Acta Entomologica Sinica

Comparative transcriptome analysis of female and male adults of Megabruchidius dorsalis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)in response to heat stress

LIAO Jun, SHEN Xiu-Xian, WANG Tao, XU Fang-Ling, WU Cheng-Xu, YANG Mao-Fa

2026, 69(7): 925-937. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.001

Abstract ( 105 )

PDF (10673KB) ( 57 ) 　　

【Aim】 This study aims to explore the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the response of female and male adults of Megabruchidius dorsalis to heat stress using transcriptome sequencing technology, thereby laying a foundation for further research into the functions of heat tolerance-related genes in adult M. dorsalis. 【Methods】Transcriptome sequencing of female and male adults of M. dorsalis exposed to 35, 40, 45 and 28 ℃ (control group) for 3 h was conducted using Illumina HiSeq. The obtained sequences were annotated by alignment against six major databases (NR, Swiss-Prot, KEGG, GO, eggNOG and Pfam databases). The RSEM software was used to calculate the differences in the gene expression levels between the treatment groups and the control group, and the differentially expressed genes were subjected to GO functional annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment. The expression levels of nine randomly selected significantly differentially expressed genes in adults were determined via qRT-PCR. 【Results】 A total of 122 902 unigenes in the transcriptomes of female and male adults of M. dorsalis under 35, 40, 45 and 28 ℃ for 3 h were obtained. Among them, 32 703 unigenes (26.61%) were annotated by alignment against six major databases, with the highest unigene number of 30 856 (19.55%) annotated in the NR database. The largest number of differentially expressed genes was significantly enriched in the protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway. Compared with the control group, 195 heat shock protein encoding genes were identified in the treatment group, all of which were up-regulated. The number of genes encoding heat shock proteins in the 40 ℃ treatment group was 182 in female adults and 189 in male adults, and significantly higher than those in the other treatment groups. Expression trends showed consistency between qRT-PCR detection data and RNA-seq data. 【Conclusion】This study obtained the transcriptomic data of female and male adults of M. dorsalis, elucidating that the molecular mechanisms underlying the response of M.dorsalis to heat stress involve multiple genes and pathways. The related heat shock protein coding genes were identified. These findings have laid a molecular foundation for further study of the functions of genes in the heat stress response in M. dorsalis.

Identification and expression profiling of genes of the pheromone-binding proteins in Anarta trifolii (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and their molecular docking with sex pheromones

ZHANG Hang, LI Wei-Peng, BAI Wei-Wei, YANG An-Pei, LI Guang-Kuo

2026, 69(7): 938-948. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.002

Abstract ( 70 )

PDF (3832KB) ( 29 ) 　　

【Aim】 To explore the bioinformatics characteristics and spatio-temporal expression profiles of the pheromone-binding protein (PBP) genes AtriPBP1-3 in Anarta trifolii, as well as the binding modes and affinities of AtriPBP1-3 to sex pheromones.【Methods】 Bioinformatics software was used for sequence analysis of AtriPBP1-3 of A. trifolii. The expression levels of AtriPBP1-3 in the antennae of virgin (0-, 1-, 3- and 5-day-old) and mated (5-day-old) female and male adults, and in various tissues (antennae, head without antennae, thorax, abdomen, leg and wing) of the 3-day-old virgin female and male adults of A. trifolii were examined by RT-qPCR. Homology modeling of AtriPBP1-3 was performed using SWISS-MODEL, and molecular docking simulations between the AtriPBP models and the major female sex pheromone components of A. trifolii, (Z)-hexadec-11-en-1-ol and (Z)-hexadec-11-enyl acetate, were performed using AutoDockTools. 【Results】 The complete coding sequences (CDSs) of AtriPBP1, AtriPBP2 and AtriPBP3 of A. trifolii were 498, 513 and 495 bp in length, encoding 165, 170 and 164 amino acid residues, respectively. The encoded proteins all had a typical structural domain of insect pheromone/odorant-binding protein that contained six conserved cysteines pairing to form three disulfide bridges. The amino acid sequence identity between AtriPBP1 of A. trifolii and MbraPBP1 of Mamestra brassicae was 86.67%, that between AtriPBP2 and MbraPBP2 of M. brassicae was 90.59%, and that between AtriPBP3 and PsauPBP3 of Peridroma saucia was 90.85%. AtriPBP1, AtriPBP2 and AtriPBP3 were expressed in the antennae of both virgin female and male adults of A. trifolii. The expression levels of AtriPBP1 in the antennae of the 0-, 1-, and 5-day-old virgin male adults were significantly higher than those in the corresponding day-old virgin female adults. The expression levels of AtriPBP2 in the antennae of the 5-day-old virgin male adults were significantly higher than that in the corresponding day-old virgin female adults. The expression levels of AtriPBP3 in the antennae of the 1-day-old virgin female adults and the 5-day-old mated female adults were significantly higher than those of male adults at the corresponding day-old and mating status. There were trace levels of expression of AtriPBP1－3 in the head without antennae, thorax, abdomen, leg and wing of the 3-day-old virgin female and male adults. AtriPBP1－3 all exhibited moderate docking binding affinities with (Z)-hexadec-11-en-1-ol and (Z)-hexadec-11-enyl acetate.【Conclusion】 AtriPBP1, AtriPBP2 and AtriPBP3 all possess the typical structural characteristics of insect pheromone/odorant-binding proteins, and are potentially involved in sex pheromone recognition.

