Rearing of Anomala corpulenta Motschulsky were conducted in the laboratory condition and the main influencing factors were evaluted. The results showed that it took 274.3 days for the beetle to complete a life cycle in the laboratory conditions. The duration of the 3rd instar reared in the laboratory was 101.8 days shorter than that in fields. The growth of larvae was influenced by such factors as soil humidity, food and pathogens. The average survival rate of eggs was 86.0% while those of the 1st instar, 2nd instar and 3rd instar larvae were 82 . 0%, 76.0% and 60.0%, respectively. The mortalities of the 10 day-old and 15 day-old larvae reared in the soil with potato as food for 14 days were 8.8 ％± 1.6% and 4.0 ％± 1.6% respectively, significantly lower than those for the newly hatched larvae and 5 day-old larvae. This result suggested that the larval age of 10 － 15 day-old was the optimum stage for bioassay of Bt. The larvae grew normally in the UV-irradiated loam and sandy loam soil, with their mortalities lower than that in the untreated and sterilized loam and sandy loam soil.

【Aim】 This study aims to determine the infection rate and taxonomic identity of the endosymbiont Wolbachia in the populations of Bradysia odoriphaga Yang et Zhang in Shandong Province, so as to reveal the potential effects of this endosymbiont on B. odoriphaga. 【Methods】 The species identity of 12 chive maggot populations collected in Shandong was first identified based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene. Two pairs of primers (16S-F/16S-R and 81F/691R) were used to detect the infection of Wolbachia in the 11 populations identified as B. odoriphaga. The Wolbachia infecting these B. odoriphaga populations were further identified based on the 16S rDNA sequence. 【Results】 Compared with the infection rates of Wolbachia (ranging from 6.67% to 93.33%) based on 16S-F/16S-R primers, the infection rate of Wolbachia based on 81F/691R primers was relatively low (0.00%-40.00%). Phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rDNA sequence showed that all of the Wolbachia detected belonged to group A. 【Conclusion】 This study reveals the infection rate of  Wolbachia in B. odoriphaga in Shandong and their taxonomic position, and these results provide the basis for future study on the effects of Wolbachia on the biology and ecology of B. odoriphaga.

【Aim】 The moth Orvasca subnotata Walker (Lepidopetra: Lymantriidae) is a severe defoliator of Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen found in manmade forests, and its biological characteristics and the determination of its larval instars are the important basis for the pest forecast and control in the forest. 【Methods】 The morphological characteristics, the habit of each developmental stage and the life history of O. subnotata were investigated though regular field sampling. Through regular forest sampling and morphological characterization, three indicators of larval instar features including the head capsule width, prothoracic verruca width and body length were recorded and analyzed. 【Results】 We described the biological characteristics of O. subnotata with an emphasis on its developmental features. Our results showed that as the larvae grow, the prothorax gradually darkens, and the abdominal back line and poison gland color gradually deepen. Statistical analysis of the body measurements showed that both the head capsule width and prothoracic verruca width could be used as indicators of developmental stages with head capsule width being superior to prothoracic verruca width, and the prothoracic verruca width and head capsule width were significantly correlated ( y=0.994 x-0.114, R=0.999). The body length distribution fits the Dyar’s law. However, due to the overlap distribution among developmental stages, body length is not a reliable indicator of larval instar determination. 【Conclusion】 The results will help the identification of O. subnotata in the field and provide some crucial information for developing control and prevention strategies.

Heavy metal pollution has become a global environmental problem and severely threatened the biological diversity and people's health. More and more attention has been paid to the potential effects of heavy metal pollution on insects as one of the important groups of global biological diversity. The accumulation of heavy metals in insects may influence their development. It has been demonstrated that insects could be contaminated by respiration, ion absorbing through integument and food intake. Excessive metal accumulation in insects could not only cause cell ultrastructure variations and genetic homeostasis alteration, but also induce cell apoptosis and influence cell viability and proliferation. But, heavy metals can be stored in insect organs with digestive, storage or excretory function in form of “granules”, and be transported into lysosomes to detoxify. Moreover, metallothionein and antioxidant enzymes also play important roles in the process of detoxification.

【Aim】 The process of the growth and differentiation of wing discs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori is accompanied with the disappearance of such tissues as hematopoietic organs and wing bursa. The study aims to analyze whether apoptosis and autophagy occur during the growth and differentiation of wing discs in the silkworm. 【Methods】 Apoptosis in wing discs of B. mori at the pupal stage was analyzed by TUNEL. The total RNA of wing discs at day-3 and day-6 5th instar larval stage, day-1 wandering stage, pre-pupal stage, and day-0 and day-3 pupal stage were extracted and then reversely transcribed into cDNA. The expression patterns of apoptosis and autophagy related genes were detected by qRT-PCR. The activities of Caspase 3 and acid phosphatase were analyzed. 【Results】 It was observed that apoptosis occurs in the partial wing discs cells at day-0 pupal stage. The apoptosis related genes Caspase 3 and Nc had higher expression levels during the 5th instar larval stage, while IAP had higher expression level at the late larval stage than at the pupal stage. The activity of Caspase 3 reached the peak at day-1 wandering stage. The autophagy related genes Atg5, Atg6, Atg8 and Atg12 had higher expression levels during the late larval stage. The acid phosphatase activity was higher during the late larval stage. 【Conclusion】 Apoptosis might occur during the larval stage to inhibit the cell proliferation of wing discs and to prevent wing discs from growth and differentiation. Apoptosis and autophagy might occur at the late larval stage to promote the degeneration of wing bursa, to inhibit the cell proliferation of wing discs, and to push forward the development of pupal wing from wing discs.

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

Since 1978, characterization of the homeotic bithorax mutations of Drosophila has led E.B. Lewis to presage the growth of work on comparative developmental genetics, which focuses mainly on Hox genes, and afterward greatly adds to our understanding of the genetic basis of morphological evolution. Here, we reviewed the latest progress in the origin of insect wing and work on developmental genetics underlying wing modification. According to fossil records, primary insects bear appendages (including wings) on all thoracic and abdominal segments, while modern insects evolve to bear only two pairs of wings on T2 and T3, due to Hox suppression to wing development in other segments. Of the ten arthropod Hox genes known, Ubx has hindwing identity, and regulates its targets to make the fore-and hind-wing different in morphology. We especially compared Hox expression pattern of insects with most modified wings in three orders: Coleoptera (forewing to elytra), Diptera (hindwing to haltere) and Strepsiptera (forewing to haltere). Recent studies show that function of Ubx in beetle hindwings represents a previously unknown mode of wing diversification in insects. However, more study on Strepsiptera is necessary.

