Abstract: Climate change is making winters in temperate regions increasingly harsh and unpredictable, posing significant threats to honey bee (Apis mellifera) health. The gut microbiome, a distinct community of core bacterial species, is central to overwintering success by supporting immune function, nutrient assimilation, and pathogen resistance, but is highly sensitive to environmental stressors such as cold temperatures and dietary shifts. Stress-induced perturbations can reshape the composition and relative abundance of the gut microbiome in honey bees, leading to adverse effects on host health, physiological functions, and overwinter survival. Cold temperatures and additional stressors further destabilize the microbiome, compounding these effects. This review is the first to synthesize current knowledge on how extrinsic factors, such as diet, antibiotics, and pathogens, and intrinsic factors, including age and strain, influence the composition and function of the honey bee gut microbiota. Given the increasing severity of winter conditions under climate change, a deeper understanding of microbiome–host–environment interactions is essential for improving honey bee resilience. By integrating evidence on the microbiome’s roles in nutrient utilization, immune modulation, and pathogen defense, this review out-lines a framework to guide future research and management strategies aimed at mitigating overwintering losses and sustaining pollinator health in a changing global climate.

Abstract: Mosquito-borne diseases are an emerging public health challenge in Europe, driven by the spread of invasive mosquito species capable of sustaining outbreaks of tropical arboviral diseases. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, human-driven habitat habitat changes, and prolonged transmission seasons, have increased the risk of dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile virus outbreaks, among other vector-borne diseases. Effective control requires a multifaceted approach, combining traditional and novel methods with advanced surveillance technologies and community involvement. However, growing insecticide resistance and concerns about insecticide use highlight the need for more prudent management of current tools and the development of innovative alternatives. Genetic control strategies, including the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), Wolbachia-based approaches, and genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes, offer promising solutions but still face scientific, regulatory, and societal challenges. This review explores the current landscape of mosquito-borne disease control in Mediterranean Europe, emphasizing key challenges and emerging solutions. An integrated approach that strengthens surveillance, promotes sustainable control methods, and incorporates novel biotechnological tools supported by smart technologies will be essential to reduce the future burden of mosquito-borne diseases in the region.

Abstract: Lepidopteran moths are crucial for biodiversity, and many populations serve as agricultural and forestry pests. Here, we studied the community structure and diversity of the moth insects in cherry orchards on the Loess Plateau in eastern Gansu. A total of 79 species belonging to 10 families of moth insects were collected using light-trapping. The Geometridae and Noctuidae families had the highest species richness, and Semiothisa cinerearia was the most dominant species. Time niche analysis revealed that the ecological niche width of Geometridae was the largest, indicating a strong ability to utilize time resources, whereas the ecological niche width of Arctiidae was the narrowest. There were cases where niches overlap. The degree of overlap between Pyralidae and Arctiidae was relatively high, so interspecific competition between them was relatively intense. The degree of overlap between Tortricidae and Geometridae was relatively low, so the competition was relatively weak. A relationship was found between the diversity index of moths and environmental factors, particularly temperature and humidity. The abundance of moths was positively correlated with temperature (P < 0.05). The Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson index, and Pielou index were also positively related to humidity (P > 0.05). Our research results lay a foundation for understanding the distribution of moths in cherry orchards on the arid plateau in Gansu, and help to inform the monitoring, prediction, and management of pests.

Abstract:

Beekeeping is a widespread economic activity in rural Tanzania, supporting over 2 million livelihoods. The country's extensive forests and woodlands, covering approximately 55% of its land area, provide habitat and forage for an estimated 9.2 million honeybee colonies. This makes Tanzania the second-largest honey producer in Africa and the tenth-largest globally. Despite this potential, comprehensive and current information on the beekeeping industry remains scarce. This review synthesizes scientific insights into Tanzania's beekeeping sector, focusing on honeybee species, bee products, management practices, and conservation measures. Among the three documented subspecies of Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, 1758), A. m. scutellata is the most widespread and commonly managed by indigenous beekeepers. Tanzania annually produces over 31,000 tonnes of honey and 1800 tonnes of beeswax, generating approximately USD 77.5 million and contributing about 1% to the national GDP. The industry supports livelihoods, food security, biodiversity conservation, and international cooperation. However, its sustained growth requires strengthened legal and administrative frameworks, expanded scientific research, enhanced innovation, coordinated partnerships, and integrated nationwide initiatives.

