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

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

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

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

【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】 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】 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.

【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】 To verify the feasibility of medicinal plants and their volatile components in the intervention of the selection behavior of adults of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, and to provide solutions for agricultural pest control. 【Methods】 The Y-type olfactometer was used to determine the selection rates of F. occidentalis adults to three vegetable plants (Solanum lycopersicum, Cucumis sativus and Capsicum annuum), and five medicinal plants (Mentha piperita, Perilla frutescens, Nepeta cataria, Leonurus cardiaca and Ageratum conyzoides). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the common volatile components in the leaves of the five medicinal plants. A Y-type olfactometer was used to detect the selection rates of F. occidentalis adults to 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μL/mL β-caryophyllene. 【Results】 In the selection behavior test, F. occidentalis adults showed avoidance behavior to all the five medicinal plants, especially showed significant avoidance behavior to P. frutescens and A. conyzoides, with the selection rates of 24.45% and 24.53%, respectively. The common volatile components in the leaves of the five medicinal plants identified by using GC-MS were β-caryophyllene and 2,2′-methylene bis (6-tert-butyl p-cresol). F. occidentalis adults showed no obvious behavioral response to 0.01 μL/mL β-caryophyllene, and showed obvious avoidance behavior to 0.1-100 μL/mL β-caryophyllene. The repellent rates of β-caryophyllene at high concentrations (10-100 μL/mL) could reach about 85% against F. occidentalis adults. 【Conclusion】 The tested five medicinal plants showed a significant repellent effect on F. occidentalis adults, which provides a theoretical basis for understanding the selectivity of F. occidentalis to non-host plants.β-Caryophyllene, a common volatile component in the leaves of the five medicinal plants, can be used as a repellent and botanical pesticide for agricultural control of F. occidentalis.

Insect social identity recognition refers to a biological phenomenon that insects can recognize the identity of other individuals through the perception of various cues, and then establish certain social relationships. Social identity recognition is particularly important for information exchange, defence against natural enemies, social division of labour, and individual and group survival and reproduction of social insects. In this article, social insects such as ants, termites and bees were used as examples to elaborate the mechanism of social identity recognition. Social insects use pheromones as the key cues to realize social identity recognition through olfaction, and also realize social identity recognition through visual observation of individual behaviours from their nest mates or natural enemies. Social insects can also recognize special sound signals and sense seismic waves in the air, which serve as an important basis for their social identity recognition. In addition, previous studies have shown that insect symbiotic bacteria are also involved in the social identity recognition of social insects. In light of the debate on whether social insect identity is formed by nature or nurture, we argued that insects may realize the social identity recognition through a combination of innate inheritance and acquired learning from the aspects of genes, adaptive learning and interaction between genes and environment. Social insects are excellent model organisms for studies on social behaviours of humans and other animals. Therefore, new findings on social identity recognition of social insects can not only expand our understandings on their biological characteristics, but also provide scientific bases for studies on the evolution of social cognition and various social problems in humans and other animals. The research in the following two aspects should be strengthened in the future: (1) to explore the various recognition methods of social insects and decipher their deeper mechanisms; and (2) to apply modern new computer technology to visualise and analyze the identity recognition behaviour of social insects.

 【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.

