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Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Minghui Zhao

,

Weina Wang

,

Hongyu Lai

,

Lixin Zhou

,

Qi Liao

,

Jinxin Liu

,

Hongning Liu

,

Miao Ouyang

,

Gang Ren

,

Zishu Dong

Abstract: As the global population ages rapidly, demand for safe and effective strategies to promote healthy aging grows markedly. Natural bioactive compounds, with favorable biosafety profiles and multi-target regulatory properties, have become a core focus in developing anti-aging functional foods and nutraceuticals. Amid the search for novel sustainable bioresources, edible insects emerge as promising anti-aging candidates for their rich species diversity, scalable production, low environmental footprint, and abundant unique bioactive components such as functional proteins and bioactive peptides. Based on bibliometric analysis of 500 eligible publications spanning two decades, this review systematically identifies 32 anti-aging insect species across seven orders, classifies their bioactive components into five major categories, summarizes green extraction technologies, and evaluates their in vitro and in vivo anti-aging activities centered on oxidative stress and inflammatory regulation, while outlining the field’s trajectory from basic mechanistic research to functional application. It further highlights core challenges including fragmented research frameworks and insufficient robust in vivo validation. Finally, it recommends integrating established food science and medical methodologies with emerging technologies such as omics, artificial intelligence, and advanced delivery systems to advance future research paradigms. These efforts could provide a strong theoretical foundation for the efficient and sustainable use of insect resources in anti-aging applications.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Verónica Andrade-Yucailla

,

Arahis Cruz Limonte

,

Víctor González Rivera

,

Marcos Barros-Rodriguez

,

Ubaldo Álvarez Hernández

Abstract: The rapid global spread of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, has severely threat-ened maize production, accelerating a critical shift in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) toward augmentative and conservation-based biological control using egg parasitoids. A retrospective bibliometric analysis mapped 87 Scopus-indexed documents (2015–2025) processed via the Bibliometrix package in RStudio following PRISMA protocol. Bradford's Law confirmed a specialized publishing core of five journals accounting for 35.63% of global output (χ² = 0.4828; p = 0.785). Lotka's Law revealed a significant asymmetric dis-tribution of author productivity (χ² = 72.86; p < 0.001), reflecting a discipline driven by a small expert core. Geopolitically, collaboration networks contrasted the research autono-my of emerging Asian powers (China, India) against the multilateral cooperation de-pendency of African nations. Keyword co-occurrence analysis confirmed significant lexi-cal polarization toward the pest–natural enemy pairing (χ² = 12.051; p = 0.0072), with Telenomus remus (22 occurrences) and "egg parasitoid" (21 occurrences) dominating the emerging thematic cluster. The global research frontier has shifted from descriptive ento-mology toward applied precision biological control, emphasizing combined parasitoid releases, climate synchronization, semiochemical manipulation, and selective biopesti-cide compatibility for the sustainable protection of maize crops.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Matheus Franco Trivellato

,

Yara Martins Molina Ferraz

,

Cássia Regina de Avelar Gomes

,

Aline Yukari Kato

,

Samir Moura Kadri

,

Ricardo de Oliveira Orsi

,

David De Jong

,

Daniel Nicodemo

Abstract: Adequate nutrition is essential for honey bee colony development and may influence pollination services provided to agricultural crops. In contrast, fungicides commonly used in agriculture have been associated with physiological and behavioral alterations in individual bees, although their consequences at the colony level remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of colony nutritional status and exposure to a commercial fungicide containing bixafen, prothioconazole, and trifloxystrobin on honey bee colony development and soybean pollination efficiency. Twelve honey bee colonies were maintained under nutritional supplementation or restriction for seven weeks and subsequently exposed or not exposed to the fungicide while confined in soybean pollination cages. Colony weight, food reserves, hygienic behavior, brood area, and Varroa destructor infestation were monitored throughout the experiment, and soybean yield was assessed at harvest. Nutritional supplementation improved colony performance, increasing weight gain, food reserves, hygienic behavior efficiency, and soybean yield (3,076.7 kg ha⁻¹) compared with pollinator-excluded plots (2,334.2 kg ha⁻¹). Fungicide exposure did not affect colony development, food reserves, hygienic behavior, or mite infestation, regardless of nutritional status. After returning to the apiary, colonies recovered from temporary reductions associated with confinement. These findings demonstrate that nutritional status is a key determinant of honey bee colony performance and pollination efficiency, whereas colonies maintained functional resilience under the fungicide exposure conditions evaluated.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Hannes A. Bonhoff

