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Keywords = Lur’e system

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17 pages, 1706 KiB  
Article
Root-Emitted Volatile Organic Compounds from Daucus carota Modulate Chemotaxis in Phasmarhabditis and Oscheius Nematodes
by Emre Sen, Tamás Lakatos, Tímea Tóth, Stanislav Trdan and Žiga Laznik
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1793; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081793 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 802
Abstract
Root-emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a critical role in below-ground ecological interactions by mediating communication between plants, pests, and their natural enemies. This study investigates the chemotactic behavior of three slug-parasitic nematode species—Phasmarhabditis papillosa, Oscheius myriophilus, and Oscheius onirici [...] Read more.
Root-emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a critical role in below-ground ecological interactions by mediating communication between plants, pests, and their natural enemies. This study investigates the chemotactic behavior of three slug-parasitic nematode species—Phasmarhabditis papillosa, Oscheius myriophilus, and Oscheius onirici—in response to four carrot (Daucus carota) root-derived VOCs: α-pinene, terpinolene, bornyl acetate, and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. Using a modified Petri dish assay, infective juveniles (IJs) were exposed to each compound across four concentrations (pure, 1000 ppm, 10 ppm, and 0.03 ppm), and their directional movement was quantified using a chemotaxis index (CI). The results revealed strong species-specific and concentration-dependent patterns. O. myriophilus exhibited the highest motility and repellency, particularly toward bornyl acetate and terpinolene, indicating its potential for use in VOC-guided biocontrol strategies. O. onirici showed moderate but consistent attraction to most VOCs, while P. papillosa exhibited generally weak or repellent responses, especially at higher concentrations. None of the compounds tested functioned as strong attractants (CI ≥ 0.2), suggesting that plant-derived VOCs alone may not be sufficient to direct nematode recruitment under field conditions. However, their integration with other biotic cues could enhance nematode-based “lure-and-infect” systems for sustainable slug control in carrot cropping systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pest and Disease Management)
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24 pages, 73556 KiB  
Article
Neural Network-Guided Smart Trap for Selective Monitoring of Nocturnal Pest Insects in Agriculture
by Joel Hinojosa-Dávalos, Miguel Ángel Robles-García, Melesio Gutiérrez-Lomelí, Ariadna Berenice Flores Jiménez and Cuauhtémoc Acosta Lúa
Agriculture 2025, 15(14), 1562; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15141562 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 296
Abstract
Insect pests remain a major threat to agricultural productivity, particularly in open-field cropping systems where conventional monitoring methods are labor-intensive and lack scalability. This study presents the design, implementation, and field evaluation of a neural network-guided smart trap specifically developed to monitor and [...] Read more.
Insect pests remain a major threat to agricultural productivity, particularly in open-field cropping systems where conventional monitoring methods are labor-intensive and lack scalability. This study presents the design, implementation, and field evaluation of a neural network-guided smart trap specifically developed to monitor and selectively capture nocturnal insect pests under real agricultural conditions. The proposed trap integrates light and rain sensors, servo-controlled mechanical gates, and a single-layer perceptron neural network deployed on an ATmega-2560 microcontroller by Microchip Technology Inc. (Chandler, AZ, USA). The perceptron processes normalized sensor inputs to autonomously decide, in real time, whether to open or close the gate, thereby enhancing the selectivity of insect capture. The system features a removable tray containing a food-based attractant and yellow and green LEDs designed to lure target species such as moths and flies from the orders Lepidoptera and Diptera. Field trials were conducted between June and August 2023 in La Barca, Jalisco, Mexico, under diverse environmental conditions. Captured insects were analyzed and classified using the iNaturalist platform, with the successful identification of key pest species including Tetanolita floridiana, Synchlora spp., Estigmene acrea, Sphingomorpha chlorea, Gymnoscelis rufifasciata, and Musca domestica, while minimizing the capture of non-target organisms such as Carpophilus spp., Hexagenia limbata, and Chrysoperla spp. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal–Wallis test confirmed significant differences in capture rates across environmental conditions. The results highlight the potential of this low-cost device to improve pest monitoring accuracy, and lay the groundwork for the future integration of more advanced AI-based classification and species recognition systems targeting nocturnal Lepidoptera and other pest insects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Development of Smart Crop Protection Equipment)
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19 pages, 2499 KiB  
Data Descriptor
SILF Dataset: Fault Dataset for Solar Insecticidal Lamp Internet of Things Node
by Xing Yang, Liyong Zhang, Lei Shu, Xiaoyuan Jing and Zhijun Zhang
Sensors 2025, 25(9), 2808; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25092808 - 29 Apr 2025
Viewed by 662
Abstract
Solar insecticidal lamps (SILs) are commonly used agricultural pest control devices that attract pests through a lure lamp and eliminate them using a high-voltage metal mesh. When integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, SIL systems can collect various types of data, e.g., [...] Read more.
