Insect vectors cause significant economic losses and human casualties worldwide each year by transmitting parasites and viruses such as malaria, Zika virus, and dengue. Agricultural pests cause huge losses of crop yield every year and seriously threaten global food security. However, the current control methods based on chemical agents are insufficient to completely control the occurrence and damage of pests. At the same time, the use of chemical pesticides will induce resistance and result in environmental pollution and pesticide residues, etc. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new pest control strategies in production. In recent years, with the development of genome sequencing and gene editing techniques, the genetic control technology for the target pest population and their specific target genes has been rapidly developed. Compared with traditional pest control methods such as chemical control, genetic control strategies for pests have the advantages of species specificity, environmental friendliness, and efficient control. In this article, we reviewed several widely studied genetic control techniques for pests, including sterile insect technique (SIT), release of insects carrying a dominant lethal (RIDL), and gene drive (GD) technology. Finally, we presented several prospects for the research of genetic control technology for pests and its application in agricultural pest control: (1) to establish stable and efficient genetic manipulation systems; (2) to identify efficient promoters in germ cells or other tissues to improve the efficiency of gene editing or gene transformation; and (3) to elucidate the sex determination pathway of pests and excavate the key genes involved in the reproductive development of pests.

【Aim】 To analyze and elucidate the molecular characteristics and function of the gustatory receptor gene EscrGR8 in Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus, and to reveal its role in the regulation of the fecundity of female adult. 【Methods】 Based on the antennal transcriptome database of E. scrobiculatus, the cDNA full-length sequence of EscrGR8 was cloned using RACE. The expression levels of EscrGR8 in different developmental stages (egg, 1st－6th instar larvae, pupa, female adult, and male adult), and female and male adult tissues (head without antennae and proboscis, antennae, mouthparts, midgut, forefoot, testicles, ovaries, male copulatory organ and female ovipositor) of E. scrobiculatus were detected by qRT-PCR. The expression levels of EscrGR8 at 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h after RNAi through microinjection of dsRNA into female adults were detected by qRT-PCR. The oviposition selection rates, total numbers of eggs laid and hatching rates of eggs laid by female adults under different soil moisture conditions (0-10%, 11%-20%, 21%-40%, 41%-60%, 61%-80%, and 81%-100%) at 1-5 d and 6-11 d after dsEscrGR8 microinjection were determined, and the effects of inhibition of the EscrGR8 expression on the oviposition preference and fecundity of female adults were studied. 【Results】 The full-length cDNA sequence of EscrGR8 (GenBank accession no.: OR836580) of E. scrobiculatus was successfully cloned with the open reading frame (ORF) of 1 251 bp in length, encoding 416 amino acids. EscrGR8 has six transmembrane domains. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis results showed that EscrGR8 has a low homology to the GRs of other insects, and the amino acid sequence identity with AgraGR64f of Anthonomus grandis is 30.96%. qRT-PCR result showed that there were significant differences in the expression levels of EscrGR8 in different developmental stages and adult tissues of E. scrobiculatus. EscrGR8 had the highest expression level in female adults, and the lowest expression level in eggs. EscrGR8 was highly expressed specifically in the female ovaries. Microinjection of dsEscrGR8 not only significantly reduced the expression level of EscrGR8 within a certain period of time, but also had a significant impact on the oviposition preference of female adults. At 1-5 d after microinjection of dsEscrGR8, the oviposition selection rate and hatching rate of eggs laid by female adults under soil condition with the moisture content of 21%-40% were significantly reduced by 2466% and 1583%, respectively, compared with those of the dsGFP-microinjected control group. The oviposition selection rate increased significantly by 28.39% under soil condition with the moisture content of 81%-100%, and almost all of the eggs laid by female adults failed to hatch. 【Conclusion】 This study has confirmed the effect of gustatory receptor gene EscrGR8 on the oviposition preference and fecundity of female adults of E. scrobiculatus, which is helpful for understanding the diversity and functional specificity of gustatory receptor genes in insects.

【Aim】 To reveal the role of the superoxide dismutase genes in Liposcelis bostrychophila in response to high and low temperature stresses. 【Methods】The cDNAs of three superoxide dismutase genes Cu/Zn-SOD1, Cu/Zn-SOD2 and Fe/Mn-SOD of L. bostrychophila were cloned by RT-PCR, and their sequence characteristics were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. RT-qPCR was used to detect the relative expression levels of Cu/Zn-SOD1, Cu/Zn-SOD2 and Fe/Mn-SOD in adults at 0, 1 and 2 h under high temperature (42 ℃) and low temperature (4 ℃) stresses. 【Results】 LbCu/Zn-SOD1, LbCu/Zn-SOD2 and LbFe/Mn-SOD (GenBank accession numbers are OQ938782, OQ938783 and OQ938784, respectively) of L. bostrychophila were cloned, with the open reading frames (ORFs) of 465, 630 and 636 bp in length, encoding 154, 209 and 211 amino acids with the relative molecular weights of 15.85, 22.33 and 23.72 kD, and the isoelectric points of 6.17, 7.68 and 6.79, respectively. LbCu/Zn-SOD1 and LbCu/Zn-SOD2 had one and two Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase signatures, respectively. LbFe/Mn-SOD had one Fe/Mn superoxide dismutase signature. The results of phylogenetic analysis showed that Cu/Zn-SOD1, Cu/Zn-SOD2 and Fe/Mn-SOD were highly conserved in insects. The expression of LbCu/Zn-SOD1, LbCu/Zn-SOD2 and LbFe/Mn-SOD in adults of L. bostrychophila was induced by high temperature42 ℃ stress, and the expression levels of LbCu/Zn-SOD1 and LbCu/Zn-SOD2 inadults of L. bostrychophila were significantly higher than that of the control at 1 and 2 h. The expression level of LbFe/Mn-SOD in adults of L. bostrychophila was significantly lower than that of the control at 1 h and significantly higher than that of the control at 2 h under42 ℃stress. There was no significant difference in the expression levels of LbCu/Zn-SOD1 and LbCu/Zn-SOD2 inadults of L. bostrychophila at 1 h, while that of LbFe/Mn-SOD decreased significantly at 1 h and those of LbCu/Zn-SOD1, LbCu/Zn-SOD2 and LbFe/Mn-SOD increased significantly at 2 h under 4 ℃stress as compared with that of the control. 【Conclusion】 The superoxide dismutase genes LbCu/Zn-SOD1, LbCu/Zn-SOD2 and LbFe/Mn-SOD are involved in the tolerance of L. bostrychophila to extreme temperature stress.

【Aim】To clarify the impact of humidity change on the growth, development and fecundity of Tuta absoluta.【Methods】At the relative humidities of 15%, 35%, 55%, 75% and 95% indoor, the developmental parameters including developmental duration, pre-oviposition period, generation time, larval survival rate, adult survival rate, and number of eggs laid per female of T. absoluta were measured. The age-stage, two-sex life table s of T. absoluta were constructed, and population parameters including survival rate, fecundity, life expectancy, and reproduction value were calculated using the age-stage, two-sex life table.【Results】At the relative humidities of 15%－95%, the egg duration at the relative humidity of 15% and 95% were significantly longer than those at the relative humidities of 35%, 55%, and 75%. The 4th instar larval duration first shortened and then lengthened with the relative humidity increased. The male adult longevity increased with the rising relative humidity, reaching the maximum at  the relative humidity of 95%. The female adult longevity was the longest at the relative humidity of 75%. The generation time was significantly longer at relative humidity of 95% than those at other relative humidities. The number of eggs laid per female increased with the increasing relative humidity. The initial oviposition time of female adults was affected by the relative humidity, the initial oviposition time were 31, 27, 27, 27 and 31 d at the relative humidities of 15%, 35%, 55%, 75% and 95%, respectively. The population age specific net maternity and age-stage-specific reproductive value increased with the rising relative humidity, reaching the maximum at the relative humidity of 95%. The intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase initially increased and then decreased with the rising relative humidity, the net reproductive rate increased with the rising relative humidity. The mean generation time initially decreased and then increased with the rising relative humidity. According to the parameters of the population life table, the prediction of population dynamics within next 60 d indicated that the relative humidity of 95% was conducive to the increase of population size, relative humidities of 15% and 95% were unfavorable to the increase of the population generation number. The impacts of different relative humidities on the survival rates of eggs and larvae were significant through linear regression fitting. 【Conclusion】Within the test setting relative humidity range, the optimal relative humidities for the growth and development of T. absoluta are 55% and 75%, and the optimum relative humidity for reproduction are 95%.

【Aim】This study aims to identify the G-protein β-subunit gene (NlGβ) in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, and analyze its function, so as to supply a potential novel target gene for RNAi-based control of N. lugens. 【Methods】The coding sequence (CDS) of NlGβ of N. lugens was cloned and verified using PCR, and subjected to bioinformatics analysis. The spatiotemporal expression patterns of NlGβ were analyzed based on its transcriptome expression profiles in different developmental stages (egg, 1st-5th instar nymphs, and female and male adults) and adult tissues (head, leg, gut, cuticle, fat body, female reproductive system, and male reproductive system) of N. lugens. Microinjection of dsRNA against NlGβ was performed on the 2nd and 5th instar nymphs to silence NlGβ. Individual and female reproductive system phenotypes were observed, and the survival rate, number of eggs laid per female, and egg hatching rate were counted. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the lateral oviduct intumescent region. 【Results】 The CDS of NlGβ (GenBank accession no.: XP_022200908.1) of N. lugens was 948 bp in length. The NlGβ protein comprised seven WD40 domains and four WD_REPEATS_1 motifs, indicating its conservation. Apart from the homologous proteins found in orthopteran insects, homologous NlGβs from other insect orders clustered well within the same evolutionary branch. The expression level of NlGβ exhibited periodic change during the 1st-3rd instar nymphal stages, and those in the 5th instar female nymphs and female adults were higher than those in the 5th instar male nymphs and male adults. NlGβ was expressed in various tissues of adults, with the highest expression level in the fat body, and the expression level of NlGβ in female reproductive system was higher than that in male reproductive system. Silencing NlGβ in the 2nd instar nymphs resulted in molting difficulty, leading to a significant decrease in the survival rate compared to the dsGFP control group. Silencing NlGβ in the 5th instar nymphs resulted in abnormal abdominal swelling in adult females, malformed ovarian development, a significant decrease in the number of eggs laid per female compared to the dsGFP control group, failure of egg hatching, an increase in secretion within the lateral oviduct intumescent region, and degradation of epithelial cells. 【Conclusion】 NlGβ is closely associated with the growth and development of N. lugens and the reproduction of its female individuals.

