The story of a man in China who had to have his left eyeball removed because of an infection caused by him swatting an insect on his face has trended on social media.The man,surnamed Wu,from Shenzhen in the southern p...The story of a man in China who had to have his left eyeball removed because of an infection caused by him swatting an insect on his face has trended on social media.The man,surnamed Wu,from Shenzhen in the southern province of Guangdong,killed the fly that was buzzing around him after it landed on him,according to the report.展开更多
Background Insect meals have been identified as innovative and sustainable feedstuffs that could be used in ruminant nutrition.However,current research on the effects that their processing may have on rumen digestibil...Background Insect meals have been identified as innovative and sustainable feedstuffs that could be used in ruminant nutrition.However,current research on the effects that their processing may have on rumen digestibility and fatty acid(FA)biohydrogenation is scant.This trial aims to investigate the effects(i)of drying temperature of fullfat Hermetia illucens(HI)and Tenebrio molitor(TM)meals,and(ii)of residual ether extract(EE)content of defatted HI and TM meals,on their fermentation characteristics and FA of rumen digesta after 24-h in vitro rumen incubation.Methods The tested full-fat meals included four HI and four TM meals obtained applying drying temperatures ranging from 30℃ to 70℃,while the tested defatted meals consisted of five HI and two TM meals containing a residual EE content ranging from 4.7 to 19.7 g EE/100 g dry matter(DM).The applied statistical models(GLM ANOVA)tested the effects of insect species,drying temperature(full-fat meals)or EE content(defatted meals),and their interaction.Results Drying temperature had minor effects on in vitro ruminal digestibility and FA profile of rumen digesta.Irrespective of insect species,increasing the drying temperature led to a reduction of in vitro degradation of proteins from insect meals,as outlined by the significant decrease in ammonia production(-0.009 mmol/g DM and-0.126 g/100 g total N for each additional 1℃).Irrespective of insect species,defatting increased total gas,volatile fatty acids(VFA)and CH_(4) productions,and the proportions of total saturated and branched-chain FA in rumen digesta(+0.038 mmol/g DM,+0.063 mmol/g DM,+12.9μmol/g DM,+0.18 g/100 g FA,and+0.19 g/100 g FA for each reduced 1 g EE/100 g DM,respectively),and reduced the proportion of total PUFA(-0.12 g/100 g FA).Conclusions The applied drying temperatures of full-fat insect meals are too low to exert impactful effects on rumen digestibility and FA biohydrogenation.Fat lowered fermentation activity,probably because of an inhibitory effect on rumen microbiota.The increased ruminal digestibility of defatted insect meals suggests that they can be more suitable to be used in ruminant nutrition than full-fat ones.展开更多
The oral secretions of insect herbivores are complex mixtures of organic and inorganic solutes and enzymes that are deposited onto plant tissues during the feeding process.Some specific components of insect oral secre...The oral secretions of insect herbivores are complex mixtures of organic and inorganic solutes and enzymes that are deposited onto plant tissues during the feeding process.Some specific components of insect oral secretions have been shown to confer important functions in mediating plant–insect interactions at the molecular level.In this review,we examined the biochemical studies of insect oral secretions to summarize the current knowledge of their compositions.We then moved beyond the functional studies of components of oral secretions,and focused on the literature that pinpointed specific molecular targets of these compounds.Finally,we highlighted the investigations of oral secretion components in the context of insect physiology,which shed light on the potential evolutionary trajectory of these multi-functional molecules.展开更多
Insect-derived traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitutes an essential component of TCM,with the earliest records found in“52 Bingfang”(Prescriptions of fifty-two diseases,which is one of the earliest Chinese medi...Insect-derived traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitutes an essential component of TCM,with the earliest records found in“52 Bingfang”(Prescriptions of fifty-two diseases,which is one of the earliest Chinese medical prescriptions).展开更多
Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. Walp, is an important food grain legume in Niger facing production losses due to insect pests. This study aims to determine the efficiency of non-chemical methods for managing these pests....Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. Walp, is an important food grain legume in Niger facing production losses due to insect pests. This study aims to determine the efficiency of non-chemical methods for managing these pests. A trial was conducted during the 2020 and 2022 cropping seasons at the INRAN station in the Maradi region. A Fischer experimental design with 6 repetitions was used to compare 4 treatments: synthetic chemical pesticide;the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana;aqueous extracts of neem seeds, and control. Observations were carried out every three days. The cowpea pod-sucking bug, pod borer, and thrips were the main insect pests recorded. In terms of effectiveness, the synthetic pesticide was the best treatment. It reduced insect pest densities by 71.35% to 90.40% in 2020 and by 35.11% to 42.13% in 2022. Grain yields varied between treatments. Neem seed extract followed the synthetic pesticide and significantly reduced insect infestations in both years. The synthetic pesticide and neem seed extract resulted in yields 3 to 5 times higher than the control treatment in 2020. By contrast, B. bassiana 115 and neem seed extract produced similar yields in 2022. Therefore, the results of this study showed that B. bassiana 115 and neem seed extract have insecticidal potential and could be used as an ecological alternative for managing cowpea insect pests in the Sahel.展开更多
Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. is an economically important seed legume that helps combat food and nutrition insecurity in the Sahel, particularly Niger. However, its yield remains low due to insect pest attacks...Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. is an economically important seed legume that helps combat food and nutrition insecurity in the Sahel, particularly Niger. However, its yield remains low due to insect pest attacks. This study was conducted at a station and in seven villages in the Maradi and Tahoua regions. It aimed to test the effectiveness of neem seed biopesticides [Azadirachta indica A. Juss] and sanitized human urine for integrated insect pest management. The cowpea variety UAM09 1055-6 was used for the experiments. The experimental trial was a Fisher block design consisting of five treatments: neem oil, neem seed extract (NSE), hygienized human urine (HHU), chemical pesticide, and a control, replicated five times at the station and twice in farmers’ environments. The study shows that Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stål and Maruca vitrata Fabricius are the main insect pests. Plots treated with synthetic pesticides were the least infested by C. tomentosicollis. They were followed by neem seed extract and HHU treatments, which recorded an infestation level of 2.44 and 20.5 times lower than controls at the station and in farming environments. The density of thrips was 1.06 to 32.6 times lower in treated plots compared to controls. The proportion of pods damaged by M. vitrata was 1.95, 2.55, and 2.77 times lower in plots treated with HHU, NSE, and synthetic pesticide, respectively, compared to controls. Grain yields were 1.80 and 2.62 times higher in UHH and NSE treatments compared to control plots, both at the station and in farmers’ environments. A yield increase of 44.58% and 61.92% was noted for these treatments at the station and in farmers’ environments, respectively. These results may promote the dissemination of NSE and HHU biopesticide technologies in rural areas as an alternative method for integrated pest management of cowpeas.展开更多
Insects live in most places in the world,and there are billions of them.There are about 1.4 billion insects for every person on our planet!They are very important for nature.Bees and butterflies help plants grow by mo...Insects live in most places in the world,and there are billions of them.There are about 1.4 billion insects for every person on our planet!They are very important for nature.Bees and butterflies help plants grow by moving Dollen from one flower to another.Ants clean up by eating dead plants and animals.And butterflies are beautiful.They make us happy when we see them.Even though insects are small,they help keep the world healthy and full of life.展开更多
Chitin is an abundant natural biopolymer that plays a crucial role in insect growth and development as a fundamental structural component of the exoskeleton.The membrane-integralβ-glycosyltransferase,chitin synthase,...Chitin is an abundant natural biopolymer that plays a crucial role in insect growth and development as a fundamental structural component of the exoskeleton.The membrane-integralβ-glycosyltransferase,chitin synthase,has been identified as the central component in chitin biosynthesis.However,the precise roles of other proteins in facilitating chitin synthase in chitin biosynthesis remain unclear.In this study,we employed split-ubiquitin membrane yeast two-hybrid(MYTH)and pull-down assays to demonstrate the physical interaction between Twinstar(Tsr),a small molecular protein in the actin-depolymerizing factor ADF/Cofilin protein family,and chitin synthase Krotzkopf verkehrt(Kkv)in Drosophila melanogaster in vitro.The RNA interference(RNAi)-mediated global knockdown of Tsr in D.melanogaster resulted in larval lethality.Furthermore,targeted suppression of Tsr in the tracheal and epidermal tissues also led to larval mortality,while knocking down Tsr in the wing tissues led to wrinkled wings.Additionally,silencing Tsr not only reduced the chitin content in the first longitudinal vein of the wings but also led to the absence of the chitin lamellar structure.To validate the functional conservation of Tsr in other insect orders,the two agricultural pests Ostrinia furnacalis and Tribolium castaneum,representing lepidoptera and coleoptera insects,respectively,were investigated.Knockdown experiments targeting the Drosophila Tsr orthologues OfTsr in O.furnacalis and TcTsr in T.castaneum produced abnormal larvae during molting or pupation in O.furnacalis and lethality in T.castaneum.Our findings not only improve ourknowledge of the chitin biosynthesis machinery in insect cuticles but also provide new potential targets for the control of major agricultural pests.展开更多
Micro aerial vehicles(MAVs)have flexibility and maneuverability,which can offer vast potential for applications in both civilian and military domains.Compared to Fixed-wing/Rotor-wing MAVs,Flapping Wing Micro Robots(F...Micro aerial vehicles(MAVs)have flexibility and maneuverability,which can offer vast potential for applications in both civilian and military domains.Compared to Fixed-wing/Rotor-wing MAVs,Flapping Wing Micro Robots(FWMRs)have garnered widespread attention among scientists due to their superior miniaturized aerodynamic theory,reduced noise,and enhanced resistance to disturbances in complex and diverse environments.Flying insects,it not only has remarkable flapping flight ability(wings),but also takeoff and landing habitat ability(legs).If the various functions of flying insects can be imitated,efficient biomimetic FWMRs can be produced.This paper provides a review of the flight kinematics,aerodynamics,and wing structural parameters of insects.Then,the traditional wings and folding wings of insect-inspired FWMRs were compared.The research progress in takeoff and landing of FWMRs was also summarized,and the future developments and challenges for insect-inspired FWMRs were discussed.展开更多
With the development of international trade and frequent personnel exchanges,biological invasion is showing a rapidly growing trend worldwide.Insects are ectothermic animals,so their geographical distribution is due l...With the development of international trade and frequent personnel exchanges,biological invasion is showing a rapidly growing trend worldwide.Insects are ectothermic animals,so their geographical distribution is due largely to their high and low temperature tolerances.To study the temperature response mechanisms of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean cryptic species(MED),miRNA-seq technology was used to unravel the miRNA library of B.tabaci MED in three field populations(TP,HB,and HK)from cities with different environmental temperatures.We identified 12 differentially expressed miRNAs in response to temperature stress,and Bta-miR-998 and Bta-miR-129 were shown to be associated with temperature tolerance.In addition,we predicted and verified the target genes associated with the temperature tolerance imparted by Bta-miR-998 and Bta-miR-129.The results showed that the down-regulated target gene of Bta-miR-129,BtMGAT3,significantly reduced the heat tolerance and another downregulated target gene,BtRGS7,affected the cold tolerance of B.tabaci MED.These results indicate that gene expression regulated by miRNAs is an important temperature response mechanism in B.tabaci MED.This study reveals the important regulatory role of miRNA in insect temperature adaptation and provides a new avenue for studying the regulation of insect gene expression by miRNA.展开更多
