Search Results (101)

Eucalyptus plantations have suffered severe damage from scarab grubs in recent years. To investigate the actual scarab species that damage Eucalyptus trees, continuous closed-net monitoring and monthly soil-digging surveys were conducted in Eucalyptus plantations in Lancang County, China, from 2024 to 2025. The primarily affected roots were covered with nylon mesh bags until the insects reached adulthood. A few adults were successfully collected from the damaged roots. The scarab species that infests Eucalyptus trees has been identified as Megistophylla grandicornis (Fairmaire, 1891). It exhibited a single generation annually in local Eucalyptus plantations. Adults emerge from late April to June, and larvae cause damage from July to November. Eucalyptus trees with severely damaged roots exhibit reduced growth vigor and are highly prone to windthrow and death, leading to substantial losses in forestry production. These preliminary results provide foundational data for recognizing Megistophylla grandicornis as a new root pest of Eucalyptus and establishing targeted larval-monitoring protocols in Eucalyptus plantations. Full article

Ulex europaeus L. has been introduced into many countries as an ornamental and hedgerow plant, and it often escapes its intended location, establishing dense, feral thickets. These thickets threaten the structure and function of native flora and fauna in areas where the plant has been introduced. Because of its invasive nature, U. europaeus is considered one of the world’s 100 worst alien invasive species. It exhibits rapid growth, and high biomass accumulation with a high nitrogen fixation ability. Its flowering phenology depends on local conditions and population. It produces a large number of viable seeds and establishes extensive seed banks. These seeds remain viable for a long time due to physical dormancy. Ulex europaeus produces elaiosomes on the seed surface that are likely used solely for seed dispersal by ants. Ulex europaeus has a high level of genetic diversity due to its allohexaploid chromosome sets. This allows the plant to adapt to different habitats and tolerate various climate conditions. It can survive in areas with limited sunlight beneath tall plant canopies. Its shade tolerance surpasses that of other shrub species. Ulex europaeus produces several compounds, including quinolizidine alkaloids, monoterpenes, flavonoids, and cinnamic acid derivatives. These compounds play a role in defensive responses to biotic stressors, including pathogen infections, herbivorous insects, and neighboring plants competing for resources. These life history traits and defensive abilities may contribute to the expansion of U. europaeus populations into new habitats, enabling the plant to thrive as an invasive species. This is the first study to examine the invasiveness of U. europaeus in terms of its growth, reproduction, ability to adapt to different conditions, and defensive responses to biotic stressors. Full article

A multiproxy study of a new Pleistocene locality at Ivantzevo, Moscow Region, was conducted to reconstruct paleoenvironments from the Middle Pleistocene to the Last Pleniglacial. Lacustrine deposits and peat accumulated in a wetland within a fluvioglacial depression formed during the Dnieper–Moscow glaciation. Silts and clays were deposited during MIS 7 and the Moscow (Saale) Glaciation (MIS 6), while peat accumulation began in the Mikulino (Eemian) (MIS 5e). The wetland persisted for approximately fifty millennia, until the Middle Valdai (Weichselian). Interglacial peat deposits contain well-preserved pollen and macrofossils, and the recovered fossil insect assemblage is unique for European Russia. Chronology was established using multiple OSL and ²³⁰Th/U dates, combined with pollen-based correlations to type sections north and west of the region. The reconstructed ecosystem dynamics are divided into eleven stages. The transition from the last interglacial to the second stadial of the Valdai involved seven phases: (1) expansion of boreal spruce forest, (2) spread of thermophilic broad-leaved forests with hazel, (3) development of open forest–steppe ecosystems with groves of deciduous trees, (4) re-establishment of forest cover with birch and, later, mixed pine, spruce, and birch forests, (5) emergence of cold steppe combined with shrub-dominated tundra, (6) return of boreal spruce forest, and (7) abrupt replacement of forest by cold steppe and shrub tundra. Climatic reconstructions indicate that these ecosystem dynamics closely corresponded to changes in precipitation and aridity. Full article

Swarm Robotics (SR) is a relatively new field, inspired by the collective intelligence of social insects. It involves using local rules to control and coordinate large groups (swarms) of relatively simple physical robots. Important tasks that robot swarms can handle include demining, search, rescue, and cleaning up toxic spills. Over the past decade, the research effort in the field of Swarm Robotics has intensified significantly in terms of hardware, software, and systems integrated developments, yet significant challenges remain, particularly regarding standardization, scalability, and cost-effective deployment. To contextualize the state of Swarm Robotics technologies, this paper provides a systematic literature review (SLR) of Swarm Robotic technologies published from 2014 to 2024, with an emphasis on how hardware and software subsystems have co-evolved. This work provides an overview of 40 studies in peer-reviewed journals along with a well-defined and replicable systematic review protocol. The protocol describes criteria for including and excluding studies and outlines a data extraction approach. We explored trends in sensor hardware, actuation methods, communication devices, and energy systems, as well as an examination of software platforms to produce swarm behavior, covering meta-heuristic algorithms and generic middleware platforms such as ROS. Our results demonstrate how dependent hardware and software are to achieve Swarm Intelligence, the lack of uniform standards for their design, and the pragmatic limits which hinder scalability and deployment. We conclude by noting ongoing challenges and proposing future directions for developing interoperable, energy-efficient Swarm Robotics (SR) systems incorporating machine learning (ML). Full article