Rice, as a major staple crop in China, is directly threatened by disease and pest infestations, which jeopardize its safe production. Rice pests are diverse, and their outbreak mechanisms are complex, making the development of green control technologies challenging. Indepth research into rice pest monitoring and early warning technologies, developmental and reproductive regulation mechanisms, chemical communication mechanisms, and novel control technologies not only helps elucidate the outbreak mechanisms of rice pests but also provides new effective control targets and techniques for integrated pest management. In recent years, Chinese scholars have made significant progress in the field of rice pest research, gaining important achievements in multiple research directions, and some recent research findings were presented in this special issue. In this article, we outline the latest progresses in rice pest research at home and abroad, introduce the main research contents of this special issue, and propose the following three research directions worthy of further attention: (1) intelligent monitoring and early warning of rice pests; (2) mechanisms and evolution patterns of rice pest outbreaks; and (3) exploration of green control targets for rice pests and the construction and application of sustainable control systems.

Insects and plants are important components of biological community in nature and have evolved complex interactions during the long-term evolution process. For example, plants have evolved complex defense strategies to resist insect damage, meanwhile, insects have also evolved more adaptive ways to get more resources for survival. Therefore, studies that focus on the mutual adaptation between insects and host plants are important for effective pest control and cultivation of insect-resistant plants. In the study of the interactions between insects and host plants, the effective components of the oral secretions from herbivorous insects such as saliva or regurgitant liquid, egg secretions, intestinal compounds and microorganisms as the intermediate media to connect insects and plants not only play important roles in inducing or enhancing plant defense, but also have some functions of inhibiting or weakening plant defense. Therefore, according to the role played by the effective components, the oral secretions from herbivorous insects can be divided into elicitors and effectors. In this review article, we introduced the main types of insect effectors including calciumbinding proteins, enzymes and venom proteins, and elicitors including fatty acid amino acid conjugates, polypeptides and enzymes, and the main ways of mediating plant defense from the perspective of insect secretion, clarified the different strategies of herbivorous insects adapting to plant defense, which not only contribute to the in-depth analysis of the interaction mechanism between insects and plants, but also provide new ideas for green and effective pest control and breeding of plant resistant varieties.

【Aim】To make better use of sex pheromones in the monitoring and control of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, and to further study the circadian rhythms of its movement, calling and mating behavior. 【Methods】For T. absoluta adults, video recording and two-dimensional trajectories were used to analyze their movements. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) adsorption extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to analyze the sex pheromone titer in female adults. In tomato greenhouses in Xichang City, Sichuan Province from August to September 2022, field trapping experiments were carried out to analyze the relationship between the sex pheromone titers of T. absoluta adults and their day-old age and circadian rhythm based on the trapping results. The mating behavior was observed in indoor insect cages, and the reproductive system of the male adult was observed by dissection, and the relationship between development and day-old age was analyzed. 【Results】The results showed that in the indoor natural environment, the movement of female and male adults occurred from the 5th hour of the scotophase to the 2nd hour of the photophase, with the peak at the 5th to 7th hour of the scotophase, and there was no significant difference in the time and distance of movement between females and males, and between the 1-7-day-old assayed. The sex pheromones of T. absoluta can be detected in adults at the 1-11-day-old, but there was no significant difference in the sex pheromone titer between day-old ages. The sex pheromones released by female adults were detected during the entire 24 h period, and the difference in the sex pheromone titer between different periods was not significant. Mating did not significantly affect the sex pheromone titer in female adults. However, the male adults in the field were trapped from the 7th hour of the scotophase to the 2nd hour of the photophase. T. absoluta adults were able to mate on the same day of emergence, and the mating rate was the highest when the male adults were at the 3-day-old, and then decreased, but there was no significant difference in the mating duration between day-old ages. The peak time of mating occurred at the 7th and 10th hour of the scotophase, and there was no new mating after the photophase. The testicular volume of male adults decreased as the day-old age increased, and based on the testicular volume of male adults caught by sex pheromone trapping, it was calculated that the age of those trapped males was 3-7-day-old. 【Conclusion】The calling and mating time of T. absoluta adults occurred at the end period of the scotophase. The sex pheromone titer of female adults remained at a consistently high level at different day-old ages and circadian rhythms, and mating did not significantly affect sex pheromone titer, resulting in older male adults being caught by pheromone trapping, and their testes were the same size as those of the 7-day-old male adults, and most of them may have already mated. The data here give a more clear description of the calling and mating behavior of T. absoluta adults, thus, they can provide technical bases and parameters for the development and application of mass trapping and mating disruption by sex pheromones.

【Aim】The aim of this study is to identify the upstream regulatory sequence of the male determining factor gene MoY of the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae， and to explore the impact of this sequence on the sex determination of Z. cucurbitae by directing the expression of MoY in the early embryonic stages, so as to provide a reference basis and available elements for the construction of the subsequent Z. cucurbitae transgenic strains.【Methods】We amplified and sequenced the upstream sequence of MoY linked to the Y chromosome of Z. cucurbitae using the genome-walking, and connected the obtained upstream sequence to the CDS region of MoY to construct a plasmid that drives the expression of MoY. We injected the plasmid expressing MoY into the fresh embryos of Z. cucurbitae, and after hatching, extracted the genomic DNA based on the observed adult phenotype and sex ratio to amplify MoY so as to determine whether the upstream regulatory sequence of MoY had the activity of directing MoY expression and analyze the impact of MoY expression in embryos on the gender determination. 【Results】The upstream sequence of 1 660 bp of MoY of Z. cucurbitae was cloned and obtained, and the plasmid p1660 that drives the MoY expression was constructed. Eighteen male and 13 female adults developed from the injected embryos of Z. cucurbitae, and three adults were found to have abnormal genitalia, with negative amplification results for MoY, confirming them as intersex individuals. 【Conclusion】In this study, we found that the upstream regulatory sequence of MoY of Z. cucurbitae obtained by genome-walking amplification has the activity of directing the expression of MoY. When MoY is expressed in the early stages of Z. cucurbitae embryos, the gender reversal in the previously developed female individuals can be happened.

【Aim】This study aims to investigate the molecular characteristics, expression patterns, and biological functions of the mucin-like protein EfMLP genes of Empoasca flavescens. 【Methods】Based on the transcriptome data of E. flavescens, the full-length cDNA sequences of four EfMLP genes were cloned by PCR and analyzed by bioinformatics. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of EfMLP genes across different developmental stages (egg, 1st-5th instar nymphs, and newly emerged female and male adults), and in different tissues (integument, fat body, salivary gland, gut, ovary, and testis) of the newly emerged adults. EfMLP2 and EfMLP4 in the 5th instar nymph were silenced by RNAi through feeding method, and the survival rates of E. flavescens after silencing the EfMLP genes by RNAi were determined by bioassay. 【Results】 The full-length cDNA sequences of four EfMLP genes of E. flavescens were obtained, and named EfMLP1, EfMLP2, EfMLP3 and EfMLP4 with the GenBank accession numbers of OR504428, OR504429, OR504430 and OR504431, respectively. The obtained four EfMLPs all contain highly repetitive tandem repeat sequences, which are rich in O-linked glycosylation sites, forming the mucin domain (MD). Among them, both EfMLP3 and EfMLP4 contain a conserved type-2 chitin binding domain (CBD). Phylogenetic analysis result revealed that EfMLPs were divided into two different branches belonging to two different MLP types, which showed no correlation with insect taxonomy, but might be considered to be related to their functions. EfMLP1 and EfMLP2 exhibited specifically high expression in the newly emerged female and male adults and the salivary glands of the newly emerged adults. In contrast, the expression of EfMLP3 and EfMLP4 was identified in various developmental stages, including egg, nymphal and adult stages, as well as in diverse tissues such as the fat body of the newly emerged adult. Inhibition of the expression of EfMLP2 and EfMLP4 in E. flavescens by feeding dsEfMLP2 and dsEfMLP4 significantly reduced the survival rate of E. flavescens compared with the control group fed with dsGFP. 【Conclusion】 EfMLPs play an important role in the feeding of E. flavescens and can be used as a potential target in control of this pest insect based on RNAi strategies.

【Aim】 Carboxylesterases (CCEs) are an important hydrolase superfamily and have a role in the metabolism of various exogenous substances in insects. This study aims to lay a foundation for further research on the potential functions of CCEs in different physiological processes by analyzing the expression patterns of CCE genes from transcriptome datasets of Anopheles sinensis at different developmental stages, in different tissues, and before and after blood meal. 【Methods】 Based on 50 CCE genes collected from the obtained transcriptome data of the An. sinensis laboratory strain, the expression patterns of CCE genes in An. sinensis at different developmental stages (egg, 1st-4th instar larvae, male pupa, female pupa, male adult and female adult), in different adult tissues (antennae, salivary gland, midgut, Malpighian tubules, testis, ovary, cuticle and fat body), and female adults before and after blood meal (at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h) were analyzed by bioinformatics. 【Results】 CCE genes were mainly highly or specifically expressed in the larval or adult stages. AsAe12, AsAe4 and AsBe4 were highly expressed during all developmental stages. The expression patterns of CCE genes were also tissue specific and mainly expressed in antennae, cuticle and testis of adults. Moreover, five CCE genes (AsAe13, AsAe12, AsAe6, AsAe4 and AsBe4) were highly expressed in the midgut, Malpighian tubules and fat body of adults, suggesting their potential involvement in xenobiotic metabolism within these detoxification organs. After feeding female adults with blood meal, the expression levels of most CCE genes changed, and their expression patterns were different, suggesting that the blood digestion is a complex process. 【Conclusion】 The results of this study have enriched the knowledge of CCE genes in An. sinensis, providing a valuable reference for further research on the potential function of CCE family genes in the growth and development of An. sinensis.