,

Heikki Helanterä

Abstract: The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) forms large colonies which represent organisms in their own right, known as superorganisms. Although this species is among the most extensively studied insects, competing explanations persist regarding fundamental characteristics like colonial lifespan. This review refutes the notion of colonial immortality due to an inverted identification of parent and offspring, advocating instead for viewing a traditional honey bee colony as a matrilineage of mortal superorganisms. By refining the colonial life cycle to trace zygotic, embryonic, fetal, juvenile, and adult stages during superorganismal ontogeny, we extend the animal-superorganism analogy to reveal a viviparous organism engaged in strictly sexual reproduction and complex maternal care. Furthermore, analyzing the multiple pathways to female reproduction reveals that swarming in itself does not represent reproduction, as it precedes fertilization. Under this framework, the prime swarm allows the maternal superorganism to survive reproduction, whereas afterswarms serve to multiply offspring within a single reproductive cycle. These insights have implications for honey bee parasitology, demographic monitoring, and beekeeping management and provide a more rigorous foundation for the superorganism concept applicable to sexually reproducing social insects with queen supersedure or turnover.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Atef M. M. Sayed

,

H. M. Hamouda

,

Nasser A. A. Alansary

,

Mohammad A. Abdelhady

Abstract: Background: The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is a globally significant agricultural pest, with its management increasingly complicated due to the rapid resistance development to chemical acaricides. The application of biological control utilizing predatory mites, particularly Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus, offers a sustainable alternative, but the optimization of release strategies requires the development of quantitative models that effectively integrate predator-prey dynamics. Objective: A biomathematical model, termed the Potential Predation Rate of Release (PPRR), was developed to identify the optimal release rates for the predatory mites Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus, taking into account their population growth dynamics and predation capabilities. Methods: Comprehensive measurements of life table parameters and daily predation rates were conducted for both predators and prey species at temperatures of 20°C, 25°C, and 30°C within controlled laboratory settings. Ratios of the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of the predator to the prey were integrated with the average daily consumption figures to derive the PPRR. Results: The analysis under varying temperature conditions indicated that the prey species T. urticae exhibited an average intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of 0.180 day⁻¹. In contrast, the predatory species showed higher growth rates, with P. persimilis and N. californicus recording rm values of 0.220 day⁻¹ and 0.231 day⁻¹, respectively. Consequently, the predator-to-prey rm ratios were calculated as 1.22 for P. persimilis and 1.29 for N. californicus. The average daily consumption was recorded at 12.44 prey per individual P. persimilis and 10.13 per individual N. californicus. The PPRR model forecasts that individual predators are capable of regulating populations of 15.18 (P. persimilis) and 13.06 (N. californicus) spider mites on a daily basis. Conclusions: The PPRR model serves as a quantitative and data-driven framework for the optimization of predatory mite release strategies. This approach improves the accuracy and sustainability of biocontrol strategies targeting T. urticae, along with suggestions for field validation to confirm the model's applicability.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Victoria Shilova