Abstract:

The key to implementing IPM of wireworms effectively is to associate feasible, reliable and affordable sampling methods with well-defined damage thresholds. As wireworms live underground, they cannot be observed directly, thus estimating population levels can be challenging. Soil sampling to ascertain larval density is very time-consuming, and although the use of bait traps is much more time-effective, they are unable to ascertain wireworm density. The work described herein was conducted between 1993 and 1999 in two regions of Northern Italy: Veneto and Piedmont. The experimental protocol involved placing soil bait traps in a 15–30 m x 10 m grid in selected cultivated fields and taking a soil sample 3 m from the location of each bait trap. The number of monitoring points ranged from 18 to 48. Both trap contents and soil cores were put in the trap funnels to dry out, forcing the wireworms to move and fall into a vial, according to the Bernese method. Data were processed with a variety of statistical approaches. A moderate association was found between the number of wireworms (Agriotes brevis, A. sordidus and A. ustulatus) caught by the bait traps and by soil sampling, indicating a potential for reciprocal estimation between methods. In other words, bait-trap catch values can be estimated from soil sampling (e.g. when bait traps could not be used due to low temperatures or growing plants covering the field) and vice versa. The potential of bait traps for catching wireworms was shown to be 5 to 25 times higher than the potential of soil sampling. The estimated soil-sampling thresholds range from 15 to 20 larvae/m2.

Abstract: The house cricket Acheta domesticus is found globally. It is an agricultural pest causing economic damage to a wide variety of crops including cereal seedlings, vegetable crops, fruit plants, and stored grains. Additionally, crickets act as mechanical vectors of pathogens by harboring bacteria, fungi, viruses and toxins causing foodborne illnesses. They can contaminate stored grains, packaged foods, or animal feed due to deposition of their feces, lowering the quality of the food and creating food safety risks. Synthetic insect repellents, such as pyrethroids and carbamates, have been used previously in integrated pest management practices to control crickets. Though successful as repellents, they have been associated with health and environmental risks and concerns. The use oforganic green repellents, such as plant essential oils, may be a viable alternative in pest management practices. In this study, we tested the behavioral effects of 27 plant-based essential oils on the behavioral effects of the house crickets, Acheta domesticus in dual choice bioassays. Crickets were introduced into an open arena to allow them unrestricted movement. A transparent plastic bottle containing an essential oil treatment was placed in the arena to allow voluntary entry by crickets. Following a predetermined observation period, the number of crickets that entered the bottle was recorded, and percent entry was calculated as the proportion of individuals inside the bottle relative to the total number in the arena. Analysis of the percentage entry into the bottle allowed for a comparative assessment of repellency of the panel of essential oils that were tested. Essential oils that elicited high levels of entry into the bottle were categorized as having weak or no repellency, while those that produced reduced entry were classified as moderate or strong repellents. This ranking system enabled a clear differentiation among essential oils with respect to impact on cricket behavior. Our results indicated that house crickets responded with a strong repellent behavior to nearly half of the essential oils tested, while four essential oils and two synthetic repellents evoked no significant repellent responses. Four strong repellent essential oils were tested at different concentrations and showed a clear dose-dependent repellent effect. The results suggest that selected essential oils can be useful in the development of more natural “green” insect repellents.

Abstract:

In order to clarify the control ability of Labidura riparia and Sycanus croceovittatus on Ostrinia furnacalis larvae, the predation ability and preference of L. riparia and S. croceovittatus on the 3rd instar larvae of O. furnacalis were studied in this study. The results showed that the predation ability of the two species to the 3rd instar larvae of O.furnacalis conformed to the Holling II functional response. The combination of L. riparia and S. croceovittatus had the best predation effect on the 3rd instar larvae of O.furnacalis, which was significantly higher than that of L. riparia or S. croceovittatus alone. The L. riparia showed a positive preference for the 1-3 instar larvae and a negative preference for the 4-5 instar larvae. The S. croceovittatus showed a positive preference for the 3-5 instar larvae and a negative preference for the 1-2 instar larvae. In summary, compared with the use of a natural enemy insect alone, the combined use of L. riparia and S. croceovittatus has a more significant effect on the prevention and control of O.furnacalis larvae, and can be used for biological control of O.furnacalis.