【Aim】 As a highly conserved protein family in evolution, Argonaute (AGO) family mainly engages in the formation of RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) in eukaryotes to silence gene expression and further participate in numerous biological processes. Currently, studies on AGO proteins of honey bees are lacking. This study aims to provide the reference and basis for further performing study on function and mechanism of AGO1 of Apis mellifera AmAGO1 by predicting the physicochemical and molecular properties of AmAGO1, analyzing the spatio-temporal expression profiles of AmAGO1, and preparing the polyclonal antibodies against AmAGO1.【Methods】 The coding sequence (CDS) of AmAGO1 of A. mellifera was amplified using PCR amplification followed by predicting the the physicochemical and molecular properties of AmAGO1 protein using bioinformatics. The expression levels of AmAGO1 inthe egg, 3-day-old larva, 7-day-old prepupa, 8-day-old prepupa, 12-day-old pupa, 1-, 2-, 6-, 12-, 15- and 18-day-old adult A. mellifera workers, and in the antenna, hypopharyngeal gland, brain, cuticle, midgut, fat body and venom gland of adult workers were detected by RT-qPCR. After constructing prokaryotic expression plasmid, AmAGO1 fusion protein was induced and its expression form was identified. The polyclonal antibody against AmAGO1 was prepared and the titer, sensitivity and specificity of the antibody were further detected by ELISA, Western blot and immunoprecipitation (IP), respectively. 【Results】The CDS of AmAGO1 was successfully cloned from A. mellifera. AmAGO1 contains 928 amino acids, with the molecular formula C₄₆₂₄H₇₃₃₂N₁₃₁₆O₁₃₂₅S₅₁, the molecular weight of about 104.2 kD, isoelectric point of 9.31, average hydrophilic coefficient of –0.2965, 86 phosphorylation sites, and the typical domains PAZ and PIWI, without typical signal peptides. There was a high amino acide sequence identity of AGO1 proteins of Homo sapiens, Danio rerio, Drosophila melanogaster, Bombyx mori, A. mellifera, A. cerana, and Bombus terrestris. AGO1s from A. mellifera and A. cerana were clustered into one branch, with the highest homology. AmAGO1 was differentially expressed in egg, larva, prepupa, pupa, and adult of A. mellifera. The expression levels of AmAGO1 inthe 3-day-old larva and 7-day-old prepupae were significantly lower than that in the egg, while those in the 8-day-old prepupae and 12-day-old pupae were significantly higher than that in the egg of A. mellifera workers. AmAGO1 was differentially expressed in the 1-, 2-, 6-, 12-, 15-, and 18-day-old adults. The expression levels of AmAGO1 inthe 2-, 6-, 12-, 15- and 18-day-old adults were significantly lower than that in the 1-day-old adults. AmAGO1 was differentially expressed in the antenna, venom gland, brain, midgut, hypopharyngeal gland, fat body and cuticle of worker adults. The expression level of AmAGO1 inthe antenna was significantly higher than those in venom gland, brain, midgut, fat body and cuticle but as the same as that in the hypopharyngeal gland. The expression form of AmAGO1 fusion protein was inclusion body. The prepared AmAGO1 polyclonal antibody had high titer, sensitivity and specificity. 【Conclusion】 AmAGO1 may be a hydrophilic intracellular protein which contains typical PAZ and PIWI domains. AmAGO1 plays a potentially important role in different tissues and developmental stages of A. mellifera workers. AGO1 polyclonal antibody with high titer, high sensitivity, and strong specificity was successfully prepared.

【Aim】To identify gene groups with the most significant changes in the expression in integuments of Anopheles sinensis pupae under melanization-inducing conditions, and explore their correlations with melanin precursor accumulation and cuticular structural features. 【Methods】Grace’s insect cell medium was supplemented with the melanin precursors dopa and dopamine. An. sinensis pupal integuments were subjected to in vitro cultivation within the first 20 min of pupation, and a control group (CK) was not treated with melanin precursors. At 16 h after cultivation, pupal integuments from the melanin precursor-treated groups and control group were observed to assess their coloration and cuticular cross-sectional features using a stereomicroscope. The integument transcriptome sequencing of the melanin precursor-treated and control groups was performed using the Illumina platform. GO functional classification and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The gene annotations and chromosome distributions of significantly enriched DEGs were analyzed. qRT-PCR was conducted to validate the transcriptome data. 【Results】The integuments and cuticular cross-sections of pupae of An. sinensis treated with dopa and dopamine exhibited noticeable melanization compared with those of CK, and dopa treatment resulted in the deepest pigmentation. The cuticle exhibited significant thickening in the dopa and dopamine treatment groups compared with that of CK, and the degree of thickness was correlated with the degree of melanization. There were 2 952 and 697 DEGs were identified from dopa treatment group vs CK and dopamine treatment group vs CK comparison groups, respectively, and the down-regulated genes predominated. The numbers of the shared up-regulated DEGs and down-regulated DEGs between these two comparison groups were 223 and 347, respectively. GO functional classification result showed that the shared up-regulated DEGs in the above comparison groups and the shared up-regulated DEGs in both comparison groups were significantly enriched to structural constituent of cuticle (GO: 0042302). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis result indicated that the up-regulated DEGs in the dopa treatment group vs CK comparison group were significantly enriched to spliceosome pathway, and the down-regulated DEGs were significantly enriched to Toll-Imd and Hippo signaling pathways. The down-regulated DEGs in the dopamine treatment group vs CK comparison group were significantly enriched to autophagy pathway. No DEGs shared between these two comparison groups were significantly enriched to any pathways. In addition, 65 significantly enriched up-regulated cuticular protein genes belonged to the CPR, CPF, TWDL, CPLC, and CPAP five families and distributed on three chromosomes, and some members were clustered. The expression levels detected by qPCR-PCR for 12 selected shared up-regulated cuticular protein genes in both comparison groups were consistent with the transcriptome data. 【Conclusion】This omics-level study showed that the excessive accumulation of melanin in mosquito pupal integuments led to the significant up-regulation of a large number of cuticular protein genes and changes in cuticular structural features. These findings facilitate subsequent studies of the mechanisms that allow melanin precursors to regulate cuticular structural genes, and to understand the impacts of interactions between important components of the cuticle on the adaptive traits in insects, supplying a new perspective on the impact of insect adaptive traits.

 【Aim】 To clarify the effects of high temperature treatment on the growth, development and reproduction of the seven-spot ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata. 【Methods】 Based on the high temperature status of the two representative areas (plant cover and plant upper surface) in the facility environment, the artificial climate chamber was used to simulate the above high temperature environment, and the effects of different high temperatures (37 and 42 ℃) (constant temperatures) and their combinations (variable temperatures) on the growth, development and reproduction of C. septempunctata were determined, and the data of life table parameters such as growth and development, fertility and survival rate were analyzed and processed using software such as the age-stage, two-sex life table TWOSEX-MSChart. 【Results】 The higher the temperature and the longer the duration of the high temperature, the faster the development of C. septempunctata, the shorter the longevity, and the lower the fecudity. Under the constant temperature 42 ℃ and variable temperatures 25-42 ℃, C. septempunctata could not complete development, and its longevity was 3.43 and 4.70 d, respectively; under the constant temperature 37 ℃, C. septempunctata could complete development, but the fecudity was 0, the immature duration was 11.67 d, the adult longevity was 7.75 d, and the body weight of the newly emerged adult was 0.0207 g, which were significantly lower than the corresponding indicators of the control (under the constant temperature 25 ℃) (the immature duration was 17.64 d, the adult longevity was 51.51 d, and the body weight of the newly emerged adult was 0.0277 g, respectively). Under the variable temperatures 25-37 ℃, C. septempunctata could develop and reproduce, but the hatching rate of eggs was 0, the immature duration was 15.16 d, the adult longevity was 22.84 d, the oviposition period was 4.57 d, the fecundity was 41.86 grains/female, the body weight of the newly emerged adult was 0.0220 g, the gross reproductive rate (GRR) was 17.213, the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) was 0.072 d^-1, the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.075 d^-1, the net reproductive rate (R₀) was 5.749, and the mean generation time (T) was 21.188 d, all of which were significantly lower than the corresponding indicators of the control, which were 28.28 d, 1 410.52 grains/female, 0.0277 g, 708.110, 0.256 d-1, 1.293 d-1, 673.205, and 25.304 d, respectively. In particular, under the variable temperatures 25-37 ℃, the 3rd instar larval duration of C. septempunctata (2.19 d) was significantly longer than that of the control (1.89 d), while that under the constant temperature 37 ℃ (1.15 d) was significantly shorter than that of the control; the adult pre-oviposition period (APOP) under the variable temperatures 25-37 ℃ was longer than that of the control, but there was no significant difference between them. 【Conclusion】C. septempunctata can’t adapt to the constant temperature 42 ℃ and variable temperatures 25-42 ℃ conditions, can adapt to the constant temperature 37 ℃ and variable temperatures 25-37 ℃ conditions, but it can’t reproduce under the constant temperature 37 ℃ condition, the number of eggs laid is significantly reduced and the eggs can’t hatch under the variable temperatures 25-37 ℃. The results suggest that high temperature can have a significant impact on the reproductive development and reproduction of C. septempunctata, and it is feasible to apply C. septempunctata for pest control under facility conditions, but it is more suitable for use in spring and autumn than in summer.