,

Alexander Rezvykh

,

Victoria Aristova

,

Artem Davletshin

,

Anna Andreeva

,

Ksenia Ponomareva

,

David Garbuz

,

Michael Evgen'ev

,

Olga Zatsepina

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a vital gasotransmitter essential for maintaining redox homeostasis and modulating inflammatory responses. Herein, we examined a collection of Drosophila melanogaster knockout (KO) lines lacking key transsulfuration (cbs, cse) and sulfide metabolism (tst1) genes, generated in our laboratory, to elucidate the role of this adaptive system in immunity. Genetic ablation of these pathways results in profound H₂S deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia, leading to chronic oxidative stress. This leads to constitutive activation of major immune pathways—including IMD, Toll, and JAK-STAT—even in the absence of infection, a hallmark of chronic inflammation. Indeed, transcriptomic analysis and qRT-PCR studies revealed significant upregulation of these pathways in double (cbs;cse) and triple (cbs;cse;tst1) KO flies under control conditions. Following septic injury with Bacillus subtilis, double and triple KO flies exhibited increased expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and pattern recognition receptors compared to control and TST1-/- single KO lines. Notably, double- and triple-KO lines showed more prolonged immune activation. The triple KO flies exhibited the worst survival rate following septic injury. These results demonstrate that H₂S deficiency causes chronic inflammation through the sustained activation of the immune pathways, highlighting sulfur metabolism as a crucial regulator of homeostasis and innate immunity in Drosophila.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Rittick Mondal

,

Atanu Manna

,

Pankaj Mandal

,

Amresh Kumar Sharma

,

Halil Kurt

,

Amit Kumar Mandal

Abstract: Flacherie is a major bacterial disease compromising silkworm health and cocoon productivity; however, the diversity and genomic features of larva-associated pathogens remain poorly characterized. In the present study, we isolated and characterized a Gram-negative bacterium, designated Pseudomonas sp. RAC1, from the hemolymph of diseased silkworm larvae. The isolate exhibited clear swimming motility, indicating an active flagellar system. Biochemical profiling using the VITEK-2 platform revealed broad metabolic capabilities, including utilization of multiple organic acids and amino-acids, related enzymatic activities, highlighting its adaptability under nutrient-variable host conditions. Chemotaxonomic analysis using fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling further supported its identity within the genus Pseudomonas. Whole-genome sequencing showed a 4.49 Mb GC-rich genome encoding diverse functional pathways related to central metabolism, aromatic compound degradation, and carbohydrate-active enzymes, suggesting strong ecological flexibility. Importantly, genomic screening identified multiple virulence-associated genes and a large repertoire of antimicrobial resistance determinants, dominated by efflux pumps and outer membrane permeability factors, which correlated with phenotypic resistance to all tested antibiotics. In addition, RAC1 contained several mobile genetic elements and three prophage regions, reflecting a highly plastic genome. Pangenome analysis across related Pseudomonas strains indicated an open pangenome, driven largely by accessory and cloud genes. Overall, Pseudomonas sp. RAC1 represents a multidrug-resistant and genomically dynamic strain encoding multiple virulence-associated determinants and resistance factors. These genomic features suggest adaptive potential in host-associated environments and require further experimental investigation to evaluate its role in silkworm larval disease.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Zhenhao Song

,

Yiqu Chen

,

Zhaoxu Sun

,

Qin Li

,

Xiaoqin Tang

,

Xueping Lei

,

Yuan Zhao

,

Dawei Hong

,

Jiangcheng Zang

Abstract: Plant-derived attractants for sawfly pests are rarely available. This study evaluated field trapping of Nematus hequensis Xiao adults using 15 volatile compounds from Salix alba L. leaves, testing four concentrations, three trap types, two lure cores, two hanging heights, and two trap spacings in a randomized block design (three replicates) during the adult emergence peak in Lhasa, Tibet (2024). Optimal combinations were sex-specific: for females, large boat-shaped traps suspended at 1 m with slow-release bottle lures containing 10 μg/μL o-Xylene captured 62 individuals; for males, the same configuration but with 10 μg/μL (E)-2-Hexenal captured 265 individuals. Trap spacing (10 m vs. 15 m) did not significantly affect daily capture. These results provide a practical, environmentally friendly monitoring tool for N. hequensis and a reference for developing volatile-based attractants for other tenthredinid pests on Salicaceae hosts worldwide.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Dongming Zhao

