【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】 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】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】 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】 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.

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

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

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

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

 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】 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

【Aim】 Abamectin is one of the commonly used insecticides in forestry systems. This study aims to investigate the sublethal effects of abamectin on a natural enemy insect, Sclerodermus alternatusi. 【Methods】 The toxicity of abamectin to S. alternatusi adults was determined by topical application. After treatment with sublethal doses ［LD₁₀ (3.20×10^-5 μg/individual) and LD₃₀ (8.86×10^-5 μg/individual)］ of abamectin to female adults of S. alternatusi, the changes in the developmental duration, fecundity, survival rate, and longevity of female and male adults of the F₁ generation were determined, and the age-stage, two-sex life table was constructed. 【Results】 Compared to the blank control (non-subjected to any treatment), both LD₁₀ and LD₃₀ of abamectin significantly reduced the male adult longevity of S. alternatusi, but had no significant effects on the egg, larval and pupal duration. However, LD₁₀ of abamectin significantly extended the female adult longevity of S. alternatusi. Additionally, the average numbers of laid eggs per female of the F₁ generation in treatments with LD₁₀ and LD₃₀ of abamectin increased by 24.70% and 64.56%, respectively, as compared with that in the blank control. Furthermore, the results of population parameters of the F₁ generation revealed that, compared to the blank control, both LD₁₀ and LD₃₀ of abamectin significantly extended the mean generation time (T) of S. alternatusi by 7.01% and 4.38%, respectively, but had no significant impact on the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ). The net reproductive rate (R₀) of S. alternatusi in the treatment group with LD₁₀ of abamectin significantly increased as compared to that in the blank control group. 【Conclusion】 Sublethal doses of abamectin significantly inhibited the survival and increased the fecundity of females of S. alternatusi offspring, but had no significant impact on its population growth. Therefore, abamectin is a promising insecticide for the control of forest pests without affecting the population survival of their natural enemies.

Developing efficient and environmentally friendly pesticide formulations to minimize chemical residues and pollution to the greatest extent possible is critical to ensure food and ecological security. The development of nanotechnology has provided strategies for the creation of green pesticide formulations in agriculture. Researchers have developed a series of intelligent responsive metal or inorganic nanocarriers that target pathological environments and in vitro physical stimuli from diseases, pests and weeds. These carriers can achieve precise-controllable drug release by responding to endogenous changes in animals and plants such as pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox conditions, or external stimuli such as temperature and light, and improve the efficiency of disease, pest and weed control. From three aspects of responding to endogenous stimuli, responding to exogenous stimuli and responding to multiple stimuli, in this article we reviewed the current status of research on intelligent responsive nano-based drug delivery systems in the agricultural field, introduced the functional design, functional characteristics, and effects of intelligent responsive nanocarriers to serve as a reference for research on pesticides/nucleic acid drugs and their delivery systems. In the future, intelligent responsive nanodrug delivery systems could be a promising vehicle to enhance drug utilization and realize target-specific drug release.

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

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

【Aim】 To clarify the regulatory role of apoptosis in the transmission of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) GAV strain (BYDV-GAV) by Sitobion avenae. 【Methods】 The expression levels of the key apoptosis genes, including the caspase family genes Caspase-1 and Caspase-3, and the apoptosis inhibitor genes IAP-1 and IAP-2, were detected by the qPCR method, and the apoptosis levels of midgut and salivary gland tissues were also detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL) assay in the BYDV-GAV-uninfected and -infected S. avenae adults. After adding the apoptosis inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO or the Caspase-1 specific activator PAC-1 to the artificial diet and feeding the  BYDV-GAV-infected and  -uninfected S. avencee adults, the expression levels of Caspase-1 and the copy numbers of BYDV-GAV CP in adults were examined at different virus acquisition and transmission time using the qPCR method, and the efficiency of transmitting BYDV-GAV was detected by RT-PCR. By incorporating dsRNA into artificial diets to silence Caspase-1 or IAP-1 in S. avenae adults, the silencing efficiency at different time and the corresponding effects of gene silencing on the survival and reproduction of S. avenae were determined, and the copy numbers of BYDV-GAV CP during the virus acquisition and transmission periods, and the virus transmission efficiency in S. avenae adults were also measured.【Results】Compared with the BYDV-GAV-uninfected healthy S. avenae adults, the BYDV-GAV-infected S. avenae adults showed significantly increased expression level of Caspase-1， and significantly decreased expression levels of IAP-1 and IAP-2. Additionally, the percentage of apoptotic cells in the midgut of the BYDV-GAV-infected S. avenae adults was significantly increased, as compared to that in the BYDV-GAV-uninfected healthy S. avenae adults. Compared with the control fed with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), S. avenae adults fed with the activator PAC-1 exhibited enhanced expression level of Caspase-1 during the acquisition and transmission periods, and significantly decreased copy numbers of BYDV-GAV CP and the virus transmission efficiency. In S. avenae adults fed with dsCaspase-1 and dsIAP-1, the silencing efficiency of Caspase-1 and IAP-1 reached their maximum on the 3rd day (80.63% and 71.91%, respectively), as compared with that in the control fed with dsGFP. The silencing of Caspase-1 and IAP-1 had no significant effect on the survival and reproduction of S. avenae. Moreover, the copy number of BYDV-GAV CP in S. avenae adults fed with dsCaspase-1 significantly increased during the virus acquisition period as compared with that in the control fed with dsGFP. 【Conclusion】 BYDV-GAV could enhance the apoptosis level of S. avenae, which may serve as an innate immune system of S. avenae to suppress its capacity to acquire and transmit the virus. These findings provide theoretical bases for understanding the interaction mechanism between vectors and plant viruses, and a new intervention strategy to curtail the spread of plant viral diseases by targeting the apoptotic pathways in vectors.

