Search Results (143)

This work reviews the strategic valorization of industrial by-products as sustainable sources of biopolymers and bioactive compounds, promoting a circular economy through the efficient use of renewable resources and reducing waste generation. These strategies contribute to lowering the carbon footprint of conventional packaging and plasticulture while supporting more resilient and diverse agriculture systems. Special emphasis is placed on processing roots and tubers as renewable raw materials for the production of biodegradable films for agronomic applications as eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based plastics and contributing to soil and ecosystem protection. Additionally, the incorporation of by-products from yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) demonstrate significant potential as both matrix-forming and filler materials in biodegradable composites while also providing antioxidant activity and pH-sensing capacity. This sustainable framework is further expanded through the utilization of non-traditional species like rosehip (Rosa rubiginosa), Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), and topinambur (Helianthus tuberosus), which provide versatile functional matrices and bioactive compounds. Finally, the development of active and intelligent food packaging is addressed. Extracting natural pH-sensitive pigments from red cabbage and topinambur flowers enables the formulation of eco-friendly inks for real-time freshness monitoring. Ultimately, integrating these waste streams drives technological disruption, scaling sustainable, tailored solutions for global industry needs. Full article

Artificial light at night (ALAN) and the broader use of artificial light in agriculture are increasingly recognized to affect the physiology and behavior of nocturnal insects, yet their influence on pheromone-mediated reproductive communication in economically important insect pest species remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of artificial illumination on calling behavior, sex pheromone production, blend composition, and mating success in the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda, under both laboratory and semi-field conditions. Virgin females were exposed during the scotophase to one of four wavelength-specific treatments, including dark control, red (620 nm), green (520 nm), or blue (460 nm) LED light. Female calling behavior occurred during the early-to-mid scotophase under dark and red light conditions, while it was significantly delayed and suppressed under blue and green light. Specifically, blue light suppressed production of the key pheromone component (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac) and enhanced (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac), altering the species-specific pheromone blend composition. Mating success was significantly reduced under blue light in both laboratory and semi-field experiments. Under controlled laboratory conditions, green light also affected mating success, but this effect was not significant in the semi-field experiment. Blue light imposed the strongest inhibitory effect, reducing mating success by 39% relative to the dark condition. Red light produced minimal effects in all measured parameters, consistent with reduced sensitivity to longer wavelengths in nocturnal moths. These results demonstrate that wavelength-specific artificial light can disrupt several components of the reproductive communication system in S. frugiperda and suggest that manipulation of artificial light may offer a non-chemical approach for disrupting mating behavior in economically important insect pest species within integrated pest management programs. Full article

Adoxophyes orana is a major leafroller pest that damages fruit trees from Asia to Central Europe. The sex pheromone (SP) of A. orana comprises Z9-14:Ac, Z11-14:Ac, Z9-14:OH, Z11-14:OH, and E9-14: Ac. In this study, we characterized the ligand-binding properties of the AoraPBP3, combining experimental and computational approaches. RT-qPCR analyses demonstrated that AoraPBP3 was highly expressed in antennae of both sexes, as well as male wings, and with transcript levels significantly higher in male antennae than in female. Fluorescence competitive binding assays (FCBAs) revealed that AoraPBP3 exhibited the highest binding affinity for Z11-14:Ac and no detectable affinity for Z11-14:OH. Meanwhile, AoraPBP3 bound to six host plant volatiles (HPVs), exhibiting a strong preference for pear ester. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations evaluating AoraPBP3 interaction with the five SP components showed that the AoraPBP3–Z11-14:Ac complex possessed the lowest binding energy. Conversely, a high RMSD was observed in the AoraPBP3–Z11-14:OH complex, which might be attributed to too short distances between AoraPBP3 and Z11-14:OH throughout the simulation trajectory. By clarifying the functional and structural binding mechanisms of AoraPBP3 toward SP components and host plant recognition, this work will provide valuable insights for developing targeted mating disruption strategies to manage A. orana populations in orchards. Full article

