【Aim】To understand the effects of habitat changes on the bacterial communities in the larval gut of chironomids by studying the diversity and potential function of bacterial communities in the gut of Propsilocerus akamusi, a pollution-resistant chironomid identified in the freshwater area of the heavy metal polluted Bohai Bay of Tianjin City. 【Methods】The 4th instar larvae of P. akamusi identified in the freshwater area of the heavy metal polluted Bohai Bay of Tianjin City were raised with distilled water in laboratory for 7 d as the laboratory-cultured group, and the bacterial genomic DNA in the 4th instar larval gut of P. akamusi from the laboratory-cultured group and the wild-captured group was extracted. The high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was carried out, and the sequencing results were subjected to data quality control, sequence alignment and filtering, the changes in the species composition of gut bacterial communities were analyzed and the potential functions of gut bacteria were predicted. 【Results】Based on the 16S rRNA sequencing results of the gut bacteria in the 4th instar larvae of P. akamusi, 11 phyla, 13 classes, 33 orders, 54 families, 71 genera, 90 species and 105 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were annotated. The diversity and abundance of bacterial communities in the 4th instar larval gut of P. akamusi in the laboratory-cultured group were lower than those in the wild-captured group. The dominant bacterial phyla in the 4th instar larval gut of the two groups were similar, including Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota and Desulfobacterota. The abundance of Proteobacteria in the 4th instar larval gut of the wild-captured group was significantly higher than that in the laboratory-cultured group. The average abundance of Aeromonas, Shewanella, Serratia, Pseudomonas and Yersinia in the 4th instar larval gut in the laboratory-cultured group was significantly lower than that in the wild-captured group. The results of linear discriminant analysis revealed that there were bacterial species with significantly different abundance in the 4th instar larval gut of P. akamusi between the wild-captured group and the laboratory-cultured group. The KEGG analysis results showed that the relative abundance of metabolism-related genes in the bacterial genome of the 4th instar larval gut of P. akamusi was extremely high. The relative abundance of genes related to environmental information processing and cellular processes in the gut bacterial genome of the 4th instar larva of P. akamusi in the laboratory-cultured group significantly decreased as compared to that in the wild-captured group.【Conclusion】The results of this study indicate that there are significant differences in the diversity of the gut bacterial communities and gene functions between P. akamusi larvae living in adverse field environments and those reared in laboratory pure water environments. This helps to study the individual resistance mechanisms of chironomids from an environmental perspective, provides a new idea for further exploring the mechanism of the symbiotic microorganisms in the gut of chironomid larvae to cope with environmental stress, and also lays a foundation for the study of the tolerance mechanism of insects in adverse environmental conditions and the regulatory mechanism of homeostasis of their gut microbial communities.

 Fat body is a multifunctional organ in insects, similar to the liver of vertebrates, and is distributed in the abdomen, thorax and even the head cavity of insects, with the abdominal fat body being the most developed. The fat bodies of honeybees can be divided into two types, peripheral fat body and perivisceral fat body, and are composed of trophocytes, urocytes and oenocytes. As in other insects, the fat body plays an important role in life activities in honeybees, and its morphology and function vary with the developmental stage, season, and division of labor. The structure of fat body is relatively simple, but its physiological function is very complex. The major function of fat body is the storage and metabolism of energy substances. Fat body is not only a central storage pool of nutrients (i.e., lipids, carbohydrates and proteins) for honeybees, but also an intermediate station for nutrient metabolism, with a variety of enzymatic systems for the interconversion of energy and substances, undertaking the supply of metabolic water and synthesizing purines and pyrimidines and many important proteins. At the same time, fat body is the exchange center for various hormonal and nutritional signals during insect development and behavior regulation, and fat body hormones and nutritional signals are involved in regulating fat body development, nutrient metabolism, reproduction and labor division in honeybees. Fat body has a variety of functions including energy storage and release, biosynthesis and catabolism, regulation of nutrient perception, integration of metabolic signals, endocrine regulation, immunity and detoxification, magnetic field perception, improved cold resistance, and protection of organs in the body cavity. Given the important roles of the fat body, a review of the research progresses in the morphology and function of honeybee fat body can provide references and ideas for the analysis of insect nutritional signaling pathways, highquality bee species breeding and control of honeybee diseases.

【Aim】This study aims to preliminarily clarify the molecular mechanism of  diapause in Gomphocerus sibiricus eggs through screening diapause genes and metabolic  pathways of the eggs.【Methods】 Transcriptome sequencing was performed on G. sibiricus  eggs at different developmental stages ［early developmental stage (ES), diapause stage  (DS), and post-diapause developmental stage (PS)］, with the Illumina NovaSeq 6000  sequencing platform. The diapause-associated pathways of G. sibiricus eggs were predicted 
by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, and analyzed by cluster heat map analysis combined with  literature reports to screen diapause-associated genes. qRT-PCR was used to verify six  important genes of the screened diapause-associated genes. 【Results】 In the DS vs ES and  PS vs DS comparative groups, 12 419 and 4 789 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were  enriched, respectively, and most of them were up-regulated. A total of 2 206 DEGs of the  two comparative groups were mainly related to glucose metabolism, environmental stress and  growth and development. The most significant enrichment of GO items in the DS vs ES group  was protein binding. The GO items in the PS vs DS group mainly included enzymatic activity,  cytoskeleton construction and protein binding. Diapause-associated genes were mainly  involved in Wnt signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, cell cycle pathway and insect  hormone biosynthesis pathway. The expression trends of the six important  diapause-associated genes were consistent with the transcriptome data. 【Conclusion】 In  this study, important metabolic pathways that regulate diapause of G. sibiricus eggs were  preliminarily identified, and a total of 20 diapause-associated genes were screened out,  laying a foundation for further study on the adaptation mechanism of this species.

Insect symbionts are microorganisms that establish enduring and sustained associations with insect hosts. These microorganisms inhabit the body surface, gut, hemocoel, or intracellular cells of insects, participating in the regulation of various physiological functions of their host insects. Research on insect-symbiont interactions involves multidisciplinary collaboration. In-depth exploration of the functions of insect symbionts and their interactions with hosts not only advances our understanding of fundamental mechanisms in the life sciences but also introduces innovative perspectives and methods for pest management, vector-borne disease control, and optimal utilization of beneficial insects. In recent years, Chinese researchers have made noteworthy progress in the insect microbiome and got significant achievements in many research directions. In this article, we provided an overview of the most recent research progress in insect symbionts, introduced the main contents of this special issue, and proposed three noteworthy research directions: (1) the functions of insect intracellular symbionts; (2) the mechanisms by which insects regulate the abundance and transmission of symbionts; and (3) genetic modification and application of insect symbionts.

【Aim】 To reveal the relationship between the feeding of Bt proteins by  Spodoptera frugiperda larvae and the changes in the expression levels of related ABC (ATP- binding cassette transporter) genes in the midgut. 【Methods】 Artificial diets containing  Cry1Ab (LC₇₀=240.2 μg/g) or Cry1Fa (LC₇₀=270.0 μg/g) activated crystal protein were  used to feed the 4th instar larvae of S. frugiperda for 48 h, respectively. Transcriptome  sequencing of midgut and bioinformatics analysis were used to screen differentially  expressed genes in the midgut after treatment. RT-qPCR was used to verify the expression  levels of the differentially expressed ABC genes. 【Results】 A total of 1 305 and 1 202  differentially expressed genes were detected in the midgut transcriptome of the 4th instar  larvae of S. frugiperda fed with the artificial diet containing 240.2 μg/g Cry1Ab and  270.0 μg/g Cry1Fa, respectively, compared with those fed with the normal artificial diet  (the control group). There were 994 and 912 differentially expressed genes between the  Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa treatment groups and the control group, respectively, and were annotated  by GO function into three categories biological process, molecular function and cell  component. Among the nine differentially expressed ABC family genes screened, there were  four differentially expressed ABC genes (three up-regulated and one down-regulated)  between the Cry1Ab treatment group and the control group and five differentially expressed  ABC genes (two up-regulated and three down-regulated) between the Cry1Fa treatment group 
and the control group. The expression levels of two ABC genes (LOC118267200 and  LOC118267201) in the Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa treatment groups were significantly up-regulated as  compared to those in the control grpup. RT-qPCR validation results showed that the  expression levels of three and two ABC genes in the Cry1Ab treatment group were extremely  significantly up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively, and those of five ABC genes  and one ABC gene in the Cry1Fa treatment group were up-regulated and down-regulated,  respectively, as compared to those in the control grpup. 【Conclusion】 The intake of  Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa proteins could affect the expression levels of certain ABC family genes  in the midgut of S. frugiperda larvae, and the expression level changes of these genes are  related to pest resistance. After comparison, we found that the expression levels of ABCC  family and ABCG8 genes changed significantly. This study provides a theoretical basis for  further clarifying the role of ABC transporter proteins in the insecticidal mechanism of Bt  proteins in S. frugiperda and the rational use of Bt proteins for controlling S. frugiperda  and delaying resistance.

 The halteres in dipteran insects evolved from the hindwings and play an important  role in flight. The sensilla at the base of halteres detect the inertial force and provide  feedback to motor neurons that subsequently balance body during flight. The haltere of  insects is developed from imaginal disc and regulated by the HOX gene (Ultrabithorax, Ubx).  Mature haltere is composed of two layers of epithelial cells. The bulb is filled with  vacuolar cells, while the base possesses various sensilla. Interestingly, the halteres  controlled by independent muscles move antiphase relative to ipsilateral wing. However, the  winghaltere coordination is essential for departure and maintaining balance. Recently,  the navigation principles of halteres have been increasingly applied in bionics, and  navigation devices of aircrafts have been developed based on the structure and functions of  halters of flies. In this article we reviewed the progress in the research on the  development, morphological structure, function and bionics application of halteres with the  goal of providing a theoretical basis for further understanding the developmental  meachanisms and biological functions of halteres in insects.

 As one of the important branches of entomology, insect development and immunity, facing the national demand and scientific frontier, has made great achievements in solving major pest disasters and human health through multidimensional research. Meanwhile, the progress of new biotechnology has greatly promoted the research of insect development and immunity by deepening and widening our understanding of insect development and immune defense. Articles in this special issue of “Insect growth and development and immunity” reflect well the current status and features of research on insect development and immune in China. The growth and development part covers all developmental stages from egg to adult, mainly focusing on the signal transduction, and the immunity part focuses on biological interactions. In the context of big data, more efforts will be made to combine traditional and modern techniques, and strengthen cooperation, thus making the research branch play a greater role in pest control, insect resource utilization, and food security.

