【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】 Apolipoprotein D (ApoD) is an extracellular protein involved in various biological functions, including metabolism, tissue development, immunity and antioxidation. It serves as a crucial molecular basis for anti-aging and lifespan extension. This study aims to elucidate the duplication and expansion extent, and phylogenesis of ApoD genes in the genomes of spider mites and explore the impact of multifunctional ApoD genes on the longevity and reproduction of Tetranychus urticae.【Methods】 A combined approach utilizing BLASTP, HMMER, TBLASTN and GEMOMA was employed to identify the members of the ApoD gene family in the genomes of Aculops lycopersici, Tetranychus truncatus and T. urticae. The phylogenetic tree of ApoDs from bacteria, fungi, plants, mammals, insects, gall mites and spider mites was constructed with the maximum likelihood method. Based on the expression profiles of the ApoD family genes of T. urticae in different developmental stages (egg, nymph, 1-day-old female adult and 5-day-old female adult) and nymphs or adults on different host plants (bean, Arabidopsis thaliana, tomato, eggplant, cotton and cucumber), four genes (ApoDR2, ApoD9, ApoD17 and ApoD24) were selected for further RNAi. The RNAi of ApoDR2, ApoD9, ApoD17, and ApoD24 in the newly molted adult females was conducted through immersion in dsRNA, and the survival rate and the daily average number of eggs laid per female within 10 d were monitored. 【Results】 A total of 68 ApoD genes in the T. urticae genome were identified. There were 33 of 68 ApoD genes in the closely related T. truncatus and one in A. lycopersici. Outside the Tetranychidae family, organisms typically possessed 1-10 ApoD genes. Phylogenetic analysis result revealed that the ApoD gene family in spider mites clustered into three major clades, aligning with lipid transport protein genes of insects, gall mites and fungi, respectively. The expanded ApoD lineage of spider mites exhibited multiple unique conserved sites shared with fungal ApoD genes, and the maximum likelihood tree suggested a close evolutionary relationship between them. Most of these ApoD genes exhibited high expression levels in nymph and adult and displayed diverse expression regulation patterns in T. urticae fed on different host plants. The silencing of ApoDR2 and ApoD9 showed no significant impact on the fitness of T. urticae, while the silencing of ApoD17 and ApoD24 significantly reduced the survival rate and daily average number of eggs laid per female of T. urticae, with the silencing of ApoD17 exhibiting greater effects on the survival rate and daily average number of eggs laid per female withing 10 d compared with the control. 【Conclusion】 The ApoD genes, likely acquired from fungal horizontal transfer, underwent substantial expansion in the genomes of spider mites, showing varying degrees of impacts on the longevity and reproduction of T. urticae. However, the multifunctionality of ApoD genes in spider mites requires further investigation.

【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】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】 To clone the odorant receptor (OR) gene HvarOR21 highly expressed in the antennae of the variegated lady beetle, Hippodamia variegata and clarify the ligand binding characteristics of HvarOR21, so as to provide a theoretical basis for revealing the recognition mechanism of the localization of prey habitats for H. variegata. 【Methods】 Based on the adult antennal transcriptome sequencing data and the identification results of odorant receptors of H. variegata, the cDNA sequence of HvarOR21 with a complete open reading frame (ORF) was cloned using PCR. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence analysis were used to study the classification and sequence structure characteristics of HvarOR21, respectively. Through the heterologous expression in Xenopus oocytes coupled with two-electrode voltage clamp recording, the electrophysiological responses of the recombinant HvarOR21 to 66 candidate odorant compounds were determined. Using homology modeling and molecular docking simulation analysis, the binding sites between HvarOR21 and decanal were predicted. 【Results】 The full-length cDNA sequence of HvarOR21 (GenBank accession no.: PP236119) of H. variegata was cloned and the deduced protein has seven transmembrane domains with an intracellular N-terminus and an extracellular C-terminus, which conforms to the typical structure of insect odorant receptors, belonging to the coleopteran OR group 5 subfamily. The recombinant HvarOR21 specifically tuned to decanal in a dose-dependent manner. HvarOR21 bound multiple amino acid residues with decanal through hydrophobic interactions and van der Waals forces, with the binding energy of －22.18 kJ/mol.【Conclusion】 Decanal is a volatile compound emitted from cotton plants infested by Aphis gossypii. HvarOR21 has a specific electrophysiological response to decanal with strong binding affinity, suggesting that HvarOR21 plays an important role in the localization of prey habitats for H. variegata.

 Invasive alien insects, as dangerous pests in newly introduced areas, present challenges such as delayed detection, difficult monitoring, rapid outbreaks and incomplete eradication. These issues have long been the emphases and difficulties in the field of biosecurity worldwide. In this article, we made an overview of the major progress in the studies on the mechanisms of population outbreak and causing disaster, monitoring and early warning technologies, and control measures for invasive alien insects in China. We also summarized and introduced the main contents of this special issue from three aspects: The researches on population dynamics monitoring, mechanisms of insect resistance, and green control technologies for pest insects. Finally, we prospected the development trends of standardization, informatization, intelligence, and greening of monitoring and control of invasive alien insects in the future, and proposed the key directions for future control and management strategies for these pests, in order to promote more efficient, integrated and sustainable control approaches through technological innovation.

【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.

【Aim】 This study aims to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among the higher-level taxa of Fulgoroidea using low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data and transcriptome data, and to provide genome data for understanding the phylogenetic relationships of Fulgoroidea.【Methods】 The 2nd-generation sequencing technology was utilized to obtain the low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data of a species of Flatida sp. from the family Flatidae. In combination with the low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data and transcriptome data of 25 species from the Fulgoroidea (ingroup) and two species from the Cercopoidea (outgroup) downloaded, single-copy orthologous genes were extracted using BUSCO. Different matrices of completeness data based on nucleotide and amino acid sequence data were generated using Phykit to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of the Fulgoroidea. 【Results】 The number of single-copy orthologous genes in the Fulgoroidea ranged from 836 to 2 421 based on the low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data and transcriptome data. In the phylogenetic relationships of the Fulgoroidea, all phylogenetic results supported Cixiidae+Delphacidae as the sister group of other families of the Fulgoroidea, and Cixiidae, Delphacidae, Achilidae, Derbidae, Fulgoridae, Dictyopharidae, Acanaloniidae, Tettigometridae, Issidae, Caliscelidae, Ricaniidae and Tropiduchidae are monophyletic groups. However, the Nogodinidae are not a monophyletic group. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses conducted using the maximum likelihood method based on four distinct matrices suggested that the Flatidae are not a monophyletic group. Conversely, when constructing phylogeny using a species tree approach with each marker present in amino acid sequence data matrix faa_all, the Flatidae are supported as a monophyletic group, albeit with relatively low nodal support values. 【Conclusion】The phylogenetic relationships of the Fulgoroidea obtained in this study using low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data and transcriptome data are largely consistent with the previous studies. However, more specimens and molecular markers are needed to further clarify the sister group relationships among families regarding their phylogenetic relationships.

【Aim】The aim of this study is to clarify the level of the field-evolved resistance of Tuta absoluta to spinetoram and its potential resistance risk, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the rational use of spinetoram to control T. absoluta and slowing development of its resistance to spinetoram. 【Methods】 The leaf-dipping method was used to determine the resistance levels of 18 field populations of T. absoluta collected from five provinces (municipalities or autonomous regions) in northern China to spinetoram. To assess the resistance risk of T. absoluta to spinetoram, 10-generation consecutive selections with spinetoram were carried out in the spinetoram-susceptible strain of T. absoluta via the leaf-dipping method. After that, the realized heritability (h²) of resistance was calculated using Tabashnik’s method for threhold trait agalysis, and the resistance development rates under different selection pressures were predicted based on the data of selection. 【Results】 Among the 18 field populations of T. absoluta, three populations including the populations from Miyun and Huairou in Beijing, and Baotou in Inner Mongolia, exhibited low-level resistance to spinetoram, with the resistance ratios of 6.7, 6.0 and 7.1, respectively. On the other hand, the other 15 populations of T. absoluta were susceptible to spinetoram. After 10-generation consecutive selections with spinetoram, T. absoluta developed 8.9-fold resistance to spinetoram, with the h2 of 0.1973. It was predicted that under different selection pressures (mortality=50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90%), T. absoluta needed 11.56, 9.50, 7.92, 6.60 and 5.23 generations, respectively, to develop 10-fold resistance to spinetoram, and 23.12, 18.99, 1583, 13.19 and 10.47 generations, respectively, to develop 100-fold resistance to spinetoram. 【Conclusion】 Due to the risk of T. absoluta developing resistance to spinetoram, it is essential to strengthen insecticide management in the field and emphasize the rotation with alternative types of insecticides to prolong the lifecycle of this insecticide.