Solar insecticidal lamps (SILs) are commonly used agricultural pest control devices that attract pests through a lure lamp and eliminate them using a high-voltage metal mesh. When integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, SIL systems can collect various types of data, e.g., pest kill counts, meteorological conditions, soil moisture levels, and equipment status. However, the proper functioning of SIL-IoT is a prerequisite for enabling these capabilities. Therefore, this paper introduces the component composition and fault analysis of SIL-IoT. By examining long-term operational data from seven nodes deployed in real-world scenarios, different fault modes are identified. Six typical machine methods are adopted to verify the validity of the proposed dataset. The results indicate that machine learning algorithms can achieve high accuracy on the proposed dataset. Notably, voltage, current, and meteorological data play a crucial role in the fault diagnosis process for both SIL-IoT and other related agricultural IoT devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cross Data)
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20 pages, 3055 KiB  
Article
Mealworm Frass as a Novel Insect Food-Based Attractant: The Case of Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae)
by Ioannis E. Koufakis, Argyro P. Kalaitzaki, George D. Broufas, Antonios E. Tsagkarakis and Maria L. Pappas
Insects 2025, 16(5), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050466 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 824
Abstract
The management of Bactrocera oleae (Rossi, 1790) has relied on chemical insecticides, applied as bait or cover sprays. However, concerns over insecticide resistance and environmental impact have driven the search for more effective and eco-friendly alternatives, such as mass trapping. The aim of [...] Read more.
The management of Bactrocera oleae (Rossi, 1790) has relied on chemical insecticides, applied as bait or cover sprays. However, concerns over insecticide resistance and environmental impact have driven the search for more effective and eco-friendly alternatives, such as mass trapping. The aim of the study was to assess a novel food-based attractant, derived from Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758 excreta “Frass”, for its attractiveness to B. oleae adults compared to widely used commercial food-based attractants. Over a four-year period, five field trials were conducted in two organic olive groves in Crete, Greece, using a randomized complete block design with five or six replicate blocks. Results showed that frass-based attractants captured significantly higher number of B. oleae adults than the other tested attractants. Additionally, trap–attractant combinations were assessed to determine the most efficient mass-trapping system. Frass-based attractant deployed in Anel or container traps demonstrated significantly higher attractiveness than all commercial traps and lures tested. The significant advantages of mealworm frass as an attractant highlight its potential to enhance the monitoring and suppression of B. oleae in olive orchards. Its consistent performance, sustainability, and environmental safety make it a promising tool in integrated pest management strategies. Full article
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18 pages, 1717 KiB  
Article
Development of Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSBs) System and Its Effectiveness in Mosquito Control
by Ruixiang Zhang, Teng Zhao, Dan Xing, Xinyu Zhou, Haotian Yu, Dongfen Geng, Zhihua Fan, Kai Wang, Xinan Huang and Chunxiao Li
Insects 2025, 16(3), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16030258 - 2 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1837
Abstract
Background: Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSBs) are an innovative vector control strategy based on the “attract-and-kill” principle. The core of ATSBs lies in the preparation of attractive and toxic baits through the mixing and proportioning of luring and active ingredients. Although previous studies [...] Read more.