【Aim】 To elucidate the phylogeny of subfamilies within the family Coreidae by analyzing the mitochondrial genome sequence data. 【Methods】 High-throughput sequencing was used to conduct low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of four coreid species (Homoeocerus striicornis, H. dilatatus, Cletus schmidti and Molipteryx fuliginosa). The complete mitochondrial genome sequences were reconstructed from the obtained whole-genome sequencing data. Combining with the published mitochondrial genome sequences of 32 species from three subfamilies of Coreidae (as ingroups) and three mitochondrial genome sequences from the family Alydidae (as outgroups), the phylogeny of subfamilies within Coreidae was reconstructed using both the maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. 【Results】 The lengths of the mitochondrial genomes of H. striicornis, H. dilatatus, C. schmidti and M. fuliginosa (GenBank accession numbers: OR702557-OR702560) were 15 706, 15 913, 17 685 and 16 959 bp, respectively. The gene arrangements of the newly obtained mitochondrial genomes of the four coreid species were consistent with that of the typical insect mitochondrial genome, showing no gene rearrangement or other special genomic structural characteristics. Furthermore, the complete mitochondrial genome sequences, and the protein-coding gene, rRNA gene and tRNA gene sequences of the mitochondrial genomes of the four coreid species exhibited high A+T content (≥70%). The phylogenetic trees of Coreidae reconstructed using the maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods had a largely identical tree topology, supporting Coreinae as a monophyletic and a sister-group relationship between Coreinae and Hydarinae. 【Conclusion】 This study reconstructed the phylogeny of subfamilies within Coreidae using mitochondrial genome data. The results support the monophyletic group of the subfamily Coreinae and the sister relationship between Coreinae and Hydarinae. This study provides mitochondrial phylogenomic data for further exploration of the systematic evolution of Coreidae in a phylogenetic framework.

