Journal of Asia-pacific Entomology最新文献

Bumblebees, as vital pollinators, serve as ideal models for investigating the relationship between hosts and their microbiomes. Mating behavior in bumblebees may influence microbial diversity, either through sexual transmission or immunity activation. Therefore, the study of mating-induced changes in microbiomes is crucial for understanding its biological and evolutionary significance. In this study, we examined microbiomes in a community context within both the gut and reproductive organs of bumblebees, using 16S rRNA sequences. Analysis of alpha and beta diversities revealed that the bacterial microbiome in the gut exhibits lower diversity than reproductive organs, with mating exerting a significant impact on the composition of microbiota in both gut and reproductive organs. By assessing Bray–Curtis dissimilarity at the amplicon sequence variant level, we observed a reduction in the divergence of bacterial communities between queen and drone reproductive organs following mating, a phenomenon not observed in the gut. This convergence is attributed to horizontal transmission and physiological responses post-mating. Notably, one bacterial genus in the gut and 13 genera in the seminal vesicle exhibited potential for horizontal transmission. Furthermore, the core bacterium Lactobacillus is suppressed in both gut and reproductive organs post-mating, while Weissella is increased in spermathecae. Our results reveal horizontal microbiome transfer between queen and drone bumblebees.

A novel double- stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus, tentatively named “Sogatella furcifera reovirus” (SFRV), was detected using meta-transcriptome method in a Sogatella furcifera collected in Yangon, Myanmar. The SFRV genome comprises 10 dsRNA segments encoding 11 putative proteins. The 11 ORFs and their encoded proteins has 49.1%-71.0% nucleotide and 30.5%-76.3% amino acid sequence identities with those of reference fijiviruses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SFRV clustered together with Nilaparvata lugens reovirus based on the RdRp. Fijivirus-specific motifs were identified in the SFRV genome. Thus, according to the described species demarcation criteria, SFRV belongs to a new virus in the genus Fijivirus, family Reoviridae. This is first report of an insect-specific fijivirus in S. furcifera.

We conducted surveys of non-Apis flower-visiting insect pollinators in various agroecosystems of Jammu and Kashmir area in India from October 2010 to June 2014. During the study, we collected sixteen species of Megachilids, highlighting Megachile spp. as the dominant group, represented by ten species (accounting for 62% of all Megachilids) followed by 3 species of Osmia bees (19%). Among 16, 15 were exclusively recorded in plain and foothill areas, while only one species, Megachile hera was found from hilly area. Comparatively, the occurrence of different wild bees in hilly areas was lower than that in plains. The host ranges of these wild pollinators encompassed legumes, medicinal plants, and oilseed crops. Megachilid bees, particularly species like Megachile hera and M. bicolour, displayed a wide range of host plants from various families, including Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Cucurbitaceae, etc. In contrast, Osmia was primarily limited to host plants within the Rosaceae family. Given the significant role of wild populations of bee pollinators in crop pollination, conservation with mitigating the stress factors are imperative. Conducting surveys of native bees in diverse landscapes and prioritizing their conservation efforts would greatly contribute to ecosystem sustainability and enhance food security.

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Efficient management of municipal food waste is critical for addressing environmental concerns and meeting the growing need for sustainable protein. This study presents two case studies comparing the effectiveness and safety of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) and Yellow Mealworm (YML) larvae in bioconverting municipal food waste in Iran. In these case studies, BSF larvae achieved superior waste reduction (68.49%) and biomass conversion ratio (27.45%) compared to YML larvae (28.1% and 8.20%, respectively). Feed Conversion Efficiency was 40.1% for BSF larvae and 29.2% for YML larvae, indicating relatively similar efficiencies in converting consumed feed into biomass. YML larvae demonstrated higher crude protein content (52.63%) than BSF larvae (34.19%), while BSF larvae had significantly more crude fat (45.54%) compared to YML larvae (34.22%). The fatty acid profiles revealed that BSF larvae contained elevated levels of lauric acid (C12:0) and palmitic acid (C16:0), whereas YML larvae were richer in oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2). Mineral content analysis showed higher phosphorus levels in YML larvae and substantially more calcium in BSF larvae. Both species’ larvae and frass were found to have heavy metal levels (Arsenic, Cadmium, Cobalt, Lead, and Mercury) below the maximum permissible limits set by Iran National Standards. Microbial analysis indicated that YML larvae had higher total bacterial counts compared to BSF larvae, with a similar trend in their frass. Both larvae and frass tested negative for Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., suggesting their microbial safety for use as feed. These case studies highlight the potential of BSF and YML larvae in sustainable food waste conversion, each with specific fatty acid and amino acid profiles, offering tailored feed sources for a variety of animal species.