Successfully locating a host is one of the crucial steps in parasitoid  reproduction, which is regulated mainly by volatile compounds. Firstly, female parasitoids  often use volatiles from host plants, especially herbivore-induced plant volatiles  (HIPVs), to locate the habitat of their hosts at long distances, which helps female  parasitoids narrow their host searching range according to the cues provided by HIPVs. The  blends of HIPVs are extremely complicated, and their components and contents can be  modulated by a wide range of factors. Nevertheless, terpenoids are common compounds in  HIPVs and have been confirmed by most behavioral studies to play a role in host  localization of parasitoids. Subsequently, when the parasitoids find a plant related to  hosts and land on them, they exploit host-derived cues at a close range to locate hosts.  Parasitoids are usually attracted to volatile compounds released from the host body,  cocoon, feces, etc. The odor of some host feces can be used as the main cues for  parasitoids to locate hosts. Moreover, the components of volatiles in host feces may vary  among plant species which insects feed. In addition, semiochemicals from the parasitoid  itself are also beneficial for other individuals of the same species to locate their hosts.  Sensory perception of odor molecules by parasitoids relies on olfactory sensilla, primarily  located on the antennae, but the research on the molecular mechanism of their olfactory  recognition is still limited. Because odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are the crucial  proteins in the olfactory system that mediate odor recognition, most studies only focus on  the analysis of antennal OBPs. According to the current research, the number of genes  encoding OBPs is highly variable among parasitiod species, and most studies have verified  that OBPs play an important role in host location of parasitoids by means of gene  silencing, fluorescence competitive binding assay, molecular docking and so on. Research on  host localization and olfactory mechanism of parasitoids has important ecological  significance, and also has a good application perspective in the integrated management of  agricultural insect pests. Applying volatile compounds, or growing companion plants and  transgenic plants that emit useful volatiles can enhance the host location of parasitoids  in the field, so as to achieve a better biological control efficacy against insect pests.

【Aim】 The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta, is a newly invaded  devastating pest in China, causing severe damage to tomatoes. However, the current status  of insecticide resistance in newly invaded T. absoluta populations in China has not been  reported. The objective of this study is to clarify the susceptibility of the field  populations of T. absoluta from Xinjiang and Yunnan to six commonly used insecticides and  its relationship with the activities of detoxification enzymes. 【Methods】 Laboratory  toxicities of six frequently used pesticides to the 2nd instar larvae of Xinjiang and  Yunnan populations of T. absoluta were tested by using leaf-dip method. The synergistic  effects of three synergistic agents including the  CYP450 inhibitor piperonyl butoxide  (PBO), the esterase inhibitor triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and the GST inhibitor diethyl  maleate (DEM) on chlorantraniliprole were determined in the bioassay against the 2nd instar  larvae of T. absoluta, and the activities of detoxification enzymes including cytochrome  P450-dependent monooxygenase (CYP450), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and  carboxylesterase (CarE) in the 2nd instar larvae of the laboratory susceptible population  and resistant field population (Xinjiang population) of T. absoluta were determined by  enzyme activity assay, to ascertain the relationship of insecticide resistance with  detoxification enzyme activities. 【Results】 The susceptibility of Yunnan population of T.  absoluta to the six insecticides from high to low was emamectin benzoate, chlorfenapyr,  spinosad, indoxacarb, chlorantraniliprole, and beta-cypermethrin, while that of Xinjiang  population to the six insecticides from high to low was emamectin benzoate, chlorfenapyr,  chlorantraniliprole, spinosad, indoxacarb, and beta-cypermethrin. Compared with the  laboratory susceptible population, both Yunnan and Xinjiang populations showed the highest  level of resistance to chlorantraniliprole, with the resistance ratios of 212.7 and 169.3,  respectively. The bioassay results revealed that the three synergistic agents PBO, TPP and  DEM showed no obvious synergistic effect on chlorantraniliprole. The enzyme activity assays  showed that the activities of CYP450, GST and CarE in the 2nd instar larvae between the  laboratory susceptible population and resistant field population of T. absoluta were not 
significantly different. 【Conclusion】 Both Xinjiang and Yunnan populations of T. absoluta  show different levels of resistance to the tested six pesticides, with the highest  resistance level to chlorantraniliprole, and the insecticide resistance of T. absoluta is  unrelated to the activities of detoxification enzymes. The results of this study provide  valuable information for the field control and insecticide resistance management of T.  absoluta.

【Aim】Juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysone (Ecd) play important roles in the growth and development of insects. The aim of this study is to clarify the regulatory mechanism of these two hormones and their metabolism-related genes on the development of Calliptamus italicus eggs.【Methods】The changes in contents of JH and Ecd during the development of C. italicus eggs were detected by ELISA assay, and the expression patterns of important genes (JHE, JHEH, DIB and EcR) in the metabolic pathways of JH and Ecd during the development of C. italicus eggs were detected by qRT-PCR.【Results】The JH content in C. italicus eggs was significantly higher at the diapause stage (stages Ⅳ-Ⅵ) than at the early developmental stage (stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ), and decreased significantly at the post-diapause developmental stage (stages Ⅶ-Ⅸ). The Ecd content in C. italicus eggs increased significantly at the early diapause stage (stage Ⅳ), then decreased significantly, and increased again at the post-diapause developmental stage. The expression level of JHE in C. italicus eggs increased firstly and then decreased at the early developmental stage and the post-diapause developmental stage, and was low at the diapause stage. The expression level of JHEH in C. italicus eggs also increased first and then decreased at the early developmental stage, and didn’t change significantly at the diapause stage, but increased significantly at the post-diapause developmental stage. The expression level of DIB in C. italicus eggs was higher at the diapause stage than at the early developmental stage and decreased at the post-diapause developmental stage. The expression level of EcR in C. italicus eggs did not change significantly at the early developmental stage and diapause stage, but increased gradually at the post-diapause developmental stage. 【Conclusion】The development of C. italicus eggs is co-regulated by JH and Ecd. JH is the important hormone to regulate diapause entry, while Ecd is the important hormone for diapause termination of C. italicus eggs. JH catabolic pathway of C. italicus eggs is mainly regulated by JHE before diapause termination and by JHEH after diapause termination. DIB and EcR can affect the development of C. italicus eggs by regulating Ecd content. These results lay a foundation for further revealing the diapause mechanism of C. italicus eggs.  

【Aim】 This study aims to elucidate the molecular characters of chitin synthase  (CHS) gene in Apis mellifera and uncover the function of CHS in immune response of A.  mellifera worker larvae to Ascosphaera apis stress. 【Methods】 The molecular characters,
conserved motifs and structural domains of the A. mellifera CHS protein were predicted and  analyzed using relevant bioinformatics software. Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid  sequences of CHS proteins in A. mellifera and other insects was performed with MEGA X  software. The dsRNAs of CHS and egfp were synthesized via in vitro transcription method,  and fed to the A. apis-stressed 3-day-old larvae of A. mellifera workers to perform  RNAi. RT-qPCR was used to determine the expression levels of CHS and immune-related genes  abaecin, apidaecin, birc5, defensin-1 and PGRP-S2 in the 5-day-old larval gut of A.  mellifera workers in response to A. apis stress. 【Results】 The CHS protein of A.  mellifera contains 1 572 amino acids belonging to 20 types of amino acids, among which the  numbers of amino acids with positive and negative charge are 177 and 169, respectively. CHS  has the molecular weight of 178.77 kD, isoelectric point of 6.65 and cellulose synthase  CESA3 catalytic structural domain. Three motifs (Motif 1, Motif 2 and Motif 3) and two  structural domains (Chitin_synth_2 and Glyco_trans_2_3) were identified in CHSs in 13  insect species such as A. mellifera and A. cerana. Phylogenetic tree showed that the CHSs  in A. mellifera and A. cerana of Hymenoptera showed the highest amino acid sequence  identities, and clustered into one branch with the bootstrap value of 100. The expression  level of CHS in the 5-day-old larval gut of A. mellifera in the dsCHS-fed group was  significantly down-regulated as compared to that in the dsegfp-fed control group, with  the interference efficiency of 29.40%. In the dsCHS-fed group, the expression levels of  abaecin, birc5 and defensin-1 in the 5-day-old larval gut of A. mellifera were extremely  significantly up-regulated, that of PGRP-S2 was significantly up-regulated, while that  of apidaecin was extremely significantly down-regulated, as compared with those in the d segfp-fed control groups. 【Conclusion】 A. mellifera CHS may be an intracellular  hydrophilic transmembrane protein. The amino acid sequences of CHSs in A. mellifera and  other insects are highly conservative, and those in A. mellifera and A. cerana are the most  highly conservative. CHS affects A. mellifera worker larval immune response to A. apis  stress.

【Aim】 The genetic differentiation research is an important link to understand the morphological diversity and adaptive evolution of honey bees. It is a prerequisite for the determination of the bioresource management unit and the protection unit and helps to protect the genetic resources of honey bees. This study aims to study the genetic differentiation and genetic resource distribution of the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana across the geographical environment in China by analyzing morphological differentiation. 【Methods】 A total of 6 147 worker bees of A. cerana were collected from 102 sampling sites across the complete distribution area of A. cerana in China. Sixty worker bees of each sampling site from 10-20 colonies were dissected and 33 morphological characteristics associated with the wings, individual size, hind leg, and body color were measured. A multivariate morphometric analysis was conducted and clusters with their morphological traits and distribution patterns were identified. 【Results】 According to the cluster results of discriminant analysis and principal component analysis, A. cerana in China can be divided into 14 morphological clusters. Five clusters with smaller body size were identified. Hainan cluster had the smallest body size, followed by South Yunnan cluster, Taiwan cluster, Southern cluster, and Northern cluster. These five clusters were significantly different in proboscis length, forewing length, the structure of the 3rd submarginal cell in the forewing, body color, and the length of the wax plate. Changbai cluster had the largest cubital index, wax plate size, and width of the stripe of tomentum on tergite 5. However, Bomi cluster of Tibet had the smallest width of the stripe of tomentum on tergite 5 in China. Northwest cluster had the longest hind legs. Five clusters in the West Sichuan Plateau were characterized by larger individuals and black body color. Batang cluster had the smallest cubital index (3.0169) and the largest individual size in China. The cubital index of the Aba cluster was inferior only to that of the Changbai cluster, and the wing lengths and the sizes of sternite 7 were the largest. Derong cluster was the darkest. Yajiang cluster was unique in wing vein angles (A4, N23, E9 and J10 were the smallest and B4 the largest). Chuandian cluster had the smallest body size on the Western Sichuan Plateau. 【Conclusion】 In this study, the morphometric analysis of A.  cerana was conducted based on collection of samples across the complete distribution area of A. cerana in China, especially those from Bomi of Tibet, Taiwan Province, and the Western Sichuan Plateau. Fourteen clusters of A. cerana were obtained in China, including Hainan cluster, southern Yunnan cluster, Changbai cluster, Taiwan cluster, Bomi cluster, Aba cluster, Batang cluster, Derong cluster, Yajiang cluster, Chuandian cluster, Chuangui cluster, Northwest cluster, Southern cluster, and Northern cluster. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the protection and exploitation of genetic resources of A. cerana in China.

