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

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

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

【Aim】 Atrijuglans hetaohei, an important fruit pest of Juglans regia, is widely distributed among the main producing areas (Beijing, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Sichuang, etc.) of J. regia inChina, seriously affecting the yield and quality of J. regia and causing serious economic losses. This study aims to investigate the genetic differentiation and geographic distribution characteristics of A. hetaohei, clarify its genetic structure among different geographical populations, understand the population dispersal pattern, and provide theoretical guidance for the prevention and control of this pest insect. 【Methods】 Based on the transcriptome sequencing result of A. hetaohei, the polymorphic microsatellite markers were selected using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis typing methods to analyze the population genetic diversity of319 A. hetaohei individual samples from 16 populations in eight provinces/city (Beijing, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu and Sichuan). Population genetic structure of A. hetaohei was analyzed using STRUCTURE and BAPS software, and the factors that affect the geographical distribution of A. hetaohei were also explored. 【Results】 Nine SSR loci of A. hetaohei exhibited high polymorphism, most of them did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genetic diversity of A. hetaohei geographical populations was medium low (effective number of alleles Ne: 1.334－1.824; expected heterozygosity He: 0.203－0.342), the genetic differentiation between populations was small (genetic differentiation coefficient F_ST<0.142), and the gene flow among populations was significantly different (Nm: 1.518－23.800). There was a significant correlation (R²=0.226) between the degree of genetic differentiation and geographical distance among the populations. Sixteen geographical populations of A. hetaohei could be divided into two lineages (eastern and western lineages). AMOVA analysis showed a relatively small genetic variation among A. hetaohei populations, and population variation mainly originated from that within populations. The values of the fixation indice F_CT within A. hetaohei populations ranged from 0.03941 to 0.06449, indicating that geographical barriers and climatic differences were not the main factors affecting the genetic structure and geographical distribution pattern of A. hetaohei populations.【Conclusion】 A. hetaohei populations have a medium low genetic diversity, and a low level of genetic differentiation and a significantly different gene flow between populations. In view of the special life history and unique biological characteristics of A. hetaohei, combining with the population genetic structure analysis result, we speculate that rivers form a stronger blocking effect on the gene flow of the geographical populations of A. hetaohei than mountains. As a major pest of economic tree, human activities are possibly the main factor which affects the geographical distribution of A. hetaohei populations.

【Aim】 To assess the effects of temperature on the growth, development and reproduction of Xestia c-nigrum in Korla, Xinjiang, Northwest China, and to explore its adaptability to environmental temperature. 【Methods】 The egg hatching rates, larval survival rates, pupation rates, eclosion rates, developmental duration and fecundity of X. c-nigrum at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 ℃ were compared by using two-sex life table method, and the effects of different temperatures on the life table parameters of the population were analyzed. The developmental threshold temperatures and effective accumulated temperatures of X. c-nigrum at different developmental stages were also determined. During 2020-2022, the relationship between the population dynamics of X. c-nigrum by light-trapping and the daily average temperature change in Korla, Xinjiang was analyzed. 【Results】 At 15 ℃, the larval survival rate, pupation rate, and eclosion rate of X. c-nigrum were lower than 30%. At 30 ℃, the larval survival rate and pupation rate were lower than 10%, and the pupa could not normally emerge. At 35 ℃, the larvae could not survive. The duration of different developmental stages of X. c-nigrum shortened as the temperature rose, and the egg duration was 15.52, 7.40, 5.47, 4.88 and 3.88 d at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 ℃, respectively. The larval duration was 109.43, 40.53, 26.47 and 24.55 d at 15, 20, 25 and 30 ℃, respectively. The pupal duration was 41.43, 18.00 and 12.54 d at 15, 20 and 25 ℃, respectively. The pupal duration was 41.4, 18.0 and 12.5 d at 15, 20 and 25 ℃, respectively. The population showed negative growth at 15 ℃, and positive growth at 20 and 25 ℃, with the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) at 25 ℃. The developmental threshold temperatures of egg, 1st-6th instar larvae and pupa were 9.81, 8.43, 9.95, 10.26, 12.52, 13.58, 12.60 and 10.81 ℃, respectively, and the effective accumulated temperatures were 79.62, 92.17, 56.09, 57.03, 39.35, 38.16, 80.72 and 172.39 degree.days, respectively. The monitored data from light.trapping during 2020-2022 showed that X. c.nigrum had three generations per year in Korla, Xinjiang, and the adult peak periods were in mid-May, late July and early September, with the average daily temperature range of 19.5-26.5 ℃. 【Conclusion】The population of X. c-nigrum shows negative growth when the temperature is lower than 15 ℃, and cannot complete its life cycle at over 30 ℃, moreover, 20-25 ℃ is more suitable for its growth and reproduction. This study provides a scientific basis for clarifying the temperature adaptability and its occurrence and dynamics of X. c-nigrum in Korla, Xinjiang.