【Aim】 As an important group of pollinators in the natural environment, bumblebees are covered with brightly coloured hairs that form distinctive colour patterns. This study aims to investigate the geographical distribution pattern of the colour-pattern polymorphism of Bombus breviceps inYunnan, southwestern China to provide basic data for the study of genetic evolution and environmental adaptability of bumblebees. 【Methods】 A total of 957 B. breviceps specimens including 898 female adults (103 queens and 795 workers) and 59 male adults collected from 127 sampling sites inYunnanandGuizhoufrom 2017 to 2021 were examined. The colour patterns of these specimens were scored and the colour pattern groups and their relative abundance were analyzed. Clustering analysis was conducted based on the pubescence colour composition of different elements and the geographical distribution pattern of the colour patterns was analyzed based on their distribution in grid cells of 0.5° longitude × 0.5° latitude. 【Results】 The colours of the thoracic dorsum pubescence of B. breviceps include black, grey yellow, and orange yellow, while those of the abdominal dorsum pubescence include black, grey yellow, yellow and dark brown. All the 1st abdominal segments are covered with yellow pubescence, which can extend up to the abdominal tergum 3. Gastral terga 2 and 3 are covered with yellow, black, or grey yellow pubescence and the dark brown pubescence can stretch from gastral tergum 6 forward to the lower part of gastral tergum 3. A total of 81 colour patterns were identified in female adults of B. breviceps. Eighty different colour patterns were detected in workers and 13 colour patterns were identified in queens. The workers and queens shared 12 colour patterns. The male adults of B. breviceps exhibited 37 different colour patterns, 28 of which were similar to those of female adults. The 81 colour patterns of female adults of B. breviceps include 2 dominant, 5 abundant, 10 common and 64 sparse colour patterns. The colour patterns of female adults of B. breviceps were clustered into three body colour groups: group A (black thoracic dorsum with dark brown abdominal segments), group B-1 (dark brown thoracic dorsum with dark abdominal segments), and group B-2 (dark brown thoracic dorsum and abdominal segments).  The geographical distribution of the colour patterns of B. breviceps inYunnancould be grouped into two regions: western Yunnan Plateau (I) and eastern Yunnan Plateau (II). Region I could be further divided into subtropical plateau basin region in central Yunnan (I1) and tropical low mountain and wide valley region in southwest Yunnan (I2). Region II could be further divided into tropical karst mountain valley area in Southeast Yunnan (II1) and subtropical mid-mountain valley area in Northeast Yunnan (II2). Group A colour pattern is only distributed in subregion I1 and group B-2 was only distributed in subregion I2. Group B-1 colour pattern is only distributed in region II, where group B-2 colour pattern is also distributed. There was no significant correlation between the polymorphisms of the colour pattern and the latitude and longitude of distribution area. There were up to 18 colour patterns distributed in the central Yunnan Plateau (24.00°-24.50°N, 102.50°-103.00°E), representing the greatest colour-pattern polymorphism area. The average altitude of group A colour pattern [(1 951±311) m] was extremely significantly higher than those of group B-1 colour pattern [(1 568±352) m] and group B-2 colour pattern [(1 556±534) m]. 【Conclusion】 B. breviceps exhibits a striking intraspecific polymorphism of colour patterns inYunnan. The colour patterns can be divided into three main groups, and their distribution is related to climatic zoning, geomorphology and land use type. The distribution of the colour patterns has obvious geographical division characteristics and their polymorphisms in the same domain converge to the dominant colour patterns. The results of this study are of great significance for the in-depth exploration of local bumblebee resources and the conservation of species diversity inChina, and provide technical support for the utilization and development of bumblebees in different habitats.

【Aim】 Cyanopterus ninghais is an unexplored parasitoid wasp that mainly parasitizes late instar larvae of Monochamus alternatus. To effectively develop the biocontrol potential of C. ninghais and utilize it in biological control of M. alternatus, the biological characteristics of C. ninghais adults were studied. 【Methods】 The eclosion rhythm, mating behavior and parasitization process of C. ninghais adults were observed and recorded through multi-generation rearing in the laboratory. The effect of female mating on the parasitism and reproductive modes of C. ninghais adults were studied by investigating the parasitism rates, offspring numbers and sex ratios in different mating conditions. The host selection of female adult of C. ninghais on M. alternatus at different larval instars and pupa was determined through choice and non-choice tests. Additionally, the adult longevity of C. ninghais was also examined under different nutritional conditions (no feeding, fed with purified water and fed with 20% honey solution). 【Results】 C. ninghais adults eclosed mainly from 6:00 to 12:00, and the eclosed adults accounted for 61.00% of the total eclosed adults. The mating process could be divided into four stages: courtship, precopulation, copulation and postcopulation. The peak mating time was from 17:00 to 21:00. Females mated only once in their lifetime, while males mated multiple times and there was mating competition among males. The parasitization process could also be divided into four steps: host-seeking, host-checking, ovipositing, and carding after completion. The unmated female adult produced only male offspring, while the ratio of female to male produced by mated female adult was 1︰1. C. ninghais was able to parasitize M. alternatus larvae at the 2nd-5th instars, with a strong preference for the 3rd instar larvae. The adult longevity of C. ninghais increased significantly when supplementing nutrition. Both female and male adults of C. ninghais survived the longest days, (35.50±3.31) and (20.80±2.00) d, respectively, when feeding 20% honey solution. 【Conclusion】 C. ninghais is an idiobiont-ectoparasitoid, and could perform both bisexual and parthenogenetic reproduction. The eclosion and mating of C. ninghais adults have obvious circadian rhythm, and they prefer to parasitize the 3rd instar larvae of M. alternatus. Providing honey solution can significantly prolong the longevity of C. ninghais adults. Overall, these findings suggest that C. ninghais has promising potential for further development and application in the biological control of M. alternatus.

【Aim】 The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae is a destructive pest in wheat production. This study aims to clarify the effects of miR-263 interference on the laboratory population of S. avenae, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the green prevention and control of wheat aphids. 【Methods】 The 1st instar nymphs of S. avenae were interfered with 400 nmol/L miR-263 agomir using nanomaterials as carriers, and the effects of miR-263 interference on the growth and development, reproduction, and population growth of S. avenae were evaluated using the two-sex life table. The water negative control (NCW) and nanomaterial negative control (NCS) were employed as the control groups. 【Results】 After miR-263 interference, the duration of both the 1st and 2nd instar nymphs of S. avenae was significantly longer than that of the NCW and NCS, that of the 3rd instar nymphs showed no significant difference from that of the NCW and NCS, and that of the 4th instar nymphs was significantly shorter than that of NCW. The entire nymphal duration was significantly extended after miR-263 interference. After miR-263 interference, the total developmental duration (25.42 d) was significantly longer than that of the NCS (23.73 d), but had no significant difference from that of the NCW (23.84 d). After miR-263 interference, the adult longevity and reproduction duration were slightly extended, and the number of offspring produced per female was increased, but showed no significant difference from those of the NCW and NCS. The pre-adult survival rate of S. avenae after miR-263 interference was significantly decreased to 43.33% as compared with those of the NCW and NCS (91.34% and 91.32%, respectively). The life table data showed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproductive rate (R₀) after miR-263 interference were significantly lower than those of the NCW and NCS. The mean generation time (T) after mir-263 interference was significantly prolonged as compared to that of the NCW and NCS. The population prediction results showed that the population size of S. avenae was approximately 80 000 at 60 d after miR-263 interference, significantly lower than the population sizes of 4.54 million of the NCS and 3.94 million of the NCW. 【Conclusion】 The miR-263 interference mainly affected the duration and survival rate of low instar nymphs, and had an inhibitory effect on the population growth of S. avenae. The results provide candidate genes for the development of RNAi-based biopesticides against S. avenae.

【Aim】14-3-3 proteins are a class of regulatory proteins found in eukaryotic organisms, which can be involved in signal transduction, immune response, growth and development, and stress response. The aim of this study is to clone the full-length cDNA sequences of the 14-3-3 genes in Bemisia tabaci MED, and understand the characteristics of the proteins encoded by 14-3-3 genes and the spatiotemporal expression patterns of 14-3-3 genes. 【Methods】 The full-length cDNA sequences of 14-3-3 genes of B. tabaciMED were cloned by RT-PCR, and their biological properties were analyzed by bioinformatics software and online website. RTqPCR was used to determine the expression levels of 14-3-3 genes in different developmental stages (egg, 1st-4th instar nymphs and adult), in adult male and female, and in the head, thorax and abdomen of female adult of B. tabaci MED. 【Results】 Two subtypes of the 14-3-3 gene of B. tabaci MED were cloned and characterized: Bt14-3-3 epsilon(GenBank accession no.: XM_019046102.1) and Bt14-3-3 zeta(GenBank accession no.: XM_019057395.1). The open reading frames (ORFs) of Bt14-3-3 epsilon and Bt14-3-3 zeta were 771 and 744 bp, encoding 256 and 247 amino acids, respectively. The proteins encoded by Bt14-3-3 epsilon and Bt14-3-3 zeta were hydrophilic proteins without transmembrane helical region and signal peptide, and their secondary structure mainly consisted of α-helices. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that Bt14-3-3 epsilon was clustered into one cluster with 14-3-3 epsilon proteins of Nilaparvata lugens, Cimex lectularius and Halyomorpha halys, sharing higher homology, while Bt14-3-3 zeta was more closely related to 14-3-3 zeta of N. lugens. RT-qPCR results showed that Bt14-3-3 epsilon and Bt14-3-3 zeta had higher expression levels in the egg, female adults and abdomen of female adults of B. tabaci MED. 【Conclusion】The full-length sequence, characteristics of the coded proteins and spatiotemporal expression of two subtypes of the 14-3-3 gene of B. tabaci MED have been clarified. The results of this study provide a basis for subsequent studies on the molecular function of 14-3-3 proteins.
Key words: Bemisia tabaci; gene cloning; 14-3-3 protein; bioinformatics; spatiotemporal expression

【Aim】 Emamectin benzoate (EMB) is a novel antibiotic bio-derived insecticide and highly efficient in controlling lepidopteran pests. This study aims to investigate the sublethal effects of EMB on the rice pest of Hemiptera, Sogatella furcifera. 【Methods】 Using rice stem-dipping method, we first determined the LC₁₀, LC₂₅ and LC₅₀ values of EMB against the 3rd instar nymphs of S. furcifera reared for 72 h on the rice seedlings treated with EMB at different concentrations. The 3rd instar nymphs of S. furcifera were reared on rice seedlings treated with EMB at the LC₁₀, LC₂₅ and LC₅₀ concentrations for 48 h through the rice stem-dipping method. The female adult longevity and the number of eggs laid per female of the F₀ generation were determined. The duration of egg and the 1st-5th instar nymphs, adult longevity, pre-adult duration, total developmental duration, adult pre-oviposition period, adult total preoviposition period, and the number of eggs laid per female of the F₁ generation were counted to construct the age-stage, two-sex life table. The population dynamics of S. furcifera were predicted in 60 d by using Timing-MSChart software. 【Results】 The LC₅₀, L_C25 and LC₁₀ values of EMB against the 3rd instar nymphs of S. furcifera were 0.831, 0.222 and 0.068 mg/L, respectively, at 72 h after treatment. In the F₀ generation, S. furcifera female adults treated with EMB at the concentrations of LC₁₀, LC₂₅ and LC₅₀ had reduced average longevity by 7.19%, 24.81% and 34.21%, and decreased number of eggs laid per female by 22.24%, 31.22% and 41.53%, respectively, compared with the control group. EMB at the LC₂₅ concentration significantly prolonged the 5th instar female nymphal duration of the F₁ generation and EMB at the LC₅₀ concentration significantly prolonged the male adult longevity and total developmental duration of the F₁ generation compared with the control group. EMB at the LC₂₅ and LC₅₀ concentrations significantly prolonged the adult pre-oviposition period and total pre-oviposition period of the F₁ generation of S. furcifera, and significantly reduced the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) of the F₁ generation compared with the control group. EMB at the LC₅₀ concentration significantly decreased the net reproductive rate (R₀) of the F1 generation and EMB at the LC₂₅ concentration significantly prolonged the mean generation time (T) of the F₁ generation compared with the control group. The three sublethal concentrations (LC₁₀, LC₂₅ and LC₅₀) of EMB significantly inhibited the population growth of S. furcifera. 【Conclusion】Sublethal concentrations of EMB have significant impacts on the longevity and fecundity of S. furcifera adults, and can decrease the population size of their offspring. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the field control of S. furcifera in agriculture.