Phylogenetic analysis of ACOT13 genes in dipteran insects and their biological functions in Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

LI Ze-Hong, LIN Yu-Ting, ZHANG Jing-Qi, LI Geng-Feng, LIANG Ri-Shen, ZHOU Meng

2026, 69(7): 949-961. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.003

Abstract ( 57 )

PDF (13935KB) ( 17 ) 　　

【Aim】 This study aims to systematically analyze the evolutionary patterns of acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) thioesterase 13 (ACOT13) genes in dipteran insects. By using Hermetia illucens as a model organism, the biological functions of ACOT13 genes were explored through studying their spatiotemporal expression patterns and the correlations between their expression levels and fatty acid deposition in the body.【Methods】 Genome-wide identification and phylogenetic analysis were performed on 85 representative dipteran insect species. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of ACOT13.1 and ACOT13.2 in different developmental stages (embryo, larva, prepupa, pupa and female and male adults) of H. illucens, as well as the prepupal fat body, Malpighian tubules and midgut. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the total fatty acid contents in the embryos, larvae, prepupae, pupae, and female and male adults, so as to analyze the correlations between the expression levels of ACOT13.1 and ACOT13.2 and the fatty acid content. 【Results】 Three ACOT13 gene isoforms (ACOT13.1, ACOT13.2 and ACOT13.3) were identified from the representative dipteran insects. Nematocera and some Brachycera groups (including Asilomorpha, most of Tabanomorpha, and a few Muscomorpha) only had a single ACOT13 gene. Most of Brachycera insects showed an expansion of ACOT13 genes (containing ACOT13.1/13.2/13.3), and the number of copies of ACOT13 genes showed random differences among related species of the same family. Core functional site analysis revealed species-specific variation in the medium and long-chain fatty acyl-coenzyme A binding sites, suggesting that the functions of ACOT13 genes might have differentiated after replication. Spatiotemporal expression analysis of ACOT13 genes further revealed that the expression levels of ACOT13.1 and ACOT13.2 were significantly correlated with developmental stage-specific fatty acid deposition in H. illucens, suggesting that the encoded proteins probably mediate lipid metabolism homeostasis through selective hydrolysis of acyl-CoA. 【Conclusion】 The adaptive expansion of ACOT13 genes in Brachycera insects might have drove the evolutionary innovation of the lipid metabolism pathway, and the results of the study provide new perspectives for resolving the molecular regulatory mechanisms of lipid metabolism in insects.

Effect of silencing the ecdysone receptor gene on the ecdysone titer, expression of downstream genes in the ecdysone signaling pathway and body weight of Apis mellifera worker larvae

LIAO Qi-Hui, LI Zi-Nuo, CHEN Xin-Rui, ZHOU Rui-Tong, CHEN Da-Fu, GUO Rui, XU Guo-Jun, QIU Jian-Feng

2026, 69(7): 962-970. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.004

Abstract ( 91 )

PDF (3462KB) ( 22 ) 　　

【Aim】 The ecdysone receptor (EcR) plays a crucial role in physiological processes such as development and metabolism in insects. This study aims to characterize the physicochemical properties, molecular characteristics, conserved domains and phylogenetic evolution of the EcR protein of Apis mellifera, AmEcR, and to investigate the role of AmEcR during the larval developmental stages of workers, thereby enhancing the understanding of its function during early ontogeny. 【Methods】The molecular characteristics and conserved motifs of AmEcR of A. mellifera were analyzed through bioinformatics software, and a phylogenetic tree of EcR proteins of A. mellifera and other eight closely related insect species was constructed. The expression levels of AmEcR in the 4- and 6-day-old worker larvae, 2-day-old prepupae, and 1-, 3-, 5-, 7- and 9-day-old pupae were detected using RT-qPCR. RNAi was utilized to suppress the AmEcR expression in the 3-day-old worker larvae of A. mellifera. Subsequently, the ecdysone titers and body weight of the 4-6-day-old worker larvae were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression levels of downstream genes AmEcR, AmUsp and AmHex70b in the ecdysone signaling pathway in the guts of the 4-6-day-old worker larvae of A. mellifera were quantified by RT-qPCR. 【Results】 The AmEcR protein (GenBank accession no.: NM_001098215.2) from A. mellifera consists of 629 amino acids, with the predicted molecular weight of approximately 66.78 kD, the lipophilicity index of 66.09, the isoelectric point of 6.31, and the hydrophilic coefficient of -0.481. AmEcR contains two transmembrane domains but lacks a signal peptide, and is primarily localized in the nucleus. The tertiary structure of AmEcR exhibited 99.84% homology with the template A0A7M7H321.1.A. The conserved domains NR_DBD_EcR and NR_LBD_EcR were identified in the AmEcR protein. EcR proteins of A. mellifera, A. laboriosa and A. cerana clustered into a major clade, indicating close phylogenetic proximity. AmEcR exhibited higher expression levels in the 4-day-old worker larval and 2-day-old prepupal stages than in pupal stage. RNAi-mediated suppression of AmEcR resulted in an extremely significantly decreased ecdysone titer and the reduced expression levels of downstream genes AmUsp and AmHex70bin the 4-6-day-old worker larvae, and the significantly decreased body weight of worker larvae at the 4- and 6-day-old compared to the control group. 【Conclusion】 Interfering the AmEcR expression caused a decline in ecdysone titer and a suppression of its signaling pathway, consequently leading to reduced body weight of worker larvae of A. mellifera.