,

Zhijiang Zeng

,

Lizhen Zhang

Abstract: Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental pollutant that threatens pollinators. This study examined the effects of Cd on survival, tissue accumulation, gut structure, microbiota, and gene expression in larval and adult worker honey bees (Apis mellifera). Larvae received diets with 0–1.25 mg/kg Cd, and adults were fed 0–4 mg/kg Cd in sucrose solution. Survival, Cd accumulation, gut histology, microbiota composition, and transcriptomic responses were assessed. Cd exposure reduced larval survival, pupation, and eclosion in a dose-dependent manner and decreased adult survival at the highest concentration. Cd accumulated in both stages, including brain tissue, and caused gut tissue damage. Adult gut microbiota showed increased Gilliamella abundance at high Cd levels. Transcriptomic profiling revealed upregulation of detoxification and immune genes in larvae and stress-response genes in adults. Larvae were more sensitive than adults, and Cd exposure impaired survival, gut integrity, microbiota balance, and gene expression, offering insights for ecological risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in pollinators.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Meilan Tuo

,

Wenchao Hu

,

Dongyang Wu

,

Weifu Liu

,

Shuting Wang

,

Xingren Long

,

Yajun Jin

Abstract: Agricultural intensification degrades farmland biodiversity, prompting the use of wildflower strips to restore natural enemies. However, their spatio-temporal effects on predators in arid agroecosystems remain unclear. We investigated ground-dwelling spiders in sown wildflower strips versus natural margins across four cropping systems in arid northwestern China using pitfall traps along a spatial gradient throughout the growing season. While overall diversity did not differ significantly between treatments, three key patterns emerged. First, spider abundance remained stable across the spatial gradient, but taxonomic diversity increased significantly toward the crop interior. Second, while communities in natural margins peaked early and declined during the hot, dry mid-summer, wildflower strips maintained high populations, acting as crucial temporal refuges. Third, wildflower strips reorganized species co-occurrence networks, fostering more resilient community structures. We conclude that in water-limited environments, wildflower strips stabilize predator populations during harsh weather and enhance community resilience. These findings highlight the value of wildflower strips in designing sustainable ecological pest management strategies for arid agroecosystems.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Mohamed A. Nourdine

,

Pape Cheikh Sarr

,

Abdoulaye Niang

,

Assane Ndiaye

,

Lina Ibrahim Abdalallah

,

Idrissa Sarr

,

Lassana Konaté

,

Ousmane Faye

,

Oumar Gaye

,

Ellen M. Dotson

+2 authors

Abstract: In Senegal, scaling up vector control has significantly reduced malaria, but coastal transmission remains a challenge due to secondary vectors like Anopheles melas. This exophilic and zoophilic species evades conventional indoor interventions, yet its bionomics and insecticide resistance profiles remain poorly characterized due to difficulties in laboratory colonization. Anopheles melas larvae were collected from brackish breeding sites in Mbine Coly (Mbour District). A laboratory colony was established from 26 PCR-confirmed founder females and stabilized up to the F17 generation by optimizing water salinity (10 g/L) and transitioning to communal oviposition. Standardized WHO tube bioassays were conducted on generations F2 to F9 to evaluate susceptibility to pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamates, alongside synergist tests using 4% piperonyl butoxide (PBO). The colony showed confirmed resistance to alpha-cypermethrin (81.7% mortality) and suspected resistance to deltamethrin (91.3%) and permethrin (94.3%). Pre-exposure to PBO fully restored susceptibility to deltamethrin and permethrin (100%), and significantly increased alpha-cypermethrin mortality to 96.3% (p < 0.001), demonstrating a major cytochrome P450-mediated metabolic resistance. High-intensity resistance was confirmed for alpha-cypermethrin at 5X diagnostic doses. Conversely, the population was 100% susceptible to pirimiphos-methyl and bendiocarb. This study reports the successful long-term colonization of a wild An. melas strain for the first time and provides the first comprehensive evidence of multi-insecticide resistance in this population. The presence of high-intensity, metabolic pyrethroid resistance strongly justifies the immediate deployment of next-generation PBO-LLINs and the integration of organophosphates or carbamates in indoor residual spraying rotations to manage resistance in coastal Senegal.

