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

【Aim】 To 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 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.

 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】 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.

 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】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】 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】 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.

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】 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】 To analyze the types, effects and monomer composition of the main natural antioxidant components in the larval body of Bombyx mori, so as to provide a reference for their development and utilization as well as the study of their pharmacodynamic effects.【Methods】 The antioxidant capacity (AC) of the extracts from the leaves of three varieties of mulberry trees (Heyebai, Jisang2 and Boluo), as well as the extracts from excrement and whole larval bodies of the 5th instar of four varieties of B. mori (Jingsong×Haoyue, Dongfei, Cai3 and Cai4) fed on Jisang2 leaves, were tested by the scabenging abilities to free radicals of 2, 2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Meanwhile, the contents of total flavonoids, total phenols, polysaccharids and 1-deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ) in the above extracts were determined by spectrophotometry and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (RP-HPLC-UV) to analyze the main antioxidant active substances from the whole larval body of B. mori. The daily contents of total phenol and the AC for scavenging ABTS radicals (AC_ABTS) in the hemolymph of the last instar larvae (the 4th instar of 3-molter silkworms, the 5th instar of 4-molter silkworms) of six varieties of B. mori (Dongfei, Ansiwuhua, Caigan, 7903, Cai0 and Cai3) were detected. Furthermore, liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) was used for the non-targeted qualitative and quantitative analysis of antioxidant active components in the whole bodies of four varieties of larval B. mori (Jingsong×Haoyue, Dongfei, Cai3 and Cai4) on the last day of the 5th instar and in the leaves of Jisang2. 【Results】The contents of total flavonoids, total phenols and polysaccharids of the extracts from mulberry leaves showed highly significant positive correlations with the AC of extracts from mulberry leaves, and the contents of total flavonoids and total phenols showed highly significantly positive correlations with the AC of extracts from excrement and whole bodies of the 5th instar larvae of B. mori. The AC_ABTS and AC_DPPH of extracts from whole bodies of the 5th instar larvae at the last day of four varieties of B. mori were ［(22.61±1.37)-(36.70±2.12) mg VC/g］ and ［(16.77±0.47)-(23.43±2.34) mg VC/g］, respectively, which were 1.46-2.38 and 1.81-2.54-fold of those of Jisang2 leaf extracts, and also 0.96-2.27 and 1.23-7.73-fold of those of excrement extracts from the 5th instar larve at the last day of B. mori, respectively. The content of total phenols in the extracts from whole body of the 5th instar larvae at the last day of B. mori ［(9-14±0.13)-(13.28±0.78) mg/g］ was close to those of Jisang2 leaf ［(19.74±0.58) mg/g］ and excrement of the 5th instar larvae at the last day of B. mori ［(10.19±0.19)-(16.74±0.24) mg/g］, but the contents of total flavonoids and 1-DNJ in the extracts from whole body of the 5th instar larvae at the last day of B. mori were significantly lower than those of Jisang2 leaf and excrement  of the 5th instar larvae at the last day of B. mori. The above data indicated that total phenols were the main antioxidant components in the extracts from whole body of the 5th instar larvae at the last day of B. mori. The daily AC_ABTS value and daily content of total phenols in larval hemolymph from six varieties of B. mori at the last instar were significantly positively correlated, which further confirmed that total phenols are the important antioxidant components of B. mori. A total of 436 metabolites were identified in the whole bodies of the 5th instar larvae at the last day of four varieties of B. mori and in the Jisang2 leaves. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the differences in the contents of the 436 metabolites could be used to effectively distinguish mulberry leaves from whole bodies of B. mori, and whole bodies of Cai4 from those of the other three varieties of B. mori. The clustering analysis result of 375 differential metabolites showed that the monomers with obviously higher content in the extracts from whole bodies of the 5th instar larvae at the last day of B. mori than those of the Jisang2 leaves, mainly belonged to benzene and its derivatives, organic acids, organic oxygen and organic nitrogen compounds. The specific monomer composition of phenols and amino acids was the main reason that the AC of extract from whole bodies of the 5th instar larvae at the last day of B. mori was higher than those of Jisang2 leaf extracts.【Conclusion】 The present study confirmed that the AC of whole bodies of the 5th instar larvae at the last day of B. mori was higher than that of Jisang2 leaves and B. mori excrement. Phenols are the main natural antioxidants of B. mori. B. mori can selectively absorb and transform the substances of ingested mulberry leaves to form their unique antioxidant components. More importantly, it was discovered that the sequence polymorphism and expression pattern changes of detoxification enzyme genes are the important reasons for causing the differences in the phenolic composition among B. mori varieties. The above results obtained provide a scientific basis for the application and development of natural antioxidant substances of B. mori.