Impact of the Nosema ceranae infection on Apis mellifera ligustica （Hymenoptera: Apidae）workers

FAN Nian, WU Tao, ZHANG Chuan-Lian, FAN Xiao-Xue, ZHANG Kai-Yao, YUE Hai-Mei, YANG Jia-Run, TIAN Jing, CHEN Da-Fu, QIU Jian-Feng, GUO Rui

2026, 69(7): 971-978. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.005

Abstract ( 54 )

PDF (1982KB) ( 12 ) 　　

【Aim】 To reveal the impact of Nosema ceranae infection on Apis mellifera ligustica workers and provide a scientific basis for further research on their interactions. 【Methods】 The clean spores of N. ceranae were prepared using Percoll discontinuous density gradient centrifugation, followed by the inoculation of the newly emerged A. m. ligustica workers and preparation of midgut samples. The infection effectiveness of N. ceranae in the midgut of A. m. ligustica worker adults at 7 d after inoculation was verified by PCR amplification of 16S rRNA and actin genes of N.ceranae. Digital PCR was used to detect the copy number of Hsp70 at 1, 4, 7 and 11 d after N. ceranae infection. The sucrose solution consumption and survival rate of A. m. ligustica worker adults in the N. ceranae-inoculated group and non-inoculated group were then measured and compared. 【Results】The 16S rRNA and actin genes with the expected sizes could be amplified from the midgut of worker adult of A. m. ligustica inoculated with N. ceranae. The copy numbers of Hsp70 identified in the midgut of individual worker adult of A. m. ligustica at 1, 4, 7 and 11 d after inoculation were 36.67, 386.67, 480 and 25 095.33, respectively. The average daily sucrose solution consumption of individual worker adult of A. m. ligustica at 4－13 d after inoculation with N. ceranae ［(0.0313±0.0041) g］ was higher than that ［(0.0219±0.0049) g］ in the non-inoculated control group. There were significant differences in the daily sucrose solution consumption of individual worker adult between the two groups at 4, 5, 9 and 11 d after inoculation with N. ceranae. The survival rates of worker adults of A. m. ligustica at 1－5 d after inoculation with N. ceranae and that in the non-inoculated control group were both 100%. The worker adults of A. m. ligustica started dying at 6 d after inoculation with N. ceranae, while those in the non-inoculated control group began dying at 7 d. The survival rates of worker adults of A. m. ligustica at 6－13 d after inoculation with N. ceranae were lower than that in the non-inoculated control group. 【Conclusion】 N. ceranae continuously proliferates in the midgut of A. m. ligustica worker, which results in significant energy stress on the host, thereby shortening the host lifespan.

Effects of the cysteine protease inhibitor EuCPI of Eucommia ulmoides on the growth and development of Plagiodera vresicolora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and the activities of three detoxification enzymes and cysteine protease in its larvae

WANG Shuo, ZHANG Jia-Jun, LIU Ming-Mei, HAN Guan-Qiao, ZHANG Shuang

2026, 69(7): 979-987. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.006

Abstract ( 49 )

PDF (2818KB) ( 8 )

PDF（mobile） (2818KB) ( 0 ) 　　

