Search Results (198)

The pepper weevil Anthonomus eugenii is a devastating pest native to Central America that can cause severe damage to over 35 pepper varieties. Global trade in peppers has significantly increased the risk of its spread and expansion. Moreover, future climate change may add more uncertainty to its distribution, resulting in considerable ecological and economic damage globally. Therefore, we employed an ensemble model combining Random Forests and CLIMEX to predict the potential global distribution of A. eugenii in historical and future climate scenarios. The results indicated that the maximum temperature of the warmest month is an important variable affecting global A. eugenii distribution. Under the historical climate scenario, the potential global distribution of A. eugenii is concentrated in the Midwestern and Southern United States, Central America, the La Plata Plain, parts of the Brazilian Plateau, the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts, sub-Saharan Africa, Northern and Southern China, Southern India, Indochina Peninsula, and coastal area in Eastern Australia. Under future climate scenarios, suitable areas in the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and China, are projected to expand toward higher latitudes. In China, the number of highly suitable areas is expected to increase significantly, mainly in the south and north. Contrastingly, suitable areas in Central America, northern South America, the Brazilian Plateau, India, and the Indochina Peninsula will become less suitable. The total land area suitable for A. eugenii under historical and future low- and high-emission climate scenarios accounted for 73.12, 66.82, and 75.97% of the global land area (except for Antarctica), respectively. The high-suitability areas identified by both models decreased by 19.05 and 35.02% under low- and high-emission scenarios, respectively. Building on these findings, we inferred the future expansion trends of A. eugenii globally. Furthermore, we provide early warning of A. eugenii invasion and a scientific basis for its spread and outbreak, facilitating the development of effective quarantine and control measures. Full article

Drosophilidae is a relatively small family within Diptera. However, species of this family occupy a wide range of ecological niches and are frequently found in synanthropic habitats. Additionally, some species are known agricultural pests. The dataset is based on collections of Drosophilidae from eleven regions of Russia. The dataset was uploaded to the GBIF platform in 2024. Published sources specifying exact localities and collection dates were also used. The database includes records dating back to 1867, with the majority of specimens collected by the authors between 2001 and 2024. Collection methods included net sweeping and bait trapping. The dataset contains 2830 occurrence records, with a total of 51,006 specimens of Drosophilidae studied. It includes data on 108 species from two subfamilies, covering 49 regions of Russia. Considering additional published sources, 188 species of Drosophilidae are currently known from Russia, with a complete species list provided. Among the most abundant species in the dataset, 10 species are represented by more than 1000 specimens: Drosophila obscura, Scaptodrosophila rufifrons, Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila phalerata, Drosophila transversa, Drosophila kuntzei, Drosophila histrio, Drosophila testacea, Phortica semivirgo, and Drosophila immigrans. Conversely, 39 species are represented by fewer than 10 specimens in the dataset. Regarding ecological groupings, the most dominant groups are xylosaprobionts (39 species, 40.6%) and mycophages (30 species, 31.3%). Notably, in 2017, the quarantine pest Drosophila suzukii was detected in the European part of Russia. The current knowledge of the Drosophilidae fauna in Russia remains insufficient. Of the 15 regions, only one or two localities are represented in the dataset. The distribution limits and range boundaries of many species remain unknown. Moreover, the local faunas of more than half of Russia’s regions remain unexplored. Full article

Zeugodacus cucuribitae (Coquillett) (Z. cucuribitae) is a global extremely invasive quarantine pest which has a wide host range of fruits and vegetables. At present, there are a few control measures for Z. cucuribitae, and deltamethrin and avermectin are commonly used. Among the hosts of Z. cucuribitae, Luffa acutangular, Luffa cylindrica, Sechium edule, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, Musa nana, and Fragaria × ananassa are non-favored hosts. However, it is still not clear why these hosts are non-favored and whether there are any repellent components of Z. cucuribitae in these hosts. In this study, the components of these six hosts were collected from the literature, and the genes of odor and chemical sensation were determined from the genome of Z. cucuribitae. After the potential relationships between these components and genes were determined by molecular docking methods, the KEGG and GO enrichment analysis of these genes was conducted, and a complex network of genes vs. components vs. Kegg pathway vs. GO terms was constructed and used to select the key components for experiments. The results show that oleanolic acid (1 mg/mL, 0.1 mg/mL, and 0.01 mg/mL), rotenone (1 mg/mL, 0.1 mg/mL, and 0.01 mg/mL), and beta-caryophyllene oxide (1 mg/mL, 0.1 mg/mL, and 0.01 mg/mL) had a significant repellent effect on Z. cucuribitae, and three components, rotenone (1 mg/mL and 0.1 mg/mL), echinocystic acid (1 mg/mL, 0.1 mg/mL, and 0.01 mg/mL), and beta-caryophyllene oxide (1 mg/mL, and 0.1 mg/mL) had significant stomach toxicity in Z. cucuribitae. Furthermore, a complex signaling pathway was built and used to predict the effect of these components on Z. cucuribitae. These components probably play roles in the neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction (ko04080) and calcium signaling (ko04020) pathways. This study provides a reference for the prevention and control of Z. cucuribitae and a scientific reference for the rapid screening and development of new pest control drugs. Full article