【Aim】 Aphidius gifuensis, as a dominant parasitic wasp of Myzus persicae, has been widely used in production. However, during the propagation of A. gifuensis on a large scale, many problems such as reduced parasitic ability and smaller body size often occur after multiple generations of breeding. The purpose of this study is to screen the best rejuvenation methods by detecting and analyzing the effects of supplementing different concentrations of nutrients and trace elements on the parasitism rates and offspring adult size of A. gifuensis adults on M. persicae, and the contents and activities of growth and development-related enzymes in adults of the offspring of A. gifuensis. 【Methods】 A. gifuensis adults of the degenerated population after being reared in laboratory for 10 generations were fed with solutions of different concentrations (5%, 10% and 20%) of nutrients (honey, glucose and sucrose), and different concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/L) of trace elements including Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn and Co, the parasitism rate and offspring adult size, and the contents and activities of carboxylesterase(CarE)and phenoloxidase (PO) in adults of the offspring were determined. 【Results】 In supplemental nutrition experiments, 10% honey solution had the best rejuvenation effect on A. gifuensis, causing the parasitism rate to increase by 28.00% compared with the control (purified water), but had no significant effect on the offspring adult size. In the group fed with 10% glucose, the CarE content in adults of the offspring of A. gifuensis was the highest, which was 38.00% higher than that in the control group. The CarE activity in adults of the offspring of A. gifuensis in the group fed with 10% sucrose was the highest, which was 3-fold as high as that in the control group. In the group fed with 10% sucrose, the phenoloxidase content in adults of the offspring of A. gifuensis was the highest, which was 56.00% higher than that in the control group. The highest phenoloxidase activity in adults of the offspring of A. gifuensis was found in the group fed with 10% glucose, being 1.3-fold as high as that in the control group. In supplemental trace element experiments, the supplementation of 1 mg/L Fe had the best rejuvenation effect on A. gifuensis, resulting in the parasitism rate to increase by 25.33% compared with the control group, but had no significant effect on the offspring adult size. The CarE content in adults of the offspring of A. gifuensis in the group fed with 1 mg/L Fe was the highest, which was increased by 50.00% as compared with that in the control group. The CarE activities in adults of the offspring of A. gifuensis in groups fed with various trace elements were lower than that in the control group. In the group fed with 1 mg/L Zn, the PO content in adults of the offspring of A. gifuensis was the highest, increased by 29.31% as compared with that in the control group. In the group fed with 1 mg/L Mn, the PO activity in adults of the offspring of A. gifuensis was the highest, which was 1.51-fold as high as that in the control group. 【Conclusion】 In production, feeding 10% honey solution or supplementing 1 mg/L Fe can be used to improve the parasitic ability of A. gifuensis on M. persicae, so as to restore or regulate the degenerated population of A. gifuensis.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

【Aim】To clarify the resistance differences of four wolfberry varieties to Aphis gossypii， so as to ascertain the anti-aphid factor and insect resistance site, and select the aphid-resistant wolfberry varieties. 【Methods】Electrical penetration graph technology (EPG) was used to record the feeding behaviors of A. gossypii adults on four wolfberry varieties (Ningqi No.1, Ningqi No.5, Ningqi No.7 and Ningqi No.10), and the indoor aphid resistance identification combined with cluster analysis was used to comprehensively evaluate the resistance of different wolfberry varieties to A. gossypii adults. 【Results】A. gossypii adults feeding on four wolfberry varieties showed eight kinds of waveforms, including Np, A, G, B, C, Pd, E and F waveforms. During the feeding of A. gossypii adults, the duration of E1 waveform on Ningqi No.1 was the longest, followed by that on Ningqi No.5 and Ningqi No.7, and that on Ningqi No.10 was the shortest. The duration of E2 waveform on Ningqi No.10 was the longest, and that on Ningqi No.1 was the shortest. The duration of F waveform on Ningqi No.1 was the longest, that on Ningqi No.10 was the shortest, and that on Ningqi 5 and Ningqi 7 was that between on Ningqi No.1 and on Ningqi No.10, suggesting that Ningqi No.1 has strong mechanical resistance and Ningqi No.10 has weak mechanical resistance. Through identification of aphid resistance and cluster analysis, four wolfberry varieties were classified into 3 categories: Ningqi No.1 in category Ⅰ was a highly aphid-resistant variety, Ningqi No.5 and Ningqi No.7 in category Ⅱ were aphid-resistant varieties, and Ningqi No.10 in category Ⅲ was a aphid-susceptible variety. 【Conclusion】The feeding behaviors of A. gossypii adults on four wolfberry varieties are different, and there are differences in the insect resistance mechanism and resistance site in the four wolberry varieties. The wolfberry variety Ningqi No.1 shows resistance to A. gossypii adults at the levels of leaf epidermis, mesophyll and phloem, with the strongest aphid resistance, and is a highly aphid-resistant variety. Ningqi No.5 and Ningqi No.7 show resistance to A. gossypii adults at the levels of mesophyll and phloem, with weak aphid resistance, and are aphid-resistant varieties. A. gossypii adults can sting and fed for a long time on Ningqi No.10, which shows the weakest resistance to A. gossypii adults and is a aphid-susceptible variety.