 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】 As an important physiological signaling substance for photoperiodic signaling changes, melatonin is ubiquitous in living organisms and plays an important role in regulating the metabolic activities, immune activities, antiretroviral activities, and reproductive activities of living organisms. The objective of this research is to clarify the effects of different concentrations of exogenous melatonin on the growth, development and reproduction of Spodoptera frugiperda. 【Methods】 After S. frugiperda larvae hatched within 2 h were fed with artificial diets containing different concentrations (0, 0.02, 0.2, 2 and 20 μg/g) of exogenous melatonin by indoor feeding, the developmental duration, body size and weight changes, ovarian development progress, and adult longevity and fecundity changes of S. frugiperda were observed. 【Results】 When S. frugiperda larvae were fed with the artificial diets containing 0.2, 2 and 20 μg/g of exogenous melatonin, the 3rd-6th instar larval duration and total larval duration were significantly prolonged, and the female pupal duration was significantly shortened, as compared with those in the control (fed with the normal artificial diet). After exposure to 20 μg/g of exogenous melatonin, the total larval duration of S. frugiperda was the longest, prolonged by 2.53 d, as compared with that in the control, and the female pupal duration was the shortest, shortened by 1.67 d, as compared with that in the control. However, all concentrations of exogenous melatonin had no significant effect on the male pupal duration. After treatment with 2 and 20 μg/g of exogenous melatonin, the head capsule width of the 2nd-6th instar larvae reduced significantly, the larval body weight before prepupa and the female and male pupal weight decreased significantly, the adult longevity and oviposition period were significantly shortened, the average number of eggs laid per female and number of eggs laid per female per day were significantly decreased, as compared with those in the control. Under the treatment of 20 μg/g of exogenous melatonin, the average number of eggs laid per female and the number of eggs laid per female per day were the lowest, which decreased by 45.12% and 31.66%, respectively, as compared with those in the control. Anatomical observation of the reproductive system showed that the ovarian developmental rate of the female adults slowed down obviously with the increase of the concentration of exogenous melatonin. 【Conclusion】 Exogenous melatonin at high concentrations has obvious inhibitory effects on the growth, development and reproduction of S. frugiperda, resulting in prolonged developmental duration, decreased body size, body weight loss and decreased fecundity. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the potential utilization of melatonin in pest management and for the integrated control of S. frugiperda.

【Aim】 To clarify the molecular mechanism of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in regulating the expression of the transcription factor gene BmFoxL2-2 of Bombyx mori, and analyze the expression pattern of SlFoxL2-2 in the testis of Spodoptera litura. 【Methods】 The 2 500 bp promoter sequence upstream of the initiation codon of BmFoxL2-2 was cloned from the testis genomic DNA of the 5th instar larva of B. mori by PCR and the potential cis-regulatory elements (CREs) were predicted by bioinformatics tools. pEGFP-BmBRC-Z1, pEGFP-BmBRC-Z2 and pEGFP-BmBRC-Z4 transcription factor expression plasmids and pGL3-BmFoxL2-2 plasmid were co-transfected into the BmN cells and the dual luciferase activity assay was performed to analyze the effects of BmBRCs on the promoter activity of BmFoxL2-2. The expression level of BmFoxL2-2 in the BmN cells at 4 h after treatment with 1 μmol/L 20E was determined by qRT-PCR, and the expression levels of BmBrc-z1 and BmBrc-z4 were detected as the control. The expression levels of BmBrc-z1 and BmBrc-z4 in the testis at different developmental stages (larva, prepupa, pupa and adult), and in the testis and ovary of the 5th instar larva and 3-day-old pupa of B. mori were determined by qRT-PCR. SlFoxL2-2 in the genome database of S. litura was identified by bioinformatics and the expression levels of SlFoxL2-2 in the testis and ovary of the 6th instar larva and adult, different tissues (fat body, midgut, haemolymph, head, cuticle and testis) of the 6th instar larva, the testis at different developmental stages, and in the testis, sperm and testis membrane of the 6th instar larva were determined by qRT-PCR. 【Results】 The about 2 500 bp promoter sequence upstream of the initiation codon of BmFoxL2-2 (Gene ID: 101735653) of B. mori was obtained, and 13 potential CREs of BRC were predicted. BmBRC-Z1 and BmBRC-Z4 significantly up-regulated the promoter activity of BmFoxL2-2, and the expression levels of BmFoxL2-2, BmBrc-z1 and BmBrc-z4 in the BmN cells at 4 h after treatment with 20E were also significantly up-regulated as compared with those of the control group. BmBrc-z1 and BmBrc-z4 were expressed in the testis of larva, prepupa, pupa and adult of B. mori. The expression levels of BmBrc-z1 and BmBrc-z4 in the testis of the 5th instar larva and 3-day-old pupa were significantly higher than those in the ovary. The expression level of SlFoxL2-2 of S. litura was high in the testis among different tissues, and was significantly higher in the testis and sperm than in the testis membrane of S. litura larvae, suggesting that SlFoxL2-2 also functions in the development of testis, especially in the spermatogenesis. 【Conclusion】 The expression of BmFoxL2-2 is regulated by BmBRC-Z1 and BmBRC-Z4 through 20E in B. mori, and the function of SlFoxL2-2 in the development of testis may be conserved in lepidopteran insects.