This study continues earlier work aimed at identifying potential natural reservoirs of camelpox virus (CMLV) during interepizootic periods. In 2023–2024, field expeditions in western Kazakhstan led to the collection and analysis of biological samples from camels, rodents and hematophagous insects. Despite the absence of clinical symptoms, PCR-positive results were obtained from camel blood samples. These samples underwent molecular genetic analysis, including viral DNA detection and whole-genome sequencing. Using next-generation sequencing, the complete genome of the Camelpox virus/Beineu/2023 isolate (202.273 bp) was obtained and deposited in the NCBI database (accession number PV920573.1). The isolate showed >98% genetic similarity to the previously described Kazakhstan strain M-96, indicating long-term local circulation of a genetically stable variant. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the isolate’s evolutionary conservatism and close relationship with other CMLV strains. The findings suggest that camels serve as a natural reservoir, enabling viral persistence and potential reactivation under stress-related conditions. The observed geographic clustering underscores the need for region-specific molecular surveillance to ensure timely detection of new variants and prevent cross-border spread. Full article

The fossil beds of the Karabastau Formation in southern Kazakhstan, known as the “Jurassic Lake of Karatau”, represent one of the richest Lagerstätten for Jurassic insects, with more than 800 described species. This year marks the centenary of the first fossil insect descriptions from Karatau, published by A.V. Martynov in 1925. Among the most prominent insect groups from this locality are the Anaxyelidae, a relict family of siricoid woodwasps. Here we report the first occurrence of the subfamily Syntexinae in Karatau, based on a newly discovered and described genus and species, Karasyntexis martynovi gen. et sp. nov., from the Galkino locality. This is only the second Jurassic record of Syntexinae globally. We provide a detailed morphological description of the new taxon and compare it with related syntexine genera. In addition, we reassess the current state of the four historically known fossiliferous localities of the Karabastau Formation (Galkino, Mikhailovka, Karabastau, and Chugurchak), all of which were revisited during a 2025 field expedition. A total of 22 anaxyelid species are now known from Karatau, highlighting the site’s exceptional paleodiversity. Our findings suggest that the true diversity of Karatau’s anaxyelids remains significantly underexplored and underscore the importance of renewed paleontological research in this classic locality. Full article

Cognitive Odor Source Localization (OSL) strategies are reliable search strategies for turbulent environments, where chemical cues are sparse and intermittent. These methods estimate a probabilistic belief over the source location using Bayesian inference and guide the searching movement by evaluating expected entropy reduction at candidate new positions. By maximizing expected information gain, agents make informed decisions rather than simply reacting to sensor readings. However, computing entropy reductions is computationally expensive, making real-time implementation challenging for resource-constrained platforms. Interestingly, search trajectories produced by cognitive algorithms often resemble those of small insects, suggesting that informative movement patterns might be replicated using simpler, bio-inspired searching strategies. This work investigates that possibility by analysing spatial distribution of entropy reductions across the entire search area. Rather than focusing on searching algorithms and local decisions, the analysis maps information gain over the full environment, identifying consistent high-gain regions that may serve as navigational cues. Results show that these regions often emerge near the source and along plume borders and that expected entropy reduction is strongly influenced by prior belief shape and sensor observations. This global perspective enables identification of spatial patterns and high-gain regions that remain hidden when analysis is restricted to local neighborhoods. These insights enable synthesis of hybrid search strategies that preserve cognitive effectiveness while significantly reducing computational cost. Full article

Re-identification (ReID) has been widely applied in person and vehicle recognition tasks. This study extends its application to a novel domain: insect (silkworm) recognition. However, unlike person or vehicle ReID, silkworm ReID presents unique challenges, such as the high similarity between individuals, arbitrary poses, and significant background noise. To address these challenges, we propose a multi-view network for silkworm ReID, called WormNet, which is built upon an innovative strategy termed extraction purification extraction interaction. Specifically, we introduce a multi-order feature extraction module that captures a wide range of fine-grained features by utilizing convolutional kernels of varying sizes and parallel cardinality, effectively mitigating issues of high individual similarity and diverse poses. Next, a feature mask module (FMM) is employed to purify the features in the spatial domain, thereby reducing the impact of background interference. To further enhance the data representation capabilities of the network, we propose a channel interaction module (CIM), which combines an efficient channel attention network with global response normalization (GRN) in parallel to recalibrate features, enabling the network to learn crucial information at both the local and global scales. Additionally, we introduce a new silkworm ReID dataset for network training and evaluation. The experimental results demonstrate that WormNet achieves an mAP value of 54.8% and a rank-1 value of 91.4% on the dataset, surpassing both state-of-the-art and related networks. This study offers a valuable reference for ReID in insects and other organisms. Full article