【Aim】 To clarify the role of the newly registered fungal insecticide Cordyceps javanica JS001 in regulation of rice growth and defense against the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens.【Methods】 Rice seeds were soaked with different concentrations (1×10⁴, 1×10⁶ and 1×10⁸ conidia/mL) of C. javanica JS001 conidial suspension for 48 h in laboratory, and those soaked with 0.01% Triton X-100 solution were used as the control. After 8 d of culture, the growth of rice seedlings was measured, and the behavior selection responses of N. lugens adults to rice seedlings were determined. Effects of seed soaking with 1×10⁸ conidia/mL of C. javanica JS001 conidial suspension on the contents of secondary metabolic compounds in rice seedlings were analyzed by GC-MS/MS. The rice seeds were soaked for 48 h in a C. javanica JS001 conidial suspension at the concentration of 1×10⁷ conidia/mL and clean water (control), respectively, and the individual numbers of rice planthoppers and spiders were investigated at 50 d after direct seeding in paddy fields.【Results】 The results showed that compared to the control, seed soaking in C. javanica JS001 conidial suspension at the concentrations of 1×10⁶ and 1×10⁸ conidia/mL not only significantly promoted rice seed germination, and root and shoot growth of rice seedlings, but also reduced the selectivity of N. lugens adults to rice seedlings. The results of compound analysis showed that the contents of defensive compounds such as hydrogen peroxide, oleic acid and octane were significantly higher in rice seedlings from seeds soaked with 1×10⁸ conidia/mL of C. javanica JS001 conidial suspension than those in the control. Whereas the content of 2-nononone, a compound attracting N. lugens, was significantly lower in rice seedlings from seeds soaked with C. javanica JS001 conidial suspension than that in the control. Field trials showed that, compared with the control, seed soaking with 1×10⁷ conidia/mL of C. javanica JS001 conidial suspension significantly reduced the number of rice planthoppers in paddy fields, but had no effect on the number of predatory spiders.【Conclusion】Seed soaking with C. javanica JS001 could not only promote the growth of rice seedlings, but also improve the defense of rice plants against N. lugens. Field trials further clarified the role of C. javanica JS001 in enhancing rice defense against rice planthoppers. These results can provide a new way for the application of C. javanica and the formulation of biological control strategies for rice planthoppers.

【Aim】This study aims to clarify the sensitivity of pupae of the rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, to high temperature, and to provide some biological indexes and models for predicting the developmental trend of populations at the pupal stage based on temperature.【Methods】The 1-5-day-old pupae of C. medinalis were exposed once to 37, 39 and 41 ℃ for 1-7 h, and the 1-day-old pupae were exposed to 37, 39 and 41 ℃ for 1-7 h/d in consecutive 2 and 3 d. The pupae reared at 27 ℃ were used as the control group. The eclosion rates of pupae, pupal duration, numbers of eggs laid per female, and egg hatching rates of the heat shock treatment groups and control group were measured. The relationships of the eclosion rate of pupae, pupal duration, number of eggs laid per female, and egg hatching rate with the heat shock duration were established using the linear regression method. 【Results】 After a single exposure of the 1-5-day-old pupae of C. medinalis to 37, 39 and 41 ℃ for 1-7 h, the pupal duration was prolonged, and the eclosion rate of pupae, number of eggs laid per female, and egg hatching rate decreased with the temperature rising as compared with those of the control group. At the same high temperature, the pupal duration was prolonged linearly, and the eclosion rate of pupae, number of eggs laid per female and egg hatching rate decreased linearly as the heat shock duration increased, and the rates of change were almost the same among treatments for different day-old pupae. After exposure to 37 and 39 ℃, the pupal duration of the 1-day-old pupae group was longer than that of the 3-5-day-old pupae group, while the eclosion rates of pupae of the former were lower than those of the latter. After consecutive heat shock on the 1-day-old pupae under 37 and 39 ℃, the pupal duration was shortened with the heat shock duration per day increasing. Similar trend was also observed in the heat shock under 41 ℃ for 2 d, but after 3 d of heat shock under 41 ℃ for 7 h/d, the pupal duration was elongated. The eclosion rate of pupae, number of eggs laid per female, and egg hatching rate decreased linearly as the heat shock duration per day extended, with the decrease magnitude increasing with the increased temperature, but they exhibited no significant difference between 2 and 3 d of heat shock. After exposure to 37, 39 and 41 ℃ with extended 1 h/d heat shock in 2 and 3 d, the eclosion rates of pupae decreased by 3.25%, 4.95% and 7.49%, respectively, the numbers of eggs laid per female decreased by 5.02%, 7.80% and 10.82%, respectively, and the egg hatching rates decreased by 2.20%, 3.31% and 5.05%, respectively, indicating the inhibitory effect of heat shock on the population development.【Conclusion】The pupae of C. medinalis are sensitive to high temperature and heat shock affects their development, survival, and fecundity. Therefore, the population size of C. medinalis will be predicted based on the degree and duration of high temperature at the pupal stage.