Tool use-once considered rare in insects-has been documented in a crafty predator.Researchers from China Agricultural University,and two institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences-the Xishuangbanna Tropical Bo...Tool use-once considered rare in insects-has been documented in a crafty predator.Researchers from China Agricultural University,and two institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences-the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden(XTBG)and the Institute of Zoology-revealed that the assassin bug Pahabengkakia piliceps weaponizes resin from stingless bee nests to trick its prey.展开更多
RNA interference(RNAi)has been used for agricultural insect pest control based on silencing of targeted insect genes.However,the effectiveness of RNAi and its applications in insect pest control remain challenging.Her...RNA interference(RNAi)has been used for agricultural insect pest control based on silencing of targeted insect genes.However,the effectiveness of RNAi and its applications in insect pest control remain challenging.Here we review factors that may affect the effectiveness of RNAi application,including the variability in RNAi efficacy among different insect species,a limited understanding of double-stranded RNA(dsRNA)uptake and systemic RNAi mechanisms,and the effective delivery of dsRNA in field conditions.Furthermore,we summarize recent progress in RNAi strategies for crop protection,discuss the advantages and disadvantages of RNAi-based insect control,and propose potential strategies to increase the effectiveness of RNAi in insect control.展开更多
Since its discovery in the 1980s,the insect cell-baculovirus expression vector system(IC-BEVS)has been widely used in biomedical applications,such as recombinant protein expression,drug screening,vaccine development,g...Since its discovery in the 1980s,the insect cell-baculovirus expression vector system(IC-BEVS)has been widely used in biomedical applications,such as recombinant protein expression,drug screening,vaccine development,gene therapy and so on[1].As a eukaryotic system,IC-BEVS has great development prospects due to its advantages such as high safety,simple operation,simultaneous expression of multi-subunit proteins,and suitability for large-scale cultivation[2].展开更多
Plants with bioactive properties are greatly useful in preventing and controlling blood-sucking and disease-vector invertebrates, particularly in developing countries and low-income communities. Their application is a...Plants with bioactive properties are greatly useful in preventing and controlling blood-sucking and disease-vector invertebrates, particularly in developing countries and low-income communities. Their application is a promising alternative to synthetic compounds whose use remains a health, environmental, and economic challenge. However, many are still unknown and unvalued, while others are becoming ignored and threatened. The main objective of this ethnobotanical study is to identify and characterize indigenous and locally grown plants against blood-sucking and disease-vector insects. Salient opportunities and challenges of using these plants are documented and discussed. Semi-structured interviews, using a prepared questionnaire, were conducted with 228 informants. The consensus index (CI) was calculated to analyze the reliability of the collected information. The identified 31 anti-insect plant species belong to 20 botanical families, four morphological categories, and six habitat types. They can be categorized as insecticidal plants (42% of the total), insect repellent (42% of the total), and both insecticidal and insect repellent (16% of the total). More than 54% of these are still abundant in the study area, while about 35.5% have become rare and difficultly accessible. Based on the numerical importance of related anti-insect plant species, the seven targeted blood-sucking insects range in the following decreasing order: Jiggers (16 species) > Fire Ants (9 species) > Flies (8 plants) > Mosquitoes (4 species) > Fleas (2 species) > Bedbugs (1 species) > lice (0 species). The three most commonly used plants, with the highest confirmation indices, are Tetradenia riparia (ICs = 0.712), Eucalyptus globulus subsp. maidenii (ICs = 0.302), and Solanum aculeastrum (ICs = 0.288). The antimicrobial role of many locally grown anti-insect plants and the multiple other associated valorization possibilities are ignored by most informants. Domesticating, propagating, protecting, and promoting the sustainable use of these plants would be an appropriate route for their conservation and continued availability.展开更多
In response to the rapid increase in world population and subsequent demands for food,edible insects represent an alternative food source for humans that is rich in proteins,amino acids and minerals.Entomophagy is a t...In response to the rapid increase in world population and subsequent demands for food,edible insects represent an alternative food source for humans that is rich in proteins,amino acids and minerals.Entomophagy is a tradition in many countries including China and Thailand,and edible insects have attracted a lot of attention in Western World due to their suitable nutrient composition,high mineral content(e.g.,Fe,Zn,Ca,Mg)and potential use as a supplement in human diet.In this study,we surveyed mineral content in seven insect orders and 67 species of mass produced and wild-harvested edible insects.The total content of essential elements in edible insects was very high in Tenebrio molitor,Bombyx mori,and Zonocerus variegatus.The heavy metal content(summarized for eight species)was below the maximum limit allowed for safe consumption.Sustainable supply of minerals derived from insect biomass is complicated due to the high variations of mineral content in insects and the potential of its change due to processing.展开更多