Gall-inducing insects are a category of insects capable of causing abnormal proliferation in parasitized plants, leading to the formation of galls. There are approximately 20 families of gall-inducing insects of six orders worldwide. These insects exhibit a high degree of specificity in their parasitism but can harm multiple parts of their hosts. The most extensively affected and severely damaged part is the plant leaf, and this damage has caused significant economic losses worldwide and disrupted regional ecological balance and the stability of the biological chain. In this article, with six categories of leaf gall-inducing insects, including Cecidomyiidae (gall midges), Cynipidae (gall wasps), Eulophidae (parasitic wasps), Psylloidea (sucking lice), Aphidoidea (aphids) and Eriophyoidea (gall mites) as the focuses, the simple and complex structure of plant leaf galls was summarized. The diversity of gall morphologies on leaves was discussed around three major hypotheses, providing a deeper understanding of the significance of gall structure to leaf gall-inducing insects. The gall midge Dasineura jujubifolia was used as a case study to explore the damage characteristics of leaf gall-inducing insects and to discuss the causes of their damage from a practical perspective. The discussion integrated both existing and potential control measures for leaf gall-inducing insects, both domestically and internationally, including chemical control, agricultural control and biological control as the three major strategies. The six types of gall-inducing insects have distinctive characteristics in terms of their damaging methods, gall formation features, and the completion modes of their life cycles. The different structural composition and hormonal changes of galls correspond to explanations of the nutrition hypothesis, microenvironment hypothesis and natural enemy hypothesis. Based on the current limited research, the formation process of galls is divided into the initial stage, growth stage, maturity stage and emergence stage. A comprehensive discussion was presented on how leaf gall insects can cause changes in multiple factors such as sugars, proteins, lipids and growth hormones in the host plant by secreting specific molecules. The three major characteristics of the damage by leaf gall-inducing insects are its prolonged duration, severe degree and high difficulty in control. The control methods mainly based on chemical control before the emergence stage of adult insects, supplemented by agricultural measures during the forestry period were introduced. At the same time, biological control with natural enemies and biological agents has a broad prospect for development. Research on leaf gall insects in our country still has significant room for development. Their unique way of causing damage suggests a certain trend in the co-evolution between species, which holds substantial economic value and practical significance from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives.