【Aim】 To explore the complete mitochondrial genome structure and molecular phylogenetics of Limenitis helmanni. 【Methods】 The complete mitochondrial genome of L.  helmanni was sequenced and analyzed by using PCR and primer walking. Based on the sequences of 13 protein-coding genes and two rRNA genes of the mitochondrial genome, the phylogenetic tree of 66 lepidopteran species were constructed with Bayesian inference method. 【Results】 The complete mitochondrial genome of L. helmanni is a circular molecule of 15 178 bp （GenBank accession no.: KY290566）, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a 346 bp A+T-rich region. The mitogenomic gene arrangement is consistent with those of other closely related species. The mitochondrial genome of L. helmanni is biased toward a high A+T content (81.1％). All protein-coding genes start with a typical ATN initiation codon, except that COI starts with the CGA codon and ND5 with the GTT codon. Most of the 13 PCGs have a complete termination codon (TAA), except COII and ND4 genes which have incomplete stop codons (T). All tRNA genes show the classic clover-leaf structure, except that the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm of tRNA ^Ser(AGN) forms a simple loop. The A+T-rich region of L. helmanni contains some conserved structures such as the motif ATAGA, 20 bp poly(T) stretch and some tandem repeat units, which is similar to those of other related lepidopteran species. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses supported that the relationship of Nymphalidae subfamilies is (Calinaginae＋Satyrinae)＋((Nymphalinae＋Apaturinae)＋(Heliconiinae＋Limenitidinae)). 【Conclusion】 Limenitini is closely related with the Euthaliini, and Parthenini may be the earliest diverged lineage in Limenitidinae. The phylogenetic relationship of Limenitidinae species based on the mitochondrial genome is not consistent with the results of the traditional morphology-based taxonomy

【Aim】 Insect pheromones are the chemical molecules for communication between individuals of insects. To better understand their neurological mechanisms and make better application, it is important to study the effect of sex pheromone on the expression of olfactory genes. 【Methods】 The quantitative realtime PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to study the changes in the expression levels of olfactory genes abp, pbp and or  in  Spodoptera litura male moths after exposure to synthetic sex pheromone. A newly developed pheromone-based electronic counting system was adopted to monitor the population dynamics of S. litura by sex pheromone trapping. 【Results】 The expression of abp, pbp and or  showed circadian rhythm in the antennae of male moths of S. litura. The expression levels of abp, pbp and or  and their circadian rhythm were significantly affected by the exposure to synthetic sex pheromone ( Z9, Z11-14:OAc+ Z9, Z12-14:OAc). The population dynamics of S. litura male moths monitored by sex pheromone trapping also showed clear circadian rhythm. 【Conclusion】 The circadian rhythm of the gene expression was correlated with that of the male mating behavior. Our results provided the first evidence to elucidate the enhancement of peripheral and central neuronal sensitivity of olfactory system of S. litura moths stimulated by sex pheromone at the gene expression level by the exposure of pheromone compounds. These results would be helpful to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pheromone recognition, the application of insect pheromone by mating disruption and pest forecasting and control by mass trapping with sex pheromone.

【Aim】 To study the midgut bacterial diversity and difference in Culex quinquefasciatus adults before and after feeding with blood meal and infection with the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), then further reveal the relationship between C. quinquefasciatus and its midgut bacteria, as well as the reasons for the changes of the midgut bacteria during blood digestion and viral infection.【Methods】 The bacterial genome DNA of the midguts from C. quinquefasciatus adults fed with sugar water (10% sucrose solution), blood meal without JEV and blood meal with JEV was extracted. The 16S rDNA highly variable region sequence of the midgut bacteria was amplified by PCR, sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq6000 sequencing platform and analyzed by bioinformatics. The total RNA was extracted from the midguts of C. quinquefasciatus adults fed with blood meal without JEV and blood meal with JEV, and the expression levels of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes CqAttacin, CqCecropin, CqCecropin A, CqDefensin A and CqDefensin C in the midgut were detected by RT-qPCR.【Results】 There were 204 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in the midgut bacteria of C. quinquefasciatus adults before and after blood meal, belonging to 4 phyla, 9 classes, 17 orders, 27 families and 36 genera, and 120 ASVs in the midgut bacteria before and after infection with JEV, belonging to 6 phyla, 13 classes, 23 orders, 38 families and 47 genera. At the genus level, Elizabethkingia was widely distributed in the midgut bacteria as a dominant genus. The abundance of Enterobacter in the midgut of C. quinquefasciatus adults was the highest on the day 2 after blood meal. Morganella, Rhizobium and Bordetella mainly existed in the midgut of C. quinquefasciatus adults infected with JEV. The difference in the metabolic pathways of the midgut bacteria between C. quinquefasciatus adults on the day 2 after being fed with sugar water and blood meal was the largest. The main differential metabolic pathways were the phosphotransferase system, biosynthesis of siderophore group nonribosomal peptides, N-glycan biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis and the metabolic pathways of amino acids. There were differences in the midgut microbiota between C. quinquefasciatus adults infected with and without JEV, and the midgut bacterial abundance of C. quinquefasciatus adults was higher after JEV infection. Blood meal upregulated the expression levels of the AMP genes CqAttacin, CqCecropin, CqCecropin A, CqDefensinA and CqDefensin C in the midgut compared with the control group fed with sugar water, while infection with JEV significantly downregulated the expression levels of the AMP genes CqCecropin A, CqDefensin A and CqDefensin C in the midgut of C. quinquefasciatus adults compared with blood meal without JEV.【Conclusion】 Both the blood meal and JEV infection lead to the changes of midgut bacteria of C. quinquefasciatus adults. The former shows that the blood digestion process is selective for the midgut bacteria, while the latter may be related to the downregulation of the expression levels of AMP genes in the midgut of C. quinquefasciatus adults caused by JEV infection.