【Aim】To explore the insect resistance function and mechanism of the cysteine protease inhibitor (CPI) from Eucommia ulmoides(EuCPI), and provide new ways for effective management of coleopteran pests and important genetic resources and scientific data for the formation of new insect-resistant tree strains.【Methods】The 1st instar larvae of Plagiodera vresicolora were fed with willow leaves dipped in Escherichia coli solution containing EuCPI, the duration of various developmental stages, pupation rate, emergence rate, number of eggs laid per female, oviposition period and egg hatching rate of P. vresicola were observed and counted. The activities of three detoxification enzymes carboxylesterase (CarE), glutathione S-transfer (GST) and cytochrome P450 (P450), and cysteine protease (CP) at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after feeding the 2nd instar larvae of P. vresicolora with willow leaves soaked in E. coli solution containing EuCPI were detected. The activities of CP at 4, 12, 24 and 48 h after feeding the 2nd instar larvae of P. vresicolora with the leaves of 741 poplar, a transgenic resistant plant with EuCPI were detected.【Results】The duration of each developmental stage of P. vresicolora fed on willow leaves soaked with EuCPI engineering bacteria solution was significantly prolonged as compared to that of the control group, and the number of eggs laid per female, oviposition period, egg hatching rate and emergence rate were significantly lower than those of the control group. The activities of CarE and GST of P. vresicolora larvae fed on willow leaves soaked with EuCPI engineering bacteria solution showed a trend of increasing at first and then decreasing with prolongation of feeding time and the CarE activities in P. vresicolora larvae were significantly higher than those of the control group at all time points. Although the activities of P450 in P. vresicolora larvae fed on willow leaves soaked with EuCPI engineering bacteria solution did not change significantly with prolongation of feeding time, but were significantly lower than those of the control group at all time points. There was no significant difference in the CP activity at 4 and 12 h after feeding the 2nd instar larvae of P. vresicolora with EuCPI transgenic 741 poplar leaves as compared with that of the control group, and the CP activities at 24 and 48 h after feeding the 2nd instar larvae of P. vresicolora with EuCPI transgenic 741 poplar leaves were significantly lower than that of the control group.【Conclusion】EuCPI has obvious inhibitory effect on the growth and development of P. vresicolora, and plays the role by inhibiting the fed on willow leaves soaked with EuCPI engineering bacteria solution activity of CP and affecting the activities of major detoxification enzymes.

Identification, expression and insecticide-binding properties of chemosensory proteins of Clostera restitura (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae)

CHEN Xin-Wen, SONG Zi-Xue, LIU Wen-Hui, ZHANG Long-Wa, GU Tian-Zi

2026, 69(7): 988-1004. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.007

Abstract ( 76 )

PDF (13099KB) ( 25 ) 　　

【Aim】 Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are involved in host localization, growth and development, reproduction and other processes of insects. Studies have also shown that they participate in insect detection of insecticides. This study aims to clarify the binding properties between CSPs of Clostera restitura and insecticides, which will help elucidate the mechanism underlying perception of insecticides in C. restitura and provide candidate target genes for developing novel control technologies against C. restitura. 【Methods】 Based on the larval transcriptome data of C. restitura, CSP genes were identified and screened by bioinformatics method. Phylogenetic analysis of CSPs from C. restitura and other lepidopteran insects was conducted via neighbor-joining method. The expression levels of CresCSP genes in the 3rd instar larvae of C. restitura at different time points after chlorantraniliprole stress (being fed with poplar leaves soaked with 5.69 mg/L chlorantraniliprole solution for 30 s), as well as their expression profiles in different tissues(head, gut, fat body and cuticle) of the 3rd instar larvae at 24 h after treatment, were determined by RT-qPCR. Recombinant CresCSP1/3/6/9 were expressed through prokaryotic expression system and nickel column purification. The binding properties of the recombinant CresCSP1/3/6/9 with 14 insecticides were measured using fluorescence competitive binding assay.【Results】 A total of 21 CSP genes were identified from C. restitura transcriptome and named as CresCSP1-20. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most CresCSPs clustered with CSPs of Bombyx mori and Spodoptera exigua. RT-qPCR results showed that the expression levels of 16 CresCSP genes (CresCSP1-3, CresCSP5-7, CresCSP9-14, CresCSP16, and CresCSP18-20) in the 3rd instar larvae of C. restitura at 24 h after being fed with chlorantraniliprole-treated poplar leaves were significantly upregulated, as compared to those in the control group fed with poplar leaves soaked with an equivalent amount of acetone solution. CresCSP1/3/6/9 exhibited varying degrees of upregulated expression in the head, cuticle, gut and fat body at 24 h after feeding the 3rd instar larvae with the chlorantraniliprole-treated poplar leaves, as compared to those in the control. Fluorescence competitive binding assays indicated that the recombinant CresCSP1/3/6/9 showed good binding abilities with chlorpyrifos and phoxim, with the binding constant (K_i) values for chlorpyrifos being 10.6, 10.6, 9.3 and 11.2 μmol/L, respectively, and the Ki values for phoxim being 6.5, 13.6, 12.5 and 8.5 μmol/L, respectively.【Conclusion】 CresCSP1/3/6/9 proteins have strong binding affinities with organophosphorus insecticides, suggesting that they may be involved in the recognition and response of C. restitura to organophosphorus insecticides, thereby facilitating preference, avoidance or resistance to such insecticides.

