Search Results (315)

Sympatric butterflies in the same family (Pieridae) utilize the same genus of hostplant (Fabaceae), yet some are only found as caterpillars on young foliage, while others appear to eat mature foliage. Observations conducted over the course of a single year on five species of Inga (Fabaceae) in Monteverde, Costa Rica, revealed three butterflies whose caterpillars consumed their leaves. One species was more common throughout the year with caterpillars encountered on primarily mature foliage; two others were found only on species with new leaves and occurred seasonally, during months of increased new leaf production. In feeding preference tests, those species showed a marked preference for eating new leaves, whereas the more common species showed no preference. The seasonality of occurrence of the two species eating new leaves may be explained, in part, by availability of their preferred foliage. The coexistence of the three butterflies using the same host-plants may be facilitated by their leaf age preferences and differential oviposition patterns of the females. Full article

In June 2023, a larva of grassland caterpillar Gynaephora qinghaiensis naturally infected by an entomopathogenic fungus was collected from an alpine rangeland in Gangcha County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. After laboratory isolation and cultivation, the pathogen was identified as Beauveria bassiana (designated as GC23620) based on morphological characteristics and ITS-rDNA sequence similarity analysis. The larvicidal efficacy of B. bassiana GC23620 against fourth-instar larvae of G. qinghaiensis were assessed using two inoculation methods in laboratory conditions. The infection process and pathogenicity were analyzed by simulation and parameter estimation using the Time–Dose–Mortality (TDM) model. The estimated parameters for the concentration effect of strain GC23620 (β) were 0.56 (leaf dipping method) and 0.30 (insect immersion method), respectively. After treatment with conidial suspensions (1.05 × 10⁵ to 1.05 × 10⁹ conidia/mL), the cumulative corrected mortalities were 72.73–100.00% (leaf dipping method) and 42.42–90.91% (insect immersion method) at 8 days after inoculation (DAI), and the median lethal doses (LD₅₀) decreased to 1.74 × 10³ conidia/mL (leaf dipping method) and 1.85 × 10⁴ conidia/mL (insect immersion method), respectively, during the same post-inoculation period. After inoculation with conidial suspension under a concentration of 1.05 × 10⁶ conidia/mL, the median lethal times (LT₅₀) were 2.40 (leaf dipping method) and 4.51 days (insect immersion method). A control efficacy of 84.27% was obtained for G. qinghaiensis larvae on grassland at 21 days post-treatment after spraying the fermentation solution with a low dose of 1.05 × 10⁵ conidia/mL. In conclusion, B. bassiana strain GC23620 exhibited high pathogenic activity against G. qinghaiensis larvae and has strong potential for the green control of grassland pests. Full article

In-pipe robots must navigate narrow, curved passages where rigid mechanisms often require bulky steering units. Soft crawlers offer better compliance but typically rely on multiple actuators or reconfigurable contacts to achieve multi-directional motion. Drawing inspiration from biological soft crawlers that exploit directional friction and coordinated anchor–slip patterns, this study focuses on locomotion principles observed in caterpillars, water boatmen, and whirligig beetles. Based on these bioinspired concepts, we present a tendon-driven soft in-pipe robot that combines continuum bending–twisting deformation with modular anisotropic friction pads (AFPs), enabling three locomotion modes using only two motors. AFP inclination, curvature, and ridge geometry were optimized through friction tests, constant-curvature modeling, and finite element analysis to enhance directional adhesion on flat and curved surfaces. A deformation-based locomotion framework was developed to couple tendon actuation with friction orientation, achieving longitudinal crawling, transverse translation, in-place rotation, and smooth transitions via programmed twisting. Driving experiments demonstrated repeatable anchor–slip locomotion with average speeds of 28.6 mm/s, 15.7 mm/s, and 11.5°/s for the three modes. Pipe tests in straight, curved, and T-junction sections further validated stable contact and reliable gait transitions. These findings highlight the potential of friction-programmed continuum robots as compact, bioinspired platforms for advanced in-pipe inspection and diagnostic tasks. Full article