 【Aim】 The aim of this study is to clarify the binding ability of chemosensory protein (CSP) of Frankliniella intonsa (FintCSP2) to the aggregation pheromone neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate. 【Methods】 The open reading frame sequence of FintCSP2 was amplified from F. intonsa by RTPCR and analyzed with bioinformatics methods. The expression levels of FintCSP2 in different tissues (antennae, head without antennae, thorax, abdomen and leg) of female adult of F. intonsa were analyzed by RT-qPCR. FintCSP2 was silenced using RNAi by injection of dsRNA into female adults, electroantennogram (EAG) assay was used to detect the reaction of F. intonsa to neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate, and the selectivity of female adult of F. intonsa to neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate was determined by Y-tube olfactometer at 24 h after RNAi. The recombinant FintCSP2 protein was obtained by prokaryotic expression, and the binding ability of the recombinant FintCSP2 protein to neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate was determined by fluorescence competitive binding assay. The key amino acid residues of FintCSP2 protein binding to neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate were analyzed by molecular docking simulation and site-directed mutagenesis. 【Results】 The open reading frame of FintCSP2 (GenBank accession number: MT211602.1) of F. intonsa is 390 bp in length, encoding 129 amino acids. The FintCSP2 protein has a signal peptide containing 20 amino acids at the N-terminus and four conserved cysteines. The amino acid sequence analysis result showed that FintCSP2 was the most closely related to CSP1 (GenBank accession number: WBW64307.1) of F. intonsa, CSPs (GenBank accession number: WBW64306.1, AJL33750.1) of F. occidentalis and CSP2 (GenBank accession number: WBU77202.1) of Odontothrips loti, with the amino acid sequence identities of 99.22%, 99.22%, 86.05% and 6585%, respectively. RT-qPCR analysis result showed that FintCSP2 was expressed in various tissues of female adult, with the highest expression level in the antennae. Silencing of FintCSP2 significantly decreased the EAG absolute value and selection rate of F. intonsa to neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate compared with the control group (dsEGFP injection). Molecular docking predicted that seven residues, Tyr24, Phe29, Leu38, Val71, Cys76, Cys79 and Gln83 were most likely involved in the process of FintCSP2 binding to neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate. Site-directed mutagenesis and fluorescence competitive binding assay result showed that compared to the wild-type protein, the two mutants, FintCSP2-Tyr24Ala and FintCSP2-Gln83Ala showed significantly decreased binding ability to neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate, and FintCSP2-Phe29Ala lost its binding ability to neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate. 【Conclusion】 FintCSP2 of F. intonsa plays a key role in recognition of neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate, and Tyr24, Phe29 and Gln83 are the three key amino acid residues in FintCSP2 that affect its binding to neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate.

-【Aim】 Intestinal microbes play important roles in metabolism, growth and development, and immunity in host insects. This study aims to explore the community structure of the intestinal microbes of Picromerus lewisi adults and their ability to metabolize carbon sources. 【Methods】The intestinal microbes were isolated and purified from P. lewisi adults by in vitro culture and identified by molecular biology technologies. The bacterial 16S rDNA and fungal ITS genes were sequenced by Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the structure and diversity of the intestinal bacterial and fungal communities of P. lewisi adults. PICRUSt and FUNGuild were used to predict the function of bacteria and fungi and their genes. Biolog ECO technique was used to analyze the carbon source metabolic function of the intestinal bacteria and fungi of P. lewisi adults. 【Results】A total of 10 strains of Enterococcus sp. were isolated from the intestinal culturable dominant bacteria of P. lewisi, and the dominant bacterium was E. faecalis. The results of high-throughput sequencing showed that the dominant phyla in the intestine of P. lewisi adults were Proteobacteria (relative abundance: 58.51%) and Firmicutes (relative abundance: 38.92%), and the most dominant fungal phylum was Ascomycota (relative abundance: 56.53%), followed by Basidiomycota (relative abundance: 11.34%). The most dominant bacterial genus in the intestine of P. lewisi adults was Enterococcus (relative abundance: 25.05%), followed by Lactococcus (relative abundance: 12.23%), Serratia (relative abundance: 11.48%) and Providencia (relative abundance: 2.38%), and the most dominant fungal genus was Biappendiculispora (relative abundance: 18.30%), followed by Cladosporium (relative abundance: 11.83%), Vishniacozyma (relative abundance: 517%), and Phallus (relative abundance: 3.62%). The community structure of the intestinal bacteria and fungi of P. lewisi adults showed high species richness and diversity, and strong metabolic ability on carbon sources, being able to efficiently metabolize 27 carbon sources including α.cyclodextrin, L.serine, sutrescine, D.malic acid etc. Functional predictions showed that the intestinal bacterial taxa of P. lewisi adults were mainly distributed in metabolism, environmental information processing, genetic information processing etc., and the fungal taxa were mainly distributed in unassigned taxa, plant saprotroph, undefined saprotroph, endophyte.plant pathogen, fungal parasite.undefined saprotroph, leaf saprotroph, and animal pathogen.endophyte.plant pathogen.wood saprotroph. 【Conclusion】 P. lewisi adults have a high variety and diversity of intestinal bacteria and fungi. The dominant bacterial genera were Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Serratia and Providencia, and the dominant fungal genera were Biappendiculispora, Cladosporium, Vishniacozyma and Phallus, with a strong metabolic ability on carbon sources..

【Aim】The aim of this study is to investigate the role of the important inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) B-type (GABA_B) receptor in modulating the feeding preference of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda larvae in response to sweet and bitter substances. 【Methods】 RT-qPCR was used to identify the expression levels of GABA_B receptor gene in larvae (day-2 1st instar to day-2 6th instar) and different tissues (head, cuticle, midgut, fat body and hemolymph) of the day-2 5th instar larvae of S. frugiperda. The GABA_B receptor gene was silenced by feeding the 5th instar larvae of S. frugiperda with dsGABA_B R. The GABA_B receptor antagonist was injected into the 5th instar larvae. Using the leaf disc method, the feeding preference indexes for sucrose (sweet substance) and sinigrin (bitter substance), as well as the feeding area on maize leaves of the 5th instar larvae after the treatments with dsGABA_B R and GABA_B receptor antagonist were detected, respectively. 【Results】The expression level of GABA_B receptor gene in the 1st instar larvae was significant higher than those in the other instar larvae of S. frugiperda. The expression level of GABA_B receptor gene in the fat body of the 5th instar larvae of S. frugiperda was significantly higher than those in the other tissues. After dsGABA_B R feeding treatment, the feeding area on maize leaves of the 5th instar larvae significantly decreased as compared with that of the control larvae, the 5th instar larvae didn’t significantly prefer to feed sucrose and exhibited aversive feeding behaviors to the bitter substance sinigrin. After injecting GABA_B receptor antagonist into the hemolymph, the feeding area on maize leaves of the 5th instar larvae also decreased significantly as compared to that of the control larvae. Unlike the control larva significantly preferred to feed sucrose, the 5th instar larvae injected with GABA_B receptor antagonist showed obviously aversive feeding behaviors to sucrose. While both control larvae and larvae injected with GABA_B receptor antagonist exhibited aversive feeding behaviors to the bitter substance sinigrin. 【Conclusion】 GABA_B receptor could not only affect the food ingestion amount of S. frugiperda larvae, but also could change the preference tendency to sweet substances. While the aversive feeding behaviors for bitter sinigrin were not significantly changed by GABA_B receptor. Our results contribute to understanding the regulation mechanisms of feeding behaviors in insects.

 【Aim】 To evaluate the attractiveness of three plant volatile compounds linalool, methyl jasmonate and geraniol to Thrips hawaiiensis and Orius strigicollis, so as to provide a basis for utilizing plant volatile compounds to attract O. strigicollis for controlling T. hawaiiensis in the field. 【Methods】 The attraction rates of linalool, methyl jasmonate and geraniol at the concentrations of 980, 10, 0.1 and 0.001 g/L to T. hawaiiensis adults, and the 5th instar nymphs and adults of O. strigicollis were tested, and the time effect of attraction and attraction rates of 980, 10 and 0.1 g/L geraniol to adults of T. hawaiiensis and O. strigicollis were determined using a Y-type olfactometer. The numbers of T. hawaiiensis and O. strigicollis adults attracted by 10 g/L geraniol were further determined in the field greenhouse condition. 【Results】 The attraction rates of methyl jasmonate at various test concentrations to T. hawaiiensis adults and the 5th instar nymphs of O. strigicollis were not significantly different from those of the control group (paraffin oil). Linalool at the concentration of 980 g/L showed significantly enhanced attraction rate to T. hawaiiensis adults but linalool at various test concentrations exhibited no significant change in the attraction rate to the 5th instar nymphs and adults of O. strigicollis compared with the control group. The attraction rate of pure geraniol (980 g/L) to T. hawaiiensis adults significantly increased, and those of high concentrations (10 and 0.1 g/L) of geraniol to O. strigicollis adults significantly increased but those of 10 and 0.1 g/L geraniol to O. strigicollis nymphs did not change significantly as compared with those in the control group. Geraniol at different concentrations had a significant time effect on the number of T. hawaiiensis and O. strigicollis adults attracted, and the number of adults attracted by 980 and 10 g/L geraniol were significantly higher than those attracted by geraniol at the other concentrations at 2 h after treatment. Regardless of whether the pepper seedlings were damaged by T. hawaiiensis adults or not, those treated with 980 and 10 g/L geraniol had significantly higher attraction rates to adults of O. strigicollis compared with the control (clean water). Treatment group spraying 10 g/L geraniol in the field greenhouses had no significant difference in the number of attracted adults of T. hawaiiensi in 5 h but had significantly increased number of attracted adults of O. strigicollis compared with the control group spraying clear water. 【Conclusion】 Three plant volatile compounds linalool, methyl jasmonate and geraniol have different attraction rates to T. hawaiiensis and O. strigicollis. Geraniol at the concentration of 10 g/L can effectively attract adult O. strigicollis within 5 h but can not significantly attract T. hawaiiensis. These results provide the theoretical basis and technical support for using geraniol to attract O. strigicollis for controlling T. hawaiiensis.