Autoparasitoids (heteronomous hyperparasitoids) are parasitoids whose males and females are parasitic in different species of hosts. Female eggs develop as obligate primary parasitoids, while male eggs develop as hyperparasitoids. The sex ratio of offsprings produced by females depending on the type of hosts is affected by host density, as well as the relative abundance of the primary and secondary hosts. Autoparasitoids can suppress the population of pests by parasitizing and feeding on the primary hosts. Also they can parasitize and feed on the hosts that have been parasitized by conspecific or heterospecific females, leading to the lethal interference competition. The window of secondary hosts for hyperparasitizing is at late instar larval to prepupal stage. Autoparasitoids prefer to hyperparasitize and feed on heterospecific hosts than conspecific hosts or have no obvious parasitization tendency. As a result, the specific reproductive pattern has led the application of autoparasitoids in biological control to become the focus of controversy. We should evaluate both the positive and negative influences caused by autoparasitoids before using it in biological control. In this article, we reviewed the recent advances on the reproductive traits of autoparaitoids, lethal interference competition effects on secondary hosts, and their influences on biological control. This will provide a theoretical foundation for the optimum use of autoparasitoids in integrated pest management.

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

The activities of three detoxification enzymes (α-naphthyl acetate esterase, acetylcholinesterase and glutathione-S-transferase), two protective enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and midgut proteases (total protease, trypsin-like enzyme and chymotrypsin-like enzyme) in 3rd instar larvae of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis after feeding on Bt-transgenic corn were evaluated in the laboratory. The results showed that the activities of α-naphthylacetate esterase, glutathioneS-transferase in the larvae fed on Bt corn leaf for 48 h were greatly lower than that of the control fed on the nontransgenic corn. However, the acetylcholinesterase activity of the larvae fed on Bt corn for 48 h, 60 h and 72 h increased markedly, being 2.00-, 1.50- and 2.50-fold higher than that of the control, respectively. The activities of protective enzymes, total protease, weak trypsin-like enzyme and chymotrypsin-like enzyme in the larvae fed on Bt corn for 48 h were also significantly lower than that of the control. However, the activities of the active alkaline trypsin-like enzyme were obviously higher than those of the control. The active alkaline trypsin-like enzyme activities of the larvae fed on Bt corn for 48 h, 60 h and 72 h were 4.00, 1.67 and 1.33-fold higher than that of the control. The results suggest that acetylcholinesterase and active alkaline trypsin-like enzyme may be associated with Asian corn borer resistance to Bt.

One new species Epilachna paraglobiera sp. nov. and two new records of the genus Epilachna Chevrolat from Hainan Island, China are described. Type specimens are desposited in the Plant Protection Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, Hainan.

【Aim】 This study aims to investigate the plant volatiles attracting Callosobruchus chinensis. 【Methods】 The electroantennogram and behavioral responses of C. chinensis adults to volatiles from mung bean ( Vigna radiata) pods were tested by using electroantennographic (EAG) detector and Y-tube olfactometer， respectively. 【Results】 The EAG bioassay results showed that the respective EAG values of mated female adults of C. chinensis to 23 tested volatiles from V. radiata pods were different， among which the EAG values to benzaldehyde， 2-hexenal， caproaldehyde， octanal and salicylaldehyde were relatively high， with the maximum value (20.68) to 2-hexenal. EAG values showed that the antennal response strengthened with the increasing of concentration of the test componds， but the EAG values had no significant difference between mated and unmated adults. The results of behavioral response tests showed that the mated male and female adults of C. chinensis showed significantly positive taxis to benzaldehyde and 2-hexenal and significantly negative taxis to caproaldehyde， whereas showed no significant taxis to octanal and salicylaldehyde when the concentrations of these five compounds were 100 μg/μL. 【Conclusion】 Among volatiles from V. radiata pods， benzaldehyde and 2-hexenal may be the main attractants for C. chinensis.

【Aim】To sequence the complete mitochondrial genome of Gotra octocinctus, anlayze and explore the genome structure and phylogenetic relationship of Ichneumonoidea. 【Methods】 The complete mitochondrial genome of G. octocinctus was firstly sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq platform, and then the general features and base composition of the mitochondrial genome were analyzed. Combined with the 47 mitochondrial genome sequences of Ichneumonoidea published in GenBank, the phylogenetic trees of Ichneumonoidea were constructed with two species in Chalcidoidea as outgroups based on the 13 proteincoding gene (PCG) sequences using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. 【Results】The fulllength mitochondrial genome of G. octocinctus is 16 003 bp (GenBank accession no.： OP850580.1), and consists of 22 tRNA genes, 13 PCGs, two rRNA genes and one control region (CR). The base composition of mitochondrial genome was clearly AT-biased and exhibited the negative AT-skew and GC-skew. There were four gene rearrangements, 13 overlapping regions (in total 85 bp) and 17 interspaced regions (in total 1 072 bp) in the mitochondrial genome of G. octocinctus. The phylogenetic tree based on 13 PCG sequences showed that Eucerotinae is a natural monophyletic group, the Aphidiinae and the “cyclostome” of Braconidae are sister group. 【Conclusion】 In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of G. octocinctus, and found that the trnI-trnQ-trnM gene rearrangement events are common in the mitochondrial genome of Ichneumonidae, providing data for the further systematic research of mitogenomes of Ichneumonoidea.

【Aim】 In this study, the fumigation and repellent activities of the optical isomers of carvone and menthol were tested against adult Culex pipiens pallens to evaluate their differences in insecticidal activity. It would provide guidance for the utilization of carvone and menthol. 【Methods】 The fumigation and knock-down activities of the five optical isomers of carvone and menthol against 3-day-old female adults of C. pipiens pallens were detected with the Erlenmeyer flask method, Y-tube olfactometer was used to determine the repellent activity, and the single compound with better activity was developed into vaporizing mat for further efficacy assessment. 【Results】 All five isomers had a certain degree of knock-down and fumigation activities against female adults of C. pipiens pallens. Compared with other isomers, L-carvone possessed the highest knock-down activity against female adults of C. pipiens pallens, with the KT ₅₀ value of 9.75 min. D-carvone had the highest lethal effect on female adults of C. pipiens pallens, with the LC ₅₀ value of 0.26 μL/L. Both L-carvone and D-carvone showed strong repellent activity against female adults of C. pipiens pallens, with the repellent rate of 100% lasting for 30 min at the dose of 0.5 μL. The vaporizing mat with L-carvone as the active ingredient had stronger activity against C. pipiens pallens than that with D-carvone as the active ingredient after heating for 1 h, and their KT ₅₀ values were 13.70 and 17.90 min, respectively. 【Conclusion】 Carvone has stronger fumigation activity against female adults of C. pipiens pallens than menthol. The two optical isomers of carvone show a significant difference in fumigation and knock-down toxicities. L-carvone possesses a potential of being developed as a botanical pesticide for the control of C. pipiens pallens.    