 【Aim】 Adoxophyes orana is an important insect pest endangering apple, peach,  pear, jujube and other fruit trees. In recent years, the occurrence area of A. orana in the  apple and jujube orchards of Shaanxi has increased by years, causing increasing harm to  fruit production. The objective of this study is to clarify the roles of host-plant  volatiles in the olfactory communication of A. orana adults, so as to provide basic data  for the development of botanical attractants for A. orana. 【Methods】 The  electroantennogram (EAG) responses of the 2-day-old unmatched female and male adults of  A. orana to 51 host-plant volatile compounds were determined using EAG apparatus, and the  behavioral responses of A. orana adults to 15 volatile compounds with strong EAG amplitude  were measured with the device developed by our laboratory for testing the olfactory  behavior of tiny moths. 【Results】 The EAG test results showed that there were significant  differences in the relative EAG response values of A. orana adults to the tested 51  hostplant volatile compounds. Both sexes showed strong EAG responses towards  cis-3-hexen-1-ol, trans-2-hexen-1-ol, 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, hexanal, (E) -2-hexenal, heptanal, octanal, nonanal, butyl acetate, isopentyl acetate and  cis-3-hexenyl acetate. In addition, male adults also displayed strong EAG responses to 3 -methyl-1-butanol, 1-penten-3-ol, benzaldehyde, butyl butyrate, ethyl acetate, ethyl  trimethylcrotonate, ethyl hexanoate, butyl propionate, cis-3-hexenyl isovalerate,  benzonitrile and lemonile. Obvious differences existed in the EAG response values towards  29 compounds of the tested 51 volatile compounds between the females and the males, and  female adults showed significantly higher EAG responses to (-)-α-phellandrene and  camphene than males, while male adults exhibited significantly higher EAG responses to the  other 27 volatile compounds than females. When the doses of volatile compounds ranged from  0.02 μg to 20 μg, the relative EAG response values did not increase significantly,  however, when the doses of volatile compounds increased from 20 μg to 200 μg, the  relative EAG values in both female and male adults significantly increased. The olfactory  behavioral tests revealed that the female adults showed obvious preference to hexanal,  heptanal, octanal and cis-3-hexenyl acetate, with the selection rates to them all  exceeding 58%, while the males showed obvious preferences to 1-hexanol, heptanal,  isopentyl acetate and benzonitrile. 【Conclusion】 The unmated male adults of A. orana show  higher sensitivities towards host-plant volatiles in the EAG responses than the unmated  females. 1-Hexanol, hexanal, heptanal, octanal, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, isopentyl acetate  and benzonitrile have obvious attractancy to female or male adults of A. orana and can be  applied in developing botanical attractants for this pest.

 The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a primary invasive pest in China. Currently, scientific researches, control strategies and policy regulations regarding S. invicta mainly focus on the filed of agriculture in China. Although S. invicta is also widely distributed in forests, grasslands, wetlands and urban green spaces and has caused huge damage, the occurrence characteristics and control strategies of S. invicta in these areas are largely overlooked. The occurence of S. invicta is closely associated with human disturbances such as felling, burning and soil turning, and natural factors such as biodiversity, forest canopy density and soil bareness. Due to the low levels of biological diversity and forest canopy density and high levels of human disturbances, there is a high risk of S. invicta invasion in plantation forests and adjacent areas. In natural forests, S. invicta is usually distributed in forest edges and windows, as well as burned areas where the sunlight can directly irradiate. Moreover, nurseries and urban green spaces have a high risk of S. invicta invasion because of large areas of bare soil and high levels of human activities. In areas with high levels of human activities, including plantation forests, nurseries and urban green spaces, S. invicta mainly threatens human health and infrastructure, and directly or indirectly damages trees. In addition, the invasion of S. invicta significantly decreases the abundance and diversity of arthropods in habitats and poses significant threats to wildlife in natural reserves and wetlands. Although it has been reported that S. invicta contributes to promoting seed migration and enhancing soil nutrient circulation under certain conditions, its harmful impacts far exceed its potential beneficial effects. Quarantine, monitoring and control are three important aspects to prevent S. invicta invasion in forestry. Wood, seedlings with soil, and turf are the main objects that may carry S. invicta and need to be quarantined, and fumigation can effectively eliminate S. invicta. Baiting and trapping are the main methods to monitor S. invicta. Recently, some new technologies, including remote sensing and radar technology, also have been developed to monitor S. invicta in grasslands and urban green spaces. Although chemical control is the most predominant control strategy for S. invicta, the use of highly toxic, broad spectrum and hardly degradable insecticides may negatively affect non-target organisms in natural reserves and wetlands. Therefore, it is essential to develop environmentally friendly agents and methods to control S. invicta.

The collective set of odors received by insects is called as insect odorscape. Insects rely on the reception and discrimination of the odorscape to complete life activities, such as the object localization, feeding, mating and oviposition. The behavior of insects can be manipulated by odorscape management for pest control strategy. In this article, we reviewed the research progress in the composition and diffusion of insect odorscape, influences of odorscape on insect behavior, factors affecting odorscape, odorscape reception and discrimination of insects, and the application of odorscape management in pest control. Finally, we analyzed and prospected the development direction and research focus of insect odorscape management in the future. For insects, the odor released by target is dispersed into plumes by air flow and mixed with the background odor carried in the air, which together form the odorscape. Insects search and locate the target along the target odor. The behavior of insects can be affected by the shape, composition and concentration of target odors. The background odor plays a complementary or warning role during the target localization of insects. Different background odors can synergize or interfere with the target localization of insects. The insect odorscape is mainly affected by the temperature, humidity, light, heavy metal elements and plant diseases and insect pests in the environment. Studies showed that the olfactory receptors of insects capture odorscape and transmit those odor signals to olfactory nerve centers such as antennal sensilla lobe along the olfactory nerves. Then, the odorscape is analyzed in the nerve centers by the mode of elemental processing or configural processing. The influences of background odor on insect target localization may be the results of the reciprocal addition, competitive binding or signal crosstalk of different odor molecules during the olfactory sensing and coding. At present, several kinds of green pest control technologies have been developed based on the odorscape management, such as insect behavior regulators, exogenous elicitors, breeding the crop varieties that can release resistant volatiles, “push-pull” technology and plant-mediated support system for natural enemies. In the future, it is necessary to further explore the behavioral, electrophysiological and neurological mechanisms of odorscape discrimination in insects, and optimize and integrate the green control technologies related to odorscape management, so as to build rational and efficient odorscape for insect pest control.

【Aim】To evaluate the toxicity and ecological risks of the formulations of seven neonicotinoid insecticides to the 7-spot ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata, so as to provide a reference for scientific use of neonicotinoid insecticides and protection of C. septempunctata.【Methods】The acute toxicity of the formulations of seven neonicotinoid insecticides, including 10% imidacloprid WP, 40% acetamiprid SP, 50% dinotefuran WP, 50% clothianidin WG, 40% imidaclothiz WG, 17% flupyradifurone SL and 25% thiamethoxam WG to the 2nd instar larvae of C. septempunctata was determined by using the method of residual film in glass tube, and the ecological risks of these insecticides were assessed. The solutions of the seven insecticides were prepared according to the maximum recommended field application rate, and sprayed on potted plants in the greenhouse to investigate the larval survival rate of C. septempunctata.【Results】The results of the indoor experiments showed that the acute toxicity of the seven neonicotinoid insecticides to the 2nd instar larvae of C. septempunctata was ranked in a descending order: 40% acetamiprid SP>40% imidaclothiz WG>10% imidacloprid WP>50% dinotefuran WP>50% clothianidin WG>25% thiamethoxam WG>17% flupyradifurone SL. The pot experiment in the greenhouse showed that the larval survival rates of C. septempunctata at 7 d after treatment with the seven insecticides at the maximum recommended field application rate were 10.00%-77.50%, and the highest larval survival rate of C. septempunctata was tested in the treatment with 25% thiamethoxam WG, while the lowest survival rate was observed in the treatment with 40% imidaclothiz WG. The results of ecological risk assessment showed that for a single application, the risk of 40% acetamiprid SP was unacceptable with the hazard quotient value in the farm (HQ_in) of more than 5, and those of the other pesticides were acceptable with the HQ_in values of less than 5. The hazard quotient values for crop or vegetable field outside the farm (HQ_{off crop or vegetable}) and for fruit tree garden outside the farm (HQ_{off fruit tree}) of these insecticides to C. septempunctata were less than 5, indicating that the risk is acceptable. After the second spray after 7 d, the risks of 40% acetamiprid SP and 50% dinotefuran WP were unacceptable with the HQ_in values of more than 5, and those of the other insecticides were acceptable with the HQ_in values of less than 5. The HQ_{off crop or vegetable} and HQ_{off fruit tree} values of the other insecticides except 40% acetamiprid SP were less than 5, indicating that the risks of these insecticides are acceptable.【Conclusion】Acetamiprid and dinotefuran should not be used twice continuously and be used in rotation in order to avoid harm to C. septempunctata.