【Aim】To investigate whether the interspecific interaction of Nilaparvata lugens and Sogatella furcifera leads to changes in their symbiotic bacteria. 【Methods】N. lugens and S. furcifera were reared in either pure- or mixed-species cultures, and the diversity of the symbiotic bacteria of these populations was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. 【Results】The structure of the symbiotic bacterial communities of both N. lugens and S. furcifera in mixed-species culture changed significantly as compared with that of both N. lugens and S. furcifera in pure-species culture, and the symbiotic bacterial community structural convergence of N. lugens and S. furcifera  in mixed-species culture was observed. The diversity of the symbiotic bacteria of N. lugens in mixed-species culture was significantly enhanced as compared with that in pure-species culture. A total of 133 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in N. lugens and 143 ASVs in S. furcifera were defined as potential horizontally transferred species. 【Conclusion】 Interspecific interaction between N. lugens and S. furcifera alters the symbiotic bacterial communities of the hosts, providing a new perspective of symbiotic bacteria for studying the interspecific interaction between planthoppers.

【Aim】 The morphological and biological characteristics of Geocoris xishaensis were clarified to provide a scientific basis for its taxonomic identification and propagation.【Methods】 At the constant temperature of (26±1) ℃, the eggs of Corcyra cephalonica were used as the food to feed G. xishaensis. The main morphological characteristics, the individual development from egg to adult, survival and fecundity of G. xishaensis were recorded by the individual rearing method, and the behaviors such as feeding, predation, mating and oviposition, eclosion and cannibalism were observed and described. 【Results】 The development of G. xishaensis includes egg, 1st-5th instar nymphs and adult. Eggs are milky white and turn to pink with obvious eyespots before hatching. There are white markings on the dorsal side of abdomen of the 2nd-5th instar nymphs. The wing bud appears in the 5th instar nymph. The body length, eye width and abdominal width increase with the increase of developmental stage. The head of the adult is wide and in yellowish brown. The pronotum is in yellowish-brown, with a dark spot in the mid-region. The scutellum has black markings. G. xishaensis usually lifts its preys in the air for sucking. The mating postures of female and male adults are tail to tail in a straight line. The upper body of G. xishaensis is raised upward while the abdomen is facing down during the oviposition. When the nymphs molt, the head and neck are separated from the exuvium first, and then sequentially detach the leg and body. The cannibalism behavior appears in the same and different developmental stages of G. xishaensis. But the early instar nymphs are easier to be killed by the adults and late instar nymphs. The egg duration, nymphal duration, pre-oviposition period, generation time and adult longevity of G. xishaensis were 9.24, 26.63, 4.80, 40.45 and 46.53 d, respectively. 【Conclusion】 In this study, the main morphological characteristics, developmental duration and fecundity of G. xishaensis have been clarified, and the behaviors of predation, mating, oviposition and eclosion, and the cannibalism behavior of adults and nymphs have been preliminarily revealed. Based on the current studies, the white markings on the dorsal side of abdomen and the wing bud development can be used as the main morphological characteristics to identify the instar of nymphs.

 【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.

-【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】 This study aims to establish the adult antennal transcriptome database of Diaphania glauculalis and mine chemosensory-related genes, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the chemosensory mechanism of adult antenna of D. glauculalis, and green prevention and control technology. 【Methods】 The antennal transcriptome of D. glauculalis adults was sequenced using an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. The raw data were edited using Trimmomatic and Trinity and assembled to obtain transcriptome data. The transcriptome data were compared to CDD, KOG, COG, NR, NT, PFAM and KEGG databases to obtain gene annotation information and identify the chemosensory-related genes. The expression levels of the chemosensory-related genes were assessed using TPM (transcripts per million). The phylogenetic tree of the chemosensory-related genes of D. glauculalis was constructed using the maximum likelihood method. 【Results】A total of 52 705 124 unigenes were obtained from the male adult antennal transcriptome of D. glauculalis and 55 391 610 unigenes from the female adult antennal transcriptome. By comparing the annotation with NR database, 24 192 unigenes were annotated, among them, the most (10 679) homologous sequences were from Ostrinia furnacalis. There were 14 313 unigenes annotated to 204 289 GO functional entries, including 113 387 unigenes annotated to biological processes, 70 115 unigenes annotated to cellular components, and 20 787 unigenes annotated to molecular functions. There were 10 721 unigenes annotated to 11 968 functional entries in 25 classifications of the KOG database. There were 12 892 unigenes annotated to five categories of metabolic pathways in the KEGG database, attributed to 33 pathways, with the largest number of unigenes (1 500) annotated to signal transduction pathways. A total of 136 chemosensory-related genes were identified, including 31 odorantbinding protein (OBP) genes, 24 chemosensory protein (CSP) genes, 50 odor receptor (OR) genes, 20 ionotropic receptor (IR) genes, nine gustatory receptor (GR) genes and two sensory neuron membrane protein (SNMP) genes. 【Conclusion】 In this study, we constructed the antennal transcriptome database of D. glauculalis adults for the first time, and elaborated the types and number of chemosensory-related genes. This study lays the molecular foundation for the functional analysis of chemosensory genes of D. glauculalis and olfactory sensory mechanism, and then provides theoretical support for the development of new green control technologies based on insect olfactory sensory mechanism.