 In this article, the rationales of data analysis of group-reared life table and the methods of converting them into individually-reared life table were described. The daily record of group-reared life table is actually the matrix N of the age-stage, two-sex life table, while the record of daily total fecundity of all females is the matrix Ftotal. Based on the matrices of N and Ftotal, the age-stage survival rate matrix S, the fecundity matrix F and the population parameters can be calculated. Using Myzus persicae and Phthorimaea operculella as examples, we clarified the theoretical basis of group-reared life table, proved the parameters obtained from the group-reared life table to be reliable, and introduced a method to convert group-reared life table into individually-reared life table. We also compared the features of group-reared life table and individually-reared life table. The application of group rearing to study insect life tables can not only save a lot of labor, time and cost, but also can be used to design mass-rearing system for the production of natural enemies for biological control, insects as foods for birds and fishes, and edible insects for human.

【Aim】 Through laboratory insecticidal effect determination and field control efficacy evaluation, the insecticides with high control efficacy against Tuta absoluta were screened to satisfy the demand for emergency control of this pest in production.【Methods】 T. absoluta larvae collected from tomato plants in the field were reared in the laboratory for more than 45 generations, the effects of 10 commonly used insecticides of seven categories including 5% emamectin benzoate water dispersible granule (WG), 60 g/L spinetoram suspension concentrate (SC) and 5% spinosad SC (antibiotics), 200 g/L chlorantraniliprole SC (bisamide), 150 g/L indoxacarb emulsifiable concentrate (EC)(oxadiazine), 10% chlorfenapyr SC (pyrroles), 240 g/L methoxyfenozide SC (hormone), 2.5% rotenone EC (botanical source), and 8 000 IU/μL Bacillus thuringiensis SC and 30 billion spores/g Beauveria bassiana wettable powder (WP)(microbial source) on the hatching rates of T. absoluta eggs and the  mortality rates of the 2nd instar larvae were determined by indoor egg-dipping method and leaf-dipping method, respectively. In July 2023, five insecticide formulations with strong insecticidal effects on T. absoluta in laboratory bioassay were sprayed to open field tomatoes in Xinjiang, Northwest China to evaluate their field control efficacy against T. absoluta. 【Results】 Laboratory bioassay results showed that the 10 pesticides had different effects on the hatching of T. absoluta eggs, the microbial insecticides 8 000 IU/μL B. thuringiensis SC and 30 billion spores/g B. bassiana WP and the botanical insecticide 2.5% rotenone EC had no significant effect on the hatching of eggs at 7 d after treatment, while the chemical insecticides 240 g/L methoxyfenozide SC, 60 g/L spinetoram SC and 5% emamectin benzoate WG exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the hatching of eggs in 5 d. The 10 pesticides had different lethal effects on the 2nd instar larvae of T. absoluta. Among the chemical pesticides, 60 g/L spinetoram SC showed the highest insecticidal activity against the 2nd instar larvae, causing 100.00% mortality rate at 1-4 d post treatment, and 10% chlorfenapyr SC and 150 g/L indoxacarb EC causing 100.00% mortality rate at 3 and 4 d post treatment, while the botanical insecticide 2.5% rotenone  EC  and the microbial insecticide  30 billion spores/g B. bassiana WP had lower lethal effects on the 2nd instar larvae during the 4-d treatment. Field experiment results revealed that the control efficacy of the tested five insecticide formulations against T. absoluta was most obvious at 7 d after application. The control efficacy of 60 g/L spinetoram SC, 200 g/L chlorantraniliprole SC and 10% chlorfenapyr SC against T. absoluta was ranked the top three, being 91.14%, 90.29% and 88.67%, respectively.【Conclusion】 Through laboratory bioassay and field control efficacy evaluation, it was found that 60 g/L spinetoram SC, 200 g/L chlorantraniliprole SC and 10% chlorfenapyr SC at their recommended dosages can be used for chemical control of T. absoluta in tomato production, which can provide guidance for the formulation of comprehensive control plans for T. absoluta and the selection of field control agents.

【Aim】 At present, chemical control is the main measure in controlling Bactrocera dorsalis, a major pest of fruit trees. This study aims to determine the resistance of the adults of  the beta-cypermethrin-, trichlorfon- and abamectin-resistant strains of B. dorsalis to three insecticides, namely beta-cypermethrin, trichlorfon and abamectin, their cross-resistance to the other two insecticides and the genetic patterns of their resistance, so as to provide the theoretical support for the chemical rotation and resistance management in orchards. 【Methods】 B. dorsalis larvae were collected from the fields and reared in the laboratory for more than 52 generations. The sensitivity of adults to insecticides was measured by the drug film method. The population screening method was used in the resistance selection for each generation up to 52 generations to establish the resistant strains of B. dorsalis. The drug film method was used to determine the cross-resistance of adults of the beta-cypermethrin-, trichlorfon- and abamectin-resistant strains, respectively, to the other two insecticides. Pairwise reciprocal crosses were conducted among adults of the beta-cypermethrin-, betatrichlorfon- and abamectin-resistant strains, and the bioassay against the adults of the F₁ generations from the above crossing treatments was conducted to reveal the genetic patterns of the resistance. 【Results】 It was found that the adults of the beta-cypermethrin-, trichlorfon- and abamectin-resistant strains of B. dorsalis all exhibited some degree of cross-resistance to the other two insecticides. Among them, the adults of the beta-cypermethrin-resistant strain had a moderate level of cross-resistance to trichlorfon, with the resistance multiple (R_m) of 15.61, and showed a low-level cross-resistance to abamectin, with the Rm of 6.67. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values of trichlorfon and abamectin to the beta-cypermethrin-resistant strain were 54.58 and 25.30 mg/L, respectively. The adults of the trichlorfon-resistant strain had low levels of cross-resistance to both beta-cypermethrin and abamectin, with the Rms of 9.15 and 6.18, respectively, and the LC₅₀ values of beta-cypermethrin and abamectin to adults of the trichlorfon-resistant strain were 43.12 and 23.35 mg/L, respectively. The adults of the abamectin-resistant strain also had low levels of cross-resistance to beta-cypermethrin and trichlorfon, with the Rms of 8.74 and 3.58, respectively, and the LC₅₀ values of beta-cypermethrin and trichlorfon to adults of the abamectin-resistant strain were 41.18 and 12.52 mg/L, respectively. When reciprocal crosses were performed between the beta-cypermethrin-resistant strain and the trichlorfon-resistant strain, the declining rates of resistance of adults of their F₁ generations were 33.52% and 56.42%, respectively, and when reciprocal crosses were performed between the beta.cypermethrin-resistant strain and the abamectin-resistant strain, the declining rates of resistance of adults of their F₁ generations were 8.49% and 84.25%, respectively. When reciprocal crosses were performed between the trichlorfon-resistant strain and the cypermethrin.resistant strain, the declining rates of resistance of adults of their F₁ generations were 21.41% and 81.47%, respectively. And when reciprocal crosses occurred between the trichlorfon-resistant strain and the abamectin-resistant strain, the declining rates of resistance of adults of their F₁ generations were 38.00% and 79.00%, respectively. When quadrature of the abamectin-resistant strain with the beta-cypermethrin- and trichlorfon-resistant strains occurred, the declining rates of resistance in adults of their F₁ generations were 3.62% and 12.77%, respectively, showing a little change as compared to that in the parents. When backcrossing occurred between the abamectin-resistant strain and the beta-cypermethrin- and trichlorfon-resistant strains, the declining rates of resistance of adults of their F₁ generations were 65.45% and 62.29%, respectively. 【Conclusion】 The beta-cypermethrin-resistant strain of B. dorsalis had a moderate level of cross-resistance to trichlorfon, and a low-level cross-resistance to abamectin. The trichlorfonresistant strain exhibited low levels of cross-resistance to both beta-cypermethrin and abamectin. The abamectin-resistant strain also showed low levels of cross-resistance to beta-cype-rmethrin and trichlorfon. The inheritance of the resistance of B. dorsalis to beta-cypermethrin, trichlorfon and abamectin was significantly biased toward the maternal genetic rule. In this study, the resistance levels of the beta-cypermethrin-, trichlorfon- and abamectin-resistant strains of B. dorsalis to beta-cypermethrin, trichlorfon and abamectin, their cross-resistance levels to the other two insecticides and the genetic pattern of resistance had been clarified, providing a theoretical basis for delaying the resistance of B. dorsalis and guiding the use of insecticides in the fields, and having a significant guidance in the resistance management of B. dorsalis.

