatum (Meigen, 1804) were found at higher elevations, and Simulium urbanum (Davies, 1966), at lower elevations, resulting in extensions of their known altitudinal ranges. The newly recorded species S. quasidecolletum had a narrow altitudinal range (419 m); S. brevidens and S. trifasciatum were recorded only at one site. The study offers a comprehensive and updated picture of species richness and altitudinal ecology of blackflies in South-eastern Spain. Full article

Muscomorpha is one of the most diverse groups in Brachycera, yet its higher-level phylogenetic relationships remain controversial, primarily concerning the monophyly and placement of Syrphoidea, the position of Platypezoidea, internal relationships in Calyptratae and Acalyptratae, and the non-monophyly of Eristalinae in Syrphidae. This study utilized 81 Muscomorpha species, including 22 newly sequenced Syrphidae species, and reconstructed their phylogeny with multiple datasets and models. The results confirmed monophyly of most superfamilies except Syrphoidea, with Platypezoidea as sister to the remaining Muscomorpha. Oestroidea was sister to Muscoidea. Within Syrphidae, Syrphinae monophyly and Syrphini relationships were strongly supported, while Eristalinae was non-monophyletic. Milesiini, Eristalini, Volucellini, Brachyopini, and Rhingiini were monophyletic. Divergence time estimation using MCMCTree indicated that Muscomorpha originated in the Middle Jurassic at approximately 171.66 Mya, with Syrphoidea diverging in the Late Jurassic at 151.05 Mya, Acalyptratae in the Early Cretaceous at 117.50 Mya, Calyptratae in the Late Cretaceous at 84.66 Mya, and Syrphidae at 103.44 Mya. These findings provide a robust phylogenomic framework for Muscomorpha evolution. Full article

Invasive freshwater fishes often display high trophic plasticity, facilitating their establishment and persistence in novel environments. This study examined the feeding ecology, growth patterns, and trophic role of the invasive black bullhead Ameiurus melas in the eutrophic Gruža Reservoir (Central Serbia), with emphasis on ontogenetic dietary shifts and potential ecological impact. Diet composition was analyzed in 103 individuals representing three age classes using traditional diet indices, Costello graphical analysis, self-organizing maps (SOMs), and the Indicator Value (IndVal). Chironomidae, Protozoa, and fish eggs were the dominant dietary components across age classes, although their relative importance varied ontogenetically. Younger individuals exhibited a more generalized feeding strategy, whereas older fish showed increased specialization on benthic prey. SOM-IndVal analyses revealed prey taxa associated with specific feeding patterns at the individual level, identifying Diptera as an indicator prey not detected by population-level indices. Length–weight relationships indicated negative allometric growth (b < 3) across all age classes, consistent with a diet dominated by low-energy prey. These feeding patterns may contribute to altered benthic processes, reduced native fish recruitment, and reinforcement of eutrophic conditions. Overall, the results highlight the pronounced trophic flexibility and ecological plasticity of A. melas, supporting its invasive success in degraded freshwater ecosystems. Full article

Pregabalin, as the active ingredient of various medications, is used in humans to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. In animals, pregabalin is used as an anesthetic. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of pregabalin on the developmental parameters of Sarcophaga argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), a fly used in forensic entomology. A culture of S. argyrostoma larvae was conducted on mouse carcasses. Two doses of the active substance were used in the experiment: 100 mg/kg (dose 1) and 300 mg/kg (dose 2). A control sample (without the drug) was used for comparison. The duration of the life cycle, the body weight of individual developmental stages (larvae, pupae, and adults), and their mortality were studied. The study showed that (1) pregabalin prolonged the life cycle of S. argyrostoma—dose 1 by two days and dose 2 by three days; (2) pregabalin caused an increase in body weight at each stage of development (larvae, pupae, and adults); (3) pregabalin caused high mortality among pupae. The highest mortality was observed in the treatment with 300 mg/kg. The preliminary results indicate that estimation of the time of death based on analysis of the developmental stages of S. argyrostoma on a carcass with a high content of pregabalin may be distorted relative to a case without the impact of this exogenous substance. Research on the effect of pregabalin on flies used in forensic entomology should be expanded to investigate how this compound affects the life cycles of these insects. Full article

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) is a globally invasive pest that affects a wide range of fruit and vegetable crops. Identifying cost-effective attractants is essential for sustainable integrated pest management (IPM). This study explored whether molecular docking, combined with electrophysiological recordings, can help prioritize structurally diverse compounds with potential relevance to medfly olfaction. We assessed the predicted interactions of more than 100 attractant-related and semiochemical compounds, including multiple stereoisomers, with 14 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and four odorant receptors (ORs). Trimedlure served as a benchmark ligand. Docking suggested that several sesquiterpenes may interact favorably with subsets of OBPs and ORs, although these predictions require biochemical validation. A small set of compounds with high predicted affinity, readily available in the laboratory, was further examined using electroantennography (EAG), which confirmed that selected sesquiterpenes elicited peripheral antennal activation in irradiated males. Overall, our results demonstrate the utility of computational screening as an exploratory tool for prioritizing candidate ligands and generating hypotheses about chemosensory processing in C. capitata. Integrating molecular modeling with biochemical and behavioral validation is a promising approach to developing next-generation IPM attractants. Full article