【Aim】To ascertain the resistance status of Bradysia odoriphaga to ten insecticides, the potential risk of resistance of B. odoriphaga to cyromazine and the sublethal effects of cyromazine on B. odoriphaga. 【Methods】We determined the toxicity of 10 insecticides of 5 categories (neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, pyrroles, insectgrowthregulatorsandorganophosphates) to the 2nd instar larvae of B. odoriphaga from four regions including Puyang City in Henan Province, Bozhou City in Anhui Province, Tangshan City in Hebei Province, and Jining City in Shandong Province with the stomach-contact combination toxicity method. We observed the effects of sublethal concentrations (LC ₁₅ and LC ₃₀) of cyromazine on the larval duration, pupation rate, emergence rate and number of eggs laid per female of B. odoriphaga, and assessed the risk of resistance to cyromazine. We calculated the realized heritability (h ²) of resistance of B. odoriphaga using Tabashnik’s method for threshold trait analysis and predicted the resistance development rates under different selection pressures based on the data of selection. 【Results】 Monitoring data demonstrated that the field populations of B. odoriphaga were susceptible or exhibited low-level resistance to cyromazine, hexaflumuron, chlorfluazuron and pyriproxyfen, and showed low to moderate levels of resistance to phoxim. All the monitored populations of B. odoriphaga showed low-level resistance to beta-cypermethrin. All field populations of B. odoriphaga were susceptible or developed low to moderate levels of resistance to imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. It would take 25.2, 20.7, 17.2, 14.4 and 11.4 generations, respectively, to develop 10-fold resistance to cyromazine in B. odoriphaga, under different selection pressures (mortality rates of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90%, respectively) when the realized heritability (h ²) of resistance was 0.073. The emergence rates and numbers of eggs laid per female of F ₀ and F ₁ generations of B. odoriphaga were significantly reduced after exposure of the 2nd instar larvae to LC ₁₅ and LC ₃₀ of cyromazine. 【Conclusion】B. odoriphaga has low resistance risk to cyromazine. Cyromazine treatment at sublethal concentrations exhibits significant inhibitory effects on the pupation rate, emergence rate, and number of eggs laid per female of B. odoriphaga.

 As a class of neuronal signal molecules, neuropeptides are secreted by the neurosecretory cells and play an important role during the communications of different cells. The specific receptor molecules, which are located on the cell surface, are responsible for the localization of neuropeptide molecules and the activation of corresponding intracellular messengers, and eventually trigger a series of cascade reactions. Neuropeptides also have crucial effects on the growth and development of insects, and regulate almost all life activities. As a model species of the Lepidoptera, the silkworm ( Bombyx mori) is an important research model for insect development and physiology. Following the completion of the silkworm genome sequencing, more and more neuropeptides and their receptors in this moth have been identified. They were found to deeply influence lots of physiological activities, such as the growth and development, feeding and digestion, molting, diapause, reproduction and cocooning. In this article, we reviewed crucial neuropeptides in the silkworm and their regulation roles in feeding and digestion, molting and metamorphosis, reproduction and development, and other physiological processes. We also discussed the molecular mechanisms that neuropeptides activate the downstream signal transduction pathways, such as ERK and TOR, by binding to their specific receptors. It is expected to provide insights and references for the research of neuropeptides and their receptors in insects, so to advance the research of functional genes of the silkworm and promote the development of silk industry.  

【Aim】 This study aims to investigate the effects of pupal weight of Grapholitha molesta (Busck), associated with nutrition, on the fecundity, oviposition duration, longevity of both male and female adults and the development of larvae of the next generation (F ₁). 【Methods】 G. molesta pupae of various weights were reared in the laboratory and sorted into three groups: heavier, medium and lighter groups. After emergence and mating, the fecundity, oviposition duration, and survival of male and female adults were recorded. Before the eggs were hatched, the sizes of eggs were measured; after egg hatching the sizes of newly hatched larvae were measured, and the egg hatchability and the larval duration were observed. 【Results】 Female pupal weight of G. molesta significantly affected the fecundity of adults, and had a positive linear correlation with the number of eggs laid ( y=15.505 x-59.292) and a linear correlation with the male pupal weight (y=0.823 x-0.538). The female pupal weight also had a significant effect on oviposition duration. The peak oviposition period of the lighter pupal weight group appeared 1 d earlier than that of the heavier group. The oviposition duration with the number of eggs laid per female per day greater than 10 was 9-10, 7 and 5-6 d, respectively, for the heavier, the medium and the lighter groups, while the oviposition duration with the number of eggs laid per female per day greater than 5 was 12-13, 9 and 6-7 d, respectively, for the three groups. However, male pupal weight had no obvious effects on adult fecundity and oviposition duration. Moreover, the longevity of adult females emerged from lighter pupae was 2-3 d shorter than that of adult females emerged from the heavier ones. But male pupal weight showed no significant effect on the longevity of adult males. Pupal weight was found to have no statistically significant effects on egg hatchability, sizes of eggs and newly hatched larvae, and the growth and development of F ₁ larvae. 【Conclusion】 Female pupal weight of G. molesta has a significant effect on the fecundity and oviposition duration of female adults. With these conclusions in mind, we should consider the weight of moths when we control this pest in the field, especially the weight of female G. molesta, which may be affected by nutrition and will affect population dynamics in the following generation.