【Aim】 Prokaryotic expression of EoCarE592, a carboxylesterase (CarE) gene from Ectropis obliqua, and exploration of the ability of the recombinant protein to degrade pesticides.【Methods】 The prokaryotic expression vector pET-32a-EoCarE592 was constructed to be transformed to the Escherichia coli BL21 for heterologous expression. The recombinant protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and the inclusion body protein was denatured and renatured. The enzyme activity of the recombinant EoCarE592, and the effects of the temperature, pH, and metal ions on the enzyme activity were determined by using the content standard curve of solid blue B salt colorimetry. Gas chromatography was used to detect the degradation ability of EoCarE592 under pH 7.0 at30 ℃and 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h to 200 mg/L lambda-cyhalothrin, methyl-parathion and isoprocarb. 【Results】Recombinant EoCarE592 inclusion body protein was obtained through heterologous expression in E. coli. After urea renaturation, the recombinant EoCarE592 with the enzyme activity of 29.8 U was obtained. The optimal temperature and pH were determined to be around30 ℃and 7.0‒8.0, respectively, and Mg²⁺and K⁺ had a promoting effect on the enzyme activity of EoCarE592. Recombinant EoCarE592 can degrade lambda-cyhalothrin, methyl-parathion and isoprocarb at an initial concentration of 200 mg/L within 24 h at30 ℃, pH 7.0, with the degradation rates of 81.30%, 83.94%, and 79.83%, respectively.【Conclusion】The carboxylase EoCarE592 can degrade lambda-cypermethrin, methyl parathion, and isoprocarb, and  may be involved in the detoxification process of E. obliqua. This study lays a foundation for the degradation of pesticide residues in the environment and fruits and vegetables.

【Aim】To explore the impact of the gut bacterial metabolite, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) on food intake behavior in honey bees. 【Methods】 Fed with normal sucrose solution in the control group and sucrose solution containing LPA in the treatment group, a honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) model supplemented with LPA was established. The food intake of the 6-day-old adults of A. mellifera ligustica was measured using both group-level feeding assay and individual-level feeding assay. The sensitivity of A. mellifera ligustica adults to food was evaluated using a food sensitivity test. Additionally, the weight of the head, thorax, abdomen and whole individual of A. mellifera ligustica adults was measured.【Results】 LPA reduced the food intake of A. mellifera ligustica adults at the group level. The group-level average daily food intake was 4.23 mL for the control group and 2.38 mL for the treatment group. LPA did not affect the food sensitivity of A. mellifera ligustica adults at the individual level or the intake of unpalatable food. The analysis of food intake at different hunger levels revealed that LPA blunted the hunger sensation in A. mellifera ligustica adults at the individual level. Even in a hungry state, the food intake of A. mellifera ligustica adults in the treatment group failed to reach the normal food intake level observed in the control group. Comparison of the weight of the head, thorax, abdomen, and whole individual of A. mellifera ligustica adults showed a significant decrease in weight due to reduced food intake caused by LPA. 【Conclusion】 LPA, the gut bacterial metabolite, inhibits food intake in the host A. mellifera ligustica adults, leading to a decrease in their body weight.

Eumeninae is the most diverse among all subfamilies belonging to Vespidae, with about 3 800 species in 204 genera described, wide geographical distribution, and great nesting strategy variety. Eumeninae are great valuable for studies concerning the evolution of eusociality, since their behavior ranges from the vast majority of solitary to very few primitively social. Nesting during the breeding period is an important stage for the life history of potter wasps, and also an important guarantee for the reproductive success of their offspring. Based on the nesting habits, traditionally, Eumeninae may be classified into three types: excavators, renters and builders. However, nesting plasticity may be observed even among conspecific females. Regardless of the nesting type, mud is typically used by Eumeninae for nest construction, but some species use chewed leaves or fine gravel, and a few species even camouflage their nests with plant material or bird droppings. Food supply represents the largest investment (in terms of time and energy) that a female wasp makes in her lifetime. Most solitary Eumeninae wasps are truncated progressive provisioners (provision cells with paralyzed insect prey as food for larvae), however, some wasps show primitive signs of social behaviour (presocial), which practices progressive provisioning, especially when there is scarcity of prey. Eumeninae mostly prey on larvae of Lepidoptera (Geometridae and Tortricidae) and Coleoptera (Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae), thus they have an important role in biological control of lepidopterous and coleopterous pests of agricultural importance. Despite Eumeninae importance, their nesting biology remains poorly known, and even less has been studied inChina. Therefore, in this article, we reviewed the research status of the nesting biology of Eumeninae and made suggestions of future research in the following three areas: (1) Research on the nesting biology of dominant Eumeninae species in different regions; (2) Study on the relationship of food web between plants, phytophagous pests, potter wasps and their natural enemy insects, thus revealing the important functions of Eumeninae species in agriculture and natural ecosystems; and (3) Research on the application of dominant Eumeninae species in the biological control of pests.

【Aim】 Based on the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus C2587245T related to the  chalkbrood resistance in drone larvae of Apis mellifera ligustica, the genetic stability and disease resistance of C2587245T were verified, to provide technical support for the direct application of molecular marker-assisted breeding in breeding production. 【Methods】 Spore suspension of the chalkbrood fungus was prepared from infected brood under laboratory conditions, and Ascosphaera apis was identified through morphological and molecular biological methods. DNA of queen bees of A. mellifera ligustica was extracted by noninvasive method, and queen bees with C/C and T/T genotypes at the SNP locus C2587245T were screened. Virgin queens of A. mellifera ligustica with C/C and T/T genotypes were reared, and their eggs were stimulated to develop into drone larvae using carbon dioxide. The 2-day-old drone larvae of A. mellifera ligustica with C and T genotypes were selected for laboratory cultivation and the 3-day-old drone larvae were inoculated with 5×10⁴ spore/μL spore suspension of A. apis for 10 d. The growth and survival rate of the drone larvae of A. mellifera ligustica with C and T genotypes after inoculation with A. apis were observed and recorded. 【Results】 High-quality DNA could be extracted using the noninvasive method without affecting the normal life of drone larvae of A. mellifera ligustica. The rearing method used in this study ensured the normal growth and development of drone larvae of A. mellifera ligustica under laboratory conditions. There were extremely significant differences in the onset time and symptoms of the disease between C-genotyped and T-genotyped drone larvae of A. mellifera ligustica after inoculating the 3-day-old drone larvae with A. apis. The C-genotyped drone larvae of A. mellifera ligustica showed the typical disease symptoms approximately 2 d later in onset time than the T-genotyped drone larvae. At 6 d after inoculation with A. apis, the symptom differences between the two genotypes of drone larvae were the most pronounced. 【Conclusion】 The SNP locus C2587245T in drones, which is homozygous haploidy due to its biological characteristics, provides a convenient means to verify the homozygous disease resistance. Drone larvae with the C genotype at the SNP locus C2587245T exhibit strong resistance to chalkbrood, and the SNP locus C2587245T demonstrates stable heritability. These research findings can be served as a reliable molecular marker in the field of breeding disease-resistant honeybees, and further provide a basis for subsequent studies such as transcriptome sequencing of male bees, investigating the differential expression of immune-related genes between drones and drone bees, and exploring the specific mechanisms underlying the resistance to chalkbrood conferred by the SNP locus C2587245T.

【Aim】 To clarify the effects of the volatiles from Vigna angularis and V. radiata seeds on the olfactory behavior of adult Callosobruchus chinensis, and to lay a theoretical foundation for the selection of behavioral regulators of C. chinensis. 【Methods】 The volatile compounds from the seeds of V. radiata Jinlv 1 and V. angularis Fenxiaodou 3 were collected and identified by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Based on the electroantennogram (EAG) and olfactory selective behavioral responses, the compounds and formulations with attractiveness were selected, and field trapping experiments were conducted. 【Results】There were 18 common volatile compounds from V. angularis and V. radiata seeds, mainly including aldehydes, ketones, alkenes, alkanes, alcohols, esters and aromatic hydrocarbons, and the four substances with high content, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one, hexanal, nonanal and decanal, could cause strong EAG responses in C. chinensis adults, while decane, trans-caryophyllene, 2-methylnaphthalene and cyclohexylbenzene caused relatively weak EAG responses. Olfactory selective behavioral response test showed that hexanal had obviously repellent effects on both female and male adults of C. chinensis, while 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one, nonanal and decanal showed attractiveness to female and male adults of C. chinensis. The results of multi-component laboratory behavioral reaction tests showed that when the mix ratio of 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one and nonanal was 1׃2.6, the selection rates of female and male adults reached more than 70%, indicating relatively better attraction effect. However, the selection rates of female and male adults were not up to 60% when 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one and decanal were mixed in a ratio of 1׃3.2, indicating poor attraction effect. 【Conclusion】 The main volatile compounds of V. angularis and V. radiata, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one, nonanal and decanal, have good attraction activity against female and male adults of C. chinensis, they may play an important role in the olfactory recognition process of C. chinensis, and can be used to develop behavioral regulators for this pest.