【Aim】 To explore the effects of different LED light sources in scotophase at variable temperatures on the rhythmicity in pupation, eclosion, mating, oviposition and egg hatching activities of Calospilos suspecta. 【Methods】 Under laboratory conditions, the pupation, eclosion, mating, oviposition and egg hatching of C. suspecta were observed every hour for 5 d in the control group (under the photoperiod of 14L∶10D) and two treatment groups subjected to 10-h red LED light and 10-h yellow LED light irradiation, respectively, in scotophase (represented by 14L∶10R and 14L∶10Y, respectively). The rates of pupation, eclosion, mating, oviposition and egg hatching were calculated, and the differences in these parameters in photophase or scotophase among experimental groups, and between photophase and scotophase within each group were compared. 【Results】 The pupation of C. suspecta didn’t show obvious circadian pattern under red or yellow LED light irradiation. Pupation in 14L∶10D and 14L∶10Y groups mainly occurred in photophase, and the peak of pupation occurred at 7:00-8:00 and 18:00-19:00, respectively. Pupation in 14L∶10R group mainly occurred in scotophase, and the peak of pupation occurred at 22:00-23:00. However, different LED light treatments in scotophase didn’t significantly affect the pupation rates per hour. The eclosion didn’t show obvious circadian pattern under red or yellow LED light irradiation. Eclosion of female and male adults in 14L∶10D and 14L∶10R groups mainly occurred in photophase, while that in 14L∶10Y group mainly occurred in scotophase. The peak of eclosion in 14L∶10D and 14L∶10R groups occurred on the 1st-2nd hour of photophase. The eclosion rates of female adults per hour in scotophase were significantly affected by LED light treatments. In 14L∶10D group, the eclosion rates of female adults per hour in photophase were significantly higher than those in scotophase. However, two different LED light treatments in scotophase didn’t significantly affect the eclosion rates of male adult per hour. The mating showed obvious circadian pattern. Mating in all groups mainly occurred in scotophase, and the peak of mating occurred at 1-2 h before scotophase (4:00-6:00). In 14L∶10D and 14L∶10Y groups, the mating rates per hour in scotophase were higher than those in photophase. The oviposition also showed obvious circadian pattern. The peak of oviposition in 14L∶10D and 14L∶10R groups and the sub-peak of oviposition in 14L∶10Y group occurred at 20:00-21:00 in the scotophase, while the peak of oviposition in 14L∶10Y group occurred at 16:00-17:00 in photophase. The oviposition rates per hour were not significantly affected by different LED light treatments in scotophase. The egg hatching showed obvious circadian pattern. The peak of egg hatching in various groups occurred on the 1st hour of photophase. Different LED light treatments had no significant effects on the egg hatching rates per hour. 【Conclusion】 Under red and yellow LED light treatments, the pupation and eclosion of C. suspecta didn’t show obvious circadian pattern, while the mating, oviposition and egg hatching of C. suspecta showed obvious circadian pattern. LED light irradiation in scotophase influences some life activities of C. suspecta and these effects vary with LED light colors.

 【Aim】 This study aims to explore the effects of feeding of the alien invasive pest Dysmicoccus neobrevipes on the composition of volatiles from host plants, and to analyze the volatile-mediated behavioural mechanism of D. neobrevipes on host plants, so as to provide a reference for the selection and breeding of insect-resistant host varieties, and for the research and development of D. neobrevipes and its natural enemy insect regulators.【Methods】 The volatiles released from four host plants including sisal, pineapple, banana and pumpkin were collected by dynamic headspace adsorption (DHSA) method at different time post infestation by D. neobrevipes adults (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 d). The similarities and differences of volatile components and content changes in different host plants before and after being damaged by feeding of D. neobrevipes adults were identified and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). At the same time, a Y-tube olfactometer was used to further study the tactic responses of D. neobrevipes adults to nine single compounds. 【Results】 There were nine compounds in four classes of volatile components from healthy sisal plants and 12 compounds in five classes from adult D. neobrevipes-infested (insect-infected) sisal plants, eight compounds in four classes from healthy pineapple plants and 11 compounds in five classes from insect-infected pineapple plants. All six classes of compounds obtained from healthy pumpkin plants were present in the insect-infected pumpkin plants. There were 11 compounds in five classes from healthy banana plants and 15 compounds in seven classes from insect-infected banana plants. In the healthy and insect-infected plants of sisal and pineapple, the relative content of ketones was the highest; in the healthy and insect-infected plants of pumpkin, the relative content of ethers was the highest; and in the healthy and insect-infected plants of banana, the relative content of alkanes was the highest. 4, 6-Dimethyl dodecane and naphthalene are unique volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of sisal and herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) of pineapple, respectively. Nine new VOCs including 3-hexanone, 2-hexanone, (+)-limonene, 3-carene, 4-(1-hydroxyethyl) benzaldehyde, 2-isopropyl-5-methylanisole, naphthalene, p-ethylacetophenone and cedrol were found in the volatiles from the host plants damaged by D. neobrevipes adults, as compared with the volatile compounds emitted from healthy plants. Among them, 4-(1-hydroxyethyl) benzaldehyde, pethylacetophenone and cedrol could effectively attract D. neobrevipes adults, while compounds such as (+)-limonene, 3-carene, 2-isopropyl-5-methylanisole and naphthalene had repellent effects on D. neobrevipes adults, indicating that these compounds were the main factors affecting the interaction between host volatiles, D.neobrevipes and natural enemy insects. 【Conclusion】 The discovery of nine new HIPVs provides a theoretical basis for the development of new repellents and natural enemy insect attractants for D.neobrevipes and the use of regulators to control the pest.