Brief Report
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Jiawen Du

,

Yinwei You

,

Fangzheng Yue

,

Xiao Xu

,

Yimulati Nulakeman

,

Yasen Shali

,

Michel Lecoq

Abstract: More than 100 species of grasshoppers have been documented in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, several of which cause serious damage to pasturelands and negatively affect animal husbandry. Aspergillus oryzae XJ-1, a fungal pathogen of locusts and grasshoppers, has previously shown pathogenic activity against locusts and grasshoppers in crop field, but its efficacy in natural grasslands has not yet been evaluated. To assess its potential for grasshopper management in grasslands, we conducted infection assays, field-cage experiments and field trials in Xinjiang, China, from 2024 to 2025. Infection assays indicated that A. oryzae XJ-1 could infect 7 grasshopper species: Calliptamus italicus (Itanlian locust), C. barbarus, Oedipoda miniata, Oedaleus decorus, Sphingonotus coerulipes, Notostaurus albicornis, and Gomphocerus sibiricus. In field-cage experiments, cumulative mortality rates of O. miniata and C. barbarus reached 73.3 ± 8.8% and 76.7 ± 6.7%, respectively 20 days after inoculation with A. oryzae XJ-1 at 106 conidia mL-1. In field trials, grasshopper population reduction rates in treated plots reached 84.9 ± 4.3% and 59.7 ± 4.6% at 15 days after treatment with 3 × 1012 conidia ha-1 in Huocheng County in 2024 and 2025, respectively. In Bole County in 2025, the reduction rate reached 79.6 ± 4.8% at 5 days after treatment using the same dosage. These results suggested that A. oryzae XJ-1 has potential as a biological control agent against several grasshopper species in the grasslands of the Xinjiang region.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Wanyan Jiang

,

Lijun Cai

,

Tianyi Yang

,

Jiafu Zhang

,

Qi Zhao

,

Meixiang Wu

Abstract: The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is a globally distributed species that feeds on lignocellulose and causes substantial economic losses annually. Current control strategy heavily relies on chemical pesticides, raising concerns about environmental impacts associated with their overuse. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a plant-derived pesticide, has demonstrated significant insecticidal activity. However, its effects on key physiological and biochemical systems in C. formosanus remain poorly understood. In particular, its impact on antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), detoxification enzymes such as carboxylesterase (CarE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and neural enzymes (e.g., acetylcholinesterase, AChE) has not been systematically investigated. Transcriptome data were used to predict coding sequences (CDSs) of antioxidant, detoxification, and neural enzymes, followed by phylogenetic analysis. C. formosanus was treated with AITC at LC₅₀ for 24 h, and enzyme activities and gene expression levels were assessed. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate interactions between AITC and the five enzymes. AITC exposure significantly increased the activities of all six enzymes. Gene expression analysis revealed differential regulation across enzyme families, with notable upregulation of AChE and several CarE, SOD, POD, and GST genes. Docking analysis indicated favorable binding affinity to target enzymes (binding energy < -1.2 kcal/mol). These findings suggest that AITC induces coordinated enzymatic and transcriptional responses in C. formosanus, providing insight into its mode of action and supporting its potential as a botanical termiticide with low environmental impact.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Pablo Ormeño-Arriagada

,

Cristopher Jiménez

,

Ramón Arias Gilart

,

Daniel Ramírez

,

Karen Yañez

Abstract: Honeybee population decline poses a serious threat to global biodiversity and agricultural productivity, underscoring the need for continuous and non-invasive hive monitoring solutions. In particular, early detection of queen absence is critical for maintaining colony viability. This study investigates the effectiveness of machine learning and deep learning models for acoustic-based queen-presence detection using short-duration hive audio recordings. Audio data collected from multiple sources were processed to extract spectrogram, Mel-spectrogram, and Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient features, which were evaluated using classical ML classifiers and convolutional neural networks. Experimental results indicate that MFCC-based representations consistently outperform spectrogram-based features across segment lengths, achieving higher accuracy and greater stability. The best performance was obtained with Mel features using convolutional neural networks for short segments and gradient-boosted models for longer windows. These findings demonstrate that brief acoustic segments are sufficient for reliable classification, supporting real-time monitoring under noisy field conditions. The proposed approach offers a scalable and low-cost framework for precision beekeeping and contributes to sustainable beekeeping through early, automated anomaly detection. The proposed framework supports real-time, low-cost deployment scenarios, enabling scalable precision apiculture solutions.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Richard García Domínguez