【Aim】To study the effects of allicin E (ALE) on the oviposition behavior of Drosophila suzukii, and to provide a reference for the biological control of D. suzukii by ALE. 【Methods】The avoidance effects of 0.01%， 0.015% and 0.02% ALE on the oviposition of D. suzukii female adults were detected with oviposition two-choice device. The effects of sensory systems of vision, gustation and olfaction on the oviposition preference of female adults of D. suzukii were investigated by means of darkness, surgically removing the forelegs and antennae, respectively. The avoidance effects of 0.015% ALE on the oviposition behavior of female adults of D. suzukii were tested by Y-maze experiment. The effects of ALE on the fitness of D. suzukii were tested by determining the survival rate and developmental duration. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the intestines of D. suzukii adults treated with ALE was detected by fluorescent staining. 【Results】ALE had avoidance effects on the oviposition of female adults of D. suzukii, and the oviposition indexes to 0.01%, 0.015% and 0.02% ALE were -0.30, -0.44 and -0.51, respectively. In darkness and forelegless groups, the female adults of D. suzukii still showed significant oviposition avoidance to ALE. However, the female adults of D. suzukii with antennae removed had significantly decreased oviposition avoidance to ALE, and the oviposition indexes to 001%, 0.015% and 0.02% ALE were decreased to -0.10, -0.11 and -0.12, respectively. After the eggs laid by female adults of D. suzukii were exposed to 0.02% ALE, the offspring pupal and adult survival rates were decreased by 69.23% and 69.70%, respectively, and the time to puparium formation and time to adult eclosion of offspring were prolonged by 5.88 and 4.75 d, respectively. ALE shortened the adult life span of D. suzukii, and the LT₅₀ values of females and males under 0.02% ALE treatment decreased from 39 d to 18 and 15 d, respectively. The running and climbing speeds of D. suzukii adults were significantly decreased at 72 h after treatment with 0.02% ALE. The ROS levels in the intestine of D. suzukii adults were increased at 3 d after treatment with 0.02% and 0.05% ALE. 【Conclusion】ALE induces oviposition avoidance in female adults of D. suzukii, which is mediated mainly by olfaction. ALE prolongs the growth and development of the offspring of D. suzukii, decreases the locomotion performance and the survival rate of adults, and causes intestine damage in adults, thereby having potential biological control value against D. suzukii.

【Aim】The apolipoprotein (apoLp) plays an important role in achieving the physiological functions in animals, but how it affects the growth and development of rice planthoppers remains unknown. Our study aims at investigating the role of apoLp in the feeding, survival and reproduction of Nilaparvata lugens. 【Methods】The full-length open reading frame (ORF) sequence of NlapoLp was obtained based on the genome from N. lugens, and its protein sequence was analyzed. The cluster analysis between NlapoLp and homologous sequences from other insect species was conducted using neighbor-joining method. The expression levels of NlapoLp in different developmental stages (egg, 1st-5th instar nymphs, and newly emerged short-winged female and male adults), and different tissues (head without salivary gland, salivary gland, midgut, fat body and ovary) of the short-winged female adults were analyzed using RT-qPCR. After RNAi by microinjection of dsNlapoLp into the 3rd instar nymphs of N. lugens, the expression level of NlapoLp was determined using RT-qPCR. Then the amount of honeydew secreted per female adult, nymphal survival rate and number of eggs laid per female adult of N. lugens on host rice were investigated after RNAi on insects at different developmental stages. 【Results】 Analysis of sequence features revealed that NlapoLp contains one signal peptide and five conserved domains, but has no transmembrane domain. The phylogenetic tree showed that the apoLp orthologs NlapoLp of N. lugens, LsapoLp of Laodelphax striatellus and SfapoLp of Sogatella furcifera shared the closest evolutionary relationships. Additionally, these orthologs also gathered with the apoLps of three other hemiopteran insects (Macrosteles quadrilineatus, Bemisia tabaci and Halyomorpha halys), indicating close relationships among them. RT-qPCR results showed that NlapoLp was expressed in N. lugens at various developmental stages and highly expressed in short-winged female adults. NlapoLp was highly expressed in the midgut, fat body and salivary gland of the short-winged female adults and lowly expressed in other tissues. Microinjection of dsNlapoLp into N. lugens significantly decreased the expression of NlapoLp. After RNAi, the amount of honeydew secreted per female adult, nymphal survival rate and number of eggs laid per female adult of N. lugens on host rice were significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group (dsGFP injection). 【Conclusion】 The apolipoprotein gene NlapoLp is expressed in various developmental stages and tissues of the short-winged female adults of N. lugens, and silencing NlapoLp via RNAi significantly affects the feeding, growth and development, and reproduction of N. lugens. These results lay the foundation for deeply exploring the mechanism of apolipoprotein in rice damage caused by insects, and provide key target for pest effective control.

【Aim】 The objective of this research is to clarify the resistance level and resistance stability of chlorantraniliprole in the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, and to determine whether there are cross-resistance to other diamide insecticides in chlorantraniliprole-resistant populations. 【Methods】 The rice seedling dipping method was adopted to determine the resistance of 32 field populations of C. medinalis collected from nine provinces (autonomous regions) to chlorantraniliprole and tetraniliprole, the cross-resistance to other diamide insecticides in two chlorantranilipeole-resistant populations, and the resistance stability when the populations from Youxian, Hunan, Qianshan, Anhui, Lujiang, Anhui and Xing′an,Guangxi were not exposed to chlorantraniliprole in laboratory. 【Results】 The resistance of chlorantraniliprole in C. medinalis field populations kept increasing during 2019-2022. Lujiang, Xing′an, Wuxue, Danyang and Qianshan populations were monitored for the first time to have developed high level of resistance to chlorantraniliprole (102.3-135.1-fold), and other populations also reached moderate level of resistance (10.3-97.1-fold) in 2022. To tetraniliprole, all the monitored field populations kept susceptible during 2019-2021, while the populations monitored in 2022 have developed moderate level of resistance (41.9-98.0-fold). Moreover, the cross-resistance experiment results revealed that Jiaxing and Qianshan populations which appeared about 100-fold resistance to chlorantraniliprole also showed 31.6-100.5-fold cross-resistance to cyhalodiamide, tetraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, cyclaniliprole and tetrachlorantraniliprole. In addition, the chlorantraniliprole resistance of field populations decreased rapidly after 2-4 generations of successive rearing without exposure to insecticides in laboratory. 【Conclusion】 The field populations of C. medinalis have developed moderate to high level of resistance to chlorantraniliprole and tetraniliprole. Moderate to high level of cross-resistance to five other diamide insecticides was found in chlorantraniliprole-resistant populations. Besides, the resistance to chlorantraniliprole was unstable in C. medinalis field populations. So, we strongly suggested limiting or suspending the application of diamide insecticides in order to delay the resistance development and postpone the application of diamide insecticides in C. medinalis control in the future.

 【Aim】 The obtained nanopore long-read data of Apis cerana cerana transcriptome were compared with the reference genome of A.cerana, and the structures of the annotated genes were optimized. The unannotated new genes and new transcripts were identified and functionally annotated, and their SSR loci, complete ORFs and transcription factor (TF) families and members were predicted and verified, so as to improve the sequence and functional annotations of the reference genome of A. cerana. 【Methods】 Based on the high-quality transcriptome nanopore sequencing data of the 4-, 5- and 6-day-old larvae of A. cerana cerana workers infected with Ascosphaera apis, the identified full-length transcripts were mapped to the reference genome of A. cerana with gffcompare software to optimize the structures of the annotated genes. The unannotated novel genes and transcripts in the reference genome were identified utilizing the gffcompare software and mapped to the Nr, KOG, eggNOG, GO and KEGG databases for functional annotation. MISA, TransDecoder v3.0.0 and animalTFDB 2.0 software were employed to respectively predict the SSR loci, complete ORFs as well as TF families and members. 【Results】 A total of 4 648 annotated genes in the reference genome of A. cerana were structurally optimized, the 5′UTR and 3′UTR of 1 336 genes were simultaneously extended, while the 5′UTR of 1 688 genes and the 3′UTR of 1 624 genes were respectively extended. A total of 2 148 novel genes were identified, among which 818, 298, 587, 359 and 333 genes could be annotated to Nr, KOG, eggNOG, GO and KEGG databases, respectively. A total of 35 432 novel transcripts were identified, among which 30 974, 21 222, 29 025, 19 852, and 9 214 could be respectively annotated to the aforementioned five databases. A total of 22 541 SSR loci were detected, of which the numbers of SSRs with single, double, three and six base repeat were 12 078, 7 140, 2 825 and 43, respectively. The number of mixed SSRs was 2 964, and the type with the highest distribution frequency was single base repeat (153.37/Mb), and 58 TF families and 1 611 members were predicted. A total of 28 775 complete ORFs were predicted, of which the ORFs with the coding lengths ranging from 100 to 200 aa (38.99 %) were the most abundant. 【Conclusion】 These results optimize the structures of the annotated genes in the A. cerana reference genome and supplement novel genes, novel transcripts, SSR, complete ORFs, and TFs that were unannotated in the reference genome.

The Lepidoptera:Geometridae adults are mostly medium-sized moths, and their larvae are called "inchworms". Geometridae pests are one of the most destructive defoliators on litchi (Litchi chinensis) and longan (Dimocarpus longan). There were 10 species of Geometridae pests that have been reported on litchi and longan inChinato data, and 8 common species including Thalassodes immissaria, Ascotis selenaria, Hyposidra talaca, Biston (Buzura) suppressaria, Perixera illepidaria, Thalassodes quadraria, Berta chrysolineata hainanensis and Sauris interruptaria inGuangdongprovince were reported. Up to now, the researches of Geometridae pests of litchi and longan have been only reported in 15 literatures, among them the number of reports of T. immissaria were the highest (7). However, other Geometridae pests damaging on litchi and longan, such as B. chrysolineata hainanensis and S. interruptaria have no research reports. In this article, we reviewed the research progress of five dominant Geometridae species, including T. immissaria, A. selenaria, H. talaca, Pelagodes proquadraria and B. (Buzura) suppressaria. Moreover, we introduced the research status and integrated pest control technologies regarding agricultural, physical, biological and chemical control measures for Geometridae pests of litchi and longan in detail. The biological control technology of Geometridae pests focuses on the protection and utilization of natural enemies, as well as the development and application of biogenic pesticides and insect sex pheromones. So far, the effective components of sex pheromones from 4 species including T. immissaria, A. selenaria, Chiasmia cinerearia and B. (Buzura) suppressaria have been identified successfully. However, application of chemical insecticides is the main control technology for Geometridae pests. There are no registered insecticides for control of Geometridae pests on lychee and longan, posing a great challenge for agriculturalist to guide the use of insecticides. This review will help researchers to be informed of the research status of Geometridae pests, and provides references and inspirations for the development and application of control techniques for Geometridae pests.