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

【Aim】 To ascertain the effects of soil drought stress on the physiological metabolism, ovarian development and yolk protein content of Bradysia cellarum. 【Methods】 Reared respectively in the soil with the 10% relative water content (drought stress) and the 40% relative water content (wet treatment), the changes in the contents of key metabolites (soluble protein, fat, glycogen and trehalose) and the activities of the protective enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) in the 2nd and 4th instar larvae, and female and male adults of B. cellarum were determined, the ovaries of female adults were dissected and their developmental states were observed, and the relative contents of yolk protein and the expression levels of vitellogenin gene (Vg) in the 1-3-day-old pupae and adults were assayed.【Results】 Compared with the wet treatment, drought stress significantly reduced the water content and food intake of the 4th instar larvae of B. cellarum, for example, the food intake of the 4th instar larvae after the 48-h drought stress was 35.72% lower than that in the wet treatment. Under drought stress, the contents of soluble protein and fat in the 4th instar larvae and female adults significantly decreased, and the trehalose content significantly increased, as compared with those under wet treatment. Drought stress induced a significant increase in the activities of three protective enzymes, SOD, CAT and POD in the 4th instar larvae and female adults. Under drought stress, the SOD, CAT and POD activities in the 4th instar larvae increased by 31.64%, 18.69% and 48.61%, respectively, and those in the female adults increased by 34.13%, 12.67% and 31.35%, respectively, as compared with those in wet treatment. Drought stress inhibited the ovarian development and damaged the ovarian structure of female adults. Compared with the wet treatment, drought stress caused the content of yolk protein and the expression level of Vg in female adults to significantly decrease. The difference in the expression level of Vg in the 2-day-old adults between the two treatments was the most significant, and the expression level of Vg under drought stress decreased by 35.66% as compared with that under wet treatment. 【Conclusion】 B. cellarum can resist drought stress by regulating physiological metabolism. The decrease of yolk protein content is the main factor of fecundity decrease. This study provides a theoretical basis for control of B. cellarum with soil drought stress technology.

【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 clarify the growth, development, survival and reproduction characteristics of the jackfruit pest Diaphania caesalis, on different plants and to ascertain its growth and development, and reproductive fitness on different plants. 【Methods】 The life history parameters of D. caesalis reared on leaves of four plants including Artocarpus heterophyllus, A. integer, A. altilis, and Ficus auriculata were determined by indoor breeding observation and constructing age-stage, two-sex life table. 【Results】 D. caesalis could complete its lifecycle when reared on leaves of these four plants. The larval survival rate and number of eggs laid per female adult of D. caesalis reared on A. heterophyllus leaves were significantly higher than those on leaves of the other three plants. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R₀) of D. caesalis reared on A. heterophyllus leaves were 0.100 d^-1and 38.72, respectively, being higher than those reared on leaves of A. integer (0.056 d^-1 and 8.52, respectively), A. altilis (0.054 d^-1 and 8.14, respectively), and F. auriculata (0.074 d^-1 and 14.82, respectively). 【Conclusion】 D. caesalis reared on leaves of A. heterophyllus has higher population growth ability than those reared on leaves of the other three plants. Reared on these four plants, D. caesalis can grow and reproduce normally, but the fitness of D. caesalis reared on its favorite host plant A. heterophyllus is the highest. D. caesalis also shows certain fitness to F. auriculata, and relatively low fitness to A. integer and A. altilis.