【Aim】 This study aims to clarify the expression pattern of odorant binding protein 1 (OBP1) in Aethina tumida and analyze the role of AtOBP1 in olfactory recognition of A. tumida.【Methods】 The cDNA full-length sequence of AtOBP1 was cloned based on the transcriptome and genome database of A. tumida and analyzed by bioinformatics. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of AtOBP1 in different developmental stages (egg, larva, pupa, female adult and male adult), different tissues (head, cuticle, wing, leg, fat body, gut, Malpighian tubules, testis and ovary) of the 7-day-old adult and in the head of different day-old adults of A. tumida after eclosion. The biological function of AtOBP1 in olfactory recognition of A. tumida was studied by RNA interference (RNAi) and Y-tube behavior choice experiment. 【Results】The cDNA full-length sequence of AtOBP1 gene (GenBank accession no.: MT211982.1) has six exons and an open reading frame (ORF) of 447 bp in length. AtOBP1 encodes 148 amino acid residues with PBP_GOBP superfamily conserved domain, and the predicted molecular mass and isoelectric point are 15.9 kD and 4.73, respectively. AtOBP1 protein is a dimer composed of six α-helics with six conserved cysteines that form three disulfide bonds. The phylogenetic tree also showed that AtOBP1 was closely clustered into one branch with TmOBP8 from Tenebrio molitor of Coleoptera. The RT-qPCR results showed that AtOBP1 was highly expressed in the pupal stage and the male adult stage, and was highly specifically expressed in the head and testis of adults. In addition, the expression level of AtOBP1 in adult head increased gradually with the day-old age, reached two peaks in the 5- and 7-day-old adult stages, respectively, and decreased in the 8-day-old adult stage. RNAi in combination with Y-tube behavior choice experiment results revealed that silencing of AtOBP1 resulted in significantly reduced preference of A. tumida adults to the pollen volatile compounds ethyl palmitate and ethyl linolenate.【Conclusion】AtOBP1 belongs to Classical OBPs family. AtOBP1 is mainly expressed in the head and testis of A. tumida adults, and may participate in the recognition process of the pollen volatile compounds ethyl palmitate and ethyl linolenate in A. tumida.
Key words: Aethina tumida; odorant binding protein; AtOBP1; RNAi; olfactory behavior

True fruit flies are important insect pests attacking fruits and vegetables. The total damage caused by them worldwide is estimated to amount to be more than 2 billion US dollars annually. The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is one of the representatives of this kind of pests, causing serious losses to China’s citrus industry every year. The techniques based on male attractant and protein bait have been used in environment friendly strategies for pest monitoring and control. However, the performances of those baits in the field are unsatisfied and need to be further improved. With the reduction of the cost of high-throughput sequencing technology and the development of modern molecular biology technology, scientists proposed to discover the key molecular targets for olfaction by resolving the molecular mechanism of pest chemosensory first and develop more stable and efficient attractants with the identified new targets. In order to promote the development of behavioral regulation technology targeting key chemosensory molecules in B. dorsalis, we reviewed the research status of important chemicals regulating the behavior of B. dorsalis and the mechanism of chemosensory perception in this article. The important volatiles regulating the behavior of B. dorsalis include sex pheromones, plant volatiles and food-derived protein odors. Among them, the specific compounds identified by the first two have a clear relationship with the behavior of B. dorsalis adults. For example, pyrazine substances obtained from sex pheromones can attract females, methyl eugenol in plant volatiles can attract males, γ-octalactone can induce females to lay eggs; while the composition of food-derived protein odor is complex, although it has a certain efficacy in the field, there is a lack of function validation of specific compounds in female and male insect behavior. In the olfactory sensory mechanism, there is only a morphological description of the peripheral nerve sensilla and the central antennal lobe, and the function of different types of olfactory neurons is not clear. A large number of chemical sensory proteins have been identified in B. dorsalis, including 49 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), 60 odorant receptors (ORs), 23 ionotropic receptors (IRs) and 17 gustatory receptors (GRs), through bioinformatics analysis at present. However, the number of olfactory genes functionally analyzed is small. In conclusion, although some compounds with behavioral activity on B. dorsalis have been identified, and a large number of olfactory proteins have been used as candidate molecular targets, the corresponding relationship between “chemical substances-olfactory molecular targets and nerve-behavior” is lacking, which greatly limits the role of olfactory molecular targets in attractant development. Therefore, on this basis, we put forward a development strategy for the behavioral regulation technology of B. dorsalis based on olfactory key molecular targets, to provide new ideas for the design and screening of effective behavioral regulators of B. dorsalis.

 【Aim】 The phytophagous piercing-sucking insect saliva protein participates in the regulation of plant defense response against insects and affects insect adaptability to host plants. The aim of the present study is to clone the important salivary protein gene Nl15 in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, and to investigate its temporal and spatial expression patterns, so as to clarify its roles in virulence o f N. lugens. 【Methods】 Based on the transcriptome data of IR56 population of N. lugens, the cDNA sequence of Nl15 was cloned from N. lugens by RT-PCR, and subjected to bioinformatics analysis. The expression profiles of Nl15 in different developmental stages (egg, 1st-5th instar nymph, and female and male adult) and female adult tissues (head, thorax, abdomen and leg) of TN1 and IR56 populations of N. lugens were determined by qPCR. The RNAi of Nl15 was carried out by dsRNA microinjection into the 4th instar nymphs of TN1 and IR56 populations of N. lugens. The relative expression levels of Nl15 in N. lugens nymphs after RNAi of Nl15 and defense-related genes OsLecRK4, OsMPK10, OsWRKY24, OsLox, OsNPR1, and OsGns5 in rice plants fed by N. lugens nymphs for 3 d following RNAi of Nl15 were detected by qPCR. The survival rate and the honeydew amount and body weight gain of N. lugens adults after RNAi of Nl15 were determined by bioassay. 【Results】 The cDNA sequence of Nl15 (GenBank accession no.: OK181113) of N. lugens was cloned. It has an open reading frame of 1 008 bp in length, encoding 335 amino acids with the predicted isoelectric point of 7.54 and the molecular weight of 38.7 kD. The Nl15 protein contains a signal peptide sequence of 23 aa and a predicted glycosylation modification site, whereas has no transmembrane domain and other known functional domains. Nl15 shares 45% amino acid sequence identity with the homologous protein from Laodelphax striatellus. Developmental expression profile revealed that Nl15 was expressed in various developmental stages of N. lugens, with the highest expression level in the 3rd-4th instar nymphs. Tissue expression profile showed that Nl15 exhibited the highest expression level in the head of female adults of N. lugens, with a higher expression level in the head of IR56 population than in the head of TN1 population. RNAi results showed that the expression level of Nl15 in ds Nl15 injection group was significantly down-regulated by 89.5%, the survival rate and the honeydew amount and body weight gain of adults of N. lugens were significantly decreased, and the expression levels of the above six rice defense-related genes were significantly up-regulated as compared to those in the control group (ds GFP injection group). 【Conclusion】 Nl15 in IR56 population of N. lugens is involved in the interaction of defense and counter defense between N. lugens and rice. This study provides insights into the mechanisms by which N. lugens overcomes resistance genes and the molecular network of interactions between insects and plants.

 【Aim】The aim of this study is to find out the reference genes stably expressed in different developmental stages and adult tissues of Grapolita molesta and in its adults after treatment with different concentrations of three insecticides, so as to lay a foundation for the subsequent study on target gene expression in G. molesta.【Methods】Ten candidate reference genes (β-actin, 18S rRNA, β-tubulin, EF-1α, RPL13, RPL32, RSPL40, UBC7, α-tubulin and RPS20) were selected based on G. molesta transcriptome data. The expression levels of the candidate reference genes in different developmental stages (egg, 1st-5th instar larvae, pupa and adult) and different adult tissues (head, foregut, midgut, hindgut, fat body, Malpighian tubules, testis and ovary) of G. molesta and in G. molesta adults treated with three insecticides at different concentrations (avermectin: 19.819, 72.897 and 179.663 μg/mL; imidacloprid: 17.638, 163.323 and 762.986 μg/mL; and lambda-cyhalothrin: 33.791, 96.123 and 198.282 μg/mL) with the method of residual film in glass tube were detected using real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The expression stabilities of the 10 candidate reference genes were evaluated by geNorm, NormFinder, ΔCt, BestKeeper and RefFinder. The cytochrome P450 gene CYP354A32 of G. molesta was selected for validation. 【Results】 qRT-PCR results combined with software evaluation results revealed that the expression stabilities of the reference genes in different developmental stages of G. molesta were ranked in a descending order of β-tubulin, 18S rRNA, EF-1α, RPL13, β-actin, RPS20, UBC7, RPL32, α-tubulin and RSPL40, those in different adult tissues were ranked in a descending order of UBC7, β-tubulin, β-actin, 18S rRNA, RSPL40, EF-1α, RPS20, RPL13, RPL32 and α-tubulin, and those in adults after exposure to different concentrations of avermectin, imidacloprid and lambda-cyhalothrin were ranked in a descending order of RPS20, RPL13, β-tubulin, β-actin, RPL32, RSPL40, EF-1α, UBC7, α-tubulin and 18S rRNA. The expression characteristics of CYP354A2 analyzed by using the obtained reference gene combinations showed that CYP354A2 was highly expressed in the old larvae and adults when using the combination of β-tubulin, EF-1α and 18S rRNA as the reference genes, and was highly expressed in the testis and ovary of adults when using the combination of UBC7, β-tubulin and β-actin as the reference genes. After G. molesta adults were exposed to different concentrations of insecticides, only the expression level of CYP354A2 in the treatment with 19.819 μg/mL avermectin was higher than that in the control, while the expression levels of CYP354A2 in treatments with other concentrations of insecticides were lower than that in the control when using the combination of RPS20, RPLB and β-tubulin as the refernece genes.【Conclusion】 The combination of β-tubulin, 18S rRNA and EF-1α is recommended as the reference genes for studying the target gene expression in different developmental stages of G. molesta, that of UBC7, β-tubulin and β-actin as the reference genes for studying the target gene expression in different adult tissues of G. molesta and that of RPS20, RPL13 and β-tubulin as the reference genes for studying the target gene expression in adults of G. molesta after treatment with different concentrations of avermectin, imidacloprid and lambda-cyhalothrin.

【Aim】To identify and analyze the genes and full-length transcripts of  serine/threonine protein kinases of Apis mellifera ligustica using previously gained  high-quality long-read nanopore sequencing data, and to provide reference information and  bases for further functional study.【Methods】Based on the previously obtained  high-quality long-read nanopore sequencing data of A. m. ligustica, the genes and  full-length transcripts of serine/threonine protein kinases were screened from the Nr  database by Blast. The screened full-length transcripts of serine/threonine protein kinases  were compared with the annotated transcripts in the reference genome of A. mellifera  (Amel_HAv3.1) using gffcompare software to identify the unannotated new genes and new  transcripts. The types of alternative splicing (AS) events occurring in serine/threonine  protein kinase genes were identified using Astalavista software. Visualization of the  structure of spliceosomes was performed with IGV browser. RT-PCR was employed to confirm  the authenticity of randomly selected six AS events.【Results】In total, 71 genes and 335  full-length transcripts of serine/threonine protein kinases of A. m. ligustica were  identified, and one new gene and 97 new transcripts were discovered. The structure of 14  annotated genes was optimized, and the 5′ends of six genes and the 3′ends of eight genes  were prolonged, respectively. A total of 57 AS events were identified in seven genes of  serine/threonine protein kinases in A. m. ligustica, including 40 exon skipping (ES) events,  15 alternative 5′splicing site (A5SS) events and two alternative 3′splicing site (A3SS)  events. RT-PCR results of randomly selected six AS events indicated that all of the target  fragments were in accordance with the expected sizes, confirming the authenticity of AS  events.【Conclusion】 Genes and full-length transcripts of serine/threonine protein kinases  of A. m. ligustica were systematically identified and the structure of the serine/threonine  protein kinase genes annotated in A. mellifera reference genome was optimized in this  study.