【Aim】 Previous study found that the overexpression of CYP6AY3v2 and CYP439A1v3 in deltamethrin-resistant strain JH-del of Laodelphax striatellus is the main mechanism of deltamethrin resistance of L. striatellus. The aim of this study is to clarify the mechanism of up-regulated expression of CYP6AY3v2 and CYP439A1v3 in L. striatellus and to reveal the regulatory signal pathways. 【Methods】 The expression levels of long wavelength-sensitive opsin (LOW) gene LWO of the G proteincoupled receptor (GPCR) family A in the 4th instar nymphs of the deltamethrin-resistant strain JHdel and the sensitive strain JHS of L. striatellus were detected by quantitative PCR. RNAi and Bupivacaine HCL were used to interfere with LWO/AC/cAMP/PKA signal pathway genes LWO, AC-2, AC-3, PKA-1, PKA-2 and PKA-3 of the 3rd instar nymphs of L. striatellus strain JH-del, and bioassay was used to detect the change in the sensitivity of L. striatellus to deltamethrin so as to verify that LWO-activated downstream AC/cAMP/PKA/CYP450s signal pathway genes to mediate deltamethrin resistance of L. striatellus by increasing its own expression level. Transgenic Drosophila combined with GAL4/UAS system and insect baculovirus expression system were used to heterogeneously express the L. striatellus LWOi n the 3-day-old female adults of Drosophila melanogaster and Sf9 cells of Spodoptera frugiperda to verify the function of LWO. 【Results】 The relative expression level of LWO  in the deltamethrin-resistant L. striatellus strain JH-del was 1.54-fold as high as that in the sensitive strain JHS. When any node of the LWO/AC/cAMP/PKA signal pathway in the 3rd instar nymph of L. striatellus strain JH-del was interfered by feeding dsRNAs of target genes, the expression levels of CYP6AY3v2 and CYP439A1v3 that metabolize deltamethrin downstream of this signal pathway were significantly decreased, and the sensitivity of the 3rd instar nymphs of strain JH-del of L. striatellus was restored as compared with that in the control group (fed with ds GFP). After heterologous expression of LWO in D. melanogaster and Sf9 cells, the resistance of D. melanogaster and Sf9 cells to deltamethrin increased significantly, and the increase of deltamethrin resistance was also mediated by LWO/AC/cAMP/PKA/CYP450s signal pathway of L. striatellus. 【Conclusion】 LWO receptor activates downstream AC/cAMP/PKA/CYP450s signal pathway by increasing its own expression level, which mediates deltamethrin resistance of L. striatellus. The results provide a theoretical basis for resistance management of L. striatellus and screening of new insecticide targets.

【Aim】 To explore the function of BmMCP18, a gut-specific metallocarboxypeptidase gene from Bombyx mori, and its resistance mechanism to exogenous virus infection. 【Methods】 The BmMCP18 knockout B. mori (BmMCP18KO)(C18KO) was constructed. The 5th instar larval midgut transcriptomes from C18KO and its control wild-type B. mori (C18KOC), and the 5th instar larval midgut transcriptomes of BmMCP18KO (C18KOV) infected with nuclear polyhedrosis virus ( B. mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus, BmNPV) and its control wild-type B. mori (C18KOCV) were sequenced. The differentially expressed genes were analyzed for GO functional annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment, and qRT-PCR was used to verify the expression of related genes.【Results】 Compared with the control group C18KOC, C18KO had 75 genes with up-regulated expression and 303 genes with down-regulated expression. Compared with the control group C18KOCV, C18KOV had 96 genes with up-regulated expression and 57 genes with down-regulated expression. The significantly enriched GO items by differentially expressed genes in the C18KOC vs C18KO comparison group were extracellular space, cell surface, peptide cross-linking and synaptic target recognition. The most significantly enriched GO item by differentially expressed genes in the C18KOCV vs C18KOV comparison group was transmembrane transporter activity. The expression of genes related to the immune pathway, carbohydrate and energy metabolism pathway, including Toll and Imd pathway, and MAPK pathway in the transcriptome of the 5th instar larval midgut of C18KO, was significantly down-regulated，while that related to ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis pathway was significantly up-regulated, as compared with that of C18KOC. The expression of energy metabolism genes in the 5th instar larval midgut of C18KOV was significantly up-regulated as compared with that of C18KOCV. The qRT-PCR validation results indicated that the transcriptome data were reliable.【Conclusion】 The function of BmMCP18 involves cellular recognition, immune regulation and energy metabolism in the midgut of B. mori, possibly by participating in the immune response, energy and material supply of midgut cells to affect the resistance of B. mori to the infection of exogenous pathogens.