The short neuropeptide F(sNPF)family of peptides is a multifunctional group of neurohormones involved in the regulation of various physiological processes in insects.They have been found in a broad spectrum of species...The short neuropeptide F(sNPF)family of peptides is a multifunctional group of neurohormones involved in the regulation of various physiological processes in insects.They have been found in a broad spectrum of species,but the number of isoforms in the precursor molecule varies from one to four.The receptor for sNPF(sNPFR),which belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family,has been characterized in various insect orders and was shown to be an ortholog of the mammalian prolactin-releasing peptide receptor(PrPR).The sNPF signaling pathway interacts with other neurohormones such as insulin-like peptides,SIFamide,and pigment-dispersing factors(PDFs)to regulate various processes.The main physiological function of sNPF seems to be involved in the regulation of feeding,but the observed effects are species-specific.sNPF is also connected with the regulation of foraging behavior and the olfactory system.The influence of sNPF on feeding and thus energy metabolism may also indirectly affect other vital processes,such as reproduction and development.In addition,these neurohormones are involved in the regulation of locomotor activity and circadian rhythm in insects.This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about the sNPF system in insects.展开更多
Background:The abundance of insects has decreased considerably during recent decades,resulting in current abundance showing 70-80%reductions in more than 15 studies across temperate climate zones.Dramatic reduc-tions ...Background:The abundance of insects has decreased considerably during recent decades,resulting in current abundance showing 70-80%reductions in more than 15 studies across temperate climate zones.Dramatic reduc-tions in the abundance of insects are likely to have consequences for other taxa at higher trophic levels such as preda-tors and parasites.Pesticides,fertilizers and agricultural land use are likely candidates accounting for such reductions in the abundance of insects.Methods:Here we surveyed the abundance of flying insects,and the reduction in the abundance of insects as a consequence of intensive reduction in agricultural practice linked to fertilizer use and pesticide use.Finally we dem-onstrated consistency in abundance of birds among study sites.Results:We demonstrated that the use of fertilizers and pesticides had reduced the abundance of insects,with consequences for the abundance of insectivorous bird species such as Barn Swallows(Hirundo rustica),House Martins(Delichon urbicum)and Swifts(Apus apus).Juvenile Barn Swallows were negatively affected by the reduced abundance of insects and hence the reproductive success of insectivorous bird species.These effects imply that the abundance of insects could be reduced by the availability of insect food.Conclusions:These effects of intensive agriculture on insect food abundance are likely to have negative impacts on populations of insects and their avian predators.This hypothesis was validated by a reduction in the abundance of insects,linked to an increase in the abundance of fertilizers and a general change in farming practice.展开更多
The original or primitive venation of mayflies was not presented clearly upon living materials before,this mostly results from the deform of mayfly imaginal wingbase.Some nymphs of large mayflies of China,like Siphlur...The original or primitive venation of mayflies was not presented clearly upon living materials before,this mostly results from the deform of mayfly imaginal wingbase.Some nymphs of large mayflies of China,like Siphluriscus chinensis,Ephemera pictipennis and Siphlonurus davidi,however,show some clues.Together,they demonstrate that in mayflies,subcostal brace maybe originated from longitudinal vein Anterior Subcostal(ScA),stems of Radius(R)and Media(M)are always fused at base,Media Posterior(MP)leave them first,then the branch of Rs(Radial Section)+MA(Media Anterior),Cubitus(Cu)disconnected to any other veins.Additionally,all longitudinal veins of mayflies fused with their sclerotized base respectively but without any moveable sclerite.Instead,base of R+M of mayflies sclerotized into a single one big plate,and all sclerites of wingbase are fused together rigidly by sclerotized wingbase,which disables any possible folding of mayfly wings.Phylogenetically,in the order Ephemeroptera,the different positions of ScA and Cu leaded to different and diverse venations and lineages of Ephemeroptera.In the Pterygota,the Ephemeroptera has the same fused pattern of R+M and three axillary sclerites as the Neoptera while the Odonata has the fused Cu+M,which disproves the monophyly of Paleoptera.展开更多
Annual tree rings are widely recognized as valuable tools for quantifying and reconstructing historical forest disturbances.However,the influence of climate can complicate the detection of disturbance signals,leading ...Annual tree rings are widely recognized as valuable tools for quantifying and reconstructing historical forest disturbances.However,the influence of climate can complicate the detection of disturbance signals,leading to limited accuracy in existing methods.In this study,we propose a random under-sampling boosting(RUB)classifier that integrates both tree-ring and climate variables to enhance the detection of forest insect outbreaks.The study focused on 32 sites in Alberta,Canada,which documented insect outbreaks from 1939 to 2010.Through thorough feature engineering,model development,and tenfold cross-validation,multiple machine learning(ML)models were constructed.These models used ring width indices(RWIs)and climate variables within an 11-year window as input features,with outbreak and non-outbreak occurrences as the corresponding output variables.Our results reveal that the RUB model consistently demonstrated superior overall performance and stability,with an accuracy of 88.1%,which surpassed that of the other ML models.In addition,the relative importance of the feature variables followed the order RWIs>mean maximum temperature(Tmax)from May to July>mean total precipita-tion(Pmean)in July>mean minimum temperature(Tmin)in October.More importantly,the dfoliatR(an R package for detecting insect defoliation)and curve intervention detec-tion methods were inferior to the RUB model.Our findings underscore that integrating tree-ring width and climate vari-ables as predictors in machine learning offers a promising avenue for enhancing the accuracy of detecting forest insect outbreaks.展开更多
文摘The story of a man in China who had to have his left eyeball removed because of an infection caused by him swatting an insect on his face has trended on social media.The man,surnamed Wu,from Shenzhen in the southern province of Guangdong,killed the fly that was buzzing around him after it landed on him,according to the report.