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is native to South America and a quarantine pest in the world nowadays, which can reduce the yield of the main host crop tomato by 80%-100% in severe cases. In over a decade, this insect pest has invaded and spread from its origin to almost the entire continent of Asia, Africa and Europe, becoming a major threat to the world tomato industry. T. absoluta was discovered in Ili, Xinjiang in 2017 and spread to Yunnan, Gansu and other regions in a short time, greatly threatening the healthy development of the tomato industry and other related agricultural industries in China. Internationally, sex pheromone-based monitoring, mass trapping and mating disruption control have become one of the important  measures to control T. absoluta. In order to study the efficient and environmentally friendly population dynamics monitoring and control technology of T. absoluta, we summarized the research and application status of the sex pheromone in mornitoring, early warning and control of T. absoluta in this article. The females of T. absoluta release sex pheromones to attract males to mate mainly in the morning, and adult mating reaches the peak at 7:00 a.m. In 1995 and 1996, the major and minor components of the sex pheromone released from T. absoluta and their synthetic methods were reported successively. The major and minor components of this sex pheromone are (3E, 8Z, 11Z)-tetradecatrienyl acetate (TDTA) and (3E, 8Z)-tetradecadienyl acetate (TDDA), respectively, which constitute the sex pheromone in a ratio of about 90∶10. Bioassay results revealed that TDTA had a strong attraction to males, which could be further enhanced when its mixture with TDDA was used. In recent years, more efficient and convenient synthetic methods of sex pheromone components have been developed, providing good conditions for their large-scale production and application. At present, the sex pheromone of T. absoluta has been widely used in the control of this insect pest in the world, and good results have been achieved. Among the reported sex pheromone traps commonly used for monitoring and mass trapping this insect pest, the water basin trap and triangle trap are more effective. The common doses of sex pheromone contained in commercial lure core are 0.5, 0.8 and 3.0 mg. For field application, the corresponding trap type and sex pheromone dose should be selected according to the actual situation of habitat and growth stage of crops, damage degree, local natural conditions, etc. In addition, the mating disruption by using sex pheromone is also common in the control of T. absoluta, and its successful application requires a highly enclosed environment. Because sex pheromone has the advantages of high efficiency, safety and environmental protection in the monitoring and control of T. absoluta, its related research results can provide important reference for the sustainable control strategies and measures of this insect pest in China.

Thrips are important pests of agricultural and horticultural crops, causing  enormous economic losses by direct feeding and indirect transmission of the  plant-pathogenic virus. Plant secondary metabolites play a pivotal role in plant-insect  interactions. The manipulation of insect behavior using plant secondary metabolites to  protect crop plants from pest infestation is a promising eco-friendly control tactic. In  this article, plants, plant extracts, essential oils and chemical compounds that have  attractive, repellent, oviposition and feeding deterrent effects, fumigation toxicity and  toxic activities to thrips were reviewed, and the potential of plant secondary metabolites  for thrips management was discussed. Volatiles or essential oils from 54 plant species in  27 families, 29 benzenoids, 17 pyridines and 13 terpenes are attractive to thrips and could  be used as trap plants and attractants. Volatiles or essential oils from 40 plant species  in 17 families, 20 terpenes and 6 benzenoids show repellency against thrips and could be  used as repellent plants and repellents. Extracts or essential oils from 42 plant species  in 20 families, 6 alkaloids, 15 terpenes and 5 benzenoids have oviposition and feeding  deterrent effects, fumigation toxicity and toxic activities to thrips, and could be  developed into botanical pesticides and fumigants. Finally, current problems of plant  secondary metabolites in thrips management, such as unstable effects, lack of field  application technology and unclear muchamisms, were discussed, and potential research  directions were prospected, which are of great significance to thrips management based on  plant secondary metabolites.

【Aim】To clarify the function of sulfakinin (SK) and sulfakinin receptor (SKR) in the feeding behavior of Nilaparvata lugens.【Methods】The full-length cDNA sequences of sulfakinin gene Nlsk and sulfakinin receptor gene Nlskr of N. lugens were cloned by PCR and subjected to bioinformatical analysis. The expression levels of Nlsk and Nlskr in different developmental stages (egg, 1st-5th instar nymphs, and male and female adults) and different tissues (head, antenna, wing, proboscis, leg, gut and Malpighian tubules) of the female adult of N. lugens were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The 3rd instar nymphs of N. lugens were injected with ds Nlskr for gene silencing and the expression level of Nlskr in the 4th instar nymph was detected by qRT-PCR. The food intake of the 4th instar nymph after the  Nlskr silencing was measured. GO and KEGG analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and qRT-PCR verification of feeding-related genes based on the previously constructed transcriptome database of the 4th instar nymphs after RNAi of Nlskr were performed. 【Results】 The full-length cDNA sequences of Nlsk (GenBank accession number: AB817281) and Nlskr (GenBank accession number: BAO01059.1) of N. lugens were cloned by PCR. Sequence alignment results showed that the NlSK mature peptide of N. lugens has a C-terminal FMRFamide polypeptide structure that is conserved with other species. NlSKR has a highly conserved transmembrane domain with homologous receptors of other insects. The results of qRT-PCR showed that Nlsk and Nlskr were highly expressed in the egg and 1st instar nymph, and mainly in the head. Nlskr was also highly expressed in the proboscis of N. lugens. Silencing Nlskr significantly increased the food intake of the 4th instar nymphs of N.  lugens. Based on transcriptome data, GO and KEGG analysis result of DEGs showed that silencing of Nlskr by RNAi significantly affected the expression of the olfactory, gustation, energy metabolism, and feeding-related neuropeptides and receptor genes. The qRT-PCR verification results of feeding-related genes showed that silencing Nlskr decreased the expression levels of Nl7tmOR, NlOAR-3R, NlUH-FAF and NlTRP-161A, and increased the expression levels of NlGr64f, NlUE-E2 and NlTHR.【Conclusion】 This study reveals that sulfakinin and its receptor are involved in regulating the feeding behavior of  N. lugens, providing a potential target for the development of pest insect feeding behavior inhibitors.

【Aim】 This study aims to establish the adult antennal transcriptome database of  Lytta caraganae, and explore and identify genes of olfactory-related odorant-binding  proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) in its adult antennae. 【Methods】  Transcriptome analysis of adult antennae of L. caraganae was performed on Illumina HiSeq  platform. Assembled genes were annotated by alignment against public databases NR, NT, KO,  Pfam, Swiss-Prot, GO and KOG. OBP and CSP genes of L. caraganae were screened according to  the annotation results. Structural characteristics and evolutionary relationship of OBP and 
CSP genes were analyzed by ClustalX 1.83 and MEGA 7.0 software, respectively. The  expression levels of OBP and CSP genes in female and male adult antennae of of L. caraganae  were determined by qRTPCR. 【Results】 A total of 51 028 transcripts and 41 998 unigenes  were obtained from the adult antennal transcriptome of L. caraganae. Gene annotation  results showed that L. caraganae genes have the highest match (87.3%) to those of  Tribolium castaneum. Twenty-wo OBP genes and seven CSP genes were screened. Sequence  alignment result showed that 13 LcarOBPs are classified into classic OBPs， which contain  six conserved cysteine residues. Phylogenetic tree showed that LcarOBPs and LcarCSPs show  the highest amino acid sequence identity with OBPs and CSPs of Hycleus cichorii and H.  phaleratus, respectively, indicating the closest evolutionary relationship. qRT-PCR  results showed that two LcarOBP genes and two LcarCSP genes were highly expressed in the  male adult antennae of L. caraganae, while ten LcarOBP genes and two LcarCSP genes highly  expressed in the female adult antennae. 【Conclusion】 The OBP and CSP genes in adult  antennae of L. caraganae have been identified for the first time, providing a theoretical  basis for further study on the mechanism of olfactory recognition in L. caraganae.