Background: Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSBs) are an innovative vector control strategy based on the “attract-and-kill” principle. The core of ATSBs lies in the preparation of attractive and toxic baits through the mixing and proportioning of luring and active ingredients. Although previous studies have investigated the effects of ATSBs on mosquitoes, significant challenges remain for broader field application. Methods: This study evaluated five fruit juices as ATSBs for mosquitoes, focusing on feeding preferences. Preservative concentrations were assessed by measuring antimicrobial activity over time. Two commercial traps were tested for mosquito entry rates. The optimal insecticide species and concentration were determined based on mortality rates. An optimized ATSBs system was developed and tested under a semi-field cage. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism. Results: Within 24 h, apple juice-based ATSBs had the highest attractant index for Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles sinensis, while a pear juice-based ATSB was most effective for Aedes albopictus. A 0.1% preservative concentration best maintained juice stability. The LC50 values of dinotefuran-based ATSBs for Cx. quinquefasciatus, Ae. albopictus, and An. sinensis were 1.18 × 10−3, 4.06 × 10−4, and 5.20 × 10−5 g/L, respectively. The Spodoptera frugiperda trap outperformed the Drosophilidae trap. Simulated semi-field cage tests showed 48 h mortality rates of 86.00% for Cx. quinquefasciatus and 95.67% for Ae. albopictus. Conclusion: This study optimized an ATSB system by screening various fruit juices, preservative concentrations, insecticides, and trap devices. The system’s efficacy in mosquito control was evaluated under a semi-field cage. These findings provide a strong foundation for the future application and refinement of ATSB-based mosquito control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medical and Livestock Entomology)
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17 pages, 1804 KiB  
Article
Comparison of the Trapping Efficacy of Locally Modified Gravid Aedes Trap and Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap for the Monitoring and Surveillance of Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes in Tanzania
by Jane Johnson Machange, Masudi Suleiman Maasayi, John Mundi, Jason Moore, Joseph Barnabas Muganga, Olukayode G. Odufuwa, Sarah J. Moore and Frank Chelestino Tenywa
Insects 2024, 15(6), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15060401 - 30 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2192
Abstract
The study assessed the trapping efficacy of locally modified (1) Gravid Aedes Trap (GAT) lined with insecticide-treated net (ITN) as a killing agent and (2) Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap (AGO) with sticky board in the semi-field system (SFS) and field setting. Fully balanced Latin [...] Read more.
The study assessed the trapping efficacy of locally modified (1) Gravid Aedes Trap (GAT) lined with insecticide-treated net (ITN) as a killing agent and (2) Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap (AGO) with sticky board in the semi-field system (SFS) and field setting. Fully balanced Latin square experiments were conducted to compare GAT lined with ITN vs. AGO, both with either yeast or grass infusion. Biogent-Sentinel (BGS) with BG-Lure and no CO2 was used as a standard trap for Aedes mosquitoes. In the SFS, GAT outperformed AGO in collecting both nulliparous (65% vs. 49%, OR = 2.22, [95% CI: 1.89–2.60], p < 0.001) and gravid mosquitoes (73% vs. 64%, OR = 1.67, [95% CI: 1.41–1.97], p < 0.001). Similar differences were observed in the field. Yeast and grass infusion did not significantly differ in trapping gravid mosquitoes (OR = 0.91, [95% CI: 0.77–1.07], p = 0.250). The use of ITN improved mosquito recapture from 11% to 70% in the SFS. The same trend was observed in the field. Yeast was chosen for further evaluation in the optimized GAT due to its convenience and bifenthrin net for its resistance management properties. Mosquito density was collected when using 4× GATs relative to BGS-captured gravid mosquitoes 64 vs. 58 (IRR = 0.82, [95% CI: 0.35–1.95], p = 0.658) and showed no density dependence. Deployment of multiple yeast-baited GAT lined with bifenthrin net is cost-effective (single GAT < $8) compared to other traps such as BGS ($160). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medical and Livestock Entomology)
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13 pages, 1231 KiB  
Article
Developing an Effective Push–Pull System for Managing Outbreaks of the Invasive Pest Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Nephelium lappaceum Orchards
by Jian Wen, Zhe Shan, Yan Zou, Xianwu Lin, Zhifu Cui, Rihui Yan and Fengqin Cao
Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 890; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14050890 - 24 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1999
Abstract
Outbreaks of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), present significant challenges to global fruit production, necessitating effective control measures that minimize environmental risks and pesticide resistance. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of four distinct push–pull control strategies for [...] Read more.
