Search Results (93)

Some Cretaceous ants belonging to the stem group of Formicidae exhibit bizarre morphology. This wide range of unusual adaptive features is primarily related to the mouthparts and clypeus. The researchers were perplexed by their specific ecology, as modern ant lineages do not exhibit anything similar. Here, we report and describe a new genus based on an extraordinary and mysterious alate ant from Late Eocene Baltic amber. Undoubtedly, the new ant is classified within the subfamily Formicinae (one of the crown groups), yet it displays a highly specialised morphology and an unusual array of features that are not observed in any extant ant lineages. Neither recent nor extinct ants have such a combination of features. While the exact phylogenetic placement of the new ant remains uncertain, we offer a discussion of its potential affinities based on our constrained phylogenetic analyses. We propose that †Eridanomyrma gen. n. should be considered in the new tribe †Eridanomyrmini trib. n. This new taxon highlights the adaptive diversity of a highly specialised, extinct lineage of Eocene crown-group ants. We also present a 3D model based on X-ray computed microtomography (µCT). Full article

Calyptra Ochsenheimer, 1816 is an important genus of fruit piercers and blood feeders with 18 described species worldwide. Both sexes of all Calyptra species pierce fruit. Adults feed upon and damage soft-skinned (e.g., Rubus and Vitis) and thicker-skinned fruits (e.g., Ficus and Citrus) in subtropical and tropical Asia. These moths are rare examples of a lepidopteran lineage that uses its fruit-piercing mouthparts to pierce the skin of vertebrate animals occasionally. In China, 10 species of this genus have been reported. Here, we identified seven species of the genus Calyptra Ochsenheimer, 1816 from Chinese fauna, including C. gruesa, C. thalictri, C. hokkaida, C. albivirgata, C. orthograpta, C. fletcheri, and C. lata. Detailed illustrations of male and female external morphology and genital structures are provided. A comprehensive worldwide checklist of the genus Calyptra is also included. This study highlights significant taxonomic revisions and morphological features for this genus within Chinese fauna. Full article

Chrysomya nigripes Aubertin, 1932, is a species of Calliphoridae widely distributed in Southeast Asia, with studies and case reports confirming the value of this species in estimating the minimum postmortem interval (PMI_min). However, data on the growth and development of this species’ intra-puparial age are not yet complete. Here, we investigated the intra-puparial morphological changes of C. nigripes at seven temperatures, ranging from 16 °C to 34 °C. We also investigated the potential value of Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) coupled with chemometric methods for the intra-puparial age estimation of C. nigripes at 19 °C, 25 °C, and 31 °C. The spectral data within the wavenumber range of 1800–900 cm⁻¹, collected from the second thoracic segment of all puparia, were processed. Through this procedure, the mean values of ATR-FTIR spectra of C. nigripes of puparia at each intra-puparial age under various constant temperature conditions were obtained. The results showed that at 16 °C, C. nigripes could not complete its developmental process, while it could do so at the remaining six constant temperatures. With an increase in temperature, the average duration of the intra-puparial period was reduced from the longest at 19 °C of 192 ± 0 h to 77.3 ± 4.6 h at 34 °C. The intra-puparial morphological changes were divided into 12 sub-stages, and the development of the compound eyes, mouthparts, antennae, thorax, legs, wings, and abdomen were divided into 6–8 sub-stages. The Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) classification model predicted better results compared to the Random Forest (RF) classification model, with an accuracy of 58.3%, 77.8%, and 100% at 19 °C, 25 °C, and 31 °C, respectively. In this study, each sub-stage of the C. nigripes pupa and the time range of structure emergence were recorded, and it was concluded that the spectral trends were time-dependent. Thus, ATR-FTIR combined with chemometrics could also be used as a tool to assist in estimating the intra-puparial stage of C. nigripes and provide a reference value for PMI_min. Full article