【Aim】 Utilizing chemical elicitors to enhance the resistance of plants to insects and suppress pests is a new green pest management strategy. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of a chemical elicitor paclobutrazol (PBZ) in inducing the resistance of rice (Oryza savita) to rice planthoppers, to lay a foundation for future application in pest management. 【Methods】 Xiushui 110 rice plants were respectively grown in nutrient solutions containing different concentrations of PBZ for 24 h, then the newly hatched larvae of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, or the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera were introduced, and their nymphal survival rates were determined at different time post insect infestation. The survival rates of N. lugens nymphs fed with the artificial diets containing 5 mg/L PBZ, 10 mg/L PBZ and defensive compounds ［caffeoyl putrescine, carlinoside and prunin (1 and 10 mg/L), and mustard acyl agmatine (0.1 and 1 mg/L)］, or sprayed with 5 and 20 mg/L PBZ solutions, were also measured. Moreover, the contents of signal molecules including salicylic acid (SA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ethylene (ET), and the defensive compounds mustard acyl agmatine, caffeoyl putrescine, carlinoside and prunin in rice plants grown in nutrient solutions with 5 mg/L PBZ, infested by N. lugens nymphs, and grown in nutrient solution with 5 mg/L PBZ and then infested by N. lugens nymphs were detected. 【Results】 When N. lugens nymphs fed on rice plants that were grown in nutrient solution containing 5 mg/L PBZ, their survival rate was reduced by 33.3% at 3 d after feeding, as compared to that in the control ［grown in nutrient solution without PBZ］, and when feeding on rice plants grown in nutrient solution containing 20 mg/L PBZ, nearly all nymphs died at 4 d. However, PBZ itself showed no direct toxic effects on N. lugens nymphs. The SA content in rice plants grown in nutrient solution with 5 mg/L PBZ for 24 h but without BPH infestation for another 24 h, and the H₂O₂ content in rice plants grown in nutrient solution with 5 mg/L PBZ for 24 h and then infested by N. lugens nymphs for 72 h significantly increased, and the contents of ET emitted from the rice plants grown in nutrient solution with 5 mg/L PBZ for 24 h but without BPH infestation for another 48-96 h, infested by N. lugens nymphs for 24-72 h, and grown in nutrient solution with 5 mg/L PBZ for 24 h and then infested by N. lugens nymphs for 48-96 h significantly reduced as compared with those in the control group . In addition, treatment with 5 mg/L PBZ induced the significant enhancement in the contents of two phenolic amine compounds (caffeoyl putrescine and mustard acyl agmatine) and two flavonoid compounds (carlinoside and prunin). The survival rates of N. lugens nymphs were significantly reduced when they fed on the artificial diets containing 1 or 10 mg/L caffeoyl putrescine, mustard acyl agmatine, carlinoside or prunin. 【Conclusion】 PBZ is an effective chemical elicitor that can significantly enhance the resistance of rice plants to rice planthoppers by activating the SA and H₂O₂ pathways, and inhibiting the ET pathway, as well as inducing the synthesis of related defensive compounds in rice.