Background: Closing extraction spaces with clear aligners remains a significant biomechanical challenge, frequently involving difficulties in sagittal control, torque expression, and intra-arch anchorage. Although various sequential or phased retraction strategies exist, the Caterpillar Motion protocol has not yet been formally defined. This clinical report describes the Caterpillar Motion staging protocol and illustrates its application through representative extraction cases, rather than providing a systematic review or experimental comparison. Case Presentation: Two adult patients with extraction-based malocclusions were treated using the Caterpillar Motion staging protocol. Case 1 involved bimaxillary first-premolar extractions with maximum anchorage requirements and periodontal limitations in the mandibular incisors. Case 2 presented as a full Class II malocclusion requiring maxillary first-premolar extractions with moderate anchorage for sagittal camouflage. In both cases, tooth movement was organized into alternating functional groups, with waves limited to 2 mm of sagittal closure. Discussion: The Caterpillar Motion protocol reduces the risk of aligner bowing effect, increases effective crown engagement, and redistributes anchorage demands by preventing simultaneous shortening of both arch extremities. Both cases demonstrated controlled anterior retraction, stable posterior anchorage, and favorable root parallelism. Conclusions: Caterpillar Motion offers a biomechanically coherent and clinically reproducible staging strategy for clear aligner extraction therapy. Further controlled studies are needed to validate its advantages over traditional linear and en-masse protocols. Full article

Background/Objectives: The medical mushroom Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Caterpillar Fungus), known for its ability to enhance “vitality,” is one of the most popular medicines in Asian traditional medical systems. According to the Chinese Pharmacopeia, O. sinensis is standardized for its adenosine content, the precursor of ATP, which mediates numerous physiological and pathological processes in many diseases. The related fungus of order Hypocreales, Cordyceps militaris, and its major bioactive constituents, 3′-deoxyadenosine (cordycepin), also exhibit pleiotropic biological activities. This review aims to provide a rationale for the adaptogenic and resilience-supporting effects of these medicinal fungi and to align food and drug regulation in Western countries. Methods: In this narrative review, we integrated results from chemical, pharmacokinetic, network pharmacology, preclinical, and clinical studies of O. sinensis, C. militaris, and cordycepin using network pharmacology and bioinformatics tools. Results: Across studies, recurrent mechanistic hubs included PI3K–Akt, AMPK–mTOR, MAPK, NF-κB, apoptosis, and adaptive stress-response signaling pathways, linking immune regulation and metabolic homeostasis. Experimental studies confirmed modulation of cytokine production, kinase signaling, and mitochondrial regulators. Clinical meta-analyses demonstrate consistent adjunctive benefits in renal and pulmonary disorders, although heterogeneity in preparation and methodological limitations remains significant. The review reveals controversy regarding the bioavailability of cordycepin in vivo and its concentration in vitro studies, raising the hypothesis that cordycepin may act as a driver, triggering the organism’s adaptive stress response in stress-induced and aging-related diseases. Pharmacokinetic data indicate that systemic cordycepin concentrations after oral administration remain in the nanomolar range, suggesting that some predicted molecular interactions may occur indirectly or through systems-level mechanisms. The review, for the first time, suggests establishing a regulatory category for resilience-supporting physiological modulators to align food and drug regulation in the EU with contemporary systems biology, thereby complementing the work of EFSA, EMA, FDA, and Asian authorities. Conclusions:O. sinensis, C. militaris, and 3-deoxyadenosine share a common adaptogenic mechanism for maintaining homeostasis of cellular and integrated biological system functions. The systems-level network analysis and reductionistic molecular ligand preceptor pharmacology provide complementary approaches for understanding the multi-target bioactivity of these fungi. This review clarifies conceptual and regulatory barriers to recognizing resilience-supporting interventions and informs future regulatory innovation. Full article