English oak (Quercus robur) hosts over 200 species of galls formed by insect larvae, most notably the oak gall wasp (Cynips quercusfolii). These galls result from the abnormal growth of plant tissue in response to oviposition, acting as a shelter and nutrient source for the larvae. In addition, the galls trigger oxidative stress in the host plant, resulting in the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This stress response promotes the biosynthesis of antioxidant compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. To our knowledge, this is the first study to monitor seasonal changes in phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins in relation to C. quercusfolii infestation over a complete vegetation cycle using integrated UPLC profiling and statistical modeling PCA. For the first time, the contents of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins were assessed throughout the vegetation cycle—from flowering to acorn fall. Results showed that galls affect the biochemical profile of the whole plant, suggesting a systemic response to local infection. The results provide new insights into oak defense responses and suggest that gall formation may be associated with systemic metabolic shifts potentially involved in stress mitigation. Furthermore, the study supports the further investigation of oak galls as a valuable source of polyphenols for pharmacological and industrial applications. Full article

Drosophila suzukii is a successful invasive insect species responsible for agricultural losses. The key to its prowess is the ability to swiftly adapt to new environments through various genetic mechanisms, including fast accommodation of mutations and gene expression fine-tuning. Piezo and nanchung (nan) genes are linked to circadian clock-related behaviors and, therefore, are expected to readily respond to stress stimuli. Herein, we compared the DNA sequences of Piezo, nan, and αTubulin at 67C, a highly conserved housekeeping gene, in ICDPP-ams-1, a Romanian local population of D. suzukii, and two well-annotated reference populations from the United States of America and Japan. Our results imply that short-term evolutionary accumulated single nucleotide and indel variants are overrepresented within introns, a propensity evaluated through the mutation accumulation tendency (MAT) original parameter. Piezo and nan gene expression under photoperiodicity changes challenges were assessed in a series of experiments on three groups of individuals from ICDPP-ams-1. We found that both genes are upregulated in females if their customary circadian rhythm is affected, a trend seemingly reverting if, after an initial perturbation, the circadian clock is reset to its initial timing. In conclusion, we found that both highly conserved and adaptability-related genes are rapidly evolving and that Piezo and nan have a fast functional reaction to circadian clock changes by modifying their gene expression profiles. Full article

Phacelia secunda J.F. Gmel. (Boraginaceae) is a widely distributed insect-pollinated perennial herb. In central Chile (33° S), it occurs from the sea level up to 3600 m in the Andes, exhibiting broad morphological variation. In this study, we developed and characterized novel polymorphic microsatellites for this species, using an Illimina MiSeq sequencing platform. Nineteen polymorphic loci were obtained, with alleles numbers ranging from 3 to 13 per locus (mean = 5.84). Observed (H_O) and expected heterozygosities (H_E) ranged from 0.050 to 0.900 and from 0.049 to 0.825, respectively. These markers were applied to assess the genetic diversity and population structure along an altitudinal spanning from 1600 to 3600 m. The highest elevation population exhibited significantly lower within-population genetic diversity compared to lower-elevation populations. Significant population differentiation was observed along the gradient. Gene flow estimates support a stepping-stone like mode of migration, with greater exchange between adjacent elevations. These new microsatellites provide a valuable tool for elucidating the influence of altitude on genetic diversity and structure, and for evaluating the roles of local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in shaping population variation. Full article

The Aedes aegypti mosquito serves as a vector for several diseases, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. This species is well adapted to urban environments and poses a significant threat to public health. Some studies suggest that the gut bacteria of insect vectors may play a crucial role in developing resistance to insecticides. This study assessed the resistance of Ae. aegypti from Florencia, Caquetá, to temephos and deltamethrin and analyzed the diversity of gut bacteria in resistant larvae and adult females. Larvae exhibited resistance to temephos at a lethal concentration 50 (LC₅₀) of 0.034 µg/mL, while females showed resistance to deltamethrin at a discriminant concentration of 10 µg/mL. The bacterial load in the guts of deltamethrin-treated females (3.42 × 10⁶ CFU/mL) was significantly higher compared to temephos-treated larvae (9.4 × 10⁵ CFU/mL) and untreated females (8 × 10⁴ CFU/mL). A total of sixty-eight bacterial strains were isolated from the guts of both larval and resistant females Ae. aegypti, with 31 strains identified through 16S rRNA gene analysis and 11 confirmed by gyrB gene sequencing. In untreated females, Bacillus comprised 12.55% of the gut bacteria and was identified as an exclusive genus. In resistant larvae, Serratia was the most abundant and exclusive genus, accounting for 35.29%, while in resistant females, Cedecea was the predominant genus, representing 66.67%. These findings suggest that gut bacteria may influence the resistance of Ae. aegypti to temephos and deltamethrin. Furthermore, this research provides valuable information that can be considered for the design of local vector control strategies. The results highlight new research focused on the study of insecticide tolerance and degradation within the gut microbiota of insect vectors of arboviruses. Full article