【Aim】The aim is to explore the bioactivity of Coriandrum sativum essential oils against Myzus persicae, and its synergistic effects on imidacloprid, as well as the response mechanism of M. persicae to C. sativum essential oil stress. 【Methods】 The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values of 24 h fumigation activity (essential oil concentrations of 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 μL/mL) and 24 h contact activity (essential oil concentrations of 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.563, and 0.781 μL/mL) of seed essential oil and leaf essential oil of C. sativum against M. persicae adults were evaluated, respectively. M. persicae adults were treated with imidacloprid solutions at the concentrations of 40, 20, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 mg/L containing 0.05% volume fraction of leaf essential oil and seed essential oil of C. sativum, respectively, by leaf-dipping method to determine the synergistic effects of leaf essential oil and seed essential oil of C. sativum on imidacloprid at 48 h after treatment. The activities of the protective enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), detoxification enzymes carboxylesterase(CarE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in M. persicae adults at 48 h after contact treatment with LC₅₀ concentration of leaf essential oil and seed essential oil of C. sativum were determined. 【Results】 The 24 h contact LC₅₀ values of seed essential oil and leaf essential oil of C. sativum against M. persicae adults were 1.63 and 3.72 μL/mL, respectively. The 24 h fumigation LC₅₀ values of seed essential oil and leaf essential oil of C. sativum against M. persicae adults were 1469 and 3415 μL/mL, respectively. The synergistic experiment results showed that the LC₅₀ values of imidacloprid against M. persicae adults were 0.99 and 1.51 mg/L after adding 0.05% volume fraction of seed and leaf essential oil of C. sativum and the synergistic ratios were 478 and 313, respectively. The activities of the protective enzymes SOD and CAT in M. persicae adults at 48 h after the contact treatment with seed essential oil and leaf essential oil of C. sativum at the LC₅₀ concentration were significantly increased, however, those of POD had no significant change as compared with those of the blank control group. The activities of the detoxification enzymes CarE and GST, and AChE in M. persicae adults at 48 h after the contact treatment with seed essential oil and leaf essential oil of C. sativum at LC₅₀ concentration were significantly increased as compared with that of the blank control group. The activities of SOD, GST, and AChE in M. persicae adults treated with the C. sativum seed essential oil were 1.58-, 1.20-, and 134-fold as high as those of the treatment group of the C. sativum leaf essential oil, respectively. 【Conclusion】 Seed essential oil and leaf essential oil of C. sativum have contact activity and fumigation activity against M. persicae, and also show synergistic effects on imidacloprid, with seed essential oil displaying stronger effect. M. persicae can respond to the stress of insecticidal components in C. sativum essential oil by increasing the activities of the protective enzymes SOD and CAT, as well as the detoxification enzymes CarE and GST, and AChE.

 【Aim】To clarify the effects of low concentrations of imidacloprid on the olfactory behavior of Hippodamia variegata adults. 【Methods】The behavioral responses of H. variegata adults to healthy cotton plants and adult Aphis gossypii-infested cotton plants after ingestion of low concentrations (LC₂₀ and LC₅₀) of imidacloprid were evaluated by a Y-olfactometer, while the volatiles from healthy and adult A. gossypii-infested cotton plants were collected separately by solid-phase microextraction and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer to identify the volatile components. In addition, the response of H. variegata adults to each volatile component was further tested. 【Results】In the absence of imidacloprid ingestion, H. variegata adults showed a significant positive preference for adult A. gossypii-infested cotton plants, but had no significant tendency to healthy cotton plants or clean air. Besides, H. variegata adults that ingested imidacloprid at low concentrations had no significant tendency to adult A. gossypii-infested cotton plants, healthy cotton plants, or clean air. We identified eight significantly increased volatile compounds from the volatiles of adult A. gossypii-infested cotton plants compared with healthy cotton plants, including myrcene, limonene, 1-decyne, 3-carene, (3E)-4, 8-dimethyl-1, 3, 7-nonatriene (DMNT), β-caryophyllene, α-humulene and (3E,7E)-4, 8, 12-trimethyltrideca-1, 3, 7, 11-tetraene (TMTT). The olfactory selection behavior of H. variegata adults to the above eight compounds measured with Y-olfactometer illustrated that H. variegata adults without imidacloprid ingestion had a significant positive tendency towards TMTT and no significant tendency to the other seven volatile compounds, while H. variegata adults that ingested imidacloprid at low concentrations had no significant positive preference for any of the eight volatile compounds. In the behavioral selection tests, the numbers of unselected individuals in H. variegata adults treated with low concentrations of imidacloprid to both volatiles from cotton plants and their single components were significantly higher than that of the control.【Conclusion】 Our results revealed that low concentrations of imidacloprid weakened the olfactory recognition of cotton plant volatiles by adult H. variegata, providing a scientific basis for the conservation and utilization of H. variegata and the rational use of pesticides in Xinjiang cotton fields.

【Aim】 To investigate the ovarian developmental process of female adults of Monochamus alternatus, categorize the ovarian development of M. alternatus from the perspective of age, and judge the developmental status of female adults trapped by attractants in the field, so as to provide a reference for effective prevention and control of M. alternatus. 【Methods】 The mated and unmated female adults of M. alternatus at the 0-, 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, 40- and 15-day-old, and the female adults trapped by attractants were dissected to observe the ovarian development. 【Results】 The ovarian developmental process of female adults of M. alternatus can be divided into five stages: prophase (0-5-day-old): the ovariole is transparent and slender, and there is no egg yolk deposition; egg yolk precipitation stage (5-15-day-old): there are a few milky white and yellowish immature eggs in the ovariole; ovarian maturity stage (15-20-day-old): ovariole contains a large number of fully mature eggs, which are long spindle-shaped, yellow and full of luster; oviposition peak stage (20-40-day-old): mature eggs are piled up in the egg calyx, and there are eggs to be laid in the median oviduct and lateral oviduct; and aging stage (≥40-day-old): ovariole, egg calyx and oviduct gradually atrophy. After mating, the female adults can produce fertilized eggs, and the egg calyx is enlarged and visible. The unmated females can’t produce fertilized eggs, and the eggs can’t be produced when they are accumulated in the oviduct, and the egg calyx is not fully differentiated and the shape is invisible. The results of field trapping showed that there were significant differences in the number of trapped female adults at different day-old ages, and the proportion of the female adults in the oviposition peak stage was the most, accounting for 5490%±550% of the total. The female adults at the ovarian maturity stage, aging stage and egg yolk precipitation stage were relatively few, accounting for 31.37%±5.52%, 11.76%±1.54% and 1.96%±0.51% of the total, respectively. No female adults at the prophase were lured. 【Conclusion】 Female adults of M. alternatus develop to sexual maturity at the 15-20-day-old age, and mating behavior can promote the ovarian development of female adults of M. alternatus. Attractants can trap a large number of rigid mature M. alternatus, which is of positive significance for reducing the oviposition of M. alternatus, the occurrence base of the next generation and the transmission probability of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

 【Aim】To investigate the role of the glutathione S-transferase SlGSTS4 of Spodoptera litura in the resistance to the pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides.【Methods】The expression vector pET-26b(+)/SlGSTs4 was constructed and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant SlGSTS4 protein was obtained, and the Michaelis constant K_m and maximum speed V_max of SlGSTS4 against the model substrate 1-chlom-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) were determined. The metabolic rate of the recombinant SlGSTS4 and SlGSTS4-expressed E. coli to pyrethroid insecticides (fenvalerate, beta-cypermethrin and cyhalothrin) and organophosphate insecticides (chlorpyrifos and phoxim) were determined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The antioxidant activity of SlGSTS4 under the stress of cumene hydrogen peroxide was determined by inhibition zone test using filter paper. 【Results】 The V_max and K_m values of the recombinant SlGSTS4 against CDNB were (13.8±2.3) nmol/(min·mg) and (1.66±0.1) mmol/L, respectively. The UPLC result indicated that the recombinant SlGSTS4 showed certain metabolic rate (4.9%) only to cyhalothrin, while had no metabolic activity to fenvalerate, beta-cypermethrin, phoxim or chlorpyrifos compared with the control. E. coli transformed with SlGSTS4 showed no influence on the residual peak area of fenvalerate, beta-cypermethrin, cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos and phoxim, and decreased the inhibition zone diameter significantly compared with the control.【Conclusion】 SlGSTS4 showed no direct metabolic activity to pyrethroid or organophosphate insecticides, and exhibited obvious antioxidant activity. This study result has enriched the functional understanding of the GSTs Sigma family genes in S. litura, being helpful to clarify the function of SlGSTS4 in the resistance of S. litura to pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides.

【Aim】Apterous (Ap) is a developmental regulatory protein belonging to the LIM domain family. This study aims to elucidate the role of the Ap gene in the wing development of the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera. 【Methods】 Based on the genome and transcriptome databases of S. furcifera, the cDNA sequence of SfAp was verified by RT-PCR and subjected to bioinformatic analysis. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of SfAp in different developmental stages (1st－5th instar nymphs, and female and male adults) and various adult tissues (head, thorax, abdomen, leg, wing, integument, fat body and gut) of S. furcifera. The growth and development of S. furcifera were observed after silencing SfAp in the 3rd instar nymphs using RNAi, and the survival rate, total mortality rate, and wing deformity rate after RNAi were counted, while the expression levels of the key genes involved in wing development signaling pathways (bursicon genes SfBurs-α and SfBurs-β, Hippo signaling pathway genes SfHippo and SfSal, Wnt signaling pathway gene SfWg, Hedgehog signaling pathway genes SfHh and SfDpp, and SfHOW) were measured using RT-qPCR. 【Results】 The open reading frame of SfAp (GenBank accession no.: PP901867) of S. furcifera was cloned, with the length of 1 287 bp encoding a protein of 428 amino acids. The encoded protein has the predicted molecular weight of 47.41 kD and the theoretical isoelectric point of 8.99. SfAp has the conserved typical LIM domain. SfAp was closely related to NlAp of Nilaparvata lugens, and their amino acid sequence identity was 84.86%. Developmental expression profile result revealed that SfAp exhibited high expression levels before the 4th instar nymph followed by a gradual decline, a significant increase on the 3rd day of the 5th instar nymph, and a subsequent decrease after adult eclosion. Tissue expression profile result showed that the expression level of SfAp in the adult thorax was the highest, followed by those in the abdomen, fat body, and gut. Microinjection of dsSfAp resulted in the impaired wing extension and wing deformation of the eclosed adults, and significantly suppressed the expression of the wing development-related genes SfBurs-α, SfBurs-β, SfHippo, SfSal, SfWg, SfHh, SfDpp and SfHOW. 【Conclusion】 SfAp influences wing expansion and development of S. furcifera by modulating the expression levels of the key genes involved in the wing development signaling pathway.