【Aim】To explore the effect of Lactobacillus on the transcription level of antimicrobial peptide genes in Bombyx mori. 【Methods】After spraying the suspension (2×10 ⁸ CFU/mL) of Lactobacillus plantarum FLPL028, L. rhamnosus FLRH956 and L. reuteri FLRE589 to the mulberry leaves (20 μL/cm ²) to feed the 1st instar larvae of B. mori, the RNAref transcriptome sequencing of the 5th instar larvae was performed and the mortality rate before cocooning of B. mori after feeding the 5th instar larvae with the mulberry leaves sprayed with the suspension (2×10 ⁶ CFU/mL, 20 μL/cm ²) of Serratia marcescens was calculated. The numbers of viable bacteria of S. marcescens were counted at 4 h after incubation with L. plantarum FLPL028, L. rhamnosus FLRH956 and L. reuteri FLRE589, respectively. The expression levels of immune-related genes including LOC101742127, glv1,glv2, CecA, LOC101739681, CecD, Attacin1, Leb3 and Lzm (antimicrobial peptide genes), LOC692824 (lectin gene), PGRP-S1 and LOC101738493(Toll/Imd signaling pathway-related genes), and Pi3k60, MAPK and Ras2(PI3K and MAPK signaling pathway-related genes) in the 5th instar larvae of B. mori were detected by qPCR. 【Results】After the 1st instar larvae of B. mori were fed with L. plantarum FLPL028, L. rhamnosus FLRH956 and L. reuteri FLRE589, respectively, the transcription levels of most antimicrobial peptide genes, including Moricin, glv4-like and glv2, were significantly decreased in the 5th instar larvae, and that of Moricin decreased the most, as compared with those of the control group. After the 1st instar larvae of B. mori were fed with L. plantarum FLPL028, L. rhamnosus FLRH956 and L. reuteri FLRE589, respectively, the transcription levels of lectin genes such as CTL10, CTL19 and LOC101736606, and Toll/Imd signaling pathway-related genes PGRP-S2, LOC101738325 and LOC101738493 in the 5th instar larvae decreased, and those of PI3K and MAPK signaling pathway-related genes Pi3k60 and MAPK were increased by about 2.4- and 2.1-fold, respectively, as compared with those of the control group. However, the above three species of Lactobacillus had antagonistic effects on S. marcescens, and reduced the mortality rate of B. mori in the model group (only fed with S. marcescens) from 83% to less than 35%, among them L. reuteri FLRE589 had the best antagonistic effect on S. marcescens, causing only 18.1% mortality rate of the 5th instar larvae of B. mori. The basic change trends of the expression levels of LOC101742127, glv1, glv2, CecA, LOC101739681, CecD, Attacin1, Leb3, Lzm, LOC692824, LOC101738493, PGRP-S1, Pi3k60, MAPK and Ras2 were consistent with those of RNAref transcriptome sequencing results. The supernatant of the fermentation of these three species of Lactobacillus could effectively kill S. marcescens and reduce the number of viable bacteria of S. marcescens.【Conclusion】Lactobacilli inhibits the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes and Toll/Imd immune pathway-related genes in B. mori, reduces the innate immune response of B. mori, but is conducive to the harmony between Lactobacilli and B. mori. In addition, Lactobacilli can also improve the acquired immunity of B. mori by activating the PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways. This finding will help to understand the immune system of B. mori more comprehensively and provide a new strategy for the prevention and control of diseases in B. mori industry.

【Objective】 To analyze changes on the level of cantharidin at different life stages in telini fly Mylabris cichorii Linnaeus artificially reared under laboratory conditions. 【Methods】 Cantharidin was extracted respectively from different life stages and different parts of adult body of the beetle by hot alkali extraction and detected with gas chromatogram. 【Results】During the first five instars, larvae accumulated cantharidin as they grew and developed. Adult beetles kept sex-segregated exhibited a pronounced sexual dimorphism in cantharidin biosynthesis. The male produced a great deal of toxin in 5–30 days after emergence, while in the female very low level of cantharidin was detected. Much higher canthardin level, however, was detected from female beetle in sex-mixed rearing group in 25 days after emergence.【Conclusion】Larvae accumulate cantharidin as they grow and develop. Adult beetles exhibit a pronounced sexual dimorphism in cantharidin biosynthesis, but total content of cantharidin produced by sex-mixed rearing group is much higher than that by sex-segregated rearing group. The highest cantharidin level presents in abdominal part of adults and lower level in thoracic part.

 

【Aim】 To determine the biological effectiveness of extracts from Vitex negundo on the development and honeydew production of Aphis gossypii and their active compounds, so as to lay a theoretical basis for its application in agricultural production. 【Methods】 Three extraction methods including organic solvent extraction, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and steam distillation were used to extract the active components in seeds and leaves from V. negundo. The toxicity of the extracts to apterous adults of A. gossypii was detected by dipping method. Furthermore, total alkaloids were extracted to study its effect on development and honeydew production of A. gossypii by using topical application method. 【Results】 The dichloromethane and methanol extracts from the seeds and the steam distillation extract from the leaves of V. negundo had the highest toxicity to apterous adults of A. gossypii, whose corrected mortalities were 86.98%, 65.01% and 85.27%, respectively, after treatment with 1 200 mg/L essential oil for 24 h. Alkaloids had a definite antifeedant activity towards apterous adults of A. gossypii, with the antifeedant rate of 50% after treatment with 20-40 mg/mL alkaloids for 12 h, and the toxicity of total alkaloids was slightly lower than that of the dichloromethane extracts to apterous adults of A. gossypii. Alkaloids also reduced the survival rate, fecundity and honeydew production of apterous adults of A. gossypii at the concentration of LD ₃₀ and A. gossypii adults were all dead at 10 d after treatment, while the survival rate of adults in the control was still as high as 70%. The average total reproduction of each female was reduced by 57.66% as compared with the control, while the honeydew production frequency, honeydew production and weight of each drop of honeydew were reduced by 13.18%, 20.00% and 8.79%, respectively, as compared with the control. 【Conclusion】 The dichloromethane extracts have a higher toxicity to A. gossypii adults, of which alkaloids are the main active components in Vitex negundo and have certain inhibitory effects on the development and honeydew production of A. gossypii.    

The mtDNA Cytb genes of 6 fruit fly species, including Bactrocera dorsalis, B. cucurbitae, B. correcta, B. tau, B. scutellata and B. scutellaris, were sequenced. Based on the analysis of mtDNA Cytb 420 bp sequences from 72 individuals of the 6 species, we identified 38 haplotypes and detected 116 variable sites, of which 30 variable sites were highly conserved. The studies of the relationship between the 6 fruit flies and their respective identification sites suggested that mtDNA cytb sequences could be used as the molecular marker in identification of the 6 fruit fly species.