Few traits exhibit a more diverse collection of exemplary structure–function relationships than the mouthparts of insects. The global dominance of insects is attributed to their diverse food sources, which are matched by an array of morphological and chemical adaptations: a ‘tool kit’ for biomimicry. This review provides an overview of insect mouthparts that have contributed to biomimetics, including information about morphology and functionality in relation to particular feeding mechanisms. Themes in the groups of insects employed for particular biomimetic studies, including their lineages and feeding strategies, are identified along with suggestions for future studies, which together underscore the importance and promise of the development of novel engineered devices inspired by the unique ‘tools’ of insect mouthparts. Full article

The quarantine pest, Cylas formicarius, is a key pest of sweet potatoes during both production and storage, posing a major threat to food security in various countries. To investigate behavioral mechanisms, the ultrastructure of the heads of larval and adult stages was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, with an emphasis on the sensilla of the mouthparts and antennae. The results reveal degeneration of the antennae and ocelli in larvae. The larval mouthparts are equipped with three types and six subtypes of sensilla. Both male and female adults have four types and six subtypes of sensilla on their mouthparts. Compared to larvae, the adult mouthparts display a greater diversity of sensilla types and higher numbers of sensilla basicaonica (SB), sensilla chaetica (SC), and sensilla digitiformia (SD). Adult antennae consist of a scape, a pedicel, and eight flagellomeres (F1–F8), with F8 showing sexual dimorphism. Seven types of sensilla, excluding SB and sensilla ligulate (SL), each with two subtypes, were identified on the antennae of adults of both sexes. SC, sensilla furcatea, Böhm bristles, and SL were newly observed in the antennae of C. formicarius adults. Additionally, one type and seven subtypes of sensilla on the adult antennae exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism in terms of structure or number. The relationship between the head structure and adaptability of C. formicarius was examined, and the functions of each sensilla were discussed, providing a theoretical basis for future studies on the behavior of this pest. Full article

This study investigated the characteristics of the digestive system in adult Japanese mantis shrimp (Oratosquilla oratoria), which is a species of carnivorous crustacean, with a focus on morphological and histological analysis. The digestive system of O. oratoria includes the mouthparts, the esophagus, cardiac stomach, pyloric stomach, midgut, hindgut, anus and hepatopancreas. The histological structure of each organ is composed of the mucosal epithelial layer, submucous layer, muscularis, and outer membrane. Besides, the foregut is covered with a diverse chitinous layer. The labrum is densely populated with minor salivary glands. The mandibular-gastric mill apparatus and evenly arranged bifurcated setae are observed in the cardiac stomach. The secondary filter of the pyloric stomach is subtly intricate, with fine spicules and seta plate. The midgut, being the longest segment of the digestive tract and accounting for 59.39% of body length, has villi covered with dense microvilli. The hindgut also forms villi, but the height of the villi (695.96 μm) is 3.20 times that of the midgut (217.41 μm). The hepatopancreas encircles the entire pyloric stomach, midgut, and hindgut. The hepatosomatic index is approximately 3.83%. Full article

Hyphantria cunea is a widespread pest that causes significant issues in forestry and agriculture, with a far-reaching global impact. However, ultramorphological studies of H. cunea, especially in terms of ultramorphological changes, are far from in-depth. Therefore, we investigated the ultrastructure of its eggs, larvae, and pupae using scanning electron microscopy, focusing on ultrastructural changes in larvae across different instars. The eggs have rough surfaces, and the micropylar region consists of rosette cells. The larval head chaetotaxy is symmetrically arranged, and there are three types of sensilla on the antennae and mouthparts. The abdominal and anal prolegs feature a uniordinal heteroideus midband of crochets. The pupal abdomen has ten segments; in females, the genital slit (Fgs) is located at the anterior edge of abdominal segment VIII, while in males, the genital slit (Mgs) is situated in the middle of abdominal segment IX. First-instar larvae exhibit only primary setae, and secondary setae emerge in the second instar. As the larvae mature, the head, thoracic legs, and abdominal and anal prolegs all become larger overall. The surface of the verrucae is initially smooth, with microtrichia appearing from the fourth instar onwards, and the setae on the verrucae gradually increase in size. These findings provide additional features for larval species identification and contribute to the morphological study of H. cunea. Full article