Proteomic and metabolomic analyses to reveal the toxicity mechanisms of imidacloprid to larval workers of Apis mellifera ligustica (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

TAN Li, LI Wen-Pu, DENG Guang-Yuan, XIAO Ai, YI Juan, WANG Yue-Di, SHENG Li, XIAO Yan, ZHAO Si-Rui, LI Zhi

2026, 69(7): 1005-1017. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.008

Abstract ( 90 )

PDF (6118KB) ( 18 ) 　　

【Aim】 This study aims to elucidate the toxicity mechanisms of imidacloprid stress on larval workers of Apis mellifera ligustica using an integrated proteomic and metabolomic approach. 【Methods】 The 3-day-old larval workers of A. m. ligustica were exposed to 377 ng/mL imidacloprid for 72 h and the 6-day-old larval workers of A. m. ligustica were subjected to proteomic and metabolomic analyses. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) between the control group and imidacloprid-treated group were screened, and GO functional annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment were performed. Functional interaction networks of DEPs and molecular networks related to mitochondrial quality control (MQC) were analyzed. RT-qPCR validation of the 10 key genes (Pgd, MUL1, HSP90α, HUWE1, NDUFS4, MRPL52, GPX, GSHS, TrxR and SOD) related to mitochondrial quality control in the above 6-day-old larval workers of A. m. ligustica was conducted. Histopathological examination of the above 6-day-old larval workers of A. m. ligustica was performed by hematoxylin and eosin-staining, and the expression levels of the apoptosis gene Caspase-3 was determined by RT-qPCR. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the above 6-day-old larval workers of A. m. ligustica were determined. 【Results】 Exposure to imidacloprid resulted in the significant negative effect on the survival rate of A. m. ligustica worker larvae, with a clear time-dependent effect. A total of 451 DEPs (246 down-regulated, 205 up-regulated) and 138 DEMs (42 down-regulated, 96 up-regulated) in the 6-day-old larval workers of A. m. ligustica between the imidacloprid-treated group and the control group were identified. Among them, 14 DEPs and 8 DEMs were closely associated with MQC. Imidacloprid exposure not only disrupted fundamental metabolic processes such as amino acid metabolism, protein synthesis, TCA cycle and glucose metabolism, but also significantly affected mitochondrial dynamics regulation, autophagy clearance, biosynthesis and the antioxidant system. These disruptions led to an imbalance in MQC, resulting in impaired energy synthesis and the induction of mitophagy and apoptosis of mitochondria. DEMs were significantly enriched in pathways of fatty acid metabolism and amino acid metabolism, suggesting that lipid peroxidation may reduce energy utilization efficiency in larvae. The expression level changes of 10 key genes were consistent with proteomic data. Compared with the control group, the 6-day-old larvae in the imidacloprid-treated group exhibited obvious apoptosis, the up-regulated expression of Caspase-3, a significant decrease in reduced GSH content and a significant increase in MDA content, confirming the occurrence of oxidative stress.【Conclusion】 Imidacloprid exposure causes abnormalities in protein and glucose metabolism in A. m. ligustica larvae, likely by disrupting MQC homeostasis, inducing oxidative damage and energy metabolism disorders, ultimately leading to developmental abnormalities of larvae. This study provides new insights into the toxicity mechanisms of imidacloprid.

Determination of life table parameters and the contents of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in three wheat aphid species at three temperatures within the suitable temperature range

YUAN He, AN Jing-Jie, GUO Jiang-Long, HU Zhi-Xu, LI Yao-Fa, GAO Zhan-Lin

2026, 69(7): 1018-1030. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.009

Abstract ( 73 )

PDF (5246KB) ( 24 )

PDF（mobile） (5246KB) ( 1 ) 　　

【Aim】 This study aims to explore the population life table parameters and the changes of substance contents in wheat aphids within the suitable temperature range. 【Methods】The developmental duration, fecundity, survival rates and population growth parameters of three important wheat aphid species (Sitobion avenae, Schizaphis graminum and Rhopalosiphum padi) on wheat (Triticum aestivum) leaves under different temperatures (16, 20 and 24 ℃) were observed and calculated using the two-sex life table method in the laboratory. The contents of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in the 4th instar nymphs of three wheat aphid species under different temperature conditions were determined by biochemical method. 【Results】The duration of each instar nymph of the three wheat aphid species and adult longevity at 24 ℃ were significantly shorter than those at 16 ℃, and their fecundity varied at different temperatures. The fecundity of Sitobion avenae was the highest at 20 ℃, with the number of aphids produced per female reaching 21.02 ind. The fecundity of Schizaphis graminum was the highest at 16 ℃, with the number of aphids produced per female reaching 39.68 ind. R. padi had high fecundity at three temperatures, with the number of aphids produced per female ranging from 43.76 to 47.33 ind. The three life table parameters (net reproduction rate, intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase) of Sitobion avenae, Schizaphis graminum and R. padi were the highest at 20, 16 and 24 ℃, respectively, indicating that these temperatures are most suitable for the population growth of these three aphid species. Under different temperatures, the protein content in the 4th instar nymphs of Sitobion avenae was the highest at 20 ℃, reaching 1.63 μg/mg. The contents of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in the 4th instar nymphs of Schizaphis graminum accumulated at 16 ℃ were the highest, which were 21.77, 2.69 and 0.85 μg/mg, respectively. The lipid content in the 4th instar nymphs of R. padi was the highest at 24 ℃, reaching 0.33 μg/mg. 【Conclusion】 The optimal temperatures for the growth, development and reproduction of three wheat aphid species within the determined temperature range are different. The population growth of different aphid species is promoted by accumulating different substances in the body. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and reference for the prediction and early warning of field population occurrence of wheat aphids and pest control.