【 Aim 】 This study aims to construct a simple basic promoter, which can be stably expressed in the silkworm (Bombyx mori) cells, so as to reflect the influence of single transcriptional regulatory element on gene promoter activity more accurately and lay a foundation for studying the transcriptional regulation of the silkworm and even other insects. 【 Methods 】 Based on the BmVgP78Mpromoter previously reported in our research group, which can be stably expressed in silkworm cells and hardly contains upstream transcriptional regulatory elements, interval sequences of a certain length and BrC - Z2 transcription factor binding motif (BrC - Z2 element, BrC - Z2E) that can respond to 20 - hydroxyecdysone (20E) and enhance promoter activity were added to the upstream of BmVgP78Mby PCR technique. The cell transfection vectors were constructed by gene cloning technique, and the changes of promoter activity were detected by cell transfection technique and dual luciferase reporter gene system. 【 Results 】 A simple basal promoter named VgP78ML was constructed successfully with a 28 bp interval sequence added to the upstream of the BmVgP78Mpromoter, and proved to be a simple basic promoter to study target transcriptional regulatory elements. The verification test results showed that this simple basal promoter not only could be stably expressed in silkworm cells, but also was not affected by 20E and transcription factor BrC - Z2. When BrC - Z2E was linked to the upstream of this promoter, it could significantly respond to 20E and BrC - Z2 transcription factor, thereby regulating the expression of reporter gene. 【 Conclusion 】 VgP78ML can be used as a simple basic promoter to study the transcriptional regulation of genes in silkworm at the cell level. At the same time, its construction method also provides a reference for constructing simple basic promoter to study the transcriptional regulation in other species.

【Aim】 To analyze and compare the structure of the bacterial communities in the midgut and hindgut of Protaetia brevitarsis larvae fed on Zea mays stalk, and to further explore the function of these gut bacteria in stalk digestion of this insect. 【Methods】 The total DNA was extracted from 10 samples of healthy gut bacteria (5 midgut contents and 5 hindgut contents) of the 3rd instar larvae of P. brevitarsis. The V4 region of 16S rDNA of the bacterial communities in the midgut and hindgut of P. brevitarsis was sequenced by Illumina HiSeq techniques, and the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), species composition abundance, alpha diversity and beta diversity were analyzed. The gut bacteria community data were mapped to KEGG genome database for further bacterial community function discovery. 【Results】 Totally, 1 062 897 high quality reads of gut bacteria of the 3rd instar larvae of P. brevitarsis were produced and clustered to 2 441 OTUs, which were annotated into 27 phylums, 51 classes, 77 orders, 168 families and 326 genera. At the genus level, Pseudomonas and Desulfovibrio were the most dominant genus in the midgut and hindgut, respectively. Alpha diversity data showed that the bacterial communities in the hindgut were more abundant than those in the midgut, and the beta diversity analysis indicated that the bacterial communities in the hindgut were more stable than those in the midgut. Function analysis of bacterial communities showed that both the bacterial communities in the midgut and hindgut contained stalk degradation enzymes, and the lignin degradation pathways were more abundant in the midgut while the cellulose degradation enzymes more abundant in hindgut. 【Conclusion】 The structure and characteristics of the bacterial communities in the midgut and hindgut of P. brevitarsis larvae fed on corn stalk were clarified, and their functions in helping P. brevitarsis digest stalk were discovered. These results will provide references for the further study on stalk digestion mechanism of this insect, and offer a new idea for utilization of crop straw resources in China.

【Aim】 Since pine wilt disease spreads to the middle temperate zone of China, Monochamus saltuarius has become a new vector of pine wood nematode in northern China. Due to the abundant pine tree species damaged by the pine wood nematode in the middle temperate zone, the preferences of M. saltuarius to four host pine trees in the process of supplementary nutrition were assessed in this study, in order to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and control of M. saltuarius and the monitoring of pine wilt disease in the middle temperate zone. 【Methods】 Before the flight period of M. saltuarius on May, 2020, Pinus koraiensis trees infected by M. saltuarius were collected from Dahuofang Experimental Forest Farm in Fushun City, Liaoning Province. The infested trees were sawed into 1 m long logs, sealed with wax at both ends, and kept in insect cages. The newly emerged adults were collected every day. Three-year-old seedlings of host plants P. koraiensis, P. tabulaeformis, P. sylvestris var. mongolica and Larix olgensis were put into the four corners of the cage, respectively. Five male and five female adults emerged on the same day were placed in the center of the cage, and the daily feeding frequency on different host pine trees and average daily feeding amount on different parts of host pine trees were investigated. 【Results】 In the cage, M. saltuarius mainly stayed on P. tabulaeformis, with the daily feeding frequency of 7.05±3.87, followed by on P. koraiensis and L. olgensis. The daily feeding frequency of staying on P. sylvestris var. mongolica was the least (1.02±0.81). The daily feeding frequencies on different species of host pine trees were significantly different between male and female adults. The feeding amounts of M. saltuarius adults on four species of pine trees were significantly different. The daily feeding amount of M. saltuarius adults on P. tabulaeformis was the highest (129.14±50.23 mm²), accounting for 62.89% of the total feeding amount, followed by those on P. koraiensis and L. olgensis. And that on P. sylvestris var. mongolica was the least (9.87±11.02 mm²), accounting for only 4.81% of the total feeding amount. The feeding amounts on different parts of the same pine tree were significantly different, and M. saltuarius adults mainly fed on the tender branches of four species of pine trees.【Conclusion】 Based on the analysis of the feeding frequency and feeding amount of M. saltuarius on different pine tree species during the period of supplementary nutrition, the preference of M. saltuarius to P. tabulaeformis is significantly higher than to the other three pine trees.

Expression of antifungal peptides from hemolymph of housefly larvae was studied after fungal, thermal and ultrasonic induction, and the survival rates of the larvae were compared between different induction treatments. The peptides were isolated with Sephadex G-50 filtration and HPLC, and their antifungal activity and molecular weight were detected. The results showed that the antifungal peptides in the hemolymph of larvae under three different induction treatments all had obvious antifungal activity to Candida albicans (strain 09) and Cryptococcus neoformans. The survival rates of the larvae of the fungal and thermal induction treatments were obviously lower than that of the control, while that of the ultrasonic induction treatment was not obviously different from that of the control. The antifungal peptide purified from the peptides obtained by the thermal induction still showed high antifungal activity, with its molecular weight less than 14.4 kD. The results suggested that thermal induction was an easy and efficient method to induce antifungal peptides in housefly.