The presence of Silba adipata in countries outside its native range has raised increasing concern among fig (Ficus carica L.) producers due to its growing economic importance. Information on this lonchaeid remains scarce and is frequently fragmented across regional reports, technical documents, and isolated scientific studies. The lack of consolidated and reliable knowledge on S. adipata, together with its sporadic impacts on figs and frequent confusion with closely related species, has hindered the development of effective and sustainable management strategies. Here, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the current geographic distribution of S. adipata and its expansion into new areas, addressing diagnostic aspects and potential misidentifications reported in the literature that have the potential to confound distribution records and assessments of its pest status. We critically review current knowledge of the biology, ecology, and behavior of S. adipata, together with existing and emerging management and control approaches, including cultural practices, monitoring tools, mass trapping strategies, and biological- and chemical-based tactics. The strengths and limitations of these approaches are discussed in the context of their applicability to fig production systems. Advancing the management of S. adipata requires not only accurate species identification and evaluation of conventional control methods, but also a deeper understanding of its ecology and sexual behavior. Addressing these knowledge gaps will be essential for the development of innovative, effective, and environmentally sustainable management strategies for this emerging pest. Full article

To investigate the long-term effects of climate change on biological communities, our primary aim was to identify the most reliable indicators among available biodiversity, dominance, and evenness indices. We examined three distinct response types to climate change, represented by three taxonomic groups: Aculeata (Hymenoptera), Syrphidae (Diptera), and nocturnal macrolepidoptera (Lepidoptera). Using faunistic datasets derived from our own 3–5 decades of field surveys, we calculated 12 key indices with the vegan package in R 4.2.1. The robustness of these indices was assessed through 1000-fold bootstrap simulations and pairwise correlation analyses. Our results revealed that the Gini–Simpson, Simpson diversity, McIntosh diversity, and McIntosh evenness indices consistently demonstrated high temporal stability and strong correlations across all three climate response types. Therefore, we recommend these indices as primary climate indicators. In contrast, Chao1 estimates, Margalef Index, Menhinick Index, and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index are suitable only for analyzing specific response patterns. Meanwhile, the Berger–Parker, Buzas–Gibson indices, and Hill numbers showed high variability or limited ecological responsiveness, making them unreliable for tracking climate change impacts. Our findings underscore that selecting biodiversity indices must be tailored to the research question and the characteristics of the ecosystem in order to ensure valid and informative ecological analysis. Full article

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) serve as carriers for signal molecules within the insect olfactory system, playing a crucial role in detecting chemical cues related to feeding and reproduction. However, their roles in host shift and environmental adaptation remain poorly understood. This study identified the OBP and CSP gene families across 32 Drosophila species, revealing their adaptive evolutionary trajectory. It was found that the gene number of the OBP family varied widely between species, ranging from 37 to 66 genes, while the gene number of the CSP family was conserved. The OBP family experienced two major gene expansion events on the ancestral branches of the diet-diverse melanogaster lineage, leading to an increased number. Positive selection occurred during evolution in the orthologous groups of Obp22a, Obp57e and Obp83ef. Homology modeling and molecular docking revealed that variation in the positively selected sites across different Drosophila species resulted in significant changes to free binding energy and affinity for plant odors and insecticides. Our findings highlight gene expansion and functional diversification within the Drosophila OBP family may contribute to shaping the dietary spectrum and promoting adaptation to toxic substances. Full article

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis of major public health importance. In urban areas, Lutzomyia longipalpis is the primary vector of Leishmania (L.) infantum. This study assessed the seasonality, spatiotemporal distribution, and climatic factors associated with L. longipalpis abundance in Araçatuba, São Paulo State, and detected Leishmania spp. DNA in captured females. Monthly collections were conducted from March 2023 to February 2024 in 72 households across eight urban areas using CDC-type light traps placed indoors and in peridomestic environments. A total of 1641 specimens (1516 males and 125 females) were captured, with 92.4% originating from peridomestic areas. Area 3 had the highest density (n = 671) and was the only area with PCR-positive females (n = 3). Vector activity peaked in December 2023 (n = 335). Male abundance differed significantly among peridomestic areas, particularly between Areas 3, 5, 6, and 7. In peridomestic areas, higher final temperatures increased vector abundance, whereas higher initial temperatures and humidity reduced it. Indoors, final temperature, humidity, and month were significant predictors. L. longipalpis exhibited a defined seasonal and spatial pattern influenced by climatic conditions. The detection of PCR-positive females (Area 3) highlights the epidemiological role of the vector and underscores the need for targeted interventions to control VL. Full article