Spatiotemporal distribution patterns and driving factors of Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in China

ZOU Sheng-Kang, XIAN Xiao-Qing, HUANG Hong-Kun, SUN Zhong-Xiang, ZHANG Gui-Fen

2026, 69(7): 1031-1041. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.010

Abstract ( 53 )

PDF (5286KB) ( 15 ) 　　

【Aim】Cydia pomonella is a quarantine pest. This study aims to clarify the spread and distribution characteristics of C. pomonella in China, and analyze the spatiotemporal distribution patterns and driving factors of this pest in the northeastern and northwestern occurrence areas in China, so as to provide support for early prevention and scientific control.【Methods】 This study focused on the northeastern and northwestern occurrence areas of C. pomonella in China, which have gradually formed relatively independent and spatially discontinuous occurrence patterns. Historical literature, multiple databases, and systematic field surveys were integrated to construct national spatiotemporal distribution data of C. pomonella. Interannual dispersal rates of C. pomonella were evaluated using the effective range radius method. Historical dispersal routes of C. pomonella were reconstructed using the ecospat R package, and spatial patterns were analyzed using standard deviational ellipses and spatial autocorrelation. Key driving factors of the distribution of C. pomonella were identified based on random forest models. 【Results】 In the northeastern occurrence area in China, the dispersal rates of C. pomonella showed significant interannual fluctuations and exhibited no functional relationship with time, with dispersal events dominated by long-distance spread. In the northwestern occurrence area in China, the dispersal rates of C. pomonella increased over time following a power-law function, and were highly consistent with least-cost routes, with dispersal mainly characterized by infilling expansion. Spatial autocorrelation in the northeastern occurrence area in China was the strongest at the 20 km scale, with clustering of C. pomonella oriented along a northeast-southwest direction and hotspots concentrated in agroforestry composite areas. In the northwestern occurrence area in China, spatial autocorrelation was the strongest at the 30 km scale, with the distributions of C. pomonella extending along oasis and irrigation corridors in east-west and north-south directions. Human activity-related factors contributed strongly to the distribution in both occurrence areas in China, with a more dominant role in the northwestern occurrence area, whereas in the northeastern occurrence area the distribution of C. pomonella was jointly driven by human activities as well as climatic and topographic factors. 【Conclusion】 Differences exist in the dispersal processes, spatiotemporal distribution patterns, and driving factors of C. pomonella between the northeastern occurrence area and the northwestern occurrence area in China. Control strategies can be based on key monitoring grids identified from hotspots, dispersal routes and driving factors. In the northeastern occurrence area, monitoring should be strengthened using 20 km grids, with emphasis on agroforestry ecotones and the edges of urbanized plains. In the northwestern occurrence area, a 30 km banded monitoring system should be established along oasis-irrigation-transport corridors, together with the implementation of isolation zones.

Impact of multiple mating of male adults and adult anti-mating disruption of Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on the efficacy of sex pheromone-based mating disruption strategies

LIU Yi-Jie, GAO Ya-Qi, CHEN Xiu-Lin, LI Bo-Liao, LUO Kun, LI Guang-Wei

2026, 69(7): 1042-1054. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.011

Abstract ( 109 )

PDF (2807KB) ( 26 ) 　　