Modern insect decline sparks interest in similar declines of the past. Neuroptera, the group of lacewings, has been suggested to have undergone decline after the Cretaceous, and quantitative studies of larval morphology have supported this view. One of the groups within Neuroptera seeing a major decline is that of split-footed lacewings, Nymphidae. We here report 13 new larval specimens of split-footed lacewings from about 100-million-year-old Kachin amber, Myanmar. We explore how enlarging the data set to 60 specimens and expanding the investigated morphological structures affect the recognition of decline. The expanded data set has an increased morphospace, indicating a lack of saturation. The decline is, therefore, likely even larger than so far anticipated for Nymphidae. The study of head and mouthparts provides the strongest signal for a loss of diversity, which is feasible due to the direct coupling to feeding ecology. Analysis of the trunk region cannot recover a signal for loss of diversity. Sampling issues play a role here: the trunk of the larvae is less often well preserved, and the fossil larvae are more likely in early developmental stages due to the constraints of preservation. Full article

Barrow Island, off the coast of north-west Western Australia, supports a rich subterranean amphipod fauna amid major resource development. Previous biological surveys for the purpose of species documentation and environmental impact assessment have helped to uncover a once overlooked genus of amphipod from the family Eriopisidae. Here, we describe this new genus and one new species, Aenigmata megabranchia Stringer and King gen. et sp. nov., using a combination of molecular and morphological data, and present a key to Western Australian subterranean eriopisid genera. The new genus represents a distinct, genetically divergent lineage that can be distinguished from all other eriopisid genera by the following characters: the shape and setation of the mouthparts, the enlarged coxal gills, the straight posterior margin of the first coxa, and an almost entirely cleft telson. This research enhances our knowledge of the Australian Eriopisidae, emphasises the importance of Barrow Island as a key location for subterranean amphipod fauna, and will assist in the future recognition of the species for conservation. Full article

Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is one of the most devastating pests in citrus orchards due to its role in transmitting Huanglongbing (HLB). Currently, chemical control remains the most effective strategy for ACP management. Mineral oils are commonly used as insecticides or adjuvants in integrated pest management (IPM) practices. To extend the product life of synthetic pesticides, we evaluated the toxicity of chlorpyrifos (CPF), thiamethoxam (THX), or pyriproxyfen (PPF) mixed with mineral oil Lvying (LY) against ACP nymphs under different weather conditions. Individual application of CPF, THX, and PPF effectively controlled against ACP nymphs under no rain conditions, with mortality rates varying from 20 to 100% during 1–5 d after treatment. The addition of LY at 1.0% or 0.5% rates to CPF, THX, and PPF significantly enhanced their control efficacy, achieving sustained mortality rates from 60 to 100% during the same period. Light rain had less impact on the control efficacy of these insecticide mixtures compared to individual insecticides. However, cumulative rainfall above 20 mm significantly reduced the control efficacy of individual insecticides and their mixtures. The addition of LY decreased both surface tension and contact angle of THX solution on citrus leaves, thereby enhancing the solution’s wetting and increasing THX deposition. Moreover, the rainfastness of THX was improved after adding LY, leading to a greater retention on the leaves. LY at a rate of 1.0% exhibited excellent efficacy against ACP nymphs, and observations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that LY altered ACP mouthpart morphology and blocked spiracles, likely contributing to its insecticidal effects. This study revealed that mineral oils can serve as both insecticides to combine with synthetic pesticides for enhancing toxicity against ACP and as adjuvants to facilitate the deposition and rainfastness of synthetic pesticides on leaves, which could be recommended for sustainable ACP management in citrus orchards. Full article

In this paper, the aphid genus Macromyzus Takahashi, 1960 is reported for the first time from Laos. A detailed description of the apterous viviparous female of a new species, Macromyzus (Macromyzus) diplazius sp. nov. associated with Diplazium esculentum is provided. For the first time, we conduct scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the morphology and sensilla (antennae, mouthparts, and legs) of the representative of this genus. Furthermore, we update the taxonomic definition of the subgenus Macromyzus based on morphological characteristics, discuss the taxonomic position of the new species, and provide an identification key to all known Macromyzus species. Full article