【Aim】 To clarify the molecular characteristics and tissue expression properties of the biogenic amine receptor genes in Mythimna separata based on the adult brain transcriptome data of M. separata, so as to provide the basis for the functional research of the biogenic amine receptor genes of M. separata. 【Methods】 The biogenic amine receptor gene sequences were screened from the brain transcriptome database of adult M. separata. Gene mapping of the selected biogenic amine receptor genes was analyzed by mapping cDNA with the M. separata genome database. The phylogenetic analysis of the identified biogenic amine receptors was performed by using maximum likelihood method. The qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of the identified biogenic amine receptor genes in the brain, antenna, labipalp, wing, leg, thorax and abdomen of female and male adults of M. separata.【Results】 A total of 17 biogenic amine receptor genes were identified from the transcriptome database of adult M. separata brain, including five dopamine receptor genes, five 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor genes, five octopamine receptor genes and two tyramine receptor genes. The 17 biogenic amine receptor genes were distributed on eight chromosomes, 7 of them were co-located on the chromosome 22. The identified biogenic amine receptors of M. separata had high homology with the biogenic amine receptors of Spodoptera litura, Bombyx mori and Manduca sexta. The dopamine receptor genes were highly expressed in the brain and antenna of female and male adults of M. separata, and the expression levels of MsepDop2, MsepDop3-1, MsepDop3-2 and MsepDopEcR were significantly higher in the female adult brain than those in the male adult brain. The octopamine receptor genes MsepOA1 and MsepOA2B2 were highly expressed in the thorax, and their expression levels in the thorax of female adults were significantly higher than those in the thorax of male adults. The expression levels of MsepOA3 and MsepOA2B1-3 were also higher in the olfactory tissues antenna and labipalp, with gender differences. The expression levels of tyramine receptor genes were high in the brain and antenna, and the expression level of MsepTA2 in the abdomen of female adults was significantly higher than that in the abdomen of male adults. The expression levels of Msep5-HT1 genes in the brain were significantly higher than those in the other tissues. The Msep5-HT2 genes had high expression levels in the brain, antenna, and labipalp.【Conclusion】 In this study, we obtained 17 biogenic amine receptor genes of M. separata, and clarified their expression profiles in different tissues of female and male adults of M. separata. Gender differences in the expression of some biogenic amine receptor genes in olfactory and reproductive tissues were revealed. This research provides a basis for further exploration on the physiological function of biogenic amine receptors in M. separata.

【Aim】 This study aims to establish the antennal transcriptome database of female and male adults of Megabruchidius dorsalis and explore olfaction-related genes. 【Methods】The high-throughput sequencing platform Illumina HiSeq was used to perform antennal transcriptome sequencing, sequence assembly, functional annotation and differentially expressed gene analysis of female and male adults of M. dorsalis. The expression levels of some highly expressed genes in the antennae of female and male adults of M. dorsalis were assayed and confirmed by qRT-PCR. 【Results】A total of 42 053 unigenes with the N50 length of 2 066 bp were obtained from the antennal transcriptome of female and male adults of M. dorsalis. A total of 18 039 unigenes (43.57%) were annotated against six major public databases NR, Swiss-Prot, Pfam, eggNOG, GO and KEGG, among them the largest number of unigenes (17 687) were annotated into the NR database, and the minimum number of unigenes (9 779) were annotated into the KEGG database. By further functional annotation and identification, 183 candidate olfaction-related genes of M. dorsalis including 25 odorant binding protein (OBP) genes, three chemosensory protein (CSP) genes, 126 odorant receptor (OR) genes (including 125 typical OR genes and one atypical OR gene), eight ionotropic receptor (IR) genes, 18 gustatory receptor (GR) genes and three sensory neuron membrane protein (SNMP) genes were identified. After comparison of the antennal transcriptome of female and male adults, 357 differentially expressed genes including eight OR genes and one IR gene were screened. Of the 357 differentially expressed genes, 152 genes were highly expressed in the antennae of females and 205 in the antennae of males. In addition, qRT-PCR results showed that six olfaction-related genes ( MdorCSP3, MdorIR2, MdorIR6, MdorGR10, MdorSNMP2 and MdorSNMP3) were highly expressed in the female adult antennae of M. dorsalis, while four olfaction-related genes ( MdorOBP15, MdorOBP22, MdorORco and MdorGR8) were highly expressed in the male adult antennae.【Conclusion】 In this study, we obtained the antennal transcriptome data of adult M. dorsalis, and identified the candidate genes related to olfaction. The results have laid a molecular foundation for the further study of the gene function and olfactory sensing mechanism of M. dorsalis.-

【Aim】 The aim of this study is to clarify whether the experience of host switch will alter the effects of sublethal concentrations of insecticides on the growth, development and reproduction of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the rational use of insecticides and the integrated management of C. medinalis. 【Methods】 Eggs were collected from the rice and wheat populations of C. medinalis, and transferred to other host plants for feeding until the 2nd instar, as larvae with different experience of host switch ［rice population feeding on rice (R-R), rice population feeding on wheat (R-W), wheat population feeding on wheat (W-W), and wheat population feeding on rice (W-R)］. At 48 h after treatment of these larvae with the sublethal concentration (LC₂₅) of abamectin and chlorpyrifos on rice or wheat leaves using the in vitro leaf impregnation method, the growth and development of the 3rd-5th instar larvae, the reproductive ability and longevity of adults were determined. 【Results】 Without insecticide treatment, host switching significantly affected the total duration of the 3rd-5th instar larvae, pupation rate, and pupal weight of C. medinalis, but had opposite effects on the rice and wheat populations. Treatments with the LC₂₅ of abamectin and chlorpyrifos to the 2nd instar larvae significantly prolonged the total duration of the 3rd-5th instar larvae, but the degree of extension varied depending on the experience of host switch. LC₂₅ of abamectin significantly reduced the pupation rate of larvae undergoing different host switches (except for the R-R group). LC₂₅ of chlorpyrifos only significantly reduced the pupation rate of the W-W group. The pupal weight of the W-W and W-R groups significantly decreased after exposure of the 2nd instar larvae to LC₂₅ of abamectin. The effects of host switching on the pupation rate and pupal weight of rice populations disappeared after treatment with LC₂₅ of abamectin, while the effects of host switching on the pupation rate and pupal weight of wheat populations disappeared after treatment with LC₂₅ of abamectin and chlorpyrifos. No matter which host switch experience or treatments with LC₂₅ of abamectin and chlorpyrifos were used, the adult emergence rate, adult mating rate, and number of eggs laid per female were not affected. Host switching only significantly affected the egg hatching rate of the rice populations without insecticide treatment, but the egg hatching rate was not affected by treatments with LC₂₅ of abamectin and chlorpyrifos. Compared with non-subjected to insecticide treatment, treatments with LC₂₅ of abamectin and chlorpyrifos did not affect the female adult longevity, but treatment with LC₂₅of chlorpyrifos significantly increased the male adult longevity in the W-W group. 【Conclusion】 The experience of host switch can affect the sublethal effects of abamectin and chlorpyrifos on C. medinalis. After treatment with LC₂₅ of abamectin and chlorpyrifos on C. medinalis larvae with the experience of host switch, the growth and development of larvae and pupae were affected to varying degrees, but the effects on adult reproduction and longevity were relatively small. When using insecticides targeting C. medinalis and conducting toxicological experiments, the potential impact of host plant should be considered.

【Aim】 Trichopria drosophilae is a pupal parasitoid which can parasitize many Drosophila species. This study aims to investigate the differential effects of hosts D. auraria, D. simulans and D. immigrans pupae on the fitness of female and male adults of T. drosophilae. 【Methods】 D. auraria, D. simulans and D. immigrans pupae were respectively provided to adult T. drosophilae to parasitize for 24 h. The emergence rate, sex ratio (male to female ratio), growth rate, developmental duration, adult body weight, adult lifespan and starvation tolerance time of female and male offspring of T. drosophilae, and the number and length of eggs in ovaries of the female adult of offspring were measured. D. auraria, D. simulans and D. immigrans pupae were respectively provided to a female adult of T. drosophilae to parasitize. The selection and oviposition behavior of female T. drosophilae on different host species were observed.【Results】 The female and male offspring of female T. drosophilae parasitized in D. immigrans pupae with heavy body weight had the highest adult body weight, the longest starvation tolerance time, and the female adult offspring had the longest lifespan and the highest number of eggs in ovaries. In the pupae of three Drosophila host species, female adult of T. drosophilae had significantly greater adult body weight than male adult of T. drosophilae, but the body weight difference between female and male T. drosophilae in D. immigrans pupae was the smallest, and that in D. auraria pupae was the largest. There was no significant difference in the starvation tolerance time between female and male offspring of T. drosophilae. The lifespan of female adult of T. drosophilae emerged from the D. aurari and D. immigrans pupae was significantly longer than that of male adult, but the lifespan of male adult of T. drosophilae emerged from D. simulans pupae was significantly longer than that of female adult of T. drosophilae. Three host species pupae had no significant effect on the emergence rate, sex ratio and oviposition preference of T. drosophilae, but female adult of T. drosophilae spent significantly more time for oviposition in a D. immigrans pupa than in the pupa of the other two Drosophila species. 【Conclusion】 The fitness of female and male offspring of T. drosophilae was significantly different in three Drosophila host species, and the fitness offspring adults in the D. immigrans pupae was the highest. Considering the different responses of the fitness of female and male wasps to host changes, the effect of host quality on population fecundity can be more accurately evaluated.

 Species interaction is a research hotspot in the fields of ecology and biogeography. Ants’ grazing and feeding of hemipteran insects is the most common phenomenon among invertebrates, a reciprocal biological interaction in which nutrients are exchanged for security. It is thought that aphids suck sap from the phloem and xylem of plants through piercing-sucking mouthparts and excrete a sugar-rich waste product called honeydew, which ants collect and use. In exchange, the ants protect the aphids from predators. However, the relationship between ants and aphids is more complex than a simple mutualism. Therefore, in this article the commensal interactions between ants and aphids were reviewed, including (1) the properties of commensal relationships (symbiosis or predation, obligate interaction or facultative interaction), origin, and adaptive evolution of both; (2) information exchange methods for commensal relationships; (3) the impact on the adaptability of both parties; (4) ecological effects (links to biological and abiotic factors); and (5) links with human activities. Finally, a systematic evaluation of the ant-aphid commensal interaction was conducted, and future studies on the diversity investigation, evolutionary biology, molecular mechanisms, interaction networks, and urbanization effects were prospected. This review will contribute to a more comprehensive and specific understanding of the basic properties, evolutionary processes, maintenance mechanisms, ecological effects, and influencing factors of ant-aphid commensal interactions.