As an effective biological control agent, Propylea japonica (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) preys on aphids, whiteflies, planthoppers, and small caterpillars, playing a crucial role in pest management within agro-ecological systems. However, the lack of population genomic data has hindered efforts to optimize its use in biological control. We anayzed resequencing data from 166 genomes across 29 populations spanning P. japonica’s distribution in China. This study reconstructed the species’ evolutionary history, assessed population genetic diversity and demographic structure and identified the key environmental factors driving adaptive evolution. Meanwhile, we predicted its suitable habitats across different periods using ecological niche modelling methods. The results indicated that North China (G1, Yellow River Basin) was the likely geographic origin of P. japonica. Northern and southern populations show significant genetic differentiation, with adaptive evolution in the south being the major driver. We identified genomic signatures of selection in adaptive genes associated with increased pesticide resistance and thermal tolerance. Over the past 20,000 years, effective population size of P. japonica experienced an early bottleneck during the Last Glacial Maximum period, and a subsequent rapid expansion. These insights are critical for improving the conservation and application of natural enemies, ultimately enhancing biological control in agricultural systems. Full article

Nitrogen is one of the essential nutrient elements that affect rice growth, yield, and quality formation. Accurate and timely estimation of rice nitrogen status is fundamental for precision fertilization in agricultural fields. Hyperspectral remote sensing technology provides a promising approach for rapid and accurate acquisition of nitrogen status of rice in the field. However, traditional single-angle hyperspectral observations are easily disturbed by factors such as canopy structure, light direction, and background reflection, limiting their inversion accuracy and stability. This study is based on multi-angle polarimetric hyperspectral data obtained from an unmanned aerial vehicle platform. It extracts features from multi-angle polarimetric spectra based on three algorithms: successive projections algorithm (SPA), competitive adaptive reweighted sampling, and relevant features. The input weight and hidden layer bias of the extreme learning machine (ELM) model were optimized by the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and caterpillar fungus optimization algorithm (CFO), taking the sensitive band of optimal viewing angle as input. Finally, an inversion model of rice canopy nitrogen content (CNC) based on multi-angle polarization hyperspectral data was established. The results demonstrate that the inversion results of the combination of SPA-(30°) + SPA-(45°) observation angles and feature selection methods are optimal, and multi-angle fusion significantly improves the model’s ability to characterize CNC, with higher stability and accuracy than single-angle modeling. The R² of CFO-ELM on the training set and test set reach 0.8553 and 0.8274, respectively, which is significantly better than the original ELM and WOA-ELM, becoming the optimal CNC inversion model in this study. The rice CNC inversion model based on multi-angle polarimetric hyperspectral data constructed in this study provides a specific reference for the rapid detection of rice CNC. Full article

Leucania loreyi (Duponchel, 1827) is a major lepidopteran pest that infests a wide range of crops worldwide. Effective mass production of insects for pest management programs depends on the availability of suitable artificial diets. Here, we evaluated 14 artificial diets (D1–D14) formulated from maize or cowpea seeds (19.5 g) plus standard diet components and supplemented with 1 g of pollen from different sources (rapeseed, date palm, maize, common hollyhock, saffron, and honey bee), along with control diets. We assessed their effects on demographic traits of L. loreyi. The maize seed–maize pollen diet (D3) and the cowpea seed–maize pollen diet (D10) produced the shortest developmental times (37.53 and 38.10 days, respectively), whereas the maize seed–saffron pollen (D5) and cowpea seed–saffron pollen (D12) diets resulted in the longest development (45.83 and 45.56 days, respectively). Diet also D3 yielded the shortest adult and total pre-oviposition periods (APOP and TROP), the greatest female longevity, and the highest fecundity and net reproductive rate (R₀) (801.69 and 88.69 offspring, respectively). In contrast, diet D12 produced the lowest fecundity and R₀ (339.73 and 68.15 offspring, respectively). Consistent with these patterns, D3 generated the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ), while diets D5 and D12 were associated with lower population growth rates. Cluster analysis further identified D3 as the most nutritionally favorable formulation under our experimental conditions, supporting its potential utility for large-scale L. loreyi rearing. Full article