,

María D. López-Belchí

,

Nolberto Arismendi

,

Marisol Vargas

Abstract: Pollen constitutes the primary source of proteins, amino acids, lipids, sterols, vitamins, and minerals for honey bees. However, not all pollen types provide the same resources or have the same biological value. Its chemical composition changes according to botanical origin, geographic location, and environmental conditions. This variability can influence metabolism, the immune system, oxidative balance, and the ability to resist or tolerate infections. This article examines the available evidence on the relationship between pollen chemical quality and the dynamics of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) infection in Apis mellifera. The analysis is approached from molecular, physiological, ecological, and seasonal perspectives. Current findings suggest that more diverse and higher-quality pollen diets are generally associated with greater colony survival and improved health status, although their effects on viral load are more heterogeneous and context-dependent. In some studies, pollen intake is linked to a reduction in DWV, while in others the viral load remains stable, but bees survive longer or show better health indicators. These differences suggest that pollen may act not only by enhancing resistance to the virus but also by increasing tolerance to infection-associated damage. The potential role of pollen bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids and phenolic acids, is also discussed. Nevertheless, evidence of direct antiviral action of these compounds in bees remains limited, as many proposed mechanisms derive from other organisms. This synthesis provides an integrative perspective on pollen nutrition and its relevance for colony resilience against viral infections.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Guoxia Liu

,

Botong Sun

,

Wei Fan

,

Shousong Yue

,

Qiuxia He

,

Jean-François Picimbon

Abstract: The gut, brain, fat body, wing, epidermis, corpora allata, salivary gland, pheromone gland, prothoracic gland, and many other tissues are not included in the olfactory/chemosensory function. However, they are the tissues where CSPs are most prevalent, with the exception of the antennae and legs. In part-1, we proposed renaming the "chemosensory protein (CSP)" family to "4-Cysteine Soluble Proteins (4CSPs)" in order to avoid designating a protein present in hemolymph or eggs as chemosensory. In part-2, we broaden the report's focus from ubiquitous tissue distribution to potential intracellular functions in order to bolster our idea. We go over our studies on insecticide resistance, the Mp10 story in aphids, and other systems relevant to lipid transport and immunity. Most of the data gradually tilt toward the non-chemosensory features of 4CSPs, and this adds even more evidence to support those aspects. We provide a second review (part-2) and analysis that shows a stronger association between 4CSPs and mucins, translation initiation factors, and proteins belonging to the actin complex family. This is yet another compelling evidence that the benefits of renaming "chemosensory proteins" far outweigh the drawbacks, when taking tissue distribution and intracellular localization into account.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Helin Chan

,

Muye Niu

,

Zhi Huang

,

Xiujuan Liu

,

Jiancheng Zang

Abstract: This study describes a new species of the family Caliscelidae (Hemiptera) from the Xizang region of China—Peltonotellus lasaensis sp. nov. Through integrated morphological examination (including external morphology and genitalia dissection) and mitochondrial gene (COI) sequence analysis, the taxonomic status of this species was determined. Morphological results reveal that the male aedeagus terminates in valvular lobes, with ventral processes comprising a pair of spinous projections. In females, the type IX arcuate process bears approximately 15 ridge teeth on the dorsal margin, a feature that distinctly differentiates it from congeners. Molecular phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a substantial genetic divergence (K2P = 16.5%) between the new species and its closest relative, Peltonotellus sp. (MW928530.1), far exceeding the species-level threshold (< 2%). Additionally, the new species formed a monophyletic clade with high bootstrap support (>97%) in the maximum likelihood tree. This study represents the first record of Caliscelidae in the high-altitude regions of Xizang (3 650–3 800 m), thereby enriching the diversity data of Hemiptera in Asia and providing valuable insights into the biogeography of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Torben K. Heinbockel