Abstract:

Chinese wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.), a specialty crop of ecological, medical and economic values in Ningxia province of China, is subjected to severe Aphis gossypii Glover damage. Currently, A. gossypii populations showing extremely high-level resistance to beta-cypermethrinin in the major wolfberry planting areas in Ningxia. The specific resistance mechanisms, however, are still not known. In this work, we collected a field A. gossypii strain (HSP) from a wolfberry orchard of Ningxia in 2021 using a single-time sampling method and its resistance to beta-cypermethrin was determined to be extremely high (994.74‒fold) as compared with a susceptible strain (SS). Then we explored the potential resistance mechanisms from two aspects of metabolic detoxification and target-site alterations. Bioassay of beta-cypermethrin with or without the synergist showed that piperonyl butoxide (PBO) significantly increased the toxicity of beta-cypermethrin (4.72‒fold) to the HSP strain while triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and diethyl maleate (DEM) exhibited no significant synergistic effects. Correspondingly, the O-demethylase activity of the cytochrome P450s in the HSP strain was 1.68‒fold higher than that in the susceptive strain (SS), whereas changes of carboxylesterases and glutathione S-transferases in their activities were unremarkable. Also, fifteen upregulated P450 genes were identified by both RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR technologies, containing eleven CYP6 genes, three CYP4 genes and one CYP380 gene. Especially, five CYP6 genes of high relative expression levels (> 3.00‒fold) were intensively expressed by the beta-cypermethrin induction in the HSP aphids. These metabolism-related results indicate the key role of the P450-mediated metabolic detoxification in the HSP resistance to beta-cypermethrin. Sequencing of voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) genes identified a prevalent M918L mutation and a new G1012D mutation in the HSP A. gossypii. Moreover, heterozygous 918M/L and 918M/L+G1012D mutations were the dominant genotypes with frequencies of 60.00% and 36.67% in the HSP population, respectively. Overall, VGSC mutations along with P450-mediated metabolic resistance were contributed to the extremely high resistance of the HSP wolfberry aphids to beta-cypermethrin, providing support for A. gossypii control and resistance management in the wolfberry planting areas of Ningxia using insecticides with different modes of action.

Abstract:

Mealybug Trabutina serpentina has two generations in southeastern Kazakhstan. Second instars of the second generation overwinter. Between 2003 and 2005, for the second time in 50 years, a large reproduction of this pseudococcid was seen in the Ile River valley. This species should be removed from the list of potential biocontrol agents for Tamarix ramosissima that are considered suitable in the USA, due to its potential to harm American populations of T. aphylla. Nonetheless, the species might be used for biological control of tamarisk in South Africa, Australia, and other countries.

Abstract:

The narrow oligophagous gall-forming moth, Amblypalpis tamaricella Danilevsky, 1955, which causes severe damage to tamarisk in the wild, is one of the most promising biological agents for the biological control of saltcedars in the United States. The species is known from the deserts of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (southeastern Kyzylkum), southern and southeastern Kazakhstan, and Mongolia (Altai Gobi). The species develops in a single generation per year, with eggs overwintering. In many bushes, not only individual branches but the entire crown is affected, and by the following spring, such plants die. Studies of the biological characteristics of this species across seven moth populations in Kazakhstan have shown a high degree of conservatism in host-plant use: females typically lay their eggs on the same plant on which they hatched. The introduction of the moth into the United States should ideally occur during the pupal stage, before it emerges as an adult in late September to early October.