基金partially granted by the Hi-Ga project,which is part of the programme of the Green ERA-Hub that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No.101056828self-financed by the DINAMIC team of the UMR Herbivores(INRAE,VetAgro Sup,Saint-Genès-Champanelle,France)。
文摘Background Insect meals have been identified as innovative and sustainable feedstuffs that could be used in ruminant nutrition.However,current research on the effects that their processing may have on rumen digestibility and fatty acid(FA)biohydrogenation is scant.This trial aims to investigate the effects(i)of drying temperature of fullfat Hermetia illucens(HI)and Tenebrio molitor(TM)meals,and(ii)of residual ether extract(EE)content of defatted HI and TM meals,on their fermentation characteristics and FA of rumen digesta after 24-h in vitro rumen incubation.Methods The tested full-fat meals included four HI and four TM meals obtained applying drying temperatures ranging from 30℃ to 70℃,while the tested defatted meals consisted of five HI and two TM meals containing a residual EE content ranging from 4.7 to 19.7 g EE/100 g dry matter(DM).The applied statistical models(GLM ANOVA)tested the effects of insect species,drying temperature(full-fat meals)or EE content(defatted meals),and their interaction.Results Drying temperature had minor effects on in vitro ruminal digestibility and FA profile of rumen digesta.Irrespective of insect species,increasing the drying temperature led to a reduction of in vitro degradation of proteins from insect meals,as outlined by the significant decrease in ammonia production(-0.009 mmol/g DM and-0.126 g/100 g total N for each additional 1℃).Irrespective of insect species,defatting increased total gas,volatile fatty acids(VFA)and CH_(4) productions,and the proportions of total saturated and branched-chain FA in rumen digesta(+0.038 mmol/g DM,+0.063 mmol/g DM,+12.9μmol/g DM,+0.18 g/100 g FA,and+0.19 g/100 g FA for each reduced 1 g EE/100 g DM,respectively),and reduced the proportion of total PUFA(-0.12 g/100 g FA).Conclusions The applied drying temperatures of full-fat insect meals are too low to exert impactful effects on rumen digestibility and FA biohydrogenation.Fat lowered fermentation activity,probably because of an inhibitory effect on rumen microbiota.The increased ruminal digestibility of defatted insect meals suggests that they can be more suitable to be used in ruminant nutrition than full-fat ones.
基金received financial support from the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program,China(KQTD20180411143628272)the special funds for Science Technology Innovation and Industrial Development of Shenzhen Dapeng New District,China(PT202101-02)。
文摘The oral secretions of insect herbivores are complex mixtures of organic and inorganic solutes and enzymes that are deposited onto plant tissues during the feeding process.Some specific components of insect oral secretions have been shown to confer important functions in mediating plant–insect interactions at the molecular level.In this review,we examined the biochemical studies of insect oral secretions to summarize the current knowledge of their compositions.We then moved beyond the functional studies of components of oral secretions,and focused on the literature that pinpointed specific molecular targets of these compounds.Finally,we highlighted the investigations of oral secretion components in the context of insect physiology,which shed light on the potential evolutionary trajectory of these multi-functional molecules.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.:82222068,82070423,82270348,and 82173779)the Innovation Team and Talents Cultivation Pro-gram of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine,China(Grant No:ZYYCXTD-D-202206)+1 种基金Fujian Province Science and Technology Project,China(Grant Nos.:2021J01420479,2021J02058,2022J011374,and 2022J02057)Fundamental Research Funds for the Chinese Central Universities,China(Grant No.:20720230070).
文摘Insect-derived traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitutes an essential component of TCM,with the earliest records found in“52 Bingfang”(Prescriptions of fifty-two diseases,which is one of the earliest Chinese medical prescriptions).
文摘Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. Walp, is an important food grain legume in Niger facing production losses due to insect pests. This study aims to determine the efficiency of non-chemical methods for managing these pests. A trial was conducted during the 2020 and 2022 cropping seasons at the INRAN station in the Maradi region. A Fischer experimental design with 6 repetitions was used to compare 4 treatments: synthetic chemical pesticide;the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana;aqueous extracts of neem seeds, and control. Observations were carried out every three days. The cowpea pod-sucking bug, pod borer, and thrips were the main insect pests recorded. In terms of effectiveness, the synthetic pesticide was the best treatment. It reduced insect pest densities by 71.35% to 90.40% in 2020 and by 35.11% to 42.13% in 2022. Grain yields varied between treatments. Neem seed extract followed the synthetic pesticide and significantly reduced insect infestations in both years. The synthetic pesticide and neem seed extract resulted in yields 3 to 5 times higher than the control treatment in 2020. By contrast, B. bassiana 115 and neem seed extract produced similar yields in 2022. Therefore, the results of this study showed that B. bassiana 115 and neem seed extract have insecticidal potential and could be used as an ecological alternative for managing cowpea insect pests in the Sahel.