 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】 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】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】The Chinese honey bee (Apis cerana cerana) is the most widely distributed subspecies of the eastern honey bee (Apis cerana) in China, with significant advantages in geographic adaptation and ecological diversity. The cold resistance of A. c. cerana is superior to that of the western bee (A. mellifera) and can be used for beekeeping at high altitudes and collecting winter honey sources, this performance plays an important role in production. Exploring the low temperature tolerance of A. c. cerana can help to select excellent strains and create greater value for agricultural economy. 【Methods】 Samples of six groups of A. c. cerana workers of the 3-, 10- and 21-day-old subjected to normal temperature ［(25.0±0.2) ℃］ treatment (the control group) and low temperature ［(4.0±0.2) ℃］ treatment, respectively, for 6 h were collected and used for transcriptome sequencing by Illumina RNA-Seq and for full-length transcriptome sequencing by PacBio Iso-Seq. The Illumina RNA-Seq data were used to correct the PacBio Iso-Seq data. Based on the high-quality sequencing data, functional annotation of novel transcripts and genes were conducted using NR, NT, Pfam, KOG/COG, Swiss-Prot, KEGG and GO databases. 【Results】 A total of 71.17, 42.76, 58.82, 53.45, 40.33 and 42.79 Gb reads of the full-length transcriptome sequencing of A. c. cerana workers in six groups were obtained, respectively, with an average N₅₀ of 205 895 bp, yielding 164 194 consistent sequences after quality control. A total of 21 519 novel transcripts were obtained by alignment to the A. cerana reference genome, and were closely related to the material metabolism, nervous system, and signal transduction of A. c. cerana. The material metabolism, cell development, lifespan, and neural development of A. c. cerana at different day-old were affected by low temperature stress. Furthermore, 28 647 long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) were identified, among them lincRNA and sense_intronic were the most abundant lncRNAs, accounting for 35% and 45%, respectively.【Conclusion】This study identified a large number of unannotated novel genes and transcripts using the corrected the PacBio Iso-Seq data and conducted functional annotation of A. c. cerana workers. The quantity and types of LncRNA were also analyzed. These results complement the reference genome of A. cerana and provide a good data background for exploring the cold resistance mechanism of A. c. cerana.