Outbreaks of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), present significant challenges to global fruit production, necessitating effective control measures that minimize environmental risks and pesticide resistance. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of four distinct push–pull control strategies for managing B. dorsalis outbreaks in a Nephelium lappaceum orchard. These strategies involved the inclusion of low-concentration abamectin, spraying repellent with a drone or manually, using methyl eugenol (ME) or food bait and employing either two types of attractants and repellents or a single type. The findings indicated that incorporating the low-concentration abamectin into the push–pull system, utilizing ME as an attractant instead of food lures and manually applying abamectin and attractants were all effective in reducing the B. dorsalis population size and minimizing fruit damage. While increasing the diversity of repellents and attractants enhanced the long-term effectiveness of the system, it did not result in a significant decrease in B. dorsalis population size or fruit damage rate compared to using a single repellent or attractant. In conclusion, the push–pull strategy emerged as a viable method for managing B. dorsalis outbreaks, offering potential benefits in reducing environmental risks and pesticide resistance. However, the study underscored the importance of the context-specific construction of push–pull strategies to optimize their effectiveness in orchard settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pests, Pesticides, Pollinators and Sustainable Farming)
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23 pages, 8949 KiB  
Article
Climate Change-Related Disaster Risk Mitigation through Innovative Insurance Mechanism: A System Dynamics Model Application for a Case Study in Latvia
by Maksims Feofilovs, Andrea Jonathan Pagano, Emanuele Vannucci, Marina Spiotta and Francesco Romagnoli
Risks 2024, 12(3), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/risks12030043 - 28 Feb 2024
Viewed by 3776
Abstract
This study explores how the System Dynamics modeling approach can help deal with the problem of conventional insurance mechanisms by studying the feedback loops governing complex systems connected to the disaster insurance mechanism. Instead of addressing the disaster’s underlying risk, the traditional disaster [...] Read more.
This study explores how the System Dynamics modeling approach can help deal with the problem of conventional insurance mechanisms by studying the feedback loops governing complex systems connected to the disaster insurance mechanism. Instead of addressing the disaster’s underlying risk, the traditional disaster insurance strategy largely focuses on providing financial security for asset recovery after a disaster. This constraint becomes especially concerning as the threat of climate-related disasters grows since it may result in rising long-term damage expenditures. A new insurance mechanism is suggested as a solution to this problem to lower damage costs while safeguarding insured assets and luring new assets to be protected. A local case study utilizing a System Dynamics stock and flow model is created and validated by examining the model’s structure, sensitivity analysis, and extreme value test. The results of the case study performed on a city in Latvia highlight the significance of effective disaster risk reduction strategies applied within the innovative insurance mechanism in lowering overall disaster costs. The logical coherence seen throughout the analysis of simulated scenario results strengthens the established model’s plausibility. The case study’s findings support the innovative insurance mechanism’s dynamic hypothesis and show the main influencing factors on the dynamics within the proposed innovative insurance mechanism. The information this study can help insurance firms, policy planners, and disaster risk managers make decisions that will benefit local communities and other stakeholders regarding climate-related disaster risk mitigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Actuarial Mathematics and Insurance Risk Management)
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12 pages, 271 KiB  
Article
Novel Robust Stability Criteria for Lur’e Systems with Time-Varying Delay
by Wei Wang, Jinming Liang, Mihan Liu, Liming Ding and Hongbing Zeng
Mathematics 2024, 12(4), 583; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12040583 - 15 Feb 2024
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 1565
Abstract
This paper focuses on addressing the issue of absolute stability for uncertain Lur’e systems with time-varying delay using a delay-segmentation approach. The approach involves decomposing the delay interval into two distinct subintervals of unequal lengths. This allows for the introduction of a delay-segmentation-based [...] Read more.