【Aim】This study aims to clarify the multiple mating ability of male adults of Grapholita molesta and the effects of male remating on female fecundity, explain why the use of sex pheromone dispensers in a single growing season fails to effectively control shoot and fruit infestations by G. molesta through disrupting its mating, so as to provide a theoretical foundation for employing sex pheromone-based mating disruption (MD) techniques to control this pest.【Methods】Under indoor conditions characterized by the temperature of (23±1) ℃, relative humidity of 60%±5% and photoperiod of 15L∶9D, each newly emerged male adult of G. molesta was continuously paired with five unmated 3-4-day-old female adults to observe the male mating frequency and evauate its ability for remating. The impact of multiple mating of male adults on female adult fecundity was assessed by measuring the changes in the average number of eggs laid, average egg hatching rate, and larval survival rate after female adults mated with male adults at different mating frequencies. The MD effect of sex pheromone dispensers on adult G. molesta was evaluated using an outdoor-cage approach in apple orchards, and the capacity of adults to overcome exogenous sex pheromone disruption during mating was clarified. By measuring the mating rates of adults after discontinuing the prolonged stimulation of sex pheromone dispensers, the ability to recover their perception of opposite-sex pheromones once they left the mating-disruption environment was clarified through indoor mating. The control efficacy of sex pheromone dispensers against the fruit and shoot infestation by G. molesta was validated by MD test in peach orchards in a single growing season, and the underlying reasons for the short-term poor control efficacy were investigated.【Results】Male G. molesta adults were capable of multiple mating, with 9.2 matings of each male adult on average and reaching a maximum of 13 matings. The mating frequency of male adults significantly influenced the average number of eggs laid by female adults. However, there was no significant difference in the average number of eggs laid by female adults that mated with male adults that had mated fewer than 9 times. The mating time of male adults had no significant impact on the average egg hatching rate and larval survival rate. Under the conditions where the density of sex pheromone dispensers was 600 per hm², and the adult density was 10 pairs/2 m³, the mating rate of female adults after 48 h of continuous mating disruption via sex pheromone dispensers was 22.00%±2.31%, and the control efficacy was 74.09%±2.66%. After the removal of continuous mating disruption with exogenous sex pheromone dispensers, female and male adults of G. molesta could regain normal mating ability within 1-2 h, indicating that they possess a strong ability to overcome exogenous sex pheromone-induced mating disruption. Continuous exogenous sex pheromone stimulation did not impair the olfactory system of adults in perceiving and recognizing the sex pheromones released by heterosexual individuals. The fruit-bored control efficacy and shoot-bored control efficacy of G. molesta using sex pheromone dispensers in a single growing season were relatively low, being 66.92%±3.79% and 69.35%±2.19%, respectively.【Conclusion】The multiple mating ability of male adults of G. molesta and the resistance of adults to exogenous sex pheromone disruption are the two critical factors that cause poor effectiveness of short-term mating disruption in controlling this pest. This study provides a theoretical basis for scientifically implementing attraction and mating disruption strategies based on sex pheromones to ecologically control G. molesta.

Research advances on the nutritional regulation of ant social behavior

CHEN Jie, DING Sheng, LIAN Ya-Qin, SHI Qing-Xing, CHEN Ting, QI Guo-Jun

2026, 69(7): 1055-1064. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.012

Abstract ( 127 )

PDF (1228KB) ( 28 ) 　　

Ants, among the most evolutionarily successful eusocial insects, have a highly organized social structure that serves as an important model for studying the evolution of sociality. The formation of social behaviors results from the dynamic interaction between genetics and environmental factors, with nutrition acting as a key environmental regulator in ant social behaviors. By regulating the biological processes including gene expression, hormone secretion, neural signaling transduction and pheromone communication, nutrition precisely modulates colony-level foraging strategies, caste differentiation and reproductive resource allocation. In this review, we systematically summarized the multi-layered regulatory mechanisms through which nutrition shapes ant social behavior at three levels. At the individual developmental level, nutritional intake is a primary determinant of caste differentiation and individual behavioral phenotype. Larval nutrient supply guides developmental trajectories via epigenetic and neuroendocrine pathways, while adult nutrient status continuously modulates reproductive investment and brood care behavior. Queen fecundity is significantly dependent on nutrient supply, the brood-care behavior of workers is closely associated with their fat reserves, and the newly mated dealated queens entirely rely on internal nutrient stores to complete colony founding and rearing of the first worker cohort. Furthermore, mating signal can trigger nutrient redistribution in reproductive ants, initiating a behavioral shift from individual maintenance to reproductive investment. At the colony organizational level, unequal nutrient distribution underpins the basis of social division of labor, and colony-level integration and coordination are achieved through information exchange. Trophallaxis is not only a key pathway of the redistribution of nutrients， but also is the core communication pathway for information integration and behavioral coordination. At the evolutionary adaptation level, characteristics such as the abundance, quality and spatial distribution of food resources together generate persistent selective pressures, driving the dynamic adaptation in foraging strategies and caste differentiation across ant colonies. Future research should focus on the following directions: (1) Systematically elucidating the multi-level transduction pathways of nutritional signals and uncovering the coding mechanisms of potential information carriers in the trophallaxis network; (2) Delving into the long-term effects and evolutionary origins of epigenetic regulation on behavioral plasticity, particularly whether key epigenetic targets are subject to hierarchical regulation by non-coding RNAs and their evolutionary relationships with the regulatory pathways of other social insects; and (3) Systematically revealing the role of the gut microbiota as a "nutritional signal transfer station" in the regulation of social behaviors in ant colonies, and clarifying the causal relationships between the microbial community structure of species in different ecological niches and their nutritional preferences and behavioral adaptations. This review aims to advance the understanding of eusocial evolution, reveal the molecular basis of nutritional regulation of ant social behavior, and provide a scientific basis for the development of targeted, nutrition-based control strategies for ant management.