 【Aim】 Low temperature is one of the key methods for controlling the important tobacco storage pest Lasioderma serricorne in China, yet the population dynamics and resistance mechanism of L. serricorne to low temperature remains largely unexplored. Examining the sublethal impacts of low temperature exposure on insects could help us understanding their adaptive responses to low temperatures. This study aims to reveal the adaptive capacity of L. serricorne  to low temperature and its population development potential under such conditions by analyzing the life table parameters of L. serricorne  offspring affected by sublethal low temperature exposure. 【Methods】To construct the time-mortality curve, we exposed the last instar larvae ofL. serricorne to -20 ℃ for different time. Using this data, we calculated the lethal time for 10% and 50% mortalities (LT₁₀ and LT₅₀). Later, we constructed the age-stage, two-sex life tables for the survived F₁ population by exposing the last instar larvae of the F₀ generation of L. serricorne  to -20 ℃ for LT₁₀ and LT₅₀, respectively. 【Results】The LT₁₀ and LT₅₀ values of the low temperature of -20 ℃ to the last instar larvae ofL. serricorne  were 5.32 and 12.84 min, respectively. More than 90% of the F₁ individuals originated from the F₀ population exposed to -20 ℃ for LT₁₀ and LT₅₀ survived and completed the whole life cycle. No significant differences in the total longevity from egg to adult, female adult longevity, net reproductive rate (R₀), intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) and finite rate of increase (λ) were found between the control population reared at 28 ℃ and the F₁ populations from the F₀ populations exposed to -20 ℃ for LT₁₀ and LT₅₀. However, compared to the control, exposure of the last instar larvae of the F₀ generation to the low temperature of -20 ℃ for LT₁₀ and LT₅₀ significantly reduced the initial life expectancy of eggs and the 1st instar larvae, the 1st instar larval duration and the reproductive value of the whole larval stage of the F₁ population, but increased the proportion of males in the F₁ population.【Conclusion】Exposure of the last instar larvae ofL. serricorne  to -20 ℃ for LT₁₀ and LT₅₀ leads to decrease in the initial life expectancy and population reproductive rate of the F₁ offspring. However, the population structure and the basic life table parameters remain normal. The results indicate thaL. serricorne  larvae have good adaptability to low temperatures, and the surviving individuals can quickly expand the population after undergoing low temperature treatment.

【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】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】 To clarify the ultrastructure of antennal sensilla of adults of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, and to explore the olfactory responses of its female and male adults to odorants. 【Methods】 The ultrastructure of antennal sensilla of H. illucens adults was observed by transmission electron microscope. The electroantennogram (EAG) responses and behavioral responses of female and male adults to four odorants including isovaleric acid, lactic acid, ethyl acetate and nonanal were measured by electroantennography and Y-tube olfactometer, respectively. 【Results】 The cuticular wall of trichoid sensilla on the antennae of H. illucens adults exhibited a thick structure devoid of pores, within which nerve dendritic branches were immersed in sensilla lymph. Basiconic bulge with several branches was observed in the cavity of coeloconic sensilla. The cuticular wall of the basiconic bulge displayed a thin composition with pores, within which nerve dendritic branches were immersed in sensilla lymph. EAG test results indicated that all the four odorants tested at various concentrations caused obvious EAG responses of adult H. illucens. The reactions caused by these odorants varied with the change in concentration. Both female and male adults exhibited the strongest EAG response to isovaleric acid, and the relative values of their EAG responses increased as the concentration increased. However, the EAG response of female adults to lactic acid initially increased and then decreased with the concentration increasing, while that of males showed the opposite trend. To the two odorants ethyl acetate and nonanal, the EAG response of female adults initially decreased and then increased with the test concentration increasing, whereas that of male adults showed a different and irregular trend. The behavioral choice test results demonstrated that lactic acid at the concentrations of 0.001-0.1 μg/μL had significant attraction to female adults, and 0.1 μg/μL isovaleric acid had significant attraction to male adults. 【Conclusion】 The trichoid sensilla on the flagellum of antennae of adult H. illucens may function as hygro- and thermo-sensilla, while the coeloconic sensilla on the flagellum might be olfactory sensilla. The antennae of both female and male adults are sensitive to high concentrations of isovaleric acid. Low concentrations of lactic acid and isovaleric acid have attractive effects on H. illucens adults, and could potentially be used as the components of attractants.