【Aim】Insects often resemble their backgrounds in terms of color, texture, or shape, making them camouflaged and difficult to be identified. This study aims to explore a deep learning-based automatic segmentation method for the foreground and background of camouflaged insects. 【Methods】The salient object detection algorithms, large-scale model-based image segmentation algorithms, and camouflaged object detection algorithms were applied to a dataset of camouflaged insects, which includes 1 900 images across 10 insect classes. To address the shortcomings of existing camouflaged object detection algorithms, an improved network model based on deep-gradient network (DGNet), named zoom-deep gradient network (ZDNet), was proposed. In constructing this model, techniques such as image feature enhancement, staggered image pyramids, gradient induction, and leapfrogging feature fusion were extensively utilized. The insect image dataset, including species from 10 orders like grasshoppers and spiders, was built using public camouflaged object detection datasets COD10K and CAMO. Combined with transfer learning for network training, the trained model was then used for the segmention of camouflaged insects. 【Results】 When the existing camouflaged object detection models were employed for foreground-background segmentation of camouflaged insects, their segmentation performance was markedly superior to those of salient object detection models and large-scale model-based segmentation models. Similarly, ZDNet also exhibited clear superiority in performance over existing camouflaged object detection algorithms, and achieved the S-measure, maximum F-measure, average F-measure, maximum E-measure and average E-measure scores, and the mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.890, 0.865, 0.824, 0.966, 0.951 and 0.020, respectively. 【Conclusion】 The research results demonstrate that the ZDNet network model can achieve excellent foregroundbackground segmentation results for camouflaged insects, contributing to the improvement of insect recognition performance. Furthermore, it extends the application scope of camouflaged object detection methods.

【Aim】 To explore the effects of aphids treated with sublethal concentrations of dinotefuran on the predation function and growth and development of Harmonia axyridis, so as to provide the theoretical basis for protection against natural enemies and utilization of natural enemies of pests and effective management of wheat aphids. 【Methods】 H. axyridis larvae of various instars were fed with the 3rd instar nymphs of Sitobion miscanthi treated with sublethal concentrations (LC₂₀ and LC₃₀) of dinotefuran by leaf-dipping method. After being fed with aphids treated with dinotefuran, the predation amounts N_a, instantaneous attack rates a, handling time T_h, daily maximum predation amounts N_a-max, predation efficiency a/T_h and duration of various developmental stages of H. axyridis were detected and calculated. 【Results】 The predation of H. axyridis larvae on the 3rd instar nymphs of S. miscanthi fitted with the Holling’s disc equation. Fed with the 3rd instar nymphs of S. miscanthi treated with LC₂₀ and LC₃₀ of dinotefuran, the handling time T_h of H. axyridis larvae on S. miscanthi extended, the instantaneous attack rates a, daily maximum predation amounts N_a-max, and predation efficiency a/T_h reduced as compared to those in the control group (H. axyridis larvae fed with the 3rd instar S. miscanthi nymphs non-subjected to dinotefuran treatment). The predation efficiency a/T_h of the 1st instar larvae was most significantly affected by LC₂₀ and LC₃₀ of dinotefuran among all instars, being reduced by 24.03% and 50.48%, respectively, as compared with those in the control group. The searching efficiency of H. axyridis larvae on S. miscanthi nymphs showed different degrees of decline, and the duration of H. axyridis larvae of various instars was prolonged at varying degrees. The inhibitory effect of aphids containing pesticides on the predation function and growth and development of H. axyridis increased with the increase of dinotefuran concentration. 【Conclusion】 The predation function, growth and development of H. axyridis could be inhibited by feeding on the 3rd instar S. miscanthi nymphs treated with sublethal concentrations of dinotefuran. Pesticide spraying should be done during the peak period of the 4th instar larvae of H. axyridis with the highest predation efficiency and minimized impact by pesticides, which may help reduce the negative effects of pesticides during aphid control and enhance the protection and utilization of natural enemies.

 Sterile insect technique (SIT) is a pest control method, in which radiation-sterilized males are released into the field to mate with wild females to produce nonviable offsprings. With the development of molecular biology techniques, such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, sex manipulation-based sterile insect techniques such as precision-guided SIT (pgSIT), a combination of incompatible insect technique and sterile insect technique (IIT-SIT)， and insect sex ratio distortion (SRD) have been successfully applied to the control of several important agricultural pests and mosquito vectors. In this article, we reviewed the recent research status of pgSIT, IIT-SIT and SRD, and discussed the pros and cons of these sex manipulation-based sterile insect techniques. In addition, we also introduced the molecular mechanism of bacteria- and virus-mediated male killing and its potential application in pest control, hoping to provide the theoretical support for sterile insect technique by targeting the insect sex determination.

【Aim】 To identify and compare the types, morphology, distribution and numbers of antennal sensilla of adults of the important rice pests Herpetogramma licarsisalis and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis. 【Methods】 Antennal sensilla of the female and male adults of H. licarsisalis and C. medinalis which were collected from different regions of China, were observed by using scanning electron microscope. 【Results】 There are eight types of sensilla on the antennae of H. licarsisalis and C. medinalis adults, including Bhm’s bristles, sensilla trichodea, sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica, sensilla auricillica, sensilla squamiformia, sensilla coeloconica and sensilla styloconica. Sensilla trichodea are the most widely distributed and abundant, and sensilla basiconica are next most after sensilla trichodea in number. The number of Bhm’s bristles on the scape is higher than that on the pedicel. The length of sensilla chaetica gradually increases towards the end of flagellum, on which the number of sensilla chaetica is the largest. There is only one sensillum styloconicum Ⅰ on each subsegment. Sensilla styloconica Ⅱ are only distributed at the end of flagellum, and their numbers are different and steady in the two pyralid adults. The subtypes of antennal sensilla of H. licarsisalis adults are more than those of C. medinalis adults. Sensilla auricillica Ⅳ were only found on the antennae of H. licarsisalis adults. The location, number, density and some eigenvalues of antennal sensilla are different in the two pyralid adults. 【Conclusion】H. licarsisalis and C. medinalis adults have the same types of antennal sensilla, but have some differences in the subtypes. The number of sensilla trichodea on the male antennae is significantly higher than that on the female antennae. The number of sensilla styloconica Ⅱ can be used to distinguish the two pyralid adults. The ultramorphology of antennal sensilla provides new characteristics for the taxonomic and phylogenetic study of Pyraloidea, and also provides the morphological basis for the study of the function of antennal sensilla and for the exploration of the olfactory sensory mechanism of antennae.

【Aim】 (8E, 10E)-Dodecadien-1-ol (E8, E10-12∶OH) is the main component of sex pheromone in Cydia pomonella, and has a synergistic effect on the sex pheromone attractant to Grapholita molesta. The objective of this study is to detect the synergistic effect of E8, E10-12∶OH on the sex pheromone attractant to G. molesta, and identify the pheromone binding proteins (PBPs) and general odorant binding proteins (GOBPs) that primarily bind to E8, E10-12∶OH. 【Methods】 The electroantennogram (EAG) responses of male adults of G. molesta to 0.002, 0.02, 0.2, 2, 20, 200 and 2 000 μg of E8, E10-12∶OH were determined using EAG apparatus. The synergistic effect of E8, E10-12∶OH on the sex pheromone attractant to G. molesta was determined via field trapping trials. The values of inhibition constant Ki of the pheromone binding proteins GmolPBP1, GmolPBP2 and GmolPBP3, and the general odorant binding proteins GmolGOBP1, GmolGOBP2 and GmolGOBP3 of G. molesta binding to E8, E10-12∶OH were measured through fluorescence competitive binding assay. The key amino acids of GmolGOBP2 involved in E8, E10-12∶OH-binding were predicted by molecular dynamics simulation. The pivotal amino acid residues and weak interaction forces of GmolGOBP2 binding to E8, E10-12∶OH were validated via site-directed mutagenesis and fluorescence competitive binding assay. 【Results】 Male adults of G. molesta exhibited EAG response towards E8, E10-12∶OH, with the highest EAG response value of (0.57±0.14) mV to 2 000 μg E8, E10-12∶OH. E8, E10-12∶OH (200 μg) displayed a significant synergistic effect on the sex pheromone attractant to G. molesta, with the maximum synergistic multiplier of 2.46-fold. GmolGOBP2 had the strongest binding affinity to E8, E10-12∶OH ［Ki=(1.92±0.05) μmol/L］, and emerged as the main OBP binding to E8, E10-12∶OH. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the amino acids Phe18, Ile100, Glu104, Val117 and Phe124 of GmolGOBP2 exhibited the lowest binding free energy when binding to E8, E10-12∶OH, being -1.18, -1.33, -3.34, -1.19 and -1.58 kj/kg, respectively. These amino acids were predicted as important residues for GmolGOBP2 to bind with E8, E10-12∶OH. Following site-directed mutagenesis of the above five residues to Ala, the GmolGOBP2 mutants E104A and F124A lost their binding affinities to E8, E10-12∶OH, indicating that Glu104 and Phe124 are the key amino acids for GmolGOBP2 to bind to E8, E10-12∶OH. 【Conclusion】 E8, E10-12∶OH emerges as an ideal synergist for developing efficient sex pheromone attractant for G. molesta. GmolGOBP2 plays an important role in perceiving interspecies pheromone E8, E10-12∶OH, with Glu104 and Phe124 identified as the key amino acid residues for GmolGOBP2 to bind to E8, E10-12∶OH.