【Aim】 The effects of chronic exposure to the sublethal concentration (LC₂₀) of dinotefuran on the growth and development of Sitobion avenae were studied in order to provide a theoretical basis for the scientific use of dinotefuran to control S. avenae and delaying the development of the resistance to the pesticide and extending the useful life of pesticide. 【Methods】 The LC₂₀ of dinotefuran to the 3rd instar nymphs of S. avenae was determined by using the leaf-dip method andusedforchronic exposure on S.
avenae for 15 generations. The resistance ratio of S. avenae to dinotefuran was determined, the developmental duration, reproduction and survival rates of S. avenae of two successive generations which were raised with wheat seedlings in test tube were recorded, and the body length, body width and body weight of adults of F₀ generation were measured. The differences in the body length, body width, body weight, survival rate, adult longevity and number of offspring produced between lowly resistant strain of various generations and the susceptible strain were analyzed by population specific life table and DPS software. 【Results】 After chronic exposure to LC₂₀ of dinotefuran for 15 generations, the resistance of S. avenae reached low level (6.54-fold). The developmental duration of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar nymph of F₀ generation of the lowly resistant strain was significantly longer than that of the susceptible strain, and the body length, body width and body weight of F₀ generation of adults of the lowly resistant strain were significantly increased, but the number of offspring produced per adult and adult longevity of F₀ generation of the lowly resistant strain were significantly reduced or shortened as compared to those of the susceptible strain. The adult survival rate, number of offspring produced per adult and adult longevity of F₁ generation of the lowly resistant strain were significantly reduced, the 2nd instar nymphal duration and nymphal duration of F₁ generation of the lowly resistant strain were significantly shortened as compared to those of the susceptible strain. The net reproductive rate (R₀), intrinsic rate of increase (R_m) and finite rate of increase (λ) of F₀ and F₁ generations of the lowly resistant strain were significantly lower than those of the susceptible strain, while the population doubling time (DT) of F₀ and F₁ generations and the mean generation time (T) of F₁ generation of the lowly resistant strain were significantly prolonged as compared to those of the susceptible strain. 【Conclusion】 Chronic exposure to LC₂₀ of dinotefuran results in the increase in the resistance of S. avenae to dinotefuran and individual size of adults of F₀ generation, while inhibits the longevity and fecundity of F₀ and F₁ generations of S. avenae.
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【Aim】 The objective of this study is to unravel the regulatory role of ame-miR-14 in the developmental process of the larval guts of Apis mellifera ligustica workers.【Methods】 The expression and sequence authenticity of ame-miR-14 in the 6-day-old larval guts of A. m. ligustica workers were proved by Stem-loop RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing, respectively. Overexpression and knockdown of ame-miR-14 were conducted by feeding its corresponding mimic (mimic-ame-miR-14) and inhibitor (inhibitor-ame-miR-14), and their corresponding negative controls mimic-NC and inhibitor-NC, respectively, and then RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of ame-miR-14 in the 4-6-day-old larval guts of A. m. ligustica workers. Bioinformatic software was used to predict and analyze the target genes of ame-miR-14. RT-qPCR was employed to detect the relative expression levels of the target genes FoxO and Hedgehog in the 4-6-day-old larval guts after overexpression and knockdown of ame-miR-14.【Results】 ame-miR-14 truly exists and is expressed in the 6-day-old larval guts of A. m. ligustica workers. The expression levels of ame-miR-14 in the 4-6-day-old larval guts of A. m. ligustica workers fed with mimic-ame-miR-14 were significantly up-regulated as compared to those fed with mimic-NC. The expression levels of ame-miR-14 in the 4-6-day-old larval guts of A. m. ligustica workers fed with inhibitor-ame-miR-14 were significantly down-regulated as compared to those fed with inhibitor-NC. In total, ame-miR-14 can target 309 genes, which could be annotated to 45 KEGG pathways and 36 GO terms. Further analysis showed that ame-miR-14 can target 14 genes associated with growth and development and have potential targeting relationship with target genes FoxO and Hedgehog. After overexpression of ame-miR-14, the expression level of FoxO in the 4dayold larval gut of the mimic-ame-miR-14 group was down-regulated and those in the 5- and 6-day-old larval guts significantly down-regulated as compared to those in the mimic-NC group. After knockdown of ame-miR-14, the expression level of FoxO in the 4-day-old larval gut of the inhibitor-ame-miR-14 group was down-regulated, while that in the 5-day-old larval gut was significantly up-regulated and that in the 6-day-old larval gut was up-regulated as compared to those in the inhibitor-NC group. After overexpression of ame-miR-14, the expression levels of Hedgehog in the 4-6-day-old larval guts of the mimic-ame-miR-14 group were significantly down-regulated in comparison with those in the mimic-NC group, whereas those in the 4-6-day-old larval guts of the inhibitor-ame-miR-14 group were up-regulated in comparison with those in the inhibitor-NC group. 【Conclusion】ame-miR-14 truly exists and is expressed in the larval guts of A. m. ligustica workers. Effective overexpression and knockdown of ame-miR-14 in the larval guts of A. m. ligustica workers can be achieved by feeding mimic and inhibitor, respectively. ame-miR-14 potentially participates in regulation of the larval gut development by negatively regulating the expression of FoxO and Hedgehog.

 Host plants and insects have formed complex defense and counter defense  mechanisms in the long-term co-evolution. In this article, we systematically reviewed the  process and mechanism of the mutual defense in host plant-piercing-sucking insect  interactions. The piercing-sucking insects use specialized needles to suck the sap of the  host plant tissue. Plants sense insect feeding signals through cell membrane surface or  intracellular receptors, and activate plant immunity through signal transduction pathways  such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, plant hormone signaling  pathway, calcium ion signaling pathway, transcription factor regulation, Rop/Rac GTPase  signaling pathway and reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway. To prevent further insect  feeding, host plants form a strengthened physical barrier and induce the production of  secondary metabolites, anti-nutritional enzymes, anti-digestive enzymes and callose  deposition, and release volatiles and other defense mechanisms. In the process of “gaming ” with host plants, piercing-sucking insects often use secreted salivary components  during the feeding to target plant proteins. By destroying the physical barrier of host  plants, or inhibiting the resistance signal transduction of host plants, or inhibiting the  toxic effect of the host secondary metabolites, or by means of cross-border RNA and  horizontal gene transfer, piercing-sucking insects inhibit the plant defense response and  continue feeding to cause damage. In addition, based on the plant-pathogen interaction  model, and combined with the research advance of the host plant-piercing-sucking insect  interaction, we summarized the development of the interaction model between host plants and  piercing-sucking insects. Since the host plant-insect interaction is sophisticated, a  profound study on the mutual defense processes and molecular mechanisms of the host plant- piercing-sucking insect interaction will not only help deepen the understanding of their  co-evolution, but also help to provide theoretical foundation and references for  developing new approaches and technologies for crop insect pest control.

 Insects are the most abundant and widespread group of animals in the world that harbor complex and diverse gut microbes. Different insects differ in gut structure, gut environment, edibility, age and external environment, and the composition and abundance of gut microbes also show difference. Insect gut microbes are mainly transferred vertically and horizontally between populations and individuals, and play a vital role in nutrient metabolism, physiological behaviour, defence, detoxification and many other functions in insect hosts. Insect gut microbes can be isolated from culture media by in vitro culture methods and rapidly identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and sequencing technologies such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The combination of metagenomics, proteomics, metabolomics and other omics technologies makes the identification and functional prediction of gut microbes more efficient. Microbial functions can be more accurately verified by in vitro experiments, microbial supplementation, microbiota transplantation and silencing of genes associated with microbial members. Sterile insects can be obtained by high temperature treatment, lysozyme treatment, sterile feeding and antibiotic treatment for functional verification experiments. However, the most widely used antibiotic method still has limitations in application. By exploiting the characteristics of gut microbes, genetic engineering of symbiotic bacteria can be used to control pests and insect-borne infectious diseases. At present, insect gut microbes play an important role in the fields of ecology, economy, energy and environmental protection. With the development and integration of new technologies, more insect-microbe interaction mechanisms will be revealed, and pest control methods through insect gut microbes will become more diverse, environmentally friendly and efficient.

【Aim】 Altitudinal gradient has an important impact on the distribution and maintenance of insect species. This study aims to provide a theoretical basis for studying the impact of altitudinal gradient on insect distribution by exploring the variation law and distribution characteristics of species diversity of rove beetles at different altitudinal gradients in the reserve.【Methods】From May 2020 to April 2021, three kinds of passive acquisition devices, flight interception trap, Malaise trap and pitfall trap, were used in Mangshan National Nature Reserve, Hunan Province, Central China to investigate the species of rove beetles at the altitudinal gradients of 500-800 m (Ⅰ), 800-1 100 m (Ⅱ), 1 100-1 400 m (Ⅲ) and 1 400-1 700 m (Ⅳ), and the species diversity, community structure similarity and species abundance of rove beetles at different altitudinal gradients were analyzed using Excel 2016 and past 3.【Results】From May 2020 to April 2021, we collected and recorded 2 135 rove beetles in Mangshan National Nature Reserve, Hunan Province, belonging to 9 subfamilies, 45 genera and 111 species, of which the number of species in Staphylininae was the most (25 genera and 63 species), and the numbers of species in Steninae and Oxytelinae were the least (both 1 genus and 1 species). The Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Mangalef richness index, Berger-Parker dominance index and Pielou’s evenness index of rove beetles were 3.8280, 2.3920, 0.1217 and 0.4140, respectively. There were differences in species diversity indexes of rove beetles at different altitudinal gradients. The species number, individual number, Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Margalef richness index of rove beetles at the altitudinal gradient Ⅲ were significantly higher than those at the altitudinal gradient Ⅰ. The species of rove beetles were poor and the dominant species were prominent at the altitudinal gradient Ⅰ, but the community structure was relatively stable. Altitudinal gradient Ⅱ was the transition gradient from low altitude to medium altitude. The species of rove beetles were rich, the community structure was complex, the dominant species were prominent and concentrated, and the community structure was relatively unstable at the altitudinal gradient Ⅲ. The species of rove beetles at the altitudinal gradient Ⅳ were relatively poor as compared with those at the altitudinal gradient Ⅲ. The similarity coefficient between the altitudinal gradient Ⅲ and altitudinal gradient Ⅳ was the highest, showing medium similarity, while those between other altitudinal gradients showed medium dissimilarity.【Conclusion】 The results of this study suggest that there are great differences in the distribution characteristics of rove beetles among different altitudinal gradients. Rove beetle species are poor and the community structure is single in low altitude areas. The medium altitude area is rich in rove beetle species, and has complex community structure and prominent dominant species. Compared with the medium altitude area, the high altitude area is relatively poor in rove beetle species. The similarity coefficient of rove beetle species between the medium-high altitude area and the high altitude area is the highest.

【Aim】 Thisstudyaimstoscreenhighlyexpressed genes in the mandibular glands of A pis mellifera foragers, so as to provide the basis for further screening and study of genes related with the foraging behavior of honey bees. 【Methods】 Differentially expressed 
genes (DEGs) in the mandibular glands of foragers were screened based on previously sequenced transcriptome data of mandibular glands of five kinds of workers of A. mellifera with different tasks (3-day-old worker bees, 10-day-old nurse bees, 10-day-old forager bees, 21-day-old nurse bees and 21-day-old forager bees), and GO and KEGG analyses of these DEGs were performed. qRTPCR was used to detect the expression levels of eight randomly selected DEGs in the mandibular glands of 10dayold nurse bees and 
10dayold forager bees, and two key DEGs including Δ-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase gene Amp5cs and cytochrome P450 9e2 gene CYP9Q3 in different developmental stages of workers and tissues of foragers. 【Results】 The expression levels of 22 DEGs in the mandibular glands of 21-day-old foragers were significantly higher than those of 3-day-old workers, 10-day-old nurses and 21-day-old nurses. Meanwhile, the expression levels of the above 22 DEGs in the mandibular glands of 10-day-old foragers of A. mellifera were also significantly higher than those of 10-day-old nurses. GO and KEGG enrichment showed that these DEGs were mainly enriched in cholesterol metabolism, galactose metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, apoptosis-fly, and biosynthesis of amino acids. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression patterns of eight 
DEGs ( LOC100576395, LOC411983, LOC410235, LOC725581, LOC410527, LOC406131, LOC408453 and 
LOC410253) were consistent with those of the transcriptome data. Two key DEGs Amp5cs and  CYP9Q3 were expressed in various developmental stages of workers, with the highest expression level in foragers. The expression levels of Amp5cs in abdomen, thorax, 
mandibular glands and antennae of foragers were higher, and those of CYP9Q3 were significantly higher in antennae and legs than those in other tissues of foragers. 【Conclusion】 In this study, 22 highly expressed DEGs in the mandibular glands of A.  mellifera foragers were screened under the condition of decreasing the interference of day-age. And these DEGs may be mainly involved in the physiological development of mandibular glands of forager bees, as well as metabolic pathways including energy supply, detoxification of exogenous substances, and nectar transformation, affecting the foraging behavior of honey bees. These results not only provide a theoretical reference for the functional study of mandibular glands of A. mellifera, but also lay a foundation for the cultivation of new lines with strong foraging ability.