文摘Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. is an economically important seed legume that helps combat food and nutrition insecurity in the Sahel, particularly Niger. However, its yield remains low due to insect pest attacks. This study was conducted at a station and in seven villages in the Maradi and Tahoua regions. It aimed to test the effectiveness of neem seed biopesticides [Azadirachta indica A. Juss] and sanitized human urine for integrated insect pest management. The cowpea variety UAM09 1055-6 was used for the experiments. The experimental trial was a Fisher block design consisting of five treatments: neem oil, neem seed extract (NSE), hygienized human urine (HHU), chemical pesticide, and a control, replicated five times at the station and twice in farmers’ environments. The study shows that Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stål and Maruca vitrata Fabricius are the main insect pests. Plots treated with synthetic pesticides were the least infested by C. tomentosicollis. They were followed by neem seed extract and HHU treatments, which recorded an infestation level of 2.44 and 20.5 times lower than controls at the station and in farming environments. The density of thrips was 1.06 to 32.6 times lower in treated plots compared to controls. The proportion of pods damaged by M. vitrata was 1.95, 2.55, and 2.77 times lower in plots treated with HHU, NSE, and synthetic pesticide, respectively, compared to controls. Grain yields were 1.80 and 2.62 times higher in UHH and NSE treatments compared to control plots, both at the station and in farmers’ environments. A yield increase of 44.58% and 61.92% was noted for these treatments at the station and in farmers’ environments, respectively. These results may promote the dissemination of NSE and HHU biopesticide technologies in rural areas as an alternative method for integrated pest management of cowpeas.
文摘Insects live in most places in the world,and there are billions of them.There are about 1.4 billion insects for every person on our planet!They are very important for nature.Bees and butterflies help plants grow by moving Dollen from one flower to another.Ants clean up by eating dead plants and animals.And butterflies are beautiful.They make us happy when we see them.Even though insects are small,they help keep the world healthy and full of life.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32161133010)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFD1700200)+2 种基金the Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS-CSCB-202302)the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program,China(KQTD20180411143628272)the Special Funds for Science Technology Innovation and Industrial Development of Shenzhen Dapeng New District,China(PT202101-02).
文摘Chitin is an abundant natural biopolymer that plays a crucial role in insect growth and development as a fundamental structural component of the exoskeleton.The membrane-integralβ-glycosyltransferase,chitin synthase,has been identified as the central component in chitin biosynthesis.However,the precise roles of other proteins in facilitating chitin synthase in chitin biosynthesis remain unclear.In this study,we employed split-ubiquitin membrane yeast two-hybrid(MYTH)and pull-down assays to demonstrate the physical interaction between Twinstar(Tsr),a small molecular protein in the actin-depolymerizing factor ADF/Cofilin protein family,and chitin synthase Krotzkopf verkehrt(Kkv)in Drosophila melanogaster in vitro.The RNA interference(RNAi)-mediated global knockdown of Tsr in D.melanogaster resulted in larval lethality.Furthermore,targeted suppression of Tsr in the tracheal and epidermal tissues also led to larval mortality,while knocking down Tsr in the wing tissues led to wrinkled wings.Additionally,silencing Tsr not only reduced the chitin content in the first longitudinal vein of the wings but also led to the absence of the chitin lamellar structure.To validate the functional conservation of Tsr in other insect orders,the two agricultural pests Ostrinia furnacalis and Tribolium castaneum,representing lepidoptera and coleoptera insects,respectively,were investigated.Knockdown experiments targeting the Drosophila Tsr orthologues OfTsr in O.furnacalis and TcTsr in T.castaneum produced abnormal larvae during molting or pupation in O.furnacalis and lethality in T.castaneum.Our findings not only improve ourknowledge of the chitin biosynthesis machinery in insect cuticles but also provide new potential targets for the control of major agricultural pests.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant numbers 52305321 and 62273246)The Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20230496)+3 种基金China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Funded Project(2023M732536 and 2024T170630)Jiangsu Province Excellence Postdoctoral Program(2023ZB218)The National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFB4702202)The Jiangsu Provincial Key Technology R&D Program(BE2021009-02).
文摘Micro aerial vehicles(MAVs)have flexibility and maneuverability,which can offer vast potential for applications in both civilian and military domains.Compared to Fixed-wing/Rotor-wing MAVs,Flapping Wing Micro Robots(FWMRs)have garnered widespread attention among scientists due to their superior miniaturized aerodynamic theory,reduced noise,and enhanced resistance to disturbances in complex and diverse environments.Flying insects,it not only has remarkable flapping flight ability(wings),but also takeoff and landing habitat ability(legs).If the various functions of flying insects can be imitated,efficient biomimetic FWMRs can be produced.This paper provides a review of the flight kinematics,aerodynamics,and wing structural parameters of insects.Then,the traditional wings and folding wings of insect-inspired FWMRs were compared.The research progress in takeoff and landing of FWMRs was also summarized,and the future developments and challenges for insect-inspired FWMRs were discussed.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32072494)the Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province,China(202203021212165)the Shanxi Province Higher Education Technology Innovation Project,China(2022L363)。
文摘With the development of international trade and frequent personnel exchanges,biological invasion is showing a rapidly growing trend worldwide.Insects are ectothermic animals,so their geographical distribution is due largely to their high and low temperature tolerances.To study the temperature response mechanisms of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean cryptic species(MED),miRNA-seq technology was used to unravel the miRNA library of B.tabaci MED in three field populations(TP,HB,and HK)from cities with different environmental temperatures.We identified 12 differentially expressed miRNAs in response to temperature stress,and Bta-miR-998 and Bta-miR-129 were shown to be associated with temperature tolerance.In addition,we predicted and verified the target genes associated with the temperature tolerance imparted by Bta-miR-998 and Bta-miR-129.The results showed that the down-regulated target gene of Bta-miR-129,BtMGAT3,significantly reduced the heat tolerance and another downregulated target gene,BtRGS7,affected the cold tolerance of B.tabaci MED.These results indicate that gene expression regulated by miRNAs is an important temperature response mechanism in B.tabaci MED.This study reveals the important regulatory role of miRNA in insect temperature adaptation and provides a new avenue for studying the regulation of insect gene expression by miRNA.