It is widely accepted that preserving biodiversity requires transformative change and, perhaps foremost, demands a paradigm shift in economic scholarship. The prevailing neoclassical growth-based status quo is too often detached from nature and, as a result, ill-equipped to offer insights on how to halt biodiversity loss. This perspective paper builds on the famous cowboy–spaceman economy distinction by presenting an analogy from the natural world. Proposals from post-growth schools of economic thought on how to induce metamorphosis of the growth-based caterpillar economy are described. Thereafter, an exploration is undertaken of a butterfly economy based on three propositions: embed economics in ecosystems, in systems thinking, and in human–nature relationships. Herein, examples are provided of nature-literate economics, policy implications are discussed, and an actionable research agenda is outlined. The perspective closes by drawing on discussions from conservation sciences to inspire the design of an economic framework conducive to healthy human–nature relationships. Full article

This study develops a data-driven predictive framework integrating hybrid feature selection, interpretable machine learning, and uncertainty quantification to forecast Olympic medal performance among elite nations. Focusing on the top ten countries from Paris 2024, the analysis employs a three-stage feature selection procedure combining Spearman correlation screening, random forest embedded importance, and the Caterpillar Fungus Optimizer (CFO) to identify stable long-term predictors. A novel test variable, rank, capturing historical competitive strength, and a refined continuous host-effect indicator derived from gravity-type trade models are introduced. Two complementary modeling strategies—a two-way fixed-effects econometric model and a CFO-optimized random forest—are implemented and validated. SHAP, LIME, and partial dependence plots enhance model interpretability, revealing nonlinear mechanisms underlying medal outcomes. Kernel density estimation generates probabilistic interval forecasts for Los Angeles 2028. Results demonstrate that historical performance and event-specific characteristics dominate medal predictions, while macroeconomic factors (GDP, population) and conventional host status contribute marginally once related variables are controlled. Consistent variable rankings across models and close alignment between 2028 projections and 2024 outcomes validate the framework’s robustness and practical applicability for sports policy and resource allocation decisions. Full article

The essential oils obtained by steam distillation of leaves of Piper species have found several applications in bioeconomy due to their various biological properties. Nevertheless, the analysis of essential oils does not provide information regarding the ecologically relevant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by metabolically active leaves under real-world conditions, challenged or not by herbivore damage. In this study, P. arboreum growing in a highly diverse area was observed as the host of two generalist caterpillars—Gonodonta maria (Erebidae) and Dysodia spissicornis (Thyrididae)—and one Piper-specialist from the genus Eois (Geometridae). The effect of the leaf attack caused by the three different caterpillars on VOCs emission indicated significant and herbivore-specific changes in leaf-induced responses. The profiles of undamaged leaves showed that the two generalist herbivores induced a higher number of single VOCs and of total VOCs emissions by P. arboreum when compared to the herbivory of the specialist caterpillar. Many of the VOCs emitted by herbivore-damaged leaves contained terpenoids that have been previously shown to attract parasitoids, such as (E)-β-ocimene, linalool, DMNT and (E)-β-caryophyllene. All three herbivores significantly altered the VOC profile of P. arboreum leaves compared to undamaged controls, but specific composition signatures were observed, highlighting the complexity of chemical communication at multitrophic levels. Full article

Plant nutrient content is spatially and temporally dynamic, exposing insect herbivores to substantial nutritional variability. Such variability can constrain insects to feeding on sub-optimal diets, but it can also allow them to regulate their intake towards an optimal nutrient balance. Nutrient regulation is important in pest management, as the nutritional state of insects may alter their susceptibility to insecticides. Diet macronutrient balance has been shown to significantly affect the susceptibility of Helicoverpa zea larvae to endotoxins produced by transgenic crops containing Bacillus thurigiensis (Bt) genes. However, this was demonstrated using a highly inbred laboratory strain, limiting extrapolation to field populations. Here, we test the impact of field-relevant macronutrient variability on the efficacy of two Bt toxins across three field populations to increase the relevance to resistance monitoring and management. While differences in susceptibility were limited across populations, dietary effects were highly population specific. The Bt toxin that was most affected by diet and the diet that supported optimal survival and performance varied across populations. These findings indicate that nutrition can strongly influence Bt susceptibility, but these effects are influenced by population-level differences. To accurately assess Bt susceptibility in the field, bioassay diets should be tailored to the nutritional ecology of local populations. Full article