Research progress on neural regulation of honey bee foraging behavior

XU Xue-Ling, LI Lin-Fen, ZENG Zhao-Yang, WU Zun, SU Song-Kun

2026, 69(7): 1065-1075. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.013

Abstract ( 62 )

PDF (1721KB) ( 17 ) 　　

As a typical representative of social insects, the foraging behavior of honey bee workers is a highly complex and precisely regulated process that is crucial for colony survival and reproduction. In this article, we synthesized recent literature on honey bee foraging behavior research, analyzing the regulatory roles of four aspects including monoamine neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, inhibitory neurotransmitters and the cholinergic system across different physiological states and behavioral types. Existing evidence demonstrates that honey bee foraging behavior is governed by a network of multiple classes of neuromodulators. Among them, octopamine and dopamine serve as core monoaminergic neurotransmitters, participating in reward value encoding, motivational drive and behavioral transitions. Serotonin (5-HT), tachykinin-related peptide (TRP) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are more involved in behavioral threshold modulation, behavioral control and neural circuit stability. sNPF and related neuropeptides primarily reflect individual nutritional and energy status, regulating sensory perception and food intake, while acetylcholine functions in olfactory and visual information transmission as well as learning and memory. In conclusion, honey bee foraging behavior is not controlled by a single signaling molecule, but rather depends on the coordinated interaction of different types of neural signaling molecules at the levels of physiological state, sensory processing and behavioral decision-making. Future research should focus on the interaction mechanisms among multiple signaling molecules, the transmission pathways of peripheral nutritional signals to the central nervous system and investigations at the neural circuit level. These efforts will facilitate a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying social insect foraging behavior and provide theoretical foundations for honey bee health assessment and conservation.

Identification and inducible expression of the defensin genes SlDefensin1-3 in Shelfordella lateralis (Blattodea: Blattidae)

GUI Hang, CHEN Jiang-Ling, LI Xin, HE Shu-Lin, ZHANG Bing-Chuan, LI Fei, XU Tie-Long, LÜ Hui, ZHOU Cao

2026, 69(7): 1076-1084. doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2026.07.014

Abstract ( 54 )

PDF (2450KB) ( 9 ) 　　

【Aim】 To identify the defensin genes of Shelfordella lateralis, and explore their spatiotemporal expression features and expression responses to bacterial and insecticide stresses. 【Methods】 Based on the transcriptome data of Shelfordella lateralis, the defensin genes were assembled and cloned. RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression levels of three SlDefensin genes (SlDefensin1-3)in different developmental stages (1st and 4th instar nymphs, and female adult and male adult), different tissues of the 4th instar nymphs (cuticle, head, thorax, leg, fat body and hemolymph), and the 4th instar nymphs of Shelfordella lateralis treated with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus or deltamethrin (1×10^-5 mg/L). 【Results】 Three SlDefensin genes (SlDefensin1-3) of Shelfordella lateralis were cloned (GenBank accession numbers are PX433639, PX433640 and PX433641, respectively), with their open reading frames encoding 71, 72 and 75 amino acids, respectively. The encoded proteins of SlDefensin1-3 had the predicted molecular weights of 7.7, 8.0 and 8.0 kD, and theoretical isoelectric points of 6.9, 9.0 and 9.2, respectively. SlDefensin1 and SlDefensin2 showed the highest expression levels in male adults of Shelfordella lateralis, while SlDefensin3 was predominantly expressed in the 1st instar nymphs and female adults. SlDefensin1-3 were highly expressed in the hemolymph of the 4th instar nymphs, and SlDefensin2 and SlDefensin3 also exhibited higher expression levels in the fat body of the 4th instar nymphs of Shelfordella lateralis. SlDefensin1 was significantly induced to express by Staphylococcus aureus compared with the control group. SlDefensin2 was continuously induced by E. coli, with the expression peaking at 48 h after treatment, and the expression level of SlDefensin3 was transiently upregulated in the early stages of induction by Staphylococcus aureus compared with the control group. Deltamethrin treatment suppressed the expression of SlDefensin1 and SlDefensin3, whereas SlDefensin2 was transiently upregulated at the early stage of deltamethrin treatment compared with the control group. 【Conclusion】 Three SlDefensin genes were identified in Shelfordella lateralis. These genes exhibited differential expression patterns across developmental stages, in various nymphal tissues and under bacterial and insecticide stresses. These results provide a basis for understanding the immune defense mechanisms of Shelfordella lateralis and offer insights into the potential applications of defensins in the development of natural antimicrobial agents and the utilization of this species as a resource insect.

Contents of Vol. 69 Issue 7

2026, 69(7): 1085-1085.

Abstract ( 31 )

PDF (533KB) ( 5 ) 　　