Five beetle species can occur in potato fields simultaneously, including one quarantine pest (the Colorado potato beetle (CPB)), one phytophagous pest (the 28-spotted potato ladybird beetle), and three predatory ladybird beetles (the 7-spotted lady beetle, the tortoise beetle, and the harlequin ladybird beetle). The timely detection and accurate identification of CPB and other phytophagous or predatory beetles are critical for the effective implementation of monitoring and control strategies. However, morphological identification requires specialized expertise, is time-consuming, and is particularly challenging due to the dark brown body color of these beetles when in the young larval stages. This study provides an effective solution to distinguish between phytophagous and/or quarantine and predatory beetles. This solution is in the form of a new convolutional neural network architecture, known as MSAC-ResNet. Specifically, it comprises several multiscale asymmetric convolution blocks, which are designed to extract features at multiple scales, mainly by integrating different-sized asymmetric convolution kernels in parallel. We evaluated the MSAC-ResNet through comprehensive model training and testing on a beetle image dataset of 11,325 images across 20 beetle categories. The proposed recognition model achieved accuracy, precision, and recall rates of 99.11%, 99.18%, and 99.11%, respectively, outperforming another five existing models, namely, AlexNet, MobileNet-v3, EfficientNet-b0, DenseNet, and ResNet-101. Notably, the developed field investigation mini-program can identify all the developmental stages of these five beetle species, from young larvae to adults, and provide timely management (or protection) suggestions to farmers. Our findings could be significant for future research related to precise pest control and the conservation of natural enemies. Full article

Drosophila suzukii, classified as a quarantine pest in some countries, poses a serious threat to global trade due to its ability to damage berries and cherries. Recent studies indicate that low-temperature phosphine (PH₃) fumigation effectively controls this pest without compromising fresh produce quality. However, the specific protocol for managing D. suzukii larvae in cherries using this method remains underexplored. This study evaluates the efficacy of low-temperature PH₃ fumigation in controlling D. suzukii larvae across three cherry varieties at 3 °C and investigates potential effects on key quality metrics. Tolerance assessments revealed that 3rd instar larvae exhibit the highest resistance to PH₃ among all developmental stages. A concentration of 800 mL/m³ PH₃ for 84 h at 3 °C achieved phytosanitary efficacy for 0.99997 with no negative effect on the quality attributes of the tested cherry varieties. These results support low-temperature PH₃ fumigation as a viable postharvest treatment for D. suzukii management in sweet cherries. Full article

Luprops orientalis (Motschulsky, 1868) is an economically important pest in traditional Chinese medicines, widely distributed in East Asia. However, the primary limiting factors affecting its distribution, potential suitable areas, as well as its response to global warming, remain largely unknown. Utilizing 295 filtered distribution points and 10 environmental variables (9 climate variables and 1 land cover type), this study uses the MaxEnt model to predict the potential distribution of L. orientalis under near-current and future environmental change scenarios. The results indicated that precipitation of the warmest quarter (bio18), temperature seasonality (bio04), and precipitation of the wettest month (bio13) were the most significant environmental variables affecting the distribution of suitable habitats for L. orientalis, while the contribution of average variation in daytime temperature (bio2) was the smallest. Under the near-current climate, the areas of low, moderate, and high suitability for L. orientalis are approximately 1.02 × 10⁶ km², 1.65 × 10⁶ km², and 8.22 × 10⁵ km², respectively. The suitable areas are primarily located in North China, Central China, the Korean Peninsula, and Central and Southern Japan. Under future climate conditions, the potential suitable areas are expected to expand significantly, especially in Central China. However, the high-suitability areas in North China are predicted to experience a slight reduction. With the increase in carbon emission concentrations, the suitable area shows an increasing trend in the 2050s, followed by a declining trend in the 2090s. The centroids of suitable areas will shift to the northeast in the future. These findings enhance our understanding of how climate change affects the distribution of L. orientalis and will assist governments in formulating effective pest control strategies, including widespread monitoring and stringent quarantine measures. Full article

The pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, PWN) is a globally significant quarantine pest that causes severe economic and ecological damage to coniferous forests worldwide. Additionally, PWNs continue to expand into higher latitudes. However, studies on their cold tolerance remain limited. This study investigated the overwintering environment of PWNs in epidemic areas of Liaoning Province, China. It established a protocol to induce anhydrobiosis in PWNs, evaluated their low-temperature resistance, observed morphological changes during anhydrobiosis, and explored potentially involved key genes. The results showed that (1) there was no significant difference in thermal insulation between infected and healthy wood in Liaoning Province; both effectively reduced temperature fluctuation rates, providing a protective function for PWN overwintering. (2) PWNs significantly enabled their cold tolerance through anhydrobiosis, accompanied by significant morphological changes and substantial lipid droplet depletion. (3) Eleven anhydrobiosis-related genes were identified. Among these, the collagen gene family showed consistent expression patterns throughout dehydration and rehydration. This suggests a potential role in cuticle structural changes and osmoregulation during anhydrobiosis. These findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding how PWNs survive winter conditions in high-latitude regions. Additionally, they offer valuable insights for future research into PWN anhydrobiosis and the development of effective control strategies. Full article

Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii (Pss) is a Gram-negative bacterium causing Stewart wilt, a severe disease in maize. Native to North America, it has spread globally through the maize seed trade. Resistant maize varieties and insecticides are crucial to mitigate the disease’s economic impact. Pss is a quarantine pest, requiring phytosanitary certification for the seed trade in European countries. Accurate diagnostic tests, including real-time PCR, are fundamental to detect Pss and distinguish it from other bacteria, like Pantoea stewartii subsp. indologenes (Psi), a non-quarantine bacteria associated with maize seeds. Population genetics is a valuable tool for studying adaptation, speciation, population structure, diversity, and evolution in plant bacterial pathogens. In this study, the key activities of interlaboratory comparisons are reported to assess diagnostic sensitivity (DSE), diagnostic specificity (DSP) and accuracy (ACC) for different real-time PCR able to detect Pss in seeds. The results of complete sequencing of Italian bacterial isolates are presented. This study enhances our understanding of molecular methods for diagnosing and identifying pathogens in maize seeds, improving knowledge of Pss genomes to prevent their spread and trace possible entry routes from endemic to non-endemic areas. Full article

The Baluchistan melon fly (Myiopardalis pardalina) is a highly invasive tephritid pest. It poses a critical threat to global cucurbit production, with crop losses exceeding 90% during outbreaks. This review synthesises current research on the pest’s biology, ecology, and management, focusing on its severe economic repercussions for key crops—including melon, watermelon, and cucumber—across Africa, Asia, and Europe. M. pardalina has a four-stage life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) and distinct morphological adaptations. The species’ geographic range continues to expand, driven by global trade networks and its adaptability to shifting climatic conditions. Infestations by this pest severely reduce fruit yields, undermining food security and destabilising rural economies reliant on cucurbit cultivation. We evaluate diverse control strategies, including monitoring and quarantine methods, cultural practices, physical controls, chemical management, biological agents, and emerging genetic tools. This review emphasises the urgency of adopting integrated pest management (IPM) to strategically balance efficacy, ecological sustainability, and operational scalability. By consolidating fragmented knowledge and identifying critical research gaps, this work provides a framework for mitigating M. pardalina’s impacts, offering actionable insights to safeguard agricultural productivity and enhance resilience in vulnerable regions. Full article

The study of shape by the use of geometric morphometrics has been an important tool for addressing taxonomic challenges in complex groups like the genus Tetropium Kirby, 1837 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). This insect genus includes 28 species, 8 of which are found in North America, with the invasive T. fuscum (Fabricius) posing a significant quarantine risk as a pest of coniferous trees. The present study evaluated the use of geometric morphometrics to analyze the pronotum shape in females of nine species of the genus, showing the effectiveness of this tool in distinguishing between species. Even if some overlaps were found between some species, this research highlights the potential of GM in developing pest monitoring, quarantine managements, and integrated pest management programs. Our findings suggest that the use of a comprehensive database of landmarks, encompassing broader geographic and ecological diversity, could further improve species identification at ports of entry and facilitate trade. Full article

Fungi can degrade grain quality, produce harmful mycotoxins, and hinder germination in the post-harvest stage, resulting in significant economic losses. Ethyl formate (EF) is an efficient and eco-friendly fumigant for controlling pest insects in grains, horticulture, and quarantine treatments. However, there is a lack of research on the antifungal activity of EF and its degradation products on barley seeds. In this study, fifteen fungal species, predominantly Alternaria infectoria, were isolated and identified from seven Australian barley samples. Efficacy results indicated that EF significantly inhibited fungal growth at a commercial concentration of 2.4 mmol/L, except for Penicillium sp. 2, Fusarium chlamydosporum, and Rhizopus arrhizus. To control these EF-tolerant fungal species, the EF concentration was increased to 5 mmol/L, which achieved a 100% inhibition rate. The degradation product of EF, formic acid, effectively inhibited all EF-tolerant fungi, requiring only 0.08 mmol/L in the in vitro study. There were no significant differences in vigor and germination rates in barley treated with EF at concentrations of 2.5, 3.7, and 5 mmol/L. Additionally, EF treatments led to a significant increase in the barley root length from an average of 9.1 cm in the control group to 13.2, 13. 6, and 12.3 cm at 2.5, 3.7, and 5 mmol/L. The findings suggest that EF could be a suitable alternative fumigant to safeguard grain from fungal infestation, particularly in the context of advancing agricultural practices and improving seed germination quality. The degradation compound, formic acid, may contribute significantly to the overall antifungal function of ethyl formate fumigation, particularly in high-humidity environments. Full article