Environmentally sound insect pest management strategies require continuous isolation and identification of effective biocontrol agents from different ecosystems. The quest for fungal isolates that are adapted to high temperatures is particularly significant, as they hold the potential to produce mycoinsecticides that are highly effective in semiarid and arid areas. This study aimed to collect new virulent isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) from Kazakhstan that show promise for controlling Colorado potato beetle (CPB) populations under arid conditions. Local isolates could be adapted to abiotic and biotic factors in the environment in which they survive. The findings of this study should provide insights into the species of EPF that inhabit a specific arid region of Kazakhstan, examining their traits in the regional climate, soil composition, and biological diversity. Throughout 2023–2024, a series of soil samples was collected from diverse locations within the Turkestan region of southern Kazakhstan for the isolation of EPF. The isolation of EPF was conducted using susceptible larvae of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a host that does not have specificity for particular species of EPF. Using this insect bait, 41 pure cultures of EPF were isolated from soils in the arid zone of Kazakhstan. Polymerase chain reaction analysis based on the TEF1-α locus showed that all the isolates were indistinguishable from Beauveria bassiana ARSEF 2860 species. However, analysis of the ITS locus revealed two cryptic species: B. bassiana and B. pseudobassiana. For laboratory evaluation of biological activity EPF, the second and third instars of CPB were collected from potato fields in southern Kazakhstan and placed in plastic containers. Test CPB larvae were treated with conidia suspensions at 1 × 10⁷ spores/mL and survival was recorded daily for 3 weeks. The results of the bioassays revealed that all the new Kazakhstan isolates were pathogenic to larvae CPB and caused complete mortality by the end of the 11-day. These results showed that new isolates of EPF were highly virulent against larvae CPB. Full article

The study of Reticulitermes chinensis offers valuable insights into insect aging and longevity, focusing on telomere biology and simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Telomeres, the protective cap at chromosome ends, are often linked to cellular aging and lifespan. Through transcriptomic analysis using the RepeatExplorer tool, a total of 10,740 SSR loci were identified, encompassing di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexa-nucleotide motifs. Among these, tri-nucleotide repeats were the most prevalent (2702), with prominent motifs including AC/GT (21.91%), AAG/CTT (8.49%), and AGC/CTG (8.2%). The identified SSRs serve as valuable genetic markers for taxonomy, phylogenetic, and population genetics. A telomeric sequence array featuring the TTAGG repeat motif was also discovered, with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirming its localization at chromosome ends. Telomere lengths R. chinensis ranged from tens to hundreds of kilobases but showed no significant correlation with lifespan differences among termite castes. All castes had the same telomere length. This finding suggests that R. chinensis may possess a unique telomere maintenance mechanism, decoupling telomere length from aging and challenging the conventional view that shorter telomeres are indicative aging. It is hypothesized that telomerase activity plays a critical role in preserving telomere integrity in this species. These findings underscore the complexity and evolutionary adaptations of telomere biology in social insects. Moreover, the variation and organization of SSRs in R. chinensis provide a rich genetic resource for genome mapping, evolutionary research, and population genetics. This study sheds light on telomere dynamics and genetic diversity in termites, opening new pathways for research in evolutionary biology and the molecular mechanisms of aging. Full article

Prior to 2010, Lygus lineolaris Palisot de Beauvois was a minor pest in North Carolina cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., but became one of the top pests by 2017. This insect was already a persistent pest in other US cotton-producing regions. Initial work focused on addressing near-term management needs and documenting locally relevant ecology and population dynamics of the pest in North Carolina. Landscape factors were found that correlated with tarnished plant bug incidence. Adult numbers tended to be higher in fragmented fields (more field edges) and nymph numbers were higher near field edges. The minimum required sample for estimating tarnished plant bug populations was studied. Thresholds developed in the Midsouth were proven to be useful in a study between both southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Furthermore, an insecticide application sequence was recommended based on efficacy trials, number of expected insecticides, and preserving beneficial insects early in the season. These were evaluated in a study investigating IPM systems approaches. Finally, new management tactics for tarnished plant bug, such as ThryvOn cotton, are being evaluated. As new management strategies and tactics are developed, they will need to be evaluated for their fit in this IPM system. Full article