The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta, is a worldwide devastating pest on tomatoes. This insect pest invaded China in 2017 and showed a trend of spread, posing a serious threat to tomato production in China. Unreasonable use of insecticides for control of this insect pest has led to the increasing level of resistance and the decrease of control efficacy. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop novel green control technologies. Physical control trapping technique and olfactory behavior manipulation technique are important components of the integrated pest management program. In this article, the research progress of physical control trapping (light traps and color traps) and olfactory behavior manipulation (sex pheromone and plant volatiles) in T. absoluta were summarized. Color significantly affects the trapping efficiency of pheromone traps and sticky color traps. White, black and blue traps attract more T. absoluta adults in the field. The black light traps and LED traps with the wavelength of 470 nm have the best trapping efficiency on T. absoluta, and also have synergistic effects on sex pheromone. The sex pheromone of T. absoluta includes the major component (3E, 8Z, 11Z)-tetradecatrienyl acetate and the minor component (3E, 8Z)-tetradecadienyl acetate, in a ratio of ~9∶1. The optimal trapping blend for mass trapping is (3E, 8Z, 11Z)-tetradecatrienyl acetate and (3E, 8Z)-tetradecadienyl acetate in a ratio of 95∶5, and delta traps with sex pheromone lure show the highest trapping efficiency in comparison with other trap types. The sex pheromone of T. absoluta has been widely used for monitoring, mass trapping and mating disruption. Plant volatiles and traditional food attractant volatiles affect the host selection and oviposition of T. absoluta. Octyl acetate, phenylacetaldehyde+acetic acid blend, acetic acid+3-methyl-1-butanol blend, and a blend consisting of limonene, β-ocimene, α-terpinene, δ-elemene and (E)-β-caryophyllene show attractive activities to T. absoluta. p-Quinone, 2-carene, d-curcumene and 1,2-diethylbenzene in tomato can serve as oviposition stimulants to T. absoluta. By contrast, 1-fluorododecane, caryophyllene, curcumene, elemene, humulene, zingiberene, tridecan-2-one, undecan-2-one, (Z)-3-hexenyl propanoate and methyl salicylate have adverse effects on host selection, oviposition or growth and development of T. absoluta. Finally, current problems of behavioral manipulation techniques of T. absoluta, such as unclear mechanisms, unstable effects, and lack of combined application technology with other green control strategies, were discussed, and potential research directions were prospected, which will provide a reference for the development of green control technologies based on insect behavioral manipulation in this pest.

【Aim】The purpose of this study is to explore whether glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCls) of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (SeGluCls) encoded by different transcription variants of SeGluCl have different susceptibilities to insecticides using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. 【Methods】 The full-length cDNA sequence of SeGluCl from S. exigua was obtained using RT-PCR and RACE, and analyzed by bioinformatics. Two splicing variants SeGluCl 3a and SeGluCl 3b of SeGluCl were knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technique, and two knockout strains (3a-KO and 3b-KO) of S. exigua were established. The difference in the susceptibilies of the 3rd instar larvae of the susceptible strain WH-S (control strain) and 3a-KO and 3b-KO strains to three insecticides abamectin, emamectin benzoate and fipronil was determined by bioassay. 【Results】 The full-length cDNA sequence of SeGluCl of S. exigua was obtained, and its two splicing variants (SeGluCl 3a and SeGluCl 3b) were found. The open reading frame (ORF) of SeGluCl 3a (GenBank accession no.: OM304353) is 1 362 bp in length encoding 454 amino acids. The ORF of SeGluCl 3b (GenBank accession no.: OM304354) is 1 365 bp in length encoding 455 amino acids. The two SeGluCls encoded by the splicing variants SeGluCl 3a and SeGluCl 3b contain four transmembrane regions and one cysteine loop. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that SeGluCl was most closely related to GluCls of S. litura and S. frugiperda. Compared to the control strain WH-S, the knockout strains (3a-KO and 3b-KO) showed no significant difference in the susceptibilities to abamectin, emamectin benzoate and fipronil. 【Conclusion】 There is no difference in the susceptibility of SeGluCls encoded by the splicing variants SeGluCl 3a and SeGluCl 3b of SeGluCl to the three insecticides abamectin, emamectin benzoate and fipronil in S. exigua.

【Aim】 To sequence and analyze the complete mitochondrial genome (mtgemome) of Campsiura mirabilis, and to discuss the phylogenetic relationship of the family Scarabaeidae based on mtgenome sequences. 【Methods】 The whole mtgenome of C. mirabilis was firstly sequenced on the Illumina Hiseq X Ten platform, and the gene structure characteristics and base composition of the C. mirabilis mtgenome were analyzed. Combined with the 54 mtgemome sequences published in GenBank, the selection pressure of protein-coding genes (PCGs) in the mtgenome of 55 species in Scarabaeidae was analyzed. The phylogenetic tree of Scarabaeidae was constructed with Lucanus mazama in Lucanidae as the outgroup based on PCG and rRNA gene sequences using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. 【Results】 The full-length of the C. mirabilis mtgenome (GenBank accession no.: MT548771) is 16 123 bp, including 13 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a Dloop region (control region), without gene rearrangement. All the 22 tRNA genes show the typical cloverleaf secondary structure except for the absence of DHU arm of trnS1. The base composition of the mtgenome of C. mirabilis shows a higher AT content with the positive AT-skew and negative GC-skew. The K_a/K_s values of PCGs of Scarabaeidae are all less than 1, indicating that all of these 13 PCGs have experienced purifying selection. The phylogenetic relationship in Scarabaeidae based on the sequences of the 13 PCGs and 2 rRNA genes was: ((Aphodiinae+Scarabaeinae)+(Melolonthinae+(Cetoniinae+(Rutelinae+Dynastinae)))). 【Conclusion】 In this study we sequenced and analyzed the mtgenome of C. mirabili, and analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of Scarabaeidae. Our results indicate that the subfamilies of Scarabaeinae, Cetoniinae, Rutelinae, Dynastinae and Melolonthinae are monophyletic groups.

【Aim】The aim of this study is to lay a foundation for the gene expression analysis of Acyrthosiphon pisum by identifying the expression stablility of reference genes in A. pisum under different experimental conditions. 【Methods】The expression levels of 14 candidate reference genes commonly used in insects (EF1α, Tubulin, NADH, RPL12, SDHB, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, 16S rRNA, ATPase, Actin, TATA, RPL32, GAPDH and RPL7)in different developmental stages (1st-4th instar nymphs and adult), winged and wingless parthenogenetic adults, different tissues (head, thorax and abdomen) of parthenogenetic wingless adults, parthenogenetic wingless adults of different geographical populations (American population, Gansu population, Yunan population and Delingha population), parthenogenetic wingless adults fed on different host plants (alfalfa, clover and broad bean), parthenogenetic wingless adults reared under different photoperiods (24L∶0D, 0L∶24D and 16L∶8D), parthenogenetic wingless adults reared under different temperatures (4, 18 and 35 ℃) and parthenogenetic wingless adults treated with 200 g/L imidacloprid were detected by qPCR. The expression stability of the above 14 reference genes was evaluated using RefFinder, ΔCt method, GeNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper. Using CYP6CY3 as the target gene to explore the influence of different reference genes on its expression level analysis in parthenogenetic wingless adults treated with 200 g/L imidacloprid. 【Results】 18S rRNA and GAPDH were recommended as the most stably expressed reference genes, whereas 16S rRNA and Actin showed the least expression stability under biotic conditions (developmental stage, wing morph, tissue, geographical population and host plant) through comprehensive analysis for the results of ΔCt method, GeNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper by RefFinder, based on the qPCR results. Meanwhile, 18S rRNA and EF1α were recommended as the most stably expressed reference genes, while Tubulin and TATA showed the least expression stablility under abiotic conditions (photoperiod, temperature and insecticide). According to the GeNorm analysis data of the optimal number of reference genes and analysis of the influence of different reference genes on the expression of target gene CYP6CY3, 18S rRNA and EF1α were recommended as the most stably expressed reference genes for further studies in A. pisum. 【Conclusion】It is recommended to use the combination of 18S rRNA and EF1α in qPCR analyses in A. pisum.

【Aim】Adipokinetic hormone (AKH), a type of neuropeptide, plays central roles in regulating development and behavioral events in diverse insects. Investigating the functions of AKH on the growth and development of Bactrocera dorsalis larva will contribute to a better understanding of the conservation and functional diversity of neuropeptides in insects, and may shed light on evaluating the potential of AKH signal system as the target of novel insect control agents. 【Methods】The full-length cDNA sequence of BdAKH of B. dorsalis was cloned, and characterized with bioinformatics methods. The expression levels of BdAKH in different developmental stages (egg, 1st-3rd instar larvae, pupa, virgin female adult and male adult), and different tissues ［central nervous system, corpora cardiaca/corpus allatum (CC/CA), fat body, Malpighian tubules, midgut, hindgut, cuticle, ovary, testis and hemocytes］ of the late 3th instar larva of B. dorsalis were detected by qPCR. Immunohistochemistry technique was used to localize the neurons expressing BdAKH in the 3rd instar larva of B. dorsalis. RNAi combined with biological observation was used to analyze the regulation of BdAKH on the growth and development of B. dorsalis larva.【Results】The full-length cDNA sequence of BdAKH (GenBank accession no. KY073319) of B. dorsalis was cloned. This cDNA of 572 bp contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 252 bp, which encodes 83 amino acid residues. BdAKH of B. dorsalis has conserved structure that consists of one mature peptide (QLTFSPDWamide). The expression levels of BdAKH were higher in adult. BdAKH was mainly expressed in the CC/CA of the late 3rd instar larva. Compared with the control group (dsGFP), BdAKH knockdown in the 3rd instar larva of B. dorsalis caused a delay in pupation and decreased pupation rate, while the pupal weight and phenotype had no remarkable difference. 【Conclusion】AKH plays important roles in regulating the larval growth and development of B. dorsalis, which could be viewed as new targets of novel insect control agents.