【Aim】To clarify the key characteristics and indexes of male external genitalia of grasshoppers for accurately identifying the grasshoppers in grasslands of the Jiuquan Area of Gansu, northwestern China. 【Methods】 We dissected and compared the structure of male external genitalia of adults of 12 species of grasshoppers collected from grasslands of Jiuquan, Gansu, which belong to seven genera of three families (Oxya chinensis and O. adentata of Oxya of Catantopidae; Oedaleus manjius and O. infernalis of Oedaleus, Epacromius coerulipes and E. tergestinus tergestinus of Epacromius, Sphingonotus
ningsianus and S. yenchihensis of Sphingonotus, Compsorhipis davidiana of Compsorhipis of Oedipodidae; Chorthippus brunneus huabeiensis and C. albonemus of Chorthippus, and Euchorthippus unicolor of Euchorthippus of Arcypteridae). And we analyzed eight indexes of male external genitalia by principal component analysis. 【Results】The epiphalli of the genus Oxya in the family Catantopidae are narrow bridge-shaped and have no ancorae, and the zygomata of phallic complex are very wide, while the epiphalli of the other 10 species of grasshoppers were wide bridge-shaped and have ancorae, and the zygomata of phallic complex are narrow. The basal vaves of penis of phallic complex in Oedipodidae are wide and round, but in Arcypteridae, they are hook-shaped. About the shape of lophi, it varies significantly among different genera. In addition, the principal component analysis of eight indexes of male externul genitalia of 12 species of grasshoppers showed that there were two principal components with the eigenvalues greater than 1.00, which were the 1st principal component and the 2nd principal component, respectively, with a total contribution rate up to 78.27%. The main components of the 1st principal component included the outer distance of ancorae, the outer distance of posterior projection, the inner distance of ancorae, the height of ancorae, the distance between the two ancoraes, and the width of bridge, and the main component of the 2nd principal component was the length-to-width ratio of phallic complex. 【Conclusion】 The male external genitalia of grasshoppers possess significant differences among families, genera and species, which can be used to distinguish the 12 species of grasshoppers in Jiuquan Area. The relative position of ancorae, the outer distance posterior projection, the width of bridge and the size of the phallic complex in the male external genitalia are principal indexes when distinguishing these 12 species of grasshoppers.

 【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 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】 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.

【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 sequence and analyze the complete mitochondrial genomes of two palm bugs, Thaumastocoris peregrinus and Onymocoris hackeri, and analyze the phylogenetic placement of Thaumastocoridae within Cimicomorpha. 【Methods】The sequences of the complete mitochondrial genomes and nuclear genes (18S rDNA gene and 28S rDNA gene) of T. peregrinus and O. hackeri in Thaumastocoridae were obtained by high-throughput sequencing. The mitochondrial genomes were annotated and compared. The sequences of mitochondrial genomes and nuclear genes (18S rDNA gene and 28S rDNA gene) of nine species of Heteroptera including Nepomorpha, Leptopodomorpha and Pentatomomorpha from GenBank were selected as outgroups and the sequences of the mitochondrial genomes and nuclear genes (18S rDNA gene and 28S rDNA gene) of 24 species of seven families from Cimicomorpha and two species from Thaumastocoridae were selected as ingroups. The phylogenetic trees were constructed using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods based on the sequences of 13 protein coding genes, 18S rDNA gene and 28S rDNA gene. 【Results】 The complete mitochondrial genomes of T. peregrinus and O. hackeri were 15 399 and 15 490 bp in length, respectively, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and one control region. There was an obvious AT preference in nucleotide composition and no gene rearrangement was found. All of the 22 tRNA genes except tRNA-Ser (GCU) can be folded into a typical clover-leaf secondary structure. Tandem repeat region and stem-loop were found in the control region. The phylogenetic relationship based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods was recovered as (Reduvioidea+((Cimicoidea+(Velocipedoidea+Nabioidea))+Miroidea)). Thaumastocoridae was located within Miroidea, forming a topology of (Thaumastocoridae+(Miridae+Tingidae)). 【Conclusion】 In this study two complete mitochondrial genomes of Thaumastocoridae were sequenced and analyzed, and the phylogenetic position of Thaumastocoridae within Cimicomorpha was explored. The molecular data of Thaumastocoridae were supplemented, which further enhanced the understanding of the phylogeny of Cimicomorpha and mitochondrial genome evolution.