Abstract: Insectary plants are used to attract and boost the multiplication of beneficial arthropods, improving biological control in greenhouses. Three insectary plants were selected for this study: alyssum (Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv.), yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), and dill (Anethum graveolens L.). This study was performed in two years, 2021 and 2025, and focused on Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Hemiptera, Anthocoridae), one of the most im-portant predators of Thysanoptera pests in greenhouse crops. Four ornamental crops were included to analyse the movement and installation of the predator. Alyssum and yarrow housed O. laevigatus in both years (with total mean values per sampling date of 3.0±1.3 and 2.7±1.0 on alyssum and 7.0±2.8 and 1.8±0.8 on yarrow in 2021 and 2025 re-spectively), increasing its population in the greenhouse. In contrast, dill was unsuitable to settle populations of the predator but attracted other potential pests, with the addi-tional disadvantage of its short blooming period and quick decline. Orius laevigatus adults did not show great mobility during the study, and it had small populations among the ornamental crops in the greenhouse. The ornamental plant statice (Limonium sinuatum (L.) Mill.) had the highest population of the predator.

Abstract: The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a globally invasive pest that threatens the yield of maize and other grain crops. Transgenic insect-resistant maize offers an effective management strategy, yet rigorous evaluation of resistance to it depends on rapid, particular infestation protocols. We developed and benchmarked laboratory, screenhouse, and field methods for assessing rapidly resistance using larvae aged 1–4 days post-hatch (D1–D4) and maize whorl leaves, silks, and kernels as feeding substrates. In laboratory bioassays, five D2 larvae per treatment on leaves or silks enabled resistance assessment on day 2 post-infestation, whereas two D1 larvae per treatment on kernels supported evaluation on day 3. In screenhouse trials, infesting each plant with twenty D2 larvae allowed reliable leaf-injury ratings on day 10. In field trials, thirty D3 larvae per plant with assessment on day 12 produced better outcomes. Together, these protocols provide a detailed and adaptable framework that reduces costs, shortens evaluation timelines, and offers practical guidance for resistance assessment of transgenic maize across controlled and open environments.

Abstract: The development of beekeeping in Ecuador has generated the need to strengthen the bee health program. Research on the main pathogens responsible for diseases like nosemosis, which can severely impact bee health, is of special interest. This study aims to detect and identify the Nosema apis and / or Nosema ceranae species affecting honeybee colonies located in the northern Sierra region of Ecuador through the amplification of RPB1 gene fragments by multiplex PCR and the phylogenetic analysis of N. ceranae based on the 16 S RNAr gene. Of the 164 honeybee samples collected from colonies located in the provinces of Carchi, Imbabura and Pichincha, N. apis was detected in 14.63% (24/164), and N. ceranae in 21.34% (35/164). Phylogenetic analysis showed that N. ceranae from Ecuador is closely related to the sequences from Argentina and Brazil. This study is the first in the country to report the presence of these two microsporidia species, being valuable for improving diagnostic capabilities.

Abstract: Females of predaceous ladybirds use sensing chemicals in larval tracks as oviposition deterring pheromone to avoid cannibalism of eggs. We hypothesized that larvae would also respond to the presence of conspecific tracks by slowing their developmental rate and delaying pupation, thereby reducing the time spent as a defenseless pupa in the presence of feeding conspecifics. We reared larvae of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis in dishes that were replaced daily by a clean one (C) or continuously in a dish with larval tracks accumulated (P). We used three larval densities (1, 4, 8 larvae per dish) for both treatments (C1, C4, C8, P1, P4, P8). We measured the developmental time of the fourth larval instar and fresh adult body mass. Developmental time increased at the highest density in the clean treatment C8 but remained unchanged across densities in the pheromone treatment (P1-P8). Body mass was significantly lower at the highest density in both treatments (C8, P8) and was slightly higher at the presence of pheromone (P). Ladybird larvae respond independently to their density and to the presence of pheromones. The compounds present in the tracks, previously known as oviposition deterring pheromone, may therefore also function as development enhancing pheromones.

