Background: Temperature and humidity are critical environmental factors that shape insect growth, development and survival. The larval stage is particularly vulnerable, making the ability to detect and respond to adverse environmental conditions vital for avoiding harm. The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is a major global pest inflicting damage on >150 fruit crops. However, the behavioral responses of nonmodel insect larvae to temperature and humidity remain poorly characterized.
Results: We found that temperature and humidity significantly influence key larval behaviors. To uncover the molecular mechanisms driving these behaviors, we identified B. dorsalis painless (Bdorpainless) homologs and confirmed their expression during larval behavioral stages. Genetic disruption of Bdorpainless notably impaired the larvae's temperature-escape response. Although humidity sensing remained unaffected in Bdorpainless-mutant larvae, their pupation rate was significantly reduced.
Conclusions: Our findings provide new insights into the role of environmental factors in B. dorsalis behavior and highlight Bdorpainless as a potential molecular target for pest control. For example, RNA-based biopesticides targeting Bdorpainless could impair larvae's environmental adaptability, offering a novel pest management approach. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Background: Traditional dengue control efforts focus on eliminating water containers to prevent mosquito breeding, but often overlook Aedes aegypti eggs that remain adhered to container walls. This study compared the effectiveness of two mechanical ovicidal methods-brushing and scrubbing the interior surfaces of containers-against traditional emptying in reducing Ae. aegypti infestation levels. The impact of these methods on non-target dipterans with similar oviposition behavior to the dengue vector was also evaluated; i.e. Clogmia albipunctata (Psychodidae) and Dasyhelea necrophila (Ceratopogonidae). During April 2024, a field trial was conducted on pre-existing black plastic flower vases in a public cemetery from temperate Argentina.
Results: Prior to the intervention, out of the 855 containers involved in the study, 765 (89.5%) held water and 351 of such (45.9%) harbored immatures of one or more dipteran species, including Ae. aegypti (observed in 251 containers), C. albipunctata (104), and D. necrophila (51). Both brushing and scrubbing were more effective in reducing the proportion of containers with remaining viable eggs of Ae. aegypti (up to 48.1% and 43.4%, respectively) than just emptying the containers (up to 18.5%). The ovicidal treatments also led to a reduction in the proportion of containers with viable eggs of the non-target dipteran C. albipunctata, but not of D. necrophila.
Conclusions: Mechanical ovicidal methods should be mandatory in container emptying campaigns against Ae. aegypti. These methods should be adapted to the local conditions, aiming to promote more targeted and ecologically safe management strategies. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：