Rodent species belonging to the Arvicanthis genus cause substantial field and postharvest losses in many African countries, where management still relies mainly on lethal control methods. Hormonal fertility control may provide a complementary strategy for reducing rodent population growth. We investigated the antifertility effects of bait containing quinestrol, a synthetic estrogen, levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestogen, and their combination at 10, 50, and 100 ppm in the Nile grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus). These compounds suppress fertility by disrupting normal reproductive endocrine function. Adult male and female animals were exposed to treated bait under laboratory conditions, and reproductive responses were evaluated through measurements of bait intake, body weight change, reproductive organ weights, sperm count, sperm motility, pregnancy rate, and litter size. Quinestrol and combined treatments significantly reduced male reproductive organ weights and impaired sperm quality. Female reproductive organ weights were generally unaffected, although uterine edema occurred at higher concentrations. Quinestrol at 50 ppm completely inhibited pregnancy in treated females, regardless of the male mating partner. In addition, untreated females paired with treated males exhibited lower pregnancy rates and reduced litter sizes. Our findings demonstrate the potential of hormonal fertility control as a complementary strategy for sustainable rodent pest management in Africa. Future studies should focus on improving bait intake, field evaluation, and determining the duration and reversibility of contraceptive effects. Full article

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is a significant threat to brassica producers around the globe. Insecticide-resistant P. xylostella populations are increasing across the United States as frequent insecticide applications remain common. Alternative control tactics, such as mating disruption, have been developed for P. xylostella and can be useful for managing populations in brassica systems. To measure the efficacy of mating disruption for reducing P. xylostella trap captures in the field, two experimental studies were designed to: (1) evaluate the dispenser density needed to reduce P. xylostella trap captures and (2) test hand-applied dispensers under commercial field conditions. Results from the dispenser density study showed P. xylostella trap captures were significantly reduced in plots treated with 32 dispensers per 0.4 ha. In plots treated with zero dispensers, a total of 78.1% of plants scouted were damaged by larval feeding. In Experiment 2, P. xylostella trap captures were significantly reduced in treated plots. Larval abundance and plant damage ratings did not differ between plots. These studies indicate that hand-applied pheromone dispensers at 32 dispensers per 0.4 ha can reduce adult P. xylostella trap captures in commercial broccoli fields. Full article

Globally, Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is known as the most effective biological control agent due to its ability to parasitize insect pest eggs. However, identifying an appropriate host is vital for Trichogramma to prosper. Therefore, this study delves into the complex role of semiochemicals in shaping the host-seeking behavior of Trichogramma parasitoids, with a particular focus on their responses to both plant-derived and host-derived cues. The mechanism of semiochemical reception in Trichogramma wasps relies on a highly specialized, sensitive olfactory and gustatory system to locate host eggs and mates. Semiochemicals, which mediate ecological interactions, have been identified as pivotal in influencing the parasitic efficiency of Trichogramma species. Trichogramma’s host-seeking behavior is influenced not solely by ovipositional cues but also by the intrinsic physical attributes of Lepidopteran hosts, such as the scales on the wings and abdomen, which emit semiochemicals capable of eliciting positive chemotactic responses, thereby guiding parasitoids toward optimal sites for oviposition. Furthermore, the interplay between insect-derived and plant-derived chemical cues exhibits a synergistic effect, collectively enhancing the chemotactic attraction of Trichogramma, thereby fine-tuning its host-seeking behavior with greater precision and specificity. This study further underscores Trichogramma’s innate behavioral ability to discriminate between host eggs of varying developmental stages, facilitating the precise identification and selection of the most suitable host for parasitization. Age and experience both make Trichogramma more selective of hosts, but younger parasitoids may take a broader approach to host selection due to their greater life expectancy. Furthermore, the removal of these cues affects their host localization and learning abilities. Associative learning enables Trichogramma to exhibit flexible behaviors, providing them with a selective advantage; allows them to explore various hosts; and reduces environmental uncertainty. Plant structure, host density, and host age are the key factors that significantly influence the foraging and parasitism of Trichogramma. The searching speed of this parasitoid is significantly influenced by temperature. Heat stress increases VOC emissions in plants such as potato via stomatal opening, reducing herbivore attraction and enhancing parasitoid recruitment. Furthermore, air pollution, including CO₂, O₃, and NOx, impairs parasitoid efficiency by disrupting volatile-mediated host location and reducing biological control performance. Trichogramma wasps are generally effective biological control agents, but their success depends on the species used, target pest, crop, release density, and field conditions. Overall, species such as T. ostriniae, T. japonicum, and T. leucaniae show the strongest performance in several crops by increasing parasitism, reducing pest damage, and improving yield. This study highlights the successful integration of semiochemical cues in pest management programs and the effective utilization of Trichogramma in conjunction with entomopathogenic bacteria to control Lepidopteran pests. This approach contributes to the development of more effective pest management strategies, thereby promoting agricultural sustainability. Full article