【Aim】 This study aims to explore the role of secondary reproductives in the colony stabilization and development in Reticulitermes labralis. 【Methods】 In the present study, we investigated the field termite colonies, established and compared paired female-male swarming colonies with isolated secondary reproductive colonies during the initial stage of colony foundation.【Results】 A pair of primary king and queen and a large number of secondary reproductives were found in collected field colonies. Three types of secondary reproductives were observed in R. labralis, i.e., apterous neotenics moulted from workers, brachypterous neotenics moulted from nymphs and adultoid reproductives moulted from the last-instar nymphs. The survival rates of paired colonies and isolated colonies under laboratory conditions in the 1st month were 64% and 96%, respectively. The number of individuals in paired colonies increased slowly with time. The mean numbers of individuals in paired colonies in the 2nd and 10th months were 6.3±1.54 and 8.4±1.47, respectively, while those in isolated colonies were 52.4±6.44 and 164.3±20.85, respectively. The secondary queens in field colonies had huge ovaries like the primary queens. 【Conclusion】 The secondary reproductives of R. labralis were not only the main reproductive individuals in termite colonies, but also the most important reproductive caste for colonies foundation.

【Aim】 Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a dangerous invasive pest in the world, whose growth and development are greatly influenced by temperature. Our previous study indicated that heat shock did not achieve ideal efficiency in controlling F. occidentalis, but changed their sensitivity to insecticides. The effect of acetamiprid on life table parameters of the F ₁ offspring of heat-shocked  F. occidentalis was determined to study whether reducing pesticide use could improve the control effect of high temperature and the optimum combination of high temperature and acetamiprid to control F. occidentalis. 【Methods】 Age-stage and two-sex life tables were constructed to evaluate the effect of 45℃ heat shock and acetamiprid on life table parameters of the F ₁ offspring of F. occidentalis. 【Results】 For the F. occidentalis treated with acetamiprid after recovery for different time (8 h and 24 h) from 45℃ heat shock (2 h), the average durations of egg, the 1st instar larva and pupa of their F ₁ offspring were significantly longer than the control which were only exposed to 45℃ heat shock for 2 h ( P<0.01). And the longevity and fecundity of their F ₁ offspring female adults were significantly less than the control ( P<0.01). Although the developmental duration and female adult longevity of the F ₁ offspring of the thrips treated with acetamiprid after recovery from 45℃ heat shock for 8 h showed no significant difference from that of the F ₁ offspring treated with acetamiprid after recovery from 45℃ heat shock for 24 h, the adult pre-oviposition period (APOP) and the total pre-oviposition period (TPOP) of the F ₁ offspring recovery from 45℃ heat shock for 8 h were significantly longer than those of the F ₁ offspring recovery from 45℃ heat shock for 24 h ( P<0.01), and the number of eggs laid per female of the F ₁offspring recovery from 45℃ heat shock for 8 h was significantly less than that of the F ₁ offspring recovery from 45℃ heat shock for 24 h ( P<0.01). 【Conclusion】 Compared with only high temperature stress, reasonable combination of high temperature and insecticides might get better efficiency in controlling F. occidentalis. An optimum control effect can be achieved when the insecticides are applied at 8 h instead of 24 h after heat shock.

【Aim】 This study aims to screen out the genes closely related to learning and memory in nurses of the Italian honey bee, Apis mellifera ligustica. 【Methods】 A. m. ligustica individuals at defined age (10-day-old nurses, 21-day-old nurses and 21-day-old foragers) in artificial bee colonies were collected, and the differences in learning and memory abilities of the three groups were determined using proboscis extension reflex (PER) assay. The gene expression levels in brains of the 10-day-old and 21-day-old nurses with and without learning ability were analyzed by RNA-seq technique, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) closely related to learning and memory were screened. The differentially expressed genes were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The expression levels of three DEGs randomly selected (the up-regulated genes TpnCⅢa and MED23, and down-regulated gene Pkc) in brains of the 10-day-old and 21-day-old nurses with and without learning ability were detected by qPCR. 【Results】 The results of PER assay showed that the learning ability of 21-day-old nurses of A. m. ligustica was significantly higher that of the 10-day-old nurses after they were trained five times, but the learning ability between the 21-day-old nurses and the 21-day-old foragers showed no significant difference. Similarly, the memory ability of the 21-day-old nurses was significantly higher than that of the 10-day-old nurses, but the memory ability between the 21-day-old nurses and 21-day-old foragers showed no significant difference. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that 88 DEGs were closely related to learning and memory of nurses, with 18 genes up-regulated and 70 genes down-regulated. The results of GO enrichment showed that up-regulated DEGs were most enriched in the biological process classification, mainly in the related aspects of signal transduction, protein processing and modification. Down-regulated DEGs were also enriched in the biological process classification, mainly concentrated in the related aspects of transcription, signal transduction and protein biosynthesis, with significant enrichment in the related aspects of transcription. The KEGG enrichment showed that down-regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in phagosome, phototransduction, and AGE-RAGE signal pathway. The qPCR results showed that the expression trends of the differentially expressed genes TpnCⅢa, MED23 and Pkc in brains of the 10-day-old and 21-dayold nurses with and without learning ability were consistent with RNA-seq data. 【Conclusion】 The PER assay indicated that age is an important factor that affects the learning and memory abilities of A. m. ligustica nurses. This study obtained the change trends of gene expression and its enrichment analysis in the brain of nurses after learning train, providing a theoretical foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism of learning and memory of nurses.