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

Insect wing polyphenism, as a typical example of the developmental plasticity of organisms, is the result of evolutionary adaptation to complex and variable environments. The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, is a representative model of insect wing polyphenism, and its nymphs have the option of developing into shortwinged or longwinged adults. The ability of developing into longwinged morphs enables BPHs to migrate over long distances, causing an infestation over a wide geographic rice planting area in Asia. Since the 1960s, there has been extensive research into the mechanisms behind wing polyphenism in BPHs, revealing that numerous environmental factors such as population density, host plant quality, temperature and photoperiod, and juvenile hormone can all influence the proportion of wing morphs. In the past 20 years, facilitated by the rapid development of biotechnologies in genomics, RNAi and gene editing, a breakthrough finding has been achieved in wing polyphenism of BPHs. FoxO has been identified as a switch gene for wing polyphenism in BPHs, where silencing or knocking out FoxO leads to the development of long-winged adults. Meanwhile, the insulin signaling pathway can inhibit FoxO from entering the nucleus by phosphorylating it, thus participating in wing polyphenism regulation. The zinc finger transcription factor Zfh1 can regulate the transcription of FoxO through promoter binding, paralleling the insulin signaling pathway in controlling wing polyphenism. Another zinc finger transcription factor, Rotund, can interact with FoxO to co-regulate wing polyphenism of BPHs. Additionally, the sex determination gene Transformer-2 and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway can also influence wing polyphenism, indicating the presence of diverse molecular regulatory mechanisms for wing polyphenism in BPHs. Given the differences in the mechanisms of wing polyphenism among different suborders of Hemiptera, the elucidation of mechanisms in BPHs is far from fully explaining the mechanisms of wing polymorphism in Hemiptera or even the entire class of insects. However, these findings position themselves at the edge of wing polyphenism in insects and deepen our understanding of developmental plasticity and evolution of insect wings as well as other tissues.

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

【Aim】 The automation and intelligence of population monitoring of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, have not been resolved now. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship of canopy spectrum and temperature, and leaf chlorophyll content with the number of N. lugens on rice plants, and to establish a back propagation (BP) neural network to monitor the population size of N. lugens based on multi-source information fusion of hyperspectral, thermal imaging, and chlorophyll, so as to provide a new method for the development of automation and intelligence in monitoring N. lugens populations. 【Methods】 Under controlled conditions, rice was cultivated using the square plastic box, and different pairs (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 pairs) of female and male adults of N. lugens (female to male ratio=1∶1) were released onto rice plants at the tillering stage. Then, the number of N. lugens on rice (number of individuals per 4 hills of rice) was investigated on day 16, 27, 32, 44 and 60 post original infestation, and the spectral reflectance and temperature of rice canopy were measured using a hyperspectral spectrometer and a thermal imager, respectively. The relative content of chlorophyll in leaves was measured using a chlorophyll meter (soil and plant analyzer development, SPAD) as SPAD readings. The Pearson correlation method was used to analyze the correlations between these measured indexes and the number of N. lugens. The multivariate scattering correction was used to process the spectral reflectance data to reduce noise. The successive projection algorithm was adopted for dimensionality reduction and screening the sensitive band of hyperspectral reflectance. Using single source of spectral reflectance information and its multi-source information fusion with canopy temperature and SPAD readings as inputs, the modeling methods, the general (BPNN) and optimized BP neural networks by particle swarm optimization (PSO-BPNN) were used to establish the neural network models to monitor the population sizes of N. lugens damaging different periods. 【Results】 The reflectance from rice canopy at the near-infrared band 730-930 nm was significantly negatively correlated with the number of N. lugens damaging rice plants, and the temperature difference between rice canopy and air (TDC) and the SPAD readings of leaves were also significantly negatively correlated with the number of N. lugens. The coefficient of determination R² of the prediction set for monitoring the population size of N. lugens using the BPNN based on the noise reduction value of reflectance at the sensitive band of rice canopy screened by the successive projection algorithm could reach up to 0.504-0.892. The R² of the predication set for monitoring the number of N. lugens by the BP neural network based on multi-source information fusion of canopy reflectance, TDC, and leaf SPAD readings could reach up to 0.640-0.975. Further, on the basis of multi-source information, the BP neural network optimized by particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm improved the accuracy for monitoring the number of N. lugens, and the R² value of the predication set was up to 0.931-0.991. 【Conclusion】 The PSO-BP neural network method based on multi-source information fusion of rice canopy hyperspectral and thermal imaging, as well as leaf SPAD readings, has high accuracy and good effectiveness in monitoring the number of N. lugens, and is expected to be applied for automatic monitoring of N. lugens populations in paddy fields.