文摘Tool use-once considered rare in insects-has been documented in a crafty predator.Researchers from China Agricultural University,and two institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences-the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden(XTBG)and the Institute of Zoology-revealed that the assassin bug Pahabengkakia piliceps weaponizes resin from stingless bee nests to trick its prey.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32188102 to Lanqin Xia)Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of Jiangxi province(20212ACB215001 to Xiudao Yu)+1 种基金supported by the China Scholarship Council(202303250062)the GSCAAS-ULg Joint PhD Program。
文摘RNA interference(RNAi)has been used for agricultural insect pest control based on silencing of targeted insect genes.However,the effectiveness of RNAi and its applications in insect pest control remain challenging.Here we review factors that may affect the effectiveness of RNAi application,including the variability in RNAi efficacy among different insect species,a limited understanding of double-stranded RNA(dsRNA)uptake and systemic RNAi mechanisms,and the effective delivery of dsRNA in field conditions.Furthermore,we summarize recent progress in RNAi strategies for crop protection,discuss the advantages and disadvantages of RNAi-based insect control,and propose potential strategies to increase the effectiveness of RNAi in insect control.
文摘Since its discovery in the 1980s,the insect cell-baculovirus expression vector system(IC-BEVS)has been widely used in biomedical applications,such as recombinant protein expression,drug screening,vaccine development,gene therapy and so on[1].As a eukaryotic system,IC-BEVS has great development prospects due to its advantages such as high safety,simple operation,simultaneous expression of multi-subunit proteins,and suitability for large-scale cultivation[2].
文摘Plants with bioactive properties are greatly useful in preventing and controlling blood-sucking and disease-vector invertebrates, particularly in developing countries and low-income communities. Their application is a promising alternative to synthetic compounds whose use remains a health, environmental, and economic challenge. However, many are still unknown and unvalued, while others are becoming ignored and threatened. The main objective of this ethnobotanical study is to identify and characterize indigenous and locally grown plants against blood-sucking and disease-vector insects. Salient opportunities and challenges of using these plants are documented and discussed. Semi-structured interviews, using a prepared questionnaire, were conducted with 228 informants. The consensus index (CI) was calculated to analyze the reliability of the collected information. The identified 31 anti-insect plant species belong to 20 botanical families, four morphological categories, and six habitat types. They can be categorized as insecticidal plants (42% of the total), insect repellent (42% of the total), and both insecticidal and insect repellent (16% of the total). More than 54% of these are still abundant in the study area, while about 35.5% have become rare and difficultly accessible. Based on the numerical importance of related anti-insect plant species, the seven targeted blood-sucking insects range in the following decreasing order: Jiggers (16 species) > Fire Ants (9 species) > Flies (8 plants) > Mosquitoes (4 species) > Fleas (2 species) > Bedbugs (1 species) > lice (0 species). The three most commonly used plants, with the highest confirmation indices, are Tetradenia riparia (ICs = 0.712), Eucalyptus globulus subsp. maidenii (ICs = 0.302), and Solanum aculeastrum (ICs = 0.288). The antimicrobial role of many locally grown anti-insect plants and the multiple other associated valorization possibilities are ignored by most informants. Domesticating, propagating, protecting, and promoting the sustainable use of these plants would be an appropriate route for their conservation and continued availability.
基金founded by Jiangsu Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Fund(CX(20)3179)Dongminghuanghetan Ecological Agriculture Co.,Ltd(204032897)+1 种基金partially funded funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no.861976,project SUSINCHAINthe German Federal Ministry of Education and Research(BMBF),in the frame of FACCE-SURPLUS/FACCE-JPI project UpWaste,grant number 031B0934A。
文摘In response to the rapid increase in world population and subsequent demands for food,edible insects represent an alternative food source for humans that is rich in proteins,amino acids and minerals.Entomophagy is a tradition in many countries including China and Thailand,and edible insects have attracted a lot of attention in Western World due to their suitable nutrient composition,high mineral content(e.g.,Fe,Zn,Ca,Mg)and potential use as a supplement in human diet.In this study,we surveyed mineral content in seven insect orders and 67 species of mass produced and wild-harvested edible insects.The total content of essential elements in edible insects was very high in Tenebrio molitor,Bombyx mori,and Zonocerus variegatus.The heavy metal content(summarized for eight species)was below the maximum limit allowed for safe consumption.Sustainable supply of minerals derived from insect biomass is complicated due to the high variations of mineral content in insects and the potential of its change due to processing.