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly used in precision pest management, yet their performance in operational forest settings remains underexplored. We evaluated the efficacy of SPLAT^® SM-O mating disruptant applied using a UAV at a dosage of 14.8 for control of the spongy moth, Lymantria dispar dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae). One treatment plot received 11.4 g AI/ha because of a calibration deviation during application. Both treatments reduced trap catches by >90% for 10 weeks following the application, meeting the efficacy requirement set by the USDA’s National Slow the Spread (STS) Program. One year after the application, trap catches continued to be reduced by 28% and 67% in plots treated with 14.8 and 11.4 g AI/ha, respectively. These levels of trap catch reduction in the year of treatment and one year after the treatment application are comparable to those reported following fixed-wing aerial treatments. These results indicate that UAV-applied SPLAT^® SM-O meets STS requirements for operational use and is suitable for integration into the program for treating small or isolated blocks. These findings also have broader implications for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to deploy SPLAT^® formulations in forest pest management programs. Full article

Pyrethroid insecticides are widely used in agriculture, but their sublethal effects on male reproduction in Antheraea pernyi (Guérin-Méneville, 1855) (Saturniidae) remain largely unknown. Here, we evaluated the effects of sublethal β-cypermethrin exposure (LC₂₀ = 0.0074 mg/L) on gonadal development, testicular morphology, sperm quantity and function, mating behavior, and post-mating egg traits from the larval to adult stages and investigated the molecular mechanisms using transcriptome sequencing. Insecticide stress impaired testicular development and disrupted spermatogenesis, leading to a 25% reduction in eupyrene sperm bundles, a 10.72% decrease in acrosin activity, and a 16.75% decrease in the curvilinear velocity of apyrene sperm. Mating willingness decreased by 17.78 percentage points, and females mated with treated males produced 20.45% fewer eggs. Transcriptome analysis identified 1193 differentially expressed genes (|log₂FC| > 1, FDR < 0.01). Detoxification and stress response genes (e.g., CYP3A27, GSTD1, ABCB1, and Hsp70) were predominantly up-regulated, while reproduction-related genes (e.g., dnal1, tubb1, ATPsynbeta, far1, JHAMT, mei-41, and dna2) were down-regulated. This study demonstrates that sublethal β-cypermethrin exposure induces male reproductive toxicity in A. pernyi through a “dual-hit” mechanism: persistently activating the detoxification system (leading to energy depletion) while directly suppressing reproductive genes, ultimately resulting in impaired germ cell development, defective sperm function, and reduced fertility. Full article

Objectives: To investigate the potential mechanisms of maternal pregestational diabetes-induced neural tube defects (NTDs) by integrating proteomic data and histone H4 lysine 5 acetylation (H4K5ac) ChIP-seq data from the mouse model. Methods: The diabetic mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) into female friend leukemia virus B strain (FVB) mice, with subsequent blood glucose monitoring. Diabetic females were then mated with healthy males, and embryonic tissues were collected on embryonic day 9.5. Among the embryos obtained from diabetic pregnancies, six NTDs embryos and six control embryos were selected for protein expression profiling using tandem mass tag (TMT)-labeled liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), as well as for assessment of H4K5ac modification by ChIP-seq. Multi-omics integration was performed to identify common differentially expressed genes, followed by functional enrichment analysis. Key genes were validated using RT-qPCR. Results: Proteomic analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins were significantly enriched in focal adhesion pathway. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis indicated that these proteins (e.g., Integrin alpha 3 (Itga3), glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (Gsk3b), mitogen-activated protein kinase 9 (Mapk9)) were associated with focal adhesion and cytoskeletal functions. Integrated multi-omics analysis identified 923 common differentially expressed genes, which were also significantly enriched in focal adhesion pathway. Within this pathway, the protein expression levels of Itga3, Gsk3b, and Mapk9 exhibited a consistent co-variation trend with H4K5ac enrichment. RT-qPCR results confirmed that Itga3 was significantly up-regulated, while Gsk3b was down-regulated in the NTDs group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Maternal pregestational diabetes may contribute to NTDs by disrupting cytoskeletal reorganization, cell adhesion, and migration processes. This disruption is likely mediated through H4K5ac-regulated expression of key focal adhesion pathway genes such as Itga3 and Gsk3b. Full article

Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758) is considered one of the major pests affecting global pome fruit production due to its wide distribution, cryptic feeding habit, high economic impact, and continuous evolution of insecticide resistance. Historically, management of this species has relied on repeated pesticide applications, which have been associated with environmental impacts, occupational exposure, pesticide residues in food, and compromised sustainability of pesticide-dependent agricultural systems, reinforcing the relevance of integrated One Health approaches. This narrative review analyzed global management strategies for C. pomonella published between 2014 and 2024 and indexed in the Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO databases. The reviewed studies demonstrate a gradual transition from predominantly chemical-based programs toward integrated strategies involving pheromone-based monitoring, mating disruption, biological control, and preventive plant biosecurity measures. Behavioral and biological approaches showed potential to reduce dependence on recurrent insecticide applications, particularly when associated with phytosanitary surveillance and integrated pest management programs. However, the effectiveness of these approaches remains influenced by insecticide resistance, climatic variability, and local ecological conditions. The evidence also suggests that the impacts of C. pomonella management are not limited to phytosanitary protection, involving interactions related to environmental sustainability, food safety, and human exposure to pesticides. Despite the relevance of the One Health approach, its operational incorporation into agricultural pest management remains limited, especially regarding the integration of research conducted under the One Health perspective. In this context, the sustainable management of Cydia pomonella requires integrated strategies capable of connecting phytosanitary surveillance, preventive plant biosecurity, and agricultural and ecological sustainability in order to ensure food security and population health. Full article

The spongy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is one of the most destructive defoliators, primarily of oak forest ecosystems, causing severe ecological and economic damages. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of the mating disruption method against L. dispar populations in an oak-dominated forest in Greece. Field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years (2022–2024) in two forest areas: a treated area, where a flowable pheromone gel was applied, and an untreated control area. The L. dispar male flight activity was monitored using pheromone-baited traps. Egg cluster counts were assessed during winter to evaluate reproductive success. The obtained results revealed a significant reduction in male trap captures in the treated area, following the mating disruption application in 2023 and 2024, compared to the control area. Additionally, the egg cluster counts decreased significantly in the mating disruption area, reaching reductions of 94.8% and 99.2% during the winters of 2023–2024 and 2024–2025, respectively, compared to the winter of 2022–2023 (before the mating disruption application). These results demonstrate that mating disruption, an environmentally friendly strategy for sustainable forest pest management, can effectively reduce L. dispar populations under Mediterranean environmental conditions. Full article

Cold exposure is an unavoidable stressor in cold regions, leading to growth retardation, oxidative damage, and endocrine disruption. This study investigated changes in blood parameters and antioxidant function in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of mice exposed to cold. Sixteen naturally mated female mice (aged 70 days) were selected and divided into a control group (CON, n = 8, 25 ± 1 °C) and a cold exposure group (CE, n = 8, 4 ± 1 °C). Each pregnant female gave birth to approximately 12 pups, and the litter (dams and pups co-housed) served as the independent experimental unit, with both euthanized for sampling when the pups reached 20 days of age. Results showed that cold exposure increased ADFI and ADG but decreased the feed conversion rate (FCR) in lactating mice. It also decreased platelet count (PLT) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and decreased TG and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels. Hormonal changes included increased adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), apelin 12 (AP12), INS, NE, decreased cortisol (COR), LEP, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). In pups, cold exposure inhibited growth, reduced PLT, plateletcrit (PCT), red blood cells (RBC), and hemoglobin (HGB), altered lipid profiles, and induced hormonal shifts. Notably, cold exposure enhanced the BAT antioxidant capacity in pups, increasing the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and antioxidant enzyme activities, as supported by gene expression. These findings suggest that, despite growth suppression, mice maintain homeostasis by modulating blood parameters and enhancing BAT antioxidant function to mitigate cold-induced damage. Full article