This paper focuses on addressing the issue of absolute stability for uncertain Lur’e systems with time-varying delay using a delay-segmentation approach. The approach involves decomposing the delay interval into two distinct subintervals of unequal lengths. This allows for the introduction of a delay-segmentation-based augmented Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional that ensures piecewise continuity at the partition points. By selecting two sets of Lyapunov matrices for the time-varying delay in each interval, the obtained results are less conservative, providing a more accurate assessment of absolute stability. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the superiority of the delay-segmentation approach. Full article
9 pages, 557 KiB  
Article
Fatal Attraction: Argiope Spiders Lure Male Hemileuca Moth Prey with the Promise of Sex
by Andrew D. Warren and Paul M. Severns
Insects 2024, 15(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010053 - 12 Jan 2024
Viewed by 4735
Abstract
Predator–prey coevolution, particularly chemo-ecological arms races, is challenging to study as it requires the integration of behavioral, chemical ecology, and phylogenetic studies in an amenable system. Moths of the genus Hemileuca (Saturniidae) are colorful, diurnal, and fast and often fly well above the [...] Read more.
Predator–prey coevolution, particularly chemo-ecological arms races, is challenging to study as it requires the integration of behavioral, chemical ecology, and phylogenetic studies in an amenable system. Moths of the genus Hemileuca (Saturniidae) are colorful, diurnal, and fast and often fly well above the vegetation canopy layer. However, several Hemileuca species have been reported as being captured in spider webs, specifically Argiope species (Araneidae). Female Hemileuca are known to produce mating pheromones and spiders of the Araneidae family are known to use pheromone lures to attract lepidopteran prey. We presented primarily female Argiope aurantia, which are attractive to male Anisota pellucida (Saturniidae), to different populations of Hemileuca species across the southern and western United States to categorize the homing response strength of different species of male Hemileuca. When we mapped these Argiope lure attraction strength categories onto the most recently published Hemileuca phylogeny, the behavioral patterns suggested a potential co-evolutionary arms race between predators and prey. Males of Hemileuca maia, H. grotei, and H. nevadensis (all in the same clade) appeared to have no attraction to A. aurantia, while H. magnifica and H. hera (within a different, separate clade) appeared to be strongly attracted to A. aurantia, but H. nuttalli (also within the H. hera and H. magnifica clade) displayed no attraction. Furthermore, Hemileuca eglanterina (yet a different clade) displayed strong, weak, and no attraction to A. aurantia, depending on the population. These apparent clade partitioning patterns of Argiope lure effectiveness and within-species variation in Hemileuca lure responses suggest a predator–prey coevolutionary history of measures and countermeasures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Other Arthropods and General Topics)
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12 pages, 1158 KiB  
Article
Design and Evaluation of a Sticky Attractant Trap for Intra-Domiciliary Surveillance of Aedes aegypti Populations in Mexico
by Keila Elizabeth Paiz-Moscoso, Luis Alberto Cisneros-Vázquez, Rogelio Danís-Lozano, Jorge J. Rodríguez-Rojas, Eduardo A. Rebollar-Téllez, Rosa María Sánchez-Casas and Ildefonso Fernández-Salas
Insects 2023, 14(12), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14120940 - 11 Dec 2023
Viewed by 2401
Abstract
Surveillance consists of systematic data collection, analysis, and interpretation and is essential for planning and implementing control activities. The lack of success in the control and surveillance of the Ae. aegypti mosquito elsewhere demands the development of new accessible and effective strategies. This [...] Read more.