基金supported by the Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology,Adam Mickiewicz University,Poznan,Poland(No.4102020104/604/5060000/BN002024)。
文摘The short neuropeptide F(sNPF)family of peptides is a multifunctional group of neurohormones involved in the regulation of various physiological processes in insects.They have been found in a broad spectrum of species,but the number of isoforms in the precursor molecule varies from one to four.The receptor for sNPF(sNPFR),which belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family,has been characterized in various insect orders and was shown to be an ortholog of the mammalian prolactin-releasing peptide receptor(PrPR).The sNPF signaling pathway interacts with other neurohormones such as insulin-like peptides,SIFamide,and pigment-dispersing factors(PDFs)to regulate various processes.The main physiological function of sNPF seems to be involved in the regulation of feeding,but the observed effects are species-specific.sNPF is also connected with the regulation of foraging behavior and the olfactory system.The influence of sNPF on feeding and thus energy metabolism may also indirectly affect other vital processes,such as reproduction and development.In addition,these neurohormones are involved in the regulation of locomotor activity and circadian rhythm in insects.This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about the sNPF system in insects.
基金supported by the Latvian Council of Science (grants lzp-2018/2-00057 and lzp-2020/2-0271)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 31772453 and 31970427)
文摘Background:The abundance of insects has decreased considerably during recent decades,resulting in current abundance showing 70-80%reductions in more than 15 studies across temperate climate zones.Dramatic reduc-tions in the abundance of insects are likely to have consequences for other taxa at higher trophic levels such as preda-tors and parasites.Pesticides,fertilizers and agricultural land use are likely candidates accounting for such reductions in the abundance of insects.Methods:Here we surveyed the abundance of flying insects,and the reduction in the abundance of insects as a consequence of intensive reduction in agricultural practice linked to fertilizer use and pesticide use.Finally we dem-onstrated consistency in abundance of birds among study sites.Results:We demonstrated that the use of fertilizers and pesticides had reduced the abundance of insects,with consequences for the abundance of insectivorous bird species such as Barn Swallows(Hirundo rustica),House Martins(Delichon urbicum)and Swifts(Apus apus).Juvenile Barn Swallows were negatively affected by the reduced abundance of insects and hence the reproductive success of insectivorous bird species.These effects imply that the abundance of insects could be reduced by the availability of insect food.Conclusions:These effects of intensive agriculture on insect food abundance are likely to have negative impacts on populations of insects and their avian predators.This hypothesis was validated by a reduction in the abundance of insects,linked to an increase in the abundance of fertilizers and a general change in farming practice.
文摘The original or primitive venation of mayflies was not presented clearly upon living materials before,this mostly results from the deform of mayfly imaginal wingbase.Some nymphs of large mayflies of China,like Siphluriscus chinensis,Ephemera pictipennis and Siphlonurus davidi,however,show some clues.Together,they demonstrate that in mayflies,subcostal brace maybe originated from longitudinal vein Anterior Subcostal(ScA),stems of Radius(R)and Media(M)are always fused at base,Media Posterior(MP)leave them first,then the branch of Rs(Radial Section)+MA(Media Anterior),Cubitus(Cu)disconnected to any other veins.Additionally,all longitudinal veins of mayflies fused with their sclerotized base respectively but without any moveable sclerite.Instead,base of R+M of mayflies sclerotized into a single one big plate,and all sclerites of wingbase are fused together rigidly by sclerotized wingbase,which disables any possible folding of mayfly wings.Phylogenetically,in the order Ephemeroptera,the different positions of ScA and Cu leaded to different and diverse venations and lineages of Ephemeroptera.In the Pterygota,the Ephemeroptera has the same fused pattern of R+M and three axillary sclerites as the Neoptera while the Odonata has the fused Cu+M,which disproves the monophyly of Paleoptera.
基金supported by the Xinjiang Regional Collaborative Innovation Project(2022E01045)Zhejiang University(108000*1942222R1).
文摘Annual tree rings are widely recognized as valuable tools for quantifying and reconstructing historical forest disturbances.However,the influence of climate can complicate the detection of disturbance signals,leading to limited accuracy in existing methods.In this study,we propose a random under-sampling boosting(RUB)classifier that integrates both tree-ring and climate variables to enhance the detection of forest insect outbreaks.The study focused on 32 sites in Alberta,Canada,which documented insect outbreaks from 1939 to 2010.Through thorough feature engineering,model development,and tenfold cross-validation,multiple machine learning(ML)models were constructed.These models used ring width indices(RWIs)and climate variables within an 11-year window as input features,with outbreak and non-outbreak occurrences as the corresponding output variables.Our results reveal that the RUB model consistently demonstrated superior overall performance and stability,with an accuracy of 88.1%,which surpassed that of the other ML models.In addition,the relative importance of the feature variables followed the order RWIs>mean maximum temperature(Tmax)from May to July>mean total precipita-tion(Pmean)in July>mean minimum temperature(Tmin)in October.More importantly,the dfoliatR(an R package for detecting insect defoliation)and curve intervention detec-tion methods were inferior to the RUB model.Our findings underscore that integrating tree-ring width and climate vari-ables as predictors in machine learning offers a promising avenue for enhancing the accuracy of detecting forest insect outbreaks.