Lobesia botrana is a major pest in grapevine, monitored using sex pheromone as a standard practice. However, when the sex pheromone is used in mating disruption (MD), monitoring becomes ineffective. A blend of 2-phenylethanol (2-PET) and acetic acid (AA) was identified as an attractant for L. botrana in MD vineyards. With the aim of increasing the attraction of 2-PET/AA, we evaluated whether terpenoid-based attractants and trap color could enhance the catches of L. botrana in traps baited with 2-PET/AA. First, we assessed the attraction to 2-PET/AA in combination with two terpenoid mixtures. Grape Mimic Mixture 1 (GMM1) contained a 100:78:9 proportion of (E)-β-caryophyllene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, and (E)-β-farnesene, and Grape Mimic Mixture 2 (GMM2) was composed of a 10:1:1:1:1:1 proportion of limonene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, (±)-linalool, (E)-caryophyllene, farnesene, and methyl salicylate. Furthermore, we assessed whether traps of different colors (blue, green, orange, red, white, and transparent) could enhance L. botrana catches. Neither GMM1 nor GMM2 improved L. botrana catches over 2-PET/AA alone. In addition, the proportion of mated L. botrana females was similar across treatments. Transparent traps caught more moths than other colors. Our results suggest a modification in the color and odor of traps to improve the monitoring of L. botrana in vineyards treated with MD. Full article

Multiple paternity in litters and a female’s choice of mate can significantly influence siring success and the success and survival of offspring. In captive agile antechinus (Antechinus agilis), a small, carnivorous marsupial that exhibits obligate semelparity, females choose to mate with multiple males and mate choice is profoundly influenced by genetic dissimilarity between mates, not male size. However, female mate choice has not been examined in wild agile antechinus. Our study encompassed one year in which the operational sex ratio was at parity and a second in which the ratio was female biased, and animal weight, survival and litter size were significantly decreased due to severe drought conditions. Using genetic data from 204 pouch young, we show that genetically dissimilar males sired a higher proportion of young when the sex ratio was at parity, but there was no influence of relatedness on siring success during drought conditions. Larger males sired a higher proportion of young in both years, suggesting that female choice may be partially over-ridden by male behaviour. We highlight concerns for semelparous marsupials during increasingly frequent environmental disruptions, including drought, which could influence mate choice behaviours, reproductive success, genetic health and population survival. Full article

The variegated cutworm Peridroma saucia Hübner, a recently emerged polyphagous pest in China’s Huang-Huai River Basin, uses sex pheromones (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16: Ac) and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14: Ac) for mate finding. Insect pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) serve as the primary filter for detecting specific sex pheromones. Although comprehensive functional analyses of PBPs exist, their binding mechanisms remain poorly characterized. In this study, we elucidated the binding properties and mechanisms of PsauPBP3 in sex pheromone recognition by computational and experimental approaches. PsauPBP3, predominantly expressed in male P. saucia antennae, showed high binding affinity for both Z11-16: Ac and Z9-14: Ac, as demonstrated by binding-free-energy calculations and fluorescence binding assays. Molecular dynamics simulations and docking studies identified five key residues (Thr-10, Phe-13, Ile-53, Ile-95, and Phe-119) that consistently interact with these pheromones, indicating their critical role in ligand binding. Computational alanine scanning further demonstrated that all five residues act as binding determinants, with Phe-13 and Ile-95 making particularly significant contributions to ligand affinity. The results were further validated by site-directed mutagenesis and fluorescence binding assays. This work provides insights into the function and binding mechanisms of PBPs in sex pheromone recognition and supports the development of targeted mating disruption strategies for P. saucia control. Full article