,

Vonnie D. C. Shields

Abstract: Most plant-based essential oil repellent products currently available on the market utilize a "green" approach based on the volatile properties of essential oils. In general, these essential oils contain terpenes, terpenoids, or phenylpropanoids that can be used to either (1) eliminate a human's scent through a process called odor masking, or (2) interfere with an insect's ability to detect a person's scent through interaction with both olfactory receptors and odorant binding proteins. Additionally, many of the essential oil blends that have been developed have been shown to exhibit antimicrobial properties. The primary draw-back to using essential oil-based repellents is that their protection times vary widely, and typically last only a short period of time due to the volatile nature of the active ingredients, as well as differences in concentration and formulation among products. Encapsulation, nano-delivery systems, and rationally designed blend combinations are being proposed as potential methods to delay the release of the essential oil active ingredients, thus extending the duration of effectiveness of the repellent product. Since essential oils represent complex mixtures, there is a possibility that resistance to the repellent active ingredients could develop differently than it would for single-active agents. However, before such resistance can be assessed, the repellents must undergo extensive safety evaluations, along with standardized efficacy assessments against Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved repellent products, and ultimately, field trials must be conducted in areas where the repellents will be used to prevent vector-borne diseases. In addition to conducting these evaluations, the repellents must comply with existing state and federal pesticide regulations.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Karim Debache

Abstract: The yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor), is increasingly considered a promising protein and lipid source for circular bioeconomy strategies in food and feed. Interest is driven by the need to diversify protein supplies and reduce environmental footprints, but feasibility depends on safety, regulation, and scalable operating conditions. Alongside industrial systems, low-input models adapted to arid conditions have been proposed, yet evidence remains heterogeneous and context-dependent. This review covers developments between 2020 and 2025, a period that coincides with accelerated EU novel food assessments and a rapid expansion of applied research on processing, safety, and valorization, with a focus on scientific progress and regulatory approvals such as those issued by EFSA in Europe. Several new applications have emerged, including enzymatic hydrolysates, lipid recovery, and the extraction of chitosan from exuviae. Uses now span animal nutrition, biodegradable materials, and bioactive food ingredients. Life-cycle assessments often report lower greenhouse gas emissions and land use than conventional livestock, but outcomes are sensitive to energy inputs, feed substrates, and system boundaries. Key constraints include variable frass composition, allergenicity and cross-reactivity risks, regulatory and compliance constraints, and mixed consumer acceptance. For research, priority needs include longer-term safety datasets and field-relevant validation of bioactive claims beyond in vitro assays. For policy and industry, priorities include harmonised criteria for substrate safety and traceability, and transparent supply-chain controls that enable reproducible quality at scale.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Insect Science

Weidson Plauter Sutil

,

Antonio Ricardo Panizzi

,

Adeney de Freitas Bueno

Abstract: The crop system of soybean (summer)—maize or other cereals (fall/winter) succession has been adopted widely in the Neotropics. It inadvertently provides food in sequence to stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), forming green bridges, which favor their outbreaks. Attempts to control these outbreaks, usually consists of chemical control on isolated crop scenarios. Analyzing the literature available, it is possible to conclude that stink bugs must be managed having a broader and more holistic perspective, taking the whole landscape into consideration, rather than the usual individualized perspective. Multidisciplinary recommendations should include insect pests plus weed and disease controls, crop harvest, sowed cultivars or varieties, and neighboring vegetation (cultivated or native) for effective stink bug management. In conclusion, during the first crop season, stink bugs should be controlled only in the reproductive stage of soybean (from R3 to R6 plant development stage), when population is equal or higher than ET (2 stink bugs.m−1). Biologicals should be used instead of chemicals whenever possible. When ET is surpassed at R7 or R8, more tolerant maize varieties (fast growing) should be sowed in the second crop season with the adoption of seed treatment. Always, grain losses during harvest and the presence of weeds must be avoided at the end of soybean season. Additionally, chemical insecticides sprayings on maize might still be necessary if Diceraeuss spp. outbreaks equal or surpass three insects.m−1 during maize early stages. This more precise and less impactful management of the agroecosystem will promote more sustainable and resilient management of these polyphagous pests.

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