Abstract:

The family Sisyridae, the Spongilla-flies, is notable for its phylogenetic position as a basal group within Neuroptera. Using the improved Schiff-Giemsa method, we analysed the behaviour of the sex chromosomes X and Y during male meiosis in Sisyra nigra (Retzius 1738). The diploid chromosome number in males was 2n = 12 + XY. In pachytene, X and Y chromosomes appeared positively heteropycnotic and loosely paired. In early diakinetic nuclei, autosomal bivalents typically exhibited one distally located chiasma, although bivalents with two chiasmata were occasionally observed. The X and Y univalents were isopycnotic with the autosomes, with the X considerably larger than the Y. During the first meiotic division, metaphase plates were radial, with autosomal bivalents forming a ring and X and Y univalents positioned centrally, well separated from each other. In metaphase cells, X and Y were located at the equator, strongly indicating their amphitelic orientation. However, they later formed a pseudobivalent from which X and Y segregated simultaneously with autosomal half bivalents at anaphase I. This achiasmatic segregation mechanism, touch-and-go pairing, has now been observed for the first time in a species carrying chromosomes with a localised centromere. At the second metaphase, two cell types were observed: one with the X chromosome and the other with the Y chromosome. The behaviour of the sex chromosomes in S. nigra is notably different from that in other Neuroptera, where sex chromosomes exhibit syntelic orientation and distance pairing at metaphase I. The unusual mechanism of sex chromosome segregation in the family Sisyridae aligns well with molecular phylogenetic findings concerning the family’s basal position within the order Neuroptera.

Abstract: The fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] is the most destructive pest of maize, and nonchemical insecticide control is required. In this study, the ethanolic extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica) and moringa (Moringa oleifera), as well as maize-associated bacterial isolates, were assessed for direct fumigant toxicity against FAW. GC-MS analysis revealed tissue-specific chemical diversity with eight important bioactive compounds, namely trimethyl fluorosilane and hexadecanoic acid from neem, whereas ethyl oleate and octadecanoic acid were detected in moringa. Eighty-nine bacterial isolates were tested for extracellular enzyme activities (cellulase, chitinase, glucanase, and protease) and siderophore production, among which 4 strains designated as DR-55 (Bacillus subtilis), HL-7 (Bacillus cereus), HL-37 (Bacillus cereus), and DR-63 (Enterobacter sp.) expressed >50% biocontrol activity under greenhouse conditions. Larval mortality of FAW varied depending on the stage, being higher (80-88%) in larvae, moderate (15-17%) in pupae, and low (6-7%) in adults, with LC₅₀ values of 2.16, 1.28, and 1.85, respectively. High relationships were found between in vitro antagonism and the efficacy under field conditions (r = 0.73-0.88), confirming the predictive performance of laboratory screening methods. These findings suggest that the addition of plant bioactive extracts to maize-associated microbial isolates offers a strong and non-hazardous stage-targeted integrated pest management practice, which can effectively suppress FAW while maintaining the good health of the maize plant, even with reduced application of synthetic insecticides.

Abstract: First classical biological control of an exotic invasive weed took place in India in 1795. Thus far, 174 natural enemies have been imported into India and of these, 77 have established in the field. Twelve exotic insect pests and four weeds were successfully controlled with a combination of classical, augmentative, and conservation biological control. Additionally, eight insect pests and one weed were substantially controlled. Augmentative biological control has been adopted as per the needs and availability of resources. Conservation biological control is ubiquitous and it has been facilitated by the adoption of integrated pest management. In the past, biological control activities were sporadic, however, since 1977, Indian Council of Agricultural Research - National Bureau for Agricultural Insect Resources has been implementing classical biological control regularly in India.

Abstract: The circadian rhythm regulates the activity of the ants according to environmental conditions. We investigated the interplay among circadian rhythm, nest homeostasis, and worker morphology in Azteca chartifex spiriti, a Neotropical arboreal species that builds large polydomous nests suspended in trees. In ten colonies, we measured internal moisture and temperature gradients in the main nest, which houses most individuals, including the reproductive female, immatures, and numerous workers. In six colonies, we assessed the polymorphism of foraging workers over a 24-h cycle in relation to external temperature variation. The results show integrated thermoregulatory mechanisms that combine passive strategies, derived from nest architecture and moisture gradients from the suspension base to the lower extremity, with active strategies linked to foraging patterns and worker polymorphism. Internal temperature remained stable despite external fluctuations, and the humidity gradient accounted for both internal population distribution and heat absorption or release. Worker size displayed a bimodal distribution during the day that shifted to a unimodal pattern at night, indicating behavioral adjustments to thermal and operational demands. These findings demonstrate that the interaction between physical structure and worker behavior maintains colony homeostasis and enhances the ability of A. chartifex spiriti to persist in environments with fluctuating climatic conditions.