Surveillance consists of systematic data collection, analysis, and interpretation and is essential for planning and implementing control activities. The lack of success in the control and surveillance of the Ae. aegypti mosquito elsewhere demands the development of new accessible and effective strategies. This work aimed to develop and evaluate an adhesive lure trap for household indoor surveillance of Ae. aegypti. Based on a bibliographic review, four compounds that have significant attraction percentages for Ae. aegypti were considered. Our more effective blend was determined through preliminary bioassays using the high-throughput screening system (HITSS) and 90 × 90 cm mosquito cages. We designed a low-cost, pyramid-shaped, sticky cardboard trap to incorporate the selected blend. Semi-field 2 × 2 m cages and field tests were utilized to evaluate its effectiveness through mosquito capture percentages. In laboratory tests, blend number 2 presented an attraction percentage of 47.5 ± 4.8%; meanwhile, in semi-field cages, a 4-inch, 110 v powered fan was used to disperse the attractants, and then a similar capture percentage of 43.2 ± 4.0% was recorded. Results were recorded during the field evaluation of the at-house indoor environment and were compared with those recorded with the golden-standard BG-Sentinel trap, i.e., our prototype trapped an average of 6.0 ± 1.5 mosquitoes versus 10.0 ± 2.6. In most Latin American countries, there is a lack of formal and accessible strategies for monitoring adult populations of Ae. Aegypti; therefore, we must develop tools that reinforce entomological surveillance methods. Full article
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14 pages, 1866 KiB  
Article
Male and Female Tortricid Moth Response to Non-Pheromonal Semiochemicals
by Ajay P. Giri, Brent D. Short and Jaime C. Piñero
Insects 2023, 14(11), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110884 - 16 Nov 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1963
Abstract
In eastern North America, apple orchards are often attacked by several species of tortricid moths (Lepidoptera), including Cydia pomonella, Grapholita molesta, Argyrotaenia velutinana, and Pandemis limitata. Sex pheromones are routinely used to monitor male moth populations. Adding plant volatiles [...] Read more.
In eastern North America, apple orchards are often attacked by several species of tortricid moths (Lepidoptera), including Cydia pomonella, Grapholita molesta, Argyrotaenia velutinana, and Pandemis limitata. Sex pheromones are routinely used to monitor male moth populations. Adding plant volatiles to monitoring traps could increase the capture of moths of both sexes and improve the effectiveness of mating disruption systems. This study sought to quantify the attraction of adults of four tortricid moth species to five olfactory treatments, namely (1) Pherocon® CM L2-P, (2) Pherocon Megalure CM 4K Dual® (=Megalure), (3) Megalure + benzaldehyde, (4) TRE 2266 (linalool oxide + (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT)), and (5) TRE 2267 (linalool oxide + DMNT + benzaldehyde), in non-mating disrupted commercial apple orchards in Massachusetts. The commercial lure Megalure was attractive to both sexes of G. molesta and C. pomonella. The addition of benzaldehyde to TRE 2266 or to Megalure significantly increased the capture of male G. molesta during the mid and late season of 2021. Only when benzaldehyde was added to TRE 2266 did the latter lure attract P. limitata in 2020 and 2021. The greatest number of tortricid moths (all four species combined) was captured by TRE 2267. This finding highlights the opportunity to enhance the attractiveness of a commercial lure through the addition of benzaldehyde, an aromatic compound, to Megalure. The potential of these additional volatiles to detect moths in a mating-disrupted orchard and/or remove female moths as a component of a management system is discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Behavior and Pathology)
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17 pages, 6195 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Cuelure on Attracting and Feeding Behavior in Zeugodacus tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae)
by Xuxiang Liu, Qinyuan Zhang, Weijie Xu, Yongbang Yang, Qingwen Fan and Qinge Ji
Insects 2023, 14(11), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110836 - 25 Oct 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2269
Abstract
As a vital pest control strategy, trapping plays an important role in the system of monitoring, catching and killing fruit flies. Cuelure (4-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-2-butanone, CL) is a male lure that attracts Zeugodacus tau and also stimulates feeding in this species. In this study, the [...] Read more.
As a vital pest control strategy, trapping plays an important role in the system of monitoring, catching and killing fruit flies. Cuelure (4-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-2-butanone, CL) is a male lure that attracts Zeugodacus tau and also stimulates feeding in this species. In this study, the attraction of Z. tau to CL and its subsequent feeding behavior were investigated. Under the significant influence of age and time of day, the attraction of CL to Z. tau was found to be optimal when flies were 14 days old, and the number of flies trapped increased with trapping duration. It was determined that consumption can improve the mating success and female adult fertility of Z. tau. After the observation period, the mating success rate of flies that ingested CL was significantly higher than that of the control group and was maintained at a higher level. It was found that parental consumption of CL could accelerate the development of eggs and larvae, resulting in increased pupation and emergence rates. The results of this study will further clarify the dynamic relationship between pest and lure, and provide a research basis for navigating the integrated management of Z. tau in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Pest and Vector Management)
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16 pages, 3340 KiB  
Article
Differences in the Occurrence of Cell Wall Components between Distinct Cell Types in Glands of Drosophyllum lusitanicum
by Bartosz J. Płachno, Małgorzata Kapusta, Piotr Stolarczyk, Piotr Świątek and Irene Lichtscheidl
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(20), 15045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242015045 - 10 Oct 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2274
Abstract
Carnivorous plants are mixotrophs that have developed the ability to lure, trap, and digest small organisms and utilize components of the digested bodies. Leaves of Drosophyllum lusitanicum have two kinds of glands (emergences): stalked mucilage glands and sessile digestive glands. The stalked mucilage [...] Read more.