【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】 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.

 【Aim】In order to clarify the control efficacy of biogas slurry on Spodoptera frugiperda, and its mode of action. 【Methods】Under three treatments including original biogas slurry (BGS) based on cow dung (biogas slurry containing ammonium), chemical agent NH₄Cl at the concentration of 708 mg/L and ammonium-removed biogas slurry (BGS-N), the selection behavior, and growth and development of S. frugiperda were determined, and the structure of peritrophic membrane (PM) of larvae was observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). 【Results】Selection behavior result indicated that both BGS and NH₄Cl showed extremely significant repellent effect on S. frugiperda larvae, and the selection response rates of S. frugiperda larvae to BGS and NH₄Cl were 17.77% and 22.16%, respectively. However, S. frugiperda larvae showed no significant behavior response to BGS-N, with the selection response rate of 41.09%. BGS significantly decreased the survival rate of S. frugiperda larvae compared with the control treated with clear water, and the larval survival rate was 38.67% on the 10th day after treatment. Moreover, BGS significantly decreased the larval weight of S. frugiperda by 32.84%, and decreased the pupation rate by 35.12%, compared to the control. The insecticidal activity was directly related to ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N). NH₄Cl treatment also showed inhibitory effects on the growth and development of S. frugiperda. NH₄Cl significantly decreased the larval weight of S. frugiperda by 24.08%, and significantly decreased the pupation rate by 41.53%, compared to the control. However, BGS-N had no significant effect on the growth and development of S. frugiperda, and the increment of larval weight and the pupation rate of S. frugiperda did not differ significantly between BGS-N treatment and the control. Besides, pot assay also verified the insecticidal effect of BGS, and the control efficacy of BGS against the 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda was over 60% at 5 d after application. In addition, BGS caused the PM of S. frugiperda larvae to shrink and thicken unevenly, while NH₄Cl also led to the abnormality of PM.【Conclusion】NH₄⁺-N should be the key active ingredient of BGS that shows repellent and insecticidal effects, and the damage of NH₄⁺-N to the physical structure of PM of S. frugiperda larvae is the main physiological factor that promotes the repellent and insecticidal effects. Therefore, NH₄⁺-N-containing biogas slurry can be used for the green control of S. frugiperda.
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 【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.

【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.

 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.

N⁶-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most abundant internal modification on eukaryotic mRNA and non-coding RNA (ncRNA), which is involved in many biological processes by influencing RNA metabolism. Since its discovery in 1974, m⁶A modification has been reported to regulate alternative splicing, translation, nuclear export, localization and stability of RNA and so on at post-transcriptional levels. However, it is a lack about the systematic and comprehensive review on m⁶A methylation modification of insect RNA. In this article, we reviewed the regulatory mechanisms of m⁶A modification elements, the detecting techniques for studying m⁶A modification, and the functions of m⁶A modification in the important biological process of neural development and function, growth and development, phenotypic plasticity, sex determination and stress response in insects. In addition, we analyzed the shortcomings and limitations about the present research and proposed research areas in the future research directions and applications in insects to be further explored. Studying the mechanism and function of insect m⁶A modification can not only contribute to the breeding of economic insects with good economic traits, environmental adaptability and disease resistance, but also provide a scientific basis for plant resistant breeding and effective control of pests and diseases.