【Aim】 This study aims to explore the effects of four adjuvants, namely orange peel essential oil (OPEO), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), lecithin and diethyl maleate (DEM), on the toxicity of the botanical pesticide 1% azadirachtin (AZ) water dispersible granule (WG), and to screen adjuvants with synergistic effect as tank-mix adjuvants of 1% AZ WG to control the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. 【Methods】 The toxicity of AZ and AZ with adjuvants OPEO, GABA, lecithin or DEM to the 3rd instar nymphs of N. lugens was evaluated by the rice seedling dipping method and continuous immersion method, and the activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), carboxylesterase (CarE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the 3rd instar nymphs of N. lugens after treatment with 20 mg a.i./L AZ or 20 mg a.i./L AZ with adjuvants were determined. The effect of adding adjuvants on the contact angle of AZ solution (40 mg a.i./L) on the leaf of rice was evaluated. 【Results】At 96 h after the rice seedling dipping treatment, the addition of DEM had a significant synergistic effect on the gastric toxicity of AZ, with the synergistic ratio of 1.512, while at 72 h after the continuous immersion treatment, the addition of OPEO or DEM significantly increased the systemic activity of AZ, with the synergistic ratios of 1.486 and 1.560, respectively. The GST activities in the 3rd instar nymphs of N. lugens in treatments with AZ plus OPEO and AZ plus DEM were decreased by 69.4% and 65.5%, respectively, and the CarE activity in treatment with AZ plus DEM was decreased by 88.2% as compared to those in just AZ treatment. After adding OPEO or DEM, the initial contact angles of liquid droplets of AZ solution on the adaxial leaf of rice was reduced from 110° to 64.5° and 67.9°, respectively. 【Conclusion】 Adding OPEO or DEM can significantly improve the toxicity of AZ to N. lugens, and improve the wetting ability of AZ solution on the leaf of rice. So, the two substances have some potential value as tank-mix adjuvants of 1% AZ WG to control N. lugens.

-【Aim】 To sequence and analyze the complete mitochondrial genomes of Atractomorpha lata and Aularches miliaris, and to explore the phylogenetic relationships of Acridoidea at the mitochondrial genome level, especially the phylogenetic relationships between Pyrgomorphidae and Chrotogonidae.【Methods】 The mitochondrial genome sequences of A. lata and A. miliaris were determined on the Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing platform, and the mitochondrial genome structure, base composition, relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) of protein-coding genes (PCGs) and tRNA secondary structure were analyzed. A gene sequence dataset of 13 PCGs+2 rRNA genes was constructed by using the mitochondrial genomes of 34 species known to Acridoidea as ingroups and those of two Eumastacoidea species as outgroups. The phylogenetic relationships of Acridoidea were constructed by maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. 【Results】 The full-length mitochondrial genomes of A. lata and A. miliaris (GenBank accession numbers: OR544953 and OR253923, respectively) are 15 561 and 15 798 bp, respectively, both of which are closed circular molecules. The mitochondrial genomes of both A. lata and A. miliaris contain 37 genes (13 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes) and one control region, and KD gene rearrangement exists (trnK-trnD rearranges to form trnD-trnK). The A+T content of the mitochondrial genomes of A. lata and A. miliaris are 74.4% and 75.8%, respectively, showing obvious AT content bias. The gene arrangement, base composition, amino acid composition and RSCU of the mitochondrial genomes of A. lata and A. miliaris are similar to those of other species of Pyrgomorphidae and Chrotogonidae. All tRNA genes show the typical clover-leaf secondary structure except for the absence of DHU arm of trnS^AGN. The phylogenetic trees constructed by ML and BI methods had the same topological structure. Pamphagidae, Catantopidae, Oedipodidae, Arcypteridae, Gomphoceridae and Acrididae were clustered together, and the monophyly of Pamphagidae, Oedipodidae and Gomphoceridae was supported. The species of Pyrgomorphidae and Chrotogonidae clustered together in a clade and formed sister groups with other species of Acridoidea. The monophyly of Atractomorphinae of Pyrgomorphidae was supported, while the monophyly of Chrotogonidae was not supported due to the addition of Pyrgomorphidae species. 【Conclusion】 In this study, the mitochondrial genomes of A. lata and A. miliaris were determined and analyzed for the first time. At the mitochondrial genome level, the phylogenetic trees of Acridoidea were constructed, and the results indicated that the monophyly of Pyrgomorphida, Pamphagidae, Oedipodidae and Gomphoceridae was supported. Pyrgomorphidae and Chrotogonidae were closely related, forming a clade with species nested within each other, supporting the merging of Pyrgomorphidae and Chrotogonidae of the Chinese taxonomic system into one family.