Population models offer insights into both theoretical and practical aspects of insect population dynamics. Among the models, stage-structured matrix models are used to describe the population dynamics of insects because the development of insects is by nature stage-structured. Field populations of the pine caterpillar, Dendrolimus spectabilis (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) were monitored in a pine stand located in Dorak-ri, Cheongsan-myeon, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, from May 1998 to March 1999, and the pest density was measured as the number of larvae, pupae, or eggs at one-month intervals, excluding the winter season. Life tables and matrix models were constructed based on field observations, and the most vulnerable life stage was identified through sensitivity analysis. The density of the pine caterpillar (number per 1000 cm² branch) was 7.9 on 8 May 1998, and subsequently decreased to 0.5 on 14 March 1999, showing a decreasing trend of caterpillar density. The population growth rate was 0.74, a decreasing trend. The most vulnerable stages were (1) the larvae immediately after hatching and (2) again during overwintering, probably due to indirect mortality caused by humid conditions and activities of natural enemies during winter. Given the significant damage caused by mature larvae in the spring and that the density of the caterpillar after overwintering typically remains stable, forest management requires that the pest density be monitored soon after overwintering to allow decisions about control measures to be taken. Our results showed that a matrix model is useful to describe the population dynamics of the pine caterpillar and to construct suitable management strategies. Full article

Background: Insect metamorphosis is one of the most fascinating developmental processes in the natural world. Complete metamorphosis requires the breakdown and reorganisation of larval tissues and the coordinated construction and development of adult structures. The molecular events that achieve this transformation are, however, incompletely understood, and there is a particular shortage of data describing changes in protein abundance that occur during the process. Methods: Here, using a label-free quantitative bottom-up approach, we perform a novel whole-organism proteomic analysis of consecutive developmental stages of male Bicyclus anynana butterflies as they develop from caterpillars into adults via pupation. Results: Our analysis generated a dynamic reference dataset representing 2749 detected proteins. Statistical analysis identified 90 proteins changing significantly in abundance during metamorphosis, and functional interpretation highlights cuticle formation, apoptosis and autophagy during the pupal stages, and the up-regulation of respiration and energy metabolism upon completion of the fully formed adult. A preliminary search for potential peptide phosphorylation modifications identified 15 candidates, including three proteins with roles in muscle function. Conclusions: The study provides a basis for future protein-level analysis of butterfly metamorphosis and suggests the importance of dissecting the post-translational regulation associated with this fascinating developmental transformation. Full article

The depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the pollution produced by fuel combustion are major concerns in the energy generation sector. Due to this, waste heat recovery has become a stringent objective in this domain. The current study pursues this objective with regard to gas–steam combined cycle power plants, which are currently viewed as the most advanced technology in fossil fuel power generation. The proposed solution for waste heat recovery is to add an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power system to the gas–steam combined cycle power plant with a Solar Centaur 40 gas turbine, produced by Solar Turbines, a Caterpillar Company (San Diego, CA, USA). The ORC power system is placed along the path of the flue gas, downstream of the heat recovery steam generator of the combined cycle power plant. R1336mzz (Z), R1233zd (E), and R601a were investigated as working fluids. The performance of the ORC system was analyzed as a function of the degree of superheat. The superheating process was proven to be disadvantageous since it led to performance deterioration. The numerical study showed that the overall efficiency of the combined cycle power plant increased up to 0.014 (1.4%) as a consequence of adding the ORC system, which itself achieves a maximum efficiency of 0.133 (13.3%). The annual fuel (natural gas) savings achievable under these conditions were roughly estimated at 398,185 Nm³/year, equating to annual fuel cost savings of approximately 269,000 EUR/year and an 810 t/year reduction in CO₂ emissions. Full article