【Aim】 To analyze the differential expression profiles of the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) during the developmental process of the larval gut of Apis mellifera ligustica workers and reveal the regulatory roles of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in the larval gut development. 【Methods】 Based on the previously obtained transcriptome data from the 4-, 5- and 6-day-old larval gut of A. m. ligustica workers (Am4, Am5 and Am6, respectively), DElncRNAs in the Am4 vs Am5 comparison group and Am5 vs Am6 comparison group were screened using the relevant software, and the cis-acting effect of DElncRNAs and the shared up-regulated and down-regulated lncRNAs and the regulatory roles of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) were further investigated. The reliability of transcriptome data was verified through RT-qPCR. 【Results】 In the Am4 vs Am5 comparison group, 214 up-regulated and 251 down-regulated lncRNAs were screened, while 141 up-regulated and 332 down-regulated ones were screened in the Am5 vs Am6 comparison group. There were seven up-regulated and 16 down-regulated lncRNAs shared in the two comparison groups. DElncRNAs in the Am4 vs Am5 comparison group potentially regulated 250 neighboring genes, enriched in 28 GO terms such as cellular process as well as 58 KEGG pathways such as Wnt signaling pathway. DElncRNAs in the Am5 vs Am6 comparison group putatively regulated 295 neighboring genes enriched in 35 GO terms such as cell part as well as 73 KEGG pathways such as FoxO signaling pathway. The shared seven up-regulated lncRNAs in the above-mentioned two comparison groups potentially modulated 10 neighboring genes enriched in one GO term and seven KEGG pathways including metabolic pathways, glutathione metabolism and nucleocytoplasmic transport. The shared 16 down-regulated lncRNAs potentially modulated 27 neighboring genes, enriched in eight GO terms and 13 KEGG pathways including arginine biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism and metabolic pathways. Additionally, 49 DElncRNAs in the Am4 vs Am5 comparison group could target 16 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and further target 122 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) enriched in 24 GO terms including metabolic process and 21 KEGG pathways including Wnt signaling pathway. In the Am5 vs Am6 comparison group, 38 DElncRNAs could target eight DEmiRNAs and further target 67 DEmRNAs enriched in 21 GO terms including catalytic activity and 10 KEGG pathways including FoxO signaling pathway. The shared down-regulated lncRNA MSTRG.10589.2 in the aforementioned two comparison groups could target ame-miR-6052 and miR-511-y, further targeting 29 DEmRNAs. RT-qPCR results showed that the relative expression levels of the seven randomly selected DElncRNAs were consistent with the sequencing data, confirming the reliability of the transcriptome data. 【Conclusion】 The developmental process of the larval gut of A. m. ligustica workers is accompanied with the dynamic and differential expression of lncRNAs, and DElncRNAs may participate in modulating larval gut development via cis-acting effect and ceRNA network, potentially playing significant regulatory roles in the development of the larval gut.

【Aim】 Rag GTPases are highly conserved Ras family proteins in eukaryotes, which play important roles in regulating mechanic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity and autophagy. In order to study the physiological function of Rag GTPases, the RagA-deleted mutant of Drosophila melanogaster was constructed and its phenotype was analyzed. 【Methods】 A plasmid expressing gRNAs targeted RagA gene was introduced into D. melanogaster to express Cas9 protein. The RagA mutants of D. melanogaster with deletion of the coding region of RagA were screened by PCR. The reproduction and survival of RagA mutants of D. melanogaster were analyzed by genetic hybridization. The FLP-FRT system was used to induce cell clones in the fat bodies and female ovaries to analyze the cell growth and autophagy level in RagA mutant cells, respectively. 【Results】 RagA gene was successfully knocked out using CRISPR-cas9 combined with microinjection technology. Mutation of RagA led to embryonic death in D. melanogaster. At the cellular level, knockout of RagA resulted in significantly slowed cell growth and the accumulation of autolysosome marked by LAMP1 and Rab7. 【Conclusion】 This study verifies the function of RagA in regulating cell metabolism, and provides a foundation for further analysis of RagA gene function and related mechanism in development using RagA mutant Drosophila.

【Aim】 To investigate the fungi and actinomycetes with antimicrobial activity in Periplaneta americana frass, so as to supply microbial sources for the development of antimicrobial medications. 【Methods】 Using the dilution coating method and selective culture method, actinomycetes and fungi were isolated and purified from the frass of adult P. americana collected from the P. americana farm in Weishan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The antibacterial activities of metabolites of these strains against six pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium were detected by the Oxford cup agar diffusion method. The strains with antibacterial activity were identified by the 16S rDNA gene sequencing and ITS rDNA gene sequencing, and a phylogenetic tree of the strains with antibacterial activities was constructed using the neighbor-joining method. 【Results】 Seventeen strains of fungi and 19 strains of actinomycetes were isolated from the frass of adult P. americana. Six strains of fungi and 12 strains of actinomycetes exhibited varying degrees of antibacterial activity. Among them, the fungi EPAF15-EPAF17 and the actinomycetes EPAA12 and EPAA17 showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activities against E. coli, S. aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and S. typhimurium. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the fungi with antibacterial activity belong to Fusarium, Hyphopichia and Trichosporon, and the actinomycetes with antibacterial activity belong to the genus Streptomyces. 【Conclusion】 There are various types of culturable microorganisms in the frass of adult P. americana. The discovery of fungi and actinomycetes with antibacterial activity provides essential microbial resources for further exploration of new antimicrobial natural drugs. It also introduces a new concept for fully utilizing microbial resources in a special environment.

 【Aim】 To clone the chemosensory protein 3 gene AsCSP3 of Anopheles sinensis, and analyze its function in allethrin repellency. 【Methods】 The full-length cDNA sequence of AsCSP3 was cloned using RT-PCR. The expression levels of AsCSP3 at different developmental stages of pyrethroid-resistant and -susceptible A. sinensis, including 4th instar larvae, early female pupae, late female pupae, newly emerged female adults, and female adults on the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th day after emergence, in different tissues such as the antennae, head (with antennae removed), thorax (with legs removed), abdomen, and legs of the 3-day-old female adults of pyrethroid-resistant and -susceptible A. sinensis, and in the 3-day-old female adults of pyrethroid-resistant A. sinensis at different time points after fumigation with 0.05% permethrin were detected using qRT-PCR. The binding affinities of the recombinant AsCSP3 protein to allethrin, deltamethrin, and permethrin were assessed using a fluorescence competitive binding assay. Moreover, an AsCSP3 mutant was generated using the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in method, and the repellent effects of allethrin and deltamethrin on the AsCSP3 mutants were compared with those on the wild-type A. sinensis. 【Results】 The cloned full-length cDNA sequence of AsCSP3 of A. sinensis encodes 183 amino acids, which contains conserved cysteines of chemosensory proteins. AsCSP3 was highly expressed in the late female pupae and newly emerged female aduls. AsCSP3 was primarily expressed in the antennae and legs of the 3-day-old female adult. In the 3-day-old female adult of pyrethroid-resistant strain of A. sinensis, the expression level of AsCSP3 in the legs was significantly lower than that in the pyrethriod-susceptible strain of A. sinensis， while its expression level in the antennae and head (with antennae removed) was notably higher than that in the pyrethroid-susceptible strain of A. sinensis. After induction with allethrin, the expression level of AsCSP3 significantly decreased from 2 h and remained significantly lower than that of the untreated control group up to 24 h. The recombinant AsCSP3 protein could bind to both deltamethrin and allethrin, but could not bind to permethrin. Mutation of the AsCSP3 neither affected the growth, development, fecundity, or blood-feeding behavior of A. sinensis, nor did it affect the contact repellency of deltamethrin, however, weakened the spatial repellency of allethrin, resulting in 1.77-fold higher number of take-off and 1.97-fold longer flying time within 3 min in wild-type A. sinensis than those in AsCSP3 mutants, respectively. 【Conclusion】 There is a potential association between AsCSP3 and the spatial repellency of allethrin.