【Aim】 Accurately zoning the geographic distribution of soil-dwelling termites in China will provide valuable insights for guiding precise prevention and control measures against termite infestation. This study aims to explore the geographic distribution zoning of soil-dwelling termites in China by using a mathematical model and combining the environmental factors affecting the distribution of soil-dwelling termites.【Methods】 We considered several environmental factors influencing termite distribution including temperature, precipitation, relative humidity and soil pH value, and adopted an iterative local search algorithm (ILS) to develop the zoning model. 【Results】 The ILS zoning model captured the actual distribution of soildwelling termites in China. The model divided the density of soildwelling termites in China into three regions: high-density area (D3), medium-density area (D2), and lowdensity area (D1) from south to north. The northernmost boundary of D3 extends from Nanjing (Jiangsu Province) in the east, passing through Wuhu (Anhui Province), Macheng and Shashi (Hubei Province), Fenggang (Guizhou Province), Yibin (Sichuan Province), and westward to Shangri-La (Yunnan Province). This northern boundary primarily follows the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The northernmost boundary of D2 starts from Yancheng (Jiangsu Province), traverses Fuyang (Anhui Province), Zhumadian (Henan Province), Shangzhou (Shaanxi Province), Chengxian (Gansu Province), and extends westward to Lianting (Sichuan Province). The eastern part of this northern boundary roughly follows the Huaihe River, forming a curved shape with a raised extremity. The northernmost boundary of D1 begins from Dongying (Shandong Province), passes through Handan (Hebei Province), Changzhi (Shanxi Province), Huating and Hezuo (Gansu Province), Yushu (Qinghai Province), and extends westward to Rikaze (Xizhang Autonomous Region). Its northern boundary mainly extends northward along the lower reaches of the Yellow River, forming a curve with a raised center. 【Conclusion】 The geographic distribution of soil-dwelling termites in China has extended beyond the Yellow River, exhibiting a density pattern characterized by higher density in the southern and eastern regions, and lower density in the northern and western regions. From south to north, the soil-dwelling termites in China can be broadly categorized into high-, medium- and low-density areas based on the natural geographical boundaries of the Yangtze River, the Huai River, and the Yellow River.

【Aim】 The aim of this study is to analyze the function of β-N-acetylhexosaminase gene TecHEX3 of Tetranychus cinnabarinus during molting, which is the key enzyme gene in the chitin degradation pathway, so as to lay the foundation for the development of a new safe biopesticide against T. cinnabarinus. 【Methods】TecHEX3 from T. cinnabarinus was cloned using PCR and analyzed using bioinformatics methods. The expression levels of TecHEX3 in different developmental stages (egg, larva, nymph and adult), and nymphs fed with 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) were assayed using RT-qPCR. The efficiency of silencing TecHEX3 of female adult and nymph of T. cinnabarinus through RNAi was analyzed using the feeding method, and the mortality and lethal phenotype of nymphs were counted and observed. 【Results】 TecHEX3 (GenBank accession number: OR413561) was cloned from T. cinnabarinus and the encoded protein belongs to the 20-glycoside hydrolase family. Phylogenetic tree indicated its closest relationship to TuHEX3 of T. urticae, placing it in beta-N-acetylhexosaminase group IV. TecHEX3 was expressed in various developmental stages of T. cinnabarinus, with the highest expression level observed in adults. The best induction of TecHEX3 expression was achieved by feeding 500 ng/μL of 20E. RNAi results demonstrated that the expression level of TecHEX3 in T. cinnabarinus nymphs fed with dsTecHEX3 was significantly reduced by 81% as compared to that of the control group (fed with dsEGFP). Silencing TecHEX3 resulted in failure to shed the old cuticle or abnormal morphology of T. cinnabarinus, causing a mortality rate of 40.58%. 【Conclusion】 TecHEX3 plays an important role in the molting development of T. cinnabarinus by involvement in the chitin degradation process.

【Aim】 This study aims to understand the effects of different land use types on the number of individuals and dominant group of Ichneumonidae and their dynamic change. 【Methods】 From October 2018 to September 2019, the individuals of Ichneumonidae were collected in 2 300 m area in the eastern slope of Cangshan Mountain of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, southwestern China using Malaise trap, and the differences in the biomass, subfamily number, community structure and subfamily diversity of Ichneumonidae between the two habitats were analyzed. 【Results】A total of 2 259 individuals of Ichneumonidae belonging to 23 subfamilies were collected in natural forest and tea garden from the eastern slope of Cangshan Mountain, Dali, Yunnan from October 2018 to September 2019， including 1 551 individuals belonging to 22 subfamilies in natural forest, and 708 individuals belonging to 21 subfamilies in tea garden. The monthly number of individuals of Ichneumonidae in natural forest was higher than that in tea garden, and there was no significant difference in the monthly number of subfamilies of Ichneumonidae between the two habitats. The fluctuation of monthly number of subfamilies of Ichneumonidae in natural forest showed two peaks in June and December, respectively, while that in tea garden showed no peak. The community composition exhibited significant difference between the two habitats. The unique dominant subfamily in natural forest was Anomaloninae and that in tea garden was Phygadeuoninae. Campopleginae and Orthocentrinae were the shared dominant subfamilies in the two habitats. There was no significant difference in the monthly subfamily diversity index and richness of Ichneumonidae between natural forest and tea garden. 【Conclusion】 Therefore, the total number of individuals of Ichneumonidae in tea garden in the low altitude area in Cangshan Mountain reduces, and the community structure, dominant group and annual dynamics of individual number in this habitat change as compared to those in natural forest. In order to protect the biological control insects like Ichneumonidae, it is recommended to protect the original vegetation and land use types.