 Pollinators (including bees, butterflies, beetles, flies, moths, etc.) play an irreplaceable and important role in ecosystems, and they directly affect plant reproduction and ecological balance. With the rapid growth of global population and social development, serious problems such as ecological damage and environmental pollution have occurred and exacerbated challenges for pollinators, such as habitat loss and the use of chemical pesticides, synergistic effects of climate change and pathogen transmission, which have many negative impacts on the stability of ecosystems. Therefore, strengthening research on pollinators and exploring their physiological, morphological, behavioural and ecological characteristics as well as their coevolutionary relationship with plants not only contribute to an indepth understanding of the functional mechanisms of biodiversity and ecosystems, but also provide a fundamental scientific basis for the conservation and use of pollinator resources. This special issue of pollinators presented some latest domestic research progress of pollinators, which may promote exchanges and cooperation in the field of pollinators research and advance the development of the discipline in this field, so as to provide a scientific basis for the construction of China’s ecological civilization and the sustainable development of the environment.

 Tomato is one of the most important horticultural crops, and China is the largest producer of tomato in the world. In recent years, the tomato industry is facing increasingly severe pest threats including the traditional important pests (Bemisi tabaci, Frankliniella occidentalis and Helicoverpa armigera) and the newly emerged invasive pest Tuta absoluta. Elucidating the defensive mechanism of tomato especially wild tomato germplasm resource, which has significantly higher resistance to pests, can provide important genetic resources for breeding process of insect-resistant tomato varieties. Meanwhile, the key insect-resistant metabolites of tomato can also offer valuable insights into the development of new safer and more eco-friendly botanical pesticides. In this article, we summarized the interactions between tomato pests and host plants like tomato across multiple levels of insect resistance mechanisms in plants. Key topics include: (1) the recognition of saliva proteins from piercing-sucking and chewing insects by tomatoes and its impact on anti-insect immunity; (2) the signal transduction networks of insect resistance and the regulatory mechanisms of core defense-related transcription factors in tomato; (3) structural and metabolic bases of insect resistance in plants, such as trichomes, acylsugars, phenolamides, steroidal alkaloids, and volatile compounds, which respond to pest attacks and confer insect resistance through molecular and ecological pathways. Future research should leverage emerging technologies like single-cell transcriptomics and spatial transcriptomics, combined with gene editing and genetic manipulation tools, to further clarify the signaling pathways of insect resistance and the synthesis and regulation of defense compounds in tomato. These efforts will deepen our understanding of plant-insect interactions and lay a theoretical foundation for breeding high-yield, insect-resistant tomato varieties.

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is an invasive pest that poses a serious threat to agricultural and forestry industries, people’s health, public facilities and biodiversity. Its extreme aggressiveness and strong environmental adaptability make the control of this species a significant challenge. As a soil-dwelling social insect, S. invicta relies primarily on its developed chemical communication system. S. invicta uses a variety of semiochemicals as carriers to efficiently transmit information with other organisms inside and outside nests, thereby coordinating the behavior of ant colonies and completing important life activities. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of the chemical communication of S. invicta may help to timely control the spread of this species. In this article, we focused on the chemical communication system of S. invicta, summarizing the regulatory roles of various important semiochemicals inside and outside the colonies of S. invicta in the social behaviors of ant colonies, including the trail pheromone and alarm pheromone of S. invicta during foraging and dealing with dangers, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs)-based individual recognition inside and outside nests and necrophoric behavior, the ability of interspecies eavesdropping to other organisms and the queen pheromone for regulating the development direction of larval ants. We also reviewed and summerized the contemporary applications and problems of S. invicta semiochemicals, with the aim of providing a theoretical reference for its green prevention and control.

 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.