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

【Aim】 This study aims to investigate and analyze the species composition of arthropod community in paddy fields and the interaction between main insect pests and natural enemies in Jianghan Plain of Central China, so as to provide a scientific basis for the development of a green management system for rice pests. 【Methods】The numbers of species and individuals of arthropods in 28 paddy fields in Jianli City, Qianjiang City, Jiangling County, and other cities and counties in Jianghan Plain were investigated at the tillering stage, booting stage and full heading stage of rice by suckingmachine method and sweeping-net method from 2019 to 2020. The effects of principal components on arthropod community in paddy fields and the interactions between the population size of main insect pests and the population size of natural enemies were analyzed by principal component analysis and grey correlation analysis. 【Results】 There were 169 arthropod species in paddy fields investigated in Jianghan Plain during 2019-2020. According to the nutrient feeding relationship, the arthropod community in paddy fields was divided into four subcommunities, including 6 orders, 33 families and 57 species of phytophagous species, 7 orders, 30 families and 50 species of predatory species, 2 orders, 15 families and 44 species of parasitic species, and 5 orders, 16 families and 18 species of neutral species. In the arthropod community in paddy fields, Sogatella furcifera and Nephotettix bipunctatus had the main contribution to the 1st principal component, Orius tantillus and Paederus fuscipes had the main contribution to the 2nd principal component, and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and Laodelphax striatellus had the main contribution to the 3rd principal component. The first three natural enemies whose population size had high correlations with the population size of the main pest C. medinalis were ranked in a descending order as follows: Hylyphantes graminicola>Pardosa pseudoannulata>Misumenops tricuspidatus, while those whose population size had high correlations with the population size of the main insect pest S. furcifera were ranked in a descending order as follows: Tetragnatha nitens>Cyrtorhinus lividipennis>P. pseudoannulata. 【Conclusion】 The difference of arthropod community composition in paddy fields originates mainly from the population size of the dominant phytophagous insects and predatory natural enemies. The population size of H. graminicola shows the closest coupling pattern to that of C. medinalis, and similar coupling pattern exists in the predator T. nitens to S. furcifera, indicating that these predators play dominant roles in controlling the respective preys.

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

【Aim】 Taking the novel, highly effective, and long-lasting insecticides triflumezopyrim and tetraniliprole as examples, this study aims to investigate the practical significance of reduced pesticide use and enhanced effectiveness in controlling rice pests through transplanting insecticide-pretreated rice seedlings. 【Methods】 Laboratory simulation experiments involving transplanting insecticide-pretreated rice seedlings were conducted to assess the toxicity and duration of efficacy of triflumezopyrim (active ingredient, a.i.) exposure to rice seedlings at the doses of 1.95, 5.85 and 9.75 mg a.i./m² against the adults or nymphs of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, and the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera, respectively. Field experiments for transplanting high-dose insecticide-pretreated rice seedlings were carried out to evaluate their control efficacy against the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, and rice planthoppers, as well as the impact of different modes of pesticide application on the population dynamics of parasitic wasps in paddy fields, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and Hengyang, Hunan Province, respectively, for early-, mid-, and late-season rice crops. 【Results】 In the laboratory, transplanting rice seedlings pretreated with 5.85 and 9.75 mg a.i./m² of triflumezopyrim caused exceeding 75% corrected mortality rates in N. lugens adult females and the 3rd instar nymphs at 35 d after transplanting (DAT). The corrected mortality rate of S. furcifera adult females exceeded 80% when transplanting rice seedlings exposed to 5.85 mg a.i./m² of triflumezopyrim at 28 DAT. For controlling C. suppressalis in early-season rice, the applications of tetraniliprole at the doses of 12.75 and 25.50 mg a.i./m² resulted in a corrected control efficacy of over 85% at 35 DAT. The comprehensive analysis of the field experiment results in both mid- and late-season rice in Hangzhou and Hengyang revealed that transplanting rice seedlings exposed to 5.85 mg a.i./m² of triflumezopyrim and 25.50 mg a.i./m² of tetraniliprole could reduce pesticide applications once or twice and the usage of effective pesticide ingredients by over 98%. Moreover, this practice of pesticide application method maintained control efficacy comparable to conventional spraying, resulting in an increase in the total number of parasitic wasp species by 29.0%-49.7% and their total number of individuals by 61.2%-69.3%, respectively. 【Conclusion】The application of highly effective and long-lasting insecticides to rice seedlings before transplanting could reduce the frequency and quantity of pesticide use during the early stage of rice cultivation, thus yielding favorable economic and ecological benefits. This study offered valuable guidelines to promote environmentally friendly management of rice diseases and pests through the application of transplanting pesticide-pretreated rice seedlings.