【Aim】 To reveal the functions of the cytochrome P450 (CYP450）genes, HcCYP4S47 and HcCYP332A29, in Hyphantria cunea in response to chlorantraniliprole stress.【Methods】The diets containing LC₃₀ (0.06 mg/L) of chlorantraniliprole were fed to the 3rd instar larvae of the laboratory population, northern population (Tieling population from Liaoning), and southern population (Dawu population from Xiaogan, Hubei) of H. cunea via mixing the pesticide into the diets, and the surviving larvae were collected at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after feeding treatment, respectively. The CYP450 activity in the 3rd instar larvae of H. cunea was determined. The expression levels of HcCYP4S47 and HcCYP332A29 in the 3rd instar larvae of the three geographical populations after exposure to 0.06 mg/L of chlorantraniliprole were analyzed using RT-qPCR. Additionally, HcCYP4S47 and HcCYP332A29 in the 3rd instar larvae of the three geographical populations were silenced by RNAi technology, and the expression levels of target genes were detected by RT-qPCR after dsRNA injection. The diets containing 0.06 mg/L of chlorantraniliprole were fed to the gene-silenced 3rd instar larvae of the three geographical populations, and the survival rates of H. cunea larvae were recorded at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h after feeding.【Results】 After exposure to 0.06 mg/L of chlorantraniliprole, the CYP450 activities in the 3rd instar larvae of the northern and southern populations of H. cunea were higher than those in the laboratory population at four treatment time points (6, 12, 24 and 48 h). Specifically, the CYP450 activity in the 3rd instar larvae of the northern population in the chlorantraniliprole treatment group exhibited the highest levels at 24 and 48 h after treatment, while that in the 3rd instar larvae of the southern population in the chlorantraniliprole treatment group peaked at 12 and 24 h after treatment. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that HcCYP4S47 and HcCYP332A29 belong to the CYP4 and CYP3 subfamilies, respectively. The expression levels of HcCYP4S47 and HcCYP332A29 were significantly higher in the 3rd instar larvae of the northern and southern populations than those in the 3rd instar larvae of the laboratory population. After exposure to 0.06 mg/L of chlorantraniliprole, the expression levels of HcCYP4S47 and HcCYP332A29 were significantly up-regulated in the 3rd instar larvae of the laboratory population as compared to those in the control group, peaking at 12 h post treatment. The expression levels of HcCYP4S47 in the 3rd instar larvae of the southern and northern populations were significantly down-regulated at 6, 12 and 48 h after chlorantraniliprole treatment, that in the northern population was significantly up-regulated and that in the southern population showed no significant change at 24 h after chlorantraniliprole treatment, as compared to that in the control group. The expression level of HcCYP332A29 in the 3rd instar larvae of the northern population in the chlorantraniliprole treatment group was significantly decreased at 6 and 12 h, but significantly up-regulated at 48 h, as compared to that in the control group. The expression level of HcCYP332A29 in the 3rd instar larvae was significantly decreased at 6 and 12 h after chlorantraniliprole treatment but significantly up-regulated at 48 h after chlorantraniliprole treatment as compared to that in the control group. In the 3rd instar larvae of the southern population, the expression level of HcCYP332A29 was significantly down-regulated at 6 h after chlorantraniliprole treatment, followed by a significant increase at 12 and 24 h. Silencing HcCYP332A29 and HcCYP4S47 increased the susceptibility of the 3rd instar larvae of H. cunea to chlorantraniliprole. 【Conclusion】 HcCYP332A29 and HcCYP4S47 play crucial roles in the response of H. cunea to chlorantraniliprole stress.

【Aim】 This study aims to introduce a suitable life table construction technique for some insects whose data of development, survival and reproduction of all individuals from birth to death could not be recorded continuously or were difficult to be recorded, and demonstrate the reliability of this technique. 【Methods】 We split 24 life tables, whose data were constructed in the usual manner, i.e., the development and survival of all individuals and fecundity of female adults were recorded from birth to their deaths, and then used the bootstrap-match technique to reconstruct them as complete life tables. The main population parameters of the bootstrap-match life tables were compared with and validated against those of the original life tables. Subsequently, we applied this technique to reconstruct the life table of Grapholita molesta with diapause period, and then used simulation program to predict the growth trends of overwintering populations. The projected population data were compared with field sampling data. 【Results】 The population parameters of 24 bootstrap-match life tables constracted based on the 0.5th percentile of R₀ and 0.5th percentile of λ were highly consistent with those of the original life tables. The bootstrap-match life table of G. molesta without diapause period showed significant differences in finite rate of increase (λ), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and mean generation time (T) compared to the life table with a 180-d diapause period, but there were no significant differences in net reproductive rate (R₀) and mean fecundity (F). Ignoring the diapause period in population growth prediction would overestimate the growth potential of field populations, and result in an unrealistic rapid increase. The life table including a 180-d diapause period with reduced fecundity and increased mortality of overwintering larvae, however, could generate the population structure close to the field observations. 【Conclusion】 This study presented a technique to independently collect data of immature and adult stages, and then constructed a complete life table by using TWOSEX-MSChart with 100 000 bootstrap-match resamplings. Computer simulations based on the age-stage, two-sex life table can then be used to predict the growth of pest populations, which will be helpful to determine the optimal timing of effective pest management programs for sustainable agricultural development.