【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 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】 To determine the expression level changes of microRNAs (miRNAs) of Apis mellifera during the overwintering period, explore the potential relationships between miRNAs and their target mRNAs and cold resistance, so as to further reveal the molecular mechanism of cold resistance of A. mellifera at the miRNAomics level. 【Methods】 sRNA-seq technology was used to identify miRNAs in four subspecies of A. mellifera including A. m. ligustica, A. m. mellifera, A. m. caucasica and A. m. carnica during the early and middle overwintering periods. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) in the four subspecies during different overwintering periods were screened by P≤0.05 and |log₂ fold change|≥1. The screened target mRNAs of miRNAs were predicted using related bioinformatic software, and then annotated by GO and KEGG databases. The regulatory network of DEmiRNAs with target mRNAs was constructed according to the targeted binding relationship, followed by visualization with Cytoscape. Eight DEmiRNAs including ame-miR-263a-5p, ame-miR-184-3p, ame-miR-263b-5p, ame-miR-190-5p, ame-miR-6052-5p, ame-miR-9a-5p, ame-miR-100-5p and ame-miR-306-5p were randomly selected for RT-qPCR validation.【Results】A total of 210 miRNAs were predicted in the four subspecies of A. mellifera during the overwintering period, including 178 conserved miRNAs and 32 new miRNAs. The length of miRNAs in the four subspecies of A. mellifera ranged from 18 to 30 nt, of which the most distributed lengths are 22 and 23 nt, and the number of miRNAs with the first base U is the largest. DEmiRNAs with the highest expression level were ame-miR-1-3p, ame-miR-276-3p and ame-miR-184-3p in the four subspecies of A. mellifera during the early and middle overwintering periods. A total of 22 DEmiRNAs were screened from A. m. ligustica between the early and middle overwintering periods, targeting 394 mRNAs which were annotated to 161 GO functional terms and 16 KEGG pathways. A total of 28 DEmiRNAs were screened from A. m. mellifera between the early and middle overwintering periods, targeting 415 mRNAs which were annotated to 147 GO functional terms and 15 KEGG pathways. A total of 67 DEmiRNAs were screened from A. m. caucasica between the early and middle overwintering periods, targeting 1 021 mRNAs which were annotated to 171 functional GO functional terms and 21 KEGG pathways. A total of 18 DEmiRNAs were screened from A. m. carnica between the early and middle overwintering periods, targeting 330 mRNAs which were annotated to 147 GO functional terms and 13 KEGG pathways. A complicated regulatory network was formed between DEmiRNAs and target mRNAs in the four subspecies of A. mellifera. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the expression trend of the eight DEmiRNAs was consistent with the data by sRNA-seq, which confirmed the reliability of our sequencing data.【Conclusion】The miRNA expression level changes in the four subspecies of A. mellifera during different overwintering periods were clarified, and several candidate molecular target miRNAs with potential regulation of cold resistance of A. mellifera were obtained, among which ame-miR-14-3p and ame-miR-3786-5p negatively regulate the expression of multiple mRNAs in A. m. mellifera, A. m. caucasica and A. m. carnica, but not in A. m. mellifera. miRNAs are involved in the cold resistance of A. mellifera by regulating the expression of target genes involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, MAPK signaling pathway and mTOR signaling pathway.