Morphological studies of the proboscis can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary adaptations of Lepidoptera. However, such research is relatively limited for Pieridae, a family that is significant both ecologically and economically. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to investigate the proboscis and associated sensilla of adult C. erate, with an emphasis on ultrastructural details and potential sex-specific differences. The proboscis in both sexes exhibits a similar structure, consisting of two elongated maxillary galeae connected by dorsal and ventral legulae. It is divided into three distinct zones based on morphological changes in the dorsal legulae. The outer surface of the proboscis is characterized by spike-like microbumps on transverse ridges, while the inner surface (food canal) is smooth throughout all three zones, with regularly spaced transverse grooves. Three types of sensilla comprising five subtypes were identified: sensilla chaetica (sc), sensilla basiconica (sb1, sb2, and sb3), and sensilla styloconica (ss). The functional implications of these morphological features are also discussed briefly. Full article

Mouthparts are the feeding organs of insects, which play vital roles in the feeding process. The morphology of insect mouthparts has greatly evolved according to different foods and feeding habits. Therefore, studying the structure of the mouthparts is the key to understanding their feeding mechanisms. Vibidia duodecimguttata is an important biological control agent for powdery fungus. In this study, the fine morphology of the mouthpart of V. duodecimguttata was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The basic components of mouthpart of V. duodecimguttata are similar to those of other ladybeetles, while the specific morphology of each part is different. In total, six kinds of sensilla were identified on mouthpart, and twelve types of sensilla were divided according to their morphology, length and distribution. In addition, two kinds of glandular structures were also found, namely perforated plates and cuticular pores. Finally, the morphological differences between mycetophagous and other feeding habits ladybeetles were compared, and the function of each kind of sensilla was discussed, which may establish a solid foundation for further understanding of the feeding mechanism of ladybirds. Full article

This study focuses on existing pruning equipment; cutting blades show cutting resistance and lead to high energy consumption. Using finite element (FEA) numerical simulation technology, the branch stress wave propagation mechanism during pruning was studied. The cutting performance of the bionic blade was evaluated with cutting energy consumption as the test index and the branch diameter and branch angle as the test factors, respectively. The test results showed that the blades imitating the mouthparts of the three-pecten bull and the beak of the woodpecker performed well in pruning, and the energy consumption during cutting was reduced by 18.2% and 16.3% compared to traditional blades, making these blades significantly better. These two blades also effectively reduced the cutting resistance and branch splitting by optimizing the edge angle design and increasing the slip-cutting action. In contrast, the imitation shark’s tooth blade increased cutting energy consumption by 14.4% due to the large amount of cutting resistance in the cutting process when cutting larger-diameter branches, making it unsuitable for application in the pruning field. Therefore, the blades imitating the mouthparts of the three pectins and the beak of the woodpecker have significant advantages in reducing the cutting resistance and improving the pruning quality. These findings provide an important theoretical reference for the development of energy-efficient pruning equipment. Full article

Pyrops candelaria is one of the common pests of fruit trees, but the research on the pathogenic microorganisms it may carry is very limited. Therefore, it is essential to reveal the pathogenic microbes it carries and their potential hazards. This study found a new virus from the transcriptome of P. candelaria, which was first reported in P. candelaria and named PyCaV (Pyrops candelaria associated virus). RACE and bioinformatics assay revealed that the full length of PyCaV is 10,855 bp with the polyA tail, containing a single open-reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein consisting of 3171 amino acid (aa). The virus has a typical iflavirus structure, including two rhv domains, an RNA helicase domain (HEL), a 3C cysteine protease domain (Pro), and an RNA–dependent RNA polymerase domain (RdRp). Further phylogenetic analysis revealed that this virus belongs to family Iflaviridae and sequence alignments analysis suggested PyCaV is a new member in an unassigned genus of family Iflaviridae. Further in-depth analysis of the virus infection showed that PyCaV is distributed throughout the whole P. candelaria, including its head, chest, and abdomen, but more PyCaV was identified in the chest. The distribution of PyCaV in different parts of P. candelaria was further explored, which showed that more PyCaV was detected in its piercing–sucking mouthparts and chest viscera. Statistical analysis showed that the PyCaV infection was affected by time and location. Full article