The Manchurian fruit moth, Grapholita inopinata (Heinrich) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is an important pest of fruit crops, particularly apples (Malus spp., Rosaceae), and is classified as a quarantine pest in many European countries and other world regions. Until recently, this species was known only in Northeastern China, Japan, and Russia (from Eastern Siberia and the Far East). To determine the westernmost distribution of G. inopinata and assess its abundance, we conducted nine-year pheromone monitoring across 13 administrative regions of Russia from 2014 to 2018 and 2021 to 2024. A total of 1866 traps were deployed, capturing 31,962 G. inopinata specimens in 1811 traps. The species was newly detected in eight regions—seven in Asian Russia and one in European Russia (Perm Krai). These findings doubled the moth’s known range on the Asian continent and extended its western boundary to 56° E in European Russia. Between 2021 and 2024, G. inopinata was generally found at low densities across the surveyed regions (≤10 males per trap per week), with the exception of Perm Krai, Omsk, and Novosibirsk Oblasts, where moderate abundance (up to 38 males per trap per week) was recorded. In contrast, from 2014 to 2018, moderate to high population densities (up to 94 males per trap per week), including mass occurrences (over 100 males per trap per week), were observed in Krasnoyarsk Krai, with an absolute peak capture of 303 males in one trap in June 2017. Notably, in 2015–2017, male flight activity in southern Krasnoyarsk Krai exhibited two distinct peaks: one in mid-to-late June and another from late July to mid-August, indicating the development of two generations. This is the first-ever record of a bivoltine seasonal cycle for G. inopinata in Siberia. These findings are critical for improving pest risk assessments and developing early detection strategies, supporting more effective monitoring and management approaches of this orchard pest. Full article

Callobruchus maculatus is a major quarantine pest of stored legumes in China. As a holometabolous insect, it lives inside the bean it burrows into in both its larval and pupal stages. This study utilized micro-CT and 3D reconstruction to document thoracic morphological transformation during larval and pupal stages. The multi-peak fitting of cranial width was applied to determine larval instars. The results indicate that the first-instar larvae bore into beans using prothoracic muscles and those connecting the head to the mesothorax. The second-instar larva possessed the highest number of thoracic muscles, likely correlating with peak boring activity. The prepupa and the initial pupa exhibited minimal musculature, suggesting larval muscle degradation prior to pupation. Muscles unique to prepupae might homologize with indirect flight muscles in pupae, implying that adult flight capability is determined in the final larval stage. The muscles of both larvae and pupae undergo changes in attachment site, shape and curvature throughout development. At the same time, changes also occur in the larval cuticle and pupal endoskeleton. During the larval stage, muscle growth and degradation occur simultaneously, influencing muscle volume. In the pupal stage, the progressive increase in both absolute and relative thoracic muscle volumes prepare the weevil for movement after emergence. Meanwhile, the other thoracic organs, including the gut, air sacs and nerves, also change during development. Full article

The foreign grain beetle, Ahasverus advena (Waltl) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), has been reported from 110 countries on more than 162 commodities, more than 35 types of facilities, and 14 other habitats such as compost heaps and haystacks or manure. Compost heaps, haystacks, and manure heated by fermentation may allow overwintering in cold climates, making them important sources of infestation. From these sources the A. advena can fly and infest grain storage and processing facilities. A. advena has been found in empty grain storage bins, is often found in wheat immediately after harvest, and is most abundant early in wheat storage. Larvae and adults of A. advena are well adapted to feeding on several species of fungi and have higher chitinase levels and greater tolerance for fungal aflatoxins than other species. A. advena lay more eggs on the fungal species on which their offspring can develop most successfully. They are attracted to fungal odors and high moisture commodities and have the capability to disseminate grain fungi that cause hot spots within the grain mass. The presence of fungus beetles is indicative of poor storage conditions. A. advena is capable of feeding on some commodities and is a predator that may have a potential role in biological control. They are strong fliers but are distributed extensively with the movement of commodities in the marketing system. In countries with a zero tolerance for insects, their presence is sufficient for rejection of a load and associated economic losses. In other countries, contamination by A. advena is a problem, and in India, it is listed as a quarantine pest. Extension agents have had many requests for the identification of this species, and two other species of the same genus have been found in stored products. Some information is available for the effectiveness of nine pest management methods for A. advena. 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