【Aim】 To explore the effects of the heavy metal Cu²⁺ and the pesticide  avermectin and their combined stress on the growth and development and reproductive  behavior of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis in farmland.【Methods】 We added 50  mg/kg of Cu²⁺ and 0.039 mg/L of avermectin (LC₁₀ concentration against the 3rd instar  larvae of O. furnacalis) to the artificial diet, respectively, and simultaneously, and then  got three kinds of treated diets containing Cu²⁺ (Cu), avermectin (Av) and both (Av+Cu), 
taking the normal artificial diet as the blank control group. We fed the neonate larvae of  O. furnacalis with the four diets under laboratory conditions, and systematically  investigated and recorded the parameters of growth and development (larval duration, pupal 
duration, pupal weight, adult weight, growth rate, adult emergence rate and adult  longevity)， calling behavior (calling rate and average calling duration), orientation  behavior (take-off rate, orientation rate, average response time, flying halfway rate and  landing to pheromone source rate), and reproduction (number of eggs laid per female and egg  hatching rate).【Results】 Cu, Av and their combined stress (Av+Cu) had certain effects on  the growth and development and reproduction of O. furnacalis. On the one hand, the  postembryonic developmental duration (larval plus pupal duration) of female and male O.  furnacalis in Cu treatment alone was significantly shortened as compared to  that in the  blank control group. After Av treatment alone, the postembryonic developmental duration of  female and male O. furnacalis was significantly prolonged to 38.31 and 38.95 d,  respectively, being 67.07% and 67.38% longer than that of the blank control group,  respectively. After Cu treatment alone, the body weight of female pupae, male pupae, female  adults and male adults of O. furnacalis decreased significantly, being 13.16%, 6.45%,  7.13% and 4.60% lower than that of the blank control group, respectively. Then after Av  treatment alone, the body weight of female pupae, male pupae and female adults of O.  furnacalis decreased significantly, being 26.50%, 8.96% and 12.46% lower than that of the  blank control group, respectively, while the body weight of male adults was significantly  higher than that of the blank control group by 6.05%. At the same time, Cu treatment had a  certain impact on the calling behavior of female adults. After Cu treatment, the highest  calling rate and average calling duration in each scotophase decreased with the scotophase,  while those in the blank control group showed a trend of increasing first and then  decreasing with the scotophase. After Av treatment, the calling behavior of female adults  was promoted: the highest calling rates in all scotophases except the scotophase 5 (the 5th  scotophase after emergence of females) reached 100%; the average calling duration in Av  treatment groups was significantly longer than that in the blank control groups in all  scotophases except the scotophase 3 (the 3rd scotophase after emergence of females), and  the average calling duration in Av treatment group was the highest (5.71 h) in scotophase  5. Compared to the blank control group, Cu and Av treatment alone significantly inhibited  the orientation behavior of male adults and the number of eggs laid per female of O.  furnacalis. On the other hand, the effects of the combined stress of Av and Cu and their  single stresses were different. Compared to the blank control group, Av+Cu treatment  inhibited the growth and development of O. furnacalis, causing significant extension of the  developmental duration and body weight loss. The female and female postembryonic  developmental duration in Av+Cu treatment was 37.60 and 37.04 d, respectively, only shorter  than that in Av treatment. The body weight of female and male pupae and female adults in  the Av+Cu treatment group was the lowest, significantly lower than that in the blank  control group. In the mating combinations of female and male adults stressed by Av+Cu and  female and male adults in the blank control group, the landing to pheromone source rate of  male adults and the number of eggs laid per female were significantly lower than those of  the mating combination of female and male adults in the blank control group, and both were  the lowest. The calling behavior of female adults of O. furnacalis after Av+Cu stress was  relatively consistent with that after Av treatment, and the highest calling rates in all  scotophases reached 100%. The average calling duration in each scotophase in Av+Cu  treatment group was significantly longer than that in the blank control group and Cu  treatment group, and showed no significant difference from that in Av treatment group, and  the average calling duration in Av+Cu treatment was the longest (6.16 h) in scotophase 3.【 Conclusion】Single and combined stresses of Cu and Av inhibit the growth and development,  disturb the reproductive behavior of adults and reduce the fecundity of O. furnacalis.  Among the effects of the combined stress of Cu and Av on O.furnacalis, Av plays a leading  role.

【Aim】This study aims to preliminarily clarify the joint action mechanism of ethyl formate (EF) and methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) to Acanthoscelides obtectus through analyzing the transcriptome data of A. obtectus fumigated with EF, MITC and EF+MITC.【Methods】The A. obtectus adults were treated with fumigation of EF(22.398 μL/L), MITC(0.854 μL/L) and EF+MITC(14.764 μL/L) through wild-mouth bottle fumigation method. The control group (CK) was not fumigated. Transcriptome sequencing of the A. obtectus adults treated with fumigation of EF, MITC and EF+MITC was performed with Illumina Hi Seq^TM 4000 sequencing platform. GO classification and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed on differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Six DEGs were selected for RT-qPCR validation.【Results】 There were 171 and 293 DEGs in the CK vs EF and CK vs MITC comparative groups, respectively, and most of them were up-regulated. However, the number of DEGs in the CK vs EF+MITC comparative group was 1 745, and most of them were down-regulated. GO classification of DEGs showed that DEGs in the  CK vs EF and CK vs MITC comparative groups were mainly enriched in cellular anatomical entity, binding, and catalytic activity, while those in the CK vs EF+MITC comparative group were mainly enriched in cellular anatomical entity, binding, and cellular process. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that DEGs in the CK vs EF comparative group were mainly enriched in pathways of protein digestion and absorption, lysosome and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, those in the CK vs MITC comparative group were mainly enriched in pathways of focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction and insect hormone biosynthesis, and those in the CK vs EF+MITC comparative group were mainly enriched in RNA transport, DNA replication and mismatch repair. In addition, the expression levels of two and three detoxification enzyme genes in A. obtectus adults in response to EF and MITC fumigation treatments were significantly down-regulated, respectively, however, the expression levels of five detoxification enzyme genes in A. obtectus adults in response to EF+MITC fumigation treatment were significantly down-regulated as compared with those in the CK. The expression trends of the six selected DEGs were basically consistent with the transcriptome data.【Conclusion】The results of this study indicate that the combination of EF and MITC has a synergistic effect, which can induce cell genotoxic damage in A. obtectus. The inhibition of expression of detoxification enzyme genes seems to be the main reason for its synergistic effects. In this study, the molecular mechanism of fumigation and insecticidal effect of the mixture of EF and MITC on A. obtectus was preliminarily clarified, which provides an important basis for the further study on the combined action mechanism of EF and MITC on A. obtectus.

 【Aim】To establish the antennal transcriptome database of the Pieris rapae adult, so as to deeply mine the gene data of P. rapae by using bioinformatics and molecular biology methods.【Methods】High-throughput sequencing platform Illumina NovaSeq 6000 was used to perform antennal transcriptome sequencing, sequence assembly, functional annotation and differentially expressed gene analysis of P. rapae adults. qRT-PCR was used to verify nine differentially expressed olfaction-related genes including PrapOR1, PrapOR2, PrapOR5, PrapOBP1, PrapOBP4, PrapOBP5, PrapSNMP1, PrapSNMP2 and PrapSNMP3.【Results】By sequencing of the antennal transcriptome of adults of P. rapae, a total of 17.65 GB sequencing data (NCBI registration number: PRJNA869896) were obtained. A total of 116 317 transcripts were obtained through filtering and sequence splicing. Then, 43 390 unigenes were obtained by Corset hierarchical clustering. BUSCO evaluation showed that the stitching quality had good integrity and high accuracy. The databases with the largest number of unigene annotations in a descending order were NT, NR, Pfam, GO, Swiss-Prot, KEGG and KOG/COG. Furthermore, 176 olfaction-related genes were screened by gene functional annotation analysis, among them 19 genes were differentially expressed, including 15 genes highly expressed in female adult antennae and four genes highly expressed in male adult antennae. qRT-PCR verification results showed that PrapOR1 and PrapOR2 were highly expressed in male adult antennae, PrapOR5, PrapOBP1, PrapOBP4, PrapOBP5, PrapSNMP1, PrapSNMP2 and PrapSNMP3 were highly expressed in female adult antennae, indicating the consistency with the transcriptome sequencing results.【Conclusion】In this study, a transcriptomic database of adult antennae of P. rapae was established, the olfaction-related genes were screened and the differential expression of olfaction-related genes was analyzed. The results provide a theoretical basis for further studies on the gene function and olfactory molecular mechanism of P. rapae.

 【Aim】 To evaluate the predatory capability and biological control potential of the native natural enemy Mallada basalis on the eggs and early instar larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda invading China. 【Methods】 The predatory capabilities of the 2nd and 3rd instar larvae of M. basalis on the eggs, the 1st and 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda were evaluated by using functional response models under laboratory conditions. 【Results】 The numbers of eggs and larvae of S. frugiperda consumed by M. basalis larvae increased and saturated as the prey density increased, while the predation rate of M. basalis larvae decreased with the increase of prey density. M. basalis larvae exhibited a type Ⅱ functional response to different developmental stages of S. frugiperda. For the 2nd instar larvae of M. basalis, their instantaneous attack rates a on the eggs, and the 1st and 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda were 0.150, 0.084 and 0.094, the handling time Th was 0.282, 0.333 and 0.519 h, and the theoretical daily maximum predation T/Th was 85106, 72072 and 46242, respectively. For the 3rd instar larvae of M. basalis, their instantaneous attack rates on the eggs, and the 1st and 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda were 2.018, 0.288 and 0.259, the handling time was 0.102, 0.311 and 0.375 h, and the theoretical daily maximum predation was 235294, 77.170 and 64.000, respectively. 【Conclusion】 Both the 2nd and 3rd instar larvae of M. basalis exhibit strong predatory capability on the eggs and early instar larvae of S. frugiperda, and the 3rd instar larvae of M. basalis show higher predation efficiency  than the 2nd instar larvae.