 Pamphiliidae, the most prominent family of Pamphilioidea, have a rich variety of living species. Some species of this family are important forest pests, and have historically broken out and done harm to forest trees in Europe and the north of China. A total of 7 genera with 14 species have been reported worldwide in Pamphiliidae. All of them are distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and recorded from the Middle Jurassic to the Miocene. In a phylogenetic study of Pamphilioidea which combines living and fossil species, the monophyly of Pamphiliidae has been confirmed, but the position of some fossil genera and Neurotoma remains questionable in Pamphiliidae. Additionally, the current phylogenetic classification divides Pamphiliidae into three subfamilies: Juralydinae, Cephalciinae and Pamphiliinae. The former one only contains most of the fossil genera, while the latter two are mainly composed of living genera and species. Living subfamilies are distinguished by tiny structures such as the body color, the texture of apical spurs in the tibia, and the arrangement of the tarsal inner tooth. In contrast, Juralydinae are mainly identified and distinguished by easily preserved features such as wing veins and antennae due to the limitation of fossil materials. With the accumulation of specimens in recent years, Juralydinae have undergone three revisions and only 1-Rs about half as long as, or slightly longer than, 1-M in forewing is treated as the diagnostic characteristic. Some other potential features, such as the size and arrangement of the tarsal inner teeth, and the bifurcation of Sc in hind wing are also noticed. But these features have only been observed in part of fossil genera and species, and whether they are stable still needs to be explored. The differences between the taxonomic system of fossil taxa and living taxa are not only found in Pamphiliidae but also common in other insect taxa. Only by continuously accumulating specimens and using more advanced and comprehensive methods to tap into the information of each specimen can we build a bridge connecting between fossil and living taxa and scientifically explore their evolution.

【Aim】 To evaluate the toxicity and risks of four commonly used insecticide formulations 25% thiamethoxam water dispersible granule (WG), 4.5% β-cypermethrin microemulsion (ME), 1.8% avermectin emulsifiable concentrate (EC), and 12% benzoate·chlorfenapyr suspension concentrate (SC) to Vespa magnifica. 【Methods】 The acute oral toxicity of the above four insecticide formulations to both worker adults and larvae of V. magnifica, and the acute contact toxicity to its worker adults, were determined by oral-feeding and topical application, respectively. And the risk of the four insecticide formulations to the worker adults and larvae of V. magnifica were evaluated by combining with the hazard quotients calculated from the recommended field application rate. 【Results】 The 48-h oral median lethal dose (LD₅₀) values of the four insecticide formulations 25% thiamethoxam WG, 4.5% β-cypermethrin ME, 1.8% avermectin EC, and 12% benzoate·chlorfenapyr SC against the worker adults of V. magnifica were 2.43×1^0-2, 4.22, 3.61×10^-2 and 5.21×10^-2 μg a.i. per wasp, respectively, the 48-h contact LD₅₀ values against the worker adults of V. magnifica were 3.51×10^-2, 4.07, 7.86×10^-2 and 0.16 μg a.i. per wasp, respectively, and the 48-h oral LD₅₀ values against the worker larvae of V. magnifica were 1.92×10^-2, 2.76, 4.54×10^-2 and 0.24 μg a.i. per wasp, respectively. The results of risk assessment showed that 25% thiamethoxam WG, 1.8% avermectin EC and 12% benzoate chlorfenapyr SC had high toxicity and high risk, and 4.5% β-cypermethrin ME had medium toxicity and medium risk to the worker adults and larvae of V. magnifica. 【Conclusion】 The four insecticides have high toxicity and high risk or medium toxicity and medium risk to V. magnifica. The risks are unacceptable. It is recommended to carry out further risk assessment of the high-risk formulations and avoid the overlap of pesticide spraying time with the outgoing peak of V. magnifica.

【Aim】 The objective of this study is to investigate the oviposition deterrent and antifeedant effects of plant essential oils (EOs) on a major invasive pest, the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, and provide a new method for the green control of this pest. 【Methods】 S. frugiperda collected from a maize field in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, South China and reared indoors for several generations was used. In the laboratory, the oviposition deterrent activities of EOs from 21 plants (Perilla frutescens, Cupressus funebris, Acorus calamus, Artemisia argyi, Capsicum annuum, Myristica fragrans, Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, Cedrus deodara, Cinnamomum cassia, Mentha canadensis, Mentha spicata, Litsea cubeba, Melia azedarach, Citrus limon, Camellia sinensis, Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus globules, Cinnamomum camphora and Plectranthus hadiensis) against S. frugiperda adults were investigated using the behavior selection method, while the antifeedant activities of these EOs against the 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda were evaluated using the leaf dish feeding method. 【Results】 At the concentration of 2.5 mL/L, Capsicum annuum EO and Melia azedarach EO had the best oviposition deterrent effects on S. frugiperda adults, with the deterrent rates of 89.13% and 88.83%, respectively. At the concentration of 5 mL/L, Capsicum annuum EO showed the best oviposition deterrent effect on S. frugiperda adults, with the deterrent rate of 100.00%. At the concentration of 10 mL/L, the EOs from Perilla frutescens, Cupressus funebris, Capsicum annuum, Myristica fragrans, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, Cedrus deodara and Citrus limon showed obvious oviposition deterrent effects on S. frugiperda adults. Piper nigrum EO at the concentration of 2.5 mL/L had the best non-selective and selective antifeedant effects on the 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda, with the antifeedant rates of 98.67% and 97.37%, respectively. At the concentrations of 5 and 10 mL/L, Piper nigrum EO also exhibited the best antifeedant effects on the 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda, both with the antifeedant rate of 100.00%. 【Conclusion】 At relatively low concentrations, Cayenne pepper EO and Melia azedarach EO showed highly effectiveness in deterring oviposition of S. frugiperda adults, and Piper nigrum EO showed excellent antifeedant activity against the 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda. These plant EOs demonstrated promising application potential in the green control of S. frugiperda.

【Aim】The codling moth, Cydia pomonella, is a quarantine pest in the world and one of the important fruit-boring pests on fruit trees. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of host switching on the growth, development and reproduction of C. pomonella under high temperature stress, and to clarify its adaptation mechanism to hosts. 【Methods】 The apple population and walnut population of C. pomonella reared on the original hosts and the switched hosts, respectively, at the temperature gradient of 26, 32, 35 and 38 ℃, and designated as apple population reared on apples, walnut population reared on walnuts, apple population reared on walnuts and walnut population reared on apples. The survival rates and duration of different developmental stages and adult fecundity of the experimental population of C. pomonella were analyzed, and the life tables of various treatments were constructed and the population parameters were analyzed. 【Results】 The apple and walnut populations of C. pomonella reared on the original hosts and the switched hosts at 26 and 32 ℃ could grow and develop normally, and the developmental duration was shortened with the increase of temperature. At 26 ℃, larval duration of the apple population of C. pomonella reared on walnuts was the longest (31.76 d), and the pupal duration of the walnut population of C. pomonella reared on walnuts was the longest (11.36 d). At 32 ℃, the egg and larval duration of the apple population of C. pomonella reared on apples were 4.88 and 26.98 d, respectively, and the pupal duration of the walnut populations of C. pomonella reared on apples was the shortest (8.54 d). The adult longevity of C. pomonella at the temperature ranging from 26 to 35 ℃ exhibited significant difference. At 35 and 38 ℃, the development process of C. pomonella was blocked and the developmental duration was prolonged. The female adults could not lay eggs at 35 ℃, and the larval survival was significantly inhibited at 38 ℃. The survival rates of C. pomonella at various developmental stage and the average numbers of eggs laid per female decreased with the increase of temperature. The average number of eggs laid per female of the apple population of C. pomonella reared on apples was the highest (up to 109.20 grains) at 26 ℃. The fitness indexes (egg hatching rate, larval survival rate, pupation rate, eclosion rate and number of eggs laid per female) and population parameters (intrinsic growth rate, finite rate of increase and net reproductive rate) of the apple population of C. pomonella reared on apples were the largest, and those of C. pomonella reared on walnuts were the lowest. 【Conclusion】 Under high temperature stress, host switching has a significant effect on the growth, development and reproduction of C. pomonella, and too high temperature is not conducive to its growth and reproduction. It still has the ability to feed and damage hosts after host switching, and apples are more conducive to improving the fitness and population growth of C. pomonella than walnuts. In general, C. pomonella has the highest fitness to apple hosts, with the strongest fecundity and high adaptability on apples.

 During the long-term evolution, plants and herbivorous insects have acquired diverse and complex mechanisms to adapt to each other. Plants have evolved a series of defense mechanisms against insects; meanwhile, herbivorous insects have evolved multiple strategies to adapt to plant defense for survival. Microorganisms are widely found in plants and insects as well as in environments. Increasing evidence proves that microorganisms can participate in the interaction between plants and herbivorous insects, which impacts the environmental adaptability of plants and herbivorous insects. Rice is an important food crop. In this article, we outlined the research progress on rice-pest interactions and common microorganisms in agroecosystems such as insect symbiotic bacteria, soil microorganisms and pathogenic microorganisms that affect rice growth and development, reproduction of pest populations, and alteration of rice defense responses to pests. It has great significance for the further understanding of the interactions between plants and pests. Finally, we presented an outlook on the future research directions of the use of microorganisms to control rice pests: (1) Strengthening research and development of insecticidal microbial agents; and (2) application of endosymbiotic bacteria for pest control and prevention.