【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】Brochosomes, which are nano particles covering on the body surface of the adults of the tea green leafhopper, Empoasca onukii, can avoid the stickness of their own sticky exudates and the permeability of insecticide droplets. In this study, we tried to explore the methods to damage the brochsomal protedion layer, to analyze the rhythm of brochosome secretion and the repairing behaviors of E. onukii adults after damage to the brochosomal protection layer, and to observe the micromorphology of the brochosome-anointing organ, so as to clarify the specific characteristics of repairing the nano-sized brochosomal protection layer of E. onukii adults.【Methods】 E. onukii adults were treated with water spraying, powder injection and a high-humidity condition, and insecticide spraying (0.05 mg/L bifenthrin) with different surfactants (0.2% detergent, 0.5% Tween-80, and 0.05% organosilicon adjuvant Silwet 618). The damage effects of these treatments on the brochosomal integument of adults were observed by the indicator-plaque method and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The adults were sprayed and the single wing was smeared with organosilicon adjuvant (Silwet 618) solution as damaged treatments, with untreated adults as the control. The frequency of white brocosomal spots was recorded by a pohotographic microscopy and the rhythm of brochosome secretion was analyzed by the frequencies of white brochosomal spots. The brochosome-anointing behaviors were analyzed by the Vegas software. The location of the brochosome-anointing organ was verified by the organ-ablated method, and the microstructures were observed by SEM. 【Results】The brochosomal protection layer of E. onukii adults was not damaged by the treatments with water spraying, powder injection and a high humidity condition, while obvious plaques on the adult wings were caused by the spraying with insecticide plus organosilicon adjuvant (Silwet 618) solution. The SEM images showed that brochosomes were agglomerated with residual adjuvants and fell off. The interval time of brochosome secretion in the organosilicon adjuvant Silwet-sprayed adults was (22.3±1.8) h, which was about 8.0 h shorter than that in the control. Within 5 d post spraying, the frequency of brochosome secretion in the organosilicon adjuvant Silwet-sprayed adults was (8±1) times, which was about 3 times more than that in the control. The vibration frequeny of the forelegs and hindlegs of adults could reach (16.7±2.4) Hz. After the delicate setae row on the ventral side of hindleg tibia was treated with the organablated method, the adults were unable to anoint the brochosomes normally, which might be due to the reverse bending of the hooked apices of delicate setae.【Conclusion】 The organosilicon adjuvant Silwet 618 can damage the brochosomal protection layer on the body surface of E. onukii adults. The adults of E. onukii repair the brochosomal layer by shortening the interval time of brochosome secretion after organosilicon adjuvant treatment. The moving rate of foreleg and hindleg and the normally-hooked apices of the tibia are the key factors to anoint the nano-sized brochosomes in E. onukii adults.

【Aim】 The rapid evolution of resistance of Tetranychus truncatus to pesticides has made it increasingly difficult to control. Consequently, it is urgent to develop microbial acaricides. The entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps javanica JS001 strain has been developed as a biocontrol agent against pests such as Bemisi tabaci. The aim of this study is to explore the pathogenicity of C. javanica to T. truncatus and its ideal adjuvant materials, so as to reveal the biocontrol potential of C. javanica on T. truncatus. 【Methods】 We determined the cumulative mortality rates of eggs, nymphs and adults of T. truncatus after spraying the spore suspension (1.0×10⁶ spores/mL) of C. javanica JS001 strain. By spraying diatomaceous earth (0.025 g/L) solution and spore suspension of C. javanica JS001 strain (1.0×10⁶ spores/mL) combined with diatomaceous earth to the 2-day-old adults of T. truncatus, we observed and recorded the infection status and death of the adult T. truncates. After spraying diatomaceous earth (0.025 g/L) solution, we observed and calculated the distance between cuticle wrinkles and the number of wrinkles within unit distance (10 μm) of the 2-day-old adults of T. truncatus using scanning electron microscopy. 【Results】 C. javanica JS001 strain showed no pathogenicity to T. truncatus eggs. The mortality rate of adult T. truncatus caused by C. javanica JS001 strain was 81.75%, which was significantly higher than the mortality rate of nymphs (40.91%). Moreover, diatomaceous earth could accelerate the lethal effect of C. javanica JS001 strain on adult T. truncatus, shortening the average survival time by 0.6 d. Results of scanning electron microscopy observation showed that, compared with the control, diatomaceous earth treatment loosened the microarray structure of T. truncatus adult cuticles, significantly increased the average distance between adjacent wrinkles, and significantly decreased the average number of wrinkles within unit distance (10 μm). 【Conclusion】 C. javanica JS001 strain has a high pathogenicity against T. truncatus adults. Diatomaceous earth can alter the physical structure of the T. truncatus adult cuticle and enhance the acaricidal activity of C. javanica JS001 strain.