Perina nuda Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Lymantridae) has emerged as a major pest of Ficus spp. Linné (Rosales: Moraceae), exhibiting widespread distribution across southern China. The present study was designed to assess the impact of temperature on the development and lifetime fecundity of P. nuda. We gathered life-history data of P. nuda under four different temperatures (20 °C, 24 °C, 28 °C, and 32 °C) to analyze through the age-stage, two-sex life table methodology. Subsequently, projected population dynamics were made using these data. Results show that a generation can be completed at experimental temperature; the longest mean longevity (72.012 d) was recorded at 20 °C, while the shortest one was 29.126 d at 32 °C. The highest fecundity (219.5 eggs per female), preadult survival rate (90.6 %), and proportion of females (0.494) were observed at 24 ℃. At 20 °C, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and the finite rate of increase (λ) were found to be much lower than at other temperatures, with 0.0575 and 1.0591 1/d, respectively. Compared to other temperatures, the net reproductive rate (R₀) at 24 ℃ (108.59) was notably higher than other temperatures. The developmental threshold temperatures and effective accumulated temperatures for egg, larva, pupa, and the entire generation were 10.7 °C (128.02 degree-days), 11.53 °C (362.59 degree-days), 11.86 °C (110.4 degree-days), and 10.85 °C (780.98 degree-days), respectively. A higher population growth rate and a larger population number was observed at 24℃, 28℃ and 32 ℃. Predicted generations varied across Guangdong, ranging from 4.68 in Nanxiong to 6.42 in Leizhou. These findings will help understanding P. nuda biology as influenced by temperature and may be used to predict the distribution and infestation risk under climate warming for this pest of banyan trees.

In Asia, the sap beetle Phenolia (Lasiodites) picta (Macleay) (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) (hereafter P. picta) is endemic to the southeastern Palaearctic and northeastern Oriental regions. It is commonly found in orchards and plantations, where it feeds on ripe or rotten fruits. Here, P. picta was recorded for the first time to invade the hive of the Eastern honey bee (Apis cerana). Both DNA barcode and morphological data were used to identify the beetle, with the DNA barcoding comparison to the P. picta sequence in the BOLD library reaching 100% similarity. Additionally, the body sizes were measured, with the males averaging 7.87 ± 0.21 mm in length and the females averaging 8.27 ± 0.15 mm. The beetle’s body colour is primarily brownish with yellowish to pale orange spots on the elytra. P. picta invades the honey bee hive, feeds on honey and bee pupae, and tunnels through the comb, which causes the honey bees to abandon their hive. Such invasions could have severe impacts on honey bee colonies. This report provides essential information for beekeepers to use when identifying P. picta, which could be useful for preventing and controlling parasitic beetles.

Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, is a major cause of damage to corn. The preventive control of this agricultural pest is performed with permethrin. However, due to the intensive use of insecticides, the population of S. zeamais has developed resistance to more than 10 synthetic insecticides, including the active ingredient permethrin. In the search for techniques aiming to reduction of the use of synthetic pesticides for the integrated management of S. zeamais, the present study was evaluate the effects of Schinus terebinthifolius essential oil – by fumigation, contact and ingestion methods – against populations of S. zeamais, both susceptible and resistant to the insecticide permethrin. Chemical profile identification showed α-pinene, β-myrcene, α-phellandrene, δ-3-carene and β-phellandrene were the major components in S. terebinthifolius essential oil. Permethrin susceptibility of the S. zeamais revealed four resistant populations (STP_R, STP₁, STP₂ and STP₃). But, in the Fumigant bioassay, STP_R and STP₁ permethrin-resistant populations were susceptible to the essential oil. When the insects were put in direct contact with treated maize grains, only STP_R permethrin-resistant population was susceptible this essential oil. Resistance ratio of the permethrin on S. zeamais populations revealed differences of permethrin susceptibility among the groups tested. S terebinthifolius essential oil exhibited high insecticidal activity, reducing the populations of S. zeamais through fumigation and contact/ingestion methods. The present findings suggest that use of permethrin can be substituted with the preparation of botanical insecticide with S. terebinthifolius essential oil.

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450) has been shown to be involved in the detoxification metabolism of exogenous drugs or regulates the endogenous synthesis of juvenile hormone III (JH III). However, it is not yet known whether a particular P450 gene involved in the metabolism also affects the synthesis of juvenile hormones. Fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) showed a significant increase in juvenile hormone I (JH I) and juvenile hormone II (JH II) under chlorantraniliprole stress, and 11 chlorantraniliprole resistance-related P450 genes were significantly up-regulated. Among them, CYP337B5 was not only overexpressed in the midgut and head of FAW larvae, but also significantly increased in the female and male adult stages with high JH I and JH II titers. Injecting double-stranded RNA significantly reduced the metabolism rate of chlorantraniliprole in FAW and inhibited the production of juvenile hormones. Additionally, the degradation rates of chlorantraniliprole were significantly increased along with the production of various metabolites when incubated in vitro using recombinant CYP337B5; and JH I and JH II were also increased to some extent by 1.2 and 0.5 times. The results show that CYP337B5 is efficiently involved in the metabolism of chlorantraniliprole and specifically involved in the synthesis of JH I and JH II. We show that some P450s may have dual functions of endogenous hormone synthesis and exogenous substance metabolism in insects, which may be the root cause of the cost of drug resistance in insects.

The family Cybocephalidae in Korea is reviewed with two species: Cybocephalus nipponicus nipponicus and a species, Cybocephalus inui sp. nov. Descriptions, photographs of external morphology, genital structures, larval morphology, and a key to Korean species are provided, with the biological information including life cycle and hosts. Furthermore, we propose that barcoding is an efficient method for the identification of Cybocephalidae species and highlight the necessity for phylogenetic research to reveal their phylogenetic position.

ICZN: www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:14EE9B5C-0F29-4A87-A9A2-71E1D9ACD065.

Batocera horsfieldi (Hope) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a significant wood-boring pest in China, primarily affecting timber forests and economic plantations. However, the genomic resources of B. horsfieldi remain limited, constraining the ability to discover molecular and genetic mechanisms for pest control. This study used RNA-seq to correct PacBio Iso-Seq data, thoroughly analyzing the differential genes of male and female adult B. horsfieldi to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular characteristics of this pest. The sequencing results generated 41.16 GB of raw data and 38.26 GB of clean data, yielding 42,005 full-length transcripts. The average transcript length was 2,609 bp, with an N50 length of 2,858 bp and an N90 length of 1,714 bp. Expression analysis revealed 208 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Enrichment analysis of these DEGs using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) indicated their involvement in energy metabolism, biosynthesis, and cell signal transduction pathways. These pathways collectively maintain metabolic balance, signal transduction networks, and adaptability to external environments within the organism. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used for further validation of gene expression levels, and the results were consistent with RNA-seq. The transcriptome data obtained in this study provide additional valuable information for unraveling the molecular mechanisms of B. horsfieldi and offer potential reference points for pest control efforts.