The Asilidae, or robber flies, belong to the superfamily Asiloidea, suborder Brachycera, and order Diptera of the class Insecta. They exhibit a wide variety of body colors and shapes, have large compound eyes, and possess well-developed, cone-shaped mouthparts. Typically, they have claw pads and are capable of fast flight. Their life cycle is holometabolous, passing through egg, larval, pupal and adult stages. Both larvae and adults of robber flies prey on other insects and even spiders. Adult robber flies have a diverse diet preying on wasps, butterflies, locusts, and many other groups of insects. They are particularly adept at preying on Hymenoptera. When capturing preys, they inject neurotoxins and proteolytic enzymes in their saliva to paralyze and break down the muscle tissue of their preys. The larvae live in soil and decaying plant matter, usually feeding on the eggs and larvae of other insects. They play an important role in maintaining the balance of insect populations in ecosystems. The Asilidae are distributed worldwide comprising 7 552 species from 560 genera under 14 known subfamilies. Taxonomic research began with Linnaeus’ establishment of the genus Asilus in 1758. Over the past 265 years, research methods have evolved from morphology to molecular biology, greatly increasing the number of known species (from an initial 11 recorded in 1758) and refining the classification system ［from 4 (in 1981) to 14 (in 2004) subfamilies］. In China, 236 species of 62 genera within 10 subfamilies have been recorded so far, and the number of species is far less than 10% of the known species worldwide. The main work involves species surveys and descriptions of new species. The monophyly of Asilidae at the family level is generally undisputed, but the monophyly of each subfamily within the family is still under discussion. The monophyly of the subfamilies Asilinae, Laphriinae, Leptogastrinae and Ommatiinae, is well supported. However, the monophyly of Dasypogoninae, Tillobromatinae, Stenopogoninae, Willistonininae, Dioctriinae, Trigonomiminae, Stichopogoninae and Brachyrhopalinae needs further research. While significant achievements have been made in global taxonomic research on Asilidae, there are still some problems: lack of highquality systematic taxonomic revisions, unclear phylogenetic relationships between major groups, and single research methods. In future, use of mitochondrial DNA/transcriptome/lowcoverage molecular techniques combined with morphology to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships should be strengthened. The vast territory and diverse topography in China support a rich insect diversity. However, the research on robber flies started late in China. The basic resources and distribution patterns are unclear. There is an urgent need for systematic organization and taxonomic revision of Chinese robber flies. Molecular techniques can be used to explore phylogenetic relationships at the genus level or above. ArcGIS can be used to explore the geographical distribution patterns of robber flies in China. Further research on their role and value in ecosystems can improve our understanding of this group and provide reference materials for practical applications.

【Aim】To sequence the complete mitochondrial genome of Gotra octocinctus, anlayze and explore the genome structure and phylogenetic relationship of Ichneumonoidea. 【Methods】 The complete mitochondrial genome of G. octocinctus was firstly sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq platform, and then the general features and base composition of the mitochondrial genome were analyzed. Combined with the 47 mitochondrial genome sequences of Ichneumonoidea published in GenBank, the phylogenetic trees of Ichneumonoidea were constructed with two species in Chalcidoidea as outgroups based on the 13 proteincoding gene (PCG) sequences using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. 【Results】The fulllength mitochondrial genome of G. octocinctus is 16 003 bp (GenBank accession no.： OP850580.1), and consists of 22 tRNA genes, 13 PCGs, two rRNA genes and one control region (CR). The base composition of mitochondrial genome was clearly AT-biased and exhibited the negative AT-skew and GC-skew. There were four gene rearrangements, 13 overlapping regions (in total 85 bp) and 17 interspaced regions (in total 1 072 bp) in the mitochondrial genome of G. octocinctus. The phylogenetic tree based on 13 PCG sequences showed that Eucerotinae is a natural monophyletic group, the Aphidiinae and the “cyclostome” of Braconidae are sister group. 【Conclusion】 In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of G. octocinctus, and found that the trnI-trnQ-trnM gene rearrangement events are common in the mitochondrial genome of Ichneumonidae, providing data for the further systematic research of mitogenomes of Ichneumonoidea.

【Aim】The aim of this study is to investigate the biological function of ABC transporter genes in the development of resistance to indoxacarb in Spodoptera frugiperda, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the comprehensive control of this pest. 【Methods】 Indoxacarb alone and combined with ABC transporter inhibitor verapamil hydrochloride were used to treat the 3rd instar larvae of the indoxacarb-resistant population DC-22 and the indoxacarb-susceptible strain WH of S. frugiperda by the topical application method, and the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) and the synergistic ratio of verapamil hydrochloride to indoxacarb were calculated at 24 h after treatment. The expression levels of seven ABC transporter genes (SfABCG20, SfABCC2, SfABCF4, SfABCA1, SfABCA5, SfABCG23 and SfABCG9) in the 3rd instar larvae of the indoxacarb-susceptible strain WH and four indoxacarb-resistant populations， including DC-22, CX-22, MY-22 and RH-22, were examined. The highly expressed ABC transporter gene SfABCG23 in response to indoxacarb was silenced through RNAi by injecting dsSfABCG23 into the 3rd instar larvae of DC-22 and WH. The expression level of SfABCG23 was detected by RT-qPCR at 48 h after RNAi, and the mortality was detected at 24 h after exposure to LC₃₀of indoxacarb following RNAi.【Results】Verapamil hydrochloride significantly increased the susceptibility of the indoxacarb-resistant population DC-22 to indoxacarb, with the synergistic ratio of 1.73. The expression levels of SfABCG23 in the 3rd instar larvae of the indoxacarb-resistant populations DC-22 and CX-22 were up-regulated by 2.56- and 4.05-fold, respectively, as compared with that in the indoxacarb-susceptible strain WH, and the expression level of SfABCG23 was significantly positively correlated with the resistance ratio, with the correlation coefficient of 0.941. After dsSfABCG23 injection, the gene silencing efficiency was 65.04% and 39.55%, respectively, in the indoxacarb-resistant population DC-22 and the indoxacarb-susceptible strain WH, and compared with the dsGFP-injected control group, the dsSfABCG23 injection increased the mortality of the 3rd instar larvae of the indoxacarb-resistant population DC-22 and the indoxacarb-susceptible strain WH, by 30.55% and 25.00%, respectively, at 24 h after exposure to indoxacarb. 【Conclusion】 The results of this study suggest that ABC transporter genes play an important role in regulating the development of resistance in the indoxacarb-resistant population of S. frugiperda, and the overexpression of SfABCG23 may play an important role in the development of resistance to indoxacarb in S. frugiperda.

Small RNA (sRNA) is a class of non-coding RNA with the sequence length shorter than 300 bp. It plays important roles in regulation of cell growth, division, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. A number of studies in recent years have found the interspecific transmission of sRNAs and their regulatory roles as signaling molecules in a cross-kingdom manner. In addition to visual and chemical information, organisms can also communicate via various molecular signals. sRNA can serve as a molecule signal linking animals, plants, and microorganisms, for its mobility and regulatory role in gene expression, not only within organism, but also across species. Insects, with the largest number of species and occupying the most abundant niches on earth, have been found owing a variety of exogenous sRNA molecules inside their bodies. In the article, we analyzed the molecular basis that sRNA mediates the cross-kingdom regulation, summarized the recent research progress on cross-kingdom sRNAs, which enter insect bodies through biological interaction, regulate gene expression in insects, and affect interactions of insects with their host plants and pathogenic microorganisms. We also discussed the influences of sRNA-mediated cross-kingdom RNAi on the ecological adaptability of insects and their prospective application in pest control. Cross-kingdom transfer of sRNA molecules between insects and plants can regulate plant resistance to insect pests and caste differentiation of social insects. Cross-kingdom regulation of sRNA from microorganisms can assist the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms in insects or affect the development of parasitic wasps. Based on genetic engineering, cross-kingdom regulation with modified or artificially expressed exogenous sRNA would be a new approach for development of efficient biological control products for insect pest control.-

Insulin is a protein hormone with small molecular weight and secreted by insulin cells, regulating the metabolism of sugar, fat and protein by signaling pathways, and finally affecting organisms. The insulin signaling pathways present in insects and regulate the metabolism, growth and development, and lifespan, being highly homologous with those in vertebrates. Research on insulin signaling pathways in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans can be used as a probe in life science research to supply a test model for the study of human insulin-related diseases, which is of great significance to life science research, so the research on insulin in nematodes and insects is relatively in-depth. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are important biocontrol factors, and their life cycle includes both the parasitism stage in host insects and the free life stage in nature. During the parasitism stage, the symbiotic bacteria carried by nematodes mainly act in the blood circulation system of host insects, resulting in the death of host insects. Therefore, there is a close relationship between EPNs and the blood system of host insects, thus the effect of insulin on EPNs must be studied on both nematodes and host insects. In order to scientifically and systematically investigate the effects of insulin on EPNs and conduct indepth discussions, in this article we reviewed the physiological functions of insulin/insulin-like growth factors in insects and nematodes, so as to shed more lights on the theoretical basis for studying the effects of insulin on EPNs and the application of insulin, and insulin intervention in the application of EPNs.