Carnivorous plants are mixotrophs that have developed the ability to lure, trap, and digest small organisms and utilize components of the digested bodies. Leaves of Drosophyllum lusitanicum have two kinds of glands (emergences): stalked mucilage glands and sessile digestive glands. The stalked mucilage glands perform the primary role in prey lure and trapping. Apart from their role in carnivory, they absorb water condensed from oceanic fog; thus, plants can survive in arid conditions. To better understand the function of carnivorous plant emergences, the molecular composition of their cell walls was investigated using immunocytochemical methods. In this research, Drosophyllum lusitanicum was used as a study system to determine whether cell wall immunocytochemistry differs between the mucilage and digestive glands of other carnivorous plant species. Light and electron microscopy were used to observe gland structure. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the localization of carbohydrate epitopes associated with the major cell wall polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The mucilage gland (emergence) consists of a glandular head, a connecting neck zone, and stalk. The gland head is formed by an outer and inner layer of glandular (secretory) cells and supported by a layer of endodermoid (barrier) cells. The endodermoid cells have contact with a core of spongy tracheids with spiral-shaped thickenings. Lateral tracheids are surrounded by epidermal and parenchymal neck cells. Different patterns of cell wall components were found in the various cell types of the glands. Cell walls of glandular cells generally are poor in both low and highly esterified homogalacturonans (HGs) but enriched with hemicelluloses. Cell walls of inner glandular cells are especially rich in arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). The cell wall ingrowths in glandular cells are significantly enriched with hemicelluloses and AGPs. In the case of cell wall components, the glandular cells of Drosophyllum lusitanicum mucilage glands are similar to the glandular cells of the digestive glands of Aldrovanda vesiculosa and Dionaea muscipula. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Plant Cell Biotechnology: From Genes to Structure)
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12 pages, 280 KiB  
Article
Global Discontinuity: Time for a Paradigm Shift in Global Scenario Analysis
by Dale S. Rothman, Paul Raskin, Kasper Kok, John Robinson, Jill Jäger, Barry Hughes and Paul C. Sutton
Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 12950; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712950 - 28 Aug 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2036
Abstract
The evolutionary paths of social-ecological systems comprise periods of structural continuity punctuated by moments of convulsive change. Various forms of systemic global shock could materialize in the coming decades, triggered by the climate crisis, social disruption, economic breakdown, financial collapse, nuclear conflict, or [...] Read more.
The evolutionary paths of social-ecological systems comprise periods of structural continuity punctuated by moments of convulsive change. Various forms of systemic global shock could materialize in the coming decades, triggered by the climate crisis, social disruption, economic breakdown, financial collapse, nuclear conflict, or pandemics. The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic stands as a real-time example of an interruption of historic continuity. More hopefully, deep institutional and cultural shifts could rapidly usher in more resilient forms of global civilization. These plausible possibilities challenge scenario studies to spotlight discontinuous futures, an imperative that has not been adequately met. Several factors—for example, gradualist theories of change, scientific reticence, the lure of quantitative tractability, embeddedness in policymaking processes—have rendered mainstream scenario analysis ill-suited to the task. The emphasis on continuity fails to alert decision makers and the public to the risks and opportunities latent in our singular historical moment. A shift to a paradigm that foregrounds discontinuity is long overdue, calling for efforts to broaden the base of persons involved; devote more attention to balancing narrative storytelling and a broader range of quantitative methods; and apply and develop methods to explicitly consider discontinuities in global scenario development. Full article
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