Abstract: Frataxin is a highly conserved mitochondrial protein that plays a key role in iron homeo-stasis & metabolism and its deficiency leads to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunc-tion, and neurodegeneration. Hypomagnetic fields (HMF) can lead to various biological effects including increased oxidative stress, neurological and developmental disorders, yet its acting as an environmental stressor that exacerbates the inherent metabolic vulnerabil-ities in frataxin-deficient Drosophila melanogaster flies is still unknown. In this study, the bio-effects of HMF on growth, development, reproduction and temperature stress re-sistance of frataxin-silenced flies were investigated. The results showed that HMF ex-tended egg to adult and pupa developmental durations of both control line of repo-GAL4; tub-GAL80^ts>GFP RNAi (GFP-RNAi) and frataxin-deficient line of repo-GAL4; tub-GAL80^ts>fh RNAi (fh-RNAi) compared to those reared under geomagnetic field (GMF). Compared with GMF, HMF increased the offspring fecundity of both GFP-RNAi and fh-RNAi flies, while showing no significant effects on adult weight of fh-RNAi flies. The impact of HMF on temperature stress resistance was particularly specific: it enhanced recovery from chill coma in control (GFP-RNAi) flies, while it accelerated recovery from heat shock in frataxin-silenced (fh-RNAi) flies. The mechanisms through which HMF modulates frataxin-associated phenotypes at a fundamental physical level warrant fur-ther investigation.

Abstract: Background: Pyriproxyfen (PPF), a juvenile hormone analogue is a promising chemistry for autodissemination strategies, where mosquitoes aid in transferring insecticides to their breeding sites. This study evaluated the effects of sublethal PPF exposure on Anopheles arabiensis fitness (fecundity, fertility, and body size) and pyrethroids susceptibility across three generations. Methods: Laboratory-reared, pyrethroid-resistant mosquito larvae were exposed once to sublethal PPF concentrations of (0.0003, 0.0006, 0.0008, and 0.001 mg a.i./L), which caused emergence inhibition rates of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, alongside a control group. Emerged adults were tested for susceptibility to 0.75% permethrin, 3.75% permethrin and 0.05% deltamethrin using WHO tube bioassays. Knockdown was recorded at 1 h, mortality at 24 h post-exposure, while fecundity, fertility, and body size were measured across three generations. Results: First-generation Anopheles arabiensis emerging from PPF-treated larvae showed reduced susceptibility to 0.75% permethrin and 0.05% deltamethrin compared to controls. Mortality from permethrin dropped from 22.7% in the controls to 11% and then 3% at 0.0003 and 0.001 mg a.i./L. For deltamethrin, mortality fell from 62.7% to 36% and then 23.3% at the same concentrations. Knockdown at 60 min was also significantly reduced, with permethrin KDT₆₀ dropping from 41.3% in controls to 9.3% and 3.3%, and deltamethrin KDT₆₀ from 79.7% to 66.7% and 65%. No significant differences were observed in subsequent generations (p > 0.05). PPF exposure also induced notable fitness costs in the first generation: mean wing length decreased from 3.07 mm in controls to 2.88–2.66 mm (6–13% reduction), mean egg production dropped from 30.1 to 13.9–18.8 eggs per female (37–54% reduction), and egg hatching rate declined from 87% to 79–82% (6–9% reduction). Conclusion: These findings suggest that sublethal PPF doses can temporarily enhance insecticide resistance without leading to heritable resistance and negatively impact key mosquito fitness traits. PPF may thus be a valuable addition to integrated vector management strategies.