【Aim】Bumblebees, as social insects, have divisions of labor in different castes and even different physiological stages of the same caste. Flight ability is one of the key factors affecting their multiple behaviors including foraging and copulation, at different physiological stages. This study aims to explore the influences of division of labor and body weight on the flight ability of Bombus terrestris, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the efficient production and utilization of B. terrestris.  【Methods】The flight ability of B. terrestris involving flight distance, flight velocity, and flight duration within 24 h, was measured by a flight mill on three castes (queens, workers and drones), and queens at different physiological stages (i.e. virgin queens, post-diapause queens and egg-laying queens), and the correlations between the flight ability and the caste, body weight and post-flight body weight loss were analyzed.【Results】The cumulative flight distance, cumulative flight duration, maximum flight distance and maximum fight duration of drones of B. terrestris were significantly longer than those of workers and queens within 24-h tethered flight. The average flight velocity and maximum flight velocity of drones and queens were significantly higher than those of workers, i.e. the flight ability of workers was the worst under the same conditions. There were significant differences in the flight ability of queens at different physiological stages. The cumulative flight distance, cumulative flight duration, maximum flight distance, maximum fight duration, average flight velocity and maximum flight velocity of the virgin queens were significantly higher than those of the post-diapause and egg-laying queens. There was no significant difference in the flight distance and flight velocity between the latter two queens. The cumulative flight distance and duration of queens and workers were significantly positively correlated with the body weight, but there was no significant correlation between their average flight velocity and body weight. In addition, no significant correlation was observed between the flight ability of drones and their body weight, but the cumulative flight distance and duration of drones were significantly positively correlated with the postflight body weight loss. The cumulative flight distance and duration of virgin queens were positively correlated with the body weight, while the cumulative flight distance and duration of post-diapause and egg-laying queens were positively correlated with their post-flight body weight loss.【Conclusion】The difference in the flight ability of B. terrestris is closely related to the changes in staged functions, and the flight abilities of B. terrestris at different castes and physiological stages are somewhat correlated with their body weight and post-flight body weight loss, respectively. These results may provide the theoretical basis for optimizing the breeding of B. terrestris in production applications.

 【Aim】 To clarify the spatiotemporal expression pattern of the juvenile hormone receptor methoprene-tolerant gene AsMet in Anopheles sinensis and explore its influence on the reproductive regulation and development of An. sinensis.【Methods】 Based on the transcriptome data of An. sinensis, the full-length cDNA sequence of AsMet was cloned by RACE and its molecular characteristics were analyzed. qPCR was used to analyze the expression levels of AsMet in different developmental stages (pupa and female adult) and different tissues ［head, throax, anterior part of abdomen (the first 3 segments of abdomen), posterior part of abdomen (the remaining part of abdomen), midgut, Malpighian tubules, fat body, ovary and integument］ of the 3-day-old female adults. dsAsMet was microinjected into the last instar female pupa for RNAi, and the expression levels of AsMet, AsKr-h1 and AsVg, the development of ovaries of female adults, emergence rate, number of eggs laid and egg hatching rate were observed and detected.【Results】 The full-length cDNA sequence of AsMet of An. sinensis (GenBank accession no.: OR783325) was 6 841 bp with the open reading frame (ORF) of 3 159 bp in length, encoding 1 052 amino acids with the predicted molecular weight of 114.46 kD and the isoelectric point of 6.63. AsMet had four conserved domains, including one helix-loop-helix domain, two PAS-binding domains, and one C-terminal conserved motif. AsMet clustered with Mets of An. gambiae, Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens. AsMet was significantly highly expressed at 30 h after pupation and at most stages of adults, significantly highly expressed in the head and thorax of female adults, and lowly expressed in the midgut, Malpighian tubules and ovary. The expression levels of AsMet were reduced by 70.05%, 41.05% and 68.64%, respectively, at 24, 48 and 72 h after dsAsMet microinjection into the last instar female pupa as compared with those in the control group microinjected with dsEGFP. The emergence rate in microinjection group with dsAsMet was lower than that in microinjection group with dsEGFP, and after mating and blood-feeding the ovaries were agenesia, and the number of eggs laid decreased by 67.58% as compared with that in microinjection group with dsEGFP, and the egg hatching rate in microinjection group with dsAsMet was reduced by 93.10% compared with that in microinjection group with dsEGFP.【Conclusion】The decreased expression of AsMet can reduce the normal development of ovary, and decrease the number of eggs laid and egg hatching rate significantly. The results lay a foundation for further research on the mechanism of JH regulation of reproductive development of An. sinensis, and provide a theoretical basis for understanding the signaling pathway of juvenile hormone and the molecular mechanism of insect reproductive regulation.

 【Aim】 The small cocoon mutant sc was discovered among the offspring of space silkworm (Bombyx mori), exhibiting slow larval development and reduced consumption of mulberry leaves. We speculate that genes related to growth and development pathways of the sc mutant may be affected by the gene mutation. Our previous research indicated that the sc mutant is controlled by a pair of recessive genes located on the 3rd linkage group of B. mori, but the responsible gene has not yet been identified. This study aims to provide insights into the identification of the responsible gene for the sc mutant and the analysis of its molecular mechanisms through comparative transcriptomic analysis between the sc mutant and the normal cocoon strain (TG) derived from space B. mori.【Methods】 The head and midgut tissues from the day-4 5th instar larvae of sc and TG were collected for transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), respectively. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by comparative transcriptome analysis. Then GO annotation and KEGG enrichment analysis of DEGs were performed. qRT-PCR was employed to validate the expression levels of randomly selected DEGs in sc and TG and investigate the expression levels of the genes of interest in sc. 【Results】 A total of 1 528 DEGs were detected in heads in the comparison group TG vs sc, with 820 DEGs showing up-regulated expression and 708 DEGs showing down-regulated expression. Similarly, 1 401 DEGs were identified in the midguts of the comparison group TG vs sc, with 683 DEGs showing up-regulated expression and 718 DEGs showing down-regulated expression. The GO analysis indicated that in biological processes, the majority of DEGs in the head and midgut were implicated in cellular process, metabolic process, biological regulation, response to stimulus, etc. In terms of molecular functions, most DEGs were associated with binding, catalytic activity, structural molecule activity, transporter activity and ATP-dependent activity. DEGs in the head and midgut were implicated in signaling pathways associated with the growth and development of B. mori, including the Hippo, Insulin and mTOR pathways. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the gene expression trend was consistent with the transcriptome sequencing result, and compared to TG, the sc mutant had the key genes BMSK0008105, BMSK0009907, BMSK0002689, BMSK0000286, BMSK0012340 and BMSK00083629 involved in growth and development signaling pathways with differential expression. 【Conclusion】 The differential expression of the critical genes in growth and development signaling pathways of sc and TG disturbs the key physiological processes like energy metabolism, organogenesis and cell growth, proliferation and apoptosis, thereby affecting the body development of the small cocoon mutant sc. These findings contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of the sc mutant and offer valuable experimental data for further exploration into the regulation of B. mori body size.

【Aim】 To study the repellent effects of menthol on the oviposition of several common Drosophila species, and to evaluate the toxic effect of menthol through the survival rate and developmental duration of offspring and the mortality rate of adult Drosophila.【Methods】 The oviposition selection of Drosophila was assessed by using the two-choice apparatus under the action of 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% menthol. The double dye food preference experiment was used to detect the effects of menthol on the feeding behavior of Drosophila. The effects of menthol on the location of D. melanogaster was tested by oviposition apparatus. The effects of menthol on the oviposition selection of D. melanogaster were investigated by using dark conditions, removal of antennae and forelegs, and Orco² mutant test. The effects of menthol on the survival rate and developmental duration of D. melanogaster offspring were investigated. The effects of menthol on the lifespan, running speed and climbing speed of adult D. melanogaster were detected. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the gut of D. melanogaster adults fed with 1% menthol for 3 d was evaluated by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence staining technique.【Results】Menthol repelled the oviposition of female adults of Drosophila, and the oviposition indexes of D. melanogaster were -0.42, -0.58 and -0.98 under the treatment of 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% menthol, respectively. The female adults of D. suzukii, D. yakuba and D. pseudoobscura also showed oviposition avoidance response to menthol in the same way as those of D. melanogaster. D. melanogaster and D. suzukii adults significantly rejected the medium containing menthol during the feeding process. D. melanogaster adults showed obvious positioning avoidance to the medium containing menthol, and the position indexes of D. melanogaster under the treatment of 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% menthol were -0.32, -0.44 and -0.84, respectively. All concentrations of menthol still showed significant oviposition repellency to the female adults of D. melanogaster in dark environment and with foreleg removed, but under the condition of removing the antennae of D. melanogaster adults, the oviposition repellency of menthol was significantly reduced, and the oviposition indexes under the treatment of 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% menthol were -0.04, -0.06 and -0.26, respectively. Menthol still had oviposition repellent effect on Orco² mutants. In the treatment group with 1% menthol, the time to puparium formation and time to adult eclosion were significantly extended by 0.74 and 0.73 d, respectively, and the survival rates dropped significantly by 63.2% and 91.3%, respectively, as compared to those in the control group. With the increase of menthol concentration, the survival rate of D. melanogaster adults decreased, and their running speed and climbing speed were decreased significantly, i.e. mentol decreased the fitness of the parent D. melanogaster. Treatment with 1% menthol dramatically enhanced the ROS level in the gut of D. melanogaster adults at 3 d after treatment.【Conclusion】Menthol mediates the oviposition avoidance response through olfactory in Drosophila species, and reduces the fitness and survival rate of offspring and parents.