【Aim】 The aim of this study is to explore the function of the salivary ferritin SaFer1 of Sitobion avenae in the processes of feeding and clarify the effects of SaFer1 on the aphid-plant interactions. 【Methods】 Based on the salivary gland transcriptome data of S. avenae, the full-length cDNA sequence of SaFer1 from S. avenae was cloned, and bioinformatically analyzed. RT-qPCR was used to determine the expression levels of SaFer1 in different developmental stages (1st－4th instar nymphs and wingless adults), different tissues of the 1-day-old wingless adults (head, thorax, abdomen, salivary gland, midgut and embryo), different wing morphs (wingless and winged adults), and the 1st－4th instar nymphs and wingless adults fed on different diets (wheat and artificial diet). With the transient expression system of Nicotiana benthamiana, Agrobacterium tumefaciens was used to mediate the expression of SaFer1 and Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX) in N. benthamiana leaves, the symptoms of leaf necrosis were observed and used to analyze the functions of SaFer1, and subcellular localization of SaFer1 was observed with the laser scanning confocal microscopy. The yeast secretory system was used to validate the function of the signal peptide of SaFer1. Silencing of SaFer1 in wingless adults was utilized to determine the survival rate and average daily number of aphids produced, and the feeding behavior indexes of the wingless adults on the wheat were detected using the insect electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique. The expression levels of defense-related genes (ROS-related genes NOX and SOD, salicylic acid pathway-related gene PAL, and jasmonic acid pathway-related genes AOS and FAD7) in wheat leaves fed by S. avenae for 3 d after RNAi of SaFer1 were determined by RT-qPCR. 【Results】 The full-length cDNA sequence of SaFer1 (GenBank accession no.: PP760384) of S. avenae was cloned. The cDNA length of SaFer1 is 1 212 bp, and the ORF length is 675 bp, encoding 224 amino acid residues, with the relative molecular mass of 25.5 kD and the isoelectric point of 6.20. The N-terminus of SaFer1 has a signal peptide. SaFer1 had the highest amino acid sequence identity (98.61%) with the unnamed protein (GenBank accession no.: CAI6358877.1) of Macrosiphum euphorbiae. RT-qPCR results showed that SaFer1 was expressed at all developmental stages of S. avenae and is the constitutive expression gene, and was highly expressed in the midgut and salivary glands of the wingless adults. SaFer1 was able to inhibit the leaf necrosis of N. benthamiana induced by BAX. SaFer1 was localized in the leaf cell membrane and nucleus of N. benthamiana. The signal peptide of SaFer1 had secretory activities. Compared to the control group (dsGFP), silencing of SaFer1 caused no significant changes in the survival rates, but resulted in significant decrease in the average daily number of aphids produced by S. avenae. Silencing of SaFer1 resulted in a significant reduction in the duration of E1 waveform, and a significant increase in the duration of waveforms F and G during the feeding process compared to the control group (dsGFP). Silencing of SaFer1 also led to significant upregulation of the expression levels of NOX, SOD, PAL, AOS and FAD7 in wheat leaves compared to the control group (dsGFP). 【Conclusion】 The salivary ferritin SaFer1 of S. avenae was found to be an effector protein, which could help the aphid to feed by inhibiting the host defense responses, enhance the aphid’s fitness, and play vital roles in aphid-host plant interactions.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs in animals, plants, fungi and viruses, regulate the gene expression at post-transcriptional level through translational repression or mRNA degradation. A large number of miRNAs have been reported in insects, but the number of miRNAs with documented functions is limited. During insect metamorphosis, let-7, miR-100, miR-125, miR-34, miR-14, miR-8, miR-281 and miR-252-3p have been demonstrated to function in juvenile hormone and/or ecdysone mediated signaling pathways and to modulate the development of wings, legs and neuronal system. In insect reproduction, bantam, miR-184 and miR-275 have been found to regulate the differentiation and maintenance of female germ line cells as well as the oogenesis. We summarized here the recent advances in the roles of miRNAs in insect metamorphosis and reproduction.

Insects have evolved an endogenous biological clock mechanism to synchronize behavioral, physiological and metabolic rhythms with environmental cues, which helps insects to use energy sources more efficiently, thereby conferring an adaptive advantage. The coordinated circadian regulation of behavior, physiology and metabolic cycles is crucial for insects to respond effectively to predictable physiological challenges. Circadian rhythms depend on gene expression to synchronize biochemical processes and metabolic fluxes with the external environment. Circadian clock genes play important roles in some crucial physiological processes such as central and peripheral biological clock mechanism, photoperiod signal transduction, photoperiod-mediated regulation of peripheral tissues, metabolism and immunity. Circadian clock genes are classified into three categories according to their roles: signal transduction-signal input genes, signal oscillation pacemakers and signal output genes. Circadian clock genes constitute complicated transcription-translation feedback loops through interactions with each other and regulate insect circadian and photoperiodic events. This review summarized the identification, classification and functions of circadian clock genes in insects, molecular mechanisms of their action, and the related research methods and challenges. The future research directions were also discussed. This review will provide reference information for further functional research and utilization of circadian clock genes in insects.

【Aim】 This study aims to ascertain the adaptability of different geographical populations of Atractomorpha sinensis in response to environmental temperature. 【Methods】By using soybean leaves as the food source, we observed the growth and development process of various developmental stages of five geographical populations of A. sinensis from Yan′an, Shaanxi (YA), Zhengzhou, Henan (ZZ), Chengdu, Sichuan (CD), Qujing, Yunnan (QJ) and Guangzhou, Guangdong (GZ) under the conditions of different constant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28 and 32℃), RH 70% and a photoperiod of 16L∶8D, evaluated the variations in the developmental duration, developmental rates, developmental threshold temperatures and effective accumulated temperatures of different geographical populations, and analyzed the acorrelation between population biological indices and habitat environmental temperature. 【Results】 The developmental rate of different geographical populations of A. sinensis increased with the increase in temperature. However, the CD and GZ populations could not complete their generation at 16℃. As the habitat latitude and altitude increased, the developmental threshold temperatures of generation and various developmental stages of the populations gradually decreased, while their effective accumulated temperatures exhibited an increasing trend. The developmental threshold temperatures of the GZ, QJ, CD, ZZ and YA populations were 15.61, 10.76, 14.93, 11.46 and 10.51℃, respectively. The developmental threshold temperatures of generation of the GZ and CD populations were significantly higher than those of the other populations. The effective accumulated temperature of the GZ, QJ, CD, ZZ and YA populations were 828.41, 1 482.94, 963.13, 1 295.80, and 1 430.98 degree-days, respectively. The effective accumulated temperatures of the QJ and YA populations were significantly higher than those of the other populations. The temperature 24℃ is the optimal environmental temperature for the five geographical populations. The effective accumulated temperature of each developmental stage of different geographical populations is significantly negatively correlated with the annual average temperature of their habitats, while the developmental threshold temperature is significantly positively correlated with the annual average temperature of their habitats. 【Conclusion】 The results suggest that there exist differences in the adaptability of different geographical populations of A. sinensis to environmental temperature, and their adaptability to low environmental temperature increases with the increase in habitat latitude and altitude, while that to high environmental temperature show the opposite trend.