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

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

【Aim】 Peach fruit moth (Carposina sasakii) and oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta) are two kinds of fruit tree pests worldwide. Climate warming has many important impacts on their geographical populations. The objective of this research is to identify the differences in the rapid heat tolerance and heat tolerance plasticity among the geographical populations of C. sasakii and G. molesta, so as to provide a basis for their forecast and integrated management. 【Methods】 By measuring the knockdown time (KDT) at the constant temperature 42.5 ℃ and the critical thermal maximum (CTMax) under basal (non-subjected to pretreatment) or heat hardening (subjected to pretreatment at 35 ℃ for 2 h) conditions, we systematically compared the similartities and differences in the rapid heat tolerance and heat tolerance plasticity of adults among different geographical populations of C. sasakii (Jilin population, Zhengzhou population and laboratory population) and G. molesta (Jilin population, Zhengzhou population, Nanchang population and laboratory population). 【Results】 The changes of KDT of adults in different geographical populations of C. sasakii and G. molesta were consistent. There was no significant difference in KDT among geographical populations and between genders of the adults of C. sasakii and G. molesta. Heat hardening significantly increased the KDT of C. sasakii and G. molesta by 14.63 and 55.12 s, respectively. There was no significant interaction between or among populations, genders and heat hardening factors as for KDT of the both two fruit moth species. The responses of the adults of C. sasakii and G. molesta populations to CTMax were different. There were significant differences in the CTMax among the adult populations of C. sasakii, which was ranked in a descending order of Jilin population ［(38.57±1.61) ℃］, Zhengzhou population ［(37.60±1.32) ℃］ and laboratory population ［(37.24±1.46) ℃］. Heat hardening had a significant effect on the CTMax of C. sasakii adults, and there was an interaction between the adult populations and heat hardening factors as for C. sasakii. It was mainly reflected that heat hardening significantly enhanced the CTMax of Jilin population and Zhengzhou populations by 2.05 and 1.34 ℃, respectively, while there was no significant difference in the CTMax between the basal and heat-hardened laboratory populations. There were significant differences in the CTMax among the adult populations of G. molesta, which was ranked in a descending order of Nanchang population (39.20±1.81) ℃, Jilin population (38.63±1.42) ℃, Zhengzhou population (38.27±1.32) ℃, and laboratory population (38.15±1.51) ℃. Heat hardening had a significant effect on the CTMax of G. molesta adults, and there was an interaction between the adult population and heat hardening factors as for G. molesta. It was mainly reflected that heat hardening significantly increased the CTMax of the Zhengzhou population ［basal： (38.18±1.34) ℃; heat-hardened: (39.17±0.60) ℃］, but not significantly increased the CTMax of the Jilin population, Nanchang population and laboratory population. Gender factor, and its interaction with population or heat hardening, and the interaction of the three factors showed no significant effects on the CTMax of the adults of C. sasakii and G. molesta. 【Conclusion】 The northern population of C. sasakii had a stronger rapid heat tolerance than the central population, but the southern population of G. molesta had the strongest rapid heat tolerance compared with the central population and northern population. Laboratory acclimation could reduce the rapid heat tolerance of both species, and heat hardening could improve the rapid heat tolerance of the both two fruit moth species, but the heat tolerance plasticity was not consistent among different populations between the two fruit moth species. The above conclusions may be due to the different evolutionary mechanisms of thermal adaptation between the two fruit moth species and the differences in living environment among geographical populations. It is of great significance to clarify the similarities and differences of rapid heat tolerance and its plasticity among geographical populations of C. sekakii and G. molesta for insect heat adaptation research and fruit safety production in the condition of climate warming.

【Aim】 To explore how the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) adapts to the resistant rice variety YHY15 and lay a foundation for studying the role of circular RNA (circRNA) in the adaptation mechanism of N. lugens to resistant rice. 【Methods】 The circRNAs of biotype 1 and biotype Y (biotype that can cause damage to resistant rice YHY15) of N. lugens were identified by high-throughput sequencing technology, and the type and distribution of circRNAs were counted. The expression differences of circRNAs between biotype 1 and biotype Y of N. lugens were analyzed, and GO functional annotation and KEGG enrichment analysis of the circRNA source genes were performed. 【Results】 A total of 19 circRNAs were identified in biotype 1 and biotype Y of N. lugens, and distributed on nine chromosomes. Among them, 17 circRNAs were composed of exons between splicing sites, two circRNAs were composed of all bases between splicing sites, and 17 circRNAs were 200-800 bp in length. The expression abundance and expression level of circRNAs in biotype Y of N. lugens were higher than those in biotype 1 of N. lugens. The analysis results showed that in the process of biotype 1 of N. lugens overcoming the resistance of rice YHY15 to form a new biotype Y of N. lugens, under the pressure of natural selection, the expression of circRNA changed resulting in the effects on the formation of a new biotype of N. lugens. The KEGG analysis results indicated that the identified circRNA source genes of biotype 1 and biotype Y of N. lugens were mainly enriched in autophagy-related pathways. 【Conclusion】 Long-term feeding of resistant rice by N. lugens leads to the evolution of the digestion, detoxification, and metabolic abilities of N. lugens, which can degrade the secondary metabolites produced by resistant rice to resist N. lugens. The circRNA source genes of biotype 1 and biotype Y of N. lugens are enriched in autophagy-related pathways, indicating that N. lugens respond to insect-resistant rice through the process of autophagy. This response promotes the adaptation of N. lugens to insect-resistant rice, enhances pathogenicity, and forms biotypes.

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

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